The Path to Immortality Begins with the Life-Extending Lamp

Chapter 214 You Tian and Qi Shan

After returning to the mountain for many days, and having refined the second mantra of the Great Black Heaven Mantra - the Great Dream of Ecstasy - into a true method, Li Qing finally had the leisure to attend to various affairs.

The most pressing thing was a letter from down the mountain!

[In the past, in the Yun Gui Mountains, with your help, I, your foolish brother, received great merit and was promoted to magistrate of Liuhuang Prefecture in Tiannan Prefecture. Now, I have been in office for over a year... I am burdened by the duties of the court, while you are carefree in the secluded paradise. Spring has come and autumn has passed. Since our last parting, several years have passed again...]

This is a letter from Li Jia Dalang. In Yun Gui Mountain, Li Qing dealt with those immortals, and Li Yong, who was in charge of the matter, was naturally rewarded for his merit.

But when it comes to being promoted to Prefect of Liuhuang? Li Qing frowned, feeling that the intention was not so simple.

As a boy, he was nearly killed in Liuhuangzhou because of a sneak attack by a Taoist priest from Lingnan. This caused the ghost mother to lose control, resulting in the deaths of more than ten thousand people. In Liuhuangzhou, the name Li Qing could stop children from crying at night.

Why was Li Yong sent to Liuhuang Prefecture to take up his post at this time?

Was it to make things difficult for him? Or was it that some high-ranking official in Jinling wanted to curry favor and deliberately asked Li Yong to clean up the mess?

However, this was, after all, the karma left behind by Li Qing in the past. Back then, he was young and impetuous, and burdened by the uncontrollable forces of the underworld, so his handling of the situation was indeed poor, leading to such a tragedy...

No one is more suitable than Li Yong, Li Qing's elder brother, to untie this knot. If he can bring benefits to the state and win back the hearts of the people of Liuhuang State, the karma that Li Qing has created will be completely cleared away, although he doesn't care much about it!
But who knows if a genius youth from Liuhuangzhou might suddenly appear one day? Someone like Li Qing, who unknowingly caused a major case, married into the Gui family, carries a great secret, and is an elusive Taoist priest, is, according to the image in folk tales, most suitable to be the whetstone for that chosen one of destiny...

The letter also mentioned that, as entrusted by Li Qing, the two Taoists Pei and Guan from the East Sea personally selected a gentle East Sea coral dragon and gave it to the Li family. Now, the coral dragon is Li Yong's beast, with a body of eighteen zhang, coral horns, and seven-colored scales. Apart from the high cost of feeding it, everything else is fine.

The coral rainbow dragon, which has reached the perfect Qi cultivation stage, is a very powerful helper for Li Yong. It can deter villains and suppress injustices. As for the high cost of raising it, this is true for all dragon species!
Li Qing couldn't help but think of the Ba Hai Long Whale that the Daoist had mentioned. It could devour tens of thousands of Dao Zhu's worth of blood food in one sitting. Although its combat power was far superior to other dragon species, it was still a true gold-devouring behemoth.

Holding the letter in one hand, momentarily lost in thought, Li Qing immediately picked up the wolf-hair brush and began to deliver a message to his brother…

The letter had just been written when Old Zhao and his disciple Yu Wendao were summoned to the front of the warm pavilion inside the hall.

Li Qing sealed the letter, leaned back in the armchair, closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then suddenly opened them and said:
"Steward Zhao, make a trip to Liuhuang Prefecture and deliver this letter to the magistrate of Liuhuang Prefecture. Also, find out a little about the recent developments in Liuhuang Prefecture and report back to me."

"Hmm... Bai Du's Dragon Fang Wolf Riders are quite well-known in Tiannan now. Please do me a favor and make a connection so that they can meet with Prefect Liu Huang..."

Are they Dragon Tooth Festival soldiers?
Upon hearing this, Old Zhao raised an eyebrow, took the letter with both hands, stared at it for a moment, and immediately understood what it meant.

It seems that someone like Li Jun, who doesn't show his strength much, has troubled the connections left by the old soldiers and cavalry to care so much about Prefect Liu Huang. Could it be that they have some deeper relationship?

But Li Qing remained silent, and he dared not ask any further questions. After responding with a "Yes," he put away the letter, turned around, and went into the outer courtyard to ask Linghe to go down the mountain.

