MSBITRS Chapter 60 V1

“A solution… what other solution could there be…”

Bathed in the morning light, Li Changshou rode his cloud at a leisurely pace, drifting toward the mountain gate of Duoxian Sect.

The weather was perfect today, with clear skies and birds singing among fragrant blossoms. It was indeed a fine day to return to the sect.

On the second day after entering the ‘reasonable return period,’ he could no longer wait and immediately flew back.

The outside world was simply too dangerous.

Being under the protection of the teachings of the Renjiao Sect gave him a sense of peace and security.

Taking out his travel jade token, he arrived at the mountain gate, where he performed a Daoist salute to the gatekeeper immortals and said, “Li Changshou, disciple of Xiaoqiong Peak, has severed mortal ties and returns today.”

The immortal at the gate took his jade token with a smile and asked, “Did you gain anything from your journey?”

Li Changshou replied, “Not much. I just feel that I’ve shed a lingering attachment, allowing me to now fully dedicate myself to pursuing the Dao.”

“Good,” the immortal said with a smile, waving his hand. “Return and cultivate well.”

“Yes, I still need to report to the Baifan Hall.”

Li Changshou performed another Daoist salute and controlled his cloud to fly at an appropriate altitude toward Baifan Hall on Po Tian Peak.

The gatekeeping immortal nodded with a smile, thinking that this young disciple was quite decent.

Upon reaching Baifan Hall, Li Changshou found the elder on duty that day, finally concluding his journey back home. Thus, his tribulation-crossing experience outside could be considered complete.

Complete… what a joke.

He discreetly calculated with his fingers, sighing inwardly.

A hundred and thirty-two villages now, with two more establishing Sea God worship overnight…

And he had done absolutely nothing.

With another sigh, he turned to the elder on duty and asked, “May I pay my respects to the sect’s founder’s portrait in the hall?”

“Of course,” the elder replied with a smile. “The portrait is there for disciples to worship. Duoxian Sect follows the Renjiao tradition. Though there are many rules for disciples, our true pursuit is freedom within respect. You must adhere to proper etiquette but must not offend the founder.”

“Thank you, Elder. I understand.”

With a solemn expression, Li Changshou carefully straightened his robes and inner garments before stepping toward the circular platform in the center of the hall. He lifted his gaze to the portrait above.

The image depicted an elderly Daoist with an indistinct face, seated atop a blue ox, with radiant light emanating behind him.

This was the recorded manifestation of the Great Sage Taiqing.

The face was blurred because no one dared to depict the Sage’s true visage. If someone did, the Sage would become aware of it, and punishment might follow.

Li Changshou first clasped his hands and performed a slow Daoist bow. Then, he stepped forward, lit incense, made an offering, stepped back three paces, lifted his robe slightly, and knelt on the prayer cushion.

Two sect stewards and an elder happened to witness this scene and nodded slightly.

It was rare to see a disciple coming to pay respects to the founder on an ordinary day.

A moment later…

“Why is this disciple still kneeling there?”

“Sincerity moves the heavens. He must be seeking the founder’s blessing for a smooth cultivation path.”

After some time, over a dozen elders and stewards emerged from various side chambers of the hall, curiously observing the scene.

“Could this disciple be facing some great difficulty?”

“We’ve eaten quite a bit of his spiritual fish. Should we ask if he needs help?”

“Ah, if he doesn’t ask for help himself, we shouldn’t pry. Everyone has their troubles.”

Half an hour later…

“Alright, everyone, go back to your duties. There’s no need to keep watching.

“This disciple has just returned after severing mortal ties. His state of mind is likely unsettled, and he’s using this moment to regain his inner peace.”

The crowd gradually dispersed.

A few elders made a mental note to offer him some extra benefits when he next came for his monthly resources or asked about cultivation.

This disciple had encountered a serious issue. But the founder was… well, that being—why would a Sage concern himself with such a minor disciple’s problems?

Finally, after kneeling for an hour, Li Changshou slowly rose, feeling much calmer inside.

To resist a Sage, his only option was to align himself with other Sages!

That was the only solution he could think of.

Even if it drew some attention within the sect, he had to come here and pay his respects to the leader of Renjiao. At the very least, he needed to make his presence known to the Great Sage.

After all, sect rules forbade private worship of the founder’s image. This was the only officially sanctioned portrait he could find.

Leaving Baifan Hall, Li Changshou rode his cloud toward Xiaoqiong Peak.

In hindsight, he might have been overthinking it.

Would a Sage truly lower himself to deal with a mere small-time immortal of Renjiao?

After achieving Sainthood, one’s existence was eternal, and the real concern was reputation and the fate of their sect.

But… what if?

A Sage was still, at the core, a person, even if they had transcended humanity.

Of course, Sages weren’t originally humans. The three Daoist leaders were formed from Pangu’s primordial spirit, while the other three were mysterious innate beings with unknown origins.

What if the two powerful figures from the Western Sect suddenly fixated on him for some inexplicable reason?

Hey, you dare stir up trouble?

Li Changshou’s mouth twitched involuntarily.

It seemed like Xiaoqiong Peak’s protective formation needed an upgrade with some kind of fate-concealing array!

But such an array diagram was rare, and even the sect master might not have one, let alone the precious materials required to set it up…

Times were tough.

Lost in thought, Li Changshou soon arrived above Xiaoqiong Peak. Looking down, he spotted Ling’e meditating beneath a tree.

‘Ultimately, it’s all just a matter of probabilities. I should focus on cultivating in peace.’

He took a deep breath, adjusted his mindset, and slowly descended toward the protective formation below.

Before long, Ling’e let out a joyful cheer and dashed toward him.

However, Li Changshou silenced her with a gesture, signaling her to stand still. He then walked to his master’s thatched hut, performed a respectful bow, and announced his return.

Laughter came from within. The old Daoist Qiyuan gave him a few words of encouragement before resuming his seclusion, reactivating the hut’s protective formations.

His master was at a critical juncture in comprehending the Wu Wei Sutra.

Sweeping his divine sense over Xiaoqiong Peak, taking in its familiar sights, Li Changshou felt much more at ease.

Regardless of everything, cultivation had to continue, and life had to go on.

He had once considered going to the South Sea to personally destroy all his statues.

But on second thought, his appearance might cause even more unexpected events, so he decided to let things unfold naturally…

“Senior Brother!”

Ling’e blinked her bright eyes, raising her hands slightly like a fledgling flapping its wings. “Hmm?”

Li Changshou immediately put on a stern face. “Come with me.”

Ling’e shuddered, her expression instantly turning into one of misery. Lowering her head, she obediently followed her senior brother into the hut.