180: Chen Baimao's Slip-Up! A New Longevity Token

A month of training passed in the blink of an eye.

Amidst much anticipation, the list of candidates for the Longevity Seed Longevity Sect's next generation has finally been announced.

The six Golden Core Elders, being figures from the previous generation or even the generation before them, had already participated in the competition for the Longevity Seed.

Therefore, no Golden Core Cultivator were selected among this year's candidates for Longevity Seed.

Of the thirteen False Core Great Cultivator, five were shortlisted as candidates.

Chen Dengming was prominently listed.

The other four selected individuals are all senior members of the Longevity Sect, possessing exceptional skills and outstanding talent. They have demonstrated remarkable abilities in numerous Duty Assignment, making them the strongest among the strongest, excelling in every aspect.

In terms of seniority, Chen Dengming had only been a member of the sect for a few years and was far inferior to these four.

In terms of aptitude, he possesses top-grade High-grade Spiritual Root.

However, since they are Dual Spirit Root, they don't have any advantage.

In terms of merit, although he has made several amazing contributions since joining the sect, the single act of slaying the Golden Devil Cultivator Blazing Flame Blood Devil is equivalent to others completing more than a dozen Duty Assignment.

However, he still lacks some experience in this area.

Even including the time he joined forces with Qiao Zhaoxian and others to kill the Bull Head General, all the contributions he had accumulated to the sect only amounted to three missions.

Among the five Longevity Seed candidates, their achievements can only be considered at a lower level.

In terms of raw power, Chen Dengming, the junior Junior Brother who just entered the sect, currently holds an absolute advantage. His power in Reverse Kill Golden Core is unmatched.

"So, Junior Brother, your last Duty Assignment, where you destroyed the magic array and also took down Mighty General, was very important."

Inside the cave abode, He Yingyu and Chen Dengming were talking.

Chen Dengming smiled and said, "I think so too. If it weren't for the last Duty Assignment, my merits might not have even qualified me for the Longevity Seed. After all, my qualifications and achievements are still too shallow."

"Junior Brother, you don't need to underestimate yourself."

With her hair piled high like jade, He Yingyu, tall and graceful, she gracefully approached carrying tea and fruit, and said with a smile, "Your mission last time was also deliberately arranged by the sect. The purpose was to use you, the sect's Heavenly Pride, as bait to lure out a few big fish from the Devil Cultivator camp."

The outcome of that mission was decided a month ago.

There has been a traitor among the various sects in our Eastern Region, and the traitor has long been suspected and targeted by the alliance's higher-ups.

Therefore, we will turn the tables and use a traitor to betray your duties, thus attracting the Golden Core Late Stage protector of the Mochao Kingdom.

As you said, after that mission, the sect determined that you not only gained merit for destroying the magic array and eliminating the Mighty General, but also indirectly assisted in severely injuring the Golden Core Late Stage Devil Cultivator and exposing the traitor of the alliance."

"Not bad." Chen Dengming took the tea and nodded slightly.

My Duty Assignment was indeed fraught with difficulties.

When he returned to his clan to claim credit afterward, he learned the real story.

The reason he was given more than a dozen missions to choose from and two mission routes was because they knew there was a traitor, and it was a way to protect him.

As it turned out, the traitor in the alliance was indeed Divine Ability resourceful, still managing to pinpoint the mission he had chosen and leak the information.

Fortunately, the sect had already prepared a backup plan, with Qiu Feng and others acting as the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind.

Therefore, although he may have simply completed the task of destroying the Formation, he actually exceeded expectations by completing other tasks as well, accumulating considerable merit.

"So, Junior Brother, since the sect has deliberately assigned these tasks to you, it's very likely that they genuinely want to develop you into Longevity Seed. Could this be considered giving you credit, just to make you qualified as a candidate for Longevity Seed?"

He Yingyu sat down next to Chen Dengming, smiled and winked.

Chen Dengming was taken aback, then smiled and shook his head, "Senior Sister, your thinking is too much centered on me. If you were centered on me, I could accept it, but you're saying that the sect's higher-ups are all centered on me? How is that possible? It's just a coincidence."

He Yingyu blew on the tea leaves and said helplessly, "You're just too modest."

In reality, if you lack the ability, even if the sect's higher-ups want to promote you, you still won't be able to."

"Alright. There's no need to discuss these things anymore. Now that the candidates have been decided, the various stages of the actual election will begin one after another. The final result is still unknown."

"I have confidence in you. I heard from Junior Brother Sang that you have a high reputation within the sect. Many disciples, including deacons, support your selection as Longevity Seed."

Upon hearing this, Chen Dengming chuckled and said, "While the votes of the sect disciples and stewards are important, about 40% of the voting rights are held by the sect elders and the sect leader."

