Chapter 124: The Cultivation Prodigy Lan Ling'e

“Huh?

After one night, Xiao Changshou, why are you paler? Did you... did you secretly bully our little Ling E and do something bad?”

In the early morning, as the second stage of the Duxianmen sect competition was about to begin, Jiu Jiu, carrying her wolf-tooth club, floated back. Seeing that Li Changshou's face looked a bit tired, she asked with feigned concern.

“It's just that the pressure is high with the upcoming Zhou Tian competition.”

Li Changshou replied with a smile, but sighed inwardly.

Was it easy for him? It was extremely difficult!

For his own sake, and for his master and junior sister, he had gone to the Tian Ting to avoid the Feng Shen calamity...

Yesterday, he had seized the opportunity and used his paper effigy to have a session of 'I have a good connection with the Jade Emperor.'

Afterward, he had frantically deduced whether his advice would harm Ren Jiao, Dao Men, or himself, how high the risk of exposure was, and whether it would displease the saints or the experts of the Three Teachings...

It wasn't until half an hour ago that Li Changshou finally convinced himself:

Don't worry, just wait and see.

This left him mentally exhausted and looking unwell.

The Tian Xian and Jin Xian elders of Duxianmen had no idea that one of their junior disciples had already secretly connected with the Tian Ting...

Li Changshou was well aware that as soon as he took the initiative to scheme, it would involve all sorts of karma.

But some things wouldn't happen without taking the initiative...

Just like results that bring no joy, and like unforeseen consequences.

Just then, a few 'dong, dong, dong' bell tolls echoed, and the jade platform in front of the main hall floated out. Today, there were a few more guests in attendance.

Li Changshou maintained his Wind Speech Incantation, waiting for the start of the Duxianmen sect competition's Zhou Tian stage.

At this moment, the jade slips in Li Changshou and Ling E's hands still had their original numbers, but their win counts had been reset to zero.

Li Changshou naturally had no major worries about the upcoming duels.

However, with three hundred and sixty advancing to one hundred and eight, Ling E felt a bit of pressure.

Although she had outstanding talent, with her senior brother constantly providing extra guidance and several immortal treasures for protection, her years of cultivation were still relatively few.

Although Li Changshou had told her not to worry about winning or losing, he had previously set a small goal for her, which had planted a slight obsession in Ling E's heart.

Before the competition began, Ling E hesitated a little. Seizing the moment when her little uncle Jiu Jiu went off on patrol with her wolf-tooth club, she whispered in her senior brother's ear,

“Senior brother, can I... have a sudden enlightenment and break through?”

Her implication was to use sudden enlightenment as an excuse to reveal a bit more of her true cultivation.

Sudden enlightenment was something that came by chance and couldn't be forced.

—Although there were exceptions who encountered it habitually, they weren't a universal reference.

Throughout her time cultivating, Ling E had only experienced three sudden enlightenments, all under Li Changshou's guidance.

After a brief thought, Li Changshou voice-transmitted back,

“You can, but pay attention to the details. If you're going to do it, make it look convincing.”

Ling E immediately nodded with a serious expression and began pondering the details of her upcoming enlightenment.

Then, she closed her eyes and focused, pretending to enter a state of enlightenment. Secretly, she adjusted the second version of her Turtle Breath Equalizing Qi Technique, creating an appearance of unstable aura.

Above, the deputy sect leader began delivering an important speech.

He encouraged the eliminated disciples and motivated those advancing to the next round to fight their best, showcase their talents, and go with the flow, while reminding them that sect rewards were on the way.

After the deputy sect leader finished, Elder Ge, Duxianmen's fixed master of ceremonies, stepped forward and announced the start of the second round. Immediately, two disciples' jade slips below lit up...

Li Changshou wondered if the so-called drawing of lots was actually done by an elder secretly pointing at the jade slips.

Upon closer observation, he quickly spotted the trick...

Indeed, two supreme elders were involved—every time a disciple's jade slip lit up, their fingers would twitch slightly.

Li Changshou's mouth twitched a little. He had thought these jade slips were a set of magical treasures, but it turned out...

As expected, some things that seemed impressive in daily life had surprisingly simple mechanisms.

Li Changshou's match came early that day, as the sixteenth duel, against a female senior from the same sect.

The duel went smoothly, with both sides having a good experience. The wolf-tooth club that his senior sister had been eager for didn't appear.

In the end, Li Changshou's array of talismans narrowly won by a move. During the fight, he only used Earth Escape to dodge one attack and quickly emerged from the ground.

