Chapter 188: Understood, Fully Understood

A moment ago, in a side hall next to the Immortal Ascension Palace, Ji Wuyou, the Golden Immortal of Emptiness and Sect Master of the Immortal Ascension Sect, who was currently coughing up blood, suddenly detected an extraordinary wisp of Dao charm flash within the protective mountain formation before quickly disappearing.

Though the Dao charm vanished extremely quickly, it was still caught by Ji Wuyou, who was not in secluded cultivation. Upon careful contemplation, this Dao charm was indeed unusual, seemingly containing the profound truths of heaven and earth, far surpassing the Dao charms of the Three Sects' masters that Ji Wuyou had experienced at the Dao Source Assembly.

Ji Wuyou put down the ladle in his hand, extinguished the immortal flame beneath the medicinal pot, and lowered his head, coughing a few times. As the Sect Master of a Human Dao lineage, such a minor incident would naturally not cause alarm. It was merely a wisp of Dao charm, perhaps indicating that a fortunate disciple had unexpectedly obtained some treasure. To be spontaneous and natural, calm and unperturbed, to govern through non-action—this was the mark of a qualified Sect Master of a Human Dao Immortal Sect...

Boom!

What's happening?

Suddenly, outside the Immortal Ascension Sect, winds surged and clouds gathered. A vast Heavenly Might abruptly appeared from the direction of Little Qiong Peak, its formidable power suppressing all areas within the sect!

“Cough! Cough, cough!”

Ji Wuyou almost spat out blood. Through several layers of walls, his eyes stared in the direction of Little Qiong Peak. His powerful immortal consciousness, befitting a Golden Immortal, immediately extended to investigate, only to be directly shattered by that Heavenly Might!

This situation... Such overbearing Heavenly Might... Ji Wuyou suddenly recalled the circumstances of his own Golden Immortal tribulation many years ago. Yet, when he underwent his tribulation back then, the Heavenly Might was nowhere near this intense. If this was a Golden Immortal tribulation, it was certainly no ordinary one! Has Wangqing's Golden Immortal tribulation already arrived? But why is it on Little Qiong Peak?

However, this Heavenly Might came and went quickly, disappearing instantly shortly after it appeared, as if merely to give someone a fright.

Ji Wuyou wiped the blood from his mouth, walked to the window sill, and drifted out like a feather, transforming into a streak of golden light as he shot towards Little Qiong Peak. Although Ji Wuyou adhered to the Human Dao philosophy of non-action and fully respected the personal freedom of every Qi Refiner within the sect, he still needed to investigate, inquire, and understand what had transpired.

In an instant, Ji Wuyou arrived above Little Qiong Peak. He looked down, piercing through the layers of formations surrounding Little Qiong Peak, and saw standing in front of the alchemy room...

“Little Xuan'ya?”

At that moment, Youqin Xuan'ya stood there, flustered, with a wisp of pure immortal power rapidly dissipating in all directions beside her, transforming into streams of primal energy. Ji Wuyou looked down and immediately frowned deeply. The source of that immortal power seemed to be a reclining chair, upon which lay a thick paper effigy, now seemingly damaged.

Xuan'ya, paper effigy? In the middle of the night, within the alchemy room formation on Little Qiong Peak? Ji Wuyou suddenly understood something, yet he also grew more perplexed. Could it be that Little Xuan'ya, who had just entered the True Immortal realm, somehow damaged this mysterious paper effigy, thereby triggering the Heavenly Might just now? How... how chaotic!

“Cough, I really must get to the bottom of this.”

Just then, figures also flew out from various peaks of the Immortal Ascension Sect. Elders and Peak Masters immediately rushed to join the Sect Master. As Ji Wuyou was about to descend towards the alchemy room below, a voice transmission entered his ear.

It said:“Disciple Li Changshou reports to the Sect Master: Just now, this disciple accidentally disturbed the Heavenly Might, nearly causing a disaster. All worries are now resolved. The situation was urgent. This disciple is willing to explain the full story to you, Sect Master. Please instruct the esteemed experts within the sect not to gather here, to prevent the situation from getting out of hand!”

