Chapter 60: Steady Word Scripture

What else could I possibly do?

Bathed in the morning light, Li Changshou rode his cloud, leisurely drifting towards the mountain gate of the Du Xian Sect. The day was beautiful with gentle breezes and birdsong, indeed a perfect day to return to the sect. On the second day after entering the "permissible return period," he eagerly flew back. It was simply too dangerous outside. Only under the protective radiance of the Human Path could he find some peace of mind.

Taking out his exit jade plaque, Li Changshou arrived at the mountain gate, bowed to the immortal guarding it, and said, "Li Changshou, disciple of Little Qiong Peak, has concluded his worldly affairs and returns today."

The immortal smiled, took the jade plaque from Li Changshou, and asked, "Did you gain anything from this outing?"

Li Changshou replied, "Truthfully, there wasn't much gain, but I feel a burden lifted from my heart. From now on, I can wholeheartedly pursue the immortal path."

"Good," the immortal said with a smile, waving his hand. "Go back to the sect and cultivate well."

"Yes, I also need to report to the Hundred Affairs Hall."

Li Changshou bowed again, then controlled his cloud at a suitable altitude and headed towards the Hundred Affairs Hall on Potian Peak. The guarding immortal nodded with a smile, thinking this was indeed a promising young disciple.

Upon reaching the Hundred Affairs Hall, he found the elder on duty, finally bringing his journey back to the sect to a close. Thus, his trip outside to transcend tribulation also concluded satisfactorily.

Satisfactorily... my foot.

Li Changshou secretly did some quick calculations with his fingers, unable to help but sigh inwardly. There were now one hundred thirty-two villages; overnight, two more had started worshipping the Sea God. He clearly hadn't done anything at all.

With an inward sigh, Li Changshou asked the elder on duty at the Hundred Affairs Hall, "May I pay my respects to the Ancestor statue in the hall?"

"Of course," the elder chuckled. "The Ancestor statue is there for disciples to venerate. Go ahead. Our Du Xian Sect belongs to the Human Path lineage. While you disciples have many rules to follow, in practice, we pursue non-action and freedom, though respect for proper etiquette and reverence for the Ancestor are paramount."

"Thank you, Elder. I understand."

Li Changshou replied with a very serious expression, then carefully adjusted his robe and inner garments. He walked to the circular platform in the center of the hall and looked up at the portrait above. In the portrait, an old Daoist with an indistinct face sat atop a green ox, with a shimmering halo of light behind him. This was the portrait recorded when the Grand Pure Saint manifested. His face was blurred because no one dared to depict a Saint's true appearance. Doing so would be known by the Saint and might incur punishment.

At once, Li Changshou first bowed slowly with cupped hands, then took two steps forward to offer incense and tribute. He then stepped back three paces, lifted the hem of his Daoist robe, and knelt on a prayer mat.

Two deacons and an elder of the Du Xian Sect happened to witness this scene and nodded slightly. It was truly rare to see disciples come to venerate the Ancestor on a normal day like this.

A moment later...

"Why is that disciple still kneeling there?"

"Sincerity brings spiritual connection. He must be hoping the Ancestor will bless him for a peaceful immortal path."

After another moment, over a dozen elders and managers emerged from various partitioned areas in the hall, looking over with curiosity.

"Could this disciple have encountered some difficulty?"

"We've eaten quite a lot of this disciple's spirit fish. Should we go ask if he needs any help?"

"Ah, if he doesn't actively seek help, we shouldn't inquire too much. Who doesn't have worries?"

Half an hour later.

"Everyone, please return to your duties. Don't stare. This disciple just returned after resolving his worldly affairs. He's likely unstable in his state of mind and wants to use this to calm himself."

Those around gradually dispersed. A few elders secretly thought that when Li Changshou came later to collect his monthly stipend or inquire about cultivation, they would subtly give him some benefits. This disciple must have encountered a difficult situation, but the Ancestor is that formidable being. How could he concern himself with such trivial matters of a junior disciple?

Finally, after a full hour of veneration, Li Changshou slowly rose, feeling much calmer.

To contend with Saints, one must cling tightly to the robes of other Saints! This was the only solution he could think of. Even if it meant attracting a little attention within the sect, after careful consideration, he had to come here to venerate the Grandmaster of the Human Path, just to gain a tiny bit more presence in the eyes of the venerable Grandmaster.

—Sect rules prohibited privately hanging and worshipping Ancestor portraits. The only available hanging portrait of the Grand Ancestor was located here.

Emerging from the Hundred Affairs Hall, Li Changshou rode his cloud towards Little Qiong Peak. On second thought, perhaps he was overthinking things. How could a majestic Saint truly lower himself to target a minor immortal from the Human Path? After becoming a Saint, unaffected by major tribulations, what mattered was reputation and sect destiny.

But what if?

