Chapter 72: Reassurance, This Time There Will Definitely Be No Fight

"Nephew Qiyuan, what brings you out?"

It was another day of warm wind and sunshine. Old Daoist Qiyuan, clad in a long robe and holding a whisk, drifted from Little Qiong Peak to the mountain gate. Hearing the mountain guard's question, Old Daoist Qiyuan bowed and replied, "Just going for a walk, nothing major. I've been feeling a bit unsettled lately."

"Very well." The old True Immortal guarding the gate, with a benevolent smile, didn't ask further. He opened the mountain gate, allowing Qiyuan to ride his cloud and drift into the sky beyond the mountains.

Due to the incident involving his disintegration and the turbid immortal, Qiyuan now had a certain 'reputation' within the mountain. However, this reputation wasn't always positive, and occasionally, people would mock or joke about the matter. After Li Changshou finished refining this batch of elixirs, he waited another four months before his master concluded his seclusion and went out for a stroll. Li Changshou had discussed it with his master, arranging for him to stay out for a few extra days this time, giving the paper effigy more time to operate. Following this, Li Changshou repeatedly reminded his master not to stray too far from the mountain gate.

To help his master conceal his tracks, Li Changshou presented him with the second version of the Turtle Breath Qi Concealment Art, preventing him from being targeted or plotted against while waiting for Li Changshou to return. Li Changshou's main body also remained within the mountain gate, ensuring he could sense any trouble his master encountered and rush to his aid. Granting his master and junior sister equal knowledge of his plans was something Li Changshou had decided long ago.

Qiyuan quietly placed the box and departed. The paper effigy reappeared, noticeably 'plumper', and its shoulder bag had been replaced with a backpack. This time, Li Changshou had transformed into the guise of an old Daoist, deciding to use this persona for selling elixirs in the future.

Employing earth evasion, the paper effigy quickly made its way to Linhai Town. Half a day later, Li Changshou spent half a circle wandering eastward, deliberately twisting his 'exclamation mark' travel route into a 'question mark'. Finally, he emerged from an uninhabited forest to the west, riding a cloud with a sword on his back, floating towards the grand market town ahead.

The sword on his back had a changed hilt and scabbard style and color, and the scabbard now featured a new enchantment to block spiritual sense detection. Of course, its core function remained unchanged. What appeared to be a sword was, in fact, a dispersal artifact mixed with hallucinogenic poison, capable of invisibly releasing colorless poisonous powder. It could subtly deliver poison into an enemy's primordial spirit and vital organs, thereby increasing the certainty of poisoning a True Immortal. This was naturally unobtainable elsewhere, and like the Luo Heaven Treasure Umbrella, it was a self-researched magic treasure by Li Changshou. This time, Li Changshou had also prepared a second similar artifact: a flute. When played, it could release poison from its holes, though it had one hidden danger: one had to be careful when inhaling and exhaling, otherwise, it was easy to draw the poison in. Otherwise, it would truly be as ridiculous as "my knife is so poisonous, touch it and you die, brush it and you perish... *hiss*."

The market town had four main gates allowing entry and exit from its grand formation, much like the city gates of a mortal metropolis, except these were merely entry points within the formation, not part of a wall. The Linhai Sword Sect, a major immortal sect from East Victory Divine Continent, was responsible for maintaining order here. Following ancient regulations, they stationed people at the formation gates to collect an 'entry fee'. This fee could be spirit stones, precious materials, or spirit herbs – anything with a little value would suffice. A market town of this scale could indeed generate significant income for an immortal sect. However, it required a large number of masters stationed there daily to prevent trouble, making it operable only by major sects. The Immortal Ascension Sect had once attempted to run a market town, but due to its geographical location and poor management, it only lasted a few millennia before rogue cultivators stopped frequenting or settling there, resulting in significant losses for the sect. Li Changshou understood this well. After all, the sect cultivated the 'Scripture of Non-Action', and its members favored peace and inaction, with any surplus energy often directed towards 'Daoist companion pursuits'.

