Chapter 115: Friend, the Path is Narrowing
"The internal competition...
" A light drizzle enveloped the entire Little Qiong Peak.
After sorting out the elixirs in the alchemy room, Li Changshou headed towards the grass hut, pondering the significant internal event that he and his junior sister couldn't avoid.
Currently, his superficial cultivation was at the first stage of the Returning to Dao Realm, and his disciple ranking remained within the top twenty in the sect.
For the sect, his path as a cultivator was somewhat deviated, as he enjoyed refining elixirs and studying formations.
But for Li Changshou, this position was just right—neither too prominent nor too inconspicuous, ensuring good treatment within the sect.
While maintaining a strand of divine sense to observe the closed-door cultivation of Daoist Kuai, Li Changshou redirected most of his attention to the immediate matter at hand...
"I should go and greet the new arrival."
Qin Xuanya had just arrived yesterday and should still be around.
For the past decade or so, Qin Xuanya's visits to Little Qiong Peak had become quite regular, almost like clockwork.
Every two years or so, she would show up on Little Qiong Peak right on schedule.
It seemed like a routine to maintain their friendship.
Moreover, it was also her way of filling the void caused by not seeing a certain senior brother for a long time.
In her understanding, Senior Brother Changshou was her role model in cultivation, and observing him could help her ascertain whether she was on the right path or not...
Every time she visited, Li Changshou would avoid her, letting Ling'e keep her company, chat with her, play with her, and have tea with her.
It was only when Qin Xuanya was about to leave and return to Broken Sky Peak for further closed-door cultivation that Li Changshou would show up, exchange a few words with her, and bid her farewell.
In this way, Qin Xuanya would feel satisfied with her trip, and when she left, she wouldn't look back three times.
As the misty rain veiled the scenery, Li Changshou soon arrived at the lakeside and scattered some fish food into the water.
The distant mountains were obscured from view, while the nearby water rippled softly.
In the grass hut behind him, amidst the two layers of formations, the remnants of the feast were scattered around, and the revelry had long dissipated.
Three figures were sprawled on Ling'e's bed, intoxicated and dozing off...
Qin Xuanya still occupied her designated spot at the foot of the bed, sleeping soundly;
Ling'e lay on one side, while Jiujiu was slumped against the bed, embracing a wine jar.
All three of them had painted some ghostly faces on their faces, with Jiujiu having the most, having suffered the most losses in yesterday's game.
Li Changshou glanced at Qin Xuanya's cultivation...
At the sixth stage of the Returning to Dao Realm, she was only three stages away from her tribulation.
Li Changshou felt a slight sense of worry for Qin Xuanya's tribulation.
Judging from Qin Xuanya's current performance, her tribulation would consist of at least seven tribulations, possibly even eight thunder tribulations;
However, Qin Xuanya's cultivation foundation was relatively shallow, and if she encountered a tribulation like his own, she might...
Although Qin Xuanya didn't provide much "benefit" to him, she still counted as half a friend...
So, he decided to prepare a tribulation kit for Ling'e as well.
With a slight smile on his lips, Li Changshou continued to probe the condition of his master while keeping an eye on his enemy.
Comparing the two, Li Changshou felt a slight sense of injustice. During the incident involving "Junior Brother Qi" and "Senior Sister Yan" back then, Ling'e learned about the rumors surrounding Master, Senior Uncle, and Daoist Kuai.
According to those rumors, Master and Daoist Kuai had a conflict due to a matter regarding Daoist couples, leading to a private duel between them;
However, Senior Uncle Jiujiu mentioned a "sneak attack" before.
Based on Li Changshou's clandestine investigation over the past decade and the indirect inquiries he made to his master, he had more or less pieced together the original story...
About a thousand years ago, the three disciples of Little Qiong Peak, along with two newly accepted disciples, awaited their master's departure for adventures in the world, leaving behind Senior Sister Wanjiang Yu and Junior Brother Qiyuan.
They were all talents among the disciples at that time, with Wanjiang Yu ranking around eighth or ninth, and Qiyuan ranking around fourteenth or fifteenth;
Growing up together, in an environment where Dao couples were promoted within the sect, they naturally developed feelings for each other.
Later on, Wanjiang Yu's senior brother, Daoist Kuai, fell in love with her at first sight and pleaded with her for over a decade without success, ultimately venting his anger on Qiyuan.
This person constantly provoked Qiyuan and engaged in covert conflicts with him, finally challenging Qiyuan to a duel, but instead, he secretly attacked him, leaving Qiyuan severely injured...
Thus, Wanjiang Yu took the risk of going out to search for herbs to heal Qiyuan.
