Recaps

Ao Yi brought Li Changshou’s reputation to Qin Wan’s attention, prompting Golden Ao Island and Human Teaching experts to visit Lesser Qiong Peak and its array. Meanwhile, the Jade Emperor asked the Heavenly Court officials how to handle the spread of Wild God worship, but no strategy was given before the chapter ended.

• Qin Wan offered pills to Ling'e and Jiu Jiu after Li Changshou declined to attend, and Han Zhi told him that Li Changshou’s array had trapped her former master.
• Intrigued by Li Changshou’s array, Qin Wan arranged to visit Lesser Qiong Peak, and other Golden Ao Island and Human Teaching experts joined him.
• Jiu Wu rushed Li Changshou away from his conversation with Ao Yi because the senior experts were heading for the chain array.
• At the Heavenly Court assembly, the Jade Emperor asked his officials how to respond to Wild God worship when the Court lacked troops and could not readily appoint the Wild Gods as Orthodox Gods.

Li Changshou’s interconnected array impressed Heavenly Lord Qin Wan, who traded him a spiritual treasure for the method and began considering how to improve the Ten Absolute Arrays. Afterward, Ao Yi asked Li Changshou for advice about his feelings for Han Zhi, while Li Changshou prepared incense and tried to keep his other talents from drawing attention.

• Li Changshou realized Heavenly Lord Qin Wan might use inspiration from his array to strengthen the Ten Absolute Arrays, then dismantled the formation when Sect Master Wuyou Daoist asked.
• Qin Wan offered a white jade flute in exchange for Li Changshou’s interconnected-array method, and Ji Wuyou gave Li Changshou extra provisions and access to the sect’s array techniques.
• Li Changshou imagined the Ten Heavenly Lords using a Ten Absolute Chain Baleful Array, then withdrew with Ao Yi to the forest tea room.
• Ao Yi told Li Changshou that Han Zhi had rejected his confession and asked whether his feelings meant something was wrong with him.
• Li Changshou prepared incense to seek peace of mind, while Wuyou Daoist stopped a sect elder from revealing Li Changshou’s skill in the Pill Dao.

Li Changshou finished the sect tournament and exchanged parting gifts with Ao Yi before sensing a distinguished guest at the Sea God Temple. On the way home, Ao Yi opened Li Changshou’s paintings and advice, then faced his troubles with renewed resolve.

• Li Changshou refined the white jade flute while Ling'e accepted her tournament loss, and he later won three matches before conceding to Youqin Xuanya, who ultimately claimed first place.
• Li Changshou secretly left the tournament, gave Ao Yi two paintings and a brocade pouch, and received two Jade Talisman Messages in return.
• After returning to Lesser Qiong Peak, Li Changshou sensed a gray-robed elder and two Heavenly Immortal guards at the Sea God Temple, then activated a hidden Paper Daoist.
• Ao Yi opened Li Changshou’s paintings before the Golden Ao Island group, and the gathered elders reacted first with amusement and then with stunned silence.
• Ao Yi read the brocade pouch’s advice, put the gifts away, and approached Han Zhi with a clearer, unburdened expression.

Dong Mugong sought Li Changshou’s advice about his precarious position in Heavenly Court, while Li Changshou prepared for the Three Teachings Origin Conference and strengthened Lesser Qiong Peak. He discovered that Ling'e, Jiu Jiu, and Youqin Xuanya had eaten most of his spirit beasts and summoned Youqin Xuanya to answer for it.

• Dong Mugong told Li Changshou that the Jade Emperor planned to recruit the South Sea Sea God, then asked for guidance about his own future; Li Changshou advised him to retreat carefully without taking on the matter’s Saint-related karma.
• Li Changshou listed his preparations for the Three Teachings Origin Conference and spent three years turning materials, including Dong Mugong’s gift, into defenses for Lesser Qiong Peak.
• Li Changshou destroyed Dong Mugong’s storage treasures, checked their contents for tracking, and assigned the magic treasures to his Paper Daoists.
• Li Changshou noticed that more than half the spirit beasts were missing and searched his memories, discovering that Ling'e, Jiu Jiu, and Youqin Xuanya had repeatedly killed and eaten them.
• Li Changshou called for Lan Ling'e and told her to bring Youqin Xuanya to him, prompting Ling'e to hurry toward Sky-Breaking Peak.

