Chapter 81: A Porcelain Vase Triggers...

"Should it be placed here?""Yes, move it three more inches towards the Qian position. The base should face south and be buried six feet three inches deep.""Found the spot... Alright!"

Three months after Jiu Jiu emerged from seclusion, three figures were bustling about outside the Little Qiong Peak's pill refinery. Li Changshou gave instructions, Ling'e offered encouragement, while Jiu Jiu, simultaneously managing multiple tasks, suppressed the spiritual energy of the grand formation, controlled the undulations of various array patterns, calibrated the orientation of the formation bases, and then, wrapping the refined bases in immortal power, slowly buried them underground. This process allowed for no errors.

After placing this formation base, Jiu Jiu let out a long breath and leaned against a tree trunk, panting softly."How many more are there?"

Li Changshou glanced at his treasure pouch; about a third, nearly sixty, of the expansion formation bases still needed to be installed. However, he merely wanted the pretense of "Uncle-Master Jiu helping with the installation" and for Jiu Jiu to have a strong memory of this assistance. It wasn't strictly necessary for her to complete the entire setup. In fact, most of the bases already placed would require his fine-tuning later.

Li Changshou smiled and said, "Only three left, Uncle-Master. Thank you for your hard work."Upon hearing there were only three left, Jiu Jiu's eyes immediately conveyed a sense of 'survivor's relief'."Finally, after months, we're almost done!"

Beside them, Ling'e noticed something in Li Changshou's expression and became thoughtful.*Can Senior Brother set up formations now without Uncle-Master's help?*

Jiu Jiu pulled out a spiritual wine pill, crunched it a few times, and instantly became re-energized!"One more push, let's get them done!"Shouting a slogan, Jiu Jiu jumped up again and hurried to the next location for burying a formation base.

Ling'e smoothed her hair, chuckled softly, and quickly followed with a bamboo basket."Uncle-Master, please have some fruit and rest for a bit.""Little Ling'e is so considerate! Your Senior Brother only makes people work for him!""Senior Brother also considers the stability of our Little Qiong Peak. You've worked hard, Uncle-Master. Let me massage your shoulders...""Ah, a little to the left... We're both unlucky ones, aren't we?"

Amidst laughter and chatter, Ling'e and Jiu Jiu gradually moved deeper into the forest. Li Changshou slowly followed, contemplating the workings of the grand formation and refining his theories on linked arrays.

They worked for another half-day. By sunset, the remaining three formation bases were finally set in place. Jiu Jiu completely transformed, her spirits soaring. She pulled Ling'e and called out to Li Changshou, eager to head to the thatched cottage for a decisive battle – a game of 'God of War'!

Li Changshou sighed softly to himself. The formations here still needed meticulous adjustments for some time, so there was no rush.

As they walked out of the woods, Li Changshou suddenly had a premonition.*What is this...?*Glancing at his Uncle-Master and Junior Sister bouncing ahead, Li Changshou withdrew his right hand into his sleeve, immediately performed a divination, and quickly gained a clear insight: The pill from the porcelain bottle he had given to Uncle-Master Jiu Wu had been taken out! That porcelain bottle was, of course, no ordinary one; it was a magical artifact designed to store immortal pills and preserve their medicinal properties. Li Changshou had tampered with it, adding two restrictions and infusing a trace of his simulated spiritual consciousness. As long as the pill inside was removed, he would receive a subtle sensation.

What was going on? Had Uncle-Master Jiu Wu encountered danger and used the Corrupting Immortal Soul-Shattering Pill? Or had he taken it out to show someone else? Of course, the possibility of the bottle simply breaking couldn't be ruled out. Although Uncle-Master could sometimes be unreliable, he was always cautious when acting outside the sect. Otherwise, the sect wouldn't have entrusted him with tasks like preparing for the Three Sects Assembly, which required utmost care not to offend anyone. Most likely, something had gone wrong with Uncle-Master Jiu Wu. And with Central Divine Continent so far away, Li Changshou couldn't do anything immediately.

Li Changshou considered his options and immediately formed a plan.He called out, "Uncle-Master Jiu!""Hmm? What's wrong? Come join the fun! Heeheeha!"

Li Changshou coughed, put on a serious expression, and spoke a few words to Jiu Jiu. After he finished, Jiu Jiu and Ling'e's expressions immediately became... peculiar.

Jiu Jiu asked, a hint of disbelief in her voice, "Really?""Of course it's real," Li Changshou nodded seriously.

"This," Jiu Jiu couldn't help but blink, raising a hand to pinch her thin earlobe, "you had a dream yesterday that my Fifth Senior Brother was in danger? That he was being relentlessly pursued by seven or eight fierce, bear-like brutes?"

"Exactly," Li Changshou said solemnly. "After much thought today, I just can't shake off this unsettling feeling. Perhaps the subtle senses we qi refiners possess have some deeper meaning."

Jiu Jiu immediately furrowed her small brows and whispered, "But this... if Fifth Senior Brother were in trouble and someone had a premonition in a dream, it should be Fourth Senior Sister. Or, if I dreamed it, that would make sense too, since Fifth Senior Brother has always looked after me like a brother or father. But *you*... What's with you dreaming about my Senior Brother?"

