Sometimes men’s friendships are just this simple.

With three punches and two kicks, Ao Yi had barely used any of his real abilities before catching his cousin, South Sea Dragon Palace’s Second Prince Ao Mou, out of the sea surface and gripping his neck.

Then, Ao Yi threw Ao Mou aside, telling him to apologize to Hanzhi.

This both maintained the Sect of Humanity’s face, and Hanzhi wouldn’t feel right continuing to blame him afterward, thus preventing any conflicts between the Dragon Palace and Golden Tortoise Island.

Regarding Ao Yi’s performance, Hanzhi didn’t have much reaction, only the corners of her mouth slightly curved upward.

Instead…

The beaten Ao Mou’s gaze kept flickering.

Within it, a small star had appeared…

The gazes of Ao Mou’s two dragon followers toward Ao Yi also gained several hints of respect.

The dragon race had a sense of superiority as ‘ancient overlords’ toward outsiders;

But within the race, young dragon children consistently followed the principle that whoever had the bigger fist was the boss.

Ao Mou sat collapsed on the sea surface, supported by immortal power so he wouldn’t sink;

His eyes showed some hesitation as he looked up again and again at the smiling Hanzhi, then turned to look at Ao Yi.

Afterward, Ao Mou stood up with a serious expression and said:

“Just now, I… lost too quickly.

Let’s have another match, if I lose again, I’ll be convinced and do whatever you say!”

Ao Yi calmly nodded, elegantly flicked his sleeve, and made a ‘please’ gesture.

Ao Mou came forward again, this time his gaze full of seriousness;

Then, this South Sea Dragon Palace Second Prince let out a low shout, unleashing all his signature abilities together.

Dragon roars echoed as waves rolled and clouds churned.

Shortly after, Ao Yi once again gripped Ao Mou’s neck;

Maintaining his youthful form, Ao Yi didn’t have a single wound on his body, only two strands of hair on his forehead were slightly damp.

Ao Yi flicked his hand and Ao Mou fell onto the sea surface again, though this time the fall was gentler.

Immediately, the starlight in Ao Mou’s eyes as he looked up at Ao Yi became even brighter…

“I still have one divine ability!”

Ao Mou showed an embarrassed expression but gritted his teeth and stood up: “If I lose to you again, not just this matter, I’ll listen to you in everything!”

Ao Yi frowned, looking at this cousin before him.

Can’t let go of winning and losing?

To maintain the South Sea Dragon Palace’s face, Ao Yi just nodded in agreement, thinking of exchanging more moves with Ao Mou this time…

Thus, half an hour later…

After seven rounds, Ao Mou had used up all his abilities, losing all seven battles…

“Second Brother Ao Yi!

Please accept little brother’s bow!”

The three originally arrogant dragon children simultaneously bowed to Ao Yi, who calmly nodded, showing neither joy nor anger.

Without Ao Yi speaking, the three turned and bowed to Hanzhi, who repeatedly said it wasn’t necessary.

Although Ao Mou had been born two years earlier, he now called out “Second Brother” with each breath, even more naturally than calling his elder brother.

This South Sea Dragon Palace’s Second Prince had truly been beaten into submission.

At present, Ao Mou made an invitation, asking Hanzhi and Ao Yi to tour the South Sea;

He also sent his two followers back to the Dragon Palace to bring a treasure ship and prepare a shipload of gifts as an apology to the Second Brother.

[Since it’s confirmed he can’t win, might as well completely surrender]

Ao Yi asked Hanzhi if she wanted to go somewhere else to clear her mind, but Hanzhi said she wanted to tour more of the South Sea;

And so, the two of them gained a “tour guide dragon,” continuing their South Sea journey…

“Second Brother, your divine abilities are truly remarkable, did you learn them from the Sect of Humanity?”

Hearing Ao Mou’s question, Ao Yi immediately revealed a slight smile and said seriously: “The Sage’s transmitted Dao inheritance is indeed profound and vast, would you like to join the Sect of Humanity together?”

“This, better not, this little brother can’t bear the hardship of pure cultivation, it’s more comfortable staying in the Dragon Palace.”

