Chapter 43: Only Need Thick Skin

White clouds drifted leisurely across the azure sea.

Just as they had arrived in the East Sea, a massive white cloud carried sixteen True Immortals and eleven disciples, while several Heavenly Immortals guarded them from four directions above, drifting northwest towards the mountain gate.

They had departed earliest, leaving a trail of large white clouds behind them. The cloud path was incredibly wide, showing no signs of crowding.

This was the third day after Li Changshou's 'madcap' battle with Ao Yi, and the Demon Suppression Conference had concluded successfully.

Li Changshou, the 'fake' leader, sat in a corner, having honorably stepped down and now attracting no attention.

The true leader, Youqin Xuan'ya, had become famous, her reputation spreading far and wide due to her outstanding performance at the conference. She had won thirty-six consecutive matches against Qi Refiners and four against Dragon clan challengers, which brought her widespread acclaim. Now, she was protected in the center of the white cloud, surrounded by everyone like stars around the moon.

Among Youqin's opponents that day, including the four Dragon clan youths, seven or eight possessed strength at the first or second stage of the Return to Dao Realm. Yet, she, with her eighth-stage Return to Void Realm cultivation, relied on her indomitable spirit, diligently accumulated profound techniques, and a set of flying swords whose power and quality far surpassed ordinary immortal treasures. She endured fierce battles, consecutively overcoming these formidable adversaries.

The driving force behind her persistence was not the four immortal treasures offered by the Dragon Palace.

Under the gaze of countless onlookers, she placed the four immortal treasures before her senior brother, who had previously been 'bullied by the Dragon clan.' Then, she returned to her seat and sat cross-legged, effectively giving everyone a clear answer:

"It's not about the magic treasures; it's about dignity!""We disciples of the Immortal Du Sect are not to be trifled with!""And my fellow senior brothers are not to be bullied by just anyone!"

At that moment, several emotional female Martial Aunts and Uncles had tears welling up in their eyes.

If Li Changshou hadn't been inadvertently involved in this incident, he would surely have given Youqin Xuan'ya a thumbs-up and exclaimed, "How splendid!"

However, he was precisely that 'lucky one' who had been 'bullied by the Dragon clan,' protected by his junior sister, and then inexplicably received four immortal treasures...

That was quite awkward.

These four immortal treasures were like hot potatoes. Fortunately, Li Changshou reacted promptly, asking Martial Aunt Jiu Jiu, who was also from the Heaven-Breaking Peak lineage, to temporarily hold them. Upon returning to the mountain, he would hand them over to Martial Aunt Jiang Jingshan, Youqin Xuan'ya's master.

This was considered properly handled, preventing any further trouble.

Nevertheless, being protected and having someone stand up for him felt a little strange...

Li Changshou's journey to the East Sea was not without its gains.

Over the past two days, the numerous contests between fellow Qi Refiners significantly broadened his understanding of combat techniques.

These Qi Refiners came from various immortal sects, each with different primary cultivation methods. Although most focused on Five Elements and Yin-Yang Dao techniques, their variations were numerous and their combinations highly complex.

Li Changshou observed for two days from the sidelines and learned several very useful 'tricks,' which enriched his paper effigy's tactical system.

Expanding one's knowledge and accumulating experience are also forms of cultivation.

Thanks to Youqin Xuan'ya's exceptional performance, the Immortal Du Sect became the biggest winner of the conference. Not only did they claim one-third of the magic treasures, but the sect's prestige also received a slight boost.

Perhaps this event will help them recruit a few more promising disciples during the next sect-opening and disciple-recruitment ceremony...

After Youqin's exit, although Li Changshou's other peer disciples also took to the stage, their best record was merely seven consecutive victories.

The senior brother who had vowed to avenge Li Changshou only managed three victories out of four battles, failing to encounter any of the remaining young dragon challengers.

Immediately after leaving the East Sea's vicinity, Jiu Jiu, who had reverted to her demure immortal self, suddenly received a message from above.

She promptly ascended on a cloud to join her master, Immortal Forgetfulness.

Soon, Jiu Jiu flew back down, her pretty face beaming with a smile.

She returned to the white cloud where the main group was, placing a bottle of elixirs next to Youqin Xuan'ya. Youqin Xuan'ya had previously overexerted herself significantly and had been meditating since the battle two days prior.

