Found a treasure…

Before Li Changshou could make a sarcastic remark, starlight flickered in Yunxiao’s eyes.

Yunxiao seemed to be asking ‘how is it you again,’ questioning why he was once again connected with Senior Brother Duobao, and how he came to be grabbed and brought here.

“Meeting the two Fairies again,” Li Changshou said, though caught off guard, he knew he couldn’t let the Severing Immortal School’s great ones develop any misgivings about him. He made a Daoist bow to Yunxiao and Qiongxiao, saying: “This matter is quite complicated and winding – please allow me to explain in detail later.”

Yunxiao gently nodded, her gaze ultimately revealing some tenderness.

However, Qiongxiao, ‘who doesn’t deserve a descriptive introduction,’ snorted and said: “Who are you? Have we met before?”

“One moment, please.”

Li Changshou smiled awkwardly and pulled out a paper avatar from his sleeve, transforming into the elderly immortal appearance he used as [Sea God].

This paper avatar, bearing the appearance of a middle-aged Daoist, turned into paper form and slipped into the elderly immortal’s sleeve.

Li Changshou made another Daoist bow, saying: “Please forgive me, Fairy.”

Beside him, Master Duobao immediately examined Li Changshou’s paper avatar with great interest, while Yunxiao also revealed a slight smile.

Qiongxiao, however, held her forehead with one hand, her lips twitching slightly. “Oh, it’s you again, little one who likes to play old.”

“What’s this?” Master Duobao laughed. “You all know each other?”

Qiongxiao snorted and replied: “The Sea God is quite familiar with our Three Immortal Island, and all four of us siblings have received much care from the Sea God. Big Sister even personally guarded his closed cultivation for twelve years. Senior Brother, do you think we know each other or not?”

Guarded closed cultivation for twelve years?

Wow!

Master Duobao’s large eyes instantly lit up with mischief!

“Third Sister, don’t speak like that,” Yunxiao said gently. “Sea God Friend and us four siblings have quite a karmic connection, and receiving Sea God Friend’s care is indeed true. Let’s go down to talk, we shouldn’t keep our fellow disciples waiting long.”

“Good,” Master Duobao nodded in agreement.

Li Changshou said: “Then Junior will take his leave…”

“Hey! Leave what?” Master Duobao immediately reached out and grabbed the arm of Li Changshou’s paper avatar. “Changgen, what are you running from? Since you’re here, you must join in the festivities! Moreover, what if Vice Patriarch Randeng ambushes you on the road? With your insufficient divine power and limited treasures, how would this avatar handle it? Come, come, let’s go down for some tea and wine. I have so many patterns I want to discuss with you in detail. Wait until you’re full of food and wine before taking your leave. Since Junior Sister Yunxiao is here, she can escort you back to the Heavenly Court, and you won’t need to fear Randeng.”

Li Changshou looked toward Fairy Yunxiao, seeing her smiling and nodding, and couldn’t continue declining.

So he made a Daoist bow and followed behind Master Duobao, joining Yunxiao and Qiongxiao as they left the island’s clouds and descended toward the crowd of Severing Immortal School immortals below.

A round of greetings and pleasantries, a few laughing answers to questions.

Smiling faces in all exchanges, immortal talents filling every seat.

The Severing Immortal School immortals were indeed free-spirited and casual.

Since Master Duobao wanted to have a long talk with Li Changshou, Li Changshou was arranged at the main table of this wedding feast, right beside Master Duobao, with Maiden Yunxiao on the other side…

If this were an Enlightened Immortal School banquet, Li Changshou’s generational status wouldn’t even qualify him for the main table.

Just as they sat down, Li Changshou heard a slightly delighted transmitted voice:

“Elder Brother Patriarch! Didn’t you say you were busy earlier!”

Li Changshou turned his head to look and saw his Second Patriarch Ao Yi standing in a corner of the great hall.

Ao Yi immediately wanted to come forward, but seeing who was seated at Li Changshou’s table, he couldn’t help but halt his steps.

The aura was too strong, making the dragon afraid.

Li Changshou transmitted: “I happened to meet Senior Duobao and was brought here. I’ll come find you and Sister-in-law to chat later.”

Ao Yi agreed and returned to his seat, whispering something in Jiang Si’er’s ear. Jiang Si’er also turned to look, her beautiful eyes full of admiration.

Today’s celebration’s two main characters… weren’t important.

The ceremony for becoming Dao partners had already been completed, and when the pair of Severing Immortal School immortals who had become Dao partners came forward, Master Duobao pulled three or four Lesser Celestial Treasures from his sleeve as wedding gifts.

Li Changshou couldn’t fail in propriety either, taking two bottles of spirit pills from his sleeve.

The advantage of the Human Immortal School’s skill in pill refinement became apparent – what Li Changshou considered unremarkable fourth and fifth-grade spirit pills were considered quite substantial gifts in the Severing Immortal School immortals’ eyes.

After presenting the congratulatory gifts, eating at the wedding feast became more justified.

But sitting between Master Duobao and Fairy Yunxiao, Li Changshou truly felt somewhat constrained, not daring to use his chopsticks, only sitting there with a smile, like a clay statue.

