Early morning, after spending the night busy in the pill-refining room, Li Changshou returned to the vicinity of the thatched cottage.

Before getting close, he caught a whiff of a faint wine fragrance. His spiritual sense swept through his junior sister’s room, and he couldn’t help but hold his head in his hands.

Better to… take a detour…

Though the scene in the cottage was quite something at the moment.

Various ‘Simulating Immortal Life’ tokens were scattered on the ground, along with the ‘playing cards’ he had made for his junior sister years ago.

— These cards were actually quite luxurious, made with the special paper Li Changshou used for his ‘paper people’, with raw materials from a treasure tree’s pulp and an extremely complex manufacturing process.

These three had played all night, eventually succumbing to the fine wine Master Jiujiu had brought out…

His spiritual sense could see a greatsword, a long dress, a short garment, and several shoes and socks scattered on the ground…

Ling’e and Master Jiujiu were sound asleep on the bed, one lying flat and one sprawled face-down. Jiujiu was hugging Ling’e’s leg, while Ling’e was hugging Youqin Xuanya’s jade feet.

In the corner of the bed, Youqin Xuanya was lying somewhat gracefully at an angle, except… she was holding someone’s pink undergarment…

Best not to look, best not to look.

Li Changshou activated the formation beside the cottage and turned to go to the willow tree by the lake, taking out two unfinished paper people to continue cutting them with spiritual power.

Paper-cutting people was considered a profound divine ability, recorded in the Daoist “Thirty-Six Celestial Methods.” Li Changshou’s acquisition of this technique had been a matter of fortunate timing.

Yet, from when he first learned it until today, fifty years have passed, and this divine ability has only just reached minor completion.

After Li Changshou became immortal, paper-cutting people would show their true power; then the paper people he made could carry a portion of his primordial spirit, achieving temporary out-of-body manifestation…

Paper-cutting people was one of his main divine abilities, capable of harming enemies without harming himself, which suited him perfectly.

As for other skills like formations, talismans, pills, and poison-refining, he just dabbled in them as hobbies, building up some basic survival skills.

Half a day later, Li Changshou put away the two new paper people he had completed and glanced at the cottage, where the three inside still showed no signs of waking.

Master had gone out to attend a feast and hadn’t returned, likely to be away for quite some time.

Although Master had only become a Turbid Immortal, his status within the sect had improved significantly.

Without becoming immortal, one remained mortal, with at most three thousand years of lifespan.

Those who had been close to Qi Yuan in earlier years, whether because they felt the previous Qi Yuan had no social value, didn’t want to be too heartbroken when his lifespan ran out, or didn’t want to pressure Qi Yuan, had all kept their distance these past few hundred years.

Now that Qi Yuan had become a Turbid Immortal, he could potentially become a True Immortal if things went smoothly.

Though the title didn’t sound pleasant, he now had longevity, and Qi Yuan’s old friends had gathered around him again…

— The immortal world was quite pragmatic.

“Master’s future cultivation will also be challenging…”

Just as he was thinking this, Li Changshou suddenly turned his head toward the mountain’s exterior.

Whoosh—

A whistling sound came from the horizon. Li Changshou immediately hid behind the other side of the willow tree, raised his left arm, and with his left hand steadied the small approaching jade sword ten zhang away.

A middle-aged Daoist’s voice came from the jade sword: ‘Small Jade Peak’s Li Changshou, come quickly to Hundred Mortals Hall for discussion.’

Li Changshou replied: “Disciple acknowledges the command.”

The jade sword immediately turned back, shooting toward Breaking Sky Peak.

Shortly after, two more jade swords came whistling from the same direction, but this time they flew directly toward his junior sister’s cottage.

Seeing this, Li Changshou immediately understood something.

He shook his head and summoned a white cloud to leave first, avoiding what must be Youqin Xuanya and Jiujiu who were also supposed to go to Hundred Mortals Hall.

…

This gathering must be about the East Sea Demon-Vanquishing Conference.

To avoid appearing too conspicuous by arriving too early, Li Changshou waited for a while under a tree outside the hall…

Successfully avoiding detection.

Only when there were over ten figures in the southwest corner of Hundred Mortals Hall did he step inside, continuing to remain ‘invisible’ in the corner?

Although Master Uncle Jiuwu was treacherous, petty, and opportunistic, he did have a tiny bit of merit, such as keeping his word.

At present, in others’ eyes, Li Changshou was still an ‘outstanding’ disciple at the second stage of the Return to Void realm, and Jiuwu hadn’t revealed Li Changshou’s ‘true cultivation’ at the ‘sixth stage of Return to Void’…

When Li Changshou arrived, six of the current generation’s top ten disciples in cultivation were already present, along with six or seven True Immortal realm cultivators who had lived for a thousand years.

