“Zhao Gongming of Jie School wants to attend the Immortality Peach Banquet?”
In the Lingxiao Treasure Hall, the white-robed Jade Emperor sat behind the jade table on the platform. He was puzzled when he heard the report from the old immortal paper effigy of the Sea God.
The Jade Emperor smiled and said, “Changgeng, why did you invite him over? Could it be that you had invited such an expert to guard against the Western Sect?”
Below the platform, Li Changshou said seriously, “Your Majesty, this Senior Gongming likes to commit fraud… Ahem, he likes to exercise. He has some ties with me. This time, he wants to attend the Immortal Peach Banquet…”
“Wait, let me guess!”
The young man in white on the platform pondered for a while and smiled. “Changgeng, you have six motives for this, right?”
Li Changshou was rendered speechless.
Six, six?
How did you guess that?
“Your Majesty is wise!”
The Jade Emperor smiled and said, “Firstly, you have to consider the dignity of the Heavenly Courts. Secondly, you have to intimidate the dragon race. Thirdly, you have to express your goodwill to Jie School. Fourthly, you have to establish a relationship between the experts of the Three Sects and the Heavenly Courts. Fifthly, it’s to guard against the Western Sect. Sixthly, it’s to add some Dao Sect background to the Immortal Peach Banquet!”
Continue forcing it.
Zhao Gongming clearly wants to go to the Heavenly Courts to ask Elder Moon about his relationship.
He had tricked Master Zhao into coming to the Heavenly Courts because he wanted Master Zhao to understand the Heavenly Courts in advance so that he could do things more conveniently in the future…
However, when Li Changshou saw the faint smile on the Jade Emperor’s face, he could only bow and say, “Your Majesty, I have been waiting for a long time.”
The Jade Emperor shook his head with a smile and changed the topic gently.
He naturally could get as many invitations as he wanted.
Even if Li Changshou did not have any invitation cards and brought people to the Heavenly Courts that day, no Heavenly General would dare to stop him. The Jade Emperor might even conclude that he had eight goals.
The Immortality Peach Banquet was imminent. The two of them discussed many details before Li Changshou left.
In the Lingxiao Hall, the Jade Emperor stood up and paced around. His eyes were filled with vigor.
In the Jade Pavilion, the beautiful female immortal leader leaned against the grand phoenix couch and pondered carefully. She wanted to speak a few times but hesitated as if she had some reservations. Not long after, she called the female official outside the hall and said, “Go and ask His Majesty if he can lend me his beloved subordinate Changgeng. I want to let this Sea God take a look at the arrangements for the Immortal Peach Banquet in the Jade Pool personally.”
The female official below replied respectfully. She stood up and bowed before turning to leave the hall.
“How troublesome.” The female immortal snorted.
The female immortal was originally elegant and dignified, could not help but purse her lips and drop her pretense.
Stupid Hao Tian. He keeps saying that he’s fine, but he’s so petty!
Footsteps sounded outside the hall again. The female immortal immediately adjusted her posture to sit up straight and restored her aura. She squinted and waited for the female official to report some trivial matters to the Jade Pool. A moment later, two Heavenly Generals arrived at the Sea God Residence, escorting a Jade Pool Fairy. The fairy reported softly. Li Changshou calmly agreed and said that he would go to the Jade Pool to visit the Queen Mother when he reported to the Jade Emperor.
There was no choice. It was a necessary procedure.
After all, Li Changshou did not know if the Jade Emperor would mind that. It was safer to prepare a proposal…
Therefore, the matter of the Queen Mother inviting the Sea God to the Jade Pool passed through the Lingxiao Treasure Hall twice. The Queen Mother and the Sea God reported it to the Jade Emperor once each. That made the Jade Emperor, who was a little smug just now, fall into deep thought.
What… happened?
When facing him, was there a need for her, his Dao companion, and his most trusted subordinate to be so cautious?
As the mighty Heavenly Emperor, how could he be unhappy over such a small matter? Moreover, who was Changgeng? Even if he went to the Jade Pool, he would not do anything rude. “Huh?”
The Jade Emperor suddenly raised his eyebrows and received the message from his incarnation.
“Two Heavenly Generals in the Western Heavenly Gate are talking about Long Ji’s marriage.”
