Chapter 43: As Long As You Are Thick-Skinned

　　White clouds floated above the azure ocean.

　　Just like when they had been on the journey to the East Ocean, a huge white cloud floated towards the north-west gate while carrying 16 Perfected Immortals and 11 disciples, and a few Heaven Immortals protecting the order in all four directions above.

　　Those who left first dumped the huge white clouds behind. The cloud path was very wide and did not seem crowded.

　　This was the third day after Li Changshou’s insane battle with Ao Yi, and the Demon-Sweeping Meet had also ended successfully.

　　The fake leader, Li Changshou, sat at the corner and had retired from glory. Thus, nobody paid attention to him.

　　Since the true leader, Youqin Xuanya, had an outstanding performance at the Meet, her name had spread everywhere. She had beaten 36 cultivators and four dragon race disciples consecutively. As a result, she had risen to fame. She was now being surrounded in the middle of the white cloud.

　　Among Youqin Xuanya’s opponents on that day and those four dragon race disciples, seven to eight of them were at the First Stage or Second Stage of the Dao Requital Realm. On the other hand, given her cultivation at the Eight Stage of the Void Return Realm, she had relied on her firm mind and clever techniques accumulated with hard work.

　　Furthermore, the power and grade of her flying sword surpassed that of an ordinary immortal treasure. It had experienced many fierce battles and gnawed those bones in succession.

　　The power supporting her perseverance was not the four immortal treasures that the Dragon Palace had used.

　　Under everyone’s gaze, she put those four immortal treasures before her senior brother, who had previously been bullied and humiliated by the dragon race. Then, she returned to her own seat and meditated cross-legged, which was akin to giving everyone a clear answer.

　　She was not contending for the Dharma treasures but striving for determination!

　　‘I, a disciple of the Immortal Du Sect, am not easily dealt with by other people! The Senior Brother from my sect is not what anybody can bully either!’

　　At that time, the eyes of a few sentimental Martial Aunts had gone red.

　　If Li Changshou had not been the one being implicated, he would definitely have given Youqin Xuanya a thumbs-up and told her that she had been cool.

　　However, he had been bullied by the dragon race. After being protected by his junior sister, he was a lucky one who had obtained four immortal treasures for no reason—that was relatively awkward.

　　These four immortal treasures were like four hot potatoes. Fortunately, Li Changshou reacted in time and entrusted them to Martial Aunt Jiu Jiu, who was in the line of succession in the Heaven-Breaking Peak, for safekeeping. When they returned to the mountains, they would be given to Youqin Xuanya’s Master, Martial Uncle Jiang Jingshan.

　　This was proper handling that would not cause any more unnecessary trouble.

　　However, the feeling of being protected and receiving help to stand up for himself was slightly strange.

　　Li Changshou had gained some benefits on the journey to the East Ocean.

　　In the next two days, competitions between cultivators of the same seniority helped him broaden his combat methods.

　　These cultivators came from different immortal sects and had different main cultivation techniques. Although the Five-Element Yin-Yang Dao technique was their main one, it had many different kinds of styles and complicated combinations.

　　Li Changshou had been watching at the side for two days. He had learned some very useful little tricks, which supplemented the tactical setups for the paper dolls.

　　Broadening his horizons and raising his experiences were also a kind of cultivation.

　　Due to Youqin Xuanya’s blow, the Immortal Du Sect had been the biggest winner for the Meet this time. Not only had they taken away one-third of the Dharma treasures, but they had also boosted their sect’s reputation by a lot.

　　During the next ceremony to take in disciples, they might even be able to recruit a few immortal seedlings because of this.

　　After Youqin Xuanya left, although disciples of the same seniority as her, such as Li Changshou, had to enter the battle as well, their best record was only seven consecutive wins.

　　The senior brother, who had said he wanted to stand up for him, had won three out of four battles and had not been able to meet the remaining young dragons.

　　Just when she left the range of the East Ocean, Jiu Jiu returned to being an obedient fairy and suddenly heard a voice transmission from above.

　　She hurriedly flew into the sky on the cloud to the side of her Master, Exalted Wang Qing.

　　Soon, Jiu Jiu flew down from the sky and was full of smiles.

　　She landed back on the white cloud, where most of the teams were and took out a pill bottle before putting it beside Youqin Xuanya.

