Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

After a full hour of waiting, there was still no response.

Chen Qing, however, was not in the slightest hurry, "In this world, I do not believe in coincidences."

"The emergence of Linglong Divine Palace seems too deliberate; I must know who I am truly fighting for."

Yet still, there was no response, only the tree leaves beneath the trees arranged themselves into a line of words by an unfelt wind.

[Your fate, you decide, you fight only for yourself.]

Chen Qing looked for a long time, then with a wave of his large sleeve, a gust of wind arose, scattering the leaves.

He left the Linglong Divine Palace, went into his own guard palace, and quietly awaited the arrival of Si Zhao.

Three days later, Si Zhao came to the guard palace, "Have you decided to enter the Death Realm?"

Chen Qing nodded slightly, "Is there something that could lead me directly to Shang Tong's headquarters in Heavenly Official City?"

Si Zhao was slightly surprised, "Are you sure you don't want to set your destination in Fengdu?"

"If it were in Fengdu, you would still have the chance to rearrange things."

"As for Shang Tong, who has been entrenched in the Death Realm for a long time, it is still necessary to avoid his sharp edge."

Chen Qing chuckled, "I have an army of three thousand six hundred, and he has but a thousand men; do I need to avoid his edge?"

Si Zhao reached into his chest and took out a luminous and bright bead, "If you insist on entering the Death Realm through Heavenly Official City, then throw this item into the Ghost Gate as it opens."

Chen Qing took it and stored it inside his body.

After Si Zhao left, he then said, "Call Yan Sisi over."

Yan Sisi came quickly, and Chen Qing instructed, "In one month's time, I want to get a medium that can bring me from Chaotian City into the Death Realm."

Yan Sisi thought for a moment, "Although it's extremely difficult, it's not impossible. I will go and make it happen."

With that, Chen Qing sat cross-legged in the guard palace, lost in contemplation.

Half a month later, a large number of Foundation Establishment cultivators streaked across the sky, before landing in front of Jiuhe City.

"It's General Yan, General Yan has arrived!"

"And the Dragon Cavalry under General Yan's command."

"Such a grand array, is General Yan being dispatched as the vanguard?"

"I don't know. Judging by the situation, General Yan seems to be heading into the city to pay respects to Lord Wei."

Another three days passed, and Wushang, riding a Qilin, arrived in front of Jiuhe City. Wushang grabbed a Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding the city gate, "Where is my elder brother?"

The guarding Foundation Establishment cultivator dared not oppose Wushang's might, "In the guard palace!"

Wushang immediately let the Qilin loose, heading towards the guard palace.

Onlookers watched Wushang's hasty approach, "It seems Young General's temper has not been smoothed out."

"From the looks of it, the human world might not necessarily be at peace."

Seven years passed, and Wushang had grown from a youth into a fine young man, his long hair draping over his shoulders, his jade-like face devoid of facial hair, his skin pale, riding on a Qilin, indeed he had a distinguished air about him.

Wushang rode the Qilin straight into the guard palace, not caring about Wei Qingchen's obstruction, and directly rode the Qilin to the entrance of the guard palace's main hall.

He dismounted the Qilin, and after entering the great hall, he became extremely well-behaved, bowing respectfully, "Big brother, Wushang has returned."

Chen Qing glanced sidelong at the Qilin outside, still snorting steam from its nostrils, "What are you playing at?"

With confident smile, Wushang said, "I plan to listen to some music tonight."

"After coming back from the music, I will earnestly ask big brother to teach me how to take over Jiuhe City."

Then, Chen Qing was finally moved slightly, "Self-deprecation? Wanting to make Da Yan belittle you?"

Wushang answered, "During the seven years in Dao Origin Land, I fought the prince every year, and even snatched a princess as my Sword Servant."

"With such groundwork laid out, I should be able to deceive them."

Chen Qing smiled, "You've somewhat grown up, learning to play some tricks."

"Then tonight, smash up a shop; your sister-in-law and Sisi have always disliked places of amusement."

Wushang laughed, "Alright, this I am good at."

Chen Qing waved his hand, "Go ahead."

Wushang turned and left, mounted his Qilin with a face full of anger, and shouted, "Big brother, let me go to the Death Realm, I will cut down that pest Ji Dang for you!"

"You will regret this!"

After saying that, he rode the Qilin to a place of entertainment and began to drink heavily.

In the deep of night, Wei Qingchen personally came to fetch the drunk Wushang to the guard palace.

Once arrived at the main hall of the guard palace, Wushang no longer exhibited any signs of drunkenness. He sat on the floor before Chen Qing with impeccable posture.

"Big brother, we can start now."

Chen Qing picked up a bowl of sobering soup, "This was made for you by Sister Sisi, drink it and then we'll talk."

Wushang took it, his mind brushed against the thought of Yan Sisi but promptly cast it aside, gulping it down, and began to listen intently to Chen Qing's arrangements.

"I ruled Jiuli through benevolence and righteousness, and you will rule Jiuli through authority and respect."

"Only then can benevolence and authority be balanced."

"..."

Until dawn, Wushang had listened enough, and after having breakfast with Chen Qing, he went on his own to kneel at the entrance of the guard palace.

His face still showing dissatisfaction.

All along, the image Wushang presented to the world was that of soaring to fame at a young age, being rash, and acting on whim.

Thus, Wushang decided to let the world continue to misunderstand.

Kneeling before the guard palace, Wushang recalled the battle with Li Chonghuan back then, and realized that Li Chonghuan too must have intentionally fought him to a draw.

For people like them, overshadowed by a genius like Chen Qing and Ji Dang, a temporary victory or defeat in this world was not important; what mattered was survival.

Only for those of the status like Chen Qing and Ji Dang would a great defeat affect the hearts of the people.

Then, for the next few days, this was how it continued.

The news of Wushang and Chen Qing's discord also spread.

Of course, these were just minor errors and didn't go so far as to strip Wushang of his identity as the heir.