1800 Longevity, New Technique, Bai Mao Settles the Score

A dozen days later, during the season of continuous spring rain, light mist floated on the mountaintops of the Longevity Sect, creating a scene as beautiful as a watercolor painting, with a tranquil and pleasant atmosphere reminiscent of the water towns of Jiangnan.

Suddenly, a golden halo filled with intense pressure sliced through the light mist and rain, disappearing at lightning speed.

In an instant, it briefly tore open a hollow area in the rain and mist, as if completely blocking out the rain curtain.

A dozen or so breaths later.

In a nearby forest, a hunting Demon Beast was suddenly startled, its limbs went limp and it collapsed to its knees, emitting mournful cries.

Even the prey that was fleeing ahead stopped running and lay prostrate on the ground, trembling.

An incredibly oppressive aura suddenly drew nearer from afar.

In the mountains and forests, branches swayed and leaves rustled, and before you knew it, the Buddha Light to have dimmed considerably.

But soon, the dazzling Golden Light bathed the mountain forest, and the wisps of rain and mist seemed to turn into golden oil, dripping onto the ground and spreading everywhere.

A figure radiating a subtle Golden Light floated in the air and slowly descended.

His body was as if it were edged with gold, and no rain could penetrate the golden halo.

"Um?"

After landing, Chen Dengming glanced at the Demon Beast lying on the ground not far away, already incontinent, then looked away and examined the golden Core Power that swirled around its body like golden flames.

Now, his cultivation level has finally stabilized, and the effects of the Golden Core's power on his body have completely ended.

He felt as if a nuclear reactor was embedded in his chest, constantly emanating a gentle power that swept and spread throughout his body. If it were to erupt even slightly, it would unleash astonishing destructive power, drawing spiritual Spiritual Qi from all directions to converge upon him. Its spiritual power was extremely strong.

"My current Core Power is more than five times stronger than before my breakthrough, both in purity and intensity. My control over Spiritual Qi has also expanded nearly tenfold."

Chen Dengming carefully sensed the state of power, and suddenly Golden Light condensed in his eyes, unleashing a powerful spiritual might.

"Freeze!"

In an instant, countless Golden Light flashed in the air, and a strong Spiritual Qi fluctuation spread out, and the surroundings immediately fell silent.

The raindrops falling from the sky, along with the surrounding trees and plants, were all coated with a metallic sheen, and the swaying grass and branches all fell into a state of stillness.

The world, spanning nearly a hundred feet in diameter, had become a metal kingdom.

"Jingle bells--"

Countless metallic raindrops, resembling steel needles or bullets, fell to the ground and bounced about.

With a flick of Chen Dengming's sleeve, a large amount of Metal Elemental Spiritual Energy flew out from the surrounding objects.

In an instant, the golden needles transformed into rain, converging into a stream.

Some trees, however, cracked and collapsed piece by piece, their internal structures destroyed in a short period of time by the invading Metal Elemental Spiritual Energy.

"After becoming a Golden Core cultivator, even a first-tier, fourth-level Technique Method Gold Touch Technique significantly more powerful and can now be used over a wide area."

Chen Dengming nodded slightly, satisfied with the power of the tested Technique Method, though it was a bit too wasteful of trees.

However, the reason he could achieve such a powerful Technique Method effect was because he had already cultivated the Gold Touch Technique to the Grandmaster level, turning the rotten into the miraculous.

If other Golden Core Great Cultivator cultivators were to use the Gold Touch Technique, it might not have this power.

Even first-tier Technique Method already possess such power.

Second-tier top-level Puppet Technique and Gold Control Technique are naturally even stronger.

Chen Dengming withdrew his Core Power, and the Golden Light on his body dimmed slightly. He silently observed the panel.

"Golden Core Early Stage cultivator [Chen Dengming]"

Lifespan: 100/569/1775

Spirit Root: Metal, Wood (Superior Grade 100/100)

Martial Arts: <Chen Family Martial Arts General Outline> (Extraordinary 97/100)

Daoist Technique: Longevity Merit (Level 1: 2381/100000), others omitted.

After the Golden Core's power completely improved his body, his physique became even stronger than before.

His Lifespan Limit has increased by another 375 years, with 20 years of that increase being due to the Longevity Merit he learned, bringing him close to his 1,800-year lifespan limit.

Overall, after breaking through to the Golden Core stage, his lifespan increased by a total of 875 years, which was longer than he had expected.

Including the hundred years he has already lived, which is equivalent to his total lifespan during the Golden Core Realm, he is nine hundred and seventy-five years old, which is close to a thousand years.

