Chapter 49: My Senior Brother's Troublesome Personality

"Huh?"

"Ugh, for some reason, I feel so disgusted..."

"Wow, how revealing... Isn't this just one piece of cloth with two more added at the back? Wearing this out, won't it be an eyesore?"

"This one's even more exaggerated; it doesn't even cover the most important parts! Did Senior Sister Four wear this for Senior Brother Five? No, it seems like they're meant to be worn together..."

Rustle, rustle... Hee hee, ha ha...

From early morning, Jiu Jiu had been busy in her small pavilion. By midday, she finally stood before her door, her slender hand resting on the latch, yet unable to pull it open.

"Just go out for a walk!"

"Hmm, just go out for a walk..."

Taking a light breath, Jiu Jiu slowly pulled open the wooden door in front of her. Her small, embroidered blue cloth boots stepped out first.

Instantly, the mountain forests and fields, enveloped by the grand formation, gained a splash of color.

Several gazes turned at the sound...

With several clangs, the chore disciple carrying water to the alchemist's room slipped his shoulder pole, the chore disciple clearing weeds in the flower garden dropped his hoe, and the young woman holding several bottles of pills threw her tray flying...

"Cough!"

Jiu Jiu cleared her throat, put her hands behind her back, took half a step forward, and then unconsciously puffed out her chest and raised her head, her gaze calmly sweeping over everything.

Several male disciples quickly lowered their heads, not daring to look much, yet secretly stole a few more glances. A young boy who had recently arrived on the mountain inexplicably blushed.

"It's no big deal, what difference does it make what I wear? It's not immoral, and it covers more than my usual short tunic and skirt."

Jiu Jiu licked her lips with her tongue, her gaze holding a hint of hesitation, but she quickly made up her mind. With a flick of her hand, she summoned the large gourd she had almost forgotten to bring, transforming it to a length of a zhang.

She was accustomed to straddling it, but remembering her current attire—a light pink, ethereal long skirt of unknown material—straddling seemed awkward.

So, she gathered her skirt, gracefully crossed her jade-like feet, and sat sideways on the front of the large gourd, ascending into the air...

As soon as she flew out of Potian Peak, she saw a short Taoist priest with two dark circles under his eyes, leisurely floating on a white cloud, holding a scroll.

Jiu Jiu immediately stopped her gourd, used her immortal power to amplify her voice, and deliberately coughed:

"Cough! Cough, cough!"

Jiu Wu, who was passing by, looked up, gave Jiu Jiu a polite smile, cupped his hands while holding the scroll, and descended towards the mid-slope of Potian Peak.

Jiu Jiu paused, then rolled her eyes and continued flying forward on her gourd.

Jiu Wu, who had already entered the formation, suddenly turned his head.

"I think I just saw... Junior Sister? No, Junior Sister has worn the same few outfits for hundreds of years; how could she change into something like that? My eyes must be playing tricks on me. Sigh, I've lost quite a bit recently. Thankfully, Senior Sister has finally gone into seclusion, so I can at least replenish my vitality."

Sighing, Jiu Wu continued to study the scroll in his hands, "Thirty-Two Methods for Replenishing and Stabilizing Vitality," and walked towards his small pavilion.

As soon as he entered the room, the short Taoist priest caught a faint lingering scent of a fairy, and couldn't help but shiver.

A physical reaction, purely physical. His love for Senior Sister Four was profound and unshakeable, absolutely without a hint of fear!

Jiu Wu then recalled his brave conduct during this period and immediately displayed a knowing smile...

Ever since drinking the 'Poison Dragon Wine' concocted by Nephew Li Changshou, though his waist felt weaker, his confidence in front of Senior Sister had grown, his relationship with his Taoist companion had become more harmonious, and his life of cultivating the Dao and seeking longevity had gained more joy and color.

However, he was still a bit displeased about being tricked by that guy last time.

Jiu Wu pondered for a moment, then sat at his desk, deep in thought.

To use his own methods against him? Develop a pill similar to this wine and lure him into a trapping formation? That guy might actually be able to endure it without showing embarrassment... So, should I ask Xiao Jiu to add fuel to the fire? Uh, no, no. Is this giving him a benefit or playing a prank? What if Junior Sister doesn't resist? Wouldn't that be a huge loss?!

