In front of the Elixir Chamber, Li Changshou sat quietly in a reclined chair. His left hand was open, holding a slowly burning cyan flame within.

This wasn’t the complete version of the Sanmei Zhenyan (Three Realms True Flame), but it didn’t matter that he was displaying it openly. After all, it had been three months since Elder Wangqing had bestowed the Sanmei Zhenyan cultivation method upon him. Being able to produce the most basic ‘Qi Flame’ was perfectly reasonable.

The power of the ‘Qi Flame’ alone, given equal spiritual energy input, wasn’t even one-third of the Youming Lenghuo (Netherworld Cold Fire).

However, once he could combine the ‘Qi Flame,’ ‘Essence Flame,’ and ‘Spirit Flame’ into the Sanmei Zhenyan, its power would likely exceed the Youming Lenghuo several times over!

By now, Li Changshou had fully grasped the principles behind cultivating the Sanmei Zhenyan.

The concept was to use one’s qi, essence, and spirit to nurture three flame seeds, and then merge these three seeds to form the Sanmei Zhenyan. This fire could permanently reside within one’s Dao body, burning away evil spirits and refining impurities, providing protection through true fire.

What satisfied Li Changshou most was that the fire’s power correlated directly with the flame seeds produced by one’s qi, essence, and spirit.

In other words, the Sanmei Zhenyan’s power could continuously increase with one’s cultivation level. He wouldn’t waste time on a technique that would become obsolete after just a few years of mastery.

A white cloud approached from the horizon. Li Changshou clenched his left fist, extinguishing the Qi Flame.

Rising, he cupped his hands in greeting toward the cloud.

The short Daoist on the cloud smiled, peering down while maintaining a height of ten zhang. He spoke warmly: “Junior Brother Changshou, I heard your Eastern Sea journey three months ago was quite fruitful. You handled the Dragon Prince’s provocations appropriately. This poor Daoist’s recommendation wasn’t wasted.”

Li Changshou immediately displayed a gentle smile and said, “Thanks to Senior Uncle’s kind intentions, this disciple gained both fire and lightning techniques. Today, I’ve prepared a wine feast to thank Senior Uncle for your guidance.”

Junior Uncle Jiu Wu, who had just returned to the mountain days ago, squinted his thick-browed large eyes and chuckled.

“Why do I sense… something suspicious? Usually, when I come for your wine, you’re always reluctant. When you went to the Eastern Sea, this poor Daoist had to coax and trick you. Could it be that Junior Brother Changshou plans to poison this Senior Uncle?”

Li Changshou responded with mixed amusement and exasperation: “This disciple is merely a disciple of Small Jade Peak. Senior Uncle, you’re not only a True Immortal of our sect but also from the Breaking Heaven Peak lineage, and a steward respected by all elders. Even if this disciple had thoughts of scheming against Senior Uncle, I wouldn’t dare. Moreover, the Eastern Sea journey truly brought tremendous benefits.”

As he spoke, Li Changshou pulled out two ‘Night Zhenzhus’ from his sleeve. “These are Recording Spheres that I’ve modified into Sound and Image Spheres. One for Senior Uncle, one for me, to record today’s entire feast. What do you think?”

Jiu Wu immediately brightened, jumped down from the white cloud with hands behind his back, looked up at Li Changshou, and reached for a Recording Sphere.

“Let’s see what tricks you have in mind. Please, lead on.”

“Senior Uncle, after you,” Li Changshou’s smile grew gentler.

By the furnace stood two low tables side by side. Junior Sister Little Ling’e had fully displayed her culinary skills learned from her senior brother, laying out a sumptuous feast with three wine jars stacked nearby.

Taking their seats as host and guest, they simultaneously placed their Recording Spheres in the table corners.

Jiu Wu picked up jade chopsticks and tested each dish and wine jar.

“Are you truly just inviting this poor Daoist for a drink?” Jiu Wu smiled. “Could these dishes contain different harmless herbs that combine into a sleeping poison?”

Li Changshou couldn’t help but hold his forehead and sigh: “Senior Uncle, what storms have you weathered outside to make you suspect this disciple’s intentions so? I’m not some villain.”

“Hahaha, just joking.”

Jiu Wu waved his hand and initiated the drinking, both men partaking heartily. Soon, half a jar was empty, with Jiu Wu having sampled only half the dishes, leaving the rest untouched.

Li Changshou slowly tried every dish, continuously praising his little junior sister’s cooking.

When both were slightly tipsy, Li Changshou brought out the third jar.

‘Here it comes, this fellow’s tactics are so predictable,’ Jiu Wu laughed inwardly, waiting to see Li Changshou’s scheme unfold.

