Li Yang slowly came to, then gradually opened his eyes. Before him were an old man, a little girl, and a young man with a bruised face and bumps all over his head.
The three of them surrounded him, their faces full of worry.
"What is this..."
Seeing the confusion in Li Yang's eyes and hearing it in his voice, Qi Yuan cursed angrily.
"Changshou, look at what you've done! You've turned your Junior Brother into an idiot. If anything happens to him, I'll never let you off!"
Li Changshou, bruised and covered in bumps, chuckled sheepishly and hurried to explain, "It's fine, Master. You know how this Soft Immortal Powder works. The little Junior Brother will be back to normal soon."
And just as Li Changshou had said, as Li Yang's thoughts began to clear, he soon figured out what was going on.
That young man with the bruised face and bumps all over his head was probably his Senior Disciple Brother—and the protagonist, Li Changshou, who was as steady as an old dog.
It seemed his Senior Disciple Brother had still been beaten by their Master.
But the injuries were probably fake. He was just putting on a pitiful act for their Master.
"Master, what happened to me?"
Li Yang had woken up quickly, but he was still a little weak.
The Soft Immortal Powder was no joke. In the Original Novel, Master had been affected for quite a while after being dosed, and had even made a fool of himself.
"Yang'er, how are you feeling now?"
Hearing Li Yang's voice, Qi Yuan flashed to his side and asked with a worried expression.
"Master, I have no strength. Am I going to die?"
Li Yang acted aggrieved, looking pitiful as if he thought he was about to die.
That only made Qi Yuan angrier. Li Changshou had actually used such a strong dose on a child.
Still, he held back and gently stroked Li Yang's head, soothing him. "Don't worry, good boy. You're not dying. Your Senior Disciple Brother poisoned you, that's all. You'll feel better soon!"
"Really? You're not lying to me, are you, Master? When I was in the city, lots of my friends got sick. Their parents all said they'd be fine, but many of them died!"
Qi Yuan's anger continued to rise, but he remained kind to Li Yang.
"It's fine. Did you forget that your Master is an immortal? If I say you'll be fine, you'll be fine!"
Li Yang believed Qi Yuan, his expression earnest.
"Mm, I believe you, Master."
Qi Yuan was deeply moved. What a good child.
Damn Li Changshou.
He tucked Li Yang into bed and gently told him, "All right, good disciple. Get some rest. Your Master and your Senior Disciple Brother are going outside for a little chat."
"Mm!"
Then he turned to Ling'e. "Ling'e, stay here and look after your little Senior Brother."
"Yes, Master!"
Little Ling'e nodded firmly, looking so serious that she was adorable.
Once he was done, a cold glint flashed in Qi Yuan's eyes as he turned toward Li Changshou, who had already slipped to the doorway. His voice was icy.
"Li! Chang! Shou!"
"M-Master."
Li Changshou's hair stood on end. He plastered on a smile, then turned and bolted through the door.
Before long, screams came from outside.
"Ah! Master, let's talk this out!"
"Oh! Master, that Dust Whisk is a magical artifact! It hurts like hell when you hit someone with it!"
"Ugh! Master, I'm your disciple too! You can't neglect the older one just because you have a younger one, Master!"
The cries and comical tone made little Ling'e forget her Master's instructions. She abandoned Li Yang and ran to the doorway to watch.
"Gigglegiggle!"
Her laughter rang out like silver bells, instantly bringing a livelier mood to Lesser Qiong Peak.
For the first time in over a hundred years, it felt like a home again!
Not long afterward, Qi Yuan returned to the Thatched Cottage with Li Changshou, who looked even worse than before.
Seeing that Li Yang had recovered, he gave Li Changshou an instruction.
"I need to meditate on the supreme Dao. Take my token and bring the two of them to the main peak to register, then collect their identity tokens as official disciples and their monthly stipends!"
With that, he flung his sleeve angrily and disappeared in a wisp of green smoke.
Li Changshou bowed respectfully, observing every courtesy. "Take care, Master!"
"Hmph!"
All he got in reply was a cold snort.
Only after a good while did Li Changshou straighten up. His body shifted, and his injuries and disheveled appearance vanished.
Seeing Ling'e staring in utter shock, he was very pleased.
But why did that kid Li Yang look like he'd expected this?
If he hadn't carefully examined the two of them, he might have thought Li Yang had been possessed.
He asked Li Yang, "What, you're not surprised?"
Li Yang answered solemnly, "Senior Brother, you were able to poison Master, so you must be an immortal too. What's so strange about being able to change your appearance?
"But poisoning Master and deceiving him like this—isn't that disrespectful?"
