Chapter 717: Grandmaster, You’re Pretending

　　In the array formation outside the Pill Chamber of Little Qiong Peak, the Dao Ancestor stared at the flame in Li Changshou’s palm and fell into a rare silence.

　　The flame in Li Changshou’s palm was extinguished by him. The golden light and the black aura merged in front of Li Changshou and turned into a wisp of pure spiritual energy.

　　Half of this trump card was Senior Lang’s inheritance. It gave Li Changshou a practical “technique”.

　　As for the other half, it was because Li Changshou had been exploring and searching. He had doubts in his heart that he did not ignore or forget. Finally, he had a flash of inspiration at a node and connected all the information to find the direction of the path.

　　Just as Li Changshou had said, the Heaven Earth system that Dao Ancestor Hong Jun had built had a total of three pillars.

　　Heavenly Tribulation, merit and negative karma, the Heavenly Courts.

　　If Li Changshou destroyed the Heavenly Courts and triggered the power of the Nine Polluted Springs, the system that Dao Ancestor Hong Jun had spent countless years building would collapse in a short period of time.

　　Even if Dao Ancestor Hong Jun could build it again and replace a batch of immortals and living beings, he would have to pay a huge price.

　　The Heavenly Dao was impartial. It was not a joke.

　　Although the Heavenly Dao was now mixed with his own will and the Dao Ancestor’s will, becoming a tool for the Dao Ancestor to control the world, there were many low-level iron that could not be violated.

　　If it was more serious and caused the Heavenly Dao to collapse and the essence of the world to wither, the Primordial World and the Dao Ancestor would be buried with them. Everything would ultimately be chaotic and meaningless.

　　It was impossible for everything to appear out of thin air. The essence of spiritual energy was also energy.

　　Naturally, that was only one of Li Changshou’s trump cards. It was also one of the main trump cards that could make the Dao Ancestor fear him. It was his next move against the heavens. It could be considered a form of deterrence to the Dao Ancestor.

　　“When the Dao Ancestor thinks that you have the power to threaten him, you better really have it.”

　　The people of earth understood that logic too.

　　At that moment, the Dao Ancestor’s silence was clearly brewing something.

　　Li Changshou sat in front of him without any fear. He did not seem to care.

　　The Dao Ancestor might think, ‘When did this fellow accumulate so many trump cards?’

　　Or perhaps, he would think, ‘If I killed this variable earlier, there wouldn’t be so many troublesome problems now.’

　　It was actually quite interesting to guess the thoughts of the strongest expert in the Primordial World.

　　The matter regarding the Nine Polluted Spring was considered a vital part of the Heavenly Dao.

　　However, the Dao Ancestor was currently in harmony with the Heavenly Dao. He could not attack or kill Li Changshou, the “variable” and the threat.

　　He was betting that Li Changshou would not destroy the Heavenly Courts like that…

　　The Dao Ancestor would not choose that because he didn’t want to stoop low.

　　There was no other reason.

　　The bottom-level Great Dao of the Heavenly Dao, which was the most basic Great Dao that constituted the Primordial World, had a line that said, “There are variables in the world.”

　　If he dissected this Great Dao, the reason for its formation would be extremely complicated. It would involve the influence of the True Spirit and the world, as well as the form of the Primordial World.

　　When Li Changshou first tried to understand the Great Dao, he had used the analogy of “there was a slight error during the genetic replication to promote the evolution of living beings” over a long period of time. There was a similar “mechanism” in the Primordial World.

　　Further back, it would be traced back to the carving and arrangement of the Great Dao by the Pangu God during the creation of the world.

　　These low-level Great Dao were arranged by the Pangu God. They were also established by the Pangu God.

　　Now, all living beings were on the chessboard of the Heavenly Dao, following the system set by the Dao Ancestor.

　　Wasn’t the Dao Ancestor himself bound by the rules set by the Pangu God back then?

　　“Ah…”

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun sighed softly and smiled faintly.

　　“I was right about you.”

　　Li Changshou smiled humbly and said, “This is actually my last few tricks. Grandmaster, if you want to verify them, I understand. If you really use them, it will be a lose-lose situation. As long as the people closest to me are fine, I will not go crazy. Grandmaster is still fighting in the air? I still have some trump cards that I can prove to you, Grandmaster. Grandmaster, you only need to give me a few more Death Exemption Cards. I can show them to you one by one and explain in detail.”

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun smiled and shook his head.

　　“There’s no need. When you grasp this power, you already have the qualifications to compete with me. How about we play a game out of thin air again?”

　　As he spoke, Dao Ancestor Hong Jun took out a wooden tablet from his sleeve. On it were the words “Dong Hua”.

　　“The prize this time is the Lord Dong Hua, whom you have a good relationship with. How about that?”

　　Li Changshou frowned slightly.

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun smiled and said, “In my arrangements, General Dongmu of the Heavenly Courts will definitely face a death tribulation. If you can win this round, I will let General Dongmu off. How about that?”