"Saint" — the addition of "saintly" before "human" — didn't that also imply some degree of "humanity"? Of course, Saints were not human-born in ancient times. The three Grandmasters of the Dao Sect were manifestations of Pangu's primordial spirit, while the other three were primordial beings of unclear origins.

What if, for some reason, the two powerful figures from the Western Cult suddenly lost their tempers and decided to take issue with a small fry like him?

"Heh, you little rascal, daring to cause trouble?"

Li Changshou's lips twitched a few times. It seemed that the composite grand array on Little Qiong Peak needed some formations to obscure heavenly secrets! However, the Du Xian Sect Master might not even possess diagrams for such formations, let alone the precious materials required to set them up. The world was indeed difficult.

Deep in thought, Li Changshou had already floated above Little Qiong Peak. Looking down, he saw Ling'e meditating under a tree. 'Actually, it's a matter of probability. I should just cultivate in peace.'

Li Changshou regulated his breathing for a while, adjusting his state, before slowly descending towards the isolation array below. Soon, Ling'e, who was under the tree, cheered and rushed towards him in a few steps. However, Li Changshou made a silencing gesture to her, indicating for her to stand still. He then walked to his Master's thatched hut, bowed to it, and announced his return after resolving his worldly affairs.

A few bursts of laughter came from inside the hut. Old Daoist Qiyuan encouraged Li Changshou for a moment before resuming his seclusion, reactivating the multiple layers of arrays outside the hut. Master was at a critical juncture in comprehending the Scripture of Non-Action.

His immortal sense swept across the peak, imprinting the various sights of Little Qiong Peak into his mind, and much of Li Changshou's unease faded away. Regardless, cultivation must continue, and life must go on. Although he had previously considered going to the South Sea to smash all his statues, the thought that his appearance might trigger more unforeseen events made him decide to let things develop as they would.

"Senior Brother!"

Lan Ling'e blinked her bright eyes, raising her hands to her sides, fluttering them like a fledgling bird. "Hm?"

Li Changshou, however, immediately put on a stern face. "Come inside with me."

Lan Ling'e shivered, instantly making a pained face. She followed her Senior Brother into her own thatched hut, head bowed and looking very wronged. Moving the prayer mat, keeping her legs together, kneeling, lowering her head, putting on an expression... The process was still very familiar.

Li Changshou sat in his armchair, activating the arrays around the thatched hut. Looking at his Junior Sister, whose appearance and figure were already 'locked' (meaning she had reached a certain level of cultivation that preserved her youth/beauty), he sighed softly, "I was only gone for three years, and you—!"

Little Ling'e instantly shut her eyes tightly, raised her hands to grasp her earlobes, and quickly cried out, "Senior Brother, I know I was wrong! Senior Brother Liu Sizhe and Senior Brother Wang Qi's duel was partly my fault! I never thought it would turn out like this. That day, I just casually offered an idea, truly only wanting to get them to leave, but I didn't think it through, and it blew up!"

"Hm?" Li Changshou paused. "I was asking you about... the spirit fish in the lake being reduced by a third..."

Lan Ling'e froze, then slumped down crookedly. Oh no, she had confessed everything.

The day over a year ago, after Liu Yan'er left with her two Senior Brothers, something happened the very next day. Liu Yan'er informed Wang Qi, reported to her Master and the Peak Master beforehand, and then, using a stratagem, told Liu Sizhe that she was pregnant. Her intention was to make Liu Sizhe stop pestering her, but unexpectedly, Liu Sizhe went directly to fight Wang Qi. Neither of them was seriously injured in the fight; they were evenly matched. However, they were punished by sect rules for private combat among disciples. Liu Sizhe was sentenced to twenty years of confinement for reflection, forbidden from stepping half a pace out of Dulin Peak. Wang Qi was also punished with a three-year suspension of his monthly stipend, after which he became Dao-companions with Liu Yan'er and cultivated on Little Spirit Peak.

"Senior Brother... I was wrong..."

"Where were you wrong?"

"I shouldn't have... not thought clearly about their reactions before directly giving Sister Yan'er that terrible idea," Lan Ling'e replied, head bowed. "As a result, all three of them received sect punishment."

Li Changshou twisted his lips and scolded, "I've taught you for so many years, and in just a few, you've really spit out everything I taught you. Oh well! Your nature is just like this. I shouldn't have such high expectations of you. Alas, never mind."

"No, don't say 'never mind'! Senior Brother, please demand things of me!" Ling'e instantly panicked. "I won't cause any more trouble in the future! Please don't give up on me, Senior Brother! I'll cultivate quietly by your side from now on, and won't say a single word to strangers!"

"Then tell me again, where exactly were you wrong?"

Lan Ling'e's eyes reddened, and she became flustered. "I, I..."

