The Path to Immortality Begins with the Life-Extending Lamp

Chapter 119 A City in the East Sea, Hard to Leave the Mortal World

Tokaido.

This area is divided into two prefectures along the coast, one to the north and one to the south. The northern prefecture gathers the river to its east, transforming it into vast and fertile fields, facing the river and overlooking the sea; this is called Chaojiang Prefecture. The southern prefecture is densely covered with waterways, known as a place where hundreds of rivers converge and the sea is gathered; this is called Linchuan Prefecture.

East of Chaojiang Prefecture lies Bixi Tuoshan, which rests at the root of the water vein and has built the Baxia Immortal City.

Many lineages and independent cultivators from the Northern Prefecture of the East Sea have moved to this immortal city, which is said to have 80,000 immortal cultivators and is renowned throughout the East Sea.

At this moment, in Chaojiang Prefecture, there is a naval force, riding alligator dragons and scaled horses, with boats bobbing on the waves and banners standing tall, quietly stationed in the water fortress south of Nabaxia Immortal City.

Among them were more than six thousand armored soldiers and beast tamers, yet they obeyed orders without question, standing tall on the seashore like reeds, unaffected by the shimmering waves of the sea.

"General Wang, Prefect Yang."

"The Immortal Sect's cloud raft has arrived!"

On the water fortress, a captain clad in black scale armor, with one hand on the hilt of his sword, strode into the main tent of the warship and reminded his two superiors.

This is a scholar from the South who is on par with the Purple Mansion Daoist.

The path of cultivating the Six Arts in the South flourishes, producing warriors, scholars, and national heroes who are no less than any immortal or divine lineage!

Therefore, even though the two Purple Mansion Daoists in the main tent were half a rank higher than him, he did not remove his armor or his sword, and addressed them by their surnames.

Upon hearing this news, the two men who were sitting opposite each other in the tent, brewing wine, put down their wine cups and stood up to look.

Looking out from the window of this warship, a shadow fell over the blue sky, collapsing the sea of ​​clouds and causing the countless layers of clouds to roll down like cotton. A desolate lament, as if from a primordial era, echoed throughout the coast.

As Yun Kun descended, the immense magical power emanating from this colossal beast from the Extreme Sea Ruins was once again unleashed without any concealment.

Just as they fell a hundred feet from the sky, in that vast, shimmering sea, gravity lost its original course. The weightless seawater transformed into enormous water spheres, slowly floating up and lingering in the air...

One, two, three... until millions of water droplets floated up, silently still in the void, as if in a dream.

This is the will of the Void Realm!

As the tides rise and fall, the land returns to the ruins, where gravity and attraction alternate, forming a boundary of ruins.

Legend has it that in the Void Realm, the Primordial Essence splits into forms, and the growth of all living beings is not restricted by the Heavenly Capital or the Earth. Jellyfish swim in the air, and cloud-borne kun escape into the sky. All the Void Beasts are unaffected by the Primordial Essence and are all colossal beasts.

This cloud kun then possessed a trace of the power of the Void Realm, and could easily distort and even control the power of the three primordial forces.

Just like now, the beast Yun Kun descended from the blue sky, landing on a seventy-mile radius of sea. The wind stopped, the sea reversed its flow, and water droplets swayed, creating a realm where all things were still!
Time seemed to slow down infinitely with the arrival of the Cloud Ferry.

The armored soldiers in the water fortress unconsciously placed their right hands on their weapons and crossbows, as if only in this way could they gain a sense of security.

Time passed by minute by minute.

After an unknown period of time, the Void Cloud Whale finally descended to the surface of the sea.

The sea of ​​clouds in the sky collapsed and scattered, and the long-lost deep blue of the sea and sky reappeared. The water droplets that were originally suspended in mid-air all fell and turned into a torrential rain.

Even though the Beast Taming Immortal Sect's Cloud Kun Beast descends every six months, such a phenomenon still amazes the eyewitnesses in the Immortal City.

To ordinary people, it is like looking at a deity!
The island-like behemoth stood still on one side of the sea, with wisps of smoke and clouds above it, forming a cloud ladder between the cloud kun and the immortal city.

On the treasure raft, one after another extraordinary figure slowly descended the auspicious cloud ladder. They wore brocade boots, purple cloud robes, lotus-shaped hair buns, and had long, beautiful beards. These cultivators wore plain clothes, carried whisks, and were naturally dignified. They were truly primordial cultivators.

