When Li Longshou left his Xiao Qiong Peak to return for the sect’s grand competition, he made a special detour to the Baifan Hall to offer three sticks of premium incense to the Patriarch of the Human Dao.

Today, those three sticks of incense seemed to have some effect…

Li Longshou returned to his corner on the gentle slope, maintaining his Wind Speech Spell to monitor various locations. He noticed the discussions about himself had dwindled to very few.

The immortal elders on the jade platform and disciples throughout the valley had all turned their attention to the competition for the Thirty-Six Heavenly Generals positions…

Li Longshou gripped the spiritual treasure jade flute and began slowly refining it.

He glanced a few times at Ling’e who was waiting at the sidelines for her match, and seeing that she was in good condition with Master Jiu accompanying her, he stopped worrying.

Master Jiu Wu had already given Li Longshou three hundred years’ worth of monthly allowance, all in the form of materials for formation refinement.

With this unexpected windfall, the comprehensive formation plan for Xiao Qiong Peak could be completed ahead of schedule… by about 0.03 percent.

However, Elder Jiu Wu’s “I’ll let you win” promise hadn’t been fulfilled, so Li Longshou still needed to make up for one match later.

Looking down at the white jade flute in his hand, Li Longshou couldn’t help but wonder how many treasures this thing could be exchanged for…

Just kidding. If he tried to sell a spiritual treasure bestowed by Heavenly Lord Qin Wan Qin, it would be deliberately insulting the cultivators of Golden Turtle Island. He’d probably be strung up and beaten.

The formation was for self-protection, the poison pills were for self-protection, and having a spiritual treasure for protection could also improve his ability to protect himself…

Moreover, since his ascension, he had never had a treasure that could fully utilize all of his capabilities.

After refining this white jade flute, he could attach some spiritual beast fur to its end and have it double as a “celestial brush” to deploy his scripture-writing techniques.

As Li Longshou thought of this, the white jade flute in his hand trembled twice, transmitting a faint sense of resistance.

He quickly dismissed this peculiar idea in his mind and continued using his spiritual consciousness to soothe the flute’s spirit.

First get on board, “tame” it well, then talk about doubling as a celestial brush later.

So-called spiritual treasures referred to treasures that had developed their spirit and possessed the most basic spiritual nature.

However, due to the limitations of the Heavenly Dao, post-celestial spiritual treasures could not transform into spiritual beings, nor could they carry the Great Dao. Their power was far inferior to pre-celestial spiritual treasures.

Pre-celestial spiritual treasures and pre-celestial spiritual beings mostly appeared in ancient times.

Back then, the Heavenly Dao was not yet perfect, and treasures and beings were born before the Heavenly Dao could directly touch the Great Dao.

Spiritual beings could cultivate and grow stronger without restraint, while treasures were imprinted with the might of the Great Dao.

That was an era where one could pick up spiritual treasures just by walking down the road;

That was an age where any mountain peak could be a blessed land;

But likewise, that was also a more dangerous and darker age;

The big shots were all muddle-headed, with no concept of shame. They would claim any good treasure they saw was destined for them, and any blessed land they found was meant to be theirs…

If others didn’t agree, they would fight it out, and whoever had the bigger fist would have their way.

Now, the force that best inherited the ancient customs should be the Western Religion of the Two Western Saints. With just one sentence “I see you have an affinity with our Western ways,” they could convert someone completely…

As Li Longshou’s mind wandered, he continued refining the white jade flute.

Soon after, Ling’e came floating over dejectedly from afar, sat down beside him somewhat disappointedly, and let out a light sigh.

She had previously lost to a Return Dao First Layer seedling disciple, cutting off her path to the top thirty-six.

“Senior Brother…”

Ling’e called out pitifully.

“It’s good to leave some face for disciples from other peaks.”

Li Longshou transmitted his voice, “How many years have you been cultivating? You’re the youngest here, and you’ve already made many senior brothers and sisters sweat.”

Transmitting voice across half a zhang – this was probably a major characteristic of Xiao Qiong Peak.

Ling’e blinked, her eyes immediately becoming lively, “Senior Brother, are you comforting me?”

“Three rules.”

“Oh!” Ling’e smiled happily, sitting cross-legged on her rush mat, wanting to slowly inch closer, just a little bit closer to her senior brother.

The grass on the ground was almost bare…

Li Longshou helplessly transmitted, “It’s now four thousand and fifty times.”

Ling’e immediately stopped moving, her big eyes full of pitiful pleading, raising her two delicate hands and saying softly:

“Senior Brother, do you have the heart to see your little junior sister’s hands… be ruined like this?”

“Yes.”

