Chapter 36: Foiled Zhang Liang's plan, but there's still a way over the wall.
On an ordinary white cloud, Li Changshou stood in a typical posture, floating at a safe altitude, and was heading back to Xiaojiongfeng in an ordinary manner.
But his inner thoughts were far from as calm as his expression...
Originally, he had passed on the leadership role, only to be kicked back by Yuqin Xuanya's interference. Along with that, she welded the door shut and sealed it with two celestial-level seals.
Fortunately, he had already shifted the blame onto Jiuwu, painting himself as the "innocent victim of a cruel prank." So, his situation wasn't too passive at the moment.
As for Jiuwu's damaged reputation, well, it was Jiuwu who dug the pit first. Li Changshou simply gave him a kick when he was climbing out of it, aiming for the bald head of the Short Daoist.
Anyway, no one would dare to blame Jiuwu for real. This matter would just fade away.
Li Changshou couldn't help but ponder why Jiuwu acted this way. Probably, the Short Daoist found it amusing.
During their previous drinking sessions, Jiuwu had always encouraged him to actively seek fame to gain special attention from the sect. Li Changshou could clearly sense Jiuwu's "sense of responsibility," wanting him to reveal his Sixth Stage cultivation during this leadership position to gain recognition from the sect and transition from an outstanding disciple to an immortal seed...
But doing it this way was utterly meaningless!
It was purely causing chaos!
Li Changshou couldn't help but rub his forehead. His cultivation was his biggest trump card. Even if a small portion of it was exposed, he would lose some security and might attract attention or even suspicion.
Although Duxian Sect seemed peaceful on the surface, various undercurrents were surging within. The sect's resources were limited, but the number of disciples and followers kept increasing, leading to fierce competition among the peaks.
Did Jiuwu think he didn't know how his master was injured in his early years? Even if he couldn't get accurate information, speculating, verifying, and drawing conclusions, his master was obviously betrayed by someone within the sect!
From his master's attitude of never discussing this matter, it could be inferred that the force that betrayed his master wasn't insignificant. At that time, they probably wanted to disable his master and cut off Xiaojiongfeng's lineage, but his master struggled and continued his cultivation without giving them another chance.
The rules of Duxian Sect were strict. Disciples who hadn't become immortals needed to report to the Hundred Ordinary Halls before going out, and they could only leave the Mountain Protection Array with permission. If it was an immortal seed, they would be accompanied by Yuanxian or even Zhenxian.
About sixty years ago, after breaking through to the Return to Void Stage in secret, Li Changshou witnessed a disciple being annihilated by the heavenly tribulation.
Since then, he had forcibly suppressed his cultivation, constantly comprehending the "details" of each realm, repeatedly reviewing to gain new insights.
Only when he had thoroughly solidified each minor realm would he step into the next, calculating carefully the probability of survival when facing the heavenly tribulation in the future.
At that time, Li Changshou had made up his mind—even if it took an additional two hundred years to lay the groundwork, he would prepare for the heavenly tribulation properly.
But somehow, his cultivation speed didn't slow down because of this. On the contrary, suppressing each realm became more and more difficult...
Perhaps, this was the way of the Dao, a unique tempering for him.
Back at Xiaojiongfeng, his junior sister was already in seclusion.
Li Changshou pondered under the tree for a while before shaking his head and blessing Jiuwu. He hoped Jiuwu would have children soon, whether sons or daughters, they should be eight feet tall.
Turning around, he continued his busy schedule.
He began crafting a new set of folding "Daoist Birdcage".
His master's tribulation had proven that the Daoist Birdcage could effectively resist and weaken the heavenly tribulation's power. Although the cage he made for his master was forcibly shattered by the heavenly tribulation after withstanding a thunder tribulation, this tool was still within the scope allowed by the rules of the Dao.
If one cage could withstand one thunder tribulation, wouldn't preparing nine cages ensure a safe passage through the heavenly tribulation?
Li Changshou could only smile wryly at this thought.
The heavenly tribulation was a death tribulation for his master, but for him, as long as he had a ninety-nine percent chance of survival, it would be the greatest opportunity in his cultivation journey!
Firstly, the heavenly tribulation was the crucial step for a Qi Refiner to "break out of the cocoon and become a butterfly." When the tribulation thunder fell, the primordial spirit would ascend; the mortal body would transform into an immortal fetus, stepping into a new world, becoming a slightly stronger ant in the vast wilderness.
Secondly, the heavenly tribulation was also an opportunity for direct contact with the Dao.
If a Qi Refiner could comprehend something during the tribulation, foresee the future path of their own Dao between life and death, it might truly lead to "ascension."
In Duxian Sect, it was recorded that Master Forget Emotion directly broke through to the realm of True Immortality half an hour after the tribulation, and his subsequent cultivation was smooth sailing without any instability in his Dao foundation.
