Chapter 60: Steadiness Sutra

　　‘What other ways can I think of?’

　　While bathing in the morning light, Li Changshou rode the clouds and drifted slowly towards the Immortal Du Sect.

　　On this day, the weather was fine. It was indeed a good day to return to the sect.

　　He couldn’t wait to fly back on the second day of the ‘reasonable period to return to the sect’.

　　It was just too dangerous out there.

　　It was better to be put under the protection of the Ren School’s glory so that he could have a peace of mind.

　　After taking out his jade token, which allowed him to go out of the sect, and arriving at the sect, Li Changshou made a Dao salute to the immortal guarding the gate. Then he said, “Little Qiong Peak’s disciple, Li Changshou, has returned after breaking all ties with the mortal world.”

　　The immortal took the jade token from Li Changshou’s hand with a smile and asked, “Did you gain anything this time?”

　　Li Changshou replied, “Actually, I did not gain anything, but I feel less worried. Henceforth, I can pursue the path of immortality with all my heart.”

　　“Good.” The immortal smiled and waved his hand. “Cultivate well.”

　　“Yes, I still have to report to the Bai Fan Hall.”

　　Li Changshou made another Dao salute and rode the clouds at the right altitude, heading towards the Bai Fan Hall of the Heaven-Breaking Peak.

　　The immortal guarding the gate nodded with a smile, feeling that this was a good disciple of the younger generation.

　　After reaching the Bai Fan Hall and finding the elder on duty that day, Li Changshou finally brought his journey of going back home to a close.

　　The journey out for Tribulation Transcendence had come to a successful end.

　　As if… it was successful…

　　Li Changshou secretly predicted with his fingers and couldn’t help but sigh softly in his heart.

　　There had already been 132 god statues. Another two villages had started to worship the Sea God overnight…

　　He clearly didn’t do anything at all.

　　With a sigh in his heart, Li Changshou asked the elder on duty at the Bai Fan Hall, “May I pay homage to the ancestor statue in the hall?”

　　“Definitely,” the elder said with a smile. “The ancestor statue there is for disciples to pay homage to. You may do so.

　　“The Immortal Du Sect is a line of succession of the Ren School. Although there are many rules for disciples to follow, what you actually seek is to be free from restraint. You have to be mindful of your manners and must not offend your ancestors.”

　　“Thank you, Elder. I understand,” Li Changshou replied with a rather solemn face. He carefully tidied up his robe and inner shirt, walked to the circular platform in the middle of the main hall, and looked up at the portrait above.

　　In the portrait, an old Daoist with a blurred face, which couldn’t be seen clearly, was sitting on top of a blue ox with precious light shining behind him.

　　It was the portrait that had been painted during the Grand Pure One’s theophany.

　　His face was blurred because no one dared to draw the Saint’s real face, as it would be known to the Saint, and the person might be punished.

　　Li Changshou first cupped his fists in front and slowly did a Dao salute. He took two steps forward, lit incense, and made offerings. Then, he took three steps back, lifted the hem of his robe, and knelt on a meditation cushion.

　　Two sectarian officers and an elder at the Immortal Du Sect happened to see the scene, and they all nodded slightly.

　　It was rare to see a disciple like that who would come to worship their ancestor on a normal day.

　　A few moments later…

　　“Why is this disciple still kneeling there?”

　　“Focusing his mind would make it more accurate. He probably wants to be blessed by the ancestors and always have peace on his immortal path.”

　　More than ten elders and stewards came from the various ‘compartments’ of the main hall after a few more moments, looking curiously at that direction.

　　“This disciple couldn’t have encountered some problems, right?”

　　“We have eaten a lot of his spiritual fish. Why don’t we ask and help him?”

　　“If he doesn’t ask us for help first, we cannot find out anything. Who doesn’t have any worries?”

　　An hour later…

　　“Everyone, please return. You can stop looking. This disciple has just returned from the mortal world. His state of mind should be unstable, so he wants to calm his mind.”