　　Li Changshou lowered his head and said calmly, “Grandmaster, why don’t you respect General Dongmu and let him die?”

　　“Oh?” Dao Ancestor Hong Jun was slightly puzzled. “Why?”

　　“I can’t be like you who can use other people’s lives as stakes and bets. You could draw a path of life for living beings to restrict their activity in the world. This is something that the Heavenly Dao often does. At the very least, there are some rules. Naturally, that is not a good thing. However, you directly decided the life and death of a living being… Isn’t that a little too much?”

　　Li Changshou sighed slowly. “This is probably the absolute control of the strong towards the weak. The Heavenly Courts are insisting that the strong and the weak do not interfere with each other. However, you are standing behind the Heavenly Courts and you casually decide the life and death of the Heavenly Courts’ immortals. Isn’t that a little too ironic?”

　　Hong Jun smiled and said, “The Primordial World has been like that since ancient times.”

　　Li Changshou said, “The Primordial World should evolve and progress forward.”

　　“The rules are set by the strong and the winners.”

　　“Grandmaster, your definition of the strong and the weak is too narrow.”

　　“Changgeng, do you really care about the lives of ants?”

　　The Dao Ancestor casually pointed out two teacups and a red clay teapot. He poured a cup of tea for Li Changshou and smiled.

　　“Would you really care? Actually, you won’t. When you want to move forward, you have already taken a step forward. The ants at the foothold are no different from clay to you. You will not put in effort to retract your feet for them. Could it be that you are only saying dignified words here to make me waver? If you want to become stronger, you have to die. It is the common trait of living beings. Even if you think from the bottom of your heart that becoming stronger is to protect and sacrifice better, in essence, it’s not to find the pleasure and sense of superiority when facing the weak. The existence of the strong is to oppress and exploit the weak. Why can’t such exploitation be more direct?”

　　Li Changshou could not help but be silent for a long time. He smiled again.

　　“That’s why Grandmaster, your definition of strength is too narrow.”

　　“In the Primordial World, it’s different from your hometown,” Hong Jun said earnestly. “The strengthening here is your Dharma powers, your mystical abilities, your Dharma treasures, and your Dao.”

　　Li Changshou said, “According to Grandmaster, we advocate immortal spells. What’s the difference between that and my hometown’s advocacy of money?”

　　“The two are essentially the same.”

　　“Grandmaster, you’re wrong.”

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun paused and frowned at Li Changshou.

　　“Oh? Where did the mistake come from? How do you define right and wrong?”

　　“Grandmaster, you’re not applying the concept correctly.” Li Changshou smiled and said, “Immortal, it should not be determined by how much spiritual energy you have obtained, nor should it be defined by whether you can shatter a mountain or a brick bed with one punch.”

　　“Grandmaster, your point of view can be completely changed to another method of evaluation. Qi Refinement cultivators, apprentices, specialized Qi Refinement cultivators, Qi Refinement instructors, Qi Refinement researchers, and old Qi Refinement researchers.”

　　“Compared to the cultivation system that you established for the Primordial World, consisting of Qi Refinement, Soul Formation, Void Return, Dao Requital, Essence Immortal, Perfected Immortal, Heaven Immortal, Golden Immortal, and Zenith Heaven, Are the two different? It is just a strengthening of one’s understanding of the Dao and his control of spiritual energy. That is only the power system. The Qi Refinement cultivators that are different from mortals are climbing up continuously. Grandmaster, what is an immortal?”

　　Li Changshou asked in return, but before the Dao Ancestor could reply, he continued, “Immortals obtain the clear, clean, empty, and spiritual will in the spiritual energy. An immortal of the mortal world is carefree and unrestrained. An otherworldly immortal sees the world as pure and unstained. Immortals are elegant, righteous, ethereal, and natural. They are the ascension of living beings in pursuit of the realm of life. It is the transformation of the heart and will. It is a wonderful realm that living beings share with nature. It is not determined by the level of cultivation. When one encounters injustice on the road, he will draw his sword to protect the young and weak. He would die for the people. He treats everyone equally. Although his body is weak, he is brilliant. These are traits of chivalrous immortals. Their story is naturally immortal. Grandmaster, you’re mistaken.”

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun was speechless.

　　“If you don’t do it, I’ll take it that you’ve lost this round.”

　　Li Changshou could not help but laugh bitterly.

　　The Dao Ancestor said calmly, “I still have the final say in this world. Since you care about these forms, I’ll change my words. I’ll give you a chance to save General Dongmu. Are you taking it or not?”

　　Li Changshou frowned and pondered. The forest fell silent again.

　　“I’ll take it.”

　　“Is that different?”

　　“This is different.”

　　“Heh.” Hong Jun chuckled and swept his sleeve across the stone table in front of him. “Come, let’s bet on the victory of Shang and Zhou.”

　　Li Changshou smiled bitterly. “Isn’t General Dongmu dead meat?”

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun smiled and said, “You’ve made so many arrangements. The Shang Nation’s chances of winning are more than 70%. Why are you so dejected?”

