Chapter 126: Learned, Learned

Creak, creak...

The wooden sign swayed gently in the light breeze. A group of immortals, with their distinguished features and an air of transcendence, stood before the wobbling sign. The atmosphere was... slightly awkward.

None of them, of course, resorted to using their immortal power to forcibly disperse the surrounding entrapment array. They were all figures who valued their reputations; such an undignified act was unthinkable.

It was unclear who laughed first, but soon all the esteemed figures, with hands clasped behind their backs, shared a confident burst of laughter.

Outside the array, Li Changshou, Ao Yi, and Jiuwu stood respectfully in a line, ordered from tallest to shortest. Ao Yi wore a faint smile.

Then, Heavenly Lord Qin Wan of Jin'ao Island's voice echoed from within the array: "The layout here is truly ingenious. By connecting the array foundations, it transitions between various similar formations, linking them one after another. The only way to break this entrapment array is to forcibly dispel it... Of course, the person who set it up doesn't have high cultivation, so the array foundations are not very powerful, making it easy to blow away. But if I were to refine such foundations and set up an array like this, I believe even a Golden Immortal could be trapped. Ingenious, truly ingenious, hahahaha!"

Li Changshou, standing outside the array, felt no stir in his heart upon hearing these words. It would indeed be laughable if a venerable Golden Immortal, a senior figure of the Jie School, couldn't discern such a minor formation. Likewise, Li Changshou felt no elation from the praise; rather, he was quite relieved. He was glad his "Turtle Art" had just endured the scrutiny of a Golden Immortal. From this perspective, today's events were not without benefits. This confirmed that the path he had chosen early on to conceal his aura was not misguided. If he couldn't avoid the Tri-Sect Assembly of Origins later, this would significantly simplify the work of improving this cultivation method.

After a slight perception, he noticed a group of old immortals slowly moving within the array, continuously commenting on and discussing the Way of Arrays, each seemingly gaining some insight. What could they possibly discern? What could they gain? In essence, it was merely an illusion and entrapment array at the True Immortal level.

Suddenly, a small lightning bolt of insight struck Li Changshou's heart. He turned to Jiuwu, his eyes widening abruptly.

Uncle-Master Jiuwu shivered. "Changshou, why are you looking at me? Your gaze is quite frightening!"

"Nothing, nothing," Li Changshou quickly replied, composing his expression. Yet, a tidal wave of realization surged within him. He had almost forgotten that these Ten Heavenly Lords were destined to be listed on the future Investiture of the Gods!

The Ten Heavenly Lords were most renowned for their Ten Ultimate Arrays! In the upcoming Investiture of the Gods war, the Ten Heavenly Lords would be significant Jie School figures entering the fray relatively early in the mid-stage. They would deploy the Ten Ultimate Arrays, eliminating some cannon fodder from the Chan School's side, before being laboriously defeated by the Chan School. Furthermore, it was precisely the Ten Heavenly Lords' consecutive defeats and the continuous breaking of their Ten Ultimate Arrays that drew in Zhao Gongming, the chief outer-sect disciple, escalating the Investiture of the Gods war to its climax. None of this was originally relevant to Li Changshou... But what if... what if Heavenly Lord Qin, even slightly inspired by these small formations he had set up, upgraded their Ten Ultimate Arrays into a linked series, and during the Great Investiture Tribulation, truly managed to fell a few of the Chan School's Twelve Golden Immortals? Then... as a Human School disciple, there should, possibly, probably be no karmic connection to him...

Li Changshou couldn't help but press a hand to his forehead. He suddenly felt an overwhelming urge to take his master and junior sister, find an opportunity to slip away to the Heavenly Court, and declare, "The Sea God of the South Sea pledges allegiance today!" No, that was wrong. If he truly angered a Saint, even the Jade Emperor couldn't protect him. His only recourse would be to cling tightly to the Grand Pure Saint. This truly was an unexpected calamity.

As Li Changshou worried, he heard a faint, somewhat breathless voice transmission from Sect Master Ji Wuyou: "Changshou, cough cough... please dispel the grand array..."

Li Changshou quickly composed himself and deactivated the array.

A group of old immortals emerged from the array, each laughing heartily. Fortunately, they hadn't thoroughly investigated the area. They had merely strolled around, failing to discover the unactivated array foundations hidden beneath the surface.

Sect Master Ji Wuyou of the Immortal Ascension Sect walked at the forefront, pointing at Li Changshou and smiling warmly: "These small formations here were set up by this young disciple." Ao Yi and Jiuwu immediately stepped aside, revealing Li Changshou. The dragon and the human displayed remarkable synchronicity.

