Chapter 70: What Is This, What Kind of Trick?

This *Zhenxian*...

"Why is he even poorer than I was right after my *Dujie*?"

In the underground chamber, Li Changshou examined the seven or eight storage magical treasures before him, carefully removing the useful items and placing the useless ones, along with the treasures themselves, into his categorized waste storage pouch.

Even with slim chances of being traced, Li Changshou refused to use these "spoils of war" magical treasures.

Of course, this didn't apply to *Lingbao*-level items.

The problem was, even the *miyao* and poison pills he used came at a cost.

These were high-quality items he wouldn't sell; some of the poisonous herbs came from Elder Wan Linjun's assistance, and their value was incalculable.

The result of being tailed this time was, essentially...

He was slightly at a loss.

This *Zhenxian* truly had no substantial assets, which reflected the plight of most independent cultivators.

With the rise of the human race, Daoist schools flourished, their lineages spread far and wide, and immortal sects sprung up like bamboo shoots after rain, controlling most resources.

Independent cultivators, whether due to aptitude, personal circumstances, or other reasons, who lacked the backing of a sect, found it hard enough just to maintain their daily cultivation, let alone accumulate any real wealth.

Li Changshou had given his opponent a chance to back down, purely because he was reluctant to use the poisonous powder in his magical treasures, so he had shouted,

"Hold on."

If the opponent had stopped, he would have just knocked him out with *miyao*—after all, pills potent enough to kill a *Zhenxian* were far too expensive.

But the opponent hadn't stopped; he was professional and decisive, dead set on killing him and seizing his treasures.

This left Li Changshou quite helpless.

A superior-grade spirit stone might not be that enticing on its own, but a Return to Dao realm cultivator who possessed one might have other valuables...

That was the root of the opponent's "let's give it a try" mindset.

The lesson from this incident for Li Changshou was twofold: first, he needed to develop a detailed trading plan to avoid being targeted again.

Second, in the future, if he ever felt tempted by treasures and considered scheming for them, he should think about the fate of these fellows who had come after him.

"Treasures are only worthwhile if you live long enough to use them."

Those magical treasure scraps weren't useful now, but once his refining skills improved, they might come in handy.

However, the more he delved into refining restrictions, the more he realized how vast and profound this "discipline" was, with few shortcuts.

Modifying or creating restrictions would require thousands or tens of thousands of years of dedicated study to achieve anything.

Moreover, in *Honghuang*, the truly powerful magical treasures weren't crafted from materials in this way; they were innate objects.

The pinnacle of refined magical treasures was the merit-based acquired *Lingbao*, and the key word there was "merit."

Rather than pursuing mastery in refining, it would be better to focus his efforts on array formations, continuing to push for "miniaturized array coverage" for greater firepower.

For refining, he'd specialize in storage magical treasures and the types needed for paper effigies.

He should devote his main leisure time to arrays and alchemy.

As for his primary occupation?

Naturally, that would be... ahem, comprehending the Dao, cultivating for longevity, and seeking immortality!

Li Changshou sat at his desk and began sorting the spiritual herbs and poisonous plants he had acquired.

'Later, I'll refine some pills and send some to Elder Wan Linjun.'

It might seem a bit presumptuous, but it was still a gesture of his goodwill.

After finishing the sorting, Li Changshou set aside the dozen or so magical treasure orbs that contained suppressed spirit beast cubs, planning to release them into the spirit beast enclosure later.

Among them, two cubs were for Ling E; she had complained for a long time that most of the beasts in the enclosure were poisonous, and it was hard to find something like a little rabbit or deer... even for a snack.

This time, Li Changshou had swapped in two spirit beasts that tasted good and looked appealing; she could raise them as pets if she wanted, or let them roam free for a few years and use them as ingredients later.

Taking out that sword-like but not quite sword-shaped "*miduicusan*" magical treasure, Li Changshou smiled calmly...

He then went to the side to put on his specially made anti-poison gloves, mask, protective suit, and some homemade tools like tongs and test tubes. He placed detox pills within reach and continued his work.

A quick thrill might feel good;

But thorough preparation before battle is key.

Everything is like that—the pleasure and rewards come only after hard effort.

...

After focusing in the chamber for two days, when Li Changshou emerged from the alchemy room, he unexpectedly found that Xiaoqiong Peak was a bit lively today.

—His immortal sense had been circling the arrays around the alchemy room until then.

Liu Yan'er and Wang Qi, that Daoist couple, had come to chat and have tea with Ling E.

Li Changshou was aware of the background on this.

After Ling E went to apologize last time, Liu Yan'er, worried that Ling E might overthink things, had sent paper cranes with many words of reassurance.