Looking at Li Yang's serious little face and hearing his utterly matter-of-fact criticism, Li Changshou was stunned.
Seriously.
How did this little fellow manage to be so old at such a young age?
We're disciples of the Human Teachings. You'd be more suited to the Elucidation Teachings!
Of course, Li Changshou only muttered that to himself. He took out two pills and handed one to each of them.
"These are Qi Nurturing Breath Condensing Pills. They aren't poisonous, and their effects are gentle. Even mortals who haven't begun cultivating can take them to replenish their energy. Consider them my apology."
"Thank you, Senior Brother!"
The two accepted the pills and put them in their mouths.
The pills melted on their tongues, like a mouthful of clear, sweet spring water, instantly refreshing them.
Afterward, Li Changshou showed them around Lesser Qiong Peak so they could get familiar with the place. He also entrusted Lan Ling'e with one of the peak's important assets, the Spirit Fish.
He even put on a caring Senior Brother act. "If you like, I'll leave the daily fish-feeding duty to you from now on."
Wasn't he just dumping chores on her so he could spend more time cultivating?
As for Li Yang?
He hadn't tried to fool him.
That kid was too sharp. He'd seen right through Li Changshou's little trick with Ling'e.
This Senior Disciple Brother sure had no dignity.
Still, perhaps it was for the best. With such a mature little fellow around, Lesser Qiong Peak would have fewer problems in the future.
Li Yang could handle plenty of matters himself.
Thinking about it that way, Li Changshou felt pleased. He'd have more time to cultivate.
Meanwhile, Li Yang followed behind Li Changshou with an air of solemn maturity, listening to his instructions.
He learned all about the social niceties of the cultivation world, such as how he shouldn't show up to register empty-handed and should bring a gift.
Then Li Changshou took the two of them to tour the medicinal garden, carefully explaining the types and uses of hundreds of Spiritual Medicines.
He also showed them where to build their Thatched Cottages.
After finishing all that, he took Li Yang and Lan Ling'e to register at the Hall of Affairs on Sky Breaking Peak. Along the way, he taught them the rules for Sky Riding within the sect.
"When Sky Riding within the sect, you shouldn't fly too low or too high.
"Important seniors from the sect often pass overhead. Running into them head-on could be offensive...
"Fly too low, and you might pass over areas with buildings on other peaks. The sect may seem peaceful on the surface, but there's competition behind the scenes.
"If you fly too low, they could easily target you...
"So, after a hundred years of trial and error, I've worked out the best height for Sky Riding within the sect.
"From our home, you should rise thirty to fifty zhang..."
Li Changshou talked at length, and Li Yang listened attentively.
Compared with the Original Novel, Li Changshou said more in person, and explained things in greater detail.
All of it was extremely useful to Li Yang, who wanted to keep a low profile.
After a steady stream of reminders along the way, the three reached the Immortal Crossing Sect's office on Sky Breaking Peak.
People came and went, but not one of them glanced their way.
Li Changshou told Li Yang and Lan Ling'e, "Remember this: avoiding attention and keeping a low profile are the best ways to avoid Karma.
"I've improved a Daoist art that hides your presence. Once you've learned the basics of cultivation, I'll teach it to you!"
The three then went to the Hall of Hundred Affairs, where Li Changshou demonstrated the social niceties of the cultivation world to Li Yang and Lan Ling'e.
Two Spirit Fish were deftly slipped into the sleeve of the middle-aged Daoist responsible for the sect's registration.
After they finished registering, the three returned to Lesser Qiong Peak.
By then, Master Qi Yuan was waiting for them.
When Li Yang and the others returned, he brought Li Yang and Lan Ling'e to his side and began teaching them the fundamentals of the One Qi True Heaven Art.
As Li Yang finished his first session of sitting meditation and Qi Refining, a streak of light flashed before his eyes, and several lines of information rapidly scrolled by.
[Detected cultivation] [Entry System binding in progress] [Entry System binding successful] [Drawing entry] [Entry drawn successfully] [Current entry: Work-Life Balance]
Is this... my cheat?
Li Yang was ecstatic.
My cheat has finally arrived!
With it, I'll be able to survive better in this Primordial Wilderness.
Li Yang calmed his emotions and focused his mind. A system interface appeared in his thoughts.
[Name]: Li Yang [Birthplace]: Primordial Wilderness [Lineage]: Immortal Crossing Sect [Cultivation]: Qi Refining First Stage [Entry 1]: Work-Life Balance (The longer the rest period, the better the cultivation results. Current rest period: 0) [Entry 2]: Locked (Unlocks at Origin Immortal Stage)
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