At Pill Cauldron Peak within the Immortal Crossing Sect.

At this moment, except for Elder Wangqing who was away dealing with dark organizations, all Golden Immortals of the sect had gathered in the skies above Pill Cauldron Peak.

In truth, there were only two—Sect Leader Kong Xu Wuyou and Elder Qiling. They would soon escort Elder Wan Linyun beyond the mountain gates for his tribulation.

Several Supreme Elders of the sect had already led dozens of Celestial-realm Peak Masters and Elders to a Golden Immortal tribulation ground thousands of miles away. They were tasked with arranging protective formations and checking for hidden enemies in the tribulation grounds.

Currently, most of these Immortal Crossing Sect ‘experts’ wore solemn expressions.

They had received advance word that Elder Wan Linyun’s Golden Immortal tribulation was somewhat forced. In other words, this could very well be Elder Wan Linyun’s death tribulation.

However, having the chance to fight for the fruits of longevity was something most human cultivators could only dream of. Having reached this step, no one would want to back down.

The Peak Master and Elders of Pill Cauldron Peak, along with hundreds of disciples from various peaks, stood silently before Elder Wan Linyun’s residence. Most wore respectful expressions, but the atmosphere was oppressive. Streams of light continued to arrive from beyond the peak.

The Immortal Crossing Sect hadn’t been this lively for a long time.

A white cloud flew over from Little Jade Peak, maintaining a moderate height and position, drawing little attention from fellow sect members. The young Daoist and the fairy maiden standing upon it were none other than Li Changshou and Ling’e. After arriving at Pill Cauldron Peak, they descended directly before Elder Wan Linyun’s residence, standing behind the crowd of disciples.

However, before Li Changshou could steady himself, a voice called out from the residence that had been quiet for so long:

“Changshou, is that you?”

Li Changshou quickly stepped forward and made a Daoist salute toward the door, saying: “This disciple has come to congratulate Elder on obtaining the fruit of longevity today.”

Creak—

The wooden door was pulled open from within. As sunlight spilled in, a thin-faced elder with many wrinkles stepped out slowly. He pulled what appeared to be a ‘cold smile’, and the hundreds gathered before the door mostly lowered their heads, not daring to look directly at him.

“Changshou, come with me. Let’s take a walk to the back mountain.”

Elder Wan Linyun beckoned, then headed to the side, leaning on his copper-clad walking stick.

“Yes,” Li Changshou agreed, sending a mental message to Ling’e to wait here. He calmly walked around his fellow sect members and caught up from behind.

The gathered disciples immediately cast envious glances.

Everyone knew that Elder Wan choosing to take Li Changshou alone to the back mountain before his Golden Immortal tribulation indicated an intention to pass on his legacy.

The Immortal Crossing Sect was, after all, an orthodox Humanity School sect. Besides their tendency toward certain… ahem! While the sect strongly encouraged having Dao companions, cultivators practiced tranquility and non-action, cultivating both the Dao and virtue. Thus, most people were merely envious at this time, with none expressing dissatisfaction, all considering this to be Little Jade Peak Li Changshou’s destiny.

However…

“Elder Wan is steady this time,” Sect Leader Kong Xu transmitted his voice to Elder Qiling beside him in the sky.

Though Elder Qiling was somewhat puzzled, he didn’t ask further.

Soon after, on the sunlit forest path, two figures walked slowly, with bits of conversation spreading all around.

Elder Wan Linyun once again showed that warm smile that could stop babies from crying, gently sharing some insights about pill refinement while Li Changshou listened attentively.

To be safe, he recorded all of Elder Wan’s words with an Image Recording Zhenzhu.

At this time, dense Heavenly Dao power swirled in the sky. Streams of light occasionally surged from around Elder Wan, scattering starlike sparkles.

Strands of auspicious energy, like that of ten-thousand-year-old medicine, slowly dispersed from within Elder Wan’s body.

Where they passed, shallow grass grew at visible speeds.

Where they traveled, spiritual energy gained medicinal properties.

These phenomena all indicated the fruit of longevity that Elder Wan Linyun was about to cultivate…

“What are Elder’s chances this time?” Li Changshou asked with a smile, casually setting up a sound-blocking barrier.

