Chapter 189: Back View

When Li Changshou controlled the Zhi Dao Ren to rush to the main hall of the Hai Shen Temple, he thought of the Zhangmen... cough! He thought of the back of Zhangmen Wuyou Daozhang and felt a deep sense of emotion in his heart.

Upon careful reflection, his own Zhangmen embodied the principles of the Renjiao teachings—pursuing quietude and non-action by not asking too many questions or interfering too much.

In contrast, he himself, burdened by numerous concerns and constantly striving to preserve his life, kept dodging and severing karmic ties. Compared to the Zhangmen, he had fallen short in this regard.

There was no way around it; at his age and cultivation level, he was already bearing weights he shouldn't have to, such as the "secret struggles of great teachings," the "fates of great clans," and being "overly heroic"—burdens that were hard to endure.

If he wasn't careful, added a bit more disguise, and hid a few more trump cards, he might one day open his eyes from meditation to find some benevolent, smiling bald elder standing before him...

My young friend, hehe, I see you have a connection with our Western Cult.

Just the thought was terrifying!

The Western Cult even dared to abduct disciples of Daoist saints, so Li Changshou, who was merely noticed by a saint, could be wiped out with a flick of their finger. How could they hesitate to target him?

He would wait until his strength was sufficient before talking about non-action and seeking pure tranquility.

By then, he could hide in the shade of the trees behind the Doushu Palace, lazing about and ignoring everything.

In reality, there was no true quietude and non-action; it was simply because the Taiqing Saint was so powerful that no one dared to provoke him.

Well, once he passed through the Jin Xian stage...

Forget it, even as a Jin Xian, he could only huddle in the Honghuang world, unable to stand tall.

At the very least, he needed to achieve Da Luo, acquire a few innate spirit treasures for offense, defense, critical strikes, and escape, condense a golden body of merit, and cling tightly to his own saint's thigh.

Only then could he sleep soundly.

Tsk, daydreaming was useless; what mattered was steadily climbing upward.

Before Li Changshou's Zhi Dao Ren had even emerged from underground, he quickly sent a voice transmission to Yunxiao Xianzi.

Yunxiao Xianzi, who was in the temple's main hall continuously infusing immortal power into that paper figure, immediately stopped and showed a hint of apology on her face.

By now, Yunxiao had put away the scroll. As Li Changshou's second incarnation arrived, she took the initiative to approach the hall's entrance and said softly:

"I originally wanted to give you a painting personally done by my teacher, but I ended up destroying one of your incarnations. I was a bit careless and abrupt—please don't blame me. I don't know how to properly compensate you."

Li Changshou felt a twinge in his heart...

Yunxiao Xianzi was truly generous.

Just moments ago, he had nearly been forcibly pulled into his Jin Xian tribulation by that aura of the Hunyuan Wuji Great Dao!

Seeing that Li Changshou didn't respond, Yunxiao asked, "Fellow Daoist, did you lose any cultivation just now?"

Li Changshou laughed and said, "It's just one incarnation—it's nothing, really."

"How can it be nothing? Incarnations aren't that easy to refine."

Yunxiao sighed lightly and brought out the scroll again. "Please, you must accept this. It seems truly fated for you. Otherwise, my Dao heart won't find peace."

As she spoke, Yunxiao gently flipped her left hand, and several treasures glowed brightly.

"These treasures as well, please..."

What was this?

Was she trying to drag him onto the path of defying saints in the Feng Shen calamity?

"No, no, I couldn't possibly!"

Li Changshou quickly stepped back half a pace, deliberately showing a bit of restraint.

Yunxiao was amused by his demeanor and smiled, stepping forward slightly as she said softly, "It's fine, how could it not be?"

"Please, Senior, don't do this."

Yunxiao comforted him, "Don't be afraid—the Dao rhythm has already been comprehended by you, so it won't harm your incarnation again."

Li Changshou couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. This conversation... it sounded like a big sister coaxing a child.

"Senior, I really don't dare to casually accept a painting made by a saint."

Yunxiao explained, "It's just something my teacher painted in his leisure time; it's not some innate treasure."

"The meaning is different," Li Changshou said seriously. "Something from a saint is far too extraordinary. Please, Senior, take it back."

Yunxiao Xianzi added, "Then... how should I compensate for your lost incarnation?"

"It's just a minor incarnation," Li Changshou said, his gaze sincere, but Yunxiao frowned slightly.

Something didn't feel right...

Li Changshou suddenly realized in his heart.

He had clearly indicated he didn't want to accept Yunxiao's gift, but her focus had shifted to the value of an incarnation...

