The Path to Immortality Begins with the Life-Extending Lamp

Chapter 154 An Appointment with an Old Friend
Take a raft down the Cailongxi River to Longze.

As soon as he stepped onto the island's stone shore, Li Qing hesitated for a moment before sending a communication jade talisman from Lin Yuan Mountain to the Water God.

"Thank you for your guidance and direction, fellow Daoist. If I achieve something, I will be eternally grateful!"

"If you encounter any difficulties in the future, fellow Daoist, you can use this jade talisman to ascend to Mount Linyuan..."

A promise made by a cultivator from the Purple Mansion is extremely precious. Because of his status, if someone brings the token to him for help, the assistance they can receive will be far more than just that of a Purple Mansion cultivator.

Shangcai Shuibo naturally didn't stand on ceremony. The dragon tail behind him swayed unconsciously as he faced Li Qing and bowed.

"Each island on the water has its own treasure pavilion and restaurant, and any unclaimed residences there are available for you to take. Fellow Daoist, please go ahead."

"I will also be present at the ceremony in Longze at that time, and I wish you success in advance, fellow Daoist!"

As one of the Purple Mansion Dragon Princes, he still needs to return to the Upper Rainbow Dragon Stream to perform his duties. Even though he has already established some friendship with Li Qing, they can only meet again after the Qingping Banquet begins, when the Dragon Marsh is under its protection...

After delivering Li Qing to this place, the four-sided raft also turned around and headed back to Shangcai Creek, three hundred miles away.

Li Qing watched them go for a moment, then took a step toward the small island in the middle of the lake.

Within this Dragon Marsh, the water ripples, the phoenix's breath lingers, the vast expanse of emerald green is shrouded in mist, and palaces and islands are scattered like stars in the sky. The wind, water, and waves resemble a silver dragon and jade belt fallen onto a chessboard.

Taoist priests from all directions traveled by boat, on clouds, or in the light of escape, without making a mistake.

Amidst the palaces and waterside pavilions, the clam maiden and the mermaid princess, with jade plates on their heads and glass dishes in their hands, presented a variety of delicacies, creating a harmonious and peaceful scene reminiscent of a fairyland on the sea.

Before Li Qing even entered the island, the naval commander at the ferry had already spotted the Shangxi River God seeing him off, accompanied by three or four handsome horsemen and carp generals.

"Immortal cultivator, please wait!"

"Since you have just arrived at Longze, would you like me to arrange a temporary resting place for you?"

The head of the naval forces was an old man with long, drooping eyebrows. He wore a black chainmail and was probably a high-level Qi cultivator. When he saw the Purple Mansion Master land on the island, he lowered his rather tall and strong head and bowed.

"Within the vast Dragon Marshland, there are twenty-six beautiful islands, surrounding the Dragon Palace. This place is the Lingjie Island in the southwest..."

The head steward of Longze bowed his head and patiently explained the information about Longze. He then presented Li Qing with a map of Longze and instructed the jade-faced horseman behind him to lead the Purple Mansion Venerable to a residence to stay in.

The palaces and pavilions on the island are even more exquisite than those of the Five Poisons Sect. They are built in isolation, with no disturbances in sight, separating the neighborhood from the market. They resemble a Daoist palace or immortal city. There are restrictions of all sizes in the palaces and courtyards. It truly deserves to be called a luxurious dragon palace!
With the jade-faced horseman leading the way and bringing a pass to the lakeside pavilion, Li Qing entered the Taoist garden. Finding it quite peaceful, he had no complaints. He waved the horseman away and immediately activated the garden's restrictions.

Li Qing sat down in the green vine pavilion in the courtyard, and his divine sense quickly entered the storage gourd.

"what?"

Just as Li Qing entered the island, he noticed two jade talismans vibrating simultaneously in the corner of his storage gourd. Upon probing with his divine sense, he discovered that they were the two people he had briefly exchanged communication tokens with at the Dragon Lord's banquet on the ship in Wuxi Prefecture years ago.

Lingnan White Bone Road, the ghost princess under the White Bone Lady's Yin Palace.

Unfortunately, the White Bone Underworld was forcibly seized by Yin Zu, who used the Pot Heaven Technique to refine it into a palm-sized supernatural power and gifted it to the Dingshan Daoist...

Now that Li Qing has returned to the mountain, the Eleven Luminaries Heavenly Palace has revealed its traces, and everything has come to light.

The White Bone Path was completely taken advantage of for someone else's sake, and paid an extremely heavy price for it. When the Venerable Soul Ancestor learned the cause and effect, he went almost insane in the White Bone Mountain, vowing to make the person behind it pay the price!
I wonder what the Ghost Princess's attitude towards Li Qing will be now...