　　“How can there be 70%? It’s only 20%.” Li Changshou sighed and said, “Dao Ancestor, after your Dao Integration, you lost many things. Some things are too old for you to understand. Or rather, you do not bother to understand. Forget it. Since you are so interested, I will accompany you.”

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun smiled and squinted. He tapped the stone table in front of him and a three-dimensional image of a mountain and river appeared.

　　Countless living beings condensed light spots on it like chess pieces.

　　It was a real sandbox game.

　　In the second round, Li Changshou had already firmly believed that he had lost.

　　If that was the case, he would be on par with the Dao Ancestor.

　　With the Dao Ancestor’s desire to win, which was comparable to playing chess on the roadside, he would definitely pull him into the third round!

　　The first array formation verified Li Changshou’s trump card to determine if he was qualified to play the game with him. He had won this round.

　　In the second round, there was a high chance that he would lose as they were betting on the survival of Shang or Zhou.

　　The third round…

　　The Battle of Chan School and Jie School? That should be the case.

　　The Dao Ancestor was indeed powerful.

　　It seemed like he was just making a bet with him, but in fact, he was forcing him to make a choice and take away his authority as the God-Conferment Thearch. He could not continue to interfere with the Great God-Conferment Tribulation and made him make a predetermined stand.

　　It was impossible for him to continue accumulating his chances of winning against the Heavenly Dao through the Great God-Conferment Tribulation.

　　If he was prepared for the worst, the Dao Ancestor would simplify the game and achieve the outcome he wanted in a short period of time. He would complete the last step of the Great God-Conferment Tribulation.

　　Suppress the Saint.

　　The appearance of the Dao Ancestor at the Little Qiong Peak today was equivalent to the outcome of the Heavenly Dao. It directly fixed the “biggest variable” and allowed the Great God-Conferment Chess to continue according to the Heavenly Dao’s current script without being disturbed by the variable.

　　It was really wonderful.

　　“It seems that there’s still some time before the battle between Zhou and Shang.” The Dao Ancestor smiled and said, “I’ve always seen that little girl, Ling’e, cook. I wonder how the food she cooks tastes.”

　　Li Changshou smiled and said, “Grandmaster, wait a moment. I’ll make arrangements now.”

　　After saying that, Li Changshou was about to stand up.

　　Dao Ancestor Hong Jun said, “Hey, just sit. Can’t you send a voice transmission? Although Ling’e is only an ordinary Golden Immortal, I do like her very much. If we don’t have a battle of ideals or standpoint, I want her to stay in the Purple Cloud Palace for a while. Unfortunately, you can’t live there. You will probably blow up the world. Don’t worry. If I want to attack directly, I will not touch her before you fall. I will only do what I did to Heng’e and erase her memories. That’s not a lie. I also said that to your senior back then.”

　　The old man and the young man looked at each other for a while. Li Changshou nodded with a smile and removed the barrier around the chess room.

　　“Junior Sister, go and make some good dishes for Grandmaster. Lingli, send some roasted meat over.”

　　Hong Jun smiled and said, “Remember to get two more spiritual fish. I haven’t had the appetite for food for a long time.”

　　Li Changshou was rendered speechless.

　　Is this considered funding the enemy?

　　In the chess room, Ling’e and Zhong Ling looked at each other. Xiong Lingli, who was lying on the side, stretched in a daze. Tears were left at the corners of her mouth.

　　…

　　After the banquet, the Dao Ancestor turned the Wood Escape into a huge reclining chair and lay there comfortably.

　　Ling’e and Xiong Lingli packed up the empty plates and bowed before retreating. They did not feel any pressure. They were just a little trembling in their hands, feet, and hearts.

　　“Changgeng, do you have any other arrangements?”

　　“Grandmaster, are you talking about a game of thin air? Are you deducing?”

　　“No, I’m not deducing,” the Dao Ancestor said calmly. “The Primordial World is just a chessboard. What’s the use of deducing and making assumptions? Let this matter continue. If you don’t make any arrangements, I don’t have anything to set up. I’ll push the time to the battle between Shang and Zhou and see the results.”

　　“Grandmaster, why don’t we wait for a while?” Li Changshou said. “I want to study the world more.”

　　“Forget it.” The Dao Ancestor smiled and said, “I’m just afraid that we will be awkward after the cold. Since that’s the case, I’ll take a nap first. When the battle of the Shang Dynasty comes to an end, we will decide the outcome of this battle. From now on, whoever intervenes will lose this round. How about that?”

　　“Yes, Master.”

　　Li Changshou nodded slowly.

　　The Dao Ancestor was sitting in front of him. His mind had to return to his main body. He did not dare to be distracted at all. The paper effigies everywhere stopped moving.

　　If he wanted to interfere, he had to have the strength to do so.

　　“Burp.”

　　A Dao Ancestor patted his stomach and smiled in satisfaction.

　　“It’s not bad to have someone to accompany you.”