Chapter 35 (1/2)
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
In the morning, Li Changshou finally returned to the vicinity of the straw hut after working throughout the night in the Pill Chamber.
Before he came close to the straw hut, he faintly smelled wine. He expanded his spiritual awareness to look into his junior sister’s room, and then could not help but smack his forehead.
‘I should make a detour.’
The scene in the straw house was not bad.
Various cards from the Immortal Life Simulation were scattered across the ground, along with the ‘Poker’ cards, which Li Changshou had made for his junior sister several years ago.
These cards were quite extravagant. Li Changshou had used the special paper, which had been used to create his paper dolls. This paper came from the sap of a precious tree, and the manufacturing process was extremely complicated.
It was obvious that these people had been playing all night. At last, they had been knocked unconscious by the wine that Jiu Jiu had produced…
Li Changshou’s spiritual awareness detected a huge sword on the ground, along with a long skirt, a blouse, and several shoes and socks.
Jiu Jiu and Lan Ling’e both lay on the mattress, snoring. Jiu Jiu was hugging Lan Ling’e’s thigh, while the latter was hugging Jiu Jiu’s jade-like arm.
Youqin Xuanya was lying down quite elegantly in the corner of the mattress. However, in her hand, she held… someone’s pink undergarment.
‘I cannot look. I cannot look.’
Li Changshou activated the array formation next to the straw hut, and then turned around and walked towards the willow beside the lake. He retrieved two incomplete paper dolls and used his Dharmic powers to work on them.
Man-Forming Paper Cutouts was considered an advanced mystical ability. It was recorded in the Dao sects’ 36 Ways of the Big Dipper. It was only by chance that Li Changshou had managed to learn this mystical ability.
50 years had pa.s.sed since he had learned this ability, and he had only achieved initial success.
After Li Changshou became an immortal, the Man-Forming Paper Cutouts would become truly powerful. The paper dolls he created would contain a bit of his essence soul, and he would truly be able to move out of his own body for a limited amount of time.
Man-Forming Paper Cutouts was also one of the mystical abilities of his main cultivation. He could hurt his enemies without putting himself in danger. It was perfect for him.
The other array formations, talismans, pills, and poisons were just his side-endeavors. They could be considered hobbies and extra ways in which he could protect himself and get on with his true pursuit.
Half a day later, Li Changshou kept his two new paper dolls. He glanced at the straw hut and discovered that there was no sign that the three ladies had regained consciousness.
‘Master has not returned from his banquet either. I guess he will be out for a long time.’
His master had only become a Turbid Immortal, but his status within the sect had obviously improved.
People who had not ascended to immortality were mere mortals, who could live no longer than 3,000 years.
The people whom Qi Yuan knew in his early days had maintained a distance from him in these hundreds of years for various reasons. It could have been that they did not see as much value in Qi Yuan as they did initially, or that they did not want to feel too sad by Qi Yuan’s pa.s.sing, or that they did not want to give Qi Yuan undue pressure.
However, since Qi Yuan was now a Turbid Immortal, if all went well in the future, he could become a Perfected Immortal.
Although his reputation suffered, he now had a long life to look forward to. The friends that Qi Yuan made back then returned once again.
People in immortal sects were quite practical as well.
‘Master’s cultivation journey from now on would be a difficult problem as well.’
As he thought about this, Li Changshou suddenly turned to look outside the mountain.
Whoosh…
There was the sound of something cutting through the sky. Li Changshou immediately hid on the other side of the willow, raised his left arm, and pointed his left hand towards the little jade sword, which was shooting towards him. The jade sword stopped in the air 100 feet away from him.
A middle-aged man’s hoa.r.s.e voice sounded from inside the jade sword. “Little Changshou of the Little Qiong Peak, come to the Bai Fan Hall for a discussion as soon as possible.”
Li Changshou answered, “At your command, Master.”
The jade sword immediately turned around and towards the Heaven-Breaking Peak.
A while later, two more jade swords flew towards Li Changshou from the same direction. However, these headed straight into his junior sister’s straw hut.
