Chapter 162 - 161: Bridge of Longevity

Chapter 162: Chapter 161: Bridge of Longevity

Chen Qingyang wasn’t in a hurry. He simply sipped his tea and waited for him.

Lu Qingyu then changed the subject. "Junior Brother, since you’ve been in the Tai Xu Sect for a long time, you must have heard of the Bridge of Longevity, right?"

"That’s right."

Lu Qingyu asked again, "And how much do you know about it?"

"Not much. I’ve only heard that Golden Core True Monarchs rely on this Bridge of Longevity to reincarnate and cultivate anew. I’ve also heard that the Law Enforcement Hall throws the Divine Souls of disciples into it to help repair the bridge."

"Heh!" Lu Qingyu suddenly smiled. "Indeed. The bridge was created to imitate reincarnation, so it naturally needs to be filled with Divine Souls. Everyone knows that a cultivator’s Divine Soul is far superior to that of a normal person. If a Divine Soul were to occupy another’s body, it would be called Possession."

"However, Possession has its drawbacks. First, it’s difficult to suppress the consciousness of one’s previous life, so one can never truly become someone else and experience a different world. Second, because the body wasn’t naturally born to the soul, it’s incredibly difficult for the body and Divine Soul to merge. Over time, the flesh will inevitably rot, leaving behind nothing but withered bones in a tomb."

Lu Qingyu’s gaze fell on him again. "So... Possession can’t fulfill the purpose of letting a Golden Core True Monarch reincarnate to experience a different path. Do you understand this, Junior Brother?"

Chen Qingyang fell into deep thought. He wasn’t mulling over what Master Lu had said, but rather marveling at the Temple Master’s profound knowledge.

’He can speak a thing or two about the Demon Sect, and he also has some understanding of the Daoist Sects. This doesn’t seem like something the master of the secluded Nine True Temple would know. Or perhaps... does this person have another identity?’

After frowning for a moment, Chen Qingyang nodded gravely. "I understand. Please continue, Senior Brother."

Lu Qingyu continued, "The Bridge of Longevity is a colossal Magical Treasure, enhanced by its own Array, Talismans, and other Dharma Gates. When a Golden Core True Monarch finds their cultivation has stagnated, they can dissipate all their Magical Power to form a Dharma Embryo, sending only their Divine Soul into the Bridge of Longevity."

"Then, refined by the Bridge of Longevity, they forget the karma of their past life and are randomly placed into a woman’s womb to be born as her child. This child will display astonishing talent from a young age. When their cultivation reaches a certain level, or if they face a life-threatening crisis, their soul can return to its original Dharma Embryo and they will once again become a True Monarch. In this way, they can experience that ’different world’."

"After experiencing this hundreds or thousands of times, spending one or two thousand years, and washing away all worldly impurities, they can finally comprehend the Great Dao that lies beyond."

Lu Qingyu spoke of this as if he were recounting his own treasures, almost as if he had witnessed it firsthand.

"I imagine..." Chen Qingyang said, "the world is made of yin and yang. Something so profound must have its drawbacks, right?"

Lu Qingyu said, "Of course it does. The main one is that it makes you vulnerable to schemes. After all, once you’ve dissipated your Magical Power to form a Dharma Embryo, if another True Monarch gets their hands on it, they can use it to nourish their own lifespan and cultivation."

"That’s why the Guardian for a reincarnating True Monarch is especially important. If that person makes a mistake, the True Monarch might never be a True Monarch again!"

This conversation further solidified what Chen Qingyang had long suspected: if one wanted to reach greater heights in this world, they had to be backed by a top-tier Sect.

Only they could provide the necessary resources, Cultivation Techniques, and support. Only they could possess a heaven-defying Magical Treasure like the Bridge of Longevity, which even someone as powerful as a Golden Core Master was subject to.

"Senior Brother, you still haven’t told me what this ’inheritance’ is all about."

Lu Qingyu said, "This inheritance is similar to the reincarnation of a Golden Core True Monarch. However, a True Monarch stores their Dharma Embryo between heaven and earth, whereas I used the Bridge of Longevity to accept the Dharma Embryos of all the previous Temple Masters of Nine True Temple. That’s how I became what I am today. It’s actually quite simple, when you think about it."

After hearing this, Chen Qingyang finally understood the whole story. Although Master Lu’s tone was light and airy, Chen Qingyang could still sense a lingering fear regarding this inheritance.

"Thank you. If it weren’t for you, Senior Brother, I really wouldn’t know any of this. Even what I’ve learned about the Demon Sect is thanks to you."

Lu Qingyu waved his hand. "Don’t mention it. It’s been a long time since I’ve spoken so much with someone. A matter kept in my heart will never truly become my own, but sharing it with others puts my mind at ease."

Holding a sip of tea in his mouth, Chen Qingyang savored the words. As he swallowed, he found them to be quite profound.

