The Path to Immortality Begins with the Life-Extending Lamp

Chapter 180 The Hidden Clan

North of Qingping, the celestial phenomena changed drastically, with wind, clouds, and air in constant turmoil.

Li Qing traveled with Qing Zhen, the disciple of Wanfa Hall, and Lü Qingshu from the outer courtyard, returning from Wuxi Longze to Tiannan. Even though they were thousands of miles apart, they could still sense the changes in "qi" in that world.

A chilling atmosphere, a desolate landscape, riots, madness—it seemed to be enduring unimaginable devastation!
A dozen or so Daoists from Linyuan rode together on a purple-green banana leaf. This should have been a good opportunity for the blue-robed and green-robed Daoists to make contact with the two Purple Mansion Daoists. However, the wind and clouds gathered in the northern sky, and the howling black wind blew onto all the Daoists. The violent Daoist aura lingered in the void, which could only be the work of Daoist magic.

"That's near Jinping Prefecture, isn't it? How could it be..." Qing Zhenchuan frowned slightly.

How could such a riot have occurred in the heart of the southern lands? Such strange phenomena occurring thousands of miles away, could it be that a blessed land or secret valley has been created?

Just as they were hesitating whether to invite everyone to investigate, Li Qing, who was standing at the head of the banana leaf, spoke up.

"The power of the law is soaring to the heavens, disrupting the celestial phenomena; this is an ominous sign!"

"Avoid that area and return to the mountains quickly..."

Li Qing once piloted a flying boat and witnessed up close the battle between the Hunyuan Immortal Sect's Six Directions Altar and the man-eating Tai Sui Heavenly Venerable who guarded the mountain; he also experienced the hunt by the Qishan Ghost Gods and Yin God True Man, and even personally participated in the fierce battle!

He was so impressed by the battle between Yin Shen Zhenren that he knew what had happened just by looking up at the atmosphere.

How could they possibly be qualified to participate in a battle between Yin spirits?
With a single word, the restless greed of the Qingzhen disciple was quelled, and the banana leaf magic artifact immediately changed direction, facing southwest, deliberately creating distance from the direction of Jinping Prefecture.

The disciples of the various sects naturally admired Li Qing, after all, this "senior brother" had just defeated all the sects in the southwest at the Qingping Banquet Competition, and was ranked first in his sect!
Flying southwest, bypassing the Tiannan Gateway Mountains, and heading straight to the Southern Chieftain's territory before taking another route into Tiannan, Lü Qingshu, controlling the flying banana leaves, immediately planned her return journey.

Unfortunately, some troubles can't be avoided simply by hiding...

The banana leaf flew through the mountains and ridges, and just as it left the territory of Qingping Prefecture, it passed through a dangerous peak with two gorges, when a tall and thin figure blocked its way.

At first, the people on the purple and green banana leaves didn't pay much attention, thinking he was just a hermit from the mountains. The Taoists sat cross-legged and discussed the events of this peaceful banquet.

But when they passed the two treacherous peaks for the third time and saw that towering figure, not only Li Qing and Qing Laisang, the two Purple Mansion Daoists, but even Lü Qingshu felt a jolt of spiritual awareness and realized that something was amiss.

"Is this a ghost wall? Or..."

The group subconsciously looked towards Daoist Youhuang, Li Qing, in front of them, after all, this was his area of ​​expertise!

The purple and blue banana leaves stopped in mid-air, about six hundred feet away from the figure in the gorge, and dared not go any further.

Li Qing frowned slightly, and her right hand unconsciously rested on the yellow gourd at her waist.

The figure's aura was concealed, and it was extremely unfamiliar, but it certainly didn't seem like a ghost. Just as I was about to make a move to test it, I saw the tall, thin figure slowly turn around.

He was an excessively tall man with phoenix eyes and thin lips. He wore a black robe and his brows revealed a hint of gloom and pain. Just looking at his phoenix eyes, they seemed like deep abysses, captivating the soul.

"Another Yin Spirit Immortal?"

Li Qing was greatly alarmed. He flipped his right hand out of his sleeve and decisively summoned a black ebony box that had just appeared in the world and was already seeping blood from the cracks in the wooden box.