Elder Wan Linyun shook his head and sighed: “Three-tenths, at most, which is quite good already.”

Li Changshou couldn’t help but frown.

Elder Wan Linyun’s eyes were full of emotion as he took out a bracelet from his sleeve and slowly handed it over, saying softly:

“I know you’re no ordinary immortal, Changshou, though I’m not quite clear on the specifics.

But within the Immortal Crossing Sect, you’re the only one I find agreeable.

Keep this with you. If I don’t pass this tribulation, it shall be yours.”

Li Changshou hesitated before accepting the copper bracelet with both hands.

Without needing to inspect it with immortal consciousness, he knew it contained Elder Wan Linyun’s life’s accumulation.

Elder Wan Linyun gently exhaled and looked up at the increasingly gloomy sky.

“When first entering the sect, we always heard the phrase ‘longevity can be expected.’ In the blink of an eye, tens of thousands of years have passed, and only then do we understand how much one must bear and endure for the two words’ long life.’

That I could reach today, I have no regrets. Changshou, you…”

“Elder,” Li Changshou said quietly, “forgive my interruption, but we’re short on time with much to do.

This disciple has some treasures for countering the Golden Immortal tribulation to offer to Elder today.”

Elder Wan Linyun, who had been about to reminisce about his life, was startled. As he turned his head, Li Changshou had already presented a bottle of pills.

Somehow, layers of immortal power barriers had already been set up around them.

Li Changshou said: “Elder, these are Nine Transformations Golden Pills, two in total.

This disciple has more in stock, so Elder need not decline.”

“Nine…”

Elder Wan Linyun’s brows furrowed tightly, but Li Changshou had already pressed the pills into his hand.

The Elder looked down to examine them, and his aged hands began to tremble slightly.

Li Changshou then took out a jade box and placed it in Elder Wan Linyun’s hands, saying quietly:

“Elder, this is not a pill, but according to my careful analysis, after consuming it, one can maintain abundant immortal power for several hours, and it can repair foundation deficiencies.

As your Dao is related to the Pill Dao, if you take this now, you can better withstand various pills later, giving us more preparation.”

As he spoke, Li Changshou had already opened the jade box. The ‘small friend’ carved from white jade inside—an Immortal Fruit—truly startled Elder Wan Linyun.

A Primordial Spirit Fruit!

A Ginseng Fruit!

“This- this I cannot accept!”

“Elder, please don’t waste time,” Li Changshou sighed, “After my master met with misfortune, I don’t want to see any more elders come to harm. Your Golden Immortal tribulation shouldn’t be the end of your immortal path.

Eat it first, and if you wish to thank this disciple, do so after passing the Golden Immortal tribulation. The Heavenly Dao waits for no one.”

Elder Wan Linyun was not an indecisive person. Though his eyes now showed shock and doubt, after hesitating three times, he still swallowed the Ginseng Fruit in one bite.

Li Changshou took out several treasure pouches from his sleeve—one containing over ten bottles of spirit pills, another containing several special magical tools for protecting the primordial spirit…

Li Changshou quickly explained the uses of the pills and magical tools, and Elder Wan Linyun frowned while saying he had memorized them all.

But these were just external forms of ‘encouragement.’

Li Changshou thought briefly, then began his mental ‘motivation.’

Giving the elderly more hope might have miraculous effects.

“Elder,” Li Changshou said, “do you know of the Poison Immortal powerhouse in the Severing Sect, whose Dao title is Lu Yue?”

Elder Wan Linyun immediately nodded: “He’s a great master of poison pills.”

“Look,” Li Changshou presented two jade talismans, “These are Senior Brother Lu Yue’s poison scriptures. I’ll leave them with Elder for now, and after you pass the Golden Immortal tribulation, we can study them together.”

Elder Wan Linyun’s spirit surged as he excitedly grabbed Li Changshou’s wrist and exclaimed:

“Changshou, you know Senior Lu Yue?”

Li Changshou smiled and said: “We’ve been to World’s End Pavilion together, killed thousands of enemies together, of course I know him.

