There is a progress bar in my cultivation of immortality

Time flies, and a hundred years have passed in the blink of an eye.

In March of the 271st year of the Daogong calendar, the weather in the north was still cold, and there was still a thick layer of snow in the mountains fifty miles north of Shangjing City.

The common people inside and outside the Shangjing City all wore white silk on their heads, and the officials in the inner city were still wearing white clothes, because it was still a period of national mourning. Emperor Wenqing, who had ruled the country for forty-seven years, had been dead for more than half a month.

However, the new emperor was unable to ascend the throne for a long time. This was because Emperor Wenqing had been in power for too long. Among his sixteen sons, eleven had entered Qianmu Temple to practice Taoism, and the remaining five sons were fighting openly and secretly among themselves. The imperial edict was now in the hands of Concubine Liu Qing.

The reason why things turned out like this is that Emperor Wenqing advocated the art of balance during his reign. In order to balance the power of the five princes, he deliberately appointed people from Liu Qing's mother's family as officials. Two of the six ministries had Liu Qing's people in charge, and two of the six prime ministers in the council hall were also her people.

But she has no children and is currently waiting for her nominal prince to surrender so that she can share this huge cake.

On the morning of the ninth day of the first lunar month, her nominal prince, the fifteenth prince Wang Yun, finally came to her palace to pay his respects. The mother and son discussed the matter for half an hour.

After everything was agreed upon, Liu Qing sent a message to the council hall, and soon a will was delivered. She stamped the emperor's seal and her own seal in front of Wang Yun.

Wang Yun saw all of this and was terrified.

After getting the will, Liu Qing asked Wang Yundao to wait in front of the late emperor's coffin. When Wang Yun arrived at the mourning hall, he found that civil and military officials were already kneeling outside the hall, and the four brothers who had fought with him earlier were nowhere to be found.

A quarter of an hour later.

The edict was delivered, and after confirmation by the six prime ministers in the council hall, the contents of the edict were read out to all the civil and military officials. Wang Yun succeeded to the throne, while Liu Qing was honored as the empress dowager and temporarily took charge of military and national affairs.

After the imperial edict was read out, the minister of state knelt down to receive it, indicating that they were willing to obey it, and then led all the officials to kneel down and kowtow to the new emperor.

"Be flat!"

The officials stood up.

Wang Yun looked at the officials outside the mourning hall. In the front were the officials in purple robes, followed by the important ministers in red robes, and behind them were the pillars of the court in green official uniforms.

After a while, the funeral music finally arrived. The ministers finally remembered the late emperor lying in the coffin. The sound of crying rose one after another, but Wang Yun's mood was very complicated.

Three days later.

The news of the new emperor's ascension to the throne spread throughout Zhongzhou.

Zhenyang Road.

In the central area of ​​Zhongzhou, after hundreds of years of development, with the intentional efforts of the imperial court, the people here have long forgotten the Zhenyang Sect and only know of Qianmu Temple. There are golden statues of the gods in Qianmu Temple everywhere, and the incense is becoming more and more prosperous.

What is more worth mentioning is that, except for some Taoist temples, the dense jungles everywhere in Zhenyang Mountain have almost all been turned into fertile fields. Countless farms are spread all over the place, causing the population to grow rapidly, even exceeding the most prosperous period of the Xia Dynasty.

When the news of the new emperor's ascension to the throne reached here, the people were not concerned. What they were most concerned about was whether the court had plans to grant amnesty to the whole country and reduce agricultural taxes. The world seemed to be prosperous, but the wealth in the hands of the lower-class people was pitifully small, and they had to bear the heaviest agricultural taxes.

To the west of Zhenyang Mountain there is a peak called Xingshan, where a branch of the Diku Sect practices. Among this sect there is a third-realm cultivator who is highly respected in the Diku Sect. Recently, he held an internal exchange ceremony for the Diku Sect in his own Taoist temple, which attracted many third-realm cultivators from the Diku Sect.

To this end, they built a huge open-air square on the hillside of Xingshan. In the middle of the square was a martial arts arena, surrounded by spectator seats that could accommodate thousands of people.

The communication ceremony of the Underworld Cave Sect is a place for various branches to compete with each other, so there are so many monks from the third realm coming. They all want to prove that they are the orthodox ones of the Underworld Cave Sect.

Such exchanges are often held inside the Cavern Gate, because the results of each exchange meeting will never satisfy everyone, so the competitions have to continue like this. Especially after the death of Lord Liuyun and the other two fourth-level earth vein cultivators were driven out of Zhongzhou Star, such disputes have become more and more frequent.

In the headmaster's seat on the south side of the square, Wen Hai, who had just been promoted a hundred years ago, and Taoist Wu sat together, watching the two foundation-building disciples fighting on the arena in the middle while chatting in low voices.