Sure enough, the man in the black robe instantly sensed the chilling malice emanating from Li Qing. His left eye flickered slightly, and he spoke first:

“My name is ‘Five Ghosts’, and I come from Lingnan.”

The man in the black robe first stated his origins, then raised his right finger and pointed it out from a distance, unleashing a soul-snatching spell. Immediately, a series of popping sounds, like popping beans, rang out from Li Qing's sleeve.

Immediately afterwards, two pieces of parchment slipped from Li Qing's sleeve, and at the same time, the three demons that had been sealed in the parchment by the "Shadow Wall Candle Illumination Method" fell onto the purple and blue banana leaves.

"These three good-for-nothings were originally gatekeepers in my manor. They signed a spiritual contract, were offered food and sacrifices, and were summoned by the imperial edict..."

The Black Five Ghosts General spoke eloquently, and despite the threat of the Long-Hate Ghost Scissors hidden in Li Qing's sleeve, he broke Li Qing's spell with a wave of his hand and released the three demons.

This is the third Yin God Realm Ghost Lord in Lingnan, besides Lady White Bone of the White Bone Path and Lady Jade Face of the Ghost-Controlling Zhong Clan, and the Five Ghost Generals of the Yin Palace of Rotten Peach Mountain.

The three-headed day-roaming demon that Zhong Jiazi summoned when he fought with Li Qing was the mountain-guarding demon of the Yin Palace of Rotten Peach Mountain. It was extremely stupid and was captured by Li Qing in one encounter, which led to this Five Ghosts General personally coming to rescue the person.

But is that all?
The Blood of Eternal Hatred within Li Qing's sleeve was gradually breaking free of control, yet he remained quite wary of the man in the black robe. The Taoist disciples on the banana leaf were also poised and ready, their fingers moving over their magical implements and lightly forming talismans, clearly prepared for a life-or-death struggle.

This made the Five Ghosts General unable to help but slightly curl the corners of his mouth.

"You can smell the stench of ghost blood from miles away. This isn't something you can just use casually, young man!"

The forbidden artifacts left over from the Six Heavens Ghost Path era are different from the ancient treasures of the Immortal Path. Those forbidden artifacts are often forged from a living, vengeful ghost. Using them is like having a living, vengeful ghost right in front of you, making them extremely eerie.

"I have no ill intentions towards you. I've just come to fetch my people and, on the side, I've been asked to act as a bridge to let you meet them."

The black-robed man flicked his robe, scooping up the three one-eyed demon brothers into his sleeve. After a brief explanation to Li Qing, he raised his finger and opened a passage to the illusory world between the two gorges.

Beyond that passage, there seemed to be an aura that Li Qing found quite familiar.

"Brother Youhuang, you must not believe it blindly!" Before Li Qing could make a move, Qing Laisang, the true disciple of the Wanfa Hall, spoke up to dissuade him.

Gui Lang-Li Qing, the third-ranked successor in the sect, had previously been stranded overseas due to external factors. He had learned from this experience, and as a true disciple of the sect, he naturally had to support and remind the sect's successors at this time.

How could they just stand by and watch him be intercepted halfway by a ghost king from Lingnan?

"Hmph! You little bull-nose, you have quite the temper."

"Your ancestor is watching the changes in the southwest from the Immortal Mountain of Lin Yuan, and that old crane and his cronies are stirring up trouble in the north. What can I do?"

The "Five Ghosts" Lord glanced at Qing Zhenchuan with a sullen expression, truly hating dealing with Taoist priests from the immortal sects.

"Someone from the incomplete Fengdu Heaven wants to see you. If you don't want to make contact, then so be it..."

The man in black robes gave a light snort, but did not intend to get too involved.

The Taoist priests in the immortal sects were either arrogant or gave him strange looks; he really couldn't be bothered to exchange even a single word with them.

Those shady characters in the Netherworld should keep a certain distance, after all, he is the Lord of the Five Ghosts of Rotten Peach Mountain, bestowed by the Southern Kingdom, and is a well-known and respected Lord in the entire Heavenly Capital.

In short, the bridge has been built; it's up to you, Li Erlang, whether you go or not!
Seeing the Five Ghost Lords' attitude, Li Qing frowned slightly and pondered for a long time. In the end, before the Long-Hate Ghost Scissors were completely unsealed, he sent them back to the Netherworld Palace to be suppressed.