　　Previously, Youqin Xuanya had spent a lot of effort. Ever since the huge battle two days ago, she had been mediating and cultivating.

　　Then, Jiu Jiu walked to Li Changshou and sized him up as she cranked her head before she muttered, “That’s strange. How come Master has praised you more than Xuanya?”

　　Li Changshou had to worry about that.

　　Had Exalted Wang Qing seen through his true cultivation level?

　　No, that was not right. If that was the case, he should have reproached him for not winning the glory for their sect. He should not have been praising him for no reason instead.

　　“Here, this is for you. This is a reward from my master. This is not considered a reward within the sect.”

　　Jiu Jiu threw out a jade token before she sat cross-legged three feet from Li Changshou.

　　A few disciples perked their ears to hear what was happening.

　　Youqin Xuanya had received the pill rewarded by Exalted Wang Qing, which was nothing. However, Li Changshou had lost his only battle. How could he receive a reward?

　　In that jade token, there should be some kind of high-level immortal techniques, right? After all, it was the reward that Exalted Wang Qing had personally given.

　　Jiu Jiu grinned, pretended to be stern, cleared her throat, and said, “Master said that you have dealt with the Prince of the Dragon Palace well.

　　“The Second Prince of the Dragon Palace is full of evil tricks. He should have wanted to let you beat him up with serious injuries and lose to you on purpose. Then, the Dragon Palace would seize the chance to take action on the Immortal Du Sect.

　　“Master said that if you had not seen through him in time, used the deceptive technique, and admitted defeat first, we might not be able to return to the mountains.

　　“He also said that Fifth Senior Brother had mentioned you a few times before him, saying that you are meticulous in your thoughts, prudent in your execution, and very reliable in handling matters.

　　“He had not chosen the wrong person to lead the team of disciples this time.”

　　The burden in Li Changshou’s heart fell instantly.

　　Exalted Wang Qing had actually seen through the conspiracy of the Dragon Palace!

　　Indeed, he had the height and outlook of a Heaven Immortal, which was totally different from their insignificant outlook!

　　Although Li Changshou had previously done a meticulous analysis, deduced that the Prince of the Dragon Palace wanted to dishonor the Dragon Palace, and reversed the bad atmosphere of the Dragon Palace, he had not expected such logic behind that and even such a vicious scheme!

　　Li Changshou thought back right away and realized that he was not standing at a height high enough. From the start, due to his first impression, he had believed that the Dragon Palace did not dare to deal with the Immortal Sects of the Three Schools directly. At the very most, they would let Ao Yi kill an insignificant disciple like him in the competition.

　　‘Oh? After thinking about it carefully, Exalted Wang Qing’s logic seems to have many loopholes. Forget it, forget it. From the present outcome, Exalted Wang Qing’s analysis is beneficial to me.’

　　This Exalted One was…

　　Very great!

　　Very warm!

　　Very considerate!

　　A few of the disciples suddenly saw the light and were enlightened, while a few Perfected Immortals appeared to have known it before. Most of them looked at Li Changshou in admiration.

　　For no reason, he had received a surge of favorable impressions from the others.

　　This was much better than having bad impressions.

　　Li Changshou supposed that he would receive rich rewards after he returned to the mountain, even though he had received the Inaction Sutra in advance.

　　Li Changshou looked down at the jade token and realized that there was a profound thunder spell engraved on it⁠—True Heaven Yang-Thunder Mantra.

　　After pondering slightly, Li Changshou sent a voice transmission to Jiu Jiu at his side and handed the jade token over to her.

　　Jiu Jiu looked at Li Changshou in shock.

　　She had been cultivating for nearly 1,000 years, but she had never heard of something so absurd!

　　The elder in the sect had bestowed a treasure, while the junior still wanted to be picky and wanted her to ask whether this thunder spell could be changed into the True Samadhi Flames cultivation technique, which was more useful to alchemy!

　　Li Changshou naturally knew it was inappropriate for him to be doing this. However, Jiu Jiu was on good terms with her master, and he indeed wanted the True Samadhi Flames more than anything.

　　If he could obtain the True Samadhi Flames, his strength would soar greatly.

　　Therefore, he could only be thick-skinned.

　　“I am going to get scolded by Master!”

　　Jiu Jiu rolled her eyes and took the jade token. She flew into the sky in a huff but restored her obedient look halfway.

