Chapter 126: Learned it, Learned it

Creak, creak...

The wooden sign swayed gently in the breeze, while a group of immortals with otherworldly appearances and ethereal auras stood before it, the atmosphere slightly awkward.

Naturally, none of them used their immortal powers to forcibly dispel the trapping array here; they were all figures of great dignity and couldn't afford to do something so unbecoming.

Then, someone chuckled first, and the group of esteemed experts all clasped their hands behind their backs, laughing with an air of complete confidence.

Outside the array, Li Changshou, Ao Yi, and Jiu Wu stood in a straight line from tallest to shortest, standing obediently, with Ao Yi's lips curving into a faint smile.

From within the array came the voice of Qin Wan from Jin'ao Island:

"This setup here is quite ingenious.

By linking the array bases, it transforms various similar arrays into a chain, one ring connecting to the next, the only way to break it being to forcibly scatter the trapping array...

Not to mention, since the one who set this up has modest cultivation, the array bases aren't very powerful, making it easy to disperse.

If I had refined such array bases and arranged it this way, even a Golden Immortal could be trapped.

Ingenious, truly ingenious, ha ha ha ha!"

Upon hearing this, Li Changshou felt no ripples in his heart.

A mighty Golden Immortal and a veteran of the Jie Jiao, if Qin Wan couldn't see through such an arrangement, that would be truly laughable.

Likewise, Li Changshou felt no joy from the praise; instead, he was quite relieved.

Relieved that his "Gui Jue" had withstood the scrutiny of a Golden Immortal's gaze...

From this perspective, today's events weren't without benefits.

It confirmed that the path he'd chosen early on to conceal his aura hadn't been wrong.

If he couldn't avoid the upcoming San Jiao Yuan Liu Assembly, he could save a lot of effort improving this technique.

Sensing briefly, he saw the group of old immortals slowly moving inside the array, constantly commenting and exchanging insights on array principles, each seeming to gain some understanding...

What could they see? What could they gain?

Essentially, it was just a Trapping Array at the True Immortal level.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck Li Changshou, a small bolt of lightning in his mind, and he turned to look at Jiu Wu, his eyes widening.

Jiu Wu shivered. "Longevity, why are you staring at me? Your eyes are so frightening!"

"Nothing, nothing."

Li Changshou quickly composed his expression, but his heart was churning with massive waves.

He'd almost forgotten—the Ten Heavenly Lords were also notable figures on the Feng Shen List in the future!

What they were most skilled at was the Ten Absolutes Array!

In the upcoming Feng Shen War, the Ten Heavenly Lords were key players for the Jie Jiao in the mid-stage, setting up the Ten Absolutes Array and taking down some of the Jie Jiao's cannon fodder, only to have it broken with great effort by the other side.

And precisely because of the Ten Heavenly Lords' consecutive defeats and the Ten Absolutes Array being broken one after another, it drew out Zhao Gongming, the outer disciple, pushing the Feng Shen War to its "climax."

These matters had nothing to do with Li Changshou originally...

But what if...

What if...

What if Qin Tianjun, because of these little arrays I'd set up, got a slight inspiration and upgraded their Ten Absolutes Array into a linked chain version, and during the Feng Shen Calamity, it actually took down a few of the Twelve Golden Immortals from Jie Jiao!

Then...

As a disciple of Ren Jiao, he probably, maybe, likely wouldn't have any karmic ties...

Li Changshou couldn't help but press his hand to his forehead.

Suddenly, he really wanted to take his master and junior sister right now, find an opportunity to slip into the Heavenly Court, and shout, "The South Sea Sea God comes to pledge allegiance!"

No, if he truly angered a Saint, even the Jade Emperor couldn't protect him; he'd have to cling tightly to the leg of his own Tai Qing Saint...

This would truly be an undeserved disaster.

As Li Changshou was worrying, he heard a weak voice transmission from the sect leader Wu You Daoist:

"Longevity, ah, cough cough... let's dispel the array..."

Li Changshou quickly steadied his mind and dissolved the array.

The group of old immortals laughed heartily as they emerged from the array.

Fortunately, they hadn't thoroughly investigated the place; they just casually strolled around and didn't notice the unactivated array bases beneath the surface.