Hmph, they actually dare to chat and joke when doing something as important as guarding the Heavenly Courts. Everyone will receive 600 years of merit! Where was I just now?
Oh right, my beloved subordinate Changgeng will not be rude.
When one of Li Changshou’s paper effigies rushed to the Jade Pool, the other paper effigy stopped writing and said, “Long Ji? Is there anything that the Queen Mother dislikes?”
Long Ji, who was meditating at the back of the ship, immediately opened her eyes. She first analyzed the Sea God’s question and answered, “Mother is usually very gentle and is quite tolerant of others. Sea God, are you going to see Mother?”
“Yes, the Queen Mother summoned me.”
Li Changshou scanned the river below with his immortal senses and looked at the last water rune painting that was about to be completed. He smiled and said, “She said that she wants me to set up the Immortality Peach Banquet. She probably wants me to move the tables and wipe the plates.”
Long Ji chuckled. The three dragon-headed elders hiding around the small boat also laughed.
Although the laughter was hearty, the scene was indeed… strange.
Li Changshou looked at Long Ji and stood up. He said seriously, “You’ve been watching from the side for more than ten years. This is the last great river. There are still eleven days until the Immortal Peach Banquet. Come and give it a try. Follow what I have done previously and organize the hydrology of the Great River. In this case, I wouldn’t have made you go there for nothing.”
“Can I?”
Long Ji was stunned.
“Come.” Li Changshou held the immortal brush. “I want you to feel a little involved.”
“Thank you for your guidance, Sea God!”
Long Ji cupped her hands and bowed with a Dao salute. Her face was full of excitement as she walked forward quickly.
How could she not know that the Sea God was giving her a portion of merit so that she could leave her name in the Heavenly Courts’ merit book?
At that moment, Long Ji held her breath and focused. Every time she put down the brush, she would think carefully. The elegant words would appear on the cloth.’
Li Changshou stood outside the cabin and looked up at the sky. His eyes were filled with peace. Most of his attention was focused on the Heavenly Courts. The paper effigy had already arrived near the Jade Pool. The so-called Jade Pool was actually formed from sixteen immortal mountains.
Such immortal mountains could be seen everywhere in the Heavenly Courts. Most of them were desolate. They were only waiting for the number of immortals and immortals in the Heavenly Courts to increase so that they could build a mansion for immortals.
Looking at the Jade Pool from afar, the sixteen immortal mountains rose and fell continuously, forming a complete circle. There was an immortal lake inside, which was the Jade Pool’s core pool.
The Immortal Lake was like a mirror that reflected the white clouds and the light blue sky. There were many Immortal Islands floating on it. The scenery on the island was magnificent and the layout was different. There were only a few pavilions that were elegant.
On the immortal mountains beside the Jade Pool, there were endless jade buildings and golden halls. Figures were walking everywhere, and their laughter sounded like the chirping of hundreds of birds.
In a remote hall and pavilion, the fairies were playing and laughing. That should be the place where the fairies of the Jade Pool rested.
In the hall near the lake, he could see groups of fairies meditating and cultivating in the dense spiritual energy. The atmosphere was much more solemn.
Most of the Immortal Islands on the lake only had the sounds of music, birds, and flowing water. Few people spoke.
Li Changshou was led by the fairy towards the Immortal Island in the middle.
When he got nearer, Li Changshou also saw the venue of the Immortal Peach Banquet — a certain immortal mountain in a corner of the lake.
There were already Jade Emperor and the Queen Mother’s thrones and hundreds of short tables for guests. Many fairies flew around to hang some exquisite ornaments.
Hasn’t everything already been set up?
Li Changshou was a little apprehensive and suspected something. He did not know why the Queen Mother had called him over, but he was extremely focused.
To be safe, Li Changshou’s main body in the Little Qiong Peak had already taken out the latest ‘Hundred Aged Iron Beauties Painting’ and looked at it carefully. He then entered an “indifferent to profits” mode.
He was brought to a hall by a few fairies. He went forward to greet the Queen Mother. From the corner of his eye, he saw the beautiful woman who was clad in a green dress, sitting on the throne.
Heh, a skeleton of steel.
“Greetings, Queen Mother!”
