Longevity Chronicles
Chapter 433 - 299: Calculating the Foundations of Dayan Divine Art, Tao Qian Takes the Alias Young Cow

Gao Ren City was filled with the flesh and blood of demons, which Tao Qian had collected into his treasures. In just a moment, he purged them of their filth and refined them into Five Grains Food, and incidentally, he steamed them as well.

Even for Tao Qian, who was watching the process himself, it was incredibly astonishing.

"To turn decay into magic, what a treasure."

"The intricacies of the Five Grains, all contained within the gui, whoever possesses this can sustain all people."

Due to an early response, the teams from all four directions entered the city simultaneously.

At that moment, two people spoke up.

One came from the East City, wearing a monk's robe and walking barefoot. He had a transcendental air about him, but his face, unexpectedly, was somewhat coarse and ugly, with a yellowish complexion. However, his eyes truly were like shining stars; even in the daylight, despite his ugliness, it was impossible to ignore him.

Clearly, this was one of the Great Freedom Buddha's Sons who walked the earth, Yang Tingjian.

The other was a female cultivator, also in Buddha's robes, yet she had her hair unrestrained, indicating her path of cultivation. She was plain-faced, but her stunning appearance drew attention as well. When Tao Qian looked over, he felt as if "Senior Sister Lingji" had come back to life.

However, upon closer inspection, the differences quickly became clear.

"The face of Lingzhu Daoist is rounder and more plump than Senior Sister Lingji, and also appears more fortunate, but indeed lacks the aura of being favored by the heavens and the earth like Senior Sister Lingji."

"Then again, it's all about comparisons. Aside from Senior Sister Lingji, there aren't many female cultivators in the world who surpass Daoist Lingzhu."

Tao Qian appraised these two, silently making his judgment.

They, too, were looking at him, as well as the Valley God Gui in his hand.

Tao Qian didn't immediately reply to the two, but instead, his gaze shifted to the other two parties.

From the West City, the leader looked somewhat older, a middle-aged man with regular features, thick eyebrows, and dark eyes. He wore a strange Daoist robe embroidered with peculiar stars and carried a large and intricately built sword box, seemingly forged from cold iron, on his back. Beneath him was a winged Devil Horse, stepping on flames, with flowing red mane.

From the South City, there were only two people who seemed to be master and disciple; however, the one walking at the front appeared more like the disciple. He wore a green Daoist robe, though not properly, casually draped over him. Handsome to an extreme, with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, only his rather large nose somewhat spoiled the atmosphere.

Tao Qian had just finished appraising them when all parties simultaneously fixed their gazes on him. After exchanging glances, instead of taking any rash actions, they each declared their origins in turn.

"I am Yang Tingjian, here for the Ancestor God Treasure in Daoist friend's hands."

"Lingzhu Xie, same as Mr. Yang, I am also here for the Valley God Gui. In the vicinity of the Imperial City, calamities have been occurring recently, with famine burying the land in corpses. We urgently need the Valley God Gui to relieve this crisis."

"I am Li Fulian. Perhaps Daoist friend has heard of the recent 'Celestial Dog Descending' disaster in Youliao Province? That evil dog came from the Outer Realm and devoured nearly half of Youliao, not only causing a million people to die or get injured but also leading to a complete failure of the harvest on the Black Water Plain this year, without a single grain of food left. The countless citizens of Youliao are in imminent peril, and I plead for Daoist friend's assistance."

"For goodness' sake, can you two have some shame? Coming here to play the victim?"

Zhong Ziyang, the Taishang Dao True Inheritor, was quite a character.

He intended to introduce himself as well, but he hadn't expected the previous two to not only announce their origins but also to adeptly use their tonguesterling skills.

He wouldn't indulge them, though. After making a sarcastic remark, he immediately exposed their true colors:

"Don't deceive others, Lingzhu Xie. Aren't the disasters around the Imperial City all resolved by Yuan Mingzhen, your family's Devil Concubine, who invited over a dozen Bodhisattvas from Guanyin Temple to jointly perform the 'sweet rain Rescue Method'?"

