Chapter 765: Journey Together (Middle)

On the edge of the cosmos, within a minor world that had unexpectedly grown lively over the past century.

Streaks of light darted everywhere, immortals came and went like the wind, and on one particular island, stalls for buying, selling, and bartering were abundant. Were it not for the thin spiritual energy in this place, one might easily mistake it for a famous market town.

What made this place somewhat peculiar was the dark, gaping maw that had appeared on the southern horizon, and the desolate desert stretching for thousands of miles, now scorched black.

Black smoke billowed there, and mist shrouded everything. From time to time, one could glimpse immortal lights flickering and dying out, illuminating terrifying dark shadows.

Clearly, this was the latest invasion point for the Chaos Beasts.

Since the appearance of Chaos Beasts in the Three Thousand Worlds decades ago, people had discovered the immense value contained within these beasts, as well as a highly precious material for crafting artifacts: Chaos Dark Gold.

Therefore, each time such an invasion point emerged, numerous Qi Refiners were drawn to it.

Slaying monsters to earn Dark Gold.

“Hah, ahem… where is Big Sister? She’s still not here.”

At the village entrance, by the small convenience store.

Several young men and women were meditating. A young man with a somewhat exaggerated hairstyle muttered this, and the girl sitting next to him softly snorted:

“Is Big Sister prettier, or am I?”

“Of course, my Yunyun is prettier.”

“Hmph, you’re just saying that!”

“Then, is Big Sister prettier?”

“You clearly have someone else on your mind! Our partnership as Dao companions is over! I’m going to tell your father you bullied me!”

“Hey, Yunyun, don’t do that, I… no, listen to my explanation…”

The young couple immediately began to bicker playfully, waking up the unassuming, ordinary, yet subtly handsome middle-aged man inside the convenience store.

The uncle stretched, then rubbed his sleepy eyes, before propping his head up and smiling warmly as he watched the pair.

His rugged eyebrows exuded a hint of untamed charm, and his robust physique, covered in well-developed muscles, indicated a high level of physical cultivation.

Of course, the most telling proof of his identity was the three large characters he had personally scrawled for ‘Convenience Store.’ Crooked yet charming, such an understated yet meaningful name would only be conceived by a seasoned transmigrator.

This was naturally Li Changshou… specifically, his latest special Paper Effigy, one that required no divine soul power to sustain.

Since Chaos Beasts had been rampant for so many years, Li Changshou naturally paid them close attention. To be prudent, he had specifically asked for leave from his two wives this time to conduct an on-site investigation.

Although Li Changshou was the Master of the Dao Court, it was almost an honorary title. After all, the matters he could truly govern pertained to the Grand Dao, and his usual duty was merely to monitor the Chaos Sea.

Witnessing firsthand whether the Chaos Beasts and Qi Refiners were getting along happily was proof of the Dao Master’s sense of responsibility.

It absolutely had nothing to do with the 'Big Sister' these young people were talking about!

Just then, a streak of light, resembling a meteor shower, separated from the horizon. A figure transformed into a rainbow and descended, landing, turning, with long hair flowing and cloak billowing—a fluid sequence of movements.

She was quite tall, and the broad-bladed greatsword on her back emitted wisps of fiery-red, icy aura. Her fitted black trousers and long-sleeved top, though slightly unconventional in a Hong Huang where women typically wore long dresses, enhanced her valiant and spirited demeanor.

Regrettably, she wore a mask that completely obscured her face.

This mask was not merely decorative; it shimmered with a faint treasure light, marking it as a rare immortal artifact capable of protecting one’s divine soul.

However, for her, its primary purpose was to conceal her appearance and prevent others from prying.

Stepping forward, she lacked the delicate softness of frail women, yet possessed a distinct and captivating grace.

“Big Sister!”

The five or six meditating men and women immediately stood up, and the bickering young Dao companions instantly reconciled, greeting her together.

“Big Sister, you’re finally here! The Chaos Beasts here are almost all cleared out!”

“Let’s go, let’s go! We said to bring all our elixirs and talismans and meet at the convenience store by the village entrance, but you’re the last one to arrive, Big Sister. With a few Heavenly Immortals and True Immortals among us, we’re a formidable team today. This time, we absolutely must hunt down several Earth-tier Chaos Beasts!”

