Chapter 168: Collision Scam·Qiongxiao Advanced Edition

Li Changshou almost choked and spat blood onto the backs of the Degree-of-Immortal Sect disciples sitting in front of him, upon hearing Zhao Gongming's words as he entered the temple.

"The ingenious method where someone gets hit but dares not say anything"... Could he be referring to the basic 'faked accident' routine he taught Old Man Zhao last time?

Whether the prevalent atmosphere in the Great Wilderness was too flamboyant recently, or if Old Man Zhao was having a second spring and was overly ostentatious, that single sentence nearly made Li Changshou throw out his back.

Upon entering the Sea God Temple, Zhao Gongming ignored the few mortal worshippers present. With a flick of his sleeve, he greeted them with an air of immense pride: "Sea God, fellow Daoist Sea God, is the Sea God at home?"

The people in the temple immediately looked at Zhao Gongming with great vigilance. Had Zhao Gongming not been so imposing and dignified in appearance, making several female worshippers blush... Honestly, if Zhao Gongming had looked even a little bit lewd, they would have stepped forward to protect their Sea God's reputation!

But for now, they decided against it.

The young woman Zhao Gongming was holding by the arm still had an indistinct face that no one could clearly see; even the worshippers and temple attendant instinctively avoided looking at her. The young woman couldn't help but complain, "Brother, what are you doing? If you want to find the Sea God, just go to his cave abode. Why come to a temple filled with mortal incense?"

"Sister, you have a point," Zhao Gongming said, releasing Qiongxiao's arm, stroking his beard in contemplation. "The problem is, your brother doesn't know where the Sea God's cave abode is..."

Qiongxiao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. She chided him, "Brother, you've been talking all along about how close and inseparable you are with this Sea God, so how come you don't even know where his abode is?"

Zhao Gongming looked a little embarrassed and whispered, "To be honest, not only his abode, but I only know his Daoist title is Daoist Chang Geng. As for other things... your brother, well, I haven't even asked about them yet."

Qiongxiao frowned immediately, staring up at Zhao Gongming.

Zhao Gongming chuckled awkwardly and transmitted a message: "Otherwise, how could I have brought you here, third sister? You are always intelligent; among our four siblings, apart from second sister, you are the most strategic! Today, you must lend your brother a hand."

Observing the siblings through the statue, Li Changshou, who was currently sitting in a corner of the Three Teachings Origin Conference venue, couldn't help but feel a flicker of doubt. These two big figures from Jie Teaching... What were they muttering about in his temple?

Inside the small Sea God Temple, Qiongxiao transmitted another question: "Brother, what do you want to do?"

Zhao Gongming pondered for a few moments, then continued to transmit: "Help me ask this Sea God if he has any new methods for that ingenious tactic. Using only one routine has quite a few limitations. If he does, it wouldn't matter if we used more spirit treasures to trade for it. This is truly a marvelous technique of the Great Wilderness, a secret exclusive to the Sea God!"

"You..."

Qiongxiao was truly exasperated by Zhao Gongming, laughing out of frustration. She gazed at her sworn elder brother, who had cared for the three sisters for so many years, and sighed softly. "Later, if the Sea God comes, Brother, please don't speak nonsense. I'll help you try to get some information out of him."

Zhao Gongming immediately bowed repeatedly, exclaiming, "Thank you, third sister, thank you, third sister!"

Just then, the temple attendant, having received the Sea God's instructions, came forward. He respectfully invited the two immortals to be seated in the back hall, then temporarily escorted the worshippers out of the small temple, and finally closed the temple's main door.

A moment later, Li Changshou's Sea God-specific avatar—the white-bearded old immortal, Paper-Skin Daoist—flew in from afar on a cloud, landing in the courtyard. With a flick of his whisk, a layer of immortal energy barrier immediately rose around them, blocking any probing.