Suddenly, transmitted voices entered his ears.

From the left, Fairy Yunxiao asked: “Friend, what is this about?”

From the right, Master Duobao asked: “Changgen, what’s going on between you and Junior Sister Yunxiao?”

Perhaps this was what they called the tacit understanding of great ones.

Li Changshou first replied to Fairy Yunxiao, saying: “I accidentally met Senior Duobao while searching for treasure, and then encountered Vice Patriarch Randeng. The matter is quite complex to explain.”

Then he replied to Master Duobao: “Senior, please don’t misunderstand, I’ve just had a few encounters with Fairy Yunxiao.”

Yunxiao transmitted: “No rush, take your time explaining.”

On the other side, Master Duobao maintained an outwardly calm appearance while secretly chuckling:

“A few encounters? Not quite so simple, I’d say. Just now I noticed that after Junior Sister Yunxiao saw you, not only did her expression change, but her very Dao rhythm became gentle as water, and even her aura changed. What’s this, could you be looking down on Junior Sister Yunxiao? Let me tell you about the Four Demon-Slaying Swords…”

Demon… Slaying…

A herd of primordial giant beasts ran through Li Changshou’s mind.

What nonsense was this?

Was everyone in the Severing Immortal School worried about Fairy Yunxiao not finding a Dao partner? For someone like Fairy Yunxiao, who existed like poetry, like a painting, like the Dao itself, wasn’t the term ‘Dao partner’ an insult to her?

Before Li Changshou could even finish his internal complaints, he was already engaged in ‘left and right transmission.’

Especially when talking with such experts, every sentence had to be carefully considered and weighed, fearing misunderstandings or improper speech.

It would have been fine if it were just one topic.

On one side, Master Duobao was pulling him into frenzied gossip, while Yunxiao was carefully inquiring about today’s matter between Randeng and Duobao.

Before long, Qiongxiao joined in the excitement, asking if he had any new methods lately, and even asking Li Changshou to put in a good word with Fairy Yunxiao to let her and Bixiao go out for some activities.

This was completely different from controlling paper avatars. After just a moment, Li Changshou felt mentally exhausted, almost reaching his limit…

Fortunately, Yunxiao quickly noticed Li Changshou’s unusual state, sensing his slower responses to her and his increased use of “um” and “well” to indicate he was thinking.

Yunxiao asked gently: “Is Master Duobao also transmitting to you?”

“Ah, yes…”

“Why didn’t you say so,” Yunxiao said softly. “You attend to Master Duobao first, don’t be remiss. You and I can talk later.”

Li Changshou felt warmth in his heart, thanked Fairy Yunxiao, and began focusing on transmitting with Duobao, speaking freely.

Half a day later.

Night sky and stars, no trace on the vast sea.

A white cloud flew over the sea, carrying two figures, heading toward the Direction of Crossing Immortal Gate.

Fairy Yunxiao knew Li Changshou’s background. When leaving Golden Tortoise Island earlier, she had driven her cloud carrying Li Changshou toward the Heavenly Court, but halfway there turned toward East Victory Divine Continent.

On the way, Li Changshou held nothing back, explaining how he had received guidance from Senior Fu Xi, went to that valley to search for treasure, accidentally encountered Master Duobao, and under Master Duobao’s care and help, obtained two small copper coins.

Then Randeng arrived, Duobao took him to hide in the earthen tunnel, and they followed him to Golden Tortoise Island.

There was nothing to hide about this matter.

Firstly, Li Changshou hadn’t actively schemed against Duobao;

Secondly, from Li Changshou’s perspective as one who knew what was to come, if the Treasure-Falling Copper Coins fell into Randeng’s hands, the Severing Immortal School would ultimately be the one to suffer.

After listening, Yunxiao thought briefly, then said: “This matter indeed can’t be blamed on you, Vice Patriarch Randeng was truly a bit excessive. Has your paper avatar method broken through to the Golden Immortal realm? This greatly increases your strength, I should congratulate you.”

“Alas…”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, nothing, just thinking of being struck by heavenly punishment before,” Li Changshou sighed softly. “Now I’m wondering if I might have received the attention of the Heavenly Dao Lord. Whether breaking through or refining pills and treasures, I get struck by heavenly punishment, beaten black and blue, but to be safe, I can only feel grateful.”

“Heh…”

Such an ambiguous light laugh?

Li Changshou couldn’t help but look at Yunxiao, seeing her suppressing a smile.

At that moment, starlight reflected off her flawless jade-like skin…

Ahem, karma karma, stay calm stay calm.

Li Changshou raised a red wooden sign in his heart, immediately composing himself, maintaining a state of mind as calm as an ancient well, continuing to chat and laugh with Fairy Yunxiao.

In the misty clouds, mountains, and waters connected.

Li Changshou had never felt Golden Tortoise Island was so close to Crossing Immortal Gate – after just a few hundred sentences worth of conversation, they had already arrived near the mountain gate.

Yunxiao looked at the mountain-protecting grand formation and asked: “Shall I send you into the formation?”

