Longevity Candle

Chapter 148 A Glorious Era, Geniuses Emerge in droves

"Weird?"

The Nine-Colored Deer looked at the black banner and said calmly, "How sinister is it?"

"He escaped from the eighteenth floor, and he still remembers Fusheng?" Jiang Zhu said, "If we haven't found out anything during this time, you can help keep an eye on him."

The Nine-Colored Deer nodded slightly: "Then let's ask first."

Enveloped in nine-colored celestial light, forming its own space and sealing it off.

The black banner fluttered, and the black mist struggled, but could not escape.

“Once you’re in my space, you can’t escape,” the Nine-Colored Deer said indifferently. “You’d better tell me what you know, or my long remaining years will be quite interesting.”

"Nine-Colored Deer?" A chilling voice came from the black banner: "Tsk, associating with him, the previous generation of space spirit, didn't he tell you how he died?"

"Hmm?" Nine-Colored Deer frowned slightly and glanced at Jiang Zhu.

Jiang Zhu shook his head slightly, indicating that he did not know.

Judging from what Hei Fan said, it was most likely Fu Sheng who killed him.

Fusheng created the Three Realms, killing too many spirits. He even ate the Emperor's Tree, and the Phoenix, the Phoenix, and the True Dragon all died. So it wouldn't be surprising if there were another Nine-Colored Deer.

“Standing next to him, don’t you find it ridiculous? If Fusheng could kill her back then, he can kill you too.”

Hei Fan said coldly.

"Why did Fusheng kill her?" the Nine-Colored Deer asked.

"Why? What else could it be but to become an immortal, to achieve eternal life?"

Black Banner said in a sinister tone, "He is the greatest demon in the world. He stole the power of the elves and imprisoned us on the eighteenth floor."

Jiang Zhu remained calm, showing no emotion.

The fact that Fusheng stole the Nirvana Fire and ate the Emperor's Tree proves this.

The memories left behind by the previous generation of elves allowed Fusheng to steal the abilities of many elves, including those imprisoned on the eighteenth floor.

“Tell me everything you know, and perhaps I can consider throwing him into the eighteenth floor.” Nine-Colored Deer glanced at Jiang Zhu.

"You're so heartless." Jiang Zhu shook his head and sighed softly, looking heartbroken. "We were at least living together."

"You don't need to put on an act in front of me." Hei Fan said coldly, "Now that I've met you, there's nothing to hide. Anyway, I'm not the real body."

Jiang Zhu frowned. These things all like to create clones?
"Heaven and earth are divided into yin and yang, which is not just about illuminating the darkness, but also about merit and karma."

Ordinary spirits seek merit, while others, naturally, seek karma.

The black banner said coldly, "You could also say that we are the embodiment of karma, the impurities of the world..."

They belong to darkness, roaming the shadows, and have caused countless disasters.

"We are not spirits of this world, but beings that exist in the netherworld. It was fate that brought us to the human world..."

“Three-headed Dark Ravens? Are they the same kind as you?” Jiang Zhu asked.

"The Three-Headed Raven is the messenger of the underworld. He is responsible for guiding the souls of the dead and guarding the gates of the underworld."

Unlike the three-headed ravens, they are spirits born from the Netherworld, and are also the original inhabitants of the Netherworld, formed from the power of the Netherworld.

The black banner can gather the souls of the dead and strengthen itself.

"At first, when he met Fusheng, he thought he had met an immortal who had come to save the Netherworld..."

The black banner emitted a cold, mocking laugh.

The previous generation of elves, with the help of Fusheng, escaped the Netherworld and came to the human world.

He thought he had met a celestial being who would help them, and he was extremely grateful to Fusheng.

With the help of Fusheng, he established the Netherworld Ghost Path, gathering the souls of the dead in the world.

He nurtured many powerful ghost cultivators and himself climbed to a realm surpassing that of the old elves.

Besides him, there were many other elves on the eighteenth floor, just like them.

Together they participated in the Taiyin Netherworld Project, created the Lesser Netherworld, and established the cycle of reincarnation.

"All the elves, under his guidance, built the Heavenly Court and the Underworld. How great he is!"

But what did he do? He suddenly slapped his forehead and decided to quit? What about us?

"We've all been fooled by him. What a load of bull, this hellish underworld, this eternal and immortal heaven—it's all a bunch of idiots..."

"He's a liar, he deceived all the elves, all the immortal masters and cultivators. He never intended to bring us to eternity! Even Yunmeng has left him, and he even lied to his own wife..."

The elves were furious and questioned Fusheng. Yunmeng, disappointed, left and never returned.

The elves' questioning only angered Fusheng.

Instead of feeling remorse, Fusheng imprisoned some and slaughtered others.

The Nine-Colored Deer's expression darkened, but he didn't completely believe it.

Jiang Zhu frowned and let out a soft sigh.

It sounds like Fusheng is a terrible person, but how much of this nonsense can we believe?

The black banner roared in anger, cursing Fusheng as heartless, ruthless, selfish, and using every nasty insult imaginable.

"How did the previous generation of space spirits die?" the Nine-Colored Deer asked.

