Chapter 46: Martial Nephew, I'm Not a Bad Person

In front of the *danfang*, Li Changshou sat quietly in a reclining chair, his left hand open with a cluster of blue flames burning slowly within.

This was not the complete version of the *Sanmei Zhenyan*; it was fine to display it directly, as three months had passed since Reverend Wangqing had granted him the method to cultivate *Sanmei Zhenyan*. By now, it was reasonable for him to have mastered the simplest form, known as "qi fire" or "qi flame."

In terms of power, under the same amount of magical energy invested, qi fire was only about one-third as strong as *Youming Leng Huo*.

However, once he combined qi fire, jing fire, and shen fire into the full *Sanmei Zhenyan*, its power was expected to be several times greater than *Youming Leng Huo*!

Li Changshou had already fully grasped the principles behind cultivating *Sanmei Zhenyan*.

Essentially, it involved nurturing three types of flames using one's own qi, jing, and shen to create three flame seeds, then fusing them into *Sanmei Zhenyan*. This flame could reside permanently within the body, burning away evil spirits and purifying impurities, providing constant protection through true fire.

What satisfied Li Changshou the most was that the flame's power was tied to the strength of the flame seeds formed from his own essence, energy, and spirit.

In other words, the might of *Sanmei Zhenyan* could grow with his cultivation, so he wouldn't waste time on a technique that became useless after just a few years.

A white cloud approached from the horizon, and Li Changshou clenched his left fist, extinguishing the qi fire.

He stood up and bowed with his hands clasped in greeting toward the cloud.

The short Daoist on the cloud smiled and leaned forward to look down, remaining at a height of about ten *zhang*, and said warmly,

"Changshou, my nephew, I hear your trip to the East Sea three months ago was quite fruitful. You handled the challenge from the Dragon Palace prince admirably, and it was well worth my recommendation."

Li Changshou immediately smiled warmly and replied,

"It's all thanks to your kindness, Uncle. As your disciple, I was able to gain both fire and thunder techniques. Today, I've prepared a banquet to express my gratitude for your guidance."

Jiu Wu, who had returned to the mountain just a few days earlier, narrowed his bushy eyebrows and eyes, chuckling,

"How does it feel... like there's a trick here?

Normally, when I come to mooch wine from you, you're always reluctant.

I had to coax and deceive you into going to the East Sea, so is Changshou, my nephew, planning to use poisoned pills to plot against your uncle?"

Li Changshou responded with a helpless laugh,

"I'm just a disciple of Xiao Qiong Peak. You're a true immortal in the sect and a key elder of Potian Peak, highly regarded by all the seniors.

Even if I had the mind to plot against you, Uncle, I wouldn't have the courage.

Besides, the East Sea trip truly brought me immense benefits."

As he spoke, Li Changshou pulled two "night luminous pearls" from his sleeve. "These are recording orbs that I've improved into audio-visual orbs.

One for you, Uncle, and one for me. We'll record the entire banquet in these audio-visual orbs.

What do you think?"

Jiu Wu laughed heartily, hopped down from the cloud with his hands behind his back, looked up at Li Changshou, and took one of the orbs.

"I'd like to see what you're up to. Lead the way."

"After you, Uncle," Li Changshou's smile grew even warmer.

Beside the *dan* furnace, two low tables were set up side by side. Xiao Ling'e had fully utilized the cooking skills her senior brother had taught her, preparing a lavish spread of dishes, with three stacked wine jars nearby.

The two sat as host and guest, activating the audio-visual orbs and placing them on the table corner.

Then, Jiu Wu picked up a pair of jade chopsticks and sampled each dish and jar of wine one by one.

"Are you really inviting me for a drink?" Jiu Wu joked. "Or are these dishes each laced with harmless herbs that together form a potent sedative or poison?"

Li Changshou couldn't help but press his hand to his forehead, shaking his head with a sigh. "Uncle, what storms have you weathered outside to be so suspicious of my intentions?

I'm not some villain, after all."

"Ha ha ha, just kidding."

Jiu Wu waved it off and took the initiative to lift a wine jar for a toast. The two drank heartily.

Before long, half a jar of wine was gone. Jiu Wu only ate half the dishes and left the rest untouched.

Li Changshou, however, leisurely sampled everything, constantly praising his junior sister's culinary skills.

As they became slightly tipsy, Li Changshou brought out the third jar of wine.

'Here it comes; this guy's scheme is so predictable.'

Jiu Wu chuckled inwardly, eager to see how Li Changshou would execute his plan.

But Li Changshou said, "Uncle, this is my gift of thanks to you—*Zhuanggu* Poison Dragon Wine."