Li Changshou made Jiu Jiu, Youqin Xuanya, and Ling'e compensate him for eating his spirit beasts by building a pavilion, while Elder Wan Linjun developed a poison pill that reacted to immortal sense. Inspired by the idea and the fox demon’s charm technique, Li Changshou began designing a pill that could secretly mark anyone who examined him with immortal sense; the chapter ended with Dong Mugong sneaking into the Matchmaker’s Palace.

• Li Changshou made Jiu Jiu, Youqin Xuanya, and Ling'e build a pavilion and renovate the Spirit Beast Pen to repay him for eating his spirit beasts.
• Elder Wan Linjun showed Li Changshou a poison pill formula designed to react to spiritual or immortal sense and planned to seek its key ingredient in the Northern Continent of Julu.
• Li Changshou gave Elder Wan Linjun two paper effigies to protect him on his journey and discussed the Ambition Pill’s effects and safe use.
• Li Changshou considered how to adapt the poison pill into a counter-surveillance tool and began designing one inspired by a fox demon’s charm technique and Love Stones.
• Dong Mugong sneaked into the Heavenly Court’s Matchmaker’s Palace.

Dong Mugong asked Matchmaker to bind him to all his possible marriage partners, while Li Changshou tested new Immortal Sense pills and prepared a sachet to help his master. The chapter left Li Changshou checking on Dong Mugong, who was waiting at one of the Sea God Temples.

• Matchmaker refused Dong Mugong's request to sever all his marriage ties but showed him the Marriage Clay Figurines connected to him, and Dong Mugong decided he wanted them all.
• Ling'e worked alone on the Spirit Beast Pen until Li Changshou arrived and asked her to help test a pill.
• Li Changshou tested Heart Fire Burn on Ling'e, whose reaction prompted him to give her a Clearheart Pill and leave confused about the pill's effects.
• Li Changshou refined Heart Fire Burn and an Anti-Probe Pill, then prepared a sachet with both pills and a Paper Daoist for his master.
• Li Changshou sensed Dong Mugong waiting at a Sea God Temple, checked that Elder Wan Linjun was safe, and activated the Paper Daoist beneath the temple.

Dong Mugong thanked Li Changshou for helping him earn the Jade Emperor’s approval, and Li Changshou coached him to cultivate a reputation for devotion. Later, Li Changshou sent Qi Yuan to Linhai Town in disguise, where a shattered Heart Fire Burn pill triggered a crowd of cultivators to pursue him just as spirit beasts ran wild.

• Dong Mugong told Li Changshou that the Jade Emperor had smiled at him after his marriage, and Li Changshou warned him against taking every marriage opportunity and advised him to appear devoted.
• Li Changshou discussed the Three Teachings Origin Conference with Qi Yuan, then persuaded his master to leave the sect disguised in his middle-aged appearance and carrying a concealed-aura sachet.
• Li Changshou monitored Qi Yuan through Paper Daoists and used Heart Fire Burn to make female cultivators in Linhai Town approach him, but Qi Yuan repeatedly refused them.
• The Heart Fire Burn pill shattered inside the sachet, and Li Changshou warned Qi Yuan to hide it in his Storage magic treasure as nearby cultivators began pursuing him.
• An old Daoist proposed becoming cultivation partners with Qi Yuan, and a shout announced that spirit beasts on Spirit Beast Street had gone berserk.

Li Changshou’s attempt to help his master with Heart Fire Burn went disastrously awry, but the chaos revived his master’s spirits. Later, counterfeit Ambition Pills caused trouble at the sect, and Li Changshou quietly directed Jiu Wu toward a possible culprit.

