Chapter 143: Little Qiong, My Brother Lin

This Grandmaster seems to be even more troublesome than the worst-case scenario he had previously imagined.

Li Changshou looked at his master, who was sighing heavily on the cloud ahead, and his Grandmaster, whose face was icy cold, clearly suppressing her anger. Thoughts spun in his mind.

When Li Changshou first joined the sect, looking at the prayer tablets in his master's thatched hut, he subconsciously assumed that 'Linjiang the Hermit' was a kind-faced old Daoist priest.

Of course, whether male or female, that didn't really matter.

But...

Grandmaster Jiang Lin'er had the face and figure of a young woman, most likely because she had fallen in love in her early years, thus fixing her appearance and physique.

This might imply a karmic tribulation of love.

She ventured out for training to achieve a breakthrough, and now she returned with a formidable, malevolent aura protecting her, and covered in wounds. Yet, she hadn't completely healed the scars, leaving faint marks as if they were badges of honor.

This suggests that it's very likely the Grandmaster has another 'circle,' which would involve more karma.

Furthermore, this Grandmaster's temper is clearly not good, with fierce eyes, a flat chest, and short stature...

Cough, it seems something inappropriate has crept in.

Li Changshou looked at Senior Martial Uncle Jiuwu and sent a voice transmission: "Senior Martial Uncle, quickly go to Pill Cauldron Peak and ask Elder Wan Linyun to rush to Immortal Dew Peak."

Jiuwu was instantly bewildered. "Why ask Elder Poison to go to Immortal Dew Peak?"

Li Changshou transmitted back: "To break up a fight later."

Jiuwu's short, strong eyebrows furrowed slightly, but he soon realized, a look of understanding dawning on his face, and pulled his Daoist partner closer.

Jiuwu stood on tiptoe, and Jiu Shi lowered herself; the two whispered a few words. Jiuwu then turned and flew on a cloud, hurrying towards Pill Cauldron Peak, while Jiu Shi flew towards Sky-Breaker Peak.

Meanwhile, Old Daoist Qiyuan had already briefly explained the events of that year to his master.

Jiang Lin'er clenched her fists slightly and gnashed her teeth, cursing:

"Second Junior, is this how I taught you? You just go when others invite you?"

Old Daoist Qiyuan sighed, lowering his head, and could only say: "This disciple was foolish; please punish me, Master!"

"Go back to your peak and reflect behind closed doors," Jiang Lin'er said indifferently. "I'm going to see a few old friends, then I'll come back and lecture you about this matter."

"Well... yes."

Old Daoist Qiyuan replied with a trembling voice, immediately stood up, and turned to see his two disciples.

"Master, this disciple also has two disciples... Changshou, Ling'e, don't just stand there stunned! Come quickly and pay your respects!"

So, Li Changshou and Ling'e rode their clouds forward together and simultaneously bowed in salute.

—Qi refiners revered kneeling only to heaven, earth, the deceased, and saints. Unless exceptionally moved, they generally would not kowtow directly to people; they typically performed a Daoist salute.

"Greetings, Grandmaster."

"Second Junior, you even took on disciples?"

Jiang Lin'er forced a smile, temporarily suppressing her anger.

She took out two jade rings from her waist pouch, enveloped them in immortal power, and handed them to Li Changshou and Ling'e, striving to display the benevolence and gentleness of a grandmaster.

Up close, Jiang Lin'er's face was indeed striking;

but the fierce, malevolent aura around her was too strong, making Ling'e completely afraid to look directly at her.

Jiang Lin'er said:

"This is my first time being a grandmaster, and I don't really know what to say to you two. It must have been a grievance for you to have a Turbid Immortal as your master. These were originally meant for your master and senior martial uncles, but I'll give them to you for now. We'll talk more later. You two should also return to your peak with your master; I have some matters to attend to."

With that said, Jiang Lin'er merely glanced at Ling'e and Li Changshou, then stepped forward with her jade-like feet, displaying a remarkably advanced movement technique, landing directly in front of the mountain gate.

The two elders who had greeted her return had by now realized Jiang Lin'er's state was not normal, and immediately followed her from behind.

One elder said: "Martial Niece Jiang Lin'er, the sect has already punished the person involved in this matter..."

Jiang Lin'er didn't reply and quickly walked to the mountain gate.

Behind the mountain gate, the shimmering light wall of the mountain-protecting array flickered gently, and the immortal guards hesitated, unsure whether to let her in.

Jiang Lin'er said indifferently:

"When I left the mountain years ago, I had the sect's permission. Now that I've achieved a breakthrough and returned, is the sect despising me because I'm covered in blood?"

"This..."

The two old immortal guards exchanged glances, their magical artifacts simultaneously glowing, and opened the mountain gate.

Jiang Lin'er cupped her hands in thanks and stepped into the mountain gate.

