In the earthen tunnel, Master Duobao blinked upon hearing Randeng’s words, then broke into silent laughter while repeatedly patting Li Changshou’s back.

“Hahaha, Changgen, you’re something! Quick, what will he say next?”

Li Changshou pondered for a moment. The paper avatar’s spiritual energy was becoming unstable from the patting as he transmitted his voice: “It’s hard to predict exactly what this Senior will say next, but there are two possibilities – either he’ll appeal to emotion, or he’ll use threats and enticements. Most likely it’ll be the former, with the Vice Patriarch speaking about the relationship between the Three Schools and how they’re all one family.”

Master Duobao immediately tilted his ear to listen attentively.

Above the valley, Randeng’s gaze swept across every corner, his Crystal Lamp probing in all directions, yet still finding nothing. After pausing longer this time, seeing the chaos in the valley, Randeng spoke again to test them.

This time when he opened his mouth, Randeng’s voice was like muffled thunder, making the ox demons dizzy. Those below the Golden Immortal realm couldn’t even understand what he was saying.

Li Changshou could hear though. Randeng’s approach was indeed similar to what he had predicted…

Randeng said:

“Nephew Duobao, if this poor Daoist has offended you in the past, please be understanding. The heavenly omens indicate that this treasure has a great destiny with me, and it must not be lost today. The Three Schools were originally one, and the Dao School’s fortunes are rising. This poor Daoist serves as Vice Patriarch of the Enlightened Immortal School, and we have had deep interactions – why must you make things difficult today?”

In the earthen tunnel, Master Duobao turned his head to look at Li Changshou. Behind his smile, he couldn’t help but feel puzzled as he asked with a laugh:

“Changgen, do you have some divine ability to calculate people’s hearts? How did you guess correctly again!”

“Junior is just familiar with these patterns,” Li Changshou replied.

“Patterns?”

“Yes, just some commonly used approaches. In this kind of situation, the Vice Patriarch only has a few patterns he can use. Right now he’s not even sure if we’ve left or not. If he had discovered our tracks, he should first force us to show ourselves, then make threats…”

Li Changshou chuckled softly as he transmitted his voice to explain further to Master Duobao.

Master Duobao kept nodding as he listened. Thinking back to the dozen or so times he had dealt with Randeng before, this great senior brother of the Severing School’s slightly plump face showed traces of annoyance as he transmitted angrily to Li Changshou:

“I’ve truly been played by his patterns too many times! No wonder I always end up at a disadvantage! This Randeng is truly deeply scheming! He’s played me to such an extent, yet still has the face to call me nephew now!”

Hearing this, Li Changshou also felt somewhat awkward.

Master Duobao immediately thought of something and chuckled, saying: “Changgen, don’t overthink it. A junior with an excellent character like you is… brilliantly clever, completely different from this Randeng. Quick, set another trap, let’s see what he’ll say next.”

Li Changshou smiled and continued pondering…

Those skilled in patterns are also skilled in understanding them.

Li Changshou had simply put himself in Randeng’s position, listing out in his mind the few patterns that could be used at this time, and analyzing the possibility of using each pattern.

After Randeng made three to five more probing statements, Li Changshou started having trouble predicting Randeng’s next move. After all, patterns have their limits, and he wasn’t Randeng – their calculating approaches were different.

But Master Duobao was already laughing heartily.

“How refreshing, how refreshing! This is even more satisfying than putting this Vice Patriarch in a sack and giving him a good beating!”

Li Changshou smiled at these words, then frowned in thought and said:

“Senior, hiding here won’t resolve this matter. Since he recognizes Senior’s alms bowl and is so focused on this treasure, he may well head to the Severing Immortal School’s territory next.”

Duobao leaned in close and asked softly: “Changgen, you’re skilled in planning and calculating, just casually come up with an idea to deal with him!”

Li Changshou: …

Did they think he was some Primordial Realm clever star or Three Schools’ Zhuge Shou? Just casually coming up with an idea to deal with Randeng…

Li Changshou had crossed paths with Randeng before and deeply knew this senior’s formidable nature.

Under the intersection of conditions like the ‘Fu Xi Divine Trigrams’ and ‘Duobao’s Chance Encounter’, he had managed to take the Treasure-Falling Copper Coin one step ahead. What Randeng was looking for now was him.

