Chapter 165: The Wild Rise of the Magic Master's Birdcage

"What an opportunity..."

"No, that's not right..."

Li Changshou, who had been kneeling on the ground, slowly rose to his feet. With his hands clasped behind his back, he gazed at the sparse grass, his mind constantly calculating. Despite feeling disheartened, cold, and pained, his immortal sense remained vigilant, monitoring the surroundings.

Missing this opportunity didn't seem to be an entirely bad thing. Everything has its good and bad sides. From a certain perspective, entering the Tushita Palace right now wasn't entirely beneficial. If he had followed the Grand Master's wishes earlier, he would have contradicted the Human Sect's doctrines, potentially losing the Saint Master's recognition. Consequently, his future path might have led him to become a disciple of the Grand Master or a disciple of the Saint's avatar, the Grand Pure One. Then, in the upcoming Investiture of the Gods tribulation, wouldn't he potentially become the one from the Human Sect destined to face the calamity?

Before the Investiture of the Gods, the Grand Pure One Saint's declaration, "I have only one disciple," spared Grand Master Xuandu from the Investiture of the Gods List. If he had entered the Tushita Palace now, perhaps the great tribulation of the Three Daoist Sects would have fallen upon him!

"Sigh..."

He could only console himself in this manner now. Li Changshou naturally knew that by entering the Tushita Palace now, he could have gained a righteous god position in the Heavenly Court by pledging loyalty to the Jade Emperor in advance. Furthermore, his personal safety would have been significantly increased. However, viewing it from this angle merely alleviated much of the disappointment in his heart. It was like in his previous life, when he saw a sports car while still in school; not buying it saved him millions.

Although he couldn't seize this chance, he could meticulously reflect on it. His cultivation journey so far had provided him with valuable experience in setbacks. As a certain Grand Luo Golden Immortal aptly put it, failure is the mother of success. Though success often seems like it was raised by a stepmother, frequently squeezed and diminished...

Everything in moderation; an overemphasis on caution naturally has its drawbacks. In stories Li Changshou had read in his previous life, if Zhuge Liang had not been so focused on stability and had accepted Wei Yan's daring plan to "march out of Ziwu Valley," perhaps the ending of *Romance of the Three Kingdoms* would not have adhered to historical events.

So... should he, while keeping his stable foundation intact, be a tiny bit more audacious in certain areas? After some deliberation, Li Changshou dismissed the thought. Currently, he held two lifelines: the Grand Pure One and the Jade Emperor. Since their paths temporarily aligned, he could ascend rapidly using them, without needing to take excessive risks.

Managing the Dragon race's ascension to the Heavenly Court; overcoming his own Golden Immortal tribulation; having his paper effigy assume a divine post in the Heavenly Court to secure a righteous god position for him, and successfully navigating the future Investiture of the Gods tribulation. These were the three crucial matters he needed to dedicate himself to. As for this opportunity, if he had seized it, he would have been fortunate; since he didn't, it was simply fate. Let it be. While he couldn't improve his situation, at least this incident wouldn't worsen it.

With this thought, Li Changshou let out a soft chuckle, and his spirits were restored. All this took only a moment. His thoughts suddenly cleared, and strands of Dao rhythm flowed within his heart, making him feel a deeper connection with heaven and earth...

"Wait!" What's with these sudden insights lately? Why do they always emerge in such inconvenient places and situations? Li Changshou quickly suppressed his restless Dao heart, absorbing the profound insights, intending to break through later once he returned to the mountain. Suppressing insights didn't mean losing them entirely; it merely delayed the enlightenment, at the cost of about ten to twenty percent of the benefits. With the Grand Master no longer present, allowing his insights to trigger a breakthrough and expose his cultivation had no positive implications and would only invite trouble.

However, just as Li Changshou suppressed his own insights, he suddenly detected a faint, yet profound, Dao rhythm slowly circulating nearby...

