Longevity Candle

Chapter 142 Mysterious Entry into the World, Blood Lotus

In the sixth year of the Immortal Era, the imperial court distributed new grain seeds, and Qi cultivators used clouds and rain to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity.

In the seventh year of the Xianyuan era, the people had a bumper harvest, and the imperial court collected 30% of the taxes, including a renewed commercial tax.

The imperial court was very wealthy, especially Emperor Jiang Yunmeng.

The wealth that was confiscated from various families back then all ended up benefiting her.

Many of these were plundered from the south and were embezzled by various powerful families.

The imperial court funded the construction of temples in various regions, provided three meals a day, and even paid wages.

People everywhere applauded and praised it.

When the temple was built, many people were astonished to find that the people enshrined in the temple were actually familiar benevolent people, or rather, meritorious officials who were already well-known.

In restaurants across the country, storytellers also recount the deeds of temple deities and officials.

Celestial officials protect the region from evil spirits.

They also told stories of various demons and monsters, all spirits of the mountains and seas from that time, and how the Ning Kingdom was destroyed because of them.

Evil spirits wreak havoc on the country!

As for immortality, that's not mentioned.

The elusive pursuit of immortality has led to certain death.

In the eighth year of the Xianyuan era, the imperial court led its troops north and invaded the grasslands.

The Ming army far surpassed the Ning Kingdom's army of yesteryear, and almost every soldier was a warrior willing to fight.

While alive, they are granted titles and honors; after death, they are recorded by celestial officials.

If one can enjoy wealth and honor both before and after death, what worries could one possibly have?
The practice of cultivating immortality and refining qi has spread to various places, and every year people from different lineages travel to various places to recruit disciples and impart immortal techniques.

The practice of cultivating immortality was prevalent in the Ming Dynasty, but most people had only heard of it and could not find a way to do it.

In the ninth year of the Xianyuan era, the Ming army swept across the north and captured the grassland tribes.

The king of the grasslands submitted and was incorporated into the Ming Dynasty.

There are still remnants of grassland tribes that refuse to submit and have gone north, their whereabouts unknown.

In the tenth year of the Immortal Era, the army marched into the west.

At the same time, Jiang Yunmeng dispatched Qi cultivators to venture beyond the country, intending to draw a world map and explore the heavens and earth.

She also ordered the construction of giant ships, joined forces with Qi cultivators to study immortal artifacts, and planned to explore the East China Sea and the South China Sea.

As for the Rong Kingdom in the south?
Once she has dealt with the West, she will surely seize the opportunity and bring Rongguo under her control.

This land has ushered in an unprecedented era, and its territory will far surpass that of any previous dynasty.

She also accepted the grassland people, these grassland tribes, who, although not yet loyal, would surely be assimilated over time.

And in the remote mountains and forests.

A woman in palace attire sat on a stone chair, poured herself a cup of tea, set out some fruits, and gazed at the dim lamp before her.

The candlelight flickered, and a figure in white materialized.

"Are you offering this to me?" Jiang Zhu looked at the nine-colored deer and casually picked up a pear.

"You seem to be in no hurry."

The Nine-Colored Deer smiled faintly and said, "I thought that after I brought you here, you would fight me."

"What does that mean?"

Jiang Zhu shook his head and said, "I have no grudge against you. You just want to hear a story, so I will tell you one."

"I've heard Old Wang's story, and I've also heard the story of the Green Lamp."

The Nine-Colored Deer asked, "Do you have any new stories, such as Floating Life and Cloud Dream?"

“I don’t know much about it. Fusheng is my past life, but it didn’t leave me with any memories,” Jiang Zhu said.

"Where is the Heavenly Court?" the Nine-Colored Deer asked in a deep voice.

"The Heavenly Court? I don't know. Fusheng once pursued it and even built one." Jiang Zhu took a bite of the pear, then suddenly frowned. "Where did this pear come from? Was it newly cultivated by the Taiping Dao?"

This pear contains celestial energy, but it also carries a strange aura that seems to erode the mind.

"You noticed something was wrong with it too?" the Nine-Colored Deer said softly. "It was one of the things that were released during the battle at White Cloud Mountain back then."

"A pear tree?"

"The pear tree was affected by a ray of light. Someone who saw it once went mad, so I brought the pear tree back."

The Nine-Colored Deer pointed to a pear tree in the distance, which was laden with fruit: "This pear tree bears fruit no matter spring, autumn, winter, or summer."

"So peculiar?" Jiang Zhu asked in surprise.

He carefully examined the pear tree; it possessed a unique power that seemed to want to impact his mind.

A whispered voice echoed in my ear: "Eat me, become an immortal, ascend to heaven in broad daylight, and live forever..."

Jiang Zhu's expression hardened slightly: "Are there many of these?"

"Most of them stayed in the mountains and forests, some flew to faraway places, and only a small number ended up in the Ming and Rong kingdoms."

The Nine-Colored Deer said, "There's no trouble now, but who knows what will happen in a while."