Battling wits with this guy, though now restricted by that vow, limited many paths, but it also made it more interesting.

"That little rascal, just you wait. This humble Taoist will eventually find your weakness!"

***

"Really, why do these people I met on the way stare at others with such strange looks? Aren't they afraid of being beaten!"

As she flew over Xiaoqiong Peak, Jiu Jiu's lips twitched, and she couldn't help but mutter.

The large gourd slowly descended. She swept her immortal sense across Xiaoqiong Peak and found Li Changshou teaching Lan Ling'e.

Lightly blinking, Jiu Jiu deliberately concealed her aura fluctuations, wanting to see how the senior brother and junior sister would react to her sudden appearance.

They won't be startled, will they? Jiu Jiu's delicate brows furrowed, feeling slightly helpless.

Creeping closer to the thatched hut, she heard a clear, mellow voice from within in the distance:

"The mind is vast, the Dao manifests within; vital energy returns to the central sea, condensing in the primordial spirit. Among these phrases, 'vital energy returns to the central sea' is actually the hardest to understand. The 'vital energy' here does not refer to the magic power you cultivate, nor clear or turbid qi, but rather, the innate essence within you. This is a treasure brought from the womb, very important to Qi Refiners..."

Inside the hut, Li Changshou sat in a round-backed chair, his posture very relaxed, while Xiao Ling'e sat cross-legged on a futon, listening attentively.

Jiu Jiu tiptoed to the outside of the door, turned around, raised her arm in a tiger-claw shape, and rushed in with a loud cry of "Ula!"

Xiao Ling'e, who had been sitting with her eyes closed, immediately burst out laughing. Li Changshou, feeling somewhat helpless, put down the scripture in his hand and smiled as he looked at Jiu Jiu, who had suddenly changed her attire...

Jiu Jiu glared and said, "Why aren't you scared?"

"Oh no! I was scared by Uncle-Master!"

Xiao Ling'e feigned a startled gasp, but as soon as she turned her head, her small mouth couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration, "Uncle-Master, why did you suddenly... suddenly start wearing a long skirt?"

"What's wrong? Is it not allowed?"

Jiu Jiu secretly observed Li Changshou's reaction, then turned around in front of Xiao Ling'e. Her skirt and beautiful hair gently fluttered, filling the room with a faint fragrance.

Ling'e was also secretly watching her Senior Brother's reaction. When she saw him smiling and nodding, she felt a slight relief in her heart. It's good that Senior Brother wasn't captivated.

Ling'e chuckled, "Of course it's allowed! Uncle-Master is already beautiful normally, and now you're even more dazzling. This disciple wouldn't dare ride a cloud with you now."

Jiu Jiu winked at Li Changshou, "Xiao Changshou, what do you think...?"

"Very good," Li Changshou nodded in praise.

When women with whom one has a good relationship, like these two, Junior Sister and Uncle-Master, suddenly put on a new dress or a new piece of jewelry, and have an expression seeking compliments, a gentleman should not be stingy with praise.

But remembering the possible misunderstanding yesterday...

Li Changshou added, "It's just that seeing it suddenly, it might take some getting used to."

"Oh, I see."

Jiu Jiu looked down at the outfit she had carefully chosen for half a day, her expression slightly disappointed.

Beside her, Ling'e sighed inwardly; Senior Brother is indeed still like this... It's truly difficult to get close to someone like Senior Brother, who wishes to keep all karma at bay. Quite troublesome.

Ling'e quickly showed a faint smile, proactively leaned in, and whispered to Jiu Jiu's ear, "Uncle-Master, is this your first time wearing an outfit like this?"

Jiu Jiu quickly replied, "Yes, that's right. I suddenly wanted to change my style of dress, just like this."

"For this kind of outfit, light makeup suits it better," Ling'e whispered a few words into Jiu Jiu's ear. Jiu Jiu's eyes lit up, and she pulled Ling'e behind a nearby screen.

Seeing this, Li Changshou shook his head slightly, picked up his scripture, and continued to read. Listening to the hushed whispers beside him, he pondered something subtly in his heart, his expression unchanged.