There weren't many distinguished guests on the treasure raft, but almost all of them were Daoists at the Purple Mansion Realm from both within and outside the country.

Among the groups of Taoist priests, a young Taoist priest in cloud robes, surrounded by an aura of purity, stepped onto the cloud ladder. Having returned to his familiar place after a long time, he couldn't help but feel relaxed.

As Li Qing exhaled this turbid air and inhaled this fresh air, the myriad energies of the universe were moved by his actions. The six energies of yin and yang, wind and rain, darkness and light coalesced into a six-petaled crown that fell down, as if welcoming a baptism of the weather, which indeed attracted a lot of attention.

He wasn't intimidated at all. He exchanged glances with the many Purple Mansions on the cloud ladder, and slowly descended the cloud raft as if stepping on the Dipper!
He had heard of Baxia Immortal City, the East Sea Road, when he was in the south.

In addition, the brocade silver mustard seed pouch that the Taoist Pei had given me earlier was filled with pearls, corals, jade, tortoiseshells and other precious stones from overseas. Perhaps I could take a stroll through this immortal city and exchange them for Taoist coins and spiritual materials.

Above the cloud-like creature, the ferryman had just escorted the nine guests down from the immortal city.

In the southern water fortress of the immortal city, several streaks of light immediately rose, leading various warships, and traversed thirty miles of shimmering waves to meet them.

"Fellow Daoists, was your journey safe and sound?"

At the bow of the red shuttle-like warship, two Purple Mansion Daoists immediately came forward, one on the left and one on the right. On the left was the Guardian General of the Prefecture, dressed in civil and military robes, and on the right was the Prefectural Governor in blue official robes. The two bowed and greeted the two Beast Taming Sect Daoists on the cloud kun.

Behind the two was a rank-24 armored captain, his hand on his waist sword, staring intently at the towering ladder.

This caused Li Qing, who was at the very back of the ladder, to suddenly twitch her eyebrows.

"It's him?"

"That Prefect Yang from the Yang family!"

On the warship below, the young man in the blue official robe was none other than the Yang family member who had mistakenly entered the You Tian-Qi Shan Domain with Lady White Bone and Master Taiyi.

Li Qing glanced down at the sheep family member, but soon his gaze shifted elsewhere. Li Qing followed the crowd down the cloud ladder and landed in a corner of Baxia Immortal City.

The sudden feeling of being spied on came and went quickly. Yang Jue below paused for a moment, but after looking around repeatedly, he saw nothing strange again, only a secret doubt in his heart.

The Governor's Office of the East Coast has a long history of cooperation with the Beast Taming Immortal Sect. Today, the Governor's Office's general and Prefect Yang are waiting here for the Taoist priests from the Beast Taming Immortal Sect, intending to welcome them into the prefecture and give them a proper welcome before boarding a warship together to sail westward...

Li Qing stood in a corner of the immortal city, watching from the shadows as Yang Jue and the others slowly left.

The Weak Water Sheep Clan is a true remnant of the Six Heavens!

Li Qing knew that the weak waters had begun to be expanded by the three forces of Taiyi Dao, Lady White Bone of White Bone Dao, and the Yang family.

At this moment, a strange sense of urgency suddenly welled up in his heart.

Now, the five immortal sects have all established their presence in Youtian, but he has only just entered the Purple Mansion Dao Foundation. He really needs to hurry up and properly organize those Netherworld Ghost Gardens on Qishan Mountain.

Or perhaps we could refer to the "Six Heavens Spiritual Mirror" given by the Hunyuan female Taoist priest and establish regulations in these mansions and gardens, using various spiritual materials and grains to support the flocks of human-faced owls as early as possible. In this way, we can add an initial layer of protection to the Qishan region!
With this attitude, Li Qing quickly entered Baxia Immortal City. After passing through the patrol at the city gate, Li Qing headed straight for the market in the center of the immortal city.

There is the Seven Star Pavilion overseas, and the Southern Kingdom also has its own Hanlin Pavilion.

As soon as Li Qing entered the Immortal City, the rogue cultivators who had been lingering on both sides immediately swarmed around him. Even though they didn't recognize the True Cloud Robe of the Taiyi Sect, they could tell that Li Qing's robe was extraordinary.

If I could guide this Taoist priest, I would certainly receive a generous reward.

"Master, would you like a young boy to lead the way? I have extensive experience traveling throughout the city, visiting all the neighborhoods and residences!"

