Chapter 68: Magic Modification Divine Ability First Experience

Are the Heavenly Courts truly this wealthy these days?

Inside the secret chamber within Mount Little Qiong, Li Changshou had a look of destitution as he stared at the pile of top-grade spirit stones radiating an ethereal spiritual glow from the apology ring given by the Old Man of the Moon.

“It’s different, we’re different…”

Li Changshou shook his head, sighing with emotion.

This pile of spirit stones could be directly used to purchase a large quantity of precious materials from the market town outside the immortal sect, refine stronger formation foundations, and reinforce and strengthen Little Qiong Peak's grand formation.

This would allow one-third of Li Changshou’s previously planned formation upgrades to be completed directly!

However, such a direct expenditure was not truly reasonable.

He could entirely use this pile of top-grade spirit stones as his initial startup capital.

By purchasing medicinal herbs in the market town, bringing them back to produce pills, and then exchanging the pills for precious materials or selling them for spirit stones, he could generate a continuous stream of profit!

And there would be no middlemen profiting from the price difference!

Li Changshou frowned in thought…

His true body going out to do these things would be too dangerous; countless individuals lost their lives for a mere bit of spirit stones and treasures. The priorities of what was important and what was not had to be clearly distinguished.

However, if paper effigies could accomplish these dangerous tasks, then it would be different…

Rounding up, it would essentially be equivalent to earning wealth with zero risk.

If he could truly do this, he could completely pursue a two-pronged approach—

Have his master collect ‘immortal pill’ orders from the Hall of Myriad Mortals to accumulate medicinal herbs;

He himself would use paper effigies to collect medicinal herbs and sell pills through the market town outside the sect…

Earning a modest sum within fifty years, enough to accumulate over a dozen immortal treasures, shouldn’t be a problem!

In just seventy to eighty years, his planned composite defense system for Little Qiong Peak could also fill most of its precious material deficit!

This way, he could not only solve the most lacking aspect among Dharma, Wealth, Companions, and Land – ‘Wealth’ – but also provide for his master and junior sister…

The problem was, how could he get the paper effigies to the market town?

It was actually quite troublesome for young disciples to venture out;

However, his master was not subject to the sect’s rules regarding restrictions, as a master who had already become an immortal could find a reason to leave.

A turbid immortal is still an immortal, after all.

If his master took his paper effigy clone out of the protective mountain formation, the paper effigy could then go far away and travel to the market town for trade…

This would complete the first step.

Then came the crucial difficulty—the limitations of the Paper Effigy Transformation divine ability itself.

Although the gate of the Immortal Ascension Sect was relatively close to Lin Hai Town, a well-known market town in East Victory Divine Continent, it was still over twenty thousand *li* away…

However, Li Changshou’s current maximum control range for paper effigies only reached one thousand *li*;

With the current Paper Effigy Transformation, or rather, the original version of the divine ability, it was impossible for the paper effigies to reach the nearest market town.

The Great Desolation was truly too vast…

It was simply unimaginable how boundless the Great Desolation must have been when the myriad races, such as the ancient dragons, phoenixes, and Qilin, flourished!

Getting back to business;

Li Changshou sat there in deep thought for half a day, performing detailed calculations, planning, and risk assessments for the ‘pill business,’ finally making up his mind.

Employing a two-pronged approach, he would achieve wealth through diligence!

He would modify the divine ability!

If an immortal wishes to accomplish a task well, they must first master their methods.

Once his Wind Evasion and Fire Evasion fully advanced through comprehension, he would focus on improving the Paper Effigy Transformation divine ability!

To have his true body remain still in the mountain while paper effigies conducted transactions in the market town outside the sect, the Paper Effigy Transformation needed a drastic modification;

It had to be an extraordinary modification!

The principle of the original Paper Effigy Transformation was to store one’s own magical power and immortal power within the paper effigy;

When the paper effigy transformed into a human form, it was actually akin to a trick of the eye. Due to the special material of the paper effigy, it naturally carried a living aura, thus making it capable of being mistaken for a real person.

After Li Changshou achieved immortality, the Paper Effigy Transformation divine ability became increasingly perfected. Within the range covered by his immortal consciousness, he could entrust a portion of his mind and spirit into the paper effigy;

Now, even when Li Changshou wasn't actively controlling the paper effigies, they would behave like living beings and could execute simple commands from the divine ability user.

For example, sweeping, weeding, massaging, dancing, simple combat, and certain indescribable functional options.

But what Li Changshou needed now were not these effects.

He wanted to drastically modify the Paper Effigy Transformation into the cheapest, lowest-threshold…

External Incarnation!

Essentially, he aimed to create some 'paper bodies' that could be replaced at any time, storing a portion of immortal power within them, allowing his mind and spirit to reside in them and switch freely;

As long as the paper effigy incarnation could exert even one percent or half a percent of his strength, it would be sufficient.