Prohibited items must not be used without authorization!

It seems that the most terrifying thing about this ghost scissors is that when it is suspended and not yet released, no one dares to gamble on what the result of that cut will be. But once it falls, it loses its deterrent effect.

Although I don't know who this "Old Crane" that Wu Gui Jun is talking about is, or what he means by "fox friends and dog friends".
But the name "Fengdutian" and the familiar aura faintly revealed in the passage behind it still shocked Li Qing.

Therefore, there are six heavens: the first is the Heaven of Wandering, the second is the Heaven of Abundance, the third is the Heaven of Peace and Shade, the fourth is the Heaven of Northern Shade...

In ancient history, there were six heavens ruling the world above and the boundless land of Tiandu below. The location corresponding to Fengdu Heaven is exactly the southern part of today!

Based on the implication of the Five Ghosts General, is there still someone in Fengdu Heaven who has connections with his Lingnan Ghost Path?
Indeed, as one of the most active ghosts and gods in Lingnan Road, the Five Ghosts General is the most qualified person to contact Youtian!

Li Qing raised her sleeve, holding a three-inch soul banner in her palm. She stared expressionlessly at the dark portal leading to the Netherworld, yet unusually, she was moved.

He still knows nothing about the Yinshan Blessed Land, which stretches for eight hundred miles in all directions. If he has the opportunity to make contact with other Dao Lords of the Underworld, it would be excellent. Moreover, it seems that Ancestor Yin has devoted some energy and attention to it, so it should be fine.

Turning around and taking in the expressions of everyone present, Li Qing instantly made up her mind.

"Gentlemen, please wait here for me?"

Li Qing raised his sleeve and exchanged glances with the other disciples. After hesitating for a moment, he raised his hand and tossed a golden bean into the hand of Qing Lai Sang Zhen Chuan.

"If I have not returned by sunset, fellow Daoist, please borrow the Yellow Turban Warriors to protect everyone and return to the mountain first."

With more than ten fellow disciples already traveling together, it was impossible for Li Qing to abandon them so easily.

Even if they had to part ways midway, Li Qing handed a golden bean crafted by a Yellow Turban warrior to the Qingzhen disciple. The southern lands were still shrouded in miasma; commanding a Yellow Turban warrior would surely protect them and suppress their return journey. Having made all the preparations, Li Qing turned and walked through the void to the entrance of the Netherworld Passage, following the Five Ghost Generals…

At this moment, how could Qing Zhenchuan not know Li Qing's intentions? He tightly grasped the gold bean he offered and could only bow in thanks.

"If you haven't returned in two hours, we will return to the mountain and report to the Ancestral Master!"

This statement was not only a reply to Li Qing, but also a warning to the Five Ghosts General.

The black-robed ghost king could easily understand the true meaning behind those words, but he merely curled his lip in disdain and took the lead in stepping into the Netherworld.

Li Qing held a small three-inch banner in his hand, closely following behind the Five Ghost Lords, heading towards the Netherworld.

The two entered between the two gorges. After passing through the purely chaotic dark passage, the view suddenly opened up. Looking up, they saw an endless dark void, dotted with fragments of islands, and at the very center was a Lu Yu city that resembled an ancient black mountain, exuding a rich incense aroma.

The island, floating in the dark and boundless expanse, is part of the ancient Fengdu Heaven, and also a ruined ghost town.

This is the boundless Netherworld, a forbidden land where even Yin Gods and True Immortals would lose their way!

"Here, first put on a divine mask to hide your identity when you enter the city, or you can use a disguise mask that can block divine sense."

Seeing that Li Qing had followed, the Five Ghosts General stopped first outside the dilapidated ancient city of Fengdu and handed over a thin human skin mask.

"This is a semi-public underworld realm among the ghosts and gods of Lingnan. The one in charge behind it is an old fellow from the South. He is unwilling to show himself, but asked me to act as a bridge to invite you, the son-in-law of the underworld, to a small gathering every ten days."

"You don't need to ask questions, and you don't need to look at me like that. I have never set foot in that ghost town... Go by yourself!"

The Five Ghosts General shook his head, standing at the edge of the continent, unwilling to step inside. He gestured inwards, indicating to Li Qing to explore on his own...

(End of this chapter)