Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu - Chapter 204

“Let’s see how soon Ji Ru can enter the Death Realm. If she can get there faster than Ji Dang, the situation would be much better.

Ji Ru has the Three-year Cicada; she should be able to cultivate faster than Ji Dang.

Thinking of this, Chen Qing felt slightly relieved.

As for himself, he also needed to start preparing to enter the Death Realm.

After the gathering was over, Chen Qing removed the bronze ghost mask from his face. Xu Yaofeng had already ventured into the Death Realm, and having him scout ahead was indeed a good choice.

Right now, this was the only feasible plan given the current circumstances.

In three years, he was determined to reach Foundation Establishment Great Perfection!

Currently, his means were still somewhat limited; it was necessary to await the arrival of Wushang.

If he could obtain the treasures of the Linglong Divine Palace, his power, and that of Iron Flow Valley, would surely increase significantly!

In front of Wuyou Mountain,

Mei Zuochen halted the hundred men he brought at Wo Hu City and proceeded alone to Wuyou Mountain to scout the situation.

All one hundred of them rode Mutant Blood Horses, much faster than Chen Qing’s time of dodging and hiding, relying solely on his legs while carrying someone.

Although Chen Qing’s order was to bring all the people from Wuyou Mountain back, he would not say it outright.

He wanted to see if these people were worth bringing back.

If they were ambitious like wolves, it would be inviting trouble.

So he decided to masquerade as an ascetic and scout for a few days.

After three days of scouting, there were not many findings, as if Chen Qing had never been there.

Only then did he feel quite satisfied, not revealing the identity of his master, and his concealment was excellent.

At that time, the master was isolated and helpless, merely at the ninth level of the Qi Refining Realm, naturally unable to protect the spirit Gu.

As for now, even a cultivator possessing a spirit Gu wouldn’t dare to act rashly before the master.

Chen Qing had already completed Foundation Establishment, and his authority was established, incomparable to before.

Backed by the Great Witch of the current dynasty, he was as stable as Mount Tai.

One day after dinner, Mei Zuochen engaged in casual conversation with Gongsun Xiu, ‘I wonder why your Wuyou Mountain has a Spirit Plant Hall but no Hall Master, only a Deputy Hall Master?’

‘In such a vast Wuyou Mountain, isn’t there anyone who can assume the role of Hall Master?’

Gongsun Xiu glanced at Mei Zuochen warily, ‘This matter is because Xiao Zhong, my junior brother, made a mistake and was thus penalized out of his Hall Master position.’

Mei Zuochen laughed, ‘I’ve heard that your Wuyou Mountain once had a youthful genius who became the Hall Master of the Spirit Plant Hall at the age of twenty-one.’

‘Furthermore, your Mountain Master has intentions of entrusting the main responsibilities of Wuyou Mountain to him.’

Gongsun Xiu reached for his sword without drawing, ‘How could I not know about what you speak of?’

Gongsun Xiu slammed his cup onto the table, and immediately, sounds from outside signaled motion as Ye Yuntian brought in a large crowd of fellow disciples from the War Affairs Hall.

Ye Yuntian was waiting for Gongsun Xiu’s hand gesture, ready to charge in with his men upon seeing any signal!

It was then he suddenly saw Gongsun Xiu’s pupils dilate.

And at the sight of that sword, he was instantly distracted.

‘Junior brother…’

Ye Yuntian was about to enter, sword in hand, to inquire about Chen Qing’s whereabouts, when he heard Mei Zuochen smilingly say, ‘This is my lord’s sword. My lord is now in Nanli, and his influence is firmly established, commanding three thousand elite Qi Refining Realm cultivators capable of sweeping all directions!’

‘Even those in Foundation Establishment must bow before him!’

‘Now, with his wings fully spread and firmly rooted in Nanli, he specifically sent me here to invite all of you remarkable individuals to proceed to Nanli and discuss grand plans together!’

Mei Zuochen reached into his robe and took out a letter, ‘This is a letter from my lord, and you will understand at a glance.’

Gongsun Xiu just held it up, but Ye Yuntian snatched it over, opened it, and after reading it, fell silent for a long time.

Gongsun Xiu asked, ‘Is it true?’

Ye Yuntian washed his face outside and then handed the letter back to Gongsun Xiu, ‘Look, no one can mimic this handwriting.’

Gongsun Xiu took the letter and upon seeing the crooked brush strokes, chuckled softly, ‘Indeed, our junior brother’s handwriting is unlearnable, even if others attempt to mimic it.’