Non-Self can directly obtain the votes of all the disciples and deacons within the sect, it mainly depends on the opinions of the elders and the sect leader.

Although every disciple in the sect has the right to vote, the actual weight of their votes is still differentiated.

A vote cast by Qi Refining Stage disciple carries far less weight than that cast by the Foundation Establishment Realm disciple.

There's no need to elaborate on the Golden Core Elder.

The Longevity Sect once had seven Golden Core cultivators, one of whom perished during the great war Eastern and Western Regions.

Currently, the Longevity Sect has six Golden Core Elders, plus Qiu Feng, the Evergreen Sect Master Immortal Sect, and Cheng Zhenwei, the sect leader of the Evergreen Gate Sect, which are directly under the Longevity Sect. That makes a total of eight Golden Core elders.

These eight Golden Core cultivators all have voting rights.

The sect leader Xing Huiguang, is the ninth Golden Core cultivator and possesses the final voting right, making him of paramount importance.

Qiu Feng would certainly support Chen Dengming.

But the situation with the other seven is less certain.

In particular, Cheng Zhenwei, the leader of the Evergreen Gate Sect, is actually the uncle of one of the candidates, Hua Zhenyu.

This person's vote will definitely go to Hua Zhenyu.

Chen Dengming didn't take it too seriously.

He joined the sect too late, and even if he wanted to try to win over some disciples and stewards at the last minute, he might not be able to.

Instead of wasting energy on campaigning, it would be better to continue focusing on cultivation and consolidating one's strength.

Even if you lose in the voting stage, it doesn't mean you've completely failed.

The selection of Longevity Seed is ultimately based on a comprehensive consideration of various factors.

Little did he know that this sudden shift to a more relaxed, Buddhist-like attitude had disrupted the plans of some of his competitors.

Inside a cave abode of the Longevity Sect, the inner study was separated by hanging bamboo. In the dim light, one could see a figure sitting at a large south-facing desk, frowning as he listened to his trusted Junior Brother report on the situation. Then, he asked in confusion.

"He's not in a hurry to win over the elders and other deacons within the sect? That's not like his usual style of giving gifts. Could it be that he's noticed something?"

One of the Junior Brother said, "He couldn't possibly have noticed, but perhaps someone must have reminded him of something."

The person behind the bamboo curtain nodded slightly and smiled faintly, "Never mind, it's better if he doesn't make a move. This way, my advantage is even greater, and he doesn't need to make a mistake. In the voting process, I have a natural advantage."

"Indeed. Senior Brother Hua, you have been in the Longevity Sect for over sixty years. Your seniority and connections here are deeply entrenched."

A disciple with a pointed face and monkey-like features smiled flatteringly, praising one while belittling the other, "Someone like Chen Baimao, who has only been in the sect for a few years, needs to use various means to win people's hearts, unaware that he is committing a taboo."

Hua Zhenyu, sitting at his desk, smiled faintly.

This is indeed his advantage, and also his means of dealing with Chen Dengming.

Canvassing for votes can be done openly and honestly.

But resorting to underhanded tactics won't work.

For example, bribing elders with gifts, and privately arranging drinking parties with some fake alchemy disciples or deacons of high status.

Such things are highly taboo, especially as the elections for Longevity Seed approach.

Ironically, Chen Baimao had done all of these things.

Moreover, according to his investigation, the other party had done this many times, which provided leverage against them.

Hua Zhenyu had done similar things before, but those were all things from many years ago, things that are long past.

Since breaking through to the False Core stage more than ten years ago, he has never done anything like this again, nor does he need to do these things himself anymore.

Therefore, the same thing done by different people at different times will lead to two different results.

"The voting process will continue from the beginning until the end of the entire Longevity Seed race election."

I suspect some elders are observing and wavering, so even if Chen Dengming doesn't make a move, you should still choose a suitable time to spread the news and expand our advantage.

As for Tan Siyan, we don't need to worry about him for now.

Hua Zhenyu calmly instructed, "Remember, never expose yourself. You can expose yourself, but I cannot."

"Yes! Don't worry, Senior Brother Hua."

"Even if we're exposed, we'll cleverly pin the blame on Senior Brother Tan. Hehehe, that's called shifting the blame eastward, letting them fight like dogs."

Hua Zhenyu smiled approvingly, waved his hand, and dismissed the group.

After the number of candidates for Longevity Seed was determined.

The benefits and perks that Chen Dengming enjoyed within the sect were temporarily upgraded.

He can enjoy the treatment of Longevity Seed candidate at least until a true Longevity Seed is selected.

First, they will not need to participate in Duty Assignment for five years.

This means that as long as the candidate for the Longevity Seed is not finalized within five years, he can continue to cultivate peacefully within the sect without having to go anywhere else.

