Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

Having said this, Chen Qing bowed deeply once more.

He stretched out his hand, grabbed the red obsession, and swallowed it with one gulp as it shrank to the size of his palm.

Feeling a vast influx of Sword Dao experience pouring into his Sea of Consciousness, Chen Qing hurriedly sat down cross-legged to carefully comprehend.

After a month passed slowly by, Chen Qing, apart from attending gatherings, was immersed in the subtle mysteries of Sword Dao.

Now that he had ingested Red Ying's Sword Ghost obsession, Chen Qing could clearly sense that he seemed to be touching the edge of the Grandmaster realm.

Yet he could not step across that threshold no matter what.

His current realm in Sword Dao should be at the pinnacle of the Dharma Eye Realm.

He was not in a hurry and moved in front of the second Sword Ghost.

This second Sword Ghost, unlike the red-clothed Sword Ghost, was an old man.

Dressed in a coarse cloth garment, he sat desiccated in front of a colossal sword.

As Chen Qing approached this Sword Ghost, the State Preceptor picked up a bamboo basket, took out candles and offerings from it, and placed them in front of the Sword Ghost.

"This is the founder of our Hidden Sword Mountain."

"He roamed the world with his Giant Sword Skill."

"He took up swordsmanship at twelve, entered the Reach Profound Realm at fifteen, and the Dharma Eye Realm at twenty-seven."

"He entered the Grandmaster realm at the age of one hundred seventy-two."

"Though not as brilliant and shocking as the second-generation founder, he should be the most suitable for you."

"His swordsmanship is domineering and unmatched, favoring bold and broad strokes, and he excels at overpowering others with force!"

"His swordsmanship is called the Tai Que Sword."

After burning some joss paper, Chen Qing paid his respects with reverence and performed a disciple's bow.

"Senior, I beg your forgiveness!"

Once Chen Qing finished speaking, he stretched out his hand, captured it, and swallowed it into his belly.

With a torrent of Sword Dao experience and memories sweeping over him, Chen Qing closed his eyes and began to ponder minutely.

Over a month later, Chen Qing opened his eyes, feeling a noticeable change in his demeanor.

Although he had not yet reached the Sword Dao Master realm, he was completely different from before.

Now, even without using Fatian Xiangdi, he was confident that he could easily suppress the several generals under his command.

It could be said that this trip to Hidden Sword Mountain had filled in his most glaring deficiency.

That is, the length of time he had been cultivating.

Now, he was as if he had been practicing swordsmanship for a thousand years.

Even if his talent wasn't great, diligence could make up for his deficiencies.

With this thought, Chen Qing came before the last Sword Ghost.

The State Preceptor prepared even more lavish offerings this time, a jug of old wine, and a plate of plum blossoms.

"The one before you now, is my master."

"The seventh-generation founder of Hidden Sword Mountain."

"My master's talent in the Sword Dao was not outstanding, and he only broke through to the Sword Dao Master realm after three thousand years."

"His swordsmanship is both just and peaceful, each sword stronger than the last, growing stronger as the battle persists!"

"It is called Lang Qian Die."

"It does not start off strong, but with each sword strike it gains momentum, becoming stronger and stronger!"

"After a thousand strikes, the sword momentum is astonishing, and no one can match!"

The State Preceptor looked at Chen Qing and chuckled, "Of course, compared to you, he is far stronger."

"With your original aptitude, I'm afraid you wouldn't dream of reaching the Sword Dao Master realm in this lifetime."

Chen Qing asked, "Why?"

The State Preceptor replied, "Your heart is not sincere enough."

"Whether it's my master, the first-generation founder, or the second-generation founder."

"Apart from Sword Dao, they are single-minded, and reaching the Sword Dao Master realm naturally comes as the water flows into the channel."

"You are different."

"You, young man, have an insincere heart, heavy concerns, and too many distractions."

"Moreover, I observe your path to be one of comprehending the Miraculous Dao."

"But your law is Fatian Xiangdi, so Sword Dao is of great help to you only."

"In your eyes, Sword Dao is merely a tool."

Chen Qing nodded slightly and burst into laughter, "The State Preceptor speaks quite truly."

"Perhaps this is also the reason why my Sword Dao talent is poor."

The State Preceptor shook his head, "Not so."

"Talent has nothing to do with it."

"Although my master's talent was poor, it's not as poor as yours."

"In the end, unlike others, his obsession with the sword led to such achievements."

After the rites, Chen Qing again performed a disciple's bow.

He swallowed the foregone Mountain Master of Hidden Sword Mountain with one gulp.

This time, Chen Qing pondered for over two months, finally absorbing all the Sword Dao memories of the previous generation's founder completely.

His brain felt slightly dizzy and heavy.

