Chapter 299: Secret Trump Card

As soon as Hei Bao Jing had finished blessing himself, several Yao clansmen returned to this place, laughing and chatting.

Li Changshou hid in the shadows to observe, and soon discovered that these Yao clansmen were simply returning to their own cave dwellings, which were located in this shallow valley and hidden in a somewhat secluded spot.

These Yao clansmen "accidentally" stumbled upon the cave that Hei Bao Jing had just opened and immediately offered neighborly greetings.

They captured a Shui Yao and beat Hei Bao Jing, seemingly about to humiliate the Shui Yao right in front of him. But a gentle breeze blew by, and these Yao clansmen rolled their eyes back and collapsed on the ground, their breaths fading and their Yao Dan losing all color.

It was just one Tian Xian realm great Yao and a few Zhen Xian realm Yao clansmen, so Li Changshou's Jin Xian realm Paper Daoist handled them easily...

By using poisonous powder combined with a miyao.

It was best not to waste Xian force if it wasn't necessary—that was the manual for using Paper Daoists.

Afterward, Li Changshou took on the appearance of the round-faced old immortal and rode a cloud to appear outside the cave, chuckling a few times.

Hei Bao Jing pulled the Shui Yao, Miao Miao, outside, and upon seeing Li Changshou, he bent his knees and knelt down.

"Thank you, senior, for saving us! Thank you, senior!"

"Shut up!"

Li Changshou and the female Yao shouted sternly almost at the same time.

Hei Bao Jing trembled slightly and smiled bitterly.

Li Changshou added, "And don't even think about blessing me in your heart. I'm of weak fate and can't handle such things."

Hei Bao Jing was both amused and exasperated, so he could only kowtow repeatedly.

"Thank you, senior, for saving my life! Please come inside and rest!"

Li Changshou nodded calmly and spoke earnestly:

"Ah Bao, I saved you once, and maybe I can save you a second time, but the third or fourth time, I might not be able to save your life.

I'm leaving now. You and your wife should stay here and cultivate in peace. Don't say... those words anymore.

It's better to hope for good fortune by being practical, handling things one by one. Talking a lot is worth less than taking action. Do you understand?"

Hei Bao Jing fell into thought, then bowed deeply. "This junior understands!"

Then, Li Changshou looked at the Shui Yao, Miao Miao, with a somewhat complex gaze, feeling a bit puzzled in his heart, so he asked, "I have some doubts. Why your wife...

Or is it that you're quite dissatisfied with her in your heart?"

"Senior, you're mistaken. This junior feels nothing but gra—"

A crisp slap rang out, and Hei Bao Jing's head, dragging his body along, flew to the left side. His figure spun like a top around the axis from head to soles, completing thirty-six full rotations!

That hand, swift as a phantom, paused briefly in the slapping position before calmly retracting, folding with the other hand on the skirt of its owner, the Shui Yao Miao Miao.

She smiled a little embarrassedly and said softly:

"Replying to senior, it's nothing special—just that my hand was quick."

Li Changshou: ...

Ah Bao quickly got up, his right cheek swollen, and silently wiped the corner of his eye.

"Forgive the laughter, senior. It was nothing."

"Very good," Li Changshou nodded calmly and said, "I'll be on my way now. Ah Bao, just focus on your cultivation."

"Senior! Senior!"

Hei Bao Jing called out repeatedly, stopping Li Changshou in his tracks, then asked a bit hesitantly:

"Senior, could you tell this junior the truth?

Have you taken a liking to this junior's mouth?

If you have, considering the life-saving grace just now, this junior will surely go all out to—"

"Stop!" Li Changshou shouted.

Hei Bao Jing quickly shut his mouth and swallowed his words.

"I'm not asking for your loyalty, and there's no connection between you and me," Li Changshou chose his words carefully. "I'm not scheming for anything from you either. I know that your mouth doesn't work if you force it.

To be honest, I just find your ability quite peculiar.

The Yao race's great prosperity needs talents like you.

Just stay here and cultivate in peace. Raising Yao for a thousand years means using them in a moment, and there will be a place for you to shine.

Take these Dan Yao; they'll help you and your wife in your cultivation."

Hei Bao Jing was deeply moved and bowed to Li Changshou again.

As Li Changshou turned to leave, riding his cloud into the sky, Hei Bao Jing shouted, "Senior, may I have your name?"

From the misty clouds came a voice:

"I am a recluse in pure cultivation, caring little for worldly affairs as I ride idle cranes. You may call me Lu Ya Dao Ren."

Hei Bao Jing murmured softly, praising, "Senior Lu Ya is truly a...

Unspeakable, unspeakable. Whew!

Wife, quickly set up a memorial tablet with this senior's name. Though I can't speak blessings or think them in my heart, I can still offer incense daily."

"Husband," the Shui Yao Miao Miao stepped forward and said softly, "It's all thanks to your innate ability that we've received this great one's care."

"Good days are still... cough! Cough cough!"

Hei Bao Jing stopped himself in time and said, "I'll handle the bodies first. Wife, go set up the tablet."

