Longevity Chronicles-Chapter 474 - 330: Lin Runiu Takes Office as Grain and Grass Officer, Yin Susu Wants to Seize the Valley God Gui_2

"I am Fan Shuixian, a native of Tiandu Province, without the teachings of any Sect," he declared, "As a youth, I merely found a Lifebound Scripture in the mountains and have blundered through my cultivation until now. Recently, I obtained a scroll of the 'Immortal and Mortal Debate' and was deeply moved by the precious ideas you articulated, Daoist. Thus, I purposely joined the Society."

"I wish to remain in New Moon Province and join my peers in initiating a revolutionary reform."

"Once our efforts succeed, I'll return to Qing State to establish a branch of the Ancestor Dragon Society, so that all people in Qing Province might also be swiftly rescued."

The elderly man, and this female cultivator, seemed to have started a trend.

Representatives of Society members from various provinces began to speak out one after another, airing their grievances and declaring their aspirations.

For a time, the Ancestor Dragon Hall was filled with grand proclamations.

Some were sincere, while others had ulterior motives.

"My name is Xiang Bazhong, from South Lake Province, a disciple of the Heavenly Gang Sect. No, now I must say I am the only surviving disciple. In order to protect the people of Nantian Province, my entire Sect had no choice but to engage in a desperate battle with the great warlord Li Luxian. In the end, everyone except for me perished. I am determined to give my all in this uprising, only hoping that after the New Moon reformation, the Society can assist me in returning to Nantian to rebuild the Heavenly Gang."

"My name is Liao Wuchang, a native of Dong'e Province. I bear no personal vendettas or sufferings, but right now, the mortals of Dong'e suffer from the calamities brought by 'Alchemists.' They have propped up the great warlord Pang Xun as a puppet, training a Gu Army under his banner. They roam about brutally consuming mortals, claiming to be cultivating Gu Demons and other such terrifying creatures through the method of nourishing Gu. I wish to aid the Society's Daoists in saving New Moon, and only ask that afterward, you also save Dong'e."

"My name is Huang Gui, a native of Pan Jia Province and also a soldier of the [Scorched] rebel army. Now in Pan Jia, across a hundred cities and counties, there are skies filled with the stench of blood, streets overrun with wild dogs, and ceaseless strife among various warlords. Whether it's strapping men or women and children, the casualties rise daily. All I hope for is that the same Daoists will achieve overnight success with the reformation of New Moon and then also come to aid the people of Pan Jia."

...

Tao Qian stood in the hall amongst a group of cultivators and heroes, observing these developments, listening to their words.

He was already aware of the conditions of various provinces from when he hung the sky lanterns.

Now, as he listened, it seemed that the majority had worsened.

The representatives from various provinces calling out were mostly Loose Cultivators with low cultivation or from small Sects.

The really influential members of the Society, like the few princesses from the Devil God Army, a general from the Taiping Army, or the concubines of some great warlord from a neighboring province, they all remained silent.

They needn't say anything—Chen Xiyi had leaked it the night before.

Ying Qingdi and these great power Society representatives had made secret deals and alliances long ago; their presence here was merely a formality.

The lower-tier Society members, who knew nothing of these dealings, placed their hopes on such earnest appeals.

Yet, as they beheld these scenes, Tao Qian, Lin Bujue, Zhong Ziyang, Chen Xiyi, Qi Daozhen, Shen Yulan, and others exchanged glances subtly, as if it was only now that they really understood.

The Ancestor Dragon Society!

This organization had swelled to such an extent in such a short time.

Though the revolution had not yet officially started, upon closer examination, it was already a vast entity that had extended its influence into at least a dozen provinces.

"Those touched by the Divine Spell, they aren't just the ones on the mountain; there are probably even more."

"Just wait for Ying Qingdi to make the call. Using New Moon Province as a base, he might quickly gain control over the Northern Land Provinces, forming a north-south alliance with the National Salvation Congress supported by the Primordial Sect."

"Although these demons act in secrecy, could those old monsters among the Alchemists really be completely oblivious?"

Suddenly, this thought struck Tao Qian.

Questions surged in his mind, yet he had no time to verify anything.

At that moment, inside the Ancestor Dragon Hall, Ying Qingdi was putting on an act, perfectly playing the role of a qualified revolutionary leader, attending to each province's representative, listening to their demands. After almost an entire hour, he managed to soothe all the members.

When the auspicious time arrived, he commanded his Yellow Robed Slaves to light incense and beat drums to gather the crowd.

Including Tao Qian, everyone entered the hall, found their name tags, and took their seats.

At this moment!

If an outsider were present, they would surely be struck speechless by the scene.

One reason was the hall full of heroes; another was the delegates representing over a dozen provinces.