　　The surrounding people gradually dispersed.

　　A few elders secretly thought that Li Changshou would later come over to get his monthly allowance and ask about cultivation so that he could secretly obtain some benefits.

　　This disciple should be in trouble, but the ancestor was ‘that one’. So how could he meddle in such an insignificant disciple’s affairs?

　　At last, Li Changshou paid homage for two hours and slowly got up, feeling much more at ease.

　　The only way to confront the Saints was to cozy up to them!

　　This was the only way he could think of.

　　Even if he was thus given little attention within the sect, after weighing the pros and cons, he had to come here to pay homage to the Ren School’s sect master, so that he could be less existent there.

　　The sect’s rules restricted anyone from hanging one’s ancestor’s portrait for paying homage. Therefore, only one ancestor portrait was found there.

　　After leaving the Bai Fan Hall, Li Changshou rode the clouds towards the Little Qiong Peak.

　　Actually, on second thought, he could have been overthinking.

　　How could a Saint really put himself down to target him, who was a small immortal of the Ren School?

　　After becoming a Saint, the great calamity would not be destroyed, and the fight would be for dignity and propaganda.

　　However, what if something happened?

　　Wouldn’t the Saint also have ‘humanity’ since they were ‘saint people’?

　　Of course, the Saints weren’t human beings born only in the ancient past. The three Dao sect masters had been transformed by Pangu’s Primordial Spirit, and the other three were all connate beings with unknown followings.

　　If those two elders of the Western school suddenly got angry over something, they would really get even with someone insignificant like him.

　　Heh, you even dare to cause trouble?

　　The corner of Li Changshou’s mouth twitched a few times.

　　It seemed that the Little Qiong Peak’s complex array needed to be some array that covered the secrets of Heaven!

　　However, these types of array formation diagrams were not even necessarily available to the Sect Leader of the Immortal Du Sect, let alone the precious treasures needed to set them up.

　　The Dao of the world was difficult.

　　While still immersed in his thoughts, Li Changshou had floated above the Little Qiong Peak. When he looked down, he saw Lan Ling’e meditating under the tree.

　　‘Actually, it’s also a matter of probability. Cultivate in peace.’

　　Li Changshou breathed and exhaled for a while. After adjusting his state of mind, he slowly fell towards the isolation array below.

　　Soon, Lan Ling’e, who was under the tree, cheered and rushed up with a few steps forward.

　　However, Li Changshou made a gesture to her to be silent and stand still. Then, he walked over to his master’s straw hut and bowed, saying that he had returned from the mortal world.

　　A few peals of laughter could be heard from inside the house. Old Daoist priest Qi Yuan encouraged Li Changshou before going back to his seclusion and activating several arrays outside the house again.

　　It was a crucial moment for his master to comprehend the Inaction Sutra.

　　As he scanned with his immortal sense, the scenery from all over the Little Qiong Peak was imprinted into his heart. Some of Li Changshou’s uneasiness faded away.

　　No matter what, cultivation was still a necessity, and so was life.

　　Even though he had previously thought of making a trip to the South Ocean to smash all of his god statues, he let them be at the thought that he could easily cause more unknown events by showing up.

　　“Senior Brother!”

　　Lan Ling’e blinked her bright eyes and raised her hands at her sides, fluttering a few times like a young bird. “Senior Brother?”

　　Li Changshou, however, had a serious expression. “Come in with me.”

　　Lan Ling’e shivered and put on a bitter face. After she followed behind her senior brother with her head lowered, she entered her straw hut while feeling grieved.

　　She moved the meditation cushion, put her legs together, knelt on it, lowered her head, and put on an expression.

　　She was very proficient in this.

　　Li Changshou sat in the round-backed chair and activated the arrays around the straw hut.

　　While looking at his junior sister in front of him who had put on a certain expression and adopted a posture, he sighed in a low voice.

