What else could be done…

Li Changshou glided through the morning light on his cloud, leisurely floating toward the mountain gate of Du Xian Men.

Today was perfect for returning to the mountain—gentle winds, brilliant sunshine, and birdsong among fragrant flowers.

On the second day after entering the ‘reasonable return period,’ he had eagerly flown back.

The outside world was simply too dangerous.

Being under the protective radiance of the Human Dao made his spirit more at peace…

Arriving at the mountain gate, Li Changshou presented his travel jade token and bowed to the immortal guard, saying:

“Disciple Li Changshou of Small Jade Peak returns today, having settled my mortal affairs.”

The immortal guard took Li Changshou’s jade token with a smile and asked, “Did you gain anything from this journey?”

Li Changshou replied, “In truth, there was no particular gain, only that my heart feels lighter without its precious burden. Now I can focus solely on pursuing the Dao.”

“Good,” the immortal smiled and waved, “return and cultivate well.”

“Yes, this disciple must also report to the Hundred Mortal Hall.”

Li Changshou bowed again and guided his cloud to an appropriate height, heading toward the Hundred Mortal Hall on Breaking Heaven Peak.

The gate guard nodded with approval, thinking this was quite a promising member of the younger generation.

At the Hundred Mortal Hall, he found the Elder on duty, finally concluding his homecoming journey.

Thus, this tribulation-crossing venture could be considered perfectly complete.

Perfect… as if.

Li Changshou secretly counted on his fingers and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.

One hundred and thirty-two villages now—overnight, two more villages had started worshiping the Sea God…

He truly hadn’t done anything at all.

Sighing in his heart, Li Changshou asked the Elder on duty: “May this disciple pay respects to the Ancestral Master’s portrait in the hall?”

“Of course,” the Elder smiled, “The Ancestral Master’s portrait hangs there precisely for disciples to worship. Go ahead.

Our Du Xian Men follow the Human Dao lineage. Though you disciples have many rules to follow, we pursue non-action and freedom from constraints. Just maintain proper respect and do not offend the Ancestral Master.”

“Thank you, Elder. This disciple understands.”

Li Changshou replied with a solemn expression, then carefully adjusted his robes before walking to the central platform of the great hall, looking up at the portrait above.

In the portrait, an elder whose face was too blurred to make out sat atop a green ox, with sacred light shining behind him.

This was the portrait recorded when the Great Pure Sage manifested.

The reason for the blurred face was that no one dared to paint the Sage’s true countenance—doing so would be known to the Sage and might invite punishment.

Li Changshou first clasped his hands and slowly bowed, then stepped forward to offer incense. Afterward, he stepped back three paces, lifted the hem of his robes, and knelt on the meditation cushion.

Two stewards and an Elder of Du Xian Men happened to witness this scene and nodded slightly.

Disciples who would come to pay respects to the Ancestral Master on ordinary days were truly rare.

A moment later…

“Why is this disciple still kneeling there?”

“Sincerity moves the spirits. He must be seeking the Ancestral Master’s blessing for a smooth path of immortality.”

Another moment passed, and over ten Elders and managers emerged from various “partitioned rooms” in the hall, curiously watching.

“Could this disciple have encountered some difficulty?”

“We’ve eaten quite a lot of his spirit fish. Should we ask if he needs help?”

“Ah, if he doesn’t actively seek help, we shouldn’t pry too much. Who doesn’t have their troubles?”

Half an hour later.

“Let’s all return to our duties and stop watching.

This disciple has just returned from settling mortal affairs, his heart must be unsettled. He’s likely trying to calm his mind through this.”

The onlookers gradually dispersed.

Several Elders secretly decided to give him some extra benefits when he came for his monthly allowance and cultivation guidance…

This disciple must have encountered some difficulty, but how would the Ancestral Master—that person—concern himself with such a minor disciple’s small matters?

Finally, after kowtowing for a full hour, Li Changshou slowly rose, his heart somewhat more settled.

To counter a Sage, one could only firmly grasp the thigh of another Sage!

This was the only solution he could think of.

Even if it meant drawing some attention within the sect, after weighing the options, he had to come here to pay respects to the Human Dao Patriarch, hoping to gain a tiny bit more presence in the old master’s awareness.

—Sect rules prohibited privately hanging and worshiping Ancestral Master portraits; this was the only place he could find the Ancestral Master’s portrait.

Leaving the Hundred Mortal Hall, Li Changshou rode his cloud toward Small Jade Peak.

Thinking it over, he might be overthinking things;

How would an august Sage truly lower himself to target a minor immortal of the Human Dao?

After achieving Sagehood, one remained undestroyed by great calamities, competing for face and religious influence.

But, what if?

Sage, Sage—adding ‘Sage’ before ‘person,’ didn’t that still indicate having ‘human nature’?

