Chapter 420: How to Fight This Battle

This…

I wasn't prepared at all, and they just showed up out of the blue?

At the mountain gate, Li Changshou flew over on a cloud at an unprecedented speed, hurrying from Xiao Qiongfeng. He bowed with cupped hands to the elegant young master outside the gate and greeted with a smile, "What brings you here, young master?"

The elegant young master smiled warmly and said softly, "Have I come at an inconvenient time?"

"How could that be?"

Li Changshou gestured invitingly and turned to the elderly immortal guarding the gate, offering a respectful bow.

"This Xiao Gongzi is a close friend of mine. May I bring her inside the gate for now? I'll go to the Bai Fan Hall later to get a proper entry token."

The elder on duty hesitated. "Although I trust you, Nephew Li Changshou, the sect rules are strict—we can't allow unauthorized entry…"

Good on them! The elders are truly diligent in their duties!

With the visitor's gentle nature, she certainly wouldn't want to cause any trouble.

Indeed, the "elegant young master" was about to speak up, suggesting they take a stroll near the gate instead of insisting on entering.

Suddenly, a whooshing sound broke through the air as a green light shot from Po Tian Peak, transforming into a wooden plaque that landed in front of Li Changshou.

It was the Xu Xu—wait, no, the Wu You Palm Sect order!

Ji Wuyou's voice came from the plaque:

"Li Changshou recently resolved a long-standing issue for our sect—the conversion and continuation of spiritual energy in the Five Elements Array, which had troubled me for thousands of years. As a special reward, I grant you this order.

With it, you may freely bring guests in and out of the mountain gate and Du Xian Hall."

Li Changshou smiled with narrowed eyes, took the plaque, and said, "Thank you for the Palm Sect's generosity."

The gate guardians, a group of elderly immortals, quickly allowed entry, though they were puzzled as to why such a minor matter required the Palm Sect order, which rarely appeared even once in a hundred years.

Couldn't the Palm Sect have just sent a message?

The "elegant young master" blinked in surprise, clearly not expecting this turn of events. She stood on the cloud, smiling as she waited for Li Changshou's invitation. Once he gestured, she flew forward and stepped onto the cloud beneath his feet.

She whispered, "Am I disturbing you too much?"

Li Changshou replied warmly, "You came so suddenly, and I was just a bit flustered. How could I call it a disturbance?"

With that, Li Changshou guided the cloud, leading the "elegant young master" toward Xiao Qiongfeng.

In a small hut beside Du Xian Hall, Ji Wuyou, the Palm Sect, narrowed his eyes with a smile.

Though he didn't know who was visiting Li Changshou, he could guess with his toes that it must be some eminent figure from the three teachings or a great personage. How could he let sect rules upset a guest?

He had to show the full respect due to such a distinguished immortal!

This move had certainly broadened his path!

As they descended toward Xiao Qiongfeng, the elegant young master sensed the layers of grand arrays surrounding the peak and relaxed, dispelling her illusion technique. With a faint mist dissipating, her true appearance emerged.

Her eyebrows like uncut autumn water, her lips silent yet full of meaning.

Clad in clouds as robes and mist as sleeves, she stood like an immortal aloof on a frosty branch.

Who else could it be but Yunxiao Xianzi?

Li Changshou led Yunxiao Xianzi toward the spiritual lake on Xiao Qiongfeng. She remained calm and composed, simply gazing curiously at everything around her.

Yunxiao Xianzi asked, "In your duel with the demon prince, were you injured?"

"Not really," Li Changshou replied with a smile. "It just drained a lot of my immortal energy. Besides, it wasn't much of a duel—I was just using the treasures my master gave me to spar with him a bit."

Yunxiao Xianzi continued, "I came today because there are two things weighing on my mind, and I wanted to mention them to you.

That one on the neighboring peak—is that the ancient demon marshal, Bai Ze?

Would you like me to pay him a visit to make him more cautious?"

