Chapter 497: Heavenly Dao Hits People, Everyone Look

Within Du Xian Men, at Dan Ding Peak.

At this moment, except for Wangqing Shangren, who was away dealing with the dark organization, all the Jin Xian experts of the sect had gathered in the skies above Dan Ding Peak.

In reality, only Kong Xu Wuyou, the sect leader, and Qi Ling Zhanglao would stay behind to escort Wan Linjun Zhanglao to the mountain gate for his tribulation.

Several supreme elders from the sect, along with dozens of peak masters and elders at the Tian Xian realm, had already hurried to the Jin Xian tribulation site a thousand li away. Their task was to set up protective arrays and check for any hidden enemies in the tribulation area.

At this time, the expressions of these Du Xian Men "experts" were mostly grave.

They had received advance word that Wan Linjun Zhanglao's attempt to pass the Jin Xian tribulation was somewhat forced.

In other words, this could very well be his fatal tribulation.

Yet, for the sake of the eternal Dao fruit, giving it a try was something most human Qi refiners could only dream of. Having come this far, no one wanted to back down.

The peak master and elders of Dan Ding Peak, along with hundreds of disciples from various peaks, stood silently in front of Wan Linjun Zhanglao's residence.

Most wore expressions of respect, but the atmosphere was somewhat oppressive, with streaks of light flying in from outside the peak.

Du Xian Men hadn't been this lively in a long time.

A white cloud drifted over from Xiao Qiong Peak, neither too high nor too low, neither leading nor trailing, drawing little attention from the fellow sect members.

On the cloud stood a young Daoist and a graceful fairy—none other than Li Changshou and Ling E. Upon reaching Dan Ding Peak, they descended directly toward Wan Linjun Zhanglao's residence and stood at the back of the crowd.

However, as soon as Li Changshou steadied himself, a voice came from the quiet residence that had been silent for some time:

"Longshou, is that you?"

Li Changshou quickly stepped forward two paces, bowed toward the door, and said,

"Disciple comes to congratulate Elder on attaining the eternal fruit today."

The door creaked open—

A ray of sunlight spilled in, and a thin-faced elder with many wrinkles slowly emerged. He forced a cold smile, causing the hundreds of figures before the door to mostly lower their heads, not daring to meet his gaze.

"Longshou, come with me. Let's take a walk in the back mountains."

Wan Linjun Zhanglao beckoned, then leaned on his copper staff and headed to the side.

"Yes," Li Changshou replied, sending a voice transmission to Ling E to wait there. Calmly, he circled around the other disciples and caught up from behind.

The crowd of disciples immediately cast envious glances.

Everyone knew that before facing the Jin Xian tribulation, Wan Zhanglao had chosen to take Li Changshou alone to the back mountains, signaling an intention to pass on his legacy.

Du Xian Men was, after all, a lineage of Ren Jiao, and its customs—aside from a tendency toward certain activities, ahem—emphasized quietude and inaction in cultivation, as well as moral conduct. Thus, while most felt envious at this moment, no one was discontent; they all saw it as Li Changshou's opportunity from Xiao Qiong Peak.

However...

"Wan Zhanglao is set this time," Kong Xu Wuyou, the sect leader, transmitted to Qi Ling Zhanglao beside him.

Though Qi Ling Zhanglao was somewhat puzzled, he didn't ask more.

Soon, on a sunlit path through the forest, two figures walked slowly, with bits of laughter drifting about.

Wan Linjun, the elder, wore that rare gentle smile—one that could soothe even a crying infant—and spoke warmly about some insights into alchemy. Li Changshou listened attentively.

To be thorough, he held a recording orb, capturing every word from the elder.

At this time, dense heavenly Dao power swirled in the air, and bursts of rosy light occasionally emanated from around Wan Zhanglao, scattering specks of brilliance.

Strands of an aura, like that of ancient medicinal herbs, slowly seeped from within Wan Zhanglao.

Wherever he passed, the grass grew visibly faster;

Wherever he went, the spiritual energy gained a hint of medicinal quality.

