Chapter 49 My Troublesome Senior Brother's Personality
"Sigh..."
"Hiss..."
"Huh, so revealing... Isn't this just a bikini with a couple of extra cloths added at the back? Wearing this out, wouldn't it attract unwanted attention?"
"This one's even more outrageous, can't even cover the most important areas properly! Is Fourth Sister wearing this to impress Fifth Brother? Wait, maybe it's meant to be worn as a set..."
Rustling and giggling
From early morning, Jiujui was busy in her little tower, until noon when she finally stood in front of her door, delicately pressing against the latch, but it wouldn't budge.
Just going out for a stroll!
Yeah, just a quick stroll...
Taking a deep breath, Jiujui slowly pulled open the wooden door in front of her, her feet adorned with embroidered blue floral boots stepping out first.
Suddenly, under the canopy of the surrounding forest, there was a new splash of color.
Several gazes turned towards the sound...
Just then, there were a few clangs and clatters. The disciple who was fetching water for the alchemy room stumbled, the one tidying the flowerbed dropped his hoe, and the girl carrying bottles of elixirs dropped the tray...
"Ahem!"
Jiujui cleared her throat, hands behind her back, taking a half step forward, instinctively lifting her chin and looking around calmly.
Several male disciples quickly lowered their heads, but stole a few glances nonetheless. A young man who had recently arrived on the mountain blushed inexplicably.
'What's the big deal? Isn't it all the same what one wears? It's not like it's indecent. It even covers more than the short skirts some wear.'
Jiujui licked her lips with her tongue, with a hint of hesitation in her gaze. But she quickly made up her mind, summoning the gourd she had almost forgotten to bring, which then transformed into a foot-long size.
She was about to straddle it as usual, but considering her current attire—a light pink, ethereal long skirt of unknown material, she felt awkward doing so.
So, she gathered the hem of her skirt, lightly crossed her jade feet, and sat sideways at the front of the gourd, lifting herself into the air...
Just as she flew out of Broken Sky Peak, she saw a short Taoist with deep black circles under his eyes, riding on white clouds, carrying a book, leisurely floating over.
Jiujui immediately halted the gourd and, infusing it with her divine power, deliberately coughed:
"Cough! Cough, cough!"
Jiujui glanced over at Jiawu, who was passing by, showing a polite smile, and with a bow of her hand holding the book, he descended towards the middle of Broken Sky Peak.
Jiujui was taken aback for a moment, then rolled her eyes, and continued flying on her gourd.
Meanwhile, Jiawu, who had already entered the large formation, suddenly turned his head.
"Did I just see... Little Junior Sister? No, Little Junior Sister has been wearing the same clothes for centuries, how could she change into such attire? Must be my eyes playing tricks on me. Well, I've been losing quite a bit lately, luckily, Sister is finally in seclusion. I'll be able to replenish my energy."
He sighed and continued reading the book,"Cultivating Qi and Stabilizing Essence: Thirty-two Methods", stepping towards his own tower.
As soon as he entered the room, the short Taoist smelled the lingering fragrance of an immortal, unable to help but shiver.
It was purely a physical reaction.
He had an undying love for his Fourth Senior Sister, absolutely fearless.
Jiawu then remembered his recent brave actions, and a smile played across his lips...
Ever since he drank the Dragon Poison Wine concocted by Li Changshou's nephew, although his spine had softened, his confidence in front of his sister had increased. Their interactions as fellow Daoists had become more harmonious, and the life of cultivating for longevity had gained a bit more fun and color.
But, he couldn't help feeling a bit annoyed by that one time he was tricked by this guy.
Jiawu pondered for a moment, sitting behind his desk lost in thought.
Should he use the same trick on him?
Develop some pseudo-common elixirs, lure him into a trap?
Maybe this guy could really withstand the embarrassment... then, should he ask Little Jiu to help out?
Ah, no, is this about giving him a favor or just teasing him? What if Little Junior Sister doesn't resist, then wouldn't that be a big loss?