Of course, he wouldn't do something as improper as passing under someone's skirt with Earth Escape...

When Li Changshou returned to his seat on his cloud, he saw Ling E with her eyes closed in concentration, a faint trace of Dao rhythm floating around her...

'Junior sister's acting skills have improved a lot lately.'

Li Changshou felt inwardly pleased. If she hadn't told him beforehand, he might have been fooled by her realistic performance.

He didn't interfere, just sat on his cushion and quietly slid a little toward the empty space to the side and rear.

'Junior sister has really grown up...'

The duels continued below, with three hundred and sixty disciples needing nine rounds to determine the rankings.

At three quarters past the si hour, the jade slip lying across Ling E's skirt trembled slightly, its light glowing.

Yet Ling E remained completely absorbed, Dao rhythm swirling around her, her hands in a lotus mudra on her knees, her delicate face growing even more radiant.

Li Changshou smiled to himself...

'Junior sister's act is a bit over the top.'

Then, his brow furrowed as he sensed something was wrong and prepared to set up a barrier around Ling E.

But before he could act, he heard the jade slip emit a series of 'da-da-da-da' sounds.

“Hmm?”

Ling E slowly opened her eyes, her gaze empty and clear, like the most pristine starry sky without clouds or moon.

Yet within that clarity, there was a hint of confusion.

Li Changshou relaxed a little at the sight.

Ling E had genuinely broken through, and though interrupted at a critical moment, at least she hadn't suffered qi deviation...

Seeking a breakthrough in such a noisy environment was truly unwise.

From the field, a referee shouted,

“Xin Zi Yi Er Yi!

It's your turn to enter the duel!”

“Yes!”

Ling E responded quickly, gripping her jade slip and standing up.

But as soon as she rose, her aura surged like a tide. Due to her recent breakthrough, waves of profound Dao rhythm spread out!

In an instant, immortal senses and spiritual senses from the jade platform and surrounding areas probed toward her.

Ling E's face turned pale at first, then she realized the problem.

Her Turtle Breath Equalizing Qi Technique had momentarily failed because of the breakthrough!

Her true cultivation of Return to Void Realm, fifth stage, was exposed!

What... what should she do?

Ling E's slender, fair neck stiffened as she weakly turned to look at her senior brother, only to see him gazing at her with a face full of admiration...

Just like everyone else's expressions around them!

This...

It's over... it's all over...

Ling E was on the verge of tears. How could such bad luck with a breakthrough happen to her right now!

“Junior sister! How did you break through so many realms at once!”

Li Changshou exclaimed in shock, and the surrounding senior brothers and sisters echoed with sighs.

“One breakthrough through six stages?”

“What kind of divine talent is this? Is Duxianmen about to produce another cultivation prodigy?”

“Comparing people is infuriating, comparing paths is devastating.”

Ling E couldn't help but cover her forehead with one hand. Even the two referees in the field didn't rush her, instead looking over with slight admiration.

Right then, Li Changshou voice-transmitted to her, “Don't look so downcast. Right now, your expression should be calmly composed on the surface, joyful inside, but not wanting to show it.

Don't worry, your senior brother is broad-minded.

When you get back, just recite the Steadfast Sutra three thousand six hundred times.”

Ling E's mouth twitched slightly, but a weight lifted from her heart.

As long as her senior brother still cared...

She quickly adjusted her expression, gripped her jade slip, and under the gaze of those around her, flew forward on her cloud, her aura still a bit unstable—which was genuine instability.

The one who might be the most unfortunate in this was her opponent in the field, a male disciple at Return to Void Realm, third stage...

Ling E was eager to get back and explain to her senior brother that it wasn't intentional. She unleashed her immortal treasures' full power and swiftly knocked the male disciple flying.

She then gave a graceful bow and departed elegantly on her cloud.

The gazes in the field grew even more full of admiration and praise.

However, as soon as Ling E turned around, she noticed that her cushion and her senior brother's position were now... over ten zhang apart.

Li Changshou voice-transmitted to her,

“Three rules to follow.

Behave yourself from now on—the stone slabs on the peak are almost all scraped up.”

“Oh,” Ling E gave Li Changshou a pitiful look, then sat back on her cushion, inwardly fretting.

Her Hundred-Year Sleep Brother Plan, ruined by one breakthrough!

How had she suddenly gained insight earlier?

