In the Western Paradise, Guanyin was greatly surprised upon receiving this news and silently began to divine the secrets of heaven.
However, at this time the universe was in a state of primal chaos, and Guanyin could calculate nothing.
"Are the two of you certain that Chen Guangrui was blessed by the fortune of the Human Race?"
"Reporting to the Bodhisattva, we dare not conceal the truth. At that time, my broadsword was merely three inches from Chen Guangrui's head yet completely unable to strike down, and I was consequently injured by the fortune of the Human Race."
Hearing the words of the Golden-Headed Protector, Guanyin furrowed her brows slightly.
"The two of you may withdraw for now. Wait until I investigate the matter before reporting to the Buddha."
Above the city of Luoyang, Guanyin's phantom floated in midair.
"Strange, logically speaking, Chen Guangrui should have already departed to take up his official post, yet along the entire route there has been no sign of either him or Yin Wenjiao."
Guanyin muttered to herself, her gaze sweeping over Luoyang City until she finally discovered in the Princess's Mansion that Chen Guangrui was currently engaged in intimate matters with the Sixth Princess.
"How could this be? Wasn't Chen Guangrui supposed to marry Yin Wenjiao?"
With a thought, Guanyin transformed into a young man and manifested within Luoyang City.
After making inquiries in various quarters, she learned that the Emperor had bestowed the Sixth Princess in marriage upon Chen Guangrui, whereas Yin Wenjiao had been married off to an official named Fang Xuanling.
Having found out Fang Xuanling's itinerary, Guanyin searched along the road and finally located the two of them currently seated inside a carriage.
Looking through her eyes of the Dharma, this person named Fang Xuanling was indeed blessed with great fortune.
Frowning slightly, Guanyin was just about to channel her spiritual power and strike towards Fang Xuanling.
At that very moment, the sky abruptly changed color, and dark clouds gathered densely.
Guanyin was startled and hastily halted her action, whereupon the dark clouds instantly dissipated.
"A warning from the Heavenly Dao? This person is actually someone capable of influencing the grand trend?"
After observing a little longer, Guanyin flew toward the Western Paradise.
In Lingshan, inside the Mahavira Hall.
When Rulai heard what Guanyin had said, his expression turned grave.
"Where are the Five Protectors?"
"We are here!"
"On the day Chen Guangrui was on duty, who was keeping watch? Did anything happen?"
At this, the Bolo Protector and the Moha Protector pressed their palms together and said:
"Reporting to the Buddha, the two of us were on duty that day!"
As the two of them recounted the events, Rulai's brows furrowed even more tightly.
At this moment, the Joyful Buddha, sitting cross-legged among the gathered Buddhas, stirred slightly.
Pointing into the void, he instantly caused a figure to manifest within the Mahavira Hall.
"Have any of you seen this person?"
The Bolo Protector and the Moha Protector fixed their gazes upon the figure, frowning in deep thought as they said:
"This person appeared at the place where the embroidered ball was thrown that day."
Naturally, the two of them dared not mention that they had not been present when Chen Guangrui and his bride were performing the wedding ceremonies.
"I have seen this person; he was right there on the water that day," the Golden-Headed Protector chimed in from the side.
The Joyful Buddha withdrew his spiritual power, pressed his palms together, and said:
"Buddha, this must undoubtedly be the work of Li Ling. This person has always acted in an unconventional manner; surely the Buddha is already aware of this."
"Namo Amitabha. Five Protectors, you must keep a close eye on the Golden Cicada and find a way to have him take vows at Jinshan Temple."
After a moment of thought, Rulai spoke again to Guanyin:
"Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, this matter still requires you to go personally for it to be secure."
"I will strictly obey the Buddha's decree."
Li Ling had already returned to the Heavenly Court by this time. Through this incident, Li Ling had successfully resolved a tribulation and obtained a reward from the system.
The Art of Deceiving Heaven and ten thousand years of cultivation!
The Art of Deceiving Heaven was used to conceal one's cultivation; as the name suggested, it could even deceive the heavens itself.
The ten thousand years of cultivation had also allowed Li Ling to leap back to the realm of the Golden Immortal.
Inside Tushita Palace, looking at Taishang Laojun sitting cross-legged on a futon like a stone statue, Li Ling bowed and said:
"Your junior nephew Li Ling pays respects to Senior Uncle."
Hearing this, Taishang Laojun did not turn around, and a ethereal voice sounded:
"I already know of the deeds you have done. This is the item you asked for."
As the words fell, a clay figurine identical to Li Ling himself appeared out of thin air before him.
"Many thanks, Senior Uncle!"