Now, Zhao Laodao has obtained a position in the Flying Waterfall Daoist Temple. With the help of spiritual resources, he has finally advanced to the middle stage of Qi Refining after wasting most of his life. He has a black dog nail in his hand, and having been poor for a long time, he has also accumulated a set of talismans in the outer courtyard. He can travel around without worry. He can lead a mountain gate spirit crane when he goes out, and it only takes a few days to travel back and forth.

“Junior Brother Yu, please make another trip to Chenxiang, Lanfeng, and Wudu Sect for me. The mission commissions in the temple have been established. I need to make the water ghosts in the Yuan River refine the magic. In addition to the five academies in the temple, we should also send commissions to the two states and one sect at the same time.”

This is the matter of the Flying Waterfall Dao Mansion. After Li Qing deposited nearly five or six million Dao Zhu in resources for the mission he was assigned to in the temple, it was finally classified as a high-grade collection mission and issued on a large scale to the disciples of the five academies in the temple.

The lingzhi mushrooms, soul incense, and the flesh of yin-attribute scaled fish and spirit beasts among them are all necessary for the cultivation of the Daoist disciples. Moreover, the twelve golden halberds, twelve silver axes, and seven heart-piercing nails are all high-grade magic weapons. How could the disciples in the temple not be dazzled and shocked by what they saw?

The set of golden spears and silver axes alone, when broken down, each has a power of one hundred to three hundred forbidden weapons. Such a magical artifact is more than enough for a Qi Refining Daoist to protect himself and roam freely.

"Here!"

Yu Wendao accepted the talismans and nodded in agreement. Without lingering, he immediately set off.

He had some ideas about the golden halberd with three hundred forbidden attributes in this mission, and turned to look at the waterfall below the peak, his mind made up.

'On this journey, I must find a way to enlist the help of fellow Daoists both inside and outside the temple, to gather the water ghosts beneath the Abyss River and assist me in capturing that golden halberd!'

With the Three Hundred Forbidden Golden Spears and his Five Temples Fire-Burning Blade, he wouldn't need to replace any other protective artifacts until he advanced to the Purple Mansion realm.

For this mission, even the usually carefree Li Qing put in a lot of effort.

After these urgent matters were arranged, Li Qing finally had a chance to meet with the Taoist priest from the Hunyuan Immortal Sect.

Previously, the Taoist priest of Hunyuan Immortal Sect had paid homage to Ancestor Yin and met with Abbot Chen Jin, but was treated coldly both times. He waited in vain in the temple for several weeks before Li Qing finally came to visit.

They were, after all, a powerful immortal sect overseas, with three Yin Gods and tens of thousands of immortal cultivators. The cold treatment they received from Tiannan Temple truly made them resentful.

Whether to cooperate or not, there must be a clear answer. Such silence and cold treatment show that Tiannan Temple has no backbone at all!
Fortunately, just as the cultivators of the immortal sect were about to lose their temper, Li Qing finally appeared.

As soon as the visiting card was presented, the Hunyuan Daoist was invigorated. He sent his servant out of his residence and opened the gates wide to welcome the Daoist, Li Qing, who was walking in the abyss.

A young Taoist boy led the way, and after passing through a screen, we entered the main hall. There, we saw three Taoist priests in simple, ancient robes sitting on prayer cushions. In the center was a four-cornered table with a burner of incense for refreshing the mind and a spirit-gathering barrier set up, as if they had just finished their cultivation.

If Li Qing remembers correctly, those Taoist priests were all abbots who had hunted down the "Grand Duke Jupiter" in the past. Such a level of authority was indeed quite high!

The group looked at Li Qing and were simultaneously shocked. When they met Li Qing's kaleidoscope-like eyes, the three cultivators, who were at the peak of their Purple Mansion cultivation and only one step away from touching the path of the Yin God, all felt a tremor in their Niwan Palaces. They were shaken by the Soul-Stirring Dream Curse that had just been formed but could not yet be controlled at will.

How long has it been? That little Taoist priest who only dared to observe from afar outside the ruins of the various states has now become someone they feel threatened!
As expected, with the backing of the You Tian Ancient Mansion, his cultivation speed far surpasses that of various innate talents and bodies, making him comparable to the legendary immortal beings born with celestial bodies.

"May I ask what brings you fellow immortals from afar?"

