Chapter 132 Real or Fake Pills

Chapter 132 Real or Fake Pills

"You know, folks, you gotta go through some tough times in your cultivation journey to stand tall in this world, to shine like the sun and moon, to seek longevity and peace.

Cultivation ain't all smooth sailing, so we gotta try to avoid karma as much as we can. And you know what? There's always some trouble brewing in this world, so we gotta be strong enough and go through some hardships in advance to survive when the real trouble hits...

Is that why you got tied up and got a good beating from Master for two hours, senior brother?"

In Li Changshou's grass hut, Ling'e couldn't help but laugh and sigh as she looked at her senior brother lying on the grass bed.

The scene of the senior brother getting beaten just now was the second most miserable thing Ling'e had seen since she entered the mountain...

Master seemed to be in an unusually bad mood, she didn't know what had happened.

"Senior brother, what did you do exactly?"

"Oh, that doesn't matter," Li Changshou's mouth twitched slightly, "Although there were some unexpected twists, Master should be feeling better now."

"Huh?" Ling'e blinked, a little puzzled.

Originally, Li Changshou wanted to boost Master's confidence by letting him stroll around the town and arranging for a couple of lower-cultivation female cultivators to approach him. It wouldn't cause any karma, just some small talk with him controlling the Heart Fire Burn's effect, ensuring that no real affection would arise.

But unexpectedly...

People left, talk began, and the pill shattered; though it was only for a brief moment, the sight of a group of strange female cultivators swarming toward Master truly left a lasting impression.

What surprised Li Changshou even more was the sudden riot of the spirit beasts...

If he hadn't reacted in time, directly taking advantage of the chaos to escape with Master using the Paper Daoist and then swiftly fleeing using Earth Escape, they might have been left to bear the losses of the town!

Their Little Poor Peak couldn't afford that.

However, this accidental discovery during the experiment was that the Heart Fire Burn seemed to have an unexpected effect on spirit beasts and demons.

With this lesson in mind, Li Changshou decided to temporarily seal the Heart Fire Burn and use it as one of his trump cards later, depending on the situation.

Indeed, after making the Reverse-Checking Pill, it was time to stop.

But Li Changshou's initial plan was to use the Heart Fire Burn to disrupt the opponent's mentality during battles in the future, achieving the effect of defeating them.

This trial in helping Master was also a 'practical evaluation' of the medicine's effects...

And the Heart Fire Burn that shattered this time was only a second-grade elixir; Li Changshou still had several third-grade Heart Fire Burns on hand, wondering if they could affect the mentality of 'experts' in the Celestial Immortal realm during battles.

But that wasn't easy to test.

"Senior brother, should I massage you?"

"No need, no need," Li Changshou sighed, "This injury can heal on its own at any time. This time, I was a bit unstable in handling things, so take it as a lesson. Go and accompany Junior Uncle, don't let her come over, or she'll only make things worse."

"Okay..."

Ling'e hesitated for a moment, then reluctantly left the treasure behind.

Li Changshou took a deep breath, then silently took out a stone slab, and began to repair and improve the Stability Classic.

Suddenly, there was a slight laughter from the next grass hut. Li Changshou scanned with his divine sense and saw his Master constantly changing his robes and starting to emit vitality...

Despite the twists and turns, it seemed that after such turmoil, the effect was achieved.

In the secret room under the alchemy room, Li Changshou's main body smiled slightly and glanced at the Paper Daoist who had been beaten for him, and began his enlightenment for the day.

Since the last visit of Dongmu Gong to thank him, he hadn't appeared at the Sea God Temple for two years in a row.

Li Changshou was not in a hurry about this, feeling quite stable.

If he could hitch a ride with the Jade Emperor, that would be great. If not, it would mean that his advice was too shallow, and he could continue to strive for a godly position in the Heavenly Court later.

There are gains and losses in everything, which is the way of heaven.

Moreover, it was only two years. For beings like the Jade Emperor and Dongmu Gong, who were above the Golden Immortals, it might just be a retreat, a slight enlightenment, not enough for them to deal with major issues...

