I only want immortality.

"Chun Jun Sect, Zhao Yuanxiao..."

He murmured the two names, then slowly lowered his eyelids, but did not respond immediately.

The golden light beside him couldn't help but roar angrily:

"The teacher isn't Daoji; what can he do even if you seek him out?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Xu's face showed sorrow, and he lowered his head, saying, "Junior Brother Jin Guang, we...we have no other choice..."

Lin Yang remained silent, seemingly without hope, and the empty eye socket was shocking.

Seeing Lin Yang, who was usually unable to control her tongue, in such a state, Jin Guang paused, unable to finish his sentence, and subconsciously looked at Li Pinghe.

However, Li Pinghe simply lowered his head and remained silent.

After a long while, the expectation in Chen Xu's eyes gradually dimmed, until it turned into disappointment and self-mockery. He laughed bitterly:

"It was my fault, Junior Nephew. Senior Uncle, you have long since left Chun Jun Sect and have already helped Chun Jun Sect too much. We shouldn't be so greedy. Lin Yang and I will..."

"How do you want me to help you?"

An aged voice slowly emerged from Li Pinghe's frail body.

Lin Yang was slightly taken aback, looked up at Li Pinghe, and a glint of light flashed in her only remaining eye.

Chen Xu's eyes lit up instantly.

"teacher--"

Although Jin Guang was overjoyed, he immediately became worried about Li Pinghe's safety and hurriedly tried to persuade him, but Li Pinghe stopped him with his large hand that was slowly raised.

Li Pinghe slowly rose to his feet. Though old, his tall frame still appeared robust, now resembling a towering mountain. His eyes, like the sea, were fixed on Chen Xu, his voice deep and resonant:

"Do you have any rules or regulations?"

These six simple words invigorated Chen Xu, who quickly revealed his entire plan:

"Replying to my senior uncle, we are not entirely without a plan; we have two strategies: the upper and the lower."

The sect leader was possessed by a villain, but his soul lamp has not been extinguished, indicating that his soul has not perished. If a way can be found to awaken his soul and reclaim his true body, the Chun Jun Sect can surely be restored to its former glory. This is the best course of action.

Li Pinghe glanced sideways, seemingly surprised: "The Soul Lamp is still here?"

In order to know the condition of cultivators who are training outside, sects often collect the soul breath of their disciples and light a lamp to indicate whether they are alive or dead. If the lamp goes out, it means death; if it goes on, it means life. Murong Xian naturally also left a lamp in the sect. When he left the sect years ago, he specially took his soul lamp with him.

Chen Xu nodded in confirmation, then added, "The worst-case scenario is that if the sect leader's soul cannot be brought back to consciousness, we should do our utmost to protect the disciples of the sect, including Elder Zhao, and request the Song Kingdom cultivators to join forces in attacking him!"

Upon hearing this, Li Pinghe did not comment on whether it was feasible, but calmly said, "Neither of these two strategies is something you can do."

Chen Xu lowered his head in embarrassment.

He hadn't known how powerful a Foundation Establishment cultivator was before, but after witnessing it firsthand, he realized that a Qi Refining cultivator could be annihilated with a flick of the finger in front of a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

No one in Chun Jun Sect could subdue the possessed sect leader Murong Xian, let alone awaken his soul or protect the disciples.

They racked their brains and tried every possible method, but in the end, they could only turn to Li Pinghe for help.

Chen Xu kowtowed again, then looked up, blood streaming from his forehead, his expression deeply moved:

"Uncle-Master, I know that the chances of success in this matter are indeed slim. If you are unwilling or unable to help, I understand your predicament. I just want to try my best, so that I won't regret it for the rest of my life, and so that I won't let down Chun Jun Sect."

If he truly wanted to save himself, he would have simply fled. However, having begged Li Pinghe, he was ultimately unwilling to give up, and had even resolved to die.

Get up.

Li Pinghe glanced at Chen Xu, and Jin Guang and Lin Yang quickly stepped forward to help Chen Xu up.

After a moment's hesitation, he finally spoke:

"You all wait here, I'm going to find Master Xianyu."

