Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

Su Yi took out a Jade Purification Bottle, which contained no less than forty strands of Nine Thunder Purple Cloud Qi.

"I said I would give you thirty strands, but since this task was particularly difficult, I'll give you all the Nine Thunder Purple Cloud Qi I have on me."

Chen Qing accepted it eagerly. Previously, feeding just a single strand to his Lifebound Gu increased its progress by five points.

In truth, only twenty strands were needed, but since Su Yi offered more, he accepted it.

The Nine Thunder Purple Cloud Qi took up less space in the body than the Spiritual Pearl.

Even if used as a reserve to exchange for Spirit Stones, it wouldn't be a loss.

Storing the bottle of Nine Thunder Purple Cloud Qi carefully, Su Yi remarked, "Qingxu, this battle of yours will surely make you famous."

"Hao Chengjian and the Nine Nether Goddess, along with many young talents, are no match for you."

Chen Qing replied, "Now you probably have nothing to fear from them either."

Su Yi gave an awkward laugh, "Haha, when we had tea that day, Qingxu must've noticed, I'm not fond of fighting."

Chen Qing responded, "You certainly know how to stay calm. Even someone as useless as the Nine Nether Goddess dares to arrogantly call herself a goddess and tries to stir up trouble."

"Su, your strength surpasses hers, yet you remain unfazed. Such composure, Qingxu truly admires!"

Su Yi placed his hands behind his back and said, "The path I cultivate is different from the others, so there's naturally no change."

"But now, how do you plan to handle this situation?"

Chen Qing responded, "Turning over the so-called Nine Nether Goddess to the Taihao Tribe should suffice as an explanation."

Su Yi asked, "But what if the Taihao Tribe doesn't accept it? Though most above the Mystic Gate Realm are in the royal city, they still have a large number in the Mystic Gate Realm."

Chen Qing replied calmly, "Then there will no longer be a Taihao Tribe soon."

Su Yi grabbed Chen Qing and warned, "Qingxu, you may not be aware, but Hao Chengjian is merely a young talent of the Taihao Tribe."

"The strongest among their young generation is Hao Chengtian."

"When he was born, a phenomenon appeared, golden light shone upon him. The Taihao Tribe dedicated everything to his upbringing, thus he is quite proficient in Divine Skills, possessing several mystical arts and divine skills."

"He is far from ordinary!"

"It's heard that even the Great Prince discusses matters with him as equals, not daring to command him by an imperial decree."

Chen Qing licked his lips at these words, it made him hungry!

He wondered what Hao Chengtian's soul would taste like, if he could devour it, his strength would surely soar, and he might gain a divine skill or two.

Even if he couldn't use it, it wouldn't stop him from cultivating another Hao Chengtian with Hao Chengtian's Gu.

With this thought, Chen Qing's mind expanded immediately.

Unfortunately, the prior Hao Chengjian didn't die, so he couldn't take his spirit Gu.

It seemed he could hunt many of these Heavenly Prides, and then use those he didn't need to cultivate new ones.

With this, Chen Qing understood why the world had become what it was.

He could do this, so could others, just at a slower cultivation speed and at a much higher cost.

Even if he couldn't make others follow him, he could defeat them and cultivate another!

The entire world had wholly become a place for raising Gu.

The strong would become ever stronger, leaving no room for the weak.

Only thus could one have the qualification to enter the Death Realm and contend with the Master of Mortal World!

Su Yi suggested, "The Dao Origin Land treats you unusually, and this incident happened on their territory, so they must also answer to the Taihao Tribe."

"Why not take the Nine Nether Goddess to the Dao Origin Land, ask them to testify that it was the Nine Nether Goddess who poisoned."

"With the prestige of the Dao Origin Land, the Taihao Tribe wouldn't dare go too far."

Chen Qing shook his head, "The Dao Origin Land's treatment towards me has been generous, I shouldn't trouble them further. This matter, since it was my doing, I will bear it myself!"

Su Yi was also impressed with Chen Qing's honesty, "Since you are so upright, I will see you off once more."

Pulling up the half-dead Nine Nether Goddess, the two rode on the back of a Suan Ni, heading quickly towards the Taihao Tribe a thousand miles away.