Immediately, all eyes converged on him. Li Changshou's body tensed. He bowed slightly, a fine sheen of sweat on his forehead, his expression suitably nervous. His immortal power within him remained like stagnant water, while the simulated Dao Return Realm magic power circulated at a slightly faster pace. Fortunately, the gazes gradually shifted away, having discerned nothing.

Then came a chorus of praise. One remarked that the Human School's heritage was truly extraordinary, producing outstanding disciples from distinguished masters. Another said the young man would surely achieve greatness in the future, and in ten thousand years, the Way of Arrays would gain another brilliant talent.

His Turtle Art had survived the scrutiny of a second wave of Golden Immortal grandmasters, but Li Changshou found himself unable to feel any joy. If today's events truly altered the course of the future Investiture of the Gods war, that would incur an immense karmic burden! If a Saint were to deduce it, he would have nowhere to escape!

Yet... he heard Heavenly Lord Qin laugh: "Sect Master Wuyou, I wish to exchange a few treasures for the method of setting up these linked arrays, to take back and study with my siblings. Would that be permissible?"

No! Absolutely no! Quickly, Sect Master, declare this a secret not to be passed on by the Human School!

Li Changshou cried out loudly in his heart. Unfortunately, Sect Master Ji Wuyou, oblivious, waved his hand and said, "Don't mention treasures; it's just a small method for handling array foundations. Changshou."

Li Changshou's face showed hesitation as he quietly replied, "Disciple is here..."

Jiuwu, thinking Li Changshou was intimidated, chivalrously stepped forward and stated, "Reporting to Sect Master, Changshou has already dedicated the method for connecting array foundations to the sect."

"Oh?" Ji Wuyou's eyes immediately crinkled with a smile. Li Changshou became even more pleasing to him, and he even entertained the thought of taking him as a disciple. "Bring it later and present it to Senior Qin!"

Jiuwu promptly agreed.

Qin Wan laughed, "I can't possibly accept this for nothing; otherwise, my Dao heart would be restless."

As he spoke, Qin Wan produced a white jade flute from his sleeve. The flute glowed with an inner light, spiritual radiance shimmered upon it, and wisps of green light encircled it. It was a spirit treasure of exceptional quality and spirituality, even barely meeting the threshold of a 'post-natal spirit treasure'!

Qin Wan handed the white jade flute to Ji Wuyou, smiling, "Sect Master Wuyou, please don't decline, or I will be quite displeased."

Ji Wuyou accepted the white jade flute with a smile, enveloped it in immortal power, and casually presented it to Li Changshou, saying, "Why aren't you thanking Senior Qin for his gift?"

Li Changshou held the white jade flute with both hands, quietly saying, "Thank you, Senior, for the treasure."

Then he heard the Sect Master laugh: "Xiaowu, go now and retrieve the method for refining interconnected array foundations. Also, give Changshou three hundred months' worth of monthly offerings as a sect reward. From now on, Changshou may freely use the sect's array techniques, and if he lacks materials for refining arrays, the Hall of Myriad Affairs can allocate more."

Jiuwu's face lit up with joy, and he immediately accepted the order, hurrying on a cloud towards Potian Peak.

Li Changshou could only suppress the helplessness in his heart and bow to the Sect Master in thanks. In the end, he did receive some benefit.

Ji Wuyou, demonstrating his emphasis on cultivating talented disciples as the Sect Master of the Immortal Ascension Sect, then led the various old immortals back to the Jade Platform on clouds to continue observing the ceremony. Heavenly Lord Qin Wan also felt quite rewarded. Before leaving, he specifically glanced at Li Changshou several times, memorizing his aura and appearance. On the way back to the Jade Platform, this eldest of the Ten Heavenly Lords occasionally frowned, seemingly pondering how to improve the Ten Ultimate Arrays for his ten siblings.

Li Changshou watched these powerful figures depart. After they were gone, he couldn't help but rub his forehead. Ao Yi, beside him, smiled, "Brother Changshou, can you play the flute? Why not play a tune?"

Li Changshou managed an awkward smile, glanced at his grand array, and reactivated the entrapment and illusion arrays. In his mind, however, such a scene couldn't help but surface: Under a dim sky, yellow sands swirled. Two armies confronted each other on the ground and in the air, with flying beasts, strange creatures, and extraordinary individuals scattered everywhere. Suddenly, one army rapidly retreated, and ten giant whirlpools appeared between heaven and earth. These whirlpools interconnected, filled with chilling killing intent and fierce malice. Nine men and one woman emerged from within these whirlpools, shouting in unison: "Immortals of the Chan School, dare you enter our Ten Ultimate Linked Grand Formations of Dire Malice!"