Engaging in a battle of wits with this guy, although limited by that oath at the moment, was still quite interesting, albeit with fewer options.
"This rascal, just wait, this Taoist will find your weakness!"
...
"Seriously, the way these people on the road stare at others with those strange looks, aren't they afraid of getting punched?"
Flying over Small Qiong Peak, Jiujui muttered under her breath, unable to resist commenting.
The big gourd slowly descended, her divine consciousness scanning all over Small Qiong Peak, finding Li Changshou lecturing Blue Spirit Maiden.
With a slight blink, Jiujui deliberately concealed her own aura fluctuations, wanting to see how her sudden appearance would affect these senior siblings.
Would they be startled?
Jiujui raised her eyebrows slightly, feeling a bit helpless.
Approaching the grass hut stealthily, she heard the clear voice from inside:
"The thoughts are ethereal, revealing the Dao within; the qi returns to the Central Sea, condensing into the Primordial Spirit.
The most difficult to understand in this phrase is the 'qi returning to the Central Sea'. The 'qi' here doesn't refer to the magical power you cultivate, nor is it pure or impure qi. It refers to the innate essence stored within you since birth.
This is the treasure you were born with, and it's crucial for Qi Refiners..."
Inside the room, Li Changshou was sitting in a circle chair, looking very relaxed, while Little Spirit Maiden was sitting on a cushion, listening attentively.
Jiujui sneaked up to the door, then suddenly turned around, raised her arms in a tiger claw stance, and shouted, "Ura!" as she burst in.
Little Spirit Maiden, who was sitting with her eyes closed, couldn't help but laugh out loud, while Li Changshou put down the scripture in his hand, smiling at Jiujui who had suddenly changed her appearance...
Jiujui widened her eyes, "Aren't you scared?"
"Oh! Scared by Senior Uncle!"
Little Spirit Maiden pretended to panic with a soft cry, but as she turned her head, her little mouth couldn't help but let out an admiring exclamation, "Senior Uncle, why did you suddenly...suddenly wear a long skirt?"
"What's wrong? Is it not allowed?" Jiujui glanced at Li Changshou, stealing a glance at his reaction, turning around in front of Little Spirit Maiden, her skirt swaying lightly with her hair, filling the room with a faint fragrance.
At this moment, Little Spirit Maiden was also sneakily observing her senior brother's reaction. When she saw her senior brother nodding and smiling, she felt relieved.
Her senior brother wasn't too stunned.
Little Spirit Maiden chuckled, "Of course it's allowed, Senior Uncle, you're always beautiful. Now, you're even more dazzling. Disciples dare not fly with Senior Uncle anymore."
Jiujui blinked at Li Changshou, "Little Changshou, what do you think...?"
"Not bad," Li Changshou nodded in approval.
When faced with female acquaintances like these two, Little Junior Sister and Little Senior Uncle, who suddenly changed their outfits and added new jewelry, with an expression begging for compliments, as a gentleman, one shouldn't hesitate to praise them.
But thinking about the possible misunderstanding from yesterday...
Li Changshou added, "But suddenly seeing it, it might take some getting used to."
"Oh, I see."
Jiujui lowered her head, feeling slightly disappointed as she had meticulously selected her outfit for half a day.
On the side, Little Spirit Maiden sighed inwardly; Senior Brother was still the same...
With his temperament that wanted to keep all cause and effect at bay, getting close to him was really difficult.
Quite troublesome indeed.
Soon, Little Spirit Maiden revealed a faint smile and took the initiative to lean over, whispering softly in Jiujui's ear, "Senior Uncle, is this the first time you've worn this outfit?"
"Yes, I suddenly wanted to change my dressing style, so here it is."
"When wearing this outfit, light makeup would be more suitable," Little Spirit Maiden whispered a few words in Jiujui's ear, her eyes brightening. She then pulled Jiujui behind a folding screen.
Li Changshou, seeing this, shook his head slightly, picking up the scripture again, listening to the whispers nearby, and pondering something in his heart, his expression unchanged.
