Chapter 699: True or Fake, A Strategy to Bewitch the Heavens

　　“How have you been, Elder?”

　　“Changgeng, remember this place? You’re a busy man now.”

　　In the territory of the Heaven Ascension Hall of a quiet Medium Chiliocosm….

　　An old man and a young man were strolling in the courtyard beside the Dharma Array field where various spiritual herbs and poisonous herbs were planted.

　　The old man leaned on his bronze walking stick and looked much better than before.

　　His long hair had also returned to its original grayish-white color. Although his figure was still a little thin and hunched, he looked more lively.

　　It was naturally Old Master Wan Linyun, who had become the Heaven Ascension Hall’s Poison Elder.

　　Elder Wan was in charge of producing poisonous pills for killing enemies and his reputation was only slightly weaker than Lu Yue’s.

　　Of course, in Elder Wan Linyun’s opinion, he was just a beginner compared to Senior Lu Yue.

　　The reason why his reputation rose quickly was partly because the Da Luo Poison Pill that only Lu Yue could refine was rarely used in actual fights. Wan Linyun and Lu Yue refined the most widely used Heaven Immortal-ranked poisonous pills.

　　After joining the Heaven Ascension Hall, Elder Wan Linyun felt more comfortable.

　　Normally, with Bai Ze secretly taking care of him, the core of the power in the Heaven Ascension Hall was the younger generation of Elder Wan. This elder who was hiding in the Heaven Ascension Hall’s darkness had a comfortable and boring life.

　　Li Changshou’s paper effigy was beside Elder Wan Linyun.

　　It came out of Bai Ze’s sleeve and transformed into the form it was in when it was in the Immortal Du Sect. He carried a few dishes made by Bai Ze and wanted to have a drink with Elder Wan.

　　Li Changshou could not help but sigh when he heard Elder Wan’s teasing. He smiled and said, “I’m just busy. If I miss you, I’ll come and take a look. This place is quite secluded.”

　　Elder Wan Linyun turned around and smiled warmly. Although Li Changshou was mentally prepared, he could not help but feel… surprised.

　　Elder Wan’s signature smile was no longer that scary!

　　Although it still had the effect of making babies stop crying and trembling, it was enough to make living beings who did not have any ghosts feel a hint of warmth.

　　By interacting with others, he could indeed overcome some “small social problems”.

　　Elder Wan Linyun said, “You’re not busy. The Heavenly Courts is now in charge of the Three Realms. You are the God of Power that the Jade Emperor trusts the most. You are also a second-rank righteous god. If you keep working in vain, who in this world would be doing serious business?”

　　Li Changshou was rendered speechless.

　　He was indeed busy. Recently, he had been putting up a smoke screen, including coming here to meet the elders who had taken care of him previously. It was also a part of the plan to confuse the Heavenly Dao.

　　He pretended that he could leave the Primordial World at any time.

　　At the same time, he was also pressuring the Heavenly Dao to express that he would disregard everything and save Zhao Gongming in the upcoming Great Tribulation.

　　It was a game. Apart from attacking each other, the look in each other’s eyes and their attitudes were also extremely important.

　　He could not forget his roots and gratitude. Apart from his master, Qi Yuan, Li Changshou was most grateful to Elder Wan.

　　Li Changshou smiled and said, “Elder, are you dissatisfied with the current Heaven Ascension Hall?”

　　Elder Wan said warmly, “I’m just an elder who refines poisonous pills. How can I say that… I am indeed dissatisfied. The Heaven Ascension Hall’s influence has expanded too quickly. There are already countless halls and traces of the Heaven Ascension Hall in almost half of the small worlds in the Chiliocosm. It was inevitable that there would be a mix of good and bad people. Therefore, the Heaven Ascension Hall has long set up a Heaven Punishment Hall that is in charge of punishment. It will patrol everywhere regularly.”

　　Li Changshou was puzzled. “Is that inappropriate?”

