Chapter 515: This is Tai Bai Jin Xing; this is Li Changgeng

"Senior Su Lin, why did you give the Celestial Heavy Sound Disc to Yang Jian?" asked Song Shuhang, a former victim of this sealed item.

Su Lin stroked his chin and said, "I wanted to see if the babbling of a Cthulhu entity, fused with Zao Hua Fa Wang's singing and the voices of a holy choir, could cancel out negativity and purify undead ghosts."

"Are you raising demons?" Meng Qi's eyelids twitched violently.

Yang Jian, opposite Su Lin, clearly didn't grasp the gravity of the situation—he was still stunned by Su Lin's final remark: "Want to come work for me as Yang Jian?"

You're in a post-apocalyptic world where tomorrow is uncertain, and even going home might land you on some god-tier cursed object—no, ghostly object.

At this point, though you've learned you'll one day become powerful and end a terrifying era, you'll also die early on, your consciousness alone persisting alongside ghosts as you press forward.

Yet someone—whose identity is unknown but whose power is undeniable—thinks you have potential and asks if you'd like to join his company as a deity, complete with a formal position and the perk of being allowed to bring your dog to work.

***I absolutely refuse!

"It's a deal! I'm still a student—you can't cheat a student, don't you dare back out, boss!"

This is worth infinitely more than any international police force.

Yang Jian didn't haggle or ask about benefits—he knew this meant he'd truly encountered something beyond his capacity to handle, and the other party might lend him aid one or two times.

After sealing his Ghost Eye with an extra eyelid, Yang Jian understood: in this place, no matter what he paid, no matter what he agreed to, the outcome would benefit him entirely, with no downside.

Just look at that description of the future—it's all profit, even selling your soul is profit!

Maximize gains?

No, that's not the right attitude or mindset for dealing with this group.

"I suggest adding a clause to your employment contract," Kleine said. "No matter what happens in the future, you must never suppress or seal us."

Yang Jian blinked in surprise. "Me?"

Sure, I'm no saint, but I'm not the kind to stab my own teammates in the back—especially not—

Him?!

Why, after Kleine spoke, did everyone else look at him strangely? This bizarre thing wasn't even worth being surprised about, was it?

The scene fell into an eerie silence; every gaze lingered on Yang Jian.

"Mr. Zhou, if that day ever comes, I'll stain your Chaotic Wang Ting with the light of a Divine Kingdom and swing Nidhogg by its tail straight into your skull!"

Su Lin hadn't even considered this angle—why was this thing speaking again?

He twitched his lips, glancing toward a certain anti-jinx safeguard: "Hey, you annoying woman—do you have a crush on me?"

In response, a cream cake suddenly appeared on his face.

OK, safe.

Su Lin wiped his face with a towel, then looked at Yang Jian and said, "Young as you are, you think like an old fox—smile."

So this future boss is an optimist.

Yang Jian stared at the scroll, the vinyl record, and the resurrection artifact he valued so much—and smiled broadly.

"When can I bring ghosts and supernatural items for exchange?" Yang Jian asked.

Su Lin thought for a moment. "Anytime—but I don't take living people. Don't even think of selling Feng Quan to me. Better to capture the ghosts, pack them neatly, and bring them over."

"The Knocking Ghost is interesting—send me the audio later."

Yang Jian felt a pang of regret; his carefully planned strategy would now have to be rewritten.

At present, the Headless Ghost Shadow is the easiest to capture—just play along with the Human Skin Scroll. But I also need to absorb it as a puzzle piece to gain power; I can't exchange it yet.

Compared to cultivation, with my life secured, these powerful ghosts can offer me substantial aid in a short time.

Even—

Yang Jian conceived a

thought: to survive to the end with full self-awareness.

As Yang Jian sank into thought again, a chopstick dipped in a few drops of liquor hovered before him.

Su Lin said, "You're a student—kids can only dip the chopstick to taste."

"Thank you, no," Yang Jian started to refuse—then realized the chopstick had brushed his lips.

Cool and thick with power, warmth surged through his lips, flooding every corner of his body; the flavor in his mouth made him feel weightless, euphoric.

Thud.

Yang Jian collapsed to the ground, sleeping soundly.

After all, he was still fundamentally an ordinary person with no cultivation—being unable to handle immortal liquor was normal, but even this tiny amount could repair bodily damage.

Su Lin set down the chopstick and turned to Fang Zheng, whose face glowed with excitement. "What?"