Li Qing stepped into the hall, bowed to the three Taoist priests, and immediately asked in a low voice, getting straight to the point.

Unlike the seasoned Taoist priests in the immortal sect who are skilled in all matters, he never engages in cryptic exchanges. If they can get along and can do things together, then they will join forces; otherwise, they can go their separate ways.

Such temperament immediately caught the eye of the female cultivator behind the screen, who nodded to the three Taoists and lifted the jade curtain to ask them directly.

"It seems that my Immortal Sect's Yunxiu Zhenren had some interaction with you in the past?"

"I've heard that Brother Li has some influence in the Netherworld. Our Hunyuan Immortal Sect wishes to cooperate with you, Brother Li. We request that you provide us with a foothold to jointly develop a region of the Netherworld, in exchange for Yin-attribute and Soul-path treasures that no longer exist in the heavens. At that time, all the spoils will be shared." "This is similar to how the various human tribes of the ancient times developed the Great Wilderness, jointly expanding the Netherworld. What do you think, Brother Li?"

This female cultivator was the offspring of a Yin God True Person from the Hunyuan Immortal Sect. She held a high position within the sect. Her demeanor was elegant, and her silken robes were more stunning than her body, revealing glimpses of her figure. She was extremely tall, with skin as white as snow and black hair reaching her waist. As she rose from the warm couch she was sitting on, she did not resemble a female Taoist priestess from an immortal sect, but rather a goddess or fairy maiden.

Even Li Qing, upon turning his head and seeing the beautiful and fiery woman, couldn't help but take two steps back.

You Tian? Previously, Taiyi Dao and Ruoshui Yangshi conspired to seize the You Tian region. Now, are the three overseas immortal sects also unable to hold back?
As Li Qing felt the woman slowly walk towards the stage after lifting the beaded curtain, her heart skipped a beat.

This woman possesses a powerful artifact! One that rivals even the "Eternal Regret Scissors"! Its sharpness bears a resemblance to the scissors, like a thorny rose, its brilliance dazzling.

Is it a Dao seed from the Hunyuan Immortal Sect?
After a moment of surprise, Li Qing lowered her eyelids slightly, but then fell silent.

"The matters concerning these two sects should perhaps be discussed with the relevant officials, abbots, and heads of monasteries..."

After a moment of silence, Li Qing shook his head again; he couldn't make decisions for Tiannan Temple either.

"It's said to be a matter between two sects, but it's just a matter of involving sects. This is to put your mind at ease, fellow Daoist, and also to save face for the various sects of Lin Yuan."

"In reality, what does this matter have to do with them?"

"The stakes are only for you, Brother Dao, and the Hunyuan Sect!"

This female cultivator also uttered astonishing words, leaving the three Hunyuan Daoists speechless.

How dare you be so openly arrogant and disdainful?
The Taoist masters of today are too arrogant and have too domineering a style, which is not a good thing!

However, upon hearing this, Li Qing did not care at all about the woman's attitude towards the various sects of Lin Yuan. Although the words were rough, the reasoning was sound. The interests involved were indeed just a private matter between Li Qing and the Hunyuan Immortal Sect.

but……

"Humans and ghosts are on different paths. The underworld is dangerous and not a place where one can easily establish oneself. Even if you were a true Yin spirit, I would not be able to keep you at peace if I invited you into my realm."

"You ask why the Golden Star Venus and the Osmanthus Governor are lost in the vast and dark heavens and dare not linger in my underworld for long?"

"Even with the combined power of several Yin spirits, Taiyi Dao, along with the descendants of the Ruoshui Yang clan, managed to expand the Ruoshui Netherworld. Yet, they were still chased around in a panic by that green-skinned, big-bellied, starving ghost from the Ruoshui River."

With a light laugh, Li Qing inadvertently revealed the secrets of Taiyi Dao and Ruoshui Yangshi.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, the expressions of the various Daoists in the arena suddenly froze, their eyes filled with surprise and doubt, clearly unaware that Taiyi Dao had already made the first move.

It seems that Taiyi Dao's actions in Youtian were indeed well-hidden.

Li Qing took in all the changes in the expressions of the various beings in the Hunyuan Dao. Naturally, he would not agree to this. The stable place within the Qishan Underworld was the foundation upon which Li Qing and the Ghost Mother stood. How could he possibly abandon his principles for some petty gains?
Beyond Qishan, he has not yet been able to explore, so how could he talk to them about establishing a foothold?
"Brother Dao, you flatter me!"

