Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

East Emperor Era, year eighty-four.

Prince Wen received the Miao God Order to eliminate the Water Country, appointing his disciple Li Shang as commander, leading the Wen Country in the conquest of the Water Country.

The war progressed exceedingly smoothly, lasting a mere two years before the Water Country was destroyed.

However, after the fall of the Water Country, Prince Wen ordered the burning of everything within it, with the great fire raging for ten years, thoroughly scorching the land of the Water Country.

During this battle, the Seven Kings under Prince Wen made a shocking appearance, each possessing a King Gu.

The world was astonished, calling Prince Wen the Seven Kings' Master.

Ten years later, Prince Wen issued an order to extinguish the fire, relocating the people of Wen Country into the Water Country.

The system of feudal allocation was replaced with a system of grace.

The offspring of meritorious ministers were eligible to enter the Dragon Transformation Pool, undergoing a complete transformation, thereby gaining cultivation talents far surpassing ordinary cultivators, to placate the resentment of the ministers over the lack of fiefs.

Then, Prince Wen bestowed a new name upon his main force, which the people called the Six Dao under Prince Wen.

East Emperor Era, year ninety-three, Emperor Donghua fell gravely ill, urgently summoning all the princes to the imperial capital.

To bring joy to Emperor Donghua and rid his misfortune, it was decided to summon Prince Wen of Nanli as Prince Consort and marry Princess Jin'an to him.

The court was in an uproar, with numerous ministers passionately opposing this marriage.

The aged Emperor Donghua executed five old kings in court, washing the court in blood, suppressing all dissenting voices, and forcibly summoning Prince Wen of Nanli to the court.

The next month, Prince Wen of Nanli, Chen Qing, led the Seven Disciples of his sect, a hundred Dragon Cavalry, and two thousand of his army into the territory of Da Yan.

Under the cover of night, Chen Qing rode his Green Bull, leading the march. In the carriage behind him, Ji Shang lifted the curtain, "Prince Wen, further ahead lies the heart of Da Yan territory."

Chen Qing remarked as it was his first time here, "Indeed, this is my first time witnessing the grandeur of Da Yan. The land of Da Yan is vast, the seasons differ, the south and north are distinct, truly a land of great wealth."

At this moment, Ji Shang still did not quite understand, "I wonder what Father is thinking, using such a foolish strategy, under the guise of inviting you to enter the territory with troops."

"Has the situation become so dire?"

Chen Qing replied, "Perhaps your father has discovered something."

Ji Shang said, "This marriage proposal is merely a way for Father to lawfully allow you to bring troops into Da Yan. If Prince Wen is truly unwilling to marry my sister, I have no objections."

Chen Qing laughed, "I fear as a concubine, your sister will not be pleased."

Ji Shang responded, "Yuqing Shuang, a Sword Bearer of the Sword Travel Palace and a dignified Seven Sword Venerable, is but a concubine in Prince Wen's entourage. What right does she have to be dissatisfied?"

Chen Qing replied, "Let's see how Ji Ru feels about it."

"However, no matter what, I am determined to secure the throne for you. Emperor Donghua, for me, there is no room for compromise."

"Ji Shang, we don't have much time."

"We must completely grasp this era and unify the forces of the entire continent."

Ji Shang recalled something, "Are you saying, the Demon Suppressing True Monarch and others have truly found the way to the Demon Country?"

Chen Qing stated, "I simply wish to ask you, are you truly prepared to change this era with me?"

"If you are not ready yet, this journey means nothing."

Ji Shang said resolutely, "Having spent so much time in Wen Country with Chen, witnessing the development of Wen Country, I naturally have some ideas I'd like to implement in Da Yan."

Chen Qing warned, "That would require killing many people."

Ji Shang replied, "Killing is better than disobedience."

Chen Qing continued, "You might die. If there's an eastern expedition, you will be the commander."

"However, Li Shang and his followers will accompany you eastward. I will pressure their fathers to relinquish their King Gu to Li Shang's followers. Each will at least possess two King Gu."

Ji Shang declared, "That's the mandate of Emperor Donghua. If I die, I hope Prince Wen will support my and Sisi's child as the new Emperor Donghua, and continue the war against the Demon Country!"

"I want to reclaim the Heavenly Destiny stolen by the Demon Clan."

"But let's not talk about that now, let's first secure the throne."

On September eighth, Prince Wen entered the imperial capital.

On September ninth, Prince Wen entered the hall, specially granted the privilege to wear his sword into the hall, without stating his name, and was awarded a seat.

After welcoming Prince Wen, Emperor Donghua dismissed the officials with a wave and privately conversed with Prince Wen inside the hall.

Outside the Imperial Palace, Little Heavenly Master Feng Yi from the Heavenly Master Mansion and Immortal Court Divine Son Li Chonghuan sensed the impending crisis.

Every high-ranking minister in the court of Da Yan was filled with fear and trepidation.

The entry of Prince Wen symbolized the entry of Nanli; the court was destined to experience bloody upheaval in the struggle for the sole throne.

Under a full moon, the aging Emperor Donghua, supported by Cao Zhong, sat on the floor of the Destiny Hall in the Imperial Palace with Chen Qing.

Emperor Donghua rarely spoke, but now, he quickly stated a sentence.

"Cao Zhong, go call the princess to serve tea."

"And do not return."

Cao Zhong, having followed Emperor Donghua for many years, naturally understood, and hurriedly left. Not long after, Ji Ru entered the hall.

Ji Ru cautiously performed her ceremony and began to serve tea.

Carefully lifting her gaze, she discovered that Chen Qing and Emperor Donghua sat as equals, and she was somewhat surprised.

The position of Emperor Donghua was no less than that of the Heavenly Venerate Master Miao God Buddha, and yet he was sitting on equal terms with Chen Qing at this moment.

However, recalling Chen Qing's equally high-standing status, she understood in her heart. It seemed Father already knew.

Emperor Donghua raised a tea cup, saying, "There are no outsiders here, you both have cicadas, so I will speak directly."

"Hahaha, speaking to those who also possess cicadas is easy, no need to speak slowly, you can hear it as well."