At grand events like the Demon-Vanquishing Conference where immortals gathered, various immortal sects inevitably compared themselves. How was the ‘talent’ and potential of sect disciples directly manifested? Through the comparison between disciples’ cultivation progress and their age.

The lower the age and the higher the cultivation, the greater the natural talent and comprehension, and the more face they could earn for their immortal sect.

Therefore, unless she happened to be in seclusion, Jiujiu rarely missed occasions like this…

Li Changshou waited another while in the hall as more True Immortal realm cultivators arrived, along with two or three more young disciples.

By the time Jiujiu and Youqin Xuanya arrived fashionably late, there were eleven young disciples and sixteen True Immortal realm sect members in total.

These were all who had been summoned today.

Elder Ge, responsible for the sect’s external affairs, arrived with two other elders and explained in detail why they had been summoned…

Elder Ge said: “This time, the East Sea Dragon Palace is holding a Demon-Vanquishing Conference at the East Sea shore, inviting the major immortal sects of the Eastern Victory Divine Continent to attend, and our Crossing to Immortality Sect is among those invited.

You must have seen how that evil dragon attacked our mountain gate last time.

Not only that, this evil dragon deliberately gave us the wrong date for the conference, trying to make our Crossing to Immortality Sect lose face…

Fortunately, the various immortal sects of the Eastern Continent keep each other informed, and our sect has long known this conference will be held in seven days. Our Crossing to Immortality Sect will depart in four days, traveling together with the other immortal sects to attend the conference.

The Sect Master has ordered that Immortal Forgetting Emotions will lead the sect disciples to attend this conference, along with several other elders who have attained the Celestial Immortal fruit…

You True Immortals are also among those attending.”

Elder Ge paused and swept his gaze across these twenty-seven people, continuing:

“This Dragon Palace Demon-Vanquishing Conference has three main purposes.

First, to draw clear boundaries between the East Sea and the East Seashore.

Second, to regain face from our various immortal sects who go to the East Sea to eliminate demons.

Third, to let their dragon clan children show off their might.

For this Demon-Vanquishing Conference, the dragon clan will put forth some treasures as prizes, letting young disciples from various immortal sects compete against each other, defending and challenging positions.

You ten…”

Elder Ge had been looking at the ten young disciples standing in the back, but then his gaze fell on Li Changshou in the corner, and he corrected himself:

“You eleven are either the highest in cultivation among the current generation of disciples, or the most, um, alert individuals.

A few years ago, we just eliminated demons in the East Sea, so this conference will surely face targeting from the Dragon Palace. There are also several immortal sects that have grudges against us, and they might secretly try to trip you up, hoping to see your young disciples lose face.

Remember, you must not lose face for our Crossing to Immortality Sect, nor fail to maintain the dignity of our Three Teachings Immortal Sect!

If someone tries to provoke you in private, ignore them, but in formal competitions, you must show them your capabilities!

After preliminary discussions among the immortal sects, the younger generation attending from the various Eastern Continent immortal sects are all under one hundred and fifty years old, with rare prodigies who have entered the Return to Dao realm.

If you can win those treasures, they will count as rewards for each of you.

Do you understand?”

Most of the eleven disciples showed joyful expressions and replied in unison: “Disciples heed the Elder’s teachings.”

Elder Ge nodded, then after a moment’s contemplation, said: “There’s one more matter, directly instructed by Immortal Forgetting Emotions…”

Everyone listened intently in silence.

“Where is Small Jade Peak’s Li Changshou?”

“Disciple is here,” Li Changshou thought ‘this is bad’, he had underestimated Jiuwu’s level of cunning, but maintained his composure and bowed respectfully.

Elder Ge said solemnly: “For this expedition, all young disciples must follow your command, you will be… the young disciples’ team leader.”

For a moment, not only were the ten disciples bewildered, but the sixteen True Immortals also turned their heads to examine Li Changshou.

Why would a disciple at the second stage of the Return to Void realm be chosen as team leader?

Feeling the gazes converging on him, Li Changshou’s mouth couldn’t help but twitch.

Deliberate, Jiuwu was doing this deliberately!

This short Daoist was forcing him to reveal his trump cards!

Originally, Li Changshou had thought that going along to the East Sea would be fine, since several Celestial Immortals from the sect would be protecting them, there wouldn’t be any major problems.

He could also take the opportunity to scout the sparsely populated East Sea for a suitable place to undergo his tribulation in seclusion.

Unexpectedly, Jiuwu had set this trap!

Before he thought this wouldn’t be a loss, but now it was a major loss…

Jiujiu happily asked: “How does Master know about you?”

But several disciples nearby, as well as True Immortals from other peaks, were already about to voice their questions…

“Disciple believes this arrangement is inappropriate,” Li Changshou reacted quickly, frowning and lowering his head, his energy slightly disturbed, sweat appearing on his forehead.

He said quietly: “Please, Elder, withdraw this order.”

