Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

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In fact, Chen Qing had not thought that far ahead.

He simply agreed to the deal with the Netherworld King for now.

Whether to continue this deal in the future would depend on the specific circumstances.

As for Yan Xichao, even the Netherworld King deemed his intentions ill, so his death was of no consequence.

Chen Qing was always indifferent to human life.

He had executed many without fault; one more would not make a difference.

While he was contemplating how to report to the Miao God about his encounter in the Age History Book, the door suddenly knocked.

Chen Qing turned his head, "Come in."

Xu Yaofeng pushed the door open and entered, followed by an elderly man with white hair. He carried an air of authority, his face stern, though it softened upon seeing Chen Qing.

Xu Yaofeng introduced, "This elder is the headquarters' enforcer, responsible for investigating traitors and purging sect members, maintaining order."

As he spoke, the elder slightly cupped his hands towards Chen Qing, "Prince Wen, I am Guan Siping, serving as deputy under the command of the Young Master. In the future, I hope Prince Wen will look out for me."

Chen Qing smiled, "Of course, elder, please have a seat."

Seeing Chen Qing's invitation, Guan Siping appeared pleased and sat down nearby, without avoiding Xu Yaofeng. He said directly, "The matter of Prince Wen executing Yan Xichao was at my behest. Here is the evidence of Yan Xichao's crimes; please review it, Prince Wen."

Chen Qing picked up the documents presented by Guan Siping, "Raping and plundering, wantonly killing mortal low-level cultivators, soul collecting, and bloodthirst—truly acts of the demonic path!"

"If interrogated, should I directly mention your name, elder?"

Guan Siping replied, "Prince Wen may say that I arranged it. Although Yan Xichao deserved to die, the fact that we executed him before convicting him requires someone to bear some responsibility."

Chen Qing understood that Guan Siping supported him within the Jiguang Sect, positioning himself as the scapegoat.

Even though Yan Xichao deserved his fate, executing him without following the proper procedure was still a crime.

Chen Qing kindly asked, "Elder, do you have any disciples or descendants? You can send them to my country of Wen, and I will ensure they are well-placed."

He smiled slightly, "Also, without reassuring the elder, I fear you might feel uneasy."

"This piece of the Holy Bone does not hold much significance to me, so I will give it to the elder."

Chen Qing waved his sleeve, and a Divine Bone, the size of a grinding stone, descended.

Guan Siping stepped forward to examine it closely, "Yes, yes, exactly this item!"

"Prince Wen is truly the chosen one by the Sect Hierarch!"

"This item is too precious; is Prince Wen really gifting it to me?"

Chen Qing replied, "It's reciprocal courtesy. Since the elder helped me resolve the problem, it is well-deserved."

"Additionally, I must ask the elder a favor. Should there be seniors in Jiguang Sect who need the Holy Bone's assistance and seek my help, they can only reach me through letters from you."

"The Jiguang Sect is a complex mix of supporters and detractors, and since I don't reside permanently at the headquarters, I'm not fully aware of the intricacies within."

"If anyone wishes to assist me, it still depends on the elder to oversee."

"Currently, I only trust the elder."

With this statement, everyone present, all seasoned men, naturally understood Chen Qing's intent.

This was an effort to form an alliance with Chen Qing against the Netherworld King, with Guan Siping as the organizer.

Guan Siping was overjoyed, entirely devoid of sorrow regarding his impending imprisonment, "What Prince Wen entrusts me, I shall fulfill to the utmost!"

"Rest assured, Prince Wen, I am well-acquainted with the Jiguang Sect at headquarters and will certainly secure this barrier."

"Those who align with me are all willing to lay down their lives for Prince Wen!"

Chen Qing smiled, "Then I shall rely on you, elder."

Chen Qing arranged a banquet, and after a joyful gathering, Guan Siping departed.

As Guan Siping left, he held onto the Holy Bone without concealing it, swaggering through the headquarters, back to his own cave abode.

Everyone clearly saw that colossal Holy Bone, "Prince Wen can also acquire a Holy Bone!"

"Quickly report this to the patriarch!"

"Now there are two who can obtain a Holy Bone!"

"So it seems, there must be a showdown between the Netherworld King and Prince Wen."

"Prince Wen's beheading of Yan Xichao was a declaration of war against the Netherworld King!"

"It is very possible, after encountering traps left by the Netherworld King at Kunlun and returning enraged, Prince Wen executed Yan Xichao immediately."

Listening to the outside discussions, Xu Yaofeng glanced at the composed Chen Qing beside him, "If you had arrived any later, those Feather Transformation Realm cultivators opposing the Netherworld King might have been completely purged by him."

"You arrived just in time, at the moment of their abandonment, leaving them with no choice but to support you."

Soon, the headquarters commenced a trial, wherein Guan Siping insisted that he had commanded Chen Qing to skip the law enforcement procedures and unilaterally executed Yan Xichao, resulting in a ten-year imprisonment.

Chen Qing, unaware of the headquarters' affairs, was released as 'ignorance is innocence.'

Chen Qing, together with several young individuals recommended by Guan Siping, began their return to Longevity Mountain, preparing to forge the True One Slash.

Guan Siping's imprisonment did not decrease his standing; rather, it soared because Feather Transformation Realm cultivators opposing the Netherworld King could only connect with Chen Qing through him.

It could be said that within the Jiguang Sect, aside from Xu Yaofeng, Chen Qing's faction held the highest positions, with Guan Siping now prominent.

Xu Yaofeng's allegiance was known to all.

The brotherhood in the Death Realm between Xu Yaofeng and Chen Qing ensured everyone that Xu Yaofeng indeed stood with Chen Qing.

Furthermore, Xu Yaofeng bore the King Gu and was inherently an influential power within the Jiguang Sect, naturally holding a higher status than Guan Siping.

Under Chen Qing's command, Guan Siping's primary role was to connect the Feather Transformation Realm cultivators within the Jiguang Sect seeking to ally with Chen Qing.

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