"For just five Dao coins, Daoist Master, you can save yourself a lot of trouble." A young boy carrying a little girl under his arm quickly approached Li Qing within three zhang. The Daoist disciples on the side, upon seeing this person, either showed disdain or fear, but none of them dared to approach any further.

The boy was a size taller than the others, but his pigskin boots had a large hole in them, revealing half of his silk stockings. However, his green robe was clean.

Clearly, there are many such young people seeking the Dao in the Immortal City, hovering between the positions of Daoist novices and disciples. Their treatment is far inferior to that of disciples in the Immortal Sect.

Many of them were even born to parents who had fallen at the Qi Refining stage. They were taken into the Immortal City and used as servants, doing odd jobs in various parts of the city. Until one day every ten days, the Baxia Palace in the city would offer a free course of instruction to enlighten them on the path of immortality.

If one has good aptitude, one might be able to reach the Qi Refining Realm, but if one has ordinary talent and no place to rely on, how easy is it to enter the Dao?

The young Taoist disciples, whose clothes were still intact, were extremely ashamed and annoyed to see that the tall young man had gotten there first again.

After all, as children in the same Immortal City's elementary school, even though they had parents at the Qi Refining Realm behind them, none of them would dare to cross this Dao Zhu.

However, in front of the Taoist priest Lin Chen, they dared not show the slightest displeasure, much less complain or compete. If they angered the distinguished guest, regardless of whether the Taoist priest would lay a hand on them or not, even if the matter reached the hands of the officials in the Immortal City, they would be whipped ten times and half their lives would be taken away!
Seeing that someone had gotten there first, the Taoist boys who had rushed forward bowed and slowly retreated.

Li Qing immediately saw through the situation. These little fellows were just like him when he was a disciple at the mountain gate, putting in so much effort just to achieve the foundation for entering the Dao...

"Oh? You seem to know this place very well?"

"This humble Taoist wishes to visit the Hanlin Academy. Do you know where the Hanlin Academy is located in this Baxia Immortal City?"

The Hanlin Pavilion was built by the Hanlin Academy of the Southern Kingdom. Wherever the roads and waterways of the Southern Kingdom are located, there will surely be a Hanlin Pavilion.

"There are three Hanlin Pavilions in the city. The North Pavilion is the largest. If you have supplies to pay, you should go to the North Pavilion. The East Pavilion is the closest. It's just two market towns ahead!"

This boy was also clever; without any unnecessary words, he had already made a distinction between the medium and short portions in just a few words.

"Then let's go to the North Pavilion and lead the way!" Li Qing nodded slightly, instructing the young man to point the way. He then took a wisp of light and headed directly north of the immortal city.

This immortal city is a chaotic place, but in reality, it is far inferior to the Fangzhang Immortal Continent, which has been famous for over a thousand years.

The sheer number of streaks of light moving freely in the high sky, rising and falling, created a chaotic scene.

A gentle breeze swept away the clouds and fled northward. The young Taoist boy who was leading the way was shocked by the purple light that had been emitted from the mansion. Beads of sweat had gathered on his head. The little girl, who looked to be only six or seven years old, was even more frightened. She covered her head and burrowed into her brother's arms, not daring to look down.

But the two of them were very quiet, and the little baby was also unusually well-behaved, not disturbing them at all.

"You... are you a Daoist servant from the Immortal City?"

Li Qing was somewhat puzzled. Despite his fear, the young man was also quite composed and had a good character. Despite his lowly position, he neither acted like a servile servant nor did he provoke anyone.

"Yes, I was a Daoist servant in Baxia Immortal City two years ago. I would enter the Baxia Palace to practice Qi cultivation on the first day of every ten days, and spend the other ten days at the east gate of the immortal city on duty."

The young Taoist bowed respectfully and quickly answered Li Qing's question.

He did not try to elicit sympathy, nor did he mention any information related to himself.

"Ok!"

Li Qing only had time to give a casual reply before they arrived at the Hanlin Pavilion.

The clouds descended immediately, and upon reaching their destination, the young man stepped back several paces and stood beside the entrance of the treasure pavilion.

"Please wait here for me."

"You'll definitely get your share of the benefits!"

Glancing at the young Taoist priest waiting at the door, Li Qing stepped into the pavilion, passing through layers of counters and heading straight into the depths of the treasure pavilion.