—A barrier differs from a formation. A barrier exists for a short time, formed by immortal energy; a formation leverages the power of heaven and earth through its base and layout, and can exist for a long time.

In the back hall, Qiongxiao held a teacup, taking a small sip, then shook her head slightly. Mortal tea was truly awful.

Qiongxiao transmitted, "Brother, didn't you say the Sea God always appears using an avatar?"

"Look closely," Zhao Gongming winked and chuckled, "This should also be an avatar, just a very sophisticated one."

"Hmm, such mastery of avatar techniques proves that this Sea God is no ordinary person. Human Teaching... Daoist Chang Geng?" Qiongxiao couldn't help but lower her head in thought, performing a brief calculation... Ugh, Taiji Diagram warning.

Zhao Gongming had already stood up, letting out a hearty laugh, and opened his arms, walking towards Li Changshou, who was approaching from the front hall. One was a majestic and heroic Daoist, the other a white-haired, benevolent old man. After meeting, they each performed a Daoist bow.

"Sea God, Sea God, how have you been since we last met?"

"Thanks to your blessings, everything has been well recently. How have you been, Daoist friend?"

"Hahahaha," Zhao Gongming laughed heartily, holding his waist. "Since we last parted ways, Daoist friend Sea God, I've truly been delighted, delighted!"

Li Changshou frowned slightly and said, "Could it be that you used the method I mentioned last time to... 'bump into' others again?"

"The word 'bump' is indeed cleverly used!" Zhao Gongming immediately beamed. "After receiving your guidance last time, I deliberately circled around West Niu He Continent a few times. I pulled out those I'd long disliked and gave them a good beating! Sea God, guess what happened?"

Li Changshou smiled wryly, "Did they all not dare to blow up the matter?"

"Hahahaha, you know me! You truly know me!"

"Daoist friend, this cannot be done often. You are the chief disciple of the Outer Gate of Jie Teaching, a guest before the Sage in Biyou Palace," Li Changshou quickly advised. "This 'bumping into' people, while providing momentary satisfaction, genuinely has too great an impact on your reputation."

"Oh," Zhao Gongming waved his hand nonchalantly. "Reputation is earned through battles. Besides, isn't there that Great Dao Oath routine you devised? Once that oath is sworn, who would dare to mention it externally? It's just that lately, I feel this approach is a bit too monotonous, Sea God. Do you have any new tricks up your sleeve..."

"Elder Brother?" A soft call came from behind Zhao Gongming. "May I also take a look at that Great Dao Oath?"

"Of course," Zhao Gongming took out a piece of cloth produced by the Dragon Clan from his sleeve and passed it with immortal energy to Qiongxiao, who had already stood up. Taking the opportunity, Zhao Gongming also introduced her to Li Changshou: "Sea God, come take a look. This is my sworn sister; she usually cultivates on Three Immortals Island. Her Daoist title is Qiongxiao."

Only then did Li Changshou follow Zhao Gongming's gesture and look towards Qiongxiao. The immortal maiden, having risen, also removed the divine power that concealed her, revealing her true appearance and form. So this was Qiong, one of the famous Sanxiao?

A jade thread orchid grass skirt, dark hair flowing like clouds, a slender waist cinched by a light sash, and delicate feet encased in white boots... To call her exquisitely beautiful would be too simplistic, and describing her figure as graceful would sound too vulgar.

Li Changshou silently praised her for a few moments, then offered a compliment with a smile: "I have long heard of the Sanxian's world-shaking reputation; seeing you today makes my journey on the immortal path worthwhile."

Qiongxiao's small, refined, pretty face curved into a smile, seemingly a little embarrassed, but she softly replied, "You flatter me, Daoist friend. May I ask what your Daoist title is? My elder brother said your Daoist title is Daoist Chang Geng, but I'm afraid that might be an alias."

