[Li Changshou started a live stream]
A message flashed in the chat group. Considering he could seek help if any emergencies arose, Li Changshou ultimately decided to start the live stream.
The other group members quickly flocked into the room. An island, somewhat desolate in appearance, came into view.
Li Changshou explained, "This is the place I specifically chose in the East Sea for undergoing tribulation. It's within the mortal realm's territory, where Qi Refiners rarely appear. Undergoing tribulation here is discreet and inconspicuous."
The group members fell silent. He even found a remote place just to undergo a tribulation. You're truly something.
After explaining, Li Changshou took out a treasure pouch and pulled out a pile of eyebrow pencils and powder bags. These were all cosmetic materials he had developed himself.
Afterward, he meticulously began to disguise himself.
Simple illusionary techniques were not enough, as experts could see through them at a glance. Makeup was different.
Li Changshou first used physical methods like makeup to change his appearance. Then, he added a transparent, ultra-thin, moist silk mask. Finally, he used an illusionary technique to transform into an old Daoist, followed by a shape-shifting spell. This way, even if a master saw through his two layers of magical disguise, they wouldn't see his true appearance.
The group watched as Li Changshou spent most of the day transforming into a cold-faced old Daoist.
"Brothers, undergoing tribulation isn't just about natural disasters; there's also man-made misfortune," Li Changshou shared his insights. "If the commotion is too great, it's very likely to attract some masters."
"At this time, some disguise is necessary. I first use makeup, then spells. Even if someone sees through my two layers of superficial disguise, they won't see my true appearance."
"This way, I avoid being targeted. Of course, this can be done for other things too."
The people in the group suddenly realized. No, buddy? You even change your appearance for a tribulation? This was too cautious. Everyone gained a deeper understanding of Li Changshou's meticulous nature. But honestly, it was a practical technique.
[Fang Han: "Brother Li's idea truly has something to it. Multi-layered methods… even if someone sees through the spells, they won't peek into your true body."]
First, physical makeup, then magical concealment. This routine was simply the best choice for doing bad deeds.
[Xiao Yan: "Although it's overly cautious, it's indeed practical."]
[Lin Dong: "Why bother? Life and death are trivial; if you're unhappy, just fight! What about a Heavenly Tribulation? I'll just use a Great Desolate Prisoner Heaven Finger!"]
Li Changshou looked at the comments and continued unhurriedly, pointing a finger at the small island.
"This place is my carefully chosen spot. It's not far from the mortal world, which has great luck suppressing it. If I'm ambushed, I can directly hide among the people."
"Of course, it's also not too close. The mortal world's turbid Qi can defile a Qi Refiner's Dao body. When I break through, I need to absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi, not turbid Qi."
"The distance and position here have been precisely calculated."
"Moreover, beneath this island, there's a narrow rock cave that connects to a small pond, serving as a natural escape route."
After comprehensively introducing his chosen location, he finally sat cross-legged on a reef and began his breakthrough.
In an instant, Li Changshou entered a state of enlightenment. A green light flickered on his forehead, and lotus flowers rotated around him. A sound like a mountain roaring and a sea raging came from within his body.
Suddenly, a green glow emanated from him. Not long after, he opened his eyes. His cultivation had reached a point where it could no longer be suppressed. He looked up at the sky, preparing for the final breakthrough.
With a flick of his sleeve, dozens of paper figures appeared and quickly moved off in various directions, hiding at the bottom of the sea to monitor the area.
"This is my Paper Folding Secret Art," Li Changshou explained. "The paper figures' combat power is only 60-70% of my own, but they are useful for reconnaissance, provoking battles, or self-detonation."
After releasing the paper figures, he began to set up formations near the island—not for defense, but exclusively for escape.
Having dealt with these matters, he suddenly felt a sense of unease. Obscure, profound Dao Rhymes appeared around him. The Heavenly Tribulation was about to descend.
"The Heavenly Tribulation is about to arrive. Let me check one last time."
He transformed into a swimming fish, using a water escape technique to patrol a 100-mile radius. After confirming no one was around, he returned.
The people in the group were speechless again.
[Xiao Yan: "No, buddy, are you trying to deal with the Heavenly Tribulation or the Heavenly Dao?"]