"Mm," Shui Yao Miao Miao replied softly, and the Yao couple immediately got to work.

Meanwhile, Li Changshou hadn't gone far and overheard Hei Bao Jing's words, which made him smile with narrowed eyes...

He left two Paper Daoists here to protect and monitor Hei Bao Jing in the future.

In his heart, he briefly calculated the matter of the Heavenly Court purging the Yao.

The timing wasn't quite ripe yet.

To put it bluntly, the Heavenly Court's high-end forces weren't strong enough, and their overall military strength was even inferior to that of the Yao race. How could they purge them?

The deep-sea Yao race was just one branch of the Yao, and they had already lost many experts in the previous war with the Long race, so dealing with them was only of simple difficulty.

But the remnants of the Yao Court lurking on the borders of Bei Ju Lu Continent and Xi Niu He Continent included many powerful old-generation Yao experts, which would be a nightmare-level challenge for the current Heavenly Court.

Purging the Yao was just one step in the Heavenly Court's plan to gain prestige and for him to earn Gong De, and this Hei Bao would become a strategic-level treasure in the future.

Later, he would guide—cough, cultivate—Hei Bao's sense of identity with the Yao race, have him practice the art of silent meditation, and sincerely join some powerful Yao kings.

From the inside, use massive quantities to breach the Yao race's defenses!

Li Changshou thought for a moment and had the two Paper Daoists monitoring Hei Bao keep a greater distance.

This double-edged sword required utmost caution.

Back on Xiao Qiong Peak.

While Li Changshou was tracking Hei Bao Jing, things here had quieted down.

He didn't have high hopes for Ling E's ascension, as she lacked experience and trials. More importantly, although he had solidified her Dao foundation with his methods, there were still many gaps and flaws.

At most, she could only ascend to the mid-to-late Zhen Xian realm.

Originally, Jiu Jiu had prepared various celebrations for Ling E's successful ascension, but because Ling E was in seclusion, everything was postponed.

On the other hand, Youqin Xuanya felt the pressure and began her own seclusion, apparently not wanting to fall behind Ling E.

That day, after handling the Hei Bao matter, Li Changshou started refining Dan in the Dan room, analyzing...

That character 'go'.

The means of a Sheng Ren were beyond his current comprehension.

In truth, he didn't need to overthink what the Sheng Ren wanted him to do.

Sheng Ren had transcended the fetters of the Dao, sitting on the banks of the river of time, watching the beings in the sea of suffering wander endlessly. What they saw was different from what the beings understood.

Li Changshou racked his brains and could only hypothesize:

As long as he had gone to contact Hei Bao Jing at that time, no matter what choice he made—whether scheming against Hei Bao, utilizing him, or even killing him—it would lead to the story line the Sheng Ren foresaw.

No matter what guesses or schemes he made in his heart, as long as the Sheng Ren didn't directly intervene, it meant he hadn't deviated from the predetermined path.

This was about how to be an excellent Sheng Ren pawn.

And this game of chess...

'When can I escape from it?'

He didn't need to be the one playing; just staying far away would be fine.

In the Dan furnace, the San Mai Zhen Yan, reduced to half its power, flickered continuously, and the several Bao Dan inside were on the verge of forming.

A few figures flew over from Po Tian Peak. Li Changshou pondered briefly and continued focusing on refining the Dan, closing the outer arrays of the Dan room.

These Bao Dan were for Xiong Lingli, a 'Zhuang Shen Dan' to compensate for the innate deficiencies in the Wu people's Yuan Shen, helping her strength improve faster.

Now, the captain of Xiao Qiong Peak's security team had become the third weakest in terms of power, which was somewhat unreasonable.

Incidentally, the weakest was undoubtedly...

Jiu Yushi.

His own master would never be at the bottom!

Wang Qing Shang Ren rode a cloud with Jiang Lin Er following beside him and Jiu Wu behind, arriving together at the Xiao Qiong Peak Dan room.

Jiang Lin Er called out, "Changshou, are you refining Dan?"

"Shizu, Shibo Zu, Shibo, please come in and wait a moment. This disciple's furnace of Dan will be ready shortly."

Li Changshou spoke warmly, and Wang Qing Shang Ren nodded with a smile, appreciating that Li Changshou hadn't abandoned the Dan to greet them.

Though he was a Jin Xian in the sect, it wasn't anything extraordinary.

Soon, Li Changshou retracted the furnace fire, slowly opened the lid of the black Dan furnace just a crack to release a bit of the medicinal fragrance, then sealed it again to let the Dan settle.

Turning around, he bowed.

"This disciple was rude."

"No matter," Fu Gui Shang Ren waved his hand, and Jiu Wu had already brought over two chairs for his master and mistress to sit.

Jiang Lin Er cleared her throat and smiled. "Little Changshou, I'm here to talk to you about Ling E's cultivation.

I specially brought this old man along, mainly so you won't trick me and make me feel at ease."

Li Changshou said seriously, "Shizu, you're overthinking. How could this disciple trick you?"

