āEh? I havenāt seen you for a night. Little Changshou, why do you look so pale? Did you secretly do something bad and bullied our Little Lingāe?ā
At dawn, the second stage of the inner sect competition was about to begin.
Jiu Jiu carried the Spiked Mace and floated back. When she saw Li Changshouās slightly haggard face and decided to ask with āconcernā.
āIām a little stressed. After all, the battle for the Heavenly Cycle will begin soon,ā Li Changshou replied with a smile and sighed in his heart.
Is it easy for me!?! For the sake of helping myself, Master and Junior Sister go to the Heavenly Courts to avoid the Great God-Conferment Tribulationā¦ I had to seize the opportunity yesterday and use the paper effigy to forge a good relationship with the Jade Emperor. After that, I frantically deduced whether the advice I had given was harmful to Ren School and the Dao Sect. I wondered if I would incur the displeasure of the Saints and the experts of the three sectsā¦
Only an hour ago did Li Changshou convince himself.
Donāt worry. Letās see what happens later.
That made him look a little tired and haggard.
The Heaven Immortals and Golden Immortals of the Immortal Du Sect had no idea that their disciple had secretly made connections with the Heavenly Courtsā¦
Li Changshou knew in his heart that as long as he took the initiative to plot something, he would definitely cause all kinds of karma.
However, there were some things that would not come to an end unless one took the initiative to deal with themā¦
For example, the happy ending of one adopting another manās child whom his spouse was pregnant with.
Bang, bang, bang, bang. The bell rang. The jade platform floated out from the main hall again. There were a few more guests today.
Li Changshou kept the Wind Speech Incantation up and waited for the internal sect competition where the disciples would vie for a place in the top 360.
At that moment, the serial number of jade slips in Li Changshou and Lingāeās hands had not changed. The victory count had already been cleared and reverted back to zero.
Li Changshou was naturally not too worried about the upcoming battle.
However, Lingāe felt a little pressured as 252 out of 360 disciples would be eliminated.
Although her aptitude was outstanding, had some help from her Senior Brother, and still had a few immortal treasures to protect her, her cultivation level was still low.
Although Li Changshou had told her not to worry about victory or defeat, he had previously set a small goal for her. Lingāe was already a little obsessed and bent on achieving it.
Before the competition began, Lingle hesitated. While Little Aunt-Master was carrying the Spiked Mace to the mountains for patrolling, she whispered to her senior brother, āSenior Brother, can Iā¦ gain enlightenment and a breakthrough?ā
What she meant was to make use of the epiphany as a reason to show her true cultivation.
Enlightenment was something that could only be obtained by chance.
Although there were other species that could gain enlightenment by bumping into each other by chance, they did not have any common reference value.
Up till now, Lingāe had only had three epiphanies, and they were all thanks to Li Changshouās guidance.
Li Changshou pondered for a while and replied, āHowever, you have to pay attention to the details. If you want to do it, do it well.ā
Lingāe nodded solemnly and began to ponder over the details of her epiphany.
Then, she closed her eyes and focused. She pretended to enter the enlightenment of the Dao realm and secretly adjusted the second version of the Qi-Calming Turtle Breathing Mantra to create an image of an unstable aura.
Above them, the Deputy Sect Leader began to give an important speech.
He encouraged the disciples who had been eliminated, as well as the ones who would be fighting in the next round to continue fighting hard. He wanted them to fight for their glory and let nature take its course. The rewards from the sect were already underway.
After the Deputy Sect Master finished speaking, Elder Ge, who had been appointed as the Grand Mentor of the Immortal Du Sect, stepped forward and announced the start of the second round. Immediately, two disciplesā jade slips lit upā¦
Li Changshou thought for a while. Could it be that the so-called drawing of lots is actually an elder secretly pointing at two jade slips?
He observed secretly and soon found something amissā¦
There were indeed two Grand Elders whose fingers would move slightly whenever the jade slips in the disciplesā hands lit up.
The corners of Li Changshouās mouth twitched slightly. He had thought that the jade slips belonged to an entire set of Dharma treasures. To his surpriseā¦
As expected, some of the items that seemed to be of superior grade, might have very simple principles.
Li Changshou had appeared earlier today. The sixteenth battle was between him and his senior sister.
The entire process of the battle was very smooth. Both parties had a good experience. The Spiked Mace of Little Qiong Peak that that senior sister had been thinking about did not appear.
Li Changshouās talisman array formations had won the last attack. During the process, he had only used Earth Escape to dodge the opponentās attack. Soon, he emerged from the ground.