• Li Changshou’s Heart Fire Burn pills shattered in the market, causing female Qi Refiners and spirit beasts to swarm his master; Master beat Li Changshou’s Paper Daoist for two hours, but afterward seemed more spirited.
• Li Changshou spent two years cultivating while Ling'e, Poisonous Junior Sister, and Youqin Xuanya completed the Spirit Beast Pen, and Elder Wan Linjun returned from the Northern Julu Continent and entered seclusion.
• Jiu Wu hurried to Lesser Qiong Peak to report that an elder had become crazed after taking an Ambition Pill, so Li Changshou went with him to Pill Cauldron Peak to investigate.
• Li Changshou examined the sleeping elder and found counterfeit Ambition Pills with an evil aura in the elder’s Storage magic treasure.
• Li Changshou urged the elders to avoid publicizing the matter and to obtain Ambition Pills through the Hall of Hundred Affairs, then privately told Jiu Wu that sect steward Liu Feixian might be involved.

Li Changshou arranged for Liu Feixian’s fake Ambition Pills to become a pretext for Du Xian Sect to address its indulgent culture, but the campaign failed, so he began planning to make Lesser Qiong Peak mobile. Meanwhile, Daoist Wen Jing prepared to scheme against the Dragon Clan for the Western Teachings while remaining wary of the Human Teaching’s senior disciple.

• Li Changshou had Jiu Wu and Jiu Jiu confront Liu Feixian, who confessed to refining fake Ambition Pills, and arranged for Ambition Pills to be submitted to the Hall of Hundred Affairs.
• Li Changshou persuaded Jiu Wu that Du Xian Sect’s prosperity mattered more than Lesser Qiong Peak’s private gain, then arranged for Liu Feixian to petition Sect Master Wuyou Daoist about the sect’s culture of cultivation partners.
• Sect Master Wuyou Daoist launched a three-month campaign to establish new customs, but it failed, and the elders placed Liu Feixian under special protection after he was repeatedly attacked.
• Li Changshou decided to build an outer array around Lesser Qiong Peak so he could activate his Wandering Lesser Qiong Peak Plan when necessary.
• Daoist Wen Jing accepted a mission to scheme against the West Sea and South Sea Dragon Palaces and reflected on the Western Teachings’ plans to bring dragons to Spirit Mountain.

Li Changshou created the Immortal Cat Strategy Bucket to earn money for Lesser Qiong Peak’s transformation, and it became popular among sect members seeking reassurance. After he gave Youqin Xuanya an encouraging answer, a sudden bloody omen warned him of misfortune involving the South Sea Sea God Cult.

• Li Changshou set up the Immortal Cat Strategy Bucket beside Lesser Qiong Peak and began charging visitors for vague advice.
• Jiu Jiu and Jiu Lu'er sought guidance through the bucket, prompting more members of the Nine Immortals of the Wine Character and Sky-Breaking Peak to visit.
• Jiu Wu approved of the bucket to the Hall of Hundred Affairs, allowing Li Changshou to keep operating it openly and add a paid isolation array.
• Youqin Xuanya asked the bucket about her growing feelings for a Senior Brother, and Li Changshou gave her a slip encouraging her to focus on the immortal path.
• Liu Feixian asked how his fellow Daoist could make amends for past wrongdoing, and Li Changshou began to answer before sensing a bloody omen of misfortune tied to the South Sea Sea God Cult.

Li Changshou sensed a bloody omen and prepared the South Sea God Cult for an attack, while warning Ao Yi that the Dragon Clan might be targeted. In a hidden valley, Daoist Wen Jing ordered Western Teachings merit proxies to provoke an assault on the cult and draw in the Dragon Clan.