"Without the fortune and merit generated by these deeds, how could Yuan Mingzhen rule over the Imperial City with the identity of a former dynasty's Devil Concubine? Even with your Xie family's backing and Guanyin Temple's assistance, that wouldn't be possible."

As soon as Zhong Ziyang finished speaking, the ugly-faced Yang Tingjian joined in.

Being honest, he reported his intention along with his identity.

Who would have thought?

The following two were manipulative.

So, he spoke up, indignant, revealing the truth about Li Fulian:

"I've heard that Li Daoist was once taught by a Shaoqing Sword Cultivator predecessor. It's unexpected for you to act this way. Shaoqing Sword Cultivators are known to be straightforward and truth-speaking."

"Youliao Province is the territory of the warlord Ma Xiaoning. Recently, your supported Zhang Mazi invaded, both sides gathering armies of a million on the Black Water Plain and spilling blood. The scent of blood and cries of resentful souls broke through the barrier of clouds, attracting an Outer Realm Celestial Dog."

"It's said that the evil dog could descend for only thirty minutes and ended up devouring Ma Xiaoning's great army, inadvertently benefiting Zhang Mazi. Now, Youliao Province is likely in his hands."

"With the support of the Five Immortal Demon Clan and the Star Leader Sect, the crisis of food shortage is negligible."

"The two of you must think this Daoist friend here looks easy to deceive, wanting to trick him out of the treasure."

"Mr. Yang, be careful with your words. I, Li Fulian, am not that sort of person."

"Mr. Yang, do not slander. My reputation as Lingzhu Xie is not to be tainted."

...

As the four extraordinary figures began to argue with one another, Tao Qian was at a loss for words.

Just as he was about to say something, suddenly, a figure appeared in front of him—Zhong Ziyang, the large-nosed Daoist. While the other three were talking, he had used a teleportation technique to appear in front of Tao Qian, though he didn't make any aggressive move.

Instead, he showed friendliness by clasping his hands together in greeting before speaking:

"A disciple of the Taishang Dao, Zhong Ziyang, has met Daoist friend."

"May I inquire where Daoist friend comes from and what brings you into the world?"

Although Tao Qian was already familiar with the name Taishang Dao, this was his first encounter with someone from it.

He had originally thought that disciples from this Great Sect would all have a nature of being detached and inattentive to worldly affairs, at least the renowned First Heavenly Pride of the Taishang Dao, Wang Chan, was said to be like that.

But now, it seemed that stereotypes were unreliable.

This large-nosed Daoist Zhong Ziyang, in front of him, appeared to be liberated and straightforward, yet capable of quick thinking.

Upon hearing the question, Tao Qian was well prepared, and with the demeanor of an honest man, he clasped his hands in return and said, "I am Lin Runiu, a mere loose cultivator, unconcerned with entering or exiting the world."

That name!

His origin was simple, using the surname of his first original self, who had been beheaded at the very beginning of his rebirth in the vegetable market, that hero who had caused reform.

As for the given name, it was an inspiration from the Ancestor Spirit.

After exchanging greetings, Zhong Ziyang withdrew his hand back into his sleeve, and upon hearing the name that Tao Qian had given, he immediately began to perform calculations with a single hand.

However, he soon realized in shock that his "Taishang Great Yan Divine Skill" yielded nothing. There was only a fog before him, and he couldn't find any roots or origins of the odd cultivator who looked like an old farmer or a scholar.

While feeling surprise in his heart, Zhong Ziyang did not delay and pointed at the Taoist before him, asking:

"I see that Mr. Lin Daoist hawhasa worried expression, may I know what troubles you?"

"Speak and let me listen, my cultivation may not be impressive, but I have mastered some divine magic that might be able to help."

Zhong Ziyang had just finished speaking.

Tao Qian had yet to respond when suddenly three more voices came through.

"Mr. Lin Daoist, just say the word, and Yang Tingjian will lend you a helping hand."

"Do not hesitate to ask, Xie Lingzhu is also willing to help."

"How could I, Li Fulian, be outdone, please speak, Daoist."

As these words reached him, Tao Qian felt pleased.