Even more astonishing were the gatherings of promising talents and representatives of major forces.

People like Zhong Ziyang, Chen Xiyi, Shen Ruolan, Linghu Ying, Shazhei Monk, Dai Feipeng, Liu Yuying... Each of these young talents was famous in the Cultivation World, with each background being a Major Sect dominants of their region, even entities such as Taishang Dao, Fangcun Mountain, and Shaoqing Sect.

Or people like Yin Susu, Pei Hong, and Xu Wenkai, who represented great powers currently vying for the world.

Gathered together, these individuals were bound for significant events.

Indeed, Ying Qingdi stepped onto the central jade platform, faced the crowd, and directly exposed the information Tao Qian, Zhong Ziyang, and Lin Bujue had discovered.

Everyone in the hall knew of New Moon Province's unprecedented prosperity, on the brink of transforming into a "flesh and machinery kingdom."

The Devil Pill Demon Ointment produced in New Moon had gradually become a nationwide bestseller.

Who could have expected?

Behind it all lay such shocking secrets.

Even the mere existence of the "Seven Evil Divine Machine" had instilled fear in everyone present.

"Gentlemen, the timing of our uprising, as initially planned, still requires some days of waiting."

"Now that we are aware of the conspiracy of the Seven Evil Sects, I've decided to hasten the uprising, to take place tomorrow. Every city and county within the province must act."

"The Ancestor Dragon Society must make New Moon Province change its ruler overnight."

"Gentlemen, are you willing to follow?"

With everything set in motion, the outcome was almost a foregone conclusion.

In the next moment, the Ancestor Dragon Hall resounded with unanimous responses.

"Willing!"

"Kill!"

"Annihilate the Seven Evils!"

"Slay the Alchemists!"

"Save all people!"

Even Yin Susu, the daughter of a Devil God, was roaring with fervor.

Tao Qian silently followed along, finding it somewhat absurd.

Ying Qingdi, however, basked in the moment, striking while the iron was hot. He began exercising his leader's authority, detailing plans, issuing orders, and distributing official positions.

The entire list had been previously discussed with core members like Zhong Ziyang and Chen Xiyi.

Beyond core members securing crucial roles, powerful allies such as Yin Susu, Xu Wenkai, and Pei Hong also received important official positions.

Most members had no objections.

Until Ying Qingdi mentioned the name "Lin Runiu."

"A fellow Daoist recently joined our society, Lin Runiu."

"A nobly upright hero, a True Practitioner, who has already saved two hundred thousand people in Gao Ren City and has secured the recognition of the Ancestor God Treasure [Valley God Gui]. This treasure can produce the essence of the five grains, sufficient to supply the entire rebel army of the province and avert the risk of food shortage."

"Therefore, my intention is for Daoist Lin to take charge of the grain supply affairs. The Demon Trap Pit, Ten Thousand Meat Field, Immortal Ganoderma Forest, and other such places within our society should all be governed by Daoist Lin..."

"Hold on!"

Before Ying Qingdi could finish, someone abruptly interrupted with a challenge.

Without even pausing for breath, they spat out a lengthy statement.

"Leader, no objections to the other matters you've decided, but this particular issue requires further consideration."

"The matter of grain and supplies is of the utmost importance. How can it be entrusted to someone who has just joined our society?"

"Moreover, this Daoist Lin Runiu has never revealed his origins. How can we trust someone with such unclear background?"

"What if he is a spy?"

"An Alchemist? From the Demon Sect? Both are possibilities."

"I think the position of Grain and Grass Officer should be given to an old member of our society, not to a newcomer who hides his true identity."

"As for the so-called master-acknowledged [Valley God Gui], we need not worry. I possess a Secret Technique that can compel the treasure to reselect its master."

Despite having been warned by Chen Xiyi the night before, Tao Qian knew that today someone would make things difficult for him, even attempting to snatch the Valley God Gui.

Still, when he saw who was the first to make a move, Tao Qian couldn't help but be taken aback.

What do they say about enemies often crossing paths?

This was a prime example.

The one trying to usurp his position and steal his treasure was none other than his old nemesis, Yin Susu.

The Devil God Army Princess, enchanting and reckless, now stood up amidst many Cultivators wishing to save their country and the world, righteously accusing Tao Qian of being a spy.

Remembering again the atrocities committed by her husband in Southern Yue, Tao Qian was struck by a world so bizarre where right seemed wrong. His annoyance grew strong, and just as he was about to act,

In the hall, one figure after another stood up.

Each one spoke words of grandiose righteousness while turning their gazes toward Tao Qian.

Despite their efforts to conceal it, Tao Qian's senses were exceptionally sharp. He felt as if he were being watched by a pack of greedy beasts, all eager and drooling.