Holding the white jade flute, Li Changshou was instantly torn between laughter and tears.

Ao Yi quickly asked, "Brother Changshou, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing," Li Changshou sighed, glancing at the 'tea room' not far away. "Let's return to the grand competition later. I'll just rest here for a bit; we can talk here."

"Mm," Ao Yi replied, also looking a bit downcast.

Ao Yi and Li Changshou took seats in the forest tea room. Li Changshou took out tea leaves, brewed a cup of clear tea, and began to ponder what problems might arise if this method of interconnected array foundations were to spread. Although the method for refining interconnected array foundations that he had dedicated to the sect was an earlier, discarded version, it was still functional. Moreover, by thoroughly studying the ideas behind the original version, it might not be impossible to develop even better methods. Changing his mind, he thought: he had only provided a tiny bit of technical support; surely a venerable Saint wouldn't bother to quibble with a minor disciple over something so trivial. While one should always prepare for the worst, this matter also required comprehensive consideration.

Li Changshou placed the white jade flute on the table. Noticing Ao Yi's somewhat downcast expression, he asked, "What's wrong? Is your cultivation not going smoothly? Or has the Dragon race encountered some new trouble?"

"Alas, the Dragon race is still the same, and my cultivation is quite smooth," Ao Yi sighed. "Brother Changshou, you're quite the expert in this area; could you enlighten me?"

Li Changshou smiled, "Go on, what don't you understand about the Way of Arrays?"

Ao Yi's youthful face showed a hint of embarrassment as he whispered, "It's not about the Way of Arrays, nor cultivation. It's... matters between men and women." Li Changshou internally raised an eyebrow.

Li Changshou frowned, "Is this about you and Hanzhi?"

"Well, Brother Changshou, you actually saw through it," Ao Yi scratched his head, whispering, "I know it's a bit improper; Hanzhi is my junior grand-niece. But ever since something happened to her master, I've had... certain inappropriate thoughts in my heart. Brother Changshou, tell me, do I have... some kind of illness?"

"Don't overthink it," Li Changshou said, shaking his head. He took out a treasure pouch, pulled out a handful of incense sticks, crumbled them all, gathered them into a ball with his magic power, and slowly kneaded it. Li Changshou casually asked, "Have you confessed your feelings to her?"

"Yes," Ao Yi said seriously, "As a Dragon race man, if I like someone, I should express it openly; timidity is not my true nature."

"Were you rejected?"

"Um... yes," Ao Yi hung his head. "She said she didn't have such thoughts for me, saying she felt I was like her younger brother. Sigh, I don't know what happened, but ever since that year, when I met a group of cold-faced old Daoists in the South Sea, and they... after that, my human form stopped growing."

Li Changshou calmly nodded, feeling a bit awkward himself. He continued to knead the 'incense' ball in his hand, then let out a thoughtful hum... "I have some medicinal wine here; would you like to try it?"

"Hm?" Ao Yi blinked. "What medicinal wine?"

"It's for supplementing Yang energy, specifically for men. After drinking it, your body might have some reactions... no, that's not quite right. This aspect has nothing to do with the growth of your human form."

Li Changshou slowly kneaded the ball in his hand, pondering the matter. Ao Yi was currently an important tool-person... or rather, an important merit business partner. He should definitely help him if he could.

"Brother Changshou," Ao Yi watched as three 'giant' incense sticks slowly took shape in Li Changshou's hand. "What are you doing?"

"Later, I'll go light incense and worship the Ancestor Master," Li Changshou said with a wry smile. "Nothing else, just seeking some peace of mind."

Ao Yi paused, then his face showed realization. No wonder Brother Changshou could be chosen as a merit agent... The way he offered incense to Saints was completely different from what he had seen others do! He had learned something new.

Just then, the group of old immortals returned to the Jade Platform, still animatedly discussing the small linked arrays. A middle-aged Heavenly Immortal elder from the Immortal Ascension Sect, unable to contain himself, stepped forward and laughed: "This little Changshou is not only unique in the Way of Arrays; in alchemy, he is also..."

"Cough! Cough cough!" Ji Wuyou coughed into his hand, glaring fiercely at the elder. The latter, coming to his senses, immediately fell silent. As a result, the old immortals grew even more puzzled.