Chapter 35: Routines, Counter-Routines, Counter-Counter-Routines

In the early morning, Li Changshou, who had been busy in the danfang all night, returned to the area near the grass hut.

Before he even got close, he caught a faint scent of wine. His lingzhi swept over his little junior sister's room, and he couldn't help but raise his hand to his forehead.

Better to go around...

Although the scene inside the grass hut was quite appealing at the moment.

Scattered on the ground were various signs for "simulating mortal life" games, along with the deck of "poker" cards he had made for his junior sister years ago.

—This deck was quite extravagant, made from the special paper Li Changshou used for creating "paper figures," with raw materials from the sap of a precious tree, and the crafting process was extremely complex.

It was obvious that the three of them had played all night and were finally knocked out by the fine wine Jiu Jiu had brought out...

His lingzhi showed a great sword, a long skirt, a short shirt, and several pairs of shoes and socks strewn on the floor.

Ling E and Jiu Jiu were sound asleep on the bed, one lying straight and the other sprawled out—Jiu Jiu hugging Ling E's leg, while Ling E was holding Youqin Xuanya's jade-like foot.

In the corner of the bed, Youqin Xuanya was reclining in a somewhat elegant pose, but... she was clutching a pink dudou that belonged to someone.

No, he couldn't bear to look. Just no.

Li Changshou activated the array near the grass hut, turned around, and went to the willow tree by the lake. He took out two unfinished paper figures and continued cutting them with his fay.

Paper cutting into human forms was an advanced divine ability, recorded in the Daomen Tiangang Thirty-Six Methods. Li Changshou had acquired this ability through a stroke of fate.

From the time he obtained it until now, fifty years had passed, and he had only just achieved a basic mastery.

Once Li Changshou became an immortal, this divine ability would unleash its true power; the paper figures he made could then carry a portion of his yuanshen, allowing for temporary external incarnations...

Paper cutting was also one of his primary divine abilities, enabling him to harm enemies without injury, which suited him perfectly.

Other skills like arrays, talismans, dan medicines, and refining poisons were just casual pursuits for him—hobbies to build some security for his life.

Half a day later, Li Changshou put away the two newly completed paper figures and glanced at the grass hut. The three inside showed no signs of waking up.

His master, Qi Yuan, was still out attending a banquet and probably wouldn't return for a while.

Although Qi Yuan had only achieved the status of a Zhuxian, his position within the sect had improved significantly.

Without becoming an immortal, one was merely mortal, with a lifespan of at most three thousand years.

Those who had been friends with Qi Yuan in the past—whether they thought his social value had diminished, didn't want to grieve when his lifespan ended, or wished to avoid putting pressure on him—had kept their distance for the last few centuries.

Now that Qi Yuan had become a Zhuxian, he had a path to becoming a Zhenxian, as long as things went smoothly.

Even though the title wasn't the most prestigious, he now had a longer lifespan, and his old friends had gathered around again...

—Within the immortal gates, things were quite pragmatic.

"Master's future cultivation is going to be a challenge..."

As he was thinking, Li Changshou suddenly turned his head toward the mountains outside.

Whoosh—

A sound of something breaking through the air came from the horizon. Li Changshou quickly ducked behind the other side of the willow tree, raised his left arm, and used his left hand to steadily intercept the small jade sword flying toward him, stopping it ten zhang away.

From the jade sword came the voice of a middle-aged Daoist: "Li Changshou of Xiaoqiong Peak, come quickly to Baifan Hall for a meeting."

"This disciple acknowledges the order."

The jade sword immediately turned around and shot back toward Potian Peak.

A moment later, two more jade swords flew from the same direction, heading straight for his little junior sister's grass hut.

Seeing this, Li Changshou immediately understood what was happening.

He shook his head and summoned a white cloud to leave first, avoiding Youqin Xuanya and Jiu Jiu, who were likely also summoned to Baifan Hall.

...

This summons was probably about the Donghai Demon-Slaying Assembly.

To avoid drawing attention by arriving too early, Li Changshou waited under a tree outside the hall...

Sure enough, no one noticed him.

Once there were more than ten figures in the southwestern corner of Baifan Hall, he stepped inside and continued to "blend in" from the corner.

Although Jiu Wu was cunning, stingy, and fond of taking advantages, he did have a few redeeming qualities, like keeping his promises.

In the eyes of others, Li Changshou was still just an "excellent" disciple at Fanxu Realm second stage, and Jiu Wu hadn't revealed his true cultivation of "Fanxu sixth stage"...