　　“I only left for three years. You!”

　　Lan Ling’e closed her eyes instantly and raised her hands to grab her earlobes before she quickly shouted, “Senior Brother, I know I was wrong!

　　“There’s a reason for the duel between Senior Brother Liu Sizhe and Senior Brother Wang Qi!

　　“I didn’t expect this to happen! It was just a random idea the other day. I really just wanted to get rid of them. I didn’t put in much thought and allowed things to get worse!”

　　“Huh?” Li Changshou was startled. “I’m asking you… about one-third of the spiritual fish that are missing in the lake.”

　　Lan Ling’e froze. Then, her body bent and twisted, and she sat still there.

　　She brought this upon herself. She had confessed to everything.

　　…

　　More than a year ago, after Liu Yan’er had left with her two junior brothers, something happened the next day.

　　Liu Yan’er informed Wang Qi that she would report to her master and the Peak Leader beforehand. Then, she would use a trick and tell Liu Sizhe that she was pregnant, hoping that Liu Sizhe would stop bothering her. She did not want Liu Sizhe to have a duel with Wang Qi.

　　The two of them had not been seriously injured from the duel and were considered on par with each other. However, they had been punished by the sect because of having a private duel.

　　Liu Sizhe had been punished with 20 years of seclusion and could not set foot outside of the Du Lin Peak.

　　Wang Qi had also been punished by having his monthly allowance suspended for three years. He then became Dao companions with Liu Yan’er and cultivated at the Little Ling Peak.

　　“Senior Brother… I was wrong…”

　　“How were you wrong?”

　　“I shouldn’t have… given Senior Sister Yan’er this bad idea without considering their reactions.” Lan Ling’e responded with her head down. “As a result, it caused all three of them to be punished by the sect rules.”

　　Li Changshou pursed his lips and scolded her, “It really took you just a few years to spit out everything I’ve taught you over the years.

　　“Forget it!

　　“That’s the way you are. I shouldn’t expect so much from you. Forget it.”

　　“Don’t… don’t just forget about it! Senior Brother, just request anything from me!”

　　Lan Ling’e panicked. “I’ll never get into trouble again!

　　“Don’t give up on me, Senior Brother!

　　“I’ll cultivate quietly by your side from now on, and I won’t say a word to any stranger!”

　　“So tell me again, where have you gone wrong?”

　　Lan Ling’e’s eyes were red, and she was at a loss for words. “I.. I…”

　　“You shouldn’t have bothered with other people’s issues!”

　　Li Changshou poked his finger on the table and said with a sigh, “Do you know whether Liu Yan’er’s marriage destiny is to marry Liu Sizhe or Wang Qi?

　　“One has been secretly in love with her for 100 years, while the other has known her for a few years. Why would Liu Yan’er hesitate? Why couldn’t she reject Liu Sizhe harshly? It’s because she’s hesitant.

　　“Liu Yan’er is already 156 years old. Could she still not think of any other ways?

　　“It’s not that she cannot, but she doesn’t want to!

　　“This is equivalent to directly extinguishing someone’s path, making her originally undecided marriage destiny a fait accompli.

　　“It doesn’t matter if you were to follow others’ fate, but if you were to change the fate of others, you would have to bear the karma from the three of them.

　　“How much of your own luck have you destroyed!

　　“Don’t always think you’re the smartest and have the best ideas. No one is much dumber than someone else. Only humans like to pretend to be smart!

　　“This matter is the best portrayal of your unstable mind.”

　　Lan Ling’e pursed her lips and said with a trembling voice, “Senior brother, what should I do to remedy this?”

　　“You’ve done too much wrong. Later on, go and apologize to Senior Sister Liu Yan’er and beg for her forgiveness.” Li Changshou leaned back on the round-backed chair and rubbed his eyebrows. “It seems you still don’t quite understand.

　　“I’ll give you the simplest example.