Of course, the Sages weren’t humans born in ancient times. The Three Dao Masters were transformed from Pangu’s primordial spirit, while the other three were primordial beings of uncertain origin.

What if the two leaders of the Western Religion suddenly took issue with him, a mere shrimp, for some reason…

[Hey, you little one dare cause trouble?]

Li Changshou’s mouth twitched several times.

It seemed he needed to add some arrays that could conceal heavenly mechanisms within Small Jade Peak’s compound formation!

However, even the Sect Master of Du Xian Men might not have array diagrams for such formations, let alone the precious materials needed to lay them…

The world was indeed difficult.

Lost in thought, Li Changshou had already floated above Small Jade Peak. Looking down, he saw Ling’e meditating under a tree.

‘Actually, it’s just a probability issue. Focus on cultivation.’

Li Changshou regulated his breathing for a while, adjusted his state, and then slowly descended toward the isolation array below.

Soon, Ling’e under the tree cheered and ran up;

But Li Changshou made a silencing gesture, indicating she should stand properly. He then walked to Master’s thatched cottage, bowed, and announced his return from settling mortal affairs.

Loud laughter came from inside, and Master Qi Yuan offered a few words of encouragement before continuing his closed cultivation, reactivating several layers of arrays outside the cottage.

Master was at a crucial moment in comprehending the Scripture of Non-Action.

As his immortal sense swept across Small Jade Peak’s various scenes, the unease in Li Changshou’s heart faded somewhat…

Regardless, cultivation must continue, and life must go on.

Though he had considered going to the South Sea to destroy all his divine statues;

But thinking that appearing personally could easily trigger more unknown events, he simply let things develop…

“Senior Brother!”

Lan Ling’e blinked her bright eyes, raising both hands at her sides like a fledgling bird fluttering its wings, “Hmm?”

Li Changshou put on a stern face, “Come with me.”

Lan Ling’e shuddered, immediately putting on a bitter expression, following behind her senior brother with her head lowered, pitifully entering her thatched cottage.

Moving the meditation cushion, crossing her legs, kneeling, lowering her head, arranging her expression…

The process was still very practiced.

Li Changshou sat in the circular chair, activating the arrays around the cottage;

Looking at this junior sister who had already locked her appearance and figure, he sighed softly:

“I was only gone for three years, you!”

Little Ling’e immediately closed her eyes tightly, grabbed her earlobes, and hurriedly cried out:

“Senior Brother, I know I was wrong!

The duel between Senior Brother Liu Sizhe and Senior Brother Wang Qi was because of me!

I didn’t think it would turn out like this, that day I just casually gave some advice, really just wanted to get them to leave, but I didn’t think it through carefully, and let things get out of hand!”

“Hmm?” Li Changshou was stunned, “I was asking about… how a third of the spirit fish in the lake went missing…”

Lan Ling’e froze, and then her body twisted and slumped there.

Great, she had already confessed everything.

…

More than a year ago, the day after Liu Yan’er left with her two junior brothers, something happened.

Liu Yan’er informed Wang Qi, first reporting to Master and the Peak Lord, then used a scheme, telling Liu Sizhe she was already with child, originally intending to make Liu Sizhe stop pursuing her, but unexpectedly Liu Sizhe went straight to fight Wang Qi.

In this fight, neither was seriously injured, being evenly matched, but they were punished by sect rules for private fighting between disciples.

Liu Sizhe was punished with twenty years of closed-door reflection, not allowed to step half a step out of Du Lin Peak;

Wang Qi was also punished with three years suspension of monthly allowance, and afterward became Dao companions with Liu Yan’er, cultivating on Small Spirit Peak…

“Senior Brother… I was wrong…”

“Wrong about what?”

“I shouldn’t have… given Sister Yan’er this bad idea without thinking through their reactions,” Lan Ling’e answered with a lowered head, “resulting in all three of them being punished by sect rules.”

Li Changshou’s mouth twitched as he scolded: “I taught you for so many years, and you truly managed to forget everything I taught you in just a few short years.

Fine!

This is your nature, I shouldn’t have such high expectations of you. Ah, forget it.”

“No, don’t forget it! Senior Brother, please keep having expectations of me!”

Ling’e immediately panicked, “I’ll never cause trouble again!

Don’t give up on me, Senior Brother!

From now on I’ll cultivate quietly by your side, I won’t say a word to strangers!”

“Then tell me again, where exactly did you go wrong?”

Lan Ling’e’s eyes reddened, and she became somewhat flustered, “I, I…”

“You shouldn’t have meddled in others’ affairs!”

Li Changshou’s finger tapped the table as he sighed: “Do you know whether Liu Yan’er’s destined relationship was truly with Liu Sizhe or Wang Qi?

One had harbored feelings for a hundred years, and one had known her for several years, why was Liu Yan’er hesitating? Why couldn’t she bring herself to speak harshly to Liu Sizhe? Wasn’t it because she had doubts in her heart?

