Longevity Chronicles-Chapter 55 - 53: The Secret of Longevity Lies Outside the Treasure Hall

The buzzing Iron Buddha Temple seethed instantly due to those stench-ridden messaging Demons and the continuous, echoing chimes of the bell.

Demon aura and demonic qi, along with some abnormally corrupting breaths that could sully one at a mere glance, twined together, soaring skyward.

A Demon Cave!

A true Demon Cave would be no different.

In a large room in the courtyard of the temple, a man and a woman got out of the bed and dressed themselves.

Tao Qian tidied his clothes in just a few moments and saw Pan Hongniang covering her destroyed face with a thin veil.

It was as though he remembered something, or was making idle conversation, he asked casually,

"Master, do you know what the grand matters those few old masters will announce later? We gather here at Iron Buddha Temple, and tonight we again ravage Seeking Immortal County, could it be we intend to make enemies with those Major Sects and Longevity Heavenly Dynasty?"

"Master, you once cautioned me not to get involved in the chaotic world of demons and Devils, once their numbers grow too large, one might inexplicably be obliterated entirely. How is it...?"

Upon hearing Tao Qian's question, Pan Hongniang hesitated, but then she heard the unceasing announcements of the banquet outside.

Thinking that the answer would soon be known to all, there was no need to keep it veiled any longer, so she slightly parted her cherry lips and immediately explained,

"In the past, I forbade you from participating in the chaos wrought by demons and oppressing mortals because there exists a terrifying forbidden Technique called 'Longevity Barrier' in this world, a ban that is everywhere, seemingly enveloping the entire Longevity Heavenly Dynasty's territory."

"Once too many Demons enter the Mortal World, the Barrier would activate and eradicate all those demons."

"This rule has persisted for a good two thousand years."

"When I stealthily captured mortal women suitable for their birthdays to refine the Five Lustful Peach Blossoms Banner, I was always worried about being obliterated, but thankfully I never mixed with those demons and therefore never triggered that fearsome forbidden Technique."

"However, when the Bodhisattvas and masters summoned us here, they said that this rule... was going to change."

"That grand matter they refer to is this."

"If nothing unexpected happens, during tonight's feast, the Bodhisattva will fully disclose this matter and issue a wide call to summon more demons, Evil Cultivators, and Alien Species."

"Fei'er, you should know, including myself, your master, we don't count for much in the Cultivation World."

"For a massive secret like this, we are surely the last to know."

"It's likely that top Cultivators from Daoist, Buddhist, and Demon circles knew this secret in advance, behind them must be countless schemes and arrangements."

"In this world, there isn't just 'Southern Yue Province'; the Longevity Heavenly Dynasty's territory is vast, holding six or seven dozen provinces similar to Southern Yue. Affairs like the ravage of Seeking Immortal County that you will execute tonight are probably already happening in succession."

"This is the Great Era, the true era of great conflict."

"In the past, I hindered your cultivation, but Fei'er, don't rush. Now that the Mortal World has been completely opened to us, our Cultivators' chances will greatly increase; everywhere there is fodder. Soon, I will help you enter the Qi Refining Realm and spend some time making a Five Lustful Peach Blossoms Banner for you..."

As she spoke, Pan Hongniang began to express her affection in a tender and watery manner.

She directly took Tao Qian's hand, and the master and disciple walked out like a couple of Immortals.

Tao Qian ought to have resisted, but he did not.

The reason?

Naturally, it was the sudden revelation of this great secret, both his Puppet Body and his real body were immediately stunned.

Especially the true body in Chengyou Bookstore in Seeking Immortal County.

His eyes widened in shock.

"The Longevity Barrier... a ban that covers the world... demons can now enter the world on a large scale..."

Several keywords caused a surge of thoughts in Tao Qian's mind.

The doubts he had since his rebirth seemed to find answers now, and his mind involuntarily filled with many speculations.

