Chapter 68

Has the Heavenly Courts become so wealthy?

In the secret chamber of Little Qiong Peak, Li Changshou looked at the pile of superior-grade Spirit Stones that were giving out an aura on the ring that the Moon Elder gave him. He suddenly looked like a pauper.

“It’s different. We’re different…”

Li Changshou shook his head and sighed.

The Spirit Stones could be used to buy a large amount of precious materials from the town outside the Immortal Gate and used to condense stronger array foundations. He could also use them to strengthen the array formation of the Little Qiong Peak.

Li Changshou’s previous plan to update the array formation could be completed by one-third!

However, direct costs did not seem reasonable.

He could use the superior-grade Spirit Stones stones as his first capital.

I should buy some herbs in the town, and bring them back for refining pills. I’ll then use the pills to exchange for treasures and Spirit Stones. That way, I’d be able to profit continuously!

There would be no middleman taking a part of the profits!

Li Changshou frowned and pondered…

It would be too dangerous for him to do it using his own body. There were countless people who had lost their lives for a few Spirit Stones, and he ought to weigh the pros and cons clearly.

However, if his paper effigies could complete those dangerous tasks, things would be different…

It would be equivalent to making money with zero risks.

If that was really the case, he would be able to do both things at once.

He could get his master to retrieve the Immortal Pill from the Hundred Mortal Hall and accumulate herbs.

On the other hand, he would use the paper effigies to collect herbs and sell pills in the town outside the gate…

It should not be a difficult task for him to earn more than ten Immortal Treasures within fifty years!

In just seventy to eighty years, he would be able to accumulate more than half of the treasures required for the ‘Composite Defense System’ that he had planned for Little Qiong Peak!

Not only would he be able to obtain the “wealth” that he lacked the most, but he would also be able to nourish his master and junior sister…

The problem was, how could he make the paper effigies go to the town?

It was actually quite troublesome for young disciples to go out.

However, his master was not within the sect’s restrictions and had already become an immortal’s master. He could go out for any random reason.

Turbid Immortals were also considered immortals.

I should get Master to bring my paper clone out and once he’s away from the mountain-protection array formation, the paper clone would be able to go to the town to trade easily…

The first step would be completed.

Next would be the key problem — the limitations of the mystical abilities of the Man-Forming Paper Cutouts.

The Immortal Du Sect’s gate was closer to Linhai Town, which was relatively famous in the East Continent. Although it was only more than 20,000 kilometers away… the furthest Li Changshou’s paper effigies could go was a thousand kilometers away from him…

The current Man-Forming Paper Cutouts, or rather, their mystical abilities would not allow the paper effigies to reach the nearest town.

The Primordial Word is really too vast…

It was impossible to imagine how vast the land was when the ancient dragons, phoenix, unicorns, and hundreds of other beasts flourished!

Let’s get back to business.

Li Changshou was in deep thought for half a day. He did a detailed calculation, drew up a plan, and conducted a risk assessment for the pill business. Finally, he made up his mind.

He had to work hard to get rich!

He had to change mystical abilities!

If immortals wanted to do something good, they would first have to benefit from it.

After the Wind Escape and Fire Escape had completed their advancements, he would focus on improving the mystical abilities of the Man-Forming Paper Cutouts!

If he wanted his main body to remain in the mountain, the paper effigy would have to go to the town outside the gate to make the business transactions. He would have to make the Man-Forming Paper Cutouts undergo magical changes.

The changes had to be extraordinary!

The principle of the original Man-Forming Paper Cutouts was to store one’s Dharma powers and immortal power in the paper effigies.

The transformation of the paper effigies into humanoids was actually similar to the blindfold method. Due to the special material of the paper effigies and their spiritual energy, they could be passed off as the real thing.

After Li Changshou became an immortal, the mystical abilities of his Man-Forming Paper Cutouts were perfected. Within the range of his immortal senses, he could place a portion of his attention on the paper effigies.

Now, when Li Changshou was not controlling the paper effigies, they would be like living creatures that could complete the simple instructions of the person exhibiting their mystical abilities.

For example, they could perform chores like sweeping, removing weeds, massaging, dancing, simple fighting, and some indescribable functions.

However, what Li Changshou needed now was not those effects.

He wanted the Man-Forming Paper Cutouts to evolve into an incarnate through the cheapest and easiest methods!

It was equivalent to creating some ‘paper bodies’ that could be changed at any time. He could store a portion of immortal power in them and control them at will.

As long as the paper effigy incarnate could unleash 10% or 50% of his strength, it would be enough.

“To do this, I have to use the restrictions to refine Dharma treasures…” Li Changshou muttered to himself.

