After everyone left.
The hall became very quiet.
After a while.
Lu Changsheng looked at Qingyun Daoist.
The latter was still seriously pondering other matters. Only after noticing Lu Changsheng's gaze did Qingyun Daoist come back to himself and look at him.
"Disciple, your master knows that you keep a low profile, have a steady temperament, and never fight or scramble for things. But this matter is also good for the Daoist sects. Besides, they were so earnest in their invitation that your master had no choice but to trouble you with a trip down the mountain."
Qingyun Daoist spoke calmly.
"Master, it's one thing for others not to know my realm, but why are you joining in this nonsense too?"
Lu Changsheng truly felt like crying without tears.
Going down the mountain was not impossible.
But Lu Changsheng's plan had been to lie low in the sect for several hundred years. After all, in this world of immortal cultivation, any random old Daoist could be thousands of years old. Once he had grown strong enough, he could go down the mountain and travel around showing off. Wouldn't that be perfect?
Being suddenly sent down the mountain like this was more than Lu Changsheng could bear.
Yet in Qingyun Daoist's eyes, Lu Changsheng's words were merely excuses.
"Changsheng, I have no choice but to criticize you on this point. Being cautious and prudent is a good thing, but one cannot be overly cautious in everything, or it will be difficult to establish confidence."
"Besides, you are the Eldest Senior Brother of my Great Luo Holy Land, the Sage of Literature of this age, and the Teacher of the Buddha's Disciple. Whether in fortune or strength, how many people under heaven would dare trouble you?"
"Even an unparalleled great demon would have to weigh its strength before touching a single hair on your head. What are you worried about? What are you afraid of?"
That was what Qingyun Daoist said.
"Master, I really don't want to go."
Lu Changsheng was still unwilling. It all sounded nice, but once outside, who could guarantee that he would not encounter danger?
They made it sound so good now—who would dare touch him?
But if danger truly came, Lu Changsheng feared Qingyun Daoist would be left weeping and saying, "The white-haired sending off the black-haired."
"You cannot refuse now. The matter has already been agreed to. If you do not go, would we not become the laughingstock of the world?"
Qingyun Daoist said with a resolute expression.
However, seeing Lu Changsheng remain silent, Qingyun Daoist immediately added, "But do not worry. Your master will arrange for several elders to accompany you and protect your safety. What do you think?"
That finally sounded like something a human would say.
But Lu Changsheng still did not really want to go.
Still, judging by the situation, refusing was impossible. He could only grit his teeth and make a trip down the mountain.
Sigh.
Life.
Its joys and sorrows truly changed without warning.
An hour later.
Lu Changsheng returned to the main peak.
His feelings were complicated, as though his Lineage were arranging his wedding.
Inside the hall, Lu Changsheng seriously considered how to escape this calamity.
For example, he could get diarrhea on the day of departure. Or pretend to have a cold.
But after thinking about it, that was unlikely to work. This was an immortal sect; even someone at death's door could be saved, much less someone faking illness.
What about cutting himself with a blade?
That was a little too ruthless. Better not.
Betray the sect?
No. If he were caught, he would probably be beaten to death.
Swap a civet cat for the Crown Prince?
That would not work either. If discovered, he would still be beaten to death.
What if he came clean? Stopped pretending?
Lu Changsheng felt as though he had found a solution.
But on careful consideration, if he truly came clean, no one would believe him.
Ah, why was this so vexing?
Lu Changsheng, why did you have to be so handsome?
Why?
Why?
Why exactly?
Why were you so handsome yet so terrible at cultivation, while those people were so ugly yet cultivated so well?
Lu Changsheng sank into deep regret.
He hated it.
He hated how shallow the people of this world were.
Was being handsome really that important?
Did being this handsome mean he deserved to be misunderstood?
Who said handsome men were bound to be good at cultivation?
He pinched the bridge of his nose.
Lu Changsheng sighed. He was sick of this shallow world.
He was deeply troubled, and a question arose in his mind.
Did all handsome people suffer from such troubles?
Just then.
There came a knock at the door.
"Come in."
Very soon, Liu Qingfeng poked his head in, looking somewhat furtive and shifty-eyed.
"Eldest Senior Brother! Good news, good news!"
Liu Qingfeng rushed in excitedly, his face brimming with delight.
