‘Sect Leader Brother, no, Brother Changshou had been showing mercy to me before.’

Since the first day of the Crossing to Immortality Sect’s internal competition, when the spiked club of Little Qiong Peak rose to fame, this thought had emerged in Ao Yi’s heart and couldn’t be suppressed.

Today was the sixteenth day of the sect’s internal competition, with the matches narrowed down from one hundred and eight to thirty-six competitors approaching their end.

After witnessing Li Changshou’s more than twenty matches and careful observation, Ao Yi discovered some of Li Changshou’s ‘peculiarities.’

Or rather, his exceptional qualities.

First was his solid foundation. Brother Changshou’s magical power was extremely pure and rich. When facing cultivators of slightly higher realms, he could often achieve narrow victories by using formation talismans that consumed relatively more magical power.

Second was Brother Changshou’s earth escape technique. Compared to other Crossing to Immortality Sect disciples’ earth escape methods, his appeared more refined…

Although Ao Yi didn’t know why, watching his Sect Leader Brother enter the earth had a kind of smoothness and naturalness that created its mysterious Dao rhythm.

It was pleasing to watch and inspired admiration!

This was what the earth escape technique should be, while the other disciples used earth escape…

Tsk, they were probably just using minor techniques of drilling into the ground.

They lacked Brother Changshou’s particular essence.

‘There must be reasons I cannot see why Brother Changshou was chosen as the merit proxy by the Human Dao experts.’

These past two days, Ao Yi felt somewhat helpless.

The sect competition was approaching its end. Tomorrow would likely be the closing ceremony and the day for outside guests like them to leave.

Ao Yi had chosen to come to the Crossing to Immortality Sect because he wanted to find an opportunity to talk with Brother Changshou face to face.

Though his cultivation had been going smoothly lately, he had encountered some setbacks in his personal feelings…

As young dragons, who hadn’t experienced some ups and downs in love?

At this moment, Ao Yi didn’t know whether he would have the chance during this visit to sit by the lakeside cottage with Brother Changshou, discussing the Dao and having heart-to-heart talks…

“Little Yi?”

A call came from ahead.

Ao Yi immediately stopped his musings, stepped forward twice to stand behind a thin-faced Daoist, and said softly:

“Uncle Master Qin, I’m here.”

This Uncle Master Qin was Qin Wan, a cultivator from Golden Turtle Island.

He was a registered disciple of the Sage Tongtian Jiaozhu, who had joined Golden Turtle Island early on. He had listened to the Sage’s teachings and taken blows for his brothers, earning him a prestigious reputation among the island’s cultivators.

In those years, when the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Enlightenment School walked out of the Jade Void Palace to make their name in the primordial world and become famous across the three thousand worlds, the Golden Turtle Island cultivators refused to be outdone and formed the Ten Heavenly Lords.

Although their reputation hadn’t taken off and their presence was several levels weaker, their cultivation couldn’t quite compare…

But these Ten Heavenly Lords were now considered a relatively famous and capable ‘gang’ within the Severing School!

Qin Wan was the eldest brother among the Ten Heavenly Lords.

This man had profound cultivation, was skilled in the Dao of alchemy, and was proficient in formations. He had extensive connections and quite a reputation within the Severing School.

Qin Wan’s visit to the Crossing to Immortality Sect this time was also to improve relations with the Human Dao lineage, showing that their Golden Turtle Island cultivators hadn’t intentionally targeted them before.

[How to express Golden Turtle Island’s goodwill?]

Qin Wan had prepared several gifts to reward the top three disciples of the Crossing to Immortality Sect.

But feeling this wasn’t enough, Qin Wan called out to Ao Yi and said warmly:

“The internal competition is almost over. Didn’t you and Hanzi say you had some good friends here?

Go find your friends and bring them here, I’ll give them some pills.

To avoid people saying we Golden Turtle Island cultivators lack courtesy.”

Hearing this, Ao Yi showed a slight smile and said: “Please wait a moment, Uncle Master. I’ll ask their sect officials first, then bring them up…

Hanzi, would you like to come along?”

The young lady Hanzi sitting in a chair nearby turned her head to look over, nodded slightly, and responded with a smile.

Ao Yi wanted to ride the clouds together, but Hanzi took half a step back, indicating that Ao Yi should go first while she would follow alongside.

