Chapter 479 Hope They Are Fine

　　What does that mean?

　　Are you really bullying an honest person?

　　The merit from the last time was owed. Fortunately, it was in a corner with no one around. He was only bumped by Ling’e, who was passing by a vase. The landlord said that there was no food at home, so that was fine.

　　This time… it was too much!

　　In the Netherworld, he had scattered a lot of merit in front of so many immortals and ghosts. However, only a bolt of lightning struck the head of the Heavenly Courts’ Water God. How could that be explained? What scene?

　　The landlord had a bitter expression on his face as he said to the worker in front of him, “There is indeed no more food at home.” Then, a group of fat girls beside him ran away while chewing on some pork!? Isn’t this obvious bullying?

　　Two strokes of great merit! His Merit Golden Body could become thicker and longer!

　　When others were giving out merit and Li Changshou was being struck, Li Changshou held his forehead that was bruised. He could not help but be angry and shout, “This!”

　　Boom! Boom!

　　The gray clouds in the low sky of the Netherworld churned, as if they were about to form a face. Li Changshou’s thoughts raced. He weighed the pros and cons and analyzed the situation. His words changed silently as he continued to shout, “Could it be that the Heavenly Dao is encouraging me!?!”

　　At that time, the scene was not just quiet.

　　It was unknown if it was the Goddess of Golden Spirit or some fairy who had gone to Fengdu City to exorcise ghosts, but they chuckled. Many immortals laughed together. For a moment, they were quite happy. They had painted a happy picture for the Netherworld crisis that seemed to have been resolved successfully…

　　The joker.

　　Li Changshou really could not laugh. The Heavenly Dao power in his heart condensed into five words:

　　“Let’s go together next time.”

　　Li Changshou could only make another Dao salute. He was thinking about whether he should use the situation to make a fool of himself and force the Heavenly Dao to give him a written pledge.

　　He was actually just uncertain.

　　Beside him, Qin Tianzhu sent a voice transmission. “Why? Why did Master deduct your merit?” However, there were still golden lights flashing everywhere. The power of the Heavenly Dao had not retreated. The merit had yet to be distributed. Li Changshou could only smile and look at Qin Tianzhu. “General Qin, how can this be deducting merit? This is a spur given to me by the Heavenly Dao. It tells me that the Golden Body of Merit is not easy to condense. Even if I want a little sense of security, I have to go through the Heavenly Dao’s tests.” Qin Tianzhu blinked and raised his hand to cough. He turned his head and laughed. Li Changshou sighed helplessly and tidied his hair. There were already familiar immortals and immortals surrounding him and greeting him with concern. Previously, everyone knew that the Heavenly Dao owed Li Changshou merit. However, today… It was not as good as seeing it with one’s own eyes. It was really something that he had never seen in ancient times.

　　General Dongmu felt indignant for Li Changshou and said firmly, “This matter can be resolved properly. With the Water God as the leader, why did the Heavenly Dao not reward him with merit but punish him?”

　　Daoist Duobao smiled and said, “This actually shows that Changgeng is different from us. He is favored by Master. If not, why would the Heavenly Dao give Changgeng so much love? Hahahaha!”

　　As he spoke, Daoist Duobao casually took a numinous treasure to accept the merit he had just obtained and added some spirituality to it. “Eldest Senior Brother is right.” Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and laughed. “Only Changgeng is left.”

　　Perfected Taiyi pursed his lips. “Tell me a joke. The Heavenly Dao is impartial.” The laughter around him instantly froze. With a few whooshes, dozens of figures dodged left and right, leaving Perfected Taiyi behind.

　　Perfected Taiyi, who was dressed in a pompous pink Daoist robe, looked at the sky calmly and realized that a gray cloud was floating above his head. The corners of his mouth twitched slightly. Li Changshou was rendered speechless.

　　I hope something happens to someone. That day, Li Changshou observed others being struck by the Heavenly Punishment at a close distance for the first time. Moreover, it was the kind of Heavenly Punishment that caused pain and injury but was not fatal.