"Oh?" Jiu Wu raised an eyebrow, using his immortal energy to take the jar and place it a few *zhang* away. He then used qi to control his chopsticks, dipping a tiny bit of wine and examining it between his fingers.

Jiu Wu's eyes lit up. "Excellent wine!"

Li Changshou said seriously, "It's made from thirty-six toxic herbs and twelve poisonous insects, blended with aged *baijiu* from the Ganges River and steeped for three months. The toxicity is perfectly balanced, offering benefits like replenishing essence, strengthening bones, and enhancing masculine vitality.

But there's one thing... I'm not sure if you can handle it, Uncle. The medicinal effects are quite intense."

Jiu Wu raised an eyebrow at Li Changshou, and Li Changshou winked back. The two exchanged knowing smiles.

They both understood.

Jiu Wu laughed. "What's there to handle? I'm a man with a Dao companion!"

"That's why I brewed this medicinal wine, Uncle. Please, help yourself."

"Switch it out! Switch it out!"

Jiu Wu was in high spirits, taking the jar back. He first sipped a small amount, analyzing it carefully, then tilted his head back for a big gulp, feeling invigorated!

"Just in time—your Wine Shi uncle has recently come out of seclusion, so I'm not worried at all!"

"Don't drink too much at once, Uncle."

"I'm a true immortal—what's there to fear?"

With that, the two clinked cups again, drinking freely as the table grew messy with dishes.

"Little Changshou, out with it—what's your real plan to scheme against your uncle?"

Jiu Wu hugged the wine jar and raised an eyebrow. "I'm almost done drinking and about to leave."

Li Changshou shook his head with a bitter smile and sighed. "Actually, I invited you here today because I need your help, Uncle."

"Oh?"

"In the array insights you gave me, there's a Nine Bright Glaze Array. I've studied it with Jiu Jiu for half a month and still can't set it up properly. I was hoping you could give me some pointers."

Jiu Wu laughed. This Nine Bright Glaze Array was his own creation, and even if Li Changshou tried to use it to trap him, he could break it easily.

"Let's go; I'll take a look."

Jiu Wu put away the medicinal wine, and the two each took an audio-visual orb as they headed to an open area behind the *danfang*.

There, eighty-one small bronze mirrors were arranged in a mysterious pattern. Jiu Wu quickly spotted the issue and smiled as he pointed out a few adjustments to Li Changshou.

Li Changshou's face lit up with joy. He stepped forward and, following Jiu Wu's instructions, repositioned a few mirrors. The eighty-one mirrors instantly began to shimmer, activating the trapping array and enclosing them both.

Silver light filled the surroundings, blocking out trees and birds.

Jiu Wu remained unconcerned, narrowing his eyes with a smile as he said,

"Changshou, is this your scheme?

Trapping us both here to vent your frustration?

Self-deception isn't a good habit."

Li Changshou turned around and laughed. "Uncle, what are you talking about? How could I scheme against you?"

As he spoke, flames suddenly ignited on Li Changshou's legs and arms.

Jiu Wu was startled and shouted,

"Why did you catch fire?"

"Uncle, why..."

Li Changshou trembled as he spoke, tossing his audio-visual orb toward a specific spot.

In an instant, flames engulfed him entirely, and with a whoosh, his figure turned into a paper effigy that burned away in the fire.

Jiu Wu's eyes widened in shock.

Shen flame from *Sanmei Zhenyan*?

And the Paper Effigy technique from the Thirty-Six Heavenly Gang Methods?

This kid had ignited his shen flame so quickly and mastered such an advanced divine ability?

Wait, something's wrong...

Jiu Wu spun around sharply, but all he saw was the bright silver light of the array. He was alone inside.

This kid's real aim was to use the audio-visual orb to tarnish my reputation!

Jiu Wu suddenly realized, then snorted with a chuckle and began to methodically break the array.

"Changshou, oh Changshou, you're still too green. What charge would you report to the Punishment Hall against your uncle?

Tsk tsk, I really overestimated your cunning.

I have plenty of friends in high places.

Besides, this array is my creation—how could I not find the exit?"

As he spoke, Jiu Wu took a few steps, and the light around him shifted rapidly. He stepped from the white-glowing area into...

A gold-glowing area.

Jiu Wu's smile froze. He lowered his head to calculate with his fingers and cursed, "How is this a chain array!"

He moved quickly to another spot flickering with starlight,

Then walked back to the original silver-lit area.

He leaped into the air, but crashed headfirst into the gold-lit area again!

By now, Jiu Wu realized the array had been modified beyond his expectations. All escape techniques were blocked, and the base formation was indeed his Nine Bright Glaze Array!

This was an array he had painstakingly designed—only a *Tianxian* could force their way out!

