Lan Ling'e: Senior Brothers, Steady the Hell Up

Just as Jiu Wu was hesitating, Li Changshou emerged from seclusion.

"Greetings, Martial Uncle!"

"It's Changshou!"

Seeing Li Changshou exit seclusion, Jiu Wu's lingering hesitation dissipated, and he called out to Li Changshou.

"Changshou, do you still have any of that Old White Dry of Ganges Water?"

The Old White Dry of Ganges Water was the liquor Li Changshou had once promised to Martial Uncle Jiu Jiu. Though it had never been used for Jiu Jiu in the end, a promise made was a promise to be kept.

And naturally, this Old White Dry of Ganges Water had caught Jiu Wu's eye as well.

Li Changshou gave a helpless smile and took out two jars of fine wine.

"Martial Uncle, there isn't much of this wine left. Please drink it slowly."

"Don't worry, I won't drink your wine for nothing."

Jiu Wu casually tossed a jade token to Li Changshou. "This is for you and Li Yang. Take a look."

Li Changshou caught it, extended a sliver of his spiritual sense to inspect it, and was immediately startled.

"Martial Uncle, the upper volume of the Scripture of Non-Action? This... is it appropriate?"

At these words, Lan Ling'e, who had been eavesdropping with perked ears, instantly sidled over.

Li Changshou helplessly pushed away Lan Ling'e's face as it drew close, then listened attentively to Jiu Wu's explanation.

"What's inappropriate about it? The sect has an unwritten rule: the top twenty disciples of each generation can study the upper volume of the Scripture of Non-Action in advance. The rest have to wait until they become immortals.

Besides, your cultivation is now at Return to Void Seventh Stage, and Li Yang is already at Return to Void Sixth Stage. That definitely ranks you both in the top ten within the sect. No problem—just take it.

As for Li Yang's copy, give it to him when he comes out of seclusion. That saves me the trouble of running back and forth."

Li Changshou listened and promptly accepted with respect: "Thank you, Martial Uncle. This disciple accepts the order."

"Mm!" Jiu Wu nodded solemnly. "Since that matter is settled, let's talk about another big issue—the Monster Quelling Assembly hosted by the East Sea Dragon Palace!"

Li Changshou cupped his hands and listened quietly, not interrupting at all. Since he was already preparing to head to the East Sea, he naturally wouldn't refuse this matter.

"To be honest, I didn't want to trouble you two brothers with this Monster Quelling Assembly. But you know how it is—this generation of disciples, for some reason, their brains are more or less flawed. Before even becoming immortals, they're already fussing over romance, kissing junior brothers and junior sisters—it's truly headache-inducing.

Their minds aren't sharp, none of them are clever. Even Yuan Qing, the most experienced among them, went missing after attacking fellow disciples. I really have no choice!

You need to understand—this trip to the East Sea Coast involves not just the East Sea Dragon Palace, but also several immortal sects that don't get along with us. They might send disciples to deliberately cause trouble.

Trouble isn't the fear—it's that these disciples might be provoked easily, make a fool of themselves, and disgrace the Immortal Crossing Sect's face. That's why I thought of you.

After all, word in the sect has it that Lesser Qiong Peak has Three Marvels. The first marvel is your mastery of knockout drugs, Li Changshou—so seamless that no one can guard against it.

Everyone says you're not exactly proper...

Ahem, they all say you're deeply reserved, steady in conduct, resourceful, and have the bearing of a commander.

So for this East Sea trip, the original intention was to invite all three of you from Lesser Qiong Peak to come along. When necessary, you could remind the other disciples and keep them from falling into the enemy's traps.

As for safety, this time This Poor Daoist's master will personally lead the team, with many sect elders accompanying us. You don't need to worry about a repeat of what happened last time in Northern Juru Continent.

What do you say?"

Li Changshou lowered his head in thought, temporarily setting aside the matter of Lesser Qiong Peak's Three Marvels. He'd settle that score with Li Yang once his junior brother recovered.

Besides, the fact that Martial Uncle Jiu Wu had come bearing the Scripture of Non-Action already spoke volumes. He couldn't refuse, nor did he want to.

But this trip involved his junior brother, and his junior brother's condition couldn't be made public—that was a bit troublesome.