"His death was truly tragic." Black Banner sneered, "Fusheng wanted to create the Azure Heaven and Netherworld, so naturally he opened up a new space. He described to the space spirit how vast and expansive the Azure Heaven Domain was, and how great the Heavenly Court was."

"The space spirit believed it, sought out other spirits skilled in space, and together they created a space, and even exerted all their strength to maintain the heavens and the underworld..."

"How pitiful, they worked themselves to death. After giving up, the first thing they killed was the space spirit. It's truly laughable."

"The heavens have fallen, the netherworld has collapsed, and all our years of effort have been in vain..."

Black Banner spoke coldly, and although he was a previous generation of elves, he also felt deeply for life and was filled with resentment towards Fusheng.

Jiang Zhu slowly said, "Then you're quite lucky. You were just locked up, not killed."

"Don't be so smug. The eighteenth floor will open soon, and you can't escape!"

Black Banner said coldly, "Once we recover, we will come looking for you and throw you into the eighteenth level, where you will never come out again!"

"So, are you now willing to return to the Netherworld?" Jiang Zhu asked.

The black banner paused, then said coldly, "I can't return to the Netherworld without killing you."

Jiang Zhu said calmly, "What if heaven and earth give birth to me again?"

"Then let's keep killing," Black Banner said without hesitation.

Jiang Zhu finally understood; killing him was just an excuse to avoid going back.

The underworld is dark and cold, filled only with the souls of the dead; where is the vibrant life of the human world?

Moreover, the souls of the dead in the underworld are under the control of the Three-Headed Crows, so how could he possibly gather the souls of the dead to cultivate?

But things are different in the human world. There are no Three-Headed Ravens, and they wantonly reap the lives of ordinary people.

Flesh and blood, bones, and wandering souls are all materials for their cultivation.

The myriad spirits of the mortal world are their inexhaustible source.

Ask them to give up?
That's impossible!

Perhaps they are already on the eighteenth floor, figuring out how to divide up all the mortal beings.

Having lived for so many years, the Nine-Colored Deer naturally wouldn't believe Black Banner's few words.

The nine-colored celestial light suppressed the black banner and brought Jiang Zhu back to the outside world.

“His words are half true and half false; they cannot be entirely believed,” said the Nine-Colored Deer.

"It might be one part truth and nine parts falsehood," Jiang Zhu said. "If Fusheng tells me anything, it's all nonsense and lies."

Fusheng hadn't said it, but that didn't stop him from using Fusheng's name. The Nine-Colored Deer pondered, "Have you ever considered that, what if it's true?"

“It’s true, it’s true.” Jiang Zhu said indifferently.

“If they run out and really come to kill you, I can’t protect you,” the Nine-Colored Deer said. “Should we make preparations in advance and befriend more elves?”

"Let nature take its course," Jiang Zhu said with a faint smile. "Even if I die, there will be another Jiang Zhu."

"You're quite easygoing. Never mind you, I'm going to check on Xiao Xiyue." The Nine-Colored Deer didn't say anything more, got up and left.

Jiang Zhu sat on the roof, pondering Hei Fan's words.

He also had something he was keeping from the Nine-Colored Deer: was Fusheng really his past life?

Perhaps it wasn't that Fusheng died, but rather that he abandoned that memory of Fusheng.

Regardless of the choice, Jiang Zhu understood that it meant not pursuing anything.

If it's a memory you don't want to know, why chase after it?
However, given the current situation, even if I don't chase after it, the eighteenth floor will still come out.

I wonder if the old dragon will actually find the past.

Several days passed, and Jiang Zhu fell into a deep sleep once more.

Li Wuwei and Niu Youdao also left the Heavenly Realm and settled in Qinghe City.

Jiang Xiyue focused on her cultivation, playing with her friends every day, and occasionally asking Li Wuwei for guidance on cultivation.

Li Wuwei was very talented; he gained insights after only a few months of practicing the Candle Illumination Technique.

He combined the candlelight and the firefly method, seemingly thinking of fishing with a candle on the river. He transformed the moon and the sun into two fish, intertwined to form a circle.

The Nine-Colored Deer and the Ox were taken aback, not expecting him to achieve so much so quickly.

Jiang Xiyue's talent had been suppressed, but influenced by Li Wuwei, the Nine-Colored Deer also unleashed some of its potential.

"You've really taken on a good disciple," the Nine-Colored Deer praised.

“I think this kid’s talent is comparable to that of a great elf in the future,” Niu Youdao mused.

There is a difference between immortal masters and elves; it is very difficult for them to cultivate to the level of boundless magical power.

At least, he has never seen a celestial master who can reach the level of boundless magical power.

“I think it’s more than that,” said the Nine-Colored Deer. “They might not be any worse than us.”

Although Niu Youdao has not yet reached the level of boundless magical power, it is only a matter of time.

"How is that possible?" Niu Youdao asked in surprise.

“Take a closer look. This kid is already showing signs of becoming one with heaven and earth. Even if he can’t have boundless magical power and build his own celestial realm, he can still be on par with them.”

Nine-Colored Deer Path.

