Immortality begins with becoming a master weapon refiner

Chapter 270 Appointing the Palace Master, Second Assistant, and Third Ancestor (Bonus Chapter 2 of This Month)

"Let's make this arrangement for now. Gu Qing, Lian Chutiangong, and Bao Hua will come back to the mountain with me."

Upon hearing this, Gu Qing hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

The Jinyun Secret Realm has not yet been dealt with, and Yan Taizu has also disappeared without a trace, leaving behind two sixth-rank lower-level patriarchs. Their safety is not high at all. What if the other party really plays the trick of hiding in the dark?

Their safety is in danger.

Seemingly sensing Gu Qing's thoughts, Ninth Ancestor transmitted his voice.

"Emperor Taizu of Yan wanted to fish in troubled waters. If his purpose was unclear before, it is now obvious."

"Why?"

"The Great Array Protecting the Nation is controlled by the key held by Emperor Taizu of Yan. Naturally, the Baiyue Mountains also have more advanced control methods. I have already investigated and confirmed that the person has not left the Yan Kingdom."

Now that the muddy waters have cleared, the Jinyun Secret Realm and the two sixth-rank cultivators are merely bait. He is unaware of the battle situation on Qiuniu Continent, and given the difference in information, taking the risk and making a move is inevitable.

Gu Qing sighed softly, rubbing his forehead. This guy's got a fishing addiction.

Three fishing trips in a row, that's incredible!

It must be said that this was indeed an excellent way to lure the enemy, but he had more in mind. As a member of the common people of Yan State, he would naturally think about things from a different perspective.

There were reasons why Emperor Taizu of Yan rebelled, massacred the remnants of the Jinyun lineage, plotted against the descendants of Jinyun, and coveted the secret realm.

The core is just one word: [Tao].

As a mortal born and raised in Yan, Emperor Taizu of Yan displayed extraordinary talent, cultivating all the way to break through to the sixth rank, becoming a top cultivator in the Cangwu cultivation world.

I thought the path to immortality was thriving, and that there might even be a chance to ascend to heaven in the future.

Yet, at this critical juncture, he was entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the Yan state.

He was born and raised here; no one is more suitable for this position than him.

Although Emperor Taizu of Yan unified the common people and established his family business.

But the Way has been severed.

The spiritual energy in the mortal realm is scarce, and most of it is needed to power the national protective array, which is not even enough to support the daily cultivation of a seventh-grade cultivator.

Eighth-grade spiritual lands are rare finds. To have a sixth-grade cultivator guard one of them for his entire life would be tantamount to ruining his future. How could such a prodigy accept that?
Unfortunately, the mortal realm is a vital talent pool for the Southern Wilderness human race, and is therefore of utmost importance. Outsiders are almost strictly prohibited from entering. This is not only the case in Yan Kingdom, but also in the other four mortal realm kingdoms.

If that's all there is to it, then Emperor Taizu of Yan was one of those who were crushed by the concept of "the bigger picture," and the sacrifices were naturally pitiful.

But what he did next crossed the line: a blood sacrifice in Yandu, which almost wiped out all four families of this mortal direct line, leaving only the external branches.

Leading demonic cultivators and ferrying ghosts is truly a path to death.

There's always a reason why someone is pitiful. Even though he was forced into it, the deed is done, and he can't escape the death penalty.

With the situation in the Yan Kingdom completely ruined, Gu Qing was very worried that he would be chosen to become the new guardian of the mortal Yan Kingdom, so he hinted to the Ninth Ancestor that he wanted to ask him some questions.

However, the other party ignored him and instead blocked his voice transmission.

"Gu Qing made an indispensable contribution to this battle, especially in terms of intelligence. Although the Phoenix Ghost Mother escaped, she also left the mortal world. Given You Jun's situation, she will be bound to the Netherworld and unable to leave."

I recall that the position of Hall Master of the Weapon Forging Hall is currently undecided. How about Gu Qing assumes the role? What do you all think?

Bao Hua, Tian He, and the Thirty-Sixth Ancestor had no objections. The Thirty-Fifth Ancestor, who had previously had a verbal altercation with Gu Qing, also took into consideration the kindness shown in helping Gu Qing earlier and tacitly accepted the Ninth Ancestor's appointment.

On the contrary, Lian Chutiangong, who was closer to Gu Qing, hesitated.

"Does Little Thirty-Seven have any ideas?"

Lian Chutian blushed and looked to Gu Qing for help.

Gu Qing knew this perfectly well. The position of Master of the Weapon Refining Hall was the reward Lian Chutiangong paid for leaving the Lian Chu Clan, the price for fulfilling his own wishes, and for no longer having any underhanded dealings with them.

