Chapter 59: Bear Village's Secret to Strength · False

Liu Yan'er, who had accompanied Li Changshou on his trip to North Continent, arrived at Little Qiong Peak. Shortly after Liu Yan'er's arrival, two senior brothers followed her.

Under the willow tree, Ling'e subtly displayed her embarrassment, wishing these three important figures would leave promptly. However, at that moment, the two senior brothers from different peaks on either side were already at loggerheads, and the air crackled with tension.

What was she to do? She genuinely wished to avoid interfering in others' affairs, particularly those that had nothing to do with her senior brother.

Around the low table Ling'e had set up, three fellow disciples—a senior sister and two senior brothers, all strangers to her—sat on three sides. Seated directly across from Ling'e was Liu Yan'er, the Senior Sister from Dulin Peak who had arrived first. Ling'e had initially assumed that this new senior sister, who had come to see her own senior brother, was a 'dangerous character' like Senior Sister Youqin. However, after chatting for a while, Ling'e realized her misconception. It was clear that this senior sister had a legitimate reason for seeking out her senior brother.

The story began seven years ago during a cultivation assembly when Senior Sister Liu Yan'er and Senior Brother Wang Qi, who had journeyed to North Continent together, developed feelings for each other. After returning to the mountain, they exchanged messages via flying cranes and conveyed affection through their gazes. Over time, their feelings grew stronger. Recently, Senior Sister Yan'er and Junior Brother Qiqi had decided to cultivate together. They planned to register at the Hall of Hundred Mortal Affairs to formally become Dao Companions and cultivate jointly on either Dulin Peak or Little Ling Peak.

However, who could have foreseen that Liu Yan'er's own junior brother, Liu Sizhe—an immortal seedling from Dulin Peak and the man seated to Ling'e's left—would suddenly intervene? He opposed this union!

This was a secret affection, nurtured for a century. From the time Liu Sizhe entered the sect as a child, he had always followed behind his gentle senior sister, calling out 'Senior Sister, Senior Sister.' Gradually, as he grew, the young man found himself troubled, for a beautiful woman had taken residence in his heart. However, Liu Sizhe felt that he was still new to the sect and his cultivation was inferior to his senior sister's, making him unable to protect her. Thus, he suppressed his feelings, diligently cultivated, and strove to comprehend the Dao, gradually making a name for himself within the sect.

By now, Liu Sizhe had ascended to the sixth rank among the sect's contemporary disciples, having reached the sixth stage of the Void Return Realm. He had received treasures from the sect and was a direct disciple of the Dulin Peak Master. Just as he intended to confess his feelings to his senior sister, he witnessed... He saw his beloved senior sister about to be claimed by a fellow disciple from Little Ling Peak!

Liu Sizhe immediately stepped forward to declare his feelings to his senior sister. Liu Yan'er, though startled, promptly and gently declined his advances. “Junior Brother,” she said, “I have always regarded you as my closest junior brother.”

Liu Sizhe was not reconciled; he relentlessly questioned Liu Yan'er about her relationship with Wang Qi and even secretly challenged Wang Qi to a duel.

Junior Brother Qiqi… Wang Qi of Little Ling Peak was no less formidable. Since his return from North Continent, his cultivation had advanced significantly, and his previously somewhat wayward disposition had become much more restrained. He, too, had now reached the sixth stage of the Void Return Realm, elevating his rank among sect disciples to eighth. After consulting Liu Yan'er, Wang Qi fully respected her wishes and did not accept the challenge.

Consequently, the situation grew increasingly tense, with both Liu Sizhe and Wang Qi refusing to yield. In recent days, the dispute had even escalated into confrontations between disciples of Dulin Peak and Little Ling Peak, leading to reprimands from the sect elders. This matter urgently required a resolution.

Liu Yan'er's visit to Little Qiong Peak today was solely to find Li Changshou, their companion from that time, hoping he could provide testimony. This would help clarify to Liu Sizhe how 'Senior Sister Yan'er' and 'Junior Brother Qiqi' had developed feelings for each other. To her surprise, no sooner had Liu Yan'er arrived than Wang Qi and Liu Sizhe followed close behind, resulting in the current tense and awkward confrontation.

Lan Ling'e gazed at the low table, which seemed on the verge of splintering from the intense auras of the two men, and felt a slight pang of heartache. Her senior brother had made this table with his own hands.

“Senior brothers?”

“Yes?”

Two stern and authoritative faces simultaneously turned towards her, causing Ling'e to instinctively pull back her neck. Lan Ling'e smiled, “Senior brothers, would you mind waiting to the side? There are certain things we women need to discuss that aren't appropriate for you to overhear.”