"Big Brother Fang Yuan, do you take ghosts from my side?" Fang Zheng asked eagerly—he'd just checked, and the group had no Great Love Immortal Lord; it was Su Lin's alias.

"I have a few underworlds for normal spirits. Your Human Skin Scripture is interesting—I might consider reclaiming it." Su Lin smiled and sipped his wine.

"Then forget it," Fang Zheng sighed. When would ordinary ghosts ever rise up?

But it's fine.

Ordinary ghosts can still be destroyed; it's the undead ones that are truly troublesome.

But what did he mean by "a few underworlds"?

Fang Zheng took a small sip of the liquor packed with spiritual energy, preparing to begin practicing his newly acquired scripture—then suddenly opened his eyes and pulled out the Human Skin Scripture from his pocket.

He stared at the ancient, worm-like runes on its surface and formed a bold idea.

"Can the ghosts from Yang Jian's world extract gray-white qi?"

Nearby.

Li Changshou had just finished exchanging with Han Li, completing a mutually satisfying transaction.

"Brother Han," Li Changshou clasped Han Li's arm, as if they'd met too late:

"I knew you'd understand me. The Dao is vast, the Immortal Path is distant—we cultivators grow stronger to survive ever harsher environments, and our ultimate goal is simply to live."

"Life is like a game of Go—one misstep and the whole board is lost. Yet once a stone is placed, there's no turning back. Brother Li's dedication has greatly benefited me," Han Li said, looking at Li Changshou and bowing deeply with both hands.

Li Changshou quickly replied, shaking his head: "Master Han's arrays and evasion techniques can help me advance further on the Stable Dao path, and with Master Han willing to assist in cultivating immortal plants, it's truly a tremendous opportunity!"

"This matter here has no connection to the karmic ties of our homeland; each of us has gained what we sought—it is a great joy on the Immortal Path," said Han Li.

The two exchanged a smile, feeling a deep sense of mutual understanding.

"Come, let me pour you a cup, Brother Li," Han Li sat down and poured Li Changshou a drink.

Li Changshou raised his cup: "Master Han, you're too kind!"

Though having many friends means accumulating more karmic ties, Li Changshou trusted Han Li—his karmic burdens must be minimal, perhaps even nonexistent.

We are all cultivators of the same path; stability must always come first—this is the greatest virtue!

Today's gains more than justify the risk my original body took.

"I never expected Meng Qi over there had already become a Sanqing."

Kleine's message to them only contained the original work's experiences, but what these people had gone through after receiving the chat group, and their current status, was not specified.

But judging by this scene, even more luxurious than the Dragon Palace banquet, it seems these 'protagonists' are doing quite well.

Their opportunities, artifacts, and cultivation must be far stronger than before—this multiverse of countless worlds.

Alongside opportunities come greater risks; even a single world may face countless calamities. With such a vast map, won't we later have to worry about demonic invasions, coordinate exposure, or powerful wanderers casually annihilating entire worlds?!

No, I cannot recklessly travel to other worlds just because of the chat group. Even if I go, I must not be ostentatious—I must be even more cautious.

Otherwise, if I attract the attention of some hidden great beings, I might face an irreversible, catastrophic disaster.

Li Changshou was silently warning himself.

At that moment, a figure appeared ahead: Xiang Lin Tang leaned against a cloud of auspicious radiance, holding a wine goblet with his head propped up, drifting lazily over.

"Brother Xiang," Li Changshou greeted.

What exactly did the term "Hang Ge" in the message mean?

"Brother Li," Xiang Lin Tang studied Li Changshou for a moment, then nodded slightly: "Are you now Taibai Jinxing?"

Taibai Jinxing?

Me?

Li Changshou felt his sealed memories stirring slightly; he then pinched his fingers together and suddenly exclaimed: "Not yet, but I'm nearly there."

The Dragon Clan matter is settled; my role as Sea God is about to be reassigned.

"I see," Xiang Lin Tang leaned closer, his eyes suddenly bright with excitement.

He made no effort to hide it, staring directly at Changshou, a faint shimmer flowing in his gaze, a smile slowly forming on his lips.

Li Changshou felt a chill run down his spine—he didn't know why he felt this strange sensation, but Xiang Lin Tang's gaze made him feel as if he were about to be stripped bare and placed on a dinner table.

Yes, like someone about to eat a person.

You could tell at a glance he had ill intentions.

But this man was bold enough to mock the Sanqing over there—he couldn't be too disrespectful.

