On Black Pool Peak, Li Changshou slowly drifted in on his cloud, his immortal consciousness listening to the conversation, not rushing to enter the great formation of Black Pool Peak.

Spirit Moth’s elder cousin…

Was difficult to describe in a few words.

“Moth, cultivation emphasizes the four essentials: dharma, wealth, companions, and location. You’ve already become an immortal, so by rights, you could finish your apprenticeship.

Though my place is in the Three Thousand Worlds, not within these Five Continents, it’s still a fine place for cultivation. Since you’re a disciple of the Human Dao lineage, this could bring you many benefits.”

“Elder Cousin, well…”

“Moth, look at how you’ve been living on this mountain, your spiritual radiance has even dimmed!

Try this – it’s a precious medicine ground from a ten-thousand-year South Sea Spirit Zhenzhu. It can make your skin more luminous.”

“Well…”

Spirit Moth felt helpless.

What she currently displayed was merely a disguise; since there was a male immortal present today, she certainly couldn’t show her true appearance, to avoid causing trouble for Senior Brother!

“Moth, come back with Elder Sister. This peak doesn’t even have any proper buildings.”

“Respected… Immortal.”

Wine Rain Poem, who had been keeping her head down until now, could no longer contain herself. She raised her head, her eyes showing slight exasperation, “Sometimes, what you see is only what others wish you to see.”

The veiled woman laughed: “I hadn’t asked before, but are you Moth’s Master-Aunt… did you encounter some cultivation mishap?”

Wine Rain Poem replied calmly: “On this peak, I indeed have the poorest aptitude, but it’s not due to any cultivation mistake.”

Spirit Moth quickly said: “Master-Aunt Rain Poem, don’t speak that way. You’ve only recently joined us, and your cultivation progress has been quite good.”

Then, Spirit Moth frowned and said:

“Elder Cousin, isn’t it rather discourteous to speak this way to my sect elder?”

“Yes, yes, yes,” the veiled woman laughed dismissively, “I apologize to Fellow Daoist Rain here. I speak rather directly, please don’t take it to heart.”

Spirit Moth’s mouth twitched as she said sternly: “Elder Cousin, did you come today just to see me?”

“Of course.”

The veiled woman took out a delicate folding fan, gently waving it beside her as she smiled:

“What else would I come here for?

Moth, shortly after you became a disciple, I received my immortal destiny and took a master. I’ve been focused on cultivation since then, rarely going out.

These past few years, my fortune has turned. I achieved True Immortal status, had the honor of receiving teachings from an eminent figure, and even found a Dao companion for cultivation. I have all four essentials – dharma, wealth, companions, and location.

That’s why I came to find you, to bring you back to cultivate together.”

Spirit Moth pondered for a moment, rubbing her chin, then suddenly asked: “Really?”

‘Elder Cousin’ smiled with narrowed eyes, “How could I deceive you? You’re not content here, and I need someone close by my side…”

Wine Rain Poem couldn’t help but interject: “So you want our Spirit Moth to be your maid.”

The male immortal who had been smiling silently at the side now frowned and said:

“Fellow Daoist misunderstands. Cai Yao doesn’t lack for servants.

Among all who have achieved immortality, she only has Spirit Moth as a sister. We came this time simply to bring her to a better blessed land for cultivation.

Though I am unworthy, I have some accumulation of resources, and my father recently joined the ascendant Immortal Alliance.”

As he spoke, the male immortal cupped his hands toward the sky, saying:

“Truth be told, my father once had the honor of meeting the current Water God of the Heavenly Court!

Now that the Great Tribulation is beginning to brew, my family is stable and can certainly provide Spirit Moth with a better cultivation environment.”

Wine Rain Poem: …

Spirit Moth blinked and smiled: “Elder Cousin, I am very content here and have no wish to go anywhere.

Still, thank you for your kind intentions.”

‘Elder Cousin’ sighed: “Spirit Moth, you’re still as stubborn as when you were young.”

The male immortal said gently: “Sister Spirit Moth…”

“Fellow Daoist, please withdraw that form of address!”

Spirit Moth’s delicate brows furrowed as she immediately rebuked: “Your Dao companion is my cousin, but you and I have no relation.”

