Dong—

Dong~

Perhaps it was just imagination, but the gate bell heard when leaving had been urgent, heavy, and full of tension.

Now returning to the Degree Immortal Gate, Li Changshou heard the bell sounding so light and cheerful, with hints of grace, and within that grace, some restlessness…

In the early morning, the treasure ship arrived before the gate, where the elders guarding the gate, along with the peak masters and immortal seedlings, came out to welcome them.

Peak Master of Little Jade Peak, the Turbid Immortal Qi Yuan, and Little Jade Peak’s third-ranked person Ling’e, stood quietly in a corner.

As the treasure ship steadied and the surrounding protective formations closed, the Sect Master and all elders appeared together, with all disciples bowing in unison.

Then, Ling’e saw her Senior Brother mixed among the returning disciples, her tender heart immediately settling, that beautiful and spiritual face unable to hold back a smile.

Just as Ling’e was about to wave to Senior Brother, the ‘Stability Scripture Warning’ floated in her mind, and she immediately stood obediently there, looking up at the sky.

Suddenly, a tall wall appeared before Ling’e’s eyes, blocking most of the sky;

Before Ling’e could react, a cute young woman’s face appeared in her vision…

Huh?

How did this stone statue grow a human head?

Fortunately, having been raised by Senior Brother, Ling’e’s psychological quality was quite good. She instinctively showed a polite smile without immediately dodging.

Nearby, Li Changshou was bowing to Old Daoist Qi Yuan, “Disciple pays respects to Master.”

Old Daoist Qi Yuan said gently: “Mm, good, did you gain anything from this trip?”

“Following Master’s teachings, disciple gained much.”

Li Changshou answered with a light smile, then pointed to Xiong Lingli beside him, “Master, this is my cousin, also our Sect Master’s newly accepted recorded disciple. Disciple wishes to arrange for her to stay and cultivate on our Little Jade Peak.”

Old Daoist Qi Yuan’s spirit stirred, looking at Xiong Lingli, hurriedly transmitting to ask his senior disciple:

“This is Sect Master’s recorded disciple, our peak is poor and barren, is this appropriate?”

Li Changshou gave his master a ‘leave everything to me’ look, and Old Daoist Qi Yuan immediately had no more doubts, stepping forward to exchange pleasantries with Xiong Lingli.

Xiong Lingli had already received Li Changshou’s instructions, now properly bowing, saying: “Senior Brother Qi Yuan, please take care of me in the future.”

Old Daoist Qi Yuan repeatedly said mutual care, mutual care.

Ling’e tilted her head slightly, Senior Brother’s… cousin?

Impossible, if he truly had a cousin, how could she not know?

After all, she had secretly bribed the female elder of the Hundred Mundane Hall with spirit fish to look at Senior Brother’s family information…

Immediately, Ling’e’s mind played out a great drama, and she just happened to hear Li Changshou saying gently to Xiong Lingli:

“Cousin, let’s talk more after returning to the peak, I’ll arrange your accommodations today.”

It was as if a cat had crawled into Ling’e’s heart chamber, constantly scratching and clawing, making her want to immediately clarify this matter, yet not daring to ask directly, feeling very uncomfortable…

Back then, when Senior Brother built her grass hut, it took several days to complete!

What did Senior Brother just say, actually wanting to arrange accommodations for this suddenly appearing ‘cousin’ in one day?

Could it be… no, impossible!

No, with Senior Brother, nothing was impossible!

Though the possibility was small, she couldn’t rule out that cousins truly had a story…

At once, Ling’e’s mind was in chaos.

Since the “Hundred Beauties Painting” incident began, she couldn’t understand what type of woman Senior Brother liked.

In her eyes, Senior Brother was the most unique person under heaven, all male cultivators inside and outside the sect combined didn’t equal one ten-thousandth of Senior Brother’s uniqueness and distinctiveness!

Therefore, even if Senior Brother suddenly brought back an iron tower-like young woman, saying casually to her:

‘Oh, Junior Sister, tomorrow I’ll formally become dao companions with her.’

Ling’e would believe it!

Perhaps Senior Brother didn’t like Senior Sister Youqin’s excessive purity;

Nor did he like her type of ‘too familiar to make a move’;

Rather, because Sister Jiujiu had skewed his aesthetic of ‘size’, he came to like… big builds?

“Let’s go, return first.”

Old Daoist Qi Yuan said gently, flicking his duster whisk to create a white cloud.

This old Daoist worried his turbid immortal power would make the cloud’s carrying capacity insufficient, specially thickening the white cloud under Xiong Lingli’s feet by half a zhang.

At this point, white clouds floated through the gate, heading toward various peaks.