• Li Changshou examined the South Sea God Cult and concluded that the Western Teachings were the likeliest source of the ominous sign.
• Li Changshou entered Ao Yi’s dream and persuaded him that the Western Teachings planned to use the South Sea God Cult as bait for the Dragon Clan.
• Li Changshou asked Ao Yi to alert the Dragon Palace and prepare either to withdraw or to strike back, then sent dream warnings to the cult’s divine envoys.
• Li Changshou dispatched Paper Daoists, paper figures, and Edible Jade Frogs to reinforce the South Sea God Cult and began preparations for an attack.
• Daoist Wen Jing summoned Western Teachings merit proxies and ordered them to incite mortals to attack the South Sea God Cult and lure out the Dragon Clan protectors.
• When a Half-step Golden Immortal old woman objected, Daoist Wen Jing killed her, and the other proxies submitted.

Li Changshou prepared the Dragon Clan for war by giving Ao Yi a detailed set of plans that divided the army and arranged layered ambushes while warning against harming mortals. As the Dragon Clan gathered near Anshui City, the Western Teachings’ agents provoked believers into attacking a Sea God Temple, and Daoist Wen Jing watched as the Dragon Clan forces began to move.

• Ao Yi told Li Changshou that the Eastern Sea Dragon King had mobilized thirty thousand Immortal Flood Dragon Soldiers, hundreds of experts, and twenty Golden Immortals for the conflict.
• Ao Yi retrieved Li Changshou’s blue-wrapped chest of bamboo slips and followed its instructions, splitting the Dragon Clan army between a visible sea route and a concealed march through the earth veins.
• Ao Yi studied the plans with the Dragon Clan experts, who accepted his orders to build layered ambushes and avoid harming mortals.
• Li Changshou stationed divine envoys and Paper Daoists at vulnerable Sea God Temples, but rival sects still sent thousands of believers to attack one temple.
• Two armored men at the temple urged the attackers not to injure anyone, sang them instructions for smashing the property, and then escaped over the rear wall.
• Daoist Wen Jing watched the temple attack through her Blood Mosquito Puppets as Dragon Clan auras rushed toward it and the Southern Sea force began emerging from the water.

Li Changshou watched the Dragon Clan’s battle against Daoist Wen Jing’s Blood Mosquito forces and saw the ambush turn into a decisive counter-encirclement. Afterward, he paid respects to the Saint’s portrait at the Hall of Hundred Affairs, where a thread of Dao charm descended upon him.

• Li Changshou monitored the Dragon Clan’s bait retreat as Blood Mosquito Puppets attacked and controlled several dragons.
• Ao Yi led the Dragon Clan troops through the planned ambush, surrounding and defeating thousands of puppets.
• Daoist Wen Jing summoned a Blood-Winged Black Mosquito Swarm numbering over ten thousand to reinforce her forces.
• Ao Yi revealed more hidden Immortal Flood Dragon Soldiers and Xiong Village Witch-Human Divine Emissaries, turning the clash into a Dragon Clan victory.
• Li Changshou offered incense and knelt before the Portrait of a Saint, and a thread of Dao charm descended upon him.

Li Changshou’s worship before the Portrait of a Saint drew the attention of Grand Master Xuandu, who met him to learn about his troubles and his connection to the Dragon Clan. Li Changshou revealed that he was the South Sea God Cult Master, leaving Xuandu eager to hear how he had founded it.

• Li Changshou sensed Dao resonance around the Portrait of a Saint, while Grand Master Xuandu deduced that he was connected to Dragons Entering Heaven.
• Xuandu contacted Li Changshou and invited him to meet, then proved his identity by reciting the Wu Wei Scripture and revealing his Dao resonance.
• Li Changshou cautiously left Du Xian Sect and met Xuandu, who noticed his concealed cultivation and praised him as a talent.
• Xuandu asked about Li Changshou’s difficulties and his connection to the Dragon Clan, and Li Changshou said he was the South Sea God Cult Master.
• Xuandu revealed that his own attempt to establish a god cult had failed and eagerly asked Li Changshou how he had succeeded.

Li Changshou recounted his dealings with the Dragon Clan to Xuandu, who appointed him to oversee bringing the dragons under the Heavenly Court and warned him about the dangers of karma. Xuandu gave him cultivation teachings and appeared before the Dragon Clan, while Daoist Wen Jing watched in alarm.