Jin Nancan, a true disciple of the Silver-Winged Roc branch of Wuyai Mountain in Liuling Mountain.

"Candle" was transformed into a red dragon after obtaining a spiritual ointment from him.

Speaking of "Candle", it has been getting lazier and lazier lately, spending its days huddled in that "octagonal dragon pillar" sharpening its teeth and horns. It is probably at the critical point of advancing to the Purple Mansion Dragon Essence.

"Perhaps we should ask Jin Zhenchuan of Liuling Mountain for a few more boxes of spirit beast medicine to help Zhu break through?"

As Li Qing pondered, he opened the two flashing communication jade talismans.

[Fellow Daoist Li, you've come to Wuxi Longze today? I've often heard of Brother Li in recent years. Do you have time for a gathering?]

This was an inquiry from Jin Zhenchuan of Liuling Mountain. However, just as this greeting was sent out, two more messages were sent out one after another.

I heard that Junior Brother Li got into trouble with the White Bone Daoist? How is he now?

Has Fellow Daoist Li returned to Tiannan?

These two messages were sent a long time ago.

One message was sent four years ago in winter, but he was already in the boundless outer sea at that time and therefore could not receive it. The other message was sent a year ago when he returned to Lin Yuan. It is only today that Li Qing has finally received these two greetings, which is rather impolite.

"Brother Jin, how are you? I have indeed arrived in Longze. We can meet here together for a look."

"Perhaps because it was previously far away, the spiritual energy of this jade talisman was cut off, and it fell into a dormant state until today when it was able to receive several messages from Fellow Daoist Jin in the past..."

After hesitating for a moment, Li Qing explained again the reason why he had not replied for several years.

The other jade talisman, given by the Ghost Princess, was also given in the same way. Four or five messages were sent in succession, and the timeframe should be similar to that of the one passed down by Jin Zhen from the Six Spirits Mountain.

It seems that the communication techniques of the various immortal sects in the capital are also quite limited by distance!

In that case, it will be even more difficult for those two Yin spirits to find their way back after they were stranded in the Netherworld...

As Li Qing replied to each message, a sudden realization dawned on her.

However, just as Li Qing got up and was about to go to the pavilion to set up a unique array plate for a short rest, the two jade talismans vibrated almost simultaneously.

[Brother Li, please provide the coordinates. Shall I, along with a few old friends, come looking for you?]

Where is my beloved? I am on the same island as my senior brother Jin!

Two messages arrived simultaneously, one after the other, indicating that the two had already met.

The three prefectures of Lingnan, plus Tiannan Prefecture, and the four immortal sects within them, along with Qingqiu Mountain and the Yu Gui Zhong clan… the six lineages have quite close ties. Li Qing rarely leaves his home and knows very few people, making him seem somewhat reclusive.

However, the name Ghost Gentleman was pointed out by the Five Streams Dragon Lord. These people were the first to exchange name tokens with Li Qing. Later, the White Bone Path and Osmanthus Mansion incidents made the name Ghost Gentleman's name circulate among the various immortal sects. Naturally, people often inquired about him.

After pondering for a moment, Li Qing had no choice but to attach a coordinate to the jade talisman and send the message back.

He hasn't been traveling around Tiannan and Lingnan for a long time, so it's really possible that he'll have to rely on the true teachings of these various sects for help!

After sending the message, Li Qing flipped his sleeve and went straight to the pavilion. He casually hung six paper lanterns on the eaves, lit two paper candles in the hall, and suspended a golden magic sword in the center with a black cloth and red rope. The small barrier of Nan Dou Zhen Yan was thus completed.

With this minor restriction in place, ordinary witchcraft and sorcery will have little effect; any evil spirits or malevolent creatures that approach will be instantly slain by the sword…

Then three or five paper figures appeared, each holding a lamp and diligently sweeping the courtyard, lighting incense burners, starting a fire in the stove, and taking out a tea set to cleanse with spiritual energy.

Linglong Chang entered You Tian Dong Li Yuan to refine the ghost paper, and now the one standing beside Li Qing is the faceless Chang.

This faceless man, clad in a robe adorned with talismans, stood like a scarecrow before the small garden corridor. After waiting for about the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn, sure enough, a beam of light descended from outside the island.

Three or four Taoist priests landed in front of the mansion. Before they could even knock, the gate of the small courtyard creaked open by itself.

A few feet behind the courtyard gate, the faceless figure stood motionless, seemingly lifeless. The disciples of the immortal sect dared not be careless, holding their breath and focusing their attention on the strange creature.

"It is neither a ghost, nor a spirit, nor an evil spirit."

The ghost princess wrinkled her nose slightly, somewhat puzzled by the true nature of this faceless man.

