Chapter 497: Heaven's Way Strikes, Everyone Watch and Enjoy

Inside the Immortal Ascension Sect, on Pill Cauldron Peak.

Currently, with the exception of Immortal of Oblivion, who was out organizing a clandestine group, all the Golden Immortals of the sect had gathered above Pill Cauldron Peak. In fact, it was just Sect Master Ji Wuyou and Elder Qilin; they would soon be responsible for escorting Elder Wan Linjun outside the mountain gate to face his tribulation. Several Grand Elders, accompanied by dozens of Heavenly Immortal realm Peak Lords and Elders, had already rushed to the Golden Immortal tribulation site a thousand miles away. Their task was to set up protective formations and scout the area for any hidden enemies.

At this moment, the expressions of most of these Immortal Ascension Sect 'masters' were rather solemn. They had already received word that Elder Wan Linjun's attempt at the Golden Immortal tribulation this time would be quite a struggle. In other words, this could very well be Elder Wan Linjun's tribulation of death. Yet, the opportunity to strive for the Dao Fruit of Longevity was something most human Qi Refiners could only hope for but rarely attain. Having come this far, no one was willing to back down.

The Peak Lord and Elders of Pill Cauldron Peak, along with hundreds of disciples from various peaks, stood silently before Elder Wan Linjun's dwelling. Most of them wore respectful expressions, but the atmosphere was somewhat subdued. Outside the peak, streaks of light continued to arrive. The Immortal Ascension Sect had not been this bustling in a long time.

A white cloud drifted from Little Qiong Peak, maintaining a moderate altitude and position, thus attracting little notice from fellow disciples. The young Daoist and graceful fairy standing on the cloud were, of course, Li Changshou and Ling'e. Upon reaching Pill Cauldron Peak, they descended directly to stand behind the other disciples in front of Elder Wan Linjun's dwelling. However, before Li Changshou had even fully settled, a voice emerged from the long-silent dwelling: "Changshou is here?"

Li Changshou quickly stepped forward two paces, performed a Daoist bow towards the door, and said, "Disciple has come to congratulate Elder on attaining the Fruit of Longevity today."

A creak—

The wooden door was pulled open from within, letting in a ray of sunlight. A thin, wrinkled old man slowly emerged, a hint of a 'cold smile' gracing his lips. Most of the hundreds of figures gathered in front of the door lowered their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

"Changshou, come with me. Let's take a walk in the back mountains." Elder Wan Linjun beckoned, then, leaning on his bronze-skinned walking stick, walked to the side.

"Yes," Li Changshou responded, sending a message to Ling'e to wait there. He calmly moved past his fellow disciples and followed the Elder from behind. The disciples immediately cast envious glances. Everyone knew that Elder Wan, by choosing to take Li Changshou alone to the back mountains before his Golden Immortal tribulation, intended to pass on his legacy.

The Immortal Ascension Sect, despite its somewhat unconventional tendencies, was after all a lineage of the Human School of Daoism. Although the sect encouraged the pairing of Daoist companions, Qi Refiners still adhered to the principles of purity and non-action, cultivating both the Dao and virtue. Thus, most people were merely envious, with no one expressing dissatisfaction; they all considered it Li Changshou's good fortune from Little Qiong Peak.

However...

"Elder Wan is certainly going to pass this time." In the air, Sect Master Ji Wuyou transmitted this message to Elder Qilin beside him. Although Elder Qilin was somewhat puzzled, he did not inquire further.

A moment later, on the sun-dappled forest path, two figures walked slowly, their faint laughter carrying through the air. Old Master Wan Linjun once again displayed his gentle smile, one that could soothe a crying infant, as he softly shared his insights on alchemy, with Li Changshou listening attentively. For safety's sake, he held a recording orb and captured all of Elder Wan's words.

At this moment, dense Heavenly Dao power swirled in the air, and around Elder Wan, rays of light occasionally surged forth, scattering sparkling fragments. Streaks of auspicious aura, reminiscent of a ten-thousand-year-old medicinal herb, slowly emanated from Elder Wan's body. Wherever he passed, shallow grass visibly grew. The spiritual energy in the areas he traversed gained a medicinal quality. All these auspicious signs foreshadowed Old Master Wan Linjun's impending attainment of the Dao Fruit of Longevity...