Li Changshou naturally wouldnāt do something as immoral as using Earth Escape to look under her skirtā¦
When Li Changshou returned to his position on the cloud, he saw that Lingāe had her eyes closed and was focused. There were some Dao runes floating around herā¦
Junior Sisterās acting skills have improved recently. Li Changshou felt gratified deep down. If she had not told him earlier, he would have been deceived by her pretense.
Li Changshou did not pay much attention to it. He sat on the meditation cushion and quietly scooted to the empty space behind him.
Junior Sister has really grown upā¦
The battle below continued. The 360 disciples had to fight nine rounds, which made it easier for the rankings to be established.
Three minutes later, the jade slip on Lingāeās dress shook slightly, and it began glowing.
Lingāe was completely undecided. Dao runes surrounded her body. Her hands were in the shape of orchids as she placed them on her knees. Her pretty face became even more radiant.
Li Changshou laughed secretly when he saw thatā¦
Little Junior Sisterās acting is a little overboard.
Li Changshou frowned and realized that something was amiss. He immediately set up a barrier around Lingāe.
However, before he could do anything, he suddenly heard the sound of the jade slip banging
āHuh?ā
Lingāe slowly opened her eyes. They were empty, like the clearest starry sky that was devoid of any clouds or the moon.
However, there was still some confusion amidst the emptiness.
Li Changshou heaved a sigh of relief.
Lingāe had really broken through. She had been disturbed at the crucial moment. Itās good that she did not go berserkā¦
However, it is not safe to seek a breakthrough in such a noisy environment.
He heard an executive yelling, āH121! H121! Itās time for you to enter the battle arena!ā āYes!ā Lingāe hurriedly answered and stood up while holding the jade slip.
However, just as she stood up, the aura around her surged like a tidal wave. As she had just broken through, mysterious Dao runes spread outwards!
In an instant, various immortal senses and spiritual senses scanned the surroundings of the jade platform.
Lingāeās face turned pale first before she realized the problem.
The Qi-Calming Turtle Breathing Mantra had lost its effectiveness for a moment because of her breakthrough!
Her true cultivation level, which was at the Void Return realm was exposed just like that!
Whatā¦ What should I do?
Lingāeās fair and slender neck turned a little stiff. She weakly turned her head to look at her senior brother, only to see that he was looking at her with admirationā¦
His expression was exactly the same as the others around her!
Is thisā¦
Iām finishedā¦
At that moment, Lingāe was so anxious that she was about to cry. Why did such an unlucky thing happen to me!?! āJunior Sister! Why did you suddenly break through so many realms!?!ā
Li Changshou exclaimed in shock. The surrounding Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters also gasped.
āYou broke through six stages at one go?ā
āWhat kind of immortal aptitude is this? Is there going to be another Dao-Cultivation genius?ā
āComparison kills.ā
Lingāe could not help but support her forehead with one hand. The two executives below did not rush her anymore. They also looked at her in awe.
At that moment, Li Changshou transmitted his voice to her. āDonāt pull a long face. Your expression now should make you look like youāre calm on the surface and happy on the inside, but you donāt want anyone to see that youāre happy. Donāt worry. Iām very open-minded.
When you go back, you will only have to copy the Steadiness Sutra 3600 times.ā
The corners of Lingāeās lips twitched a few times. However, a stone was lifted off her chest.
Good that Senior Brother didnāt ignore meā¦ She immediately adjusted her expression and held the jade slip in her hand. Under the gazes of the people in the surroundings, she rode forward on a cloud. Her aura was still unstable.
It was not a disguise. His aura was really unstable.
Regarding that matter, the most unlucky one would be Lingāeās opponent during that battle. It was a male disciple who was at the third stage of the Void Return realmā¦
Lingāe was in a hurry to go back and explain to her senior brother that she did not do it on purpose. She unleashed all the power in her immortal treasures and sent the male disciple flying.
She bowed and left gracefully.
The gazes of the people present were filled with emotions and admiration.
However, just as Lingāe turned around, she realized that her meditation cushionā¦ Was already more than 100 feet away from her senior brother.
Li Changshou sent a voice transmission to her ears.
āRemember the rules. Next, behave properly, or there soon wonāt be enough stone slabs for you to scrape on the peak.ā
āOkay.ā Lingāe looked at Li Changshou with an aggrieved expression. Then, she sat on her meditation cushion and felt vexed.
Her plan to bed him, which had been hatched for a hundred years, was destroyed by a breakthrough!
Why did I gain enlightenment previously?
After the incident with Senior Sister Yanāer and her Junior Brother Qi Qi, she had managed to get closer to Senior Brother with much difficulty. Yet, everything was destroyed in the sect competition!
Where is the justice of the heavens!
How unfair!
At that moment, Jiu Jiu rushed over with the Spiked Mace that was dripping blood.
