Longevity Candle

Chapter 138 My sword will sever you for five hundred years.

The peaches are ripe.

When Jiang Zhu woke up, Old Wang and the tabby cat were nowhere to be seen.

He sighed softly, looking at the string of copper coins in front of his bed, which Old Wang had left for him to buy wine.

He took his wine gourd, filled it with wine, and then went to the peach orchard to pick a peach, sending one away.

Looking at Old Wang's grave, I poured some wine.

"I am still me."

He left with a single sentence and returned to Yigu City.

I sat on the rooftop until nightfall, gazing at the starry sky.

Pleasure is also loneliness.

Perhaps, those who live forever are inherently destined for solitude.

A wisp of candlelight clung to his fingertips, belonging solely to Old Wang.

"The world is full of people, all kinds of people, it's hard to say whether they are good or evil, they are just busy making a living."

Jiang Zhu sighed softly, as if he felt that even the wine of this mortal world could intoxicate an immortal.

A glimmer of light appeared in the distance; it was the old snake king arriving—it was just a thought.

Jiang Zhu handed over the wine gourd, and the old snake king took a sip before saying, "I want to transform into a dragon and take advantage of the situation to guide the waters of the Qingjiang River southward."

"Go south?" Jiang Zhu asked in surprise, "That's not a simple matter."

“Yes, I want to connect the Qingjiang River with the Chihe River, so that in the future, the armies of this land can travel downstream and reach the south,” said the old snake king.

"That's a pretty good idea," Jiang Zhu said calmly.

"They won't tolerate me transforming into a dragon, so they've come to ask for your help," the old snake king said.

Jiang Zhu pondered for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll do my best to stop them for you when the time comes."

"Thank you," the old snake king said, then asked, "Is the Way of Peace really going to abandon it?"

"Aren't they there?" Jiang Zhu said with a faint smile. "If I continue to interfere, it will be a disaster."

"That's true." The old snake king nodded.

If Jiang Zhu continues to interfere, the Elf Sect will become unhappy.

It will inevitably involve matters of incense offerings, and it will be impossible to treat everyone equally at that time.

Even if he doesn't need incense offerings, if the people believe in him, they will still receive a share of the incense offerings from the other spirits.

"Time marches on, and the mortal world changes with time. It's not that I'm indifferent, but rather that the mortal world should change as it is meant to," Jiang Zhu said calmly.

He gave Zhang Ming magic tricks and Jiang Yunmeng the method of using Gu worms, which can be considered as him intervening in the mortal world.

However, he didn't want to be the one who controlled the mortal world.

Having grasped the essence of immortality, how could one allow the human world to resemble one's own?

However, the events of these past years have already caused too much dissatisfaction among the elves. If he were to actually do it, his friends, such as the Jingwei bird, would likely turn against him.

He didn't want it to end up as a fleeting existence.

The old snake king has left. When he transforms into a dragon, he will be invited to come.

Jiang Zhu drank his wine and gazed at the scenery of the world.

When the time came, he put down the gourd and returned to his quiet slumber under the dim light.

Time never stops, and the flames of war continue on this land.

With the arrival of elves and the splendor of magical arts, a glorious new era has begun.

They brought medicinal herbs from the mountains and forests into the mortal world, used them to prepare elixirs, and enhanced the magical power of Qi cultivators.

They began to draw upon the power of heaven and earth, gathering it together to form various unique formations, thus accelerating cultivation.

With the help of Niu Youdao, Taiping Nongdao created the Immortal Grain Seeds.

With the help of the tabby cat, Taiping Sword Path flourished everywhere, producing many sword immortals.

With the help of the Nine-Tailed Fox, the art of illusion formed a system, and Zhang Ming became the founder of the school, worshipping the Nine-Tailed Fox as the ancestor of the art of illusion.

The white crane couple moved a mountain and built a wind tunnel so that Qi cultivators could perceive various types of wind.

……

Eight years have passed in the blink of an eye, and the peaches are ripe.