“Hmph, fine, I’ll write,” Ling’e immediately turned her head to look into the distance.

Li Longshou smiled calmly, waiting for his turn to go on stage…

Another day later, the sect competition reached its most exciting part – the battle for the Heavenly General positions, which was also the finale of this sect competition.

The attention in the arena was now drawn to You Qin Xuanya and the top ten seedling disciples.

The guests and elders on the jade platform were also watching with great interest to see if any of these disciples below might become tomorrow’s “masters.”

Although You Qin Xuanya had outstanding talent, there were still too many uncertainties on her future path of growth.

Whether she could reach the Celestial Immortal realm, no one could say for certain at this time.

Momentary excellence is not precious; only reaching the peak can be called supreme!

As soon as the Heavenly General competition began, Li Longshou’s “Return Dao First Layer” cultivation level started to struggle.

He won three matches using his earth escape technique, “using every ounce of strength,” but in the fourth match, he directly encountered You Qin Xuanya.

However, Li Longshou didn’t give anyone the chance to imagine or construct scenarios of Xiao Qiong Peak’s wolf-tooth club battling the head disciple.

As soon as the jade slip vibrated…

“I forfeit!”

You Qin Xuanya at the sidelines was stunned for a moment, then cast a slightly guilty look at Li Longshou.

Li Longshou: …

What was this guilt for?

Never mind, he could never understand the thought process of his poisonous junior sister.

Thus Li Longshou stopped at eighteenth place, not far from his previously planned ranking.

Two disciples from Xiao Qiong Peak – one at the eighteenth and one at the thirty-ninth. Later, Old Dao Qi Yuan would probably need to offer incense to several confirmed deceased ancestral masters of Xiao Qiong Peak and pay proper respects.

The following matches became increasingly intense, and the sect competition had more “highlight” moments.

But that scene of the wolf-tooth club breaking through the ice remained an insurmountable peak for those who came after…

In the end, You Qin Xuanya advanced all the way through, claiming the top position.

Li Longshou watched the final match, then made an excuse to say farewell to Ao Yi and immediately snuck away.

Sure enough, as he had predicted…

When You Qin Xuanya was giving her victory speech, she very seriously said:

“In this sect competition, there is some regret that I couldn’t share the stage with the senior brother I most wanted to spar with.”

At this time, Li Longshou, who was already saying goodbye to Ao Yi on a distant cloud, couldn’t help but feel some emotion…

Finally, he was gradually able to predict some of the poisonous one’s approaches.

“Brother Longshou, you just focus on cultivating peacefully in the sect,” Ao Yi said, “don’t worry too much about… certain things.”

Li Longshou took out a treasure pouch and said seriously:

“Inside are several paintings, considered my recent masterpieces.

There’s also a silk pouch that might help with your troubles.

Remember, don’t open it in front of others.”

Ao Yi smiled and took out two communication jade talismans from his chest, handing them to Li Longshou, saying: “Brother Longshou, these two jade talismans can connect directly with me.

If Brother Longshou has any instruct… anything to say, you can convey it through these.”

Li Longshou accepted the communication talismans, and they smiled at each other, making Daoists bow to each other on the cloud.

“Through misty clouds and towering mountains and waters, though we part today, Brother Er, we shall meet again.”

“Wishing brother’s safety and early ascension on the immortal path.

Golden Turtle Island lies where the South and East Seas meet in the deep clouds. Brother Longshou, if you have free time, come sit with us on the island, and we can drink and talk together.”

Then, the human and dragon smiled at each other.

Ao Yi turned and rode the cloud, hurrying toward the Golden Turtle Island group waiting for him.

Li Longshou made another distant Daoist bow, and several “juniors” like Han Zhi also returned the courtesy.

Sect Leader Ji Wuyou, who was currently seeing off the Golden Turtle Island group, also nodded with a smile.

The Sect Leader looked at this small disciple in the distance who had gained quite a bit of face for the Ascending Immortal Gate this time, thinking about how to help him steadily pass through his immortality tribulation…

‘Finally…’

Li Longshou rode the cloud straight toward Xiao Qiong Peak.

Just as he landed on Xiao Qiong Peak, patches of white clouds flew out from the valley below Breaking Heaven Peak, with disciples from various peaks returning to their mountain tops…

Some smiled, and naturally, some had bitter expressions;

Li Longshou made a brief summary, seeing Ling’e flying back together with Jiu Jiu who couldn’t let go of the wolf-tooth club, and thought about going together to report the “good news” to Master.

With so many big shots coming to Xiao Qiong Peak earlier, Master could remain as steady as Mount Tai!

— If Li Longshou hadn’t already discovered that Master was sound asleep in bed, he would have had to “look at Master in a new light.”

