Chapter 272: Master, Look Over Here...

We all understand the reasoning, but...

Bringing back Shibo's reincarnation is one thing, but why such a grand production?

On the surface, it involved one Jin Xian, three Tian Xian, one Zhen Xian, one overt Yuan Xian, one Zhu Xian, and a token Guidao disciple.

That is, Wangqing Shangren, Jiang Lin'er, Jiu Yiyi, Jiu Jiu, Youqin Xuanya, Li Changshou, Qi Yuan Laodao, and Xiao Ling'e.

Naturally, the Li Changshou called out by Jiang Lin'er was the paper effigy staying in the mountain.

If you count the additional paper effigies Li Changshou brought along to protect his master and junior sister, this force would be more than enough to assault a small immortal sect...

Today's events were somewhat related to Li Changshou's recent frequent explosions near Du Xian Men.

Testing the limits of his paper effigy divine abilities resulted in constant spiritual blasts, with shockwaves repeatedly hitting the mountain-protecting array, preventing Wangqing Shangren and Jiang Lin'er from meditating in peace.

As a result, Jiang Lin'er, with nothing else to do, came to Xiaoqiong Peak to guide her disciples and grand-disciples, organizing some entertainment alongside cultivation. She played with Youqin Xuanya, Jiu Jiu, and Xiao Ling'e, using exquisite jade tiles to carve and polish.

After a few rounds of mahjong, Jiu Jiu asked,

"Shiniang, when are we going to bring that person back?"

Jiang Lin'er blinked and said, "No time like the present,"

prompting her to rally all these immortals and Daoists from Xiaoqiong Peak, leaving only Xiong Lingli behind to guard the spirit beast enclosure.

Incidentally, Jiang Lin'er overturned her previous plan, letting Qi Yuan Laodao handle the matter directly to give him a sense of involvement.

At that moment, the two white clouds heading south had completely different atmospheres...

On the front cloud, Wangqing Shangren stood with his hands behind his back, with a nervous Qi Yuan Laodao and a brooding, deep-in-thought Li Changshou standing behind him.

On the larger cloud behind, there was lively chatter and laughter among the women;

Jiu Yiyi, the standard fairy, was driving the cloud in front, while the "fierce and wicked" Little Shizu, the "sinfully outrageous" Jiu Shishu, the "unaware of her brother's strength" Lan Ling'e, and the "ice and fire extremes" Youqin Xuanya were ostensibly playing cards and having fun, but actually discussing their follow-up arrangements...

Xiao Ling'e used the Wind Whisper Spell to send a message:

"Having Master meet her directly—won't that be too much of a shock for him?"

"This can't be helped; better to rip off the bandage quickly," Jiu Jiu lightly snorted. "Things have come to this point, so we need to cut through the mess fast!"

Jiang Lin'er nodded. "Hmm, you're right; age and experience speak!"

Youqin Xuanya pondered quietly for a while and said softly,

"Shishuzu, in my opinion, it's better to tell Qi Yuan Shishu about it on the way, to avoid any mistakes later."

Jiang Lin'er thought for a moment, discussed it with the others, and finally settled on the supreme method to soothe Qi Yuan Laodao—

Send Changshou.

Li Changshou: ...

After hearing the message from his Shizu, Li Changshou turned to glance at the group on the cloud behind, who were all waving their fists in encouragement—his Shizu, Shishu, and junior sister. He could only raise his hand to his forehead and think carefully.

A moment later, Li Changshou sent a message to Jiang Lin'er with some instructions;

Jiang Lin'er immediately nodded in agreement and called out with a smile to Wangqing Shangren, "Husband, come over and give some pointers on the cultivation methods for Xuanya and Ling'e."

Li Changshou's arms were instantly covered in goosebumps, while Wangqing Shangren, who had been standing with his hands behind his back like a master, turned around with a light laugh, lightly tapped his toe, and floated toward the rear cloud.

Wangqing Shangren laughed. "With so many disciples around, Lin'er, you should be more mindful, or they might tease us."

Li Changshou: ...

For some reason, a torch burning with Samadhi True Flame appeared in his hand.

As Wangqing Shangren flew to the rear cloud, Qi Yuan Laodao clearly relaxed;

Once that cloud passed Qi Yuan and his disciples, Jiang Lin'er shouted triumphantly, "Hurry up, you two—we'll wait for you at the edge of the mortal world!"

Li Changshou: What kind of bold words are these!

After Wangqing Shangren and Jiang Lin'er's group flew away, Qi Yuan Laodao finally relaxed, raising his hand to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Ah," Qi Yuan sighed, "Master is going to the mortal world for fun and making such a big production out of it."

Li Changshou chuckled inwardly; this big production was half because of you, Master...

Then, looking at this master who had guided him into the Dao, Li Changshou felt an inexplicable pang of sorrow.

