Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

```

Murong Lang didn't hold back, "Where I come from, many cultivators use the Thunder Butterfly as their Lifebound Gu."

"If everything goes smoothly, I might also use a Ninth Transformation Thunder Butterfly as my Lifebound Gu."

Hu Yao said, "Anyway, the Power Gu has already gone through Butterfly Transformation and can become a Dao Foundation. I intend to use the Power Gu to establish my Foundation."

Murong Lang cautiously glanced at Chen Qing, but found that Chen Qing had no reaction, feeling somewhat disappointed inside.

It seemed that the two of us still didn't carry much weight in the eyes of Senior Taichu.

Otherwise, Senior Taichu might have given us some advice.

But then again, without Senior Taichu, we would just be two ordinary people.

Murong Lang said, "But I'm planning to wait a bit longer, until I raise this Sword Gu to the Butterfly Transformation before making a decision."

Red Lotus chimed in, "Unlike those core disciples of the Pure Land, we can't contract beyond-Mortal quality Gu. Besides, there are rumors that high-quality Gu contracts have certain requirements."

Murong Lang said, "It's not just that, Gu surpassing Mortal quality possess extremely powerful abilities."

"Even among the core disciples of the Pure Land, not everyone qualifies for a contract."

"Gu surpassing Mortal quality are exceedingly rare."

Murong Lang thought for a moment, "We worshipped the Nine Tribulations True Monarch this morning, but unfortunately, there was still no response this time."

Hu Yao curiously asked, "What is the Nine Tribulations True Monarch?"

Murong Lang quietly observed Chen Qing's reaction while saying, "The creator of the Thunder Pure Land."

Hu Yao asked, "Was it not the Nine-headed Golden Crow who created it?"

Murong Lang glanced deeply at Hu Yao, and Chen Qing sneaked a glance as well.

This girl is from the Demon Clan, huh!

Chen Qing scanned the two with the corner of his eye, a scholar and a lady demon. Hahaha, interesting.

Just that this scholar was slightly taller, and the lady demon was a bit simple.

Absolutely incredible!

Hu Yao was completely unaware she had exposed her race. The two chatted a bit more, then fell into silence.

Seeing that they couldn't provide much information related to Lifebound Gu, Chen Qing rhythmically tapped his index finger on the table, "Then today's gathering is over."

As Murong Lang and Hu Yao left, Chen Qing waved his hand, gathering up the Spirit Stones and disappearing from the spot.

The Cloud Platform towering above the Nine Heavens settled into silence once more, as clouds drifted leisurely.

Chen Qing removed the bronze mask from his face, gazing at the fifty-five mid-grade Spirit Stones before him.

Storing the Spirit Stones safely, Chen Qing thought to himself that now all of them combined barely sufficed to buy a Fog Gu.

Still poor indeed.

Once bought, his Spirit Stones would be nearly exhausted.

However, Red Lotus still had quite a few Spirit Stones; that girl couldn't hide her money.

Next time, there should be some income, and the expenses should be manageable.

Chen Qing didn't intend to head down the mountain to purchase a Fog Gu just yet, as the turmoil had subsided only recently. He wanted to watch for a while longer.

Wait for a few more days.

After being thrashed by Yu Qingshuang for an hour, Chen Qing applied medicinal wine and resumed his duties as usual.

These days while on duty, he often caught a glimpse of Yu Qingshuang.

Cold and aloof, as if someone owed her money.

It was only an accidental touch on the waist, was it that big of a deal?

Petty!

Wealthy yet not generous.

In the evening, after another hour of being pummeled by Yu Qingshuang, Chen Qing returned to his cave residence.

Spreading his hand, the Sword Gu had already hardened.

After waiting only a quarter of an hour, a streak of Sword Qi broke through the Gu shell, and a more vibrant Sword Gu emerged from it.

[Mortal Sword Gu]

Quality: Fifth Transformation

Life Span: 12/52

Effect: Converts eight strands of Spiritual Energy into one strand of Sword Qi.

