Longevity Chronicles

"I have also heard of the Mystical Water Palace, but it is merely an assemblage of casual female cultivators, hardly the kind of ferocious inheritance that people talk about."

"However, she indeed is a peerless beauty, a supreme pleasure, the Ultimate Happiness."

"I must hide my lady well, we absolutely can't let the ancestors find out."

"But how can I satisfy my lady?"

"In the future, I'm afraid I will have to treat Soul-destroying Powder and Replenishing Essence Pills like candy beans, otherwise, my marital duties will surely falter."

As Gao Buxi was pondering this, he was oblivious to the fact that his status was gradually changing.

He had first been ravaged by dozens of Joyful Demons and then subjected to Tao Qian's secret skill, and quite naturally, he had changed.

Just as he was worried that he would not be able to satisfy his lady and fulfill his responsibilities as a husband,

the aforementioned Duan Yuhong was very understanding and deftly steered the conversation past this subject, softly saying:

"Husband, there's no need to explain, I believe you."

"Now that I have married into the Gao Family and am the Mother of Guangping City, it is only right that I am informed of all matters concerning the Gao Family, which will also facilitate my management of household affairs in the future."

"Husband, you agree, don't you?"

Upon hearing that his lady was not dwelling on their private affairs, Gao Buxi was very pleased.

He quickly agreed, saying, "Right, right, right, my lady is correct."

Speaking of the Gao Family, a source of great pride for him, Gao Buxi suddenly displayed more vigor.

Lifting his head high in self-satisfaction, he said:

"Let my lady know that including this Guangping City, the vast Tiannan Province, as well as many Spiritual Mountains, Devil Caves, God Demon Dojos around, all fall under the rule of my Gao Family."

"And our Gao Family's reliance is none other than the Shenwu Emperor Gao Zu."

"His cultivation has reached the Daoist Transformation Realm and he is one of the significant elders among the alchemists. In truth, Tiannan Province is his territory. All lives here, be they Human Clan, Demons, or wild beasts and livestock, Gods and Buddhas, or Alien Species... They all belong to Gao Zu."

"However, since Gao Zu is not in this realm, the four elders of the Ultimate Happiness Realm usually govern this province on behalf of our Gao Family."

"Oh? Who are they?"

Duan Yuhong's casual inquiry hit the right spot for Gao Buxi.

His head held even higher, he said with pride:

"The four elders are led by my great-grandfather, True Lord of a Hundred Demons, Gao Yang."

"Then follow Hidden Demon True Monarch Gao Yan, Jade Demon True Monarch Gao Zhan, and Yang Demon True Monarch Gao Wei."

"All four elders are equally skilled in cultivation. Originally, each of them governed a province without interfering with each other, since Gao Zu has more than just Tiannan Province as his territory."

"But later, a cursed Spirit Treasure Daoist ruined the favorable situation, and most territories were lost. Only Tiannan remains. The other three elders came back to Tiannan, causing internal struggles and intrigues within the Gao Family."

"Fortunately, my great-grandfather possesses the strongest supernatural power, and Gao Yan, whois quite hypocritical, originally from the Demon Path but leaning towards the Righteous, is not well-received by most of the Gao Family. The only two opponents my great-grandfather currently has are Gao Zhan and Gao Wei."

Secrets of the Gao Family, unknown to the common people, were easily divulged by Gao Buxi.

Not to mention Duan Yuhong, even Tao Qian, who was hiding nearby, found the conversation intriguing.

At this moment, Yuan Gong inside his arms also transmitted a message, commenting only on Gao Yan, revealing some secrets:

"I've also heard of Gao Yan. Despite being of the Gao Family, he indeed follows the Righteous Path, making him an exceedingly rare normal person amidst the beastly Gao Family."

"He is a genius with innate talent, rumored not to practice the cultivation technique passed down by his ancestor Gao Zu, but rather relies on a Nameless Heavenly Book he stumbled upon, penetrating Cavernous Mystery, entering Ultimate Happiness, and also possesses extraordinary combat power."

"However, his explanation is just to mislead others. Who doesn't know that he practices the 'Primordial Cave Truth Heavenly Book'? His Master is a well-known second-generation ancestor of the Primordial Sect, not only skilled in Daoist Transformation but also in calculations and killing."

"If it weren't for the backing of the Primordial Sect, the old monster Gao Huan would have already killed this unfilial descendant."

...

With just a few simple questions, Gao Buxi divulged many of the Gao Family's secrets in just a few words.

Seeing the timing was right, Tao Qian let Duan Yuhong speak again, guiding Gao Buxi to reveal the detailed plan for the "Abducting Demon Concubine."

The latter, of course, had no reason to refuse, and again began to speak self-satisfactorily:

"Yuann Mingzhen has many advantages, attracting the attention of the world, and is bound to cause a storm of blood and violence."

"Under normal circumstances, even if my great-grandfather personally planned it, he might not have a fifty percent chance to snatch her."

"But now, an excellent opportunity has presented itself."

"My great-grandfather has anticipated: The Northern Land Provinces are brewing a 'Central Plains War', sweeping across many provinces, involving many warlords, many Cultivation World Great Sects."

