Longevity Candle

Chapter 143 The Eighteen Levels of Hell

Jiang Zhu carefully sensed it, but ultimately gave up.

"At the summit of Baiyun Mountain, in the void torn apart by that battle, the true form of this thing should not have emerged yet."

Jiang Zhu pondered for a moment and said, "If the two of us open that place, we will only release his true form."

"We can't let him get away with this." Upon hearing this, the Nine-Colored Deer's eyes turned slightly cold: "Little thing, you've got a lot on your mind. You even want to use us to break the blockade."

The crimson lotus spoke coldly: "Even without you, my escape was only a matter of time."

"Then let's wait until your true form is freed before we talk about it," the Nine-Colored Deer said calmly.

Jiang Zhu pondered, realizing that when he used the remnants of the Floating Dream Cloud, he must have sealed all those spirits in the void.

But once the seal was broken, something else escaped.

Moreover, without the old tortoise's suppression, that blockade will weaken over time.

"What are you all?" the Nine-Colored Deer asked.

The crimson lotus fell silent and did not answer.

"You won't tell? Then you're in for a rough time."

The nine-colored deer smiled faintly, its magical power merging into the lotus flower.

Petals fell one by one, and a muffled groan was heard.

"Pretty tough, huh? Let's see how long you can keep it up," the Nine-Colored Deer said calmly.

Jiang Zhu, holding the baby, walked to the side.

The baby is now somewhat weak due to the extraction of the Crimson Lotus.

He gathered the petals together, repeatedly refining them with his magic power, transforming them into pure immortal energy, which he then infused into the baby's body.

In this way, one can be considered a person of the immortal path.

Seeing this, the nine-colored deer simply plucked all the petals off and merged them into the baby's body, leaving only a bare lotus platform.

Blood Lotus was furious, but she was powerless to resist.

Three days later.

The two left the mountaintop and arrived in the city.

Qinghe City is a new city built south of the Qingjiang River, connecting to the Chihe River.

This place is quite prosperous, after all, there are many merchants traveling south, as well as fishermen.

Blood Lotus finally couldn't hold back and told the truth.

The place where they live is called the Eighteenth Floor, which was created by Fusheng from an ancient ruin he found in the void.

Imprisoned within are spirits of mountains and seas, immortal masters and Taoist practitioners, as well as some mortal beings, including humans.

Over the long course of development, the eighteen floors have formed a world.

Compared to the human world, it is extremely desolate and resource-scarce; to survive, one must fight for their life.

There is no karma, nor is there any merit.

There, even the power of heaven and earth is extremely scarce, making cultivation very difficult.

Many mountain and sea spirits and immortal masters have degenerated and eventually died of old age inside.

To their surprise, after their death, new elves would be born from their bodies.

Floating life has usurped the power of heaven and earth!

They banished all these elves and immortal masters from the mortal realm, and even if the Heaven and Earth Society were to be reborn, it would remain within the eighteenth level.

Jiang Zhu and the Nine-Colored Deer were both shocked; this was a complete rebirth of the human world, a creation of a new world.

Even with such great power, Fusheng still died.

"If such an existence cannot become an eternal immortal?" the Nine-Colored Deer sighed.

What kind of great power must these so-called immortals possess?
“So, you don’t have much strength at all,” Jiang Zhu said.

"The eighteen layers of sealing have thinned the power of heaven and earth, so we don't have much magic power, but haven't we opened it now?"

The crimson lotus sneered, "It's not fully open yet, but many have already escaped, and the power of heaven and earth is surging into it."

As long as the power of heaven and earth enters, the spirits within the eighteen levels will quickly regain their magical power.

"Are they all like you, cultivating by absorbing blood?" the Nine-Colored Deer asked.

"What am I? There are those who cultivate with the souls of ten thousand spirits; human skin, human bones, and internal organs are all resources."

The crimson lotus laughed maniacally: "All mortal beings are materials, including spirits, immortal masters, and Taoists."

The nine-colored deer felt a chill run down her spine. As an old elf, she knew some evil magic, but it wasn't this evil.

Jiang Zhu fell into deep thought; perhaps he knew what the eighteenth floor was.

hell!

Evil Cage!

Whether it's the path to immortality or the path to following the will of Heaven, the pursuit of longevity, even if it means wreaking havoc on the dynasty or killing spirits to prolong one's life, cannot compare to the things at the eighteenth level.

They are the true demons!

Compared to that, the human world is simply paradise.

"How wonderful this world is! Tsk tsk, no true dragons, the path to immortality is open, what a beautiful world..."

The crimson lotus spoke excitedly, as if describing delicious food.

"Aren't you afraid of karma?" the Nine-Colored Deer said coldly.

"Karma? That's something you're the ones who should fear." The crimson lotus sneered. "We were born for karma."

The Nine-Colored Deer's gaze was solemn. Jiang Zhu pondered, "The eighteenth floor, is it a place where those burdened by karma gather?"

