Chapter 208: Immortal Bean Soldiers? Super Evolution

Li Changshou repeatedly replayed the recent event in his mind.

It felt somewhat surreal.

He hadn't even exerted himself, and the other party had already fallen.

Not only did they fall, but they also dragged another important figure into the mess.

Li Changshou had long understood what kind of naive and foolish person Old Man Zhao was; he knew something of his character.

If not for the heavy karma weighing on Old Man Zhao, Li Changshou would have been quite willing to befriend him.

But as for Real Immortal Huang Long...

'Is he genuinely honest, or a cunning schemer?'

It was hard to tell what was in someone's heart, and he couldn't draw a conclusion yet.

Sitting in the secret chamber beneath the pill room, Li Changshou rubbed his forehead. He spread out two pieces of paper and drew a few special symbols on the first one: a chicken leg, a luminous cup, a bamboo basket, a slingshot, and orchid grass.

He then placed this paper directly in front of him and drew a collection of small 'things' on the second sheet.

A small sapling, positioned in the center, represented his Grandmaster.

A stick figure sat beneath the sapling, representing Li Changshou himself, signifying the comfort of shade under a tree.

To the left of the small tree, he drew a crab, symbolizing Old Man Zhao, who "ran rampant without restraint."

Behind the crab were three seaweeds, representing the Three Maidens of Yunxiao. One seaweed was significantly more detailed and vivid, while the other two were sketched lightly.

Li Changshou then drew a small tripod with a missing leg, representing Qin Wan, with nine dots on it to signify the Ten Heavenly Lords of Jin'ao Island.

To the right of the small tree, Li Changshou drew an "A" for Senior Cloud Importer, and a smiley face symbol for Real Immortal Huang Long.

These were roughly all the disciples of the Sages from the Three Religions he had directly interacted with so far.

Large blank spaces remained on the paper.

Figures like Daoist Wuyou, the hollow sect master of the Immortal Ascension Sect, were "nameless cannon fodder" at the periphery of the Investiture of the Gods calamity, so there was no need to include them here.

Li Changshou then added a lingzhi mushroom, representing Hanzhi.

Below the sapling, he drew a whisk, symbolizing Real Immortal Du'e, the founding patriarch of the Immortal Ascension Sect.

Although he hadn't directly interacted with him, he had a deep karmic connection with this Real Immortal.

Li Changshou then gazed at the paper in a quiet daze, allowing his mind to relax as he slowly pondered.

The Great Calamity of Investiture of the Gods, an internal conflict among the Three Religions.

The Western Church would scheme, benefiting greatly and flourishing.

At that time, not only would the living beings of South Continent be devastated, but the immortal sects of the Three Religions in Middle Divine Continent and East Victory Divine Continent would also be in peril.

A minor calamity like the Dragon Race ascending to the Heavenly Court was destined to result in the deaths of numerous sea creatures and dragons.

However, compared to the future Great Calamity of Investiture of the Gods, it was truly insignificant.

The sea creatures were merely supporting characters in the primordial world.

The main protagonists on the current stage of the primordial world were humanity, the Three Daoist Religions, and countless human Qi Refiners.

The deeper Li Changshou understood this, and the more he became involved with the Heavenly Court, the more he could vaguely sense that the calamitous fortune, destined to sweep across the Five Continents and Three Thousand Worlds, was quietly brewing.

He deduced that during the Great Calamity of Investiture of the Gods, mortal casualties shouldn't be too high, falling within the normal range of royal succession in South Continent.

However, the casualties among Qi Refiners would likely be astonishing, possibly even comparable to the devastation of living beings during the Lich Calamity.

Otherwise, why would it be called a 'mass calamity'?

There was no other way; this was the custom of the primordial world.

Whenever the Heavenly Dao felt that the overall strength of living beings was too great, and the world was on the verge of collapse, it would instigate a great calamity to suppress them.

"Thinking about these things now is useless; there should still be a good amount of time."

Great calamities didn't just appear out of nowhere; at the very least, there should be some omens thousands of years in advance.

Li Changshou pondered his recent arrangements and plans concerning the Sea God Sect in the South Sea and the Dragon Race, searching for any lingering hidden dangers.

He conducted a daily self-reflection: "Am I stable? Am I truly stable? Will I be stable tomorrow?"

After a careful deduction, Li Changshou stood up and affixed the two pieces of paper to a wall, sealing them with immortal power.

'My Second Sect Master's wedding, I wonder if it will proceed smoothly...'

Li Changshou didn't particularly enjoy socializing, but since he had become close with Ao Yi, he would certainly lend a hand as long as it didn't jeopardize himself.

As for Old Man Zhao...

Forget it, even ten of him couldn't rein Old Man Zhao in.

By the time Li Changshou turned his attention to Little Qiong Peak, Jiu Wu and the other five had already quietly left.

Jiu Wu and the others had observed the situation, confirming that their master was indulging in the trend of cultivating with a Dao partner. As disciples, they could only discreetly offer their support.

Five of Master Forgetful's nine disciples had Dao partners, so they knew well that outsiders only made such matters more complicated by interfering; one could only wait for things to develop naturally.

