The days of cultivation always passed so swiftly—in the blink of an eye, several years had gone by.

When Li Changshou said he would seclude himself for twelve years, it wasn’t a random number.

The state of ascension couldn’t be maintained for too long. After all, it involved direct contact with the Great Dao, being the rarest opportunity for cultivators. Li Changshou estimated he could maintain it for three or four years at most.

This would already be quite remarkable.

However, what Li Changshou hadn’t expected was that his accumulation before this tribulation… was truly substantial enough.

The state of ascension lasted for exactly seven years!

In the first year of seclusion, he had already reached his expected goal, advancing from the first grade of the Golden Immortal realm to the second grade;

Afterward, he fell into comprehension of the Dao, unable to stop for a long time.

What is [Dao]?

This certainly couldn’t be simply explained with the four words ‘laws of nature’;

At this point, what Li Changshou needed most to comprehend was, ironically, this simplest of questions.

Fortunately, he wasn’t completely without direction. The advantages of the Saint’s Dao inheritance in cultivation methods were fully demonstrated after reaching the Golden Immortal realm.

—The path ahead had been pointed out by the Supreme Clarity Dao!

Besides this, Li Changshou could also use other methods to ‘approach indirectly’ and ‘prove from the side.’

Li Changshou had some vague impressions of certain scientific theories from his previous life, such as how some unobservable particles could be studied through their [interactions] with other observable particles…

This kind of thinking could be applied to comprehending the Dao.

Li Changshou didn’t know what was happening outside the Mixed Origin Golden Dipper, but he could still maintain some connection with his paper avatars through his divine soul…

Little Jade Peak should be fine, as the paper avatar hiding beside his junior sister and master showed no abnormalities.

The placard he wrote and the notes he left should have been successfully seen by East Wood Lord and Ao Yi, and neither the Heavenly Court nor Dragon Palace had disturbed his cultivation.

However, the longer the seclusion, the greater the possible variables that could appear outside.

The twelve-year period Li Changshou had set for himself naturally couldn’t have any delays.

Nine years passed in a flash…

Li Changshou fully embraced the multiple insights after breaking through the Golden Immortal tribulation, and the Dao fruit born from his Supreme Ultimate foundation could truly be called incredibly abundant.

He felt somewhat embarrassed about continuously freeloading in Immortal Lady Yunxiao’s treasure, though staying here was peaceful and comfortable, it wasn’t a long-term solution.

Thus, he began comprehending the Golden Immortal’s advanced version of his self-created technique [Turtle Breathing and Qi Settling Scripture].

Always calling it the improved version didn’t seem quite appropriate;

While making major advancements to this self-created technique for concealing and simulating qi, he also gave it a new name—

[Golden Turtle Qi Settling Scripture]!

Mm, the emphasis was on the two words ‘settling qi’.

After entering the Golden Immortal realm, improving such a technique wasn’t easy, because this technique was already quite excellent, able to deceive ordinary Golden Immortals’ detection when he was still in the Heavenly Immortal realm.

But under Li Changshou’s wholehearted dedication and effort in contemplation, he opened up several new approaches, pushing this technique forward another big step…

The principle of the Heavenly Immortal version of the [Turtle Scripture] only started from his Dao body and divine soul, simulating different qi fluctuations to achieve the effect of confusing both enemies and allies.

But for experts like the Great Master and Immortal Lady Yunxiao, who could see through his Dao at a glance, this level of disguise was like frosted glass.

Though it appeared blurry, they could roughly tell what was behind it at a glance.

Now, Li Changshou started from the [Dao], relying on the Golden Immortal realm’s deeper comprehension of the Great Dao, completely concealing his own [Dao]!

As for how effective it was, Li Changshou could ask Senior Yunxiao once he left the Mixed Origin Golden Dipper.

What is one’s root?

Only what’s hidden can be called a root; what’s exposed to others should be called a resume.

In a place like the Primordial World, full of dangers and encounters, if one’s root was known to all, then one wouldn’t be far from death.