　　“Of course.” Elder Wan Linyun sighed and said, “However, the people patrolling are also Qi Refinement cultivators. As long as they interact like that, there will be favoritism and a lack of justice. In the Heaven Punishment Hall, a few batches of Qi Refinement cultivators had been dealt with unfairly. As a result, no one dared to take up a position in the Heaven Punishment Hall. I wondered if I could think of a solution. Look, I gathered 99 poisonous insects and refined a poisonous pill. This poisonous pill can increase one’s cultivation level, but every one hundred or thousand years, I will need a supplementary pill to neutralize the toxicity. Otherwise, even Golden Immortals will turn into blood. I was naturally happy to give this pill to the Hall Master. However, I was reprimanded by the Hall Master… Look, didn’t I work for nothing?”

　　Li Changshou was rendered speechless.

　　The Primordial version of the Three Corpse Brain Divine Pill?

　　Ah!

　　“Elder, you can’t do that!”

　　Li Changshou hurriedly said, “It’s better to destroy this pill earlier. The pill formula cannot be leaked.”

　　Elder Wan Linyun frowned and whispered, “The Hall Master said that too… But why can’t I use it?”

　　“What will the people who have been poisoned think? They must be dissatisfied and unhappy. They will definitely cause endless disasters. Moreover, the Heaven Ascension Hall had to be balanced and not controlled. Why should we control those people who don’t care about the Heaven Ascension Hall? Why should we make them stay if they want to leave? If they don’t even have such confidence, the Heaven Ascension Hall would collapse sooner or later. The Heaven Ascension Hall was established by my orders from the beginning. It has developed to today because of three axes. Money, laws, letters. Wealth is a cultivation resource. The law is a strict discipline to the internal and external. Trust is sincerity, and the most crucial belief!”

　　Li Changshou smiled bitterly and shook his head.

　　“If you lose your faith, the Heaven Ascension Hall might as well disband.”

　　Elder Wan Linyun pondered carefully and sighed. He crushed the jade token that he wanted to share with Li Changshou and wiped away a small portion of his memories.

　　Li Changshou bowed to the elder. “I’ve offended you.”

　　“I was a little rash.” Elder Wan sighed and said, “Ah, in the end, I only like to refine pills. I don’t know how such a large sect should operate. Changshou, please tell the Hall Master about this later.”

　　“Elder, don’t worry.” Li Changshou nodded with a smile and made an inviting gesture. He placed his hands in his sleeves and diverted the topic to the current situation of the trichiliocosm.

　　He could sense that Elder Wan Linyun was much more talkative than before. He felt troubled when he talked about the conflict between the Immortal Alliance and the Heaven Ascension Hall.

　　The Heaven Ascension Hall was set up by the Heavenly Courts. This matter was already a half-open secret.

　　When the team gets bigger, there will always be some clues.

　　However, because the Heavenly Courts had yet to express their stance, there were not many Burning Incense Divine Kingdoms left in the trichiliocosm. The Heaven Ascension Hall and the Immortal Alliance could not avoid a certain degree of conflict.

　　Whether the Heavenly Courts wanted two legs or a “unicorn” was crucial to the prosperity and decline of the Immortal Alliance and the Heaven Ascension Hall.

　　Elder Wan Linyun asked, “Changgeng, what do you think?”

　　“This…”

　　Li Changshou was originally a little hesitant. After thinking for a while, he felt that the blueprint was not a secret. Anyone with discerning eyes could guess it, so he decided to tell them his plan.

　　“At present, the trichiliocosm cannot be stabilized. The Great Life Tribulation was continuing. The living beings that had died in the trichiliocosm had filled a large portion of the calamity’s luck. If the trichiliocosm quickly stabilized, the power of the calamity might counterattack. When we settle down, it would depend on the Heavenly Dao. I intend to make the Heaven Ascension Hall and the Immortal Alliance become two factions and compete with each other. The Major Chiliocosm and Minor Chiliocosm, which are close to the five continents, are guarded by the Heavenly Courts’ troops. They form the protective layer of the five continents. The Immortal Alliance and the Heaven Ascension Hall each retracted their current maps or maintained their current maps. Step by step, they weakened their control over the Major Chiliocosm and only protected righteousness and morals, leaving enough cultivation grounds for the itinerant cultivators. After the Great Tribulation, a large number of abandoned sects would appear in the Middle Continent. The Qi Refinement cultivators of the trichiliocosm could fill that vacancy. Now, the Heavenly Courts have already controlled the path to enter the five continents. They tried their best to isolate the Qi Refinement cultivators who had evil intentions and cultivated techniques that were more focused on plundering. These all involve the structure of the world after the Great Tribulation. The Heavenly Courts’ Hall of Enlightenment has long been prepared. The Jade Emperor has already allowed it.”