“Oh?”

Elder Ge frowned and said: “Are you dissatisfied with Immortal Forgetting Emotions’ decree?”

“Disciple wouldn’t dare, but this matter seems somewhat strange,” Li Changshou kept his head down, hesitated for a while, then asked softly, “Disciple boldly asks, did Immortal Forgetting Emotions give this order personally, or was it relayed through Master Uncle Jiuwu?”

Elder Ge’s brows furrowed, “It was relayed through Jiuwu.”

Li Changshou’s heart relaxed slightly, his expression changing to show slight fear mixed with a bit of [I knew it] resignation…

Jiuwu had deliberately used Immortal Forgetting Emotions’ name, probably without informing him about such a minor matter concerning young disciples.

This deception meant nothing to Jiuwu – not only would Immortal Forgetting Emotions not investigate, but he would also help his beloved disciple cover up if necessary. Jiuwu was essentially acting first and reporting later…

However, this also left plenty of loopholes.

Li Changshou immediately decided to counter-attack.

Since Master Uncle made the first move, he couldn’t blame him for making the fifteenth!

Being the young generation’s team leader was equivalent to being their figurehead, which carried great significance and would push him into the spotlight.

If this matter was settled, whether it was the immortals from various peaks or the young disciples, they would all keep a close eye on him in the future, and troubles would come one after another!

This position — he absolutely couldn’t accept!

Li Changshou showed an ashamed expression and sighed:

“To be honest with Elder, in recent years, the disciple has become friendly with Master Uncle Jiuwu from Breaking Sky Peak, sharing the pleasure of brewing and tasting wine.

Previously, when Master Uncle Jiuwu was drinking at a disciple’s place, he joked while drunk that even someone as mediocre and unknown as a disciple could be made to hold his head high among fellow disciples.

Unexpectedly, after sobering up, Master Uncle felt he had to keep his word, and concerned about his own face, made such arrangements, truly making disciple anxious.”

Elder Ge’s frown deepened, but the other sect members and disciples showed understanding expressions.

So that’s what happened…

Immediately, the surrounding gazes toward Li Changshou lost their hostility, many feeling that Jiuwu was too unrestrained with his sect influence, and showing much sympathy for Li Changshou…

Even Jiujiu couldn’t help muttering: “How could Fifth Senior Brother be so frivolous! Really!”

Far away, thousands of miles distant, Jiuwu couldn’t stop sneezing several times while flying through the air…

In Hundred Mortals Hall, Li Changshou sighed several more times and said:

“Disciple dares not put Elder in a difficult position, nor blame Master Uncle Jiuwu’s good intentions.

But disciple truly cannot bear such heavy responsibility.

Perhaps the Elder could appoint another disciple whose talent and virtue are more fitting as a team leader, while the disciple shamelessly tags along to the East Sea shore.

If this matter truly came from Immortal Forgetting Emotions, the disciple has no choice but to obey, willing to shed blood and sacrifice for the sect.

If this is Master Uncle Jiuwu making a joke, the disciple dares not falsely claim such honor, only hoping to barely qualify this once.

Please, Elder, understand the truth of this situation!”

After speaking, Li Changshou bowed his head deeply and remained so for a long time.

The crowd felt quite moved, all thinking this disciple had truly been set up by Jiuwu and was in quite a difficult position.

One female disciple even said gently: “Junior Brother Changshou, why don’t you just be the team leader? We all understand the situation and won’t have any complaints.”

Other disciples also nodded and voiced their agreement.

“Changshou’s words have some reason,” Elder Ge pondered, his gaze full of appreciation for Li Changshou.

Elder Ge continued: “Jiuwu has just gone to the Middle Divine Continent and cannot be contacted for now. Such a small matter isn’t worth disturbing Senior Brother Forgetting Emotions…

Very well, let’s do as you say and find another team leader.”

Just as Elder Ge finished speaking, Youqin Xuanya suddenly stepped forward, clasped her hands, and bowed her head, saying firmly: “Disciple is willing to bear this heavy responsibility!”

Li Changshou felt slightly surprised inside. Today was troublesome…

How did she understand his intentions so well?

Several years of seclusion had indeed brought progress, the toxicity had dissipated somewhat…

However, before Li Changshou could breathe a sigh of relief, Youqin Xuanya added:

“Please, Elder, appoint two team leaders, with Disciple and Senior Brother Changshou serving together, this way we can have the best of both worlds!”

“Cough!”

Li Changshou’s breath reversed course.

Damn!

Not only had the toxicity not decreased, it had intensified!

Just then, Youqin Xuanya turned to look at Li Changshou, her gaze full of determination, her eyes writing ‘seriousness’, and even carrying a hint of shyness.

‘Leave it to me, Senior Brother Changshou, Xuanya definitely won’t make things difficult for you.’

At this moment, Li Changshou felt…

He was about to crack already…