Jiu Wu's short frame trembled as he shook off the alcohol, rapidly pondering in his mind...

From the moment Changshou had Jiu Jiu relay the invitation for a banquet, this scheme had begun!

When he arrived at Xiao Qiong Peak, he had used his immortal sense to check and saw "Changshou" cultivating qi flame, so he hadn't scrutinized further for any discrepancies!

The banquet was just a diversion; the real revenge was this array.

Because it was his own trapping array, he had confidently stepped inside, forgetting how much this kid loved setting up chain arrays!

But so what if he was trapped? He was a true immortal—what difference did a few months make?

Jiu Wu sat down cross-legged. 'Is this how the guy gets his revenge?'

He chuckled to himself, but his smile suddenly stiffened.

It was getting... hot...

His blood seemed to surge wildly...

Sweat began to bead all over his body as a turbid yang energy rapidly swelled within him...

Oh no, it's that medicinal wine!

Why is it so potent?

Jiu Wu felt as if his immortal body was on fire. His breathing grew rapid, like flames, and hot sweat poured out!

He tried to expel the medicinal effects, but they had already seeped into his blood vessels!

Jiu Wu jumped up, hunched over, his eyes frantic.

"Chang—Changshou, my nephew! Let me out, quick!"

No, that's exactly what he wants—to see me in this state!

Endure it!

I have to endure! He's already half a step into *Tianxian*; I can resist this medicine. Just think, Shi Shi is waiting at home—once I get back...

It got worse; I absolutely can't think of Senior Sister!

And I can't embarrass myself; that kid's audio-visual orb is still recording me!

He casually crushed the orb in his hand and sat down again, rapidly reciting calming mantras and purification spells...

Half an hour later,

"Ah, damn it... this is addictive; how can I hold out!

Changshou!

Changshou, ah! Your uncle admits defeat! I won't scheme against you anymore, okay?"

No response.

Jiu Wu paced anxiously, suppressing the yang energy with his immortal power as he wandered the array.

Suddenly, he spotted a wooden sign with writing on it and hurried over to read it.

This is?

"A heavenly oath? Starting with the Oath of Solemn Vow? So harsh?

From this moment, without the permission of Xiao Qiong Peak's disciples, Qi Yuan's disciple, Li Changshou, I shall not arrange any tasks for Li Changshou...

I shall not reveal any information about Li Changshou to any being, any artifact, or any tool...

I shall not...

Hiss! This is unbearable!

The oath's content is pretty standard—just secrecy and no more random assignments.

But the consequences for breaking it are vicious—loss of manhood!"

Jiu Wu stamped his feet in frustration, throwing the sign to the ground.

"How can I let you coerce me like this!"

The short Daoist hunched over and lay down slowly, continuing to suppress the energy and grit his teeth.

A moment later...

The short Daoist roared with red eyes, stood up, summoned the sign, and began reciting the Oath of Solemn Vow. Thunder rumbled in the sky above Xiao Qiong Peak as heaven responded!

After reciting the hundreds of characters, the surrounding array slowly dissipated, and the outer arrays shut down as well.

Jiu Wu looked around but saw no one. He leaped up in a panic and sped toward Potian Peak.

"Shi Shi!

Shi Shi, don't go into seclusion, please—"

After Jiu Wu left, Li Changshou's figure slowly emerged from the grass. He picked up his audio-visual orb, carefully stored it away, and with a wave of his sleeve, integrated the trapping array back into the surrounding formations.

Walking to the wooden sign, he watched the writing on it fade rapidly and smiled faintly.

Temporarily taken care of.

...

Two months later, on the day they had agreed to refine pills together,

Jiu Jiu sighed, "Oh, Little Shoushou, do you have any more of that medicinal wine you gave to my Fifth Senior Brother? My Fourth Senior Sister wants to trade some spell manuals for the recipe. You can pick whichever spells you like."

"There's half a jar left over there. I'll organize the recipe for you to take back later—just pick the most powerful spells," Li Changshou replied without looking up, continuing to sort the herbs in his hands.

Jiu Jiu moved to the corner. "Is this it? The smell is so strange."

"Yes, that's it," Li Changshou said with a smile.

As he was about to lower his head and continue, he suddenly remembered something and added, "This wine isn't for women—it's a special yang tonic for men. Women shouldn't drink it; it could cause problems."

Clang!

A wooden ladle fell to the ground, spilling a few drops of wine. Jiu Jiu stared at Li Changshou.

"This... if someone drank it... what would happen?"

That quick?

Li Changshou's forehead was covered in black lines, and he couldn't help but chuckle bitterly.

"Well... maybe just grow a beard? Probably."