Li Kaixiang felt deeply guilty about his brothers causing trouble at his door and apologized respectfully to Yuan Bayuan. He wanted to persuade his younger brother and brother-in-law together with Yuan Bayuan, but as a simple warrior, he couldn’t think of a better way and could only seek Yuan Bayuan’s advice.

Yuan Bayuan pretended to ponder deeply for a moment, “There’s no rush to convince them. If they see your transformation, they’ll naturally trust me. In essence, we need to quicken our pace.”

“Immortal, how should we quicken our pace?” Li Kaixiang asked eagerly about speeding things up.

If the Immortal Yuan could use magic to make him more powerful, his two brothers would surely be envious when they found out, and it would be more convincing.

Yuan Bayuan stroked his chin in thought for a while, “There is a way to quicken our pace. We need to hold a ceremony to invite the immortals to guide us. If we receive their help, it will greatly enhance your abilities.”

“Then let’s invite the immortals. I can’t wait!” Li Kaixiang said excitedly.

Yuan Bayuan feigned a troubled expression, “Inviting immortals isn’t difficult, but there are many celestial beings in heaven. No matter which immortal you want to invite, we need to make some arrangements and clear the path. Only then will the immortals be willing to descend and guide you.”

“Then, how do we clear the path?”

“The ancients said, ‘Money can make immortals descend.’ As long as your sincerity is enough, the immortals will come.”

At this point, Li Kaixiang finally understood. Clearing the path meant nothing more than using money to bribe the celestial soldiers and generals.

But he had no money left. If he wanted to invite immortals to descend, he would have to borrow more.

Thinking of this, Li Kaixiang made no indication but asked Yuan Bayuan to wait for a moment, saying he would be right back.

Watching Li Kaixiang’s rapidly retreating figure, Yuan Bayuan’s lips curled into a satisfied smile.

What Li Kaixiang didn’t expect was that after today’s commotion, his younger brother and brother-in-law were unwilling to lend him money. They even earnestly tried to persuade him to turn back from his misguided path.

But by now, Li Kaixiang had been completely conquered by Yuan Bayuan’s teachings, and no one could shake his resolve.

Unable to borrow money from either of them, he could only leave dejectedly. Upon returning home, his brows were deeply furrowed before he even entered the door.

Seeing Li Kaixiang return with a troubled face, Yuan Bayuan sensed the situation and came forward to comfort him, “Let’s not rush. We’ll see what the immortals think first.”

Hearing this, Li Kaixiang’s eyes widened immediately. Could he possibly see immortals descend?

Without asking much, the two went to the backyard. Yuan Bayuan set up an altar and began performing rituals. He held a yellow flag in one hand and scattered paper talismans with the other, chanting incantations.

After a series of jumping and gesticulating, a white smoke suddenly arose before them.

As the white smoke was about to dissipate, a human figure vaguely appeared within it—more precisely, an immortal.

Li Kaixiang widened his eyes in disbelief. The person in the smoke was none other than the Celestial Venerable of the Tao, one of the Three Pure Ones of Taoism!

This was incredible. With a celestial descending, Li Kaixiang immediately knelt on the ground and kowtowed for blessings.

However, this situation didn’t last long. After just a moment, the immortal retreated into the smoke.

Li Kaixiang was greatly shocked and quickly grabbed Yuan Bayuan, asking, “Immortal, where did that deity go? Why did he disappear?”

Yuan Bayuan looked at Li Kaixiang with a profound expression, his eyes narrowed, “Immortals are busy too. That I could invite him to descend and let you catch a glimpse was already squeezing time from his busy schedule. Moreover, we didn’t offer any money to make arrangements. Expecting an immortal to help you is simply wishful thinking.”

Hearing this, Li Kaixiang’s expression turned very unpleasant.

Having seen the immortal, he believed even more deeply. But regarding money, he truly had no way.

Seeing Li Kaixiang’s troubled expression, Yuan Bayuan continued, “We’ve just had a brief encounter with the immortal, and his hasty departure shows he has other matters to attend to. If we miss this chance, it will be very difficult to invite him again.”

“When do you think we’ll have another opportunity?” Li Kaixiang asked anxiously.

Yuan Bayuan made a show of calculating with his fingers, then said slowly, “Tonight at the Hour of Hai is our last chance. If we don’t seize it, we won’t be able to invite him again.”

Hearing this, Li Kaixiang became somewhat flustered. He quickly reassured Yuan Bayuan and left home.

Time was short, and Li Kaixiang couldn’t borrow money.

But he had seen the immortal descend with his own eyes, and his heart was moved. Gritting his teeth, he could only sell his farmland.

With a hefty sum of silver, he hurriedly delivered it to Yuan Bayuan. As the Hour of Hai approached, an altar had already been set up in the Li family’s backyard.

Li Kaixiang stood aside waiting anxiously as Yuan Bayuan began performing rituals again. He invoked deities, distributed talisman water, and after a busy round, asked Li Kaixiang how he felt.

After drinking the unpalatable talisman water, Li Kaixiang hesitated slightly.

Taking a deep breath, his eyes lit up, and he looked at Yuan Bayuan with surprise, “Immortal, I now feel my body is full of strength as if I’ve become many years younger.”

Yuan Bayuan nodded meaningfully, “Naturally. With the immortal’s blessing, you will become younger and younger in the future.”

To verify Yuan Bayuan’s words, Li Kaixiang eagerly sought to experiment with his concubine. Indeed, as Yuan Bayuan had said, he was overjoyed that night.

This joy completely conquered Li Kaixiang’s heart. He became addicted to bedroom pleasures every day, having long since cast aside his worldly affairs.

He spent his days in a daze, rarely going out.

This scene made Li Kairei, who cared for his brother, worry.

His brother mixing with Yuan Bayuan was already inappropriate, and now he hadn’t been seen for days. Something must have happened.

After going out, he unexpectedly learned that his brother had sold his farmland to become an immortal, according to rumors.

This was terrible. He quickly sought out his brother-in-law, Ji Dafu, to check on his brother’s situation together.

They happened to witness an indecent scene, and what surprised them even more was that after just a few days, Li Kaixiang had become so emaciated it was beyond words.

If this continued, he would surely lose his life.

The two were furious and immediately picked up brooms to drive Yuan Bayuan away.

What they didn’t expect was that just as they were angrily rebuking Yuan Bayuan, Li Kaixiang suddenly stood up and berated them harshly.

He even shouted at them to leave his home.

Seeing Li Kaixiang’s determination to persist in his ways, the two felt helpless.

Before they could steady themselves, Li Kaixiang drove them out with a barrage of harsh words.

The two left, indignant and at a loss for what to do. Just then, Liu Zongyuan found them.