Of course, on this foundation, Li Changshou still needed to maintain enough trump cards to deal with the more complex situations that would arise in the future…

Overall, Li Changshou’s current ability to protect himself had indeed risen significantly.

Well, when facing Saints or Great Abilities, his survival rate had increased from one in a thousand to one in a hundred, truly a qualitative leap…

Seven years of ascension, two years of consolidation;

For the last three years, Li Changshou devoted himself entirely to the [Golden Turtle Qi Settling Scripture] and took advantage of the final opportunity to strengthen two escape techniques.

The prioritized escape techniques were naturally still earth escape and water escape.

Like lightning escape, which had rendered great service during the tribulation, its ‘versatility’ and frequency of use weren’t very high, far less important than prioritizing earth and water escape to improve the survival rate of his main body and paper avatars.

Of course, he would develop it, adhering to the principle of prioritizing escape techniques—this wouldn’t waver even in ten thousand years!

Additionally, the Great Master had a Heaven and Earth escape technique, which Li Changshou kept in mind.

Later, if he had any merit and the Great Master wanted to reward him, he could get this technique to cultivate, further increasing his safety coefficient.

The Golden Immortal realm should have some different pursuits!

Heaven and Earth could be simply understood as ‘space’, though this explanation was somewhat one-sided.

The Heaven and Earth escape technique directly traversed space, achieving targeted teleportation, which would be very difficult for ordinary Golden Immortals to cultivate.

The reason why the ‘brick-throwing’ trend prevailed in the Primordial World was closely related to the scarcity and difficulty of mastering high-level divine abilities, while ordinary spiritual treasures could demonstrate decent power just by being slightly refined after obtaining them…

When the twelve-year period was up, Li Changshou decided to end his seclusion, unable to continue staying in the Mixed Origin Golden Dipper.

Moreover, while in the Mixed Origin Golden Dipper, his connection with the paper avatars was very weak, staying here always made him somewhat uneasy…

Before leaving, Li Changshou adjusted the [Golden Turtle Qi Settling Scripture].

[Deep Disguise]: Second Grade Golden Immortal;

[Middle Disguise]: Early Stage Heavenly Immortal;

[Light Disguise]: Mid-Stage True Immortal;

[Outer Disguise]: Second Level Primary Immortal.

The identity of an ordinary Primary Immortal disciple of the Duc Immortal Sect remained quite important to Li Changshou at this time.

After all, whether one was a Golden Immortal or not only made a slight difference in how it felt when a Saint’s finger came crashing down.

Before becoming a Golden Immortal, when a Saint Lord’s finger pressed down, it probably felt like [nothing at all].

Now…

It probably would feel [slightly harder].

Before reaching a strength where he could initially protect himself, the three identities of Duc Immortal Sect disciple, Orthodox Unity School’s minor law master, and Sea God still needed to be kept separate, with the latter two serving as cover for the first.

After checking his condition three more times, inspecting the jade fragments, copper coins, and other small objects he had already re-equipped years ago, and repairing the Barbarian tribe’s secret talismans inscribed on his Dao body…

The anti-divination work couldn’t be neglected either.

After completing these tasks, Li Changshou called out to his surroundings:

“Many thanks for Senior’s assistance!

Please let this disciple out, this disciple is fine now!”

“You’re done?”

Yunxiao’s gentle voice came through, immediately lifting Li Changshou’s spirits, making his whole body feel quite comfortable.

Shortly after, a beam of light appeared in this place that hadn’t seen daylight, and Li Changshou keenly sensed a strand of gentle immortal power wrapping around him, pulling him out of this place…

The slightly salty sea breeze hit his face, and the sound of waves hitting reef rocks and seagulls spreading their wings and crying out was surprisingly melodious.

Looking at the azure sea before him, the blue sky, and the white clouds, Li Changshou felt extremely familiar.