　　He had finally found a second friend who had survived the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder.

　　Let’s talk about serious matters.

　　Ksitigarbha’s essence soul was condensed into a Reincarnation Pearl. The second round of reincarnation was integrated into the Six Paths of Reincarnation. As a ‘backup’ option, 95% of the souls accumulated there had been reincarnated.

　　This time, he had to act according to the situation. He would temporarily keep the negative karma and merit of the souls. After the Reincarnation Pagoda sent them back to the various incense kingdoms, he would settle everything before the next reincarnation

　　Actually, there was a crucial problem that needed the Heavenly Dao to mediate — the pregnancy of mortals.

　　In the next two to three years, the Trichiliocosm would welcome a wave of fertility. It was estimated that there would be many blooming old trees. There would probably be many cases of twins and triplets. It would take twenty to thirty years for them to recover.

　　There was no choice. The Western Sect had caused too much trouble.

　　The immortals and gods of the Heavenly Courts lingered in the Netherworld for another day. They improved their relationship with the Yama Lords of the Netherworld and returned to the Heavenly Courts one after another to continue presiding over the order of the world. The four seasons alternated, and the snowstorm and raindrops were the main business of the Heavenly Courts.

　　After returning to the Heavenly Courts, the Jade Emperor would reward them. This time, the Heavenly Soldiers, Heavenly Generals, and Immortal Disciples of the Heavenly Courts had indeed played an important role.

　　And expanded the subcontract of digging. Li Changshou secretly apologized to Qin Tianzhu and asked for leave. He did not return to the Heavenly Courts to celebrate. Instead, he invited the nine experts who had been invited to help.

　　Li Changshou invited Duo Bao and the others to the rear hall of the Sea God Temple in Anshui City. He personally cooked and prepared a sumptuous banquet.

　　It was none other than..

　　The Jade Emperor bestowed the Jade Pool Brew, and the Fairy sent the Jade Immortal Peach over.

　　The delicacies were not expensive, and the fragrance of the dishes wafted in the air. Daoist Duobao naturally sat on the main seat. After that, Perfected Huang Long was the second. The Goddess of Golden Spirit, Fairy Yun Xiao, Li Changshou, Kong Xuan, and a few other experts from the Dao Sect were behind him.

　　After chatting happily, the immortals sighed when they talked about Ksitigarbha’s grand wish to transform the Reincarnation Pagoda.

　　Zhao Gongming praised, “Ksitigarbha is also a character. He isn’t tainted by the evil that he has been exposed to. It’s rare.”

　　Kong Xuan said, “He’s just trying to save the Western Sect.”

　　“Fellow Daoist, you’re wrong about that.” Li Changshou smiled and said, “I’ve only met Ksitigarbha a few times, but I know him well. He had once schemed against the dragon race’s Sea Eye and had also toyed with the demons. There were many casualties. However, those were all within his bottom line. He could accept such casualties in the battle for the great sects and the battle for destiny. He feels that it’s very normal. That’s his nature.

　　What happened today had far exceeded Ksitigarbha’s bottom line. He had sacrificed himself to fulfill the starting point of the Reincarnation Pagoda because of the Western Sect. However, what made him make that decision and do it without hesitation is the sympathy he has. He could actually ignore that matter. His performance that day was already the best among the disciples of the Western Saints. I don’t believe that the two Saints of the Western Sect do not have any backup plans. Ksitigarbha did not lose in the debate with me. It’s also because I tricked him and made one of his senior brothers admit it.”

　　“Is it really a scam?” The Goddess of Golden Spirit blinked. Li Changshou smiled and said, “It’s just as Ksitigarbha said. I didn’t have time to do those things. In order to not be discovered by the other party, I only used the Shadow-Retaining Ball to find some more tragic scenes to record them and use them to cause trouble today.”

