Chapter 394 Great Grief

　　“Seven Emotions incarnation?”

　　On the way back to the five continents, the Great Daoist Master listened to Li Changshou’s story and sighed.

　　“To transform living beings into the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disc, you have to carry the remnant thoughts left behind by living beings. The Lady of Earth really… Junior Brother, if you have a solution, help the Lady of Earth. You have always had many ideas. If you can help the Lady of Earth resolve this pain, it will be a great merit.”

　　“Senior Brother…”

　　Li Changshou was speechless. He purely wanted to do something for the Netherworld and the living beings. Would he not help just because the Heavenly Dao did not give him any merit? Of course, his enthusiasm would definitely be affected.

　　Li Changshou pondered for a while and said, “Senior Brother, I’m afraid I can’t do this alone. According to Goddess Nuwa, there is hatred in the incarnation that the Lady of Earth has already created. My cultivation level is shallow. I’m afraid that I will be killed by this incarnation before I can approach.” Great Daoist Master Xuan Du pondered for a while. “That makes sense.”

　　Li Changshou immediately heaved a sigh of relief. With the Great Daoist Master protecting him, he could deal with the Six Paths of Reincarnation easily.

　　It was impossible for the Saint to allow the two of them to be trapped in the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

　　However, Great Daoist Master Xuan Du flipped his left hand. The Mysterious Yellow Pagoda and the Taiji Painting appeared at the same time. They circled gently in his palm and were sent to Li Changshou… “Work hard!”

　　The Great Daoist Master patted Li Changshou’s shoulder. “As your senior brother, how can you share your merit? Teacher and I will always stand behind you and support you. Do whatever you want!” “Thank you, Senior Brother!” Li Changshou was inexplicably touched. He held two defensive treasures in his hands and bowed deeply to the Great Daoist Master.

　　Then, he muttered softly, “If that’s the case, although the interval is shorter, I can make Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan repay the favor he owes me. Ah, I will then owe Fellow Daoist Kong Xuan another favor. That’s not difficult to return. He wants to go to Tushita Palace to take a look. I wonder if the Grand Supreme Elder will allow it…”

　　The Great Daoist Master Xuan Du, who had raised his left hand and was about to leave, paused. Li Changshou looked at the two treasures in front of him and felt a sense of security. “Ahem, I’ve thought about it.” Great Daoist Master Xuan Du turned around and smiled warmly.

　　“It’s indeed inappropriate to let you go there yourself. After all, no one knows what the situation in the Six Paths of Reincarnation is like.”

　　As he spoke, a huge hand reached over and silently pulled the Taiji Painting back. “Thank you, Senior Brother! Hehe.”

　　“You rascal.” The Great Daoist Master gritted his teeth and cursed.

　　“It’s fine if it was Daoist Wen Jing back then. I know it was not easy for you to instigate her to rebel. Now… Hmph! Don’t randomly arrange this for me. Why do I need someone to accompany me when I’m carefree? It’s troublesome to be tied down by the red string.” Li Changshou put away the Mysterious Yellow Pagoda and smiled with squinted eyes. He jumped to the Great Daoist Master’s side and cupped his hands.

　　“Senior Brother, why don’t we go to Golden Ao Island to take a look? There’s something rare there. At the same time, let me think about how I can help the Lady of Earth.” “What’s so rare about that place? Could it be that a couple has become Dao companions?”

　　“The opposite.”

　　“Oh?” The Great Daoist Master’s eyes lit up. A white cloud condensed under his feet and brought Li Changshou to the five continents.

　　Li Changshou closed his eyes and focused, searching for a solution to the problem of the Lady of Earth. It could be considered the most troublesome and difficult problem that he had faced since he had started cultivating in the Primordial World. His schemes were completely useless. He did not even know what he should do. According to the Lady of Earth, she had endured the thoughts of the seven emotions for countless living beings, causing her to be on the verge of collapse. Seven incarnations were born, and those incarnations were formed from the seven emotions of the Lady of Earth…

　　From Li Changshou’s understanding, it was a complete “personality” of Goddess Houtu. According to the seven emotions, she had split it into seven personalities.

　　That’s right. This is a split personality. Li Changshou had seen many examples of Qi Refinement cultivators having split personalities in ancient books. The mental demons of many Qi Refinement cultivators were twisted personalities because they had been suppressing and avoiding certain emotions.

　　This kind of split personality was completely different from the mainstream incarnation path of the Primordial World. The former was uncontrollable, while the latter depended on the Qi Refinement cultivators’ own will. The first three incarnations of the seven emotions were grief, lust, and evil. That was actually easy to understand. Most of the souls of the living beings who arrived at the Six Paths of Reincarnation were filled with grief from death.

