Although Li Changshou wanted to go to the Three-Immortal Island to relax, he was still an ordinary minister with a bottom line. In the end, he chose to return to the Heavenly Courts and report to the Jade Emperor.
He was now the spokesperson of the Heavenly Courts. Every action of his would be interpreted as the will of the Heavenly Courts. He had to communicate with the leader, though it was after the incident.
Hence, Li Changshou returned to the Grand White Palace to hide his main body. He drove his paper effigy around and met Marshal Quan Dong, who was waiting for him on an immortal mountain.
Li Changshou called him Marshal. The Jade Emperor’s incarnation called him General. The two incarnations found an uninhabited place.
The small table was placed and the roasting rack was placed together. There was a special melody of the Jade Pool and a song of the Immortal World being played. The stool was sat down, and his legs were stretched out. He said a few words about the matters of the Three Realms and evaluated Di Yi, Di Xin, the Dragon King, and the Yama Lord.
It was filled with life.
“Changgeng, have you gained anything from staying in the mortal world for so many years?”
Quan Dong chewed the ordinary meat that Li Changshou had brought back from the mortal world and ate it with relish.
Li Changshou took out a scroll from his sleeve. It was the “Records of Mortals” that he had previously created.
“Your Majesty, there are indeed many talents in the mortal world. They only lack horizons. They can bring the Heavenly Courts to nurture and nurture them. They are very promising.”
Li Changshou paused. Out of consideration for his personal safety, he praised the Heavenly Dao.
“What the Heavenly Dao has shown previously requires at least a third of the positions of righteous gods to be given to the human race. Most of them are validated from the current mortal officials and generals of the human race. This could be considered the concern the Heavenly Dao had for the human race. After all, there are more immortals from the human race in the Heavenly Courts. They can take care of the human race.”
Quan Dong took a few glances and nodded slowly. He smiled and said, “Changgeng, it’s been hard on you.”
However, Quan Dong’s attention was clearly not there.
He put away the scroll solemnly and chatted for a while. Seeing that Li Changshou did not take the initiative to mention it, he could only take the initiative to divert the topic to the battle at Chentang Pass and ask about the cause.
Li Changshou sighed softly. “This matter… is difficult to explain.”
“Then tell me slowly.” Quan Dong smiled and said, “Let’s eat and drink here today. Don’t tell me you have a next match? Eh? Minister Changgeng?”
Li Changshou was rendered speechless.
“Of course not. It’s the most important thing to report to His Majesty about the gains over the years. However, since His Majesty cares about Ling Zhuzi, I’ll report from the beginning.”
At that moment, Li Changshou tried his best to explain in detail from the moment Ling Zhuzi arrived in the Heavenly Courts.
Quan Dong listened with relish. From time to time, he would ask something related to the Heavenly Courts.
The Jade Emperor had already deduced Ling Zhuzi’s reincarnation path through the Heavenly Dao. He knew that Ling Zhuzi was a future general of the Heavenly Courts and was rather concerned.
When Li Changshou said that, he had a premonition that the Saint of the Western Sect would definitely take revenge on him…
“Are they still not convinced?”
Quan Dong’s mouth twitched.
“It’s not too much for the Dao Sect to destroy the dirty deeds that the Western Sect has secretly done. They still have the cheek to say that they are taking revenge!”
Li Changshou smiled and said, “Your Majesty, do you have any Western scandals that outsiders don’t know about?”
“There’s a problem with the Saints of the Western Sect.”
Quan Dong shook his head. Clearly, he was unwilling to talk about that matter. He only said, “Changgeng, if there’s such a thing next time, just use the Heavenly Courts’ name and borrow the Heavenly Dao to suppress it.”
Li Changshou sighed.
“Yang Jian had previously pointed out his identity as the Heavenly Courts’ General. That Saint did not have the intention to stop. Your Majesty, although the Heavenly Courts have already risen and their strength and influence have improved greatly, they still lack the means to deter such a Saint. In the eyes of the Saints of the Western Sect, they can put down their pride and their shackles. They can be fearless and unbridled.”
