The Path to Immortality Begins with the Life-Extending Lamp

Chapter 260 Lingnan Clans
"A truly distinguished guest has arrived at the Immortal Pavilion today!"

In the central pavilion of Shilong Cliff, a woman with graceful figure, her hand on a pipa and her face half-hidden, slowly descended to the top floor of the thirty-three-story Panlong Pavilion, chuckling and teasing.

As someone stationed at Shilong Cliff to protect the interests of the Hundred Sects of the South China Sea, when powerful figures from this area came to visit, her first thought was to inquire about the movements of the sect leaders.

"A newcomer has indeed arrived."

The two market owners, both seated atop the Panlong Pavilion, gazed at the Great Dharma Boat of the One Yuan Venerable Dao moored on the platform behind the cliff, and felt rather aches and pains.

One of the two workshop owners was the Daoist master of the Xizhou Wooden Puppet lineage, and the other was a wandering ghost spirit of the Xu family of Langshan.

The former was experienced and shrewd, and made great contributions to this market, and was regarded as one of the market leaders by the seven elders.

The latter was powerful and once transformed into the true form of the Red Demon Fire Ghost. He used his cultivation level to fight against the Yin God Ghost Lord - General Five Ghosts, thus suppressing the foundation of the market's interests. He was also revered by the people as the market lord.

These two, one a scholar and the other a warrior, led the local clans and lineages in a united effort, so that even the rogue cultivators of Lingnan could not interfere, which is how they built their current foundation.

However, the person who suddenly appeared today is also a troublesome figure.

The Southern Qi Cultivation Path, the Ghostly Gentleman of the Underworld!
The name of Guilang-Liqing has attracted the attention of the ghosts and gods of Lingnan since his birth. As descendants of ghosts and gods from the same era of immortals, they instinctively regarded this Li Erlang as someone like themselves.

But when this powerful man actually arrived in Lingnan, they became worried. After all, after death, all the ghosts and gods attained enlightenment, and almost everyone had an indescribable quirk, and their temperament was obvious to all.

Even the most powerful ghost clans would never welcome stronger ghosts or gods causing trouble in their territory.

"I heard he went to the Huang family to order a huge amount of sacrificial offerings. Could it be for the 'Mysterious Yin' Ghost Lord behind him?"

They had heard of the evil spirits that plagued the region in the past. This wicked creature was extremely ferocious. It was used by several high-ranking officials in Jiangnan to wipe out the local clans along the route from Jiangnan to Tiannan. Now, there are no clans left in the southwest. The ancestral temples are filled with the memorial tablets of the unjustly killed.

Now that she seems to have attained the status of a Yin spirit, and is coming with that ghostly man, it is truly quite frightening.

The Ghost Judge of the Xu Clan of Langshan, dressed in a bright red official robe, sat imposingly on the main seat of the Treasure Pavilion. After pondering for a long time, he finally shook his head.

"But it doesn't matter. The Netherworld is dark and dangerous, with rampant spirits and ghosts. It is too far from the capital. No matter what kind of excessive rituals are performed, the Southern Kingdom can't interfere, and it won't affect us."

Regardless of what Li Qing intends to do, it is highly unlikely to affect the various tribes of Lingnan, so let him be.

"Fairy Xun need not worry. That young man is a member of a noble family who entered the path of immortality. It is said that he is proud and aloof. As long as you avoid him, nothing will happen!"

The old man dressed as a refined gentleman stroked his long beard and smiled faintly, reassuring the fairy from the South China Sea.

Among the various clans and ghosts in Stone Dragon Cliff, no unusual activity was observed; they simply cast their gazes, quietly watching what this illusory immortal and false god would do next…

At this moment, in the eastern part of Shilong Cliff, a mysterious aura was rushing in from the horizon.

The ancestral spirit of the Huang clan of Xizhou, the Lingnan Ghost Judge of the Day Travel Realm, had just heard of Li Qing's ascension to the palace and immediately traveled thousands of miles from Xizhou to come here. At this moment, this hurriedly returned Day Travel "Ghost Judge" looked somewhat travel-worn.

As soon as the gate of Baohuang Garden was opened, a young Taoist priest with a cold and aloof appearance sat in the head seat. Beside him was a beautiful female cultivator from the Purple Mansion, and behind them was the old man in charge of the garden, accompanied by several servants.

"The guest... seems to have a big plan in mind?"

The wandering ghost looked up at the young Taoist sitting in the main seat, took off his black cloak, which was covered in dew from his daily travels, and hung it behind the door. Without any formalities, as if he were just returning home, he asked the Taoist what he was going to do.

The Great Dharma Boat of the One Yuan Venerable Dao sailed from Jiangbei Road to the East Sea, and then soared from the East Sea to Lingnan. He already knew where this Daoist came from and had a rough idea of ​​his infamous reputation, but the frighteningly generous order of precious materials was enough to make him take a risk.