Don’t ask more now, Elder. After you pass the Golden Immortal tribulation, this disciple will take you to meet Senior Brother Lu Yue… Please keep this secret, as the Immortal Crossing Sect is this disciple’s place of refuge.”

“Good, good!”

Elder Wan Linyun nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of emotion, though he looked at Li Changshou with even more confusion.

“Changshou, you know…”

Li Changshou showed a slight smile, reaching forward to lightly touch Elder Wan Linyun’s hand, revealing his second-to-last layer of disguised cultivation realm.

Thump!

Elder Wan Linyun instinctively stepped back half a step, leaning on his walking stick. His gaze shifted from complex emotions to gradual tranquility.

It was like being in a dream.

“Ah, this poor Daoist failed to recognize Mount Tai…”

“Elder, you misunderstand,” Li Changshou said seriously. “This disciple is neither a reincarnated powerhouse nor deliberately hiding in the Immortal Crossing Sect.

I am simply Li Changshou of Little Jade Peak, who followed Master Qi Yuan in cultivation. Later, through various opportunities and encounters, I grasped several chances to advance step by step, reaching today’s cultivation level, and earning some say in the Human School and Heavenly Court.

Elder need not mind these things.

If not for the Elder’s guidance back then, teaching me the Poison Scripture and bestowing poison pills, I would never have achieved my current position.

Today’s gifts to Elder are simply this disciple’s sincere heart, repaying Elder’s kindness from those days!”

Elder Wan Linyun laughed ‘coldly’ and sighed:

“Of all the world’s wonders, Changshou accounts for half.

Since you speak thus, I shall believe thus. With the Golden Immortal tribulation approaching, if I can pass today’s trial, we shall have a proper chat.”

Li Changshou hurriedly said: “Elder, please don’t be sparing with the pills. For the Nine Transformations Golden Pills and various spirit pills, I’ve left sufficient copies with Ling’e.”

“Good.”

Elder Wan Linyun looked toward the sky. “It’s about time.”

Muffled thunder echoed through heaven and earth as rolling black clouds gathered from all directions.

The copper staff lightly tapped the ground, and a white cloud lifted Elder Wan Linyun. The old master appeared quite carefree now, his smile rarely less frightening.

“This poor Daoist takes his leave!”

Li Changshou promptly withdrew the fourteen layers of immortal power barriers around them and made a deep Daoist salute to Elder Wan Linyun, calling out:

“May Elder’s immortal fortune flourish! Stand as a Golden Immortal!”

Before the residence not far away, hundreds of Immortal Crossing Sect disciples performed a salute together.

Around Pill Cauldron Peak and throughout the Immortal Crossing Sect, layer upon layer of figures made Daoist salutes toward Elder Wan Linyun’s back, their voices rising and falling with wishes of immortal fortune and eternal life.

In the sky, Sect Leader Ji Wuyou raised one hand to the heavens, and the mountain-protecting formation instantly dispersed.

Then, Ji Wuyou and Elder Qiling, along with Elder Wan Linyun, transformed into three streams of light, heading toward the tribulation ground thousands of miles away.

The mountain-protecting formation activated once again, light screens rising simultaneously from all directions, swiftly merging in the sky like flowing water, returning to that thin, smooth state.

Li Changshou gently exhaled.

With two Nine Transformations Golden Pills and the aid of the Ginseng Fruit, plus Elder Wan’s Golden Immortal tribulation seemingly not too intense, the probability of passing should be stable at ninety-eight percent…

Not bad at all.

Once Elder Wan Linyun became a Golden Immortal, if he was interested in befriending Lu Yue, he would make the introduction.

The two Poison Immortals, though temporarily unable to double their happiness, should be unmatched in the Three Realms when it came to the use of poisons.

Li Changshou glanced at where Ling’e was, found her chatting and laughing with several fellow female disciples of the same generation, then sent her a message before returning alone to Little Jade Peak.

In the eyes of most immortals in the sect, he had received Elder Wan’s legacy, and with Master Qi Yuan’s recent misfortune, his and Ling’e’s short cultivation time, plus today’s events…

He estimated that quite a few Peak Masters and Elders might want to take them as disciples…

For their good, better not.