Such an astonishing increase in lifespan, reflected in concrete figures, greatly shocked Chen Dengming and made him truly understand that the longevity of the Longevity Sect cultivators was not just empty talk.

He had heard that cultivators of the Longevity Sect who practiced the Longevity Merit could break through to the Golden Core stage, and the longest-lived among them could live to be a thousand years old.

Compared to ordinary Golden Core cultivators who can live for a maximum of eight hundred years, the advantages of the Longevity Sect cultivators are obvious.

The extra one or two hundred years or so are all opportunities.

Now, Chen Dengming himself is experiencing the benefits of being a disciple of the Longevity Sect.

The only pity is that Evergreen Merit is ultimately not as good as Longevity Merit; it is less effective in prolonging life.

Therefore, ten days ago, he had already spent 20,000 Sect Contribution to exchange for the entire Longevity Merit, which consists of the four chapters of the Golden Core Initial, Middle, Later and Perfect stages, and began to cultivate. Now his cultivation has entered the right track.

However, at the current rate of cultivation, even if one moves to the Longevity Sect Peak, Fourth-Rank Spirit Vein of the Longevity Peak, to cultivate to the Nascent Soul Realm, it will still take a very long time.

"Now that my cultivation level is stable, I'll go back and exchange for a third-tier Technique Method, then head to the border region."

Chen Dengming detached his mind from the control panel and tested other Technique Method powers in the mountains and forests.

Then, looking at the Spiritual Qi energy within a radius of nearly a thousand feet that had been easily depleted, he shook his head and left, feeling utterly bored.

"Resources, cultivating immortality requires a lot of resources" -- the stronger he became, the more clearly he realized this.

A single, intense battle between Golden Core Great Cultivator could deplete the Spiritual Qi of a large area.

Even if no one is harmed, the depletion of Spiritual Qi in this area will temporarily affect the cultivation of nearby cultivators.

This was just a casual fight between Golden Core Great Cultivator.

In many sects, the higher the cultivation level of a cultivator, the better their living cave abode and the better the treatment they enjoy.

Cultivators at higher levels control more resources, and they also need more Cultivation Resources.

This is similar to a past life, where once someone in a certain academic field is elected as an academician, normally no one else in that field will have the opportunity to do so for many years to come.

This phenomenon is even more pronounced in officialdom.

Chen Dengming has now risen to a very high position.

In the context of the entire Four Domains, he is already considered a person of considerable status and prestige, enjoying almost the best resources, and has a great chance of advancing to the Nascent Soul in the future.

On the Hidden Dragon Ranking, his ranking has risen four places due to breaking through to the Golden Core stage, placing him at number twenty-five, even above the recently active Qiao Zhaoxian.

"Your Highness! What kind of Technique Method do you wish to exchange for this time?"

Inside the Longevity Sect's Sutra Repository, Golden Core Elder Ran Yiqiang, with a smile on his face, personally received Chen Dengming and led him to the third floor of the Sutra Repository.

"This time, I plan to exchange for two low-level third-tier Technique Method to cultivate. It seems that Elder Ran usually spends a lot of time in the Scripture Pavilion and rarely goes to the Merit Hall?"

Chen Dengming exchanged pleasantries and smiled as they walked.

His current status and position allow him to communicate and chat with Golden Core cultivators within the sect on an equal footing.

Even these Golden Core Elders, to show their respect, did not address him as "Junior Brother" but as "Your Highness," giving him ample honor.

"Hehehe, the Merit Hall is too noisy. So many disciples come and go every day to exchange merits. This place is quieter and more suitable for an old guy like me to retire in."

An old fellow like me is now only fit to look at the sect's assets for the time being. The future of the Longevity Sect depends on His Your Highness Daozi. I wonder if I'll live to see that day."

Ran Yiqiang chuckled, sounding quite optimistic.

As the longest-lived cultivator in the Longevity Sect besides a few patriarchs, he is now nearly nine hundred years old. He is the most compelling evidence that Golden Core Cultivator in the Longevity Sect can live to be a thousand years old, and his contributions are truly remarkable.

Therefore, he held two positions within the Longevity Sect, managing both the important Sutra Repository and the Merit Hall.

"Elder Ran, you are too kind. You are now considered a pillar of the Golden Core Cultivator in our Cultivation World, and we all take you as our role model."

After exchanging a few more polite words with Ran Yiqiang, Chen Dengming arrived at the third floor of the Scripture Pavilion and began exchanging Technique Method.

Even for a top sect like the Longevity Sect, third-tier Technique Method are not numerous, and each one is extremely valuable.