"No, no," Li Changshou said with a laugh. "Mr. Bai is feeling down right now. For the time being… I should treat him a bit better. He's already been worn down mentally by my master and me."

"Worn down?"

Yunxiao Xianzi blinked and asked curiously, "What kind of torment did you inflict?"

Li Changshou led Yunxiao Xianzi to the willow tree and said, "That's a long story; I'll tell you slowly later.

Since you're here, let's go greet my master and junior sister first."

"Alright," Yunxiao Xianzi nodded in agreement.

She felt no shyness or nervousness, like a typical young woman might. Even visiting the Tai Qing Temple wouldn't stir her pure and unrippled dao heart, let alone coming to Xiao Qiongfeng.

Li Changshou guided Yunxiao Xianzi to the front of the thatched huts and called out to those inside.

Ling E's hut was the first to open a window, and a small head peeked out. Seeing Yunxiao Xianzi, she froze for a moment, then quickly pulled her head back inside.

Ling E: !!

What in the world?

This is serious!

Yunxiao Xianzi has come right to our door?

Has it finally come to this—our home front collapsing, the gates falling, and our base being raided?

Ling E bit her lip, hurried to her dressing table, and felt a surge of fighting spirit in her eyes. But in an instant, it was like a bucket of cold water had been poured over her…

This was Yunxiao Xianzi, after all!

The renowned figure from the ancient texts, one of the top experts below the saints. Just one glance at her refined and transcendent grace had Ling E captivated…

It wasn't just about having a pretty face or a perfect figure; that aura of being one with the dao, far removed from ordinary spirits, was impossible for anyone else to imitate!

Ling E sat at the dressing table with her legs together, her eyes vacant and her breathing shallow, as if her mind had gone blank.

'Lan Ling E, are you really going to just hand your senior brother over like this?'

'He's the one you've decided to spend your life with!'

Just then, laughter came from the neighboring hut…

"Master, this Yun Xianzi is a dear friend of mine. I've mentioned her to you before; she's visiting our sect."

"Oh, yes, yes. Li Changshou has spoken of you many times!

Yun Xianzi, make yourself at home—treat this place like your own mountain.

Ah, my dear Li Changshou has finally grown into a proper immortal. I used to worry he'd never make close friends. I overthought it, I did!

Ha ha ha ha ha!"

Ling E frowned and pouted, clenching her fists as tears welled up. How could her master betray them so quickly!

Hadn't he promised unconditional support for his two disciples to become dao companions?

Taking a deep breath, Ling E ignited her fighting spirit once more.

As her mother had said, a woman must be fierce to hold her ground. What she was fighting for was her place in her senior brother's heart, and she had the advantage of years as his little support. She just needed to play defense steadily and advance step by step—she might not lose to this famous Yunxiao Xianzi!

So what if she was a saint's disciple with extraordinary cultivation?

Ling E was at least a heavenly…

"Is this your junior sister?"

A gentle voice suddenly reached her ears, and Ling E felt a cool breeze brush past, clearing away her cluttered thoughts and calming her dao heart.

She turned to see her senior brother standing with hands behind his back at the door;

Beside him, the immortal was smiling at her.

In that instant, the doorframe seemed to vanish, and her senior brother faded away, leaving only the immortal's slightly apologetic gaze and the soft smile at her lips, as if saying, "I didn't mean to intrude," with no hostility…

Li Changshou said warmly, "Ling E, don't forget your manners."

"Yes," Ling E quickly stood and bowed to Yunxiao Xianzi. "Disciple greets Yunxiao… Senior."

Yunxiao Xianzi stepped forward and said softly, "There's no need for formal dao hierarchy between us. I'm many yuan meetings older than you, so just call me 'sister,' like my two younger sisters do."

She added hastily, "Don't misunderstand; it's just because of the age difference."

"Sister…"

Ling E's face flushed with a hint of red, and she whispered the word, her forehead starting to steam slightly.