Niu Youdao paused, then carefully examined Li Wuwei, who was sitting cross-legged on the roof. The yin and yang power on his body seemed to resonate with heaven and earth, as if he were about to merge into this world.

He became increasingly excited. So, he was going to train a celestial master with boundless magical power?

I picked this myself!

"Don't be too happy yet. There are rumors in the academy that the Taiping Sword Sect has also produced a peerless genius, no less than Li Wuwei," said the Nine-Colored Deer.

"Hmm?" Niu Youdao raised an eyebrow: "Who can compare to my disciple? Impossible."

"Heh, besides the Sword Dao, the Carefree Dao, and the Free and Unfettered Dao, there are also extraordinary immortal masters in both."

The Nine-Colored Deer said calmly, "However, the people of the Worry-Free Path are in the West, following Tian She Nu in their cultivation. They will return in a few years."

"No, I have a genius disciple, why do they all have one too?" Niu Youdao said with dissatisfaction.

"The Wandering Faction also exists, but they keep a low profile and wander around. There are also Illusionists, but they haven't revealed themselves."

The Nine-Colored Deer slowly said, "I feel that something is wrong with heaven and earth."

"Is there something wrong with heaven and earth?" Niu Youdao was taken aback. "What's wrong?"

"I don't know. In the past, it was hard to find even one immortal talent, but this time, there are immortal talents everywhere, and they are even comparable to elves."

The Nine-Colored Deer said solemnly, "It may be related to the eighteenth floor, or it may be related to life. In any case, this era is very unusual."

Niu Youdao fell silent. This era was unprecedented.

A world of cultivation, a system of celestial officials.

Those with the talent for immortality gathered in one era, and they were all around the same age.

It seems they were born for this era.

A glorious era, unprecedented in history, where geniuses gathered in one age.

Niu Youdao pondered and said, "If they can grow up, the eighteenth floor doesn't seem to be much of a threat."

With them, plus several peerless geniuses comparable to elves, they might be able to put up a fight against the eighteenth floor.

"Then you must protect your disciple well, and I must also protect Xiao Xiyue," said the Nine-Colored Deer.

“That’s natural.” Niu Youdao nodded and said, “With me here, no one can hurt him.”

Jiang Xiyue was also spurred on, and she began to cultivate diligently every day, reducing her playtime.

With her exceptional talent, under the tutelage of Nine-Colored Deer and Jiang Zhu, her abilities are second to none.

Especially after the blood-red lotus is refined into the body, not only does it enhance one's immortality, but it also makes one's physical constitution extremely terrifying.

Refining essence into qi nourishes the five internal organs, resulting in abundant essence, qi, and spirit.

In the twenty-first year of the Immortal Era, Li Wuwei rode away on his green ox to the next sect to strengthen himself.

Jiang Xiyue was quite reluctant to part with him. Over the past year, Li Wuwei had guided her in her cultivation and had been of great help.

Although the Nine-Colored Deer is powerful, it cannot take care of all aspects of human cultivation.

In the twenty-second year of the Xianyuan era, Jiang Xiyue became the top student in the Dao Academy's assessment.

In the twenty-third year of the Immortal Era, a Qi Refiner of the Five Elements Path wanted to take her to the Five Elements Holy Land for cultivation.

The Nine-Colored Deer and Jiang Zhu naturally agreed and wouldn't stop them; after cultivating for so long, it was time to release them.

This glorious era is destined to be unstable, and the light of immortality will shine brightly.

One is an old elf, the other needs to slumber; Jiang Xiyue's path is one she must walk alone.

The Nine-Colored Deer didn't completely let go; it left its magic power within her and gave her the Green Lamp.

The Five Elements Sacred Land, formerly located in the Southern Ridge, has seen the Nine-Colored Deer return to the Cloud Dream Marsh.

After the old dragon left, Lan Yue became the new king of Nanling, guarding Nanling as the Five Elements Dao Ancestor.

In the twenty-fourth year of the Xianyuan era, a dragon's roar suddenly resounded above the Ming Dynasty's imperial palace, echoing throughout the heavens and earth.

In the twenty-fifth year of the Immortal Era, Jiang Yunmeng announced her abdication, passing the throne to Li Daoxuan, Li Qingchen's youngest son.

On that day, amidst the sounds of dragons roaring and phoenixes dancing, Jiang Yunmeng rode a golden divine bird and ascended to the heavens.

The phoenix had already hatched and had been raised deep within the palace.

And deep in the Nanling Mountains.

Jiang Zhu and Lan Yue sat facing each other, drinking a peculiar kind of tea.

As you drink a cup of tea, all kinds of immortal energies from heaven and earth converge, as if countless Daoist charms are presented before your eyes.

"The old dragon brought it back," Lan Yue said. "This tea is quite unique. If I drink it regularly, it won't be long before I can reach the level of boundless magical power and be on par with the old elf."

“He actually found something,” Jiang Zhu said.

“Jiang Yunmeng went too,” Lan Yue said.

Jiang Zhu sighed softly; Jiang Yunmeng had finally made a move.

(End of this chapter)