"yes!"

Chen Xu was overjoyed.

Li Pinghe left the guest house and went to the Taoist palace on Baiyun Mountain. Guided by Han Xianghe, he met Xianyu Qiong at the spiritual cave at the bottom of Baiyun Valley.

It's still Pear Pavilion and Pine Creek, where we brew tea with the clear water.

"Master Su is still guarding Wu Nan, while Master Duan is quite formidable in Wu Ling. He alone forced Wen Yao and Zhu Yu to stay put. Once Wei Ran leaves that stone wind, Master Su will be able to defeat him."

"At that time, we should be able to seize the Xiye Sect's spiritual cave. Of course, at least half of its earth's energy will be allocated to Penglai Pavilion, and the remaining spiritual cave will be given to Master Duan. We can't just ask for help for nothing."

Perhaps it was because of the continuous good news, Xianyu Qiong was all smiles as he boiled water and made tea, chatting with Li Pinghe about the recent news from the north.

Since returning to Baiyun Mountain, Li Pinghe had been oblivious to the world around him and was unaware of the changes that had occurred in the past few days. Hearing that everything was going smoothly, he felt relieved.

After accepting the tea, Li Pinghe pondered for a moment before speaking, recounting the events at Chun Jun Sect, omitting the unnecessary details.

Xianyu Qiong was both surprised and amazed:

"There are still people using the pill-taking method these days? Then it's probably no different from what you think. This Murong Xian was most likely possessed by that so-called Horned Pot Daoist, otherwise his personality wouldn't have changed so drastically."

He shook his head again:

"However, it's unlikely that the Chun Jun Sect alone can force this person to submit."

Li Pinghe nodded in agreement:

"Indeed, no matter what, since this person is at the Dao Foundation stage, he is not someone that Chun Jun Sect can handle. Pinghe came here to ask Brother Xianyu to lend a hand."

Xianyu Qiong couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this, pointing at Li Pinghe and saying, "You, you only know how to make money off me for nothing."

He pondered:

"The foundation of the Dao achieved through the method of taking elixirs is often incomplete, and the actual ability is far inferior to that of an ordinary True Person. They may even be inferior to Wang Feng and He Riyuan."

"Very well, it's rare for you, Li Pinghe, to ask for a favor. Since you've come to me for help, I can't refuse you. You can go directly back to Chun Jun Sect, and I will personally intervene... However, if I do intervene, I can't do it for nothing."

Li Pinghe was surprised, then laughed:

"I have nothing of value, so what can I offer as compensation?"

Upon hearing this, Xianyu Qiong couldn't help but burst into laughter: "That's far too much."

But his smile vanished, and he said seriously:

"You've done more than enough to help the Chun Jun Sect this time, and you owe us nothing more. Have you considered joining my Jiu Yang Sect?"

"Those major sects dare not keep you because they don't trust outsiders and are unaware of your true abilities. But if you come to my Nine Yang Sect, I can guarantee that as long as the Nine Yang Sect has a second Foundation Establishment spot, it will definitely be given to you!"

Li Pinghe was taken aback for a moment, then laughed and said, "I didn't know that Brother Xianyu valued me so much. If Nephew Han knew, he would probably be angry with me."

"Ha, he wouldn't dare!"

Xianyu Qiong snorted and said seriously:

"I am not joking with you. Now the spiritual caves of the Song Kingdom have withered, leaving only Chun Jun Sect, Bao Xia Sect, Chenjiang Sword Sect and my Jiu Yang Sect. It can be said that our strength is divided into four places, making it difficult to achieve anything."

In this chaotic era, even if the Green River Sect is driven away, the Blue River Sect will appear, and the old story of the Thousand Hands Sect will repeat itself.

He paused, fixed his gaze on Li Pinghe, and said earnestly:

"The unification of the Song Dynasty is an inevitable trend that cannot be defied by human power. Pinghe, you should understand this yourself."