• Xuandu laughed at Li Changshou’s account of how he used the South Sea Sea God Cult to draw the Dragon Clan into his plans, then explained that the Western Teachings were also pressuring the dragons.
• Xuandu told Li Changshou to continue handling the Dragons Entering Heaven and warned him that the Primordial Wilderness was full of dangers and karma.
• Li Changshou asked Xuandu to reveal his presence in the Southern Sea, and the two discussed a plan to support the Dragon Clan without alerting the Western Teachings.
• Xuandu gave Li Changshou jade talismans containing an Outer Body Incarnation art and a scripture, along with an escape art for him to learn later.
• Ao Yi considered asking a Human Teaching expert for help against the Blood-Winged Black Mosquito, but Xuandu appeared and warned the dragons not to harm mortals.
• Daoist Wen Jing recognized Xuandu’s Dao resonance and lost her anger.

After Grand Master Xuandu concealed the Heavenly Secrets and warned against harming mortals, Li Changshou planned to use the South Sea Sea God Cult to draw the Dragon Clan toward the Heavenly Court while keeping his identity hidden. Daoist Wen Jing turned her attention to Dragon Clan dissidents, Ao Yi returned to Golden Ao Island, and the Jade Emperor sent Dong Mugong to reward the Sea God and learn his name.

• Li Changshou reasoned that Grand Master Xuandu’s intervention strengthened his position with the Dragon Clan and deterred Daoist Wen Jing, then began planning how to bring the Dragon Clan into the Heavenly Court.
• Daoist Wen Jing mourned her losses, decided to avoid provoking the human race, and considered exploiting unrest among Dragon Clan flood dragon soldiers.
• Ao Yi reported to the Eastern Sea Dragon King, who praised him, ordered gifts sent to the South Sea Sea God Cult, and arranged for Ao Yi to return to Golden Ao Island.
• Dong Mugong reported the Blood-Winged Black Mosquito ambush to the Jade Emperor, who ordered him to take rewards to the South Sea Sea God Cult and find out the Sea God’s name and Daoist title.

Li Changshou received gifts from the Dragon Clan and rewards from the Jade Emperor, then adopted the Daoist title Chang Geng to preserve his mystery. During years of secluded cultivation, he prepared for the Dragon Clan’s eventual entry into the Heavenly Court, studied a Sage’s scripture and an incarnation technique, and advanced his cultivation; the chapter ended when Jiu Jiu noticed a disciple spying on Youqin Xuanya and Ling'e at play.

• Li Changshou sorted the Dragon Palace’s gifts, shared some with the Xiong Village Witch-Human Divine Emissaries, and reserved the rest for temple repairs and formations.
• Dong Mugong delivered the Jade Emperor’s reward, and Li Changshou gave him half before naming himself Daoist Chang Geng.
• Li Changshou transported useful treasures to Du Xian Sect, entered secluded cultivation, and warned Ao Yi that the Western Teachings still sought to tame dragons and that he should stay on Golden Ao Island.
• Li Changshou spent years preparing plans for the Dragon Clan, refining formation foundations, and studying the Classic of Supreme Clarity's Profound Content and the Dao He Yu incarnation technique.
• A patrolling disciple found Youqin Xuanya, Ling'e, and Jiu Jiu playing in the Spirit Beast Pen; Jiu Jiu spotted him, and the Fire Qilin Sword Casket was drawn.

Li Changshou learned that his grandmaster, Jiang Lin'er, had reached the Heavenly Immortal Realm and was returning to the sect, so he prepared Lesser Qiong Peak for her arrival. When she finally arrived, she discovered Qi Yuan had become a turbid immortal and demanded to know who had crippled him.