In less than half a day's time, Suan Ni broke through a hundred miles of fog and landed before a grand city. This rare and opulent city was usually hidden by mist, invisible to ordinary people.

Now, under the sunlight, it shone with brilliant golden radiance, showcasing its formidable presence.

Moreover, this city wasn't four-sided, but eight-sided, with paintings on the eight gates forming a map, making it a truly formidable city.

However, compared to the Linglong Divine Palace Chen Qing had seen before, it was still far inferior.

That was a true majestic city standing between heaven and earth, with stars at its base, a star dragon coiling around an immortal, exuding an Immortal Phenomenon.

Chen Qing stood up, grabbing the unconscious Nine Nether Goddess and headed towards the city gate. The guards immediately grew cautious, "Who goes there, what do you intend to do?"

Chen Qing tossed the Nine Nether Goddess over, "The Nine Nether Goddess poisoned Hao Chengjian, I've captured her as an explanation to your Taihao Tribe!"

After speaking, Chen Qing turned and left.

Leaving only the soldiers at the gate in chaos.

Before they had exited the mist, Chen Qing and Su Yi felt as if a blazing sun had risen behind them.

It scorched their backs, spreading warmth throughout their bodies.

Chen Qing turned back, seeing the mist vanishing under the blazing sun, revealing a young man enveloped in golden light.

He appeared to be in his early twenties, carrying impressive dignity. What set him apart was a tightly closed vertical eye on his forehead, which made one's heart tremble just by looking at it.

"Qingxu, you think you can just leave after poisoning my brother?"

Chen Qing turned and said, "The one who poisoned your brother was the Nine Nether Goddess, what does it have to do with me, Qingxu?"

Hao Chengtian's expression remained unchanged, and he said calmly, "The poison was indeed from the Nine Nether Goddess, but you were the one who personally fed it to Hao Chengjian!"

Chen Qing said, "How would I know the Nine Nether Goddess harbors such malice, attacking me at first sight?"

Hao Chengtian's body glowed with golden light, revealing halos, "I'll not deceive you, your current cultivation is not high. Three months from now, at the Dao Origin Land, let's duel!"

"If you win, this matter will be dismissed!"

"If you lose, I will spare your life, provided you choose to become my protector, bow down, serve by my side, fight for me, and you'll still enjoy wealth and rank!"

"For all your cultivation needs, the Taihao Tribe will treat you as a direct disciple. If you make meritorious contributions, it's not impossible for you to marry a direct daughter of our tribe!"

"How about it?"

Chen Qing chuckled softly, "You think you're worthy?"

Hao Chengtian's expression slightly changed, nearly opening the vertical eye on his forehead, "If not for the face of the Dao Origin Land, your mere Xuan Bird Tribe would be easily crushed by me!"

"Considering your exceptional strength derived from hard-earned cultivation, I'm advising you kindly!"

"Do not refuse tactfully!"

Chen Qing despised these self-conceited Heavenly Prides, always thinking their status was exceptional.

"A real man born into this world cannot live under another's shadow!"

Hao Chengtian angrily said, "You were the first to kill my clan brother, your Great Witch is merely in the Mystic Gate Realm, have you thought this through!"

Chen Qing retorted, "Are you threatening me?"

Hao Chengtian responded casually, "Not a threat, merely stating facts. Even if this incident reaches the royal city, I have the upper hand!"

Chen Qing knew the royal city would surely favor the Taihao Tribe.

However, thinking it was merely a duel with Hao Chengtian, he felt it was not impossible to accept.

Three months, especially in these chaotic times, would be enough time for him to grow significantly.

"What is your cultivation?"

Hao Chengtian proudly replied, "Twenty-eight years old, Foundation Establishment mid-stage!"

Chen Qing scoffed inwardly, a twenty-eight-year-old at the Foundation Establishment mid-stage was nothing to be proud of.

"Fine, I'll accept, but I have one condition."

Hao Chengtian asked, "What is the condition?"

Chen Qing stated, "Hao Chengjian, such a waste, is not worthy of staking my life on!"

Hao Chengtian surprisingly nodded, "Considering the strength you've shown before, he indeed is unworthy."

Chen Qing continued, "If I win, your Taihao Tribe must open its treasure vault, Medicine Garden, and let me take an item without inquiry as to its nature!"