Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

Chen Qing laughed, "All right, Ling Xi said to bring him along, so we'll bring him along!"

Li Dangxian immediately felt something wrong, but by the time he reacted, Chen Qing had already flashed behind him, knocked him unconscious with a slap, and carried him onto the boat.

In the rain curtain, Chen Qing sat at the bow getting drenched, the heavy rain awakening Li Dangxian quickly as it poured over him.

He rubbed his sore nape, "A dignified Prince Wen, engaging in such kidnapping acts?"

Chen Qing was utterly indifferent, "I've not only kidnapped people, but I've also killed without guilt. If I don't like someone, I just kill them."

"What you're saying now, sounds rather nonchalant."

"It's no big deal."

"In the past, while I was battling in the Death Realm, Grandmaster Wang Ji from the Buddhist sect pleaded for me to spare the cultivators by sacrificing himself. I didn't even blink, and I killed them all cleanly."

Li Dangxian shrugged, "Yes, that's exactly the mindset of you great cultivators: those who defy you are killed, those who follow you are enslaved!"

Chen Qing laughed heartily, "If the Dragon Cavalry heard you say that, a hundred lives wouldn't be enough for death!"

Chen Qing took out a flask, sipped it, and handed it to Li Dangxian, "I've checked your conditions; your meridians are just broken. If you can enter the Dragon Transformation Pool, rebirth, and reshape your Dao Foundation, you can walk the cultivation path again."

"Moreover, it can enhance your cultivation talent, ensuring a smooth path at least before the Mystic Gate Realm."

Li Dangxian said, "The Dragon Transformation Pool is a secret of the Dragon Clan; no one but the Dragon Clan can enter it. Even if you're Prince Wen, what can you do?"

Chen Qing said, "In that case, I'll seize the Dragon Transformation Pool from the Dragon Clan!"

Li Dangxian was slightly stunned, "A dignified Great Sect, would it let you do as you please?"

"I'm tired of being a cultivator; now I just want to live a life as a mortal."

"Being a mortal has nothing bad; they can still fight cultivators."

Chen Qing said, "You're not wrong. Without the Spring and Autumn Cicada, I might greatly appreciate you. However, because of the Cicada's existence, you're not that important."

A trace of worry flashed in Li Dangxian's eyes, "You mean, because of cultivators' speed, far superior to mortals', even if a mortal possesses weapons capable of killing cultivators, they can't target, and before deploying their instruments, they'd be killed by a cultivator with divine speed?"

Chen Qing said, "Yes, I've pondered, the world is vast, there's more than just you."

"In the past, there might have been mortals like you, who, using the natural Dao of the world, attempted to manipulate spiritual energy so that mortals could also kill cultivators."

"I call beings like you a scientific and technological nation."

"But in this world, because of the Spring and Autumn Cicada, because of Gu worms that can alter perception, the upper limit of technological civilization is too low. Once reaching high levels, it's impossible to compete with true cultivators."

"Kid, everything has its reason; it's not without cause."

"The reason technological civilization can't rise in this world, there's got to be one."

Li Dangxian suddenly felt a bit desolate, "Meaning, my life's work is actually of no worth..."

"In front of powerful kings like you, capable of altering life and death, entirely useless..."

Chen Qing said, "Although these are useless, incapable of truly defeating cultivators, you showed me another possibility."

"A realm where mortals and cultivators coexist!"

"In an unprecedented nation where mortals can also have their purpose, respecting each other with cultivators, rather than a relationship of enslavement."

"Every person carrying out their duty, doing what they should, enjoying their lives, and building this nation into the strongest in the world."

Li Dangxian said, "So, you still want everyone at your service; this just turns everyone into your profit tools!"

Chen Qing said, "You've never truly governed a nation; it seems I've overrated you. You need to learn from Su Yi for a while."

"Only after understanding how important it is for everyone to have a job to do can you be of some use."

Just as night fell, Chen Qing sensed a mighty force ahead on the mountain range, resonating with his own aura.

Chen Qing halted the Returning Home ten miles away, calling out loudly, "How should I address you?"

The person in the black robe ahead said, "You can call me Number Five."

Chen Qing said, "You weren't killed by Yu Qingshuang?"

Number Five's tone was indifferent, "Thanks to you, I am still a Fist Grandmaster. Although Heavenly Punishment is strong, killing me requires some skill."

Chen Qing asked, "Which sect are you from?"

Number Five said, "According to your classification, I belong to the Evil Sect of Tai Sui, but none of that matters. For me, what is true or evil is trivial."

"I am here merely to demand you hand over Ling Xi."

Chen Qing said, "According to my calculations, she should originate from the Chaos Sect. Why do you fight for her?"

Number Five said, "Chen Qing, you at least have Chen Dan, your life, your nation. You've owned everything; why not give us Ling Xi?"

"Chen Qing, we only have her left!"

"Aside from her, I can't feel that anything in this world belongs to me. I can't find my place, my belief."

"Chen Qing, hand her over to me, and I'll give you a response."

Chen Qing said, "You have characteristics quite similar to the Demon Clan; you are beings born of the earth and heaven, knowing from birth."

"Is Ling Xi the only anchor in your hearts?"

Number Five shook his head, "At first, we thought Ling Xi was ordinary, merely a child."

"Until we nightly stayed in the harem, ravaging the female cultivators across the land, daily with dozens of women for years without offspring, did we realize how precious Ling Xi truly is."

"She is the world's most unique treasure."

"She might well be our last hope."

"If you take her, we'll give everything to take her back!"

Chen Qing said, "In my view, you cannot be a qualified father; your personalities are extremely twisted, entirely unable to provide Ling Xi a normal living environment."

Number Five said, "Chen Qing, let's make a deal. Give us Ling Xi, and we will make her the unique queen of the Water Country. The entire nation will serve her."

"Anyone who is not subject to her, we will eliminate for her!"

Chen Qing reached out and drew the True One Slash, "Words are useless, show me your prowess, and let me test the divine power of the True One Slash!"

Number Five drew the long sword from his bosom, "Chen Qing, you will regret your choice!"

"You have no idea how strong Tai Sui's power truly is, you don't know how many of us there are."

"You don't know what true power is!"

Chen Qing waved his hand to collect the Returning Home, yelling angrily, "You are also me, you know what we mean, we are the newborn gods, as newborn gods, just became menial servants of Tai Sui, you make me feel humiliated!"

Number Five laughed coldly, "That's just what you think!"

"We are merely pitiable beings replicated by Tai Sui, we are not you!"

"You sit on that high throne, navigating the world, wielding your authority, steering the people, controlling the world!"

"And we? Born into this endless demonic mire, only by struggling can we find a way to live!"

"Only by killing you can we prove our existence!"

"Chen Qing, rest assured, I'll seize your True One Slash, take everything from you, and after becoming you, I will view the world as you do!"

Chen Qing stepped forward, flying into the air with one step, "I admire your courage, but you alone are not my opponent!"

Number Five laughed loudly, "Of course, I'm not alone, we've all come."

The rain intensified, and on the dark mountain peaks around, shadow after shadow appeared, all emanating the might of a Grandmaster.