Some Pits Cannot Be Avoided

"Changshou! Xuanya!"

"Changshou! Oh my, why did you run off to such a dangerous place?!"

Standing before the rocky cave, Li Changshou watched the two figures swoop down from the clouds and could not help but smile faintly.

It was also beyond his expectations that his own master had come looking for him as well...

Though seeing his old master so agitated, Fly Whisk in hand, clearly ready to give his backside another affectionate beating, Li Changshou still felt a warmth in his heart...

Before the sect elders, Li Changshou decided not to dodge and let his master hit him a couple of times to vent his anger.

It would not hurt him anyway.

Jiu Jiu and Old Daoist Qi Yuan leaped down from the cloud together. Jiu Jiu had originally wanted to rush over and see whether Li Changshou was missing any parts, but remembering that Daoist Master Qi Yuan was present, she headed straight for Youqin Xuanya instead.

Seeing his master raise the Fly Whisk to strike, Li Changshou put on a bitter face and shut his eyes to accept it. But the Fly Whisk merely landed lightly on his shoulder, without any force behind it.

Then Daoist Master Qi Yuan scolded him:

"How could you run off to this vicious Northern Continent?!

If Ling'e had not woken your master, then even if you died here, your master would not have known where to collect your remains!"

"Master, this disciple was suddenly stirred from stillness into motion. I failed to report to Master beforehand. Please forgive this disciple."

Li Changshou lowered his head obediently as he answered, the corner of his eye glancing to one side...

Jiu Jiu had swept Youqin Xuanya into her arms and was spinning around in place, laughing like a child. Youqin Xuanya's cheeks were faintly red as she repeatedly called out, "Martial Uncle," but she could not break free.

Her skirts fluttered and her black hair spilled loose. This two-person dance was quite a sight.

Objectively speaking, Youqin Xuanya's advantage lay in her perfect proportions and flawless lines. Compared with her, Martial Uncle Jiu was a little lacking in height, with a somewhat rounder face. Their styles could not have been more different.

Li Changshou took only one glance before withdrawing his gaze, honestly listening as his master went on and on with his lecture...

That earlier reaction was purely a habit from having been a gentleman for so many years in his past life—he had instinctively judged them according to his own aesthetic standards.

It held no actual significance.

What concerned Li Changshou more at the moment was the short Daoist's actions...

Jiu Wu carried the old Daoist who had just been knocked unconscious and landed before them.

Seeing that Li Changshou and Youqin Xuanya were unharmed, the short Daoist showed no change in expression. He gave his wrist a slight shake, and the old Daoist in his grasp convulsed a few times before his aura instantly dispersed.

If Li Changshou had not seen wrongly, that old Daoist's Primordial Spirit had just been shattered directly...

As though nothing had happened, Jiu Wu tossed the Primordial Immortal old Daoist's corpse into the forest to one side and smiled as he watched the reunited master and disciple.

He was a ruthless one too, killing people as easily as crushing bugs.

Li Changshou's fingers, hidden in his sleeves, calculated silently. A string of rumors he had usually heard about this short Daoist surfaced in his mind, and he made a simple summary:

Jiu Wu, Martial Uncle Jiu Jiu's Fifth Senior Brother, direct disciple of Venerable Wangqing, one of Du Xian Sect's great figures. He had entered the sect and cultivated for over two thousand years. His cultivation stood at the peak of the True Immortal Realm, half a step from the Celestial Immortal Realm.

His temperament was like that of a mischievous child, and he enjoyed joking with others. Yet in truth, he was resourceful and deeply calculating. He was utterly loyal to the sect, often went out to handle all manner of affairs, and had extensive connections both within and beyond the sect.

He enjoyed brewing wine and refining pills. No obvious weaknesses.

Li Changshou swiftly reached a conclusion—there was no need for him to deliberately befriend such a person. He only needed to fulfill his duty as a Du Xian Sect disciple.

To the side, Jiu Jiu finally released Youqin Xuanya and lifted her head with a sigh of relief. Most of her wine money had been saved after all.

Youqin Xuanya heard Daoist Master Qi Yuan scolding Li Changshou:

"Look at you. You came running here at the Nascent Soul Stage. Were you not just dragging others down?"

"Martial Uncle Qi Yuan!"

Youqin Xuanya immediately spoke up, her expression solemn. "Senior Brother Changshou did not burden anyone. On the contrary, this disciple received Senior Brother's aid several times..."