"The fortune of the Datong Dynasty has fallen to the bottom in the past month. I'm afraid that Zhongzhou will not be stable in the next few decades." Taoist Wu said worriedly. His ambition, which had been concealed, was reignited because of his promotion to the third realm. Five years after he was promoted to the third realm, he led dozens of disciples to build a new mountain gate called Dongping Gate.

He hoped that the world would continue to be peaceful so that he could use the influence of Qianmu Temple to expand his power in Xishi Road, but deep down in his heart he was also secretly looking forward to chaos in the world so that he could take advantage of the situation.

"Emperor Wenqing was indeed somewhat confused in the last ten years of his reign, which led to serious local land annexation, especially in the north and east, where many rebellions broke out."

Wen Hai responded casually: "The best way now is to learn from the south, eliminate the main culprits, and then distribute the land in their hands to the people."

Taoist Wu shook his head and said regretfully, "There is no one like Taoist Ziluan in the court. In fact, the ministers in the court may see things more clearly than you and I, but they are deeply involved in it and it is impossible for them to work hard. The Datong Dynasty has been around for nearly three hundred years, and many people have other thoughts."

Wen Hai turned around and looked at Taoist Wu, and said with a smile: "Daoyou, why do you think so much? The Lord of the Mansion is watching over the affairs of the world. As long as the Lord of the Mansion says a word, all the monsters, ghosts, gods and snakes are nothing but chickens."

"I'm afraid the Lord has no interest in this matter. He hasn't shown up in nearly sixty years, and all the affairs of Zhongzhou, big or small, are handled by Qianmuguan."

Taoist Wu looked anxious and worried.

Wen Hai looked at Wu Laodao's expression, thought for a moment and said, "You'd better not show such an expression in front of the disciples of Qianmu Temple. Also, the Lord of the Mansion is a Taiyan cultivator. His consciousness can monitor every move of the entire Zhongzhou. Why do you have to do this? What's more, there is Qianmu Temple. Today, Qianmu Temple is the most powerful in Zhongzhou. Zhenyang Sect and Linshui Mansion can only avoid it for the time being."

Taoist Wu became alert immediately after hearing this. Thinking of the rumored abilities of the fourth-level Taiyan cultivators, he couldn't help but sweat on his back. He no longer dared to think of Wang Ping as the little Taoist who boiled water and served tea in the dilapidated Taoist temple. He even dared not recall the past because that would make him feel blasphemous.

Wen Hai looked at Wu Laodao's expression and changed the subject, "Have you received an invitation to the Dharma Assembly at Qianmu Temple next month?"

"Is this the celebration ceremony for Fellow Daoist Xia Wenyi's advancement to the third realm?"

"That's right!"

"No, but the dean wrote to explain that Qianmu Temple still needs me to be a hidden chess piece on Xishi Road."

"This proves that your position is important." Wen Hai said this softly, because he saw a fellow disciple from the third realm walking towards the cave gate. When he was about to stand up and greet him, a powerful energy turbulence appeared at the end of the sky from the southeast direction.

All the three-realm cultivators present sensed it at the first moment, and they all stood up at the same time and looked towards the southeast.

At this moment, they could be sure that there were cultivators of the third realm fighting each other.

Fighting in the southeast direction?
The place that immediately came to their minds was Linshui Prefecture, and then Qianmu Temple!
"Recently, Qianmu Temple and Linshui Prefecture have been in constant conflict over the migration of Taiyan monks from the Southeast Islands. I heard that two second-level monks died on Haizhou Road not long ago. Now it's a fight between third-level monks. I'm afraid it won't get out of hand, right?"

A cold voice sounded in Wen Hai's ears.

Then someone responded: "Linshui Prefecture has made the maritime trade route a mess over the years, and it's time for someone to teach them a lesson."

"The relocation of Qianmu Temple back to Taiyan Sect is their own internal matter. Does Linshui Prefecture have the nerve to interfere?"

"I don't know what Linshui Mansion has been doing these years. I heard that they are short of money and are looking for money everywhere. This time, I guess they are also greedy for money!"

"Then there will be a good show to watch. Do you want to go and see it?"

"You are looking for death!"

...

Southeast Islands.

Over an unnamed sea area, Hong Ze, a disciple of the Seventh Prince Ao Hong, was fighting with a third-level water cultivator under the command of the Third Prince, causing violent storms to blow over the sea. Frost even appeared on some clouds, causing the sunny early spring weather in the south to quickly turn into the severe cold of winter.

The collision of cold and hot air formed a huge typhoon in the endless sea. When the typhoon moved inland, it was swallowed up by rays of starlight. That was Hu Qianqian's magic.

Under the distant starry sky, Hu Qianqian, Xuan Ling, Dong Can, Zi Luan, Li Miaolin, and Que Cai stood under the blue sky and white clouds. Behind them were dozens of first-level and second-level Tai Yan cultivators. In the distance, there was also an ordinary flying boat, and on board were some cultivators in the Qi training period.

Under the clouds dozens of miles ahead of them, ten third-level cultivators from Linshui Prefecture looked at them coldly. It seemed that a great battle was inevitable.

