Longevity Chronicles-Chapter 371 - 265: Tao Qian Bestows a Method, Jin Lin Gets a Slap in the Face

Despite having not faced off directly against the "Alchemist" organization until now,

Tao Qian's interactions with them in Southern Yue were only indirect.

Tao Qian had always been confronted with the Beautiful Corpse Bodhisattva, the Devil God Army, and Bai Qin.

It was only when he helped Master Xiao through the Xuanpin Heavenly Gate Ten Absolute Array at Meiling that he had a passing encounter with Qin Wuxiang, and speaking of which, that fellow was still holding on to two demons that rightfully belonged to Master Tao.

Through these indirect contacts and the records that emerged in the process, along with his own repeated investigations,

Tao Qian had vaguely guessed that for the "Saint Heirs" like Qin Wuxiang and Huang Chong, whether they could help their chosen ones ascend the Dragon Court might determine their future ability to become enlightened or to achieve Longevity.

"Qin Wuxiang chose the wrong person and is probably crying somewhere now."

"Compared to that pretty boy, Huang Chong is obviously much more cunning. Despite choosing someone early on, he took advantage of his identity as a Saint Heir to blend in among Zhu Qi's followers, gaining deep trust."

"As for the person chosen by Huang Chong?"

"Most likely, it's that Zhang Jiudeng."

What Tao Qian thought, in fact, had no solid evidence.

But there were plenty of corroboration.

For instance, Kongchan Arhat had just deduced that Zhang Jiudeng had long been connected with the "Alchemists," yet there was no Saint Heir around him, nor had his son, Zhang Baisui, ever mentioned it.

Then there was the calamity of Demon City!

It must be known that once a disaster arises, there must be a wonderful connection between all the characters involved.

If Huang Chong's master was not Zhu Qi, then the second choice could only be either the Fourth Prince Zhu Xuan or Zhang Jiudeng.

"Two parts possibility for Zhu Xuan, eight parts for Zhang Jiudeng."

"Whoever it is, they all calculate well."

"Spy plotting, truly exquisite."

"But it also serves Zhu Qi right for being a freak. For a sovereign, brutality might not be a problem; lacking imperial majesty is the root cause of downfall. Besides his own father, there is a bunch of turncoats under his command. If he doesn't die, who will?"

These comments, though complex, flashed through Tao Qian's mind in an instant.

After pondering a moment, Tao Qian suddenly spoke up to Zhang Baisui, who was outside the quiet room, "Fine, Yunrong and I will stay a few more days."

He could have just said that.

But Tao Qian, looking outside the door and with thoughts turning, suddenly had an idea.

"You two take your time leaving, I have something for you."

After asking Zhang Baisui and his wife to wait, Tao Qian took out the Holy Embryo Bag and rummaged through it.

His identity now was one of the eighteen True Disciples of the Spirit Treasure Sect. Having received not just one round of gifts, not to mention the esteemed foundation of Ascending Immortal Island that even Cavernous Mystery Realm cultivators envied after joining the Mountain Gate, as well as one opportunity after another.

Master Tao was no longer a poor scholar.

Soon, he took out something very special.

It was two unclothed clay figurines, one male and one female. The surface of the figurines was covered with ancient seal script, densely packed like a complete cultivation technique.

Perhaps the poses of the figurines were too strange, attracting Yunrong's curious gaze.

Without even a glance, Tao Qian waved his sleeve, opened the door, and handed out the two clay figurines.

Splitting into two, each fell into the hands of Zhang Baisui and Jin Xiuju.

"This item is called 'Yin Yang Mud Puppets,' a type of Exotic Treasure with a scroll of the 'Yin Yang Ascension Scripture' on it."

"Though it is a Side Door method, it has exceptional merits."

"I originally intended to give this to you on your wedding day as a congratulation gift."

"However, seeing that both of you have weak cultivation, not even qualifying as proper cultivators, and knowing your temperaments, that you can't bear the hardships of surviving on wind and dew or frequent fasting and sitting in meditation to death, this method doesn't require all those complicated matters."

"As long as it conforms to Yin Yang Dao, you can steadily increase your cultivation—this suits you and your spouse perfectly... Forget about other Magic Skills, just refine this one."