"Exactly. This disciple did not drag anyone down either—I was quite helpful."

Li Changshou calmly cut off Youqin Xuanya's words. A trace of smugness appeared on his face as he smiled. "Master, you do not yet know that it was precisely through tempering myself here that this disciple broke through to the Void Returning Realm."

As he spoke, Li Changshou revealed his aura: first level of the Void Returning Realm.

His aura was even the slightest bit unstable, perfectly matching the appearance of someone who had just broken through.

Youqin Xuanya was suddenly a little bewildered.

Why had Senior Brother...

suddenly become like a different person?

His former steadiness had abruptly turned into this slightly frivolous manner.

Li Changshou winked at her. Youqin Xuanya was mildly startled, then immediately recalled Li Changshou's earlier instructions.

She gently pressed her lips together, not knowing what she should say next.

"Changshou, you broke through?"

Daoist Master Qi Yuan was instantly excited. He carefully sensed Li Changshou's aura, and a smile immediately appeared on his face, his eyes growing much brighter.

But before Daoist Master Qi Yuan's smile could fully bloom, his face immediately darkened again as he reprimanded, "It took you a hundred years of cultivation to comprehend the Void Returning Realm, and you are already so full of yourself!

Look at Xuanya!

She is still your junior sister, yet she has already reached the fourth level of the Void Returning Realm!"

Li Changshou smiled helplessly, as though he had become somewhat dejected from his master's scolding...

In truth, his heart did not ripple in the slightest. He even felt like laughing.

"Breaking through to the Void Returning Realm in a hundred years is quite good. That is top-grade aptitude," Jiu Wu said with a smile from the side. "Junior Brother Qi Yuan, my Second Senior Brother did not comprehend the Void Returning Realm until two hundred years had passed. Then, after accumulating deeply, he erupted forth and used only twenty more years to Pass Tribulation and Become Immortal.

Cultivation depends entirely on Karma. Do not be so harsh on your disciple.

By the way, Xuanya, do you know Yuan Qing's whereabouts?"

Youqin Xuanya's pretty face darkened. She took two steps back, knelt on one knee with the Greatsword on her back, cupped her hands, lowered her head, and said firmly:

"Yuan Qing is dead, slain by this disciple's hand. Please punish this disciple, Martial Uncle!"

Jiu Wu frowned. "You killed him yourself?"

"Yes. Four swords pierced his heart and shattered his soul," Youqin Xuanya said with her head lowered. "This was done by this disciple alone and has nothing to do with Senior Brother Changshou. Senior Brother Changshou only used Earth Escape to help this disciple flee with her life.

This disciple is willing to accept all punishment from the sect!"

Jiu Wu frowned and fell into deep thought.

Jiu Jiu hopped two steps over to Li Changshou's side. She had intended to nudge him with her elbow, but halted her movement in time and did not touch his arm.

"Hey, what happened?" Jiu Jiu asked softly.

Li Changshou shook his head without answering.

Instead, Jiu Wu looked over at him. The short Daoist's gaze was like two sharp arrows, as though it wished to pierce straight through Li Changshou's eyes.

Jiu Wu asked in a low voice, "Martial Nephew Changshou, will you not speak a few words in Xuanya's defense?"

"This disciple does not know the specific facts," Li Changshou replied, meeting Jiu Wu's gaze calmly.

"You are quite steady," Jiu Wu sighed. "Actually, on the way here, I had already searched the soul of that Primordial Immortal and learned the rough course of events.

Yuan Qing harbored wicked intentions first and even brought the struggle for Royal Authority in the Mortal World into Du Xian Sect. That was already an unforgivable offense.

But Martial Nephew Xuanya, slaughtering a fellow sect member is a grave crime. No matter the reason, this is a guilt that cannot be escaped..."

Jiu Jiu cursed irritably, "Then change that rotten rule! Yuan Qing attacked first, did he not? Xuanya was fighting back, was she not?!"

Youqin Xuanya pressed her lips together and said nothing.

Seeing this, Li Changshou coughed from the side. "Martial Uncle Jiu Wu, how about we leave this place first and join the other Martial Uncles and Martial Uncles? Then Junior Sister Youqin can recount the matter from beginning to end.

As long as Junior Sister Youqin tells the truth, the sect should be understanding."

The latter half was actually meant for Youqin Xuanya. At that moment, she also looked at Li Changshou, her eyes carrying a measure of helplessness and bitterness.