Secondly, the monthly distribution of spirit crystals and spirit pills within the sect will be doubled.

When exchanging for and learning the sect's Cultivation Method, Technique Method, and Law Artifact Law Treasure, you can enjoy a 20% discount.

Finally, and most importantly, each candidate for the Longevity Seed will receive a Longevity Token.

This Longevity Token will not be revoked until a truly Longevity Seed is selected.

Chen Dengming had already experienced the power of the Longevity Token.

This thing might not be able to deal with Nascent Soul Old Monster, but it's more than enough to handle Golden Core Late Stage cultivators, and it might even be able to handle perfect Golden Core Perfection cultivators.

This is a huge trump card for survival.

Therefore, when Guan Chao personally handed the Longevity Token to him, Chen Dengming was quite excited and didn't want to let go once he grasped it.

"Hehe, if you really want to possess this Longevity Token, then you'll have to wait until you're selected as Longevity Seed."

Guan Chao saw the excitement in Chen Dengming's eyes and smiled, "Keep it up, Martial Uncle Guan has high hopes for you."

Chen Dengming nodded and was about to invite Guan Chao to stay for a casual meal, but Guan Chao declined with a serious expression.

"Now is the time of your election campaign, which is quite sensitive. I'm just taking the opportunity of delivering the Longevity Token to come and sit for a while, so I won't be eating."

After saying this, Guan Chao stood up, took out a gift box from his Storage Bag, casually placed it on the table, and smiled.

"I remember now, I've had this Misty Rain Pavilion Spirit Tea before, but it wasn't really to my liking, so I won't try it again."

"Once you've reached the Longevity Seed, and there's good tea again, don't forget your master."

After saying this, Guan Chao gave Chen Dengming a meaningful look, then left with a smile.

Chen Dengming was stunned, not yet understanding the meaning, and hurriedly got up to see Guan Chao to the entrance of the cave abode.

Until Guan Chao left.

He carefully put away the Longevity Token, his brows furrowed as he returned to his cave abode, gazing intently at the spiritual tea on the table in deep thought.

He Yingyu, who had previously avoided the area, also came out from the inner room. Looking at the spiritual tea on the table, her beautiful face changed slightly.

"Junior Brother, what does Martial Uncle Guan mean by this? Have you offended him somehow? Is he unwilling to support you?"

"No."

Chen Dengming suddenly relaxed his brows, smiled, and shook his head with a sigh.

"Martial Uncle Guan is reminding me, protecting me. If I had offended him, he wouldn't have said those things just now."

It seems that my previous request for Hei Zi to deliver gifts to Martial Uncle Guan has been noticed by someone.

Otherwise, Martial Uncle Guan wouldn't have used the pretext of sending the Longevity Token to come and resolve this trouble, and incidentally remind me as well."

He Yingyu frowned. "Who could it be? Hua Zhenyu and the others could be among them."

Chen Dengming put his hands behind his back, walked to the chair and sat down, saying, "No matter who it is, it's pointless to investigate now."

These things were bound to happen from the very beginning of the Longevity Seed election; it was something that was expected all along.

Compared to infighting among fellow disciples, this method is considered quite mild.

He Yingyu sighed, walked behind Chen Dengming, and placed her slender hands on Chen Dengming's shoulders, gently massaging them.

Her skill was so high that Chen Dengming couldn't help but close his eyes, his expression gradually relaxing and comfortable.

He Yingyu leaned closer and said softly, "Junior Brother, you've never liked getting involved in these troubles and struggles, yet you've gotten involved again."

A slight smile appeared on Chen Dengming's lips as he closed his eyes and said calmly, "In Martial World martial world, one is often not in control of one's own destiny. I was already used to it when I was in Nanxun, let alone in the Cultivation World."

In comparison, I already possess many treasures that cultivators dream of, such as the Dao lineage, and even you, Senior Sister. What more could I ask for?

Let these disputes take their natural course. Now that they've happened, the more I do, the more mistakes I make. The only thing I can do is wait and see.

"Okay. I'll do as you say."

He Yingyu's dignified and beautiful face flushed with shyness, her heart filled with tenderness. She became even more determined to cultivate diligently and follow Chen Dengming into the Golden Core stage, so that she could at least provide assistance in the future.

As time goes by.

Two more months have passed.

The five Longevity Seed candidates within the Longevity Sect had already entered the voting process more than a month ago.

As many disciples of the Longevity Sect returned from all corners of the country, they would also visit the Inner Affairs Hall to cast their votes and support their chosen Longevity Seed.

After a month of voting results...

A total of more than 16,000 disciples of the Longevity Sect have participated in the vote, accounting for more than half of the total number of disciples of the Longevity Sect.

Among the five Longevity Seed candidates, Chen Dengming has come from behind to take the lead with his immense popularity.