"Zhang Mazi, who has taken control over many provinces, Desert North's Lu Lushan, as well as Song Tiecheng, Wu Shaozu, Guo Zhanlong, and the recently most prominent Devil God Third Princess Hong Fu, along with Si Xixin, who has garnered the full support of the Si Family... all these warlord Major Sects have the ambition to fight for dominion over the Central Plains."

"And with Alchemists instigating, it won't take long before armies are raised for a great war, and mutual devouring ensues."

"At that time, although there will still be plenty of strong people from the Ultimate Happiness Realm and Demons vying for Yuan Mingzhen, those strong ones my great-grandfather admits he cannot handle are likely too occupied to spare the time."

When Gao Buxi reached this point,

Tao Qian, who was hiding on the side, immediately felt a reaction within himself.

Especially the four words "Central Plains Great War," which instantly caused the already restless Human Dao Destiny to churn anew.

In a trance, Tao Qian seemed to see an endless battlefield, an infinite Corpse Mountain and sea of blood.

In his heart, he couldn't help but sigh.

In fact, Tao Qian had also anticipated this, especially after he had successfully comprehended the Dao and his spirit had roamed for three days; he was more convinced than ever.

Now, it was just one more piece of corroborating evidence.

Regaining control of his spirit and casting aside distracting thoughts, he continued to listen to Gao Buxi's leaking of secrets.

"Our great-grandfather has long planned to take Yuan Mingzhen as a concubine, hence the strategy has been set."

"Any day now, the Devil Concubine will be besieged in Qiantang Province by various warlords and strong characters."

"The Xie Family and Guanyin Temple, despite being trapped by the remnants of the Zhu family and the Great Freedom Temple, should have no problem protecting her for a brief period, especially since those warlord aggressors will also consume each other in the process."

"My Gao Family will simply wait by the tree for the hare, resting to prepare for action."

"Our great-grandfather has already negotiated terms with Cheng Arhat, the current ruler of Qiantang Province, and the Demon Buddha Temple behind him, agreeing not to intervene and even to allow us passage."

"Just waiting for the right moment, when the great army of Tiannan sets out for Qiantang."

"The extraordinary forces brought by the warlords from various provinces will be dealt with by the Hundred Demon Army, Jade Demon Army, and Yang Demon Army."

"The strong cultivators and demons from the Ultimate Happiness Realm will be confronted by our two old ancestors Gao Zhan and Gao Wei, with the high monks from the Demon Buddha Temple."

"The remaining cultivators and demons will be fought by a large number of Cavernous Mystery demons recruited by our younger generation. Speaking of which, I must be able to recruit four Cavernous Mystery beings this time, sufficient to win a glance from our great-grandfather. Should we succeed, a hefty reward for me is certain."

"Yet what will truly settle the matter is still our great-grandfather himself."

"It is said that he personally pleaded with Gao Zu and was granted a Spiritual Treasure that could abduct the Devil Concubine along with the Ancestor God Fragment [Spring and Autumn Chariot] beneath her."

...

A rather complex, yet seemingly simple strategy, fell completely into Tao Qian's ears without omission.

He had not expected to hear the name of an old acquaintance again.

Kongchan Arhat!

Had Gao Buxi not mentioned it, Tao Qian would have almost forgotten.

He had briefly glimpsed when he hung the Heavenly Lantern, that after the Yang Sui Uprising, a new overlord emerged in Qiantang Province.

An alchemist-turned-warlord named "Cheng Arhat," who was a monk command Buddha Soldiers.

Aware of the Yang Sui Rebellion, he quickly showed his true colors, first slaying the Prince of the Zhu family and then expelling tens of thousands of Zhu family members from the province.

He wished to establish an Earthly Buddha Country and rule as king.

The Major Sect of the Buddhist order that supported him, Han Mountain Temple, refused, as did other major Buddhist Sects.

Unexpectedly, Kongchan Arhat saw an opportunity and swiftly drove Han Mountain Temple away, allowing the Demon Buddha Temple to take over Qiantang.

Though the encounter in Demon City had been brief,

Tao Qian prided himself on his incisive gaze and already fully understood what kind of person Kongchan Arhat was.

"That cunning old demon monk, would he really be so kind as to let go of Yuan Mingzhen, this precious morsel, to True Lord of a Hundred Demons Gao Yang?"

At this thought, Tao Qian was about to draw his conclusion.

However, Yuan Gong in his arms was already trembling, bursting into laughter:

"Ha ha ha... This kid is either too naive, or it's that scoundrel Gao Yang who has fooled this fool."

"Kongchan, that treacherous old turtle, not to mention being stingy beyond measure, is one to pluck a feather from every passing goose."

"Would he kindly lend a path to the Gao family? And allow the armies of the Hundred Demons, Jade Demon, and Yang Demon into Qiantang?"

"Tsk, tsk, could it be that he plans to turn the table and swallow up Qiantang Province and the Gao Family?"

"Others might fear alchemists and the Gao family, those lawless monks of the Demon Buddha Temple, but he wouldn't be scared in the least."