The male immortal was immediately at a loss, while ‘Elder Cousin’s’ brows slightly furrowed as she snapped:

“Is that how you speak to your brother-in-law?”

Spirit Moth glanced aside and said calmly: “I’ve already achieved immortality through cultivation. Must I still follow mortal customs?”

“Spirit Moth, how have you become so discourteous!”

“Haha! Cai Yao, don’t be angry.”

The male immortal stopped ‘Elder Cousin,’ his eyes gleaming as he gazed at the multiply-disguised Spirit Moth, praising: “Truly worthy of being a disciple of a great sect, such remarkable bearing.

It was I who was presumptuous. I apologize, and shall punish myself with three cups later.”

At this moment, the male immortal released a hint of Celestial Immortal pressure, sitting up even straighter.

Wine Rain Poem’s forehead showed slight perspiration. Spirit Moth pressed her hand on her wrist, initially planning to reveal her true cultivation realm to counter-intimidate, but after careful thought, she held back.

She needed to maintain a low profile and not cause trouble for Senior Brother. Just send these two away and be done with it.

The Scripture of Stability that this fairy had copied so many times wasn’t for nothing!

So, Spirit Moth put on her ‘professional fake smile,’ planning to respond to this couple with only three phrases: “Mm-hmm,” “That’s right,” and “Indeed.”

Just then…

A clear voice suddenly rang out from the side, reciting a poem:

“In the Peach Blossom Dell lies the Peach Blossom Hut,

In the Peach Blossom Hut dwells the Peach Blossom Immortal.

The Peach Blossom Immortal plants peach trees,

Then plucks peach blossoms to trade for wine money.”

Spirit Moth looked up, her small mouth slightly open, her exclamation of ‘wa’ stretched into a long ‘oh-ah’…

Wine Rain Poem was also stunned, as this was her first time seeing Li Changshou in such a manner. She felt the entire Black Pool Peak had become much brighter;

Then she suddenly remembered her position as master-aunt and turned to look aside.

‘Elder Cousin’s’ phoenix eyes were transfixed…

She felt that this approaching male immortal had an upright bearing, a jade-like countenance, sword-like brows, and star-like eyes yet without sharp edges, defined facial features yet without severity. Instead, the faint smile on his lips could calm one’s heart and dispel distracting thoughts.

A verse in praise:

Originally a steady guest of the Path to Immortality,

Suddenly seated before the Supreme Clarity Sage.

First among the immortals of the Heavenly Court,

Moving among the great immortals of the Three Schools.

High seated in the Palace of the Holy Mother,

At ease in Azure Tour and Jade Void.

Soon to become the Star Lord Great White,

All call him the Immortal of Stability.

Li Changshou made his ethereal entrance, wearing a white robe with flowing hair, instantly bringing Black Pool Peak into silence.

The Dao charm he currently displayed was that of a solid late Celestial Immortal realm, his bearing truly extraordinary. Even terms like ‘calm and composed’ or ‘graceful and transcendent’ could hardly describe a fraction of it.

The male immortal suddenly stood up, blocking ‘Elder Cousin’s’ line of sight;

Spirit Moth’s cousin quickly came to her senses, inwardly chiding herself for losing composure, and hurriedly calmed her dao heart, also standing to receive the guest.

As for Spirit Moth…

Poof!

A wisp of white smoke slowly rose as Spirit Moth’s eyes turned into spiral circles, her body swaying like soft seaweed until she collapsed into Wine Rain Poem’s embrace.

Her beautiful eyes were dreamy as she called out softly: “Senior Brother~”

Li Changshou smiled and nodded to her, first touching down with his toe before firmly planting his heel, his long hair and white robe hem settling their sway as he said gently:

“Having just finished refining a furnace of pills, I couldn’t welcome you two at the mountain gate. Please forgive me.”

Just then, a slight breeze passed by, carrying the faint, pure fragrance that only supreme-grade spirit pills possessed, causing the young male immortal’s spirit to jolt as he stared at Li Changshou in slight shock.

A pill-refining master!

“Spirit Moth,” Li Changshou slightly frowned, his tone gentler than ever before, “where are your sitting manners?”