Liu Sizhe and Wang Qi both looked at Liu Yan'er, whose eyes conveyed a mix of helplessness and quiet urging. Immediately, the two men stood up and walked towards the nearby lake. Wang Qi was quite thoughtful, creating a magical barrier beneath the tree. Seeing this, Liu Sizhe also returned and erected another layer, thicker and stronger, outside the existing barrier. Their eyes met, and subtle sparks seemed to fly in the air.

Inside the barrier, Liu Yan'er felt utterly exasperated.

“Senior Sister Yan'er, my senior brother has gone to sever his mortal attachments and won't return for at least another year.” Little Ling'e paused, then suggested, “You could discuss this matter with Senior Sister Youqin.”

“I’ve already been there,” Liu Yan'er sighed softly. “Junior Sister Youqin is in seclusion, and I didn’t dare disturb her. Now, only Junior Brother Changshou can shed some light on this matter.”

Ling'e was somewhat perplexed. “But what difference would it make if my senior brother proved that you developed feelings for each other?”

“My junior brother is simply pigheaded,” Liu Yan'er said with a bitter smile. “He now believes I’m using Junior Brother Qiqi as a shield, to avoid impeding his path to immortality. But I truly... Oh, what am I to do? I even inquired with Senior Uncle Jiu, but he is also in seclusion. And Junior Brother Changshou isn't here either.”

Lan Ling'e was about to subtly suggest that this matter had no bearing on their Little Qiong Peak. However, before she could formulate her words, she suddenly felt the ground trembling. She looked up to see that the two senior brothers from other peaks were already on the open ground in front of the thatched cottage, engaging in a leg-pushing 'wrestling' match!

As sect rules prohibited private duels among disciples—any grievances requiring prior reporting to the Hall of Hundred Mortal Affairs for a sect-arranged resolution method—both Wang Qi and Liu Sizhe were exercising considerable restraint at this moment. They merely extended their left feet, bumping knees against each other, their gazes as fierce as if they wished to devour their opponent!

Liu Yan'er immediately raised a hand to her forehead, at a loss as to how to mollify them. Little Ling'e, however, blinked. This situation... It was remarkably similar to the way the spirit beasts in the rear mountain's animal pen competed for mates!

Chuckling softly to herself, Ling'e's thoughts turned, and she quickly formed a plan. She stood up, stepped out of the barrier, and called out to the two men: “Stop fighting! You won't kill anyone like this! Uh, I mean, no. Senior brothers, please be mindful that the sect forbids private duels, and this is also my Little Qiong Peak’s territory. Since you've come here, why not abide by Little Qiong Peak’s rules? Regardless of Senior Sister Yan'er’s final decision, you two should first settle your dispute here. What do you say?”

The two men jumped apart. Despite the sharp pain in their knees, they both maintained a nonchalant demeanor and nodded in agreement.

“What rules?” Liu Sizhe asked.

“My senior brother enjoys brewing wine,” Ling'e said with a slight smile. “I invite both senior brothers to sample it.”

A moment later...

With two resounding thuds, Wang Qi and Liu Sizhe both slumped onto the low table, their wine jars dropping from their hands. Each had consumed only about a third of the contents. After all, it was the diluted 'Beauty's Charm' wine, reserved for Master Jiu.

Liu Yan'er let out a soft breath and offered Ling'e a grateful smile. However, she showed no immediate intention of leaving.

“Senior Sister Yan'er, I have a method that might help you resolve this.” Ling'e, feeling a touch of helplessness, gestured for Liu Yan'er to lean closer and whispered a few words into her ear.

Liu Yan'er frowned. “Would that work?”

“It’s merely to make Senior Brother Liu retreat,” Ling'e explained with a blink. “If he can even accept someone else’s child, then we can consider other options. But remember to inform Senior Brother Wang Qi, and also arrange for witnesses beforehand, so your reputation won't be harmed, Senior Sister.”

“A valuable lesson indeed! If this succeeds, I will owe you a great debt of gratitude, Junior Sister!”

Liu Yan'er excitedly rose and made a Daoist bow, which Lan Ling'e quickly waved off. Soon after, the senior sister used two clouds to lift the two drunken junior brothers into the air and flew towards Dulin Peak.

“Honestly, everyone comes to my senior brother for everything. Is the senior brother of my Little Qiong Peak truly so idle?” Lan Ling'e, completely unaware of the trouble she had just stirred, let out a soft hum. She then took a handkerchief, carried the low table to the lakeside, and meticulously cleaned it.

Should I call Master to Dulin Peak to watch the show? No, better not cause any more trouble. Otherwise, my senior brother will surely scold me when he returns.