“To achieve this, I will inevitably need to use the restrictions for refining magic treasures…”

Li Changshou pondered for a few moments; this time, he was quick, swiftly finalizing his cultivation plan for the next ten years—

Study artifact refining, develop divine abilities!

If he didn't know, he would learn; if he didn't understand, he would observe.

Now that he had ample lifespan, it was time to pick up artifact refining techniques.

“I should prioritize researching restrictions that can hold a portion of my mind and spirit.”

He then turned his gaze back to the ring…

There was no denying it this time; he was truly grateful for the Old Man of the Moon’s strong support for the construction of Little Qiong Peak!

Besides the high-quality immortal stones, Li Changshou also saw a pile of porcelain bottles and gourds, which surprisingly all contained pills;

Moreover, they were all pills with effects similar to Dragon Venom Wine…

One could only say that, as expected of the Old Man of the Moon, even the pills he gave were so unique.

Li Changshou initially intended to burn these pills directly with the Samadhi True Flame, but then he hesitated.

It would simply be too wasteful.

These were all immortal pills refined by the Old Man of the Moon, a true blessing for many male Qi Refiners!

Saving relationships, ensuring happy companionship; effective for all, with no deceit.

He took out some empty porcelain bottles, categorized and stored these pills properly, then burned the Old Man of the Moon’s original porcelain bottles to remove his aura.

“I’ll keep them for future gifts, or perhaps for bartering…”

If these items were popular, he could even try to reverse-engineer the pill recipe, explore refining methods, produce them in large quantities, and achieve high profits through high sales!

“Tsk, being greedy for wealth is not good; amassing wealth is only for better cultivation; the Dao is the fundamental pursuit of a Qi Refiner.”

After lecturing himself for a moment, Li Changshou couldn't help but laugh.

He transferred all the items from the magic treasure ring into his three main storage magic treasures, then sealed the ring away…

After carefully replaying his conversation with the Old Man of the Moon several times and ensuring there were no oversights in his expressions or words, he temporarily put the matter aside.

It would still be some time before he went to the Heavenly Courts, and his master had not yet reached the True Immortal realm. There was no need to rush these matters.

Having finished these tasks, Li Changshou quietly left the underground secret chamber and floated out of Little Qiong Peak on a cloud.

***

The Daoist Scripture Hall was located halfway up the back of Shattered Heaven Peak.

Li Changshou’s visit back and forth didn’t attract anyone’s attention; even the elders who constantly meditated and cultivated in the outer hall didn't bother to open their eyes to glance at him.

Afterward, Li Changshou began his research into a new area of cultivation within the pill refinement room.

“Junior Uncle doesn't know when he will emerge from seclusion.”

The artifact refining restrictions found in the outer hall of the Daoist Scripture Hall were somewhat basic; if he could get Junior Uncle to go to the inner hall and help him record some advanced restrictions that were open to True Immortals within the sect, that would be even better.

The sect didn't prohibit True Immortals from teaching these to disciples who hadn't yet become immortals.

Li Changshou tapped his fingers on the table, calculating meticulously in his mind, and then thought of another senior within the sect.

Elder Wan Linjun.

The Thousand Poisons Hundred Gold Furnace he currently used was refined by Elder Wan Linjun herself, so he could naturally seek her guidance on artifact refining methods.

However, he had already received too many benefits from this elder; even with a thick skin, he felt a bit embarrassed…

“If absolutely necessary, I’ll just ask about the restrictions for entrusting one’s mind and spirit into a magic treasure.”

Li Changshou sighed softly.

He was incurring more and more favors from this elder, which was truly not a good thing. He would have to find ways to repay them in the future.

He stayed in the pill refinement room for half a day, then slipped into the secret chamber.

He took out several paper effigies, scattering them casually on the tabletop. These paper effigies immediately came to life, and after standing upright on the table, they began to…

Jump, leap, fight, and perform a back-arching dance.

Li Changshou focused his gaze, observed carefully, and soon began to gain insights…

Before long, he took out his carving knife and bamboo slips, beginning to take notes for his first research on the ‘Paper Effigy · External Incarnation Advancement.’

Innovation in divine abilities lay in continuous experimentation; to achieve a drastic modification of a divine ability, one must be bold and enterprising, broaden one’s thinking, verify carefully, proceed steadily, and combine theory with practice…

Thus, six years later.

***

In the azure sky, a few white clouds drifted slowly by.

In front of the Immortal Ascension Sect’s mountain gate, Old Daoist Qiyuan, clad in a brown Daoist robe and holding a whisk, explained his intention to leave to the guarding immortal.

“Junior Brother Qiyuan, how many days will you be out in total?”

“I should be able to return in about three days. I had a sudden insight and wanted to go out and see things.”

“Very well,” the guarding immortal didn’t ask further, and the protective mountain formation opened a gap, allowing Qiyuan to leave on his own.

Qiyuan thanked him, rode a cloud out of the protective mountain formation, and headed towards the East Sea.