Spirit Moth quickly sat up straight, staring at her Senior Brother with lovely eyes, trying hard to get her little head working.

This was…

What was happening?

Why had Senior Brother suddenly abandoned his low profile?

Wasn’t this the robe she had spent over a year sewing for Senior Brother, but which he had chosen to seal away as too flashy?

Could it be that Senior Brother had taken a liking to her cousin?

Uh, that seemed unlikely. Even with Sister Cloud Dawn, Senior Brother had hesitated for a long time before tentatively opening his heart…

Spirit Moth’s cheeks turned rosy as she asked softly: “Senior Brother, why did you come?”

Li Changshou smiled: “With relatives from your family coming to visit, no matter how busy I am, I must make time to meet them.”

Wine Rain Poem hurriedly said: “I’ll go get a meditation cushion.”

“Ah,” Li Changshou quickly stopped her, continuing in his gentle voice: “Master-Aunt, please remain seated. How could we juniors let you do such manual labor when we’re here?”

As he spoke, Li Changshou calmly slid the jade ring on his thumb, and with a flash of flowing light, a meditation cushion appeared beside Spirit Moth’s cushion.

The male immortal and ‘Elder Cousin’ looked over in surprise.

A Lesser Merit Spiritual Treasure used for storage?

And it seemed casually worn, a Lesser Merit Spiritual Treasure without deliberate refinement?!

Li Changshou smiled and cupped his hands, expressing courtesy without verbal pleasantries, and sat down directly.

His gaze fixed on Spirit Moth as he reached out to adjust the position of her jade hairpin.

Spirit Moth’s shoulders instinctively shrugged as she felt Senior Brother’s breath wash over her face, causing a second wave of steam to instantly spread across her forehead…

Wh-wh-what exactly was happening today?

“Please, both of you sit.”

Li Changshou said without looking up.

Elder Cousin and the male immortal unconsciously voiced their thanks and sat together, exchanging glances as they each restrained their auras.

Especially the latter, who had seen some grand occasions and experienced the pressure of several experts.

At this moment, the male immortal had determined that the young cultivator before him was no ordinary Celestial Immortal. His calm and composed bearing, that quality of pure serenity and natural ease…

The male immortal asked: “How should we address Fellow Daoist?”

“Spirit Moth’s Senior Brother,” Li Changshou said gently.

Spirit Moth’s ‘Elder Cousin’ said softly: “Does Fellow Daoist not have a Dao title?”

Li Changshou frowned slightly and said: “The only reason we have any connection is because of my junior sister.

Knowing that you are my junior sister’s cousin is enough. We need not have any further interaction.”

‘Elder Cousin’s’ expression became somewhat awkward, not knowing how to respond.

Just as the male immortal was about to speak, Li Changshou calmly turned the ring on his finger, causing the male immortal to swallow his words.

These ‘young masters’ who grew up cultivating in the Three Thousand Worlds were no fools.

The male immortal smiled and said: “Fellow Daoist is truly unrestrained. The Human Dao lineage is indeed extraordinary.

Might Fellow Daoist be… skilled in the Dao of pill refining?”

“Ordinary. I wouldn’t call it skill. Within the Human Dao, there are many whose pill dao surpasses mine.”

Li Changshou gently turned his ring, and with several flashes of immortal light, several porcelain bottles appeared on the low table. Their mouths were all open, wreaths of immortal light swirling about them, yet not a hint of medicinal fragrance escaped.

The male immortal looked down and his expression froze.

Fifth and sixth-grade spirit pills?!

More outrageous was that these spirit pills were contained in jade bottles of various colors that were casually formed with divine abilities…

‘Details.’

Li Changshou said calmly: “You’ve come from far away to visit my junior sister. These inadequate pills are a thank-you gift for your visit.”

“Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Brother,” the male immortal smiled but didn’t reach for them himself, instead gesturing for ‘Elder Cousin’ to put away the pills.

Just then, thunder rumbled and the low table and ground trembled slightly.

From the ‘kitchen palace’ built by White Marsh, Bear Clever, wearing a three-foot-wide apron, raised high a large tray and came charging forth with great strides.