The four people present belonged to Daoism, Buddhism, Heterodoxy, and the aristocracy, but without a doubt, they could all be considered part of the Righteous path.

At least on the surface, they maintained a Righteous demeanor.

Before now, dealing with the likes of Lian Yulou, Zhu Qi, Zhang Jiudeng, Demon Buddha Temple, Taishang Demon Sect, Alchemist, and other evil demons and heretics often meant fighting and killing, a struggle between life and death.

Although battling was somewhat fun, too much of it was tiring.

The current scene, however, was far more harmonious.

"These four Daoists, each and every one of them is after the Ancestor God Treasure in my possession, yet they all maintain a superficial friendliness, with none attempting to forcibly snatch it away."

"Provoked by Zhong Ziyang's words, they've now all turned into enthusiastic Daoists, eager to assist me."

"Excellent, excellent!"

While such thoughts spun in his head, Tao Qian still maintained the simple and honest appearance.

On the spot, he showed an expression of tearful gratitude, then quickly turned to anger, and took the opportunity to recount:

"Let all the Daoists know, I, Lin Runiu, have long aspired to travel through all seventy-two provinces of this country. A few days ago, I arrived in Tiannan Province and accidentally discovered that there were demons in this city raising the Human Clan as food, eating and playing with them as they pleased."

"Although I have no backers and my cultivation is not high, I couldn't stand by and watch such evil deeds unfold."

"After my investigation, the perpetrators turned out to be a family. From the family head to the slaves, they were no better than pigs and dogs, cultivating demon skills as human beings and after mutating and falling into the ranks of demons, they ended up treating the Human Clan as sustenance they could breed and devour."

"Enraged, I took action and slaughtered all the demons in the city."

"I found killing the demons to be quite satisfying, but immediately afterward, I encountered a dilemma: I didn't know how to handle the placement of the two hundred thousand disaster victims in the city. That's two hundred thousand mouths to feed. In my treasure bag, there is some stored grain and some spirit pills that can satisfy hunger, but at most, they can support a few thousand people."

"I can't take care of two hundred thousand people, even if I were to die."

"Just when this thought crossed my mind, a treasure suddenly flew out of the pile of demon corpses."

"Here it is, this object called the Valley God Gui."

"As the two Daoists mentioned before, with this treasure in hand, I can feed the two hundred thousand disaster victims."

"But as soon as this first trouble was addressed, a second problem arose."

At this point, Tao Qian's face showed full sorrow again, holding the Valley God Gui in his hands, and continued.

"It's not enough just to fill the stomachs of the disaster victims; they also need to be settled properly."

"Dear Daoists, look here, this city was originally named Ganyue City, later seized by that demon family, and then renamed Gao Ren City."

"That family calls themselves the Tiannan Gao Family."

"When I killed the head of the family, he claimed that the Gao Family was incredibly strong, with his grandfather being a mighty cultivator from the Ultimate Happiness Realm."

"What Tiannan Gao Family, Ultimate Happiness Realm cultivator... I, Lin Runiu, am a lone individual, naturally unafraid, I can simply flee Tiannan if I have to."

"But what about these two hundred thousand disaster victims?"

"If I leave, when someone from the Tiannan Gao Family comes, won't they kill all of them as a sacrifice for those beasts? How can this be allowed?"

"That's what's been troubling me, after much thought, I've found no solutions. If it really comes to it, I, Lin Runiu, will just have to live and die with the two hundred thousand people of Ganyue City."

"With my humble and inadequate divine powers, I should be able to take down a Cavernous Mystery Realm cultivator before I perish, and that would not be too disappointing."

Having said that, Tao Qian's brow was deeply furrowed, and he repeatedly sighed.

His demeanor and tone were completely inherited from the Ancestor Spirit, combined with his genuine emotions, and the truth that couldn't be more real.

In an instant, even the deeply scheming Zhong Ziyang was thoroughly moved by Tao Qian.

Let it be known, the cultivators present from all four quarters were all exceptional talents.

To pay attention to a single loose cultivator simultaneously and to extend their trust so generously was an extremely rare occurrence.

Lin Runiu!

These three characters were firmly remembered by the four great talents.

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