Then Jiu Jiu walked up to Li Changshou, tilted her head, and eyed him for a moment before muttering, "Strange, why did my master use two more words to praise you than she did to praise Xuan'ya?"

Li Changshou's heart skipped a beat.

Had Immortal Forgetfulness seen through his true cultivation?

No, that couldn't be. If so, the Immortal would have questioned why he didn't contribute to the sect's glory, rather than offering unprovoked praise...

"Here, take this. It's a reward from my master, separate from the sect's internal rewards."

Jiu Jiu tossed over a jade slip, then sat cross-legged about three feet away from Li Changshou.

Several disciples pricked up their ears, listening.

It was natural for Youqin Xuan'ya to receive elixirs as a reward from Immortal Forgetfulness, but Li Changshou's record was merely one battle and a loss. Why would he receive a reward?

The jade slip must contain some high-level immortal technique, especially since it was a private reward from Immortal Forgetfulness...

Jiu Jiu narrowed her eyes, feigned seriousness, cleared her throat, and said:

"My master said that your handling of the Dragon Palace Crown Prince was extremely appropriate. That Second Crown Prince of the Dragon Palace was full of mischief; he likely intended for you to gravely injure him and then lose, so that the Dragon Palace could use the opportunity to cause trouble for our Immortal Du Sect.""My master said that if you hadn't seen through his scheme early and used a feint, conceding defeat before he did, our group might not have made it back to the mountain gate this time.""My master also mentioned that Fifth Senior Brother spoke of you several times, saying you are meticulous in thought, cautious in action, and very dependable in your work. Having you as the leader of the disciples this time was truly the right choice."

A huge weight immediately lifted from Li Changshou's heart.

Immortal Forgetfulness had actually...

...seen through an entire elaborate Dragon Palace conspiracy!

As expected of a Heavenly Immortal's profound insight and perspective—it truly differed greatly from the limited views of mere small fries like them!

Although Li Changshou, through meticulous analysis, had previously deduced that the Dragon Palace Crown Prince wanted to indirectly humiliate the Dragon Palace to reverse its current unhealthy practices...

He had never imagined there was such twisted logic and malicious scheming behind it!

Li Changshou immediately reflected, realizing that his perspective was always insufficiently broad. From the very beginning, he had been prejudiced by the assumption that the Dragon Palace wouldn't dare directly confront the Three Sects' Immortal Clans, and at most, Ao Yi would be allowed to kill an unimportant junior disciple in a match to vent their anger.

Hmm?

Upon closer thought, it seemed Immortal Forgetfulness's logic also had many flaws.

Never mind. Considering the current outcome, Immortal Forgetfulness's analysis was quite advantageous for him.

This Immortal...Simply marvelous!So warm!So thoughtful!

Some disciples wore expressions of sudden realization, while several True Immortals looked as if they had known all along. Most cast admiring glances at Li Changshou.

He had inexplicably gained another wave of goodwill...

That was certainly better than ill will.

After returning to the mountain gate, he would likely receive even more generous rewards, even though Li Changshou had already received the *Scripture of Non-Action* in advance...

Li Changshou lowered his gaze to the jade slip and discovered that it contained a profound lightning technique, the *True Lightning Art of the Vast Sky Sun Thunder*.

After a brief thought, Li Changshou secretly whispered a few words to Jiu Jiu beside him and handed the jade slip back.

Jiu Jiu stared at Li Changshou, her face filled with shock.

Having cultivated for nearly a thousand years, she had never heard of such an absurd request!

A sect elder had bestowed a treasure, yet the junior was being picky and even asking her to inquire if this lightning technique could be exchanged for a cultivation method for the Samadhi True Flame, which would be more beneficial for alchemy!

Li Changshou naturally knew this was somewhat improper, but firstly, he had his relationship with Jiu Jiu, and secondly, he truly had an urgent need for the Samadhi True Flame.

If he could acquire the Samadhi True Flame, his strength would see a significant leap...

For this, he could only brazen it out.

"Honestly, my master is going to scold me to death!"

Jiu Jiu rolled her eyes, snatched the jade slip, and flew off into the air in a huff, though she reverted to her obedient demeanor halfway there.