Under the cover of night, a golden snake illuminates the night sky and enters the Qingjiang River.

expensive

The high-pitched dragon roar resounded throughout the heavens and earth, spreading across the entire Ningguo land under the blessing of magic.

On the banks of the Qingjiang River, countless people gazed at the river.

A golden python, carrying the waters of the Qingjiang River, rushed southward.

The earth cracked open, and the river surged and roared like a flood.

bang
Thunder roared in the sky, and torrential rain poured down.

Turn water into a dragon!

The old snake king roared to the sky, its body shining even brighter under the pounding rain, gradually transforming.

Above his head, a dim lamp flickered, its light unwavering despite the wind and rain.

Jiang Zhu, dressed in white, accompanied him. Wherever they passed, the river was invisibly restrained, and it never affected the nearby residents.

In the distance, there are white cranes, Jingwei birds, peasant slaves, nine-tailed fairy foxes, and Qi cultivators of the Taiping Dao, who have opened up waterways to ensure smooth water flow.

Rumble

In the distant void, a sudden clap of thunder appeared, the lightning continued, the thunderclaps never ceasing, illuminating the sky as if it were daytime.

The Dragon Blood Serpent appeared high in the southern sky, staring at the old Serpent King: "I gave you a drop of blood back then, but today it has become a scourge."

Behind him, one after another, elves appeared.

The old dragon also arrived, his gaze indifferent.

"Old friend, how about returning to Nanling?"

A five-colored rainbow illuminates the heavens and the earth; the blue moon and the ox are of the Way, facing the old dragon head-on.

The old dragon shook its head slightly, its gaze passing over them and looking at the blue lamp above the old snake king's head: "Old friend, what do you think of this cicada, old dragon?"

The candlelight flickered, and Jiang Zhu, with an indifferent expression, stared directly at the old dragon: "The cicadas of the mortal world are no different."

Once it enters the mortal world, it becomes no different from other cicadas, except that it possesses magical powers.

"Then, old friend, are you a cicada, or a cicada catcher?" the old dragon asked with a faint smile.

“I am a cicada that soars through the mortal world,” Jiang Zhu said.

"That stupid cat can't see your Candlelight and Shadowy Light, let Old Dragon, that cicada, try."

The old dragon laughed.

As soon as he finished speaking, he transformed into a dragon god and entered the rolling clouds.

Thunder rumbled and countless bolts of lightning accompanied the charge towards Jiang Zhu.

"You'll have to walk the rest of the way by yourself," Jiang Zhu patted the old snake king.

"I will keep going," the old snake king said resolutely.

Jiang Zhu waved his hand, scattering a pink light that enveloped the old snake king. With a slight lift of his right hand, the void rippled, creating a battlefield.

The old dragon, carrying countless bolts of lightning, roared in, causing the void to distort.

“A unique space, no wonder the clumsy cat couldn’t break through it.” The old dragon said solemnly, “Jiang Zhu, you are truly the fastest growing elf, although you benefited from your past life.”

Although Jiang Zhu benefited from the legacy of his previous life, it cannot be denied that Jiang Zhu's talent is indeed incomparable to that of ordinary elves.

“I won’t hold back against you, my old friend,” Jiang Zhu said with a smile. “Come on! I’ve long wanted to see your Candlelight and Shadowy Glow,” the old dragon said confidently, his tone somewhat relaxed.

"Then, let's take advantage of our past life once more."

Jiang Zhu smiled slightly, his inner power surging like the sea: "Life is but a dream, the mortal world is but an illusion, the candle illuminates the dim light, the heavens are dark and mysterious!"

Without the slightest underestimation, Jiang Zhu mobilized all his magical power and also used the mortal realm.

In an instant, the candlelight rose in the void, a sacred aura surged forth, followed by the majestic might of heaven.

Auspicious clouds abound, golden light shines in countless rays, illuminating the vast heavens.

