Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

"The only ones who could target this Jade Talisman are likely from within our Jiguang Sect."

Chen Qing asked in confusion, "There are people within the Jiguang Sect preparing to deal with me?"

Si Zhao said, "The Water Country has been enfeoffed by the Miao God for 8,600 years, now only 60 years remain."

"With your current momentum, as long as you return alive from the Death Realm, you will certainly be granted a royal title."

"And it's very likely to be Prince Wen."

"If it were any other royal title, it might have been okay, but if it's Prince Wen, it's impossible for the Miao God to enfeoff among the many immortal islands in the South Sea, granting you just a small island."

"Since it will be enfeoffed in the main continent, the dynastic cycle of the Water Country will end; do you think the royal family of the Water Country won't take the risk?"

"Moreover, under the interference of the Miao God, a nine-tailed fox demon entered the palace of Water Country, bringing disaster to the state and calamity to the people, shrouding the entire Water Country in dark, malarial mists."

"People's hearts are in turmoil, so there are plenty who would take desperate measures!"

"Within the Water Country's Jiguang Sect, a small part has already started to disobey orders."

Chen Qing said, "So, you're suggesting that the Jiguang Sect in the Water Country is very likely to target me?"

Si Zhao said, "However, you don't need to worry too much. This Jade Talisman, I secretly replaced it, and it's not even recorded in the sect's records."

"Besides myself, no one knows you possess this Jade Talisman, ensuring your safety."

Chen Qing reached out to take the Jade Talisman, "Well then, I thank you."

Having said that, Chen Qing put on his conical hat and turned to walk out of the inn.

His steps firm as he headed for the Nine Netherworld.

The entrance to the Nine Netherworld is an abyss with no bottom.

Also known as Earth's Wound.

This is an abyss that reaches tens of thousands of miles deep, where the light of day is never seen.

Within it lurk demons, evil spirits, Flying Corpses, Drought Demons, Mountain Ghosts, Spirit Monsters, and countless Evil Cultivators.

This place is also commonly known as Evil Valley.

It is the dwelling of all evils in the entire Nanli.

To say why such a ferocious place exists under the Miao God's command, with a God presiding over Nanli, one must ask about the sword in the hands of the female cultivator ahead of Chen Qing.

Beneath the abyss, without the light of day, although cultivators sense their surroundings with Divine Thought, they still do not dare to be too reckless, in case they disturb some powerful entities.

She is a female cultivator who is not very tall, a full two heads shorter than Chen Qing.

Such a height is not common in the realm of spiritual practice.

Cultivators have ways to make up for their own shortcomings.

Yet this woman remains at that height, which can only mean her magic is related to her stature.

The scabbard is not very long, only two feet. Chen Qing glanced at it, nodded to himself, figuring she excels in the way of assassination.

"That lad over there, just at the Foundation Establishment level, you dare to enter Nine Nether?"

"Nine Nether is Nanli's place for sharpening swords; without reaching the Mystic Gate, to rashly come here is to seek death, isn't it?"

"Whose follower are you, did none of your elders teach you?"

For the creatures of Nanli, this is a place where hoards of demons gather.

But for the great sects, this is merely a place to sharpen their swords.

It's as if they're gathered in one place, waiting to be exterminated by these great sects.

Chen Qing bowed slightly in the direction of Longevity Mountain and drew the Dragon Sparrow Sword, with a trace of Miao God's authority, "My house does not worship the various kings, nor the four True Monarchs; our allegiance is to the Miao God!"

The female cultivator was slightly startled, sensing the faint authority of the Miao God, "Longevity Mountain?"

Chen Qing proudly said, "Indeed!"

The female cultivator slightly relaxed her vigilance, "In that case, we are of the same house. My house worships the South Sea True Essence Manifestation Calamity Crossing True Monarch!"

Is she one who had once worshiped the Miao God and seen those True Monarchs from unknown places?

Chen Qing was not intimidated and smiled, "It turns out to be the sister under the Evil Crossing True Monarch. I am Chen Qing, I greet you respectfully."

The female cultivator smiled elegantly, "I dare not claim to be under the True Monarch; under the True Monarch are the kings who shepherd all beings and the Daoist Lords."

True Monarchs transcend all realms, unaffected by the mortal world, letting the kings govern and shepherd the people.

Chen Qing was hearing the term Daoist Lord for the first time; perhaps it referred to a king without a kingdom?

Or is that realm itself called Daoist Lord, with only True Monarchs needing the kings to shepherd beings to be dubbed kings?

No, that's not right either. Not all kings are Daoist Lords.

Newly enthroned kings do not necessarily have high cultivation levels.

The female cultivator seemed to have not seen an acquaintance for a long time, and unexpectedly opened up, "My name is Ruan Qingyi; you can just call me Ruan."

"With your level of cultivation, what brings you to Nine Nether?"

Chen Qing openly said, "Longevity Mountain is peaceful and non-contentious; it's difficult to witness combat there."

"Therefore, I have come here, wanting to observe cultivators in mortal combat to broaden my horizons."

Ruan Qingyi wasn't too surprised by this, "True, Longevity Mountain is shrouded by the holy might of Gods; it's impossible to have conflicts there."

Chen Qing inquired, "I wonder if Ruan has any recommended places where I can observe?"

Ruan Qingyi said, "I've been here for eighteen years, and while I can't say I've been everywhere, I do know a bit about all the major events."

"If you wish to watch people in combat, with your level of cultivation you can go down to three thousand miles, but do not venture below eight thousand miles."

"Beneath eight thousand miles are many ancient creatures that have been alive for thousands of years."

"With your level of cultivation, you would certainly never return."

Chen Qing bowed, took out a vermilion fruit, and threw it towards Ruan Qingyi, "Thank you for the reminder, Ruan; I understand."

"A small gift, please accept it."

Ruan Qingyi caught it, "A treasured medicine?"

She looked at Chen Qing again, "So generous, truly worthy of being a follower of the Miao God, from the people of Longevity Mountain."

"Well then, my injuries have almost healed, so I might as well accompany you part of the way!"