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chapter 46




In front of the Pill Chamber, Li Changshou sat quietly on the sling chair. He opened his left palm, and a ball of blue flame gradually burned.
This was not the complete version of the True Samadhi Flames, so it was fine even if he revealed it. After all, it had been three months since Exalted Wang Qing had rewarded him the True Samadhi Flames cultivation technique. It was reasonable for him to be able to cultivate the most simple Qi flame.
Provided that he put in a lot of Dharma powers, the Qi flame’s power was simply not as good as one-third of the Cold Nether Fire.
Once he combined the Qi flame, essence flame, and spirit flame into one as the True Samadhi Flames, its power would probably be much stronger than the Cold Nether Fire!
Li Changshou had figured out the cultivation technique theory of the True Samadhi Flames.
He roughly had to use his Qi, essence, and spirit to cultivate three fire seedlings and integrate them into the True Samadhi Flames. This flame could often survive in the Dao Body, burn evil spirits, and remove impurities, which could all be used to protect oneself.
What made Li Changshou the most satisfied was that the flame’s power was actually related to the fire seedling condensed by his essence, Qi, and spirit.
In other words, the power of the True Samadhi Flames could constantly increase alongside his cultivation level. He would not be wasting too much time on a spell that he would not be able to put to full use after mastering it.
A white cloud drifted over from the horizons. Li Changshou turned his left hand into a fist and extinguished that ball of flame.
He got up and cupped his fists at the white cloud.
The short Daoist on the white cloud revealed a slight smile and looked down. While maintaining at the height of 100 feet above, he said warmly, “Martial Nephew Changshou, I heard that you reaped great benefits on your journey to the East Ocean three months ago. You also dealt with the Prince of the Dragon Palace properly when he provoked you. I did not recommend you for nothing.”
Li Changshou suddenly revealed a warm, gentle smile and said, “Thanks to your good intention, I was able to obtain the fire spell and thunder spell. I’ve specially prepared a feast for you today. Take it as a return feast for nurturing me.”
Jiu Wu, who had just returned to the mountains, smiled with his thick eyebrows and big eyes while clicking his tongue.
“Why do I feel that… something’s up? You usually are unwilling to offer wine to me here. You went to the East Ocean after being coaxed and deceived by me. Martial Nephew Changshou, could it be that you want to use the poisonous pills to plot against me?”
Li Changshou was caught between laughter and tears and responded, “I’m only a disciple of the Little Qiong Peak. Martial Uncle, you are a Perfected Immortal, the line of succession of the Heaven-Breaking Peak, and the sectarian officers that the elders think highly of. Even if I have the thoughts to plot against you, I don’t have the guts at all. Moreover, I obtained huge benefits on the journey to the East Ocean.”
While he said that, Li Changshou fished out two Night Pearls from his sleeve. “These are the photo-taking balls. After improving them, I’ve turned them into sound-recording balls. Martial Uncle, one for you, and one for me. The entire feast today will be recorded in this ball. What do you think?”
Jiu Wu became happy right away. With his hands behind his back, he jumped down the white cloud and looked up at Li Changshou. Then, he reached out to take the sound-recording ball.
“I want to see what’s in your gourd.”
“Martial Uncle, you should do it first.” Li Changshou had an increasingly warm smile.
Two short tables were placed at the side of the furnace. Little Ling’e displayed the culinary skills that her senior brother had helped her to nurture. The table was filled with sumptuous food and drinks, and there were three wine jars stacked up at the side.
The two of them sat down. At the same time, they turned on the sound-recording ball before placing it at the corner of the table.
Afterward, Jiu Wu picked up jade chopsticks and tried each plate of dishes and jars of wine.
“Are you really treating me to wine?” Jiu Wu said with a smile, “Could it be that there is some kind of harmless medicine inside each of these dishes and would be an incapacitating toxin when mixed together?”
Li Changshou could not help but support his forehead with his hand. He shook his head and said with a sigh, “Martial Uncle, what have you experienced outside that you have to surmise my intentions like this? After all, I’m not an evil person.”
“Hahaha… It was just a joke.”
Jiu Wu waved his hand and took the initiative to take up the wine jar to start the drinking. The two of them drank without restraint.
After some time, half of the wine jar’s contents had gone into their stomach. Jiu Wu had really only eaten the vegetables and not moved a single bit.
Li Changshou slowly picked up each of the dishes and kept praising his junior sister’s culinary skills.
When the two of them got slightly drunk, Li Changshou lifted the third wine jar.
‘It’s here. It’s easy to guess this fellow’s tricks.’
Jiu Wu laughed up his sleeves and wanted to see how Li Changshou was going to perform his tricks.
Li Changshou said, “Martial Uncle, this is a thank-you gift from me. It’s the Bone-Strengthening Poisonous Dragon Wine.”
“Oh?” Jiu Wu frowned and used his immortal powers to take the wine jar. He placed it dozens of feet away from him and opened it. He could not resist the smell and took a bit of wine over before he pinched it with his fingers to feel.
Jiu Wu’s eyes lit up. “Good wine!”