Even wealth required a face.

Li Changshou didn't do much more regarding his grandmaster's late-life romance, akin to a withered tree blossoming or an old man getting a new carriage. He had already helped where he could.

He had prepared special clothing for his junior grandmaster and offered advice to Master Forgetful.

What more could he do beyond that?

He couldn't exactly arrange for them to "burn with passion," skipping the awkwardness and going straight to unrestrained enthusiasm, could he?

That was actually a good idea and could be cleverly implemented through one of Master Forgetful's disciples.

It wasn't too late to decide after seeing how things progressed.

Three days after the "Little Qiong Peak Art Exhibition," Master Forgetful, dressed in a new Daoist robe made by Senior Sister Jiu Jiu, came directly from Potian Peak.

Junior Grandmaster Jiang Lin'er had also changed into the "Bright Scale Silver Armor - Female Version" that Li Changshou had taken the time to craft for her, which concealed her fierce nature and was incredibly lifelike.

The two continued to chat and stroll.

However, Master Forgetful came prepared this time and even took out a flute, softly playing a few tunes under a tree.

The flute's melody was profound in its artistic conception and continuous in its Dao rhythm. In a market town, it would cost at least four spirit stones to listen to a single piece.

Unfortunately, the junior grandmaster only knew how to wield a large saber and smash people. If she could have danced gracefully alongside him, the scene would likely have been far more beautiful.

Li Changshou observed for half a day.

After Master Forgetful left, Li Changshou's main body emerged from the underground secret chamber. Carrying the wine and dishes Ling'e had just prepared, he took Ling'e with him to visit Elder Wan Linyun.

This was not the first time Li Changshou had brought his junior sister to Pill Cauldron Peak.

Gradually exposing Ling'e to the influential figures within the sect and gaining Elder Wan Linyun's protection meant she would have an extra layer of backing within the sect.

Having more powerful backers was always a good precaution.

In front of her senior brother, Ling'e put away her 'cleverness and wit,' leaving only docility and diligence.

While her senior brother and Elder Wan discussed alchemy, she would boil and pour wine on the side, trying to minimize her presence.

Li Changshou and Elder Wan Linyun enthusiastically discussed poison scriptures and recent insights into alchemy for several hours, then both simultaneously produced brocade boxes.

Li Changshou smiled, "Elder, has your Immortal Sense Poison Pill been completed?"

"Heh heh," Elder Wan Linyun gave a chilling laugh. Ling'e, standing nearby, immediately lowered her head, not daring to look further, fearing she would have nightmares.

Elder Wan Linyun said warmly, "Although the Immortal Sense Poison Pill has been refined, its effect is minimal.

However, the effort wasn't entirely wasted; I managed to create this pill, which I've named the 'Nine-Armor Body Protection Pill.'

Changshou, let me test your pill-recognition skills. Examine this pill and tell me its effects."

Li Changshou said, "Please protect my junior sister, Elder."

"Good," Elder Wan Linyun raised a hand and pointed at Ling'e, creating a thick barrier of immortal power around her.

Li Changshou also said, "Ling'e, don't look this way."

Li Changshou's expression turned solemn. He secretly mobilized immortal power to protect his primordial spirit and retracted his immortal sense.

He opened the brocade box, wrapped his finger in simulated magical power, and picked up the indigo-colored poisonous pill, which was the size of a longan.

Elder Wan, smiling, watched Li Changshou, a hint of expectation in his aged eyes.

Soon, Li Changshou exclaimed in surprise:

"Elder, this pill... it's amazing!

Its effect seems to merely confuse the six senses, but it directly acts upon the opponent's released immortal sense, causing it to become chaotic on its own.

If one carries this poison pill, anyone attempting to probe them would only perceive a mist.

If used in conjunction with trapping and illusion formations, its effect would undoubtedly be extraordinary!"

"Heh heh heh," Elder Wan Linyun squinted, smiling, and nodded contentedly. He added, "Using it with formations is something I hadn't considered."

Li Changshou exclaimed with sincere admiration, "Elder, you are truly a genius!"

"Mm," Elder Wan nodded with a smile, then produced a jade slip and handed it to Li Changshou, saying, "This is the pill formula, along with some verified spirit herbs and poisonous plants that can be used interchangeably."

Li Changshou rose, bowed, and with a serious expression, accepted the jade slip.

"Your disciple thanks the Elder for the pill formula."

Ling'e, standing nearby, couldn't help but blink.

Was Senior Brother not going to politely decline?

Why did he just accept it directly?

Elder Wan Linyun slowly nodded, a hint of joy in his eyes, and said no more on the matter.

He looked at the brocade box Li Changshou had produced and asked, "What new pill have you created?"

"Your disciple was just about to present it to the Elder," Li Changshou said. He put away the pill formula, bowed again, and then sat back on the heated bed.

He opened the brocade box, revealing three 'immortal beans' the size of fingertips. He casually took one out, cast the "Spreading Beans into Soldiers" divine ability, and tossed it aside.

With a soft 'pop,' immortal light condensed into a burly golden-armored guard.