These phenomena all foreshadowed the eternal Dao fruit that Wan Linjun was about to achieve...

"Elder, what are your chances this time?"

Li Changshou asked with a smile, casually setting up a soundproof barrier.

Wan Linjun Zhanglao shook his head and sighed, "Three out of ten at most—already quite good."

Li Changshou couldn't help but frown.

Wan Linjun Zhanglao looked emotional as he withdrew a bracelet from his sleeve and slowly handed it over, saying softly,

"I know you're no ordinary immortal, though I don't quite understand the details.

But in Du Xian Men, you're the only one I see eye to eye with.

Keep this with you. If I don't survive this tribulation, it will be yours."

Li Changshou hesitated briefly, then took the copper ring bracelet with both hands.

Without even using his immortal sense to probe, he knew it contained the accumulation of Wan Zhanglao's entire life.

Wan Linjun Zhanglao let out a light breath and looked up at the sky, which was beginning to darken.

"When I first entered the sect, I always heard the phrase 'eternal life is possible.' In the blink of an eye, tens of thousands of years have passed, and now I realize how much one must bear and endure for those two words.

Reaching this point, I have no regrets. Longshou, you..."

"Elder," Li Changshou said softly, interrupting, "Disciple apologizes for the interruption, but time is tight and tasks are pressing.

Disciple has some treasures for handling the Jin Xian tribulation to offer you today."

Wan Linjun Zhanglao, who was about to reminisce on his life, was taken aback. As he turned his head, Li Changshou had already presented a bottle of pills.

Unnoticed, layers of immortal force barriers had enveloped the surroundings.

Li Changshou said, "Elder, this is the Nine Revolutions Golden Pill, two in total.

Disciple has extras, so please don't refuse."

"Nine..."

Wan Linjun Zhanglao's brows furrowed deeply, but Li Changshou had already placed the pills in his hand.

As Wan Zhanglao examined them, his aged hands trembled slightly.

Then Li Changshou produced a jade box and placed it in Wan Linjun Zhanglao's hand, whispering,

"Elder, this isn't a pill, but after careful consideration, taking it can keep your immortal power full for several hours and mend any deficiencies in your Dao foundation.

It's related to your Dao of alchemy, so use it now. It can supplement various pills later, adding more preparation."

As he spoke, Li Changshou opened the jade box, revealing the fairy fruit inside, shaped like a small child carved from white jade, which left Wan Linjun Zhanglao stunned.

An innate spiritual fruit!

The Ginseng Fruit!

"This won't do!"

"Elder, don't waste time," Li Changshou sighed. "After my master met with disaster, disciple doesn't want to see any elders meet the same fate. Your Jin Xian tribulation shouldn't be the end of your immortal path.

Eat it first. You can thank disciple after the tribulation—Heaven waits for no one."

Wan Linjun Zhanglao wasn't one to dither. Though his eyes were filled with shock and doubt, after hesitating, he swallowed the Ginseng Fruit in one gulp.

Li Changshou then took out several treasure pouches from his sleeve: one containing over a dozen bottles of spiritual pills, another with a few special artifacts for protecting the primordial spirit...

Li Changshou quickly explained the uses of the pills and artifacts, and Wan Linjun Zhanglao nodded, saying he had noted them all.

But these were merely external aids.

Li Changshou pondered briefly, then began some mental encouragement.

Giving the elder a bit more hope might work wonders.

"Elder," Li Changshou said, "Do you know of the poison immortal from Jie Jiao, whose Dao title is Lü Yue?"

Wan Linjun Zhanglao nodded immediately: "He's a great master of poisonous pills."

"Look," Li Changshou presented two jade talismans, "These are the poison scriptures written by Senior Brother Lü Yue. I'll leave them with you for now. Once you pass the Jin Xian tribulation, we can study them together."

Wan Linjun Zhanglao's spirit lifted. His heart raced, and his hands trembled as he grabbed Li Changshou's wrist and exclaimed,

"Longshou, you know Senior Lü Yue?"

