Longevity Chronicles
Chapter 490 - 340: Duobao's Poisonous Plan, Diverting Trouble Eastwards

The news of the reform uprising in New Moon Province spread throughout the seventy-two provinces, causing a major stir immediately.

In theory, a change of rulers in one province, although a significant event, would not alarm the entire country.

But the "New Moon Great Victory" was entirely different; it held special significance.

Across the country, whether by mechanical telegraph, flying sword messages, or divine arts of sound transmission, the previous silence was broken once again, stirring up noise.

Since the Yang Sui Uprising abolished the imperial system, the seventy-two provinces had declared independence, and heroes emerged vying for power.

New and old powers united to repel the invasion of evil gods sent by the Outer Domains, though they also competed against each other.

With the formal emergence of the Primordial Sect supporting the National Salvation Congress as a symbol, the southern provinces gradually united under the mediation of the National Salvation Congress, consolidating their strength. Demons and ghosts, alien strange objects within these provinces were being suppressed and slain, forcing them to flee north.

Compared to the southern dozen provinces, there were several dozen in the north. Apart from a large number of conservative forces, there was the huge entity known as the alchemist.

Thus, a north-south standoff ultimately formed, the north being stronger and completely blocking the southern innovative ideas, creeping back to old ways.

But the successful uprising of the Ancestor Dragon Society, almost capturing over half of New Moon Province, meant that fresh ideas had forcibly carved a breach in the north's heartland.

This was why the Primordial Sect and National Salvation Congress were so excited, sending strong forces to assist.

As external circumstances stirred tumultuously,

Master Tao was refining military provisions underground.

The flag officers and food delivery officers who received the good news all cheered enthusiastically.

Only Tao Qian felt intense foreboding.

While continuing to refine the corpses of demons using the Valley God Gui, he seriously contemplated strategies to break the stalemate.

Previously, he along with Lin Bujue, Zhong Ziyang, and others had secretly gathered inside the belly of the Nine Sons Ghost Mother, agreeing to confront Ying Qingdi, who was merely an ambitious descendant of an evil god.

But the truth revealed by Wei Ziyuan, the Yellow Robed seductive spirit, altered the situation entirely.

"Ying Qingdi carries the bloodline of an evil god, is in the Perfection of Cavernous Mystery realm, and even cultivates Outer Realm Evil Scriptures... but he's actually easy to deal with. Whether it's me or Zhong Ziyang, Chen Xiyi and others, if we're resolved on a surprise attack, killing him in one blow might not be feasible, but severely injuring him suddenly is not difficult."

"With ten people surrounding him, Ying Qingdi has absolutely no chance of escape."

"But now, the real source of calamity has become that 'Praying Skill.' Ying Qingdi is merely a medium, the fatal element is this peculiar power from the Yellow Robed Evil God of the Outer Realm, which is utterly elusive."

"Be it as it may!"

"How can I withstand such a force?"

"There ought to be a gathering tonight, and I shall reveal the truth to Lin Bujue, Zhong Ziyang, Chen Xiyi and others, jointly deliberating a plan."

"Furthermore, it's also time to converse more with my master. We haven't met for many days, and I do miss him. It's a good opportunity also to seek advice; perhaps I'll gain some insights."

By the time he settled on these thoughts, Tao Qian had already refined several more corpse mountains and numerous blood lakes into various kinds of Five Grains Essence and spirit pills.

After instructing the food delivery officers, he carried the Valley God Gui back to his room, waiting calmly for the evening gathering.

Just as he was placing the Valley God Gui back into his chest, Tao Qian paused, as if remembering something, thinking to himself:

"Speaking of which, the Yu Ding seems about to emerge?"

"This treasure, like the Valley God Gui, is one of the Nine States' Twelve Treasures, with terrifying power and similarly stringent conditions for emergence."

"Due to the Ancestor Spirit and Human Dao Fortune, I've taken some advantage and learned in advance of this treasure's current location, right in front of the Overlord Palace in Shangyang City. To others, it seems merely an ordinary bronze tripod; who could guess that it in fact a peerless treasure of unmatched killing and defensive power?"

"With the dense Fortune within me, as soon as the Ancestor Dragon Society completely seizes New Moon Province, I can summon this treasure and claim ownership with a mere gesture."

"I alone can take such advantage."

"It's almost time; sporadic news keeps coming, though none are great victories, continuous smaller ones are happening—here conquering a county town, there a few villages or towns, storming forward, devouring the territory of the Seven Evil Sects... Within a few days, this treasure will be in my hands."

"Hmm?"

"If I could gather all of the Nine States' Twelve Treasures, perhaps this disaster can be resolved."

At this last thought, Tao Qian himself shook his head.

Whether a treasure transformed from an Ancestor God Forbidden Technique Fragment, each set is an absolute treasure.

Just like the Mountain and River Map, so are the Nine States' Twelve Treasures.

He already possessed the Valley God Gui, and the Yu Ding was within reach; if others knew he already had two treasures and still dreamt of gathering a complete set within a few days, surely they would think him insatiably greedy.

Besides, the other ten treasures were not in New Moon Province.

Tao Qian knew their locations and the tricks to obtaining them, but without the necessary resources, how could he just summon the remaining ten treasures?

He, Tao Qian, did not have such grand face.

...

Perhaps because he had overexerted himself the night before, draining his energy, Tao Qian returned to his room without being disturbed by Wei Ziyuan.

With a secret smile, he laid down the Forbidden Technique, waiting for the Child Ghost to seek him out while retrieving the Golden Radiance Token belonging to his nominal master.

Without any delay, he transmitted his experiences in New Moon Province and the hidden truths concerning Ying Qingdi.

Then, he waited.

Helpless as it was, despite possessing this token allowing for exchange with his master from afar,