　　Very soon, Jiu Jiu turned back without a hitch and used a handkerchief to wrap two jade tokens. While nobody was noticing, she threw it to Li Changshou.

　　Exalted Wang Qing did not take back the True Heaven Yang-Thunder Mantra.

　　The Dharma spell engraved on the new jade token was of a similar grade to the thunder spell. It was written with three big words: True Samadhi Flames!

　　After carefully reading a few sentences of the opening, he heard the cultivation outline of ‘essence flame’, ‘spirit flame’, and ‘Qi flame’. He felt a sense of satisfaction.

　　He had finally obtained it. It was seriously real.

　　Perhaps, this matter might leave an impression on Exalted Wang Qing that he was greedy and discontented.

　　However, everything was worth it!

　　After Li Changshou returned to the mountain, he would take root and cultivate honestly at the Little Qiong Peak.

　　He would pay no attention to external matters, and study the True Flame Sutra wholeheartedly!

　　The True Samadhi Flames were not only used to injure his enemies.

　　It was a wider type of True Flame handed down by the Dao Sect. It was famous for its great power and a lower threshold for cultivation. However, it was not easy for him to obtain the cultivation technique of the True Samadhi Flames.

　　When Li Changshou had initial success with the True Samadhi Flames, he could record the techniques in an ancient text and use the True Samadhi Flames to enhance his soul and Dao Body. That way, he would be more confident when he faced the Heavenly Tribulation!

　　From today onward, he only needed to go out of the mountain once more—survive the Heavenly Tribulation!

　　If he could successfully go through the Heavenly Tribulation, he could keep a low-profile and seek longevity in the mountains in the future!

　　He dreamt about being able to feed fish, grow flowers, refine pills, and set up array formations. When he was bored, Li Changshou could tease his junior sisters. When he had nothing to do, he could be a backup civil servant of the Heavenly Courts…

　　This was probably the life he yearned for the most at present.

　　Would trouble descend from the sky?

　　Li Changshou looked at Youqin Xuanya, who was being protected tightly and could not help but reveal a slight smile.

　　After Junior Sister Youqin Xuanya returned to the mountains, she should be able to be valued by the sect the most. From a certain degree, it would also become the shackles that restricted her movement.

　　As long as Li Changshou dealt with Martial Uncle Jiu Wu, later on, there would be no way for trouble. The Little Qiong Peak would also definitely restore to its usual peace!

　　As for Martial Aunt Jiu Jiu, it was a good thing even if she came over often. That way, after Immortal Ascension, Li Changshou would produce some special pills and set up some formidable array formations, which would all be thanks to her help.

　　“What are you thinking?” Jiu Jiu sent a voice transmission at the side before she curled her lips. “I know you’re uneasy at a glance.”

　　Li Changshou replied with a smile, “Can you solve the Rubik’s cube?”

　　Jiu Jiu smiled in satisfaction. She threw the Rubik’s cube with six colors on each side back and answered indifferently, “It’s pretty easy since I found a way. Give me something else fun.”

　　Li Changshou smiled and nodded his head. He took out a 5×5 Rubik’s cube and handed it to her.

　　Jiu Jiu looked at the dazzling cube and its color. Shocked, she quickly sat in meditation and cultivated seriously.

　　Deep in the East Ocean, the prawn soldiers, crab generals, and flood dragon troops heavily guarded the Crystal Palace at the bottom of the ocean that was covered by array formations.

　　The singing and dancing in the main hall did not cease, and the feast to celebrate the Demon-Sweeping Meet had ended smoothly.

　　The experts in the Dragon Palace watched comfortably as the most outstanding young disciples from the immortal sect in the East Continent took out all sorts of Dharma treasures for the battle.

　　The Dragon King seemed to be drunk on the throne carved by crystal corals, leaning on the soft cushion made by the Brilliant Nine-Winged Gold Silkworms, which would be changed monthly, with a few beautiful young ladies at the side. These ladies gently fanned the Dragon King and massaged his shoulders, back, and dragon legs.

　　Being born as a dragon was that boring, cozy, and dull.

　　The Civil and Military Chancellors of the Dragon Palace drank toast after toast while they talked cheerfully about the battles of those human disciples they had seen.

　　Outside the main hall, the young dragon, which had just woken up for half a day, ascended the steps with a firm gaze.

　　He was the Second Prince of the East Ocean, Ao Yi. He was going to do… something big!