According to the common sense of the Honghuang world, external incarnations were quite precious.

They were either refined from rare materials or condensed with great magical power, so losing one was usually a significant loss for a cultivator.

It was his Zhi Dao Ren that made it seem too cheap.

Li Changshou's version was a modified paper-cutting technique, improved several times with the divine ability granted by the Great Mage, and it only cost... a bit of tree pulp.

Li Changshou laughed heartily, his old immortal facade making his beard tremble as he said:

"I have a wondrous method where incarnations are like cutting paper. If you're still uneasy, Senior, I'll accept the painting, but the other treasures aren't necessary. Otherwise, you'd be underestimating me."

Accepting the treasures would just expose him, and he wouldn't dare use them on his main body—only for the Zhi Dao Ren's defense, which wasn't very meaningful.

That batch of small spirit trees had already grown!

So, Li Changshou took the scroll and planned to hang it in the back hall of the Hai Shen Temple to subtly elevate the temple's elegance.

Only then did Yunxiao show a faint smile, relieving a worry from her heart.

She put away the other treasures, gave Li Changshou a slight Daoist bow, and said softly:

"I've disturbed you quite a bit tonight and added to your troubles. I came here to repay a favor, but instead, I damaged your incarnation. If you have time later, please come to my Sanxian Island for a visit, so I can make it up to you."

Li Changshou repeatedly said... next time for sure.

After exchanging Daoist bows with Yunxiao, she took her leave.

She rode the clouds into the night sky, transforming into a faint mist that blended into the night like a painting, drifting away with the wind...

"What a fine immortal."

Li Changshou sighed lightly in his heart.

"Unfortunately, she's held back by her other three siblings and is too bound by sentiment."

Li Changshou had no desire to interact further with the Sanxiao sisters or Zhao Gongming, lest he get entangled in the Feng Shen calamity's karma.

Yet, in his heart, there was a tiny, subtle hint of anticipation...

"Tonight has been so eventful," Li Changshou stretched his muscles and bones, looking at the scroll in his hand as he strolled toward the back hall.

Youqin Shimei must have seen the true cultivation of his Zhi Dao Ren just now.

This was a bit tricky to handle.

Li Changshou pondered in his heart, thinking about how to explain it—cough, how to clarify—so that Youqin Xuanya would keep his secret and not overthink things.

Just then, Ling'e had already flown on her cloud to the outskirts of the alchemy room, while Xiong Lingli, carrying the thunder god hammer surrounded by purple light, panted as she ran to the edge of the great array.

Clearly, they had been startled by the heavenly might earlier, but were now trapped outside the array and couldn't approach.

Li Changshou thought for a moment and sent a voice transmission to Ling'e with some instructions. Ling'e nodded in agreement right away.

By now, Ling'e had become quite familiar with Xiong Lingli. She explained to her that her senior brother was just practicing, then led Xiong Lingli back to the lakeside thatched hut.

Li Changshou carefully formulated some excuses in his mind, trying to analyze Youqin Xuanya's way of thinking.

Once everything was stable, Li Changshou opened his eyes and looked at Youqin Xuanya, who was meditating in the moonlight.

Sensing his gaze, Youqin Xuanya opened her eyes, her lashes curved and her dimples faint.

What puzzled Li Changshou was that her eyes now shone brighter than when she arrived—by more than a hundredfold.

"Youqin Shimei..."

"Changshou Shixiong, you don't need to say more—I understand!"

Li Changshou nearly choked, almost toppling over on his meditation mat.

Understand what?

"No, Youqin Shimei, you don't understand..."

"Shixiong, I do understand."

"You really might not," Li Changshou said quickly. "Youqin Shimei, there's something I've always wanted to say, but I could never bring myself to say it out loud."

Youqin Xuanya gently pursed her lips, her face full of seriousness, and said, "Changshou Shixiong, go ahead—I'll remember every word."

Li Changshou spoke earnestly:

"Some things and some words need to be said directly, with honest communication, so we can truly understand each other's thoughts. Don't guess too much—ask more instead."

Hearing this, Youqin Xuanya thought for a moment and quickly nodded.

"Xuanya understands what Shixiong means. Today, I'll be honest with Shixiong."

Li Changshou nodded slowly. That was more like it...

Just as he was about to speak, Youqin Xuanya beat him to it:

"Shixiong, after returning, I thought about it for a long time, constantly questioning my true heart and shattering the illusions in my mind. Now, my Dao heart is firm, and I know what I truly want. Since Shixiong said we should be honest, then Shixiong—Xuanya will say it—"

Was this... should he let her say it and then refuse, or just stop her?