After flying for about a thousand *li*, Qiyuan heard a voice transmission:

“Master, please find a secluded spot to place the box. You can then wait near the spirit mine; there’s no need to go too far from the sect gate. I will surely return in three days, and you can just bring the box back then.”

“Ah, alright,” Qiyuan responded, then quietly asked into his sleeve, “Does this master not need to do anything else?”

Li Changshou continued to transmit his voice:

“Master, don’t worry. This disciple is just going to the market town to sell some pills and buy some herbs, which will earn some spirit stones and precious materials.”

Qiyuan sighed inwardly, a hint of guilt in his eyes, but he still followed his disciple’s instructions and flew into a mountain forest; he found a completely uninhabited spot and, without leaving a trace, placed a fist-sized, square, sandalwood box from his bosom into a grassy hollow beneath a tree.

After doing this, Old Daoist Qiyuan pretended to wander around, enjoying the scenery, while a wisp of his immortal consciousness observed the box.

A moment later, the box opened a crack, and a fingernail-sized, rhombic gem poked out, swaying around.

The gem flickered softly with light.

A wisp of Li Changshou’s voice transmission once again entered Old Daoist Qiyuan’s ears.

“Master, please retract your immortal consciousness for a moment.”

“Okay, okay,” Qiyuan retracted his immortal consciousness, feeling quite puzzled inwardly.

Instantly, the rhombic gem outside the box stopped flickering; a ‘reed stalk’ resembling a periscope extended out, looking around; immediately after, the box lid was gently pushed open, and a small, pale yellow paper effigy jumped out.

This paper effigy was several times thicker than a normal one, slightly larger in size, and had a small cloth bag slung over its shoulder.

It stood with hands on its hips, swaying back and forth, as wisps of light revolved around its body; in a flash, the small paper effigy transformed into a slender Daoist eight feet tall, clad in a green Daoist robe, with long hair loosely tied up, and a long sword slung diagonally across its back.

The paper Daoist’s aura subtly fluctuated, stabilized at the Nascent Immortal realm, then quickly lowered to the Dao Return realm, before being completely concealed.

The paper Daoist’s gaze subtly shifted, revealing a hint of spiritual light within, completely indistinguishable from a living person.

Taking out a mirror to look at itself, the paper Daoist muttered, “The appearance still resembles me somewhat, after all.”

Shaking its head, it put away the square box on the ground, formed hand seals, and its figure sank into the earth, disappearing in a flash…

This was the fruit of Li Changshou’s six years of dedicated research!

Divine Ability: Modified Test Version - Paper Effigy Transformation!

This paper effigy could already be considered an external incarnation in a practical sense; but because Li Changshou had employed many clever tricks, this incarnation was actually just an empty shell.

Besides that, Paper Daoist One still had many imperfections.

For instance, Li Changshou had to entrust a portion of his primordial spirit power within it; if the clone were destroyed, his main body’s primordial spirit would also suffer minor damage.

This aspect needed continuous improvement.

To prevent the paper effigy clone from being destroyed, Li Changshou had also invested a great deal of effort; for example, the precious sword on the paper Daoist’s back, which looked like a sword, was actually a magic artifact designed to disperse a mixture of poisons and hallucinogens…

Originally, Li Changshou had no intention of testing the combat prowess of this ‘Number One Clone’ on this trip.

However, human hearts were wicked, and he encountered the peril of flaunting wealth on his very first outing.

After leaving the vicinity of the Immortal Ascension Sect, he used Earth Evasion for half a day to reach Lin Hai Town, a rather famous market town in Eastern Continent.

To be safe, he sold many of the pills he had refined in small batches, multiple times, at different locations and different pill-purchasing shops, using various disguises. He even discovered several Immortal Ascension Sect shops there…

He then used the spirit stones he had exchanged for, and a portion of the immortal stones, to purchase large quantities of spiritual herbs, poisonous weeds, precious materials, and spiritual beast cubs in the same manner.

Not counting the initial capital investment, the profit from this pill business was about sixty percent of the cost, which was quite good.

Later, to conceal his true activities, he also set up a stall for half a day, displaying magic artifacts he had refined for practice, as well as some pills of decent quality; he priced them moderately, and also sold a few spirit stones’ worth.

However, despite being so cautious, Li Changshou discovered that his paper effigy clone was still being targeted…

With half a day left until the three-day period ended, Li Changshou quietly left this ‘market town,’ whose scale rivaled the capital of a major secular nation, and flew on a cloud towards a forest where Earth Evasion could be used.

However, several figures followed him out of Lin Hai Town, each concealing their cultivation, quietly tailing him…

‘See, this is the Great Desolation.’

Li Changshou sighed softly in his heart and flew faster on his cloud.

From the sleeves of this sword cultivator clone, the original divine ability paper effigies, each clutching a small sword or porcelain bottle, were rubbing their fists and palms, ready for action.