“Master, why are you in there too?”
“Ahem… Well, I came here to find you all, of course!
Come on, let’s go up!
Don’t embarrass me here!”
Out of the corner of his eye, Ao Yi saw Elder Yuanze hastily floating back into the sky with two young girls in tow. They flew swiftly, blending back into the crowd as if nothing had ever happened…
Then, Li Changshou ascended into the air and respectfully saluted in this direction.
“Disciple of Xiao Qiong Peak, Li Changshou, greets—”
A voice, strangely familiar, spread through the night sky.
Ao Yi’s legs trembled slightly, and he staggered a step forward.
He had lost…
Or rather, he had lost again.
At the age of ten, he had wanted to lose, but this person had preemptively admitted defeat, making him the real loser…
And today…
Despite holding the Water Condensing Spirit Pearl his mother had given him, he couldn’t even break through a simple trap formation.
Despite wielding the Ice Glass Sword bestowed by his master, he couldn’t cut through the illusions of this mere patch of land.
What face did he have left to challenge this person again?
Yet… how could he accept this?
He had painstakingly devised a plan to make a name for himself, taking advantage of the Jin’ao Island Qi Refiners’ love for philosophical debates to challenge prominent human cultivators one by one…
Why, at the very start of his plan, at this place… was it already…
Ao Yi stood there, his gaze lost in confusion.
He didn’t know if he should follow his true feelings, bow to Li Changshou in acknowledgment, and admit, “I am no match for you,” before turning and leaving…
Or if he should stick to his original plan, set his pride aside, and continue dueling this disciple of the Human Sect.
With a silent sigh, Ao Yi finally decided—he was unwilling to behave so shamelessly.
He put away his treasure pearl, sheathed his spirit sword, and stepped forward. Facing Li Changshou from a distance outside the alchemy hall, he cupped his hands and bowed.
“The ingenuity of your formations… I have learned my lesson today.”
With that, Ao Yi turned to leave.
However, a Heaven Immortal of the Jiejiao Sect in the air frowned slightly and spoke indifferently:
“Since our young friend Changshou has already emerged from seclusion, there’s no need to waste time testing formations. Let them spar directly.
This isn’t about victory or defeat—Jin’ao Island has already lost in this round. This is simply to help Junior Brother Ao Yi overcome the mental barrier in his heart.”
Ao Yi looked up, wanting to say something, but hesitated.
At that moment, an elder from Du’xian Sect spoke up:
“Changshou, would you be willing to spar with the Dragon Palace’s Crown Prince once more?
He will seal his cultivation to match your Seventh Stage Nascent Soul Realm level.”
Li Changshou didn’t hesitate. He had already expected this reaction from both sides.
There was no way to avoid this duel now.
Due to the earlier formation test and the issue of face, neither side was willing to back down.
He lowered his head slightly and said, “I shall follow the sect’s arrangements.”
Immediately, the elders in the sky beamed with satisfaction.
They had already come to an unspoken agreement—once the Jin’ao Island delegation left, they would properly reward this unexpectedly talented young disciple.
Thus, the group returned to Po’tian Peak.
When they had arrived earlier, only five or six figures had traveled together.
Now, as they returned, the sky was covered in clouds, a massive black wave of cultivators blotting out the starlit night…
Li Changshou quietly followed behind the other immortals when suddenly, Jiu Wu approached him, grabbed his arm, and subtly leaned in.
“Here, take this.”
Jiu Wu slipped a treasure pouch into Li Changshou’s sleeve and transmitted his voice directly into his mind:
“The Dragon Palace Prince carries two Post-Heavenly Spirit Treasures. That sword of his is no ordinary weapon.
If he tries to harm you, just take out what’s inside this pouch and throw it at him.
This is my master’s Purple Lark Seal, also a spirit treasure. I begged to borrow it for you.
Remember, I’m only lending it to you!
It’s not yours to keep!“
Li Changshou couldn’t help but chuckle, but still took out the pouch and stuffed it back into Jiu Wu’s sleeve.
Huh? His martial uncle’s sleeve had multiple sewn-in compartments filled with treasure pouches?
Who knew what kind of good stuff was inside?
“Martial Uncle, no need to worry,” Li Changshou transmitted back. “I have my way to deal with him.
I won’t let him win…
As long as he doesn’t start fighting and then suddenly transform into his dragon form mid-battle.”
Jiu Wu looked puzzled. Li Changshou whispered a few more words to him through sound transmission.
The short Daoist immediately raised an eyebrow and let out a chuckle. “That’s… kinda dirty.“
Li Changshou smiled. “One must apply their knowledge flexibly—this is a principle my master always taught me.”
“Oh, speaking of your master, where is he?
If you’re going to duel, shouldn’t he be here to watch?”
“Uh…” Li Changshou discreetly used his divine sense to scan an area several hundred miles outside the sect gates.
There, hidden in a dense forest, a certain sleeping tree stump came into view.
His lips twitched slightly, but he left a strand of divine sense lingering in that area.
Out loud, he said, “I don’t know either. My master’s been feeling frustrated lately—he probably went out for a walk.”
Jiu Wu sighed lightly. “That makes sense. Your master transformed into a Turbid Immortal—his path of immortality won’t be an easy one.
Don’t think too much about it for now.
Just focus on this battle. Winning doesn’t matter; just don’t embarrass yourself too badly.”
Li Changshou nodded.
Up ahead, several elders had already turned back to glance at them.
Jiu Wu didn’t dare to say more and quickly guided Li Changshou forward on his cloud.
Moments later, in front of Du’xian Hall on Po’tian Peak.
A large, open plaza lay before the hall, flat and spacious.
An elder tossed out dozens of luminous orbs, illuminating the area as bright as daylight.
More than a hundred figures stood gathered, while nearly all Du’xian Sect’s Qi Refiners and immortals were watching with their divine senses.
The Jin’ao Island delegation had no further objections.
Jiu Wu conferred briefly with several elders before stepping forward and declaring loudly:
“Sparring and Dao discussions are meant to test one’s understanding of the path and gain insight into one’s own Dao.
This is not about brute force or proving dominance.
Both sides shall exercise restraint and must not intentionally harm each other.
wannaberecluse On SRTT Chapter 50.1