Chapter 422: Zhu Xian Four Swords Diagram

“Sister Yun Xiao, do you want a drink? My Shi Xiong brewed it himself!”

“Hmm, just a little will do…”

“Sister Yun Xiao, try this one! My Shi Xiong’s cooking is amazing!”

“It truly is a rare delicacy. I rarely ate before, but from now on, I might indulge more often.”

What… what happened?

At the window of the magnificent kitchen that looked like a golden hall, Li Changshou leaned back while holding an iron pot, gazing perplexedly at the scene in the distance.

—His xian shi couldn’t detect Yun Xiao’s figure, so he had to rely on his eyes.

All those little routines he prepared for fostering affection were suddenly useless!

He hadn’t done anything, yet Yun Xiao and Ling E had become so close?

Ling E’s gaze was clear, her yuan shen vibrant, showing no abnormalities from before. Based on Li Changshou’s understanding of Ling E, she wasn’t even nervous like she used to be, and the way she kept calling her “sister”…

He, as her Shi Xiong, had never been addressed so sweetly!

Yun Xiao usually carried a faint aura and rarely got close to anyone, except perhaps Qiong Xiao and Bi Xiao, the two xian zi.

But now, Ling E and Yun Xiao were sitting side by side, and when Ling E knelt, she even sat on the edge of Yun Xiao’s skirt. Not only did Yun Xiao not mind, but she was gazing at Ling E with a gentle look…

She made a move—Yun Xiao actually braided Ling E’s hair into a small braid!

Li Changshou felt like he was trapped in a cycle of confusion, spiraling downward and unable to extricate himself!

Had he misunderstood the environment of the Hong Huang world?

Li Changshou stretched his neck as far as it would go, his brows furrowing deeper and his eyes widening more.

Why had he been so ‘merciful’ earlier and not used his You Yu Zhi Dao Ren?

He should have been ruthless and eavesdropped on what they said!

He had thought to respect them, to accept and make up for even the most tricky situations…

How did they end up getting along so well?

A flash of insight appeared in Li Changshou’s eyes…

There’s a trick—there must be a trick!

“Water God, let me handle this. You’re about to burn it! This green satin jade radish is a rare top-grade ingredient!”

Bai Ze rushed over shouting, took the iron pot, flipped it a few times, first breathed a sigh of relief, then clicked his tongue in admiration:

“Impressive, truly impressive.

But a Tian Xian realm junior like Ling E can get along so harmoniously with a Zhun Sheng realm xian zi like Yun Xiao.

Water God, do you have any secret methods?

Maybe one day this poor Daoist will feel the urge to enter the mortal world and find a few xian zi to build some rapport.”

Li Changshou crossed his arms, his apron a rare tribute to his past life, and pondered:

“Bai Ze, that idea of yours isn’t quite right.

It’s best not to have any ulterior motives in matters of the heart, or you’ll lose the purity and sincerity.”

As Bai Ze adjusted the flavors in the pot, he habitually retorted:

“This poor Daoist thinks your view is a bit off, Water God.

The affection between men and women stems from the interplay of yin and yang. If you don’t fall for someone at first sight, how can the story unfold?

This poor Daoist has mingled in the human mortal world for over ten thousand years; these things are commonplace.

Which young master is dashing, which young lady is graceful—if they don’t feel a sudden attraction or have some mutual interest at their first meeting, how would they draw close?”

Bai Ze, the ancient master of debates.

Li Changshou said: “We can’t generalize. Different beings have different perspectives—some focus on the outside, others on the inside, and both are fine.”

Bai Ze laughed: “So, Water God, when you look at Yun Xiao, is it her inner qualities or outer appearance?”

“Why does it feel like you’re setting a trap, Bai Ze?”

Li Changshou smirked and said calmly: “When I first met Yun Xiao, I thought she was gentle and charming.

In the Hong Huang world, most xian zi are very beautiful. If it were just that, I’d truly be a frivolous playboy.

What really impressed me was how formidable this gentle xian zi is—one word from her, and Lao Ge Gongming knelt right down.”

Bai Ze chuckled dismissively: “Really?”

“Of course,” Li Changshou laughed. “The reason I appreciate Yun Xiao is three parts her decisiveness in situations, three parts her accuracy and ruthlessness in action, and four parts her gentleness.

