Chapter 444: Slaying Immortal Flying Knife · Disassembly Tutorial

When Fairy Yunxiao left, Qiongxiao had to help her walk; among the immortals present, she was the only one truly drunk. As she was leaving, Qiongxiao muttered, "Sister didn't dance like that before," which only heightened Li Changshou's anticipation. After all, a normal dance lacked a certain thrill.

Zhao Gongming, on the other hand, simply settled down at Black Pool Peak. He chatted happily with Bai Ze, and they quickly became close friends, seemingly planning to enjoy free meals and drinks for a while.

As for Ling'e, the organizer of this gathering...

Under a willow tree by the Spirit Lake, a young Celestial Immortal was miserably slumped. Beside her were two thick stone tablets. She picked up a carving knife and meticulously engraved elegant words, then wiped a layer off the stone after each completion.

"Stupid Senior Brother! I even let enemies into the house just to make you happy, and you still punish me! Punish, punish, punish, that's all you know! If you're so capable, try punishing me with something else!"

Li Changshou felt a strong urge to laugh.

Preventing the warming of the Primordial World starts by reducing steam.

Next, there were numerous matters to attend to, but everything had to be tackled one step at a time.

Since Zhao Gongming was already there, Li Changshou decided to borrow his Sea-Calming Divine Pearls and brought the large, purplish-white gourd to Black Pool Peak.

Bai Ze frowned, asking, "Isn't this Lu Ya's Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger? That day, it suddenly vanished along with the Demon Emperor's Seal; I thought the Holy Mother had reclaimed it."

Zhao Gongming smiled, "I've seen this treasure unleash its power, and it's quite formidable. Today, I must congratulate you, my brother, on acquiring such a precious artifact."

Li Changshou shook his head and replied seriously, "This treasure is rather strange. I've attempted seven or eight refining methods, but I still can't wield it as I please. It's as if the treasure is a living being."

Bai Ze muttered softly, "Which Innate Spiritual Treasure isn't sentient? You killed its previous owner, so it's only natural for it to hold a grudge against you."

"Oh?" Li Changshou asked, "Mr. Bai, could it be that even you don't know the precise origins of this treasure?"

"Allow me to examine it." Bai Ze stroked his goatee, pacing back and forth beside the square table, carefully examining it. "Isn't this a gourd that grew on *that* gourd vine?"

Zhao Gongming's eyes lit up. "It truly is a treasure from that gourd vine!"

Li Changshou had two question marks on his forehead: *Which* gourd vine? Why is speaking in riddles suddenly so popular? If that were the case, Li Changshou would simply chop the gourd open to see if a Gourd Baby would pop out!

"Gentlemen, could you please explain yourselves more clearly?"

"Hahaha!" Bai Ze and Zhao Gongming exchanged glances, then both burst into laughter.

Bai Ze chuckled, "Finally, there's something the Water God doesn't know."

Zhao Gongming added, "This treasure rarely appears in the Primordial World and is seldom documented in ancient texts, so it's perfectly understandable that you, Changshou, are unaware of it. That gourd vine is also one of the Ten Innate Spiritual Roots."

"Oh, so you were talking about *that* one," Li Changshou said with a smile. "I thought your laughter meant you had some profound insights to share. Could that gourd vine be the one the Saintly Mother used to dip into mud and fling droplets when she created humans?"

Bai Ze playfully chided, "Is the Water God intentionally teasing me? It truly is that gourd vine."

"Tell me more in detail," Li Changshou said, turning and sitting back in his armchair. "I only know that much; I won't joke with you two anymore."

"This gourd vine even sparked a major battle in ancient times..." Zhao Gongming sighed softly and began to recount the events of that year.

At that time, the Three Pure Ones had not yet achieved sainthood, and the Dao Ancestor was busy comprehending the ultimate mystery of severing the three corpses to become a Saint. The era in the ancient Primordial World when finding treasures was simpler than eating was also nearing its end.

At the mid-slope of Mount Buzhou, a mass of cloud and mist that never dispersed and would cause even Da Luo Immortals to get lost, suddenly glowed with dazzling light one day, signaling the emergence of a precious artifact. Various mighty figures rushed to the scene, but at that time, the Three Pure Ones were already among the top masters in the Primordial World. They protected each other and possessed numerous treasures, so no one dared to provoke them. The three of them stood at the forefront, and when the treasure appeared, they reaped the greatest rewards.