Ye Yuntian cupped his hands towards Mei Zuochen, ‘Thank you, envoy, I shall seek an audience with the Mountain Master and have him discuss this with you.’

The letter indicated they should all relocate to Nanli, which was a major affair, something he couldn’t decide on his own.

Before long, the Mountain Master arrived upon hearing the news, inquiring Mei Zuochen, ‘How is my disciple now?’

Mei Zuochen respectfully cupped his hands, ‘The lord has completed Foundation Establishment, and among Foundation Establishment cultivators, rivals are hard to find!’

He restrained his words, only saying ‘hard to find rivals.’

By his calculations, Chen Qing, at the ninth level of the Qi Refining Realm, could already kill those in Foundation Establishment; now, one could only describe him as unfathomable.

The Mountain Master stroked his beard thrice, ‘Excellent, excellent, I knew Chen Qing would amount to something!’

Mei Zuochen summoned another brother from the Jiang family to compete in swordsmanship with Ye Yuntian. Upon seeing the Great Kui Sword Scripture, the Mountain Master was finally reassured.

The Mountain Master then spoke, ‘This is indeed good. These young individuals all have talents, cooped up at Wuyou Mountain and would never achieve greatness. It’s better to follow Chen Qing to accomplish some great feats!’

‘He is stable, and I trust him!’

As Mei Zuochen settled in for a rest, the Mountain Master instructed, ‘Yuntian, Gongsun Xiu, go notify the younger generation of promising disciples to head south with Commander Mei.’

‘Also, bring Wushang, after all, he is Chen Qing’s brother.’

The Mountain Master finished speaking and then added, ‘Come with me, Yuntian, Gongsun Xiu.’

Inside the Ancestor Master Hall, the Mountain Master opened the mat underneath and took out an ancient scripture.

‘This ancient scripture, take it to Chen Qing.’

‘That day, he left without a word to divert the villains of Taiping Sect. I’ve never had the chance to give it to him.’

‘Now, there’s finally an opportunity to give it to him.’

‘The scripture is mystically profound and opaque, and I stole it from the Heavenly Master Mansion.’

‘I believe, among our young generation in Wuyou Mountain, perhaps only he might be able to practice it.’

‘Take this scripture to him!’

Hearing the words of the Mountain Master, Gongsun Xiu inquired, ‘Aren’t you planning to go over, Mountain Master?’

The Mountain Master gave a wry smile, ‘I’m merely a weak Foundation Establishment, only established with a Mortal Gu.’

‘Moreover, I am old now.’

‘I wouldn’t be of much help if I went.’

‘Go, support him as much as you can.’

‘It’s a pity that Shuang’er isn’t here. How great it would be if Shuang’er hadn’t already left to find him!’

‘Old age, old age makes one talk too much.’

‘Go, go, prepare tonight, and set off tomorrow!’

Seeing Gongsun Xiu and Ye Yuntian still standing motionless, the Mountain Master laughed, ‘A cunning rabbit has three burrows, and with Wuyou Mountain anchoring north and Iron Flow Valley anchoring south, even if one place encounters trouble, there’s a secure retreat.’

‘With two Foundation Establishments watching over from north and south, isn’t it even safer?’

‘Go now, go!’

‘I’m getting old, and I can’t withstand too much battling anymore.’

‘I will wait here for Shuang’er to return and inform her of Chen Qing’s whereabouts.’

Among everyone at Wuyou Mountain, Wushang was the happiest, as he had heard Chen Qing sent a hundred men north, specifically to fetch him.

Although the elders of Wuyou Mountain were quite kind to him, some of the juniors still looked down on him slightly.

What does a mischievous child know about being sensible?

But now, things were different; he was Chen Qing’s brother.

Just this identity alone was enough for Mei Zuochen to treat him differently.

Ye Yuntian and others in the future would most be equals with Mei Zuochen, but Wushang was different.

He was Chen Qing’s brother, naturally carrying part of Chen Qing’s prestige.

This was the main family.

‘Did my brother really send you to pick me up?’

Mei Zuochen cupped his hands, ‘Yes, our lord specifically dispatched us to fetch you.’

Only then did Wushang smile joyfully, ‘My brother finally gives me peace of mind.’

‘Then let’s go. I can walk by myself, no need to carry me!’

Mei Zuochen suddenly doubted whether this was indeed his lord’s biological younger brother.

He then thought, kids are all the same.

Especially boys like Wushang at this age, no one can stand them.

Perhaps, they’d improve when they grow up.”