Such a woman is quite an extraordinary existence.”

Bai Ze served the dishes from the pot onto plates, squinting with a smile: “Water God, why not just admit… oh, well, as long as you’re happy.”

Li Changshou shook his head and said: “I’ll make a few more dishes. Please prepare some more ingredients, Bai Ze.”

Oh, and by the way…

He fully activated the super-tier Feng Yu Curse and could hear the clear voices of Ling E and Yun Xiao carried on the wind.

But to his puzzlement, they weren’t mentioning anything related to him at all; they were just discussing cultivation methods.

It was more like Yun Xiao guiding Ling E in her practice…

Thus, Li Changshou became even more cautious.

A moment later, Li Changshou and Bai Ze each carried two exquisite dishes and floated to the pondside, setting out the plates and bowls. Just as Li Changshou was about to speak, Bai Ze stood up and said:

“This is a master-servant matter; this poor Daoist is just a Ren Jiao pulling-cart auspicious beast and a cook, so I’ll go lie down over there.”

Bai Ze finished speaking and tried to slip away to stay out of it, but an unyielding hand pressed down on his shoulder from the side.

Li Changshou said seriously: “Though there are no outsiders today, if someone passes by and sees this, they might think Ren Jiao is mistreating auspicious beasts.”

Bai Ze’s mouth twitched, his goat beard trembling: “Water God, haven’t you mistreated me enough…”

“Please join us at the table, Bai Ze.”

Yun Xiao’s gentle voice came: “Since I’m here today to visit, I have a few things I’d like to remind you about.”

Bai Ze jolted alert, his Dao heart tightening for no reason. He stood up straight, then knelt formally, back straight, smiling with narrowed eyes, and bowed his head:

“Please give your instructions, Yun Xiao xian zi.”

“You’re too formal, Bai Ze. You’re an ancient master of strategy; there’s no need for ‘instructions’.”

Yun Xiao gazed at Li Changshou, a hint of gentleness in her eyes. Seeing Li Changshou smile and wink back, she then looked at Bai Ze.

“I know you came to join Ren Jiao with your own plans, but please remember, the Water God isn’t limited to Ren Jiao—he assists all three Dao Men sects.”

“Please rest assured, xian zi,” Bai Ze bowed his head. “This poor Daoist will do my best to assist the Water God wholeheartedly, with no other thoughts!”

Yun Xiao nodded lightly, blinked at Li Changshou, and continued her soft conversation with Ling E.

Bai Ze let out a long sigh of relief, his left hand trembling, his neck stiff as he turned it several times to look at Li Changshou. Just as he was about to speak, a breeze brushed by, and his back was soaked with cold sweat.

Li Changshou couldn’t help but frown inwardly…

Why do they all feel so much pressure around Yun Xiao xian zi?

With two big question marks in his mind, Li Changshou joined the conversation between Yun Xiao and Ling E, drawing on knowledge he had never shown before.

From clothing colors, to various hairstyles, to the compatibility between Dao and temperament…

Li Changshou smoothly took over the conversation, ensuring neither Ling E nor Yun Xiao felt abrupt or neglected.

But unfortunately, despite his subtle probing, he still couldn’t get any useful information.

Until the sun set in the west and night fell, Yun Xiao realized she shouldn’t stay longer and bid farewell.

As Li Changshou stood up to see her off, Ling E actually reminded him:

“Shi Xiong, even if you use an incarnation, remember to send Sister Yun Xiao back to San Xian Island.”

Li Changshou smiled and agreed, but he didn’t use an incarnation; instead, he rode the clouds to escort ‘Xiao Gongzi’ out of Du Xian Men.

After flying several thousand li, Yun Xiao stopped her cloud, turned, and gazed at Li Changshou, her eyes conveying a thousand unspoken words.

“You don’t need to escort me further, or I’ll worry about you.”

Li Changshou coughed and asked directly: “Though it’s improper to ask this, I’m truly curious—what did you and Ling E talk about?”

“You can ask Ling E later; I won’t say more.”

Yun Xiao’s gaze grew distant, and she lowered her head slightly, saying softly:

“From now on… if you need me to do anything, just say it directly. Don’t make things too hard on yourself.

