In the early morning, Lan Ling’e, who was sound asleep, was awakened by a huge force.
Before she could come back to her senses, she heard Jiu Jiu shout excitedly, “Ha, hehehe! I’ve broken through the bottleneck! Ling’e, remember to tell your senior brother. I’ll go back first to seclusion!”
“Oh… huh? She broke through after waking up?” Lan Ling’e responded in a daze. When she opened her eyes, she saw Jiu Jiu finding her shoes on the floor.
At that moment, Martial Aunt Jiu was rather excited. Her cultivation level once again took another firm step towards the Heaven Immortal Realm. She rushed out of the straw hut and hopped onto the gourd before quickly going to the Heaven-Breaking Peak.
“Remember to let your senior brother know that I’ll help him with alchemy once I come out of seclusion…”
Lan Ling’e was in a daze at the side of the bed for a while. After yawning twice, she walked to the dresser.
When she recalled the trivial matter that her martial aunt had done the day before, Lan Ling’e smiled and then sighed.
‘It’s really carefree after Immortal Ascension.’
“Junior Sister.”
A voice transmission entered her ear, and she subconsciously responded, “Here!”
Li Changshou continued his voice transmission. “I’ve heard what Martial Aunt has said. I will roughly enter seclusion for three months. After that, I might go out. Do you need any pills? I will only return after three to five years this time.”
‘Senior Brother… is going out to go through his Tribulation Transcendence?’
Lan Ling’e was happy but then pouted unhappily.
She was naturally happy for her senior brother and was unhappy because he would only return after three to five years. He had not left her for that long ever since she had gone up the mountains.
“There’s nothing I need. Senior Brother, you just have to take good care of yourself,” Lan Ling’e mumbled softly.
Peals of laughter were heard in the voice transmission. Li Changshou warned her, “I will wake up Master before I leave and tell him not to enter seclusion in the next few years. Remember not to run all around the place. You have to always remember what I’ve previously told you at all times, and don’t be carelessly bullied.”
“I got it, Senior Brother. It isn’t too late to say these after you come out of seclusion.” Lan Ling’e turned her eyes. “Are you going to slip away?”
Li Changshou laughed in the Pill Chamber and did not send a voice transmission anymore.
He looked down at the wisp of blue light emerging in his palm.
He had not expected the Ninth Stage of Dao Requital to come much earlier.
Currently, his Dao Realm was like… having rapid growth. It had the urge to soar at any time. Thankfully, it could still be suppressed.
After attaining the Ninth Stage of Dao Requital, he would very likely face the Heavenly Tribulation.
The Tribulation Transcendence had to be also put in his itinerary.
Li Changshou had long decided to go out to face the Tribulation Transcendence. Firstly, he did not want to reveal his cultivation level. Secondly, he did not want others to watch his Heavenly Tribulation.
After all, the Tribulation Transcendence was his own matter, and the mountain-protecting array formation was not affected at all.
He would find a hidden place outside without any people to go through his Tribulation Transcendence, which was not much different from the sect’s safety factor.
However, if he wanted to successfully slip away from the sect, he had to spend some effort.
Li Changshou sighed lightly.
“Fortunately, there are still fish.”
…
The rules of the Immortal Du Sect were strict, but most were targeted at the disciples that had yet to achieve Immortal Ascension. They restricted the disciples’ speech and actions, supervised their cultivation, and ensured their safety.
Among the Immortal Du Sect disciples, Li Changshou was an outstanding cultivator in the Second Stage of the Void Return Realm. Therefore, there were rather strict restrictions on him to go out.
This was one of the reasons he had chosen to go to the Priming Meet in the North Continent to search for herbs.
For the sake of going out of the sect to face Tribulation Transcendence, Li Changshou had already prepared to go to the Bai Fan Hall to apply for a reason to go out. The disciples had one chance to go back to their hometown and visit the grave.
Since he had joined the immortal sect, he was not linked to the mortal world anymore. Hence, he should completely sever ties with them.
However, a human heart was grown from the flesh, while the Dao Heart also had tribulation in the mortal world.
The forefathers of the human race thought highly of loyalty and filial piety. Although cultivators had broken free from the mortal world, they could not mourn in front of their parents who had raised them. They should visit their graveand worship them.
The Immortal Du Sect had done pretty well in this by learning from many major sects from the Middle Continent.
After new disciples, who came from the mortal world, entered the sect, an outer sect sectarian officer would be especially in charge of that. Every decade, they would look after the new disciples’ parents and give them gold and silver for their livelihood. They would also tell them how the disciples were doing in the sect, and give them some pills to remove their illnesses and talismans to avoid a calamity. However, they would not extend their lifespan.
Life and death were destined, and fate was limited. The Immortal Du Sect did not want to attract too much unnecessary karma, either.
After the disciples’ parents passed away, they would also let that disciple know and allow them to go back to their hometown for three years to pay respects to their parents so that they could completely break off any links with the mortal world.
