Dawn light crept over the mountains. After a long night of work in the pill chamber, Li Changshou returned to the vicinity of the grass hut.
He had not yet drawn close when a faint whiff of wine reached his nose. His spiritual sense swept through his junior sister's dwelling, and he could not help but raise a hand to his forehead.
Perhaps he should just walk around...
The view inside the grass hut was, admittedly, quite something.
Scattered across the floor were various "simulated immortal life" cards, along with the deck of "poker" he had made for his junior sister years ago. The cards were actually rather luxurious — crafted from the same special paper he used for paper-cut incarnations, the pulp harvested from a precious tree, the manufacturing process exceedingly complex.
Obviously, the three of them had played all night and had finally been laid low by the wine that Jiu Jiu brought out.
Through his spiritual sense he could see a great sword flung on the floor, a long dress, a short jacket, several pairs of shoes and socks...
Ling'e and Senior Aunt Jiu Jiu lay on the bed — one face down, one face up — fast asleep. Jiu Jiu was clinging to Ling'e's thigh, and Ling'e was in turn clutching Youqin Xuanya's jade-like foot.
In the corner of the bed, Youqin Xuanya lay reclined in a relatively elegant posture, except that she was holding someone's pink dudou in her hand...
He could not bear to look. He simply could not bear to look.
Li Changshou activated the formation beside the grass hut, turned, and went to the lakeside willow tree. He produced two unfinished paper figures and continued cutting them with mana.
Paper-cut incarnation was an advanced divine ability, catalogued among the Daoist "Thirty-Six Heavenly Arts." Li Changshou's acquisition of this technique had been a matter of serendipity — and yet from the day he obtained it until now, fifty years had passed and the art had barely reached the first stage of mastery.
Only after he became an immortal could paper-cut incarnation display its true power. The paper figures he would craft then would be able to carry a sliver of his primordial spirit, granting him a time-limited external incarnation...
It was one of his primary techniques — capable of harming enemies without risk to himself, which made it perfectly to his taste.
As for formations, talismans, pills, and poison-craft, those were merely casual side projects, hobbies to build a bit more security for his survival.
Half a day later, Li Changshou put away the two newly finished paper figures and glanced at the grass hut. The three inside showed no signs of waking.
Master had gone to attend a banquet and had not returned, likely to be gone for quite a while.
Though Qi Yuan had only achieved the rank of muddy immortal, his status within the sect had risen considerably.
Without reaching immortality, one was mortal, with a lifespan of no more than three thousand years.
Those who had once been close to Qi Yuan — whether out of whatever calculation, thinking the old Qi Yuan had lost his value as a social contact, not wanting to grieve too deeply when his lifespan ran out, or simply not wanting to place pressure on him — had for the past several hundred years kept their distance.
Now that Qi Yuan had become a muddy immortal, with the possibility of eventually becoming a True Immortal, those old friends had clustered around him once more...
The world of immortals was, in its own way, quite pragmatic.
"Master's future cultivation is going to be a challenge..."
Lost in thought, Li Changshou suddenly turned his head toward the horizon beyond the mountain.
Whoooosh—
A sharp whistle broke through the air. Li Changshou immediately slipped to the other side of the willow tree, raised his left arm, and caught the tiny jade sword that came hurtling toward him, stopping it steady at a distance of ten zhang.
A middle-aged Daoist's voice rang from within the jade sword: "Li Changshou of Xiaoqiong Peak — attend at Baifan Hall at once."
Li Changshou replied, "Disciple obeys."
The jade sword immediately turned and streaked back toward Potian Peak.
Moments later, two more jade swords came screaming from the same direction, this time aimed straight for the junior sister's grass hut.
Li Changshou understood at once what was happening.
He shook his head, summoned a white cloud, and departed first, avoiding Youqin Xuanya and Jiu Jiu — who would presumably also be heading to Baifan Hall.
...
This gathering was almost certainly about the East Sea Demon-Subduing Assembly.
To avoid arriving too early and drawing attention, Li Changshou waited under a tree outside the hall for a while.
Sure enough, no one discovered him.
Only when more than ten figures had gathered in the southwestern corner of Baifan Hall did he step inside and continue his "invisibility" in the corner.
Senior Uncle Jiu Wu, despite being crafty and treacherous, petty, and always eager to take advantage, possessed at least one redeeming quality — he kept his word.
Currently, Li Changshou appeared in everyone else's eyes as a mere second-rank Return-to-Void disciple, "outstanding" but nothing more. Jiu Wu had not leaked Li Changshou's "true cultivation" of sixth-rank Return-to-Void.
By the time Li Changshou arrived, six of the top ten current disciples by cultivation had already appeared, along with six or seven True Immortals under a thousand years of age.
For a grand event like the Demon-Subduing Assembly where all immortals gathered, the various sects would inevitably compare themselves against one another. And how did one intuitively demonstrate the "talent" and potential of a sect's disciples? By comparing their cultivation progress against their age.