Immediately, a servant boy appeared in the pavilion and greeted Li Qing.

"Immortal Master, is there something you wish to see?"

However, Li Qing was too lazy to waste time with them and did not answer. She walked into the pavilion without replying.

The first floor was for magical artifacts, the second floor for spiritual materials, and only when they reached the alchemy cauldron hall on the third floor of the treasure pavilion did Li Qing slowly slow down.

The Daoist alchemy has a branch called Taiyue Shangxing Sect, which, in addition to Tianyuan external alchemy, is also skilled in herbal elixirs. This Danding Academy specializes in selling many of these elixirs and wonders, such as Huangya Dan, Juqi Dan, Shenglong Dan, and so on.

Before Li Qing returned to Jiangnan, he wanted to prepare a longevity pill for his parents and elder brothers, hoping that after taking the pill, even ordinary people could be free from all diseases and live a long life.

The Hundred-Seed Elixir is the most famous of these elixirs. It combines Yin and Yang, regulates the Five Elements, and harmonizes the properties and forms of the medicine to unblock and regulate the body's meridians. When taken regularly for three to five years with other medicinal ingredients, it can help a person approach a hundred years of life!
At this time, although this pill was only for use by ordinary people, its price was frighteningly high. One dose of the Hundred Sons Elixir would cost at least 100,000 Dao Zhu.

Because the Taoist cultivators of the Six Arts in the Southern Kingdom can also take it to heal hidden wounds and prolong life, the Hundred-Child Elixir has always been highly sought after by high-ranking officials and nobles whenever it appears in the prefecture.

In the past, Hua Xuanli, under the protection of Yin, the Prefect, also spent ten thousand taels of gold to summon various sorcerers, shamans, and teachers to escort Li Qing to the southwest to seek the Dao. That can be described as truly giving away all his family wealth.

He then sent money notes in his letters from time to time, for he could never repay the kindness of his father and brothers and the deep affection of his mother.

Li Qing now has no shortage of supplies, and the Samadhi Hundred Seed Elixir is not something to hesitate about.

"I want three portions of this elixir, as well as its accompanying medicinal bait and spiritual food."

Li Qing approached the three-tiered alchemy cabinet and pointed to the jade medicine bottle hanging at the top of the east pavilion, where the name "Bai Zi" (meaning "hundred sons") flashed continuously.

"Huh? Three portions?"

"Okay, please wait a moment!"

On the alchemy cabinet were two young female servants, but a closer look at their clothing revealed that they were ladies from the Hanlin Academy, studying poetry, literature, rites, music, and mathematics. Judging from the light emanating from their brows, they could almost dispel the bodies of ordinary evil spirits, indicating that they had already reached the realm of "fierce warriors."

The two ladies hurriedly searched through the scrolls about the Hundred Sons Elixir in the counter. The Hundred Sons Elixir required an enormous amount of auxiliary medicines, medicinal baits, and spiritual foods. Prolonging life was never achieved overnight.

Even such a precious medicine requires three to five years of conditioning with a combination of medicine, food, and diet before it can be digested by ordinary people.

Three Hundred Sons Elixir?

The two were immediately shocked, but then their worries returned. What supplementary medicines were needed? Was there enough medicinal bait? How should the spiritual food be prepared...?

Such a miraculous pill is not widely available in the Immortal City. Of the tens of thousands of cultivators in the Immortal City, ninety-nine percent stop at the Qi Refining stage. Even among the Purple Mansion Daoists who have the resources to venture into the East Sea, few would spend such a large amount of Dao coins to find this miraculous pill for a mortal.

While the group was busy dealing with the matter, the manager of the Pill Hall finally arrived late. Upon seeing Li Qing, he immediately praised him as a fellow Daoist. When he learned that Li Qing had specifically requested the Hundred Sons Elixir, the white-bearded manager couldn't stop smiling.

"Very well! Everyone says that the Dao is ruthless, but little do they know that one can also pursue the path of immortality in the mortal world? Is this something you prepared for your family, fellow Daoist?"

"I am most skilled in alchemy here, which can prolong life and enhance vitality. If you take this medicine for five consecutive years, it will surely help you, my fellow Daoist, to live a long and healthy life free from illness and disaster!"

"Lingwan, Qingrong, go to the inner treasury and fetch another seventy-two doses of medicine. I will immediately prepare three doses of the 'Hundred Seeds' longevity medicine..."

(End of this chapter)