"It's just a thank-you gift to a very important person in this world."

The young Taoist priest sat in the head seat, casting a rather imposing glance downwards.

With just one glance, one could see the suffering and impermanence of all beings, all caught in the cycle of reincarnation. Even the famous Yellow Bone Ghost of the Western Continent felt his soul being captivated the moment he saw the Taoist's eyes.

A great figure from another world? Those who can afford such a ghost sacrifice are all at the level of the Lord of the Underworld.

"Such a large amount of sacrificial materials, if used for wicked sacrifices and licentious rituals, will ruin the entire region. The Southern Kingdom has always had strict restrictions on this..."

"No need to worry, they will never appear in the South!"

"But the hidden risks are still quite significant; it won't be easy to explain to the Five Directions Immortal Sect."

"Obstruction from the Five Immortal Sects? Then there's no obstacle..."

The so-called problem was just an excuse, a way to give the Huang family ghost judge a way to agree.

Moreover, the Five Directions Immortal Sect? The Daoist Li at the head of the table is originally from the Five Directions Immortal Sect.

Must we put on another show with the person in the head seat, "Who dares to accuse this official?" Such a reason made even the usually cunning Cai Die'er laugh.

"How about this? I have some foundation in that Netherworld. Your clan follows the path of the gods and spirits. I can exchange the sacrificial artifacts I have acquired for you in the form of Yin-attribute materials of equal value. These are rare materials that even the Five Immortal Sects have been unable to obtain since the collapse of the Netherworld."

"Compared to ordinary Dao coins, it can greatly reduce the losses you incur when exchanging for Soul Dao Treasure materials."

Li Qing chuckled and flipped her right palm. Instantly, water vapor rose up, forming a circular ring. In the center, a six-foot-long black-scaled fish swam, along with black lotus fruits, three-leafed three-flowered stems, water lilies, and elixir-like herbs from the eastern fence...

Numerous spirit materials swirled around the water vapor; to the clan's spirits and deities, each one was an invaluable treasure.

Especially for clans like his in Lingnan, blessed by ancestral spirits and with prosperous descendants, earning enough Dao coins is not a problem. However, for a small clan like his, obtaining such treasures that aid in the cultivation of ghosts and gods is quite difficult. The flesh of Yin-scaled fish nourishes Yin and the soul, stabilizing the bodies of those who have not yet cultivated to the Yin God Tai Zi level. All kinds of Yin-attribute spiritual materials can increase one's cultivation level and lifespan.

This caused the Yellow Bone Ghost of the Huang Clan to become so troubled that his ghostly quirks almost kicked in. The pale yellow, withered bone fingers in his left sleeve unconsciously scratched the back of his head, as if he were weighing the pros and cons...

"To gather the necessary ritual materials for the Muye Grand Sacrifice... it will take some time. Does the Master have any time constraints?"

The Yellow Bone Demon scratched the back of the head until it was a bloody mess, almost scraping away all the rotten flesh from the old wound to reveal fresh red flesh. Only then did it feel relieved and clear-headed, turning to ask Li Qing a question.

"I'll give you half a day to prepare. Once you have enough incense and ritual implements, send them directly to the largest Dharma boat on Stone Dragon Cliff."

The Taoist priest at the head of the table waved his sleeve and pushed a bulging mustard seed brocade pouch several feet away until it reached the yellow ghost judge in front of him, as the basis for his ability to quickly mobilize resources from all sides.

This was quite a delicate matter. Old Huang hesitated before accepting the bulging mustard seed bag, and a weight was immediately lifted from his heart. He also felt even more respect for the legendary ghost boy.

Among them, a considerable number of underworld treasures were mostly elixirs and soul incense produced in the Eastern Fence Garden of Qishan Mountain. These were refined and processed by the ghost god Cui Ying and the Toad Fairy. When placed on the Heavenly Capital, such treasures that connect with the underworld are extremely rare.

With this settled, the deal for this batch of sacrificial incense materials was considered finalized...

However, after glancing around the Dongli Garden, Li Qing hesitated for a moment, then casually asked:
"When I was cultivating in the mountain gate, I had always heard that the witchcraft, sorcery, and unorthodox arts of Lingnan were numerous and varied. I also once obtained a copy of the Lingnan 'Secret Record of Paper Spirits'."

"Judge, do you know where this paper-based Daoist practice originated? This humble Daoist truly wishes to pay you a visit and discuss the Daoist principles!"

For Li Qing, the Paper Spirit Path was the most commonly used spell. However, the paper-folding to create a person had long been replaced by the Paper Demon Altar, and the substitute paper doll was now replaced by a more perfect substitute witch puppet. The paper-folding creation technique was also far inferior to the Qi Gathering to Form a Blade...