It was an Innate Spiritual Root, a gourd vine, with seven gourds growing on it. Grandmaster Taiqing was the first to act, selecting and picking the first purplish-gold gourd. His expression at the time was somewhat disappointed, and he shook his head before departing. That was the Purplish-Gold Gourd, now used to store Nine-Reversed Golden Pills in the Grand Pure One's Palace. Primordial Heaven-Revered took the purplish-black gourd, also showing a disappointed expression, and turned to leave. Heaven-Reaching Sect Master took the purplish-yellow gourd, laughing that it would be good for holding wine, clearly hinting to others that there was no need for a big fight over something not particularly valuable.

After the three great figures had taken their share and departed, the other mighty figures displayed their respective divine abilities, each claiming one of the remaining four gourd fruits. Nuwa obtained the purplish-blue gourd, while the unfortunate Old Ancestor Hongyun acquired the purplish-red one. The purplish-green gourd disappeared during the struggle, and the Demon Emperor Donghuang Taiyi picked the purplish-white gourd. This last one was the very gourd now before them.

The Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger was undeniably an Innate Spiritual Treasure, and Lu Ya had not fully unleashed its power before.

Zhao Gongming extended his left hand, attempting to grasp the gourd's mouth. Li Changshou cautioned, "Be careful." Zhao Gongming's left hand retracted before it even touched the gourd's mouth, revealing a streak of blood on his fingertip.

Bai Ze pondered for a moment, habitually beginning to divine with his fingers, but soon dejectedly stopped. After carefully recalling for a while, he said: "This gourd is somewhat peculiar. I actually divined the power of the seven-colored gourds in ancient times. It's said that this purplish-white gourd contains incredibly sharp Innate Sword Qi, capable of severing the primordial spirits of all things in heaven and earth, yet the gourd itself cannot be controlled. Just like the purplish-black gourd rumored to contain chaotic energy, we've never seen a Saint personally wield it or bestow it upon a disciple."

Li Changshou wondered, "Then, why could Lu Ya use it?"

Bai Ze shook his head and extended his hand towards the gourd's mouth. Feeling the sharpness within, a streak of blood also appeared on his fingertip.

And so, in the simple wooden hut where Bai Ze resided, beside the magnificent kitchen palace, the three of them paced around the large gourd.

At Zhao Gongming's request, Li Changshou began attempting to refine the large gourd, curious about its reaction. However, Li Changshou tried every method, from basic communication with a magic treasure to activating its restrictions with immortal power, and even superstitious methods like dripping blood to acknowledge ownership. The Immortal-Slaying Gourd showed no reaction; not even a trace of sentience could be felt from it.

Zhao Gongming said, "Why not just try it directly? Perhaps it's related to that incantation."

Li Changshou and Bai Ze exchanged glances. Although Old Uncle Zhao's suggestion wasn't particularly sophisticated, it was certainly worth a try.

Immediately, a paper effigy holding a long-necked sheep—one that seemed pessimistic, depressed, and hopeless about life—was set up as a simple target. Li Changshou carried the Immortal-Slaying Gourd to a distance with his immortal power, while six Sea-Calming Divine Pearls flew over to form a simple protective helmet for him.

Li Changshou softly commanded, "Please, treasure, turn around!"

Nothing happened.

"Let me try," Bai Ze offered, stepping forward to take the large gourd and aiming its mouth towards the target. He actively released his aura, engaging the Immortal-Slaying Gourd in casual conversation, trying to establish a connection, and then promptly said: "Please, treasure, turn around!"

The large gourd remained perfectly silent, offering no response.

"I'll try," Zhao Gongming declared, stepping forward to take the large gourd. Sea-Calming Divine Pearls orbited around him, and he radiated an aura of righteousness, allowing the light of the righteous path to envelop his mighty physique! Lifting the large gourd and aiming it at the target, Zhao Gongming's rough voice suddenly gained a majestic quality as he shouted: "Please! Treasure, turn around!"

Silence...

Zhao Gongming then tried, "Treasure, please turn around!"

Utter silence...

"Treasure! Please turn around just a bit!"

It was almost unbearable to watch.

A small wisp of white mist suddenly appeared from the Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger's mouth. Within the mist, a flash of white light burst forth, sweeping towards Zhao Gongming's neck. In a flash, Zhao Gongming swiftly dodged by employing his Qiankun (Cosmic) divine ability, but the white light still sliced off a portion of his beard. It shot towards the horizon, causing the grand formation of Black Pool Peak to flicker with light.