Darkness reigns, endless winds blow, and eerie shadows fill the dark sky.

Two celestial realms appeared simultaneously, enveloping the old dragon.

Rumble

Endless thunder exploded, sweeping across the two celestial realms and bombarding the illusory space of the mortal world.

In an instant, boundless magical power surged, and the celestial realm and the mortal world trembled simultaneously, cracks appearing on the surface.

"You're quite good, comparable to an average old elf, but unfortunately, you're still lacking something!"

The old dragon's magical power surged, its dragon might clashing with the might of heaven, and ten thousand thunderbolts crushed the mortal realm.

As the king of Nanling, neither the Changsheng Dao nor the Shuntian Dao dared to easily invade Nanling. His strength had long surpassed that of ordinary old elves.

The phrase "boundless magical power" is far less fitting to describe him.

In the past, he had never shown his true strength.

Daring to rival the true dragon, how could one's reputation be mere empty words?
"Alas, I am indeed no match for you. The difference in magical power is insurmountable. Therefore, I only wish to trap you," Jiang Zhu said calmly.

"Oh? You've got both the Heavenly Realm and the Mortal World. How long can you hold out?" The old dragon laughed. "It will all be destroyed in no time."

"Then let me give it a try." Jiang Zhu smiled slightly, and the power of the Taiyin and Taiyang magic surged in his palm again: "Please, Zhuzhao Youying, descend upon the world!"

bang
In the mortal world, in the boundless void, the power of the moon and the sun converges, and the endless sea of ​​heaven and earth seems to be stirred at this moment.

The spirits of mountains and seas, the immortal masters and Taoists, all sensed something and looked solemnly into the void.

The Yin and Yang forces between heaven and earth actually condensed together, transforming into endless pillars of light that illuminated the void.

Two beams of light shone from the vast starry sky, like ancient eyes lowered, or like an ancient being descending to earth.

Endless Yin and Yang power flowed into the two celestial realms.

The two celestial domains, which should have been cracked, quickly healed.

The old dragon's expression changed drastically. He pushed his magical power to its limit, and the heavenly domain cracked again, but it healed in an instant.

Constantly tearing apart, constantly repairing.

The old dragon's face was grim. He couldn't break through the crack. Although he could escape directly through the rift, Jiang Zhu could cover the old snake king with the Heavenly Domain, which would also stop him.

"This is not the ancient Candlelight and Shadow." The old dragon's gaze turned cold, and he lost his earlier joking mood.

“Of course not.” Jiang Zhu sighed, “What merit do I have to invite them? I’m just taking advantage of them. The Yin energy is boundless and the Heavenly Palace is endless.”

The Taiyin Boundless Heaven illuminates the vast celestial realm, harmonizing with heaven and earth, achieving boundless magical power, and continuously drawing strength from heaven and earth.

The old dragon had cultivated itself to the point of possessing boundless magical power, but it was still impossible for it to contend with this vast天地 (heaven and earth).

Jiang Zhu couldn't do anything to the old dragon, and the old dragon couldn't do anything to him either; a stalemate was the best outcome.

The old dragon's face was grim; his boundless magical power suddenly felt useless.

Jiang Zhu waved his hand, and the power of Taiyin condensed into tables, chairs, and wine cups.

Jiang Zhu poured two glasses of wine and invited, "Old friend, sit down and have a drink. Since you want to compete with the True Dragon, what does it matter who the True Dragon is?"

The old dragon remained silent for a moment, then transformed into human form and sat opposite him: "The true dragon bloodline you chose is too young; even the Snake King is not qualified."

"Whether he's qualified or not isn't for you or me to decide. If he passes today's test, then he's qualified," Jiang Zhu said.

“He can’t get through. Even if you stop me, the Path of Immortality and the Path of Following Heaven will also block him.”

The old dragon said calmly, "They each brought an old elf. Emperor Xiu Tree is indeed not bad, but he is not good at fighting. He can barely hold off one old elf."