At once, realization dawned on Li Changshou.
He shook his head and mounted a white cloud, advancing ahead of the rest. He wanted to avoid Jiu Jiu and Youqin Xuanya, who were both headed to the Bai Fan Hall as well.
…
This gathering probably concerned the trip to the East Ocean for the Demon-Sweeping Meet.
In order to avoid attracting any attention, Li Changshou sat under a tree outside the hall for some time.
Indeed, no one noticed him.
Ten-odd figures appeared in the south-west corner of the Bai Fan Hall. Li Changshou finally walked in and blended into the shadows in the corner.
‘Uncle-Master Jiu Wu is devious, petty, narrow-minded, and likes taking advantage of others. However, at the very least, he has some good points, such as being a man of his word.’
At that moment, in the eyes of others, Li Changshou was an ‘exemplary’ disciple in the Second Stage of Void Return. Jiu Wu had not revealed Li Changshou’s true cultivation level as being the Sixth Stage of Void Return.
When Li Changshou arrived, six of the top ten disciples of his generation were already there. There were also six or seven Perfected Immortals who were over 1,000 years old.
The various immortal sects naturally saw huge events like the Demon-Sweeping Meet as arenas of compet.i.tion, since various immortal sects would be gathered. How could these sects show off their disciples’ talent and potential? They could do so by showing their disciples’ cultivation levels and ages.
If one was of a young age, but with a high cultivation level, it would show that he had a high level of talent and comprehension. This would bring glory to his sect.
This was why Jiu Jiu would never miss events like these unless she happened to be in seclusion.
Li Changshou waited for a while inside the hall, as Perfected Immortals kept walking in. Two or three more young disciples entered.
When Jiu Jiu and Youqin Xuanya finally arrived, there were a total of 11 young disciples and 16 Perfected Immortals.
These represented all the people who were asked to gather here today.
Elder Ge, who was in charge of expeditions outside the sect, arrived together with two other elders. They began to explain the purpose of their gathering in detail.
Elder Ge said, “The East Ocean’s Dragon Palace is organizing a Demon-Sweeping Meet at the Coast of the East Ocean. They have invited the main immortal sects in the East Continent to join them. The Immortal Du Sect is among those invited.
“I believe you have all seen or heard about the wretched dragon invading our sect earlier.
“On top of that, this wretched dragon purposely gave us the wrong date for the Meet. He wanted to see our Immortal Du Sect make a fool of ourselves.
“Fortunately, the various immortal sects in the East Continent look out for one another. We found out long ago that the Meet will take place in seven days. In four days, our Immortal Du Sect will head towards the East Ocean together with the other immortal sects.
“The Sect Master has given orders for Exalted w.a.n.g Qing to lead our disciples this time. Other elders who have borne fruit from the Heaven Immortal Dao will follow along…
“All of you, Perfected Immortals, will follow along as well.”
Once Elder Ge finished speaking, he scanned the 27 people in front of him. Then, he spoke again.
“The Dragon Palace is organizing this Demon-Sweeping Meet for none other than three purposes.
“Firstly, they want to draw a clear boundary between the East Ocean and the Coast of the East Ocean.
“Secondly, they want to recover their lost glory from the various immortal sects who went to the East Ocean to get rid of demons the last time.
“Thirdly, they want to give their dragon disciples a chance to show off their military strength.
“The dragon race will surely hold up certain treasures for good luck during this Demon-Sweeping Meet. Young disciples should constantly share learning points with one another and defend and attack accordingly.
“The ten of you…”
Elder Ge scanned the ten young disciples standing at the back and then glanced at the corner in which Li Changshou was standing. He corrected himself.
“The eleven of you have the highest cultivation level in your generation. You are… er, the sharpest as well.
“A few years ago, we went to the East Ocean to get rid of demons. The Dragon Palace will surely target us during this Meet. Other immortal sects whom we have feuds with will also create stumbling blocks for us in secret. They want to watch you, young disciples, make a fool of yourselves.