Ji Wuyou frowned slightly. As the Sect Master of the Immortal Ascension Sect, how could he dismiss the elders who had come to investigate simply because of a disciple's voice transmission?

However, Li Changshou's voice transmission continued:“Sect Master, do you still remember... that Six-Revolutions Spirit Pill?”

Instantly, Ji Wuyou's eyes lit up. This time, he genuinely understood something and immediately projected his voice in all directions:“Everyone, there's no need to come over. A treasure bestowed upon Xuan'ya by this humble Daoist encountered a minor issue, yes, a minor issue.”

From all directions came immediate responses: “Understood, Sect Master’s command.”

Before long, figures returned to their respective peaks. Ji Wuyou stood beneath the starry sky, then set up an immortal power barrier over Little Qiong Peak before slowly descending.

At this moment, Li Changshou stood in the underground secret chamber on Little Qiong Peak, his brows tightly furrowed, his mind racing. This... how do I handle it?

Perhaps because Li Changshou was so mentally tense and thinking so quickly, several options immediately surfaced in his mind:A. Use Youqin Xuan'ya as a specialized magical artifact.B. Employ his usual method of revealing only a small portion of his cards.C. Use physical persuasion, or "hammer proselytization."D. Reveal his identity as the 'Little Human Dao Mage.'

These options continuously surfaced in Li Changshou's mind, but after brief consideration, he repeatedly rejected them. Youqin Xuan'ya was only at the True Immortal realm. Even if he talked eloquently and Youqin Xuan'ya, with her perfect integrity, was willing to cooperate, the Sect Master would surely not believe her lies! There was no way; her acting skills were too poor.

Reveal some of his cards to make the other party think they knew the whole truth? While this method was good, it depended on the situation. The Heavenly Might just now must have made the Sect Master extremely suspicious, and the source of that Heavenly Might absolutely had to be properly explained!

Attack the Sect Master? Although he had just self-cultivated and consolidated his Dao foundation, and now felt the Sect Master's oppressive presence was much weaker, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse and losing big over a trifle? It would be better to just lay his cards on the table directly.

Li Changshou smiled bitterly to himself... Currently, he had just fooled Daoist Mosquito, gained the appreciation and trust of the Heavenly Emperor, become involved in the affairs of the Three Xiao, and was secretly contending with the Western Sect... If the fact that the Little Human Dao Mage and the Sea God of the South Sea were one and the same as Li Changshou, a disciple of the Immortal Ascension Sect, were to be exposed through the Sect Master's mouth, it would undoubtedly lead to countless hidden dangers. This protective camouflage could not be easily discarded. Especially since the Sect Master, a Golden Immortal of Emptiness, was still an uncontrollable variable.

There was no other way. This time, he could only... Choose E! Expose his own cards to the smallest possible extent!

Just as the Sect Master landed in front of the alchemy room, a complete plan formed in Li Changshou's mind. He immediately raised his hand and took out a formation control jade token. He activated thirty-six formation foundations, initiating part of the core grand formation on Little Qiong Peak. This was to create a misleading formation and divert the Sect Master's attention.

“Hmm?”

Observing the sudden appearance of mist around the alchemy room, Ji Wuyou, who had just arrived, furrowed his brows even deeper. This formation seemed rather impressive.

Youqin Xuan'ya immediately stepped forward and bowed, “Disciple greets Ancestral Master.”

“Yes,” Ji Wuyou nodded gently, “What happened here just now?”

Youqin Xuan'ya pondered for a moment, feeling somewhat bewildered herself. “This disciple came to find Senior Brother Changshou. Senior Brother Changshou suddenly had an epiphany, sat on the reclining chair, and then... then...”

Ji Wuyou pressed, “Then what?”

Youqin Xuan'ya whispered, “It just... deflated, quickly shriveled up... and turned into this paper effigy.”

