Immortality begins with meditation puppets

"Are you really going to hand over Brother 260 and Brother 17 to the Dragon Subduer and Tiger Tamer? We went through so much trouble to rescue them."

"Can we really refuse to hand it over? Brother 260 and Brother 17 have both made it clear that their tribulations as Dao-patterned humans haven't passed yet. If they follow us, they might implicate us!"

"If we can't hold out, can the Thousand Islands Immortal Kingdom hold out? Isn't it a bit unfair to cheat the Dragon Subduer and Tiger Tamer like this?"

"Didn't I help those two brothers advance to the fifth rank? Isn't this compensation enough? Do you really think I covet the puppet monopoly of the Thousand Islands Immortal Kingdom?"

"That's true. I didn't expect Xing Tian's Blood Axe to have such abilities. If my Langya Immortal Island has any promising fourth-tier talents in the future, I hope Fellow Daoist Su will not hesitate to strike them with his axe!"

"Sure, sure, we're all brothers!"

In the cloud, Su Qing and Tong Chang whispered to each other.

Both Su Qing and Tong Chang had their own ideas about who should belong to Brother 260 and Brother 17.

When used well, the Dao pattern of seeking advantage and avoiding harm can be just as good as the Azure Dragon Dao pattern.

Unfortunately, Brother 260 and Brother 17 still have tribulations to overcome. Su Qing and Tong Chang were both afraid that they couldn't withstand them, so they temporarily sent them to the Thousand Island Immortal Kingdom to undergo their tribulations.

After discussing the matter, Tong Chang said with a solemn expression:
"The appearance of the Celestial Master's Ruins foreshadows the beginning of a great calamity. The unsealing of this Land of Despair is just the beginning. In the future, the Heavenly Gate will loosen, and countless powerful cultivators from the outside world will enter this realm. There will also be endless streams of evil spirits emerging from within. In such a great era, even though your strength is now far greater than before, you should make plans as soon as possible!"

Su Qing nodded slightly, her gaze falling on Gao Erqiang, who was still desperately searching for arrowheads, and said in a deep voice:

"Currently, the Western Sea has the two immortal kingdoms of Penglai and Thousand Islands to support it, so I still have time to develop. After this matter is settled, I intend to go to the far west to establish an immortal kingdom based there. At that time, I will need your help, brother. In this way, the far west, Langya Immortal Island, and Fellow Daoist Gao's Xing Sha Heavenly Kingdom will be able to support each other and have more say in this chaotic world!"

"I know, but the most important task right now is to help Fellow Daoist Gao deal with the Demon Tree Immortal Kingdom and the invasion of the Pingxi Martial Kingdom, isn't it?" Tong Chang had known all along that Su Qing had designs on the resources of Langya Immortal Island and his wife, so he wasn't surprised to hear him speak up. His bottom line was to protect his wife. As for the minerals, it didn't matter who he sold them to. Investing in Su Qing was better than investing in outsiders!
"Trust Fellow Daoist Gao. Fellow Daoist Gao has had a fortuitous encounter on this trip, and has also gained merit and fortune, replenishing his foundation. A mere Earth Demon Heaven is no match for Fellow Daoist Gao. As for the troops of Pingxi Martial Kingdom, Sect Master Shi should be able to hold them off. Once I establish my Immortal Kingdom, I will go all out to refine puppets and will be able to support Sect Master Shi in driving the troops of Pingxi Martial Kingdom back to the Central Plains!"

Su Qing was never the type to look down on others just because he had achieved success. Although he now had the strength and means to help Erqiang and Shilijing fight against a formidable enemy, he still chose to trust them and let them face the test themselves.

He really didn't have time.

During this voyage, he was busy with various tasks and never stopped. The puppets were completely destroyed, and he didn't have enough time to repair them. In addition, he had gained a lot of benefits, which he still needed to digest. He urgently needed to develop steadily and didn't want to cause any more trouble.

"Oh, by the way, I have a brother who was lost in a sea hole in the West Sea. I don't know if he's dead or alive. I really don't have time to go and find out right now. I would like to trouble you, Brother Tong, to go and take a look for me. I will owe you a favor!"

Su Qing suddenly remembered that the tomb raider Feng Bo'e was still missing and asked Tong Laodao to make a trip for him.

Old Master Tong inquired in detail about Feng Bo'e's situation and learned that he was likely trapped in the temple of the Great God of the Three Altars Sea Gathering. He also learned that this temple was connected to the ancestral tomb of the Hai family and might contain the Daoist Mystery Scripture—Divine Boundlessness—that Su Qing had been longing for. Upon learning this, he was immediately puzzled:

"Since Shen Wuyai is so important to you, shouldn't you make a trip there yourself? After all, although the Great God of the Three Altars Sea Gathering is renowned, he is still a disciple of the Taiyi Sect. You wield the Taiji Creation Blade, so this Great God shouldn't make things difficult for you!"

"Brother Tong, you don't know this, but I once sent a puppet to explore the sea cave. I noticed that something was wrong with the temple. The statue had a strange aura and was extremely disgusted with living beings. No matter who has taken over the statue, the being that has been revived inside it is definitely not the ancient Three Altars Sea God. I'm really afraid to go there in person!"