　　Desire was something that living beings could not avoid. It could even be considered the basic driving force of living beings. Evil was often related to it…

　　If he released the seven emotions, would he be able to let the Lady of Earth escape from the pain? Li Changshou focused half of his attention on the secret chamber of the Little Qiong Peak. He spread out a piece of paper and began to organize his thoughts using the old method.

　　Li Changshou felt that Goddess Nuwa’s reminder was very important. His real advantage was the ‘strange thoughts’ that the Primordial World creatures did not have.

　　In the current Primordial World, who could surpass Saints in terms of mystical abilities and Dharma powers? If the mystical abilities and Dharma spells could help the Lady of Earth… Li Changshou did not dare to say what the other Saints would do. However, Goddess Nuwa had clearly revealed that she would not stand by and do nothing if she could attack. After all, the Lady of Earth was once her rival and good friend. “Ah…”

　　As he approached Golden Ao Island, Li Changshou suddenly sighed. Great Daoist Master Xuan Du asked warmly, “What’s wrong?”

　　“I suddenly feel a little emotional.” Li Changshou lowered his head and said, “I often hear that good people will be rewarded. However, after the Lady of Earth sacrificed herself for the sake of all living beings and transformed into the Six Paths of Reincarnation, she kept enduring the pain given by all living beings.

　　The happiness of most people in the seemingly beautiful Three Realms required a few living beings to suffer… Ah, I really don’t know how to judge this matter.” The Great Daoist Master smiled and said, “Why are you suddenly so deep? Changshou, ahem, Changgeng.” “I’m here.”

　　“This is the Dao.” Li Changshou could not help but be stunned. He stood beside the Great Daoist Master and was in a daze for a long time. Then, he laughed. He transformed into the white-haired, white-robed Heavenly Courts’ Water God and smiled. “Senior Brother, I have a question.” “Speak.” “Is there right or wrong in the Dao? Is there positive and negative? Is there good and evil?”

　　“Of course not.” The Great Daoist Master said warmly, “The Dao has nothing to do with us. We are just walking on the same path. We are looking for the beginning and end of the Dao.”

　　“However, Senior Brother, living beings can be both right and wrong, as well as good and evil,” Li Changshou said softly. “Can living beings be one?” This time, the Great Daoist Master was stunned. He put his hands behind his back and pondered for a long time. Then, he laughed and continued warmly, “In terms of living beings, life, old age, illness, death, seven emotions, and six desires are naturally the Great Dao. However, in terms of individual living beings, it is the resonance of the Great Dao and True Spirit.

　　It cannot be discussed with the Dao. Therefore, you and I pursue freedom and a carefree life, but we cannot go beyond the Dao. It’s just like the words that are often mentioned. If we do as we wish, we will not go beyond the rules. Only then can living beings accompany the Dao and relax their hearts. It is endless joy.” Li Changshou lowered his head and pondered for a while. He bowed to the Great Daoist Master and said, “Thank you for explaining, Senior Brother.” “Okay.”

　　The Great Daoist Master nodded with a smile and secretly wiped his sweat.

　　What realm has this little fellow comprehended?

　　It’s only been a few hundred years? If he cultivated for another few hundred years, wouldn’t the next question he asks be… The Great Daoist Master turned to look at Li Changshou, who was deep in thought again. The corners of his mouth twitched.

　　It was time to return to the Xuandu City to retire.

　　When Li Changshou and the Great Daoist Master arrived at Golden Ao Island, the immortals on Golden Ao Island were traveling back and forth. The Qi Refinement cultivators who were fine on Golden Ao Island had helped Zhao Gongming send letters everywhere. Zhao Gongming had also explained in advance that he had invited his good friend to the Golden Ao Island to be a witness. He had wanted to tell her about his attempts and hard work during the journey with his Dao companion.

　　He had also announced that the two of them had officially… become ordinary fellow disciples again. When the Great Daoist Master heard Li Changshou mention that matter, he could not help but laugh. It was indeed the first time that such a novel thing had happened in the Primordial World.

　　However, there would definitely not be any Heavenly Dao merit descending.

　　The Great Daoist Master and Li Changshou did not appear directly. Instead, they hid in the corner of Golden Ao Island. The former looked at the various arrangements of the Jie School immortals excitedly, while the latter was focused on thinking about how to take away the great merit of the Netherworld. Li Changshou did not feel excited at all even though he had the Golden Body of Merit.

　　To Li Changshou, the difficulty of helping the Lady of Earth deal with the issue of the Seven Emotions incarnations was a hundred times greater than killing enough ancient negative karma demons. After all, that was a difficult problem that even Saints could not solve. Li Changshou felt that the first thing he had to do was to prevent his condition from worsening.