“No need, no need, I can connect with a paper avatar,” Li Changshou made a Daoist bow. “Thank you, Fairy, for escorting me this far.”

Yunxiao slightly bowed, saying: “Then I’ll return to Three Immortal Island to cultivate.”

“Safe journey, Fairy.”

“Mm.”

With that, Fairy Yunxiao turned her cloud and left, her figure disappearing beneath the brilliant stars in an instant.

Li Changshou descended toward the dense forest below, then used earth escape arts, vanishing without a trace.

“Tsk, this karma, how to sever it.”

…

Treasure-Falling Copper Coins, Sea-Calming Divine Needle, Yu the Great’s Flood Control Map, Mutual Longing Treasure Tree, Five Elements Spirit Zhenzhus…

In the underground secret chamber, Li Changshou felt some satisfaction while counting his recently acquired important treasures.

His strength had received quite substantial reinforcement!

However, the Five Elements Spirit Zhenzhus were to be used in Little Jade Peak’s core formation. Although these five pearls together could barely count as Greater Celestial Treasure level items, using them here was somewhat wasteful.

But from another perspective, this also increased the possibilities for Little Jade Peak’s future development.

After all, the Little Jade Peak wandering plan was just the initial stage. The ultimate form should be something like the Heaven-Overturning Seal’s brick-throwing ability, as well as an impregnable mobile cave dwelling.

Yu the Great’s Flood Control Map was exclusive to the Sea God, which would also count as a major trump card for the Golden Immortal realm paper avatar in the future.

No need to mention the Sea-Calming Divine Needle – he couldn’t compete with a monkey for an ear-picking tool. This iron rod was destined for the East Sea, he just needed to figure out how to extract the merit power from it.

What he could use were the Treasure-Falling Copper Coins.

Holding the two coins in his hand, Li Changshou carefully examined them. The text and patterns that should have been on the copper coins were now somewhat blurred.

Rubbing gently with his finger, he found this layer similar to ‘patina’ was mundane turbidity accumulated over years and months.

Just as Master Duobao had said, he only needed to nourish it with his merit for the treasure to regain its brilliance.

Li Changshou hummed thoughtfully, deciding to steady himself first, waiting until his next visit to burn incense for the Sage Lord before taking them to the Heavenly Court to be consecrated with merit.

By rights, Randeng shouldn’t be able to sense them anymore, but to be safe…

“Senior Brother?”

Ling’e’s soft call came from outside the pill room.

The paper avatar guarding the pill room immediately stood up and called Ling’e: “Follow my guidance and use transformation arts to enter through this small hole.”

“Alright,” Ling’e agreed without hesitation, following his instructions.

Soon, the wooden door of the underground secret chamber was gently pushed open, and Ling’e curiously looked around before stepping in with light feet.

“Senior Brother, what is it?”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “Your tribulation is approaching, there are some things I should tell you.”

Then, the wooden door closed, and Li Changshou pointed in front, making a round chair appear behind the desk.

Ling’e came gracefully forward. Though wearing her usual light makeup, perhaps because her tribulation was approaching, she emanated a sense of being both illusory and real.

For the next period of time, Li Changshou would not go running east and west but would focus on staying by his junior sister’s side, helping her smoothly pass her tribulation and ascend to immortality.

If there could be an ascension event, that would be even better.

But this couldn’t be forced.

“Ling’e, how much do you know about our Human Immortal School.”

Ling’e blinked, her long eyelashes fluttering, her fair face inexplicably gaining some blush.

Mentioning the Human Immortal School must mean the custom of Dao partners…

She bit her lower lip and asked softly: “Senior Brother, is this place very hidden, impossible for others to detect?”

“Indeed, this is within Little Jade Peak’s formation boundary. Currently, the formation keeps upgrading – even ordinary Golden Immortals couldn’t find this place without dismantling this mountain.”

Ling’e’s pretty face instantly turned red. She pressed her lips together, with white mist threatening to overflow from her head, not knowing what thoughts were running through her mind…

Li Changshou silently took out two sets of stone tablets and carving knives, placing one set before Ling’e and one before himself.

“Come then, today your brother has also done some imprudent things outside, just right to accept punishment together with you. Four thousand five hundred repetitions each.”

“Cough!”

Ling’e’s breath trembled as she looked at her Senior Brother pitifully, saying in a wronged tone: “Senior Brother, of my self-imposed punishments, only about nine hundred repetitions remain…”

“I need to write nine thousand times.”

“Hehe, Senior Brother, I’ll help you write half!”

“Mm, remember to add the nine hundred to it. I’ll write four thousand five hundred, you write five thousand four hundred. Let’s begin.”

Ling’e’s eyes immediately filled with tears, while Li Changshou smiled with narrowed eyes, already lowering his head to pick up the carving knife and begin his careful engraving.

“Focus on writing, concentrate your thoughts, don’t think too much. I will help you enhance your foundation once, giving you an extra half measure of assurance.”

“Then Senior Brother, can you remove those concealment techniques from yourself…”

“This time yes, but it won’t be allowed again.”

Li Changshou nodded and dispersed the several layers of techniques from his body.