"Once you join my Nine Yang Sect, you will enjoy the position of the second Dao Foundation cultivator. At that time, you will help me unify the Song Kingdom, then conquer Guiyang in the south and Wuling in the north. We will start with the easy and then move on to the difficult... Even if we do not seek the Golden Core Dao, we can at least protect our younger generations."

His words were sincere, and Li Pinghe was moved, feeling a growing interest in him.

Compared to others, he and Xianyu Qiong were old friends of many years and knew each other well. If the Jiuyang Sect could accept him, it would be a good place for them.

After much deliberation, he finally nodded slowly.

Xianyu Qiong was overjoyed, raised his teacup, and laughed loudly:

"Good! Good! Good!"

"If we two work together with one heart and one mind, we will surely achieve great things... Let us use this tea instead of wine, and on the day of our success, we will celebrate properly!"

Li Pinghe was about to rise and join in when Li Pinghe raised his teacup.

Suddenly, Xianyu Qiong's face trembled, his hand shook, and the teacup fell straight down, rolling to the ground, the tea seeping into the cracks of the stone slab...

Li Pinghe was stunned. He looked up and saw Xianyu Qiong, who had been so spirited and full of ambition just moments before, now standing there blankly, looking lost and dejected, as if he had aged more than ten years in an instant.

A strong sense of unease suddenly arose in his heart, and he quickly stood up and asked, "Brother Xianyu, Brother Xianyu, what has happened?"

Xianyu Qiong stared blankly, slowly turning his neck. His empty eyes looked at Li Pinghe, his pupils focusing as if he recognized him, his lips trembling.

"Master Su, you're leaving today!"

"What?!"

Upon hearing this news, Li Pinghe was also greatly shocked and hurriedly said:

"Didn't Master Su say before that he would at least wait until the threat from Wuling was resolved before leaving?"

Xianyu Qiong, lost in thought, muttered to himself:

"Haorizong's western expedition to the north and the pacification of the region have failed... The eighteen kingdoms, led by Jiujiang, Donghai, Qi, Beidi, and Hanzhong, have now joined forces to launch a counterattack... Penglai Pavilion has urgently summoned Master Su to the north to return within a specified time."

He looked dazed.

"The Song Kingdom... is finished, completely finished!"

Hearing Xianyu Qiong's words, Li Pinghe's heart sank to the bottom.

Su Jinglong is actually leaving.

Although the Qinghe Sect has lost its branch altar, its foundation remains intact. Once Su Jinglong leaves, Duan Li and Xianyu Qiong alone will surely be unable to withstand the Qinghe Sect's conquest.

Just moments before, the two were enjoying drinks and talking about the future, feeling that the situation was very good. However, in the blink of an eye, their situation had become precarious.

The world changes so strangely and unpredictably that even Li Pinghe couldn't help but feel as if he were in another world.

Yet another realization arose in my heart.

What belongs to others will always belong to others; Su Jinglong's abilities ultimately do not belong to the Song Kingdom.

He looked at Xianyu Qiong's distraught appearance, sighed softly, and finally walked away slowly.

On the way back to the guest temple, the monks they encountered were either unhurried and polite, or engaged in lively discussions, looking forward to the future, their eyes shining with light, completely unaware that a great change was about to occur.

Li Pinghe saw all this and, with mixed feelings, returned to the guesthouse.

"Master, what did Master Xianyu say?"

As soon as he entered the courtyard, Chen Xu immediately went up to ask him questions.

Li Pinghe hesitated for a moment, then finally sighed softly and replied:

"Too busy to take care of themselves."

Chen Xu was taken aback and looked at Lin Yang, both of them puzzled.

Li Pinghe then summoned Jin Guang.

Looking at the increasingly handsome young man before him, he felt a surge of satisfaction and nodded, giving him some instructions:

"Once you go to Penglai Pavilion, you can no longer be as bold and reckless as you were when you were following your teacher. After you become a disciple, you must listen to whatever your master says and never talk back."

Jin Guang was stunned for a moment, and a bad feeling immediately arose in his heart. He forced a smile and said, "What are you saying, teacher? Isn't it still quite a while before we go to Penglai Pavilion...?"