“Unbridled?”
Quan Dong shook his head and said calmly, “Changgeng, you’re wrong. Apart from Senior Brother Taiqing, the other five Saints have to figure out Teacher’s intentions.”
Li Changshou nodded and did not dare to say anything.
Since it involved the Dao Ancestor, he had to be careful.
“Changgeng, continue talking about Ling Zhuzi. What happened next?”
“Ah.” Li Changshou sighed and tainted his emotions first. Then, he slowly explained the matter that the Yin Clan had been affected by the murderous aura and Ling Zhuzi had taken the initiative to bear.
The Jade Emperor’s incarnation almost cried.
“This child is kind-hearted. Ah… Has the baneful aura been resolved?”
“It’s not completely resolved. However, with the charm that Teacher gave me, stabilizing myself should not be a problem,” Li Changshou said. “Your Majesty, don’t worry. I will keep an eye on this matter in a few years. I have also prepared a series of arrangements for him. He would not let anything happen to him again. However, Your Majesty, I have something to report to you in advance.”
“What is it?”
“It’s regarding the dragon race.”
“Yes?”
The Jade Emperor’s incarnation was instantly interested.
…
He chatted with the Jade Emperor for two days and three nights and rested in the Little Qiong Peak for a few days. He let the paper effigy be active everywhere for a while.
Half a month later, Li Changshou returned the Taiji Painting and the Cosmic Ruler to Teacher Taiqing’s portrait. His main body slipped out of the Heavenly Courts again and headed towards the Three-Immortal Island to fulfill his previous agreement.
According to the feedback from his teacher, the two Saints of the Western Sect could not get out of bed in the past few years. Ahem, they could not move freely.
However, Li Changshou still did not dare to be careless. Along the way, he hid whenever he could and sneaked into the Three-Immortal Island’s array formation like a thief.
At the same time, Li Changshou specially chose to take a detour around the Central Heavenly Gate and check on Bai Jian’s situation.
The God-Conferment Platform had already been mostly completed by Bai Jian’s huge hands.
It was a square platform. It looked a little ordinary, as if it was made of huge rocks and logs. In fact, every level was very particular. It could communicate with the Three Realms of Heaven, Earth, and Man.
Bai Jian had been working hard for so many years. It could be said that he had suffered a reasonable amount of pain from his previous arrogant behavior.
Li Changshou stopped while he was ahead. He talked to Bai Jian and said that he had to send a team of Heavenly Soldiers to help with the finishing touches later.
Bai Jian felt guilty for that. He apologized to Li Changshou repeatedly and said that he had been lazy and neglected.
Li Changshou comforted Bai Jian and represented the Heavenly Courts to give him a “God-Conferment Medal”. Bai Jian was extremely touched and almost cried.
After all, he was an old general of the human race. Li Changshou could not bear to deceive him too much. Hence, he generously let go of what happened back then.
After all, he was not an evil god.
At the Three-Immortal Island, he met an immortal beauty.
Li Changshou pretended to be tired and leaned against Yun Xiao. Yun Xiao was a little reserved, but she still took the initiative to let him into her arms and gently massaged Li Changshou’s shoulders.
A cool aura circulated, making Li Changshou feel comfortable.
In front of Yun Xiao, Li Changshou did not want to mention the power of the world. Yun Xiao did not ask further.
The two of them whispered sweet nothings and talked about the future. They got along quite comfortably.
However, Yun Xiao still reminded Li Changshou not to argue with the Saint. If he did not become a Saint, he would not be able to win.
Li Changshou humbly accepted the fairy’s criticism.
The two of them played the zither, painted, and drank wine in the pavilion protected by the jade statue, but they did not find it boring.
However, Li Changshou could not delay it for too long. He still had a plan that he had to implement step by step.
At that moment, Li Changshou’s gaze was already on the northwest of the central area of the South Continent.
Zhou.
The prosperity of the Zhou Nation had actually exceeded the 800 vassal states. However, they often deliberately hid their strength.