For some reason, Lu Changsheng always felt Liu Qingfeng was a walking trap. It was an inexplicable instinct, though the fellow looked utterly harmless.
"What is it?"
Lu Changsheng asked calmly.
"I heard you are about to be appointed the Daoist Eldest Senior Brother of all under heaven?"
It had to be said that Liu Qingfeng obtained information quickly. The matter had only just happened, yet he already knew.
"Mm."
Lu Changsheng projected an icy, aloof demeanor, though in truth his mood was terrible.
"Eldest Senior Brother is mighty!"
Liu Qingfeng did not stint on the flattery.
"If you have something to say, say it quickly."
Lu Changsheng was not in the mood to talk about this.
Liu Qingfeng was already familiar with Lu Changsheng's temperament, so he did not take offense. Still smiling broadly, he said, "Senior Brother, that Great Strength Pill you gave me some days ago really worked wonders."
Liu Qingfeng brought up the pill.
"It is the Vajra Glazed Pill."
Lu Changsheng reminded him.
"Right, right, right, the Vajra Glazed Pill. We all took one, and found that our strength increased by more than tenfold. The effect was unbelievably good. With this pill, at the Worldly Grand Gathering in a few days, we can definitely seize first place."
That was what Liu Qingfeng said.
"Does it have any side effects?"
At the mention of pills, Lu Changsheng perked up slightly.
"Side effects? It really does not have any. If I had to name one, it would be that our appetites have increased greatly."
Liu Qingfeng answered seriously.
Their appetites had increased greatly?
That was exactly what Li Chun had said.
And being able to eat was a blessing, not really a side effect.
Very good, very nice!
"At what realm does this pill stop working, then?"
Lu Changsheng continued asking.
"It should stop working at the Nascent Soul Realm. I found several senior brothers in the Nascent Soul Realm and had them take it, but they felt nothing at all."
Liu Qingfeng answered.
"The Nascent Soul Realm?" Lu Changsheng muttered inwardly, then could not help asking, "You took out a pill for no reason. Why would they eat it? Were they not afraid?"
"No. I directly told them it was a pill refined by you. The moment they heard that, they fought to eat it. Every one of them said the medicine had miraculous effects. One was even more exaggerated—only a few days after taking it, he broke through his realm."
Liu Qingfeng said bluntly.
"Broke through his realm? This is a Vajra Glazed Pill, not a Realm-Breaking Pill. How could it help someone break through?"
Lu Changsheng was a little surprised.
"Exactly. That was what I thought too, but they said the pill had been tainted with a trace of your immortal aura and contained fragments of insight into the Great Dao. They made it sound all misty and clouded."
Liu Qingfeng answered.
Uh.
Lu Changsheng did not know what to say.
"Senior Brother, you do not know this, but many people have gathered below our main peak."
"What have so many people gathered there for?"
"To inhale immortal aura. They all want to break through their realms. Some ruthless senior brothers have even given up their cave dwellings and sit meditating beside our main peak every day. From time to time, someone claims to have attained enlightenment, then breaks through."
That was what Liu Qingfeng said.
"Do you believe it?"
Lu Changsheng did not know what to say, so he could only ask this.
"Of course I do not believe it."
Liu Qingfeng's answer gave Lu Changsheng a little comfort. At least there was still one normal person.
"Senior Brother, do you have any other instructions?"
After a while, Liu Qingfeng asked.
"Nothing." Lu Changsheng was exhausted, but he quickly added, "I will be refining pills these days. Stay by my side and watch."
"Alright! This Junior Brother will spare no effort."
Liu Qingfeng nodded.
Immediately afterward, he took out a Universe Pouch and formed a Mystical Technique with his fingers. In an instant, all the surrounding air was sucked into the pouch.
"What are you doing?"
Lu Changsheng was somewhat puzzled.
"Inhaling immortal aura."
Liu Qingfeng answered very seriously.
"Didn't you say you didn't believe it?"
"I do not believe that there is any immortal aura below the main peak. The immortal aura is all inside this hall. Senior Brother, do not worry, I will not take this immortal aura out to sell. I am only taking it back to my Household for my own use. Rest assured."
Liu Qingfeng said seriously.
"Get out!"
At that moment, Lu Changsheng could not endure it any longer.
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