But before Ling’e could fly back, Li Longshou’s heart jumped, and he immediately had a sensation.

The Sea God Temple, which had previously received the flirtatious guest in white, seemed to have “distinguished guests” again.

So, Li Longshou used the Wind Speech Spell to transmit to Ling’e, who was still more than ten li away:

“I suddenly have some insights and need to go into closed cultivation first. You take care of Master Jiu Jiu.”

Ling’e immediately nodded in agreement, and Li Longshou turned to fly toward the pill room.

His spiritual consciousness made a brief probe, and there were quite a few worshippers in the Sea God Temple;

The grey-robed elder who had previously followed the Jade Emperor down to the mortal realm was standing with hands behind his back beside the deity statue, with two Celestial Immortal realm “guards” behind him.

Li Longshou steadied his mind, pondered several times in his heart about what this person would say later, and quietly activated the paper person hidden underground in this Sea God Temple…

…

Meanwhile, three thousand li south of the Ascending Immortal Gate, on the white cloud carrying the Golden Turtle Island group.

Ao Yi hummed thoughtfully, thinking left and right, and by now couldn’t resist taking out the treasure pouch Brother Longshou had given him.

He was interested in Brother Longshou’s proud paintings, not at all in the “silk pouch strategy” Brother Longshou had given him!

So, Ao Yi secretly kept his cloud stationary, and several Golden Turtle Island Golden Immortals and elder Celestial Immortals immediately cast a strand of immortal consciousness his way, but all smiled without saying anything.

‘Just looking at the paintings…’

Ao Yi coughed once, took out two scroll paintings, and saw two lines of notes written on the outside of the scrolls:

[When feeling excited, blood rushing up, feeling unable to suppress yourself, wanting to express your heart’s thoughts, look at this scroll]

[When feeling depressed, unable to get motivated, feeling there’s no hope in this life, no more beloved spirits in dragon life, look at this scroll]

Ao Yi thought for a moment, then opened the latter first, first seeing that opening poem…

‘When will spring flowers and autumn moon end, how many remnant dreams slowly fade.’

Opening the scroll, Ao Yi’s gaze wandered, and that young face immediately became covered in blushes. He instinctively shut his eyes tightly, but couldn’t help opening a tiny crack, carefully peering at the dozen or so different beauties on it…

Is this, perhaps, the reason why humans multiply so quickly?

Human cultivators certainly have their unique ways…

But for him who hadn’t fully grown up yet, this was too…

Then suddenly he heard praise from behind:

“This painting skill is truly exquisite, the human figures are lifelike, rare to have such spirit.”

“Indeed, indeed excellent.”

“From what I’ve seen, the difficulty lies in balancing refinement and popularity.

Though not being coy or flirtatious, it can still make one’s imagination wander.

We’ve lived for so many years, and autumn water paintings of such quality are rarely seen.”

Ao Yi’s forehead was covered in black lines. He turned his head to look and saw several uncles standing silently behind him, appreciating and commenting.

Seeing Ao Yi stammering, unable to speak for a moment;

The several Golden Turtle Island cultivators who had deliberately come to tease Ao Yi immediately burst into laughter.

Ahead on the cloud, Heavenly Lord Qin also watched them with a smile;

Several young juniors to the side were curious to go over but didn’t dare be as casual as the older generation cultivators.

“Junior Brother Ao Yi, open the other one too, and let’s see.”

“Good things should be shared.”

“Come come come…”

Ao Yi couldn’t stop them in time and didn’t know how to stop them. The other scroll had already been taken by an elder Daoist at the Celestial Immortal realm.

Several people gathered around, and the old Daoist’s hand trembled as the scroll quickly opened…

The previously lively small patch of cloud suddenly fell silent.

Heavenly Lord Qin in front also had his mouth twitch slightly several times.

An old Daoist silently rolled up the two scroll paintings and handed them to Ao Yi. Several people returned to the cloud in front with calm expressions and wooden faces, each with lifeless eyes…

Ao Yi curiously opened and took a look, saw those four characters “Hundred Beauties Aged” on it, and was also speechless with a smile, not daring to look more.

‘Only a wonderful person like Brother Longshou could have such wild and imaginative thoughts!’

Afterward, Ao Yi took the opportunity to take out that silk pouch and open it for a look. Inside was a wooden tablet, on which were written seven large characters:

[If you can’t force it, choose another]

Ao Yi pondered briefly, hands behind his back as he sighed lightly;

Then he roused his spirits, put away the two scroll paintings and silk pouch, flew over to the front, and when looking at Niece Han Zhi again, his gaze had become clear and unrestrained.