Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

Otherwise, it would be an irreversible calamity.

They formed hand seals and chanted incantations, releasing the golden hoops from the two Dragon Lords, "Please give your orders, respected one."

Chen Qing waved his hand, opening the Void Gate, "Go in."

Earth Master Zhang and Zhao Huangming exchanged glances, both seeing the helplessness in each other's eyes.

It was clear that Chen Qing intended to subjugate them, but at this moment, with neither the Heavenly Master nor the Heavenly Venerable present, they didn't have many options.

Zhao Huangming shook his head with resignation and stepped into the Void Gate.

Earth Master Zhang watched Zhao Huangming fall into the endless Void, sighed, and entered the Void Gate as well.

Chen Qing then said, "Brother Ji Shang, I leave the rest to you. You may use Ji Ru to mobilize my disciples and stabilize the world!"

"I have some matters to attend to within the sect, so I will take my leave first."

After Chen Qing finished speaking, he opened the Void Gate and stepped in.

The Palace Master of Sword Travel Palace immediately followed Chen Qing's footsteps, and then the three Sword Masters of Sword Travel Palace, along with the three Dragon Lords, obediently followed without daring to resist in the slightest.

Ji Shang watched as the Void Gate disappeared in the grand hall, feeling astounded.

Were the divine beings truly so formidable?

Several True Monarchs, in the presence of a divine being, didn't dare utter a word of dissent—truly fearsome!

A True Monarch, as someone closest to divinity, naturally understood most clearly just how formidable the Divine Power truly was.

And now, his conclusion was: in the face of a divine being, True Monarchs had no room to resist.

After Chen Qing left, everyone in the grand hall breathed a sigh of relief. So this was the might of a divine being—truly terrifying.

The most terrifying aspect was that Chen Qing had not exhibited much of his capabilities, yet several True Monarchs were already bowing their heads in obedience, without a hint of opposition, and were willingly captured.

Everyone looked towards Ji Shang, now fully understanding just how powerful Ji Shang's backing really was.

Ji Shang's sister, Ji Ru, was the wife of a God—no wonder Emperor Donghua, upon his death, had insisted on forcefully seeking a son-in-law. So that was why!

It wasn't that Emperor Donghua took a fancy to Chen Qing, but that Chen Qing had granted Emperor Donghua this face, allowing Ji Ru to serve Him.

At this moment, Ji Shang also felt that the significant matters were settled, the mere Li Chonghuan and Feng Yi were no longer a threat to him now.

Ji Shang immediately ordered, "Summon Princess Jin'an and the seven disciples of Prince Wen to the court!"

Soon, Cao Zhong, despite his serious injuries, got up in joy, "By your command, Your Majesty, I shall go immediately!"

When Li Chonghuan and Feng Yi arrived at the Heavenly Destiny Hall and saw the densely packed hall full of Ji Shang's people, and they couldn't contact their own True Monarch and the two Dragon Lords, how could they not realize that the situation was irrevocably lost?

Li Chonghuan couldn't help but curse, "We've been set up."

But Feng Yi simply chuckled, "The struggle of the Gods is beyond my fault."

Both of them obediently handed over the Emperor's Corpse; the two Princes immediately collapsed to the ground, with their life or death unknown.

At daybreak, the splendidly dressed Ji Ru, accompanied by Chen Qing's seven disciples, entered the court, with numerous court officials awaiting her arrival.

They were now clear that until Chen Qing openly claimed to be a God, he might still occasionally show up in the human world, but now that it was clear, he would not likely appear at any moment.

The person before them now was the one who could represent Chen Qing's will.

However, Ji Ru's first sentence upon entering the hall astonished everyone.

Ji Ru solemnly entered the hall, enveloped in Divine Power, with Infinite Light radiating behind her, "In the name of the oldest being in this world, who belongs neither to the past, nor to the present, nor to the future—guided by Taichu, the Taichu Divine Woman Ji Ru has come to congratulate Your Majesty on ascending to the Emperor's throne!"

"Your Majesty rules over all under heaven, and Taichu has commanded Ji Ru to come forth and recommend a new era name for Your Majesty."

Ji Shang was also caught off-guard by this, Taichu Divine Woman?

As the consort of the Void Master, you claim to be the Taichu Divine Woman?

"Dare I ask, what kind of being is Taichu exactly?"

