The Path to Immortality Begins with the Life-Extending Lamp

Chapter 229 Between Immortal Sects
"Yes!"

"You are a scholar from Hongdou Academy, and you come from a good family in Jiangnan. You are well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics. This is very good."

The Grand Elder turned to look at Li Qing, his words filled with deep praise.

It seems that Li Qing's background makes him more favored by the Jiangbei Great Dao Sect and the Jiangnan Two Academyes than scions of aristocratic families or second-generation immortals.

In the past, if it weren't for Prefect Yin leading the way to the south, Li Qing's fate would have been either to join one of these three major sects or to enter the various alchemy temples in Jiangnan.

Why? Because the heavens of the Southern Kingdom have always been supported by these three paths and two palaces!

“In recent generations, the nobles and officials of Jinling have become increasingly corrupt, and the various immortal sects have become even more negligent.”

"Even someone as venerable as your ancestor, Lord Yin, faces far less pressure in the southwest than the Three Paths Sect. And now, what has become of him?"

While revealing his thoughts, the elder couldn't help but make a small dig at Yin Zu.

Of course, Li Qing kept her eyes down and didn't dare to respond to what this person said.

The establishment of the Five Immortal Sects was originally due to the different paths of immortal cultivation. After subdividing the immortal paths into five categories—Qi Refining, Golden Core, Spirit Refining, Talismans, and Alchemy—they were brought into one circle, ensuring harmony among the various sects and strengthening the doctrines and laws of each sect.

However... in reality, many immortal sects are not qualified to enjoy the privilege of having an entire prefecture to themselves.

Even the three great Dao sects in Jiangbei, powerful enough to shake the imperial dynasty to the north, and capable of giving the contemporary Yang God of the Great Zhou Dynasty a headache; there is also the White Bone Dao in Lingnan, which occasionally causes trouble in the rear, and has an unparalleled reputation.

There are the Tai Xuan Sect and Zi Yang Temple, which have virtually no presence, and the Tai Yi Sect, which is ambitious enough to cause trouble in the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

However, from beginning to end, the three major sects in Jiangbei faced the most powerful and terrifying threat.

Don't be fooled by the fact that these three Great Dao Sects may not seem to have much more Yin Spirits than other immortal sects; in the past four hundred years, no fewer than ten Yin Spirit True Persons have perished in these three Great Dao Sects...

Not to mention the Three Emperors Great Dao Sect, even the Taiyue and Qingxu Sects are showing signs of fatigue, and their tolerance for these irresponsible immortal sects is dwindling.

The Grand Elder made a veiled sarcastic remark about the other immortal sects, causing Li Qing and the other person to lower their heads and not dare to respond.

Fortunately, soon, one of the generals of Tianqian was towed over by a warship, and a special envoy was sent to meet with the Grand Elder of the Three Emperors Sect.

"Master Shi, you've arrived!"

On the warship were a group of scholars from the southern kingdom. Their attire differed from that of the soldiers; they wore light, tailored blue scale armor, which provided both protection and agility.

In the Southern Kingdom, there is no clear distinction between immortal cultivators and national heroes. Those with good spiritual roots and aptitude can cultivate immortal techniques, while those with high comprehension and perseverance can recite the Four Scriptures.

These Taoist scholars also possess the power to shake mountains and rivers. The six arts of a gentleman are: books, rites, music, archery, charioteering, and mathematics. Although these six disciplines of Taoist studies cannot grant longevity, they are no less powerful than other unorthodox methods.

The Nine Numbers and One Way, though not limited to Qimen Dunjia, are also skilled in calligraphy and painting, and are no less than the Taoist talisman and symbolic arts.

Ritual and sacrificial rites, and the decrees of the altar, are not distinguished in terms of superiority or inferiority. The delusional sounds of the Tao and the demonic sounds that fill the ears cause the five senses and six consciousnesses to be stirred up in a vain manner.

His archery and combat skills are so formidable that he can fight tigers, leopards, dragons, and snakes; his ability to tame and control five kinds of beasts is comparable to that of immortals...

The scholars on this boat are the rear guard, each skilled in one of the six arts, who have come to support the five armies.