If you can’t even trust me, then what’s the point of our interactions?”

Li Changshou frowned and asked: “Did you divine something?”

“Not at all,” Yun Xiao looked aside.

Li Changshou said: “Xian zi, could you look at me directly?”

Yun Xiao lifted her head to meet his gaze, and in that instant, the clouds, moon, and stars faded away.

After a moment, just as Li Changshou was about to repeat his question, Yun Xiao spoke first: “I’ll take good care of that copper coin.”

She must have divined something, but she knows very little.

“Hmm,” Li Changshou smiled. “Don’t worry. I always prioritize self-preservation in everything I do…”

Yun Xiao suddenly asked: “If I can overcome my emotional tribulation and survive my destined calamity, would you like to wander the Three Realms with me and explore the stars?”

Li Changshou furrowed his brow slightly, staring into her eyes that seemed filled with galaxies, and sighed:

“I thought you were worried about something, coming to the mountain gate like this, and it seemed like Ling E healed your spirit.

But I didn’t expect you to be so anxious and hesitant.

Ling E’s personality is just the right cure for that kind of unease—it’s no wonder…”

“Hmm?” Yun Xiao blinked.

“Cough, being anxious and hesitant is common in relationships, like a heart demon in romantic matters.”

Li Changshou smiled and extended his right hand, saying warmly: “It comes from caring about each other, with the other person weighing heavier in your heart.

It mainly shows as overthinking and unease, but it’s really nothing serious.

May I borrow your hand for a moment?”

“Hmm,” Yun Xiao extended her right hand, like white jade, and under Li Changshou’s guidance, her fingertips trembled slightly as they touched his palm.

Li Changshou gently grasped her hand without applying force.

Yun Xiao’s cheeks flushed slightly, her eyes carrying a trace of confusion.

Li Changshou asked: “Are you worried that once your Dao heart is complete, there won’t be a place for me?”

“How did you know…”

“I’ve worried about that too,” Li Changshou gripped a little firmer. “But then I let it go.”

Yun Xiao asked hurriedly: “Why did you let it go?”

“I always play it safe,” Li Changshou laughed. “When I thought about these things before, it was even more complicated than what you’re imagining, or I couldn’t convince myself to admit my feelings.

I’ll tell you all about it today.

If we achieve a perfect marital Dao fruit, and because of that, you overcome your emotional tribulation and forget about me… then I’ll melt into your Dao heart again and stay there.

I even considered what would happen if you got injured and lost your memory—then I’d write our story as a book, let you read it from the beginning, and act it out with you again.

There are all sorts of scenarios I’ve thought through in detail, which is why I decided to let things develop naturally with you.

These aren’t too troublesome, but what bothered me most was my own insufficient cultivation, unable to protect you in the calamities you might face later. But then I realized…

If I can’t protect you even with all my effort, I’m not worthy of forming a marital Dao fruit with you.

What was your question earlier?”

Yun Xiao gently poked Li Changshou’s palm with her finger. Li Changshou understood and released his grip, feeling a bit disappointed inside.

But soon, he felt a few soft, jade-like fingers slip between his, and he instinctively held them, their fingers now interlocked.

Yun Xiao gazed into his eyes and said softly:

“If I overcome my emotional tribulation and my Dao heart no longer has you, I’ll destroy my Dao heart and add more obsessions related to you.

I asked earlier:

After my tribulations are over, would you be willing to wander the Three Realms with me and explore the stars?”

“Yes.”

“Today we make this pact, with no hesitation in my heart.”

Yun Xiao slowly withdrew her hand. “I hope you’ll always prioritize self-preservation, act within your limits, and not force against the heavens.”

Li Changshou replied seriously: “Don’t worry, I’m very steady.”

He then bowed in salute, receiving a slight curtsy in return.

The xian zi stepped onto the clouds, glancing back once every step and a half.

But in the end, she turned into mist and dissipated into the world. Li Changshou stood there quietly for a long time.

The Feng Shen Da Jie…

He needed to work even harder on schemes and strategies.

Oh, and when he got back, he had to have a mature conversation with Ling E as Shi Xiong and Shi Mei.

Rewards were definitely in order—after all, Ling E was about to go out for training, and writing more scriptures would only be beneficial.