Li Changshou laughed: "We entered Tianya Pavilion together and fought hundreds of enemies side by side, so of course we're acquainted.

Elder, don't ask more for now. Wait until you pass the Jin Xian tribulation, and disciple will take you to meet Senior Brother Lü Yue... Please keep this confidential. Du Xian Men is disciple's safe haven."

"Excellent, excellent!"

Wan Linjun Zhanglao nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of emotion, though his gaze on Li Changshou grew even more puzzled.

"Longshou, you now..."

Li Changshou smiled slightly, extending his hands to gently touch Wan Linjun Zhanglao's back, revealing his second-to-last layer of disguised cultivation.

Wan Linjun Zhanglao instinctively stepped back half a pace on his staff, his gaze shifting from complexity to calm.

It was like a dream.

"Ah, it seems I was blind not to recognize..."

"Elder, you misunderstand," Li Changshou said seriously. "Disciple isn't a great power reincarnated, nor am I deliberately hiding in Du Xian Men.

Disciple is just Li Changshou from Xiao Qiong Peak, who studied under Master Qi Yuan. Later, through a series of fortunate encounters, I seized opportunities step by step, advancing to my current cultivation. In Ren Jiao and Heaven Court, I can speak a few words.

Elder, don't mind these things.

If not for your guidance back then, teaching me the poison scriptures and giving me poisonous pills, I wouldn't be where I am today.

The items disciple gives you today come from the heart, to repay the kindness you showed me back then!"

Wan Linjun Zhanglao "coldly" smiled and sighed,

"The world's wonders, and Longshou accounts for half of them.

Since you say so, I'll believe it. With the Jin Xian tribulation imminent, if I survive today, we can chat properly then."

Li Changshou quickly added, "Elder, don't hold back on the pills. I have backups of the Nine Revolutions Golden Pills and other spiritual pills for Ling E."

"Understood."

Wan Linjun Zhanglao looked toward the sky. "The time is almost here."

Thunder rumbled through the heavens as dark clouds gathered from all directions.

With a gentle tap of his copper staff, a white cloud lifted Wan Linjun Zhanglao. The elder appeared quite carefree at this moment, his smile less intimidating than usual.

"I'm off!"

Li Changshou swiftly retracted the fourteen layers of immortal force barriers around them, bowed deeply to Wan Linjun Zhanglao, and called out,

"Elder, may your immortal fortune be prosperous! Attain Jin Xian on the spot!"

In front of the residence not far away, hundreds of Du Xian Men disciples bowed in unison;

Around Dan Ding Peak and throughout the sect, figures everywhere bowed toward Wan Linjun Zhanglao's retreating form, their voices rising with cries of "immortal fortune prosperous" and "eternal Jin Xian."

In the air, Sect Leader Kong Xu Wuyou raised one hand to the sky, and the mountain protection array dissipated in an instant.

Then, Kong Xu Wuyou, Qi Ling Zhanglao, and Wan Linjun Zhanglao transformed into three streaks of light, heading toward the tribulation site a thousand li away.

The mountain protection array activated again, with light screens rising from all sides and merging in the air like flowing water, restoring its smooth, thin appearance.

Li Changshou let out a light breath.

With two Nine Revolutions Golden Pills and the Ginseng Fruit to help, and the Jin Xian tribulation not seeming too intense, the chances of success should be stable at ninety-eight percent...

Excellent.

Once Wan Linjun Zhanglao becomes a Jin Xian, if he's interested in befriending Lü Yue, I'll act as the go-between.

Those two poison immortals might not get double the joy just yet, but in the art of poison, they should stand unmatched in the three realms.

Li Changshou glanced toward where Ling E was and saw her chatting and laughing with a few fairy disciples of the same generation. He sent her a voice transmission and returned alone to Xiao Qiong Peak.

In the eyes of most immortals in the sect, he had inherited Wan Zhanglao's legacy, and with Master Qi Yuan's recent misfortune, he and Ling E were still early in their cultivation path. With this event...