Heaven, Earth, Profound, Yellow – these were the classifications from the ‘Chaos Beast Strength Division Method’ announced by the Heavenly Court. Yellow-tier was the weakest, and Heaven-tier was the strongest. It was rumored that even more powerful Chaos Beasts existed beyond these tiers, though they rarely appeared.

Big Sister’s voice emanated from behind her mask, neither sharp nor gentle, but rather ‘refreshing.’

It was quite smooth.

She asked, “Are the necessary preparations complete?”

“They are, indeed, ready.”

“Don’t worry, Big Sister!”

“Everything’s ready, Big Sister, take a look!”

“Mhm,” Big Sister nodded slightly, then calmly walked towards the ‘Village Convenience Store’ nearby.

“Check again,” Big Sister calmly instructed. The others, accustomed to her meticulousness, cooperated readily, rummaging through their storage artifacts.

Clearly, they were used to it.

Big Sister patiently explained: “When battling Chaos Beasts, never be reckless or overeager for merit. If you encounter a Chaos Beast that can affect your mind, retreat immediately. If there’s black ore you can’t retrieve, do not force it. Always remember, coming here to hunt Chaos Beasts for wealth is secondary. Our most important objective is to hunt them down to prevent them from gathering in excessive numbers and destabilizing the Three Thousand Worlds!”

“Yes!”

“Don’t worry, Big Sister! We’ll listen to you! Our lives are most important!”

Her voice came from behind her mask: “Excuse me…”

“Don’t miss out, folks!”

Li Changshou’s Paper Effigy called out, “Life-saving elixirs, top-grade talismans that can harm Golden Immortals, special artifacts that automatically find their way back – our little store has it all!”

Big Sister’s brows furrowed slightly behind her mask. She asked, “May I see the quality of your elixirs?”

The Paper Effigy chuckled, saying, “Seeing as your cultivation is impressive, and you have such a strong group, you wouldn’t try to seize them by force after seeing them, would you?”

“Friend, that’s a bit insulting.”

Big Sister calmly replied, “I merely wish to purchase some elixirs. I didn’t have time to prepare them on the way here.”

“Big Sister, I have some extra here!”

“Big Sister, just use ours! No need to bother with a small merchant like this, talismans that can harm Golden Immortals, pah!”

The Paper Effigy, in the guise of the burly uncle, calmly smiled. He casually took an elixir from the shelf behind him. Upon opening it, iridescent light burst forth, and a subtle, refreshing fragrance permeated the air for ten yards around.

A male cultivator with a more weathered face immediately exclaimed, “A Six-Revolutions Spirit Elixir!”

“Oh, you know your stuff?”

Li Changshou squinted and smiled, “Would any of you like to buy these elixirs?”

Big Sister tossed a sack of spirit stones and precious ores onto the counter. “How many elixirs can these get me?”

Li Changshou secretly frowned.

How did this person get herself into such a sorry state, becoming so excited just at the sight of a Six-Revolutions Spirit Elixir?

Doesn’t she know she could just come to Little Qiong Peak and get a few boxes of Nine-Revolutions Spirit Elixirs?

Why is she so stubborn?

“These elixirs are not for sale, I only have two or three bottles here,” Li Changshou’s Paper Effigy squinted and smiled. “But today, if you’re willing to remove your mask and let this humble Daoist have a look, I’ll give you a bottle, how about that?”

The Qi Refiners immediately grew furious.

“You scoundrel!”

“Alright.”

Big Sister, however, calmly agreed. She raised her hand and removed her mask, revealing a delicate face that seemed flawless. But it was clear this was not her true appearance.

A mask behind a mask – and you claim you’re not part of the Prudent Sect!

“You are straightforward, friend, but unfortunately, you are not the person I am looking for. Here.”

“Thank you.”

Big Sister enveloped her right hand in immortal power, took the jade bottle, carefully inspected it, and then placed it into her storage artifact, without retrieving the sack she had thrown.

The values of both were actually similar, but while spirit stones and precious ores were easily obtained, a Six-Revolutions Spirit Elixir was a rarity on the fringes of the Three Thousand Worlds.

The group’s gaze toward Li Changshou’s Paper Effigy immediately became much friendlier.