She had also received Li Changshou’s transmitted message and now released her aura without restraint. A column of blood qi rose skyward like smoke signals, her huge, sturdy half-witch battle body emanating a thick aura of danger.

Setting down the tray revealed a roasted spirit beast and over ten plates of side dishes.

Then Bear Clever clasped her hands, made a Daoist salute to Li Changshou, and ran off.

“Would you two like some wine?”

Li Changshou asked gently.

The male immortal, now covered in cold sweat, hurriedly nodded, his face somewhat pale.

Li Changshou took out two jugs of immortal wine and began familiarly encouraging them to drink;

The male immortal was already intent on establishing connections, while ‘Elder Cousin’ had forgotten how to refuse and dazedly drank along.

Throughout this process, Spirit Moth repeatedly… emitted smoke…

Today was the happiest day of Spirit Moth’s life since birth.

For no other reason than Senior Brother’s gaze never leaving her, so gentle and warm, like the winter sun, seeming to melt her tender heart.

Especially when, during breaks in conversation with Person A and Cousin B, he would gently ask:

“Junior Sister, would you like some of this?”

Before Spirit Moth could pick up her chopsticks, Senior Brother would pick up the dish and bring it to her mouth…

Afterward, he would take out a handkerchief and gently wipe her mouth corners, saying softly:

“You’re looking like a little cat.”

It was simple!

Too much for Moth to bear!

A pink halo appeared behind Spirit Moth as she became dizzy and muddled, her dao heart swaying, as if she had become a pink cloud filled with sweet candy centers.

Wine Rain Poem beside them kept her head turned away the whole time, finding it somewhat hard to watch directly.

This hopeless Moth.

As for the two guests sitting opposite, the male immortal frowned slightly while the female immortal’s gaze showed envy…

Li Changshou managed both tasks, continuing to offer and encourage drinks while ‘taking care’ of his junior sister. He had secretly doctored the wine earlier, adding more raw spirits, causing both guests to become slightly drunk very quickly.

Without anyone noticing, Li Changshou guided the topic to the matter of ‘registered disciples of the Severing Sect.’

Li Changshou smiled: “The Severing Sect with its myriad immortals paying court is truly the great sect of our time!

May I ask which immortal disciple Fellow Daoist has become?”

Under Li Changshou’s focused gaze, the female immortal named ‘Cai Yao’ hurriedly said: “My master is the Severing Sect expert from White Bone Cave on Skull Mountain… Go-Goddess Stone Roost.”

“Why does Fellow Daoist seem nervous?”

“I’m not, it’s just…” Cai Yao lowered her head to avoid Li Changshou’s gaze, repeating ‘it’s just’ several times but unable to explain further.

The male immortal affected a casual air and smiled:

“We must seem laughable to Fellow Daoist. My Cai Yao’s position as a registered disciple was obtained through some connections.

However, she did indeed hear Goddess Stone Roost lecture on the Dao and had a meeting with her.”

“Oh?”

Li Changshou raised his eyebrows and said seriously:

“I enjoy pill refining and usually only move about in nearby towns and markets. I’ve never been to the Three Thousand Worlds and don’t know how things work there.

My sect’s founding ancestor, True Person Deliverance from Adversity, holds a position in the Dao Sect similar to that of Goddess Stone Roost.

Might Fellow Daoist explain in detail? I promise to keep it confidential.”

The male immortal seemed to suddenly regain his confidence and smiled:

“Fellow Daoists naturally wouldn’t know these things.

The Severing Sect is the sect with the most disciples among the Three Schools of the Dao and is even the greatest sect in heaven and earth.

Because they have so many disciples, and most travel through the Three Thousand Worlds, they naturally come to know many unaffiliated expert cultivators. For these unaffiliated experts to request a Severing Sect immortal to give one lecture or teaching isn’t a difficult matter.

According to Primordial World rules, hearing one lecture counts as being a registered disciple.

Over time, some unaffiliated expert cultivators specialized in arranging this, and being a registered disciple under different Severing Sect experts now have set prices.

Moreover, some lesser-known Severing Sect immortals who aren’t doing well also use themselves as bait to invite true experts of the Severing Sect to appear…

Getting one opportunity to hear Goddess Stone Roost lecture and arranging for Cai Yao to be included took this poor Daoist quite some effort.”