According to ancient records, in ancient times, there were Qi Refiners of the Human Clan who ascended directly to the realm of Celestial Immortality after undergoing the tribulation.
Of course, Li Changshou didn't hope for so much. He just wanted to achieve a relatively lower goal—smoothly pass the heavenly tribulation without regrets in his Dao foundation.
For laying a solid foundation to climb the peak of "longevity" step by step!
The reason Li Changshou made this birdcage in advance was actually to guard against the last or penultimate thunder tribulation.
He was sure to withstand the previous tribulations to gain the maximum benefits and had a hundred percent assurance in doing so!
To prevent any "mechanical failure," this folding Daoist Birdcage was the sixth one he made in the past two days.
With this weapon, his life undoubtedly gained another layer of protection. His chances of surviving the heavenly tribulation reached ninety-nine percent.
Moreover, he could find an opportunity to comprehend the "Classic of Non-Action." After he firmly stepped into the Ninth Return, the chances of smoothly passing the heavenly tribulation should reach ninety-five percent.
This level of assurance was enough for him to "treasure his life" and take a risk.
By the way, in his early years, in order to prevent himself from becoming arrogant and impetuous, and to put enough pressure on himself for cultivation, when Li Changshou calculated his chances of passing the heavenly tribulation, he "shamelessly" calculated based on the assumption that he would undergo nine thunder tribulations.
Why say he was shameless?
After all, the Nine Thunder Heavenly Tribulation was exclusive to geniuses and talents, and Li Changshou never considered himself a cultivator prodigy.
He just spent every moment pondering cultivation matters while others were catching their breath...
"Oh right, there's another important thing to note, let's write it down first."
Li Changshou suddenly remembered something, stopped his woodworking activities, and took out a jade slip, using his divine sense to write a title and a paragraph.
["Etiquette Guidelines for Facing the Heavenly Tribulation: The heavenly tribulation is a test of the Dao by the heavenly way. Although the heavenly way is impartial and fair, it's highly likely that after the Dao Ancestors merged with the Dao, they may have infused a hint of humanity into the heavenly way. Following the principle of 'better to believe than not to believe, seeking to avoid faults rather than seeking merits,' when facing the heavenly tribulation, one should remind oneself not to point fingers, not to curse, and not to resent the heavenly way in one's heart. Instead, repeatedly tell yourself that the heavenly tribulation is an opportunity given to you, a chance where risks and opportunities coexist, a basic tribulation that everyone must face. First, make a bow to the heavenly tribulation...]
"Should I include a thank-you note? Thanking the Heavenly Dao for taking time out of its busy schedule to strike?"
After pondering for a moment, Li Changshou continued to write with his divine sense.
Upon careful consideration, although his strength and accumulation were already good, other preparations for the tribulation needed to be carefully arranged several times.
Indeed, even with the Classic of Non-Action, he couldn't rush it.
Four days flew by in a hurry. Li Changshou busied himself in the alchemy room for three and a half days, leaving the remaining half a day for assembly.
During the journey, sixteen True Immortals and their eleven disciples sat on a large cloud, each of them meditating with crossed legs, appearing calm and composed.
Several Celestial Immortals rode on their respective clouds, hovering above, seeming to be guarding.
Master Forget Emotion was on the frontmost lotus-shaped cloud.
It was indeed comfortable to have experts from the sect protecting them.
Li Changshou sat in the corner, feeling the gentle breeze between heaven and earth, scanning his surroundings with his divine sense, and fiddling with two paper figures in his hand.
As the real team leader, Yuqin Xuanya sat at the front, wearing her favorite fiery red long dress again, coupled with carefully prepared phoenix-tail hair ornaments. She once again looked like a blooming Fire Spirit Flower, attracting attention and appearing proud and extraordinary...
As the fake team leader, Li Changshou hid in the corner, slightly squinting his eyes while meditating. Although his robe was clean, it stood out for its plainness, something any disciple could obtain from the Hundred Ordinary Halls.
But clearly, Yuqin Xuanya didn't want to lead the way all the time...
Half an hour into the smooth journey, Yuqin Xuanya gracefully rose from her seat and, with her greatsword on her back, walked to the large empty cloud where Li Changshou was.
"Elder Changshou," Yuqin Xuanya whispered, "may I sit here?"
Li Changshou: You can sit here, I'll move later.
"Senior Sister Yuqin, you're too kind," Li Changshou responded with a smile, but he gestured to a slightly distant spot.
Yuqin Xuanya nodded gently and gracefully lifted her skirt to sit cross-legged, her movements still elegant.
Li Changshou's gaze inadvertently fell on her hands...
She was wearing a pair of gloves that didn't quite match her long dress.
She's really thoughtful.