Master Duobao naturally understood this, after all, what he and Li Changshou had obtained in the ox demon valley were just those two copper coins of ‘unknown power’.

But whether out of righteousness or dissatisfaction with Randeng, after his treasure ‘Purple Golden Bowl’ was exposed to Randeng’s eyes, Master Duobao had taken on this karmic burden for Li Changshou…

For this reason, Li Changshou naturally couldn’t just leave.

He was carefully planning, not wanting the Severing Immortal School to suffer losses over this matter and himself to owe a karmic debt to them.

He also didn’t want to expose himself to Randeng and earn even more of his hatred.

The best would be to use the Severing Immortal School’s influence to block Randeng today, otherwise to be safe, he would have to make another trip to Doulu Palace and leave the Treasure-Falling Copper Coin with the Grand Master for safekeeping…

Having calculated all this in his heart, Li Changshou already had a strategy.

He transmitted to Master Duobao:

“In Junior’s opinion, we should observe quietly for now, see if this Vice Patriarch can discover what treasure he’s looking for, then see if he goes to the Severing Immortal School’s domain. If he doesn’t even know what treasure he’s seeking, just let him make trouble as he pleases. Senior, if Junior may be so bold, I have a small pattern to offer.”

Master Duobao’s sleeves trembled, “Heh, quickly tell me!”

Li Changshou transmitted his explanation about how to firmly deny everything and turn the tables, speaking of facing reality and letting evidence speak for itself.

Like this and that, such and such.

Master Duobao kept nodding as he listened, his thick brows and large eyes full of ‘kindness’.

After another moment, Li Changshou relaxed slightly, his mind settling…

For no other reason than the three Golden Immortal realm ox demons flying to Randeng’s face to report their earlier inventory.

They had discovered that nothing was missing from the valley, nor were any treasures missing from the treasury – just that many treasures’ positions were slightly shifted.

Randeng frowned slightly and gave a light snort. With a slight flow of Dao rhythm, the three Golden Immortal realm ox demons simultaneously spat blood, falling from the sky heavily injured.

Duobao…

Randeng slowly narrowed his eyes, revealing hints of hesitation and contemplation.

Soon, Randeng continued down… the path Li Changshou had predicted.

“Since nephew refuses to show himself,” Randeng said calmly, “then this poor Daoist will go find other Severing Immortal School sage disciples and have a good discussion about today’s matter!”

After speaking, Randeng rode his cloud swiftly southeast, disappearing in an instant.

In the earthen tunnel, Master Duobao gave Li Changshou a thumbs up, then pulled him along to leave through the tunnel, secretly following behind Randeng.

Speaking of Master Duobao’s tunnel-digging divine ability, it was truly extraordinary.

This wasn’t escape arts, nor space-time techniques, but rather taking ‘digging tunnels’ to the extreme.

This earthen tunnel didn’t exist within heaven and earth, yet was attached to heaven and earth. It was quite similar to how the Grand Master used the Taiji Diagram to walk outside the Five Elements and then jump back between them.

Perhaps this was what it meant to be a master in the specialized field of digging…

Truly unmatched.

After Randeng, Duobao, and Li Changshou’s Golden Immortal realm paper avatar left;

In the ox demon valley, in that unremarkable wooden house.

A hand slowly emerged from the ground, flicked its fingers, and tossed two ordinary copper coins from the mortal world of Jambudvipa into that child’s cloth bundle.

Afterward, this hand was surrounded by flames, instantly turning to ash and merging with the earth, leaving not a trace of energy behind.

…

“Where is he going?”

Just moments after leaving the ox demon valley, in the deep seabed, the tunnel-digging Duobao stared at the copper mirror in his hand and asked puzzledly.

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Looking in this direction, he should be heading to Golden Tortoise Island.”

“Seems so,” Duobao frowned slightly and said, “Today two fellow disciples on Golden Tortoise Island are hosting a feast for guests to formally become Dao partners. Uh, they even invited me to witness it. When I left, I caught the scent of a treasure about to emerge and forgot about this matter.”

Li Changshou: …

Master Duobao laughed and said: “There’s no help for their celebration being disturbed today, I’ll just give them more gifts later.”

Li Changshou felt quite emotional about this.

It must be that when Severing Immortal School cultivators become Dao partners, they actively invite this great senior brother of the school to be their marriage witness.