A breakthrough? He had just thought Youqin Xuanya had merely had an insight, but her current state suggested she was on the verge of a breakthrough! Youqin Xuanya, who had been sitting cross-legged on the ground, was now slowly levitating. A wisp of immortal spiritual energy encircled her, and six-petaled lotus flowers gently emerged from within her body.

Six petals... Li Changshou immediately felt... it was somewhat subpar. If not nine, then at least seven or eight petals would indicate a solid foundation. No, not just a breakthrough! It appeared to be a continuous breakthrough, leading directly to a tribulation!

After a brief moment of thought, Li Changshou made a decision and transmitted his voice to Xiong Lingli: "Lingli, go a hundred *zhang* away and announce loudly that someone here is undergoing an immortal ascension tribulation, and they should keep their distance."

"Oh!"

Xiong Lingli ran off, carrying her large hammer. After every few steps, she turned back and quietly asked, "Cousin, should I shout in just one direction?"

"I'll set up a grand formation here shortly. Just run a few laps along its edge and keep shouting."

"Alright, I understand!"

Xiong Lingli quickly ran off, hammer in hand. As a Qi Refiner who had begun her cultivation, she naturally understood the importance of heavenly tribulations to those who practiced qi. While Xiong Lingli didn't consider herself particularly clever, she wasn't entirely foolish either. She vaguely understood that the Sea God must also be an immortal. And the Sea God's divine manifestations were, in fact, just various spells. Her father had told her this countless times before she even left their home. However, her mother had said that the Sea God was different from all other Qi Refiners; the Sea God would protect their village, ensuring favorable weather and safeguarding them from external enemies. Her mother also mentioned that all gods were immortals, but not all immortals were gods. The most obvious benefit was that since they began to worship the Sea God, everyone's lives had improved. They had endless meat and clothes without needing to hunt. Now, every woman in their village had a mink coat, a testament to their prosperity. For this reason alone, Xiong Lingli was determined to use all her strength to protect the world's greatest Sea God!

Xiong Lingli had only run fifty *zhang* when she suddenly heard a whooshing sound behind her and quickly turned to look. Spirit stones flew from Li Changshou's sleeve, simultaneously landing at forty-nine points within the forest. Spiritual energy flowed between the stones, emitting beams of light, and the luminous barrier of a grand formation instantly expanded.

"Wow, Sea God Big Brother is really amazing..." Xiong Lingli blinked, then reached into her armor, pulled out a piece of tin, rolled it into a trumpet, took a deep breath, and bellowed into the air: "Nobody come any closer!"

Within a hundred *li*, many passing Qi Refiners immediately grew interested, riding clouds and cranes, slowly approaching the area. However, then came another shout: "Someone is undergoing a heavenly tribulation here!" The group of Qi Refiners immediately halted, turned, and flew further away, projecting their spiritual and immortal senses towards the location.

The heavenly tribulation arrived, almost nonchalantly. Even with Youqin Xuanya's steadfast Dao heart, she was still somewhat at a loss when facing the immortal ascension tribulation—a matter of life and death that had been discussed for decades.

"Senior Brother Changshou..."

"Junior Sister Youqin, I'm right here." Fifty *zhang* away, Li Changshou, who was preparing to slip out of the grand formation, transmitted his reply upon hearing her. Li Changshou chuckled, "Congratulations, Junior Sister. You've received your heavenly tribulation today, likely a seventh or eighth-level one."

Youqin Xuanya offered a wry smile, but hearing Li Changshou's jest, her heart inexplicably felt much calmer. "Senior Brother Changshou, rest assured, Xuanya will give it her all!"

Li Changshou transmitted his voice: "Do you have the items I previously gave you for enduring the tribulation? If you have them, use them without hesitation. Remember, your life is paramount. The heavenly tribulation is formed based on your aptitude and current strength. Your foundation... is quite solid. Simply distribute your magical power wisely, don't overexert yourself early on, and enduring the tribulation should be manageable."