"Hey! I'll just...!" Zhao Gongming's eyes widened. Sea-Calming Divine Pearls flew over, completely encircling the Immortal-Slaying Gourd. Old Uncle Zhao pulled out a golden-wood whip, ready to smash the wretched gourd. Fortunately, Li Changshou and Bai Ze quickly rushed forward and held Zhao Gongming back.

"Calm down, old brother!"

"Daoist Gongming, Daoist Gongming, there's no need to get angry at a mere treasure."

Finally, Zhao Gongming was persuaded to calm down. The three spirits, facing this Innate Spiritual Treasure gourd, began to encounter various dilemmas. They inevitably felt the frustration of entering a treasure mountain only to return empty-handed.

"Let's destroy it," Li Changshou said calmly. "Since this item cannot be used by us, it's better to simply destroy it to prevent it from becoming a future hidden danger."

Zhao Gongming nodded in deep agreement. "Indeed, destroy it. Chang Geng, you're not lacking any treasures anyway."

Li Changshou: *I am* lacking, and quite desperately at that!

Bai Ze winked at Li Changshou, silently asking if he was merely trying to scare the gourd or if he truly intended to destroy it. Li Changshou, however, nodded with a solemn expression, his resolve to destroy it clearly set.

"Isn't this a bit of a waste of a heavenly treasure..." Bai Ze stroked his goatee. "How about we ponder for another half-day to see if we can thoroughly understand this spiritual treasure, and then find a precise way to deal with it?"

"That would be too dangerous," Li Changshou said. "This treasure specifically harms primordial spirits and is quite formidable."

"In that case..." Zhao Gongming thought for a moment, then suddenly clapped his hands. He declared with determination, "I will fully unleash the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls. Chang Geng, you try again!"

And so, a moment later, above a lake outside the Immortal Ascension Gate.

Twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls shimmered with light, and wisps of water vapor permeated the air around them. Li Changshou and Bai Ze sat cross-legged behind Zhao Gongming, who in turn sat behind Li Changshou's paper effigy.

The paper effigy was frowning, its left hand reaching towards the gourd's mouth. Li Changshou had used this method before, with gruesome results: the paper effigy had even lost its head. But this time, it was naturally different. The paper effigy's left hand, enveloped in immortal power, approached the gourd's mouth. The immortal power began to vibrate, an invisible yet weak sword qi repelling the hand. As the left hand drew closer again, a small wisp of cloud and mist emerged.

Just then! Beams of aquamarine light shone upon this wisp of cloud and mist, as if twenty-four small worlds were pressing down. The wisp of cloud and mist was instantly pinned above the gourd's mouth! It was like flowing water instantly frozen.

Li Changshou's palm grasped the 'stopper' at the gourd's mouth and gently pulled it out. Li Changshou and Bai Ze were on high alert, while Zhao Gongming clasped his hands together in a sword-finger gesture, and the twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls shone brightly. But no peerless sword qi burst from the gourd's mouth; instead, it was incredibly quiet...

Bai Ze frowned and was about to step forward, but Li Changshou's gesture stopped him. Li Changshou took a paper kite from his sleeve and let it fly over the gourd's mouth; the kite remained unharmed.

"There seem to be some fine lines inside," Zhao Gongming suddenly interjected. "Just on the inner side of the gourd's mouth, extending downwards."

"Don't rush, let the paper effigy handle it." Li Changshou said in a deep voice, guiding the paper effigy to slowly approach. This time, it was indeed not attacked by the large gourd. It seemed that the small wisp of cloud earlier was the large gourd's 'self-defense mechanism'. To be safe, the twenty-four Sea-Calming Divine Pearls pressed down, completely immobilizing the large gourd.

Li Changshou focused his mind on the paper effigy, beginning to gradually probe the internal structure of the large gourd. His spiritual sense penetrated layer after layer of mist. Inside this large gourd, it was as if there was a minor world. Yet externally, it appeared no different from other Innate Spiritual Treasures, a creation of heaven and earth, possessing formidable power. But upon closer inspection, Li Changshou detected a faint sense of 'unnaturalness'...

"This Innate Spiritual Treasure has been re-refined by someone." Li Changshou suddenly spoke, "Did the ancient demon race have individuals so skilled in refining treasures? To be able to tamper with an Innate Spiritual Treasure is certainly no ordinary being."