Before long, amidst Little Spirit Maiden's constant praises, Jiujui emerged from behind the screen again, looking proudly at Li Changshou.
"How's that!"
Li Changshou looked up and smiled even more.
At this moment, Little Senior Uncle seemed like a different person, with delicate touches of makeup, carefully drawn eyebrows, a hint of blush, and shiny lips. With her robe and jacket, hair adorned like a phoenix's tail, she seemed more refined, adding a touch of feminine charm.
"Not bad," Li Changshou gave a thumbs up, "Judging solely by appearance, among the women I've seen, you'd definitely be in the top three in terms of beauty!"
"Really?"
Jiujui blinked, feeling somehow that the strange and subtle feeling that had been lingering in her heart these past few days had quietly dissipated, and her mood had become happier and lighter.
"Of course it's true. Senior Uncle, do you doubt your own charm?" Li Changshou chuckled, "Even when Senior Uncle doesn't dress up, you're already the object of admiration for many male disciples in the sect."
"Pfft, where, that's not true," Jiujui rolled her eyes, but her lips couldn't help but curl up slightly, saying nonchalantly, "Your Senior Uncle doesn't care much about these things, after all, cultivating for longevity is the main business. Let's not talk about this anymore, are you two going to continue your class? If not, let's play a round of a great god game together!"
"Teaching is still the priority..." Li Changshou said.
"Senior Uncle doesn't visit often!" Little Spirit Maiden suddenly hugged Jiujui's arm from behind, "Play a great god game!"
Li Changshou couldn't help but support his forehead with one hand. Coming seven or eight times a month wasn't considered 'not often,' was it?
Jiujui immediately echoed, "Great god game!"
"Fine, since you're both in high spirits, I'll find another opportunity to give Little Spirit Maiden extra lessons later."
Li Changshou shook his head as the two began to cheer and set up the small table and cushions skillfully.
When Jiujui sat down, she felt a bit uncomfortable, so she borrowed Li Changshou's grass hut next door, changed back into her most comfortable linen short shirt and skirt, swapped her embroidered shoes for soft and comfortable custom-made straw shoes, and removed the light makeup from her face.
This grass wasn't ordinary grass; it was the fairy grass carefully cultivated by Jiawu...
It's much more comfortable like this.
Before leaving the grass hut, Jiujui's mind echoed Li Changshou's words from earlier...
'Among the women I've seen, you'd definitely be in the top three in terms of beauty!'
The corners of Jiujui's mouth unconsciously lifted, murmuring, "This guy, he's really outrageous, daring to say such things."
Opening the door, Jiujui rushed into the neighboring grass hut like a gust of wind, and soon, a clamor of struggle came from inside...
"Fight the great god!"
"Double points!"
"Super double points!"
"This round, the great god is Little Spirit Maiden, Senior Uncle and I are little immortals, super double points, and we already have twelve spirit stones."
"Hmph, come on, Little Spirit Maiden! Your Senior Uncle has seventeen cards. Can you beat me today?"
...
Late at night, Li Changshou left the grass hut with his hands behind his back.
Both Little Junior Sister and Little Senior Uncle had drunk a bit, and were now sleeping soundly on their beds; he was responsible for closing the door and setting up the formation to prevent them from being seen in a sorry state by others tomorrow morning.
Returning to his alchemy room, entering the underground secret room, Li Changshou sat on the cushion in the corner, closed his eyes, embraced his Qi and gathered his essence.
Between his palms, a cluster of orange-red flames slowly condensed, then absorbed into his body, beginning to circulate slowly, tempering his primordial spirit and body...
Nine-petal lotus flowers rotated slowly around him, by now these lotus flowers were fist-sized, with clear patterns, and the Dao contained within them was nearing perfection, with profound and mysterious Dao rhymes constantly changing and intertwining.
But he still felt something was lacking...
Reluctant to step into the Ninth Realm of Returning to the Origin.