Youqin Xuanya nodded gently, then looked up at the gathering clouds. She quickly took out two sets of "Master's Birdcages" and arranged them on either side, twenty *zhang* apart. She then took out several bottles of spirit pills Li Changshou had given her earlier, but returned the Immortal Melting Pill to its container. Given her temperament, she would never use the Immortal Melting Pill. The other three types of elixirs were a small part of the "tribulation package" Li Changshou had prepared for Ling'e. The first type of elixir enhanced resistance to lightning, the second continuously released medicinal power to restore magical energy, and the third provided continuous healing and restored vital essence. The first type of elixir was naturally the most difficult to refine; the other two seemed comparatively ordinary.

In the sky, tribulation clouds rapidly gathered, a massive gray cloud slowly swirling. Li Changshou dispelled the surrounding grand formation and immediately retreated.

The Fire-Scaled Sword Casket on Youqin Xuanya's back vibrated gently. The next moment, its large sword shot skyward, splitting into thirty-six flying swords burning with Azure Profound True Fire. Above, lightning flickered beneath the tribulation clouds, and the first heavenly tribulation was about to descend!

Youqin Xuanya formed a sword-finger gesture and softly commanded, "Disperse!" The thirty-six flying swords scattered simultaneously. Youqin Xuanya slowly ascended, tilting her head slightly. Her cold, stunningly beautiful face showed no trace of fear, only resolve and decisiveness.

*Crack!*

A bolt of lightning struck directly. Even within this small dimension, the heavenly tribulation's power remained overwhelmingly dominant! Li Changshou, now ten *li* away, nodded slowly. His previous advice to Youqin Xuanya seemed to be having some effect...

Outside the treasure map:

On the two immortal islands and at various points around the lake, immortals from the Three Sects were all drawn to the small gray cloud that had appeared on the treasure map. "Who knew there'd be such a side event..." Their immortal senses were unaffected, mostly converging on Youqin Xuanya's location.

Following the Jie Sect's tradition, an old Heaven Immortal immediately stepped forward upon witnessing this display. He first gasped, then exclaimed in surprise: "It's the 'Eight Desolations, Eight Tribulations, Thirty-Two Immortal Birds Tribulation'—ranked sixth among immortal ascension tribulations!"

Above the clouds and on the ground, murmurs and light laughter spread: "What an opportunity, to attract a heavenly tribulation within the treasure map." "I just divined that this is a disciple of the Human Sect's Immortal Ascension Sect, named Xuanya, and her aptitude is truly excellent." "The Human Sect is truly blessed."

Naturally, the most nervous at this moment were the immortals and disciples of the Immortal Ascension Sect. Jiu Jiu's small hand gripped her wine gourd, so nervous she occasionally took a gulp. Her immortal sense watched the heavenly tribulation bolts continuously striking Youqin Xuanya within the treasure map. Little Martial Uncle was truly sweating. Sect Master Ji Wuyou, however, had a smile on his lips. He could already tell that Youqin Xuanya would at least endure until the eighth heavenly tribulation. As for the eighth tribulation, it would be a fifty-fifty chance of life or death. This was actually a relatively good probability of success.

Immortal ascension tribulations were generally swift, concluding within moments. After all, the Heavenly Dao was busy, and the number of Qi Refiners in the Primordial World was vast. While becoming an immortal was a monumental event for an individual, to the heavens and earth, it was merely an ant growing wings or a tadpole transforming—nothing particularly significant.

However, Ji Wuyou soon frowned, and the smile slowly faded from his lips. Youqin Xuanya had competently handled the sixth heavenly tribulation, but her magic treasure, the Fire-Scaled Sword Casket, was shattered, and her primordial spirit sustained damage. At this point, Youqin Xuanya had deployed all her methods for enduring the tribulation. Her body was now covered in scorch marks, making her appear quite disheveled. The seventh heavenly tribulation was already brewing, with an ominous phenomenon of gray birds swirling above the tribulation clouds. Youqin Xuanya's own aura... was already somewhat unstable.