Before long, amidst Ling'e's continuous exclamations of praise, Jiu Jiu emerged from behind the screen again, looking triumphantly at Li Changshou.

"How is it!"

Li Changshou looked up, his smile growing warmer.

At this moment, Uncle-Master seemed like a different person. With cleverly applied powder, finely drawn brows, lightly blushed cheeks, and subtly reddened lips, her silken skirt and jacket, adorned with phoenix tail patterns and cloud designs, added a touch of refinement and enhanced her innate feminine charm.

"Excellent," Li Changshou gave a thumbs up, "Among all the women I've seen, your beauty is definitely in the top three!"

"Really?"

Jiu Jiu blinked. For some reason, the strange and subtle feeling that had lingered in her heart for the past two days quietly dissipated, and her mood became joyful and relaxed.

"Of course it's true, Uncle-Master. Do you perhaps misunderstand your own charm?" Li Changshou chuckled, "Even when you don't dress up, Uncle-Master, you're already the object of admiration for many male disciples within the sect."

"Pfft, no way," Jiu Jiu rolled her eyes, but her lips couldn't help but curl into a slight smile as she calmly said, "This Uncle-Master doesn't really care about such things. After all, cultivating the Dao for longevity is the real business. Enough about that, are you two still lecturing? If not, let's play 'Fight the Deity' together!"

Li Changshou said, "Lecturing is still important business..."

"Uncle-Master rarely visits!" Ling'e immediately hugged Jiu Jiu's arm from behind, "Fight the Deity!"

Li Changshou couldn't help but put a hand to his forehead. How was seven or eight visits a month 'rare'?

Jiu Jiu decisively echoed, "Fight the Deity!"

"Alright, fine. Since you two are in high spirits, I'll find another time to give Ling'e a makeup lesson later."

Li Changshou shook his head. The two beside him were already cheering and celebrating, skillfully setting up the low table and soft cushions.

When it was time to sit down, Jiu Jiu felt a bit awkward, so she borrowed Li Changshou's thatched hut next door, changed back into her most comfortable linen short tunic and short skirt, replaced her embroidered shoes with soft, comfortable specially made straw sandals, and removed the light makeup from her face. These weren't ordinary straw; they were immortal herbs meticulously cultivated by Jiu Wu.

This was much more comfortable.

Before leaving the thatched hut, Li Changshou's words echoed in Jiu Jiu's mind...

"Your beauty is definitely in the top three!"

Jiu Jiu's lips unconsciously curled upwards, and she muttered, "That guy, how impertinent, daring to say such things."

Pulling open the door, Jiu Jiu rushed like the wind to the thatched hut next door. Before long, sounds of contention emerged from within...

"Steal the Deity!"

"Double!"

"Super Double!"

"In this round, Ling'e is the Deity, Uncle-Master and I are Minor Immortals. Super Double, currently twelve spirit stones."

"Hehe, make your move, Xiao Ling'e! This Uncle-Master has seventeen cards; you can't possibly instantly defeat me today, can you?"

***

In the dead of night, Li Changshou left the thatched hut with his hands behind his back.

Uncle-Master and Junior Sister had both had a little wine and were now sound asleep on the bed. He was responsible for closing the door and activating the formation, so that their disheveled appearance wouldn't be seen by others the next morning.

Returning to the alchemist's room and entering the underground secret chamber, Li Changshou sat on a futon in the corner, closed his eyes, and focused his mind, his hands forming a single embrace of origin.

Between his palms, a cluster of orange-red flames slowly condensed, then was drawn into his body, beginning to slowly circulate, refining his primordial spirit and Dao body...

Nine-petaled lotus flowers slowly rotated around him. These lotuses were now fist-sized, their patterns incredibly clear, and the Dao they contained was nearing perfection, with profound Dao rhythms ethereal and elusive.

Yet, he still felt something was lacking... He was hesitant to enter the ninth realm of Dao Return.

***

P.S.: A reader group has been established! The group number is in the introduction. I'll continuously share the creative process and small inspirations in the group, chatting idly with esteemed readers. Those who enjoy discussing this book are welcome to join. There are only a dozen or so people right now!