However, he could approach the problem from a different angle.
For example, after returning to the mountain, he could ask Ling’e for help—have her extract traces of essence, energy, and spirit, which he could then condense into a flame seed and store within himself.
But Ling’e’s cultivation was still shallow. She had not yet reached the Return to Void stage, meaning the flame seed she condensed would be too weak.
Too strong or too weak—neither was ideal.
Besides, it might drain little Ling’e too much.
Rubbing his fingers together, Li Changshou conjured a wisp of Samadhi True Flame in his palm, contemplating other solutions.
A living person can’t just hold it in and die from it. After a few days of thought, Li Changshou came up with a solution…
Just don’t use it.
Ahem, or rather, only use Qi Flame.
By using his primordial spirit to simulate the fluctuations of divine and essence flames within the Qi Flame, he could maintain a decent level of power without drawing too much attention.
Life was never perfect.
His growing strength allowed him to conceal and mimic auras, deceiving even highly cultivated elders. However, it also left behind this minor flaw—the unique signature of the Samadhi True Flame.
He had to be careful about this in the future.
Right now, even if a True Immortal grasped his wrist and deliberately probed, they would struggle to discern his true cultivation.
And as for his strange affliction—convulsing when touching women—he could probably find a way to cure it soon.
This journey through the mortal world had not been without its rewards.
“Speaking of earning merit… creating some inventions and introducing them to the human race seems to bring merit as well.”
He stroked his chin in thought but quickly dismissed the idea.
There were plenty of ways to earn merit among humans—medicine, agricultural tools, and production innovations all held potential.
But before doing any of that, he needed sufficient strength.
With his current cultivation, if he were to suddenly receive great heavenly merit and cause a phenomenon, he would immediately be noticed by the Six Saints.
The most likely outcome? They would see through his origins, extract his soul, and dissect him for research…
“Better to focus on cultivation.”
Li Changshou chuckled softly, dismissing those whimsical thoughts.
Sitting steadily brings freedom…
Wait—what the hell?!
Without warning, hazy images surfaced in his mind, along with a vague sensation.
In that vision, a group of robust men and women knelt at his feet…
Praying?
He quickly performed a divination and soon found himself at a loss for words.
What was this nonsense?
That Bear Village built a statue of him and started worshiping him as a Sea God?
The Dao itself acknowledged it, and now he was receiving incense offerings?
This felt suspiciously like “forced sales tactics.”
At first, Li Changshou didn’t take it too seriously.
It was just a village of a thousand people. If their Sea God didn’t grant them any miracles, they would eventually abandon the practice.
There wouldn’t be much karmic entanglement.
But soon, he realized things weren’t that simple.
He was now, effectively, a lone man competing against the Western Sect for worshipers.
If the Western Saints sensed this and did a quick divination…
Nope. He had to return to Du’xian Gate immediately and take refuge in the territory of the Grand Pure Saint!
With the old master watching over him, he wouldn’t have to fear those two saints who constantly sought to brainwash and steal followers!
—Among the Six Saints, only the Three Pure Ones and Goddess Nuwa were true disciples of the Dao Ancestor.
Of course, expecting the Grand Pure Saint to manifest at Du’xian Gate was wishful thinking.
But as long as the Western Sect had any concerns, that was enough.
Li Changshou instantly became alert, vanishing from his cave and heading toward the Eastern Continent at full speed.
This time, his journey was much faster than before—though also much less eventful.
He occasionally spotted spiritual beasts in the mountains, heard shepherd boys singing, or witnessed a married woman eloping with her brother-in-law, only to be chased by an enraged village mob. Blood continued to flow in the unending wars…
Leaving the Southern Continent and entering the Eastern Continent, Li Changshou was familiar with the route. While traveling, he constantly monitored his surroundings.
After two days, with 20,000 miles left to Du’xian Gate, he deliberately slowed down. Maintaining a pace that matched the limits of a mid-stage Return to Void cultivator, he gradually approached his sect.
At 2,000 miles from his destination, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Having a sect’s protection was truly a great fortune in life!
However, he had claimed he was leaving to guard his parents’ graves. If he returned in less than three years, it might draw unwanted attention and gossip.
Acting abnormally wasn’t a good idea—most disciples spent a few years indulging in worldly pleasures.
For now, this place was safe.
Li Changshou found a secluded valley near a spiritual mine and decided to cultivate there for two years before returning to the sect.
The Primordial World was too perilous.
And human nature? Too complicated.
He hadn’t even done anything for Bear Village, yet they forcibly deified him and pitted him against the Western Sect for incense offerings!
Now that he had passed his tribulation, he had to stick to his belief—live out his days as a reclusive mountain hermit!
The mortal world was dangerous—there was no peace to be found there!
If he went wandering again, he would, he would…
Ahem, considering how effective oaths were in the Primordial World, he’d better not even think about finishing that sentence.
…
“Senior Brother!”
By the lakeside, beneath a willow tree, Ling’e suddenly opened her eyes, her breath slightly unsteady.
“A dream?”
She exhaled softly.
While meditating, she dozed off and dreamt of her senior brother being surrounded by a group of burly, strange people. The scene was chaotic—her senior brother was about to be pinned to the ground…
Thankfully, she sensed someone approaching outside and woke up.
Huh?
She looked toward the figure she had sensed. It was a familiar-looking senior sister, hovering on a cloud near Little Qiong Peak, hesitating to enter the isolation array.
wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 50.1