"Fellow Daoist Xuan Ling, do you really have to force me to take action? We are only conducting a routine inspection, but you are so unscrupulous in my Linshui Prefecture. I will definitely let all the cultivators in the world know your arrogance and domineering behavior at the Three-Seats Conference!"

"Fellow Daoist Chi Lan, you are trying to accuse me. We are relocating the disciples of Qianmu Temple back to Nanlin Road, which is an internal matter of Qianmu Temple. What reason do you have to inspect us? I think you want to start a war, don't you?"

Xuan Ling's voice was cold and he showed no emotion. "If you want to start a war, my fellow disciples and I would be more than happy to help you."

As soon as he finished speaking, the area where Hongze was fighting was suddenly frozen for hundreds of miles. A cold air blew up and a strong wind blew. At this time, more than a dozen figures flashed across the northern sky and landed beside Xuan Ling and others. All of these people were cultivators in the third realm.

The Chi Lan mentioned by Xuan Ling was dressed in green Taoist robes, holding a whisk in his hand, wearing a Taoist hat, his eyebrows and beard were slightly gray, and his face looked square. He was the eldest disciple of the Third Prince and currently served as the dean of Linshui Prefecture, responsible for all external affairs of Linshui Prefecture.

When the dozen figures fell, a trace of fear flashed in Chi Lan's yellow eyes. Another third-level cultivator beside him said, "Brother, do you want to dispatch other brothers to come for support?"

Chi Lan's lips moved slightly, and her voice rang in the ears of other Third Realm cultivators nearby: "Don't worry, I have already contacted Master, and everything will be decided by Master!"

After the reinforcements arrived, Xuan Ling immediately ordered Dong Can to lead the cultivators below the third realm to evacuate towards Zhongzhou, and then told Hongze, who was fighting in the distance, to return first.

Hong Ze had long since stopped wanting to fight in vain, so upon hearing this, he immediately left the battlefield and returned to Xuan Ling's side. His opponent had the same idea, so the fierce battle was extinguished in an instant.

When Hong Ze returned, he saw that his people were more powerful, so he deliberately said loudly: "Chi Lan ignored the agreement between Linshui Mansion and Qianmu Temple and openly interfered with the internal affairs of Qianmu Temple. It seems that he wants to declare war on Qianmu Temple. Why not take them down here? I am willing to be the vanguard!"

Chi Lan on the opposite side looked unhappy when she heard this, but she couldn't get angry. She could only glance at Hong Ze coldly and continue to monitor the huge migrating team.

After Hong Ze finished speaking, he lowered his voice and clasped his fists to Xuan Ling and said, "Daoyou, my master will be out of trouble soon. Most of the Third Prince's disciples are in my master's dojo to reinforce the seal. Why not take this opportunity to capture these people and help my master out of trouble? Once my master is out of trouble, he will definitely be rewarded handsomely."

As he spoke these words, faint starlight flashed in the surrounding space, blocking out the prying eyes from the opposite side.

Xuan Ling was moved by what he heard, but he had to be cautious about such a big thing, so he looked at Zi Luan and asked, "What do you think, senior?"

Zi Luan responded with a smile: "Fellow Daoist Hongze is right. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it is an opportunity that they have presented themselves. However, it is impossible to keep all of them, but it is easy to keep one or two people."

"Won't it offend the Third Prince?"

"Just as Daoist Hongze said, what the Third Prince needs to guard against now is the Seventh Prince breaking the seal."

Hearing this, Xuan Ling looked at Hu Qianqian who was quietly standing beside him. When he met Hu Qianqian's blue eyes, Hu Qianqian nodded calmly.

Li Miaolin noticed the conversation between them, and involuntarily stretched out his left hand and made a hand gesture with an excited expression as if he was ready to fight at any time. He immediately locked onto a burly weapon cultivator on the opposite side, imagining in his mind the scene of making the other party into a puppet.

Hong Ze was even more excited than Li Miaolin. He quickly exchanged glances with a third-level cultivator from the Seventh Prince's sect who came to support him, and then they both locked their eyes on a third-level cultivator in front of them.

"Senior Que Cai will support me, and I will leave the rest to Senior Zi Luan."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zi Luan threw out a bronze bell in his hand. The moment the bronze bell rose into the air, it became as huge as covering the sky and the sun, and fell towards the area where Chi Lan and the others were.

Chi Lan probably didn't expect Xuan Ling and the others would actually take action. When the bronze bell fell, he was totally unprepared and instinctively uttered the word "retreat".

The next moment, the ten monks who had gathered together suddenly dispersed.

This was exactly what Zi Luan and the others wanted. They immediately locked onto the opponent they had just chosen and rushed over, but the opponent ran very fast. In a blink of an eye, the battlefield was hundreds of kilometers deep. Some monks who were unable to catch up with the target had to turn around and deal with the two unlucky guys who were left alone. (End of this chapter)