The Tribulation Crossing Plan, Departure

"Yuan Qing..."

Jiu Wu hesitated for a moment, then chose to speak the truth.

"Can't calculate him, can't find his trail—only two possibilities. One is that he's already dead, but he had an Origin Immortal guard by his side, so he shouldn't have died so easily. Besides, there's no trace of excessive battle, so..."

At this point, Yuan Qing's master, Daoist Lin Qi, could no longer play dumb. He directly stated the second possibility.

"So it can only be the second possibility—he fled out of guilt!"

"Mm!"

This was something everyone could accept, or at least understand.

In their view, after Yuan Qing made his move and failed to find Youqin Xuanya, fearing exposure, he naturally would run.

After all, Yuan Qing had dragged the struggles of mortal royalty into the Immortal Crossing Sect, and on top of that, he had attacked a fellow disciple. The grave crimes he committed were already punishable by death.

By fleeing, he might still survive.

Given such a choice, it was hardly surprising.

"Sigh!" Daoist Lin Qi couldn't help but let out a long sigh. "This Poor Daoist lacked discernment in taking on a disciple. I will go accept punishment upon returning to the mountain."

Jiu Wu heard this and tried to console him: "That boy was deep-minded and crooked at heart. He had been scheming long before he even entered the sect. Besides, Junior Brother took him as a disciple directly during the Mountain Opening Ceremony—it's not your fault."

Daoist Lin Qi shook his head with a gloomy expression, saying nothing more.

"Forget it, let's not delay this any further. Let's head back."

Youqin Xuanya's master, Jiang Jingshan, began to urge everyone onward.

Though she had seen that her disciple had even gained a few pounds when they met, she also learned from Youqin Xuanya just how perilous the situation had been. If not for Li Yang, she didn't know what her disciple might have suffered.

"Junior Disciple Li Yang, Xuanya owes her safe escape to you this time. Feel free to visit Sky Breaking Peak whenever you have time."

Li Yang quickly replied, "Saving a fellow disciple is only right."

"Mm!" Jiang Jingshan gave a light hum, then urged the group again.

Her disciple had suffered such an injustice for no reason—she naturally wouldn't let it go. And since the culprit Yuan Qing had fled, that was even more intolerable.

Who was she? A disciple of the sect leader, a True Immortal, possessing many treasures, and with a Heavenly Immortal realm Dao companion who treated her with mutual respect. Wouldn't she uproot the mortal forces behind Yuan Qing, leaving no future trouble?

So, before they even set off, she had already sent a message to her Dao companion, asking him to find a few idle fellow disciples so they could depart immediately after she returned to the mountain.

Watching her decisive and swift manner, Li Yang and Li Changshou—these two old sixth disciples—wiped cold sweat from their brows.

Never offend a woman, especially a beautiful one, and especially one with a powerful backing.

Thus, before leaving, Youqin Xuanya came specifically to Li Yang and, while he stood there dumbfounded, spoke these words.

"Junior Brother, after we return, I'd still like to hear about Lesser Qiong Peak's Three Marvels."

Killing Qi!

A bead of sweat dripped from Li Yang's temple. He didn't need to turn around to know that his senior brother's murderous gaze was already fixed on him.

He awkwardly cupped his hands and said, "Of course. If Junior Brother has the time, I'd be happy to tell Senior Sister about them."

Jiang Jingshan, watching her disciple act this way and then looking at the rather handsome Li Yang, found herself inexplicably warming up to him the more she looked.

Li Yang had only been cultivating for ten years and had already reached the Ninth Stage of Spirit Transformation. With her own disciple...

Thinking this, she suddenly revealed a hint of an auntie's smile, but quickly withdrew it, as if it had been an illusion. Still, she said nothing more—she would need to observe further.

"Xuanya, let's go."

"Yes, Master!"

And so, Youqin Xuanya's master Jiang Jingshan, Yuan Qing's master Lin Qi, Jiu Wu, and Fairy Jiujiu all sped back to the Immortal Crossing Sect at full speed. Some had to confess their faults, some had to accept punishment, and some were eager to return for revenge.