Jiang Zhu sighed softly, "I wonder what it released. Judging from this pear tree alone, it's a very difficult problem to solve."

“It’s not exactly troublesome. If we can whisper the allure of this pear, our resolve will be even stronger,” said the Nine-Colored Deer.

“But in this mortal world, most people are not of firm will,” Jiang Zhu said.

Nine-Colored Deer chuckled, "That's not something you can control right now. Let Jiang Yunmeng worry about it."

"That's true." Jiang Zhu smiled. "And you, what exactly are you after?"

The Nine-Colored Deer was just going through the motions before, but later it chose to help Jiang Yunmeng.

Now that the Ming Dynasty has been established, she has brought him here again to listen to his stories.

For an old fox like her, Jiang Zhu's story obviously couldn't move her or offer her much help.

As for cultivation methods, the Nine-Colored Deer's own methods are top-notch, and it also has its own Candle Illumination and Shadow Illumination methods.

"I don't know either," the Nine-Colored Deer sighed softly, a hint of confusion in its eyes. "I used to cultivate in the Cloud Dream Marsh, accumulating magical power, and helping people in need whenever I encountered them..."

She also showed favor to mortals, saving many lives.

But few of those who were rescued were grateful; they too had to make a living and went hunting in the Yunmeng Marsh.

The beasts of Yunmeng Marsh are also her people.

Later, she stopped caring and left life and death to fate.

Later, he met Jiang Chenxi, took pity on the pitiful people, and became a member of Yunmengze, becoming one of the myriad beasts.

The Yunmengze of the past was as beautiful as paradise, and was much larger than the Yunmengze of today.

Back then, she was carefree.

As she grew up, she came into contact with more and more people, learned about immortal masters and Taoists, and got to know the other spirits of the mountains and seas.

In the distant past, she was also targeted by immortal masters and Taoists, but fortunately she was clever and hid in advance, so she was not found.

Later, when her magical powers became more profound, she traveled to various places and befriended elves.

Of course, he was also beaten up by the old elf.

"I was carefree as a child, but as an adult, I have many worries. I have also wondered why there is death and why life has an end..."

She thought for a long time but couldn't come up with an answer.

Later, Shuntian Dao invited her, and upon hearing of Taiyin Youming, she agreed to go and take a look.

She had been to the Netherworld of the Moon and seen many souls of the dead. She was also curious about how the Netherworld was formed.

But no one could explain death, no one could tell her where the souls of the dead go.

She was disappointed and returned to Yunmengze to continue her secluded cultivation. "You didn't chase after them like the other elves?" Jiang Zhu asked in surprise.

"No," the nine-colored deer shook its head and said, "What's the point of chasing after disappointments?"

“Unfortunately, they can’t figure it out,” Jiang Zhu said.

"Mortals seek a meaningful life, and many spirits are no exception; even the old dragon is not immune to this."

The Nine-Colored Deer shook its head and sighed softly: "I don't know what I'm pursuing now. My magical power has reached a point where it's very difficult to make any major breakthroughs."

With boundless magical power, progress is slow; stepping into a new realm is extremely difficult.

"And what happens after you become incredibly powerful?" Jiang Zhu asked. "I once saw an old tortoise in the South China Sea. Would you like to talk to him?"

“I know him,” said the Nine-Colored Deer. “I saw him a long time ago, but he may have forgotten me.”

"long, long ago?"

"Yes, I traveled far away when I was young, but after all, the South China Sea is practically my home."

Nine-Colored Deer smiled faintly, "He has always liked to dream, and now it seems that he must have been influenced by Fusheng."

"What level has his magical power reached?" Jiang Zhu asked.

"His magic far surpasses that of us so-called old elves, but it is the result of a long period of accumulation."

He cultivates a method for longevity, and there must have been some karmic connection given to him by this life to allow him to live until now.

The Nine-Colored Deer shook its head and said, "No other elf would ever follow his path."

The old tortoise was a long-lived spirit, and with his unique cultivation method and the opportunities given by Fusheng, he was able to truly achieve longevity.

However, it also cannot grant immortality.

"Then your life as a deer would be boring, wouldn't it?" Jiang Zhu laughed.

"And what about you? You don't pursue immortality, nor do you pursue the meaning of life," the Nine-Colored Deer said.

“Me? Maybe I haven’t lived enough yet,” Jiang Zhu said. “When I’ve lived enough, I might end up like you.”

"I don't know if I'll live to see that day," the Nine-Colored Deer sighed. "Magic advancement is difficult, and the path ahead is unseen. An elf's life is actually quite boring."

"Then let's take a trip through the mortal world?" Jiang Zhu asked.

"Where to?" the Nine-Colored Deer asked. "The Ming Kingdom, or the Rong Kingdom? Or perhaps the Four Seas Islands?"

“Naturally, it’s the Ming Dynasty; I have no interest in other places,” Jiang Zhu said.

"The world is vast. Further to the west, there is a group of dark-skinned mortals, and to the north, there is a group of white-skinned mortals."

