Chapter 31: Invitation from the Dragon Palace

The situation was momentarily awkward.

Li Changshou and Lan Ling'e, with perfect understanding, both looked up at the sky.

A azure dragon circled outside the mountain protection array, its gray cloud constantly churning.

The pressure of a Heavenly Immortal permeated through the mountain protection array, enveloping every part of the Immortal Ascension Sect. Figures appeared above each peak, all Immortal Ascension Sect members startled by the disturbance.

Suddenly, several streaks of light shot up from Potian Peak, flying directly out of the mountain protection array. They transformed into four figures, gazing towards the clouds from mid-air.

At the forefront was a male immortal dressed in a long blue-and-white robe, standing with his hands behind his back in mid-air. His figure was tall and slender, as upright as a pine and cypress tree. Two wisps of white hair adorned his temples, and his face was strikingly stern.

The moment he appeared, the pressure descending from the sky vanished. The azure dragon immediately flew into the clouds, no longer daring to approach the mountain protection array.

This was Li Changshou's first time seeing Elder Forgetfulness.

Indeed, this handsome elder with white hair at his temples was the master of the Nine Immortals of Wine, a Heavenly Immortal of the Immortal Ascension Sect, known by the Taoist title Forgetfulness.

Behind Elder Forgetfulness stood an old Taoist priest holding a whisk, a smile on his face, and an old woman leaning on a wooden staff, also smiling faintly.

Besides them, there was a beautiful fairy dressed in shimmering robes, but no one could clearly see her figure, which was veiled by a thin mist.

The red-scaled azure dragon roared from the clouds, "Are you the ones in charge of the Immortal Ascension Sect?"

Elder Forgetfulness didn't even raise his head, and his calm voice immediately spread both inside and outside the grand array.

"This humble Taoist is merely a rogue cultivator within the sect; the Immortal Ascension Sect is not yet under my charge."

"However, I find your behavior, little dragon, to be utterly disrespectful, so I've specifically come out to teach you a lesson."

"How dare you!"

The red dragon roared in anger from the clouds. The vast gray clouds suddenly converged by more than half, and a dragon claw, imbued with raging thunder and heavenly fire, smashed down directly at Elder Forgetfulness!

The dragon claw expanded with the wind, instantly growing to hundreds of zhang in diameter. In a flash, it covered the sky and obscured the sun, poised to shatter both the Immortal Ascension Sect's mountain protection array and Potian Peak.

Witnessing this scene, many disciples held their breath, while sect members with higher cultivation also showed signs of worry.

Lan Ling'e, standing beside Li Changshou, subconsciously gripped her senior brother's arm. Her cultivation was too low, and she was currently intimidated by the dragon's might, her heart filled with unease.

Li Changshou promptly released a wisp of aura to envelop his junior sister, helping her bear the immense pressure and preventing her from succumbing to inner demons.

Suddenly!

The mountain-like dragon claw, which had been obscuring the sky and sun, halted abruptly above the mountain protection array, without any warning.

The powerful winds generated by the dragon claw caused the thin, smooth, and shimmering wall of the mountain protection array to flicker softly.

Yet, this massive dragon claw remained eerily suspended in mid-air, unable to descend even an inch further!

Li Changshou activated his magical power in his eyes and looked closely. He saw Elder Forgetfulness holding his left arm high, his left hand forming a sword finger, with its tip precisely touching an inch of the colossal dragon claw's hardened skin!

With just a single finger, he supported the giant, mountain-like dragon claw!

Elder Forgetfulness's long hair danced wildly in the wind, and his robes flapped noisily.

"Hmph!"

A cold snort echoed for a thousand li around!

Elder Forgetfulness's left arm quivered slightly, and the mountain-like dragon claw instantly shattered, exploding into a sky full of clouds and mist!

The azure dragon reappeared amidst the swirling clouds and mist, but it was enveloped by an invisible force. Its massive dragon body twisted and struggled continuously, then was flung high into the nine heavens.

Moments later, the azure dragon furiously returned from high in the sky, letting out a roar filled with rage.

Elder Forgetfulness glanced up slightly, a hint of murderous intent flickering in his eyes.

The azure dragon instantly ceased its roaring. Intense red light shimmered around its body as it transformed directly into a burly, armored man with a dragon's head and human body, his expression a mix of shock and anger.