And this news that Evil Cultivators, Demons, and Alien Species could enter the world in large numbers made Tao Qian's feelings even more urgent.

"This world is too dark; the Mortal World was already pitiful with that Barrier in place, being oppressed by the Feudal Dynasty to the point of breathlessness, with rebel armies of destitute refugees everywhere."

"And now, with that Barrier gone, these demons will be joining in... do mortals still have a way to survive?"

"And me, given the current situation, the 'Cultivation' of this world seems to be different from what I imagined."

"So do I still cultivate to become an Immortal?"

At this thought, Tao Qian shook his head, and the answer immediately became clear.

Cultivate!

Of course, he had to cultivate for a way to live, for the possibility of attaining Longevity, transcending this world.

If he did not cultivate, that would truly be the path to death.

Muttering to himself at heart, Tao Qian then expelled all distracting thoughts and refocused his Spirit back to his Puppet Body.

Following Pan Hongniang out of the room, in the courtyard, they immediately encountered his seven disciples.

"Master!"

"Big Brother Senior Disciple!"

The six men and one woman all greeted with respect, and regarding the unusually intimate demeanor between their Master and their Big Brother Senior Disciple, all seven of them seemed voluntarily blind, turning a blind eye.

Despite this, there was an unexpected occurrence.

It was the Little Sister Disciple, draped only in a thin layer of purple gauze, arguably wanting to curry favor upon learning of the "Big Brother Senior Disciple's" incomparable status from her Senior Brothers. Her greeting did not show a seducing air, but she subconsciously used a whining voice.

If only Tao Qian were present, this would have presented no issue.

Alas, Pan Hongniang was also present, and she was in no state to fully suppress her monstrous obsession with her lover.

Her possessiveness over her lover had long since reached a frenzied state, tolerating not even the slightest hint of interest from others, even if it was just some insignificant trace.

Thus, the moment that coquettish voice came out, it was immediately followed by a fierce shout,

"You little whore, what do you think you're doing? Are you looking for death?"

Beneath Pan Hongniang's veil, her expression was ferocious.

As she shouted, her fair palm shot out vehemently, along with the surging Pink Peach Blossom Miasma, and struck directly atop the girl's head in the purple gauze.

With a "crack," the girl didn't even have time to wail or struggle before her head was smashed into her chest cavity, and with a thud, she fell to the ground, dead in an instant.

Still not satisfied, Pan Hongniang then raised her hand to summon a large swarm of pink moths.

They densely covered the girl's corpse, sucking hungrily like on nectar, voraciously draining every bit of moisture and Essence Blood from the tender body.

In the blink of an eye, there appeared a piece of dried meat on the ground.

The slightest breeze came and it shattered instantly, turning into a flurrying powder.

The six individuals nearby immediately knelt down thumpingly, facing Tao Qian, and kowtowed frantically, begging the eldest apprentice brother to spare their lives.

Clearly, although they did not know what their Master was insane about, they understood who to truly plea to for help.

Just then, Tao Qian's Divine Soul returned, taking over the Puppet Body.

Regarding the death of the girl in purple gauze, Tao Qian didn't feel any pity, according to the original host's memories.

That girl surnamed Ye was a viperous beauty, ruthlessly hearted and skilled in manipulating people's emotions, her hands stained with the blood of many innocents. She was a new disciple collected by Pan Hongniang while travelling, admired for her ruthless nature and beautiful body and often toyed with and trained by her.

The fact that she had just met such an end at the hands of Pan Hongniang could be seen as destiny.

As for the six distinctive young men on the ground, the original host's memory only contained images of them competing for favor and striving to seduce the Master. Their wicked deeds were few, merely six of Pan Hongniang's favored male courtesans.

"Let's go, the feast has started."

Tao Qian didn't respond to the six individuals but simply patted Pan Hongniang's hand, and the master-disciple pair left the courtyard and headed towards the temple.