Li Changshou said seriously, “This has been brewed by 36 kinds of poisonous herbs and 12 kinds of poisonous insects, and is accompanied by the Ganges River’s Dry Wine. After soaking them for three months, its toxicity neutralizes. It replenishes spirit, strengthens bones, and raises a man’s grandeur. However, there is something about it… I don’t know if you are able to bear with it. This thing has a rather strong medicinal effect.”
Jiu Wu frowned at Li Changshou, who also blinked his eyes at him. The two of them gave a knowing smile.
They knew about it.
Jiu Wu said with a smile, “What can I not bear with? I’m a person with a Dao companion!”
“That was why I brewed this medicinal wine. Martial Uncle, please try it.”
“Bring it here!”
Jiu Wu felt great ease. He took this jar of tonic wine and tried a sip of it. After analyzing it carefully for a while, he gulped down a huge mouthful of wine and felt energized at once!
“Coincidentally, I’ve just come out of seclusion recently. I have nothing to be scared of!”
“Martial Uncle, don’t drink too much in one go.”
“I’m a Perfected Immortal. What should I be afraid of?”
Then, the two of them had another cup of wine. Jiu Wu had already been slightly drunk, and his cup and dishes were in a mess.
“Little Changshou, tell me. How are you planning to plot against me?” Jiu Wu hugged the wine jar and frowned. “I’m almost done drinking. I’ll leave soon.”
Li Changshou shook his head with a bitter smile and said with a sigh, “Actually, I asked you over because I need your help.”
“Oh?”
“There is a Nine Color Glazed Array in the array formation that Martial Uncle has given me. I’ve analyzed it for half a month with Martial Aunt Jiu Jiu, but I am still unable to set it up. I want to ask for your guidance.”
Jiu Wu became happy right away. This Nine Color Glazed Array was a trapping array that he had invented. Even if Li Changshou used this array formation to trap him, he could still get out of it.
“Let’s go. I’ll take a look.”
Jiu Wu put away the medicinal wine. Each of them took the sound-recording ball and went to an open space at the back of the Pill Chamber.
There were 81 small copper mirrors on the ground placed in a mysterious position. At one glance, Jiu Wu could see the problem and pointed it out to Li Changshou with a laugh.
Li Changshou walked forward with a happy expression. Based on Jiu Wu’s instructions, he adjusted a few copper mirrors, and the 81 copper mirrors instantly flashed brightly. The trapping array had been activated and trapped the two of them.
Due to the silvery light around, the plants and birds could no longer be seen.
Jiu Wu was calm. He smiled and said, “Changshou, is this how you plan to plot against me? You’ve taken your revenge by being trapped here with me? It’s not nice to deceive yourself.”
Li Changshou turned over and replied with a smile, “What are you saying, Martial Uncle? Why would I do that?”
A wisp of flame blossomed on Li Changshou’s legs and arms all of a sudden.
Jiu Wu froze and hurriedly shouted, “Why are you on fire!”
“Martial Uncle, why did you…” Li Changshou shouted in a trembling voice and threw the sound-recording ball in his hand in a random direction.
In a blink of an eye, his surroundings had been devoured by the flames. He transformed into a paper doll and was instantly burned in the flame.
Jiu Wu’s eyes widened immediately.
The spirit flame of the True Samadhi Flames?
The Man-Forming Paper Cutouts from the 36 Ways of the Big Dipper?
This brat had learned to ignite a spirit flame so quickly? Was there such a brilliant mystical ability?
Something was amiss…
Jiu Wu suddenly turned around and was surrounded by bright silvery light. At the moment, only he was left in the trapping array.
This brat had actually used the sound-recording ball to clear his name!
Jiu Wu suddenly saw the light and just scoffed. He calmly started to solve the array formation.
“Changshou, you’re still too inexperienced. What crimes are you going to accuse me of at the Punishment Hall?
“Sheesh! I have overestimated your thinking.
“I have many good friends.
“Moreover, I was the one who invented this array formation. Can I not find where the Life Gate is?”
While he said that, Jiu Wu took a few steps forward. The surrounding light and shadows rapidly rotated from a place glowing with white light, to a place glowing with golden light.
Jiu Wu’s smile immediately grew stiff. He lowered his head and predicted with his fingers. He could not help but scold, “How come it’s a chain array again?”
He moved at a fast pace and quickly arrived at a twinkling place.
He walked again and turned back to his initial spot filled with silvery light.
Even though he leaped up and rushed into the air, he landed in a place with golden light again!
By this time, Jiu Wu had realized that this array formation had been altered beyond his imagination. His escape technique had been blocked, and the basic array formation was indeed the Nine Color Glazed Array that he had invented!
He had come up with this array formation painstakingly, and it could not be solved by someone who was not a Heaven Immortal.
Jiu Wu’s five-feet-tall Dao Body shook and gave off the smell of wine. He quickly predicted in his heart—this scheme had started when Changshou asked Jiu Jiu to talk to him and invite him over to the feast!
When he reached the Little Qiong Peak, he found his ‘Marital Nephew Changshou’ sitting there, cultivating the ‘Qi flame’ using his immortal senses. He was at fault for not checking for the real one!
