Dao Equaling the Heavens

"Is it just like this?"

Li Yunshang felt discontented, sensing she was on the disciples' pirate ship.

If it fails, she would have to follow, otherwise she'd be breaking her promise.

Yet, the pursuit of this rebellious disciple seemed not to be the Universal Unity she imagined, but merely wanting everyone to prosper.

There was nothing wrong with that; on the contrary, it was exceedingly good. After so many failures, it was impossible for Li Yunshang not to have learned lessons; she simply didn't want to settle, didn't want to yield.

The temperament of the strong has always been so.

Gu Wen said with firm determination: "I will open up the transportation across the world, allowing mortals to cross mountains and rivers. I will leave behind factories like forests, so mortals can sustain themselves. I will establish feasible and effective laws as a reference for them."

"I will ensure all citizens can read and write, helping them learn to think. I will leave behind firearms, giving them some ability to resist. I will impart all the knowledge I have, to enrich the world."

He paused, and said seriously: "In the end, I believe in humanity, not just the citizens, nor the cultivators, but humanity."

"You say I rely on cultivators, but isn't your rejection a different kind of reliance? Isn't it also a form of disdain for mortals?"

This rebellious disciple was arguing cleverly.

Li Yunshang's heart was clear as a mirror; she actually could discern that Gu Wen was trying to mislead her.

He said she didn't trust the masses, yet in fact, Gu Wen almost seemed certain of failure, at least this time would be likewise unsuccessful, as though he knew it beforehand.

Recalling these eight hundred years, almost everything the rebellious disciple once said to her had happened. Originally, Li Yunshang was an immortal revered by thousands, offended many during the journey but also gained much support.

Even those evil cultivators treated her with great respect.

This was not entirely due to power, but because Li Yunshang saved the human race.

Under the fallen nest, no egg is intact; without Li Yunshang, everyone would have died, demons are merely bad, not foolish.

But once Li Yunshang sought Universal Unity, even her sect viewed her with strange gazes.

Eventually, they began to feign compliance but were actually defying her, later progressing to opposition and even slander.

Some said she was biased, some said she was deranged, some said she had gone mad.

These eight hundred years were exhausting; if it could be as he said, leaving good things for future generations, it would be considered as exerting her utmost.

Li Yunshang relaxed her brows, sighed, and said: "I always feel like being swayed by you, but since the words have been spoken, I cannot break my promise, at that time I will follow you."

"Cough cough cough..."

The Fox Fairy lightly coughed and winked at Li Yunshang.

Li Yunshang said irritably: "I wouldn't leave you behind, are you afraid I'd abandon you? Can your Little Heaven and Earth accommodate the three of us?"

Gu Wen replied: "If someone seeks to achieve sainthood, I'm afraid not."

Little Heaven and Earth certainly cannot compare to the Grand Heaven and Earth, no matter how Gu Wen decorates it with the laws of the cultivation world, it could never match the cultivation world's accumulation over billions of years.

But it's adequate for life, and should not be difficult to achieve immortality.

The Fox Fairy Li Miao said: "I've seen Saint Gu's Little Heaven and Earth is desolate and uninhabitable; may I take the liberty to summon clouds and rain and build some Immortal Mansions?"

Gu Wen nodded and said: "Certainly."

"Very good, very good." Li Miao smiled joyfully, "To transcend within Little Heaven and Earth, without enduring the suffering of the Void, must be far better than others."

Since the creation of heaven and earth, every era would have transcendents, some of whom went to the Void, avoiding the catastrophes of heaven and earth.

Yet, where there's gain, there's loss; the suffering of the Void is hard to bear even for immortals.

At least Li Miao didn't want to endure hardships.

"Remember not to make my dwelling too ornate."

Li Yunshang specifically reminded, then shifted the topic:

"You solve the matter of Universal Unity for me, then the matter of Yu Hua should also be concluded."

Gu Wen's spirit trembled, asked: "Master, have you found a way?"

"There's an opportunity."

Li Yunshang glanced at the Fox Fairy, who took out a fang from her sleeve, with a faint sound of dragon's roar.

She explained: "I have always maintained a connection with the Devil Clan, this is the token of the Ancestor Dragon, used to provide me with critical information."

"Jianmu is targeted by the Earth Saint, it is likely to be subdued. Before that, Jianmu will stage a rebellion."

Li Yunshang timely supplemented: "The recent matter concerning Yu Hua was Jianmu trying to compel you into action, to tie down the Earth Saint. Conversely, we can seize the opportunity."

It's necessary to forcefully break into the underworld.

Gu Wen's eyes flashed with some doubts, then inwardly viewed the Qi Sea, Little Taoist Master presently still had sparse hair, only sixty-two strands.

Far from a hundred strands.

To face a Saint directly would inevitably involve a fierce battle.

She asked: "Then concerning Yu Hua's matter of becoming an Immortal?"

"She can't rely on herself temporarily, I've found an old friend."

Li Yunshang pointed to the potted plant by the window, a small emerald tree swayed slightly.

Gu Wen stared intently, initially unable to detect any aura, after several breaths noticed the towering Divine Tree.

Ancestor Tree Spirit.

A breeze came by, and a Spirit Fruit fell from somewhere, Gu Wen reached out to catch it.

"Saint Gu, eight hundred years have passed, you've already surpassed this old fellow, alas alas, truly this is the only one across ages."

The ancient voice of Ancestor Tree Spirit came, as if a thick historical tome opened a page.

It got straight to the point: "Now Jianmu reigns, Heaven and Earth Spiritual Roots cannot transcend, even harder to develop spiritual wisdom. My path has ended, intending to forge a new road, soon to transform into a Dao Fruit."

"You intend for Yu Hua to consume your Dao Fruit?"

Gu Wen immediately understood his intent, frowning slightly, pondering the pros and cons.