He immediately turned around and made a deep Daoist bow to Immortal Lady Yunxiao, who was rising from her meditation cushion at the side…

Li Changshou couldn’t help but imagine Yunxiao accompanying the Mixed Origin Golden Dipper, sitting on this beach, watching the sunrise and moonset, and feeling somewhat moved in his heart.

“Have you stabilized your Dao comprehension?”

Yunxiao asked gently, “Just over ten years is truly too brief.

I know you, friend, are busy with many matters, but personal cultivation should be the most important.”

“It has stabilized,” Li Changshou smiled and said, “Staying at Senior’s place for so long was somewhat improper.

Has the Great Master returned?”

“Indeed, Senior Brother Xuandu returned to Doushuai Palace that day, entrusting you to me.”

Yunxiao nodded slightly, her eyes carrying a hint of playfulness as she carefully examined Li Changshou, smiling and saying, “This should be our first real meeting, friend.”

Li Changshou: …

He had forgotten to apply his charm-reducing aura.

“Well, this disciple moves about using avatars, and there are many hidden circumstances, please don’t blame me, Senior.”

“Mm, I had made up my mind that if you came out still in that elderly appearance, I would directly throw you off the island.”

Li Changshou immediately gave a dry laugh.

“Just joking,” Yunxiao looked elsewhere, “Previously you helped my siblings and me, this time I repaid your kindness by protecting your seclusion, from now on we can consider our karma settled.”

Li Changshou immediately understood Yunxiao’s meaning, though slightly dejected, he knew this was a good thing.

Li Changshou hurriedly said: “Senior’s words are too heavy, this disciple still must thank Senior for protecting my seclusion.”

Yunxiao continued: “It’s nothing, when the Great Master left that day, he advised us three sisters not to spread matters concerning you, to avoid bringing you trouble.

You now work for the Heavenly Court, constantly engaging with the Western Faction, it’s indeed not easy.

I have already agreed to this and advised my two sisters, you need not worry.”

Our Great Master is truly thoughtful!

“If that’s the case, Junior shall take his leave,” Li Changshou made another Daoist bow, again thanking Yunxiao for protecting his seclusion.

Yunxiao frankly accepted this bow.

At this point, Li Changshou rode a cloud and turned around, heading out of the island.

He had originally wanted to ask Yunxiao if she could see through his realm, but couldn’t find an appropriate context, so had to give up.

“Friend…”

Yunxiao suddenly called out softly.

Li Changshou immediately turned around, bowing slightly in disciple’s etiquette, saying: “Please instruct, Senior.”

“If you have free time, you may also come to Three Immortals Island for a brief visit,” Yunxiao said indifferently, “The Great Master praised your wisdom endlessly, I also wish to discuss the Dao with you, to see if there might be any insights.”

Li Changshou’s heart immediately felt puzzled, but he quickly smiled and answered ‘Next time’, bid farewell to Yunxiao again, and turned to fly towards the sea.

This wasn’t Three Immortals Island, but should be not far from it;

Li Changshou used wind escape, his form drifting with the wind, in the blink of an eye flying several thousand li towards the mortal world of the Southern Continent.

The detour was only to avoid the ‘war zone’ where the sea tribes and dragon clan were fighting, to avoid any trouble.

Li Changshou’s heart was filled with many uncertainties.

Just now during the farewell, Yunxiao suddenly called him back…

This…

Didn’t match Yunxiao’s personality.

She didn’t want to be entangled in karma, and knew the harm of karma;

This time protecting his seclusion was considered repaying the previous favor, ending the karma between them, which seemed completely reasonable to Li Changshou.

But why did she suddenly call him back at the end, giving him a reason to freely enter and exit Three Immortals Island?

Such an invitation was no small matter…

Three Immortals Island wasn’t somewhere a mere Golden Immortal could visit at will…

Could there be some scheme?

Li Changshou pondered deeply, trying to analyze and consider Yunxiao’s perspective, but the conclusions he reached were either illogical or unreasonable.

Never mind, wait and see what happens.

Such a high person’s actions must have their reasons.