“Stupid senior brother, what’s wrong with bringing your junior sister when you sever your mortal attachments? I could even help you kowtow! Honestly... In the future, when *I* go to sever my mortal attachments, I'll drag you along, even if you don’t want to, hmph!”

...

Two thousand li southwest of the Immortal Ascension Sect's main gate, in a valley near the sect's sixth celestial spiritual vein.

“I wonder if Ling'e has caused any trouble,” Li Changshou murmured, waking from his meditation, his eyes filled with tranquility. His cultivation realm was continuously consolidating; while his raw cultivation hadn't advanced, his actual power was visibly increasing. After checking the spiderwebs he'd placed around and the small warning arrays, Li Changshou moved to another rock cave and resumed his secluded cultivation.

In the blink of an eye, a year had passed since his arrival at the periphery of the Immortal Ascension Sect. Although he was just outside the sect's main gate, he didn't wish to return too soon. Beyond the three years of tomb guarding, he also needed to account for travel time and act as a Void Return Realm fourth-stage disciple should. After more than three years away from the sect, the immortal seedlings of other peaks would likely have advanced by one or two minor realms. Presenting himself as a fourth-stage Void Return Realm cultivator would suffice to align with the mainstream disciples. This would allow him to enjoy most of the sect's disciple benefits without drawing excessive attention.

The closer the day of his return to the mountain approached, the more vexed Li Changshou became. As the saying goes, a penny can confound even the most straightforward of folk. His current assets were severely disproportionate to his cultivation realm. It was akin to a situation in his previous life, where he'd received a 'level-up' gift package in a game but lacked any useful equipment to go with it.

Where could he acquire some precious materials? The composite grand array of Little Qiong Peak required substantial precious materials for its modification and improvement. He also needed copious amounts of precious materials to enhance his defensive capabilities against enemies. If only he had an endless supply of spirit stones.

Li Changshou rested his chin on his hand, lost in quiet thought. He had, in fact, previously considered the 'wicked' idea of tapping into the Immortal Ascension Sect’s spirit mines, thinking that opening a small side vein would directly solve his spirit stone problem. However, Li Changshou felt such an act would be truly dishonorable. The Immortal Ascension Sect had, after all, cultivated him for many years. Now that he possessed some strength, it was one thing to not wish to act as the sect's enforcer, but to clandestinely mine his own sect's spirit veins? This was no longer merely 'fleecing the sect'; it was akin to carving out its very flesh.

“Should I visit the nearest market town? Sell some poison pills and immortal pills?” Li Changshou pondered briefly, then decided that such an outing was unnecessary. He now suspected he might possess a 'trouble-magnet' constitution. During his tribulation, he had miscalculated that the Heavenly Dao would err, resulting in two rounds of heavenly tribulation and then attracting divine punishment. Severely injured by the divine punishment, he burrowed into a fish’s body and fled westward—because at the time, he had sensed that the figures rushing towards his tribulation site were coming from the east. As a result, even a fish that large was caught by mortals and brought ashore! He merely encountered a bear tribe, only to inexplicably acquire the title of Sea God. At that time, he was in his true form, as all his disguises had been destroyed during the heavenly tribulation. The statue erected by the bear tribe a year ago depicted his original appearance... If he were to actively venture into a market town teeming with all sorts of dubious characters, wouldn't he inevitably cause even greater trouble?

Oh, right, his statue must have collapsed by now, right? He hadn't performed any divine manifestations, so it surely must have fallen.

Li Changshou performed a quick divination, his expression freezing, then a wave of black lines seemed to spread across his face... What in the world?! Ahem, a little immortal gentleman shouldn't curse.

What's happening? How is it that there are already hundreds of his statues? How has the incense merit accumulated so much without my knowing?! It's several tens of percent more than the merit gained from slaying a great demon! What on earth is going on?

Because he carried certain small items that shielded his heavenly secrets from divination, he had to actively divine to sense the scenes of his 'believers' worshipping.

Could it be that... Perhaps... Could it be...

‘Village Chief (or Stockade Master, or City Lord)! I know the secret to why the people of Bear Tribe are so strong! They worship a Sea God every single day! Worshipping this Sea God not only makes their bodies stronger, but their fishing hauls double every time they go out, and their tribe suffers no illnesses or disasters—it's incredibly effective!’

‘Quick! Let's get one for ourselves too!’

As this scene played out in his mind, Li Changshou's mouth twitched uncontrollably. W-what was he going to do? If he claimed he truly hadn't intended to compete with the Western Sect for incense merit, would they—would they believe him?

What kind of poison could take down a Saint? Was he already half-dead now?!

Li Changshou tilted his head, and a small phantom flew out of his gaping mouth—his primordial spirit so shocked it had momentarily left his body—but he forcefully reabsorbed it.

He had to find a solution, he absolutely had to!