Qin Renhuang just became an immortal, and you told me this is the prehistoric time

The last glimmer of hope on the old man's face, clad in a long robe, faded. His lips moved a few times, and finally, with a hint of pleading, he spoke in a trembling voice.

"Senior... even if... even if you don't fight for humanity, could you... perhaps, for the sake of being human, show some... attitude? Even just a slight inclination would be a huge improvement to our current living environment! Senior is the only one who can... easily annihilate the forbidden zone, your attitude is of paramount importance!"

Ying Xuan looked at their almost humble pleas, but felt little emotion.

He had long seen through their intentions.

"Attitude? Inclination?"

Ying Xuan shook his head, his tone becoming somewhat cold.

"You seem to have forgotten that I come from another realm. What the state of humanity in this realm is to me. Moreover..."

He looked sharply at the elderly men and asked a pointed question.

"As far as I know, in the history of the human race in this world, there have been more than one great emperor who established an immortal ancient family. However, after those great emperors passed away, their families and descendants often did not have a good ending."

Those coveting the Emperor's legacy, imperial weapons, and resources aren't just from foreign races and forbidden zones, are they? Aren't there countless instances of infighting, scheming, and even underhanded tactics within the human race itself? Without the supreme imperial weapons left behind by the Emperor to protect them, how long could those families have survived?

"You keep talking about the greater good of humanity, but... is the problem really only external?"

Ying Xuan's rhetorical question was like a cold knife, cutting open certain bloody realities.

Upon hearing this, the elderly humans were struck dumb, their faces turning deathly pale. They staggered back a few steps, their eyes filled with pain, shame, and an undeniable sense of despair.

Ying Xuan's words were tantamount to tearing away the veil of tender affection, and also meant to tell them plainly what was going on.

Don't count on me. I won't protect you, and I have no interest in getting involved in your internal strife.

Seeing their dejected appearance, Ying Xuan changed the subject again, his tone returning to its previous calmness.

"However... while I do not protect the human race, it is not impossible for me to give you some... benefits."

He reached out and took the black and white jade pendant from his waist, a thought stirring in his mind.

"Buzz!"

The jade tablet flashed, projecting a massive image into the void above the giant crater of Undying Mountain. Within the image, a colossal, spiritually vibrant star island appeared. The island was teeming with medicinal herbs of countless varieties, many radiating astonishing spiritual energy and fragrance.

The most eye-catching feature is a central area of ​​the island, where dozens of spiritual herbs of various shapes grow, all exuding a powerful life force! The life force is so strong that even through the light and shadow, one can feel a surge of energy, as if one's lifespan has been extended slightly!

"A treasure for prolonging life... a supreme treasure!"

The old woman with the cane suddenly widened her eyes, her breathing became rapid, and her withered hands gripped the cane tightly, her knuckles turning white.

The other elders were also staring intently at the spiritual herbs within the light and shadow, their eyes blazing with uncontrollable desire and greed! Lifespan! For these ancient beings, whose cultivation was profound but who were unable to break through due to the limitations of heaven and earth or the exhaustion of their own potential, and whose lifespans were nearing their end, nothing was more precious than a treasure that could prolong their lives!

Which of the major human powers, holy lands, and ancient families doesn't have a few old monsters clinging to life, waiting for their family or the human race to face annihilation before they're willing to use their last reserves for a desperate fight?
If we could extend their lives, even by just a few hundred years, and if one-tenth of them were to break through a minor realm during that extended lifespan, the improvement to the overall strength of the human race would be immeasurable!
Ying Xuan was satisfied with their reaction. He put away the light and shadow, hung the jade pendant back on his waist, and said calmly.

"These spiritual herbs were nurtured by the life essence of tens of thousands of cultivators from the Undying Mountain, as well as the two supreme beings, the Stone Emperor and the Longevity Celestial Venerable. They contain a vast amount of life essence, and their life-extending effect far surpasses that of ordinary immortality elixirs. They may offer limited benefits to the Great Qin World or to myself. But to you... they must be invaluable treasures."

He paused for a moment, then stated the terms of the deal.

"I don't need your empty thanks or flattery. If you want these longevity elixirs, bring something in exchange. Seeds of various spiritual roots and herbs, and a large number of decent magic treasures and artifacts are all acceptable. The more types and the rarer the seeds, the better; for magic treasures and artifacts, the higher the grade and the more numerous, the better."

He explained.

"These kinds of longevity elixirs have little effect on improving the environment of the Great Qin world, and are not necessary for the people of Great Qin. Moreover, our Great Qin world is still growing and it is difficult to cultivate high-grade refining materials on a large scale. We need to obtain enough magical treasures and artifacts from other worlds to suppress the world, strengthen our foundation, and arm our army."