"Elder, how confident are you this time?" Li Changshou asked with a smile, casually setting up a sound-insulating barrier.

Elder Wan Linjun shook his head and sighed, "Thirty percent, at most. That's already quite good."

Li Changshou couldn't help but frown slightly.

Elder Wan Linjun's eyes were filled with emotion. He took a bracelet from his sleeve, slowly handed it over, and spoke softly: "I know, Changshou, that you are no ordinary immortal, though I'm not entirely clear on the specifics. But within the Immortal Ascension Sect, you are the only one I look upon favorably. Keep this item with you for now. If I don't survive this tribulation, it shall be yours."

Li Changshou hesitated for a moment, then took the bronze-ringed bracelet with both hands. He didn't need to use his immortal sense to examine it; he already knew it contained the culmination of Elder Wan Linjun's life's work.

Elder Wan Linjun gently let out a breath and looked up at the darkening sky. "When I first entered the sect, I always heard the phrase 'longevity is attainable'. Tens of thousands of years have passed in the blink of an eye, and only now do I understand how much one must bear and endure for true longevity. To have reached this day, I have no regrets. Changshou, you..."

"Elder," Li Changshou said softly, "Disciple takes the liberty of interrupting you, but our time is short, and the task is important. I have some treasures to help with the Golden Immortal tribulation, which I will offer to you today."

Elder Wan Linjun, just about to reflect on his life, was momentarily stunned. When he turned his head, Li Changshou had already presented a bottle of elixirs. Unbeknownst to him, layers of immortal power barriers had already enveloped the surroundings.

Li Changshou said, "Elder, these are Nine Revolutions Golden Elixirs, two in total. Disciple has more in stock, Elder, there's no need to decline."

"Nine..."

Elder Wan Linjun's brows furrowed tightly, but Li Changshou had already pressed the elixirs into his hand. Elder Wan looked down to examine them, and his old hands immediately trembled slightly.

Li Changshou then took out a jade box, placed it in Elder Wan Linjun's hand, and whispered: "Elder, this item is not an elixir, but after careful consideration, consuming it can keep your immortal power abundant for several hours and also replenish any damaged parts of your Dao foundation. Coincidentally, your Dao is related to alchemy. Take it now; it can serve as a substitute for various elixirs later, providing additional preparation."

As he spoke, Li Changshou opened the jade box, revealing an immortal fruit shaped like a 'little child', carved from white jade, which truly startled Elder Wan Linjun.

An Innate Spirit Fruit! A Ginseng Fruit!

"This... this is improper!"

"Elder, please don't waste time," Li Changshou sighed. "After my master met with misfortune, I don't want to see any more elders encounter trouble. Your Golden Immortal tribulation should not be the end of your immortal path. Eat it first. If you wish to thank me, do so after the Golden Immortal tribulation; the Heavenly Dao waits for no one."

Elder Wan Linjun was not one to dither. Although his eyes were filled with shock and uncertainty, after repeated hesitation, he still swallowed the Ginseng Fruit in one gulp.

Li Changshou took out several treasure pouches from his sleeve: one contained over a dozen bottles of spirit elixirs, another held several special magical artifacts for protecting the primordial spirit... Li Changshou quickly explained the uses of the elixirs and artifacts, and Elder Wan Linjun, with a furrowed brow, confirmed he had noted everything.

But these were merely 'encouragement' on an external level. Li Changshou pondered briefly, then began a 'spiritual activation'. Giving the Elder a bit more hope might produce miraculous effects.

"Elder," Li Changshou said, "Do you know about the Poison Immortal Grand Unity, Lu Yue, from the Jie Sect?"

Elder Wan Linjun immediately nodded: "That's an expert in poisonous elixirs."

"Look," Li Changshou presented two jade talismans, "These are the poison scriptures written by Senior Brother Lu Yue. Keep them with you for now, Elder. After you've passed your Golden Immortal tribulation, we can study them together."

Elder Wan Linjun's spirit was greatly stirred. With an excited heart and trembling hands, he grabbed Li Changshou's wrist and exclaimed: "Changshou, you know Senior Lu Yue?"

Li Changshou smiled: "We've entered the Edge of the World Pavilion together and fought hundreds of enemies side by side, so of course, I know him. Elder, please don't ask any more questions for now. After you've passed the Golden Immortal tribulation, I'll take you to meet Senior Brother Lu Yue... Please keep this matter absolutely confidential. The Immortal Ascension Sect is where I protect myself."

