When Li Changshou heard what Zhao Gongming said as he entered the temple doors, he nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood onto the Crossing Immortal Gate disciples sitting in front of him.

‘The wonderful technique of beating people up without them daring to say anything’… Could he be referring to the basic scamming routine that Li Changshou had taught Elder Zhao last time?

Was it that the atmosphere in the primordial world had become too flamboyant, or that Elder Zhao’s second spring was too flashy? Just this one sentence nearly threw out Li Changshou’s old back…

That Zhao Gongming entered the Sea God Temple, and without regard for the several mortal worshippers around, shook his sleeves with great pride while greeting:

“Sea God, ah, Fellow Daoist Sea God, is the Sea God at home?”

The people in the temple immediately looked at Zhao Gongming with considerable wariness. If not for Zhao Gongming’s martial appearance and dignified bearing, which had made several female worshippers blush…

To be honest, if Zhao Gongming’s appearance had been even slightly unseemly, they would have stood up to defend their Sea God’s dignity!

But now, they just let it be.

The young woman being pulled along by Zhao Gongming still could not have her appearance seen by others. Even those worshippers and temple keepers unconsciously avoided looking at her.

This young woman couldn’t help but complain: “Big Brother, what are you doing?

If you want to find the local Sea God, just go to his cave dwelling. Why come to this mortal temple of incense and worship?”

“Sister, your words make sense,” Zhao Gongming released Qiong Xiao’s arm, stroking his beard in contemplation. “The problem is, your elder brother doesn’t know where the Sea God’s cave dwelling is…”

Qiong Xiao was immediately caught between laughter and tears, chiding: “Big Brother, you spoke the whole way about how close you are with this Sea God, how you’re the best of friends, yet you don’t even know where his cave-dwelling is?”

Zhao Gongming suddenly became somewhat embarrassed, saying softly: “To tell the truth, not just the cave-dwelling, I only know that the Sea God’s Daoist title is Long Geng Daoist. As for other things… your elder brother, well, hasn’t asked yet.”

Qiong Xiao immediately frowned, raising her head to stare at Zhao Gongming.

Zhao Gongming chuckled apologetically and transmitted his voice:

“Otherwise, how could I bring you, Third Sister, here?

You’ve always been clever. Among us four siblings, except for Second Sister, you’re the most strategic!

Today you must help your elder brother.”

Watching this pair of siblings through the deity statue, Li Changshou, who was sitting in a corner of the Three Schools Origin Flow Conference venue, couldn’t help but feel somewhat puzzled.

These two great figures of the Severing School…

What were they muttering about in his temple?

In the small Sea God Temple, Qiong Xiao transmitted her voice again: “Big Brother, what do you want to do?”

Zhao Gongming pondered for a moment, continuing to transmit: “Help me ask this Sea God if there are any new wonderful techniques. Using just one set has quite many limitations.

If there are, we can exchange some spirit treasures for them, that’s fine too. This is truly a wonderful technique of the primordial world, the Sea God’s untransmitted secret!”

“You…”

Qiong Xiao was truly made to laugh by Zhao Gongming. She stared at this adopted elder brother who had always taken such good care of the three sisters over these many years, and let out a light sigh.

“When the Sea God comes later, Big Brother, don’t speak carelessly. Let me help you sound him out.”

Zhao Gongming immediately bowed repeatedly, calling out: “Thank you, Third Sister, thank you, Third Sister!”

Just then, the temple keeper who had received the Sea God’s instructions came forward, first respectfully inviting the two immortals to be seated in the back hall, then temporarily asking the worshippers in this small temple to leave, closing the temple’s main doors.

Shortly after, Li Changshou’s Sea God-exclusive avatar – the white-bearded old immortal Paper Daoist – rode a cloud from afar and landed in the courtyard.

He swept his whisk, and immediately a barrier of immortal power that blocked investigation arose around them.

— Barriers differ from formations. Barriers only exist temporarily, created with immortal power; formations use formation bases and formation势, borrowing heaven and earth’s power to take effect, and can exist for long periods.