"Indeed! Furthermore, poverty-stricken Daoist can refine this body of yours into an external avatar."
Hearing this, Li Ling was overjoyed and bowed once more, saying:
"Many thanks, Senior Uncle!"
Walking out of Tushita Palace, Li Ling sensed his current physical body.
Although his current cultivation was only at the Celestial Immortal Realm, Li Ling did not mind at all.
This innate body had an upper limit far exceeding that of an acquired body. If his previous ten thousand years of cultivation had been borne by this innate body, he feared he would have leaped straight to the existence of a Peak Golden Immortal.
This was the importance of one's foundational heritage.
In the mortal realm, following the chaotic wars at the end of the Sui Dynasty, the Tang Dynasty had newly been established.
It was currently the early Zhenguan era. Li Ling walked through Chang'an City, pondering deeply within his heart.
Originally, Li Ling had neutralized the tribulation in which Liu Hong killed the father of Tang Monk, yet he had not expected the Western Paradise to take advantage of the chaos to abduct Tang Monk once more.
At this time, Tang Monk was still following his original trajectory, having taken monastic vows at Jinshan Temple.
In Chang'an, before the gates of the Fang Estate, Li Ling knocked on the main door. Before long, a servant poked his head out.
"Young master, what brings you to our Fang Estate?"
Seeing that Li Ling possessed an extraordinary demeanor, the servant spoke quite politely.
"Go inform your master that an old friend has come to see him."
Hearing this, the servant looked Li Ling up and down once more before speaking:
"Young master, the master has not yet returned from court. Why not come back another day?"
"Oh? I wonder if Madam Fang is in?"
"The Madam is naturally in. Could it be that you are also acquainted with her?"
"Indeed!"
"Please wait a moment, young master!"
Li Ling watched as the servant hurried away. Before long, a matronly woman walked over with a graceful sway.
"Who are you? This humble concubine is Lady Lu, and I have never seen you before. Why are you trying to deceive our servant?"
Li Ling was taken aback.
"Where is Yin Wenjiao?"
"My elder sister passed away from illness some years ago. Who on earth are you, sir?"
Li Ling pondered inwardly upon hearing this.
"So everything is still proceeding along its original trajectory, except for a slight discrepancy in time. It seems the grand trend truly cannot be altered."
Seeing that Li Ling remained silent, Lady Lu furrowed her brow.
"Hmph! Could it be you have come to falsely claim relation as the eldest son of the Fang family? You are not the first, and I believe you won't be the last, but do you know the consequences of doing such a thing?"
Li Ling was dumbfounded, completely failing to anticipate that such a thing could happen.
Just as he wanted to speak in explanation, the steward to one side gave an order:
"Fang Da, Fang Er, take men and drag this fellow to the Chang'an prefectural yamen."
"Wait! Madam Fang, there is a misunderstanding. I am an old acquaintance of Master Fang. Once Master Fang returns, all misunderstandings will be cleared up."
Li Ling heard the steward let out a cold snort:
"You still want to see our master? You certainly have high ambitions. The master is merciful and unwilling to bicker with the likes of you. If you have any business, you can explain it at the yamen!"
As the steward finished speaking, several estate guards stepped forward and surrounded Li Ling.
As for Madam Fang, she turned a blind eye to all this and turned around to head back into the estate.
Li Ling gave a wry smile inwardly. What kind of mess was this!
Facing the guards who stepped forward, Li Ling merely dodged without injuring anyone.
"I really am an old acquaintance of your master. Once your master returns, you will naturally understand."
"Stop the nonsense! Subdue him quickly and send him to the yamen. Don't let the master see this."
By this time, quite a crowd of onlookers had gathered around, all of them pointing and chattering.
"Is this another person coming to claim kinship?"
"Judging by his age, looks like it."
"There must have been eight or ten people coming to the Fang Estate to claim kinship over these past few years, right?"
"This is the eleventh! Every time it's this lively, I've been here counting!"
"Heh heh~ I wonder what these young men are thinking. Do they suppose everyone in the Fang Estate is a fool? Could a man fail to recognize his own son?"
"Sigh! With a single leap the carp transforms into a dragon, and Master Fang is merciful, so they all harbor the mindset of trying their luck!"
Hearing the surrounding discussion, Li Ling smiled wryly once again.
"Good people, if you continue like this, don't blame me for being discourteous."
Li Ling spoke to the Fang Estate guards, and no sooner had his voice fallen than another voice rang out.
"Oh! So someone actually dares to run wild in front of my Fang Estate? Brothers, get him! Break this thief's legs and throw him out into the street."