It's rare for things in the world to be perfect. When Master's Dao foundation could still be mended, his own cultivation was shallow and his skills weak, so besides the Rongxian Pill method, he couldn't think of any other strategy to help Master survive the heavenly tribulation.

Now, he had achieved the path of immortality, inherited the Taicqing Dan Dao, and could even obtain Nine-Turn Golden Pills and Nine-Turn Spirit Pills.

But Master had become a Zhu Xian...

The first time he met Xuandu Dafa Shi, Li Changshou had already asked about this. Xuandu Dafa Shi gave a clear answer—Zhu Xian follows the path of earth immortals; it's neither injury nor demonic possession, so it doesn't need saving and can't be saved.

Perhaps, it's just Master's fate.

"Master," Li Changshou pointed his finger at the cloud, and a short table with two chairs appeared there.

He wasn't using a divine ability to create from clouds; he was just taking things out of his storage treasure.

Li Changshou then produced a wine flask and smiled. "How about a drink?"

"Ah," Qi Yuan frowned, "Your Shizu and Shibo are up ahead—why drink now?"

"Master," Li Changshou said with a troubled expression, lowering his voice, "I have some pent-up feelings in my heart, and I don't know who to talk to..."

Qi Yuan said seriously, "In cultivation, it's most taboo to have blocked thoughts. Come, sit down. I'll drink with you, and you can tell me what's bothering you.

Don't worry; I'll keep it secret and won't tell a third person."

On the cloud ahead, several small ears perked up.

Qi Yuan used his somewhat turbid immortal power to set up a layer of immortal energy barrier around them and solemnly pulled his eldest disciple to sit.

As Li Changshou drank with his master, he started by making up some dissatisfactions about his cultivation, but gradually, the conversation led to old events from the past...

When Master was slightly drunk and his emotions had built up, Li Changshou suddenly sent a message:

"Master, Kuai Si Daoist died in the lightning tribulation array—I killed him."

Qi Yuan was stunned at first, then trembled and glared at Li Changshou. "You... Changshou, what nonsense are you saying? You can't joke about this!

Was it really you?"

"Yes," Li Changshou said with a serious face, continuing via message, "After my immortality tribulation, I once ascended, and my strength was no weaker than a Zhen Xian realm.

Before the sect's grand competition, I used the paper effigy method to track Kuai Si Daoist to the borders of Beiju Luzhou. I used some means to eliminate him in the wilderness.

His soul was completely destroyed, without a trace left.

Master, don't worry; no one can trace it back to me!"

Qi Yuan lowered his voice and sent a message back: "Paper can't wrap fire—what's done is done, so how can it not be traced to you?

This matter...

I'll take the blame for you!

Remember, you have nothing to do with Kuai Si's death—it was all me!"

Li Changshou: ...

"Master, that's not the point. If anyone asks about Kuai Si Daoist on Xiaoqiong Peak, I have ways to handle it. Just relax."

"Really?"

"Absolutely! I wouldn't joke with our master-disciple lives."

Qi Yuan worriedly said, "I'm already ruined; you and Ling'e must not make any mistakes... How could you be so foolish? Where's your usual caution?"

"This is caution—well, caution..."

"Master," Li Changshou cleared his throat, chose his words carefully, started to speak several times, and hesitated, not knowing how to broach the next part.

He could speak eloquently to deceive great powers and argue sharply with ancient spirits.

But at this moment, Li Changshou really didn't know how to handle it.

He was afraid of shocking Master too much and disrupting his Dao heart, perhaps even making him faint...

Should he prepare a warming furnace for Master?

Forget it; things have come to this, and there's no other way!

If needed, he'd seal Master's cultivation later, wait for his mindset to calm, and then slowly unseal it.

With that, Li Changshou took a bronze mirror from his sleeve.

Although he hadn't mastered the Cloud Mirror technique, by borrowing the paper effigy method—seeing what the paper effigy sees—he could project his inner vision onto the mirror, which wasn't difficult for him.

Li Changshou looked at the mirror for a while, then handed it to Qi Yuan Laodao.

Mist formed in the mirror, revealing a wondrous scene.

In it, a young girl walked through a garden, holding a short sword. She reached the shade of a wall-side tree and gently practiced a few poses, thinking carefully.

She had a delicate and beautiful face, already graceful at thirteen or fourteen, and because she had been implanted with an immortal seed, untouched by worldly filth, she exuded an innate lively charm.

A maid brought tea, and the girl picked up the teapot, drinking directly from it before carefully analyzing her sword moves, completely absorbed.

At first glance at the girl in the bronze mirror, Qi Yuan Laodao's whole body trembled lightly;

At the second glance, he stared wide-eyed and furrowed his brow, unable to help standing up, as if wanting to dive his head into the mirror.

Li Changshou smiled. "Master, in a few hours, we'll arrive and can meet her directly, bringing her into Du Xian Men."