In the back hall, Qiong Xiao held a teacup, took a light sip, and then shook her head slightly.

Mortal tea tastes so bad.

Qiong Xiao transmitted: “Big Brother, didn’t you say the Sea God always appears using avatars?”

“Look carefully,” Zhao Gongming winked, smiling, “This should also be an avatar, just quite ingenious.”

“Mm, such avatar techniques are enough to prove this Sea God is no simple character. Human Path… Long Geng Daoist?”

Qiong Xiao couldn’t help but lower her head in thought, making some calculations…

Uh, Taiji Diagram warning.

Zhao Gongming had already stood up, letting out several hearty laughs, opening his arms to welcome Li Changshou who was coming from the front hall.

One was a dignified and martial Daoist, one was a white-haired kindly elder;

After meeting, they each made Daoist bows.

“Sea God, Sea God, have you been well?”

“Thanks to Fellow Daoist’s fortune, all has been well recently. How has Fellow Daoist been?”

“Hahaha,” Zhao Gongming held his waist and laughed heartily, “Since parting with Sea God last time, this poor Daoist has truly been delighted, truly delighted!”

Li Changshou frowned and said: “Could it be Fellow Daoist has been using the method I spoke of last time to… bump into others again?”

“The word ‘bump’ is truly used ingeniously!”

Zhao Gongming’s eyes immediately crinkled in laughter, “After receiving your guidance last time, this poor Daoist specially made several circles around Western Cattle Gift Continent.

Pulled out those I’d long disliked and gave them a good dealing with!

Sea God, guess what?”

Li Changshou smiled bitterly: “Could it be they all didn’t dare to make a big deal of it?”

“Hahaha, Fellow Daoist knows me well! Knows me well!”

“Fellow Daoist, this cannot be done often. You are the Severing School’s outer door great disciple, a guest before the sage in Azure Lotus Palace,” Li Changshou hurriedly said, “This bumping into people may indeed give you momentary satisfaction, but the impact on your reputation is truly too great.”

“Eh,” Zhao Gongming waved his hand, speaking indifferently, “Reputation is all won through fighting.

Besides, don’t we have that set of Great Dao oaths that you made?

Once these oaths come out, who dares to mention it to others?

It’s just that recently, I feel this approach is somewhat too singular. Sea God, see if you have any new tricks…”

“Big Brother?”

A soft call came from behind Zhao Gongming, “Could you let little sister take a look at that Great Dao oath?”

“Of course,” Zhao Gongming felt around in his sleeve and took out a piece of dragon-produced fabric, using immortal power to pass it to Qiong Xiao who had already stood up.

Taking the opportunity, Zhao Gongming also introduced to Li Changshou:

“Sea God, look over here, this is my adopted sister, who normally cultivates on Three Immortals Island, with the Daoist title Qiong Xiao.”

Only then did Li Changshou look toward Qiong Xiao following Zhao Gongming’s gesture;

And the immortal lady who had stood up on that side also withdrew the divine ability concealing herself, revealing her true appearance and form.

So this was the famous Qiong of the Three Xiao?

Jade thread orchid grass skirt, black hair accompanying flowing clouds, slender waist bound with light sash, white boots wrapping delicate feet…

For such a person, saying her appearance was peerlessly beautiful seemed inadequate, describing her figure as exquisite seemed too vulgar.

Li Changshou inwardly praised several times, smiling and complimenting: “Long have I heard of the Three Immortals’ world-shocking name, seeing today proves the immortal path journey worthwhile.”

Qiong Xiao’s small delicate pretty face smiled with pursed lips, seeming somewhat embarrassed, yet softly replied:

“Fellow Daoist overly praises. May I know Fellow Daoist’s Daoist title?

I heard my elder brother say your title is Long Geng Daoist, but this must be an alias, right?”

What a formidable immortal lady…

Li Changshou’s heart trembled, but he calmly replied: “Daoist titles and names are merely forms of address. My association with Fellow Daoist Zhao seeks neither fame nor profit nor the Severing School’s shelter, only karmic affinity.”