　　He paused. If he continued, he would easily expose the fact that he was a spy in the Western Sect. In this battle, the Primordial Beast did not appear. Clearly, the Western Sect knew that they could not let them have any more evidence.

　　Fairy Yun Xiao’s beautiful eyes lit up. She asked curiously, “Could it be that you were already certain that you would definitely lure the disciples of the Western Saints outside of Ksitigarbha?” Li Changshou smiled and said, “That’s right.”

　　Perfected Yu Ding sighed and said, “Under such circumstances, you could actually consider all of that before the Saint arrived.”

　　“I didn’t take it into consideration. I had already planned it.”

　　Li Changshou put down his chopsticks and took a sip of the fragrant fruit wine. He heaved a sigh of relief and said slowly, “Ksitigarbha is good at scheming and knows the general situation. He has his own bottom line when it comes to doing things. He also has the help of the divine beast Truth Listener. If not for Mr. Bai Ze taking the initiative to submit and subdue Truth Listener, I would really have turned white from worry. The Western Sect is different from our Dao Sect. Do you still remember the time when the three sects joined forces to suppress the spiritual mountain?”

　　The immortals nodded and listened attentively. Li Changshou smiled and said, “When I was suppressing the spiritual mountain, I saw that the disciples of the Saints of the Western Sect were gathered and arranged according to their capital. They were vaguely divided into a few different ‘small teams’. Due to the fact that he had schemed against the dragon race and swept away the gloominess of the Western Sect, Ksitigarbha was in the limelight in the Western Sect at that time. He was also a disciple who received his beloved.

　　He could even give the Green Lotus Flag to protect himself. At that time, I realized that if I wanted to kill a core disciple of the Western Sect, I would have to alarm the Saint. I can’t kill him. Therefore, I began to secretly use methods to expose Ksitigarbha’s name in the Three Realms and promote him. He schemed against the demons and declared war on the Immortal Sect of Ren School. I took the opportunity to announce to the public that I had been secretly working with him and that we have been friends for a long time. This time, we tacitly tricked so many negative karma demons. Ksitigarbha is outstanding, so he would naturally be envied by others. Indeed, after that time, he lost his right to speak in the Western Sect. A disciple of a Saint called Void Bodhi replaced him.”

　　Perfected Huang Long rubbed his eyebrows and said, “Do I have to consider so much when I’m a power god in the Heavenly Courts?”

　　“Junior Brother, don’t interrupt,” Daoist Duobao grumbled. “I’m listening intently! Changgeng, what else did you plan?”

　　Li Changshou continued, “The other methods are similar. This is the way of thinking. I split Ksitigarbha and the other disciples of the Western Sect’s Great Sage.”

　　“The last time Ksitigarbha accompanied us to resist the otherworldly demons, it also showed how much the Great Saints of the Western Sect valued Ksitigarbha.”

　　“I deliberately let him stay there for a longer period of time and rushed back first to rally. I wanted the Heavenly Courts to praise Ksitigarbha and give him a reputation.”

　　“What would the other disciples of the Saint think? The disciples who were originally unrelated to Ksitigarbha would also stand against him. After a few times, the prideful and arrogant Ksitigarbha began to lose popularity in the Western Sect.”

　　“Therefore, he stood out in front of the Reincarnation Pagoda and spoke with me. There will definitely be some core disciples of the Western Sect who can’t control themselves.”

　　“Judging from the schemes of the Western Sect and the scene I saw in the Divine Kingdom of Incense, there are indeed people among the core disciples of the Western Sect who do not know how to be scheming and are too anxious to achieve results. That is the breakthrough.”

　　“However, I miscalculated. The old Daoist priest who stood up is so stupid to destroy the Reincarnation Pagoda.”

　　“When Ksitigarbha came to sacrifice himself, I should have stopped him. However, I did not do anything because I could not bear to see the people die.”