Ao Yi’s gaze revealed a hint of dimness as they flew out from the jade platform one after another.

Qin Wan saw all this but only smiled and shook his head without saying anything…

Young disciples just loved to engage in these useless romantic gestures.

Very smoothly, Ao Yi and Hanzi obtained permission from the sect elders. Accompanied by Jiu Wu, the sect official who had received Ao Yi before, they flew together to the river valley slopes to find Li Changshou.

Ao Yi’s first words were:

“Brother Changshou, my Uncle Master Qin wants to meet you!”

Li Changshou smiled slightly.

If he hadn’t been passively monitoring various places with his Wind Speech technique and known that the Golden Immortal from Golden Turtle Island just wanted to give some rewards, such a sudden statement from Ao Yi would have made him think his identity had been exposed somewhere.

Then, Li Changshou felt somewhat helpless to complain.

Due to Ling’e’s sudden breakthrough and accidental exposure to her true cultivation level, their Little Qiong Peak duo had already attracted quite a bit of attention.

Just when the ‘heat’ was finally starting to die down, Ao Yi and Hanzi came to stir things up again…

The curious gazes from various fellow disciples hadn’t stopped these past few days!

But now wasn’t the time to worry about such small matters.

Li Changshou pondered for a moment and deliberately asked: “Brother Yi, do you know why your respected Uncle Master has summoned me?”

“Well…”

Ao Yi thought for a moment and explained it was just to give some rewards.

Li Changshou found a relatively safe excuse to decline to go, then looked to the side at his innocent-looking little Master-Uncle and Junior Sister…

Shortly after;

Accompanied by Jiu Wu, Hanzi brought Ling’e and Jiujiu to receive the rewards, while Jiu Wu stood by with a slightly awkward expression.

He didn’t know what was wrong with Nephew Changshou, not caring about rewards from an established Golden Immortal…

Qin Wan showed a kindly smile as he took out several bottles of immortal pills to give to Ling’e and Jiujiu, offering gentle words of encouragement and expressing the friendliness and goodwill of their Golden Turtle Island cultivators.

The three schools were one family, and three friends laughing at Kunlun.

Ling’e and Jiujiu bowed together in thanks. Even Jiujiu became much more proper when facing a powerful figure.

Afterward, Qin Wan nodded with a smile, and Jiu Wu immediately understood, stepping forward to take his leave and escorting the two away.

“Hanzi, why hasn’t Ao Yi returned?”

Hearing Qin Wan’s question, Hanzi hurriedly replied:

“Reporting to Grand Uncle Master, Uncle Master Ao Yi is talking with his friend Li Changshou. He’ll return shortly.

Li Changshou hasn’t entered the arena today, and he was worried coming to receive rewards would delay his match.

Therefore, he didn’t come up together with us.”

Qin Wan nodded slowly. His immortal consciousness swept past, seeing Ao Yi below talking with a Human Dao disciple, but he didn’t look further.

To Qin Wan, this was just a small matter.

But just as this thought settled in his mind, Qin Wan remembered something else and turned to look at Hanzi, who was seated behind him, saying with a smile:

“I heard that last time Little Yi was bested in a match here at the Crossing to Immortality Sect. Who was that person?”

Hanzi said softly: “It was this Li Changshou.”

“Oh?” said Qin Wan, “Those two, did they become friends after fighting?”

“Yes, that’s exactly what happened,” Hanzi also showed a slight smile, “This disciple always hears Uncle Master Ao Yi talking about his Brother Changshou this and that.

Speaking of this Brother Changshou is quite capable. Although he hasn’t become immortal yet, even my master was trapped when she entered his chain of small formations…”

Her words halted as Hanzi’s face suddenly darkened.

Naturally, she thought of her poor ‘former master,’ who was now who knows where in some mountain wilderness’s leopard den, struggling for food…

Qin Wan comforted Hanzi with a few words, then fell into thought, his eyes showing interest.

[Not yet immortal, but able to trap a Celestial Immortal with his formations?]

This Lord Qin of the Ten Heavenly Lords had a personality of acting on his thoughts.

He stood up and walked to the side, saying a few words to a Celestial Immortal elder of the Crossing to Immortality Sect.

This elder immediately went to report the matter to the Sect Leader. Wuwei naturally agreed and made some arrangements.

