Chapter 70: This is, what kind of path?

This True Immortal was... poorer than I was right after my tribulation.

In the underground secret chamber, Li Changshou examined the seven or eight storage artifacts laid out before him. He carefully sorted through them, extracting anything useful. The useless items, along with the storage artifacts themselves, were placed into a special pouch for categorized waste.

Even with a minimal chance of detection, Li Changshou wouldn't use any of these 'trophy' artifacts. Spirit treasures, of course, were an exception.

The issue was that the sedatives and poison pills he'd used also came at a cost. These potent substances were never intended for sale. Some of the toxic herbs, for instance, came from Elder Wan Linjun's assistance, making their true value difficult to quantify.

The outcome of being followed, in essence, was that he ended up slightly in the red.

This True Immortal indeed had little personal wealth, which was indicative of the common plight of most rogue cultivators. With the rise of humanity and the flourishing of Daoism, traditions were widespread, and immortal sects sprang up like bamboo after rain. Consequently, most resources were controlled by these immortal sects. Rogue cultivators, lacking the backing of immortal sects due to talent, personal experience, or other reasons, found it challenging just to sustain their daily cultivation, let alone accumulate significant personal wealth.

Li Changshou had initially given the assailant a chance to back off, purely because he was reluctant to use the potent poison powders stored within his artifacts. That's why he'd called out, "Wait!"

Had the assailant stopped, Li Changshou would have merely rendered them unconscious. After all, elixirs potent enough to fatally poison a True Immortal were exceptionally costly. However, the assailant didn't halt. They were professional and decisive, clearly resolved to kill him and seize his treasures.

This left Li Changshou feeling quite helpless. While a top-grade spirit stone itself might not be overwhelmingly attractive, a Return-to-Dao realm cultivator possessing such an item likely carried other treasures as well. This was the underlying reason for the assailant's 'let's try it' mentality.

This incident taught Li Changshou two main lessons. First, he needed to devise a detailed trade strategy to prevent being targeted again. Second, if he ever felt tempted by a treasure and considered plotting to acquire it, he should recall the fate of those who had tried to scheme against him.

"No matter how magnificent a treasure, one must be alive to use it."

The artifact-type 'junk' might be useless now, but he could potentially use it once his artifact refining skills improved. However, the more he delved into the intricacies of artifact refining formations, the more he realized how vast and profound this 'discipline' was, with very few shortcuts available. Modifying or creating new formations would require tens of thousands of years of dedicated research, making it an arduous task.

Furthermore, the truly powerful artifacts in the primordial world weren't refined from mundane materials but were naturally formed. The pinnacle of refined artifacts was the Post-Natal Merit Spirit Treasure, where the word 'merit' held greater significance.

Rather than continuing to specialize in artifact refining, it would be more beneficial to focus his energy on formations, specifically pursuing 'miniaturization' for broader firepower coverage. For artifact refining itself, he would specialize only in storage artifacts and those used for his paper-cut figures. His primary extracurricular efforts, however, would still be dedicated to formations and alchemy.

His main pursuit? That would naturally be enlightenment... *ahem*, cultivating the Dao and seeking eternal life!

Li Changshou settled behind his desk and began categorizing the spirit herbs and poisonous plants he had acquired. 'Once I refine these into pills, I should send some to Elder Wan Linjun later.'

While it might seem like showing off, it was, at least, a genuine gesture of goodwill.

Upon completing his sorting, Li Changshou set aside the dozen or so artifact spheres containing suppressed spirit beast cubs, intending to release them into the spirit beast enclosure later. Two of these cubs were for Ling'e. She had long complained that most creatures in the spirit beast enclosure were poisonous, making it difficult to find a cute rabbit or deer – even for a snack. This time, Li Changshou had selected two spirit beasts for her that were both good-looking and palatable. She could keep them as pets, or, if left to roam for a few years, they could serve as ingredients.

Retrieving the sword-like 'Poison-Dispelling Sedative' artifact, Li Changshou smiled faintly. He then moved to the side, donning specialized anti-poison gloves, a mask, and a protective suit. With an assortment of self-made tools like tweezers and test tubes, and antidote pills within reach, he resumed his meticulous work.

It's satisfying to scatter ashes, but meticulous preparation precedes battle.

Such is the nature of all endeavors: gratification and reward are only truly savored after diligent effort.

***

After two days of focused work in the secret chamber, Li Changshou was surprised to find Little Qiong Peak unusually lively when he emerged from his alchemy room. (His immortal consciousness had previously been confined within the formations surrounding his alchemy room.)

The Daoist couple, Liu Yan'er and Wang Qi, had come to visit Ling'e for tea and conversation. Li Changshou, for his part, knew the background to this visit.

After Ling'e had offered her apologies previously, Liu Yan'er, concerned Ling'e might dwell on the matter, sent her a paper crane message with many reassuring words. Through these exchanges, the two had become quite close.

Ling'e's displayed cultivation level had now reached the third stage of the Spirit Transformation Realm. At her age, such rapid progress marked her as a true immortal seedling.