After silently teasing his own sect, Li Changshou had his paper effigy display the cultivation level of a late-stage True Immortal and waited on a cloud behind a dozen or so figures ahead. Beside them, a continuous stream of people exited, most of them floating close to the ground on clouds. Exiting didn't require a fee, but entering again meant queuing up to pay. Just as it was almost Li Changshou's turn to enter, he noticed seven or eight figures about to leave the market town. These were two old Daoists, three middle-aged Daoists, and three young people. They flew higher than others, about to exit through the opening at the top of the grand formation, escorted by two pairs of immortal soldiers patrolling Linhai Town, making quite a show. Li Changshou's gaze was actually drawn to one of the young men. This person... had horns on his head, but no tail behind him. Ao Yi? How had he encountered this little dragon again? Li Changshou was speechless. Was he somehow fated to meet this little dragon? But then again, why did this little dragon... look exactly the same as when he'd knocked him out last time, with no growth in height? Perhaps the development period for dragons was much longer than for humans, and these few years weren't enough for him to grow. Li Changshou had his paper effigy avert its gaze, as it was now his turn to step forward and pay the entry fee.

Li Changshou handed the spirit stones to the female immortal behind the table. She smiled and said, "Daoist friend, you seem unfamiliar. May I ask what brings you here?" Li Changshou then gave a false name and stated that he was there to buy and sell elixirs and herbs. After a brief record, she allowed him into the market town. During this time, Ao Yi and the two young girls, following behind the five Jie Sect Heavenly Immortals, floated past above the paper effigy. The five Heavenly Immortals were in good spirits, discussing whether to return to Jin'ao Island or continue visiting other immortal sects for discussions and tea. Li Changshou overheard one of the old Daoists praise, "Ao Yi, how long has it been since you began cultivating? To already become a True Immortal—truly worthy of the Dragon King's bloodline, astonishing talent..."

Junior brother? Indeed, Ao Yi had joined the Jie Sect, likely under a second-generation master. Ao Yi now struck Li Changshou as much more composed and mature, with a reserved gaze and a calm demeanor. Although still appearing as a youth, he carried himself with the steady bearing of someone who had experienced much and been tempered by fate. But then again, it had nothing to do with him. The paper effigy stepped into Linhai Town, riding its cloud directly over various pavilions and stone houses, heading towards the area where elixir shops were concentrated.

'Looks like I'll be competing with my own sect's business again,' Li Changshou sighed inwardly. The Immortal Ascension Sect's shop in this area also primarily dealt in elixirs. However, he only visited for a few days every few years, so while it would somewhat affect his sect's business, it shouldn't cause their sales to plummet. After all, he was just an individual seller. Albeit one who sold large quantities of high-quality, good-value items at slightly lower prices...

***

Meanwhile, the group of Qi Refiners from Jin'ao Island, after leaving the market town, first flew southwest for a while, then suddenly changed direction, riding their clouds swiftly northwest. This outing for discussions had actually been initiated by masters from several immortal sects in East Continent who had invited familiar Jin'ao Island Heavenly Immortals. Jin'ao Island was a well-known Jie Sect Daoist site, and immortal sects often invited its Qi Refiners to lecture and debate within their gates. Originally, their trip had involved three months of discussions, mooching food and drink—*ahem*, lecturing and expounding—at several immortal sects in East Victory Divine Continent. Their mission was complete, and it was time to return.

Because Ao Yi had performed exceptionally well in these discussions, easily defeating the True Immortals sent by these sects, and because Ao Yi's seniority was the same as these five Jie Sect Heavenly Immortals, they found it awkward to directly bestow gifts upon him. Thus, they brought Ao Yi to Linhai Town to choose numerous gifts for him. Ao Yi, in turn, distributed all these gifts to the two young female junior nieces beside him, delighting them and pleasing the Jin'ao Island Heavenly Immortals as well.

If the son of a major immortal sect leader could be said to have a 'mine at home', then Ao Yi, the Crown Prince of the East Sea Dragon Palace, literally had 'a home within a mine'. Giving away these gifts to please the disciples of his 'senior brothers' caused Ao Yi no pain whatsoever. If needed, he could simply send a message home, and generous gifts would be delivered to every Qi Refiner of Jin'ao Island by the next day. Leaving the market town, the group was about to head back to Jin'ao Island. But after a moment of thought, Ao Yi paused and then suddenly spoke, "Senior brothers, I have an impolite request." The five immediately turned, looking at Ao Yi with concern.

"There's no such thing as an impolite request. If you ask, we will grant it, Junior Brother Ao Yi, just say the word."