As for Li Yang, he and his master, senior brother, along with the two master-disciple pairs of Liu Yan'er and Wang Qi, followed behind at a leisurely pace.

On the Auspicious Cloud, Li Changshou's expression was calm, but his voice transmission carried a hint of chill.

"Junior Brother, what does 'Lesser Qiong Peak's Three Marvels' mean?"

Li Yang looked everywhere but at him, having no intention of answering directly. Instead, he asked, "Senior Brother, did you find the Immortal Solace Grass?"

"Found it," Li Changshou replied instinctively, then scolded, "Don't change the subject."

Li Yang: "Senior Brother, who are you planning to have refine the Melting Immortal Pill?"

Li Changshou: "I'll ask Martial Aunt Jiujiu, a True Immortal... No, I'll refine it myself... Stop dodging the topic."

Li Yang: "I recall that refining the Melting Immortal Pill isn't too complicated. Asking a True Immortal for help and preparing several sets of materials should get it done, but that method isn't reliable. So, Senior Brother, you mean to refine it yourself.

But have you considered, Senior Brother? You have some skill with concocting sedatives, and your poison-making isn't bad either. But when it comes to alchemy, especially poison pills, I think I have more say.

So, won't you consider it?"

Li Changshou: "I already considered it long ago. I just always thought you were at the Void Refining Realm, so I ruled you out. Now it seems I really can bring you back in."

Li Yang: "Thank you for your trust, Senior Brother. This time, I plan to achieve immortality outside. It will take at most half a year. I wonder if Senior Brother is willing to wait?

After all, once I become an immortal, I'll be even more confident in refining the Melting Immortal Pill!"

Li Changshou's originally expressionless face suddenly furrowed. He continued transmitting, "Junior Brother, do you really have to undergo the tribulation? You're being too hasty!"

Li Yang glanced at Youqin Xuanya and her group, who had long since vanished from sight, and let out a bitter laugh in his heart. He had no choice.

Seventy percent, ninety-eight percent, even one hundred percent—none of it mattered now. What counted was the Heavenly Dao.

Perhaps, as early as the moment he first crossed over, he had already been marked.

"Senior Brother, I must become an immortal. There is no room for negotiation."

Li Changshou sensed Li Yang's resolve and knew his junior brother was not usually so impatient.

At least on this trip, Li Yang had said he was going to transcend tribulation and become an immortal, yet he hadn't shown much urgency.

Now, this meant something extraordinary must have happened, forcing him to gamble.

And Li Yang wasn't telling him what it was—that only made the problem clearer.

That mysterious thing, or event, or whatever else it might be, posed a massive threat to him as well.

Thinking this over, Li Changshou kept his expression calm.

"Since that's the case, we'll do as you say. But if you fail the tribulation and perish—body and soul—what then?"

Li Yang said, "Then Senior Brother, you should make more preparations. Martial Uncle Jiu Jiu would be a fine choice."

Li Changshou had naturally considered Martial Aunt Jiujiu as well, but now he was thinking about his junior brother.

His junior brother had been full of confidence before. To say something like this now clearly meant he was preparing for multiple contingencies.

That made the matter even graver.

With this thought, a sense of urgency rose in Li Changshou's heart. He felt he needed to speed up his own actions.

"Junior Brother, we'll do as you say. I'll wait for you."

Li Yang hummed in acknowledgment and transmitted his voice: "Senior Brother, when the group is about to reach the sect, my True Body will leave the formation. Take my Avatar back to Lesser Qiong Peak. Then I'll go into seclusion under the pretext of closed-door cultivation. I'll trouble Senior Brother to cover for me."

A faint glimmer flickered in Li Changshou's eyes. The Return to Dao Ninth Stage had a limited range for controlling an Avatar. If his junior brother said this, it meant the Avatar would soon lose its connection.

That meant the tribulation site Li Yang had chosen was necessarily far from Immortal Crossing Sect.

"Agreed!"

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

When the group was about to reach Immortal Crossing Sect, Li Changshou keenly sensed that the junior brother on the Auspicious Cloud had changed.

He turned his head to look into the distance, then looked back, silently offering his blessing in his heart.

"May this journey grant you eternal immortal fortune, and may your Great Dao flourish forever!!!"