Li Changshou said: “Senior Uncle, this is my thank-you gift – the Bone-Strengthening Poison Dragon Wine.”

“Oh?” Jiu Wu raised an eyebrow, using immortal power to receive the jar, opening it several zhang away, and using spiritual power to sample a tiny amount with his chopsticks.

Jiu Wu’s eyes brightened, “Excellent wine!”

Li Changshou said seriously: “It’s made from thirty-six poisonous herbs and twelve venomous insects, brewed with aged Ganges white spirit for three months. The toxins have perfectly balanced each other, providing benefits for essence, strengthening bones, and enhancing male vitality. However… I’m unsure if Senior Uncle can handle it, as its potency is quite strong.”

Jiu Wu raised his eyebrows at Li Changshou, who winked back. They shared a knowing smile.

Both understood perfectly.

Jiu Wu laughed: “What couldn’t I handle? This poor Daoist has a Dao companion!”

“That’s exactly why I brewed this medicinal wine. Senior Uncle, please.”

“Let’s switch to this one!”

Jiu Wu was delighted, retrieved the medicinal wine, took a small sip, carefully analyzed it, and then took a big gulp, feeling instantly invigorated!

“Perfect timing, as your Master Sister Jiu just emerged from seclusion. This poor Daoist fears nothing!”

“Senior Uncle, don’t drink too much at once.”

“I’m a True Immortal, what’s there to fear?”

They continued drinking and toasting. Jiu Wu was tipsy, and the table was now messy.

“Little Changshou, tell me, how do you plan to scheme against this Senior Uncle?”

Jiu Wu hugged the wine jar and raised his eyebrows, “This Senior Uncle is almost done drinking and about to leave.”

Li Changshou smiled wryly and shook his head: “Actually, I invited Senior Uncle to request your help.”

“Oh?”

“In the formation insights you provided, there’s a Nine Light Crystal Array. Disciple and Junior Uncle Jiu Jiu studied it for half a month but couldn’t set it up. I hoped Senior Uncle could provide guidance.”

Jiu Wu laughed – this Nine Light Crystal Array was his created containment formation. Even if Li Changshou wanted to trap him with it, he could break it easily.

“Come, let Senior Uncle take a look.”

They took their Sound and Image Spheres and went to an open space behind the Elixir Chamber.

Eighty-one small bronze mirrors were arranged in mystical positions. Jiu Wu immediately spotted the problem and offered some pointers.

Li Changshou showed joy, stepped forward, and adjusted several mirrors as instructed. The eighty-one mirrors suddenly gleamed, activating the containment formation and trapping them inside.

Silver light filled the surroundings, obscuring the trees and birds.

Jiu Wu remained calm, smiling: “Changshou, is this your scheme? Trapping yourself with this Senior Uncle just to feel better? Self-deception isn’t good.”

Li Changshou turned, smiling: “Senior Uncle, what do you mean? How could I scheme against you?”

As he spoke, flames suddenly erupted on his legs and arms.

Jiu Wu was startled, quickly shouting: “Why are you on fire!”

“Senior Uncle, why…”

Li Changshou called out shakily, tossing his Sound and Image Sphere in a certain direction.

In an instant, flames engulfed him, his form bursting into a paper figure that immediately burned to ash.

Jiu Wu’s eyes widened.

Spirit Flame of the Sanmei Zhenyan?

Paper Human Transformation from the Thirty-Six Heavenly Strategies?

This kid mastered Spirit Flame so quickly? And such an advanced technique?

Wait…

Jiu Wu spun around, finding himself alone in the silver-lit containment formation.

This kid wanted to use the Sound and Image Sphere to tarnish his reputation!

Jiu Wu suddenly understood, then laughed dismissively, calmly starting to break the formation.

“Changshou, you’re still too green. What crime will you report to the Rewards and Punishments Hall?

Tsk, truly, this Senior Uncle overestimated your cunning.

This Senior Uncle has many friends in high places.

Moreover, this is my created formation – how could I not find the exit?”

As he spoke, Jiu Wu took several steps, the surrounding light rapidly shifting from silver light to…

Golden light.

Jiu Wu’s smile froze. He calculated with hand seals, cursing: “Another linked formation!”

He moved quickly, reaching a star-lit area;

Moving again, he returned to the initial silver-lit space;

Leaping upward, he fell headfirst into the golden-lit area!

By now, Jiu Wu realized this formation had been modified beyond his imagination. All escape techniques were blocked, yet the basic structure was indeed his ‘Nine Light Crystal Array’!

This formation was his painstaking creation, unbreakable without Celestial Immortal power!

Jiu Wu’s five-chi tall Daoist body shuddered, dispersing his wine qi, mind racing…

From when Junior Brother Changshou had Junior Sister Jiu Jiu invite him to feast, the scheme had begun!