Eighteen years ago, Li Changshou had been informed by the sect that his parents in the mortal world had both passed away.
Under the care of the Immortal Du Sect, his parents, who were ordinary herdsmen in the nomadic tribe in the South Continent, had lived over 100 years old without suffering any illnesses or calamity in their lifetime.
Li Changshou actually did not have much impression on his parents in this lifetime. After all, he had been brought to the mountains by his master very early on. He had exchanged a lifetime of clothing and food for them. They did not need to worry or suffer illnesses, and they had faced fewer calamities.
When he had received the notice from the sect, Li Changshou had wanted to visit their graveright away. However, since he was prepared to go through Tribulation Transcendence outside, it had been suppressed temporarily.
This was somewhat troublesome.
If the outer sectarian officer passed by the disciples’ hometown while doing errands outside in the three years that the disciples visited their parents’ graves, they would have to take a look at the disciples’ current situation.
Li Changshou had made preparations regarding this point. He had long been on good terms with the ‘elders’ of the Bai Fan Hall, who were in charge of the disciples.
He truly had a good friendship with them.
This elder was not like the other elders.
Most of the elders in the Bai Fan Hall were old Perfected Immortals. For example, Elder Ge was in charge of matters inside and out of the sect.
The true elders of the Immortal Du Sect were cultivating in different peaks, and they did not ask about miscellaneous matters. They could not obtain this reputation unless they were at the Heaven Immortal Realm.
Three months later.
Li Changshou shouted to wake up his master, who was in seclusion, and told him that he had to go back to his hometown to visit the grave, and his master had to take care of his junior sister.
Old Daoist priest Qi Yuan naturally allowed him. He did not think much about it, and he even persuaded Li Changshou to put down the link he had with the mortal world early and concentrate on the Immortal Dao.
On the other hand, Lan Ling’e could not bear to part with him and asked softly, “Can I… accompany Senior Brother there…”
“Have a guess.” Li Changshou smiled, and Lan Ling’e knew the answer right away. She responded while looking down.
She was still reluctant to part with him.
Li Changshou captured a few spiritual fish from the lake, put them into his sleeves, and flew to the Heaven-Breaking Peak on the white cloud.
Lan Ling’e stood quietly at the side of the lake and watched her senior brother’s back view. She muttered in her heart, ‘Have a safe Tribulation Transcendence’, and returned to her straw hut for cultivation after staying there for half a day.
When he reached the Bai Fan Hall, Li Changshou found the elder that he was close with and told him that he wanted to visit the grave. Elder Wei, who was on duty that day, gladly allowed him to do so.
“Changshou, I remember that your family is in the north-east region of the South Continent. Coincidentally, an officer is going to the South Continent tomorrow for some matters. I’ll let him take you along.”
“This…” Li Changshou took out a few spiritual fish from his sleeve. “Elder, there is something I need to trouble you with.”
“You little brat.” Elder Wei beamed with joy immediately and took the spiritual fish, which had been wrapped with a ball of water. He took a porcelain jar out and put the spiritual fish inside to raise them temporarily.
“Some people are good, some love to drink, and some love delicacies. It’s very hard to nurture them like this, and they can be said to be delicious snakeheads.” Elder Wei said with a smile, “Tell me. What are you thinking about?”
“I want to seize this chance to put myself to the test for a few years in the South Continent,” Li Changshou said in a low voice. “Can you tell the officers not to go to my hometown to take a look and not to let them bring me there…”
“Okay. You may leave.” Elder Wei picked up the bamboo slip in front of him. “I’ll be saving a piece of bamboo. You’re a good seedling for immortal cultivation, and you have an endless future from today onward. Remember, you cannot create trouble, go against the sect’s rules, or be reluctant to part with the flourishing mortal world and let the mortal world blind your Dao heart.”
Li Changshou responded repeatedly and said with cupped fists, “Thank you, Elder!”
“This is just a trivial matter. Be on your way. Go early and come back early.”
Elder Wei gestured with his hand and took out a jade token, which was used for a disciple to go out, before handing it to Li Changshou. He told Li Changshou a few things, telling him not to go everywhere in places with many people in the mortal world, lest the turbid Qi in the mortal world affected his Dao base.
This elder was not pretending to be deeply concerned about Li Changshou. After all, Li Changshou had given his over 100 spiritual fish all these years…
The disciples would often make an excuse of going back to their hometown and visiting the grave, but they would remain in the mortal world for several years and be caught by the sectarian officers. They would be reprimanded and have their monthly allowance deducted. Elder Wei did not find such things a surprise anymore.
Li Changshou had given a few spiritual fish so that this elder would not record him visiting his parents’ gravein the book. Naturally, the sectarian officers would not check it.
In Elder Wei’s opinion, it was not a huge matter unless the young disciples wanted to enjoy the mortal world.