There are only twelve types of low-level, third-tier five-elemental Technique Method.

There are eight categories at the intermediate level of the third tier.

There are only five Third-tier High-grade Technique Method.

Chen Dengming had already learned about this before, and now he planned to directly use 7,000 Sect Contribution to exchange for two low-level third-tier metal and Wood Element Technique Method.

"The Tier 3 low-level metal-type Technique Method [Scattering Beans into Soldiers] requires 3,500 Sect Contribution."

"The third-tier low-level Wood Element Technique Method [Drawing Ground as Prison] requires 3,500 Sect Contribution. Your Highness Daozi, you must have enough Sect Contribution. Back when I, your Senior Brother, broke through to the Golden Core Realm, I could only look on with envy at these Technique Method."

Ran Yiqiang sighed and smiled, then activated the token and used a hand seal to retrieve a scroll containing recorded Technique Method from within the restriction, handing it to Chen Dengming to read.

"It was also a lucky time, coinciding with a period when it was easy to earn contribution points."

Chen Dengming smiled modestly, accepted the Technique Method, and began to browse and study it.

He still has over 40,000 battle merits remaining.

These battle merits can be exchanged for Technique Method as Sect Contribution points, at a ratio of one to one.

After exchanging for these two Technique Method, I still have more than 30,000 battle merits left, which is indeed quite a lot of merit.

After half a cup of tea.

Chen Dengming had learned two new third-tier Technique Method and left.

He went straight into the Illusory True Cave and sought out Old Qiao, who was at the False Core Realm, to test the power of his new Technique Method.

Once the Scattering Beans into Soldiers Technique was used, with a wave of Chen Dengming's sleeve, a burst of Golden Light flashed, and his Core Power was greatly depleted.

Golden Light flashed in the air, and twenty golden warriors, each over ten feet tall and clad in armor, materialized from the abundant Metal Elemental Spiritual Energy.

"About 20% of his Core Power was depleted. He summoned 20 golden warriors, whose auras were roughly equivalent to Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivators?"

After some contemplation, Chen Dengming was somewhat dissatisfied with the power displayed by this low-level metal -Technique Method.

I've just learned this Technique Method, and casting it takes about a breath.

Summoning twenty golden warriors comparable to Foundation Establishment Early Stage cultivators looks impressive, but it's actually rather useless; they're no match for cultivators of the same level.

Even when it comes to easily defeating weaker opponents, it's not as effective as him directly using Puppet Technique or a master-level Gold Touch Technique exert large-scale, strong control.

However, considering that these golden warriors will continue to exist as long as their Metal Elemental Spiritual Energy is not completely depleted, and will act in accordance with the Divine Sense he left behind until their Spiritual Qi is completely exhausted, they are still very valuable as henchmen.

It's very difficult to cultivate Foundation Establishment Realm fighters and cannon fodder, but these Jin warriors can be summoned at will, and it doesn't matter if they die in battle.

Moreover, as their Technique Method improve in the future, the strength and duration of these golden warriors will gradually increase.

At this moment, more than twenty Jin warriors had already engaged in combat with the fake Qiao Zhaoxian simulated in the Illusory True Cave.

Chen Dengming's heart stirred, and he sent out his Divine Sense, multitasking to control more than twenty golden warriors to form a formation that combined offense and defense to fight against Qiao Zhaoxian.

He possesses the Heart Inheritance of the Human Immortal Orthodox Lineage, and his ability to use his mind for multiple purposes without feeling much pressure makes the Scattering Beans into Soldiers Technique even more flexible and adaptable when he performs and controls it.

For a time, Qiao Zhaoxian, the fake Qiao Zhaoxian, was still unable to break through the encirclement. Even though he used the Tiandao Square Halberd to knock away and severely injure some of the warriors, as long as they were not completely killed, these warriors would continue to charge forward and fight without fear of death, and completely ignore the Divine Sense attack that Qiao Zhaoxian unleashed.

"He displayed a fearless, all-out approach, and his combat ability surpassed that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. However, lacking Law Artifact, his overall performance was roughly equal."

After observing for a while, Chen Dengming continued to expend 30% of his Core Power, summoning another thirty golden warriors to fight Qiao Zhaoxian.

The formation of fifty fearless Jin warriors completely overwhelmed Qiao Zhaoxian.

In the end, only by unleashing the Three-turn Golden Core Technique could the Dao Child of the Tiandao Sect defeat some of the Golden Warriors and break through the encirclement.

However, Chen Dengming soon employed the Drawing Ground as Prison Technique.