His meaning was very clear.

Use the longevity elixirs that you deem precious, but which are not cost-effective for Ying Xuan and the Qin world, to exchange for the "hard currency" that Ying Xuan urgently needs—elixir seeds and magical artifacts.

"A life-extending treasure nurtured by the life essence of the cultivators of the Undying Mountain and the two Supreme Beings, in exchange for the seeds and treasures in your hands."

Ying Xuan concluded in a tone that left no room for doubt.

"Fair trade, no deception of the young or old."

Before the words were even finished, the old woman with the cane could no longer contain herself! The death aura emanating from her was the strongest, clearly indicating that her lifespan was nearing its end, and her desire to prolong her life was the most urgent!

"I'll trade! I'll trade ten!"

She practically roared it out, and at the same time, she flipped her withered hand, causing the sea of ​​bitterness to surge with light. A large number of seeds, shimmering with various colors of spiritual light and pure aura, appeared, along with dozens of magical treasures and artifacts, each with a radiant light and a grade of at least the Dragon Transformation Realm.

They appeared on the ground in front of her with a whoosh! The seeds were clearly carefully cultivated and selected premium varieties, and the magical artifacts and implements were also mostly of the highest quality, obviously representing her important accumulation.

"can."

Ying Xuan glanced at it, nodded, and a thought flashed through his mind.

Ten strange medicinal herbs, exuding a rich life force and resembling both lingzhi mushrooms and human figures, flew out from the jade tablet's light and shadow, slowly drifting towards the old woman.

The old woman trembled with excitement. She carefully used her own magic to envelop the ten spiritual herbs and instantly nurtured them in her sea of ​​bitterness.

Immediately, she bowed deeply to Ying Xuan, and with a flash, disappeared into the horizon, clearly eager to return to seclusion and refine the medicinal power to prolong her life. Ying Xuan's smile deepened. Sure enough, longevity-prolonging elixirs were an irresistible commodity in this realm, especially for these ancient beings! This deal looked like it was going to be incredibly profitable!

Another elderly man, whose aura was also somewhat weakened and whose face was as pale as paper, saw this and a trace of annoyance flashed in his eyes. He seemed to think that the old woman had acted too quickly and raised the "price". However, he did not dare to delay and immediately stepped forward, also taking out a large number of rare seeds and good quality magic weapons and artifacts that he had accumulated in the Sea of ​​Bitterness, and said urgently.

"I'll exchange ten plants too!"

Seed treasures can be collected again, but the longevity elixir cultivated with the Supreme Life Essence is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! There is no time to hesitate!
As Ying Xuan finished speaking, the black and white jade pendant at his waist began to glow once more.

With a slight thought, the massive array of 108 star islands slowly unfolded and manifested above the Undying Mountain once again, though it was not as overwhelming and terrifying as when he refined the Undying Mountain before.

However, it also covered an area of ​​several hundred miles around the original core area of ​​the Undying Mountain, forming a unique, semi-transparent region that flowed with starlight and yin and yang energies.

"The transaction will take place within this formation."

Ying Xuan said calmly, then took a step forward, his figure disappearing into the semi-transparent array of light and shadow. Only the few human elders remained, along with an increasing number of human and other race cultivators who had been drawn by the commotion and news of the longevity elixir but dared not approach.

Several human elders watched Ying Xuan's disappearing figure, then looked at the huge, desolate Undying Mountain pit before them, which resembled a scar on the earth, and the array area that had been re-emerged, radiating mysterious and majestic fluctuations. Their faces couldn't help but reveal an extremely complex and sorrowful expression.

Humanity, throughout countless ages, has endured countless hardships, being exploited by forbidden zones and oppressed by ancient races. Finally... a peerless powerhouse emerged who could single-handedly wipe out a forbidden zone of life, forcing all the supreme beings of those zones to collectively compromise! This should have been a sign of universal celebration and the great prosperity of humanity!

But... this powerful figure clearly told them.

I will not protect you; I am not on your side.

Their humble pleas, attempting to use racial righteousness to entice the other side, were met with the other side's ruthless exposure of the darkness and infighting that also exist within the human race, and the naked "fair trade."

Is it tragic? It certainly is. But more than that, it's a deep-seated sense of helplessness and powerlessness.

Can they blame Ying Xuan for being heartless? It seems not. The other party comes from another realm and has no obligation to this realm.

Can they force Ying Xuan? Even less likely.

Their power to annihilate supreme beings and refine forbidden zones left them breathless, even as they looked up at them.

"Sigh... Perhaps, this is fate."