As for the initial rumor that Ling'e had heard: Wanjiang Yu, infuriated by being treated as an object of contention, left the sect to find her master, while Qiyuan fought with Daoist Kuai, resulting in Qiyuan's defeat and severe injury.
—This was actually a rumor spread by Immortal Lin Peak, biased towards Daoist Kuai.
And back then, when Senior Sister Wanjiang Yu was isolated and helpless, Little Qiong Peak had no elders or Immortals to support her, forcing her to bear this burden alone.
Now...
Senior Sister Wanjiang Yu had tragically died in the Northern Lu Continent, but fortunately, her lingering soul reincarnated through the cycle of samsara;
Junior Brother Qiyuan's cultivation was damaged, struggling for eight or nine hundred years.
He should have died under the tribulation, but was saved by his own senior disciple, Li Changshou, with a pill.
Li Changshou was somewhat upset about this.
The reason for his dissatisfaction was not because of Daoist Kuai's despicable actions; he had encountered such people in his previous life.
What Li Changshou was upset about was twofold:
Firstly, the post-incident punishment within the sect followed the principle of making a mountain out of a molehill, allowing Daoist Kuai to remain in Immortal Lin Peak.
Now, while Daoist Kuai was thriving, cultivating companionship, seeking heavenly immortality, Li Changshou's master could only reach the True Immortal Realm at most.
Secondly, Senior Sister Wanjiang Yu was once coerced to such an extent by Immortal Lin Peak.
How helpless and desperate she must have been back then, with so many Immortals in the sect yet having to venture alone to the Northern Continent...
But it didn't matter.
If the sect didn't punish the culprit, he, as a disciple, would seek justice for his master!
Friction and discord between the peaks were common, a conclusion Li Changshou had drawn after observing for two or three years after joining the sect.
So, he wouldn't intentionally target Immortal Lin Peak, at most, he would deal a bit harsher with their disciples during the internal competition.
"Now, as long as you make a move."
Li Changshou narrowed his eyes slightly, gazing at the Immortal Lin Peak through the rain and mist, focusing on the figure meditating deep in the cave.
"Senior Brother? When did you come over?"
A soft voice came from behind, and Li Changshou turned his head to see Ling'e walking out of the grass hut.
She was using her fingers to comb her soft long hair, her pretty face adorned with a slight blush from just waking up, as she smiled slightly at Li Changshou;
Inside the grass hut, the two figures slowly woke up...
Li Changshou returned Ling'e's smile with a slight smile of his own. Back then, Senior Sister couldn't protect her Junior Brother, and no one stood up for Little Qiong Peak;
Now, things were different. ...
A moment later.
"Hey hey, Little Changshou, Little Ling'e. What rank is Little Qiong Peak planning to achieve in this sect-wide competition?"
Senior Uncle Jiujiu leaned against the door frame of the grass hut, a slight smile on his lips, his arms folded, as he asked.
Ling'e blinked and looked at her Senior Brother; Inside the room, Qin Xuanya, who was busy tidying her clothes, also stood on tiptoes slightly and glanced outside.
Obviously, they were both paying close attention to Li Changshou's "ambitions."
Li Changshou hesitated for a moment. He originally intended to say that aiming for the top fifty would be enough to receive most of the rewards given by the sect, and striving for the top twenty wouldn't make much difference. But being cautious, he hesitantly stated his expected ranking: "Secure 108th place, aim for 72nd... I guess."
With a snicker, Ling'E couldn't help but burst into laughter. Wine Ji instantly rolled his eyes, while Qin Xuanya, who had just finished tying her waistband, frowned slightly.
Qin Xuanya secretly thought, "Senior Changshou is outstanding in every aspect, but sometimes too modest, lacking confidence." She was about to speak, but Junior Uncle had already started scolding: "Can't you have a little ambition, Xiao Changshou! Everyone in the Poxian Peak knows that your relationship with this senior uncle is close! If your ranking in the sect competition is too low, it will also make this senior uncle lose face!"
Ling'E chuckled on the side, knowing that her senior brother, who had already passed his heavenly tribulation, was not worried about his performance in the sect competition.
"Senior Changshou," Qin Xuanya stepped out of the grass hut, gazing at Li Changshou, and said, "There are still three years before the competition. I've encountered some obstacles in my recent practice. Why don't we spar a few times to mutually benefit each other?"
Li Changshou smiled and replied, "Just focus on your cultivation, sister Qin. By then, I'll do my best, and I should be able to make it to the Tian Gang level."
"That's more like it!" Wine Ji snorted, a little dissatisfied, and added, "There are a fixed number of disciples every two hundred years. This sect competition is crucial. Whether you can continue your cultivation in the sect in the future depends on it. Ling'E has just joined the sect, but you've been here for over a hundred years. You must secure the top thirty-six positions!"