In mountainous areas, the power of these third-tier low-level Technique Method surpasses that of magical Law Treasure, as if an entire mountain forest has come to life and become a mountain god.

Even False Core Cultivator like Qiao Taotao, gradually lost his ability to resist after being blocked and entangled by countless branches that blocked out the sky, and was eventually captured.

"After all, it's a simulation, so its combat power is still a bit lacking. However, the effect of this third-tier Technique Method is still acceptable, considering it's a low-level third-tier Technique Method."

Chen Dengming could only describe the effect of this Technique Method as "barely satisfactory."

Such Technique Method can only harass and pester cultivators of the same level. In terms of practicality in actual combat, they are not as effective as Puppet Technique or Gold Touch Technique.

Because his Cultivation Method technique was at the same level as the Longevity Merit, his Lifespan Limit did not increase.

"Sect Contribution are quite valuable. If you learn more Technique Method in the future that cannot extend your Lifespan Limit, unless it's free, it's best not to learn them again."

After leaving the Illusory True Cave.

Chen Dengming had already decided to leave and would not stay in the sect any longer.

He still needs to personally go to Lüojia Mountain on the southern border to reclaim it.

Soul House, Xu Wei was also nearing the end of her Yin Longevity.

Chen Dengming planned to send her into the Yin Spring, trying his best to preserve a trace of Xu Wei's true spirit so that she wouldn't be completely destroyed.

He first went to the Longevity Hall to report to the Xing Huiguang, that he was about to leave the sect for a long journey and inquired about the requisition of land in the Southern Region.

This report is not in accordance with sect rules.

Rather, it was for security reasons during wartime.

For cultivators at the Foundation Establishment or above, it is best to report to the sect in advance if they intend to travel far from the sect.

In this way, the sect can also arrange rescue in the event of an unexpected situation involving this person.

Longevity Hall, Xing Huiguang pondered for a moment after hearing this, and said, "Do you really want to go out soon? Perhaps in a few years, the First Ancestor will emerge from seclusion, at which time I can light a stick of Longevity Incense for you."

Chen Dengming was somewhat astonished when he heard that it had been several years.

If he were to remain cooped up in the sect for several more years, even if he wasn't bored, Xu Wei would be utterly terrified.

However, considering the work and rest schedule of the mysterious Spirit Transformation cultivator, the Longevity First Ancestor, it is indeed quite fast that he will emerge from seclusion in a few years.

Once the Longevity Incense is lit for him, even if he dies in battle outside, his soul will be re-condensed from the incense, preventing him from being completely destroyed. It is indeed a great trump card for protecting his life and a blessing for all Golden Core Cultivator of the Longevity Sect.

Seeing Chen Dengming's expression, Xing Huiguang knew what he meant and immediately shook his head.

"With your current strength, I don't object to you leaving the sect for the Southern Region battlefield. As long as you don't encounter Golden Core Late Stage cultivator, you should be able to protect yourself without any problems. I don't need to worry about your safety."

However, in the past two years, many sects in both the North and South regions have indeed been drawn into the war. The Wind Hành Sect is a major sect in the South region that was invited by the Five Elements Escape Sect to join the war. This sect also has two Nascent Soul Ancestor, and its strength should not be underestimated.

That old man from the Cold Extreme Gate is using the Wind Hành Sect's trivial authority as a weapon. If you directly resist, you'll likely suffer the consequences.

Chen Dengming was surprised, and patiently asked, "I'm just taking back my own territory, does the Wind Hành Sect intend to make things difficult for me?"

Xing Huiguang smiled and shook his head, saying, "Junior Brother Chen, it's true that your foundation is yours. That old man Zhuang didn't dare say he wouldn't give it to you; he just said he would give it to you after the war."

Therefore, that area is now considered war-related land acquisition. If you go there, you can take it back with just a word. What will the other forces whose territories have been acquired think? What will the Southern Region Alliance think? This matter could be a big or small one."

Chen Dengming nodded slightly, then looked at the smiling Xing Huiguang, bowed, and said, "Please enlighten me, Senior Brother."

Xing Huiguang smiled and said, "You still have quite a few battle achievements, including some first-level and second-level permissions that you haven't used yet. These are the key ones."

That piece of land of yours isn't a particularly important battlefield, so taking it back isn't a big deal.

"A Level 2 clearance grants immunity from one war crime. Disobeying orders is a war crime, but with Level 2 clearance, you can act first and report later—a special privilege granted to meritorious officials."

