Chapter 189: Back View

As Li Changshou steered his paper effigy towards the main hall of the Sea God Temple, he thought of the Sect Master's… *ahem*. Recalling the silhouette of Sect Master Wuyou Daoist, he felt a surge of emotion.

Upon reflection, his Sect Master's approach of not asking too many questions or interfering too much perfectly aligned with the Human School's doctrine of tranquility and non-action. In contrast, he himself, burdened by too many concerns and striving to preserve his life, constantly dodged and severed karmic ties. Compared to the Sect Master, he seemed to have fallen short.

But there was no alternative. At an age and cultivation level where he shouldn't have to bear such burdens, he was already shouldering the immense weight of "great sect rivalries," "the destiny of major clans," and being "too valiant," among other unbearable responsibilities! If he wasn't careful enough, if he didn't add a little more disguise or hide a few more trump cards, one day he might open his eyes from meditation to find a benevolent-looking bald old man standing before him, saying: "My young friend, hehe, I see you have a karmic affinity with my Western Church."

The thought alone was terrifying! The Western Church dared to abduct even the Saint Disciples of the Dao Sect. Li Changshou was merely recognized by a Saint; his enemies could erase him with a flick of a finger. Why wouldn't they dare to act against him?

He should wait until he was powerful enough before speaking of non-action or seeking tranquility and naturalness. By then, he would simply hide in the shade of a tree in the backyard of the Tushita Palace, sleeping in and caring for nothing. In reality, there was no true tranquility and non-action; it was merely that the Grand Pure Saint was so powerful that no one dared provoke him.

Hmm, after becoming a Golden Immortal... Never mind, even a Golden Immortal could only cower in the Primordial World, unable to stand tall. At the very least, he needed to achieve the Great Luo Immortal realm, acquire several Innate Spirit Treasures for offense, defense, critical strikes, and escape, condense a Golden Body of Merit, and cling tightly to his Saint's leg! Only then could he truly rest easy. Tsk, such daydreaming was useless. The most important thing was to climb steadily, step by step.

Before Li Changshou's paper effigy even emerged from underground, he quickly sent a voice transmission to Fairy Yunxiao. Fairy Yunxiao, who had been continuously injecting immortal power into the paper figure in the main hall of the temple, immediately stopped, her expression showing a hint of apology.

Yunxiao had already put away the scroll. After Li Changshou's second avatar arrived, she proactively met him near the hall entrance and said softly, "I originally intended to give you a painting personally drawn by my master, but I didn't expect to destroy one of your avatars. It was my carelessness and abruptness. Please do not blame me. I am unsure how to properly compensate you."

Li Changshou's heart twitched. Lady Yunxiao was truly generous. Just moments ago, he was almost forcefully… forcefully pulled to undergo the Golden Immortal tribulation by that boundless Grand Dao aura!

Seeing Li Changshou remain silent, Yunxiao quickly asked, "Did your cultivation suffer any damage just now?"

Li Changshou smiled, "It was merely an avatar. It's fine, it's fine."

"How could it be fine? How could an avatar be so easily refined?" Yunxiao sighed softly and retrieved the painting. "Please, Fellow Daoist, you must accept this item. It truly seems to have a karmic affinity with you. Otherwise, my Dao heart will truly not be at ease." As she spoke, Yunxiao gently flipped her left hand, and several treasures shimmered with light. "And these treasures too, please..."

What was she doing? Was she trying to drag him onto the fast track to death, to angrily confront Saints during the Investiture of the Gods, all at the touch of a button?

"No, no, you mustn't!" Li Changshou hastily stepped back half a pace, intentionally showing a bit of reserve.

Li Changshou's reaction amused Yunxiao, who took a small step forward and gently asked, "You must, why mustn't you?"

"This, Senior, please don't be like this."

Yunxiao reassured him, "Don't be afraid. You have already comprehended that Dao aura; it definitely won't harm your avatar again."

Li Changshou was instantly torn between laughter and tears. This conversation sounded... like an older sister coaxing a child?

"Senior, I truly do not dare to casually accept a painting made by a Saint Lord."

Yunxiao explained, "This was merely my master's casual brushwork, not some Innate Spirit Treasure."

"The meaning is different," Li Changshou said with a serious expression. "An item from a Saint Lord is truly too extraordinary. Please take it back, Senior."

Fairy Yunxiao then said, "Then... how should I compensate you for one of your avatars?"

"It's merely an avatar," Li Changshou's gaze was sincere, but Yunxiao's delicate brows slightly furrowed. Incorrect... Li Changshou suddenly realized. He had clearly stated he didn't want to accept Yunxiao's gifts, but Lady Yunxiao's focus was already on the value of an avatar. According to common knowledge in the Primordial World, external avatars were actually very precious. External avatars were either refined from valuable materials or condensed by practitioners using immense magical power. The loss of an avatar was usually a significant setback for a Qi Refiner. It was because his paper effigies were too cheap to produce. The method Li Changshou used for his paper effigies, which was a magically modified paper-cutting technique further improved several times with the external avatar divine ability granted by the Grand Master, only required... a bit of wood pulp.