Li Changshou's posture didn't look like he was preparing for a tribulation; it looked like he was preparing for war with the Heavenly Dao itself.
Seeing Xiao Yan's comment, his flustered heart calmed down. "Making more preparations never hurts. My actions are all about one word: stability."
As he spoke, he took out the 'Scripture of Non-Action' and began to comprehend it. "One more insight means one more accumulation, and the certainty of passing can increase by another point."
[Meng Qi: "It's exactly like me cramming before an exam!"]
[Shi Jian: "So what? Cramming is useful, alright…"]
[Lin Dong: "Why is the Heavenly Tribulation in your world so slow? Like a shy girl… why hasn't it struck yet?"]
The group chatted excitedly. Li Changshou's premonition grew stronger. A faint, imperceptible pressure permeated the air. An inexplicable anxiety arose in his heart—a reaction all living beings had when facing heavenly might.
At a certain moment, a muffled thunder sounded in the sky. The sea surface churned. Patches of grayish-black tribulation clouds surged, instantly covering tens of miles of sea.
Dark clouds enveloped the entire sky. Within them, strange phenomena appeared: mountains, pagodas, Heavenly Soldiers and Generals, and giant gods beating drums. The clouds began to slowly rotate like a tornado, with lightning flashing within.
The Heavenly Tribulation finally descended.
Li Changshou showed a slight smile. "Mage Birdcage!" he called out. He waved his robe, and 12 "birdcages" unfolded beside him.
"The Mage Birdcage has the effect of attracting heavenly lightning, which can reduce the power of the tribulation," he explained. "Medicinal pills are to be taken when one's magical power is insufficient or when injured."
He exhaled a mouthful of turbid Qi, his primordial spirit power fully condensed. He respectfully made a Daoist bow towards the Heavenly Dao, using the most orthodox ancient ritual.
Then he spoke loudly: "A Daoist disciple now appeals to the Azure Heaven, grateful that the Azure Heaven has sent down the Tribulation of Immortal Ascension. This disciple sincerely accepts it. If the Heavenly Tribulation descends and this disciple cannot bear it, and his life and Dao perish, then that is this disciple's fate. There will be no resentment in his heart."
"The Great Dao resounds, the Heavenly Dao is just!"
"Please, Heavenly Dao, grant the opportunity for Immortal Ascension!"
Li Changshou knew the truth of the Heavenly Dao in this world, but his attitude remained humble and submissive.
The people in the group were speechless. Which one of them wasn't heaven-defying in their actions? It would be good if they didn't try to overturn the Heavenly Dao. Undergoing a tribulation without shouting 'My fate is up to me, not Heaven' would be embarrassing.
Yet here was a member grateful to the Heavenly Dao for striking him.
[Shi Jian: "Why are you doing all this superficial stuff? In the end, aren't you going to overthrow the Dao Ancestor?"]
He knew this world's Heavenly Dao was merged with Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
Li Changshou ignored the complaints and began to prepare. Because he had removed all items that concealed karma, the situation from the original plot, where the Heavenly Dao misjudged his strength, did not occur.
Therefore, this lightning tribulation was extremely fierce from the start.
Terrifying pressure swept across a 100-mile radius. At some point, a dark cloud, only 10 zhang in diameter, appeared in the sky. Two cracks opened in its center, like two enormous eyes. The entire cloud formed the facial outline of an old Daoist staring down with hollow eyes.
It was Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
In an instant, Li Changshou felt as if he had been seen through completely. A strong premonition of danger arose, and his spiritual sense buzzed like a boiling iron kettle. He was facing Dao Ancestor Hongjun.
Even though this might not be the true Dao Ancestor, the terror was undiminished. Even through the live stream, the group members felt an incredibly powerful oppressive feeling. The human face only appeared for an instant before disappearing.
Li Changshou quickly adjusted his breathing, his eyes sharp. He needed to focus.
Muffled thunder roared. The dark clouds, originally only a few zhang wide, rapidly expanded over hundreds of miles of the sea, all converging above his head.
The Nine Heavens Divine Demon Lightning Tribulation formed at this moment.
[Inorin Note:
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