Chen Dengming suddenly realized, and after saying "Oh," he smiled and cupped his hands in greeting to Xing Huiguang.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother Sect Leader."

Xing Huiguang shook his head. "Go ahead, but be careful. That old man Zhuang is only at the Golden Core Mid Stage, so it's best not to make a move. As cultivators of the Longevity Sect, safety should always be our top priority when traveling."

He suddenly remembered Chen Dengming's reputation for Reverse Kill Golden Core. He was worried about others being cautious, so his heart skipped a beat. He quickly called out to Chen Dengming, adding, "Don't let anyone die, otherwise even a Level One clearance won't be exempt, and things will escalate."

"Senior Brother, you yourself said that the man surnamed Zhuang is in the Golden Core Mid Stage, and even I might not be his match."

Chen Dengming was taken aback, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Xing Huiguang thought about it and agreed. He then said earnestly, "What I mean is, don't let others be implicated."

Chen Dengming immediately bowed and said yes.

Could someone as amiable as him really be the one to cause someone's death?

After returning to his cave abode, Chen Dengming told He Yingyu about his upcoming long journey.

This time, he only planned to go out alone.

"Junior Brother, I also want to go and see Weiwei off on her final journey."

Inside the cave abode, He Yingyu was filled with reluctance, and a trace of sorrow was hidden in her clear, endless black eyes.

"This time, we might clash with that Golden Core cultivator from the Cold Extreme Gate. We could even have to fight. Senior Sister, you should stay in the sect."

Chen Dengming shook his head and politely declined.

Helpless, He Yingyu could only reach out her slender hand to straighten Chen Dengming's clothes, and then gracefully and elegantly entered the inner room to retrieve the robe she had repaired for Chen Dengming.

Chen Dengming gazed at her slender, graceful figure in white, her back straight, and felt a pang of guilt. He followed her into the house, offered her some words of comfort, and then left, refreshed and invigorated.

The distance from the Longevity Sect in the Eastern Region to the Ten Thousand Mile Frontier of the Southern Region is only 15,000 li.

The third-tier intermediate spirit boat arrived in less than half a day.

When they crossed the familiar Huarong Path, the place had already been sealed off by the Southern Domain sects and some Cultivation Family. Even in the high sky, there were Foundation Establishment cultivators patrolling.

After Chen Dengming revealed his identity, he was immediately warmly welcomed inside, but at the same time, he also alarmed the two Golden Core Great Cultivator guarding the Ten Thousand Mile Frontier of the Southern Region, one of whom was Zhuang Fangyu of the Hanji Cold Extreme Gate.

"Golden Core Cultivator from the Eastern Region has come to visit? And from the Longevity Sect no less? What's their name?"

Deep within the Spirit Vein of Lüojia Mountain, Zhuang Fangyu was resting cross-legged at a node of the Spirit Vein when he received the news and was immediately startled. He then sent a message to the patrolling cultivators at the front line to inquire.

As a Golden Core cultivator dispatched to guard this Ten Thousand Mile Frontier, in this desolate place where neither chickens lay eggs nor birds excrete waste, he could only reluctantly sit at the node between two First-Rank Spirit Vein to cultivate, which could be considered barely comfortable.

But the only thing that always made him feel uneasy was that these two Spirit Vein belonged to the Longevity Dao Child of the Longevity Sect in the Eastern Region.

However, he felt he had already given that Dao Child face and promised to return Lüoshan City after the war ended.

While these benefits are acceptable, they are not worth offending a Great Sect Dao Child, since Dao Child are almost all people who will become Golden Core cultivators in the future.

If he hadn't needed to establish his authority in this area, seize the opportunity to benefit his sect, and annex other Cultivation Family in this land, he wouldn't have taken over Lüoshan City.

How could he not be shocked that Golden Core Cultivator from the Longevity Sect had appeared?

At this moment, the news from the sect's Foundation Establishment shocked him even more.

"Sect Master, the Golden Core cultivator who arrived did not reveal his name, but he has two tufts of Bai Mao at his temples."

"What? Golden Core Cultivator with two tufts of Bai Mao?"

Zhuang Fangyu's eyebrows furrowed, he stood up abruptly, his expression changing, and he immediately flew out of the Spirit Vein, a question swirling in his mind.

Longevity Dao Child has broken through to the Golden Core stage? When did this happen?

It's common for Golden Core Cultivator to go into seclusion for months at a time, so he hadn't paid any attention to Chen Dengming's breakthrough to the Golden Core stage.

But the opponent had only just broken through to the Golden Core stage and had already come here; their arrival was aggressive and clearly ill-intentioned.