"We Qi Refiners of Jin'ao Island are close-knit, inseparable, united as one, sharing both honor and disgrace!"

"Indeed, it's not just our Jin'ao Island; the entire Jie Sect operates this way. If one person is in trouble, aid comes from all directions!"

Ao Yi smiled inwardly, but his expression remained solemn as he whispered, "Actually, there's always been something... an unspeakable secret in my heart." The two young girls beside him instantly looked over, their eyes sparkling. One of them, with over a dozen small braids and a pretty, charming appearance, was exactly Hanzhi, who had witnessed Li Changshou's tribulation. Among the five Heavenly Immortals leading the group, one was Hanzhi's master, Old Daoist Yuanze.

Ao Yi sighed, "Thinking back to the East Sea Demon Cleansing Assembly that year, I was only ten years old. I was ordered by the Dragon Palace to seek out someone for a sparring match, but I was defeated by a cultivator from the Immortal Ascension Sect who was still in the Void Return stage. This matter has always weighed on my mind. Now that I have undergone my tribulation and become an immortal, even if only in the True Immortal realm, I wish to seek out that person and spar and discuss the Dao once more."

"Is that all?" Old Daoist Yuanze asked with a smile.

Ao Yi looked ashamed, bowing his head and saying, "Yes, that's it."

"That's easy enough," another middle-aged Daoist replied with a chuckle, pointing his hand and sending a white cloud drifting towards the Immortal Ascension Sect's mountain gate. "Come on, let's make a trip to the Immortal Ascension Sect. This humble Daoist also has quite a friendship with Daoist Zhongyu, the deputy sect master of the Immortal Ascension Sect. Their Immortal Ascension Sect follows the Human Dao, and our Jin'ao Island is a Jie Sect Daoist site. What's wrong with paying a visit?"

The others all agreed. One person laughed, "Should we inform them beforehand? Just to avoid any awkwardness."

Old Daoist Yuanze waved his hand, "No need, no need. We're not going to fight them. We're just going for a Dao discussion and to let the young ones spar."

At the very back of the group, the two girls, holding hands, exchanged glances upon hearing this. One of the girls activated a bracelet-like magical artifact on her wrist, ensuring their conversation wouldn't be overheard. She whispered, "Hanzhi, your master is at it again."

Hanzhi pouted, saying dejectedly, "Let's make some preparations. Sigh, my master is practically a Heavenly Dao artifact. When I underwent my tribulation, my master said, 'Don't worry, your heavenly tribulation will definitely only have six bolts,' but it ended up summoning eight. I was just a hair's breadth from perishing... By rights, with my talent and accumulation, it should have been seven at most."

The other girl instantly covered her mouth and chuckled softly, "But you gained from it too, you ascended a bit, didn't you?"

"Speaking of which," Hanzhi's gaze drifted, "having personally experienced eight heavenly tribulations, and ones ranked lower at that, I now truly understand how terrifying an Immortal Ascension Tribulation like that is. I can't imagine what kind of person managed to pass through nine heavenly tribulations in the South Sea that day."

"It must have been a great figure from ancient or primordial times who has cultivated a new life."

"Perhaps..." The two girls chuckled softly a few times, their conversation quickly shifting back to the young dragon in front of them. His handsome, youthful appearance was quite appealing to young girls.

Half a day later, the Immortal Ascension Sect's thin, smooth mountain-guarding grand formation was visible in the distance. The Jin'ao Island group drifted past, chatting and laughing. Ao Yi's smile, however, held a subtle hint of deeper meaning.

***

"Hmm?" In the forest, Qiyuan, who was pondering the Turtle Breath Qi Concealment Art, looked up at the horizon and saw the Jin'ao Island group floating past on clouds. He sensed several Heavenly Immortal pressures and wondered where these masters had suddenly come from, heading towards their Immortal Ascension Sect.

"It has nothing to do with our Little Qiong Peak," Old Daoist Qiyuan chuckled. He glanced at the communication talisman his eldest disciple had given him and thought it was likely just a few masters visiting friends, so he didn't mention it to Li Changshou. He continued to ponder the technique for concealing aura created by his disciple. Soon, Old Daoist Qiyuan completely retracted his aura, then excitedly performed a transformation art, turning into a tree stump. After carefully observing for a while...

"It's surprisingly peaceful, indeed."