This spell has accompanied him all the way. If he wants to improve it further, it is extremely difficult to work on the surface of the spell. Li Qing needs to find the original of the Paper Spirit Secret Technique.

Only by using paper figures as a medium can he transform primordial energy into life force, hang a hundred incantations three feet above his head, and develop his own unique methods!
However, this casual question made the old ghost of the Huang family suddenly raise his head and meet Li Qing's kaleidoscope-like eyes in surprise.

"Paper Spirit Magic?"

“There is indeed a paper spirit sect in Lingnan that specializes in paper spirit techniques, but…”

Old Ghost Huang hesitated a bit more, unsure whether he should speak or not.

"But... the previous generation of the origami world offended someone, and in the past sixty years, some have died and others have scattered. There are not many core figures left, only a few old guys are barely holding on, and we don't know how much skill they still have."

"If Li Junruo is just acting on a whim, there is another lineage of paper effigies among the hundreds of sects on the islands near the South China Sea. Perhaps it would be more interesting to make contact with them?"

The issues behind that spiritual paper path are quite significant. Even if a true disciple from one of the Five Immortal Sects gets involved, they will inevitably get into trouble.

Having just made contact with this Lord Li, and during their transactions, the Taoist was quite discreet. Old Ghost Huang didn't show it on his face, but in his heart he was extremely apprehensive and grateful.

The Huang family's Baohuang Garden has been around for nearly a hundred years but has fallen into decline. Located in the back street of the East Ward, it is considered shabby compared to other day-tripping clans. If it weren't for Li Qing's opportunity, they would not have been able to maintain the market rental and would have had to leave Shilong Cliff sooner or later.

A wandering ghost or deity is really nothing special in Lingnan!
Therefore, when Li Qing inquired about the Spirit Paper Path, Old Ghost Huang hesitated, which was also a veiled advice to this patron.

"Have you offended someone?"

Li Qing raised an eyebrow, not expecting such an outcome. But then she thought that the Spirit Paper Dao's "Secret Record of Paper Spirits" had already flowed into Tiannan Prefecture. If a lineage wasn't in such a bad situation, how could it have come to this?

The sect is either dead or scattered; there are hardly any core members left.
If that's the case, then whether the "paper doll method" for preserving spiritual paper still exists is a big question!

"Then I really must go and take a good look. Where is the Spirit Paper Dao now?"

After all, the Paper Spirit Method had accompanied Li Qing for many years and had always provided him with considerable assistance. At least, both publicly and privately, this paper-based method should not be allowed to decline.

At the same time, he also wanted to see what kind of important figure he had offended that would cause a heretical sect to be scattered.
The young Taoist priest stepped forward and asked earnestly. Unwittingly, his immense soul pressure and profound Yin Qi were revealed, transforming into a sky-covering spectacle that flashed by, truly like a mountain of white bones looming before one's eyes, sending chills down one's spine.

At this moment, Old Ghost Huang remembered that this seemingly aloof and arrogant young Taoist was a ruthless character who had killed a deity of the Northern Border with a forbidden weapon.

No one can stop him from finding the person he wants!
"In Lingxia Nanzhou, a hundred miles further east lies a small town by the water. This town is mostly inhabited by unorthodox cultivators and practitioners of unorthodox methods. It was built near a large marsh, where they extract spiritual materials for their cultivation. The sect of the Spirit Paper Path is also located here..."

"As for the people involved, I dare not say more. The Venerable One will know when he goes there."

Old Huang bowed and apologized, but he had said everything he needed to say.

This Lord Li is of the rank of a True Person and has a powerful immortal sect behind him, so he can come and go without fear. But the Huang family of Xizhou is different. In Lingnan Prefecture, where clans hold sway and hundreds of lineages intertwine, Old Ghost Huang is well-versed in the ways of self-preservation. He does everything he should do and doesn't say a word he shouldn't say.

Li Qing, also from a humble family in the prefecture, naturally knew the ins and outs. He nodded slightly in response to the old ghost Huang, then exchanged a glance with Cai Die'er beside him. In the next instant, a wisp of cloud rose from the ground. Ignoring the condition of the doors and windows in the treasure pavilion, he crashed into the roof beam and instantly rushed out of the Stone Dragon Cliff Market...

Only the old ghost remained inside the treasure pavilion, holding a mustard seed bag in his hand, raising his eyes to look at the Taoist who had come and gone without a trace, his eyes flickering.

"Like a dragon crossing the river, it runs into the local tyrant right away."

"Could he be... deliberately trying to cause trouble?"

The plot, which could only appear in a storybook, was actually playing out in reality. Old Huang couldn't help but raise his right hand and rub his chin suspiciously.

He seriously suspected that this ghostly man had come prepared, deliberately seeking out that unlucky family!

(End of this chapter)