Suddenly hearing Jiujiu’s call from ahead:

“Changshou! Ling’e—

I’ll go listen to Master’s lecture first, then come play with you!”

The Degree Immortal Gate immortals couldn’t help smiling;

Many disciples cast envious looks at the Little Jade Peak four, mostly male disciples.

The troubled Ling’e forced a smile, Li Changshou nodded with a smile, accepting the little aunt master’s request.

Just then, Youqin Xuanya watched the backs of the Little Jade Peak four, seeming to have words held back.

Well, wait a few days, find a quiet night when no one’s around, then go to Little Jade Peak to apologize to Senior Brother…

“Ah.”

Youqin Xuanya sighed lightly, her whole being somewhat dejected, following her master toward Breaking Heaven Peak on clouds.

Her master Jiang Jingshan, however, took this scene in completely.

…

Regarding Little Jade Peak gaining another person, Old Daoist Qi Yuan as peak master… had no opinion.

Qi Yuan only reminded his two disciples not to be disrespectful to little aunt master, then turned back to his grass hut, hearing nothing outside his window, single-mindedly wanting to dream of the Great Dao.

But…

Ling’e was somewhat panicked.

Senior Brother did build a grass hut for the newly arrived ‘cousin’ in one day—no, accurately speaking, in one hour!

And it was an enlarged and heightened version!

The somewhat absurd guess in Ling’e’s heart seemed to be constantly confirmed.

Moreover, at the time Senior Brother had specially called her over to watch, directly using his rarely displayed paper-cutting avatar divine ability, having several paper figures work simultaneously!

More frightening was that after finishing his cousin’s accommodations, he gave her a meaningful look.

At that time, Ling’e had confirmed…

Senior Brother liked women with stronger builds!

Though Senior Brother’s taste was so unique, completely beyond her expectations, it also made her feel this was truly her Senior Brother!

Though her heart inevitably felt some loss, it was also quite peculiar…

However, ‘bad news’ came one after another.

Li Changshou said: “Ling’e, let Lingli handle the spirit beast enclosure and small lake fish feeding from now on.”

What was this?

How could Ling’e not understand, this was directly dividing most of the power in her hands to give to ‘cousin’!

In her childhood, Ling’e had seen much of the noble family’s backyard affairs, several concubines fighting for a bit of power, smiling on the surface while scheming underneath, all sorts of tactics and methods, she had seen it all…

Who would have thought, she would also have a day of being challenged?

How could Ling’e submit like this?

She made up her mind, carefully dressed up, and brought some rouge and powder, preparing to give them to Sister Xiongxiong as gifts, while also increasing her presence.

But, just as Ling’e walked to the newly built grass hut next door, she heard her Senior Brother and Sister Xiongxiong’s conversation…

“Cousin, must I only call you cousin in the future?”

“Mm, call me this both in public and private.”

“Oh, alright, Lingli will listen to cousin’s words, Lingli can do anything cousin asks!”

Crack!

A small lightning bolt struck behind Ling’e, followed by a gust of northern wind, disturbing her chaotic heartstrings.

Hidden… relationship… can do anything…

She could also do anything for Senior Brother!

Why, why did heaven treat her like this?

Was it really because she was too thin, not strong enough?

Could it be that the sense of security Senior Brother wanted, only women like Sister Xiongxiong could give…

Silently, Ling’e turned back to her grass hut, took out an erhu, and let out a long sigh.

She sat before the door, expression dejected, placing the erhu on her leg, and beginning to play gently…

Start body tempering training tomorrow.

But, how could she train to become like Sister Xiongxiong?

Though not yet begun acting, Ling’e already clearly knew, this time… she really couldn’t do it.

The erhu played a melancholic long tune, her heart scattering like snowflakes.

The laughter and joy next door truly matched that saying—

There’s always only new people’s laughter, who hears the old people’s crying, should one seek clear understanding, or pretend to be confused?

This Little Jade Peak finally had its division of warmth and cold…

“Why such a sad tune, not happy I’m back?”

Suddenly hearing a light laugh outside the grass hut, Li Changshou had already settled Xiong Lingli, walking over with hands behind his back.

“No… I’ll change…”

Ling’e lowered her head responding, then took out an ‘earthen ocarina’, and gently took a breath, playing out… a sense of heaven and earth’s desolation.

Li Changshou smiled without speaking, sitting in his exclusive circle chair in Ling’e’s room, raising his hand to activate the formations around Ling’e’s grass hut.

Li Changshou asked: “During my absence from the mountain, were you diligent in cultivation.”

“Quite diligent,” Ling’e sniffed, bit her lip, showing a forced smile, “Senior Brother…”

Li Changshou calmly said: “Lingli is not my cousin, she has barbarian blood and counts as one of my subordinates. Other matters, you need not ask much, when the time is right, I will let you know a little.”