"Yes, I have two promising juniors here. The future depends on them, so let them broaden their horizons."

The Grand Elder and the other scholars bowed, then stepped forward to introduce Li Qing and Mo Ling, who were standing behind him, to the soldiers of the Northern Army.

This was something he had discussed for a long time with the generals of the Northern Army. He specially arranged to bring this future disciple and the young man from Tiannan to see the true adversaries of the Southern Kingdom when they set off on their expedition.

This elder, known as 'Old Master Shi,' seemed to have a very high reputation in the Southern Kingdom. He led Li Qing and the other two to stand on the bow of the warship, and the many scholars did not dare to approach. They simply dispersed to prepare the precious book of the Zhenwen.

The five divisions of the Northern Army from the South slowly emerged from the battlefield. The arrival of Li Qing and his two companions did not disturb the mobilization of the Northern Army soldiers. However, the general and several lieutenant generals felt more confident.

The Taoist priests of the Three Directions Sect usually guard many strategic passes and crossings. Today, when they are facing the Northern Kingdom's army, the rear guard has been strengthened by the addition of the Three Sovereigns Sect's 'Old Master Shi,' who possesses the fighting prowess of a national hero. This has greatly reduced the pressure on them.

The Northern Army general did not disturb the three, and instead focused on mobilizing his troops to meet the enemy.

The Grand Elder stood with his hands behind his back on the rear warship. This magic ship was supported by four wind-controlling banners on the left and right. Although it was not a magic ship of the immortal path, it was no less powerful. It flew away with the wind, showing great power.

Looking at the surging waves all around, Li Qing, a newcomer to the battlefield, could hardly distinguish east from west. The intense atmosphere of war made it difficult to even use his divine sense, and when he tried to probe with his soul pressure, all he found was a chaotic mess.

"The foundation of the Ba Kingdom's religion has been lost. It is expected that the imperial army in the north will soon move south. The reinforcements in the east are just to keep the southern kingdom from meddling in other people's business."

"Mo Ling, when the Northern Dynasty destroyed the Dao, what was its military strength like? Which deity led the way?"

The Grand Elder, having fought for a long time in the treacherous lands, was quite familiar with the northern kingdom, and thus couldn't help but ask.

As for the imperial dynasty to the north, Fairy Mo Ling was still haunted by its past. Her lips twitched for a long time, but she didn't know where to begin. "I don't know!"

Fairy Mo Ling shook her head, her face pale.

"That day, the imperial court issued an edict to exterminate all ghosts and gods within a 300,000-mile radius and to seal off all paths. Immediately afterward, a dark shadow that blotted out the sky descended upon the mountain, heavenly fire fell to earth, and the Yellow Springs surged from the ground. The mountain gate's great formation was breached in less than half a day..."

The gods of the imperial dynasty were terrifying. Those who held power over the land were called Earth Gods, and those in the highest positions were further enfeoffed as Heaven Gods. There were also Earth Gods of the Ten Mountains, Water Gods of the Four Rivers, Heaven Gods of the State and Grain, Heaven Gods of the Four Seasons and Five Grains... The imperial dynasty almost merged the ancient ancestral temples and totem gods into one, replacing the six deceased Heavenly Gods with national deities, truly ruling the world.

That was a being that even the major and minor sects that suffered large-scale destruction, such as Fangxian Dao, Yuhua Dao, and Yuling Sect, dared not harbor any thoughts of revenge.

The Emperor's might, thunder and rain, are all divine grace!

Fairy Mo Ling dared not speak out.

"It's alright. No matter how powerful the Northern Kingdom is, it can't overcome this insurmountable barrier."

"Now that you've joined the Three Emperors Sect, it's your turn to guard this insurmountable barrier. Do your best to slaughter a dozen or so deities, making the Imperial Dynasty feel the pinch. This will also be a way to vent the anger of the Jade Spirit Sect."

Unlike the little girl who had experienced the Great Annihilation and was still filled with fear, Elder Shi had offended more than ten Northern Kingdom deities, so he had no fear of them and comforted her with a light laugh.