　　However, how could he stop it? Let the matter of the Six Paths of Reincarnation stop? If the Heavenly Dao did not allow it, Goddess Houtu would probably not agree either. A few hours later, more than a thousand Jie School immortals gathered on Golden Ao Island… The Great Daoist Master saw that Li Changshou was deep in thought and reminded him, “Don’t give yourself too much pressure. Even if you can’t help, no one will blame you. After all, this is not your responsibility. You are just helping out.”

　　Li Changshou deliberately revealed a determined gaze and said softly, “I have to risk it for merit!” The Great Daoist Master laughed and pointed forward. “Look, who’s here?” Li Changshou looked up and saw a cloud rising in the sky. Three figures slowly appeared from the cloud. They were the Three Xiao Immortals of the Three-Immortal Island. Zhao Gongming had invited them over.

　　The Great Daoist Master asked, “Should we appear? It will be troublesome to socialize and make small talk though.”

　　“No need. I’ll just say hi.”

　　Today, Master Zhao was the main character of the event. He could not steal his limelight.

　　Li Changshou called softly, “Fairy, Senior Brother Xuan Du and I are hiding here to watch the ceremony. We still have something to do later. We won’t appear today.”

　　Yun Xiao looked up and saw Li Changshou and the Great Daoist Master’s hiding place. She smiled and nodded at Li Changshou. Li Changshou was rendered speechless. Indeed, his cultivation level was not high enough. He could even be exposed with the Taiji Painting concealing his voice! Standing beside him, Qiong Xiao rolled her eyes and sniffed gently. She mumbled, “How strange.” “What’s wrong?” Bi Xiao blinked and asked. “It has the rotten smell of a white-haired old man.” Qiong Xiao smacked her lips.

　　Yun Xiao looked at Qiong Xiao helplessly and said gently, “Don’t tease him like that. He has his own difficulties.”

　　Qiong Xiao and Bi Xiao looked at each other and laughed. “Hahaha.” The Great Daoist Master clapped and chuckled. He said, “Junior Sister Yun Xiao is indeed gentle.” Li Changshou nodded with a smile. A thought flashed through his mind, but it happened too quickly and he could not catch it.

　　What did the Lady of Earth experience when she transformed into the Six Paths of Reincarnation? How did she do it?

　　Does this include the answer to the question?

　　Li Changshou closed his eyes and pondered again. He allowed the bustling noise to enter his ears without being disturbed.

　　At dusk, the breakup celebration officially began.

　　More than a thousand immortals from Jie School gathered beside the treasure pool. They surrounded the entire treasure pool from top to bottom. A few personal disciples of the Saint who had come to support them stopped in the clouds. Zhao Gongming took a few steps forward and walked to the open space surrounded by the immortals. He cupped his hands and bowed. “I took the liberty to invite all my fellow disciples here today to be witnesses. Please forgive me if I have disturbed your cultivation.

　　This matter is originally between me and Junior Sister Jinguang. However, I had received the attention of my fellow disciples previously. Therefore, I invited everyone here today to clarify everything. There is nothing to worry about today. He is carefree. Junior Sister Jinguang and I are out traveling…” Zhao Gongming began to tell the story of him and the Goddess of Golden Light. The immortals from Jie School listened quietly. The Goddess of Golden Light quickly stood up and said that she had already understood her heart. She respected Senior Brother Gongming too much and initially wanted to become Dao companions with him. However, after interacting with him, she realized that they were not suitable for each other…

　　“Senior Brother, let’s go to the Netherworld to work.”

　　“How’s your thinking?” the Great Daoist Master asked.

　　Li Changshou shook his head. “I can only go and interact with Goddess Houtu’s Seven Emotions incarnation first. It’s best if I communicate with Goddess Houtu herself and see if I can find any clues.”

　　“Okay.”

　　The Dao runes around the Great Daoist Master circulated. The two of them sat on the cloud and left quietly.

　　At that moment, Fairy Yun Xiao looked up from afar.

　　Li Changshou smiled and waved his hand. Yun Xiao also smiled faintly. Before Li Changshou disappeared, she nodded.

　　On the way, the Great Daoist Master suddenly thought of something. He raised his hand and pressed Li Changshou’s shoulder.

　　“How are you getting along with Yun Xiao? Could it be that just like Junior Brother Gongming and Junior Sister Jinguang, you two feel that you are not compatible with each other?” Why are they all worried about this? Li Changshou shifted the topic to Lady of Earth. After discussing with the Great Daoist Master for a while, they arrived outside Fengdu City.

　　It was indeed much more convenient to travel with the Great Daoist Master. The two of them discussed for a while and decided to tell the Magi about this matter and ask the Netherworld to help with all their might. At that moment, the Great Daoist Master released his pressure and revealed himself together with Li Changshou.

　　They appeared in the low sky outside Fengdu City. The Yama Lords of the Ten Halls were shocked. The wailing and howling outside Fengdu City instantly stopped. Ox-head and Horse-face, who were chowing down on the mountain peak, trembled. “Ox, do we have too much condiments? Huiler…” “No, it can’t be, right? Why is the Great Daoist Master here personally?”