What made Li Changshou slightly relieved was that Elder Wanlin Yun returned safely from Beijuluzu Continent and even specially invited Li Changshou over to admire those ferocious-looking venomous insects.

After that, Elder Wanlin Yun began to close up and experiment with the Immortal Poison Pill; the two Paper Daoists stayed by Elder Wanlin's side.

Although Li Changshou had thought about whether to secretly provide Elder Wanlin Yun with some of the Heart Fire Burn he had already refined...

Upon careful consideration, Li Changshou dismissed the idea.

Elder Wanlin Yun also had a decent face, and Li Changshou also wanted to see what kind of Immortal Poison Pill Elder Wanlin could refine with his poison pill skills.

And maybe grab a few to expand his trump card pool.

These two years, the days of cultivation had finally returned to stability.

After Ling'e and the poisonous junior sister discovered the secret of how to improve efficiency in their work, the progress in the Spirit Beast Circle was impressive, with completion announced within a year.

Li Changshou waved his hand, dismissing this 'verbal debt.'

After the completion of the Spirit Beast Circle, when Qinxuanya felt that she had wasted too many years of cultivation during this period, she returned to her own cave and closed up for a long time.

In terms of self-control, Qinxuanya was quite good. Previously, she was just under the influence of Jiujiu, Senior Uncle's mysterious technique.

In recent times, Li Changshou actually wanted to ask Jiujiu a question...

Every day, she was in a drunken stupor at the Xiaojiongfeng. What was the point of her fortifying the attic defense array built with her millennium-old family foundation?

But Jiujiu's cultivation had always been like this, belonging to the category of 'no enlightenment once, enlightenment takes a hundred years.'

Doing what pleases her, moving from the heart, is indeed the true meaning of the Wuwei Sutra.

Jiujiu's overall progress in cultivation was nearly three to four times faster than those 'same-age, same-qualification' cultivators who closed themselves off every day.

But achieving non-seeking and non-action was really difficult, and half of Jiujiu's habits...were also due to excessive drinking.

There hadn't been any significant movements from the Immortal Rain Peak. The disappearance of Kui Si didn't have much impact on the Immortal Rain Peak; from top to bottom, from widow to disciples, they all saw Kui Si's death as a brave fight against others, unfortunately killed...

This saved Li Changshou a lot of effort, and he decided to continue monitoring the Immortal Rain Peak for three hundred years.

If no one mentioned this matter again, then let it be.

If someone brought it up again...then Li Changshou would have to plan again and completely end this karma.

Li Changshou thought that this period of calm would last until the opening of the Daoist major event in Central Shenzhou, the Three Schools Origin Great Assembly.

Unexpectedly, just two years after the peace...

That day, Jiuwu rushed over from Danfeng Peak in a cloud, and Li Changshou was immediately alarmed.

Clearly, he had taken away two bottles of Ambition Pills half a month ago, and it wasn't time for 'delivery' yet.

"Changshou! Quick! Something's wrong!"

"Oh?"

Li Changshou walked out of the alchemy room, "Take it easy, Senior Brother."

"Something's wrong with the Ambition Pills! A Heavenly Immortal elder became confused and frantic after taking the Ambition Pill today. He's being treated by the elders at Danfeng Peak right now!"

Li Changshou frowned, immediately sensing something fishy.

The Ambition Pill was refined by him. Every herb was processed by his own hands, and the effects of each pill were carefully checked by him.

"I've already alerted the Supreme Elders about this matter, what should we do?"

"Let's go, take me to see."

Li Changshou's expression became serious, and he quickly realized the possibility of someone deliberately plotting this.

After landing, Li Changshou continuously rotated his thoughts and observed various places in Danfeng Peak with his divine sense, analyzing the possibility of someone's deliberate calculations.

When he arrived at a pavilion where seven or eight old Daoists were gathered, he was relieved to see Elder Wanlin Yun present. This saved him a lot of explanation.

"Changshou nephew is here!"

The old Daoists ahead immediately turned around, most of them looking worried. Some of them were still holding a pill of Courageous Heart, probably analyzing its properties.