Liu Yan’er is already one hundred and fifty or sixty years old, could she not think of other solutions? It’s not that she couldn’t, but that she was unwilling!

What you did essentially cut off one person’s path, turning what was still an undetermined fate into a fixed one.

If you had followed another’s heavenly mandate, that would be fine, but if you changed another’s heavenly mandate, with one sentence you took on the karma of three people.

How much of your fortune did this damage?

Don’t always think you’re the smartest, have the best ideas, no one is much more foolish than others, there are only those who like to act clever!

This matter is the best illustration of your unstable mind.”

Lan Ling’e’s lips trembled as she asked softly: “Senior Brother, how should I make amends?”

“The more you do, the more mistakes you make. Later, go apologize to Senior Sister Liu Yan’er, and ask for her forgiveness,” Li Changshou leaned back in his circular chair, rubbing his brow, “It seems you still don’t quite understand.

Let me give you the simplest example.

If Senior Sister Liu Yan’er and Junior Brother Wang Qi have a falling out in the future, who will she blame first?”

Ling’e frowned slightly and said softly: “Me, the outsider who gave her advice to reject the other person back then.”

Li Changshou smiled bitterly: “So why interfere in others’ private matters?

The matter of love, who since ancient times could explain it clearly?

This is not a necessity for cultivating the Dao and seeking immortality, yet you think about it the most every day. Over time, it will only waste your talent and insight.

After you apologize to Senior Sister Yan’er, reflect well on the peak. When Liu Sizhe comes out of seclusion, that’s when you can come out too.”

Li Changshou stood up and added: “I won’t punish you too much this time. Take a stone tablet and copy the Scripture of Stability three hundred times.

When you truly understand where you went wrong, then go apologize to Liu Yan’er.”

After speaking, Li Changshou turned to leave with a black face and hands behind his back.

But Ling’e called out again: “Senior Brother, there’s one more thing.”

Li Changshou couldn’t help but walk back, pressing his hand on Ling’e’s head and rubbing it hard for several turns, his face full of exasperation, messing up her carefully arranged cloud-like bun…

“Just how much trouble did you cause? Can you tell me everything at once?

Your Senior Brother might develop a heart demon from your scares!”

“It’s not trouble, this counts as an unexpected discovery, I only caused that one trouble just now, truly…”

Ling’e said softly, “It’s about Master’s injury from years ago. Because of Sister Yan’er’s matter, I heard a rumor…

Senior Brother, come closer.”

Whisper whisper, like so.

Li Changshou bent to listen for a while, then frowned slightly, but quickly returned to normal.

“Don’t concern yourself with this matter. First, go copy the Scripture of Stability, then come find me in the pill room after apologizing.”

“Oh,” Ling’e responded, watching her senior brother float toward the pill room.

It’s over, Senior Brother’s good impression of her had regressed at least ten years…

Then she sighed deeply, hugged the meditation cushion, and went under the willow tree;

Taking out a stone tablet and a magical tool carving knife, she wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand, lay down there with disheveled hair, and wrote from memory a certain scripture her senior brother had authored more than ten years ago.

After finishing one copy, she wiped her tears again, erased the engravings on the stone tablet, and continued with the second copy.

The willow branches swayed gently, caressing her dark hair that floated in the wind, seeming to supervise her homework.

…

The Scripture of Stability

By Anonymous of the Great Wilderness

Born to move forward, mind not idle affairs,

Immortality secured, hard to compete at the fore.

Meeting injustice, think of self-reliance,

Encountering hardship needs self-reflection.

When friends are many, affairs can’t be dodged,

When friends are few, avoid unexpected disasters.

Make no enemies, or face certain dangers,

Strike first, or turn to ash thereafter.

Neither hold yourself high nor fear yourself low,

All matters are stable, peace can be found.

On cultivation’s branching paths, retreat to advance,

When the opportunity comes, plan and then decide.

Once some red one, a kindly soul indeed,

Finally schemed against, how tragic indeed.

Some demon capable, with schemes abundant,

Knocked unconscious, and thrown in an iron pot.

Old murky clan, carefully considered weak,

Force against heaven, nothing could be done.

Ancient clan before, discontented still,

Strongly fought fortune, finally declined.

Later dual heroes split heaven and earth,

Received provocations, both fell to ruin.

New people rise, praise rites and music,

Gain sage wisdom, bright scholars many.

Until our generation, dodge ill fortune,

Immortal path complete, gain Dao fruit.

Affairs stable, reject karma’s hold,

Avoid strong seizures, self can be happy.

Escape heaven’s disasters, need to change,

Dodge human troubles leave no pot behind.

Morning hear the Dao, understand the immortal path,

Scripture of Stability, companion at hand’s side.