Chapter 192: Do Not Judge by Appearance

"Hey, what has your senior brother been up to lately? I went to the alchemy room and couldn't find him anywhere."

"Uncle, I'm not sure either. Senior brother has been clearing a plot of land in the back mountain recently. He goes there every few days, seeming to research some *Shen Tong*."

"Hmm…"

*Jiu Jiu* placed her hands on her hips and puffed out her chest, lost in thought for a moment.

"*Ling E*, while using a single character makes it sound intimate, could you call me *Jiu* instead?

Calling me 'uncle' feels a bit over the top. Do I come across as some mannish woman!"

*Ling E* glanced down at the certain sinful feature on the person beside her and sighed softly, "Senior Uncle, have you run out of wine?"

"*Hehe*," *Jiu Jiu* chuckled a bit sheepishly, "I've been thinking about going into seclusion, and I'm a little short on supplies.

I just wanted to check if your senior brother has any tasks that need extra hands lately…

Does he need help?"

"Senior Uncle, you've already helped us at *Xiaoqiong* Peak so much," *Ling E* said with a gentle smile, pulling out a treasure pouch. "Senior brother already instructed me about this and prepared it for you ages ago."

"Why didn't you bring it out earlier!"

*Jiu Jiu* perked up instantly, snatching the treasure pouch and peeking inside at the 'stock,' bursting into a hearty laugh.

It perfectly captured the subtle shift in mindset before and after borrowing money from someone.

"With wine, how can we not have food? Let's go see if any spirit beasts are sick!"

"*Lingli* mentioned yesterday that a few of the *Guanguan* birds are ready to eat. Let's grill a couple today, and we should send a couple over to the *Bai Fan* Hall elders too."

"What are we waiting for? Let's go!"

A moment later…

"Wow, this one's perfect. The net of heaven is vast and leaves nothing uncovered—nice and plump without being greasy. Let's take it!"

And so, a tempting aroma wafted up from *Xiaoqiong* Peak.

To spare the feelings of the other spirit beasts, *Xiong Lingli*, *Ling E*, and *Jiu Jiu* headed to a distant forest, setting up a cauldron and grill.

After some lively fun, they ate and drank their fill.

The three of them packed up the cooking tools together, and *Xiong Lingli* hoisted her little hammer to carry out her daily task—patrolling the mountain.

*Jiu Jiu* laughed, "*Lingli*, this is inside the sect, with a protective mountain array around. No one's going to sneak up here."

"No way!"

*Xiong Lingli* replied seriously:

"There are so many spirit beasts and spirit herbs on the mountain. What if someone steals them?

All these things my cousin has set up didn't just come from nowhere. He taught me cultivation and gives me so much to eat—I can't afford to slack off.

Besides, anything my cousin assigns, I have to complete!"

*Ling E* said softly with a smile, "Thank you for your hard work, Senior Uncle."

"*Hehe*, if you guys need help with anything big, just wait till I'm done," *Xiong Lingli* said, her face flushing a little as she waved her hand. She slung the *Ling Bao* great hammer, personally refined by *Yun Zhongzi*, over her shoulder and strode off into the mountains.

As she walked farther away, she hummed a little tune she made up herself:

"Cousin sent me to patrol the mountain, search the left side then the right.

If anyone dares steal bird eggs, I'll punch them till they're smashed to bits."

The forest echoed with cheerful bird calls, beast roars, and bear growls.

*Ling E* gently remarked, "Senior Uncle *Xiong* really listens to senior brother."

"Yeah," *Jiu Jiu* wiped her mouth, her pretty face showing a touch of guilt.

She still had some conscience, after all, and pondered for a moment: "We can't just take without giving back. Let's go see what your senior brother is up to."

*Ling E* quickly said, "It's fine, Senior Uncle. Senior brother doesn't like to be disturbed."

"How could that be disturbing?" *Jiu Jiu* huffed. "I'm at the late stage of *Zhen Xian Jing*, on the verge of breaking into *Tian Xian*.

As a top expert in the sect about to become a *Tian Xian*, I want to help out a bit, and he's not happy about it!"

*Ling E* blinked, about to persuade her further, when she heard her senior brother’s voice transmission.

"In that case," *Ling E* said with a smile, "let's all go to the back mountain. Senior brother happens to need some help."

Only then did *Jiu Jiu* smile in satisfaction, summoning a cloud to carry *Ling E* toward the back mountain’s newly built isolation array.

Once inside the array, *Jiu Jiu* and *Ling E* saw dozens of circular thatched sheds scattered around, each about ten *zhang* in diameter.

Beneath the sheds grew various *Xian Cao*, all seemingly the same type but with subtle differences upon closer inspection.

"A *Da Ju Ling* Array?"

*Jiu Jiu's* round eyes widened as she looked at the flowing spiritual light beneath the sheds.