As soon as she stepped into the array, she lightly stomped her foot;

Her two jade-like feet, which seemed no bigger than a palm, cracked the sturdy stone slabs within the mountain gate, which were reinforced with restrictions, creating spiderweb-like fissures...

The next instant, Jiang Lin'er's figure shot forth like an arrow released from a bow, trailing a sharp streak of blood-red light through the air, and darted towards Immortal Dew Peak!

The two Heavenly Immortal elders quickly followed, but their speed in the air was far inferior to Jiang Lin'er's momentum as she tore through the sky!

Upon seeing this, Li Changshou raised an eyebrow, a smile flickering briefly at the corner of his mouth.

Ling'e whispered, "Senior Brother, Grandmaster seems... so powerful."

Li Changshou was about to speak when he suddenly heard a voice filled with murderous intent resound within the mountain-protecting array.

"Immortal Dew Peak, Kuai Si's master, come out."

Old Daoist Qiyuan, who was just about to return to Little Qiong Peak to await his master, only then reacted and hastily shouted: "Changshou! Quick! Go persuade your Grandmaster!"

"Ling'e, you accompany Master back to Little Qiong Peak."

Li Changshou said this, then turned and entered the mountain-protecting array, slowly drifting on a cloud towards Immortal Dew Peak.

Putting other things aside for now...

The Grandmaster didn't look for Kuai Si but directly sought out Kuai Si's master, which made Li Changshou look at her in a new light.

Several Heavenly Immortal auras swept across Immortal Dew Peak as Jiang Lin'er stood quietly in the air, the hem of her battle skirt fluttering slightly, her long hair constantly billowing in the spiritual wind.

This Grandmaster...

The more Li Changshou looked, the more he felt she was quite impressive.

Jiang Lin'er rushed to Immortal Dew Peak and directly challenged Kuai Si's master to a fight.

When the Immortal Dew Peak Master and other sect elders appeared, Jiang Lin'er ignored them all, and with a single statement, "I'm just seeking an explanation," left them speechless.

Kuai Si's master, the Heavenly Immortal elder whom Li Changshou had observed for a long time, soon appeared.

Jiang Lin'er uttered, "Is that you?" The other party had just nodded and hadn't had time to speak when a crimson light burst forth from Jiang Lin'er's hand, piercing directly towards Kuai Si's master's left shoulder!

This strike, except for Li Changshou, was so fast that none of the Heavenly Immortals in the air could clearly see how Jiang Lin'er had attacked.

Caught off guard, Kuai Si's master had his left shoulder pierced by the crimson light, blood splattering from behind his shoulder, and his protective immortal light was instantly shattered!

If she had aimed for a vital point, this Heavenly Immortal old Daoist would either be dead or severely injured!

Jiang Lin'er immediately charged forward, her eyes incredibly sharp. The great saber on her back transformed into a ferocious white tiger beast covered in blood patterns, and she gripped two short blades in a reverse grip...

Several Heavenly Immortals around quickly intervened to stop her, the white tiger beast protecting Jiang Lin'er's body and stirring up gusts of blood-red wind. The scene became quite chaotic for a moment.

The Peak Master of Immortal Dew Peak was also furious and launched a full-force palm strike at Jiang Lin'er;

But before this palm strike could land, a figure flashed from the direction of Pill Cauldron Peak—it was precisely Elder Wan Linyun!

Old Man Wan Linyun immediately made his move, directly swatting the Immortal Dew Peak Master away with a palm, and then raising his hand to press down, temporarily trapping Jiang Lin'er.

He was clearly playing favorites without any hesitation.

"Stop!" Elder Wan Linyun said coldly, frowning as he watched Jiang Lin'er.

Jiang Lin'er said nothing, her body lightly spun, and dozens of blade marks appeared around her, like dancing flower petals, beautiful but concealing deadly intent.

The immortal power confinement created by Elder Wan Linyun was instantly cut through by her!

Following that, Jiang Lin'er took a step forward, her figure ghostly and ethereal, creating over a dozen phantoms in the air. She easily bypassed the figures of several Heavenly Immortals and all simultaneously attacked Kuai Si's master!

Li Changshou secretly praised her in his heart;

This Grandmaster's fighting technique was truly honed through life-and-death experiences, a combat skill forged through countless battles.

Her moves were decisive, her attacks measured, her movements ever-changing, and her techniques deceptive.

Unfortunately, the Grandmaster initially only intended to injure, not kill, which was a bit of a weakness...

Kuai Si's master, unwilling to be humiliated, immediately summoned several treasures. But before the treasures could even shimmer with immortal light, a dagger had eerily appeared behind the old Daoist priest and plunged directly into his right shoulder!

Just as blood light flared up again, a slightly sighing voice suddenly echoed...

"Stop."

Jiang Lin'er paused her actions, her figure immediately retreating, and turned her head towards Sky-Breaker Peak.