The feast was just a show, and his true revenge was this array formation.
Since Jiu Wu was the one who had invented the trapping array formation, he stepped into the array formation in full confidence, but had forgotten that this brat loved to set up chain arrays the most!
However, he had been trapped. So what?
Jiu Wu sat cross-legged. He was a Perfected Immortal. So what if he would be trapped for a few months?
‘Is this how this brat takes his revenge?’
Jiu Wu chuckled to himself, but his smile suddenly turned rigid.
‘So… So hot…’
Jiu Wu’s blood vessels all over his body seemed to be surging frantically. Then he started to sweat, and the turbid Yang Qi in his body quickly expanded…
‘Oh, no! It’s that medicinal wine! Why did I drink so much earlier?’
Jiu Wu felt his immortal body seemed to be burning, and he was breathing heavily as if he was breathing out fire. He had started to break out in hot sweat all over!
He immediately attempted to deplete the medicinal effect, but he realized that it had already entered his blood vessels!
Jiu Wu instantly stood up, looking very anxious.
“Martial Nephew Chang… Changshou! Let me out!”
That was not right!
This fellow wanted to see how pitiful he was!
‘Bear with it! I have to bear with it!’
Jiu Wu was a half-step Heaven Immortal. Could he not resist this bit of medicinal effect? He just had to remember that Shi Shi was waiting for him at the hut, and he could do it after he returned!
He was feeling worse. He definitely could not think of his senior sister!
He could not make a fool out of himself. This brat’s sound-recording ball was still being used on him!
Then, Jiu Wu crushed the sound-recording ball in his hand and meditated again. He quickly recited the Heart Movement Sutra and Heart Cleansing Mantra.
An hour later…
“I’ll go… This is a matter of eating. How can I bear this!
“Changshou!
“Changshou! I admit defeat! In the future, I won’t dare to plot against you anymore! How’s that!”
Nobody answered him.
Jiu Wu turned in circles anxiously. His immortal powers suppressed his turbid Yang Qi, and he walked at will in the trapping array.
All of a sudden, he saw a wooden sign written with a few lines of words. He quickly went over to take a look.
This was?
“Heavenly Dao Oath? Remembrance Oath Sutra? He is this ruthless?
“From now onward, Jiu Wu shall not be allowed to do anything without permission from the Immortal Du Sect’s disciples of the Little Qiong Peak, disciples of Daoist Priest Qi Yuan, and Martial Nephew Changshou…
“I shall not reveal any information about Martial Nephew Changshou to anybody, any Dharma artifacts, any tools…
“I shall not…
“But this is making it difficult for me!
“The contents of this oath are sloppy and ordinary. It’s just a matter of keeping it a secret and not making any arrangements in the future.
“The consequences of breaking the oath is so vicious! I have to lose my manly grandeur!”
Jiu Wu stamped his feet from the anxiety and threw the wooden sign on the ground.
“How can I be coerced!”
The short Daoist bowed and slowly lay down. He continued suppressing his Yang Qi and clenched his teeth to bear with it.
A few moments later…
He was yelling with red eyes. He stood up, took the wooden sign, and started reciting the Remembrance Oath Mantra aloud. The Heavenly Dao felt it, and there was a dull thunder sound above the Little Qiong Peak!
After he finished reading the oath, which was over hundreds of words, the surrounding array formations slowly dissipated, and even the outer array formations closed.
Jiu Wu turned around, but he did not find anyone. He leaped up in a flurry and flew towards the Heaven-Breaking Peak.
“Shi Shi!
“Shi Shi, you must not enter seclusion! Shi Shi…”
After Jiu Wu left, Li Changshou’s figure gradually emerged from the grassland. He took his sound-recording ball and carefully put it away. He integrated this trapping array into the surrounding array formations.
When he walked to the wooden sign, he looked at the handwriting on it that was starting to fade quickly. Li Changshou revealed an indifferent smile.
He had settled this temporarily.
…
Two months later, it was the day to perform alchemy together.
“Little Shoushou, do you still have the medicinal wine you gave Fifth Senior Brother? Fourth Senior Sister said that she wants to use a few Dharma spell books to exchange for the recipe of the medicinal wine. You’ll take your pick on the Dharma spells.”
“There is still half a jar over there. I’ll give you the recipe later after I sort it out. I’ll choose the strongest Dharma spell,” Li Changshou answered without looking up and continued to separate the herbs in his hands.
Jiu Jiu went to the corner. “Just this? It smells very strange!”
“Yes, it’s only that,” Li Changshou replied with a smile.
Just when he lowered his head to continue with his work, he seemed to have remembered something. He said, “Women cannot drink this wine as they wish! This is the Yang wine specially prepared for men. Something will happen if a woman drinks it.”
Clang-dong!
A wooden ladle dropped to the ground, and wine was splashed out. Jiu Jiu stared at Li Changshou.
“What… if a woman drinks this?”
She was so fast?
Li Changshou was shocked and could not help having a bitter smile.
“Um… grow a beard? Something like that.”