"Really?"

Qi Yuan Laodao trembled as he spoke, then burst into tears, feeling lost yet enlightened.

"How could I dare deceive you about this?" Li Changshou said with a smile.

Qi Yuan sighed softly, holding the mirror and examining it closely, his gaze gradually showing a hint of... affection.

Wait...

Out of a sense of responsibility and caution, Li Changshou asked, "Master, you... understand?"

"Ah, you've made it so obvious—how could I not?" Qi Yuan Laodao sighed, holding the mirror and laughing with the weariness of the world, full of bitterness, murmuring,

"Shijie, is this your arrangement too..."

Li Changshou tilted his head in confusion. What?

Qi Yuan continued murmuring, "Don't worry, Shijie.

I'll do my best to teach her and make her an immortal talent like Changshou.

Your daughter is my daughter; I'll treat her just like my own, the same as Changshou and Ling'e!"

On the cloud ahead, Jiang Lin'er and Jiu Jiu couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

Li Changshou sighed. "Master... this is the reincarnation of Wan Jiangyu Shibo."

Qi Yuan Laodao was startled, and Li Changshou quickly sent a detailed message about how Wan Jiangyu had met with disaster and reincarnated.

For a while, Qi Yuan Laodao laughed and cried, even slapping himself a few times, and finally hugged the mirror, sobbing uncontrollably...

These reactions were all as expected, and thankfully, Master didn't talk about seeking death or reincarnating himself.

The most troublesome hurdle was finally over.

The two white clouds continued flying toward Nanzhanbuzhou, and this time, Qi Yuan was unusually hyper, pacing back and forth on the cloud without stopping.

At Jiang Lin'er's command, she ordered Qi Yuan to make himself look younger;

Qi Yuan Laodao agreed but didn't know how to do it.

After some laughter and jokes, with the Jin Xian Fuguai Shangren leading, they soon saw Nanzhanbuzhou in sight.

Just then, Li Changshou felt a sudden stir in his heart, his divine sense trembling, and a premonition of blood hitting him, as if something was happening at his Sea God Temple.

Li Changshou thought for a moment and didn't rush to send his divine sense there.

A few days ago, he had just scolded Ran Deng Daoist, so the Western Sect must have realized soft approaches wouldn't work and was trying something hard.

Li Changshou's strategy against the Western Sect was already planned, but he couldn't predict their exact moves and would have to respond as they came.

Li Changshou smiled. "I'll meditate for a bit; I have some insights."

With Jiang Lin'er's approval, he immediately sat cross-legged;

Under the curious gazes of Xiao Ling'e, Youqin Xuanya, and Jiu Jiu, this paper effigy closed its eyes.

His divine sense descended to Anshui City, and Li Changshou's eyes lit up.

In front of the Sea God Temple, twelve figures stood on the street, exuding a murderous aura, with thirty-two arms holding various weapons.

The first four figures each had four arms, clad in blood-red armor, looking extremely formidable. The eight behind had two arms and legs, similar to human forms.

These uninvited guests had several notable traits.

First, they radiated bloodlust and ferocity;

Second, the men had fierce faces and burly builds, while the women were strikingly beautiful with tall figures, their eyes often an unusual color;

Third, their auras fluctuated at levels equivalent to Zhen Xian or Tian Xian realm cultivators, with varying strengths, but their Dao rhymes were consistent, as if sharing a path related to slaughter.

They were...

Asuras?

It seemed the remaining Asura clan from the Blood Sea had been subjugated by the Western Sect?

These Asuras didn't speak, but they had already terrified the mortals, making their legs go weak as they fled.

—Clearly, the Asuras were giving the mortals a chance to escape, not wanting to incur the karma of killing them.

A group of Sea God Temple divine envoys was about to charge out, but Li Changshou secretly sent a message for them to retreat immediately and summon the true dragon guardians from the South Sea edge for backup.

The underground paper effigy vault opened, and paper effigies flew out;

From the South Sea coast dozens of miles away, dragon roars echoed!

However, several blood-colored figures appeared from the South Sea and pounced toward the dragon roars.

Among the twelve Asuras in front of the Sea God Temple, one swung a silver-white long knife forward, unleashing a dazzling ten-zhang blade light that shattered the temple's gate and left a deep gash in the ground.

Another female Asura shouted in a strange accent,

"Sea God, come out and die."

"Humph!"

A cold humph sounded, and a figure stepped out from the main hall of the Sea God Temple—an elderly man with white hair and a lean build, his usually kind face now full of anger. It was Li Changshou's old immortal skin paper effigy.

As this paper effigy stepped out of the front hall, dozens more were already in position underground, half ready with miniature arrays and the other half with poison powders and pills.

After entering the Jin Xian realm, Li Changshou's strength had soared comprehensively;

The number of paper effigies he could control simultaneously had also increased... several times over.