"Even though reaching Cavernous Mystery and Transcending Mortality is extremely difficult, stepping into the Foundation Establishment Realm and extending life for a hundred or two hundred years is somewhat possible."

With these few words from Tao Qian, the couple took a closer look at the clay figurines in their hands.

Upon inspection, they became utterly captivated.

It took them a good while before they came back to their senses, their faces flushed.

After exchanging a glance and seeing the joy, shyness, and anticipation in each other's eyes, they carefully tucked the clay figurines into their chests.

At the same time, both husband and wife were about to kneel down and kowtow in synch.

But before they could do so, Tao Qian, discerning their thoughts in advance, stopped them by speaking up again:

"Don't overthink it, I'm not planning to take disciples, not even registered disciples."

"This item was an accidental find, not belonging to the Dragon Clan, which is why I'm willing to give it to you two. It's also the first good karmic connection I've formed since entering the world."

"Go on, go refine it."

As he spoke, Tao Qian swept his sleeves, sending them away.

Yin Yang Ascension Scripture!

This scripture was a method of Dual Cultivation.

It was given to Tao Qian when he first entered the Penglai Sea by a fellow Daoist uncle.

However, that Daoist uncle didn't know that Tao Qian had no shortage of such skills.

In terms of effectiveness, it was actually the Pure Yang Skill taught by Xiao Hua Daoist and the Joyful Zen Technique given by Bai Qin that were stronger.

This time, it just happened to be something Tao Qian could use.

He whimsically decided to give away a cultivation technique treasure this time, claiming it was to create good karma, but that was obviously just the face value reason.

Tao Qian's true aim lay with Zhang Baisui.

"Spirit Treasure Unlimited Tribulation Crossing Technique is the third method, unparalleled in its mystery, and is considered a supreme technique."

"Having identified Lady Mei as the Tribulation Leader, indeed allowed me to infest her with the Desire Sin Worm through her body."

"Given that, Zhang Baisui, as another Tribulation Leader, must also be of great use."

"Befriending one or two, creating good karma, leaving them indebted to me... Perhaps it won't be long before I receive some compensation." freewebnσvel.cøm

These thoughts surfaced, and Tao Qian did not feel the slightest bit deceitful.

Recklessness could not sustain one for long; one needed to think things through and make arrangements for the future—that was the proper way to proceed.

While Zhang Baisui and his wife joyously went off to cultivate the Yin Yang Ascension Technique, Tao Qian still sat upright in the quiet room, wholeheartedly focused on petting the cat, never leaving the house.

During this time, the National Salvation Congress and the other three little ones continually sent back a wealth of messages.

Inside the Demon City, it was like a brewing storm, like a pot of water on the verge of a rolling boil.

Despite the fact that a large number of cultivators had recently been wiped out by the Taishang Primordial Demon Manifestation Saint True Monarch in one fell swoop.

However, that did not deter the greedy ones chasing after the ultimate treasure.

Especially since the Changchun Society, the White Lotus Sect, Cao Gang, and other powers deliberately spread the rumor that Zhu Qi possessed an unrefined treasure that would leave his body on its own in two days, and whoever was destined could obtain it and instantly ascend to the Cavernous Mystery realm, or even compete for supremacy in the Shen Zhou Holy Land... The rumor grew more intense.

In just 24 hours, the number of evil cultivators and demons that had poured into the Demon City was unprecedented.

Not to mention the refugees, whose numbers swelled every day.

And at the border, the Fungus Demon Army from Ancient Yue Province that was stirring, seeking to rescue their master, the Fourth Prince Zhu Xuan.

At this very moment!

If there were any cultivators skilled in reading the air looking at Demon City,

They would immediately see a scene resembling a thick soup bubbling endlessly, tumultuous and surging.

Zhang Mansion was similar in its restlessness.

Since the visit of Zhang Baisui and his wife, the originally quiet Zhang Mansion began to see visitors.

All claimed to be underlings of Zhang Jiudeng, mostly from heresy and heterodoxy backgrounds.

On the following night.

Zhang Mansion was filled with occupants, mostly cultivators, as well as some demons, or alien beings.

Zhang Baisui hosted over a dozen lavish banquets, then personally came to invite Tao Qian to help him preside over the event.

This was somewhat odd, considering that all these cultivators and demons were supposedly under Zhang Jiudeng's command, and thus should not cause trouble for his sole son.