What a formidable immortal maiden... Li Changshou's heart tightened, but he calmly responded, "A Daoist title and name are merely appellations. My interaction with Daoist Zhao is not for fame or fortune, nor for the protection of Jie Teaching; it is solely based on a predestined affinity."

Hearing this, Zhao Gongming's eyes filled with emotion, and he softly exclaimed, "Good! What a wonderful predestined affinity!"

Li Changshou secretly thought something was amiss. Zhao Gongming and the Sanxiao were all destined to have their names on the Investiture of the Gods, and those close to Zhao Gongming had almost no good outcomes during the Tribulation of the Gods... Li Changshou immediately changed the topic: "What brings you two Daoist friends here today?"

"Well..." Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and gave Qiongxiao a meaningful look.

Qiongxiao sighed inwardly. She didn't follow her elder brother's instructions; instead, she began to make accusations: "I have come here today to ask you something, Daoist friend. What is your true intention in instigating my elder brother to continuously trouble the Western Cult?"

Zhao Gongming quickly said, "Third sister! What are you saying!"

Li Changshou, however, remained unruffled. At worst, his paper avatar could self-destruct with one click. He smiled and said, "I cannot bear the accusation of 'instigating.' Could I ask Daoist Zhao to describe in detail to Immortal Qiongxiao the situation after he beat the third disciple of the Western Cult's Sage that day?"

Zhao Gongming nodded, not noticing the trap in Li Changshou's words. He then recounted everything in detail, from injuring and abandoning the hunchbacked Daoist to how he discussed and subsequently schemed the 'faked accident' with Li Changshou.

That incident was actually triggered by Li Changshou's paper avatar self-destructing, which led to the subsequent events. However, by cutting off the beginning and the end, as told by Zhao Gongming, and heard by Qiongxiao, it suddenly became a story of "Zhao Gongming causing trouble, and the Sea God righteously stepping in to offer advice."

Qiongxiao's face showed shame, and she gracefully bowed to Li Changshou, who quickly returned the bow with his whisk. Qiongxiao sighed, "It was I who misunderstood you, Daoist friend. Please do not take offense."

"Immortal, there's no need for you to mind. Daoist Zhao and I..."

No, he absolutely couldn't say "sharing common interests"! And the phrase "having predestined affinity" was even more poisonous in the Great Wilderness! Li Changshou immediately corrected himself, smiling, "We met by chance; as Qi Refiners of the Three Teachings, we should naturally support each other."

Zhao Gongming stroked his beard and chuckled softly beside them, while Qiongxiao changed her tone and began to speak on her elder brother's behalf... "Daoist Chang Geng, my elder brother has come this time to ask if there are other variations of this method?"

Other variations... "Immortal, why don't you try to dissuade Daoist Zhao?" Li Changshou said with a wry smile. "This method truly offers no personal benefit; it was merely a contingency measure taken in a moment of urgency."

Qiongxiao blinked, then turned to look at Zhao Gongming. "Brother, could you demonstrate for me how exactly this 'bumping' works? I only heard a general description just now and didn't quite understand."

Zhao Gongming laughed heartily a few times, walked to the center of the back hall, and lightly tapped a wooden chair with his right hand. The wooden chair immediately transformed into a wooden figure, standing upright beside him. Using this wooden figure, Zhao Gongming performed the standard Great Wilderness 'faked accident' routine.

First, he beat it up to vent anger, then began to feign misery to lure the other party. While both parties were feigning misery, he secretly used a 'retention bead' to bite back at the other party, forcing them to make a Great Dao Oath...

Li Changshou couldn't help but clap his hand to his forehead, truly wanting to ask: *Why are you so proficient, sir?!*

Qiongxiao stood beside him, covering her mouth, laughing incessantly, even her hairpins swayed slightly. Li Changshou sighed softly in his heart, wondering how joyful and absurd Three Immortals Island must normally be...

Zhao Gongming quickly finished his demonstration and looked at Li Changshou, his majestic face showing a hint of seeking praise. Li Changshou could only say, "Daoist friend... impressive skill."