Though she wasn't versed in arrays, she recognized this one;

With her over a thousand years of experience, she could tell these weren’t rare spiritual herbs, just some ordinary *Xian Cao* and *Ling Cao*;

Yet below, a massive gathering array drew in the pure energy of heaven and the spiritual energy of earth to nurture these ‘weeds.’

"What's going on here?"

"There's a sign over there…"

*Ling E*, visiting for the first time, spoke softly. Her fairy skirt fluttering, she landed at the edge of the *Da Ju Ling* Array near a wooden sign.

It read: *Xiaoqiong* Peak *Xian Dou* Planting Ground (Approved by *Bai Fan* Hall)

Just then, *Li Changshou* emerged from one of the distant thatched sheds, sleeves rolled up and his long robe covered in dirt, though a faint smile played on his lips.

"Come over here. I'll show you something good."

*Ling E* and *Jiu Jiu*, puzzled but curious, gathered around…

With the experience from modifying *Jian Zhi Cheng Ren* and the technical support from the *Shen Tong* of external incarnations granted by the Great Mage, the improvement plan for *Sa Dou Cheng Bing* was progressing smoothly.

At the start, *Li Changshou's* requirements for the soldiers created by *Sa Dou Cheng Bing* weren’t high; he just wanted them to have *Yuan Xian Jing* level combat strength.

But even he hadn't expected that during the modification process, inspiration kept flowing…

In just over a month, through cultivating, crossbreeding, and ripening different types of ‘original *Xian Dou*,’ experimenting with various incantations and hand seals, and integrating advanced external incarnation techniques…

He had already developed three major types of *Dou Bing* and twelve minor types!

For now, these varieties were sufficient. The next research direction was to enhance the individual strength of these *Dao Bing*.

After that, he would deduce formations for thousand-strong and ten-thousand-strong battles to truly unleash their combat potential.

One step at a time—one can't eat a *Kun Peng* in one bite…

He called *Ling E* and *Jiu Jiu* over this time to verify the current results and also to study how to promote this *Shen Tong* within *Du Xian Men*.

Of course, he would promote the original version, keeping the improved *Xian Dou* for himself…

*Li Changshou* directly taught the original *Sa Dou Cheng Bing Shen Tong* to *Jiu Jiu* and *Ling E*, and demonstrated it for them—

He casually tossed out a few beans, transforming them into three slender figures in leather armor, ‘archers.’

Using his *Gui Dao Jing* cultivation, the *Dao Bing* he created were only barely at *Fan Xu Jing* level.

He then gave a simple command: "That tree."

They expressionlessly drew their bows and arrows, forming arrows with magical power that accurately hit a large tree a hundred *zhang* away, leaving three transparent holes in the trunk.

*Jiu Jiu* softly praised, "This is pretty good!"

*Ling E* whispered, "Senior brother, how is this different from *Jian Zhi Cheng Ren*?"

"The paper figures from *Jian Zhi Cheng Ren* will persist as long as their magical power isn’t depleted," *Li Changshou* explained warmly. "But the *Dao Bing* from *Sa Dou Cheng Bing* only last a few hours."

With that, *Li Changshou* raised his hand and shook it lightly, turning the three *Dao Bing* into flowing sand that slowly dissipated.

He continued explaining to his junior sister:

"The paper figures from *Jian Zhi Cheng Ren* require you to split your focus to control them, or they can only do simple tasks like sweeping or gathering.

But the *Dao Bing* from *Sa Dou Cheng Bing*, once given a combat intent and simple instructions, will fight until they crumble."

Pausing, *Li Changshou* noticed *Jiu Jiu* getting eager and said:

"Want to play a game?"

*Jiu Jiu's* eyes lit up at once. "Have you come up with another exclusive activity for *Xiaoqiong* Peak?"

"Sort of," *Li Changshou* said, pulling out an empty porcelain bottle and filling it with eighteen *Xian Dou* of different colors and qualities.

Then, he outlined the game rules on the spot:

"This project is tentatively named… *Dou Xian Ren*.

'*Dou*' sounds like 'fight,' as in *Dou Fa*.

Each participant draws one bean, using only the magical power level of the weakest among the players to activate *Sa Dou Cheng Bing*, then have them fight it out to see who wins.

What do you think?"

*Jiu Jiu* grimaced a bit. "This is basically the same as fighting *Xian Chong*, isn’t it? Not very original."

"You're thinking too narrowly, Senior Uncle," *Li Changshou* shook his head. "*Xian Chong* can't be controlled, but *Dao Bing* can be through your mind, like proxies in a fight.

We can add conditions, like two bases, a river, a few stone towers, and have the controlled *Dao Bing* keep battling.

Single, double, or multi-player—there are endless variations."

*Jiu Jiu* tilted her head in thought, her eyes gradually lighting up.

*Li Changshou* smiled with narrowed eyes.

This was also his intention—to promote *Sa Dou Cheng Bing* within *Du Xian Men* through this method.