　　Elder Wan Linyun nodded in agreement.

　　It sounded very impressive.

　　“The fact that the Immortal Du Sect can produce a disciple like you is really… comforting.”

　　Li Changshou smiled and shook his head. When he saw a stone table under the shade of the tree in front of him, he invited Elder Wan over. He took out a few dishes that Bai Ze had made and continued to drink and chat.

　　Let’s talk about the past of the Immortal Du Sect and the prosperity of the three thousand lifetimes.

　　There would be some disputes regarding the refinement of the poisonous pills, but overall, it was quite pleasant.

　　When the starry sky was projected on the world, Li Changshou naturally had the intention to leave.

　　Li Changshou said, “Elder, if you hear anything about me in the future, don’t be nervous or worried. I will be fully prepared.”

　　Elder Wan Linyun pondered for a while and cupped his hands at Li Changshou.

　　Li Changshou lowered his head and bowed with a Dao salute. He chuckled at Elder Wan Linyun. The paper effigy was ignited from the inside out. Its body turned into ashes and dissipated with the wind.

　　Elder Wan Linyun was stunned for a while. He was in a daze. Then, he looked at the starry sky with his hands behind his back and fell into a daze in the night wind.

　　…

　　“Little Jiu!”

　　A black shadow flew out from the side and messed with the figure sitting on the stairs of the pavilion at lightning speed.

　　The scene was indescribable. Holy light and squares flew everywhere.

　　In the array formation that enveloped the place, the silver bell-like giggling and panting begging sounded, making the situation a little strange.

　　“Ahem!”

　　“Ahem, ahem, ahem!”

　　A few dry coughs came from the edge of the array formation. Jiang Lin’er, who was fooling around with Jiu Jiu, immediately jumped up and shouted, “Who dares to barge into the Saintess’s residence!?!”

　　As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Lin’er exclaimed in surprise, “Changshou! Why are you here!?!”

　　‘Changshou?

　　Jiu Jiu hurriedly stood up and looked at Li Changshou. Then, she lowered her head in a flurry and tidied up the black muslin dress that Jiang Lin’er had messed up and was wearing during the Heaven Ascension Hall Meeting.

　　Jiang Lin’er was dressed in armor and looked valiant. Her posture was extraordinary.

　　Li Changshou smiled and waited for a while. When the two of them stood up, he placed his hands behind his back and walked forward.

　　“Grandmaster, Aunt-Master.”

　　“Hey, hey, hey.” Jiang Lin’er’s eyes narrowed into crescents. She looked left and right before taking two steps back.

　　“Ah, Fugui just can’t leave us. Let’s go and talk to him about the private matters between husband and wife!”

　　Jiang Lin’er was about to run after saying that, but Li Changshou had already caught up to her.

　　“Grandmaster, please invite everyone from the Immortal Du Sect here. I have something to discuss with everyone.”

　　Jiu Jiu could not help but blink slightly. Jiang Lin’er raised her hand and shook it forcefully. Her body flew into the distance.

　　Li Changshou looked at Jiu Jiu and sized her up.

　　Jiu Jiu did not know if she was guilty or if she had a complicated mentality, but she kicked off the thick shoes and “slippers” on her feet. She stood there barefooted and raised her hand to tidy her hair beside her ear. She smiled in embarrassment.

　　“Why are you suddenly here?”

　　“I naturally have something to look for you.” Li Changshou smiled and said, “The Heaven Ascension Hall is only as large as it is today because of you.”

　　Jiu Jiu blushed and looked up smugly. “But! We are already famous in the trichiliocosm!”

　　Li Changshou asked, “Aunt-Master, if I leave the Primordial World and go to the Chaos Sea to settle down, Ling’e and I will be settled. Yun Xiao and Mr. Bai should be there. Do you want to join us? That’s also the question I want to ask everyone today.”

　　Jiu Jiu blinked and asked softly, “Can I go?”