"Excellent, excellent!" Elder Wan Linjun nodded repeatedly, his eyes filled with immense emotion, though his confusion deepened when he looked at Li Changshou. "Changshou, your current..."

Li Changshou revealed a slight smile, extended his hands forward, and gently touched the back of Elder Wan Linjun's hand, subtly revealing his cultivation level, which was his second-to-last layer of disguise. Elder Wan Linjun, leaning on his walking stick, subconsciously took half a step back, his gaze shifting from complex to gradually serene. It was like a dream.

"Alas, this humble Daoist was previously blind to greatness..."

"Elder, you've misunderstood," Li Changshou said earnestly. "Disciple is not the reincarnation of a mighty being, nor did I intentionally infiltrate the Immortal Ascension Sect. I am simply Li Changshou of Little Qiong Peak, who cultivated under Master Qiyuan. Afterwards, it was simply due to various fortuitous encounters where I seized several opportunities, thus progressing step by step to my current cultivation. In the Human School and the Heavenly Court, I can now speak a few words. Elder, there's no need to dwell on these things. If not for Elder's guidance back then, teaching me the poison scriptures, and bestowing upon me poison elixirs, I would never have reached my current situation. What I'm presenting to Elder today is entirely from my earnest heart, to repay Elder's kindness from that day!"

Elder Wan Linjun smiled 'coldly' and said with emotion: "Of all the strange things in the world, Changshou accounts for half. Since you say so, I shall believe it. The Golden Immortal tribulation for longevity is imminent. If I can pass today's tribulation, then you and I can have a proper chat."

Li Changshou quickly said, "Elder, please don't be stingy with the elixirs. I've kept enough backups of Nine Revolutions Golden Elixirs and various spirit elixirs for Ling'e."

"Very well." Elder Wan Linjun looked at the sky. "The time is almost here."

A muffled thunder rumbled between heaven and earth, and rolling black clouds gathered from all directions. The bronze staff lightly tapped the ground, and a white cloud lifted Elder Wan Linjun. The old gentleman appeared quite unrestrained at this moment, and his smile was, unusually, not so frightening.

"This humble Daoist departs!"

Li Changshou promptly retracted the fourteen layers of immortal power barriers around them, performed a deep Daoist bow towards Elder Wan Linjun, and loudly called out: "Elder, may your immortal fortune prosper! Become a Golden Immortal now!"

In front of the dwelling not far away, hundreds of Immortal Ascension Sect disciples simultaneously bowed. On the outskirts of Pill Cauldron Peak and throughout the Immortal Ascension Sect, numerous figures performed Daoist bows towards Elder Wan Linjun's retreating back, with wishes of "May your immortal fortune prosper!" and "Achieve longevity as a Golden Immortal!" echoing through the air.

In the sky, Sect Master Ji Wuyou held up the sky with one hand, and the sect's protective formation instantly dissipated. Subsequently, Ji Wuyou, Elder Qilin, and Elder Wan Linjun transformed into three streaks of light, heading towards the tribulation site a thousand miles away. The protective formation was reactivated, with light curtains rising simultaneously from all directions. They quickly converged in the air like flowing water, restoring the formation to its silky, smooth state.

Li Changshou gently exhaled. With two Nine Revolutions Golden Elixirs and the aid of a Ginseng Fruit, and Elder Wan's Golden Immortal tribulation seemingly not very powerful, the probability of him passing should be a steady ninety-eight percent... That's quite good.

Once Elder Wan Linjun achieved Golden Immortal status, if he wished to befriend Lu Yue, Li Changshou would act as a matchmaker. Two Poison Immortals, although they wouldn't get double the happiness for now, should be able to walk unchallenged in the Three Realms when it came to the use of poison.

Li Changshou glanced at Ling'e's location, saw that she was chatting and laughing with several fellow disciples of her generation, so he sent a brief message to her and returned alone to Little Qiong Peak. In the eyes of most immortals within the sect, he had received Elder Wan's legacy. Coupled with the recent misfortune of his master, Old Daoist Qiyuan, and his and Ling'e's relatively short time cultivating, plus today's events... It was estimated that many Peak Lords and Elders might want to take the siblings as their disciples... For their own good, it was better not to. Although Grand Pure Master was a Saint with a mind broader than the sky, on matters like this, he might still mind a tiny bit.