One faced a life-and-death tribulation ahead, the other a longevity tribulation…

Both gave Li Changshou headaches and endless worry.

A moment earlier, in the misty clouds beyond the Three Realms.

On the steps of a certain palace, over a dozen figures gathered, watching…

Watching through a cloud mirror framed by four supreme treasures swords, formed by condensed power.

The Zhu Xian Four Swords were displaying an exceptionally clear effect, not only switching between four angles with perfect clarity, but also nearly perfectly recreating the original sounds, capturing the tone and breath of the speakers, making the audience feel as if they were there—truly worthy of innate treasures!

In the scene, a man and a woman had their fingers interlocked, and the voice said:

I’m very steady.

The immortals sitting on the steps had various expressions; they had just arrived and were gestured by their master to watch this cloud mirror.

Several female immortals were full of emotion, a few male immortals showed contentment, and only one or two beings were recording the practical teachings of the Three Teachings’ master of emotions with jade talismans.

“Sigh,” the young Daoist at the top seat popped a pale golden grape into his mouth. “If any of you had even a third of Xiao Changgeng’s skill in developing relationships…

All you do is cultivate, cultivate—now our Jie Jiao disciples’ strength is generally higher than Chan Jiao’s! Where else would the declining tribulation of Dao Men fall if not on us Jie Jiao?”

Over a dozen immortals, including Duobao Dao Ren, Zhao Gongming, Jin Ling Sheng Mu, and Wu Yun Da Xian, all lowered their heads in agreement.

Gui Ling Sheng Mu whispered: “Master, it’s because you took on so many disciples back then that we didn’t dare to take any…”

“That’s not important,” the young Daoist waved his hand. “Who can analyze what’s most important in this cloud farewell scene?”

The group pondered, and Duobao laughed: “This disciple listens to Master’s teachings.”

“Look, did Changgeng make any promises to Yun Xiao just now?

Think carefully—he didn’t.

All his words had a premise: waiting until they form the marital Dao fruit, in other words, their relationship isn’t that intimate yet.

But why did it move Yun Xiao?

It’s because someone as wise as my disciple Yun Xiao can’t be won over with flowery words; she’d see through them in an instant.

Only by showing your most sincere thoughts and laying them out for her can you dispel her doubts.

Take you, Gongming—if you just go out with Jin Guang to look at scenery every day, won’t you try to find the feeling and say some romantic words?”

Zhao Gongming sighed: “Sigh, Master is right.

Master, you called us here just to watch my second sister bid farewell to Changgeng?

Master, what did they do before?”

“They drank, chatted, and flirted a bit. Hmm, back to business.”

The young Daoist straightened up and said indifferently: “The Great Dao doesn’t increase, and the heavens don’t expand.

Lately, heavenly secrets are chaotic; a great tribulation is likely imminent, probably within one or two thousand years. You’ve all sensed it.

Our Jie Jiao’s strength can’t grow anymore, so each of you think of ways to promote the path of marital fate, make everyone less focused on cultivation. If you have any puzzles, prepare gifts and go seek Changgeng’s advice.

I’ll go wander the Chaos Sea and see if I can find some treasures to stabilize our sect’s fortunes…

Gongming? Later, send a painting to Changgeng and say it’s personally made by me to boost his spirits.”

With that, the young Daoist swept his sleeve and vanished instantly, as if erasing his presence from the scene without a trace.

Zhao Gongming was about to acknowledge the order but paused, saying quickly:

“Master, you haven’t given me the painting yet!”

A light hum came from the void outside the hall: “Just grab any canvas, stamp it with the Zhu Xian Four Swords, and remember to leave some original Zhu Xian sword qi on it for him.”

The Jie Jiao’s senior disciples and attending immortals exchanged glances, and the four swords trembled slightly, floating up on their own, waiting for Zhao Gongming to wrap a canvas around them.

Thus, half a day later…

In the back hall of the Hai Shen Temple, Li Changshou looked at the treasure map before him, his forehead covered in black lines.

What on earth was Tong Tian Lao Ye thinking?

Taking a closer look at the four swords, Li Changshou suddenly felt a chill around his neck, his whole body breaking out in goosebumps.