At this time, the Ninth Ancestor appointed someone, but others didn't know. They would only think that Lian Chutiangong had broken his promise. It was easy to remove Lian Chuqing as the temporary palace master, but it would be easy for Gu Qing to take over and cause dissatisfaction and hostility from the Lian Chu clan.

It's not worth it, and he himself is pondering the pros and cons.

In the long run, it is beneficial, but he is now extremely wealthy, with the Xuan Tian Black Market behind him accumulating wealth and a vast amount of resources available for his use. The only real benefits are power and connections.

But when Gu Qing thought of the example of Emperor Taizu of Yan and the silent attitude of Emperor Jiuzu, he wanted to avoid the situation.

The Guardian is guaranteed to be at least at the sixth rank. His combat strength meets the requirement, but his rank hasn't reached it yet, so there should still be room for maneuver. However, if he stays in Baiyue Mountain for a long time, things might change. After thinking it through, Gu Qing shook his head and refused.

“Ninth Ancestor, Gu Qing is too young to command respect. The position of Master of the Weapon Refining Hall is too high a accolade for me. Not only that, I must also resign from my position as Elder Guardian of Treasures.”

The position of Guardian Elder, which brought Gu Qing a series of troubles, brought very little benefit. He had long wanted to get rid of it, as he coveted the treasures in the weapon-refining vault but couldn't take them.

It's useless if you can take it away but don't need it.

This is largely due to his rapidly growing strength and influence. It was indeed a good position when he first broke through to the seventh rank, but it's no longer necessary.

Greed leads to loss; it's completely unnecessary.

Seeing that the Ninth Ancestor frowned, Gu Qing explained again.

"The young man is focused on cultivation and really doesn't want to be held back by these things. Situ Feng's relationship with the demonic cultivator is unclear, and he is also having an affair with Zhao Yin, the prospective son-in-law of the Jiang family."

"Why not promote Elder Jiang Yuan, whose relationship with the Jiang family has broken down, to the position of Vice Hall Master, and also entrust him with the authority of the Guardian Elder?"

This statement appears to be a recommendation, but in reality, it is a reminder of the Nine Ancestors' way of balance, the word most beloved by those in power—【balance】.

By creating discord between the Situ clan and the Di Hong Jiang clan, the division could be delayed.

"This news is actually somewhat useful."

Everyone seemed lost in thought, paying particular attention to the secret of Zhao Yin's affair with Situ Feng, but not dwelling on how Gu Qing knew about it.

He refused the appointment and saw that the Ninth Ancestor still did not mention the Jinyun Secret Realm.

Gu Qing roughly guessed his thoughts; he probably thought he would decide the reward for this battle himself? So he didn't mention it and said to Ancestor Chao Baohua.

“Eleventh Ancestor, your disciple has made some progress in the Devouring Dao and may be able to perform the second seal.”

Bao Hua immediately smiled broadly, grabbed Gu Qing, and left.

"Ninth Brother, I'm taking Gu Qing back to the mountain first."

"Ah."

On the way back, Gu Qing couldn't help but ask.

"Ancestor Baohua, the true mastermind of the Baiyue Immortal Sect is..."

"Why do you ask?"

Bao Hua was initially surprised, then frowned in thought, and gradually understood Gu Qing's worries. She even sighed, her brows furrowed in worry.

"That's really a problem."

"Nowadays, most of the affairs of the mountain gate are under the jurisdiction of the Ninth Ancestor. Unless it involves extremely important matters, we will consult the Second Ancestor."

"For example, changing the guardian in a mortal realm?"

"Yes."

"Thousands of years ago, the First Ancestor disappeared while searching for an opportunity to ascend to immortality. After the Second Ancestor came to power, he disregarded human feelings and only cared about two words."

"The big picture?"

“Smart, your concerns are not without reason. Emperor Taizu of Yan was a man of great talent, but he was placed in such a place by the Second Ancestor. You can imagine his resentment.”

“We old guys were actually prepared for him to do something like this.”

"But you cannot condemn someone for what has not yet been done; the tragedy was already inevitable."

"Didn't the founders have any other ideas?"

"How could there not be? The Three Ancestors were the core of the meritocracy, but alas, the calamity of the Time Blade has led them to this state."

"If you can help him regain his strength, there should still be room for negotiation."

Gu Qing: "…………"

A few days later, in the forbidden area behind the Baiyue Immortal Sect, in the Baohua Cave, Gu Qing and his companion arrived together, preparing to apply the second Devouring Seal.

(End of this chapter)