Because Ling'e was under a twenty-year confinement imposed by him, Liu Yan'er had visited Little Qiong Peak several times in recent years to meet with her. Today, Liu Yan'er had come with her Junior Brother Qi Qi, merely on a casual outing during their break from cultivation.

However... Li Changshou's immortal consciousness 'observed' Youqin Xuanya, who sat gracefully beside them, like a fairy transformed from an ice-blue snow lotus, engaging in a game of 'simulated immortal life' with the other three. What was she doing here? And her cultivation had reached the second stage of the Return-to-Dao Realm? Had her cultivation advanced so rapidly due to the absence of Yuan Qing's harassment? Excellent, she'd certainly secured her position as the chief disciple of this generation.

However, Youqin Xuanya's frequent visits to Little Qiong Peak were problematic. She was simply too dazzling, and every move she made was under constant scrutiny within the sect. Li Changshou pondered for a moment; as a guest, he couldn't simply send her away; offending the Sect Master's lineage over such a minor matter was out of the question.

Emerging from the woods, Li Changshou walked directly back to his thatched hut, making no effort to conceal his presence. He activated his concealment formation, changed into a Daoist robe, and sat quietly in meditation beneath the large character hanging on his wall, pondering how to handle Youqin Xuanya's situation.

Many Qi refiners enjoyed hanging large calligraphic characters in their residences. Powerful cultivators, those who had survived since ancient times, for instance, often displayed the characters for 'Heaven and Earth'. In recent tens of thousands of years, Qi refiners favored 'Dao' or 'Great Dao'. These were common choices, though Qi refiners often hung characters reflecting their personal preferences, such as 'Serenity,' 'Strength,' 'Mystery,' or 'Subtlety'. More unusual choices included characters like 'Return' or 'Sister'.

The large character on the wall behind Li Changshou, however, was quite unique. In the vast primordial world, it was unlikely that any of the countless Qi refiners would have chosen the same one. It was the character for 'Stability'!

"Senior Brother!"

Outside the window, beyond the shimmering light barrier of the formation, Little Ling'e was vigorously waving.

Li Changshou smiled helplessly, stood up, opened the door, deactivated the formation, and stepped outside.

"What is it?"

"Senior Brother, why don't you join us for some tea and conversation! Senior Sister Youqin... she's been waiting for you for quite a while."

Ling'e gave him a meaningful wink, and through their unspoken exchange, the brother and sister immediately understood the situation. 'Senior Brother, Senior Sister Youqin has come to find you again. I can't handle her; you'll have to take care of it personally!'

Li Changshou chuckled. "I just finished refining elixirs and felt a bit fatigued, so I wanted to rest. Seeing you all enjoying yourselves, I didn't want to disturb you."

In front of the nearby thatched hut, Youqin Xuanya, upon hearing his words, immediately took two steps forward. She said, "Senior Brother Changshou, if you are tired, please rest. I don't have anything urgent to discuss. I've merely been in seclusion for too long and was strolling through the sect, hoping to seek some guidance from Senior Brother."

Li Changshou bowed to Youqin Xuanya and the other two. "Please excuse my negligence." The three returned his bow, with Wang Qi and Liu Yan'er quickly assuring him it was no trouble at all. Liu Yan'er seemed to have caught on to something, her smile subtly playful. Youqin Xuanya's eyes were exceptionally bright at that moment, though a hint of hesitation flickered across her usually serene and beautiful face.

However, she was not one to be overly demure. Soon, she retrieved a brocade box from her bracelet and approached Li Changshou. "Senior Brother Changshou, this is a gift for you."

Li Changshou was taken aback. He was still expecting Youqin Xuanya to explain the reason for the gift – whether she sought a favor, or if she wished to personally thank him for saving her life previously. Instead, Youqin Xuanya simply offered the single sentence and presented the brocade box. Her flawless face, as exquisite as immortal jade, remained largely expressionless, but a faint nervousness was discernible deep within her eyes.

Li Changshou was speechless.

'*Sigh*, I suppose I can't blame her for these affections; the Old Man in the Moon is also partly responsible for this.' However, he had to set things straight and restore normalcy. Since he harbored no such feelings, he shouldn't allow her to entertain further notions. Matters like these were best severed cleanly, lest they invite further complication.

"Thank you, Junior Sister Youqin," Li Changshou replied with a smile, accepting the brocade box. From his sleeve, he then produced an artifact sphere containing a suppressed spirit beast cub. "I didn't have time to prepare anything," he said, "so please accept this as a small return gift, Junior Sister. I hope you don't mind it."

"Oh... oh!" Youqin Xuanya's lips curved subtly upwards as she cradled the spirit beast cub's artifact sphere in her palm. "Thank you, Senior Brother Changshou."

Beside them, Ling'e couldn't help but pout subtly, though she refrained from speaking.

Holding the brocade box, Li Changshou spoke slowly: "My journey to the North Continent with Junior Sister Youqin years ago was quite rewarding for me as well. In the future, if Junior Sister Youqin finds herself with free time, you are welcome to visit Little Qiong Peak. Ling'e and I have few friends within the sect, aside from Junior Brother Wang Qi and Senior Sister Yan'er, and then only respected elders like Martial Uncle Jiu Jiu and Martial Uncle Jiu Wu. If Junior Sister Youqin doesn't mind, both my junior sister and I would be honored to consider you not just a fellow disciple, but also a true friend."