Growth Requirements: Golden Spirit Soul

Growth Progress: 0/100

Promotion Requirements: One Sword Gu, three strands of Geng Metal Qi, and one at least three-hundred-year-old green snake gall.

With reduced Spiritual Energy needs, it was safer to buy some Golden Spirit Souls from the foot of the mountain.

It seemed he couldn't use the Sword Gu to spar with the senior sister anymore. With her acute sensitivity to the Sword Gu, she might discover his Sword Gu had already advanced.

Knock, knock...

Someone knocked on the door.

Chen Qing opened the door to find Xie Dayou holding some gifts, "Thanks to Master Chen, I managed to keep this leg. Now that I've recovered from my injuries, I've come to thank you."

Chen Qing invited Xie Dayou inside for tea. After a cup, Chen Qing came up with a plan.

It wasn't safe to go down the mountain alone, taking Xie Dayou might still be quite secure.

After all, he was a disciple from the War Affairs Hall, and his cultivation wasn't bad either.

"Brother Xie, it's just me living here, with no servants to prepare meals or hospitality."

Xie Dayou stood up, "Master Chen, there's no need!"

Chen Qing said, "How could that be appropriate? At Wuyou Mountain, I, Chen Qing, am somewhat of a figure. If word got out, people might think I lack hospitality."

"Come on, let's go down the mountain for some drinks!"

Xie Dayou refused several times, but seeing Chen Qing insist, he agreed.

Chen Qing packed a big bag of Spirit Stones on his back and went down the mountain to the market with Xie Dayou.

At Bright Moon Tower, they ordered a banquet. Chen Qing said, "Brother Xie, wait here for a moment. I'll go get some Spiritual Ginseng Wine!"

Hearing there would be Spiritual Ginseng Wine, Xie Dayou didn't think much of it.

Chen Qing left the building, gestured for two young ladies to entertain Xie Dayou, and quickly made a small circle, finding a dark alley to expertly change his clothes.

Wearing a black robe, Chen Qing just walked into Wanbao Pavilion, and the attendant led him to the tea room.

"Sir, the goods have arrived."

Chen Qing remained cautious, not touching the tea, "Let me see."

The attendant turned to the inner vault to fetch the goods. Looking around, Chen Qing found the place quaint and old-fashioned.

Wanbao Pavilion's background was unknown to him, yet it could thrive in this chaotic region, suggesting a formidable backing.

The attendant returned holding two jade jars.

"Sir, have a look. These are the two Fog Gu I acquired."

Chen Qing glanced at them, seeing through their details. One was a Fourth Transformation Fog Gu, the other a Second Transformation.

He pretended to closely examine the Fourth Transformation one, "How much for this?"

The attendant smiled, "This one is of excellent quality, priced at eighteen thousand low-grade Spirit Stones."

Chen Qing thought to himself that this was nearly twice the typical price for Gu, Fog Gu truly were expensive!

"And the other one?"

The attendant said, "The other one isn't as great in appearance, just fifteen thousand low-grade Spirit Stones."

The price was acceptable; after all, he could cultivate the Second Transformation Fog Gu to Fourth Transformation, spending at most four to five hundred Spirit Stones.

"Wrap this young one for me."

After noting the growth requirement of the Second Transformation Fog Gu, Chen Qing said, "Add ten Illusion Spirit Flowers, three ounces of Golden Spirit Soul."

The attendant packaged them, "That'll be fifteen thousand four hundred Spirit Stones."

After settling the bill, Chen Qing carried the items, circled to a latrine near the distillery, changed his clothes again, and when no one was around, went directly into the distillery.

Purchasing some Spirit Ginseng, he filled his wine gourd and brewed a pot of Spiritual Ginseng Wine.

Chen Qing returned to Bright Moon Tower once more, drank for an hour, then left with Xie Dayou.

```