But as soon as Qin Wan made his move, the Golden Turtle Island cultivators who had been bored here for half a month all stood up, expressing their desire to go observe Little Qiong Peak as well.

And hearing that their Crossing to Immortality Sect had such a ‘marvelous place,’ the experts from several Human Dao lineages also showed some interest.

So…

Below, Li Changshou, who was discussing poetry and life philosophy with Ao Yi while monitoring all this with his Wind Speech technique, felt his heart twitch.

He estimated that today, this situation couldn’t be avoided.

Could it be that this truly famous Lord of the Ten Heavenly Lords was somehow poisoned or what!?

As an established Golden Immortal of the primordial world, why was he getting worked up over a small disciple today?

Could there be some scheme?

As Li Changshou’s thoughts raced, Jiu Wu rushed over through the air in a panic.

By the jade platform, accompanied personally by Sect Leader Wuwei, dozens of figures rode clouds slowly toward Little Qiong Peak.

On the river valley slope, Jiu Wu grabbed Li Changshou’s arm and shouted:

“No time to explain more, quickly come with me, a group of senior experts are heading for your chain formation!”

Li Changshou showed a shocked face, while internally feeling worried.

If his compound grand formation was exposed because of this, then his karmic ties with the Ten Heavenly Lords would be established.

“Elder Uncle, I still have matches…”

The short Daoist urgently said: “Count your next two matches as wins, just make them up after dealing with this!

Those are several Golden Immortals and a group of Celestial Immortals!

You might make a name for yourself this time!”

Li Changshou: …

Human Dao exclusive crude language.

…

Meanwhile, above the Central Divine Continent, in the Nine Heavenly Layers.

In front of the Old Man of the Moon’s Palace, two child attendants sat obediently, holding up two wooden boards.

The left board wrote:

[This place is protected by the Heavenly Dao]

The right board wrote:

[Gone to attend court assembly]

It was the day of the Heavenly Court’s once-in-ten-years assembly at the Jade Imperial Palace, with various immortals and deities gathering at the Jade Imperial Palace in the center of the Eighth Heavenly Layer.

The Heavenly Court itself was a merit treasure, with the Jade Imperial Palace being the core of this treasure, crafted jointly by several Sages.

However, as magnificent as this place was, as dignified and grand as it appeared, the position of the ruler of the three realms sitting on the high platform inside the hall was equally awkward and helpless.

There was no other reason—the nominal ruler of the three realms was now just a junior uncle in the Dao schools, putting on a show here.

Orders didn’t reach the five continents, laws didn’t connect the four seas.

The three thousand great worlds only knew the names of the Six Sages, with few paying attention to this new Heavenly Court that hardly had any presence.

Even the young-faced Jade Emperor in white robes sitting in a high position often joked that he might as well go back to ring the bell for the Lord of the Dao…

At today’s court assembly, the seats closest to the front were empty, reserved for Taishang Laojun, but unless there were major events, this Sage’s benevolent incarnation would not appear.

Apart from this, although most positions for proper deities in the Heavenly Court were vacant, the various immortals and deities stood neatly in four rows.

The Heavenly Court’s face still had to be maintained.

The Old Man of the Moon, as the proper deity in charge of marriage fate, though of lower cultivation, stood relatively close to the front.

However, this old fellow never spoke easily, just listening on the side.

Today’s Old Man of the Moon was also like before, head lowered, listening to various civil and military officials report some trivial matters.

Since the Heavenly Court’s decrees currently couldn’t reach the three realms, it meant they didn’t have much to do, just cooperating with this ‘diligently governing’ emperor to perform a play of ‘serving with utmost loyalty.’

But the emperor on the throne was not satisfied with this.

“Beloved officials.”

The white-robed youth lowered his eyes, looking at the jade slip before him, speaking calmly, his voice echoing throughout the great hall.

“As East Wood Duke has said, currently in the lands of the Five Continents, unauthorized temples are being established and wild spirits worshipped, not among the proper numbers of Heaven.

However, our Heavenly Court is currently short of troops and cannot easily suppress them.

But to use proper deity positions to recruit these wild spirits into the Heavenly Court, I feel somewhat inappropriate, as this would unduly weaken our Heavenly Court’s dignity.

Beloved officials, do you have any good strategies?”