Li Changshou flew thirty thousand li, immediately found a small island to hide, and checked the treasure pouches on his body. Some pouches were damaged during the heavenly tribulation, but fortunately, he had backups.

During this half-day, Li Changshou did three things.

First was to disguise himself, hiding his true form within a paper avatar, which he would use to return to the Duc Immortal Sect later.

Then, he communicated with Ao Yi through divine sense, inquiring about changes in the Four Seas during his seclusion, and mentioned to Ao Yi about that batch of divine positions awarded by the Heavenly Court, asking Ao Yi to notify the Dragon Clan in advance to determine their candidate dragons.

His Majesty’s edict should be ready soon;

After returning to the Duc Immortal Sect, he would use a paper avatar to pay respects to the Jade Emperor and visit Tongming Hall.

The third thing…

Li Changshou actively contacted his junior sister.

He was worried that during his absence of over ten years, Ling’e might be too eager for success and attempt immortal ascension too early.

But what Li Changshou hadn’t expected was that when he activated the paper avatar beside Ling’e, what he heard was…

“Bang!”

“Haha, I’ve won again! This senior aunt wins again!”

In Little Jade Peak’s newly renovated royal card room, Ling’e, Jiuyu, Jiang Lin’er, and Xiong Lingli were laughing continuously, neglecting their proper duties, without any hint of worry or concern in the atmosphere.

Li Changshou: …

If it weren’t for the fact that Ling’e’s cultivation realm was already at the seventh level of returning to Dao, matching Li Changshou’s expectations, he would have directly jumped out to give Ling’e a unique persuasive education.

Senior Aunt Jiuyu had steadily entered the Heavenly Immortal realm, becoming the member with the second highest cultivation realm in Little Jade Peak’s high-level foodie group, second only to Little Ancestral Master Jiang Lin’er.

Li Changshou took advantage of them shuffling cards to transmit a message to Ling’e:

“I’m back, all is well, don’t worry.”

Ling’e’s beautiful eyes widened, and she unconsciously stood up, in her excitement knocking over the chair behind her, then covered her cherry lips with her hand, turning around to search for Li Changshou’s figure.

Li Changshou said: “Still on the way, don’t expose anything, continue playing.”

Jiuyu also puzzledly asked: “What’s wrong with you, Ling’e? Run out of spirit stones? Senior aunt can give you some, don’t cry!”

“No-nothing.”

Ling’e quickly calmed down, complaining: “Senior brother is really something, going into seclusion for so long, I just had an auditory hallucination, thinking I heard him calling me.”

Jiuyu giggled, winking as she said: “Could it be you miss him, miss him desperately?”

Ling’e’s cheeks turned red, but she gently nodded, giving a soft “mm” sound, frankly admitting it, leaving Jiuyu unable to continue teasing.

Jiang Lin’er touched her cards while consoling: “After becoming immortal, seclusion naturally takes longer. A cultivator’s dao companion can’t be like mortal couples, sticking together day and night.”

Xiong Lingli nodded heavily beside them: “And mortal couples have to knock their children unconscious every night, it’s quite different from mountain cultivator couples!”

Jiuyu and Jiang Lin’er burst out laughing at this, while Ling’e blinked, looking completely confused.

Li Changshou listened for a while, his mood becoming much more relaxed, then withdrew his immortal consciousness and closed the paper avatar, his consciousness returning to his main body.

Time to head back.

To be safe, Li Changshou summoned a paper avatar, carefully controlling this avatar to leave the desolate island first.

This paper avatar took the form of a young maiden, using water escape to head northwest, which made…

Made a certain pair of sister flowers secretly watching the place simultaneously tilt their heads.

“Is it him?”

“That’s an avatar, definitely one of those paper people, his main body should be hidden within this paper person.”

“Let’s go, we’ll wait for him ahead, got the dragon-binding rope?”

“Got it, got it.”

“Remember, we must use full force later, this guy is really slippery, he’ll slip away if we’re not careful.”

“Mm! Mm!”