Li Changshou glanced at Yunxiao Xianzi, then at his junior sister, and suddenly realized that Yunxiao Xianzi…

Knew quite a bit.

She must have paid attention to worldly matters of romance!

"Ling E, go change your clothes," Li Changshou said. "I'll show the immortal around the peak."

"Yes, senior brother," Ling E replied obediently, sensing the warmth in Yunxiao Xianzi's eyes, and sighed inwardly.

Once Li Changshou closed the door and walked with Yunxiao Xianzi toward the lake, Ling E let out a long breath and busied herself at once.

How was she supposed to fight this battle?

Yunxiao Xianzi was such a gentle and captivating woman—even she, another woman, felt her heart skip a beat!

Given her senior brother's cautious nature, even if he didn't initially want a dao companion with Yunxiao Xianzi, he would never bluntly refuse someone so powerful. Over time, feelings could naturally develop…

When other women had appeared around her senior brother before, Ling E had felt threatened but also saw hope.

Back then, she thought her senior brother's personality meant she alone couldn't win him over; it would take others to help open his heart…

At that time, she had seen Jiu Jiu Shishu and Youqin Shi Jie as both rivals and allies.

But Jiu Jiu Shishu was too playful, and her affection for senior brother had shifted to his fine wines; she had confessed early and ended up joining the Xiao Qiongfeng retirement group.

As for Youqin Shi Jie, senior brother always saw her as immature, and their views clashed too much, leading her further down the path of the Dharma artifact.

Now, a woman who perfectly matched senior brother's criteria for a dao companion had appeared beyond Xiao Qiongfeng;

And right after Ling E had ascended and senior brother had opened his heart to her…

"Ah," Ling E looked in the mirror at her hair, now styled into flowing clouds without her realizing it.

After a moment's thought, she took a jade hairpin from her storage treasure and pinned it in her hair, checking herself from side to side in the glass mirror.

She couldn't give up easily. At worst, she'd cry in front of senior brother tonight!

Yes, and pick out a pretty little dress first…

By the lake, Li Changshou smiled as he described the various spiritual fish he raised and their flavors.

Yunxiao Xianzi listened intently and showed a touch of anticipation when she heard he would personally prepare a meal later.

After some casual chat, Li Changshou steered the conversation to the main topic.

"What are the two things you mentioned, Xianzi?"

Yunxiao Xianzi smiled. "You're the wisdom star of the dao tradition now. Why not guess?"

Li Changshou shook his head and said seriously, "Without any benefit, I'm too lazy to waste my mental energy."

"Then, what kind of benefit would you want?"

"Well…"

Li Changshou pondered for a moment. Though he really wanted to say something about a leg pillow or knee pillow, his face wasn't thick enough yet.

Moderate restraint was a fine quality of human disciples.

He sighed. "Forget it; I won't tease you."

Yunxiao Xianzi gazed at the shimmering lake and said softly, "I wouldn't hit you with the Golden Calabash anyway."

"Hit me? And with the Hunyuan Jindou, no less!"

Li Changshou feigned a frown, and Yunxiao Xianzi couldn't help but smile, her eyes showing a hint of playful reproach.

"Enough joking," Li Changshou said seriously. "You're here about Bai Ze and Lu Ya, worried that the demon clan might be plotting against me, right?"

"Yes," Yunxiao Xianzi nodded gently. "Can Bai Ze be trusted?"

Li Changshou replied, "I'm still observing him, but for now, he has about thirty percent of my trust."

"He's an ancient demon marshal, incredibly shrewd, and he's clashed with Kunpeng Yaoshi before. His divine ability to foresee disasters is quite powerful," Yunxiao Xianzi said softly. "He wouldn't come to you without a reason."

"I'll explain it slowly," Li Changshou said. "It's a long story."

He recounted how Lu Ya had issued the heavenly proclamation, how he and his senior brother had captured Bai Ze, and how Bai Ze had later shared his theory of seeking fortune and avoiding calamity.

