Chapter 115 - Fellow Daoist, The Path Is Narrow
Chapter 115 Fellow Daoist, The Path Is Narrow
“The internal sect competition…”
It began to rain in Little Qiong Peak.
Li Changshou tidied up the pills in the Pill Chamber and headed towards the straw hut. He was thinking about the important internal sect competition that he and his junior sister could not avoid.
Now, his cultivation level was at the first stage of the Dao Requital realm. His disciple ranking within the sect was maintained in the twenties.
To the sect, he was an immortal seedling who had taken the wrong path. He liked to refine pills and array formations.
To Li Changshou, that position was just right. He did not have much of a presence, but he could also receive better treatment in the sect.
He kept a wisp of immortal senses and watched Daoist Kuai Si, who was in seclusion on the Immortal Downpour Peak. Li Changshou then focused most of his attention back onto the trivial matter before him…
“It’s time to deliver the poison.” Youqin Xuanya had just arrived yesterday and he felt that she should not have left yet.
Over the past decade, Youqin Xuanya has come to the Little Qiong Peak rather regularly.
Every two years, she would appear at the Little Qiong Peak on time.
It was like she was just performing an official chore that was part of her routine, in order to maintain the friendship.
At the same time, it was also because she had not seen a certain senior brother for a long time and she felt slightly empty deep down.
She felt that Senior Brother Changshou was a role model for her. She had to look at him often to know if she had gone astray…
Every time she visited, Li Changshou would avoid her and let Ling’e accompany her for tea instead.
Li Changshou would only appear when Youqin Xuanya was about to leave and return to the Heaven-Breaking Peak to continue cultivating in seclusion. He would say a few words to her and bid her farewell.
That way, Youqin Xuanya would feel that her trip was not wasted. When she returned, she would not repeatedly look back either.
The rain was hazy, and the clouds gradually rose.
Li Changshou quickly walked to the lake and threw some fish food into the lake.
The mountains in the far distance were hidden, and there were ripples on the nearby waters.
In the straw hut behind him, which was within two layers of array formations, the cups and plates were strewn all over the place. The banquet had long ended. The three figures were sleeping on Ling’e’s bed…
Youqin Xuanya’s exclusive spot was at the foot of the bed. She was sleeping soundly. Lingle lay on her side while Jiu Jiu hugged her wine jar and sat by the bed.
All three of them had rouge on their faces which were painted badly to make them look funny. Jiu Jiu had the most rouge on her face. Naturally, she had lost the most miserably yesterday. Li Changshou glanced at Youqin Xuanya’s cultivation level…
She was at the sixth stage of the Dao Requital realm, which was still three stages away from reaching her Heavenly Tribulation.
Li Changshou was slightly worried about Youqin Xuanya’s Tribulation Transcendence.
Judging from Youqin Xuanya’s current aptitude, she would have at least seven Heavenly Tribulations, or eight Thunder Tribulations.
However, Youqin Xuanya’s cultivation level was still rather low. If she encountered a Heavenly Tribulation like the one he had, she might…
Although Youqin Xuanya did not “benefit” him much, she was still considered half a friend…
I’ll give her ten percent of the set of preparations for the Tribulation Transcendence that I had made for Ling’e.
Li Changshou smiled in his head. As he observed his master’s condition, he stared at his enemy.
In comparison, Li Changshou felt that it was a little unjust.
Ling’e had heard about the incident that happened between Junior Brother Qi Qi and Senior Sister Yan’er back then. She had also asked around and found out some rumors about their master, Uncle-Master, and Daoist Kuai Si.
According to the rumors, Master and Daoist Kuai Si had a conflict because of an issue regarding Dao companions. Both of them had a private battle.
However, Uncle-Master Jiu Wu had mentioned a sneak attack.
Based on Li Changshou’s secret investigation over the past ten years, as well as the information that he had obtained from his master, he had more or less figured out the original story… About a thousand years ago, the master of Little Qiong Peak took in two disciples. When his disciples’ cultivation level was on the right track, he left to wander the world and seek a breakthrough.
He left Wan Jiangyu, and her Junior Brother, Qi Yuan behind.
They were all immortal seedlings of that batch of disciples back then. Wan Jiangyu was ranked 89th, and Qi Yuan was ranked 145th.
The two of them were childhood sweethearts. In the environment of the Immortal Du Sect where everyone had a Dao companion, they naturally had feelings for each other.
After that, the immortal seedling of the Immortal Downpour Peak, Kuai Si, fell in love with Wan Jiangyu at first sight. He begged for her to reciprocate his feelings for more than ten years but to no avail. Hence, he blamed it on Qi Yuan. He secretly provoked Qi Yuan and was at odds with him. In the end, he asked Qi Yuan out for a battle. In reality, he secretly launched a sneak attack and severely injured Qi Yuan…
That was why Wan Jiangyu took the risk and went out to search for herbs for Qi Yuan.
As for the rumor that Ling’e had first found out, Wan Jiangyu was angry that she had been objectified and treated as a “treasure” that the male Qi Refinement cultivators fought over. Hence, she left the sect to look for her master, while Qi Yuan and Kuai Si fought. Qi Yuan was not his match and ended up getting severely injured.