On the way, Tao Qian looped arms with Pan Hongniang, encountering numerous Demon Cultivators, flooding the area just as they had covered Tengshe Mountain the previous day. There, there had been many Righteous or neutral Cultivators, but here, the air was thick with the stench of bloodthirsty, horrific Demon Cultivators.

In a daze, Tao Qian suddenly recalled descriptions from supernatural novels he had read in a past life. It was truly more demonic than a Demon Cave.

Listening to the tumultuous noise and sniffing the strange odor born from the mix of countless different scents, as they approached the main hall up ahead, Tao Qian suddenly pulled Pan Hongniang to a stop.

Just moments before, Tao Qian had learned from the chattering of the filthy Pig Demons:

The Beautiful Corpse Bodhisattva and other Great Demons had leveraged their influence; ever since the edict was issued, Demons, Evil Cultivators, and Alien Species rushed from all sides.

Thus, tonight's banquet was exceedingly grand and lively. It was also quite normal that there was a clear divide in hierarchy.

At the center of the banquet, of course, was Iron Buddha Temple's main hall.

Then came the side halls.

Afterwards, according to the strength of one's Cultivation, they were seated outwards.

If one was a lowly Evil Cultivator or a powerless Little Demon, they might even be banished to the middle of the mountain.

Nongyu Immortal Pan Hongniang, being a Foundation Establishment Stage Evil Cultivator who had recently killed a fellow cultivator of the same rank, the "Jade-faced Lady Lan Qing'er," though punished, had somewhat gained notoriety. Thus, she had obtained a secondary seat at the back of the main hall.

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As Pan Hongniang's first disciple, Tao Qian, if shameless, could also blend into the main hall, sitting with the Beautiful Corpse Bodhisattva and a multitude of powerful Demon Cultivators.

If it were the original host, perhaps he would have tried to sneak in.

But Tao Qian?

He pulled Pan Hongniang close, whispering into her ear with such intimacy that immediately made Pan Hongniang blush, showing a girlish demeanor in front of the crowd.

But the next words from her lover's mouth made her feel reluctant to part.

Tao Qian started speaking, making sound and logical arguments:

"Master, you've slain Lan Demon Lady, establishing some renown in this temple. Now it's the perfect opportunity to curry favor with those prestigious gentlemen."

"If someone of my lowly Cultivation were to enter, I would undoubtedly hinder your reputation, subjected to condescension by those jealous-hearted Evil Cultivators and Demons."

"Moreover, I already witnessed the Bodhisattvas' formidable presences tonight. Their aura is truly not something a minor Energy-Introducing Realm cultivator like me could endure up close. If I really were to mingle in, I'd be on edge and anxious, unable to enjoy the food or drink."

"Thus, it's better for me to sit in a side hall. It's also an opportunity to mingle with other Cultivators and Demons, broaden my horizons, and see if I can rally some support and allies for our Peach Blossom Immortal Valley."

"The feast will last at most a few hours. We can stand to be apart that long."

After Tao Qian made his speech, Pan Hongniang couldn't help but be taken aback.

Beneath her veil, her face was filled with reluctance, wanting to say something.

But as she opened her mouth, she realized the impeccable logic of his words, leaving no ground for argument.

Especially those first few sentences, each one was considerate of her, as the Master.

It was her own fault that her lover had such low Cultivation and couldn't ascend to the high hall.

Thus, after hearing this, Pan Hongniang felt an overwhelming sense of guilt. After a moment, she said:

"Fei'er, rest assured, Hongniang will not covet your body until you break into the Qi Refining Realm."

"The foundation of this Peach Blossom Immortal Valley will be yours in the future, and even I, Hongniang, belong to you."

With that, Pan Hongniang beckoned over a somewhat cleaner looking Pig Demon.

She ordered it to arrange a decent place for Tao Qian in one of the side halls, but not to prepare a maid.

Afterward, the extremely vicious Nongyu Immortal, though quite off-kilter, looked back at her lover three steps at a time, following the welcoming Demons into the once majestic, now blood-churning great hall.