Hearing this, Zhao Gongming’s eyes were full of emotion as he called out: “Good! Good karmic affinity!”

Li Changshou secretly thought this was wrong – Zhao Gongming and the Three Xiao would all be named on the future Investiture of the Gods list, and moreover, almost everyone who had good relations with Zhao Gongming had no good ending in the Investiture of the Gods catastrophe…

Li Changshou immediately changed the subject: “What brings the two Fellow Daoists here today?”

“This…”

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard, giving Qiong Xiao a meaningful look.

Qiong Xiao sighed inwardly, and instead of following her elder brother’s instructions, began to question sternly:

“I’ve come here today because there’s something I must ask Fellow Daoist.

Why does Fellow Daoist instigate my elder brother to constantly cause trouble for the Western Path?”

Zhao Gongming hurriedly said: “Third Sister! How can you speak like this!”

Li Changshou remained calm – at worst he could just self-destruct this paper avatar with one key.

He smiled and said: “The word ‘instigate’ I cannot accept.

May I ask Fellow Daoist Zhao to tell Immortal Lady Qiong Xiao in detail what happened after Fellow Daoist beat those three disciples under the Western Path’s sage that day?”

Zhao Gongming nodded, not noticing the trap in Li Changshou’s words.

Thereupon, Zhao Gongming told everything from how he had beaten that hunchbacked Daoist, thrown him here, how he had discussed with Li Changshou, and later how they had planned the scam… he told it all in detail.

That incident had been triggered by Li Changshou’s paper avatar self-destructing;

But with this head cut off and tail removed, as told by Zhao Gongming, entering Qiong Xiao’s ears, it immediately became ‘Zhao Gongming caused trouble, the Sea God righteously helped with planning’…

Qiong Xiao showed an embarrassed expression and made a graceful bow to Li Changshou. Li Changshou hurriedly returned the bow while holding his whisk.

Qiong Xiao sighed: “I misunderstood Fellow Daoist, please don’t blame me.”

“Immortal Lady need not mind, I also with Fellow Daoist…”

No, the words ‘share similar interests’ absolutely cannot be said!

The two words ‘have fate’ are even more poisonous in the primordial world!

Li Changshou immediately changed his words, smiling: “Met by chance, we’re all cultivators of the three schools, we should naturally help each other.”

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and smiled lightly at the side, but Qiong Xiao changed her tone, beginning to speak on her elder brother’s behalf…

“Fellow Daoist Long Geng, my elder brother came this time to ask if there are other approaches to this method?”

Still other approaches…

“Why doesn’t Immortal Lady advise Fellow Daoist Zhao?”

Li Changshou smiled bitterly and said, “This method truly brings no benefit to oneself, it was just an emergency response strategy at the time.”

Qiong Xiao blinked, turning her head to look at Zhao Gongming, “Big Brother, can you demonstrate for me, how exactly this bumping works?

I just heard you explain roughly, but didn’t quite understand.”

Zhao Gongming laughed several times, walked to the center of the back hall, and lightly pointed his right hand at a wooden chair, and that chair immediately transformed into a wooden person, standing at the side.

Using this wooden person, Zhao Gongming demonstrated the standard primordial world scamming routine.

First, beat them up to vent anger, then begin acting pitiful to bait the target, when both sides compete in pitifulness, secretly use a recording pearl to turn the tables on the opponent, forcing them to make Great Dao oaths…

Li Changshou couldn’t help but cover his face with one hand, truly wanting to ask:

[Why are you so skilled at this, old man?!]

Qiong Xiao covered her mouth and laughed continuously at the side, her hairpin even shaking somewhat askew.

Li Changshou sighed quietly in his heart, not knowing what kind of joy, and silliness… Three Immortals Island must normally be like.

Zhao Gongming quickly finished his demonstration, looking toward Li Changshou, his dignified face showing some desire for praise.

Li Changshou could only say: “Fellow Daoist… good skill.”

