MSBITRS Chapter 43

The azure sea stretched endlessly, with white clouds lazily drifting across the sky.

Just as when they had arrived at the Eastern Sea, a massive white cloud carried sixteen true immortals, eleven disciples, and several celestial beings positioned at four corners for protection. The cloud glided northwest toward the mountain gate, spacious and unhurried, leaving other clouds far behind without a hint of crowding.

This was three days after Li Changshou’s “mad” battle with Ao Yi, and the **Demon Gathering had successfully concluded.

The faux team leader, Li Changshou, sat quietly in a corner, now relieved of his “glorious” duties and basking in well-earned anonymity. Meanwhile, the real team leader, Youqin Xuanya, basked in the limelight at the center of the cloud. Her outstanding performance during the gathering had made her famous far and wide.

She had achieved an unprecedented streak: thirty-six consecutive victories against refining immortals and four arena master dragon youths. Despite her mere Void Return Stage (Eighth Rank) cultivation level, she relied on indomitable willpower, profound techniques cultivated through tireless effort, and a set of flying swords far superior to ordinary immortal treasures. One hard-fought battle after another, she conquered these formidable opponents.

But what drove her was not the allure of the four immortal treasures offered by the Dragon Palace. Under the gaze of the masses, she had placed those treasures in front of her senior brother, who had previously been humiliated by the dragons, before returning to her seat for meditation. Her actions sent a clear and bold message:

It wasn’t about fighting for treasures but for dignity.
“We disciples of Du Immortal Sect are not to be trifled with!”
“My senior brother is not someone to be bullied by anyone!”

Several emotional female elders watching at the time had tears welling up in their eyes.

If Li Changshou hadn’t been the one involved in this mess, he might have given Youqin Xuanya a thumbs-up and praised, “That was incredible.”

But since he was the senior brother in question—humiliated by the dragons, shielded by his junior sister, and the unexpected recipient of four immortal treasures—the situation felt awkward.

The treasures, like hot potatoes, were a burden. Fortunately, Li Changshou promptly entrusted them to Elder Jiujin from his sect, requesting they be handed over to Youqin Xuanya’s teacher, Elder Jiang Jingshan, upon returning to the mountain. The matter was thus neatly resolved, avoiding any unnecessary complications.

Still, the experience of being protected and having someone stand up for him felt… unusual.

The Eastern Sea trip wasn’t without gains for Li Changshou. Over the next two days, observing the numerous battles between peer-level refining immortals broadened his tactical understanding. These immortals came from diverse sects with varying mastery of techniques. Though primarily based on the Five Elements and Yin-Yang Dao, their combinations were creative and intricate.

By watching from the sidelines, Li Changshou picked up several useful “tricks,” enriching his paper puppet’s combat strategies.

Broadening horizons and gaining experience was also a form of cultivation.

Due to Youqin Xuanya’s impressive performance, Du Immortal Sect became the biggest winner of the gathering. Not only did they claim a third of the treasures, but the sect’s reputation also received a significant boost. Their next recruitment ceremony might even attract a few extra promising disciples.

After she departed from the arena, Li Changshou’s other peers stepped up but didn’t fare as well. The best performance among them was a seven-match win streak. The senior brother who had promised to stand up for Li Changshou managed only three wins out of four battles, failing to face any of the dragon arena masters.

As they left the Eastern Sea’s territory, Jiujin—who had reverted to her usual demeanor of an obedient elder sister—suddenly received a voice transmission from above. She quickly ascended into the sky, flying to meet her master, Forgetful Emotion Celestial.

Soon after, she descended with a bright smile.

Landing on the white cloud carrying the sect, she placed a bottle of pills beside Youqin Xuanya, who had been meditating since exhausting her mental energy two days earlier.

Then Jiujin walked over to Li Changshou, tilting her head and studying him with an amused expression. She muttered, “Weird. Why did my master use two more words of praise for you than for Xuanya?”

Li Changshou’s heart skipped a beat.

Had Forgetful Emotion Celestial seen through his true cultivation level?

No, that couldn’t be it. If so, the Celestial would have reprimanded him for not contributing more to the sect instead of offering unprompted praise.

“Here, this is for you. My master’s reward—not part of the sect’s official rewards.”

Jiujin tossed him a jade token, then sat down three feet away, legs crossed.

Several disciples nearby perked up their ears to eavesdrop.

It was expected for Youqin Xuanya to receive a reward from Forgetful Emotion Celestial after her stellar performance. But why would Li Changshou, who only fought one match and lost, also receive a reward?

The jade token likely contained some high-level immortal technique since it came directly from Forgetful Emotion Celestial.

Feigning solemnity, Jiujin cleared her throat and announced:

“Master said your handling of the Dragon Palace prince was commendable.

That Dragon Palace Second Prince is full of schemes. He probably intended to provoke you into injuring him seriously so the Dragon Palace could use that as a pretext to act against our Du Immortal Sect.

Master said that if you hadn’t seen through his ploy and cleverly surrendered first, we might not have been able to return to the mountain gate unscathed.

Master also said Senior Brother Wu has mentioned you several times, praising your meticulous thinking, cautious actions, and dependable nature.

Appointing you as the disciples’ team leader this time was the right choice.”

Li Changshou let out a sigh of relief.

Forgetful Emotion Celestial had uncovered the deeper intricacies of the Dragon Palace’s scheme!

As expected of a celestial—far-sighted and astute!

Although Li Changshou himself had analyzed the situation and deduced that the prince’s true motive was to defy Dragon Palace traditions and reform its toxic culture…

Who knew there was an even more sinister layer beneath it all!