At most, just arrange a few things.

Jiu Wu chuckled beside them, looking like he was enjoying the show.

Wang Qing Shang Ren asked, "When Ling E crossed her tribulation, I was in seclusion and didn't see it. I heard from Lin Er that she faced a ninefold heavenly tribulation?"

"Yes."

"What about you?"

Wang Qing Shang Ren asked calmly, his eyes showing a piercing light.

Li Changshou tensed slightly and said lowly, "This disciple's aptitude seems inferior to my junior sister."

"Really?" Jiang Lin Er crossed her legs and smiled. "I don't believe it."

It seemed Shizu Jiang Lin Er was here to probe his details today.

This kind of tactic wasn't hard to counter.

If they reasoned, he would appeal to emotion; if they appealed to emotion, he would reason.

"Shibo Zu, Shizu," Li Changshou said steadily, "This disciple was raised by my master and has always focused on cultivation. Even with some achievements, I dare not forget my teacher's grace.

Shizu, you should sense that since your return to the mountain, has this disciple done anything harmful to the sect?

The reason Ling E's Dao foundation is so solid is indeed due to this disciple's dedicated guidance and the use of various rare and hard-won Dan Yao!

This disciple seeks nothing, only peace for Xiao Qiong Peak and safety on the immortal paths for those around me!"

—That Nine Revolutions Golden Dan was still with Ling E, as she hadn't seen her senior brother after her tribulation.

These words were sincere, truly making Jiang Lin Er feel guilty and Wang Qing Shang Ren sigh, while the short Daoist Jiu Wu looked up with a sigh, his eyes reddening.

"Changshou, say no more," Jiang Lin Er said gently. "I know you've worn yourself out for Xiao Qiong Peak, for your master and junior sister.

But..."

Her tone shifted, and Jiang Lin Er smiled slyly. "Today, we're not here to ask about your cultivation.

Let's be straightforward!

Do you see this Jin Xian beside me?

I'm here to fulfill my promise—to tie you up and throw you into Ling E's room!"

As she spoke, Jiang Lin Er puffed out her chest and patted it loudly. "I, Jiang Lin Er, keep my word. Once said, it must be done!"

Wang Qing Shang Ren nodded slowly. "Whatever my wife says, I will fully support."

Jiu Wu pulled out an Xian rope and laughed. "Changshou, look... I'm in a tough spot too. It's my mistress's order, after all."

Li Changshou: ...

What a feint to the east and strike to the west—completely unexpected!

But this wouldn't stump him.

Li Changshou furrowed his brow and suddenly exclaimed lightly, "Sect Leader, why are you here?"

Wang Qing Shang Ren, Jiang Lin Er, and Jiu Wu all turned their heads to look, and Li Changshou lightly tapped his foot, transforming into a wisp of green smoke and instantly using Tu Dun to retreat into the outer arrays.

Jiu Wu also heard a voice transmission...

"Shibo, if you have any sense of loyalty, volunteer to chase me!"

Wang Qing Shang Ren chuckled lightly. "This little disciple is quite slippery."

"Master! This disciple will go after him!" Jiu Wu shouted, not waiting for his master and mistress to nod before grabbing the Xian rope and hurrying out.

Wang Qing Shang Ren was about to follow when he saw a pouch embroidered with the character 'xi' on the ground. He waved his hand to summon it.

Inside was a Dan Yao, likely dropped by Li Changshou in his haste.

"Lin Er, let's go..."

"Husband!"

Suddenly, Jiang Lin Er called out softly beside him, her small hands wrapping around Wang Qing Shang Ren's arm. Her eyes were a bit dazed as she whispered, "Let's go back first and let him off for now..."

"Lin Er, what's wrong with you?"

"Quickly, take me back with your escape technique."

Wang Qing Shang Ren was puzzled but complied, turning into a rainbow light that flew back to Po Tian Peak in an instant.

In the arrays outside the Dan room, Li Changshou and Jiu Wu poked their heads out to watch...

Jiu Wu asked curiously, "What kind of Dan was that?"

"A type of spiritual Dan for Xian Shi, called Xin Huo Shao," Li Changshou said calmly. "If held by someone you love, it's completely irresistible."

Jiu Wu inhaled sharply. "What a powerful spiritual Dan!"

Li Changshou took out two pots of Dan Yao.

These were third-grade spiritual Dan for strengthening the foundation, with effects three times that of Du Long Wine, and the key was that their medicinal properties could sustain over time.

"New product. Use it wisely and keep it secret."

"Understood!"

Jiu Wu snapped his fingers and took the Dan Yao, laughing happily.

This trip with his master and mistress had gone exactly as he expected—they were easily sent away, and nephew Changshou even gave him a thank-you gift.

Wonderful, wonderful!

"Changshou ah..."

"Hold on, Shibo," Li Changshou frowned slightly, suddenly feeling a sense of foreboding.

He pinched his fingers to calculate, and his divine sense descended to the Hai Shen Temple in An Shui City, where he saw a familiar white-clothed youth, and couldn't help but exclaim lightly.