Though Master Taiqing was a Sage Lord with a breadth of mind vaster than the firmament, he probably still cared a tiny bit about such matters.

Back at Little Jade Peak, Li Changshou sat in the rocking chair before the pill room, quietly waiting for the results of Elder Wan Linyun’s tribulation.

It should be fine. He was so familiar with the Heavenly Dao Lord now, who still owed him two great merits, and Elder Wan Linyun had no role in the Great Investiture tribulation…

Hm?

Wait!

This familiar feeling, this rapidly dropping air pressure, this familiar trembling of the Dao’s heart…

Li Changshou froze, his mouth twitching uncontrollably as he slowly raised his eyelids to look at the low sky beyond the eaves.

A gray cloud floated there silently.

This time, it didn’t condense into any grandfather’s face, nor were there any Dao-infused characters, but in the mystical void, Li Changshou seemed to hear an old, lazy, calm greeting:

‘Shall we strike the head or the bottom first this time?’

No!

Li Changshou flipped up and jumped, quickly rushing to the outer formation and glaring at the gray cloud overhead.

What did this have to do with him?

Elder Wan Linyun was his respected elder. He had merely given a Ginseng Fruit, two Nine Transformations Golden Pills, several treasure pouches, and a bit of preparation for the great tribulation—what was unreasonable about that?

Where did this violate the Heavenly Dao’s rules?

He had obtained the Ginseng Fruit and Nine Transformations Golden Pills through his abilities, neither fighting nor grabbing, incurring no karmic obstacles. On what grounds—!

Crack!

A purple divine lightning bolt as thick as an arm instantly struck down, making Li Changshou stagger.

Tch, old divine lightning.

Not much damage, but it truly hurt.

Heaven help us!

The debtor is chasing the creditor! Where is the justice in this?

Crack-crack-crack!

Several arm-thick purple divine lightning bolts struck simultaneously. Li Changshou shuddered, crying out in his heart ‘Thank you, Heavenly Dao Lord, for taking time from your busy schedule to strike me.’ His form swayed gently, avoiding the simultaneous explosion of divine lightning while taking them one by one.

In the forest, Li Changshou’s hair was disheveled, his expression showing one part grief and indignation, three parts helplessness, his lips trembling slightly…

In his heart, those Human School treasures that hadn’t even thought of helping him block the lightning were like old grandfathers whose laughter points had been struck!

The Taiji Diagram probably could laugh until it wrinkled!

Simply too much!

The low gray cloud shook several times, and another divine lightning bolt struck down.

Li Changshou ran east and west, distributing the divine lightning’s power evenly to avoid causing too much damage to his formation.

What was this about?

Simply helping Elder Wan Linyun pass his tribulation had already reached this level;

When it came time for Ling’e’s tribulation, should he prepare to undergo another one himself while assisting?

No, not just that.x

The loving care from his grandmother was much more intense than the Golden Immortal tribulation!

The Human School’s coar… grain is beneficial to health.

“Hm? Is there lightning over there?”

In the spirit beast enclosure, a small mountain slowly stood up, tiptoeing to look toward the pill room.

Then, the head growing on the small mountain blinked and looked at the nearly well-done roasted spirit cow before it…

“Keep eating, it’s probably nothing major.”

Bear Lingli muttered, wiping away the hot tears that flowed because the spirit beast she had personally raised was ‘accidentally’ crushed by falling rocks from heaven, and continued waiting.

Ah, after Little Jade Peak became quiet, she could finally eat her fill.

Previously there were too many mouths to feed, and Bear Lingli’s appetite couldn’t be fully expressed. Now it was much more comfortable.

At this moment…

At the Western Heavenly Gate, streams of auspicious light illuminated half the sky, leaving the guardian celestial soldiers and generals puzzled as they gazed toward the horizon.

There, a three-zhang-tall ‘seated divine statue’ slowly flew over.

An almost imperceptible pressure spread through heaven and earth, causing many celestial soldiers to feel the urge to prostrate themselves in worship, and making several higher-cultivated generals turn pale.

A general’s heart stirred with slight understanding as he turned and shouted:

“Quick! Beat the drums and pass the word! Clear the Heavenly Gate!

A Sage arrives!”