After a few exchanges, the two had become quite familiar.

On the surface, Ling E's cultivation had already reached the third stage of the Transformation God realm, which was quite impressive for her age and progress—truly seedling-level talent.

Because Ling E was grounded by him for twenty years, Liu Yan'er had visited Xiaoqiong Peak a few times in recent years to keep her company.

Today, Liu Yan'er had brought her Qiqi *Shidi* along, just for some casual leisure amid their cultivation.

But...

With his immortal sense, Li Changshou "saw" Youqin Xuanya sitting there like an ice-blue snow lotus incarnate, playing a simulated immortal life game with the other three...

What was she doing here?

And her cultivation had reached the second stage of the Return to Dao realm?

Without Yuan Qing's harassment, had that allowed her cultivation to advance so quickly?

Well, that secured her position as the top disciple of the current generation.

But Youqin Xuanya showing up at Xiaoqiong Peak all the time wasn't ideal; she was too eye-catching, and every move she made drew attention from everyone in the sect.

Li Changshou pondered for a moment.

She was a guest, after all; he couldn't just shoo her away and risk offending the sect leader's lineage over something trivial.

Emerging from the woods, Li Changshou walked straight back to his thatched hut without hiding his presence.

He activated the concealing array, changed into a Daoist robe, sat beneath the large character hanging on the wall, and quietly meditated on how to handle the Youqin Xuanya situation.

Many Qi refiners liked to hang large characters in their residences.

Powerful ancients who had survived from remote ages often hung "Heaven and Earth."

In recent tens of thousands of years, Qi refiners favored "Dao" or "Great Dao."

These were common; others might hang words like "Stillness," "Strength," "Mystery," or "Wonder" based on their preferences.

Some were a bit eccentric and hung things like "Return" or "Sister."

But the large character on the wall behind Li Changshou was quite unique—probably, across the vast *Honghuang*, among countless Qi refiners, few would have the same.

It was the character for "Stability"!

"*Shixiong*!"

Outside the window, beyond the array barrier, Xiao Ling E waved vigorously.

Li Changshou smiled helplessly, stood up, opened the door, deactivated the array, and went out.

"What is it?"

"*Shixiong*, why don't you join us for some tea and chat?

Youqin *Shijie*... has been waiting for you for a while."

Ling E blinked at him, and with a quick exchange of glances between the *shixiong* and *shimei*, he understood the situation.

'Shixiong, Youqin *Shijie* came looking for you again; I can't handle it—you need to step in!'

Li Changshou chuckled. "I just finished refining pills and was a bit tired, so I wanted to rest. I saw you all having fun and didn't want to interrupt."

From in front of the thatched hut, Youqin Xuanya stepped forward upon hearing this.

She said, "If Changshou *Shixiong* is tired, you should rest. I don't have anything urgent.

It's just that I've been in seclusion for so long, and while wandering the sect, I thought I'd come seek some guidance from you."

Li Changshou bowed to Youqin Xuanya and the other two. "I apologize for the poor hospitality; please bear with it."

The three returned the bow, with Wang Qi and Liu Yan'er saying it was nothing.

Liu Yan'er seemed to sense something, her smile carrying a hint of amusement.

Youqin Xuanya's eyes were exceptionally bright at that moment, her usually cool and beautiful face tinged with a trace of hesitation.

But she wasn't one to hesitate for long, and soon she took a brocade box from her bracelet and approached Li Changshou.

"Changshou *Shixiong*, this is a gift for you."

Li Changshou was taken aback.

He had been waiting for Youqin Xuanya to explain why she was giving him a gift—was it to ask for a favor, or to personally thank him for saving her life back then...

In the end, she simply said that and handed over the brocade box.

Her flawless, jade-like face showed little emotion, but deep in her gaze, there was a hint of nervousness.

Li Changshou thought to himself: ...

'Well, I can't blame her for this affection; it's partly Moon Lao's fault.'

But he had to set everything straight and return to normal.

Since he had no such intentions, he couldn't let the girl harbor false hopes. These things needed to be cut off decisively, or they'd only lead to chaos.

"Thank you, Youqin *Shimei*," Li Changshou said with a smile, accepting the brocade box.

Then, from his sleeve, he produced a magical treasure orb containing a spirit beast cub. "I didn't prepare anything in advance, so please take this as a return gift; I hope you won't mind, *Shimei*."

"Mm... mm!"

Youqin Xuanya's lips curved up slightly as she cradled the spirit beast orb in her hands.

"Thank you, Changshou *Shixiong*."

Beside them, Ling E couldn't help but purse her lips but said nothing.

Holding the brocade box, Li Changshou said gently,

"During our trip to the Northern Continent back then, I gained a lot from traveling with you, Youqin *Shimei*. In the future, if you have free time, feel welcome to visit Xiaoqiong Peak.