Bai Ze pondered for a moment before replying, "The demon race had countless skilled treasure refiners. At that time, with the supreme treasure Eastern Emperor Bell suppressing the Demon Court, and if they had the River Diagram and Luo Book for deduction, dissecting an Innate Spiritual Treasure would not have been difficult."

Zhao Gongming muttered, "Why would they dissect an Innate Spiritual Treasure? Was the Demon Court so rich and powerful back then? Goodness gracious, it's just that I didn't meet you, brother Chang Geng, back then; otherwise, I would have definitely dropped by the Sun Palace and casually taken a nap!"

"If it were a usable Innate Spiritual Treasure, I doubt anyone would bear to dissect it," Li Changshou analyzed. "But what if this spiritual treasure couldn't be used? If it just sat there as an ornament, it would be better to re-refine it."

Zhao Gongming nodded and smiled, while Li Changshou, appearing to have discovered something, spoke again: "You two, step back a bit."

Immediately, Bai Ze, Zhao Gongming, and what was presumably Li Changshou's true body, all took two steps back.

Li Changshou's paper effigy seemed to have discovered something. One finger slowly probed into the gourd's mouth, causing aquamarine light to flare brightly around it as the Sea-Calming Divine Pearls' power fully activated. The paper effigy paused its movement, then slowly withdrew its finger. But then, the upper half of the purplish-white gourd showed fine, neatly arranged cracks. The gourd, which had originally appeared perfectly intact, burst open with a *crack*.

The explosion made Li Changshou's Dao heart tremble, and Bai Ze's lips quivered.

After the gourd exploded, tiny 'wooden seals' floated around it, resembling a dust ring around a planet. —They were, of course, enveloped by immortal power. At this moment, the full appearance of the Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger was revealed before their eyes.

The lower half of the large gourd was filled with a pale white aura, containing a wisp of Innate Sword Qi; this was the source of the Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger's power. This wisp of Innate Sword Qi was sealed beneath layers of intricate restrictions. Above these restrictions was a sphere of interwoven black and red light, and below this sphere of light was a palm-sized golden cage. If the cage were magnified, one could see that its structure resembled a golden palace. Within the golden palace, there was only one stone pillar, and on it, a pale white figure was suppressed. It was unknown whether this figure was alive or dead, but it seemed to sense someone peering from outside. It suddenly looked up and glared angrily outwards! Its features and appearance were completely identical to the eyebrows and eyes that appeared in the mist when Daoist Lu Ya unleashed the Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger!

Bai Ze cried out: "The essence of a Great Witch! The essence of Great Yi!"

Li Changshou was somewhat confused and exchanged glances with Zhao Gongming; both were rendered speechless.

"So this is the Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger after all," Zhao Gongming sighed, shaking his head. "No wonder its power is so formidable, even capable of intercepting Chang Geng's thunder escape. To capture and restrain the essence of the ancient Great Witch Hou Yi, and use the Innate Sword Qi inherent in this gourd as an arrow... no wonder... Whether it was too cruel is another matter, but to conceive of such a treasure, the Demon Court truly had formidable figures back then."

Li Changshou frowned, "Gentlemen, we now face two problems."

Bai Ze wondered, "What?"

Li Changshou said, "The first problem is whether we can communicate with Hou Yi and whether we can use the Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger. If not, we just need to find a way to destroy those restrictions. The second problem... Mr. Bai, are you sure you can put it back together?"

"Though difficult, it can be attempted... wait, no!" Bai Ze's eyes widened. "You were the one who took it apart! How can you make me put it back together? I am an advisor, not a master craftsman!"

Li Changshou chuckled, "Mr. Bai, among the three of us, my elder brother is clumsy, and I'm not skilled in refining artifacts or treasures. Only you, Mr. Bai, are broadly knowledgeable and have dabbled in various fields, so it's naturally your task."

"Alas," Bai Ze sighed, shaking his head. He was already stroking his goatee, pondering the "upper half of the gourd" that had shattered into thousands of pieces.

Li Changshou, meanwhile, began to ponder the golden palace cage. If the Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger could be used by him, it would naturally be ideal. The key to this, he figured, should be the essence of Hou Yi within the golden palace.

Hou Yi...

Chang'e?

There is a beauty on the moon, her graceful name known throughout the three realms. Under the Innate Spiritual Root, the Osmanthus tree, within the cold Guanghan Palace. A graceful figure leaned against the railing, standing before a clear pool of water that had long ceased to flow. She gazed at the magnificent Five Continents of the world, slightly lost in thought.