“That’s right. You’re still studying incense, karma and merit. Our previous generation has already experienced this era.”

The crimson lotus sneered, "We hate it! We were born this way, rejected by all living beings in heaven and earth. Why should we imprison them?"

"Fusheng? He is also a part of this world, so why does he exclude us from the human realm?"

"But how long can he keep it sealed? They recorded all their experiences and passed them on to us..."

Spirits of mountains and seas, immortal masters and Taoist practitioners, through long years, endless resentment, passed down from generation to generation.

The beings living on the eighteenth floor constantly resent life and yearn to return to the human world.

They want chaos in the world so that the suffering they themselves have inflicted on others.

"He wants the world to be full of kindness and beauty, but we will not do as he wishes!"

The crimson lotus cursed, "Yunmeng is a bitch. She got out of the quagmire herself, but now she's thinking of sealing us all in there. You whore..."

Jiang Zhu remained silent, while the Crimson Lotus continued its cursing, which the Nine-Colored Deer listened to with great interest.

It was Yunmeng who suggested sealing them away.

She wanted the world to be beautiful, so she sealed all the spirits and immortals, who were made from all kinds of spirits, into the eighteenth layer.

She and Fusheng succeeded, but now they've been released.

It wasn't just for Jiang Zhu's sake, but also because the eighteenth floor was no longer secure.

Jiang Zhu used the pink beads and the remaining items, but only to bring the time forward.

Jiang Zhu pondered: Heaven, the eighteen levels of hell, and the human world.

The world of life has been divided into three realms, but unfortunately, these three realms cannot last forever.

"The ambition for peace," Jiang Zhu suddenly said. "Have you heard of it?"

The frenzied lotus flower, as if gripped by the throat, came to an abrupt halt.

"So, Fusheng has chosen the path of peace," Jiang Zhu sighed softly. Compared to mortal emperors, Fusheng's ambitions are far greater; he wants to bring all the elves and immortal masters under his control and create eternal peace.

The blood-red lotus, however, must be eliminated.

Although it can be killed, the universe will still give birth to new life. So imprisoning it means that even in death, it will be reborn within the universe, which can be considered a permanent solution.

The three realms created by Ke Fusheng are all based on himself.

With his death, the so-called Three Realms collapsed.

But is it really because of Yunmeng that Fusheng no longer wants to live?

Jiang Zhu felt something was wrong. If Fusheng and Yunmeng's goal was peace, then he shouldn't have ended his own life.

Yunmeng couldn't have done it either, as she left Fusheng long ago.

"Do you understand life?" Jiang Zhu asked.

“What an utterly hypocritical fellow,” the Crimson Lotus said coldly. “He wanted eternity, using the guise of peace to become the ruler of the human world, and he succeeded.”

"Did it succeed?" Jiang Zhu pondered. "Then do you know how Fusheng died?"

"How else could he have died? Of course, he died of old age. It's been so many years. He's not some old turtle that's born to live forever," the Crimson Lotus scoffed.

“That’s true. You were locked up a long time ago, so it’s impossible for you to know what happened later,” Jiang Zhu said calmly.

"Later? What do you mean? Fusheng didn't die of old age? Could someone else have killed him?" Blood Lotus hurriedly asked, "Tell me, how did Fusheng die?"

"Rest now." Jiang Zhu waved his hand, and a wisp of his Candlelight Magic sealed the blood-red lotus.

"Tell me, how did Fusheng die..."

The crimson lotus cried out urgently, but its voice was immediately blocked.

The Nine-Colored Deer asked curiously, "Who killed Fusheng?"

She was also curious about how someone like Fusheng, who was closest to an immortal, who created eighteen layers, sealed off many spirits, and stole the power of heaven and earth, actually died.

“Suicide,” Jiang Zhu said calmly.

"Suicide? How could that be?" The Nine-Colored Deer exclaimed in astonishment. "Even if I felt that the rest of my life was meaningless, I never thought about suicide."

Perhaps those like her, even those living in the mortal world, find the rest of their lives meaningless.

But in this situation, wouldn't a good night's sleep be enough?

Jiang Zhu remained silent. He was now beginning to have doubts. What had Fu Sheng discovered in his pursuit of his past life that made him unwilling to live anymore?
Ontology?

A portion of memory?

Am I Jiang Zhu, or just a part of him?

Or perhaps, I am actually... just a fleeting existence?
What he is experiencing now is what Fu Sheng is experiencing, only the details are different, but the general situation is the same.

wrong……

Yunmeng!

Are the two Yunmengs following the same path?
Jiang Zhu's expression suddenly turned grim. Could it really be a series of reincarnations?
"What's wrong?" Nine-Colored Deer asked when she saw his expression.

"It's nothing, I was just overthinking it." Jiang Zhu shook his head, suppressing his thoughts.

Seeing that he was unwilling to talk, the Nine-Colored Deer didn't ask any more questions. Holding the child, she said, "Tell me, what name should we give him?"