Cai Yao frowned slightly but said nothing, keeping her head down.

“Oh?”

Li Changshou’s eyes lit up as he smiled: “The Three Realms are vast with endless wonders, to think such practices exist outside.

To be frank, I have an unaffiliated cultivator friend who also wants to become a registered disciple of a Severing Sect sage, as this would indeed give deeper roots than being in an ordinary immortal sect.

Might Fellow Daoist share how much effort it specifically required?”

The male immortal raised his hand, holding up three fingers.

Li Changshou feigned sudden understanding and deliberately said: “Just three Lesser Merit Spiritual Treasures can buy the status of a Severing Sect immortal’s registered disciple?”

—At this point, he was playing the role of [Arrogant Pill Master].

“No, no, Fellow Daoist misunderstands,” the male immortal laughed awkwardly and explained, “Three hundred loads of pure spirit stones is sufficient.”

“Only that much…”

Li Changshou raised his eyebrows and his mouth twitched slightly as he inwardly sighed.

Now he finally understood why the Red Lotus had collapsed;

And finally understood why Ancestral Master Cloud Lightning had earnestly searched for the Chaos Bell for so many years, while the Chaos Bell would flee at full speed at the mere sight of Ancestral Master Cloud Lightning’s shadow…

The Severing Sect had expanded too much!

These previously overlooked minor matters had become ‘weights’ dragging down the Severing Sect.

Having made his point, asking more would be unstable. Knowing such practices existed in secret was enough; he could investigate later.

The male immortal sitting opposite smiled slightly and leaned forward, saying softly:

“Fellow Daoist Brother, in the Three Thousand Worlds, many experts lack medicinal herbs, and many cultivation factions lack spirit pills.

With Fellow Daoist’s abilities, if we cooperate, within a hundred years, even having inner disciples of the Severing Sect come to give private lectures and accept disciples wouldn’t be impossible.

A fellow Daoist is the senior brother of Cai Yao’s sister, and I am Cai Yao’s Dao companion. We should trust each other and accomplish great things together.

Would Fellow Daoists be willing to cooperate?”

Making spirit stones together…

Li Changshou calmly shook his head and smiled: “I refine pills only for cultivation and have no interest in spirit stones.”

The male immortal’s smile froze.

But then, Li Changshou added: “I could introduce a friend whose pill refining skills are passable and who rather needs spirit stones.

But whether you can persuade him will depend on your ability.”

“Oh?”

The male immortal once again showed a spring-like smile and raised his wine cup in respect to Li Changshou, “Many thanks for Fellow Daoist Brother’s support.”

“You’re too kind, it’s just a small matter.”

Li Changshou symbolically sipped from his wine cup.

He inwardly sighed, deciding to only investigate this time without taking action, avoiding Spirit Moth’s cousin’s family.

After all, they were his junior sister’s relatives.

“Senior Brother…”

A call came from the side, and Li Changshou turned his head to see Spirit Moth holding her breath, her eyes full of rippling emotion, her right hand holding jade chopsticks with a carefully selected piece of spirit beast meat, her other delicate hand underneath as she slowly brought it closer.

Li Changshou naturally opened his mouth, squinting and smiling gently at Spirit Moth, giving her a light wink.

That day, Spirit Moth’s memories were hazy, with pink spots everywhere…

She only remembered that the sunlight was very warm that day, Senior Brother’s smile was very warm, and when she hazily awoke in the pill-refining chamber, even the stone tablet placed before her was very warm.

…

On Golden Tortoise Island;

A message jade token flew through the void from the South Sea, straight up into the high sky, and vanished into thin air.

Soon after, Treasure Master Dao Person’s figure flashed past, dug out an earth tunnel, and headed toward a certain town in the Eastern Victory Divine Continent;

While traveling, following the instructions in Li Changshou’s letter, Treasure Master began carefully disguising himself, changing into brocade clothes, altering his appearance slightly, restraining his dao charm, and preparing a batch of fourth and fifth-grade spirit pills.

He wanted to see exactly who it was and how they were dragging down the Severing Sect’s great fortune!