The Nine-Colored Deer said, "Although most of them are uncivilized and primitive, there are still elves in them. The day they lower their eyes, it will be a new kingdom."

"You want to educate them?" Jiang Zhu asked with a smile.

"I have no interest in that. Incense offerings and merits are like fleeting clouds to me," the Nine-Colored Deer said indifferently.

At her level, the amount of incense offerings and merits required is enormous. If one were to establish a lineage, accumulating merits over the years would suffice.

But she no longer wanted to look down on the mundane world, nor was she interested in establishing any tradition.

He picked up the green lamp, took the pear tree with him, left the mortal world, and entered the Ming Kingdom.

one year later.

Jiang Zhu awoke to find himself atop a mountain peak. He couldn't help but ask, "Weren't you supposed to be in the mortal realm? There's no one around. What are you doing here?"

"I don't know where to go for a moment," the Nine-Colored Deer pondered. "Can you recommend a place?"

"Walk around freely, but don't let them see you," Jiang Zhu said. "You can walk slowly, and stop whenever you feel you can."

“Then it might take me hundreds of years,” said the Nine-Colored Deer.

“I think, in a few hundred years, you’ll see what happens in the East,” Jiang Zhu said.

The Nine-Colored Deer looked up and saw that under the night sky, the moonlight, like gauze, was continuously converging on a city.

A wisp of blood still lingered above the city.

"Now that the celestial officials are ruling the world, they actually possess divine abilities and dare to openly gather the moonlight?" The Nine-Colored Deer also showed some surprise.

Having said that, she grasped the green lamp and headed towards the distant city.

Jiang Zhu followed her, and together they arrived above the city.

The source of the blood was actually a temple in the city, and the moonlight also gathered there.

The two descended from the sky and silently entered the temple.

The statue of the middle-aged man was so lifelike that it seemed to be breathing in and out moonlight.

Behind the statue, a blood-red lotus flower ripples with a crimson glow.

Jiang Zhu and the Nine-Colored Deer narrowed their eyes slightly, and saw a phantom soul in the statue, unconscious.

The incense offerings of the temple were also absorbed by the blood-red lotus.

Beneath the statue, there was an infant, with wisps of blood emanating from its body.

Seemingly sensing danger, the crimson lotus detached itself from the statue, attempting to escape into the void.

Nine-colored rays of light spread, enveloping the blood-red lotus.

"Little sprite!" A cold shout rang out, and the crimson lotus flower spoke with an air of superiority: "Release me, and I will grant you the secret to immortality and guide you onto the path of eternal immortality."

Little elf...

Jiang Zhu's lips twitched; he greatly admired its courage.

The Nine-Colored Deer is a true ancient spirit. Even if the lotus is something suppressed by Fusheng and may be even more ancient, it doesn't diminish the difference in their abilities.

The power of the Crimson Lotus is at most comparable to that of a young Jingwei.

It was the same Jingwei he had first encountered, not the one he saw now.

The Nine-Colored Deer ignored Lotus's clamor and reached out to pick up the baby: "Good talent, and it can be considered fate. Let's stay here."

"His talent is indeed remarkable, almost reaching the level of immortality. This guy has a good eye," Jiang Zhu said.

"The statue is now in your care," said the Nine-Colored Deer.

Jiang Zhu waved his hand, casting a ray of moonlight, then turned and left with her.

The nine-colored deer carried the baby back to the mountaintop, planning to buy a house in the city the next day.

She hung the blood-red lotus on the pear tree. Just as the lotus was about to move, the nine-colored deer broke off a piece: "If you dare to be presumptuous again, I will pluck all your petals off."

The crimson lotus immediately became docile, but still said coldly, "You'd better release me. If my true form comes, I may spare your lives."

"The real body?" Jiang Zhu asked in surprise, "You're just an avatar?"

"I have long since become an immortal; how could you spirits possibly understand me?" the crimson lotus said proudly.

"An immortal?" The nine-colored deer became somewhat interested: "Come, let me see how much magic power you, this immortal, possess."

Nine-colored rays of light enveloped the blood-red lotus, ripples spread across the void, and magical power disappeared into the void.

A moment later, the Nine-Colored Deer suddenly frowned: "Why can't I find it? Or was the claim of a clone just a lie?"

"With your meager magical power, you dare to presume to peer into the realm of immortals?" the blood-red lotus sneered.

"Try it. He's gathering moonlight; he should be following the path of Youying." The Nine-Colored Deer looked at Jiang Zhu.

Jiang Zhu nodded slightly, and a wisp of Taiyin magic power entered the lotus flower, then quickly spread out.

The magical power spread rapidly, but it was soon blocked and dissipated in the void.

“Something is blocking the way in the void,” Jiang Zhu said.

"Can you find the exact location?" the Nine-Colored Deer asked. "If we join forces, I don't believe there's anything in this world that we can't break through."

Jiang Zhu is also equivalent to an old elf. With the two old elves joining forces, apart from the Longevity Path and the Heavenly Path, there really is nothing that can stop them.

(End of this chapter)