Elder Forgetfulness said coldly, "You've just achieved Heavenly Immortal status and you dare to cause trouble at my Immortal Ascension Sect? Are you tired of living?"

The dragon-headed man roared, yet he dared not make a rash move. Instead, he cursed from the air, "Fine, Immortal Ascension Sect! Don't refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!

"I am a special envoy of the East Sea Dragon Palace, the Grand Vanguard of the Dragon Palace's Water Army!

"You are so disrespectful! I will report this to the Dragon King, and in a few days, we will gather our forces and flatten your puny mountain gate!"

The old Taoist priest behind Elder Forgetfulness immediately chuckled, "The Dragon Palace is indeed quite unyielding, rare, truly rare.

"However, isn't it a bit excessive to try and establish your authority by challenging our Immortal Ascension Sect?

"After all, our Immortal Ascension Sect is part of the Human Daoist sect, protected by its providence. Instead of quietly guarding the East Sea and accumulating your own providence and merit, the East Sea Dragon Palace indulges rogue dragons in stirring up trouble everywhere. And Your Excellency attacked our Immortal Ascension Sect's mountain protection array without a word.

"Could it be that you, the Grand Vanguard, intentionally wish to provoke a war between our human Qi Refiners and your dragon race?"

"You!"

The dragon-headed strongman immediately glared, but dared not respond recklessly.

Times had changed. During the Human-Demon War, humanity was still weak, but now humans were the protagonists of heaven and earth, their prosperity far exceeding that of the ancient Human-Demon era.

Not to mention human Qi Refiners rising up against the dragon race, even if the immortal sects on East Victory Divine Continent made a move and invited one or two great masters from the Three Religions, it would be enough to cause serious trouble for the Four Seas Dragon Palaces.

At this moment, the red dragon found itself in a difficult position, like riding a tiger that was hard to dismount.

The old woman who had come out with the Immortal Ascension Sect elders stepped forward in time, gracefully smoothing things over with a smile and a few pleasant words, giving the red dragon an opportunity to retreat.

The red dragon took the hint, stating its purpose with a stern face.

"Recently, your Immortal Ascension Sect came to my East Sea to eradicate demons, but your disciples accidentally injured the soldiers our dragon clan was cultivating!

"However, our Dragon King doesn't wish to dwell on this with you. Three years from now, a Demon Extermination Conference will be held on the shores of the East Sea, inviting all immortal sects from East Victory Divine Continent to gather and decide on future demon-exterminating matters.

"Our East Sea Dragon Palace is rich in treasures, and at that time, outstanding human disciples who perform well at the conference will be heavily rewarded.

"This is the invitation. Do not fail to attend!

"Hmph!"

With that, the dragon-headed strongman flung down a shimmering golden invitation card, turned, transformed back into an azure dragon, and soared away into the clouds with a roar.

The old woman collected the invitation card and called out, "Grand Vanguard, take care. We won't see you off any further."

Immediately, laughter and playful remarks mocking the dragon race and the Dragon Palace filled every corner of the Immortal Ascension Sect.

The four sect elders who had come out must have planned this beforehand: Elder Forgetfulness played the stern role, the old Taoist priest issued threats, and the old woman played the amiable one.

Three Heavenly Immortals collaborated to flawlessly handle the arrogant general from the Dragon Palace.

The red dragon had intended to give the Immortal Ascension Sect a show of force, but instead, it ended up in a sorry state, not daring to utter any more threats, and dejectedly flew away on its cloud.

As clouds follow dragons and winds follow tigers, watching the azure dragon soar across the sky was indeed a rare sight.

"Senior brother," Lan Ling'e whispered, "Is this the world of the strong?"

Li Changshou gently shook his head and transmitted his voice, "These can only be called masters, not true powerhouses..."

Then, the senior and junior siblings remembered the previous incident and simultaneously looked down.

Next to the grandmaster's birdcage, Old Taoist Qiyuan was quietly closing the wooden door, preparing to slip away from the side.

Lan Ling'e continued to gaze up at the sky, pretending not to notice her master.

Li Changshou, meanwhile, closed his eyes in contemplation, appearing as if he had gained some insight from observing the masters' duel.