Chen Qing had not anticipated that although the founder of the previous generation had the least talent, his understanding of the Sword Dao was the deepest.

Is this what they mean by a late bloomer, accumulating slowly and unleashing suddenly?

Although he had not yet reached the Grandmaster Realm, Chen Qing could feel that he was only a hair away from it.

Once this journey was over, after returning to the Linglong Divine Palace, with the aid of the Feather Transformation Immortal Tree, he should have the opportunity to break through to the Sword Dao Grandmaster Realm.

It was time to choose a sword.

Chen Qing roamed among the many famous swords and eventually still chose a heavy sword.

This was the sidearm of the first-generation founder of Hidden Sword Mountain, which no disciple of Hidden Sword Mountain had been acknowledged by, thus unable to form a contract with.

However, Chen Qing was different; he merely grasped it lightly and lifted it effortlessly.

Perhaps the sword sensed a familiar aura, or maybe it knew that Chen Qing was adept at wielding it.

The sword was named Chongyue, a heavy sword.

It was five feet and one inch long, with a handle of seven inches and a blade of four feet three inches.

Heavy as a mountain, those lacking strength could not possibly lift it.

But in Chen Qing's hands, he felt it was just right.

He swung it around casually; it was very comfortable to wield.

After forming a contract with Chongyue, Chen Qing once again returned to his troops outside Hidden Sword Mountain.

The State Preceptor did not come to see him off, and leaving Hidden Sword Mountain with him were thirty-five Foundation Establishment disciples of Hidden Sword Mountain.

They were all destined to enter the Death Realm with Chen Qing.

As Chen Qing and his party had walked three miles away, they suddenly heard the State Preceptor's roaring voice behind them carried by the wind, "Qingxu, remember to bring back the disciples of Hidden Sword Mountain safe and sound!"

Chen Qing extended his hand to lift the curtain of the carriage, taking a deep look at Hidden Sword Mountain without responding.

With his own life and death still uncertain, how could he promise to bring back these disciples of Hidden Sword Mountain safe and intact?

Bringing back half of them would probably be considered quite an achievement.

After cooking fish soup with nearby evil spirits of Hidden Sword Mountain, Chen Qing consumed fish soup made from hundreds of evil spirits, feeling his physical body grow stronger once again.

It was time to head for the next destination, the Dao Origin Land.

This time, before reaching the Dao Origin Land, a hundred miles away from the Dao Origin Land, Chen Qing met the current guardian of the Dao Origin Land, Li Liufeng.

Li Liufeng appeared to have an immortal charm with a horsetail whisk in hand, wearing a loose white Daoist robe.

He had white hair, a youthful face, and his skin was ruddy and healthy.

"Isn't this my dear little nephew Qingxu!"

Hearing that Li Liufeng had personally come to greet him, Chen Qing immediately dismounted from the carriage and performed junior's respects in front of him.

"The elder should have waited in the Dao Origin Land. For the elder to personally welcome this junior, it is truly humbling!"

Li Liufeng laughed heartily and stepped forward to grab Chen Qing's hand, "Little nephew, don't be polite!"

"I am close friends with your father-in-law; by seniority, I should call you my martial nephew!"

"Come, come, come, the welcome banquet at Dao Origin Land is all prepared, hurry and come with me!"

Father-in-law is your close friend?

Li Liufeng's words were not wrong, considering this person before him is said to be over three thousand six hundred years old.

He had not met him during the last visit, but this time he had the opportunity.

Older than the spirit beast Xuanwu outside the gates of Dao Origin Land.

But, such enthusiasm.

"Little nephew, let me tell you, I like young heroes like you the most!"

"It takes hundreds of years to meet one!"

"I have to have a good long talk with you!"

"For someone like you, it might be difficult to find another in ten thousand years!"

"Of the many heavenly prides from generations past, who could suppress the entire Jiuli with Foundation Establishment alone?"

Chen Qing secretly thought: Didn't the Master of Mortal World achieve that three hundred years ago?

"The elder's affection is appreciated!"

Li Liufeng laughed again and extended his hand to lead Chen Qing to the front gate of Dao Origin Land, "Look, Xuanwu saw you coming and is overjoyed!"

Chen Qing saw this old friend; joy also filled his heart.

"Indeed, this Xuanwu not only looks divine but also has a great temperament!"

Li Liufeng immediately waved his hand and said, "You like it, right? It's yours now!"

Chen Qing: ???

Huh?

Li Liufeng pointed at a few disciples of Dao Origin Land and scolded, "Didn't you hear?"

"Go, send Xuanwu to Jiuhe City!"

Chen Qing: Elder, what are you up to?

Giving away a spirit beast you've raised for three thousand years just like that?