Still, upon closer reflection, Forgetful Emotion Celestial’s logic seemed full of holes.

No matter. The outcome favored Li Changshou, and the celestial’s analysis elevated his standing.

This celestial… truly impressive!

So warm!

So thoughtful!

A few of the disciples had sudden realizations, while the true immortals among them wore knowing expressions as if they’d already anticipated this outcome. Most cast approving glances toward Li Changshou.

Another wave of goodwill, effortlessly earned…

Which is always better than garnering dislike.

Once back at the sect, there might even be some handsome rewards awaiting him—though Li Changshou had already secured the Wuwei Sutra in advance.

Lowering his gaze, Li Changshou examined the jade token in his hand and discovered it contained a profound lightning cultivation method: The True Art of Luo Tian Yang Lightning.

After a moment’s thought, he privately transmitted a message to Jiujiu, then handed the jade token back to her.

Jiujiu was immediately taken aback, staring at Li Changshou in utter disbelief.

In all her near-thousand years of cultivation, she’d never encountered something so absurd!

A junior receiving a treasure from a senior elder was now being picky, even asking her to check if this lightning method could be swapped for a fire cultivation technique more suited for alchemy—the True Flames of Samadhi!

Li Changshou knew this request was somewhat improper. However, with Jiujiu’s relationship with him and his pressing need for the True Flames of Samadhi, he decided to thicken his skin and go for it.

“This is ridiculous! My master is going to scold me to death!”

Rolling her eyes, Jiujiu snatched the jade token and flew up into the sky, grumbling all the way. Halfway there, however, she adjusted her expression to a docile and obedient demeanor.

Soon after, Jiujiu returned successfully, carrying a handkerchief-wrapped bundle containing two jade tokens. She discreetly tossed them to Li Changshou when no one was watching.

The True Art of Luo Tian Yang Lightning wasn’t taken back, and the new token inscribed with an equally high-tier technique bore the title:

True Flames of Samadhi!

Reading through the opening lines that outlined the cultivation principles of “essence fire,” “spiritual fire,” and “vital fire,” Li Changshou felt deeply satisfied.

Finally, it was his. This journey was well worth it.

Sure, this might leave a slight impression of greed and dissatisfaction in the mind of Wuqing Shangren, but it didn’t matter.

It was worth it!

Once back at the sect, he planned to stay rooted in Little Qiong Peak and cultivate diligently.

No distractions, no worldly matters—just wholehearted focus on mastering the True Flames of Samadhi!

This fire wasn’t just for harming enemies; it was one of the Dao’s widely recognized true flames, known for its great power and relatively lower cultivation threshold. However, obtaining the method to cultivate it was no easy feat.

When mastered, the True Flames of Samadhi would enable him to use an ancient technique recorded in a certain text to temper both his soul and Dao body. This would give him a much better chance of surviving the Heavenly Tribulation!

Afterward, he’d only need to venture out one more time—

To face the Heavenly Tribulation!

If he succeeded, he could spend the rest of his life quietly seeking immortality on Little Qiong Peak.

Feeding fish, tending flowers, refining pills, studying formations, and perhaps teasing his little junior sister now and then. He might even take the time to work on the ideological transformation of a certain probationary celestial bureaucrat…

That was the tranquil life in the vast primordial world he currently aspired to.

But would trouble stay away?

Li Changshou glanced at the tightly guarded Youqin Xuanya and couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Once his “poisonous junior sister” returned to the sect, she would undoubtedly receive the highest level of attention. This recognition would, to some extent, act as a chain, restricting her movements.

As long as he dealt with Senior Uncle Jiu Wu afterward, trouble would find no way to approach him.

Little Qiong Peak would surely return to its usual peace!

As for Jiujiu, her frequent visits would be advantageous. That way, any special pills or formidable formations he created post-ascension could be conveniently attributed to her assistance.

“What are you scheming now?”

Jiujiu’s voice broke his thoughts, her tone playfully suspicious.

“You have that scheming look again,” she teased.

Li Changshou chuckled. “Have you solved that wooden puzzle yet?”

Jiujiu smirked smugly, tossing the now-restored six-colored wooden puzzle back at him. “Piece of cake. Bring on the next challenge.”

With a smile, Li Changshou handed her a five-layered magic cube.

As she stared at the dazzling array of patterns and colors, black lines formed on her forehead.

Without hesitation, she sat down in a meditative posture, deciding it was better to cultivate seriously for once.

In the depths of the Eastern Sea, beneath the heavy guard of shrimp soldiers, crab generals, and aquatic dragon warriors, a grand undersea palace was shrouded by a powerful array.

Inside the main hall, where music and dance flowed endlessly, a grand feast was being held to celebrate the successful conclusion of the Demon Conference.

The finest young disciples of the Eastern Divine Continent’s immortal sects had fought over the treasures thrown by the Dragon Palace, much to the amusement of the dragon elite.

Perched upon a throne carved from crystal and coral, the Dragon King lounged lazily. Seemingly drunk, he leaned against a cushion woven from the golden silk of the nine-winged luminescent silkworm, replaced monthly. Nearby, several beautiful sea maidens gently fanned him, massaged his shoulders, and rubbed his legs with soft, practiced hands.

Such was the dragon life: dull, indulgent, and monotonous.

The ministers of the Dragon Palace, both civil and military, clinked glasses and swapped tales of the battles they had witnessed among the human disciples, their spirits high.

Outside the hall, a young dragon who had awakened mere hours ago ascended the grand staircase with resolute determination.

He was Ao Yi, the second prince of the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace.

And he was ready to make another… grand move!