"This is bad," Ji Wuyou slowly uttered. Behind him, over sixty immortals and disciples from the Immortal Ascension Sect instantly became more anxious.

Li Changshou, too, was frowning, his gaze fixed on the graceful figure suspended mid-air. She should be able to withstand the seventh tribulation, but the eighth... As expected, breaking through too quickly with an unstable foundation and hastily undergoing the tribulation was indeed quite challenging. Even if Li Changshou had already achieved Grand Luo status, let alone not yet being a Golden Immortal, he wouldn't be able to intervene and protect Youqin Xuanya in such a situation. Rash intervention would not only be useless but would also incur heavenly wrath. One must endure the immortal ascension tribulation alone. Exceptional talent meant facing greater challenges; such was the Heavenly Dao's fairness.

Li Changshou slowly closed his eyes. After all, he shared a certain connection with Youqin Xuanya and had achieved many things through her. He couldn't help but feel a pang of reluctance.

Just then, he suddenly heard Youqin Xuanya let out a soft cry! She suddenly dove downwards, directly entering one of the "Master's Birdcages." Magical power then surged around her, preparing to forcefully endure the seventh heavenly tribulation!

The immortals were instantly puzzled. "What kind of magic treasure is that?" "Can it even withstand a heavenly tribulation?" Li Changshou, however, instantly understood Youqin Xuanya's intention! Almost as soon as she concealed herself, a beam of azure lightning struck from the sky, as if screaming birds were within it, instantly hitting the large birdcage! Immediately, lightning erupted, transforming the birdcage into a sphere of thunder. Countless bolts flew in all directions, and the surrounding hundred *zhang* of forest was leveled in an instant! A surge of heavenly tribulation power erupted, instantly tearing the "Master's Birdcage" apart. Even the other unused "Master's Birdcage," twenty *zhang* away, was directly obliterated by the tribulation's power!

Li Changshou secretly nodded. Indeed, this item could only be used once per person during a tribulation. Yet the Heavenly Dao tacitly permitted such a cunning tactic!

Moments later, the lightning dissipated, and Youqin Xuanya soared skyward once more, flying swords converging from all directions to encircle her. At this moment, her aura and injuries were almost identical to how they were before the seventh heavenly tribulation descended! Only her magical power was slightly depleted.

Question marks immediately appeared above the heads of the immortals from the Three Sects. Li Changshou offered a faint smile, giving Youqin Xuanya a mental thumbs-up. Voluntarily bypassing the seventh heavenly tribulation to face the eighth and final lightning tribulation in her strongest state allowed her to maximize her chances and fully embrace the tribulation's benefits. The "poisonous" Junior Sister wasn't stubborn; she simply lacked a bit of emotional intelligence in her daily interactions.

'At least these two birdcages weren't wasted. Keep fighting, Poisonous Junior Sister. I hope your "poisonous" nature gradually fades after you become an immortal.'

However... As Li Changshou's thoughts settled, a lightning phoenix in the sky unfurled its wings and swooped down, lunging at Youqin Xuanya!

"Swords rise!" With a soft cry, Youqin Xuanya raised her right hand in a sword-finger gesture, pointing skyward. Surrounded by flying swords, her tattered skirt and long hair fluttering, she met the lightning phoenix! In that moment, the visual effects were spectacular, and her pose was flawless! Had it not been for Youqin Xuanya's shouted words, Li Changshou would have undoubtedly had a rather enjoyable viewing experience of the heavenly tribulation.

"Senior Brother Changshou, Xuanya will wait for you on the path ahead!"

With that, lightning and person collided, bolts of electricity striking wildly, filling the heavens and earth of this small cosmos with azure lightning.