　　Fortunately, Li Changshou’s next sentence was, “Yama Lords of the ten halls, do you know your crime?”

　　Ox-head and Horse-face heaved a sigh of relief and hugged the condiments cans beside them tightly.

　　Hence, an hour later.

　　Li Changshou forced the Yama Lords to tell the truth about the troubles in the Netherworld and the Lady of Earth. He suggested that he would attack the Great Daoist Master and see if he could help the Lady of Earth get rid of her “chronic illness”.

　　In terms of tactics, the Yama Lords were naturally not a match for the Heavenly Courts’ Water God.

　　The Yama Lords did not just tell Li Changshou about the secret of the Netherworld. They also thanked Li Changshou, as if they had entrusted their lives to Li Changshou. Li Changshou suggested that they go to the eighteenth level of hell to find the “incarnation of grief”. The Yama Lords did not dare to reject him. King Qinguang and King Chujiang personally led Li Changshou and the Great Daoist Master to the eighteenth level of hell. There was no need to describe the tragic scene along the way.

　　They went straight to the lowest level of the eighteen levels of hell. The two Yama Lords undid the forty-nine restrictions and stepped into an illusion with extremely rich Heavenly Dao power. They arrived at the lake that Li Changshou had seen. “Great Daoist Master, Water God… You will know after seeing it.” King Qinguang sighed and had a complicated expression.

　　He raised his hand and formed a seal. The four figures flew forward and entered a white fog. After traveling for an unknown distance, Li Changshou saw the woman curled up on the lake again. King Qinguang and King Chujiang reported in unison,

　　“Great Daoist Master, Water…”

　　“Ah…”

　　The woman lying on the surface of the water heaved a long sigh. A thick Dao rune flowed out, causing Li Changshou’s Dao heart to almost lose balance. The woman did not move. Her light voice was filled with sadness.

　　“Why do you want to see me? Why do you want to see me? It’s all futile. There’s no point in existing. Hehe, my siblings are already dead. Why should I still exist…” The two Yama Lords immediately looked down with tears in their eyes. They were immersed in grief and could not extricate themselves. The Great Daoist Master and Li Changshou landed 100 feet away from the woman. The two of them bowed.

　　The Great Daoist Master said loudly, “Goddess, can you talk to us?”

　　The woman lay there without moving. Her gentle voice sounded a little weak.

　　“It’s useless. There’s no need. Go back. Eat and drink before the world is destroyed.”

　　When she said those words, the mysterious Dao runes around her were constantly emitting. The Great Daoist Master had to take the initiative to resist them. Li Changshou asked, “Goddess, is there anything we can help you with?” The woman whispered, “Help me? Release me from here? It’s just a bigger cage outside. The world is a dream. I’m fine here. I’ll slowly wither and disappear…” Li Changshou and the Great Daoist Master looked at each other and nodded at the same time. They walked forward in unison. The woman lying on the ground did not even look at them. She continued to cry silently. Her fair skin looked even more delicate. The black dress seemed to symbolize something ominous.

　　Li Changshou put the Mysterious Yellow Pagoda back into his essence soul and sat cross-legged in front of the woman. He smiled warmly and took the initiative to attack.

　　“No, did you ask me to save you?” The woman opened her eyes. Her light blue eyes were filled with sorrow, and it frantically attacked Li Changshou’s heart. Li Changshou quickly thought of some happy things… “It’s useless,” the woman muttered. “No one can save me. I can only sink here. My heart is already dead. Who are you… Forget it. Whoever you are, why do you think we are alive?”

　　“For…”

　　“Aren’t you tired? You’re so sad.”

　　The woman said quietly. She slowly raised one hand with the silver chain and pulled the corner of Li Changshou’s robe. “Spirits hope to reach the end of their journey in order to suffer in this world. What does your experience and thoughts have to do with others? The world in the spiritual eye is just a concept created by my mind. Why should such a world exist?” “This…”

　　The woman sighed softly. “How can you save me if you can’t even answer such a question? Can’t you even deceive me? In this sorrowful world, my tears will eventually…”

　　“Can you sit up and chat?”

　　Li Changshou tried to take the initiative, but…

　　“Is there a point? Will I change my mind if I sit up? You still don’t understand, young man. The world is fake and useless. In the end, it’s all nothingness.

　　Who can save who?

　　It’s just a joke. If there’s nothing else, leave. Let me lie here quietly, okay? I have already tried my best not to let my pain affect others. What else do you want me to do? Sadness is so huge. The water in this lake is actually my tears.” Li Changshou stood up and his figure flickered a few times. He quickly retreated beside the woman. I can’t cure her. I can’t save her. Farewell!