Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

Seated within the dragon carriage, Chen Qing was absorbing the memories of Ye Fulong.

The dragon carriage had already set off for Li Country.

Chen Qing had no plans to go to the Water Country.

It was a royal family member whom he had subdued there.

Hence, he chose Li Country as his next destination.

Unlike his encounters in Lin Country and Yan Country, upon barely entering the border of Li Country, a young Daoist, riding a green Qilin, approached him.

This young Daoist, in flowing white garments, floated gently as an otherworldly presence, seemingly a Banished Immortal.

"Qi Changjin from Li Country's Qilin Temple pays respects to Lord Wei!"

Chen Qing was slightly surprised; the Qilin Temple was on par with major factions such as Dao Origin Land and Phoenix Nest, a Great Sect of Ten Thousand Years.

Normally unconcerned with world affairs, they were now coming to greet him.

Chen Qing turned to Li Liufeng, who said, "The Qilin Temple, not getting along with the local major sect Azure Darkness Sect and being an external faction, has always been excluded by the local sects of Li Country."

Is this about them seeking refuge with me, looking for a new foundation to settle?

Observing the extraordinary demeanor of the Daoist ahead, Chen Qing felt he was beginning to grasp the lay of the land.

At the very top were the Great Sects.

Such as Jiguang Sect, Da Yan, Immortal Court, Heavenly Master Mansion, Dragon Palace, Snow Plains, Jiuli Miao God, West Desert Buddhist Sect, Sword Travel Palace.

For they have deities with long and seemingly eternal lives, seated high above the Nine Heavens, overlooking the mortal realm.

Below the Great Sects, protected under their wings, were factions like Dao Origin Land, Qilin Temple, Haotian Sect – all Ten Thousand Years Major Sects.

Their relationship to Great Sects was like fingers to a giant; they could survive only by clinging to the giant.

Matters like crowning kings were merely for them to follow.

Only Great Sects had the qualification to initiate and control the crowning of a king.

Chen Qing had once personally visited Longevity Mountain; the awe he felt from that place where three thousand Mystic Gates stood guard, countless experts roamed, kings made their presence, and mysteries hung high above, lingered in his heart.

Beneath the Miao God, likely, four True Monarchs remained; those were the last four mysterious lands he traversed.

Below True Monarchs were the kings.

It was a world where Great Sects held immense control, not a chaotic world teeming with countless sects.

If a Major Sect like Dao Origin Land or Qilin Temple willingly pledged allegiance, it quickly allowed Chen Qing to discern the underlying implications.

Without being a Great Sect, there was no qualification for independence.

They could only choose to align themselves with one from under the aegis of a Great Sect to continue existing.

Much like if he himself were to claim kingship successfully in the Death Realm, then Dao Origin Land and Qilin Temple would become his vassals.

While striving for kingship, it also allowed the peace to be restored by dividing and calming the discordant Major Sects under his command.

The tactics of the Great Sects were indeed sophisticated.

Therefore, why did the Miao God need a king from Jiguang Sect to surface?

To exploit and fully absorb the remnants of Jiguang Sect's power?

These matters, Chen Qing couldn't fully comprehend at the moment, but that was not crucial.

After all, whether he could return alive from the Death Realm remained a question.

Chen Qing stepped down from the carriage, "Qilin Temple?"

Qi Changjin smiled, "Indeed, the master ancestor has been waiting for Lord Wei for a long time. Please come with me for a meeting."

"And also, in our Qilin Temple, there is an old friend of yours."

Chen Qing showed a look of curiosity, "Which old friend?"

Qi Changjin said, "The master ancestor has already sent someone to capture him, and Lord Wei will soon meet him."

Chen Qing nodded, "Thank you for leading the way."

Following Qi Changjin for a thousand miles, while Chen Qing was cultivating, he suddenly heard a familiar voice.

"Old man, how dare you attack your uncle? Tired of living, are we?"

"Is there no longer any respect for seniority?"

"Once we return, I will make sure my senior brother spanks you!"

Chen Qing lifted the curtain of the carriage just in time to see a white-browed, white-haired Daoist, who swooped over with Nie Fei in hand, landing in front of Chen Qing.

Seeing Chen Qing, Nie Fei was overjoyed, "Good brother, I knew it, every time I get captured, you come to rescue me!"

Qi Changjin shook his head with a bitter smile, "Ancestor uncle, this is Lord Wei, the current Lord of Foundation Establishment from Nanli!"

Nie Fei scolded, "You junior, what do you know!"

"The camaraderie between us brothers, how could you possibly fathom it?"

Chen Qing, smiling, stood up and addressed the white-haired Daoist, "I would ask the senior to release Nie Fei."

The white-haired Daoist let go, and Nie Fei tumbled onto the ground in an undignified spill.

"It wouldn't be right for Lord Wei to call me senior."

Nie Fei brushed himself off and stood up, "Old man, you're being disrespectful. When we get back, you'll definitely be punished to kneel at Siguoya!"

"Ha ha ha, to meet again, our encounters are indeed always so exceptional!"

"Whenever I wish to see you, it turns out I willingly walk into the snare!"

Reuniting with an old friend, Chen Qing couldn't help but feel joy mixed with a different emotion.

It was all arranged beforehand.

Had the Qilin Temple placed their bets long ago?

A thought surfaced in Chen Qing's mind.

In this world, there truly are no accidents.

Thus, the only place that appeared to offer escape from the control of the Great Sects might be just one.

The Death Realm.

Only by becoming the true Lord of the Dead World could one temporarily escape the control of the Great Sects, right?

Or, perhaps this was also something Sword Travel Palace had orchestrated, willing to offer him this chance.

A chance to see the world clearly?

Or is it that a king has the opportunity to choose?

Like a net, it seemed to completely envelop Chen Qing.

Chen Qing shook his head, smiled at Nie Fei, and said, "Now that I'm at your home, won't you show me around?"

Nie Fei burst out laughing, "Of course, of course."