"Senior uncle is right!" Li Changshou solemnly bowed, took a deep breath, and said seriously, "Then this time, nephew will be bolder. Secure 72nd place and aim for 36th!"
Wine Ji was immediately moved and gave Li Changshou a thumbs up. "Although you can't use poison pills or enchantments in the sect competition, if you give it your all, you can definitely do it!"
Meanwhile, Ling'E stood with her hands behind her back, looking up at the sky.
"Senior Changshou," Qin Xuanya also took a step forward, her eyes shining brightly, "What are your expectations for me?"
"As the chief disciple, naturally..." Li Changshou paused, feeling that his words might bring a lot of pressure to Qin Xuanya, so he changed his tone and said, "Strive for the top three."
"Hmph!" Wine Ji snorted coldly, slightly shaken and full of momentum. She said sternly, "Of course, Xuanya should strive for the top spot. As the chief disciple, it's well-deserved."
Li Changshou smiled and said, "Fighting is not just about cultivation. Quick response, magical restraint, and the abundance of treasures all have a certain impact, and the latter three may even have a greater impact..."
Just as he was speaking, Li Changshou paused slightly. His divine sense caught sight of Kuai Sidao, the disciple of Xianlin Peak, standing up in his cave and walking outside. Outside the cave, three young disciples were standing there, reporting about the sect competition...
Li Changshou's thoughts turned quickly. Without showing any sign, he smiled and said, "If Sister Qin doesn't mind, why don't you come over tomorrow and spar for a few days?"
Qin Xuanya immediately smiled and said, "Then I'll come early tomorrow morning."
"I'll be waiting for you, Sister Qin." Li Changshou and Qin Xuanya clasped hands and exchanged smiles. Qin Xuanya didn't think too much, just pure joy. But Li Changshou was considering, if Kuai Sidao wanted to go out this time, then...
The first eyewitness who wasn't present was already in place. According to Li Changshou's understanding of the three people in front of him, the second eyewitness who wasn't present would soon jump out on his own.
"In that case!" Wine Ji, with her hands behind her back, took on an air of superiority, took two steps forward, and said, "This senior uncle will reluctantly come over to guide you for a few days. Remember to prepare your gratitude gifts. I want... a hundred Sugar Bean Pills and ten bottles of good wine!"
Li Changshou immediately nodded with a smile. In the grass hut beside him, the slightly haggard old Daoist Qi Yuan stood in front of the door, hearing the laughter outside, revealing a little relief, and the hand he raised fell again. Then, Qi Yuan turned around and returned to his meditation cushion, cross-legged, continuing his cultivation.
Li Changshou naturally noticed this scene and pondered slightly. He had a plan in mind...
Although revenge was important, it was equally important to help his master recover and enjoy his remaining years. After all, Li Changshou didn't seek revenge just to vent his anger against Kuai Sidao; he just wanted to vent his grievances for his master.
Kuai Sidao didn't disappoint Li Changshou. This true immortal Daoist, who had been practicing in the mountains for more than ten years, promised his disciples to purchase a high-quality magic treasure for each of them before the competition.
Therefore, the next day, Kuai Sidao left the mountain and headed to a familiar town to the north. Li Changshou naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity he had been waiting for more than ten years. Two paper clones set out together, and both of them naturally carried spare paper clones with them.
The other party flew ahead, and the paper clones followed stealthily. They followed for two full days until they reached a town near the border of Beizhou.
-Attacking must be done as far away from the sect as possible. This place was mixed with demons and humans, and it was quite lively, attracting many people who did dirty work to make money.
After a little thought, Li Changshou began to implement his second plan.
Half an hour later, when Kuai Sidao was choosing some magic treasures of unknown origin for his disciples at a familiar magic treasure shop, he suddenly saw a familiar figure passing by the street corner.
At first, Kuai Sidao was stunned, and then his divine sense followed immediately, his eyes somewhat puzzled. The other party was wearing a cloak, but the face and figure were exactly the same as Kuai Sidao's, without any difference! However, the cultivation base was only barely reaching the mid-stage of the true immortal realm. Although this person tried his best to elevate his cultivation to the mid-stage of the true immortal realm, a discerning person could see through his outer strength.
This is...
"How dare you! Dare to impersonate me here! You are truly seeking death."
Immediately, Kuai Sidao instructed the shopkeeper of the magic treasure shop to come later, quickly walked out of the shop door, hid his aura, and followed up, quickly leaving the town, and flew forward on the clouds.
At the same time, on the Little Qiong Peak.
Li Changshou looked at the dazzlingly bright Qin Xuanya in front of him and made a gesture of invitation.
"Sister, please make your move... remember to save some strength today."
Qin Xuanya showed a serious expression, bowed to Li Changshou, and immediately flew forward with her sword.