There was a middle-aged Daoist sitting in a circle chair, his clothes disheveled, dozing off. Li Changshou immediately caught a hint of a trance-inducing spell. It seemed like Senior Wanlinjun had put this man to sleep.

"Changshou, is there an antidote for this Courageous Heart?"

"I've taken a pill before, and it was fine. Why would there be such a problem?"

"Everyone, don't worry," Li Changshou made a polite gesture. "May I step forward and take a closer look at this elder's condition? Though my cultivation is shallow and my alchemy skills lacking, I did craft this Courageous Heart. Perhaps I can discern something."

Elder Wanlinjun spoke up, "Let Changshou take a look."

The other elders immediately made way, and Li Changshou bowed respectfully before walking past them.

——Caution is necessary, as is courtesy.

Li Changshou didn't display his celestial powers but rather placed his hand on the sleeping elder's arm, focusing his senses. Soon, he had a rough idea and turned to look at Jiuwu.

"Senior, did you instruct that anyone who takes the Courageous Heart should avoid taking any similar pills within three days?"

Jiuwu nodded immediately, saying, "I haven't forgotten any of your instructions, Changshou."

Li Changshou nodded slightly, saying, "Could several elders bear witness and help search this elder's storage treasures to see if there are any remnants of Courageous Heart?"

Before the others could respond, Elder Wanlinjun stepped forward and said, "I'll do it." The other elders were left speechless.

Li Changshou knew he had to clarify the situation now to avoid being blamed unjustly.

Soon, Elder Wanlinjun broke the restriction on the storage treasure and found a jade bottle, from which he poured out three light blue pills.

Li Changshou picked up one of them, held it in his fingertips, shook his head, took two steps back, and said nothing more.

The other elders stepped forward to examine the remaining two pills, and their expressions changed slightly.

"Who made these pills?"

"They seem no different from Courageous Heart, but Changshou's pills are mild and balanced. Why do these pills seem sinister?"

Elder Wanlinjun snorted and was about to wake up the sleeping elder.

"Wait!"

Li Changshou quickly called out, "Elder, hold on."

"How can I not be urgent about this matter? Someone recklessly made pills and harmed others, damaging your reputation for no reason!"

Li Changshou smiled bitterly, observing the expressions of the elders present. He sighed, "This matter shouldn't be spread widely. The person who made these pills must be a senior in the sect. Because of my limited cultivation and the scarcity of Courageous Heart pills, a senior interpreted the recipe and made them independently. I never thought of using the Courageous Heart for profit or fame. I only intended to give them to Senior Jiuwu to boost his confidence. Later, due to the needs of the other elders, Senior Jiuwu offered the Courageous Heart. In fact, I've invested a lot of effort into these pills, to the point where it has affected my cultivation. However, the pills are truly difficult to make. So, the root of this matter lies with me."

Elder Wanlinjun frowned, about to speak, but Li Changshou continued, "Later, I will donate the Courageous Heart pills with Senior Jiuwu to the Hundred Variety Hall, and they will be distributed internally by the sect. I ask the elders to help inform others who need Courageous Heart pills not to seek Senior Jiuwu but to go directly to the Hundred Variety Hall. I still have pills in my furnace. I will take my leave."

With that, Li Changshou bowed and turned to leave the hall.

The elders came to their senses and hurriedly called out, "Changshou, don't be angry. We will give you an explanation."

"Changshou, these pills shouldn't be given to the Hundred Variety Hall..."

Li Changshou didn't look back, displaying the aloofness and pride of an "alchemical youth."

"Hmph!"

Elder Wanlinjun slammed his copper staff on the ground, and the other elders trembled.

"Living for tens of thousands of years and still not as good as a junior! If I find out who made these fake pills and harmed people, I won't let them off!"

...

On the other side, Li Changshou had just flown out of Dan Ding Peak when Jiuwu caught up from behind in a hurry. But before Jiuwu could speak, Li Changshou whispered, "Senior Jiuwu, I remember there's an attendant in the sect named Liu Feixian..."

"That's right, what's wrong?"

"Senior, come closer..."

Li Changshou bent down and muttered a few words in Jiuwu's ear.