“Too kind, too kind, all thanks to the Sea God’s good teaching.”

‘I’m not, I didn’t, this pot absolutely cannot be thrown to me! I didn’t teach you to go around scamming people!’

Li Changshou cried out inwardly, but only smiled and said to Qiong Xiao: “Immortal Lady, you see, can this method be used casually? If this continues, won’t Fellow Daoist Zhao’s reputation…”

“I think,” Qiong Xiao stroked her chin and pondered twice, looking at Li Changshou, smiling, “Fellow Daoist you are truly a wonderful person, to be able to think up such ingenious plans.”

Eh?

Li Changshou was slightly dazed.

Qiong Xiao had already stood up and walked to Zhao Gongming’s side, pondering several times before saying: “Big Brother, do that blood-spitting part again.”

“Good,” Zhao Gongming agreed promptly and cheerfully, clutching his chest and stepping back several paces, spitting out a sky full of blood spray, “Fellow Daoist you- you’re so vicious! This poor Daoist’s injury won’t heal for several tens of thousands of years!”

Li Changshou: …

Qiong Xiao laughed so much her flower branches swayed, “Big Brother you’re too exaggerated here… hahaha!

But- but if someone were to cooperate from the side, it should be good.

Big Brother spit blood again, let me try coming from the side!”

Thereupon, Zhao Gongming spat another mouthful of blood, stumbling back several steps, putting away his Ocean Stabilizing Zhenzhu.

“Big Brother!”

A light cry suddenly came from the side as Immortal Lady Qiong Xiao hurriedly entered the scene, quickly supporting Zhao Gongming, “What happened to you?”

This pair of siblings had excellent tacit understanding. Zhao Gongming pointed at the wooden person, “He- he… hua!”

“You villain!”

Qiong Xiao immediately let out a light rebuke, showing delicate anger, took out a three-foot-long large pair of scissors from behind her back, glaring at that wooden person with anger, “Tell me, do you want to resolve this small matter, or do you want to make this into a big incident!”

Zhao Gongming froze, suddenly enlightened, exclaiming joyfully: “I’ve been saying lately that this technique had reached a bottleneck, constantly pondering how to break through but couldn’t figure it out. So this is it!

It was missing someone to cooperate!

Haha! This technique can succeed, this technique can truly succeed now!

Sea God, look…

Sea God, what’s wrong with you?”

“Ah, nothing,” Li Changshou smiled with narrowed eyes, standing up and respectfully saying: “Fellow Daoist, in the future please never say this technique was created by me, and moreover, Fellow Daoist’s innovation makes you the true creator of this technique!”

“This isn’t right!”

Li Changshou hurriedly made a Daoist bow, “Please, Fellow Daoist… you must agree!”

Qiong Xiao blinked gently at the side, a trace of a mischievous smile crossing her lips, but she raised her head to look at the sky, thinking of who knows what.

After sending Zhao Gongming and Qiong Xiao off, Li Changshou looked at the two jars of immortal wine brewed by Immortal Lady Qiong Xiao, and the pile of treasure materials left by Zhao Gongming, unable to help letting out a quiet sigh.

‘My life… is too difficult.’

…

Speaking of Zhao Gongming and Qiong Xiao after leaving the Sea God Temple, they had just flown several thousand li when they discovered a figure descending from the Nine Heavens, heading toward the great earth below.

Qiong Xiao blinked, saying softly: “Isn’t that the East Wood Duke from the Heavenly Court? What’s he doing here?”

But Zhao Gongming’s mind wasn’t on this matter, smiling and saying: “Third Sister, who do you say we should try this new approach on?”

“Hm? Big Brother, why don’t we…”

Qiong Xiao transmitted a couple of sentences, and Zhao Gongming hesitated slightly.

“Is this appropriate? We have no grudge or enmity.”

“We just won’t hurt him, come on Big Brother!”

“This, alright then,” Zhao Gongming stroked his beard with a smile, and together with Qiong Xiao, secretly followed that certain high official of the Heavenly Court who still didn’t know what he was about to encounter…