"Uncle-Master Jiu Wu and I are close friends; we consider each other confidants," Li Changshou said with a wry smile. "Let's not get caught up in these details for now. Uncle-Master Jiu Shi should have a way to contact Uncle-Master Jiu Wu. Uncle-Master, are you willing to trust me this once?"

"Of course, I trust you." Jiu Jiu said earnestly, "Otherwise, there's no way I'd catch whatever you throw at me with my mouth."Ling'e turned her head away, knowing her Senior Brother was serious and trying to stifle her laughter.

"Uncle-Master, please take this matter seriously," Li Changshou said. "I rarely dream, and the few times I have, they've been remarkably accurate."

Jiu Jiu hesitated slightly, then whispered, "But to disturb Fourth Senior Sister's seclusion just because of your dream... Alright then, I'll try to wake Fourth Senior Sister."

Li Changshou added, "For this matter, Uncle-Master, please say it was something you saw in a dream.""Why? Are you afraid of being scolded?""It's not that I'm afraid of being scolded; it's that it could easily lead to misunderstandings... Besides, I really don't want to attract any more attention within the sect."

Jiu Jiu scoffed with a laugh, playfully scolding, "As if everyone is eager to watch you! I'll go call Fourth Senior Sister now. Wait for me here! We'll play God of War together when I get back!"

Li Changshou and Ling'e agreed simultaneously. Jiu Jiu yawned and flew off into the sky on her large gourd.

As soon as Jiu Jiu left, Ling'e approached with her hands behind her back and gently nudged Li Changshou with her slender shoulder."Senior Brother, is it true or false?""What?""About dreaming that Uncle-Master Jiu Wu was being chased by several strong men.""The dream, of course, is false."

Li Changshou stood with his hands behind his back, a hint of helplessness in his expression, and transmitted his voice:"But something going wrong, that could be true. Go back and pack your belongings, take all your useful items with you."

Ling'e was stunned for a moment. "What's wrong, Senior Brother?""Just in case," Li Changshou narrowed his eyes slightly, a divine light flickering within them. "It's always best to have several preparations in advance for anything."

Lan Ling'e pursed her lips, blinked, nodded in agreement, and hurried back to her thatched cottage.

***

The pebble Li Changshou cast caused ripples throughout the Immortal Ascension Sect.

Jiu Jiu returned to Breaking Heavens Peak and told Jiu Shi about 'her dream of Fifth Senior Brother being chased by a group of strong men'. Although Jiu Shi's enlightenment was disturbed, she showed no displeasure. In front of Jiu Jiu, she took out the 'Thousand Miles Thread' communication talisman, which she had refined with Jiu Wu...But there was no response.

Jiu Shi was startled, then produced a precious mirror. This mirror, named the 'Concentric Treasure Mirror', contained Jiu Wu's heart-blood. By activating it, one could see what Jiu Wu was currently experiencing. —It was truly an essential item for checking on one's Dao companion and preventing interference in their relationship.

However, Jiu Shi activated the mirror several times with no reaction. By this point, Jiu Shi was growing anxious and quickly pulled Jiu Jiu along to seek help from their Master.

Within half an hour, urgent bells rang from Breaking Heavens Peak. A powerful aura suddenly emanated from the peak, and a figure shrouded in green light shot out from the mountain-protecting formation, hurtling westward! Shortly after, four more figures burst forth from the formation, standing in a formation facing the four cardinal directions. Among these four, one was Revered Master Forgetfulness, whom Li Changshou knew relatively well.

At the same time, wisps of Heaven Immortal aura appeared on various peaks, indicating that the sect's elders had been alerted. The one who had just soared into the sky, flying towards Central Divine Continent, was none other than the Immortal Ascension Sect's... Sect Master.

Standing in front of his thatched cottage, Li Changshou carefully sensed for a moment and detected the profound Dao rhyme unique to the Golden Immortal Longevity realm. As expected, the Immortal Ascension Sect had a Golden Immortal! A Golden Immortal is an immortal of longevity, whose path has received the approval of the Heavenly Dao. Barring catastrophe, they can live alongside the Dao, immortal and undying. However, the Golden Immortal realm is a very ambiguous stage; there are significant differences between Golden Immortals, and their abilities can vary wildly. The Dao realm merely serves as a foundation, merely granting one the 'ticket' to become a master. Divine abilities and treasures are the main factors determining a Golden Immortal's combat prowess. Their own Sect Master's Golden Immortal realm was naturally far from comparable to the renowned Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan School.

Moreover, the Twelve Golden Immortals of the Chan School had 'debuted on the Great Desolation stage' half a kalpa ago, and back then, they were merely collectively referred to as the Twelve Golden Immortals. Those who, like Guangchengzi and Chijingzi, joined the Saint's lineage earlier, should have already reached the Grand Unity Golden Immortal realm. —Grand Unity Golden Immortals are also considered Golden Immortals; 'Grand Unity' signifies the perfection of one's Dao, making them immune to minor calamities but unable to escape major ones. Most of the Eight Inner and Outer Disciples of the Jie School and the Seven Immortals Attending should also be at the Grand Unity realm.