Ling’e tilted her head and blinked, several question marks hanging on her forehead…

Subordinate?

She whispered: “Senior Brother, are you secretly building a new force behind the sect’s back?”

“Don’t speak nonsense!”

Li Changshou glared at her, rebuking irritably.

Was he building a new force?

He was being forced to operate, having no choice but to make the Sea God Sect his direct force!

“Lingli has barbarian blood with innate divine strength, likes to eat meat and blood, but has decent self-control.

I let her manage the spirit beast enclosure and will raise some fast-growing spirit beasts there, so she won’t need to hunt outside.

Later you can teach her how to sow seeds and grow vegetables, thus reducing spirit beast consumption.”

Li Changshou thought for a moment, then reminded: “Also, even if you become familiar with Lingli, you must always keep some distance from her in daily life, always be careful.

Sometimes when she gets excited, one pat could seriously injure you.”

Ling’e privately clicked her tongue, “Is she that frightening?”

“She’s more frightening when activating her bloodline divine abilities,” Li Changshou deliberately scared Ling’e, then smiled, “However, when she grows up, she can also protect you and Master, though this will naturally take a long time.”

Wait!

Ling’e blinked, hearing Senior Brother’s meaning…

Could it be she had misunderstood something again?

Li Changshou smiled: “Just now seeing me build a grass hut for her, did you have any thoughts?”

Ling’e hurriedly said: “No, no thoughts.”

Li Changshou smiled narrowing his eyes, taking out a spirit paper from his sleeve, skillfully cutting it into a small paper figure.

Then, Li Changshou blew a breath at the paper figure, casually throwing it out. This paper figure somersaulted in the air, landing before Ling’e, and transforming into a small child.

This paper child took a horse stance, constantly shouting “Ha, Hey, Ha,” small hands continuously throwing straight punches forward.

Ling’e immediately watched with admiration…

Li Changshou smiled: “How is it?”

“Senior Brother, this is so fun!”

Fun… fun?

This was the main divine ability for killing, cremation, and funeral services all in one!

“Come here, today I’ll pass on the paper-cutting avatar method to you, in the future you can also… make a paper figure band or something.”

He had wanted to give her more combat ability, but felt if Ling’e needed to face enemies, this bit of divine ability would be useless.

“Pass… to me?” Ling’e asked startled.

“Otherwise, who else would I pass it to?” Li Changshou immediately smiled narrowing his eyes, “Do you think I’ll take disciples in the future, or let Master take another junior brother or sister?”

Ling’e was first stunned, then smiled happily, putting hands behind her back, and taking two steps forward to the table and chairs.

“Senior Brother this is what you said, I want to be the only junior sister!”

Li Changshou smiled without speaking, beckoning her forward…

Taking out some spare paper, first explaining this divine ability’s basic principles, then speaking of paper figure cutting and power bestowing methods, also passing on basic training methods for multitasking;

Of course, how to select and collect spirit tree sap was also an essential process.

Sunlight shone through the window into the room…

The young Daoist sitting in the circle chair speaking continuously, patiently explaining divine ability mysteries.

The beautiful young woman in a gauze dress sitting in the circle chair on the other side of the table;

Her body leaning, jade arm propping on the table, right hand supporting her chin, sometimes listening attentively, secretly distracted, unable to resist closely looking at her Senior Brother’s face…

And always being discovered by Senior Brother, who would raise his hand to tap her forehead several times.

Li Changshou said seriously: “Listen carefully, if you can’t learn it within three days, you’ll be punished with copying both the ‘Stability Scripture’ and ‘Supreme Opening Enlightenment Scripture’ a thousand times!”

Ling’e immediately shuddered, hurriedly collecting her thoughts to listen carefully.

The Stability Scripture was fine, but the Opening Enlightenment Scripture was truly a Human Sect dao inheritance scripture, with over ten thousand characters… they say.

Meanwhile;

At the intersection of the South Sea and East Sea, the Severing Sect’s famous dwelling Golden Turtle Island.

Ao Yi, who was preparing his grand wedding and accompanying his bride-to-be, escorted by dragon race experts, hurriedly returned to the island.

No choice, as Master Black Cloud Immortal summoned, how dare he delay a step.

However, what Ao Yi didn’t expect was that just as he returned to Golden Turtle Island, he was enveloped by a beam of golden light;

Before he could make any response, Ao Yi was directly swept away by this golden light, and placed in a hidden cave dwelling.

Fortunately, he recognized this as his master’s cave dwelling…

Before he could see the two figures sitting ahead, Ao Yi heard his master gently asking:

“Disciple, master remembers, you seem to be the South Sea God Sect’s Second Sect Leader?”