Imperial Dynasty, an imperial dynasty that reveres Heaven and honors its ancestors.

Hearing that the Great Zhou Dynasty was so terrifying, Li Qing became quite interested. After hesitating for a long time, she finally couldn't help but ask.

"Elder, is that imperial dynasty really that powerful? Compared to the Six Heavens Clan of yesteryear, which is more ferocious, the Six Heavens Ghosts and Gods or the imperial dynasty?"

As a member of the Qishan Cui clan, one of the six ancient clans, Li Qing unconsciously put himself in the shoes of You Tian. In addition, since he was originally from the Southern Kingdom, he naturally harbored hostility towards the Great Zhou.

"Six days ago? You've got some nerve, kid."

"That was a ferocious creature that, after being ravaged by You Tian, ​​became obsessed and dared to break out of the boundary and fight its way to the ground, destroying the extraterrestrial demon's lair..."

Clearly, the era of the Six Heavenly Ghosts is too deeply ingrained in people's minds, but its reputation in the immortal path is not good. From beginning to end, it is inseparable from madness and ferocity.

Perhaps suddenly remembering Li Qing's background, the Grand Elder stopped speaking and turned to look at Li Qing, saying:

"If you can summon the ancient clans of Youtian, let alone the six ancient clans, even just any one of them—the Ji clan of Taiyintian, the Jiang clan of Beiyintian, the Cui clan of Yinquantian… just send one of them and they can overthrow that deity and be done with it."

"Those ferocious beasts don't care about the battle between two armies. If they swarm in, the capital of the Northern Dynasty will probably be silent for miles around, with bones exposed in the fields by the next day..."

"The past is the past, kid. It's enough to borrow the help of the Netherworld of Youtian. This is not the era anymore. Focus on your cultivation!"

Elder Shi's words can be said to be a heartfelt confession to Li Qing. The changes in this world are rolling in with the great trend of the times. This is an irreversible great way. All the ghosts of the Six Heavens have perished. Where is there any place for the ghost path to survive?
Even in the Great Heavenly Capital Realm, in the past few hundred years, let alone a Heavenly Ghost of the Yang God Realm, not even a Great Ghost Lord of the Yin God High Rank has been seen.

Upon hearing this, Li Qing nodded in thanks, but still held some reservations about the elder's words.

According to what he knew from the ghosts and gods of Fengdu Heaven, all the ghosts in the current Youtian have perished, but Youtian itself has given birth to some high-grade Yin spirits in accordance with the times. For example, the headless ghost that was tricked by Qu Hua was obviously a high-grade Yin spirit ghost king, but he had some problems with his intelligence...

If the Netherworld could unite as one, it would probably be no less powerful than any country in the modern world.

These are the three ghost kings of Fengdu Heaven. Han Yi Jun and Fengdu Jun are not just ordinary Yin God ghost kings!

"Hey, young man, how come you possess such a strong aura of purity and spiritual energy? You're practically comparable to the Rejuvenating Elixir Daoist of the Taiyue Sect. Could it be that your ancestor fed you a golden elixir?"

As he was observing Li Qing, the old man from Shida Lane suddenly sensed something unusual about Li Qing's aura, but his first impression was of the strange and unusual elixirs found in the Taiyue Shangxing Sect.

"Some time ago, someone from the imperial clan gave me a few large pills. They seemed to be the Jade Elixir Golden Pills of the Taiyue Sect. I took a few of them before the Linxian Sect competition."

Li Qing, however, did not show any fear and went down the slope without changing her expression.

It is true that Li Yu, a member of the imperial clan, visited Linyuan Mountain twice and presented Li Qing with a large pill as an apology. The details match up.

"That's it."

"Tsk tsk tsk, the royal family does have a good relationship with your Lin Yuan Mountain, but unfortunately, his days are not easy."

"Every family has its own difficulties, hahaha, kid Li, why don't you go up and have a fight?"

Elder Shi didn't doubt it much. He changed the subject and encouraged Li Qing to go up and give it a try before the battle.

"Anyway, since you've married into the underworld, the ghosts and gods behind you will protect you..."

(End of this chapter)