Back on Little Qiong Peak, Li Changshou sat in the rocking chair in front of the alchemy room, quietly waiting for the result of Elder Wan Linjun's tribulation. He should be fine. The Heavenly Dao Lord and he were so familiar with each other, and the Heavenly Dao still owed him two large merits. Furthermore, Elder Wan Linjun had no significant role in the Investiture of the Gods calamity...

Wait a minute!

This familiar feeling, this rapidly dropping atmospheric pressure, this familiar subtle tremor in his Dao heart... Li Changshou froze, his mouth twitching uncontrollably. He slowly raised his eyelids, looking at the low sky beyond the eaves. A gray cloud quietly drifted there.

This time, it didn't condense into an old man's face, nor did any Daoist rhymes form characters, but in the ethereal realm, Li Changshou seemed to hear an old, lazy, and calm greeting: 'This time, should I strike your head or your backside first?'

No!

Li Changshou flipped up and jumped, quickly rushing to the outer formation, staring up at the gray cloud overhead. What does this have to do with him? Elder Wan Linjun was a respected elder of his. He merely gave a Ginseng Fruit, two Nine Revolutions Golden Elixirs, a few treasure pouches, and a little preparation for facing a major tribulation. Was there anything unreasonable about that? Was there anything that violated the rules of the Heavenly Dao? He obtained the Ginseng Fruit and Nine Revolutions Golden Elixirs through his own abilities, without contention or snatching, thus incurring no karma. Why!

Crack!

A purple divine lightning bolt, as thick as an arm, instantly struck down, causing Li Changshou to stumble. Tsk, it's the usual divine lightning. Not much injury, but it really hurts. Oh my! The debtor is chasing down the creditor! Is there any justice left in this world?!

Crackle!

Several purple divine lightning bolts, as thick as arms, simultaneously struck down. Li Changshou shivered slightly, silently thinking, 'Thank you, Heavenly Dao Lord, for striking me in your busy schedule.' His figure swayed, avoiding the simultaneous explosion of the divine lightning and receiving them one by one. In the forest, Li Changshou's hair was disheveled, his face showing a mix of indignation and helplessness, and his lips trembled slightly... In his heart, those Human School treasures that hadn't even thought of helping him block the lightning seemed like old grandpas whose tickle spots had been hit, bursting into laughter! The Taiji Diagram probably laughed until it had wrinkles! It was utterly outrageous!

The low-flying gray cloud shook a few times, and another divine lightning bolt struck down. Li Changshou ran back and forth, dispersing the divine lightning's power evenly to avoid causing too much damage to his own grand formation. What kind of situation is this? Simply helping Elder Wan Linjun pass his tribulation had already reached this level; then when Ling'e undergoes her tribulation, should he also prepare himself to undergo another tribulation by her side?

No, more than that. The loving care from his Grandmaster was far more 'exciting' than a Golden Immortal tribulation! The Human School's rough... sustenance is good for one's health.

"Hmm? Is it thundering over there?" In the spirit beast enclosure, a small mountain slowly stood up, tiptoeing and gazing towards the alchemy room. Then, the head growing on the small mountain blinked, and glanced at the roasted spiritual ox in front of it, about to be seasoned... "Keep eating, it's probably nothing important." Xiong Lihua mumbled, wiping away the hot tears at the corner of her mouth—tears shed because the spirit beast she had personally raised had been 'accidentally' crushed to death by a falling rock from the sky—and continued to wait. Alas, after Little Qiong Peak became quiet, she could finally eat her fill. Before, too many people were eating, which made it difficult for Xiong Lihua to fully indulge her appetite, but now it was much more comfortable.

Just then...

At the Western Heavenly Gate of the Heavenly Court, streaks of radiant light illuminated half the sky, and the guarding Heavenly Soldiers and Generals looked curiously towards the horizon. There, a three-zhang-tall 'seated divine statue' slowly flew over. A subtle yet pervasive pressure spread throughout heaven and earth, causing many Heavenly Soldiers to feel the urge to prostrate themselves in worship, and making a few Heavenly Generals with slightly higher cultivation turn pale. A Heavenly General felt a flash of understanding in his heart, turned around, and roared: "Quick! Beat the drums and issue the command! Open the Heavenly Gate! A Saint is coming!"