　　“What made me the most helpless is that in the eyes of the Great Saints of the Western Sect, Ksitigarbha and I had been schemed against…

　　At that time, the one who controlled the senile old Daoist priest might not be the Heavenly Dao. The Reincarnation Pearl had shattered too strangely. If saving souls violates the will of the Heavenly Dao, why would the Heavenly Dao give us so much merit?” As he spoke, Li Changshou smiled self-deprecatingly. He picked up his wine glass and downed it in one gulp. “Some of the people of the Western Sect are really smart but only care about themselves. Some of them are really stupid. They are just being used by others. The reason that Ksitigarbha is where he is today is not only because of his destiny, but also because of his personality. However, I really admire him for being able to care about the people and sacrifice himself so decisively for the greater good.” Perfected Taiyi muttered, “Tell me, how many levels did you plan for this wine?” Li Changshou smiled and said, “First level, I’m thinking about how to get you drunk and place you in front of the mountain gate.” Perfected Taiyi shuddered and glared at Li Changshou.

　　“I was indignant for you. I was struck by the Heavenly Dao!”

　　“This has nothing to do with me.” Li Changshou immediately raised his hand and swore. Perfected Taiyi gritted his teeth. If Fairy Yun Xiao was not beside him, he would have pounced forward and fought.

　　Perfected Taiyi thought, ‘No, I have to think of a way to get back at him!’

　　Beside him, Kong Xuan continued, “This time, the Western Sect lost at the end of the day. They lost such a disciple and only have some freeloaders left.”

　　“Fellow Daoist, don’t think that way,” Li Changshou said seriously. “There are many experts in the Western Sect. The disciples of Ksitigarbha are very powerful. They must have their own schemes for hiding in the Netherworld this time. You have to know that Ksitigarbha’s mount, the Truth Listener, is actually more intelligent than its master. Since it can hear the thoughts of the living beings in the Three Realms, it definitely knows all kinds of schemes. Why is Truth Listener always feigning ignorance? In fact, it is forced by pressure. It also wants Ksitigarbha to leave the Western Sect. Ksitigarbha hid in the Netherworld. Although it damaged his Dao Body, his essence soul can forever exist with the Heavenly Dao. At the very least, Ksitigarbha would not be tortured by his Senior Brothers and Junior Brothers to the point that he would end up like the senile old Daoist priest. The one who saw the most clearly was actually Truth Listener… Indeed, I have to think of a way to go to the Reincarnation Pagoda.”

　　Daoist Duobao frowned and said, “I only said that the two Saints of the Western Sect are united and cannot be underestimated. I didn’t expect them to fight so fiercely internally.” Fairy Yun Xiao said, “The Dao Sect is giving the Western Sect too much pressure. The Western Sect can’t find peace.”

　　“Saints…”

　　Li Changshou wanted to say something but hesitated. He smiled and changed the topic. “This time, the Western Sect won a small victory. The Saint’s schemes are really powerful. It’s not something we can hope to achieve. Although I have forcefully returned the Reincarnation Pagoda to the Lady of Earth’s control, the Heavenly Dao will still give the Western Sect that luck. The destiny of the Heavenly Dao is to guide living beings towards the stable development of the world. The Western Sect has an additional pillar of luck, and the Heavenly Dao gets a backup second round. It is even more stable. During the discussion of the God-Conferment Tribulation in the Purple Cloud Palace, they will have more rights to speak. That’s what we need to think about now.”

　　“Does Changgeng have a brilliant plan?”

　　“We still have to hold on to the fact that the Burning Incense Divine Kingdom is a huge disaster.” Li Changshou shook his head. “However, after this battle, the Western Sect will definitely publicize their benevolent image everywhere. They will temporarily suppress the drawbacks of the Burning Incense Divine Kingdom. That’s not good for us, but it’s also a good thing for the humans of the Divine Kingdom of Incense. In another ten years, I will form an anti-Western-Sect Immortal Dao Union with the various factions of the Trichiliocosm…” Zhao Gongming said, “When and where? I’ll help

　　you!”