“Minister Changgeng,” the Queen Mother said slowly, “I heard that His Majesty has ordered you to subdue the dragons during this Immortal Peach Banquet. Today, I invited you over to take a look at their arrangements. It’s up to you to give commands.”
“Yes.” Li Changshou bowed and was about to leave when the Queen Mother continued.
The Queen Mother said, “I have been living in the Jade Pool for a long time and have been busy cultivating. I often blame myself for not being able to share His Majesty’s burden and give him help. Fortunately, Changgeng, you entered the Heavenly Courts to serve. The various matters of the Heavenly Courts are gradually progressing. Minister Changgeng, you have contributed to the Heavenly Courts’ current situation.”
“I don’t dare to claim credit.” Li Changshou hurriedly said, “It’s all because of His Majesty’s good control. His Majesty is talented, ambitious, and hardworking. His mind is focused on all living beings in the Three Realms. I’m really impressed.” The Queen Mother could not help but laugh softly. Her laughter was like that of a lark and was rather moving.
Yes, but the sound of steel skeletons rubbing against bones could be heard.
“Later, I will send someone to deliver the reward to your residence. Don’t reject it.
Changgeng, I don’t know much about the world. I have some questions. Can you answer them?”
“Please ask, Goddess.” Li Changshou lowered his head and cupped his hands. “I will definitely consider carefully before giving my answer.”
“I heard that the Western Sect was the first to plot against the dragon race. However, you sent a memorial to His Majesty to explain the pros and cons of this matter. Then, His Majesty allowed you to help the dragon ascend to the Heavenly Courts. In such a short period of time, the Western Sect seemed to have lost… How did you do it, Changgeng?”
Li Changshou thought, I’ll have to start from when Jin Chanzi made an oath in the Sea God Temple.
“Goddess, you don’t know.” Li Changshou smiled and said, “The Western Sect is one of the few major sects in the world. There are also two Saints who want to take the dragon race. One of them wants to turn the dragon race into a sharp blade that they can use, and the other wants to do so because he has taken a liking to the accumulation of the dragon race over countless years.”
He continued, “If the Western Sect were to obtain the dragons’ wealth, the Western Sect would have more resources. The great sects look down on the dragon race and want the dragon race to be loyal to them. However, they were unwilling to give the dragon race any benefits. Therefore, they decided to be ruthless and sent ferocious beasts. As a result, the dragon race suffered many casualties and was in great pain.” “The Heavenly Courts accept the dragon race for the sake of the righteous Heavenly Might, establishing authority, and increasing the power of the Heavenly Courts. We can give the dragon race many benefits and resolve their negative karma. As long as we grasp the general situation, there is no need to scheme too much. The dragon race will naturally be loyal.”
The Queen Mother nodded slowly and smiled. “Although you make it sound easy, I’m afraid it’s hard for others to know about the hardships here. However, how could the Western Sect be willing to accept that? Will the Western Sect plot anything against the Immortal Peach Banquet this time?”
“Yes,” Li Changshou said. “According to my deduction, I’m afraid some disciples of the Western Sect will come uninvited later. However, I have already warned His Majesty about this matter. His Majesty has also arranged a way to deal with it.”
“That’s good.” The Queen Mother nodded slowly and said, “Since His Majesty is already prepared, I can rest assured.”
The Queen Mother did not ask further about that matter. Then, she asked Li Changshou a few irrelevant questions.
For example, she asked whether Li Changshou already had a Dao companion or whether Li Changshou had any opinions about the Heavenly Rules.
Li Changshou answered and dealt with it carefully. From the beginning, he did not make any mistakes. He did not take the initiative to look up at the Queen Mother.
When Li Changshou left the Queen Mother’s Hall and headed to the venue of the Immortal Peach Banquet to command the relevant tasks, Li Changshou looked at the beautiful figures that were in groups and could not help but give them… layers of steel shells in his head.
Psht…
The latest painting is really too powerful!
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye. Li Changshou was very busy as he simultaneously managed three areas and ran back and forth.
Half a day before the Immortal Peach Banquet, Li Changshou’s paper effigy appeared in the East Ocean Dragon Palace. He went to the Heavenly Gate with the East Ocean Dragon King, the East Ocean Dragon Palace’s Crown Prince, two dragon ladies, and more than ten elders and generals.