Often, a top-grade elixir meant a life saved.

This convenience store owner, who clearly had some background, had given them a significant benefit.

After a brief rest, they prepared to depart. Big Sister conjured a white cloud faintly glowing with golden light, slowly lifting them into the air, heading towards the nearly boundless black clouds.

“Can I join you all?”

A shout came from behind them. Their immortal senses immediately detected the burly man from the convenience store stepping out of his small shop. He drew a simple talisman, and the shop folded and shrank on its own, quickly becoming palm-sized, which the man then tucked into his waistband.

“I’m barely a Golden Immortal, and I’m about to leave this place, thinking of going inside to broaden my horizons and see the world!”

As he spoke, he took out another bottle of Six-Revolutions Spirit Elixirs. “If you can protect me for twelve hours, I’ll give this to all of you. You decide where we go; just strolling around the edge is fine.”

The few on the cloud were visibly hesitant, but Big Sister simply said, “There are many immortals here; you may hire someone else, friend.”

She then proceeded on the cloud, without a trace of hesitation.

The other companions looked at their Big Sister with eyes full of admiration.

They willingly called her Big Sister not just because of her powerful magic and formidable combat skills, nor because of her exceptional care and generosity in giving them treasures and elixirs.

More than that, it was because of their Big Sister’s decisiveness.

In Hong Huang, there were many who perished due to indecision, but her decisiveness had saved their lives numerous times.

But today, they encountered a ‘tough nut to crack.’

The golden cloud flew steadily at a low altitude, normally calm and peaceful, when a narrow, wooden boat-shaped white cloud suddenly drifted alongside. The burly man was sprawled on it, propping his head with his right hand, a simple smile on his lips, his short attire emphasizing his guileless nature.

“Don’t rush off, everyone! I think you all are particularly reliable, and traveling together would definitely be very safe. What do you say? Won’t you consider it? To be frank, this humble Daoist is actually skilled in alchemy and talisman crafting. What I lack right now is a good team. I’ve been struggling alone in the vast arena of Hong Huang, bullied too many times. It would be good if we stick together and look out for each other. If you don’t believe me, I can swear a Grand Dao oath to prove I bear absolutely no ill will towards any of you.”

The others were stunned.

When people were out and about, they mostly valued dignity, but why was this burly man being so persistent?

“Friend.”

Big Sister slightly turned her head, her eyes behind the mask carrying a hint of warning. The golden cloud beneath her feet instantly accelerated.

“We shall not see you off.”

“No… hey!”

Li Changshou’s Paper Effigy called out from behind, then sighed profoundly, muttering to himself in front of them, “Alas, I finally encountered the rumored Destroyer of Chaos Beasts, only to have my alchemy skills scorned.”

The few on the golden cloud exchanged glances, each revealing a slight, relieved smile.

Indeed, he had come seeking their Big Sister’s reputation.

However, that title sounded just a little awkward.

“This guy completely missed the point,” a female cultivator whispered. “It’s not his skills that are scorned, but his conduct. Who uses threats and lures to make Big Sister remove her mask?”

“No need to discuss others further.”

Big Sister calmly stated. The others chuckled for a bit, then gradually sobered their expressions.

Ahead, black smoke permeated the air, mist was hazy, and the roars of Chaos Beasts echoed incessantly.

An ordinary hunt was about to begin.

“Hmm…”

On the cloud boat, the burly man, still sprawled on his side, picked his nose and pondered for a moment.

Should I follow them and take a look?

As the esteemed Master of the Dao Court, the Heavenly Court’s ultimate honorary advisor, the Grand Pure Saint’s most beloved disciple, the Dao Ancestor’s terminator, the Watchman of the Chaos Sea, and the Guardian of the Space-Time Rifts, it wouldn’t sound very good if word got out that he was relentlessly bothering his junior sect sister.

Whether he knelt or not was irrelevant; the main issue was being laughed at by Brother Zhao and the others.

Forget it. Ultimately, he couldn’t rest easy. It had been many years since they last met, so catching up would be good.

As for how to join their little ‘team,’ Li Changshou naturally had various methods; he could just arrange something easily.

Play it safe. First, devise a detailed plan, then a few backup plans.

Ah, this familiar sense of security.

Peace of mind.

(End of Chapter)