The younger the age and the higher the cultivation, the greater the natural talent and comprehension, and the more credit it brought to one's sect.
This was precisely why Jiu Jiu, unless confined to seclusion, almost never missed such occasions.
Li Changshou waited a while longer inside the hall. True Immortals continued to arrive, and two or three more young disciples appeared.
When Jiu Jiu and Youqin Xuanya finally strolled in, fashionably late, there were eleven young disciples and sixteen True Immortal sect members in attendance.
This was the full assembly of everyone summoned.
Elder Ge, who oversaw the sect's external affairs, arrived with two other elders and began explaining the purpose of the gathering in detail.
Elder Ge addressed them: "This time, the Dragon Palace of the East Sea is convening the Demon-Subduing Assembly at the Eastern Shore, inviting the major sects of the Eastern Divine Province to attend. Our Du Xian Sect is among those invited."
"You all witnessed the assault of that vicious dragon upon our mountain gate not long ago. What is more, that dragon deliberately gave us the wrong date for the assembly, hoping to make our Du Xian Sect lose face..."
"Fortunately, the various sects of the Eastern Province share information among themselves. The sect learned early that the assembly will actually take place seven days from now. We will depart with the other sects for the East Sea four days hence."
"By order of the Sect Master, this assembly will be led by the Venerable Wangqing, who will bring sect disciples. Several other elders who have attained the Heavenly Immortal Dao shall accompany them..."
"You True Immortals are included in the escort."
Elder Ge paused, his gaze sweeping over the twenty-seven people present, and continued:
"The Dragon Palace has three purposes in convening this assembly.
First, they wish to draw a clear boundary between the East Sea and the Eastern Shore.
Second, they seek to reclaim the face they lost when the various sects — our own included — went to the East Sea to subdue demons.
Third, they wish to let the younger generation of the dragon clan strut and preen.
At this assembly, the dragon clan will offer certain treasures as prizes, and the young disciples of the various sects will compete against one another in open challenge and defense of a fighting platform.
You ten..."
Elder Ge had originally been looking at the ten young disciples standing in the back rows. His gaze then settled on Li Changshou in the corner, and he corrected himself:
"You eleven are the disciples with the highest cultivation — or the most, ah, resourceful — among the current generation."
"A few years ago we had just been to the East Sea to suppress demons. This assembly is certain to target us. There are also a few sects that bear grudges against us, and they may try to trip you up behind the scenes, hoping to see our young disciples humiliated."
"Remember: you must not lose face for the Du Xian Sect, and even less may you fail to uphold the dignity of our Three Teachings sect! If anyone provokes you privately, pay them no heed. But when the formal contests begin, you must show them what you are capable of!"
"By prior agreement among the sects, the young generation attending from the Eastern Province will all be under one hundred and fifty years of age, and it is rare for any to have already reached the Return-to-the-Dao stage. Those treasures — if you can claim them, they shall be your personal rewards."
"Is that understood?"
The eleven disciples mostly showed expressions of delight and answered in unison: "Disciple remembers the Elder's instruction."
Elder Ge nodded, hesitated a moment, then said: "There is one more matter. It was personally conveyed by the Venerable Wangqing..."
Everyone fell silent.
"Where is Li Changshou of Xiaoqiong Peak?"
"Disciple is here." Li Changshou's mind raced — he was in trouble. He had underestimated Jiu Wu's cunning. But he betrayed nothing, bowing respectfully.
Elder Ge spoke in a grave tone: "On this expedition, all young disciples shall be under your command. You are to serve as... the leader of the young disciples."
In an instant, not only were the ten other disciples stunned, but the sixteen True Immortals also turned to scrutinize Li Changshou.
A second-rank Return-to-Void disciple? Why on earth had he been chosen as leader?
Feeling all those gazes converge upon him, Li Changshou's mouth corner could not help but twitch.
On purpose — Jiu Wu had absolutely done this on purpose!
The short Taoist was forcing him to reveal his trump card!
Li Changshou had originally felt that tagging along to the East Sea would be manageable — with several Heavenly Immortals of the sect providing protection, there would be no serious problems. He could even use the opportunity to scout the vast and sparsely populated East Sea for a suitable place to seclude himself and face his tribulation.
But without warning, Jiu Wu had laid this trap right here!
He had previously thought this trip would come out even — now he was certain to suffer a devastating loss.
Jiu Jiu asked cheerfully: "How did Master know about you?"
But several disciples and True Immortals from other peaks were already itching to raise questions...
"This disciple believes the arrangement is inappropriate," Li Changshou responded with lightning speed — frowning, bowing his head, his aura slightly disrupted, a sheen of sweat upon his brow.
He said in a low voice: "I respectfully ask the Elder to rescind the order."
"Oh?" Elder Ge frowned. "Are you dissatisfied with the Venerable Wangqing's decree?"