Ao Yi frowned and said: “Cousin, you…”

“Junior Brother, Junior Brother, now I’m your Junior Brother.”

“Regardless, remember to show some restraint,” Ao Yi lectured earnestly, “When sparring with you, I noticed your inner weakness is already quite severe.

Though our dragon race has deep foundations, we shouldn’t be so unrestrained.

Don’t spend all day mingling with those sea race maids, if you can’t control yourself, find someone from our race to marry early, and restrain each other.”

Ao Mou giggled, saying he already had his eye on a Western Sea dragon lady.

Beside them, Hanzhi first didn’t understand what they were talking about, but then suddenly realized, her cheeks flushing as she momentarily dared not look directly at Ao Yi’s handsome face.

Ao Yi didn’t think anything of it, this was normal for the dragon race, his own elder brother ‘Ao Jia’ spent his days in debauchery.

Little dragons like himself who knew how to maintain self-discipline…

Truly, were rare.

…

Meanwhile, on the west side of Breaking Sky Peak, at the Jiu Immortals’ residence.

Li Changshou stood before Junior Uncle Jiu Jiu’s tower, observing the formation arrangements here, when he suddenly had a strange feeling in his heart and slightly frowned.

‘Why does it feel like something related to me is about to happen?’

Secretly sensing the situation at the South Sea’s edge, there were temporarily no signs of mortal chaos breaking out…

“Little Changshou…”

Beside him, seeing Li Changshou frown slightly, Jiu Jiu couldn’t help but ask softly: “Is it really beyond saving?”

Li Changshou immediately revealed a bitter smile and sighed: “Junior Uncle, may disciple boldly ask a question.”

“Mm, ask!”

Li Changshou looked up and sighed long: “How did you manage to, just by forcing your way out of the protective formation, ruin sixty percent of these formation bases below the tower.”

“Hehehe, little nephew doesn’t praise me randomly, I’ve always been this capable!”

Jiu Jiu raised her eyebrows, casually patting Li Changshou’s shoulder.

“I leave it to you, just casually set up some formations!

It’s just because I often get drunk, and when I sleep I tend to make some unsightly poses, often throwing around my close-fitting clothes and such…

Otherwise, formations wouldn’t even be needed!”

Li Changshou calmly said: “Junior Uncle, you need not tell disciple these things.”

“Hm?” Jiu Jiu squinted and leaned closer, “Could it be, you’ve seen?”

“Naturally not,” Li Changshou said calmly, “Please have Junior Uncle take out these formation bases from underground, I’ll wait inside for you, later we’ll need some precious materials for refining formation bases.

Junior Uncle, I will use my knowledge to design several different formation combinations for you to choose from.”

Jiu Jiu immediately blinked, casually tossing over a ring and waving generously:

“Do whatever!

This Junior Uncle has mixed around for over a thousand years, and still has some savings.”

Li Changshou revealed a slight smile, caught the ring, and went straight into the tower.

The formations for a closed cultivation residence were naturally very important, but Li Changshou also couldn’t possibly reveal the high-level formations he truly mastered;

He would use the formation insights given by Elder Brother Jiu Wu to arrange formations that could protect Junior Uncle Jiu Jiu completely.

It was also a small challenge.

Sitting at the round table, Li Changshou found several stone slabs nearby and took out a carving knife to begin writing and drawing.

His interest was evident.

Jiu Jiu quickly dove underground, taking out one by one those formation bases she had already tinkered with for a long time.

Since these were only relatively small formations, Li Changshou designed them very quickly, and by the time Jiu Jiu ran back hugging the formation bases, Li Changshou had already prepared several formation diagram plans.

“Oh, Changshou you work so fast.”

“I had similar considerations before,” Li Changshou pushed over several stone slabs, “Take a look, which set should we arrange?

Later I’ll locate the positions, and Junior Uncle can bury the formation bases one by one, then it will be complete.”

Jiu Jiu took the stone slabs and looked, immediately feeling dizzy and confused.

“You decide, I can’t understand these anyway.”

“Junior Uncle,” Li Changshou said seriously, “Matters concerning life and death cannot be taken lightly.”