"It is a 'Chang,' a divine 'Chang' that has already entered the altar."

Jin Zhenchuan's eyes lit up, and he immediately pointed out the true nature of the Faceless Rogue.

Dao soldiers are born around the Daoist magic and supernatural powers of their Daoist master, or rather, they themselves are a piece of the puzzle of the Daoist master's magic and supernatural powers.

Jin Nancan had just acquired a jar of Cloud Carp Dao Soldiers and was refining them around the minor supernatural power of 'Turning Cloud White Carp'. With the combined power of the ninety-nine Cloud Carp Dao Soldiers, they could directly transform into a Turning Wave White Carp spirit at the Purple Mansion Realm...

"Crazy Gods" are completely different! Each Great Crazy God was originally an arrogant demon. After being bound and brought to the altar, it merged with talismans and Taoist energy, becoming something between a mountain spirit and an earth deity. The best Great Crazy Gods are often called "Hairy Gods" or "Grass-Head Gods".

This creature seems more like a guardian or protector than a soldier!

When the major sects of the Five Directions Immortal Sect and the mountain and river deities bestowed by the Northern Kingdom fought each other, they often drove this beast as their claws and teeth to fight. It could search mountains and overturn seas, and its power was terrifying.

"The master has been waiting for you all. Please come in!"

The ghostly, blank face turned to the crowd, its hoarse voice rising from nowhere, but without malice, simply guiding the four Taoists into the courtyard.

These four Taoists were two true disciples of the Six Spirits Mountain, one was the White Bone Taoist Ghost Princess, and the other was the White Bone Taoist. Among them, only Jin Nancan was at the Purple Mansion Realm, while the Ghost Princess, whose secular name was He, was still a step away from the Day Tour Realm.

The four held their breath and followed the faceless man with light, steady steps. They then saw six white paper lanterns lined up under the eaves.

Upon entering the hall again, one sees a long table standing in the lower part of the hall, surrounded by six rose chairs. At the head of the table is a small gilded incense burner with a tea set. The snow spring water in the burner has just boiled. Several paper figures move back and forth on both sides, and in front of the chairs are several ceramic vases filled with newly blooming peaches and chrysanthemums...

The Taoist priest behind him wore a seven-star crown, his eyes were like stars, and his cloud-like robes resembled snow on a mountain peak, with a light blue dharma robe underneath. Who else could he be but that Ghost Lang?
"Brother Jin, everyone, how have you been lately?"

With a snap of his fingers, Li Qing transformed several paper figures into scattered pieces of white paper. Using a paper-folding technique, they were reassembled into paper plates and paper cranes, which were then hung on the windowsill.

"Brother Li!"

"Senior Brother Li..."

The four of them were all startled and looked at Li Qing.

The once naive young man from Wuxi Prefecture is now completely different. He has long since attained the Purple Mansion realm, his aura profound and mysterious. Every frown and smile is like a layer of ever-changing clouds, inspiring awe and fear. This is a tremendous transformation stemming from both his strength and his will.

Today, the name of Ghost Gentleman has spread throughout the immortal sects. Even those who were guests at the Dragon Lord's Banquet back then have to address Li Qing as Senior Brother and call him Master.

The two from Liuling Mountain were alright, but the two from the White Bone Path were becoming increasingly evasive. The conflict between Tiannan Temple and the White Bone Path had escalated to this point, with the White Bone Path's second elder attacking Li Qing first, and then Yin Zuhu's palm strike capturing the Sun and Moon Universe and shattering the White Bone Mountain gate...

I wonder what attitude this ghost will have?
"Please take your seats, everyone!"

Li Qing nodded to the four people in invitation, and slowly walked towards the long table with flowers and incense. The table had no main seat, and the six seats were arranged face to face, making it more like a gathering in an ordinary mansion, which made the group feel much more at ease.

Two Purple Mansion Daoists took their seats first, one on the left and one on the right, followed by the other Qi Refining Daoists.

"Five years ago, I met you all at the Dragon King's Banquet. Today, we are gathered here again. It is a kind of fate!"

These familiar faces were all people who had sat in the outer hall of the Dragon King's banquet years ago. Li Qing sighed and reached out to take the spring pot from the red stove.

The ghost princess beside them rose slightly, took down the copper kettle in advance, and began to brew spiritual tea for the group.

Since that was the case, Li Qing thanked her slightly and then took the time to get straight to the current topic.

"Do any of you have a plan for the upcoming Qingping Banquet?"

The preliminary round only has ten dragon flags and ten spots. If you have other ideas, it's best not to mess with them.

"Brother Li, are you aware of the competition rules?"