After the 'Yan Er senior sister and her Qi Qi junior brother' incident, she had finally gotten a little closer to her senior brother, only for it to be wrecked by this internal competition!

Where was the justice in this world!

How unfair!

Just then, Jiu Jiu hurried over, wolf-tooth club dripping with blood, and exclaimed,

“Little Ling E! How did your cultivation break through so many stages at once!”

Li Changshou, standing nearby, also marveled inwardly...

This little uncle spent every day hanging around with Ling E and hadn't even probed to see if she was hiding her cultivation...

“Uncle, don't mention it—I'm under a lot of pressure right now.”

“Breaking through is a good thing, though.”

“I—I...”

Ling E had a hard time expressing her troubles and turned to bury her face in her uncle's embrace, turning all her grievances into a few muffled sobs.

“I'm afraid... of developing inner demons...”

“There, there, don't be afraid. Inner demons are something you attract by fearing them.

Breaking through too fast isn't ideal, but this is a heaven-sent opportunity for you. It's fine, really.”

Jiu Jiu looked around and finally spotted 'distant' Li Changshou, glaring at him.

He, however, had his eyes closed in meditation, fully avoiding the area of intense scrutiny.

At the same time, through his Wind Speech Incantation, Li Changshou heard some news that wasn't great for Xiao Qiong Peak.

— A supreme elder had the idea of taking Ling E as a disciple.

Glancing at Ling E, Li Changshou knew that having her study under a supreme elder would be a good choice, but since he had raised her himself, he felt a bit reluctant.

Besides, could he not teach her what the supreme elders could?

If it were before his tribulation and ascension, Li Changshou would have weighed the pros and cons and not stopped it.

But now...

'Junior sister knows too much about my affairs—it's safer for her to stay by my side.'

Li Changshou quickly made up his mind. Unless Ling E herself agreed, even if the sect leader came, it would be pointless.

This matter unfolded quickly.

On the fourteenth day of the internal competition, after the fourth round of the Zhou Tian duels, two female Zhen Xian and an old woman arrived. They set up a barrier beside Ling E and spoke to her gently.

Li Changshou frowned slightly, picked up his cushion, and walked back from the distance, sitting in his original spot half a zhang away from his junior sister.

Hmph...

Ling E turned to look at her senior brother, blinking lightly and smiling faintly.

Soon after, the old woman at Tian Xian realm looked regretful and handed Ling E a square scarf immortal treasure.

But Ling E shook her head and refused, standing to bow to the old woman.

Li Changshou could hear what they were saying but chose not to listen in, simply closing his eyes to rest.

Coincidentally, it was his turn to duel. Li Changshou went out as usual and won easily.

When he returned, the old woman and the two female immortals were gone, leaving only Ling E sitting there, smiling brightly at him.

“Senior brother~”

Li Changshou said nothing and sat back on his cushion.

Ling E sat on her own cushion, nonchalantly inching closer bit by bit...

She stared ahead and whispered softly, like a mosquito's buzz,

“Senior brother, were you just worried about me?”

Li Changshou voice-transmitted, “Three rules to follow.”

“I'll add four hundred more recitations, making it four thousand... Senior brother, answer me first. Were you worried just now?”

Li Changshou flicked his sleeve, held his Yuan in both hands, and voice-transmitted back, “Four thousand fifty times. You still owed fifty from before.”

Ling E rolled her eyes but smiled happily, humming a cheerful tune beside him.

Not long after, Jiu Jiu flew over hurriedly and quietly asked Ling E how she had turned down that supreme elder.

“Hee-hee, I told them...”

They whispered back and forth.

“Ahem!”

Li Changshou nearly choked, almost raising his hand to clean house for his master.

Jiu Jiu said in alarm, “Is that true?”

“I said it was a lie,” Ling E pulled Jiu Jiu's hand, laughing so hard her branches trembled.

Ling E said, “There are few people on Xiao Qiong Peak, so it's carefree, and there's space to play with you every day, Uncle. I don't want to go to another peak.”

Jiu Jiu's eyes crinkled with a smile as she sat between Ling E and Li Changshou, fussing over Ling E.

The real situation was...

A moment earlier, in the barrier, Lan Ling E bowed and said softly,

“This disciple does not seek immortality or fame, only wishes to stay by one's side always.

If the sect does not allow it, Ling E would request to be demoted to the mortal world, with no regrets in her heart.”

It was also thanks to Duxianmen's unchanging traditions over the years.

The supreme elder and the two Zhen Xian attendants empathized and understood, not making things difficult for her.