Likely, many peak masters and elders would think of taking them as disciples...

But for their own good, better not.

Though Teacher Taiqing is a saint with a broad mind vaster than the heavens, he might still have a slight concern about such matters.

Back at Xiao Qiong Peak, Li Changshou sat in the rocking chair in front of the pill room, quietly waiting for the result of Wan Linjun Zhanglao's tribulation.

It should be fine. The heavenly Dao lord and I are quite familiar, and he still owes me two great merits. Besides, Wan Linjun Zhanglao has no significant role in the Feng Shen calamity...

Hold on!

This familiar feeling, this rapidly dropping pressure, and my Dao heart's familiar tremor...

Li Changshou froze, his mouth twitching uncontrollably as he slowly lifted his eyelids to look at the low sky beyond the eaves.

A gray cloud hovered there quietly.

This time, it didn't form the face of an old man or condense any Dao characters, but in the depths of his being, Li Changshou seemed to hear a aged, lazy, indifferent call:

'Should I strike the head or the rear first?'

No!

Li Changshou leaped up and dashed to the outer array, staring up at the gray cloud above.

What does this have to do with me?

Wan Linjun Zhanglao is an elder I respect. I only gave him a Ginseng Fruit, two Nine Revolutions Golden Pills, a few treasure pouches, and some preparations for the great tribulation. What's unreasonable about that?

Where does this violate the heavenly Dao rules?

The Ginseng Fruit and Nine Revolutions Golden Pills I collected through my own efforts, without fighting or incurring karma, so why...

Crack!

A purple divine thunder as thick as an arm struck instantly, sending Li Changshou staggering.

Tsk, an old divine thunder.

It didn't hurt much, but it stung for real.

Heavens above!

The debtor is chasing the creditor! Is there no justice left?

Crack, crack!

Several more arm-thick purple divine thunders struck simultaneously. Li Changshou shuddered, shouting in his heart, 'Thank you, heavenly Dao lord, for taking time from your busy schedule to strike me,' as his figure swayed lightly, enduring them one by one.

In the forest, Li Changshou's hair was disheveled, his face a mix of one part grief and three parts resignation, his lips trembling slightly...

In his heart, those Ren Jiao treasures that had no intention of helping block the thunder were like a group of chuckling old men!

The Tai Ji Chart was probably laughing so hard it wrinkled!

How outrageous!

The gray cloud in the low sky shuddered, and another divine thunder struck down.

Li Changshou darted east and west, dispersing the thunder's force to avoid damaging his array too much.

What kind of mess is this?

Just helping Wan Linjun Zhanglao with his tribulation led to this; when Ling E faces her tribulation, will I have to go through one myself too?

Not just that.

The loving "concern" from my master ancestor is way more intense than a Jin Xian tribulation!

Ren Jiao's... provisions are good for health.

"Hmm? Is that thunder over there?"

In the spirit beast enclosure, a small mountain slowly rose, standing on tiptoe to peer toward the pill room.

Then, the head on the small mountain blinked, glanced at the nearly ready roasted whole spirit ox in front of it, and muttered,

"Keep eating; it's probably nothing serious."

Xiong Lingli grumbled, wiping away the hot tears from her eyes—tears shed because the spirit beast she had raised was "accidentally" crushed by a falling rock—and continued waiting.

Ah, Xiao Qiong Peak has been so quiet lately; at least I can finally have a full meal.

Before, there were too many people eating, and Xiong Lingli couldn't indulge her appetite. Now, it's much more peaceful.

Just then...

At the West Heaven Gate of Heaven Court, rays of light illuminated half the sky, leaving the heavenly soldiers and generals puzzled as they gazed toward the horizon.

There, a three-zhang-tall statue in a sitting posture slowly approached.

A vague pressure spread through the heavens and earth, stirring thoughts of worship in many soldiers' hearts and turning the faces of several higher-cultivation generals pale.

One general had a faint realization and turned to shout,

"Quick! Sound the drums and pass the order! Open the heaven gate!

A saint is coming!"