That piece of news was actually spread by the Immortal Downpour Peak back then. They were just biased towards Kuai Si.
Back then, Aunt-Master Wan Jiangyu and his master were isolated and helpless. There were no elders or immortals from Little Qiong Peak and hence, they had no choice but to bear with it.
Now…
Aunt-Master Wan Jiangyu died miserably in the North Continent. Fortunately, her remnant soul reincarnated in the Six Paths of Reincarnation.
Qi Yuan’s Dao base had been damaged and he had struggled for eight to nine hundred years. He should have died under the Heavenly Tribulation, but he had been saved by a pill from his eldest disciple, Li Changshou.
Li Changshou was a little angry. The reason why he was angry was not that Kuai Si was despicable and shameless. He had long experienced such people in his previous life.
Li Changshou was angered by two things.
Firstly, the sect’s choice of internal punishment after the incident was based on the principle of downplaying major matters into smaller ones and avoiding trouble. The Immortal Downpour Peak managed to protect Kuai Si. Kuai Si was now rigorous and in high spirits. He had a Dao companion, became a Heaven Immortal Conspiracy, and was working towards immortality. However, his master could only reach the Perfected Immortal realm at most.
Secondly, Aunt-Master Wan Jiangyu had been forced to such a state by the Immortal Forest Peak. How helpless had she been? There were numerous immortals in the sect, yet she had to go to the North Continent alone…
However, it did not matter.
If the sect did not punish the culprit, he, Qi Yuan’s disciple, would go and seek justice on his behalf!
There were tension and disagreements between the peaks. That was the conclusion that Li Changshou had come to after entering the sect.
Therefore, he would not deliberately target the Immortal Downpour Peak. At most, he would launch some sneak attacks during the internal competition in the sect where he would meet the disciples of the Immortal Downpour Peak.
Now, I just need you to move.
Li Changshou squinted slightly. He stared at the Immortal Downpour Peak that was shrouded in the rain and fog, as well as the figure that was meditating in the Cave Abode.
“Senior Brother? When did you come over?”
Li Changshou turned around and saw Lingle walking out of the straw hut.
She was combing her long, smooth hair with her fingers. Her pretty face was slightly flushed because she had just woken up. She smiled at Li Changshou. The two figures slowly woke up in the straw hut behind him…
Li Changshou smiled at Ling’e.
Back then, Wan Jiangyu could not protect her junior brother, and no one stood up for Little Qiong Peak.
It will not be the case now.
A moment later.
“Tsk, tsk. Little Changshou, Little Ling’e. Which place are you planning to come in when you compete on behalf of Little Qiong Peak in this internal Sect Tournament?”. Aunt-Master Jiu Jiu leaned against the door frame of the straw hut and asked with a smile on her face.
Ling’e blinked and looked at her senior brother.
Youqin Xuanya, who was nervously adjusting her dress, stood on her tiptoes and looked outside.
Clearly, they were very concerned about Li Changshou’s “ambitiousness”.
Li Changshou pondered for a moment. He originally wanted to say that it would be enough for him to get into the top fifty places. If he could obtain most of the rewards given by the sect, it would be useless to fight to get into the top twenty.
However, for safety’s sake, he hesitated slightly and announced the expected ranking.
“I’ll definitely come in the 108th place but I’m aiming for the 72nd place… yeah.”
Ling’e burst out laughing.
Jiu Jiu rolled her eyes. Youqin Xuanya, who had just tied the garment around her waist, frowned.
Youqin Xuanya thought to herself, Senior Brother Changshou is very outstanding no matter what. He is just too humble and lacks confidence.
Just as she was about to speak, Little Aunt-Master had already launched into a tirade.
“Little Changshou, can you be a little more promising! Everyone in Heaven-Breaking Peak knows that I am close to you! If your ranking in the internal sect competition is too low, I will be utterly embarrassed!”
Ling’e chuckled. She knew that her senior brother had already transcended the Immortal Ascension Heavenly Tribulation, so she was not worried about his performance in the sect competition at all…
“Senior Brother Changshou.”
Youqin Xuanya walked out of the straw hut and looked at Li Changshou.
“There are still three years before the competition. I have encountered some obstacles during cultivation recently. Why don’t I come over a few more times? We can spar with each other and improve our abilities.”
Li Changshou smiled and replied, “Junior Sister Youqin, just focus on your cultivation. When the time comes, I will work hard and I should be able to reach the Heavenly Dipper realm.”
“That’s more like it!”
Jiu Jiu snorted, but she was still a little dissatisfied. She continued, “The number of disciples in the sect will be fixed once every two hundred years. The internal sect competition is very important. It will decide whether or not you can continue to cultivate in the sect. Ling’e has only been in the sect for a short period of time. You have already been in the sect for more than a hundred years. You must aim to be in the top thirty-six places!”
“Aunt-Master, you’re right!”