But upon further thought, it was quite reasonable.

The world had completely changed; the cultivation world and the mortal world had thoroughly merged. Those who had gained extraordinary powers mostly thought in ways different from ordinary people. If Zhang Baisui had his father's cultivation and methods, these individuals would naturally hold deep respect for him.

Unfortunately, Zhang Baisui lacked both cultivation talent and scheming mind.

In others' eyes, he seemed nothing more than an incompetent scion, incapable of standing tall. Any self-respecting cultivator would not bother with him and would merely pay him lip service at best.

...

Tonight seemed somewhat special.

Already residing in Zhang Mansion, the collection of demons and ghostly beings, along with those from heresy and heterodoxy, suddenly saw a fearsomely powerful figure by the weak young master's side.

Though Tao Qian's dragon demon disguise, courtesy of the "Secret Demon Transformation Technique," appeared to have Transcended Mortality,

The oppressive aura could not be faked. Under Zhang Baisui's guidance, the host of heresy and heterodoxy encountered along the way all evaded in fear and shock.

And to Tao Qian, the current state of Zhang Mansion, though not as bloody and terrifying as the Iron Buddha Temple had been initially,

Still could not escape the apt description of being filled with a nefarious qi.

Without even mentioning others, just listening to the continuous introduction of names revealed that the figures Zhang Jiudeng had gathered and dispatched were far from respectable.

"Senior Jin Lin, this is Daoist Liu Yu, who can transform into a Yaksha with a Dharma Image and cast Thunder Skills. He possesses exceptional combat strength."

"This is Daoist Zheng Duoxian, who has cultivated the skills of the Vajra Temple. He is unharmed by blades and swords, able to withstand magical artifacts with his bare body."

"This is the straightforward lion demon, Zhou Sanbu. He belongs to the same Devil Clan as you, and he's an honest and generous fellow."

"This is Baihua Immortal, Shi Yulan. Her famed beauty is well-known throughout Ancient Qin Province, and she also owns eighty painting and music boats on the Xiajing River. If you visit Xiajing, Senior, you should have Lady Shi arrange the entertainment; it'll surely be magnificent."

"Senior Chen Chun'er, the Copper Claw Granny, is a strange person. My father personally left seclusion to invite her down from Copper Claw Mountain."

"Senior Hundred-Eyed Demon King, also a powerful member of the Devil Clan. My father prepared an entire hundred carts of fine wine to entice the Senior to leave his mountain."

"Senior Qiu, the Black Donkey Immortal Child, is a well-known loose cultivator in Xiajing Capital City. I once personally witnessed him when Xiajing was haunted by more than a hundred rampaging demons and ghosts; Senior Qiu rode his black donkey into Xiajing through the morning mist, took a swig of immortal wine, exhaled the liquor into a talisman, and transformed it into thousands of Daoist soldiers, slicing through all the devils and ghosts in moments, an awe-inspiring sight indeed."

...

"Ladies and gentlemen, this is Senior Jin Lin, the Guest Elder Lord recently invited by the centenarian. Senior is an Ancient Dragon Species who gained enlightenment and came from the Overseas Immortal Island. His cultivation and divine skills are unfathomably deep. Upon setting foot in Demon City, he publicly defeated a true inheritor disciple of the Evil Sect, and as you all know, that's one of the topmost Demon Sects in the world, whose true inheritor still wasn't a match for Senior Jin."

"Not long ago, he even killed a Cavernous Mystery realm powerhouse to save Baisui's life. This person's fame is something all of you might have heard of; he came from Beimang Mountain, a ghost cultivator known as the 'Ogre.'"

"This fellow thought he was skilled in cultivation, but had no clue he would meet Senior Jin Lin and not even last fifteen minutes before perishing and turning to ashes."

"Everyone in Demon City witnessed that night, truly a magnificent sight."

Zhang Baisui was a hedonistic young noble, publically performing his role admirably, but also quite petty.

Throughout the introductions, he lavished praise on these heretics, demons, and loose cultivators, handing out compliments as if they cost nothing,

Not allowing them to get too self-inflated, he would immediately toss out Tao Qian's impressive battle record.

The atmosphere of Zhang Mansion that night seemed to be filled with the metaphorical "smack" of faces being slapped.

ps: Second chapter is here, humbly asking for your monthly ticket!