Li Changshou chuckled, "Senior, do you perhaps think that refining one of my avatars requires a lot of effort?"

Yunxiao nodded slightly, her eyes clear and unblemished like ice. "Is it not?"

"Hahaha!" Li Changshou laughed heartily, his elderly immortal disguise's beard trembling with mirth, and he said, "I possess a mystical method; my avatars are like paper-cuts. If Senior's heart remains uneasy, I will accept this painting, but there's no need for the other treasures. Otherwise, Senior would be underestimating me too much."

Accepting the treasures carried the risk of exposure; he couldn't use them with his main body, only for his paper effigies' self-defense, which didn't hold much significance. That batch of small spiritual trees had long since grown!

Immediately, Li Changshou took the scroll. He would hang it in the rear hall of the Sea God Temple later, subtly enhancing the ambiance of his main Sea God Temple. Only then did Yunxiao reveal a faint smile, a burden lifted from her mind. She put away the other treasures, gave Li Changshou a slight Daoist bow, and said softly, "I have disturbed you greatly tonight and caused you much trouble. I originally came here to repay a favor, but unexpectedly, I damaged your avatar instead. If you find yourself free later, please visit my Three Immortals Island so I can compensate you properly."

Li Changshou repeatedly said... next time, definitely.

After exchanging Daoist bows with Yunxiao, she bid farewell and departed. She ascended on a cloud into the night sky, transforming into a wisp of faint cloud smoke, as if merging into the painted scroll of the night, and drifted away with the wind.

'What a wonderful fairy.' Li Changshou sighed softly in his heart. 'Pity, she has the other three siblings as burdens, and she herself is too devoted to loyalty and righteousness.' Li Changshou, of course, did not wish to have any more dealings with the Sanxiao Sisters and Uncle Zhao, lest he become entangled in the karmic tribulation during the Great God-Conferring Calamity. Yet, deep down, there was a small, subtle expectation...

"Tonight has been quite eventful," Li Changshou stretched his limbs, gazed at the scroll in his hand, and slowly walked towards the rear hall. Junior Sister Youqin must have seen the true cultivation level of his paper effigy just now. This was a bit tricky. Li Changshou pondered, wondering how to fool... *ahem*, how to explain it so that Youqin Xuanya would keep his secret and not overthink things.

Just then, Ling'e had already flown on a cloud to the outer perimeter of the alchemy lab, and Xiong Lingli, panting and carrying the purple-glowing Thunder God's Hammer, had also run to the edge of the formation. Clearly, they had also been alarmed by the celestial might earlier, but were now trapped outside the formation, unable to approach. Li Changshou thought for a moment, then transmitted a few instructions to Ling'e, who immediately nodded in agreement. Ling'e, now familiar with Xiong Lingli, told her a few words, explaining that her senior brother was just practicing, and then led Xiong Lingli back to the lakeside cottage.

Li Changshou carefully formulated some excuses in his mind, trying to analyze Youqin Xuanya's thought process. Once everything was settled, Li Changshou opened his eyes and looked at Youqin Xuanya, who was meditating in the moonlight. As if sensing Li Changshou's gaze, Youqin Xuanya opened her eyes, her eyelashes curved, and her dimples shallow. What Li Changshou found somewhat puzzling was... her eyes, at this moment, were hundreds of times brighter than when she had arrived.

"Junior Sister Youqin..."

"Senior Brother Changshou, you don't need to say more, I understand!"

Li Changshou almost choked on his breath, nearly toppling over on his meditation mat. Understood what? What did she understand *now*?

"No, Junior Sister Youqin, you don't understand..."

"Senior Brother, I do understand."

"You genuinely might not understand," Li Changshou quickly said. "Junior Sister Youqin, there's actually something I've always wanted to say aloud, but I've kept it in my heart."

Youqin Xuanya gently pursed her lips, her pretty face full of seriousness, and said, "Senior Brother Changshou, please just say it. I will certainly engrave it in my heart."

Li Changshou earnestly lectured: "Some matters, some words, need to be spoken directly, with honest communication. Only then can we truly understand what each other thinks deep down. Do not over-speculate; you must ask more questions."

Hearing Li Changshou's words, Youqin Xuanya thought seriously for a moment, then quickly nodded again. "Xuanya understands what Senior Brother is saying. Today, I shall be frank with Senior Brother."

Li Changshou slowly nodded. That's right... Just be honest. Don't say "frankly meet," it's too easily misunderstood.

Just as he was about to speak, Youqin Xuanya spoke first: "Senior Brother, after returning, I pondered for a long time, constantly questioning my true self and dispelling the illusions in my heart. Now, my Dao heart is firm, and I clearly know what my true self desires. Since Senior Brother said we should be frank with each other, then, Senior Brother, Xuanya will speak—"

Could this be... Should he let her speak and then refuse, or should he just stop her from speaking at all? Li Changshou's thoughts raced, and he quickly made a safe choice. Immediately, Youqin Xuanya took a light breath and spoke almost simultaneously with Li Changshou:

"Senior Brother, I will strive to catch up to you in cultivation!"