　　“Why not?” Li Changshou squinted and smiled warmly. “However, if you decide to leave with us, the Primordial World will reject you. It will be difficult for you to return. It is ultimately quite lonely outside. Even if he could build an immortal realm and have some living beings, they would still be far inferior to the prosperity of the Primordial World.However, if I can crack one thing, I might be able to go to another prosperous world… It’s not worth mentioning. That will be a long time later. Aunt-Master, what do you think?”

　　“Well…” Jiu Jiu hummed softly. “If I can talk to you often with wine and pills, I definitely want to go over. There were too many troubles here. If he wanted to drink and sleep, he had to find an excuse to enter seclusion. Count… Count me in!”

　　Li Changshou nodded with a smile and said, “I’ll give you one straw hut on the Little Qiong Peak.”

　　“Ahem.” Jiu Jiu nodded calmly and said in an old tone, “Wait here. I’ll go and take a look. I’ll bring some luggage.”

　　After saying that, she turned around and flew into the attic. She hit the door frame halfway and smashed a huge hole in the door frame. Then, she rushed into the messy room and caused a series of clangs.

　　Li Changshou was rendered speechless.

　　Not long after, Exalted Wang Qing, Jiang Lin’er, Jiu Yiyi, Jiu Shi, and Jiu Jiu, arrived to meet Li Changshou.

　　Li Changshou did not hide it. He directly told them that he was leaving and asked them who wanted to leave together.

　　At that moment, Exalted Wang Qing was no longer someone who only knew how to cultivate. After sitting in the position of the Hall Master for so many years, he had experienced what power was and what it meant to decide the life and death of others.

　　He did not ask further. After pondering for a while, he said, “I originally wanted to retire. Now, the Heaven Ascension Hall is already on the right track. As long as the position of Hall Master was not a person who was obsessed with power, it could maintain the Heaven Ascension Hall’s stability for ten thousand years. Over the years, I have neglected Lin’er a lot. I want to find an opportunity to return as soon as possible.”

　　Jiang Lin’er smiled and said, “A woman should stand by her man. I’ll go with Fugui!”

　　Jiu Wu hurriedly said, “Changshou, even if you go into seclusion, do you have to leave this world?”

　　“Uncle-Master, this matter is not that simple,” Li Changshou said seriously. “Actually, this is not a problem of returning to seclusion. If you want to continue staying in the Heaven Ascension Hall, you can be safe. If you want to leave the Heaven Ascension Hall, you will probably suffer some bad luck because of me. Therefore, there are only two options now. You can stay in the Heaven Ascension Hall and continue working for the Heavenly Courts. There is no need to think too much. The Heavenly Courts will not treat you unfairly. If you want to leave the Heaven Ascension Hall, leave the Primordial World directly. It’s safest for you to follow me.”

　　“Then I’ll go with you.” Jiu Wu smiled and said, “It’s just that Shi Shi’s and my cultivation levels are insufficient. It might be difficult for us to survive in the Chaos Sea.”

　　“That’s fine. I’ll be fully prepared.” Li Changshou’s expression was serious. He handed the jade talismans to the few of them. “You can bring anyone with you. These jade talismans are a set. If one of them is broken, immediately make preparations. If two of them are destroyed, gather quickly and rush to the entrance of Xuandu City to wait for my news. If three of them shatter at the same time, there’s no need to care about anything else. Go to the entrance of the Xuandu City. Leave as many as you can. I’ll arrange for someone to receive you there or wait there personally.”

　　Exalted Wang Qing frowned and asked, “Is the situation so tense?”

　　“The Human Emperor of the Fire Cloud Cave had previously attacked the sky, but the effect was not ideal,” Li Changshou said. “The Heavenly Courts stopped this matter and did not spread it in the Three Realms. However, the situation is indeed so dangerous. There will be several nodes later. I might fall out with the Dao Ancestor and be implicated. However, everyone, don’t worry. If I lose, you will at most have some of your memories modified and forget my existence. As long as you are not tainted by negative karma, the Heavenly Dao will not casually kill living beings. The Heavenly Dao is the Heavenly Dao after all. It has to follow a few basic rules. Of course, it can already not abide by it.”

　　The few of them were stunned. Li Changshou cupped his hands and did not say anything. His body turned into leaves and piled up on the ground.