Seeing that Li Qing's expression was unusual, this disciple of Jin knew that he had already received the news.

After receiving confirmation, Jin Nan and the others looked around and sighed:
"I, Jin, would like to obtain a dragon flag and a Dragon Palace Taoist technique, but... it's too difficult!"

"There's another senior brother from the Six Spirits Mountain who's about to enter. A member of the Zhong family is bringing the 'Zhong Kui Catching Ghosts Picture,' and the core disciples of the White Bone Hall are also making moves: Chu Longzi and Ziyang Fujun..."

"Aside from those few cultivators at the Purple Mansion level, I, Jin, am not confident that I can contend with any of the remaining Daoists."

The allure of the Five Thunder Divine Power was so great that half of the Southern Kingdom was alarmed!
Even though those Yin God True Persons couldn't bring themselves to do it, there were quite a few senior Purple Mansion officials eyeing this opportunity. If it weren't for Lord Chu Long's extremely strict control over the number of banquet invitations, it would have been difficult for the younger generation like them to even get a chance to participate.

"If other Taoists could help us defend the Dragon Flag, there might be a chance..." Hearing Jin Zhenchuan's dejected state, the ghost maiden, who was fiddling with tea leaves, quietly chimed in.

"Actually, that's not the case!"

Jin Nancan knew his own limitations. He had just been promoted to the Purple Mansion level, and only his natal beast, the Silver-feathered Roc, could help him. His Cloud Carp Dao Soldier was also just beginning to be formed, and his "Turning Waves White Carp" minor supernatural power might not have much combat power. How could he compete with that veteran Purple Mansion?

If this banquet could be held a year or two later, he might still have a chance...

"We dare not even hope for that."

"Brother Li seems to have secured his position as the Dragon Flag. Is there anything we can do to lend a hand?"

The Ghostly Gentleman, who slew the two elders of the White Bone Path and outmaneuvered two Yin Gods, is one of the hidden contenders for the title of savior.

Currently, Li Qing's identity remains extremely mysterious in the cultivation world of the Southern Kingdom. No one knows what path he cultivates, whether it is the Yin Xuan Ghost Scripture or the Ancient Qi Refining Scripture. Nor does anyone know what kind of magic he uses or what kind of supernatural powers he has cultivated.

The entire cultivation world in the southwest only knew that the Ghost Gentleman was possessed by a vengeful ghost, but they knew nothing about his background!
"If Brother Li needs it, the four of us, Jin, can guard the first half of the arena for you, so that you can conserve your energy, preserve your trump cards, and prepare for the final battle."

Those who didn't yet have enough to bet on, and who were enemies rather than friends with the core disciples of their own sect, were the ones who ended up associating with the Five Streams Dragon Lord.

It's absolutely impossible for him to suppress his rivals within the sect. But if he were to cheer on this Ghost Prince Li Qing or add to his glory, that would be more like it.

In this way, it will not have been in vain for the advice that Lord Chu gave them at the grand banquet on the ship that day!
"Is that really the case? I would be more than happy to have such a thing."

As a direct descendant of one of the six main peaks of Liuling Mountain, Jin Zhenchuan had already attained the Purple Mansion realm at such a young age, so his foundation should be quite solid; as for this Ghost Princess, she had one foot in the threshold of the Day Travel realm, so she must also have some skill...

Although Li Qing didn't have high expectations for the group, she wouldn't refuse their kindness and reluctantly agreed.

Li Qing wasn't too worried about the preliminary competition of the ten dragon flags, but the chaotic background of the final battle with ten people facing off would definitely be disadvantageous for him.

He cultivates magical arts, incantations, and fire-based qi techniques, excelling in combat but lacking in offensive skills. He is particularly afraid of "magical domains" and even more afraid of beheading...

Even if the Ghost Mother were summoned, she might not be able to suppress the direct descendants of each lineage in one fell swoop!
The Dragon-Taming Lord commands a nine-headed sea dragon; the eldest daughter of Qingqiu can summon the nine-tailed ancestral spirit; the son of the Ghost-Controlling Zhong family wields the "Zhong Kui Catching Ghosts Picture"; even the eldest son of the Yang family, Yang Jue, may not be without the protection of the powerful day-roaming ghost of the Weak Waters...

Perhaps, we need to find someone to inform them in advance, eliminate the weakest one, and elect the strongest one. Only in this way can we have a chance to glimpse the pinnacle!
"Gentlemen, does anyone know how to make contact with Yang Jue, the eldest son of the Yang family?"

Li Qing remembers that when Yang Jue fled You Tian, ​​he followed Lady White Bone.

I wonder if this Ghost Princess still has any contact with Lady White Bone, who is far away in the East Sea...

(End of this chapter)