—"Please allow me to refuse. My heart is solely devoted to the Grand Dao, and I have no desire whatsoever for matters of a Dao companion..."

"Hmm?"

The two exchanged glances, Li Changshou's mouth twitched, and he couldn't help but cover his eyes with one hand. How annoying! Why the dramatic pause in your speech when nothing is wrong?!

Youqin Xuanya blinked, her pretty face suddenly flushed slightly. She instinctively averted her gaze towards the moonlight nearby, and a hint of playful reproach escaped her thin lips: "What were you thinking, Senior Brother..."

"Ah, that, a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding." Li Changshou swept his sleeve, his expression returning to normal, and calmly said, "Junior Sister Youqin, don't take it to heart. I thought it was 'that' kind of thing. Well, I was a bit too self-assured."

"Not at all, Senior Brother, you were not mistaken." Youqin Xuanya looked at Li Changshou again and said, "Actually, Xuanya greatly admires Senior Brother. It's just that... what I witnessed tonight made me understand the gap between me and Senior Brother. Senior Brother, the immortal power displayed by your paper figure just now was hundreds of times more profound than my current immortal power! Although Xuanya doesn't know Senior Brother's specific cultivation realm, I was right next to your destroyed paper figure at the time, and the only feeling in my heart was one of insignificance and helplessness. At that moment, Xuanya suddenly understood that Senior Brother is the true master."

Li Changshou said, "This matter, I also wanted to..."

"Senior Brother, may I finish speaking?"

"Alright, my apologies, I shouldn't have interrupted you."

Youqin Xuanya's smile became a little gentler as she continued, "Senior Brother, I will go into secluded cultivation for ten years to stabilize my Dao heart. My heart is a bit unsettled at the moment. I've also somewhat understood what Senior Brother and Sect Master Ancestor were talking about just now. Recalling our first meeting in North Continent until today, Xuanya has received too much care from Senior Brother. Senior Brother doesn't wish for the sect to know about your hidden cultivation. Xuanya hereby makes a Grand Dao Oath: if this matter is revealed to others, I shall certainly suffer Heavenly Punishment and the Heavenly Chasm!"

A muffled clap of thunder rumbled beyond the clouds, signifying that the oath had taken effect. Youqin Xuanya gently exhaled and stood up. Li Changshou, feeling inexplicably guilty in his heart, also rose.

"Senior Brother," Youqin Xuanya said, "May Xuanya ask you two questions?"

"Please ask, Junior Sister."

Youqin Xuanya asked, "On the day the Immortal Du Sect was attacked, three valiant individuals saved the sect from danger. Were they Senior Brother's paper effigies?"

Li Changshou slowly nodded. "Yes."

"Senior Brother, rest assured, I will keep this a secret... Also, after the Earth Vein Shifting Formation that day, when a Heavenly Immortal attacked, did Senior Brother intentionally knock us unconscious and then face the enemy alone?"

Li Changshou nodded again, saying, "Yes."

Youqin Xuanya immediately performed a Daoist bow, stating firmly, "Xuanya, on behalf of all the disciples in the sect, thanks Senior Brother for your timely intervention and rescue!"

Li Changshou raised his hand in a gesture of support, smiling, "I am also a disciple of the Immortal Du Sect. It's just that, for reasons I cannot disclose to you at this moment, I cannot reveal my true cultivation level..."

"I understand," Youqin Xuanya said softly, her eyes tender, a faint smile playing on her lips, and her long hair gently swaying. She stood in the moonlight, like an unblemished jade statue of a goddess, ethereal and pure, untainted by a speck of dust or impurity.

Youqin Xuanya sighed softly and said to Li Changshou, "After Xuanya achieved immortality and ascended, I thought I could wait for Senior Brother on the path ahead. But I never imagined that Senior Brother had always been ahead, and I had never truly seen his back. From now on, Senior Brother will continue to be Xuanya's guiding light, an example spurring Xuanya to cultivate diligently. Xuanya has said all that is in her heart. If Senior Brother has nothing further, Xuanya will take her leave to return to secluded cultivation."

Li Changshou nodded with a smile and said, "If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, you may come find me. I will wholeheartedly answer your questions."

"Mm," Youqin Xuanya nodded with a smile, but then added, "But I wish more to rely on myself to glimpse Senior Brother's back. Senior Brother, well then, I'll head back now."

Li Changshou performed a Daoist bow, and Youqin Xuanya returned the gesture. Then, she turned, took light steps, and left the alchemy lab on a cloud.

Li Changshou walked slowly with his hands behind his back, reaching the alchemy lab's entrance, and watched Youqin Xuanya's departing figure for a while.

"Isn't she quite smart?" He didn't even need to mislead her; she had already made the Grand Dao Oath herself. The Sect Master's lineage was indeed formidable, however...

"Junior Sister, could you come back for a moment? Let's discuss a tiny detail regarding the Grand Dao Oath?"