Chapter Three: In the Primordial Wilderness, a Death in Society

The light screen continued to play.

One day, while the little boy was playing on the grass in front of his door as usual, an elderly Taoist with graying hair, holding a whisk and smiling as he stroked his beard, appeared not far behind him. When the boy grew tired and rested, the Taoist emerged from the void, lightly flicking his whisk with an ethereal aura.

The old Taoist was Master Qi Yuan, the leader of the Xiaoqiong Peak branch of the Duxian Sect, founded by the legendary Du'e Zhenren. Observing that Li Changshou had spiritual roots, albeit mediocre, and not wishing for him to remain obscure, he approached Li's parents to explain the situation and take him on as a disciple. After some hesitation, Li's parents consented, allowing him to join the Duxian Sect.

At this time, across the myriad realms:

"Ordinary talent—does this person even deserve a spot on the list? I possess the Celestial Titan Body and am invincible on the ancient paths! If I encounter this person, one punch will end it!"

"This list is astonishing, but the selected individuals seem no different from ordinary people... Hmm, let's observe further."

... [Li Changshou left the tiny village with Master Qi Yuan and entered the outside world.] [Soon, he faced the sect's trials. Although he did not rank at the top, he met the passing standard and became a disciple of the Duxian Sect.] [Over the long years of cultivation, Li Changshou gradually revealed his unique qualities...] In the video.

During the day, Master Qi Yuan taught Li Changshou the Duxian Sect's Daoist teachings "Yi Qi Zheng Tian Dao" and other mystical methods. While Li Changshou's progress was steady, it was not rapid. However, at night, when he sat cross-legged, starlight emanated from his body, and his cultivation speed was clearly more than ten times faster than during the day. When dawn approached, Li Changshou would swiftly compress his own spiritual power with hand seals, reducing his aura to match the daytime level.

At this moment, the celestial screen showed a scene.

Master Qi Yuan and Li Changshou were seated cross-legged.

Master Qi Yuan waved his whisk and asked, "Changshou, what level have you reached in Yi Qi Zheng Tian Dao?"

Li Changshou performed a respectful bow with a look of embarrassment, replying, "Disciple's aptitude is mediocre, currently at the second layer of the heavenly realm."

"Yi Qi Zheng Tian Dao, passed down by Du'e Zhenren of Western Kunlun, is an exceptionally profound method of immortality. It is common for beginners to find it obscure and progress slow. Patience is essential."

After encouraging Li Changshou, Master Qi Yuan sighed inwardly and departed on a cloud.

Shortly after Master Qi's departure, Li Changshou, seated cross-legged, was enveloped by swirling spiritual energy. Lotus flowers gently bloomed around him, and a refreshing fragrance spread.

After a long time, Li Changshou exhaled deeply, muttering, "I've broken through to the fourth layer. Despite suppressing it five times, I couldn't stabilize it."

"This breakthrough was too hasty; my foundation may be unstable."

Li Changshou's expression shifted suddenly. He formed hand seals, rapidly drawing the spiritual energy back into his body, causing his aura to decrease significantly.

Master Qi Yuan's voice transmitted from outside, "Changshou, I observe fluctuations in spiritual energy from within your room—have you made a breakthrough?"

Upon hearing Master Qi Yuan's inquiry, Li Changshou replied loudly, "Master, I have surpassed the bottleneck…"

"Reaching the third layer of the technique…"

... "Li Changshou's determination to solidify his realm by compressing his own spiritual power is commendable. Yet… why conceal his true progress from his master?"

"This person is extremely cautious, but the reasons remain unclear."

"Certainly, he is not simply hiding his strength to avoid notoriety."

"It cannot be so! A cowardly person cannot make the list!"

Seeing this, the cultivators of the myriad realms began to comment on Li Changshou's performance in the video.

... Within the Duxian Sect.

Li Changshou looked somewhat stiff, momentarily at a loss.

What is this situation?!

"Changshou, what is your current realm?"

In the Primordial Wilderness, Master Qi Yuan, the peak master of Xiaoqiong Peak, looked somewhat melancholic.

"Um... Seventh stage of Transformation God."

"Really? Do not deceive me…"

"I've just recently broken through to the Void-returning realm."

"Already in the Void-returning realm? Good... good…"

Master Qi Yuan sighed, his voice tinged with desolation.

"No wonder you were absent from the sect recently; it seems you were making breakthroughs."

Li Changshou, noticing this, quickly signaled his junior sister, Lan Ling'e. Understanding his hint, Ling'e approached Master Qi Yuan, gently shaking him and saying sweetly, "Master, you know elder brother's modest nature. His actions must have their reasons."

Master Qi Yuan nodded, understanding well the temperament of his second disciple. In the Five Regions, with numerous powerful figures and hidden dangers, concealing one's strength is a common practice.

"Junior Sister Ling'e, you are mistaken."

"Although the Three Great Sects of the Five Regions have many experts, they are mostly cultured and polite, not reckless. Despite the dangers of the outside world, our cultivation should be about clarity of thought and carefree existence. If one is as fearful as elder brother Changshou, the path to the Great Dao may be elusive."

A fellow disciple, envious of Li Changshou's ranking, loudly objected.

Others nodded in agreement or shook their heads in disagreement.

Li Changshou cursed inwardly.

Clarity of thought? Carefree existence? When the Divine Catastrophe arrives, you will be the first to perish.

Yet, the Divine Catastrophe could not be mentioned. Not only would it be difficult to explain how he knew, but speaking it aloud would also alert the Dao Ancestor, making escape from the divine retribution impossible.

Li Changshou could only show an apologetic smile, feeling embarrassed.

Ignoring the comments of other disciples, Li Changshou finally breathed a sigh of relief.

A faint voice emerged from beside him.

"Was it not elder brother Changshou who saved me when I was poisoned and unconscious in Northern Ju Lu Continent?"

Unbeknownst to him, Senior Sister Youqin Xuan Ya had arrived beside him. Her gaze was gentle, her face blushing slightly as she lightly bit her pink lips.

"..."

Without turning around, Li Changshou could already sense Ling'e's resentful gaze.

How embarrassing!

The enigmatic gazes around him made Li Changshou's toes dig into the ground, his back straight.

Is this what it means to die in society?!

Who is behind the light screen! I have no secrets before them!

Amidst this public mortification, Li Changshou felt a chill run down his spine.

Though there was no immediate threat from the light screen, perhaps due to his insufficient cultivation to discern the causality, his heart grew colder with each passing moment. As the revelations continued, some of his secrets might be exposed!

When that happens, the trouble will be immense!

"Even…"

Suddenly, an ominous thought struck Li Changshou, his face turning pale.

His greatest secret wouldn't be revealed, would it?

If so, the greatest causality of the Primordial Wilderness would be born, and his peace would be shattered forever!

"Impossible, impossible. The fact that I am a transmigrator is unknown even to the highest beings of this world, including the Hongjun Dao Ancestor who opened the cycles of reincarnation. No matter how terrifying the figures behind the screen are, they cannot know this!"

Li Changshou continually reassured himself.

Yet, the next voice from the light screen made his scalp tingle and his heart tremble!