When he arrived at Small Jade Peak and saw ‘Junior Brother Changshou’ cultivating ‘Qi Flame’, he instinctively didn’t check for any deception!

The feast was a diversion; the real revenge was this formation.

Because it was his created containment formation, he confidently entered, forgetting this kid’s fondness for linked formations!

But…

Being trapped wasn’t so bad, was it?

Jiu Wu sat cross-legged. As a True Immortal, what did a few months’ containment matter?

‘Is this how he gets revenge?’

Jiu Wu chuckled, but his smile suddenly stiffened.

So… hot…

His bloodstream seemed to surge madly…

His entire body began sweating, an impure yang qi rapidly expanding within…

Terrible, it was the medicinal wine!

How could it be so potent?

Jiu Wu felt his immortal body burning, memories of intimacy with his Dao companion flooding his mind, his breathing becoming fiery, and hot sweat breaking out!

He immediately tried expelling the drug’s power but found it had invaded his entire bloodstream!

His robe hem gradually rose. Jiu Wu immediately stood, hunching over, eyes full of urgency.

“Ch-Changshou! Let me return quickly!”

No!

This kid wanted to see him in such a sorry state!

Endure!

Must endure!

He, Jiu Wu, was half-step to Celestial Immortal – couldn’t he resist this drug? Just think, Shi Shi, was waiting at home, afterward they could…

Even worse now, absolutely mustn’t think of Master Sister!

He couldn’t lose face – that kid’s Sound and Image Sphere was still recording!

Crushing his own Sound and Image Sphere, Jiu Wu sat again, rapidly reciting Heart-Calming Incantations…

Half an hour later.

“Ah… this is addictive, how can one resist!

Changshou!

Changshou! Senior Uncle admits defeat! I’ll never scheme against you again, alright!”

No response.

Jiu Wu anxiously paced, his immortal power suppressing that impure yang qi, walking aimlessly in the containment formation.

Suddenly, he saw a wooden tablet with several lines of text and hurried to read it.

This is?

“A Heavenly Dao Oath? Starting with the [Mindful Oath Spell]? So ruthless?

From this moment forth, without permission from Small Jade Peak disciple, Master Qi Yuan’s student, Junior Brother Li Changshou, shall not arrange any tasks for Li Changshou…

Shall not reveal any information about Junior Brother Li Changshou to any living being, any magical tool, any implement…

Shall not…

Hiss! This poor Daoist is suffering terribly!

The oath content is ordinary enough, just confidentiality plus no future arrangements;

But the consequences for violation are so cruel – losing male potency!”

Jiu Wu stomped anxiously but threw the tablet down.

“How can this Senior Uncle submit to such coercion!”

The short Daoist lay down hunched, continuing to suppress that yang qi, gritting his teeth to endure.

Moments later…

The short Daoist red-eyed, roared, stood up, retrieved the tablet, and began reciting the Mindful Oath Spell. The Heavenly Dao responded, thunder rumbling above Small Jade Peak!

After reciting the several-hundred-word oath, the surrounding formations gradually dispersed, including the outer formations.

Jiu Wu looked around finding no one, and urgently leaped up, flying rapidly toward Breaking Heaven Peak.

“Shi Shi!

Shi Shi, please don’t be in seclusion, Shi Shi—”

After Jiu Wu left, Li Changshou’s form slowly emerged from the grass. He picked up his Sound and Image Sphere, carefully stored it away, and with a sleeve wave, merged the containment formation into the surrounding formations.

Walking to the wooden tablet, watching its rapidly fading text, Li Changshou showed a calm smile.

Temporarily handled.

…

Two months later, on their agreed day for pill refinement.

“Hey, Little Shou Shou, do you still have that medicinal wine you gave my Fifth Senior Brother? My Fourth Senior Sister wants to trade some technique manuals for the recipe, you can choose which ones.”

“There’s half a jar left over there. I’ll organize the recipe for you to take back later. Just pick the powerful techniques,” Li Changshou answered without looking up, continuing to sort his herbs.

Junior Sister Jiu Jiu went to the corner, “Is it this one? The smell is quite strange.”

“Mm, that’s it,” Li Changshou smiled and said.

Just as he was about to lower his head and continue working, he suddenly remembered something and said: “Women absolutely cannot drink this wine carelessly. This is specially made yang wine for men. Women drinking it will have problems.”

Clang!

A wooden ladle fell to the ground, spilling some wine. Jiu Jiu stared at Li Changshou.

“This… if drunk… wh-what happens?”

So quick to act?

Li Changshou’s forehead was covered in black lines and he couldn’t help but smile wryly.

“Um… just growing a beard? Probably.”