Li Pinghe smiled, stroked his golden head, and softly instructed:

"When learning something, if you encounter something you don't know, don't try to figure it out on your own. You may be highly gifted, but most things in the world have already been figured out by others. You just need to ask sincerely and learn well, and you won't be far behind. When you encounter problems, don't rush to be the first. Even if the sky falls, there will always be someone taller than you in Penglai Pavilion... Remember, protect yourself first before you can protect others."

Jin Guang grew increasingly uneasy, unable to even manage a smile: "Teacher, I know all that. I will definitely protect myself first..."

Before he could finish speaking, he suddenly felt a blur before his eyes, and a clear, gentle voice reached his ears:

"Mr. Li."

Looking in the direction of the sound, they saw that a Taoist priest in yellow robes had appeared in the courtyard sometime earlier.

Upon seeing this person, Li Pinghe smiled faintly: "Master Su has arrived."

Su Jinglong nodded and looked at the golden light.

Jin Guang had already sensed something was wrong. He immediately looked at Li Pinghe, grabbed his sleeves, and said urgently, "Teacher, teacher..."

Li Pinghe sighed softly, took a step back, and looked at the handsome young man in front of him again, as if he wanted to remember this appearance deeply.

Then he said softly:

"Master Su, thank you for your trouble."

Su Jinglong nodded, and before he could make a move, the golden light slumped to the ground, only to be caught by Su Jinglong's raised sleeve. He then looked at Li Pinghe and quickly said:

"Mr. Li, I have important business to attend to, so I will not linger any longer. Rest assured, this young man Jin Guang will surely become a pillar of our Chunyang lineage in the future, and we will certainly not mistreat him."

"Thank you for your care, Master Su. I entrust Jin Guang to you."

Li Pinghe bowed deeply.

When they got up again, the yellow-robed Taoist and the golden figure were nowhere to be seen; they had rushed here in a hurry.

The hasty manner of the event gave both Chen Xu and Lin Yang a sense that a storm was brewing.

Chen Xu couldn't help but ask in doubt, "Senior Uncle, what exactly is this...?"

Before he could finish asking the question, two more figures landed in succession; they were Han Xianghe and Lü Kong.

At this moment, everyone's expression was solemn. Han Xianghe stepped forward, bowed to Li Pinghe, and without any pleasantries or formalities, went straight to the point:

"After Master Su left, my master and I discussed it and decided to lead the entire Nine Yang Sect north to seek refuge with Penglai Pavilion."

Li Pinghe was taken aback and said in surprise:

"Brother Xianyu, are you going too?"

Han Xianghe shook his head slightly: "Master, he doesn't want to go. He wants to stay in Baiyun Mountain... Before he left, Master Su also told him that he could protect the Jiuyang Sect, but he couldn't give him a Dao Foundation position."

Li Pinghe fell silent.

Without the opportunity to attain the Dao Foundation position, there is no point in Xianyu Qiong going there; this is the dilemma of being a Dao cultivator of the Earth Immortal path.

"So, what brings you here...?"

Han Xianghe began by saying:

"My master asked me to ask Uncle Li if he wanted to travel north with us."

Upon hearing this, Li Pinghe pondered for a moment before giving his answer:

"No, like your master, I am old and find it hard to leave my homeland. Since he has stayed in Song, I will stay in Song to keep him company."

Han Xianghe's expression turned solemn. He took a slight step back and bowed deeply, saying, "Take care, Uncle-Master!"

Knowing that this parting would be forever, with no hope of ever seeing each other again, they realized that this separation meant the end of their lives.

After saying this, he and Lü Kong quickly left the place.

Su Jinglong has left, and the Qinghe Sect could make a comeback at any time. Every moment we stay is a moment of danger.

"Senior Uncle, what should we do now?"

Chen Xu couldn't help but ask, and Lin Yang also looked at Li Pinghe.

Li Pinghe gazed at the horizon, where he could still seem to see his young apprentice's departing figure. Hearing this, he withdrew his gaze, his eyes surging like a vast ocean, and slowly said:

"Let's go to Chun Jun Gate."