When Li Changshou arrived, six of the top ten disciples in terms of cultivation among the current generation were already there, along with six or seven Zhenxian from the thousand-year lifespan category.

For a grand event like the Demon-Slaying Assembly where immortals gathered, the various immortal sects couldn't help but compare. The talent and potential of their disciples were most directly shown through their cultivation progress and how it stacked up against their age.

The younger the age and the higher the cultivation, the greater the talent and insight, which brought honor to their sect.

That's why Jiu Jiu rarely missed occasions like this, unless she was in closed cultivation...

Li Changshou waited a while longer in the hall as more Zhenxian arrived, and two more young disciples showed up.

When Jiu Jiu and Youqin Xuanya arrived late, there were a total of eleven young disciples and sixteen Zhenxian present.

That was everyone summoned today.

Elder Ge, who handled the sect's external affairs, arrived with two other elders and explained the purpose of the gathering in detail...

Elder Ge said: "This time, the Donghai Dragon Palace is holding the Demon-Slaying Assembly on the East Sea coast, inviting the major immortal sects of Dongsheng Shenzhou to attend. Our Duixian Gate is among the invited.

You all likely witnessed the incident with that evil dragon attacking our mountain gate last time.

Not only that, the dragon deliberately gave us the wrong date for the assembly, trying to embarrass our Duixian Gate...

Fortunately, the immortal sects of Dongzhou communicate with each other, so we already knew the assembly would be held in seven days. Our Duixian Gate will depart in four days, along with the other sects, to attend on the East Sea.

The sect leader has ordered that Wangqing Shangren will lead the disciples, with several elders who have achieved the Tianxian Dao Fruit accompanying us...

You Zhenxian are also part of the entourage."

Elder Ge paused, his gaze sweeping over the twenty-seven people, and continued:

"The Donghai Dragon Palace is hosting this Demon-Slaying Assembly for three main reasons.

First, to clearly define the boundaries between the East Sea and its coast.

Second, to regain the face they lost through the efforts of the immortal sects that will go to slay demons.

Third, to let their Dragon Clan descendants show off their prowess.

At this assembly, the Dragon Clan will offer some treasures as prizes for young disciples from various sects to compete in sparring matches, defending and attacking the arena.

You ten..."

Elder Ge had been looking at the ten young disciples standing at the back, but then his gaze fell on Li Changshou in the corner, and he corrected himself:

"You eleven are among the highest in cultivation among the current disciples, or the most, well, astute individuals.

We just conducted demon slaying in the East Sea a few years ago, so the Dragon Palace will likely target us at this assembly. There might also be a few sects with grudges against us trying to trip us up, aiming to make our young disciples look foolish.

Remember, you must not disgrace our Duixian Gate, nor lose the dignity of our Sanjiao Immortal Sect!

If anyone provokes you privately, ignore them. But in formal sparring, make sure they know our strength!

After prior discussions among the sects, the young representatives from Dongzhou's immortal sects attending will all be under one hundred and fifty years old, with few geniuses who have entered the Guidao Realm.

If you can win those treasures, consider them your rewards.

Do you understand?"

Most of the eleven disciples looked pleased and responded in unison: "This disciple will remember the elder's teachings."

Elder Ge nodded, then pondered for a moment before saying: "There's one more thing, personally instructed by Wangqing Shangren..."

Everyone fell silent and listened carefully.

"Li Changshou of Xiaoqiong Peak, where are you?"

"This disciple is here." Li Changshou thought to himself that trouble was brewing—he had underestimated Jiu Wu's cunning—but he remained composed and bowed in respect.

Elder Ge said solemnly: "On this trip, the young disciples will all follow your direction. You will be the leader of the young disciples."

For a moment, not only were the other ten disciples stunned, but the sixteen Zhenxian also turned to look at Li Changshou.

Why would a Fanxu Realm second-stage disciple be chosen as the leader?

Feeling the gazes converging on him, Li Changshou couldn't help but twitch his mouth slightly.

It was deliberate—Jiu Wu was absolutely deliberate!

This short Daoist was forcing him to reveal his hand!

Earlier, Li Changshou had thought that going to the East Sea would be fine, as the sect's Tianxian experts would protect them, and he could scout for a good spot to undergo tribulation in the vast, sparsely populated sea.

But out of nowhere, Jiu Wu had set this trap!

What he had seen as a harmless venture was now going to cost him dearly...

Jiu Jiu asked cheerfully: "How did Master know about you, this guy?"