Li Changshou repeatedly gave the big shots of the dragon race reminders about some details.
The dragon race also knew that they were going to the Heavenly Courts to submit this time. The Dragon King of the East Ocean had also changed his golden robe.
They had just arrived at the Central Heavenly Gate. From the west, south, and north, more than ten azure dragons flew through the clouds and fog. They flew over from the Primordial World and landed in front of the Central Heavenly Gate, transforming into human forms.
Li Changshou looked at the West Ocean Dragon King and the elders and generals of the dragon race who had strange expressions behind him. He smiled in his head.
The time of the Immortality Peach Banquet and the invitation to the dragon race naturally could not be hidden from the Western Sect. This matter could be deduced after some deductions.
However, Li Changshou had been maintaining a detailed operation for the past decade. First, he left the West Ocean Dragon Palace hanging and kept releasing waves of fake news. It was only yesterday that he had asked the Dragon King of the East Ocean to write a letter to the Dragon King of the West Ocean to ask him to send the person he could trust the most to meet up with him today.
There were definitely many traitors in the West Ocean team. If they caused trouble at the Immortal Peach Banquet, Li Changshou could use the backup plan.
It was already an open plan for the Heavenly Courts to take in the dragon race during the Immortal Peach Banquet.
Regardless of whether the West Ocean Dragon Palace was actually controlled by the Western Sect, they had to submit to the Heavenly Courts in name.
That was a general idea.
“Everyone.” Li Changshou extended his right hand. “Please.”
The Dragon Kings of the four seas flew on a cloud at the front while Li Changshou followed beside them. The generals, dragon princes, and elders of the dragon race followed behind. Most of them were filled with anticipation and eagerness, while a small half… had upset stomachs.
At the Central Heaven Gate, the 60,000 Heavenly Courts’ elite troops were waiting. The nine Golden Immortal realm generals of the Heavenly Courts stood quietly.
At the same time, in the Sea God Temple of the South Ocean, Li Changshou woke up Zhao Gongming, who had been drunk a few days ago. Ao Yi, who had been waiting for a long time, hurriedly bowed.
Li Changshou smiled and said, “The Immortal Peach Banquet of the Heavenly Courts is about to begin. My incarnation is waiting at the Central Heavenly Gate. Brother, you and Ao Yi will go to the Heavenly Courts together. We will meet at the Central Heavenly Gate.”
“Alright!”
Zhao Gongming yawned and asked, “Should I bring some gifts for Elder Moon?”
Li Changshou took out a jar of immortal wine from his sleeve and smiled. “I’ve already prepared it. This is Elder Moon’s favorite fruit wine. It’s not anything expensive. It can be considered a token of friendship.”
“Alright.” Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and laughed. He carried Ao Yi and rode the cloud away.
On the small boat in the northwest corner of the South Continent, Long Ji wiped the sweat off her forehead and stood up. She looked at the water painting in front of her and realized how much the Sea God had done in the past twelve years.
If it were her, she would probably not be able to complete it in a hundred years.
“Alright.” Li Changshou smiled and took out two treasure pouches from his sleeve. He handed them to Long Ji and said, “My other incarnation is waiting at the Central Heaven Gate. Bring these hydrology diagrams over and meet up with me.”
The three ancient elders of the dragon race appeared.
Long Ji hurriedly asked, “Sea God, aren’t you going back with me?”
“Yes.” Li Changshou nodded. “When an incarnation sees an incarnation, they will still have the same white hair, white beard, and old face. I don’t think much of it. I’m just afraid that the Heavenly Courts soldiers guarding there will be agitated.”
Long Ji could not help but laugh softly. She hugged the treasure pouch of hydrology diagrams that Li Changshou had painstakingly drawn for twelve years and rode a cloud to the Central Heaven Gate.
Li Changshou took advantage of the situation and hacked the wooden boat’s Dharma treasure.
“Ah…” Li Changshou’s paper effigy stood on the wooden boat and listened to the surging sounds of the river below. He sensed the abundant water spirits in the world and did not feel anything. The curtains were drawn, and there was no turning back. This world…
“Huh?”
Li Changshou could not help but stop sighing. His main body, who was sitting in the straw hut by the lake of the Little Qiong Peak, turned to look next door.
Are you going to wake up? You really know how to pick the timing.