Li Changgeng secretly pulled out the earlier cross-realm talisman and smiled: "Haha, Brother Xiang, why are you looking at me like that?"

"Brother Li, would you be interested in a side job?" Xiang Lin Tang's voice was gentle.

Side job? What kind of side job?

Before Li Changshou could ask, Meng Qi spoke first: "You really want to start your own business? Don't you have enough work already?"

"You were right," Xiang Lin Tang said to Meng Qi. "You woke me up—I've never had my own company; I've always just taken on others' tasks."

"So you're going solo to find your own work?" asked Ye Fan.

Kleine also asked: "To create a universe, bring forth life, and initiate a mythic era?"

Li Changshou stared, his pupils gradually dilating.

"No, no, no—this is just preparation for the future," Xiang Lin Tang shook his head, bright light spilling from his eyes. "Why should I find work for myself? Aren't there ready-made resources everywhere in the multiverse?!"

"Just pull people in from other worlds!"

"Why didn't I think of this sooner? Like those outsourcing firms."

I have several projects on my hands, and I'm already overwhelmed—but if I'm overwhelmed, I can just subcontract the work to others!

"In my world, the East has no Heavenly Court, and the West has no Heaven," Xiang Lin Tang pointed to Kleine. "You have Adam; I have Luxi—then the West will have someone."

Kleine: "?"

Then Xiang Lin Tang pointed at Yang Jian, fast asleep, and Li Changshou, dazed, and finally at Meng Qi: "Now the East has its core personnel."

"Huh?" Meng Qi blinked in surprise.

"Aren't there talent pools everywhere?!" Xiang Lin Tang suddenly felt refreshed, as if reborn. "When I'm overwhelmed, I just delegate to others—makes perfect sense!"

"Come on, Brother Changshou, think about it?"

Xiang Lin Tang grinned, waved his hand, and opened the door to his extradimensional treasure vault, pointing inside with his thumb.

"Nine-to-five, four days on, three days off, five insurances and two funds, immediate access to the Heavenly Dao Library annual membership, annual team-building events, matchmaking parties organized by the Best Romantic Comedy Director Guild, holiday union benefits, and a complete promotion system."

"Whether in career or life, you can balance both here!"

"Upon joining, you'll receive a gift pack of multiverse specialties, including…"

Xiang Lin Tang spoke fluently, but Li Changshou was trapped in a mental loop—he understood each item individually, but why did they feel so chaotic together?

"That…" Li Changshou, adhering to the principle of avoiding trouble, politely declined: "Brother Xiang, I'm already a member of the Heavenly Court in the Honghuang world."

"That" Li Changshou, adhering to the principle that it's better to avoid trouble than to invite it, politely declined: "Comrade Su, I am already a servant of the Heavenly Court in the Primordial World."

Li Changshou shook his head: "I don't understand other worlds. The Heavenly Court…"

"It's still the Heavenly Court—you remain Taibai Jinxing," Xiang Lin Tang said. "You only handle routine official duties; everything else is managed by others in the Court! No karmic entanglements, only merit, and your salary is paid every thirty days!"

"Then…" Li Changshou forced a smile, still declining: "Couldn't we discuss this after your Heavenly Court is established? Besides, as Taibai Jinxing, I should serve Hun Tian Di."

"That," Li Changshou forced a smile, still declining:

"But we should wait until Friend Su establishes his Heavenly Court, shouldn't we? Moreover, as Taibai Jinxing, I ought to assist Hun Tian Di."

At these words, Su Lin glanced at him oddly, then turned to Kleine: "Didn't you give him my identity info?"

"Which identity?" Kleine shrugged, swaying his wine glass. "The God of Light, the Abandoned Heavenly Emperor, the Heavenly Buddha Lord, or Gu Yue Fang Yuan? You've got so many aliases I can't keep count."

"True enough." Su Lin's true form stepped out from the nearby history, retracted the Tianqing Yu Xu Sword, and tugged backward: "Too bad—I was hoping you'd uploaded another 'End Times: The Light Summoner,' so I'd have a valid reason to kill you."

"I won't die the same way twice." Kleine raised his revolver and shot himself in the temple.

Meanwhile, his true form was dragged out of history by Su Lin, who brushed the dust off his body and gave Li Changshou a slight nod.

Li Changshou froze—he suddenly sensed a "Steady" Dao aura emanating from these two as well.

"Let me properly introduce myself," Su Lin said to Li Changshou. "My official title is Lord Haotian—Haotian and God."

"What?!" Li Changshou stared, dumbfounded.