Yunxiao Xianzi pondered carefully, calculating it out. "In that case, it seems about seventy to eighty percent credible."

Li Changshou laughed. "Whether Bai Ze is seeking refuge in the Ren Jiao to avoid disaster or sensing a great calamity in the heavens, his primordial spirit is now sealed by Xuan Du Shixiong.

This auspicious beast can't be judged by human standards when it comes to his ties with the demon clan. He might be operating on a higher level.

I can sense he has a compassion for all living beings, which is probably why the Heavenly Dao regards him as an auspicious creature."

"You understand it all, so I won't worry too much," Yunxiao Xianzi said gently. "After hearing your explanation, I actually feel a bit sorry for Bai Ze after what you put him through."

Li Changshou shrugged and said seriously, "I don't claim to be a master strategist yet. If I don't guard against every little threat, how can I survive long enough to stand beside you?"

Yunxiao Xianzi tilted her head slightly and looked at Li Changshou's face. "Aren't we standing side by side right now?"

"Well…

It's just a bit of typical male pride; don't mind it."

Li Changshou gestured invitingly. "The first thing was your concern about Bai Ze plotting against me. The second—is it because Lu Ya has some powerful treasures from the demon court?"

"Hmm? What powerful treasures?"

Yunxiao Xianzi shook her head gently. "I just heard about your fight with the demon prince and was worried you might be injured but putting on a brave front for the Ren Jiao's sake. I came to check so I could set my mind at ease."

Li Changshou's eyes showed a touch of emotion. "It seems we've truly entered a warming phase."

Yunxiao Xianzi shifted the topic. "Oh, and also to see if you're as genuine as you seem.

My third sister often says that human men are the most fickle, with few trustworthy ones, influenced by their ways of procreation.

After meeting Ling E, I'm relieved."

Li Changshou's forehead was covered in black lines as he called out, "Yunxiao."

"Hmm?"

He placed his hands on her shoulders, and though Yunxiao Xianzi was a bit startled, seeing his serious expression, she didn't pull away.

Li Changshou sighed. "You shouldn't be thinking about things like this, or I'll feel guilty, like my worldly heart is tainting your pure dao heart."

"Is… is that so?"

Yunxiao Xianzi blinked, her gaze a little uneasy, and whispered, "These are just part of the great dao, and my dao heart isn't completely detached from the mundane, otherwise…"

Li Changshou calmly withdrew his hands and sighed lightly.

"I won't wash these hands!"

Yunxiao Xianzi finally reacted, a blush flashing across her face.

"Hmph! You're as unreliable as they come! I'll be on my way!"

"Just kidding, just kidding. Since you're here, at least stay for a meal before you go," Li Changshou said quickly. "And, Xianzi, what do you think of the setups on Xiao Qiongfeng?"

"Hmm? I didn't look closely…

Is that Nine Heavens Breath Soil? And a Five Elements Heaven-Swapping Array? A Chaotic Thunder Array?

This…"

Yunxiao Xianzi frowned at Li Changshou's slightly smug expression and couldn't help but press her fingers to her forehead.

"You're really going all out. The arrays on this peak are several times more than those on my San Xian Island.

What are you so afraid of?

If there's an enemy you can't handle, I can help you deal with them."

Li Changshou shook his head and smiled. "It's just being prepared for anything."

He paused and turned toward the huts, where Ling E was now approaching on a cloud.

Li Changshou added, "Without these arrangements, I'd have to worry about home even when my main body is out."

Home…

A look of understanding crossed Yunxiao Xianzi's eyes, and she said softly,

"Ling E is truly clever and adorable. If she has time, I'd really like to take her to San Xian Island for a stay."

Li Changshou was a bit puzzled, momentarily unsure of the meaning behind her words.

It seemed there was some psychological game at play here, and the levels were only getting deeper…