“Hahahaha! Cough, cough!” Ji Wuyou was amused by Youqin Xuan'ya’s description. He raised his hand to pull the paper effigy into his grasp, examining it carefully. He chuckled, “This is a divine ability called Paper-Cut Transformation. However, this paper effigy is quite unusual...”

“Disciple Li Changshou greets the Sect Master!”

A shout came from within the alchemy room. Ji Wuyou and Youqin Xuan'ya looked up to see a wisp of light smoke fly out from beside the large black furnace, transforming into Li Changshou’s figure. Li Changshou quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply to Ji Wuyou.

“Why did you come out from below?” Ji Wuyou asked with a smile.

Li Changshou hastily explained, “This disciple just had an epiphany. Fearing I might disturb Junior Sister Youqin, I placed a paper effigy here and went underground to meditate and cultivate.”

Ji Wuyou did not press the matter, focusing on the key question: “Changshou, what exactly happened just now?”

Li Changshou frowned, lowered his head, and tightly closed his lips, his voice carrying a hint of hesitation and a sense of helplessness as he suppressed an impulse. He whispered: “Reporting to Sect Master, this disciple... I don’t quite dare to speak...”

“Just speak. Why don’t you dare?” Ji Wuyou stood with his hands clasped behind his back, calmly stating, “Is there anything this humble Daoist cannot handle?”

Seeing the Sect Master’s gaze turn somewhat stern, Li Changshou sighed, retrieved a jade tablet from his sleeve, and presented it with both hands. Ji Wuyou originally intended to take it directly, but upon closer inspection, he immediately recoiled half a step! The Sect Master's face instantly turned pale. He hastily bowed to the jade tablet, cold sweat beading on his forehead...

The jade tablet bore the Dao charm of the Human Dao's Heavenly Venerable Taishang! He had only ever felt such a Dao charm from a jade talisman held by his own master, True Immortal Du'e. And that jade talisman was the core inheritance of the Immortal Ascension Sect today: the "Scripture of Grand Purity Non-Action!"

Holding the jade talisman, Li Changshou hastily asked, “Sect Master, why do you bow?”

“Changshou! Not a single word of what this humble Daoist just said must be leaked!” Ji Wuyou stated firmly, then looked at Youqin Xuan'ya, “Xuan'ya, you too, must not repeat this humble Daoist's earlier remark, 'What cannot be handled?'”

“Cough, cough! Cough, cough, cough...”

“Xuan'ya, don't just stand there stunned, quickly come and bow to the jade tablet!”

Youqin Xuan'ya was instantly bewildered but still hastily stepped forward and bowed to the jade tablet. This jade tablet was, naturally, the "Grand Purity Dao Comprehension."

Ji Wuyou seemed to hesitate, wishing to speak but refraining. He was now both astonished and suspicious, looking at this young disciple who had yet to become an immortal, suddenly feeling... unable to discern his origins.

Ji Wuyou asked, “Changshou, you and Grandmaster Xuandu...”

“Sect Master, Grandmaster Xuandu has warned this disciple not to speak carelessly about certain matters.” Li Changshou sighed softly, “The Heavenly Might just now occurred because this disciple opened this Dao Comprehension and seemed to make a mistake during comprehension, causing a Dao charm fluctuation. That Heavenly Might seemed to be warning this disciple not to continue comprehending in that direction...”

“So that’s what it was,” Ji Wuyou’s face immediately showed understanding. Then, Ji Wuyou looked at Li Changshou intently, “Changshou, this Dao Comprehension?”

“Sect Master, Grandmaster Xuandu instructed...”

“Understood, understood,” Ji Wuyou nodded immediately. “Quickly put this away. Next time you wish to comprehend it, inform this humble Daoist in advance. I will come to guard you, lest you cause such a commotion again. Changshou, what exactly is your relationship with Grandmaster Xuandu? Is this something you can disclose?”

Li Changshou glanced at Youqin Xuan'ya, who was already drowning in confusion, her ponytail gently swaying, her ice-blue dress seemingly covered in question marks. She had absolutely no idea what the Ancestral Master and Senior Brother Changshou were talking about.