This time, he was quick. Soon, he had already decided on the cultivation plan for the next ten years—

He wanted to practice refining and deal with mystical abilities!

ITAL If I don’t know, I can just learn. If I don’t know, I can just watch.

Now that I have a sufficient lifespan, it’s time for me to start refining.

“Let’s focus on studying the restrictions that can put one’s mind at ease.”

He then looked back at the ring…

It was needless to say that he was grateful for the strong support that the Moon Elder had given for the construction of the Little Qiong Peak!

Apart from high-quality Spirit Stones, Li Changshou also saw numerous porcelain bottles and gourds that contained pills.

Furthermore, they were pills that were similar to the Poisonous Dragon Wine…

It could only be said that as expected of the Moon Elder, the pills he gave were rather unique.

Li Changshou wanted to burn those pills with the True Samadhi Flames, but he hesitated.

It would be such a waste.

These are the elixirs that the Moon Elder has refined, which are a blessing for many male cultivators!

They would be able to save marriages and give couples a blissful life.

Both immortals and mortals could use them.

He took out some empty porcelain bottles and classified the elixirs into different categories. He then burned the porcelain bottles and refined the Moon Elder’s aura.

“I’ll keep them as gifts for the future, or exchange them for something else…”

If they were popular, he could try to reverse-engine the recipe and find a way to refine the elixirs. He could then produce it in large quantities and sell them for a lot of profits!

“Tsk, it’s not good to be blinded by wealth. Having more money is only for better cultivation. The Dao is the foundation of the Qi cultivators.”

After lecturing himself, Li Changshou could not help but laugh.

He transferred all the items in the ring to his three main Dharma treasures storage space and sealed the ring…

He carefully recalled the conversation he had with the Moon Elder a few times. After confirming that there was no mistake in his expression and words, he temporarily put the matter aside.

There was still some time before he had to go to the Heavenly Courts. His master had yet to reach the Perfected Immortal Realm. There was no need to rush things.

After that, Li Changshou exited the secret underground chamber quietly and left the Little Qiong Peak on a cloud.

…

The Dao Repository was located in the middle of the mountain behind the Heaven-Breaking Peak.

Li Changshou did not attract anyone’s attention.

Even the elders in the outer hall, who had been cultivating all year round, could not be bothered to open their eyes to look at him.

Afterward, Li Changshou started his research in the alchemy room.

“I wonder when Uncle-Master will come out of seclusion.”

In the outer hall of the Dao Repository, the refining prohibitions that could be found were more basic.

If Uncle-Master could go to the inner hall and help me memorize some high-level restrictions that had been made public by the Perfected Immortals in the sect, that would be great.

There was no restriction within the sect and the Perfected Immortal Immortals would impart that knowledge to their disciples who had yet to become immortals.

Li Changshou tapped his fingers on the table as he considered everything in his heart. Then, he thought of an elder in the sect.

Elder Wan Linyun.

The Thousand Poison Golden Furnace that he was using now was refined by Elder Wan Linyun himself. He could naturally ask the latter to teach him some refining methods.

However, he had already received too many benefits from Wan Linyun. No matter how thick-skinned he was, he still felt a little embarrassed…

“If there’s no other way, I’ll ask about the restrictions on the Dharma treasure that I have entrusted my spiritual energy to.”

Li Changshou sighed softly.

He owed more and more favors to that elder. It was really not a good thing and he felt that he had to think of ways to repay them in the future.

After staying in the Pill Chamber for half a day, he went to the secret chamber again.

He took out a few paper effigies and scattered them on the table, after which they immediately seemed to have come alive. After standing on the table, they began…

Jumping, leaping, fighting, and dancing.

Li Changshou focused his attention and carefully tried to feel it. Soon, he began to gain some enlightenment…

Not long after, he took out his carving knife and bamboo slip, and started to make the first notes on his research on “Paper Effigies Evolving Into Avatars”

The innovation of mystical abilities could only be possible with continuous trials.

If he wanted to complete the transformation of his mystical abilities, he had to be bold, ambitious, and expand his train of thought. He had to be careful, conscientious, and steady. The theory and practice had to be combined…

Thus, six years later.

…

In the blue sky, a few white clouds floated across slowly.

In front of the gate of the Immortal Du Sect Mountain, Qi Yuan, who was dressed in a brown Daoist robe, held a whisk and informed the immortal who was guarding the gate that he was going out.

“Junior Qi Yuan, how many days are you going out for?”

“I will be back in about three days. I have some inspiration and I’d like to go out to take a look.”

“Alright.” The immortal guarding the gate did not probe further. A rift was formed in the mountain-protection array formation and Qi Yuan went out on his own. mountain-protecting array formation

Qi Yuan thanked him and rode a cloud out of the mountain-protection array formation, heading towards the East Ocean.