The gifts certainly won’t be lacking!

Along the way, tunneling under the sea in hot pursuit of Randeng, before long Golden Tortoise Island appeared in the distance.

Randeng still maintained his fierce momentum, as if someone had stolen his Crystal Lamp or taken his natal cabinet.

Before reaching Golden Tortoise Island, Randeng withdrew most of his pressure and called out to the island: “Are there any disciples of the Sage Master here? Please come out to meet this poor Daoist!”

The Severing Immortal School immortals on the island were immediately startled. From a bustling great hall, hundreds of figures quickly flew out, with many more watching from where they stood.

“Isn’t that Enlightened Immortal School’s Vice Patriarch Randeng?”

“What’s he doing here? I don’t recall inviting such a senior to observe the ceremony.”

“Even if we wanted to invite him, we’d need to be able to move him to come. His arrival here must be unusual!”

In the earthen tunnel, Li Changshou and Duobao exchanged glances.

The latter said: “You predicted correctly again, Changgen. Wait here for a moment while I go approach the island from a different direction and have a little encounter with him!”

The former clasped his hands and said: “Senior, may victory be yours from the start!”

“Wahahahaha!”

Master Duobao laughed heartily several times, then with a turn of his body and a thought, a deep tunnel appeared before him.

Tunnels following his heart, movement following the tunnels!

This divine ability was something others couldn’t cultivate even if they tried – pure innate talent.

Shortly after, Duobao arrived a thousand li southeast of Golden Tortoise Island. He changed into a Daoist robe, tidied his hairstyle, and was about to use his divine ability to appear in the high sky while holding his whisk.

Just then, before Duobao could leap up, his divine sense suddenly detected two familiar yet somewhat strange Dao rhythms appearing on Golden Tortoise Island.

And Li Changshou’s transmitted shout had already reached Duobao’s ears through the tunnel—

“Senior, wait! Look at the island!”

Even without Li Changshou’s reminder, Master Duobao had already noticed the changes on the island.

Clouds and mist suddenly rose over Golden Tortoise Island, and white clouds appeared beneath the feet of the hundreds of Severing Immortal School immortals in the sky, subtly protecting them.

As the clouds and mist slowly dispersed, a graceful figure flew out from the great hall. The Severing Immortal School immortals retreated to both sides, continuously bowing.

Randeng’s old face showed a trace of compassion as he gazed at the approaching person, but his brows furrowed deeper and deeper.

The newcomer’s stunning beauty needed no description, her slender figure was the pinnacle of grace.

If one had to describe her, one could only speak of her waterfall-like black hair and beautiful cloud-like temples, her plain white dress, and simple shoes, all so appropriate, emanating elegance, beauty, refinement, and gentleness.

Li Changshou couldn’t help but murmur: “Why is Fairy here?”

And Master Duobao, a thousand li away, also hummed thoughtfully and frowned: “Why have Junior Sisters Yunxiao and Qiongxiao, who rarely leave home, come here?”

“Changgen,” Master Duobao transmitted, “should I appear now?”

“No rush, Senior,” Li Changshou transmitted back. “Let Senior Yunxiao handle this. Senior, if you appear at the crucial moment, the effect should be better.”

Master Duobao immediately nodded, looking at Yunxiao’s back. He couldn’t help but show a bitter smile and complained to Li Changshou:

“Why isn’t Brother Zhao here… When this Junior Sister Yunxiao starts lecturing people, I can’t handle it…”

Li Changshou recalled the power of that ‘kneel’ command on Three Immortal Island and couldn’t help but smile.

Speaking of Fairy Yunxiao, she arrived before the crowd of Severing Immortal School immortals, three to four hundred zhang from Randeng. She first made a slight Daoist bow, then directly questioned him.

Her voice was neither cold nor warm, neither light nor heavy, ethereal yet gentle and moving:

“Vice Patriarch Randeng’s sudden visit – may I ask what brings you here?”

Randeng said coldly: “The good deeds of your Senior Brother!”

“Senior Brother?” Yunxiao said calmly. “Has Senior Brother Duobao somehow offended you?”

“Hmph!” Randeng scolded, “He relied on his treasure-seeking divine ability to forcefully snatch my destined precious treasure! If this poor Daoist had been half a step later, I fear I wouldn’t even have seen his shadow!”