My *shimei* and I don't have many friends in the sect; aside from Wang Qi *Shidi* and Yan'er *Shijie*, it's just Wine Nine *Shishu* and Wine Sword *Shibo* as our senior elders.

If you don't mind, we can consider ourselves not just sect siblings, but friends as well."

Upon hearing this, Wang Qi and Liu Yan'er suddenly understood something, though they felt a bit puzzled.

Logically, being favored by Youqin Xuanya should be a great opportunity and blessing for Li Changshou, so why refuse so outright?

Wang Qi suddenly realized—it was probably because their cultivations were mismatched; Changshou *Shixiong* felt he was far beneath this top disciple, so he was declining... probably.

Ling E felt a wave of helplessness in her heart.

Her *shixiong*'s troublesome personality...

Though she was glad he was turning down other female Qi refiners, especially someone like Youqin Xuanya.

But this also meant that if she, as his close *shimei*, wanted to take a step further into his heart, she'd face significant obstacles.

What kind of person did her *shixiong* really like?

Ling E stood there, baffled.

However, to everyone's surprise, Youqin Xuanya, upon hearing Li Changshou's words, broke into a knowing smile!

Her gaze became quite lively; though she didn't show much emotion, everyone could sense she was in high spirits.

It wasn't a forced smile—it was genuine joy from within...

That stunning face gained a touch of rosy glow, even making Ling E, a fellow female Qi refiner, feel a flutter.

"Really?"

Youqin Xuanya's voice carried a bit more tone than usual.

"Of course," Li Changshou replied with a nod and a smile, though he felt puzzled inside.

Hadn't he made his meaning clear? Didn't she understand?

Youqin Xuanya immediately bowed with her hands clasped. "In the future, please give me plenty of guidance, *Shixiong*!

And you too, Ling E *Shimei*!

I will definitely come by often!"

Uh?

A few question marks slowly formed in Li Changshou's mind.

Wait, what was going on? He was a bit confused...

On the other side, Wang Qi scratched the back of his head in bewilderment, and Liu Yan'er looked puzzled.

Ling E, however, felt a massive wave rise in her heart, her gaze flickering with a sense of shared sympathy.

Was it... this humble?

Youqin *Shijie* actually... actually... was content just to be friends with her *shixiong*, asking for nothing more?

Compared to this *shijie*, she, as the *shimei* living right under the same roof, was really...

Too fortunate...

"*Shijie*," Ling E stepped forward, bowed to Youqin Xuanya in return, "please give us your guidance in the future!"

Li Changshou tilted his head slightly in confusion.

Why were these two suddenly bowing to each other? Was the "toxicity" contagious?

"Mm," Youqin Xuanya nodded with a smile, her eyes sparkling.

Seeing that Li Changshou looked a bit off, she quickly added, "Changshou *Shixiong*, please rest well. I'll come visit again next time you come out of seclusion.

Don't push yourself too hard with alchemy or cultivation.

And you as well, Ling E *Shimei*...

Well, I'll take my leave now."

"*Shijie*, take care; come play anytime."

"Mm, I will!"

Youqin Xuanya bid farewell to Wang Qi and Liu Yan'er, then rode the clouds away, her departing figure as light and lively as her fluttering hair.

Wang Qi and Liu Yan'er, feeling a bit overwhelmed by the scene, also took their leave.

Watching the three figures depart in different directions, Li Changshou frowned deeply.

He really couldn't figure out Youqin's approach...

Hadn't he expressed it clearly?

Treating her as a sect sibling and friend—wasn't that rejecting any romantic feelings?

This...

Had the "toxicity" seeped into her bones?

"Smelly *shixiong*, where's my gift!"

Li Changshou took another spirit beast orb from his sleeve and handed it to his *shimei*, standing there lost in thought.

Ling E exclaimed, "Youqin *Shijie* is so beautiful, and her cultivation is so high."

"Heh, heh," Li Changshou sighed wearily, feeling a bit defeated about Youqin Xuanya. "How could it not be? With her temperament, she's probably never going to encounter any inner demons in this lifetime."

Ling E was baffled. "Huh? Isn't it said that an unstable Dao heart can lead to demonic obstacles at any time?"

Li Changshou looked up at the sky, not quite sure how to answer.

"It's just fate, I suppose."

Beside him, Ling E had already begun unsealing the orb and soon let out a cry of delight, hugging the spirit beast cub inside.

"Wow! So cute!

Is this... a cub of the Chasing Fate Hundred-Tooth Gold-Eating Beast? Thank you, *shixiong*!"

"Mm, as long as you like it."