Li Changshou's thoughts raced, and he quickly settled on a safe choice.

At that moment, Youqin Xuanya took a light breath and, almost simultaneously with Li Changshou, said:

"Shixiong, I'll work hard to catch up to you in cultivation!"

——"Please allow me to refuse; I wholeheartedly admire the Great Dao and have no interest in Dao companions..."

"Hmm?"

The two exchanged glances, Li Changshou's mouth twitching as he covered his face with one hand.

Why did you have to pause dramatically when there's nothing to pause for!

Youqin Xuanya blinked, her fair face suddenly flushing red. She averted her gaze to the moonlight beside her and murmured with a hint of reproach:

"Shixiong, what were you thinking..."

"This was a misunderstanding, just a misunderstanding."

Li Changshou swept his sleeve, regaining his composure as he said calmly, "Youqin Shimei, don't take it to heart. I thought it was that kind of matter—well, I was being a bit overconfident."

"It's not like that, Shixiong—you didn't misunderstand."

Youqin Xuanya looked at Li Changshou again and said:

"Actually, Xuanya does admire you greatly. It's just... what I saw tonight made me realize the gap between us. Shixiong, the immortal power your Zhi Dao Ren displayed earlier was more than a hundred times greater than mine now! Though I don't know your exact cultivation realm, I was right beside your destroyed incarnation at the time, and all I felt was insignificance and helplessness. In that moment, Xuanya suddenly understood that you are the true master."

Li Changshou said, "This is also what I wanted to..."

"Shixiong, may I finish?"

"Go ahead—sorry, I shouldn't interrupt."

Youqin Xuanya's smile grew a bit gentler as she continued, "Shixiong, I'll be in seclusion for the next ten years to stabilize my Dao heart—it's a bit chaotic right now. I pretty much understood what you and the Zhangmen Shizu discussed earlier. Looking back on our first meeting in the North Continent to today, Xuanya has received so much care from you. Shixiong, you don't want the sect to know about your hidden cultivation, so Xuanya swears here on the Great Dao—if I reveal this to anyone, may I suffer heavenly punishment and obstacles!"

A muffled thunder rumbled in the clouds, sealing the oath.

Youqin Xuanya let out a light breath and stood up.

Li Changshou felt an inexplicable twinge of guilt and also rose to his feet.

"Shixiong," Youqin Xuanya said, "may Xuanya ask you two questions?"

"Please go ahead, Shimei."

Youqin Xuanya asked, "When Du Xian Men was attacked that day, were the three righteous heroes who saved it your Zhi Dao Ren?"

Li Changshou nodded slowly. "Yes."

"Shixiong, rest assured—I'll keep that secret... And, after the earth vein teleportation array that day, when the Tian Xian attacked, did you deliberately make us faint and then face the enemy alone?"

Li Changshou nodded again. "Yes."

Youqin Xuanya immediately bowed in a Daoist salute and said firmly, "On behalf of all the disciples in the sect, Xuanya thanks you for your help!"

Li Changshou raised his hand in a virtual gesture of support and laughed. "I'm also a Du Xian Men disciple; it's just that for some reasons I can't explain right now, I can't reveal my true cultivation..."

"I understand," Youqin Xuanya said softly, her eyes warm and her smile faint, her long hair swaying slightly.

She stood in the moonlight, like a flawless goddess statue, ethereal and untainted by any dust or impurity.

Youqin Xuanya sighed lightly and said to Li Changshou:

"Xuanya thought I could wait for you on the path ahead after becoming an immortal, but I never realized it was always you leading the way—I never truly saw your back. From now on, Shixiong will still be Xuanya's guiding light, the example that urges me to cultivate diligently. I've said what's in my heart. If you have no other matters, Xuanya will take her leave to go into seclusion."

Li Changshou nodded with a smile. "If you have any cultivation doubts, you can come to me—I'll do my best to answer them."

"Mm," Youqin Xuanya nodded with a smile, but added, "Though I want to reach your back with my own efforts. Shixiong, I'll head back now."

Li Changshou returned a Daoist bow, and Youqin Xuanya bowed in response.

Then, she turned and left with light steps, riding a cloud away from the alchemy room.

Li Changshou clasped his hands behind his back and walked to the door of the alchemy room, gazing at Youqin Xuanya's departing figure for a while.

"She’s pretty sharp."

He didn’t even need to persuade her—the Great Dao oath was already made on her own.

The Zhangmen lineage was indeed formidable, but...

"Shimei, could you come back for a moment? Let's discuss a few minor details about that Great Dao oath?"