The old man in the long robe sighed deeply, his eyes dimming.

"Our people...in the end, must rely on ourselves. To depend on outsiders is nothing but a mirage."

Another old man smiled wryly.

"At least... he's willing to trade. Those longevity elixirs are truly a tremendous opportunity for us, and for those ancestors in our clan who are nearing their end. Let's hurry and inform everyone to exchange for as many as possible. This... might be the greatest 'benefit' he can give us."

They sadly discovered that while the emergence of a powerful figure capable of destroying forbidden zones was a cause for great celebration, this powerful individual was clearly not someone the race could rely on. And they, these so-called "elders of humanity," lacked the strength to truly represent the entire human race and "bear" any burdens.

Even more tragically, within the human race, there seems to be no one of sufficient weight and skill who can command Ying Xuan's attention or who is willing to step forward and negotiate for the overall benefit of the race.

In a world where strength reigns supreme, without strength, even the right to ask for protection seems so pale and cheap.

Just then, from the direction where the old woman with the cane who had been the first to exchange for ten longevity herbs and whose body was filled with the heaviest death aura had left, a faint but continuous life fluctuation suddenly came!
Several elders used their divine senses to investigate and found that in a desolate mountain thousands of miles away, the old woman had found a secluded valley, and she couldn't wait to sit down cross-legged. She took out a longevity elixir given to her by Ying Xuan, and without even looking at it, she stuffed it into her mouth and swallowed it whole!
"boom!"

As the elixir entered her stomach, a vast and pure life essence erupted! The old woman's life force, which had been as weak as a candle in the wind, stabilized at a visible speed and began to slowly recover!
The deep wrinkles on her face seemed to have smoothed out a bit, and the heavy deathly aura that had enveloped her was temporarily dispelled and suppressed by a surge of vitality!
She closed her eyes and sensed for a moment, then a look of unbelievable ecstasy appeared on her gaunt face as she murmured.

"A hundred years...it can extend one's peak lifespan by at least a hundred years! Moreover, the medicinal power is mild, nourishing the source of life, and it seems to have a relieving effect on injuries to the Dao!"

She looked at the nine remaining spiritual herbs in the sea of ​​bitterness, her eyes blazing with intense light.

"Ten plants... If I refine them all, I might be able to extend my lifespan by nearly a thousand years! A thousand years... If I still cannot break through that shackle within a thousand years, then extending my lifespan any further will be in vain!"

Then, as if she had thought of something, the joy on her face faded slightly, replaced by a sense of urgency.

"We must immediately notify Yaochi! Notify the Ji family, the Jiang family! Notify all the holy land families! This kind of spiritual medicine is unprecedented. It is nurtured with the life essence of a supreme being, and its quantity is probably limited! If other races, or... those envoys sent by the forbidden zones, manage to exchange too many of them first, the greatest loss will be to our human race!"

She could no longer afford to carefully refine the medicinal power. She immediately took out an ancient token and frantically sent out her divine sense to transmit everything that had happened at the Undying Mountain, especially the news that Ying Xuan was willing to exchange the longevity elixir for the seeds and magic treasures, as well as the miraculous effects of the elixir!

The news spread like wildfire through various clandestine channels, instantly reaching all the top human factions in the Big Dipper!
In an instant, a storm was brewing!
The outer perimeter of the array that Ying announced, which covered hundreds of miles, began to flicker with spatial fluctuations! One after another, spatial gates of varying sizes and shapes were forcibly opened!
The first to arrive were naturally the human holy lands and ancient families in the nearby Beidou Eastern Wilderness and Zhongzhou, which were rich in cultural heritage.

One by one, powerful figures, at least at the level of Grand Elders, and some even old monsters who had been in seclusion for many years and whose auras had declined, personally led their teams out of the spatial gate, their faces filled with urgency and anticipation.

They first glanced in awe at the enormous crater of the Undying Mountain, sensing the lingering, chilling aura of the array and destruction within, which deepened their reverence for Ying Xuan. Then, their gazes all turned to the semi-transparent array area.

"Excuse me... is Senior Ying Xuan here? We are elders of the Yao Guang Holy Land, and we have come to pay our respects and... to conduct a transaction!"

One after another, respectful, even obsequious, divine thoughts cautiously probed the formation.

Ying Xuan, at the core of the formation, had already sensed the changes in the outside world.

With a slight thought, he quietly opened dozens of "portals" at different locations on the outer perimeter of the formation, each only wide enough for one person to pass through, and set up simple rules.

Upon entering the portal, one is directly teleported to a fixed, isolated star island "trading point." The island is surrounded by a vast expanse of starlight and mist, preventing detection and unauthorized entry. (End of Chapter)