• Ling'e opened and copied a Jade Talisman Message in which Jiang Yu announced her breakthrough to the Heavenly Immortal Realm and her impending return.
• Li Changshou warned that Jiang Lin'er would need to be told about Qi Yuan and Wan Jiangyu, arranged for the matter to be reported, and asked Qi Yuan not to reveal anything about him.
• Li Changshou and Ling'e prepared a cottage for Jiang Lin'er while Qi Yuan, Jiu Jiu, Jiu Wu, and others waited at the sect gate.
• Jiang Lin'er arrived as a young, battle-scarred woman carrying a bloodied saber, and Qi Yuan knelt to greet her.
• Qi Yuan told Jiang Lin'er that someone had destroyed his Dao foundation, and she asked who had crippled him.

Jiang Lin'er returned to the sect and attacked Kuai Si's master over the fate of her missing eldest disciple, but Li Changshou persuaded her to stop before the conflict became irreversible. She then told Li Changshou she would soon leave again to search for his martial uncle and entrusted Qi Yuan's care to him.

• Jiang Lin'er ordered Qi Yuan to return to Lesser Qiong Peak and reflect, then gave Jade Rings to Li Changshou and Ling'e before entering the sect.
• Jiang Lin'er stormed Xianlin Peak and wounded Kuai Si's master, fighting off several Heavenly Immortals until Elder Wan Linjun restrained her and Venerable Wangqing intervened.
• Jiang Lin'er refused to settle the dispute until her eldest disciple's fate was known, but Li Changshou urged her to act cautiously, and she left for Lesser Qiong Peak.
• Jiang Lin'er questioned Qi Yuan about becoming a Turbid Immortal, then spoke privately with Li Changshou and said she would leave to search for his martial uncle.

Li Changshou told Jiang Lin'er that Wan Jiangyu had reincarnated and revealed how Daoist Kuai Si had died, prompting Jiang Lin'er to plan a search of the Netherworld. After accepting Li Changshou's pills, Jiang Lin'er stayed on Lesser Qiong Peak to reunite with Qi Yuan and the others, while Li Changshou kept watch for trouble from Xianlin Peak.

• Li Changshou told Jiang Lin'er that Wan Jiangyu had reincarnated after being injured while seeking medicine for Qi Yuan, and that Daoist Kuai Si had caused her death.
• Li Changshou described his supposed dream in which an impersonator poisoned Daoist Kuai Si, destroyed his Dao foundation, and killed him with a simulated Heavenly Tribulation.
• Jiang Lin'er resolved to find Wan Jiangyu's reincarnated body and accepted Li Changshou's pills before agreeing to remain on the mountain for ten days or half a month.
• Jiang Lin'er rejoined Qi Yuan, Ling'e, and the others, while Li Changshou concealed the details of their conversation from Qi Yuan.
• At the evening feast, Jiang Lin'er challenged Jiu Jiu to drink and then pinned her down to inspect her, while Li Changshou continued monitoring Xianlin Peak for further trouble.

During Jiang Lin'er's visit to Lesser Qiong Peak, Li Changshou supported his master and junior sister while keeping watch on Xianlin Peak, and he helped Ao Yi refine a military manual for the Dragon Clan. Jiang Lin'er prepared to leave the sect, but an unexpected guest arrived on the eve of her departure.

• Jiu Jiu, Jiu Wu, and Youqin Xuanya left Lesser Qiong Peak, leaving Jiang Lin'er with Qi Yuan, Li Changshou, and Ling'e.
• Jiang Lin'er learned that Qi Yuan had become a turbid immortal after taking a Melting Immortal Pill, then comforted him and played cards with the others.
• Li Changshou spent the next half month with his family while monitoring Xianlin Peak and considering how Jiang Lin'er's presence might affect its hostility.
• Ao Yi finished the Sea God's Military Records, presented its contents to Li Changshou in a dream, and received guidance before planning to offer it to his father king.
• Jiang Lin'er reported her impending departure to the Du Xian Sect, and Jiu Wu and Jiu Jiu joined her farewell feast.
• Venerable Wangqing arrived at Lesser Qiong Peak on the night before Jiang Lin'er's departure.

Li Changshou helped Jiang Lin'er prepare to leave Du Xian Sect to search for her eldest disciple Wan Jiangyu's reincarnated soul, while arranging protection and supplies for her. After Ao Yi delivered Li Changshou's secret letter and lavish gifts, he received a new message directing him to look at a woman at his temple entrance.