However, this was very crucial in Li Changshou’s Tribulation Transcendence plan, and it was a small step to make it a success.
…
After leaving the Heaven-Breaking Peak and flying southwards on the white cloud, Li Changshou very soon flew outside the mountains.
He took the jade token and said that he needed to return to his hometown to visit the grave. The immortal, who was in charge of guarding the gates, told Li Changshou to be careful outside the sect. Li Changshou thanked him and flew out on the white cloud.
500 kilometers around the sect was actually still considered the land of the Immortal Du Sect.
The spirit meridian ores, which were important in a few areas of the sect, were distributed in the southern area.
Li Changshou flew 1,000 kilometers on the white cloud and landed in a forest. After he observed in the hidden corners of the forest for two days and confirmed that nobody from the sect had followed him, he then executed the Earth Escape technique and went southwards.
On the way, he executed the Earth Escape when he met mountains, and the Water Escape when he met water.
He also encountered cultivators fighting, ran into mountain demons having an internal fight, bumped into people seeking pleasure, and witnessed thousands of mortals having hand-to-hand battles.
After he took a look around, he stopped in his tracks.
Just like an unnoticeable ghost, Li Changshou walked 5,000 kilometers and another 5,000 kilometers…
Half a month later, he reached a grassland in the northwest district of the South Continent, which was not far from the East Continent.
Based on the sect’s information, Li Changshou successfully found his parent’s graveon a hillside.
This grave was very exquisite. At one glance, he knew that a lot of money had been spent on it. The corner of the gravestone also had the symbol of the Immortal Du Sect, and an inscription was also written with ‘Eldest Son Changshou’.
There were many weeds grown in front of the grave. Li Changshou took out a short knife and carefully cleared the surrounding of the grave.
Then, he knelt before the gravestone and offered fruits, meat, and fish that he had prepared on the way. He burned two stacks of joss paper, put three fragrant joss sticks, and kowtowed four times. He felt less restraint now.
Afterward, he found an ordinary corner near his parents’ grave and meditated and cultivated there. This was also considered visiting the grave.
Seven days later, Li Changshou was once again prepared to set off on his journey and hurried to the preselected place for his Tribulation Transcendence.
Where was the place?
It was actually in the East Ocean. However, it was in the East Ocean of the South Continent.
Since it was a territory in the mortal world, few cultivators appeared there. The mortal world was filled with turbid Qi and disorder, and only a few demons were causing trouble.
Most of the human race was gathered in the mortal world of the South Continent. The Dragon Palace did not have any stationed troops there, as they were afraid of bumping into the human race.
At the mortal world’s border, he found a hidden, ordinary island on the vast ocean. It was the best place for Tribulation Transcendence!
Li Changshou took out a storage sack from his sleeve and took out something from it. It was a bunch of eyebrow pencils, face powder, and makeup materials that he had ground and invented.
Then, he started to carefully disguise himself for the first time.
He had a few foundational principles when it came to figures and looks. It was not enough if he only simply used the illusion technique or the Illusion Spell.
He had to first use the makeup skills and physics to change his appearance. After that, he pasted a unique Ultra-Thin Hydrating Silk Mask and used the illusion technique to transform into an old Daoist priest before he executed the Illusion Spell.
This way, even if an expert saw through four layers of his spell, they could not see his true appearance.
Most of the cultivators who roamed outside would use the illusion technique, so it was not strange for him to use it.
After tidying up for half a day, Li Changshou turned in an old, cold-faced Daoist priest before he quietly used his Earth Escape and went to the East Ocean to search for a place for seclusion and Tribulation Transcendence.
At the same time…
At the common border of the South Ocean and East Ocean, an immortal glow was seen, which was similar to the immortal island of big turtles.
In a treasured pond in the corner of the immortal island, the Island Pet that had recently arrived, which was a small azure dragon that was 100 feet long, was slowly observing the surroundings with eyes that had just peeked out of the water!
The dragon spat out bubbles from its mouth with its eyes smiling.
‘Very good.’
It was time for the Zenith Heaven Golden Immortal to talk about the Dao again. The nearby cultivating immortals had gone to listen to the Dao.
‘I’m afraid you guys did not expect that when the prince was six years old, he had memorized the Four Seas’ water routes by heart.
‘Since then, he has headed to the South Continent and headed towards the East Continent along the coast of the South Continent to hide his tracks through the turbid Qi. Then, he reached the common border of the South and East Continents and hid his tracks as he headed to the East Continent.
‘If the Immortal Du Sect did not have the guts to take in disciples, I can also go to the Immortal Sects of the Three Schools in the Middle Continent!’
The azure dragon laughed coldly and shrunk its body. Soon, it turned three feet long and swam toward the water seam at the bottom of the water.
When it left the scope of the immortal island and was at the end of the island, a pair of big, terrifying turtle eyes opened in the area that resembled a golden turtlehead.