　　“It’s not appropriate for the disciples of the Saints to participate directly. Although there are many Qi Refinement cultivators in the Trichiliocosm, there are few top-notch experts,” Li Changshou said. “With Senior Brother Lu Yue around, it’s enough to deal with all kinds of situations. Senior Brother Duobao, please send a letter to Senior Brother Lu Yue as the Eldest Senior Brother…”

　　Daoist Duobao immediately understood and praised him.

　　Perfected Taiyi seized the opportunity and smiled. “Weren’t the rumors that were spread previously about you and Lu Yue appearing in the brothel…

　　Ah, it’s my fault. It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have mentioned this in front of Fairy Yun Xiao. I’ll punish myself by drinking three cups.”

　　Staring…

　　Fairy Yun Xiao’s gaze “attacked”. Li Changshou immediately covered his face with his hand. He could see the corners of Fairy Yun Xiao’s mouth, which had curled up slightly, through the gaps between his fingers. He chuckled in his heart.

　　Indeed, she cares…

　　Don’t worry, I’m prepared for that. Li Changshou took out a Great Dao oath template from his sleeve. After opening it, he cleared his throat and began to recite.

　　There was nothing more reliable than using the Great Dao oath to prove that he had not experienced any temporary love tribulation. He was pure!

　　In his previous life, he had heard of some foreign myths that had the classification of “virgins”.

　　He, Li Changshou, the Heavenly Courts’ Water God, was a real Pure Yang God!

　　There was nothing to be proud of.

　　Speaking of which, the Heavenly Dao wouldn’t deliberately prank me, right… It can’t be, right? At the same time, in the Lingxiao Hall, The White-Robed Jade Emperor sat on the platform and said to the people below, “General Dongmu.”

　　“I’m here.”

　　“It’s really time to mention Minister Changgeng’s Deity Position. You will submit a memorial during the meeting later. Do you understand the details?”

　　“Understood, I understand!” General Dongmu agreed and his eyes were filled with eagerness. He asked, “Your Majesty, if we allow the Water God to ascend, we will first confirm his Deity Position. Your Majesty, which second-rank position do you think is more suitable? Why don’t I give up my position to the Water God?”

　　“General Dongmu has worked hard and contributed greatly. Don’t doubt yourself,” the Jade Emperor said with a smile. “There are a total of twelve second-rank Deity Positions in the Heavenly Courts. I don’t want him to guard the four corners of the world. I want him to plan for me in the Heavenly Courts. General Dongmu, which Deity Position is the most suitable?”

　　General Dongmu agreed and lowered his head to think. Soon, he said, “There is a Constellation Deity Position among the third-rank Deity Positions called Tai Bai. He is the Grand Assistant of His Majesty. He is in charge of the killing of the Heavenly Courts and symbolizes the change of the world. Why don’t Your Majesty make an exception and promote this Deity Position to the second rank? The Water God will take on the role.”

　　“That’s right.” The Jade Emperor smiled and nodded. “According to General Dongmu, go and prepare the memorial.”

　　“Yes, I understand.” At that moment, in the temple of Anshui City…

　　“If I say anything false, the Heavenly Dao will give me a warning.” As soon as Li Changshou finished reciting the oath, he smiled calmly and looked at Fairy Yun Xiao, who was looking at him.

　　He was actually not a man who would mess around…

　　Crack!

　　Boom! Boom!

　　A lightning dragon was baring its fangs and brandishing its claws outside the rear hall. The purple lightning illuminated Li Changshou’s smile, causing Fairy Yun Xiao to blink slightly. Goddess Jinling drew her sword in anger. Kong Xuan lowered his head and smiled. Perfected Yu Ding frowned. Perfected Taiyi and Zhao Gongming could not help but laugh. Li Changshou was enlightened. He seemed to have received the Jade Emperor’s reward and changed his position in the Deity Position, causing the Heavenly Dao to sense him…

　　This… At this moment…

　　Advance, my foot!