“Oh?”

Hearing these words, Yunxiao’s beautiful brows slightly furrowed.

If it had been any other of the Eight Great Disciples of the Severing Immortal School, seeing Randeng speak so righteously, they would truly have believed that Senior Brother Duobao had snatched away Randeng’s destiny, causing this Vice Patriarch Randeng to explode in fury.

But Yunxiao merely hummed softly and calmly asked three questions.

“I don’t know the specifics of this matter, but words cannot be spoken thus. May I ask Vice Patriarch Randeng, was this treasure snatched from your hands by Senior Brother Duobao?”

Randeng’s brows furrowed slightly, while Yunxiao was already calculating in front of him, her delicate fingers moving gently.

Randeng said: “Though it hadn’t passed through my hands, that treasure was indeed destined for me!”

Yunxiao asked again: “If so, did the Vice Patriarch know where this treasure was beforehand, yet hadn’t gone to retrieve it?”

“Correct!” Randeng said calmly. “I knew where that treasure was long ago, but as the time wasn’t right for it to emerge, I was waiting patiently.”

“If you knew where it was long ago, why didn’t Vice Patriarch Randeng go there to wait? Why wait until after Senior Brother Duobao went to retrieve it before coming here to assign blame?”

Yunxiao asked softly, her words unhurried and composed.

Before Randeng could answer, Yunxiao added lightly:

“Vice Patriarch Randeng, these are no longer ancient times. One cannot simply see a treasure and claim destiny with it as an excuse to snatch it. Speaking of destiny, if the treasure has already fallen into my Senior Brother Duobao’s hands, surely his destiny with it is deeper. Why must Vice Patriarch Randeng be so aggressive?”

Just as Randeng was about to counter, Li Changshou, in the earthen tunnel, transmitted instructions to Master Duobao:

“Time to appear, Senior. Senior Yunxiao is truly formidable. At this moment, Senior, you need only one sentence to settle everything!”

“Hahahaha!”

Master Duobao laughed heartily several times, his form flashed, and he appeared in the high clouds, then instantly arrived above Golden Tortoise Island, landing before Yunxiao.

“Many thanks to Junior Sister Yunxiao for arguing these points. I’ve been listening from the side for a while. Vice Patriarch Randeng, I have one question. If you can answer it, we can continue discussing today’s treasure matter!”

Wariness immediately appeared in Randeng’s eyes, but he still calmly asked: “What question?”

Duobao chuckled, “What exactly is this treasure Vice Patriarch Randeng speaks of?”

Randeng said: “Naturally it’s something destined for this poor Daoist!”

“Heh!”

A light laugh came from behind Yunxiao – it was Qiongxiao stepping forward.

Qiongxiao laughed: “Vice Patriarch Randeng if you don’t even know what it is, how did you know where it was? I suspect you happened to pass by and saw Senior Brother Duobao searching for treasure, then grew covetous at the sight. Oh my, my big brother’s marvelous technique of ‘falling at a touch’ really can’t compare to Vice Patriarch Randeng’s thick skin.”

Randeng’s face instantly turned as black as a pot bottom.

He slowly nodded, knowing today’s matter couldn’t be achieved, yet showed no anger at all, only saying:

“If that’s the case, this poor Daoist will remember this. I shall report to the Patriarch later and return to seek an explanation from you all!”

After speaking, Randeng turned his cloud and left, leaving behind threatening words as he retreated…

Master Duobao watched Randeng’s retreating figure, his face beaming as he stood with his hands behind his back, his spirit extremely relaxed.

After Randeng had gone far, a wisp of cloud and mist enveloped Golden Tortoise Island, temporarily isolating it.

“Senior Brother?”

Yunxiao’s voice came from behind, making Duobao instinctively shudder. His smile immediately turned slightly bitter as he slowly turned his head to look.

Just as Yunxiao was about to speak, Master Duobao’s hand moved swiftly. With a swish of his sleeve and a wave of his left hand, the scene before Li Changshou in the earthen tunnel swayed.

In a turn of heaven and earth, Li Changshou appeared at Master Duobao’s side, his arm grabbed by Master Duobao.

Master Duobao smiled and said:

“Look quickly, Junior Sister Yunxiao! This time, heh, your Senior Brother has found a treasure!”