Li Changshou bowed solemnly. He took a deep breath and said seriously, “Then this time, I’ll be bolder. I’ll definitely get into the 72nd place but I’ll fight for 36th place!”
Jiu Jiu was instantly touched. She gave Li Changshou a thumbs-up. She said, “Although you will not be allowed to use poisonous pills, incapacitating agents, and array formations during the internal sect competition, you will definitely be able to do it if you go all out!”
Beside her, Ling’e placed her hands behind her back and looked up at the sky… “Senior Brother Changshou.” Youqin Xuanya took half a step forward as well. Her eyes were glistening. “Senior Brother, do you have any hopes for me?” “Since you are the Head Disciple, you have to do it…”
Li Changshou paused. He felt that his words might put a lot of pressure on Youqin Xuanya. Hence, he changed his mind and said, “Fight for the top three.” “Pui!”
Jiu Jiu let out a cold snort and trembled slightly. She was aggressive.
She said fiercely, “Xuan Ya naturally has to fight for the title. That’s the only way she can prove herself to be worthy of being the Head Disciple.” Li Changshou smiled and said, “The fights don’t just depend on one’s cultivation level. The ability to react during critical junctures, your mystical abilities, and your treasures tend to affect your performance too. The effects of the latter three are even greater…”
Li Changshou paused a little.
Daoist Kuai Si from the Immortal Downpour Peak had already stood up and walked out of the Cave Abode.
Three young disciples stood outside the Cave Abode and reported to him about the internal sect competition… Li Changshou’s thoughts were running through his mind. He remained calm and smiled.
“If you don’t mind, why don’t you come over tomorrow and let’s spar for a few days?”
Youqin Xuanya smiled and said, “I’ll come over tomorrow morning.” “I’ll wait for you, Junior Sister.”
Li Changshou and Youqin Xuanya bowed and smiled at each other.
Youqin Xuanya did not think too much about it. She was purely elated.
Li Changshou considered the matter and thought, If Daoist Kuai Si is going out this time…
The first witness who could prove that he had an alibi had appeared.
Based on Li Changshou’s understanding of the three people in front of him, the second witness who could prove that he had an alibi would jump out soon. “In that case!” *Coughs*
Jiu Jiu placed her hands behind her back and took two steps forward like an expert. “I’ll give you a few days of guidance since I’m your Aunt-Master.”
She continued, “Remember to prepare your gifts for me. I want… a hundred sugar bean pills and ten jars of good wine!”
Li Changshou nodded with a smile.
Qi Yuan who looked a little haggard stood in front of the door of his straw hut. When he heard the laughter outside, his lips curled into a smile of gratification. He raised his hand and lowered it again.
Then, Qi Yuan turned around and returned to the meditation cushion. He sat cross-legged to meditate and continued to cultivate. Li Changshou naturally saw that scene. He pondered for a while and came up with a plan…
Although revenge was important, it was equally important to let his master recover and enjoy the rest of his life.
After all, Li Changshou did not go looking for Daoist Kuai Si to vent his anger.
He just felt unjust for his master.
Daoist Kuai Si did not disappoint Li Changshou.
The Perfected Immortal Daoist who had been cultivating in the mountain for more than ten years had promised his disciples that they would each obtain a superior-class Dharma treasure before the big competition.
Thus, Daoist Kuai Si left the mountain the next day and headed towards the familiar town in the north.
Li Changshou naturally would not let go of that opportunity that he had been waiting for more than ten years. The two paper effigies had embarked on the journey at the same time. They naturally carried the spare paper effigies with them.
Kuai Si flew forward while the paper effigies used the Earth Escape technique and secretly followed him. After following him for two days, they arrived at a small town near the border of the North Continent. If he wanted to attack, he naturally had to stay as far away from the Immortal Du Sect as possible.
That place was filled with demons and humans. It was rather lively, and there were many people performing hard labor to earn money.
After some thought, Li Changshou began to implement the second plan.
An hour later…
When Daoist Kuai Si was choosing some Dharma treasures that had unknown origins, in a Dharma treasure shop that he was familiar with, he suddenly saw a familiar figure walking over from the corner of the street.
The Daoist was stunned for a moment. His immortal senses immediately followed the figure, and his eyes were filled with confusion.
The figure was wearing a cloak, but his face and body… were exactly the same as Daoist Kuai Si’s body!
However, his cultivation level was barely at the Perfected Immortal realm.
Although that person had tried his best to “advance” his cultivation level to the mid-stage of the Perfected Immortal realm, a discerning person would be able to see through him at a glance.
This is… atrocious!
How dare you impersonate me in this place. You are courting death. At that moment, Daoist Kuai Si said to the owner of the Dharma treasure shop that he would come back later and then quickly walked out of the shop. He hid his aura and followed behind secretly. Soon, he left the town and rode his cloud to chase the figure.
At the same time, on Little Qiong Peak.
Li Changshou looked at the dazzling and eye-catching Youqin Xuanya in front of him and made an inviting gesture. “Junior Sister, make your move… Remember to hold back and save more energy today.” Youqin Xuanya looked serious. She bowed to Li Changshou and immediately charged forward with her sword.