Chapter 101: The Birth of Poverty

Chapter 101: The Birth of Poverty

Sometimes, men's friendships are just that simple.

Without much effort, Ao Yi grabbed his cousin and the Second Prince of the South Sea Dragon Palace, Ao Mou, by the neck, barely using his own abilities. Then, he tossed Ao Mou aside, making him apologize to Han Zhi.

This not only upheld the dignity of the Jie sect but also made it difficult for Han Zhi to continue blaming Ao Yi. Consequently, it wouldn't lead to any conflicts between the Dragon Palace and the Golden Island.

Han Zhi didn't react much to Ao Yi's actions, just a slight smile at the corner of her mouth.

On the other hand...

After being beaten up, Ao Mou's gaze kept flickering. There was a glimmer of realization within him.

His two dragon companions also looked at Ao Yi with a bit more respect. While the Dragon Clan boasted superiority externally as 'ancient overlords,' internally, the younger dragons always adhered to the principle that the one with the stronger fist was the leader.

Ao Mou sat on the sea surface, supported by some fairy power so he wouldn't sink. He hesitated for a moment, glancing at Han Zhi with a smile and then at Ao Yi.

Then, Ao Mou stood up, his expression serious, and said, "Just now, I... lost too quickly. Let's have another match. If I lose again, I will admit defeat and obey your will!"

Ao Yi calmly nodded and made a gesture inviting Ao Mou to come forward.

This time, Ao Mou's gaze was serious as he stepped forward. The Second Prince of the South Sea Dragon Palace shouted, and all his skills came into play.

The dragons roared, and the waves rolled and clouds churned.

After a while, Ao Yi once again held Ao Mou by the neck. Ao Yi, who maintained his youthful appearance, had no injuries except for a few damp strands of hair on his forehead.

With a flick of his hand, Ao Mou fell back into the sea, this time landing more gently.

Instantly, the gleam in Ao Mou's eyes grew brighter as he looked up at Ao Yi.

"I have one more magical power!" Ao Mou's face showed a bit of embarrassment, but he gritted his teeth and stood up. "If I lose to you again, it won't just be about this matter. I will obey you in everything!"

Ao Yi frowned slightly, looking at his cousin in front of him.

He couldn't let go of the concept of winning or losing?

To maintain the dignity of the South Sea Dragon Palace, Ao Yi just nodded in agreement, thinking of having a few more rounds with Ao Mou this time...

Half an hour later...

After seven rounds, Ao Mou exhausted all his skills and lost all seven battles.

"Ao Yi Second Brother is above! Please accept my salute!" The three dragon youths who were originally arrogant all bowed to Ao Yi. Ao Yi nodded calmly, showing no joy or anger.

Without Ao Yi speaking, the three turned to Han Zhi again and bowed. Han Zhi repeatedly said there was no need.

Although Ao Mou was two years older, at this moment, he called Ao Yi 'Second Brother' very naturally, even more smoothly than calling his own older brother.

The Second Prince of the South Sea Dragon Palace was truly convinced by the beating.

At this point, Ao Mou invited Han Zhi and Ao Yi to tour the South Sea. He also sent two attendants back to the Dragon Palace to bring a treasure ship and prepare a shipload of gifts as compensation for his 'Second Brother'.

[Since it's certain that I can't win, it's better to completely admit defeat.]

Ao Yi asked Han Zhi if she wanted to go somewhere else to relax, but Han Zhi said she wanted to explore the South Sea more. Thus, they gained an additional 'tour guide dragon' and continued to tour the South Sea...

"Second Brother, your magical powers are truly remarkable. But did you learn them from the Jie sect?"

When Ao Mou asked this, Ao Yi smiled slightly and said seriously, "The teachings passed down by the Sage are indeed profound. Would you like to join the Jie sect together?"

"Um, let's forget about it. I can't endure the hardships of cultivation. I'd rather stay comfortable in the Dragon Palace." Ao Yi frowned, "Cousin, you..."

"Cousin, cousin, I'm your cousin now."

"Anyway, remember to control yourself," Ao Yi admonished seriously, "I've noticed a serious deficiency in you during our sparring. Although our Dragon Clan has a deep foundation, we shouldn't be so reckless. Don't spend all your time with those sea tribe maids. If you can't control yourself, find a fellow clan member to marry early, so you can restrain each other."

Ao Mou chuckled and said he already had his eye on a dragon maiden from the Western Sea.

Han Zhi, who was nearby, didn't understand what they were talking about at first, but then she realized and blushed, unable to look directly at Ao Yi's handsome face.

Ao Yi didn't think much about it. This was the norm for the Dragon Clan. His elder brother, Ao Jia, was always drunk and reckless.

Dragons who understood the importance of self-discipline like him...

There weren't many.

...

At the same time, on the west side of the Breaking Heaven Peak, at Jiu Xian's residence.

Li Changshou stood in front of Jiu's attic, looking at the formation layout here. Suddenly, he felt a subtle feeling in his heart, slightly furrowing his brows.

'Why do I feel like something related to me is about to happen?'

He secretly sensed the situation on the edge of the South Sea, but there were no signs of mortal chaos erupting for the time being...

"Little Changshou..."

Beside him, Jiu looked at Li Changshou's slightly furrowed brow and couldn't help asking softly, "Is it really hopeless?"

Li Changshou smiled bitterly and sighed, "Master, can I ask you a question?"

"Hmm, ask away!"

Li Changshou looked up and sighed, "How did you manage to break out of the protective formation and disable sixty percent of the array foundations downstairs?"

"Hehehe, don't praise me randomly, I've always been capable like this!"

Jiu raised his eyebrows and casually patted Li Changshou's shoulder.