If external enemies appeared again, the sect would have more ways to respond…

*Li Changshou* sent a voice transmission to *Xiong Lingli*, asking her to join for more fun.

Soon after, the four of them randomly selected four *Xian Dou*, using *Ling E's* magical power as the standard, and simultaneously performed *Sa Dou Cheng Bing*…

*Xiong Lingli* was strong but at a low cultivation level, so she couldn't use the *Shen Tong* herself; *Li Changshou* did it for her.

With a light "pop," a sword soldier in ice-blue robes and shiny leather armor appeared before *Xiong Lingli*.

The archer's robes were inscribed with four large characters—*Bing Han Jian Bing*.

"Wow, it really turns into a person!"

*Xiong Lingli* exclaimed in admiration, circling the sword soldier excitedly.

"I'll go first," *Ling E* said with a smile, scattering the beans properly and quickly forming hand seals as her senior brother had taught.

After a puff of green smoke, a *Dao Bing* appeared before her, clad in black robes and a hood, wielding two curved knives.

Similarly, its robes bore four large characters—*Wan Yue Dao Bing*.

"You next, *Xiao Changshou*," *Jiu Jiu* gestured to *Li Changshou* with her chin. "I want to go last!"

*Li Changshou* nodded with a smile, tossing the bean in front of him and casually forming a few seals, summoning a burly figure holding two copper hammers.

Its robes displayed four bold characters—*Ba Xiong Chui Bing*.

*Xiong Lingli's* eyes sparkled. "Cousin, I like this one!"

"No swapping," *Li Changshou* laughed. "Even in a small competition, we need to be fair and just."

"Mhm!" *Xiong Lingli* nodded earnestly, her face full of seriousness.

And so, the three turned their gazes to *Jiu Jiu*.

*Jiu Jiu* smiled faintly, exuding an air of effortless ease. She pinched the *Xian Dou* between her fingers and shouted:

"Ya!"

A wisp of immortal power blossomed from her fingertip, matching *Ling E's* level. She enveloped the bean with it, tossed it forward, and rapidly formed seals.

That massive sinful feature swayed gently, her short hemp clothes teetering on the edge of impropriety.

"*Sa Dou Cheng Bing*!"

The *Xian Dou* shattered, a green smoke rose, and before *Jiu Jiu*, it condensed into… into…

"Hmm?"

*Jiu Jiu* tilted her head, squatting down to stare at the strange *Dao Bing* in front of her, only about a *chi* tall.

It had a long beak half a *chi* in diameter, a round green head, two dot-like eyes, and below the head, a stem with two symmetrical branches in the middle and two more below, like feet.

A bamboo sign fell at *Jiu Jiu's* feet, also inscribed with four characters…

*Wan Dou She Shou*.

"This!?"

*Jiu Jiu's* forehead was lined with black veins, her mouth twitching wildly;

*Ling E* couldn't hold back and burst into giggles, quickly covering her mouth and turning away.

"Ahem," *Li Changshou* said seriously, "I didn’t expect you to draw the rarest *Dao Bing*, Senior Uncle. You’ve already won this round."

"No way! I want to switch!"

*Jiu Jiu* stomped her foot in frustration, causing the ground to shake dramatically.

However, *Li Changshou* just smiled calmly and had her recite a short incantation.

With a "peh!"

The *Wan Dou She Shou* spat out a fist-sized pellet from its mouth, carrying the aura of the five elements—fire and metal—as it flew a hundred *zhang* and exploded on a barren patch, kicking up a cloud of dust!

When the dust settled, it left a crater ten *zhang* wide!

And this was just from a *Dao Bing* activated with *Ling E's* level of power!

*Ling E* and *Jiu Jiu* exchanged glances, both a bit shocked.

Though they often messed around, they weren't foolish and could sense the power of this *Sa Dou Cheng Bing Shen Tong*, as well as the might of this ‘*Wan Dou She Shou*’…

The downside was that it moved slowly and could only serve as a fixed ‘turret.’

But this was just a small step in *Li Changshou's* path of modification…

*Jiu Jiu* suddenly shouted, "Let the fight begin!"

Caught off guard, the other three watched as the *Wan Dou She Shou* started rapid "peh-peh-peh" shots, sending the other three *Dao Bing* scrambling in chaos.

Laughter echoed across *Xiaoqiong* Peak, with *Jiu Jiu's* wild cackles ringing out.

The laughter was carried away by passing clouds from *Du Xian Men*, drifting toward the East Sea…

"Your Highness, is this enough?"

In the East Sea Dragon Palace, two massive dragon carriages were piled high with treasure chests. The turtle immortal wiped the sweat from his forehead and asked *Ao Yi*, dressed in blue robes.

*Ao Yi* thought for a moment…

"Add one more cart, mainly with materials for arrays."

"This… as you wish, old minister."

"I wonder if *Si Si* has returned from her clan with gifts for *Changshou* brother. I haven't heard from her in a few days, and I'm a bit worried."

*Ao Yi* murmured to himself.