"This disciple would not dare, but there is something irregular about this matter." Li Changshou did not raise his head. After a moment of deliberate hesitation, he asked in a small voice: "I venture to ask — did the Venerable Wangqing give this order in person, or did Senior Uncle Jiu Wu relay it on his behalf?"
Elder Ge's brow furrowed deeper. "It was relayed by Jiu Wu."
Li Changshou breathed a small sigh of relief inwardly. His expression shifted to one of slight panic mixed with a trace of helpless resignation — the look of someone who had always suspected as much.
Jiu Wu had definitely invoked the Venerable Wangqing's name. The chances were excellent that Wangqing himself had not been informed of such a minor matter concerning young disciples.
This sort of fabrication was of no consequence to Jiu Wu. The Venerable Wangqing would not only fail to pursue it, but would likely help his prized disciple cover the lie when necessary. Jiu Wu was simply acting first and reporting later.
But this also left plenty of openings for a counterstrike.
Li Changshou decided at once to seize the initiative.
Since you opened with the first move, Senior Uncle, do not blame me for the fifteenth!
A leader among the younger generation was essentially a standard-bearer, and the implications were enormous. This would thrust him into the eye of the storm.
If this appointment were confirmed, every immortal on every peak — and every young disciple — would keep their eyes fixed on him. Trouble would come one after another without end.
This job — he absolutely could not accept it.
Li Changshou wore an expression of shame and said with a sigh:
"I confess to the Elder, in recent years I have grown close to Senior Uncle Jiu Wu of Potian Peak, and we have shared many pleasant evenings sampling and discussing wine. When Senior Uncle Jiu Wu was drinking at my place, he once said — in jest, while in his cups — that even for a mediocre and obscure disciple such as myself, he could arrange for me to stand tall among my fellow disciples."
"Who could have guessed that, after sobering up, the Senior Uncle would feel obligated to make good on his words, and out of concern for his own reputation, would orchestrate such an arrangement? I am truly distressed."
Elder Ge's frown deepened, but the other sect members showed expressions of sudden understanding.
So that was how it was...
The hostile looks directed at Li Changshou vanished, replaced by sympathy. They felt that Senior Uncle Jiu Wu, relying on his position within the sect, had been rather too brazen, and pitied Li Changshou considerably.
Even Jiu Jiu could not help but mutter: "How could Fifth Senior Brother treat it so lightly! Really!"
Meanwhile, several ten thousand li away, Jiu Wu — riding through the sky — could not help but sneeze several times in rapid succession.
Inside Baifan Hall, Li Changshou heaved a few more sighs:
"This disciple would not dare put the Elder in a difficult position, nor would I blame Senior Uncle Jiu Wu for his good intentions. But I truly cannot shoulder such a heavy responsibility."
"Perhaps the Elder could designate another disciple of fitting talent and virtue as leader. I would then thicken my own skin and join the expedition to the Eastern Shore as an ordinary participant."
"If this appointment truly came from the Venerable Wangqing, then I bear an inescapable duty and will obey without hesitation — ready to shed my blood for the sect if need be. But if Senior Uncle Jiu Wu was simply having a joke, I would not dare claim such a distinction. I only wish to make up the numbers this once."
"I lay these circumstances before the Elder for your discernment!"
Having spoken, Li Changshou bowed deeply and did not rise for a long time.
The assembled immortals were quite moved, feeling that this disciple had indeed been set up by Jiu Wu, and his situation was genuinely difficult.
One female disciple even said softly: "Senior Brother Changshou, why not just be the leader? We all know the truth and will have not a word of complaint."
The other disciples nodded in agreement.
"What Changshou says does hold some reason." Elder Ge pondered a few moments, his gaze filled with appreciation for Li Changshou.
Then Elder Ge added: "Jiu Wu has just left for Central Shenzhou and cannot be reached for the moment. This sort of trivial matter is not worth troubling the Venerable Wangqing over..."
"Very well. We shall do as you suggest and find another leader."
No sooner had Elder Ge finished speaking than Youqin Xuanya stepped forward, cupped her hands, and declared in a firm voice: "This disciple is willing to bear this heavy responsibility!"
Li Changshou felt a flash of surprise. Poison today...
So attuned to his intentions?
Her years of seclusion had clearly borne fruit — the toxicity had somewhat dissipated...
But before Li Changshou could even begin to relax, Youqin Xuanya continued:
"I respectfully ask the Elder to establish two co-leaders. This disciple and Senior Brother Changshou shall serve together, so that both may be satisfied!"
"Cough!"
Li Changshou nearly choked on his own breath.
Good heavens!
The toxicity had not lessened — it had intensified!
At that moment, Youqin Xuanya turned to look at Li Changshou, her gaze full of resolve, her eyes brimming with earnestness and even a trace of shy tenderness.
*'Leave it to me, Senior Brother Changshou. Xuanya will not let you down.'*
In that instant, Li Changshou felt himself...
About to crack in two...