"Leave it to you. Just set up a formation casually! I often get drunk and when I fall asleep, I easily reveal some ugly things. I often throw away my personal clothes and such... Otherwise, there would be no need to set up formations!"

Li Changshou said calmly, "Master, there's no need to mention these things to me."

"Hmm?" Jiu narrowed his eyes and approached, "You mean, you've seen them?"

"Of course not," Li Changshou said calmly, "Please remove these array foundations from underground. I'll wait inside for you. Later, I'll need some precious materials for refining the array foundations. Master, I'll formulate several different combinations of formations for you to choose from."

Jiu blinked and then threw a ring over, waving his hand generously:

"Just do whatever you want! Your old master has been around for more than a thousand years and still has some savings."

Li Changshou smiled faintly, took the ring, and went straight into the attic.

The formations in the place where Li Changshou secluded himself were naturally very important, but he couldn't really reveal the advanced formations he mastered; he had to use the insights given by Senior Jiu Wu to arrange formations that could fully protect Senior Jiu Jiu.

It was also a small challenge.

Sitting at the round table, Li Changshou brought over a few stone slabs and began to carve and draw with a knife.

Keen interest.

Senior Jiu Wu quickly dove underground and removed all those array foundations she had been tinkering with for a long time.

Because these were relatively small formations, Li Changshou designed them very quickly. By the time Senior Jiu Wu returned with the array foundations, Li Changshou had already prepared several diagram options.

"Oh, Changshou, you work so fast."

"I had similar considerations before," Li Changshou pushed the stone slabs over, "Take a look, which set do you want to arrange? Later, I'll find out the positions, and you can bury the array foundations one by one, and it will be done."

Senior Jiu Wu took the stone slabs and looked at them, feeling a bit dazzled and dizzy.

"You decide. I can't understand these."

"Senior, matters concerning life and safety are not child's play," Li Changshou said seriously.

"Um," Senior Jiu Wu nodded seriously, "Then explain to me, what's the difference between these sets? Aren't they all formations?"

Li Changshou smiled and said, "They may seem similar, but they're actually vastly different. Senior, look at this first set of formations, it focuses more on anti-scouting. Once it's set up, even your master may not be able to see through this place."

"Oh?" Senior Jiu Wu's eyes lit up, "Let's go with this one!"

Li Changshou cleared his throat and continued, "Senior, don't rush. Let's finish looking at these sets first before making a decision. This set of formations, if arranged, has a moderate level of anti-scouting but focuses more on protection. If you encounter a strong enemy, it can increase your chances of survival and hold out longer, maybe even attracting reinforcements. I, personally, favor this set."

Pointing to the other two stone slabs, Senior Jiu Wu asked, "And these?"

"The third set of formations focuses more on gathering spiritual energy. It can keep your cultivation going smoothly, while also maintaining a moderate level of anti-scouting and protection..."

After listening for a while, Senior Jiu Wu felt a bit dizzy and said, "Can't all these formations be of top quality?"

"Well..."

Li Changshou looked at the ring in his hand and chuckled, "Actually, it's based on the materials you provided, Senior. I've already invested all my precious materials into the formations of Xiao Qiongfeng before."

"I thought it was something else," Senior Jiu Wu snorted lightly, then took out a bracelet and a pouch, slapping them in front of Li Changshou.

"Just make them all top-notch!"

Li Changshou pondered for a moment and confirmed, "Really?"

"Really!"

Senior Jiu Wu put her hands on her hips and said, "Just do it!"

A mere attic formation couldn't exhaust her thousand years of savings! But soon, Senior Jiu Wu's mood began to subtly change...

Li Changshou took out all the precious materials she had accumulated over the years, sorted them out, and arranged them in various categories, much like sorting out medicinal herbs before alchemy...

The key was that, after Li Changshou's contemplation, all kinds of precious materials found their uses.

Li Changshou didn't have any ulterior motives toward Senior Jiu Wu. He valued her safety very much; after all, she was his 'excellent alchemy partner' and 'concealment expert'.

And the protective formations for the place where she secluded herself, Li Changshou had always felt were quite important.

To help Senior Jiu arrange higher-quality large formations, Li Changshou began to re-refine the usable array foundations, dismantling the unusable ones and using all that he could.

Even Li Changshou took out a few materials himself...

Senior Jiu Wu, who had been a little hesitant at first, saw Li Changshou taking things out to supplement her formations, and she felt embarrassed to say more...

Two days later.

Li Changshou flew towards Xiao Qiongfeng on a cloud, with a satisfied smile on his lips.

Creating a near-perfect 'coordinated array' was equivalent to completing a work of art.

He didn't need to worry too much about Senior Jiu's safety from now on.

In front of the attic, Senior Jiu watched Li Changshou leave, then turned around and looked at the newly renovated, formidable formation behind her, and then lowered her head to look at the control array jade token in her hand...

From this moment on, only her immortal power could activate this formation here.

Safe, private, intimate, comfortable, with no extra light pollution at night and no spiritual disturbances during the day.

But...

Senior Jiu held her few storage treasures in her hands, looking at the emptiness inside, feeling her legs go weak, and slowly sat down on the steps in front of the door.

Her accumulation of over a thousand years...

Had really all been used up, with no waste at all...

But why did she feel empty inside, instead of happy?

If she ran out of wine in the future and wanted to exchange for more...

In a daze, Senior Jiu heard Li Changshou's comforting words in her ears before he left:

"Senior, your precious materials and spirit stones haven't disappeared; they've just taken on a different form and are accompanying you."

"Sigh..."

Senior Jiu slowly lay down, her eyes gradually losing their luster.

"I'm a broke ass, got nothing to do when drunk. Even after another thousand years, still a broke ass."

Might as well just settle in as part of the 'broke' faction in the little 'Broke' Peak...