• Jiang Lin'er and Venerable Wangqing discussed their past, and he agreed to protect Lesser Qiong lineage and gave her a spirit treasure.
• Jiang Lin'er left Du Xian Sect with Li Changshou and Ling'e seeing her off, while Elder Wan Linjun gave her two pouches of Poison Pills.
• Jiang Lin'er traveled to the ends of heaven and corners of the earth East of the Eastern Sea to search for Wan Jiangyu's reincarnated soul.
• Ao Yi met Jiang Lin'er, delivered Li Changshou's letter, and gave her a storage treasure and an Eastern Sea Dragon Palace Proud Dragon Token that let her borrow three thousand troops.
• After Ao Yi returned to his statue, Li Changshou's divine sense told him to look at the woman at the temple entrance.

Li Changshou met Zhao Gongming, who had come to ask how the Sea God Cult grew so quickly, and then encountered a Western Teachings disciple who claimed he had ties to their sect. Li Changshou destroyed his Paper Daoist incarnation to reject the claim and avoid being drawn into a conflict between the Western Teachings and the Jie Teaching.

• Li Changshou sent a Paper Daoist incarnation to meet the disguised woman while Ao Yi secretly watched.
• The woman revealed himself as Zhao Gongming and asked Li Changshou how he had grown the Sea God Cult; Li Changshou answered that he treated his followers with sincerity.
• Zhao Gongming accepted Li Changshou's answer, gave him a folding fan, and departed.
• Ao Yi identified the visitor as Zhao Gongming, and Li Changshou hurried after him to return the fan.
• A hunchbacked Daoist from the Western Teachings appeared and began to claim that Li Changshou had affinity with their sect.
• Li Changshou rejected the claim and detonated his Paper Daoist incarnation to sever the connection.

Li Changshou’s Paper Daoist self-destructed to escape a Western Teachings disciple, prompting Zhao Gongming to beat and capture the hunchbacked Daoist. As Zhao Gongming brought the captive to the Sea God Temple and demanded an apology, Li Changshou tried to prevent the incident from escalating and began proposing countermeasures.

• The hunchbacked Daoist watched Li Changshou’s incarnation explode, then found Zhao Gongming sealing the surrounding cosmos with the Twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls.
• Zhao Gongming accused the hunchbacked Daoist of insulting the Daoist Sect and battered him with his golden wooden whip until he could no longer resist.
• Li Changshou reflected on his recent carelessness and worried that Zhao Gongming’s actions would bring the Western Teachings’ retaliation upon him.
• Zhao Gongming suppressed the captive with the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls, carried him to the Sea God Temple, and demanded that he apologize to the Sea God.
• Li Changshou warned Zhao Gongming that continuing could provoke conflict between the Western Teachings and Jie Teaching, then offered to suggest countermeasures.

Li Changshou devised a scheme for Zhao Gongming to turn the hunchbacked Western disciple’s attack into leverage and protect the Sea God Cult. Zhao Gongming secured a detailed Great Dao Oath from the disciple, binding him not to trouble the Jie Teaching, Dragon Clan, or Sea God Cult again.

• Li Changshou assessed the risks of Zhao Gongming’s fight with the hunchbacked Daoist and secretly instructed Zhao Gongming on a plan.
• Zhao Gongming pretended to be grievously injured and accused the hunchbacked Daoist of harming him and Li Changshou’s incarnation.
• The hunchbacked Daoist struck and injured himself, but Zhao Gongming used an Image Recording Orb to capture the act and restrained him with the Twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls.
• Zhao Gongming offered the hunchbacked Daoist a choice between settling privately with a Great Dao Oath or having the recording shown to powerful figures and sects.
• An elder from the South Sea Dragon Palace delivered Li Changshou’s detailed oath, and the hunchbacked Daoist swore not to trouble the Jie Teaching, Dragon Clan, or Sea God Cult.