Over a dozen streaks of light flew over from that direction, but the first person to arrive floated down with hands clasped behind their back, with two strands of white hair at their temples and a cold, yet handsome, face. It was precisely the sect's strongest Heavenly Immortal on the surface...

Venerable Oblivion.

Venerable Oblivion then said: "Jiang Lin'er, don't let things get out of hand."

Li Changshou had thought that, given the Grandmaster's temper, she would sneer at Venerable Oblivion and dismiss him with disdain.

Who would have thought...

"Oh," Jiang Lin'er nodded and put away her short blades.

Her hands quickly formed seals, and the white tiger beast around her transformed into streaks of crimson light, condensing into the great saber and returning to her back.

Li Changshou, who had just arrived above Immortal Dew Peak at this moment, immediately caught a whiff of something unusual...

Jiang Lin'er gazed at Venerable Oblivion, her eyes gleaming.

Venerable Oblivion, however, said nothing more; seeing that there was no further trouble here, he said:

"This matter ends here. Neither Immortal Dew Peak nor Little Qiong Peak shall seek further retaliation, otherwise, the sect rules will be severely enforced."

"It cannot end here," Jiang Lin'er said. "Only after I ascertain the fate of my eldest disciple can I settle this matter with Immortal Dew Peak."

An elder nearby said: "Martial Nephew Kuai Si was recently killed at the North Continent border, which can be considered his just desserts!"

Jiang Lin'er said: "Unless my Second Junior personally takes action, the karma isn't settled."

Just then, a voice transmission entered her ear, and Jiang Lin'er's brow furrowed slightly.

"Grandmaster, this disciple is Changshou. This matter requires careful long-term planning and covert action. Such a grand display is not the way to seek revenge. Besides, Venerable Oblivion is still watching."

Jiang Lin'er tilted her head to glance at Li Changshou, then gazed at Venerable Oblivion for a few moments, and pursed her lips. Only then did she turn decisively, the great saber still on her back, and head towards Little Qiong Peak.

Li Changshou was now certain that his Grandmaster and Venerable Oblivion...

definitely had a past.

Li Changshou performed a Daoist salute to Elder Wan Linyun, who gave his signature 'cold' smile and slowly nodded.

Afterward, Li Changshou, who had not attracted the attention of the other elders, hastily rode his cloud to catch up with Jiang Lin'er, without drawing any elder's notice from beginning to end.

After a minor disturbance, everyone returned to Little Qiong Peak.

Jiang Lin'er sat in Qiyuan's thatched hut, while Qiyuan stood bowing beside her, explaining how he had undergone tribulation to become a Turbid Immortal.

Li Changshou and Lan Ling'e waited outside the hut, while Jiu Jiu, Jiuwu, Youqin Xuanya, and Jiu Shi observed the situation from a slight distance.

Jiang Lin'er's earlier assault on Immortal Dew Peak, which they had all witnessed, now made them somewhat wary of this newly returned Martial Aunt...

somewhat wary.

She truly was someone who'd attack at the slightest disagreement, and even several Heavenly Immortals couldn't stop her!

And yet, she attacked with such grace...

Li Changshou and Ling'e were soon called into the thatched hut as well, but before long, only Old Daoist Qiyuan and Ling'e were sent out.

The wooden door of the hut was closed, and two layers of anti-scrying arrays appeared around the hut.

Li Changshou was left inside alone...

Jiuwu quickly stepped forward; Youqin Xuanya and Jiu Jiu were also a bit nervous, and Ling'e's delicate brows were tightly furrowed, her eyes full of worry.

Jiuwu hastily asked: "Junior Brother Qiyuan, why was Changshou left inside?"

"My master wants to speak with Changshou," Old Daoist Qiyuan mused for a moment. "Don't worry, nothing should happen."

"How can we not worry?" Jiu Jiu muttered. "This Martial Aunt is very short-tempered. She just got back to the mountain and already made a Heavenly Immortal elder bleed."

"Watch your words," Jiuwu quickly interrupted Jiu Jiu.

Inside the thatched hut, Jiang Lin'er sat in an armchair, the great saber standing upright beside her, making her seem even smaller.

Through the wooden door and array formations, Jiang Lin'er glanced at Jiu Jiu, then looked down at the plate armor she was wearing.

"Haven't seen her in a thousand years, how has this little girl grown again..."

Li Changshou pretended not to have heard anything and stood quietly by.

"Changshou, is that right?" Jiang Lin'er said. "I'm just back for a visit this time; I won't stay long in the sect. I have important matters outside, and soon I'll also be searching for your Senior Martial Uncle's whereabouts. As for your master, you'll have to look after him more in the future."

Li Changshou's heart stirred. Had Grandmaster seen through his Tortoise Cultivation Method?

That shouldn't be. The Tortoise Cultivation Method had been slightly improved; it shouldn't be like this...

Fortunately, Jiang Lin'er rubbed her temples again and said:

"Your master is a bit stubborn and has no guard against others. I see you're rather more stable, so I can only entrust him to you."