She exclaimed, āLittle Lingāe! Why did you make so many breakthroughs in one go?!ā
Li Changshou, who was standing at the side, was also secretly amazedā¦
Little Aunt-Master spends all day with Lingāe. She actually did not check if Lingle was hiding her cultivation levelā¦
āAunt-Master, stop talking. Iāmā¦ under a lot of pressure now.ā
āBreaking through is a good thing.ā
āI-Iā¦ā
Lingāe immediately found it difficult to speak. She turned around and lay in her Aunt-Masterās arms, turning all the grievances in her heart into muffled whimpers.
āIām afraid thatā¦ I might develop inner demonsā¦ā
āBe good. Donāt be afraid. The more you are afraid of your inner demons, the more likely that they will appear. Itās not a good thing for you to break through too quickly. However, this is a blessing from the heavens. Itās fine.ā
Jiu Jiu turned her head and searched for a while. Finally, she found Li Changshou, who was āfar awayā and glared at him.
The latter closed his eyes and focused. He did not notice anything and tried his best to avoid the disaster zone.
At the same time, Li Changshou also heard some news that was not good for Little Qiong Peak.
A Grand Elder had the thought of taking in a disciple. He wanted to take Lingāe as his disciple.
After looking at Lingāe, Li Changshou knew that it was not a bad choice to let her follow the Grand Elder and cultivate under his wing. However, Lingāe was raised by him after all and he could not bear to part with her.
Besides, there was nothing the Grand Elder could teach her that he couldnāt.
If it were before his Tribulation Transcendence and ascension, Li Changshou would definitely weigh his options and not stop it.
But nowā¦
Junior Sister knows too much about me. Itās safer to let her stay by my side. Li Changshou quickly made up his mind. Unless Lingāe was willing, it would be useless even if the Sect Leader went to look for them. The matter happened too quickly.
On the 14th day of the internal sect competition, the fourth round ended. Two female Perfected Immortals arrived with an old woman and set up a barrier beside Lingle. They were speaking warmly. Li Changshou frowned. He carried his meditation cushion and walked back from afar. He sat at his usual spot which was five feet away from his junior sister.
Hmphā¦
Lingāe turned her head to look at her senior brother. She blinked and pursed her lips before smiling slightly.
Not long after, the old female Heaven Immortal Realm gave Lingāe an Immortal Treasure that was in the form of a handkerchief.
However, Lingāe shook her head and refused. She stood up and bowed to the old woman.
Li Changshou could actually hear what they were saying, but he did not listen much. He just closed his eyes and rested.
Coincidentally, it was his turn to enter the arena. Li Changshouās expression remained the same. He entered the battle and won effortlessly.
When he returned, he did not see the old woman and the two female immortals. He only saw Lingāe who was seated and looking at him with a smile.
āSenior Brotherā¦ā
Li Changshou did not say anything and sat back down on his meditation cushion.
Lingāe followed suit. Without a change of expression, she continued to dawdle and slowly scooted overā¦
She looked ahead and said in a soft voice, āSenior Brother, were you nervous just now?ā
Li Changshou transmitted his voice, āRemember the three rules.ā
āIāll add four hundred times myself. Iāll round it up to four thousand timesā¦ Senior Brother, please answer my question first. Were you nervous just now?ā
Li Changshou swept his sleeves and folded his arms to focus. He replied, ā4050 times. You still owe 50 from the previous time.ā
Lingāe could not help but roll her eyes. She pursed her lips and smiled happily while humming a cheerful tune.
Not long after, Jiu Jiu rushed over and asked Lingāe how she rejected the Grand Elder.
āHehe, I lied to themā¦ā
She mumbled.
āAhem!ā Li Changshou, who was at the side, felt his breathing become irregular and he almost raised his hand to clean up for his master.
Jiu Jiu asked in horror, āReally?ā
āI already said it was a lie.ā Lingāe held Jiu Jiuās hand and laughed softly.
Lingāe smiled and said, āThere are very few people on Little Qiong Peak and itās much more comfortable there. Thereās still a place for me to play with you every day, Aunt-Master. I donāt want to go to other peaks.ā
Jiu Jiu smiled and squinted. She sat down between Lingāe and Li Changshou, holding Lingleās hand.
The real situation wasā¦
A moment ago, in the barrier, Lan Lingle bowed and said softly, āI donāt want to live a long life. I donāt love the superficial vanity. I only want to be by his side. If the sect does not agree, I shall be demoted to the mortal world. I will not regret it.ā
It was all thanks to the fact that the Immortal Du Sect had not changed over the years.
The Grand Elder and the two Perfected Immortals felt the same way. They understood her plight and did not make things difficult for her.