After suffering a loss, he did not dare to be smug.
During the era of Ji Chang’s father, Ji Li, the Zhou Nation had already begun to rise. On the one hand, they had paid more tributes to the Shang Nation and obtained the trust of Shang Wending at that time. They had become the “big brother” of the feudal lords of the Western Road.
Ji Li kept expanding the territory of the Zhou Nation. Sometimes, he would annex small countries that he had a personal grudge with. Most of the time, he was dealing with the “barbarians” in the northwest.
Wen Ding, who was also Di Xin’s grandfather, felt very satisfied. He expressed that Ji Li was very energetic and rewarded Ji Li generously. He also tricked Ji Li into locking him up in the Great Yin City and ultimately starved to death.
Ever since then, the Zhou Nation had been in a state of panic. Ji Chang did not even dare to succeed to the throne. He returned most of the rewards from the Shang King and covered his strength tightly. He curled up and did not dare to move.
That was also the main reason that the Chan School and Jie School would ignore the Zhou Nation when they were searching for the new king.
Ahem.
In terms of stability, Li Changshou admired the decision-making management of the Zhou Nation, but that was all.
There was no difference between the royal authority of the South Continent and Li Changshou. There were no special feelings involved. Li Changshou only cared about the safety of the people around him.
The plan and arrangements were just to make it easier for him to fish people out in the Great Tribulation.
“First Heart”.
When Li Changshou was on the Three-Immortal Island, he was also paying attention to the changes in the situation in the South Continent. The most recent major event was that Di Xin had summoned the various marquis to Chaoge City.
This should be the beginning of Di Xin’s acceleration of change, weakening the power of the marquises, and strengthening the Shang Nation’s control over the marquises and vassal states.
In the past nine years, Di Xin had been doing those things.
Two years ago, he first overturned the case for the taboo of the ruler of Shang and pushed the slave “Fu Yin”, who was placed in an important position during the Wuding period, to pave the way for his subsequent actions.
When the time was ripe, Di Xin began to use the talents of the slaves, especially in the army, and promoted many small generals.
Although it caused dissatisfaction among the military, there was no trouble because of Di Xin’s control.
King’s authority, ministers, ranks, marquises…
In the past few years, Di Xin had been walking on a tightrope. He had taken a small path among the various factions and established his absolute control over the Shang Nation. Apart from the old officials who assisted him, he also had a group of capable officials.
Only then would he have the ambition to move the various marquis.
Li Changshou made a deduction and knew that the gathering of the vassals in Chaoge City was most likely the turning point of the gradually falling out between the Shang Nation and the vassal states.
He reckoned that Di Xin was going to take back the right to fight.
The various marquis would probably resonate with the old factions of the Shang Nation that had been suppressed by the Di Xin. They would form a huge resistance and begin to attack the Di Xin from other aspects.
For example, Di Xin had recently begun to implement rituals to avoid human sacrifices and change them to cows and sheep. Moreover, they would reward the soldiers after the sacrifices.
In the eyes of many old people, that was a taboo. It was a sign of the destruction of a country.
How could they not sacrifice living people to the world? It was not like the Shang Nation did not have slaves.
Jade Emperor, Lady of Earth…
I feel offended by these guys.
The reason why Li Changshou was observing the Marquis of Xi Bo, Ji Chang, was actually because of another young general of the God-Conferment Realm—Lei Zhenzi.
If he did not remember wrongly, Ji Chang should have heard the cries of an infant on the way to Chaoge City. He had carried Lei Zhenzi back and taken him in as his hundredth adopted son.
Then, Lei Zhenzi was accepted as a disciple by Yun Zhongzi, who was passing by.
He had to make arrangements. At the very least, he had to go through the process and have a sense of ritual.
However, Li Changshou was in a dilemma.
He did not know Lei Zhenzi’s exact background or who his parents were. The paper effigy could not stare at Yun Zhongzi. If Yun Zhongzi discovered him, he would not be able to explain.