　　“If Senior Sister Liu Yan’er and Junior Brother Wang Qi fall out in the future, who will she blame first?”

　　Lan Ling’e furrowed her brows and replied in a low voice, “Me, the outsider… who came up with the idea to help her reject another person.”

　　Li Changshou said with a bitter laugh, “So why interfere in someone else’s private affairs?

　　“Who could explain the word ‘love’ even since ancient times?

　　“This isn’t a necessity for cultivating the Dao to seek longevity. What you think about most every day is also this matter. In the long run, you will only waste your qualification and comprehension.

　　“After you’ve offered an apology to Senior Sister Yan’er, you should also reflect well. When Liu Sizhe comes out of seclusion, so will you.”

　　Li Changshou stood up and said again, “This time, you will not be punished much. Take a slate and copy the Steadiness Sutra 300 times.

　　“When you really understand your mistakes, find Liu Yan’er, and apologize to her.”

　　With that, Li Changshou’s expression darkened, and he was about to leave with his hands behind him.

　　Lan Ling’e shouted again, “Senior Brother, there’s one more thing.”

　　Li Changshou couldn’t help but walk back. He raised his hand to press down on her head, rubbing her head a few times. While expecting better from her, he messed up her hair that she had carefully combed up.

　　“What other troubles have you gotten into? Can you tell me everything at one go? I’m easily frightened out of mind by you!”

　　“I didn’t cause any trouble. This is sort of an unexpected benefit. I really only got into this trouble…”

　　Lan Ling’e whispered, “It’s about Master’s injury back then. Because of Senior Sister Yan’er, I heard a rumor…

　　“Senior Brother, come closer.”

　　She mumbled everything to him.

　　Li Changshou leaned over to listen for a while before he had a slight frown. He soon returned to normal.

　　“Don’t bother about this matter. Copy the Steadiness Sutra first. Apologize and find me at the Pill Chamber.”

　　“Okay,” replied Lan Ling’e, watching her senior brother drift off to the Pill Chamber.

　　She was done for. Her senior brother’s impression on her had regressed at least ten years…

　　Then, she sighed faintly and carried the meditation cushion to the willow tree.

　　She took out a slate and a Dharmic carving knife. She rubbed away the tears at the corner of her eyes with the back of her hand and lay down with her messy hair before silently copying a certain sutra written by her senior brother more than ten years ago.

　　After writing it once, she wiped her tears again. She erased the mark on the slate and continued writing a second time.

　　The willow branches dangled, caressing her hair that was swept by the wind as if they were supervising her homework.

　　…

　　Steadiness Sutra.

　　Primordial Times—Anonymous

　　Mind your own business; immortals are already established, and it is hard to compete.

　　In the face of injustice, ponder your own strength; in times of trouble, reflect on yourself.

　　If you have many friends, you will face many issues; if you have a few friends, you will avoid calamity.

　　Do not make an enemy, for it will be dangerous to do so; strike first, and you will perish next.

　　Do not restrain yourself, do not be afraid of yourself; you will be peaceful when everything is steady.

　　When one diverts in cultivation, one retreats and advances; one gains opportunity and plans accordingly.

　　How tragic that a former good old man was plotted against.

　　With demon powers, there are many schemes. After being knocked unconscious, one would be thrown into the iron pot.

　　The old tribe was imprudent but has a heaven-defying power. Nothing can be done about it.

　　The ancient tribes forcefully fought over luck, but eventually grew lonely.

　　Both were divided into Heaven and Earth and fell after being provoked.

　　New men arise and wish for rituals and music. They become sages, and there will be many wise men.

　　My generation has escaped bad luck, has a complete path to immortality, and obtained the Dao Fruits.

　　Be steady in all things and reject karma. Avoid forcibly taking over something, and one can be happy.

　　Avoiding natural disasters requires change, and avoiding man-made disasters is trouble-free.

　　Approach the Dao and brighten the path of immortality. The Steadiness Sutra will accompany you.

　　…