But several disciples nearby and some Zhenxian from other peaks couldn't help but voice their questions...

"This disciple believes this is inappropriate," Li Changshou responded quickly, furrowing his brow, lowering his head, and letting his breath become slightly chaotic, with sweat forming on his forehead.

He said softly: "Please, Elder, retract the order."

"Oh?"

Elder Ge frowned: "Are you dissatisfied with Wangqing Shangren's directive?"

"This disciple dares not, but there is something suspicious about this," Li Changshou kept his head down and hesitated before asking quietly: "This disciple boldly asks— was this directive given directly by Wangqing Shangren, or was it relayed by Jiu Wu?"

Elder Ge furrowed his brow: "It was relayed by Jiu Wu."

Li Changshou felt a slight relief in his heart, and his expression shifted to one of slight panic mixed with a hint of inevitable resignation...

Jiu Wu had definitely used Wangqing Shangren's name without informing him about such a minor matter regarding the young disciples.

Falsifying like this meant nothing to Jiu Wu—Wangqing Shangren wouldn't investigate and might even cover for his disciple if needed; it was just Jiu Wu acting first and reporting later...

But this also left plenty of loopholes.

Li Changshou decided to counterattack on the spot.

Since you've made the first move, Jiu Wu, don't blame me for responding!

Being the leader of the young generation was like being the prime target—it would put him right in the spotlight, and troubles would keep coming one after another!

He absolutely couldn't accept this!

Li Changshou showed a ashamed expression and sighed: "To be honest with you, Elder, in recent years, this disciple has become friends with Jiu Wu of Potian Peak, discussing the joys of brewing and tasting wine together.

Once, when Jiu Wu was drinking at my place and got drunk, he joked that even someone as ordinary and unknown as me could be made to stand out among our peers.

Little did I expect that after sobering up, he felt obligated to follow through, worrying about his own reputation, and arranged this.

This disciple is truly alarmed."

Elder Ge's brow furrowed deeper, while the other disciples and sect members suddenly understood.

So that's what happened...

Immediately, the way those around looked at Li Changshou lost any hostility, and many felt sympathy for him, thinking Jiu Wu was abusing his sect influence.

Even Jiu Jiu muttered: "Fifth Senior Brother, how could you be so frivolous! Really!"

Far away, tens of thousands of li off, Jiu Wu, who was flying through the air, suddenly sneezed several times...

In Baifan Hall, Li Changshou sighed a few more times and said: "This disciple doesn't want to put you in a difficult position, Elder, nor blame Jiu Wu for his good intentions.

But this disciple truly can't handle such a responsibility.

How about selecting another disciple who is more fitting to lead, and let this disciple just go along to the East Sea coast?

If this was indeed instructed by Wangqing Shangren, this disciple will accept it without question and carry it out, even at the cost of my life for the sect.

If it's just Jiu Wu's joke, this disciple doesn't dare claim such honor and only seeks to tag along this once.

Please, Elder, see through this matter."

With that, Li Changshou bowed low and stayed that way.

The immortals felt quite moved, thinking this disciple had been unfairly treated by Jiu Wu and was quite pitiable.

Even a female disciple said gently: "Junior Brother Changshou, why not just take the lead? We all know the situation, so no one will complain."

The other disciples nodded in agreement.

"What Changshou said makes some sense," Elder Ge pondered for a moment, his gaze full of approval for Li Changshou.

He added: "Jiu Wu has gone to Zhongshenzhou, and we can't contact him right now. This isn't important enough to disturb Wangqing Shangren...

Very well, we'll do as you suggested and choose another leader."

No sooner had Elder Ge spoken than Youqin Xuanya stepped forward, cupped her hands, and said firmly: "This disciple is willing to take on this responsibility!"

Li Changshou felt a bit surprised—Youqin today was...

So understanding of his intentions?

After a few years of closed cultivation, she had indeed made progress; her "toxicity" seemed to have lessened a bit...

However, before Li Changshou could relax, Youqin Xuanya continued: "Please, Elder, appoint two leaders, with this disciple and Senior Brother Changshou serving together. That way, it can be resolved for everyone!"

"Cough!"

Li Changshou choked on his breath.

Damn!

Her "toxicity" hadn't lessened at all—it had intensified!

Just then, Youqin Xuanya turned to look at Li Changshou, her eyes full of determination, her gaze serious, even with a hint of shyness.

'Leave it to me, Senior Brother Changshou. Xuanya will make sure you don't face any difficulties.'

At that moment, Li Changshou felt like he...

Was about to crack apart.