Du Xian Men Sect Leader Wu You Daoist led the way, pointing at Li Changshou and saying with a warm smile:

"This little array was set up by this young disciple."

Ao Yi and Jiu Wu immediately stepped aside, exposing Li Changshou, their movements quite in sync.

Instantly, gazes converged on him.

Li Changshou tensed up, bowed slightly, beads of sweat forming on his forehead, his face showing just the right amount of nervousness. His immortal power was like a stagnant pond, and the simulated Returning to Dao Realm energy circulated a bit faster...

Fortunately, the gazes gradually shifted away, detecting nothing unusual.

Then came waves of praise: one said that the Ren Jiao lineage was truly extraordinary, producing exceptional talents; another said this young one would surely achieve great things, and in ten thousand years, the path of arrays would gain another fine talent...

The Gui Jue withstood the second wave of scrutiny from the Golden Immortals, but Li Changshou couldn't feel happy about it.

If today's events altered the course of the future Feng Shen War, that would be massive karma!

If a Saint divined it, he'd have nowhere to escape!

Yet...

He heard Qin Wan laugh and say:

"Wu You Sect Leader, I wish to exchange a few treasures for the method of setting up this linked array. I'd like to take it back and play around with my siblings—may I?"

No! Definitely no!

Hurry and say it's a secret technique of Ren Jiao, Sect Leader!

Li Changshou shouted in his heart;

But unfortunately, Sect Leader Ji Wu You couldn't hear Li Changshou's inner voice. He waved his hand dismissively, "Don't mention treasures; it's just a minor method for linking array bases.

Longevity."

Li Changshou hesitated and said softly, "Disciple is here."

Jiu Wu, thinking Li Changshou was scared, stepped forward right away, quite loyally, and said, "Reporting to the Sect Leader, Longevity has already offered the method of linking array bases to the sect."

"Oh?" Ji Wu You's eyes crinkled with a smile as he looked at Li Changshou even more favorably, even considering taking him as a disciple. "Go fetch it later and give it to Senior Qin!"

Jiu Wu quickly acknowledged.

Qin Wan laughed, "I can't just take it for nothing; otherwise, my Dao heart won't be at peace."

As he spoke, Qin Wan pulled out a white jade flute from his sleeve. The flute glowed all over, with shimmering spiritual light and wisps of green aura swirling around it.

It was a spiritual treasure of excellent quality and spirituality, barely qualifying as a Houtian Lingbao.

Qin Wan handed the white jade flute to Ji Wu You, saying with a smile, "Wu You Sect Leader, don't refuse, or I'll feel uneasy."

Ji Wu You smiled and accepted the white jade flute, wrapping it in his immortal power, then casually sent it to Li Changshou, saying:

"Why haven't you thanked Senior Qin for the gift?"

Li Changshou held the white jade flute with both hands and said softly, "Thank you, Senior, for the gift."

Then he heard the Sect Leader say, "Xiao Wu, go now and fetch the method for refining the linked array bases. Also, give Longevity three hundred years' worth of monthly allowances as a sect reward.

From now on, the sect's array techniques are available for Longevity to use freely. If he lacks materials for refining arrays, have the Bai Fan Hall allocate more."

Jiu Wu's face lit up with joy as he accepted the order and hurried off on a cloud toward Po Tian Peak.

Li Changshou could only suppress his inner helplessness, bowed to the Sect Leader in thanks.

At least, he had gained some benefits.

Ji Wu You demonstrated his role as Du Xian Men Sect Leader, showing care and cultivation for talented disciples, then led the group of old immortals back to the jade platform to continue the ceremony.

Qin Wan Tianjun also felt quite satisfied with his gains; before leaving, he specially glanced at Li Changshou a few more times, memorizing his aura and appearance.

On the way back to the jade platform, this eldest of the Ten Heavenly Lords occasionally frowned, seemingly deducing in his mind how to improve the Ten Absolutes Array used by him and his siblings...

Li Changshou watched these big figures depart, and once they were gone, he couldn't help but rub his brow.

Ao Yi chuckled beside him, "Brother Longevity, can you play the flute? Why not play a tune?"

Li Changshou forced a awkward smile, glanced at his array, and reactivated the trapping and illusion array.