After flying for about a thousand kilometers, Qi Yuan heard a voice transmission.

“Master, find a secret place to place the box in. You can go to the spirit mine and wait there. You don’t have to go too far away from the sect. I will return in three days. You can bring the box back.”

“Ah, okay.” Qi Yuan replied and asked softly at his sleeve, “Don’t you need me to do more?”

Li Changshou continued to transmit.

“Master, don’t worry. I’m only going to the town to sell some pills and herbs. That way, I can earn some Spirit Stones and precious materials.”

Qi Yuan sighed in his heart, his eyes filled with guilt, but he followed his disciple’s instructions and flew into a forest on the mountain.

After finding a place where humans were scarce, he placed a fist-sized, square sandalwood box on the grass patch under a tree.

After doing all that, Qi Yuan pretended to stroll around and enjoy the scenery. A wisp of immortal senses was also observing the box.

A moment later, a crack was formed in the box. A diamond-shaped gem the size of a fingernail extended out and swayed around.

The gem flickered.

Li Changshou sent another voice transmission to Qi Yuan.

“Master, please retract your immortal senses first.”

“Alright, alright.” Qi Yuan retracted his immortal senses, but he was rather puzzled.

Immediately, the diamond-shaped gem outside the box stopped flickering.

A “reed rod” that looked like a diving mirror prodded out and looked around.

Afterward, the lid of the box was gently lifted, and a pale yellow paper effigy jumped out.

This paper effigy was several times thicker and slightly bigger than an ordinary paper one. There was a small cloth bag hanging on its shoulder.

It held its waist and swayed back and forth while rays of light surrounded it.

In the blink of an eye, the paper effigy transformed into a thin, eight-foot-tall Daoist who was dressed in a green Daoist robe. His long hair was tied up casually, and he carried a long sword on his back.

The aura of the paper Daoist fluctuated slightly. After stabilizing himself in the Essence Immortal Realm, he quickly reduced to the Dao Requital Realm and concealed himself.

The paper Daoist’s gaze flickered slightly. There was a hint of spiritual light in it and he was no different from a living person.

He took out a mirror and looked at himself before muttering, “Ah, the appearance still resembles me after all.”

He shook his head and put away the square box on the ground. He conjured a seal with both hands and disappeared into the ground.

That was the result of Li Changshou’s six-year research!

Mystical Abilities; Improved Test Version: Cut paper turns into a human!

The paper effigy had already been considered an avatar in reality.

However, due to Li Changshou’s decision to take shortcuts, the avatar was actually just an empty shell.

Apart from that, there were many other imperfections in the paper Daoist No.1.

For example, Li Changshou had no choice but to place a portion of the Primordial Spirit in his body. If his avatar was killed, his Primordial Spirit would suffer slight damages.

That alone required constant improvement.

Li Changshou had put in a lot of effort to prevent the paper cutout avatar from being killed.

For example, the sword on the paper effigy’s back seemed like a sword but was actually a Dharma artifact composed of poison and drugs.

Originally, Li Changshou did not plan to test the combat power of Avatar No.1.

However, the human heart was vicious. He had encountered a mishap because his wealth was flaunted, during his first trip out.

After leaving the vicinity of the Immortal Du Sect, he used the Earth Escape for half a day and rushed to the famous Linhai Town in the East Continent.

To be safe, he sold small batches of pills in different locations and shops. He also discovered several shops belonging to the Immortal Du Sect…

He then used the Spirit Stones he had exchanged for, as well as a portion of the Immortal Stones, to purchase a large number of spirit herbs, poisonous herbs, precious materials, and young spiritual beasts.

Not counting the first bucket of gold, the profits from the pills this time was about 60% of his cost, which was already impressive.

In order to conceal his presence, he set up a stall there for half a day, where he peddled the Dharma artifacts that he had refined and some pills that were of good quality.

The prices were moderate and he managed to sell several Spirit Stones.

However, Li Changshou realized that his paper avatar was still being targeted by someone despite his conscientiousness…

There was still half a day left before the three-day deadline. Li Changshou quietly left the ‘town’, which was comparable to the capitals of the wealthy nations in the mortal world. He rode a cloud and flew towards the forest where he could use Earth Escape.

However, a few figures followed them out of Linhai Town. Each of them hid their cultivation and tailed them quietly.

Look, this is the Primordial world.

Li Changshou sighed softly in his heart and flew even more anxiously.

On the trimmed sleeves formed by the clone, there were paper dolls holding small swords and porcelain bottles. They were rubbing their palms and ready to attack.