“Sect Master, as for this, this disciple and Grandmaster Xuandu,” Li Changshou deliberated, “we have only met a few times. There shouldn't be any particularly special relationship.”

No special relationship?

Ji Wuyou immediately revealed a profound, knowing smile. He said, “This humble Daoist likely understands now. Since that is the case, I will not ask any more questions.”

With that, Ji Wuyou took a communication jade talisman from his embrace and handed it to Li Changshou, saying: “Changshou, cultivate with peace of mind. Should anything arise, big or small, you can inform this humble Daoist. I shall now return. Remember, next time you comprehend this treasure, be sure to inform this humble Daoist in advance.”

Well... The Sect Master was surprisingly easy to fool...

Li Changshou quickly replied, “This disciple obeys your command.”

Ji Wuyou looked at Youqin Xuan'ya and instructed, “Xuan'ya, what happened today is known by you, by me, and by Changshou. On no account must a fourth person know.”

“This disciple obeys Ancestral Master’s teachings!”

Not only was he easy to fool, but he also helped settle things with Junior Sister Youqin? Li Changshou felt a strange touch of emotion in his heart. Watching the Sect Master's elegant retreating figure, he was momentarily filled with sentiment. If the opportunity arises, he should introduce the Sect Master to Grandmaster Xuandu. Such a good person, truly...

Youqin Xuan'ya looked at Li Changshou and whispered, “Senior Brother Changshou?”

“Junior Sister Youqin, please wait a moment,” Li Changshou said with a bitter smile, gazing at Youqin Xuan'ya. “I need to handle some matters properly first, then I will explain to you.”

“Senior Brother Changshou, please attend to your urgent matters,” Youqin Xuan'ya said immediately. “I will wait for you here.”

“Okay,” Li Changshou nodded. This time, he directly closed his eyes, swiftly activated the paper effigy beneath the South Sea Sea God Temple, and quickly sent a voice transmission to Immortal Yun Xiao saying, “This junior is fine.” In the temple, the beautiful and overly generous Immortal Yun Xiao had already spread out her skirt, sat cross-legged on the ground, and was beginning to use her immortal power to salvage the paper effigy that had been damaged by the Saint's Dao charm...

He understood! With just a few words from Li Changshou, Ji Wuyou fully understood!

Before, Ji Wuyou had wondered why Grandmaster Xuandu would entrust his master, True Immortal Du'e, with a Six-Revolutions Spirit Pill for him to deliver to Li Changshou, the young disciple on Little Qiong Peak. Now, it seemed this matter held profound meaning. A scripture written by a Saint was given away so casually—this relationship must be extraordinary. While a Six-Revolutions Spirit Pill wasn't rare, a Six-Revolutions Aphrodisiac Spirit Pill was truly unusual and provocative of thought! Clearly, Grandmaster Xuandu was very concerned about whether Li Changshou would have descendants... Who would be anxious and concerned about such a question? Such care, such concern, and even a scripture written by a Saint, where accidentally straying from the right path would trigger a timely warning from Heavenly Might... This was a treatment even direct disciples didn't receive! Moreover, during the Immortal Ascension Sect's earlier tribulation, even though his own master, True Immortal Du'e, had already appeared to resolve the crisis, Grandmaster Xuandu still took his master to Golden Ao Island to find people from the Jie Sect to settle the matter... Today, all these questions had a reasonable explanation!

It was highly likely; this young Changshou must be... a direct descendant of Grandmaster Xuandu's bloodline, perhaps even an illegitimate child!

“Cough, cough, cough!” Ji Wuyou coughed a few times, a faint smile on his face, as he returned to the small room beside the main hall, sat in his armchair, and fell into a reverie. Such a matter definitely couldn't be discussed openly; Grandmaster Xuandu would surely dislike it being publicized. From now on, as the Sect Master of the Immortal Ascension Sect, he could only secretly look after young Changshou, not seeking merit, but only to avoid mistakes...