"You flatter me, you flatter me. It's all thanks to the Sea God's excellent teaching."

*I'm not, I didn't, please don't pin this on me! I never taught you to go around faking accidents!* Li Changshou screamed internally, but merely smiled and said to Qiongxiao, "Immortal, you see, can this method be used casually? If it continues like this, won't Daoist Zhao's reputation be..."

"I think," Qiongxiao said, stroking her chin in contemplation, glancing at Li Changshou, and smiling, "Daoist friend, you are truly a remarkable person to be able to come up with such a brilliant plan."

Li Changshou felt a little dazed.

Qiongxiao had already risen and walked to Zhao Gongming's side, pondering for a few moments, then said, "Brother, do the part where you spit blood again."

"Alright," Zhao Gongming readily agreed, clutching his chest, stumbling back a few steps, and opening his mouth to spurt blood foam everywhere. "You, you... you are truly vicious! This injury of mine won't heal for tens of thousands of years!"

Li Changshou: ...

Qiongxiao laughed, her slender body shaking like a flower branch. "Brother, this part is too exaggerated... Hahahaha! But, but if someone cooperates nearby, it should be effective. Brother, spit blood again, and I'll try coming from the side!"

Immediately, Zhao Gongming spit another mouthful of blood, stumbling back a few steps, and put away his Sea-Calming Divine Pearl.

"Brother!" A soft cry suddenly came from the side. Immortal Qiongxiao rushed into the scene and quickly helped Zhao Gongming up. "What's wrong with you?"

The siblings showed remarkable synergy. Zhao Gongming pointed at the wooden figure, "He, he... *gags*!"

"What a scoundrel!" Qiongxiao immediately gave a soft rebuke, with a hint of gentle anger. From behind her, she pulled out a large three-foot-long pair of scissors and glared angrily at the wooden figure. "Speak, do you want to settle this peacefully, or do you want to blow it up?!"

Zhao Gongming paused, then suddenly had an epiphany. He exclaimed joyfully, "I've been wondering lately why this technique hit a bottleneck, trying to find a way to break through without success. So that's it! It was missing a partner! Haha! This technique can be perfected, it can be perfected! Sea God, look... Sea God, what's wrong with you?"

"Ah, nothing," Li Changshou said with narrowed eyes, standing up. He respectfully bowed and said, "Daoist friend, please, from now on, never say that I created this method. And it is you, Daoist friend, who are the true innovator and originator of this technique, by pushing the old and bringing forth the new!"

"That's not appropriate!"

Li Changshou quickly bowed again. "Please, Daoist friend... you must agree!"

Qiongxiao gently blinked beside them, a faint mischievous smile playing on her lips, but she looked up at the sky, wondering what she was thinking.

After seeing Zhao Gongming and Qiongxiao off, Li Changshou looked at the two jars of immortal wine brewed by Immortal Qiongxiao, and the pile of precious materials left by Zhao Gongming, and couldn't help but sigh softly.

*I'm... having a tough time.*

Now, Zhao Gongming and Qiongxiao, having left the Sea God Temple, had only flown a few thousand li when they spotted a figure descending from the nine heavens, heading towards the ground below. Qiongxiao blinked and whispered, "Isn't that Dongmugong of the Heavenly Court? What's he doing here?"

Zhao Gongming's mind, however, wasn't on that. He chuckled, "Third sister, who do you think we should try this new routine on?"

"Hmm? Brother, why don't we..." Qiongxiao transmitted two sentences, and Zhao Gongming hesitated slightly.

"Is that appropriate? We have no grievances with them."

"We just won't hurt him, that's all. Let's go, Brother!"

"Well, alright," Zhao Gongming said, stroking his beard with a smile. Together with Qiongxiao, they secretly pursued a certain high-ranking Heavenly Official who had no idea what was about to befall him...