Li Changshou sighed inwardly, revealed a slight smile, and gently nodded to her.

Let it count as a little encouragement for her.

Jiu Wu said, "We shall do as Martial Nephew Changshou says. Let us find them and join up first."

After speaking, Jiu Wu could not help scratching his head, also pondering how he could spare Youqin Xuanya from punishment.

But then he remembered that Yuan Qing's master was here as well, and he found himself in a difficult position.

The short Daoist formed a white cloud and had them each step onto it. He also instructed Youqin Xuanya to remain behind him, clearly intending to keep her temporarily under watch.

Li Changshou followed beside his master. The group stepped onto the white cloud together and sat down cross-legged.

Old Daoist Qi Yuan had clearly taken on a completely different air. He had come like one mourning his parents, but now he was leaving with spring breezes in his face.

He, too, was now the master of a Void Returning Realm disciple...

Before the white cloud rose, Jiu Wu seemed to suddenly recall something. He turned to Li Changshou and smiled. "Martial Nephew Changshou?"

"This disciple is here."

Jiu Wu casually asked, "Aren't you collecting the silk from those Three-Eyed Spiders with Double Pupils here? That is quite a rare treasure."

Li Changshou smiled naturally and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Martial Uncle. Once this thing is laid out, it is difficult to retrieve.

This disciple keeps several nests of Three-Eyed Spiders with Double Pupils on Lesser Qiong Peak. If Martial Uncle is interested in such strange things as well, then once we return, this disciple will move one nest over and send it to Martial Uncle."

Jiu Wu raised his brows at Li Changshou. "Then this Martial Uncle will not stand on ceremony. You little fellow have quite the future ahead of you. Be closer to this Martial Uncle in the future."

"This disciple accepts the order," Li Changshou said with a gentle, humble smile, offering no further words.

The more one said, the more likely one was to err. Jiu Wu seemed to have seen through some of his foundations, but his initiative in asking for "hush money" also showed that Jiu Wu did not wish to interfere too much in a sect disciple's cultivation affairs.

However, Daoist Master Qi Yuan frowned at Li Changshou and said sternly, "You child, why are you so stingy?

If your Martial Uncle Jiu Wu had not come to save you this time, who knows what would have happened to you by now!

How many nests of those immortal bugs do you have? Keep one for yourself, and move all the rest over to your Martial Uncle Jiu Wu!"

"Cough!"

A surge of qi from Li Changshou's dantian rushed upward. Covering his mouth, he coughed several times.

He tried hard to maintain his smile and said through gritted teeth, "Yes... this disciple accepts the order..."

Seeing this, Jiu Wu laughed, sitting there and letting out two hearty laughs, though he said nothing more.

A small round face leaned in from the side. Jiu Jiu had circled behind Old Daoist Qi Yuan and leaned over from Li Changshou's left, staring intently at him.

Li Changshou instinctively leaned back.

Sure enough, after leaning back, the angle was much better. He could look straight through the collar of her hemp robe and see...

Cough. He could effectively guard against Martial Uncle Jiu Jiu suddenly playing a prank.

Jiu Jiu blinked. "What is that spider silk stuff? Why do you and Old Fifth seem so suspicious?"

Li Changshou said, "It is a kind of treasure material. This disciple cannot explain it clearly either. Martial Uncle may as well ask Martial Uncle Jiu Wu."

"Hmph. Fine, do not tell me."

Jiu Jiu sat up straight, as though she had recalled something. She slapped her knee hard and said with a solemn expression:

"Oh, right, Senior Brother Qi Yuan, Fifth Senior Brother!

Take a look. What sort of condition is Changshou suffering from? Could something have gone wrong with his cultivation, leaving him with a heart demon?"

"A heart demon?"

Qi Yuan, Jiu Wu, and Youqin Xuanya all turned to look at him at once. Meanwhile, Jiu Jiu had already raised her hand and lightly poked Li Changshou's earlobe.

The motion flowed like drifting clouds and running water. Jiu Jiu had already begun moving as she spoke, giving Li Changshou no chance to react at all.

Li Changshou was instantly swallowed by black lines. His left hand trembled, setting off spasms in muscles all over his body. His eyes rolled skyward, foam spilled from his mouth, and he made a series of sounds like he was about to suffocate...

What the hell!

Did this little Martial Uncle get poisoned too?

No, this cloud is poisonous! Anyone with "Jiu" in their Daoist title is fucking absurd!