MSBITRS Chapter 50 V1

At dawn, Ling’e was abruptly shaken awake.

Before she could fully regain her senses, she heard Jiujiu’s excited voice exclaiming:

“Hah! Haha! My bottleneck just broke on its own!”

“Little Ling’e, remember to tell your senior brother—I’m heading back to seclusion now!”

“Huh…? You broke through just by sleeping?”

Still groggy, Lan Ling’e mumbled a response and rubbed her eyes, only to see Jiujiu frantically searching for her shoes.

The little martial aunt was brimming with energy, her cultivation taking a firm step toward the Celestial Immortal Realm. She dashed out of the cottage, leaped onto her gourd, and shot off toward Po Tian Peak.

“Tell your senior brother I’ll help him refine pills when I return from seclusion—”

Ling’e sat dazed on the bedside, yawning twice before making her way to the dressing table.

Recalling the little stunt Jiujiu pulled yesterday, she couldn’t help but let a faint smile form at the corners of her lips—only to let out a long sigh.

“Being an immortal sure seems carefree.”

A voice suddenly echoed in her mind.

“Sister.”

Ling’e instinctively responded, “I’m here!”

Li Changshou’s voice continued through the transmission:

“I heard what Martial Aunt Jiujiu said.

I’m going into seclusion for three months. After that, I’ll be leaving for a trip—I’ll likely be gone for three to five years.

Do you need any pills before I go?”

Senior Brother… is he preparing to undergo his tribulation?

Ling’e felt a wave of joy, quickly followed by a pout of dissatisfaction.

She was happy for him, of course. But she wasn’t thrilled about the idea of not seeing her senior brother for several years—the longest they’d ever been apart since she came to the mountain.

“I don’t need anything. Just take care of yourself, Senior Brother,” she muttered softly.

A chuckle came through the transmission before Li Changshou added:

“I’ll wake Master before I leave and ask him not to enter deep seclusion for the next few years.

As for you—don’t wander around recklessly. Keep my warnings in mind at all times. Don’t let yourself be bullied.”

“I know, I know, Senior Brother. You can nag me when you’re out of seclusion,” Ling’e huffed before her eyes gleamed mischievously. “Wait… you’re not planning to sneak away, are you?”

In the pill room, Li Changshou let out a soft laugh but didn’t reply.

He lowered his gaze to the faint blue light glowing in his palm.

He hadn’t expected his breakthrough to the Ninth Stage of the Dao Path to come so soon.

At this moment, his Dao foundation was surging with an uncontrollable force—like bamboo shoots after the rain, constantly pushing upward. Fortunately, he could still suppress it.

Once he crossed into the Ninth Stage, he would immediately face the tribulation.

The Heavenly Tribulation was no small matter—it was time to put his plans into motion.

Leaving the sect to undergo tribulation had always been part of his plan.

First, he didn’t want to expose his true cultivation level.

Second, he didn’t want anyone to witness his tribulation.

The sect’s protective array was useless against heavenly lightning. Whether he stayed or left, the risk remained the same.

But sneaking out of the sect required some effort.

Li Changshou sighed softly.

“Good thing I have my ‘fish’ to rely on.”

—

The rules of the Du Xian Sect were strict, especially for disciples below the Immortal Realm. The regulations ensured proper conduct, encouraged diligent cultivation, and safeguarded disciples from external harm.

On the records, Li Changshou was merely a second-stage Returning Void Realm alchemist. His ability to leave the sect was highly restricted—hence, his decision to join the Grand Trial to North Continent in search of herbs.

For this trip, however, he had already prepared an official excuse to leave—applying for a homecoming to pay respects to his ancestors.

Once one joined the immortal path, their ties to the mortal world were supposed to be severed completely.

However, human nature could not be ignored, nor could the trials of the mortal heart.

The sects of the Middle Continent valued loyalty, filial piety, and virtue. Many major sects had policies in place to accommodate this.

Du Xian Sect had adopted a similar approach.

When new disciples from the mortal world joined the sect, designated outer-sect stewards would visit their families every ten years to provide financial support, ensure their well-being, and deliver news of their child’s progress.

These visits also included medicine for illnesses and talismans for protection—but never extended to extending their lifespan.

Fate was set by the heavens.

Du Xian Sect had no desire to entangle itself in unnecessary karma.

When the disciples’ mortal parents eventually passed away, the sect would notify them and grant them permission to return home for a three-year mourning period—severing their final ties to the mundane world.

Eighteen years ago, Li Changshou received such a notice.

His mortal parents had passed away.

Under the sect’s care, his parents—originally simple nomads from the Southern Continent—had lived past a hundred, free of illness and hardship.

Li Changshou had little memory of them.

He had been taken to the mountain at a young age, and in exchange for his departure, his parents had gained a life of peace and comfort.

When he received the news of their passing, he had wanted to visit immediately.

But he had delayed it to prepare for his tribulation.

Still, there was one small issue.

During the three-year mourning period, traveling outer-sect stewards would occasionally check in on the disciple’s whereabouts.

Naturally, Li Changshou had planned for this as well.

Long ago, he had built good relationships with the elders of Bai Fan Hall—the department that handled disciples’ affairs.

These elders were not the high-ranking true elders of the sect.

Most of them were just old True Immortals in charge of administrative duties—such as Elder Ge, who handled miscellaneous sect matters.

True elders of the sect cultivated in seclusion and rarely involved themselves in trivial matters. Only those at the Celestial Immortal Realm or higher were given such titles.

—

Three months later.

Li Changshou woke his master from seclusion and informed him of his upcoming trip, asking him to take care of Ling’e in his absence.

Old Daoist Qi Yuan readily agreed without much thought.

He even advised Li Changshou to let go of mortal attachments and focus on the immortal path.

Ling’e, however, was reluctant. She hesitated for a moment before whispering, “Can I… go with you, Senior Brother?”

Li Changshou narrowed his eyes and smiled.

“You guess.”

Ling’e instantly understood his answer and lowered her head in disappointment.

—

Amidst the misty mountains and flowing waters, parting words were exchanged.

Before leaving, Li Changshou caught a few spiritual fish from the lake, tucked them into his sleeve, and soared into the sky—heading toward Po Tian Peak.

Lan Ling’e stood quietly by the lake, watching her senior brother’s departing figure. In her heart, she whispered, “May you transcend your tribulation safely.” She lingered for half a day before returning to her hut to cultivate.