Su Qing spoke frankly, and after she finished speaking, Old Tong leaned back, pointed at Su Qing, and was speechless.

Listen, is this human language?

You noticed something was off about that statue, and you're afraid to go yourself, so you want me, Old Tong, to go see it? So you think I, Old Tong, am not afraid?

"Brother Tong, don't be angry yet. Do you think I, Su Qing, am the kind of person who would betray my brothers?"

"If you're not, then am I?!" The fifth-tier god bent down to pick up the arrow, losing all face. Gao Erqiang, who hadn't even finished searching, heard Su Qing spouting nonsense as soon as he arrived. Without even asking what happened, he shouted at Su Qing.

"So this is the kind of person you think of me, Fellow Daoist Gao. I was originally planning to build a few temples for you in the far west, so that your incense and faith could reach beyond the borders of Xingsha Kingdom. Now it seems that I was just being presumptuous. It's better not to do it!"

"Ah, you can do such a good thing!" Gao Erqiang was surprised to hear this, but then he realized that Su Qing's actions were normal. After all, establishing a temple in the far west would make it much easier to call Erqiang a henchman in the future. But no matter what his purpose was, this matter was definitely beneficial to Erqiang. After realizing this, Erqiang immediately understood his position.

"Brother Tong, you too. You can't trust Su's character, can you? When have you ever suffered a loss working for him? Just relax and take a look. If something's really wrong, you can just run away!"

Under Erqiang's strong persuasion, Tong Chang finally agreed. However, he could go, but he had to bring Erqiang along. Enticed by the promise of building a temple in the far west, Erqiang reluctantly agreed as well.

Su Qing also told Tong Chang that there might be an opportunity in the sea hole, and whether they could seize it depended on their abilities. Upon hearing this, Erqiang and Tong Chang were not pleased but alarmed. They knew Su Qing best; if there really was an opportunity, wouldn't he go himself? They figured that to obtain that opportunity, they would have to pay a huge price. However, Tong Chang calculated again and again but couldn't find any information. He could only bury his worries in his heart and prepare to discuss it with his wife after returning home before setting a date to go to the sea hole.

With this matter settled, the three of them discussed the details of their future cooperation.

The Kingdom of Punishment needs to send skilled individuals to fill the talent gap in the far west.

The Xingsha Divine Kingdom needs to send a batch of cultivation seeds to Langya Immortal Island so that, under the guidance of Tong Chang and Lady Lanxiang, the two leading figures in talisman making and painting in the Tianyuan Realm, they can grow rapidly and begin to stockpile exorcism talismans and paintings in order to cope with future chaos.

“Cultivators are not puppets; their will is not determined by others. Just because I, Gao Erqiang, want to send talents to your place doesn't mean they will necessarily be happy. You two are thinking too simply!”

Hearing that the two were being so impolite, Gao Erqiang retorted somewhat rudely.

Today, everyone in the Western Sea knows why their Kingdom of Punishment and Slaughter is thriving. Because of their talented people!

What's most valuable in chaotic times?
He's still a talented person!
Over the past few decades, the immortal kingdoms such as Penglai and the Thousand Islands have tried to persuade them to exterminate the talents and industries of the divine kingdom by offering high-ranking officials, generous salaries, and preferential policies, but all of these efforts have had little effect!
What is the reason?

This is because under Gao Erqiang's wise leadership, and mainly under the leadership of the Wanghai Chamber of Commerce previously established by Su Qing, Wanghai merchants and talents have a great deal of autonomy. They can be their own masters, and whether they make a lot or a little or lose money depends on themselves.

In this dog-eat-dog world of cultivation, this is what low- to mid-level professionals and businesses value most.

If they were to fall into a celestial realm like Penglai Thousand Islands, no matter how good the conditions they offer now, once they have fattened up, their industries, property, women and children, and those in power could seize them all with a single word.

No one feels as safe as in the Kingdom of Punishment and Slaughter. Here, even if Su Qing wants to swindle their money, he has to do it in the form of Xiong Er's Money Shop. Everyone cares about their reputation. Gao Erqiang is even less afraid. From the moment he chose to become a benevolent god, his reputation has been more important than his life. Merchants take advantage of this and even dare to negotiate with him, a fifth-order god!

Besides the peace of mind and the fear of hard-earned wealth going to others, Xing Sha Divine Kingdom also has other unique advantages. Xiong Er Money House can solve the problem of financing difficulties for entrepreneurial cultivators, Jian Lai Palace can be responsible for the security of various industries outside, Gao Erqiang can provide remote rescue at any time with just devout faith, and the unparalleled infrastructure are all reasons why Xing Sha Divine Kingdom can retain talent and industries.

These are things that neither the far west nor Langya Immortal Island possess.