Hua Zhenyu came in second, with more than a thousand votes behind Chen Dengming.

Tan Siyan came in third in the votes, with only a few hundred votes behind Hua Zhenyu.

The other two candidates Hu Yan Shunbin) and Rao Ling (fifth place), both received significantly fewer votes than the top three.

It's obvious to everyone that this year's Longevity Seed will likely be one of Chen Dengming, Hua Zhenyu, or Tan Siyan.

At this moment, at the entrance of the Inner Palace.

Two long lines of disciples from the Longevity Sect, who had come to vote, stood in hushed tones.

"Junior Brother Ge, it's been a long time since you returned to the sect. Who are you planning to vote for?"

"Of course, I'll vote for Chen Bai, Uncle-Master Chen Dengming."

Martial Uncle Chen's feat of slaying two Golden Core Devil Cultivator has already spread throughout the land. I've often heard tales of him while I was away, and I've long admired him. I made a special trip back this time because I heard he's running for Longevity Seed and needs votes, and I wanted to do my part."

"But didn't you always support Uncle Hua before?"

"Ah, this... well, it's a real shame. I support Uncle Hua because he's a good person, has a long and distinguished career, and has made great contributions to the sect."

But after all, Uncle Hua didn't lead our Longevity Sect to new heights. This time, I'll support Martial Uncle Chen first. Next time, I'll definitely support Uncle Hua.

"Good."

A Qi Refining Qi Cultivation Cultivator white interjected, "In the past, when we disciples of the Longevity Sect traveled outside, we were always looked down upon by the disciples of the Tiandao Sect, who said that we Longevity Sect were a bunch of turtles who only knew how to hide and couldn't fight."

But now that Martial Uncle Chen has suddenly appeared, those brats from the Tiandao Sect won't dare to gossip anymore, right? This is a new peak."

"Now we can walk out with our heads held high."

Beside the mountain path outside the crowd, several Foundation Establishment cultivators listened to the conversation over there, their expressions indifferent, and quietly exchanged words.

"People are all blind followers. These bastards, they used to all say they supported Senior Brother Hua, but now they support whoever is in the limelight, they've all gone to support Chen Baimao."

"There's no way around it, Chen Baimao is indeed capable. Fortunately, he's relatively inexperienced and hasn't fully established his network yet, otherwise there would be no need to run for the other candidates."

"Let's begin. Spread the news quietly, make it seem natural, don't make it seem too idiotic, just enough to influence the subsequent elders' votes."

"Got it, stop arguing, we're not stupid. Let's split up and get to work."

The group quietly changed their appearance and attire, and used Breath Concealing Bead to hide their presence.

They then dispersed, blending into the edges of the crowd, and revealed that Chen Dengming had deliberately given gifts to many elders and hosted banquets for many Foundation Establishment and Pseudo-Core cultivators within the sect in order to win them over and intentionally slander them.

At the same time, several Sound-Image Pearl that recorded real images were secretly sent to the Longevity Sect Inspection Hall.

In Chen Dengming's words, this can indeed only be considered a relatively mild tactic.

However, if used skillfully and at the right time, these seemingly minor tactics can indeed uncover major problems.

Dear readers, please don't keep comparing me to other characters. I've already addressed this in individual chapters and comments: Old Chen's breakthrough to the Golden Core stage is imminent. Asking is fine, but there's no need to make baseless accusations that I'm suppressing the protagonist.

I basically leveled up on time; I never forcibly suppressed it. For this, I often get criticized, with people saying I leveled up the protagonist too quickly, Foundation Establishment in just a few years, shouldn't he be a useless character? As a result, some people abandoned the book. What can I do? I can only laugh it off.

Now, based on the remaining proficiency, the protagonist has six years left (I mistakenly wrote eight years yesterday). I can't possibly calculate six years of proficiency and insist on writing only three years, or gloss over it. Six years later, the protagonist reaches the Golden Core stage. In that case, should we just leave out all the existing storylines? Should we cut them all?

Alternatively, the protagonist could wait six years to be chosen as Longevity Seed individual, or have a fortuitous encounter that suddenly shortens their cultivation process by six years. Such a plot would have many logical inconsistencies.

I can only offer reasonable suggestions (such as improved State of Mind, increased proficiency, or increased proficiency after consuming the flesh of Golden Core Demon), all of which are within reasonable limits.

There's no need to say that just because others have reached the Golden Core stage, I must also reach it.

If it follows the storyline, then others have over a million words, while I only have nine hundred thousand.

Just kidding, some books with over 1.5 million words are still in the Foundation Establishment. Should I also aim for that word count to level up? There's no need to force a comparison; let's just separate the books.

Finally, thank you for your support! This reply is simply an explanation, not a confrontation or an attempt to argue with readers. We aim for friendly communication.