Upon hearing this, Wang Qi and Liu Yan'er immediately understood the underlying meaning, though both appeared somewhat perplexed. Logically speaking, gaining Youqin Xuanya's favor should have been a tremendous opportunity and blessing for Li Changshou. Why would he refuse so decisively?

Wang Qi suddenly had a realization: perhaps it was due to their unequal cultivation levels. Senior Brother Changshou must have felt he was too far beneath the chief disciple, and that's why he refused... or so he presumed.

Meanwhile, Ling'e felt a pang of helplessness. Her senior brother's troublesome personality... While Ling'e was pleased that her senior brother could refuse other female Qi refiners, especially someone of Youqin Xuanya's caliber, it also indicated that if Ling'e herself wished to enter her senior brother's heart and ascend past the 'junior sister' status, she would face considerable resistance. What kind of person *did* her senior brother truly like, anyway? Ling'e stood by, utterly bewildered.

However, to everyone's surprise, Youqin Xuanya, upon hearing Li Changshou's words, actually... broke into a knowing smile! Her gaze was remarkably vibrant, and although she didn't display overt emotion, everyone present could sense her excellent mood. It wasn't a forced, polite smile, but one radiating genuine, heartfelt joy. A faint blush bloomed on her exquisite face, causing even Ling'e, a female Qi refiner herself, to feel a momentary flutter in her heart.

"Really?" Youqin Xuanya's voice gained a noticeable lilt. Even her intonation conveyed happiness.

"Of course," Li Changshou replied with a smile, though a wave of bewilderment washed over him. His meaning had been so clear; had Youqin truly not understood?

Youqin Xuanya immediately cupped her hands and bowed her head, declaring firmly, "Henceforth, please Senior Brother, guide me often! And Junior Sister Ling'e, please guide me often as well! I will certainly visit often!"

Uh? A series of question marks slowly formed in Li Changshou's mind. Wait, he was utterly bewildered by this turn of events...

Meanwhile, Wang Qi couldn't help but scratch the back of his head, and Liu Yan'er wore a perplexed expression. Ling'e, however, felt a tumultuous wave of emotion in her heart. Her eyes flickered, and a faint sense of shared commiseration arose within her. 'This... is she really that humble? Senior Sister Youqin actually... actually... she's content just being friends with Senior Brother? She doesn't ask for anything more?' Compared to this senior sister, she, the 'junior sister who lives by the water but cannot grasp the moon,' was truly... too fortunate, indeed.

"Senior Sister," Ling'e stepped forward and returned Youqin Xuanya's bow. "Please guide me often in the future!"

Li Changshou couldn't help but cock his head in confusion. 'Why are these two bowing to each other so formally? Is the 'toxicity' contagious now?'

"Mmm," Youqin Xuanya nodded, a smile gracing her lips and a spark of light in her eyes. Noticing Li Changshou's somewhat weary expression, she quickly added, "Senior Brother Changshou, please rest well. Xuanya will visit you again after her next seclusion. Please don't overexert yourself with alchemy or cultivation. And Junior Sister Ling'e, you too... Well then, I shall take my leave."

"Goodbye, Senior Sister, and please visit often!"

"Yes, I will!"

Youqin Xuanya bid farewell to Wang Qi and Liu Yan'er, then departed gracefully on a cloud, her wind-swept hair seeming to flutter with newfound vivacity. Wang Qi and Liu Yan'er, claiming to be overwhelmed by the 'excitement,' also took their leave soon after.

Watching the three depart in two different directions, Li Changshou frowned deeply. He simply couldn't comprehend Youqin's thought process... Had he not expressed himself clearly? To offer 'fellow discipleship and friendship' in the future – wasn't that a clear rejection of romantic feelings?

This was... this was utterly unfathomable!

"Stinky Senior Brother, where's *my* gift?!"

Li Changshou produced another spirit beast sphere from his sleeve and handed it to his junior sister, standing there in a moment of existential doubt.

Ling'e exclaimed admiringly, "Senior Sister Youqin is truly beautiful, and her cultivation is so high!"

"Heh, heh," Li Changshou sighed dejectedly, feeling a profound sense of helplessness regarding Youqin Xuanya. "How could it *not* be high? With her personality, she'll probably never encounter inner demons in this lifetime."

Ling'e was immediately confused. "Huh? Why not? Don't they say that inner demons can appear at any time if one's Dao heart is unstable?"

Li Changshou tilted his head back, gazing at the sky, unable to provide a precise answer. "Fate, I suppose."

Beside him, Ling'e had already begun unsealing the artifact sphere, and with a gasp of admiration, she soon cradled the spirit beast cub within. "Wow! So cute! Is this... a cub of the Hundred-Toothed Gold-Devouring Life-Chasing Beast? Thank you, Senior Brother!"

"Mmm, as long as you like it."