"You shouldn't have meddled in other people's affairs!" Li Changshou tapped the table with his finger and sighed, "Do you know if Liu Yan'er's destined marriage was truly with Liu Sizhe or Wang Qi? One had admired her for a century, the other she had known for a few years. Why was Liu Yan'er hesitant? Why couldn't she bring herself to say harsh words to Liu Sizhe? Wasn't it precisely because she harbored some doubt in her heart? Liu Yan'er was already 150 or 160 years old. Couldn't she have thought of other solutions? It wasn't that she couldn't, but that she was unwilling! By doing what you did, you essentially cut off one person's path, turning an uncertain marriage into a predetermined one for her. If it aligned with someone else's destiny, that would be one thing. But if you altered someone else's destiny, your single suggestion took on the karma of three people. How much good fortune did that cost you! Don't always think you're the smartest or have the best ideas. No one is significantly dumber than anyone else; it's just that some people like to act clever! This incident is the best reflection of your unstable temperament."

Lan Ling'e pouted, her voice trembling, "Senior Brother, what should I do to fix it?"

"The more you do, the more mistakes you make. Later, go apologize to Senior Sister Liu Yan'er and beg for her forgiveness," Li Changshou said, leaning back in his armchair and rubbing his brow. "It seems you still don't quite understand. Let me give you the simplest example. If Senior Sister Liu Yan'er and Junior Brother Wang Qi break up in the future, who will she blame first?"

Ling'e furrowed her delicate brows and whispered, "It would be me, the outsider who gave her the idea to reject the other person."

Li Changshou gave a wry smile. "Exactly, why interfere in others' private matters? The word 'love' — who has ever truly understood it throughout history? It is not a necessity for cultivating the Dao and seeking longevity. Yet, this is what you think about most every day. If this continues, it will only waste your talent and comprehension. After you apologize to Senior Sister Yan'er, you should also reflect deeply on the peak. You can only leave seclusion when Liu Sizhe leaves his."

Li Changshou stood up and added, "I won't punish you too much this time. Take a slate and copy the 'Stability Scripture' three hundred times. When you truly understand where you went wrong, then you can go apologize to Liu Yan'er."

With that, Li Changshou, face grim, put his hands behind his back and was about to leave.

Ling'e, however, called out again, "Senior Brother, there's one more thing."

Li Changshou couldn't help but walk back. He raised his hand, pressed it on Ling'e's head, and rubbed vigorously a few times, his face filled with exasperation, messing up her carefully styled cloud-like bun. "How much more trouble have you caused? Can you just tell me everything at once? You're going to scare me into developing inner demons!"

"It's not trouble-making, this is more of an unexpected gain. I only caused that one bit of trouble just now, really..." Ling'e whispered, "It's about Master's injury from back then. Because of Sister Yan'er's matter, I heard a rumor... Senior Brother, lean closer."

She then whispered this and that.

Li Changshou leaned in to listen for a moment, then his brows furrowed slightly, but he quickly returned to his normal expression. "Don't meddle further in this matter. First, go copy the 'Stability Scripture,' then come find me in the alchemy lab after you've apologized."

"Okay," Ling'e replied, watching her Senior Brother float off towards the alchemy lab. Oh no, Senior Brother's good impression of her had regressed by at least ten years.

Then she let out a faint sigh and, hugging her prayer mat, went under the willow tree. She took out a stone slate and a spiritual artifact carving knife. Wiping tears from the corners of her eyes with the back of her hand, she lay there with disheveled hair, silently transcribing a scripture her Senior Brother had written over a decade ago. After finishing one transcription, she wiped away her tears again, erased the carvings on the slate, and continued with the second. Willow branches swayed gently, stroking her wind-blown dark hair, seemingly overseeing her task.

The Stability ScriptureGreat Desolation Era - Anonymous

Born and moving, do not meddle;Immortality is fixed, it is hard to contend for the first.When injustice arises, rely on oneself;When calamity strikes, one must introspect.If friends are many, troubles cannot be avoided;If friends are few, one avoids unexpected disaster.Do not make enemies; if you do, danger is certain.Act first, or turn to ash later.Do not be self-reliant, nor fear yourself;All things stable, one can find peace.Cultivate diverging paths, retreat is advance;Seize opportunity, plan and decide.Once, someone named Hong, a good old fellow,Was eventually entrapped; how tragic.There are demons with abilities, full of schemes;Knocked unconscious, thrown into an iron pot.The old corrupt race, careful and weak;Strength against Heaven, helpless.The previous ancient race, discontent;Forcefully struggled for destiny, ultimately lonely.Later two heroes, divided heaven and earth;Instigated, both fell.New people rise, praising rites and music;Attain sageliness, many enlightened.To our generation, avoid misfortune;Complete the immortal path, attain the Dao fruit.Be stable in affairs, reject karma;Avoid powerful grabs, naturally find joy.To avoid natural disaster, requires transformation;To escape human calamity, leave no traces.In the morning, hear the Dao, clarify the immortal path;The Stability Scripture, by your side.