Putting aside everything else, would cultivators who have been living in the Divine Kingdom of Punishment for too long be willing to let the girls of Red Sleeve Pavilion go to the far west and suffer on Langya Immortal Island?
“Brother Gao is right. So I’ve come up with a solution. We won’t keep the talents here. Their official positions and residency will remain in the Xing Sha Divine Kingdom. Their salaries and benefits will be covered by the Wang Hai Chamber of Commerce. They will be sent to our far west and Langya Immortal Island in batches over three terms: ten years, thirty years, and one hundred years, through labor dispatch. In this way, the cultivators in the Divine Kingdom will not be too resistant!”

Su Qing had planned this all along, which made Erqiang's brow twitch.

"There's no such thing as a free lunch. It means that not only can I send people, but I also have to pay their salaries. You can think I'm not strong, but you can't think I'm stupid! Cooperation? I think you just want to bleed my Xing Sha Divine Kingdom dry!"

"Oh, Brother Gao, you may not know this, but before I set sail, I had already confirmed this with the Wanghai Chamber of Commerce and a group of merchants. The first batch of ten-year trainees from all walks of life have already set off for the far west and Langya Immortal Island. The salary in spirit stones will be covered by the Wanghai Chamber of Commerce, so Brother Gao doesn't need to pay a single spirit stone!"

Su Qing, looking like he didn't want his brother to worry and was willing to take care of things for him, indicated to Erqiang that he didn't need to rush about it, as he had already taken care of everything.

"Are you sure? Who agreed? Did I agree?! This is no longer a secret! Who's really in charge of this Execution God Kingdom?!"

The two were extremely angry, and very dissatisfied with Su Qing's actions of using the Wanghai Chamber of Commerce to remotely control the execution of the Divine Kingdom.

But it only lasted for a moment.

Under the compensation terms offered by Su Qing and Tong Laodao, his agitated fur calmed down again.

"The Divine Kingdom of Criminal Law is located near the sea and on land, and its position is extremely important. Fellow Daoist Gao has a heavy burden on his shoulders. The power of a fifth-order god is enough for the time being, but it may not be enough for the future."

The faith in the God of Punishment and Slaughter may not be enough to satisfy Brother Gao's needs. I intend to work with Fellow Daoist Tong to vigorously spread the faith of the God of Punishment and Slaughter in the far west and Langya Immortal Island. We will build a temple every three years and a hall every five years, and worship the God of Punishment and Slaughter as the main deity of our faith, so that he can receive the most incense offerings. In this way, we can support Brother Gao to quickly ascend to the sixth-order God Venerable!
All expenses here can be covered by a ten million spirit stone interest-free loan from Xiong Er Money House. There is no specific repayment date for this loan; as long as Brother Gao does not advance to the sixth rank, this loan will not need to be repaid.

Furthermore, to ensure Brother Gao can focus on his cultivation without being disturbed by trivial matters, I intend to lead the effort to help you establish a temple guard army. Brother Gao, please select the best individuals to form the core team and submit the list to me. I can then custom-make puppets for them, at least ten third-tier puppets for each person. If conditions permit, I can even provide fourth-tier puppets!

Su Qing was unusually magnanimous, and Gao Erqiang was all smiles as he spoke, feeling that this guy was now shining brightly everywhere.

What a good brother!

How come I never noticed how many admirable qualities Su Qing has before? Damn it, my brother has done so much for me, and I still feel bad about sending him a few talented people?
That talent wasn't trained by me, so why should I be anxious?

Su Qing had just finished speaking when Er Qiang was still celebrating.

Tong Chang then spoke up as well.

"Langya Immortal Island was affected by the last great war, and production and life on the island have not yet recovered. Various minerals also need time to be re-explored and mined. It is impossible to support Xingsha Divine Kingdom in a short period of time. However, I have been favored by the Celestial Master and have made some progress in the art of talisman making. Now the speed of refining fourth-order talisman paper has greatly improved, and it is not impossible to refine fifth-order talisman paper."

"Alright then, Fellow Daoist Gao, you can write down the talismans you need. But if there are any I can refine, I will send you at least a thousand third-tier talismans and dozens of fourth-tier talismans within the next ten years!"

Good guy!
This guy isn't bad either!
With such a vision, who else but him should be the Celestial Master of our time!

Gao Erqiang was like a silly kid who had been hit by two pies, so excited that he didn't know what to say. He was just about to pull his two good brothers to kneel down and worship heaven and earth to solidify their brotherhood.

But immediately, he was startled and realized what was happening.

These two are not kind people, there's no reason for them to be so nice to him!

There must be something fishy in it!

really.

“Brother Gao, there’s no need for that. Helping you is also helping us. Brother Tong and I both have important matters to attend to in the future and can’t spare the time. The Demon Tree Immortal Kingdom, the evil demons and Buddhas, and even the ancient demons that may resurrect in the next hundred years, these are all things that could threaten the peace of Xing Sha, Lang Ya, and the far west. Fellow Daoist Gao, please keep an eye on them.”

"I suppose Fellow Daoist Gao is exceptionally brave and capable of protecting the three regions from external demons!"

Su Qing patted Erqiang on the shoulder. Those shoulders were really broad; it would be a real shame if they weren't shouldering such a heavy burden. (End of Chapter)