As these thoughts quickly flashed through his mind, Li Changshou also felt a pang of concern for Uncle-Master Jiu Wu. Uncle-Master Jiu Wu was only at the True Immortal realm; in the Great Desolation, he wasn't even significant enough to be called 'cannon fodder'. If something truly unexpected or catastrophic occurred, it wouldn't be surprising at all. The Great Desolation was indeed that perilous.

"Senior Brother, did something really happen to Uncle-Master Jiu Wu?" Ling'e asked worriedly."Yes," Li Changshou replied calmly. "You don't need to worry. If this involves the Three Sects, the Human Sect will also have experts protecting the Immortal Ascension Sect..."

No sooner had he spoken than Jiu Jiu rushed over from Breaking Heavens Peak. Before her feet touched the ground, she urgently called out to the Senior Brother and Junior Sister standing in front of the thatched cottage:"Changshou! Ling'e! Something's happened!"

Li Changshou's brows furrowed, and he quickly asked, "What happened? Uncle-Master, please speak slowly."How could Jiu Jiu slow down now? She said urgently:"Fifth Senior Brother's communication talisman can't be reached for now. Out of the communication talismans of the other two elders and two deacons, only one connected! But all we heard was the sound of a fight! This incident has already alarmed the Sect Master and several Grand Elders. The Sect Master has already left seclusion for Central Divine Continent, and we've contacted the Golden Palace Sect, who have agreed to send a large number of experts to search..."

Li Changshou quickly said, "If that's the case, there's even less need to rush. Uncle-Master, please sit inside and rest. We're too far away to be of any help.""How can I not rush? I'm practically dying of anxiety."

Jiu Jiu stomped her foot, spun around a few times, then looked at Li Changshou with a hint of apology in her eyes, whispering:"I shouldn't have been so anxious with you. Thank you, Changshou. If you hadn't dreamed about it, things might have been much worse."

Li Changshou sighed, "Uncle-Master Jiu Wu and I have a deep friendship; there's no need to thank me for this. But Uncle-Master, remember, you must continue to say that you dreamed it.""Yes, I know..."

Jiu Jiu looked at Li Changshou, then stammered, "Actually, there's still something I'd like to trouble you with.""What is it?"

Jiu Jiu frowned and asked, "Could you... go to sleep again and see if you can have another dream about what's happening over there? I know this is a bit much to ask; dreaming relies on feeling and luck... but..."

Li Changshou immediately nodded and said, "Alright, I'll try to dream about it now. Ling'e, please keep Uncle-Master company and try to calm her down.""Thank you, little Changshou..."

Jiu Jiu murmured, her face looking a little haggard from anxiety. Li Changshou acknowledged her, then headed towards his thatched cottage. Ling'e stepped forward, took Jiu Jiu's arm, and offered gentle comfort.

Of course, Li Changshou couldn't dream anything. He simply returned to his cottage, lay on his bed, and calmly analyzed the potential troubles the Immortal Ascension Sect might face and the likely future developments of the situation. In Li Changshou's view, worry was actually the most useless emotion. It was even less effective than being overwhelmed or raging in helpless frustration.

This time, Li Changshou hadn't anticipated that he would, in a way, secretly save Jiu Wu and two elders of the sect. After the poisoned pill was used, Li Changshou quickly informed Jiu Jiu. When Jiu Jiu and Jiu Shi realized that Jiu Wu might be in trouble, they immediately notified the sect. Upon confirming that all those traveling with Jiu Wu had lost contact, the sect reported the matter to the Sect Master.

Immediately, the Immortal Ascension Sect Master emerged from seclusion and swiftly headed to Central Divine Continent, while Grand Elders contacted their acquaintances in the Golden Palace Sect. Within moments, experts dispatched by the Golden Palace Sect located a grand formation that concealed detection, a thousand miles from the Golden Palace Sect's main gate. Inside the formation, they found the Immortal Ascension Sect party under siege. Several experts charged directly, capturing their attackers, deliberately leaving some alive. However, at the moment of capture, the attackers' primordial spirits strangely shriveled.

As for the group of five from the Immortal Ascension Sect, who were found there for reasons unknown, both Heaven Immortal elders were wounded, Jiu Wu was gravely injured, and the other two True Immortal deacons... had perished.

All the sects of the Three Religions were enraged! Who died wasn't important; what mattered was that this was a blatant insult to their immortal sects of the Three Religions! Experts from several Dao lineages of the Human Sect immediately stepped forward, protected Jiu Wu and the others, and vowed to thoroughly investigate the attack on the Immortal Ascension Sect party.

When Li Changshou received this news from Jiu Jiu, Jiu Wu and the two elders were already being escorted back to the Immortal Ascension Sect by the Sect Master and other Human Sect experts. The cause of the incident and the identities of the attackers were still under investigation.

Li Changshou stood before the pill refinery, exhaling softly. He hadn't expected these occasional ingenious little items to actually prove useful at crucial moments. He should make more of them in the future. Also, the underground escape formation beneath Little Qiong Peak and the construction of a safe room truly needed to be prioritized soon.