Jiang Zhu nodded slightly: "It depends on whether he has the right fate."

"Then let's take a look together," the old dragon said with a faint smile.

The two turned their gazes to the outside world, and the two spirits began to fight again.

Although they were on opposing sides, the elves used delaying tactics rather than engaging in a life-or-death battle.

After all, in a real battle, if one were to perish, one's karma would be too much to bear.

All we need to do is delay the other spirits and interrupt the old snake king's path to becoming a dragon.

The Dragon Blood Serpent's gaze was icy as it swooped down, unleashing a terrifying, overwhelming pressure from the immortals upon the old serpent king.

The old snake king felt pressured. In terms of magical power and true dragon bloodline, he was inferior to the dragon-blooded serpent.

But, in order to transform into a dragon, he had no choice but to bite the bullet and go for it.

Outside Yigu City, before Old Wang's tomb.

The tabby cat gazed into the distance and grinned, "Tsk, it's quite lively."

"You want to get involved?" Nine-Colored Deer, dressed as a woman in palace attire, said calmly.

"Why not?" the tabby cat asked.

"Whose side are you on? To follow the will of Heaven?" the Nine-Colored Deer asked. "It's impossible that you're still on Jiang Yunmeng's side, is it?"

“She’s my apprentice. If I don’t help her, who will?” The tabby cat looked up at the sky and said, “That old guy, I haven’t seen him for many years. He’s still as aloof as ever.”

Above the clouds, a one-legged, bluish-green beast, shaped like an ox but without horns, gazed down.

"You really are something, picking the biggest one right away." The Nine-Colored Deer exclaimed in surprise, "Even I wouldn't dare say I could hold him off."

"If it were before, I would have only thought of running away when I saw him, but now, I'm going to fight him head-on!"

The tabby cat uttered a single sentence, then rode the clouds upwards, instantly stepping onto the cloud layer, and shouted loudly: "Old Kui Niu, do you dare to take my sword?!"

Kui Niu's gaze was surprised, but he quickly regained his indifference and sneered, "You? I heard your sword was taken by Qing Deng. What, are you using your sword to threaten us? Do you need me to get it back for you?"

He never took the tabby cat seriously; if he had the ancient sword, it might barely be worth a second glance.

"No need, I can take it myself."

The tabby cat raised its right paw, disappeared into the void, and slowly drew out the sword that Jiang Zhu had taken away.

He could have taken it out long ago, but he hadn't.

A hint of surprise flashed in Kui Niu's eyes: "Have you thought this through? If you draw your sword, it may take a thousand years to recover."

"I dare not say that this sword strike will last for a thousand years, but I'll say it will sever you for five hundred years."

The tabby cat's paws stroked the sword, then it suddenly looked down and said, "My two disciples, look carefully. This sword is the most beautiful; it is a true immortal sword."

Kui Niu frowned, feeling that the tabby cat was acting strangely.

The tabby cat brandished its sword, and at that moment, boundless power from heaven and earth converged.

The Kui Niu was moved, and the Nine-Colored Deer's eyes showed surprise. This sword strike was like a green lamp drawing a candle to illuminate the dim light.

It seemed that the entire world was shaken by this sword strike, as if the world itself had been turned upside down.

It lacked the majestic power of the past, but concealed everything within this sword strike.

The Kui Niu roared, and azure light flashed. The power of wind and rain gathered, and the power of yin and yang followed closely behind. The light of the sun and moon pierced through the clouds.

Buzz

Without a deafening explosion, the ancient sword sliced ​​through the air, tearing apart the light of the sun and moon, and severing the power of wind and rain.

The ancient sword struck the Kui Niu, leaving a deep, bone-revealing wound, from which elven blood spilled.

The tabby cat's sword-wielding hand was dripping blood, its fur stained crimson, yet its eyes shone brightly as it roared, "Old Kui Niu, can I slay you for five hundred years?"

The old Kui Niu fell silent, the immortal sword light still raging within his body.

(End of this chapter)