How could Qiyuan not know that his two disciples were trying to save his face?

The old Taoist's wrinkled forehead had several 'black lines,' his old face fell, and his lips moved for a moment, but no sound came out.

"Ahem, ahem!

"No laughing allowed!

"This is also my first time undergoing tribulation; I have no experience!

"Your master will... will go back to seclusion now!"

With that, Qiyuan turned and walked away, covering his face, flying away on his cloud with remarkable speed.

The senior and junior siblings stifled their laughter where they stood until Old Taoist Qiyuan returned to his thatched hut and activated several small arrays, only then bursting into laughter.

This comical blunder could be considered a practice run for tribulation.

Fortunately, no immortal disciples from other peaks were alarmed and came to observe the ceremony, and the red dragon had also drawn everyone's attention. Otherwise, Daoist Qiyuan now...

...would probably want to die.

Not undergoing a sudden tribulation was actually a good thing.

Afterward, Li Changshou was a little worried that his master might take out and examine the 'precious medicine' he had given him.

However, on second thought, even if his master took it out and looked at it, he probably wouldn't recognize it as a Spirit Melting Pill.

Qiyuan was not skilled in alchemy; he specialized in array formations.

In the thousand years since he joined the sect, Qiyuan had spent most of his time cultivating to improve his strength. However, due to damage to his Dao foundation, his path had been quite difficult.

The root cause of Qiyuan's slim chances against the heavenly tribulation actually lay in his damaged Dao foundation.

And helping his master repair his Dao foundation was Li Changshou's third plan to aid him in overcoming the tribulation.

However, the third plan, while seemingly addressing the root cause, was in fact the most perilous and difficult path.

His master's Dao foundation was damaged by an injury he sustained in his early years.

Li Changshou had asked his master several times about the specific reason for the injury, but his master had never directly answered, only saying that there had been an error in his cultivation.

After that injury, the sect's elders used a large number of pills to save Qiyuan's life.

At that time, only Daoist Qiyuan lived on Little Qiong Peak; Li Changshou's grand-master had left the mountain nine hundred years ago for travels and never returned.

During the process of repairing his Dao foundation, the sect had given Qiyuan many healing elixirs, but they lacked some rare heavenly and earthly treasures.

After his Dao foundation was barely stabilized, Qiyuan underwent hundreds of years of cultivation, seemingly 'healing' his Dao injury. However, his own Dao foundation was greatly damaged, and the fundamental injury was difficult to mend.

It was like a tree that grew crooked and then continued to grow in that crooked direction, eventually becoming...

...an old, crooked-necked tree.

Daoist Qiyuan's Dao injury was much like this.

To help his master mend his Dao foundation, he would have to discard the hundreds of years of cultivation his master had painstakingly accumulated, then skillfully tear open the healed Dao injury again to fill it with heavenly and earthly treasures.

This process would not only be incredibly dangerous but would also cause Daoist Qiyuan immense pain. Moreover, heavenly and earthly treasures were hard to find, and there was no guarantee that the Dao injury could be perfectly mended in the end.

Therefore, Li Changshou prioritized the first and second plans, keeping the third plan and the six alternative plans sealed, to be used only if the situation demanded it.

After the comical incident, Daoist Qiyuan went into seclusion for two months.

Two months later, Qiyuan intended to emerge and re-establish his master's prestige by thoroughly answering the questions Li Changshou had previously asked.

However, unexpectedly, Li Changshou was well-prepared. After hearing his master's explanations, he posed new questions, which stumped Qiyuan once again. Qiyuan then returned to his thatched hut for seclusion to continue refining his own Dao.

During this period, Li Changshou pondered several more tools that might be useful for tribulation.

When his master came out this time, Li Changshou could already sense faint, obscure aura fluctuations appearing around him.

This was a sign that he had been locked onto by the Heavenly Dao and was about to undergo tribulation.

In no more than two years, his master would surely begin his heavenly tribulation. And Li Changshou, at this point, could do nothing to help.

After all, undergoing tribulation was a personal matter, and it was difficult for others to make a significant difference.

So, one year and nine months later.

Daoist Qiyuan's heavenly tribulation was like an old maiden just leaving her chambers — shy, timid, and hesitant, yet it fiercely struck at the crucial moment.