"Puh—!" Fang Zheng spat out a mouthful of blood—he'd disrupted his cultivation by losing mental focus and forcibly halted it.

He wiped his lips, stared at Su Lin in shock, and blurted out the thought he'd been holding back: "Can these two even go together?!"

What the hell kind of group is this?!

Yang Jian left first—simple enough: swallowed some pills to boost his physical reflexes, ate a few spirit fruits to strengthen his soul perception, drank a cup of Enlightenment Tea, then took the new recruit item handed out by his future boss and walked out.

As he left, he slapped himself lightly, confirming he wasn't dreaming.

Su Lin gripped Li Changshou's wrist as if afraid he'd run off, heading toward the transit hub.

"What's there to fear? Think of it as early internship experience."

"Can I refuse?"

Li Changshou thought for a moment, recalling the "Steady Scripture" advice: find a powerful patron, cling to a strong leg.

Moments later

In the Journey to the West world, high above in the Majestic Hall of Heaven.

"Your Majesty, from ancient times until now, the Three Teachings have never accepted orders from any department of the Heavenly Court—except for the deities listed on the Divine Register."

Yunxiao, as their representative, shot an annoyed glance at the complaining Tai Bai Jin Xing, then respectfully addressed the towering figure before them—his form altered, yet his presence and aura unchanged since the dawn of eternity:

"If it is Your Majesty's command, and after the Yuanshi Tianzun approves, we shall obey."

She finished, glanced at the young man beside the Tian Di, then lowered her head.

Su Lin tapped his finger lightly on the jade table, silent. Below, the immortals and gods held their postures, waiting.

"In the past,"

"The Three Teachings were the Three Teachings; the Heavenly Court was the Heavenly Court."

Su Lin spoke slowly:

"Now,"

"What the Heavenly Court once managed, I will manage. What it never managed, I will manage even more."

Hearing Su Lin's words, the Heavenly Court's immortals and gods straightened their spines further.

"Now is the time to recruit talent. Refuse orders? Fine—you all go into reincarnation. Return only after cosmic order is fully restored."

As always, merciless—that's how it is.

The Tian Di is still the Tian Di!

"Your Majesty, regarding the Yuanshi Tianzun—" Yunxiao began, but raised her head to find Su Lin gazing at her.

"How many masters does the Yuanshi Tianzun have?" Su Lin rose slightly, looking down from above. "Even if you summon the Dao and all the Saints today, this Three Realms will still be ruled by my Heavenly Court."

"The Three Realms and Six Paths—I alone am supreme!"

"Do I need to say it again?"

At this moment, everyone remembered: this Tian Di was different. Now, only he and the Yuanshi Tianzun remained intact in the Three Realms.

Tai Bai Jin Xing smiled warmly at the trembling Yunxiao. "The Three Tianzuns have already agreed: the Tian Di shall handle all affairs in this realm."

"You old bastard, why didn't you say so sooner?!" Yunxiao glared at Tai Bai Jin Xing.

Watching this, Li Changshou beside Su Lin felt something was off.

Thump-thump!

The sound of Su Lin tapping the jade table echoed, and the Majestic Hall fell silent again.

"Let me introduce you," Su Lin said, looking at Tai Bai Jin Xing. "This is a new intern from the Honghuang Heavenly Court. Tai Bai Jin Xing, hand him the memorials—except for essential matters, he'll handle them all."

"Intern?!" Li Changshou, seeing all the immortals and gods staring at him in shock, felt his legs go weak. "What?!"

"Is he an immortal from another realm?" Tai Bai Jin Xing, though stunned, was the first to nod at Li Changshou—he remembered this was the outsider immortal who had made the Tian Di wait so long.

Su Lin introduced them: "Tai Bai, this is Li Changgeng; Changgeng, this is Tai Bai Jin Xing."

Tai Bai Jin Xing's pupils shrank sharply.

A murmur erupted across the Majestic Hall.

"The Three Teachings in this realm have grown too lax—they can refuse orders if they truly don't want to follow," Su Lin said coolly to those below.

Yunxiao's face lit up—there was still a chance!

"Changgeng, are your consort Yunxiao and her fellow disciples free? The benefits can be discussed."

What?

Yunxiao's smile froze. Her expression went slack. All the immortals of the Three Teachings and the Heavenly Court turned their eyes to the two of them.

Li Changshou fell silent for a moment, instantly understanding Su Lin's meaning, and chuckled bitterly: "She's at home raising children."

Free to read.