"All the immortals and gods in this world yearn for the expansion of the Netherworld, and only by obtaining the treasures of the Yin and Yang and the essence of the Netherworld can they complete the balance of Yin and Yang... As far as I know, the Ziyang Temple in Jinping Prefecture seems to have reached a consensus with Lin Yuan as well."

"However, Lin Yuan's combat strength is extremely limited, and Zi Yang Temple is also in dire straits. Brother Dao, you don't want to be dragged down by them and instead waste your energy protecting them, do you?"

"In terms of producing people, the Hunyuan Sect can set up a Dharma boat and Dharma altar, which can reach the number of people in the palm of a Purple Mansion. In terms of strength, it can mobilize eighteen Hunyuan Warriors, who are the Bean Soldiers of the Purple Mansion Realm. If necessary, it is also possible for Yin Gods to descend from the heavens."

“Brother Dao has obtained the resources for attaining the Dao, and we have obtained the rare and precious medicine for the Yin Spirit’s vital energy and the gateway between Yin and Yang. How can this not be acceptable?”

The woman, however, was not afraid of Li Qing's rejection and recounted the current situation in detail.

Lin Yuan Mountain and the Zi Yang Sect had long been prepared to expand into You Tian. Perhaps once Chen Jin made further progress, they could begin planning this.

But now that the Heavenly Palace has openly plotted against Youtian, which faction isn't vying to get involved? Li Qing, can he really be patient and wait for the two sects to rise?
At present, the Netherworld is vast and fertile, and there will not be too many conflicts between the various immortal sects and divine lineages and the various underworld palaces of the Netherworld. However... if this is the case, the first-mover advantage of people like Li Qing, Yang Jue, and Qu Zhenchuan will be lost.

Unless they can grasp the most important route and firmly hold the pass between the mortal and the underworld in their own hands.

Li Qing looked around at the crowd, hesitated for a long time, and finally shook his head repeatedly before handing out a jade cup.

This jade cup contains water from a secluded spring, and within it are about thirty dark, shadowy scales, each several feet long.

"I see!"

"Tiannan is a poor place, and I have nothing much to offer as a gift. This 'ghost fish' from the underworld has some ability to nourish the souls of the dead, so I will give it to my fellow immortals who have come from afar as spiritual food and medicine. As for the rest... I will discuss it with the temple in detail later."

If they refuse at this point and instead take out the unique scaled fish from Youtian, wouldn't that be provoking these Hunyuan Daoists?
Seeing the woman holding the jade cup with both hands, Li Qing blushed with anger, thinking to himself that this guy was definitely doing it on purpose!
Li Qing knew in his heart that even if they refused to let the Hunyuan Immortal Sect out, they would eventually find the Youtian Pass. However, the origin of the Qishan Domain was too terrifying, and Li Qing should definitely not get involved at this time.

Perhaps we should ask Young Master Qu of the Taiyue Shangxing Sect?

What if we put him in charge, openly joining forces with the Hunyuan Immortal Sect, and then communicating with the "Fengdu Heaven" behind the scenes?

That young master Qu has a wide circle of friends, but he doesn't seem to have much involvement within the Taiyue Sect? This opportunity from outside the Hunyuan Immortal Sect isn't out of the question.

With her thoughts racing, Li Qing immediately thought of Qu Hua from the Netherworld. In terms of power, he had two genuine Yin Gods, and that headless vengeful ghost was among the most ferocious of all Yin Gods. In terms of ambition, this man had enough spirit to handle such a big matter.

Li Qing still owes him a favor, so why not report this matter to Qu Hua and see if he's willing to take the lead? If he's willing to step forward, then Qu Hua can take the lead, while Li Qing remains behind the scenes, playing a supporting role. That way, a basic framework can still be established!

With his mind made up, Li Qing quickened his pace. He entered You Tian to send a message to Young Master Qu.

It's time to pay a visit to that Ancestral Owl, a fierce beast that's only one step away from becoming the Netherworld Bone Phoenix. Back then, it only made a brief appearance and managed to block the illusory image of the Great Venerable Zhong Kui. It's also a half-step Yin God.

At this moment, Li Qing still had quite a few scaled fish. Giving it three thousand of them would be a way to ask the old owl to come out of the mountains and help him.

(End of this chapter)