Therefore, he could only secretly watch Ji Chang’s team and see if he could find a way to interfere.
However, Li Changshou did not expect…
Lei Zhenzi was carried over by Yun Zhongzi and placed on Ji Chang’s path. He used the lightning to attract Ji Chang and the others’ attention.
After Ji Chang picked up the baby and took him as his foster son, Yun Zhongzi quickly appeared and took the initiative to reveal his identity. He carried Lei Zhenzi back to the mountain to raise and teach him. He also said that Lei Zhenzi would go down the mountain to assist Ji Chang in the future.
Li Changshou was lonely.
Yun Zhongzi’s act of “forming karma” and “strengthening the source of fortune” was indeed beautiful.
Yun Zhongzi seemed to be wary that someone would snatch his disciple. He was secretly protecting Lei Zhenzi the entire time and did not give Li Changshou any chance.
Something was wrong.
Deep underground, Li Changshou’s paper effigy stared at Yun Zhongzi’s back and quickly fell into deep thought.
Why did Chan School take the initiative to look for Ji Chang?
Did they discover the so-called destiny of Zhou, or did they see the hidden strength of Zhou Nation and decided to bet on it?
Li Changshou pondered carefully for a while and analyzed that it would not affect him. Then, he left using Earth Escape.
Lei Zhenzi’s failure to make arrangements could be considered to have left a hidden danger in his thousand-year plan. He could not think of a way to steal the two Immortal almonds.
However, it did not matter. He still had many backup plans. In the future, he would have a chance to interact with Lei Zhenzi. It should not be a problem to make arrangements later.
Yun Zhongzi was really cunning.
Li Changshou chuckled. His main body bade farewell to Yun Xiao and rushed back to the Heavenly Courts to enter seclusion. He placed most of his attention on Little Nezha, who was about to be born.
Hence, three months later…
…
“Li Changgeng!”
At the edge of the Chaos Sea, Maitreya clenched his fists. His eyes were filled with anger as he looked at the lightning curtain in front of him.
He had been rejected by the world again.
All of this stemmed from the crimes that the Heavenly Courts had listed for him!
Why would the Heavenly Dao believe that Kun Peng has a second essence soul?!
Maitreya took a deep breath. The Chaos aura around him surged towards him, but it was blocked by the immortal power around him.
Apart from Connate mighty figures like Kong Xuan who could break down the Chaos aura and use it for themselves, or like Kun Peng, who had a taboo inheritance and could build a spiritual energy array; Living beings would constantly consume their spiritual energy in the Chaos Sea without being able to replenish it.
Maitreya was in such an awkward situation.
In particular, he had accidentally discovered a secret place in the Chaos Sea and fought with a few ancient Demon Generals. Although he had obtained benefits, he had expended a lot of energy.
Maitreya previously liked to roam the Chaos Sea and bully the living beings of the Primordial World who had escaped from the ancient times and were gradually weakening. That was because he could return to the Primordial World at any time to replenish his spiritual energy.
However, he had lost this huge advantage.
Everything originated from that disciple of Ren School!
Disciples of Ren School who abuse their authority!
Maitreya’s Dao heart was filled with distracting thoughts. He casually calmed it down and snorted coldly. He turned around and was about to return to his hiding place in the Chaos Sea.
“Maitreya.”
An old voice suddenly sounded in his heart. Maitreya was stunned. He looked around vigilantly and was prepared to escape at any time.
“Maitreya.”
The voice sounded again. This time, it seemed to be beside his ears.
Maitreya suddenly turned around and saw a gray-robed old Daoist priest standing quietly behind him. The old Daoist priest’s face was blurry, and his Dao runes had a sticky feeling. However, Maitreya’s Dao heart trembled inexplicably.
Almost instantly, Maitreya’s body tensed up, and his heartstrings were almost broken.
He had experienced that feeling before. He had sensed that his Great Dao had left behind a clear memory.
There was nothing that could escape his deduction.
Its name!
Heavens…
“Do you want to return to this world?”