Elder Wan Linyun remarked calmly, "Spreading Beans into Soldiers? I've heard of this divine ability; it's one of the Thirty-six Heavenly Transformations."

Li Changshou nodded with a smile, then took out a second 'immortal bean' and sent it with magical power to Elder Wan Linyun.

Elder Wan took the bean, examined it carefully, and then raised an eyebrow.

"A pill? It doesn't seem like one."

Li Changshou dared not conceal anything and explained, "Your disciple accidentally stumbled upon an idea: I placed immortal beans into a pill furnace, treating them as the main ingredient, combined them with some spirit herbs, refined them using alchemy techniques, and managed to retain their vitality.

Elder, please see."

Li Changshou retrieved the immortal bean, tossed it onto the empty ground outside the door, and activated his magic with both hands.

Another burly golden-armored guard slowly rose, but behind its golden armor, its entire body, including its hair, was dark green, emitting wisps of light green poisonous mist.

Spreading Beans into Soldiers: Enhanced and Green-Tinted Edition!

Elder Wan Linyun's eyes lit up, and the expression on his stiff face gradually turned ferocious.

"Splendid!"

"Heh heh," Li Changshou chuckled self-consciously, "Your disciple merely used a trick."

"Ingenious ideas are the most precious; how can you call it a mere trick?"

Elder Wan Linyun immediately stood up and strode outside. Leaning on his copper-skinned staff, he circled the guard repeatedly, his expression somewhat agitated.

"Changshou."

"Yes, Elder."

Elder Wan Linyun said solemnly, "For the rest of my life, I'll likely only leave behind a few more poison scriptures and some pill formulas. But you, you have pioneered the use of poison pills!"

"Elder, you flatter your disciple too much."

Li Changshou led Ling'e out of the pavilion, motioning for her to stay behind him, as the potent poison emanating from the toxic soldier outside could severely injure her if she touched it.

Li Changshou bowed and said, "Elder, your disciple has a request."

Elder Wan Linyun, still fixated on the toxic soldier, said, "Speak."

Li Changshou said, "May your disciple impose on your time for three to five years, Elder?

Your disciple wishes to enhance the power of these immortal bean toxic soldiers, but my alchemy skills are too shallow to make further progress quickly. And your disciple will need a batch of these toxic soldiers in ten years at the latest."

Ling'e, hidden behind her senior brother, couldn't help but blink again upon hearing this.

Was Senior Brother intentionally setting a trap for the Elder? Why was he volunteering so much information?

However, to Ling'e's surprise, Elder Wan Linyun agreed readily without asking a single extra word.

"Very well, I shall begin pondering it today."

"Thank you, Elder," Li Changshou said, taking out two jade slips. One recorded Li Changshou's modified "Spreading Beans into Soldiers" divine ability, and the other contained several poison pill formulas he had previously used to refine toxic immortal beans.

Following that, Li Changshou produced a treasure pouch containing three hundred immortal beans he had just ripened the previous day.

Elder Wan Linyun collected all these items and began an enthusiastic discussion with Li Changshou about the method.

Ling'e, naturally, couldn't understand any of this and just waited obediently.

From noon to dusk, then into the deep night.

As Li Changshou returned to Little Qiong Peak with Ling'e, he was still pondering some of the suggestions Elder Wan Linyun had given, feeling a sudden sense of enlightenment.

Such intricate research, indeed, yielded twice the results with half the effort when entrusted to highly skilled experts!

Before leaving, Li Changshou also subtly expressed his requirement: to control the cost of the immortal bean toxic soldiers.

He needed a large quantity of immortal bean toxic soldiers.

Those with outstanding effects but excessively high costs would merely add a bit to his collection of trump cards.

Additionally, Li Changshou requested that Elder Wan Linyun not allow a fourth person to know about this, as it could bring about his demise.

Elder Wan Linyun agreed without much hesitation, not asking Li Changshou for any reasons, and immediately began research and development on the toxic immortal beans.

Beyond poisons and pills, nothing else mattered.

In front of the pill room, as the senior brother and junior sister were about to part, Ling'e couldn't help but ask softly:

"Senior Brother, what are you doing outside the sect?"

"Just some minor things," Li Changshou chuckled, using the ancestral divine ability of Little Qiong Peak—direct voice transmission.

"You don't need to ask too much about these matters. Just focus on your cultivation.

Bringing you to see Elder Wan today, besides letting him become more familiar with you, was also so you could indirectly understand these things.

Junior Sister, the world is vast and dangerous.

Once you become an immortal, you'll be able to experience an even more marvelous world."

Li Changshou wanted to continue his lecture, but suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind, tinged with melancholy and bewilderment.

'Elder Brother Sect Master...'

The Second Sect Master... what happened now?

Li Changshou told Ling'e, "Go back. Grandmaster is still waiting for you; it seems he wants to have a heart-to-heart talk."

"Oh," Ling'e replied, watching her senior brother's retreating figure enter the pill room, and couldn't help but make a face.

What's so great about the outside world, or a more marvelous world?

Once I become an immortal, I'll first pin you against the barrier and then settle all the old scores!