Li Changshou subconsciously rubbed the jade token and finally made up his mind: "Martial Uncle, this disciple and Ling'e have no issues, but Li Yang probably won't be able to go."

"Oh? What's the matter?"

Li Changshou found an excuse: "Once Junior Brother gains some insight, he gets lost in cultivation and no one knows when he'll emerge. Based on past experience, this time is too short before the East Sea trip—he might not come out in time.

So about the Scripture of Non-Action..."

Jiu Wu frowned. He didn't understand—how could a single closed-door session for a Refining Void cultivator take this long?

"Surely he's not trying to break through to Refining Void in one go?"

It was meant as a rhetorical question, but Li Changshou nodded.

"Last time he went into seclusion like this, he came out straight at Return to Void. This time, breaking through to Return to Dao isn't impossible."

Now it was Jiu Wu's turn to be shocked. His expression shifted uncertainly, and finally he let out a sigh.

"Forget it, then. I won't bother with the ways of prodigies either.

As for the Scripture of Non-Action, leave it with him. I won't take it back—saves trouble if he breaks through and doesn't have it in time.

But if he does come out of seclusion, you need to tell me."

Li Changshou cupped his hands again in salute: "This disciple accepts the order!"

With that, Li Changshou, wincing inwardly, fetched two more jars of Old White Dry of Ganges Water for Jiu Wu, who then left satisfied.

After making sure no one was around, Li Changshou took the Scripture of Non-Action and went to find Li Yang.

"Senior Brother!"

"Alright, there's no need for so many formalities between us. I'll talk, and you listen."

With that, Li Changshou recounted the matter of the East Sea trip to Li Yang and instructed him to put on a show of attempting a breakthrough throughout the coming year.

"No problem."

Li Yang had already decided to never leave the mountain gates after becoming an immortal, let alone now that he was so severely injured. The East Sea trip was completely unnecessary.

Then Li Changshou handed him the Scripture of Non-Action. "Take a look first. After all, this is a supreme immortal scripture; it might be of some use to your injuries."

This Scripture of Non-Action had restrictions—it could only be viewed by one person. Once someone examined it, no one else could.

If Li Changshou read it, then Li Yang would have to wait until after he left, and Jiu Wu would know Li Yang had emerged from seclusion.

"No need, Senior Brother. I can sense your aura is a bit unstable—you're likely on the verge of becoming an immortal. You should read the Scripture of Non-Action.

As for my part, I'll just leave it in front of my thatched hut and look at it after you've left."

Li Changshou didn't agree. "But your injuries..."

Li Yang raised a hand. "It's fine. A year's delay won't matter. Besides, this thing is just a reference; its use isn't as great as you imagine, Senior Brother."

Seeing Li Changshou's disbelief, Li Yang added, "I've already become an immortal. Don't you trust me?"

At this, Li Changshou had no choice but to relent and put away his own Jade Token.

"Since that's the case, we'll do it your way!"

"Thank you, Senior Brother!"

While Li Changshou and Li Yang were talking, Lan Ling'e was idly sipping milk tea when a voice suddenly sounded behind her, startling her so much that she whipped out a Space Blasting Pill.

"Excuse me, is Junior Brother Li Yang living here?"

Lan Ling'e hid her small hand behind her back, clutching the Blasting Pill, and looked at the newcomer.

This was a fairy maiden wearing an ice-blue one-shoulder dress, with a broadsword strapped to her back and her long black hair simply tied up.

"You are... Senior Sister Youqin?!"

Youqin Xuanya looked at the adorable Lan Ling'e and smiled knowingly. "You must be Junior Sister Ling'e. I've heard Junior Brother Li Yang mention you—you're the second of Lesser Qiong Peak's Three Marvels, skilled in..."

Before Youqin Xuanya could finish, a large gourd flew in from the horizon. Before the gourd arrived, a boisterous voice rang out.

"Hahaha, Nephew Changshou, Nephew Li Yang, your beautiful fairy maiden martial uncle is here! Hurry and prepare the wine!"

Seeing this, Lan Ling'e felt a bit weary. What's going on today? Everyone's either looking for Senior Brother or looking for Senior Brother.

And you all talk about being steady all day long.

Bah!

You're anything but steady!!!