“Your child, of course you should come and collect it,” Jiang Zhu said.

The Nine-Colored Deer pondered for a moment and said, "What about Jiang Xiyue? The morning sun represents Yang, and the bright moon represents Yin. She can be considered a successor of Jiang Chenxi."

"You want her to learn the Candle Illumination Technique?" Jiang Zhu asked.

"I have this idea. You teach her Candle Illumination, and I will then pass on my magic to her. By combining our magic, she will surely be able to surpass ordinary old elves."

The Nine-Colored Deer said expectantly, "Perhaps, like Fusheng, I can become the closest being to an immortal."

“You’re just like any other ordinary parent now, expecting your child to succeed when you can’t even do it yourself,” Jiang Zhu said with amusement.

No one knows just how high Fusheng's magical power has reached; Jiang Zhu cannot comprehend it for the time being.

The creation of the Heavenly Court, with its eighteen levels, represents the pinnacle of an era.

Compared to Fusheng, the Nine-Colored Deer is at least missing an old tortoise.

“Isn’t that perfect? ​​I’m in the mortal realm now, so I should live like an ordinary person.” The Nine-Colored Deer made up its mind: “Let’s call her Jiang Xiyue. You can’t keep it a secret. I’ll have her call you Father.”

"So you want to live with me?" Jiang Zhu asked.

"Isn't this just living together as a couple? I even stole you from you." The Nine-Colored Deer raised its head slightly, quite proudly: "When Xiyue grows up, she'll beat up the old dragon and pluck the fur from Guang Gu Qingxu."

"Don't spoil her," Jiang Zhu said, shaking his head.

"Then spoil them! They're my children, of course I have to spoil them," the Nine-Colored Deer said nonchalantly.

Jiang Zhu didn't say anything. He knew that the Nine-Colored Deer owed Jiang Chenxi a debt and planned to repay it to Jiang Xiyue.

The Nine-Colored Deer itself adopted Jiang Xiyue as a foster mother.

Jiang Zhu went out and strolled around the city.

Peach Blossom Tavern.

Besides Ningguo spirits, they also sell peach blossom wine here.

Jiang Zhu took out the wine gourd, which was given to him by Old Wang; it was an ordinary wine gourd.

I filled a gourd with peach blossom wine and listened to the conversations of the tavern patrons, immersing myself in the worldly life.

The guests in the tavern were all proud, or rather, honored, to be born in a peaceful and prosperous era, when the Ming Dynasty was stronger than ever before.

There were also congratulations, saying that someone had a new baby.

No one was talking about whose child was missing, or where Xue Lian had taken Jiang Xiyue from.

"Guest, may I share a table with you?" An old man approached Jiang Zhu's table.

"Please sit down," Jiang Zhu said with a gentle smile, sizing up the person in front of him.

Dressed in green robes, carrying a sword on his back, and possessing internal energy, he is a martial artist of the Taiping Sword Path.

"Thank you." The old man sat down, ordered two more dishes, and then said, "I am Peach Blossom Taoist. May I ask how you are addressed?"

"Taoist Peach Blossom? My name is Jiang Zhu, a wandering soul," Jiang Zhu said.

"A wandering soul? From the Taiping Wandering Sect?" Peach Blossom Taoist's eyes lit up.

"The Wandering Sect?" Jiang Zhu smiled slightly upon hearing this. "I suppose so."

The Wandering Sect is the lineage of the Jingwei bird. Its cultivators also enjoy traveling around, seeing the landscapes and experiencing the local customs and traditions.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. I've always heard of the Wandering Sect, and today I finally get to meet one of you." Peach Blossom Taoist said with a smile, "I live at Peach Blossom Temple outside the city. If you have time, you're welcome to come and have a cup of tea."

“Okay, maybe I’ll go someday,” Jiang Zhu said. “I just like to travel around and see the scenery.”

"The scenery at Taohua Temple is excellent, with peach blossoms blooming all over the mountain, attracting tourists every year."

The peaches are in season now, and many people are going up the mountain to pick them.

Peach Blossom Taoist smiled and asked, "Where do you come from, fellow Daoist?"

"Having just entered the secular world, I haven't been to many places yet," Jiang Zhu said.

"Then you must go to the capital to see for yourself. I've heard that His Majesty is an immortal who descended to earth on a dragon to save the world."

The Peach Blossom Taoist worships the earth.

"Riding a dragon to save the world? That's quite fitting. I've heard that His Majesty rode a dragon through chaotic times, pacified the world, and established a peaceful and prosperous era," Jiang Zhu said.

Peach Blossom Taoist clearly admired Jiang Yunmeng, and began to talk at length about her.

Jiang Zhu smiled and talked to him, but did not reveal his relationship with Jiang Yunmeng.

They chatted until the afternoon before Peach Blossom Taoist left with his wine gourd. Before leaving, he invited Jiang Zhu to visit Peach Blossom Temple sometime to taste his homemade peach blossom wine.

(End of this chapter)