Soon, Jiu Jiu returned successfully. She had wrapped two jade slips in a handkerchief and, when no one was looking, tossed them to Li Changshou.

Immortal Forgetfulness had not taken back the *True Lightning Art of the Vast Sky Sun Thunder*; and the new jade slip contained a cultivation art of similar rank to the lightning technique, opening with four large characters:

**Samadhi True Flame!**

After carefully reading the introductory explanation, which outlined the cultivation principles of 'Essence Fire,' 'Spirit Fire,' and 'Qi Fire,' Li Changshou's heart immediately swelled with satisfaction.

He had finally acquired it; this trip was truly worthwhile.

Perhaps this incident would leave him with some negative impressions, such as greed and insatiability, in the eyes of Immortal Forgetfulness.

But it was worth it!

Upon returning to the mountain, he would settle down on Little Qiong Peak and cultivate diligently.

Ignoring all outside affairs, he would single-mindedly delve into the *True Flame Scripture*!

The Samadhi True Flame was not only for harming enemies; it was a type of true flame relatively widespread among Daoist sects, renowned for its great power and slightly lower cultivation threshold. However, obtaining the cultivation method for the Samadhi True Flame was quite difficult.

Once he achieved minor success with the Samadhi True Flame, he could, according to a method described in an ancient text, use it to strengthen his spirit and Dao body, thus gaining more confidence when facing heavenly tribulations!

From now on, he would only need to leave the mountain one more time—To undergo heavenly tribulations!

If he could successfully pass the heavenly tribulations, he could then quietly pursue longevity in the mountains!

He could feed fish, tend to flowers, refine elixirs, ponder array formations, tease his junior sister when bored, and even do some ideological work for a certain candidate for a Heavenly Court official position in his spare time...

This was probably the primordial life he yearned for most at this stage.

Would trouble descend from the heavens?

Li Changshou glanced at Youqin Xuan'ya, who was currently under strict protection, and couldn't help but smile faintly.

Once his 'poisonous' junior sister returned to the mountain, she would undoubtedly be given the highest importance by the sect; to some extent, this attention would also become a shackles limiting her activities.

As long as he dealt with Martial Uncle Jiu Wu later, trouble would surely find no way to him.

Little Qiong Peak would surely restore its former tranquility!

As for Martial Aunt Jiu Jiu, her frequent visits were actually a good thing. This way, after he became an immortal, any special elixirs he produced or powerful formations he set up could be attributed to his martial aunt's help...

"What are you thinking about?"

Jiu Jiu whispered from beside him, then curled her lips. "You clearly look like you're up to no good."

Li Changshou chuckled, "Have you solved that wooden puzzle yet?"

Jiu Jiu immediately smiled triumphantly, tossing back the wooden puzzle, which now had its six colors restored. She said nonchalantly, "It was quite simple to figure out. Give me another one."

Li Changshou smiled and nodded, then took out a five-layer Rubik's Cube and handed it to Jiu Jiu.

Jiu Jiu looked at the dazzling array of squares and colors, her forehead immediately furrowed with lines of frustration. She hastily entered meditation, a rare instance of diligent cultivation.

***

Deep in the East Sea, within the underwater Crystal Palace, heavily guarded by shrimp soldiers, crab generals, and immortal jiao-dragon soldiers, and covered by a grand formation.

Inside the main hall, singing and dancing continued ceaselessly as a joyful banquet celebrated the successful conclusion of the Demon Suppression Conference.

The sight of the most outstanding young disciples from the immortal sects of the East Victory Divine Continent fiercely competing for the magic treasures thrown out by the Dragon Palace brought considerable comfort to the Dragon Palace experts.

The Dragon King sat on his throne, carved from crystal coral, leaning back as if intoxicated on a soft cushion woven from the silk of nine-winged golden silkworms, replaced monthly. Beside him, several charming sea-women gently fanned him, massaged his shoulders, pounded his back, and kneaded his dragon legs...

Such was the Dragon King's life: boring, comfortable, and monotonous.

The Dragon Palace's civil and military officials exchanged toasts, chatting merrily about the human disciples' contests they had witnessed.

Outside the grand hall, the young dragon, who had just woken up half a day ago, ascended the steps, his gaze resolute.

He, Ao Yi, the Second Crown Prince of the East Sea Dragon Palace, was about to undertake another... grand endeavor!