Ji Ru slowly said, "He is the oldest of beings, the most ancient existence above all Gods, now the only Pillar God between heaven and earth, commanding all directions, suppressing all realms, the origin of all ways and laws, the very first living being between heaven and earth, holding sway over the cycle of Life and Death Reincarnation, He is the Master of the Six Dao of Reincarnation!"

"All laws, all paths, all life and death are manifestations of Taichu's power."

"He is the eternal and unchanging law, the supreme king of all gods!"

"Your Majesty, as the Master of the Human World, Taichu has commanded me to inform you that the era of Taichu has begun, and all this shall be personally executed by Your Majesty."

At this moment, the impact on Ji Shang's heart was boundless. He had thought that behind Ji Ru was Chen Qing, the Void Master. Little did he expect that behind Chen Qing, there was an even more terrifying existence.

This had completely altered his cognition!

In his understanding, gods were already the most powerful beings. But now, Ji Ru, the partner to a god, personally told him that above the gods, there was a Pillar God.

As for the many court officials above the court, they were all shocked and speechless.

Ji Shang had just ascended to the position of Emperor Donghua and had gained some confidence. But this confidence dissipated upon the realization that there was an even older existence behind Chen Qing.

The only consolation was that, fortunately, he was the chosen one by Taichu.

After all, no matter how one put it, Ji Ru and Chen Qing, one his own sister and the other a god, wouldn't possibly joke about such a matter, right?

Ji Shang's voice trembled slightly as he asked, "May I ask what era name Taichu recommends?"

Ji Ru spoke out loud, "Martial Virtue!"

Ji Shang instantly understood, "I see. From today onwards, the era name will be Martial Virtue!"

Ji Ru stepped forward and placed down a bronze mask, "This is the pathway for Your Majesty to meet with Taichu. Please be cautious."

Meanwhile, in Sword Travel Palace.

Chen Qing sat upon the grand seat of the Void Master, glancing at the still-empty throne of the Void Sword Master, knowing he should assist Yu Qingshuang in ascending to her divine position.

He glanced at the seven True Monarchs who stood before him in respectful composure, manifested his true form as the Void Master, enveloping heaven and earth. With divine power filling the space, he spoke in a solemn voice: "My name is Taiyi, the very first follower of Taichu. Guided by Taichu, I shall ascend to that eternal divine position, reshape the heavenly order by the will of Taichu!"

The seven True Monarchs were startled upon hearing his words. They had thought gods were the highest existence. But now, Chen Qing personally told them that even he, a god, was merely a follower of Taichu!

What a shocking revelation this was?

Chen Qing continued: "Hua Yang Dragon Monarch, Shijia Dragon Lord, although you were controlled, you have made grave mistakes, trying to alter the Heavenly Destiny. Now, I give you a chance for forgiveness. Are you willing to be forgiven?"

Both Hua Yang Dragon Monarch and Shijia Dragon Lord realized the situation had far exceeded their imagination.

They immediately knelt down, "We are willing to obey!"

Chen Qing asked, "Do you know of the Thousand-faced Buddha?"

Shijia Dragon Lord replied, "I know a thing or two."

Chen Qing commanded, "I now order the three of you dragons to join forces with the three Sword Masters of Sword Travel Palace to hunt down the Thousand-faced Buddha and bring the last one to me!"

"I grant you the right to traverse through countless realms. When your task is completed, I shall personally bestow rewards upon you!"

The six True Monarchs each received their orders and set out to pursue the Thousand-faced Buddha in the worlds designated by Chen Qing.

At that moment, having just returned to the Jiguang Sect, the Netherworld King received an invitation from Xu Yaofeng.

The Netherworld King didn't mind particularly and didn't take it too seriously. He went to Xu Yaofeng's cave residence where Xu Yaofeng cleared everyone else out and placed a bronze mask on the table.

The Netherworld King narrowed his eyes slightly, "What does this mean?"

Xu Yaofeng said, "By the command of Taichu, I have come to inform you."

"Chen Qing is about to ascend to godhood, and you must also ascend to godhood in a short period of time!"

"Under the guidance of Taichu, I have come to invite you to ascend!"

The Netherworld King's eyes widened as he regarded Xu Yaofeng carefully. Xu Yaofeng said, "On the first night of the new year, at midnight, put on the mask, and you will naturally understand the reason."

Xu Yaofeng continued, "War is about to begin. As a future god chosen by Taichu, you should understand what you must do."

"That will be a war enveloping the entire world, even gods may fall from their thrones!"

The Netherworld King picked up the bronze mask and immediately found the world to be somewhat different from what he had expected.