In his heart, he couldn't help but imagine such a scene:

Under a dark sky with swirling yellow sand, two armies faced off on the ground and in the air, filled with flying beasts, exotic creatures, and strange experts everywhere.

Suddenly, one army retreated rapidly, and ten massive vortices appeared in the heavens, interconnected and filled with deadly killing intent and fierce malice.

Nine men and one woman emerged from the vortices and shouted in unison:

"Immortals of Jie Jiao, dare you enter our Ten Absolutes Linked Endless Killing Array!"

Holding the white jade flute, Li Changshou burst into a mix of laughter and tears.

Ao Yi quickly said, "Brother Longevity, what's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing," Li Changshou sighed, glancing at the nearby "tea pavilion." "Let's head back to the competition grounds later. I'll rest here for a bit and chat."

"Alright," Ao Yi replied, looking a bit downcast.

Ao Yi and Li Changshou sat down in the forest tea pavilion;

Li Changshou took out some tea leaves, brewed a cup of clear tea, and began pondering what problems might arise from the linked array base method spreading.

Though the version he offered to the sect was an earlier, outdated one,

That version was still usable, and by refining it based on the original ideas, they might develop even better methods...

On second thought, he was just providing a bit of technical support;

The Saints probably wouldn't bother with a minor disciple like him over this.

Though one should always plan for the worst, this matter...

Still needed comprehensive consideration.

Li Changshou placed the white jade flute on the table and noticed Ao Yi's gloomy expression, so he asked, "What's wrong? Is your cultivation not going smoothly? Or has the Dragon Clan run into trouble again?"

"Ah, the Dragon Clan is still the same as always, and my cultivation is going quite well," Ao Yi sighed. "Brother Longevity, you're an expert in this area—could you help resolve my confusion?"

Li Changshou smiled. "Go ahead, what don't you understand about the array path?"

Ao Yi's youthful face showed a hint of embarrassment as he whispered, "It's not about arrays or cultivation; it's about... matters between men and women."

Li Changshou: ...

Brat, which eye of yours sees me as an expert in this?

Li Changshou frowned. "Is it about you and Han Zhi?"

"This, you actually noticed, Brother Longevity," Ao Yi scratched his head and whispered, "I know this isn't quite right; Han Zhi is like my junior niece.

But ever since her master had that incident, I've had some improper thoughts in my heart.

Brother Longevity, do you think I have some kind of illness?"

"Don't overthink it," Li Changshou shook his head.

He took out a treasure pouch and from it pulled out some sticks of incense, crushing them all and using his power to gather them into a ball, slowly kneading it.

Casually, he asked, "Have you confessed your feelings to her?"

"Yes," Ao Yi said seriously. "We Dragon Clan men, if we like someone, we say it openly; being hesitant isn't our true nature."

"She rejected you?"

"Yes... yes," Ao Yi hung his head. "She said she doesn't have those feelings for me, that I feel like a brother to her.

Sigh, I don't know what's going on. Ever since that year, when I encountered a group of stern old Taoists in the South Sea and they...

After that, my human form just stopped growing."

Li Changshou nodded calmly, though he felt a bit awkward inside. As he kneaded the "incense" ball, he pondered the matter.

"Brother Longevity," Ao Yi looked at the three gradually forming "giant" sticks of incense in Li Changshou's hands, "What are you doing?"

"In a bit, I'll go offer incense to the ancestors," Li Changshou said with a bitter smile. "Nothing else, just seeking some peace of mind."

Ao Yi was stunned for a moment, then showed a look of sudden realization.

No wonder Brother Longevity was chosen as the merit proxy...

His way of offering incense to the Saints was completely different from what others did!

He'd learned something, he'd learned something.

Just then, the group of old immortals returned to the jade platform, still discussing the linked minor array, all quite enthusiastic.

Meanwhile, a middle-aged Heavenly Immortal elder from Du Xian Men couldn't help but stand up and say with a smile, "This young Longevity isn't just exceptional in arrays; in the Dao of Pills, he's also..."

"Cough! Cough cough!"

Wu You Daoist covered his mouth and coughed, glaring fiercely at the elder, who quickly came to his senses and shut up.

Thus, the crowd of old immortals grew even more curious...