“Mm,” Jiu Jiu nodded seriously, “Then explain to me, what’s different about these? Aren’t they all formations?”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Though they seem similar, they’re vastly different.

Junior Uncle please look at this first set of formations, it emphasizes preventing detection, if arranged well, perhaps even your master couldn’t see through this place.”

“Oh?” Jiu Jiu’s eyes immediately brightened, “Do that one!”

Li Changshou cleared his throat and continued:

“Junior Uncle don’t rush, let’s look through all these sets before deciding.

If this set of formations is arranged, it has medium-level detection prevention, but emphasizes protection, if encountering strong enemies, it can increase survival chances, and hold out longer, perhaps long enough for help to arrive.

This nephew recommends this set more.”

Jiu Jiu pointed at the other two stone slabs, “What about this one and this one?”

“The third set of formations focuses more on spirit gathering, can give Junior Uncle endless spiritual qi when cultivating, and also considers detection prevention and protection levels…”

After listening for a while, Jiu Jiu felt dizzy and said: “Can’t all aspects of the formations be top-grade?”

“This…”

Li Changshou looked at the ring in his hand and smiled: “Actually it’s based on the materials Junior Uncle provided.

The disciple has already invested all his precious materials into Small Jade Peak’s formation势.”

“Thought it was some reason, just this little thing.”

Jiu Jiu snorted lightly, then took out a bracelet and a treasure pouch, placing them in front of Li Changshou.

“Make everything top grade!”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment and confirmed: “Really?”

“Really!”

Jiu Jiu put her hands on her hips and said: “Just do it!”

Surely a mere tower’s formations couldn’t use up her thousand years of savings!

But soon, Jiu Jiu’s mental state began to undergo subtle changes…

Li Changshou took out all her accumulated precious materials and arranged them by category, looking exactly like organizing medicinal materials before pill refining…

The key was, after Li Changshou’s consideration, all kinds of precious materials had their uses.

Li Changshou wasn’t trying to take advantage of Junior Uncle, he also greatly valued Jiu Jiu’s safety;

After all, she was his ‘pill refining good companion’ and ‘concealment expert.’

Li Changshou originally thought protective formations for living and cultivation quarters were quite important.

To help Junior Uncle arrange higher-level grand formations, Li Changshou began re-refining those usable formation bases, also dismantling the ruined formation bases, using everything that could be used.

Li Changshou even took out several materials himself…

Jiu Jiu on the side originally had some hesitation, but seeing Li Changshou even contributing his own things to supplement her formations, she immediately didn’t feel right saying anything more…

Two days later.

Li Changshou flew toward Small Jade Peak on his cloud, the corners of his mouth bearing a slightly satisfied smile.

—Building a nearly perfect ‘linked formation set’ was like completing a work of art.

He wouldn’t need to worry too much about Junior Uncle’s safety later.

Before the tower, Jiu Jiu watched Li Changshou’s departing figure, turned to look at the completely renewed grand formation behind her that was clearly very difficult to break… then looked down at the formation control jade talisman in her hand…

From this moment on, only her immortal power injected into this jade talisman could activate the formations here.

Safe, private, considerate, and comfortable, with no excess light pollution at night, and no spiritual disturbances during the day.

But…

Jiu Jiu held her few storage magical treasures in her palms, looking at the empty storage spaces inside them, her legs went weak as she slowly sat down on the steps before the door.

Her accumulation of over a thousand years…

All used up, without any waste…

But why didn’t she feel joy in her heart, only emptiness?

If in the future she ran out of wine, wanting to exchange it for wine would…

In her daze, Jiu Jiu heard again Li Changshou’s comforting words beside her ear before leaving:

“Junior Uncle, your precious materials and spirit stones haven’t disappeared, they’ve just transformed into another form, accompanying you by your side.”

“Alas…”

Jiu Jiu slowly lay down, her eyes gradually losing their spirit.

“I’m a penniless wretch, drinking when I’ve nothing to do.

After another thousand years, still a penniless wretch.”

From now on, might as well register at Small ‘Poor’ Peak…