"Your insight is profound, Senior Brother!"

Lu Qingyu’s gaze shifted to Chen Qingyang again. "I wonder, what is your relationship with Master Jing Yuan?"

Chen Qingyang was a bit confused by the question, but he answered truthfully, "My master has thirty-seven disciples. I am the youngest, and also the last to join his tutelage."

He answered ambiguously. How Lu Qingyu chose to interpret it was his own business.

The man said, "Your master cultivates Fire, and after Foundation Establishment, he walks the path of Mingtang Hall. Yet you practice Sword Cultivation. One could say you are heading in completely opposite directions, no?"

’This man truly is wise.’ A single sentence had summed up the entire relationship between Chen Qingyang and Master Jing Yuan.

He didn’t speak, but simply nodded.

Lu Qingyu then asked, "Then do you enjoy Sword Cultivation? Are you like that Li Qianxue, for whom the sword is an absolute necessity?"

The question made Chen Qingyang think back to his time on Four Golden Peaks. Back then, it wasn’t a matter of choosing what to cultivate; he had no choice at all.

Of the Dharma Gates Xu Baoling had mastered, it was the only one he could practice. Plus, he knew he could obtain the subsequent Cultivation Techniques from the Cloud Scripture Jade Pavilion.

Later on, the Danxia Nourishing Truth Sword Manual was also passed down to him by Master Jing Yuan. It wasn’t a matter of liking it or not; as long as it was effective, it was fine.

Chen Qingyang replied, "Yes. It’s an absolute necessity."

"Good. Then I understand."

Throughout their conversation today, Chen Qingyang could clearly feel that Lu Qingyu had grown more interested in him, asking many questions about his personal affairs.

Chen Qingyang, in turn, learned more about him too—his profound knowledge, his wisdom, and the air of mystery that surrounded him.

’I wonder if a person like this will cause me trouble in the future. I can get closer to him, but not too close.’

By the time he left, the sky was already growing dark.

He passed the fork in the road. The Ancestral Master Temple was brightly lit. Feeling a bit idle, he walked over, took a look around, and then headed back.

Back in the small cabin, Liu Tao was meditating.

Chen Qingyang didn’t disturb her. After settling down, he mentally reviewed everything that had happened since he arrived at Nine True Mountain.

He had encountered many Demon Sect Disciples and overheard numerous conversations, allowing him to form a rough picture of the Sect that dominated the other half of Cyan Nether State.

Then his thoughts turned to the Cyan Nether Sword Embryo. Although he didn’t know what the Demon Sect was up to, the Tai Xu Sect had already dispatched four Xuanwei Masters. Perhaps the outcome would soon be revealed.

He once again used the Ziwei Scripture to perform a divination. There was no change from before, except that the stars hanging in the firmament seemed to be on the verge of falling. ’Doesn’t this mean the Cyan Nether Sword Embryo is about to appear?’

A moment later, he retracted his focus and began to circulate his energy in meditation.

...

In the rustling wind, a few withered leaves swirled and drifted from one rooftop to another.

The roses had long since withered, leaving only their thorns standing tall. Nine True Mountain had grown even more desolate. Many disciples in the temple who had not yet shed their mortal coils had added thick cotton layers under their Daoist Robes.

When he next visited Jiuzhen City, it was no longer as lively as before. In the cold weather, the common people preferred to stay cooped up at home. To think that only twenty-some days had passed, yet such a great change had occurred.

Chen Qingyang didn’t seek out Lu Qingyu again. Although he made a trip outside the mountain, even crossing to the other side of the Great River, he still came up empty-handed.

Either he couldn’t find anyone, or when he did, they were in groups, which he couldn’t handle alone.

Besides, he couldn’t stray too far. If a cultivator with an extremely high cultivation level locked onto him, it would mean certain death.

From this, it was clear that in the conflict between the Daoist and Demon Sects, the main foot soldiers were Inner Sect Disciples. Those with only Qi Refining Cultivation couldn’t keep up at all.

He didn’t know if Liu Tao had been intentionally waiting for him or if it was a coincidence, but for once, their meditation sessions ended in sync. Just as Chen Qingyang opened his eyes, Liu Tao was also coming to her senses.

He took a sip of water to compose himself.

"It would be nice if every day could be like this. No mountain patrols, just meditating here. Don’t you think?" Of the past twenty-some days, she had been the most comfortable.

Chen Qingyang didn’t answer her question, instead asking, "Senior Sister, didn’t you say the Array couldn’t go without maintenance? If we’re not even doing mountain patrols anymore, does the Array not need to be maintained?"

’Just like last time, we could go out with five Sixth Realm senior brothers and sisters, with one or two Half-Step Foundation Establishment cultivators backing us up. We could use the Conscious Fish to secretly provoke a few Demon Sect Disciples and snatch some Immortal Seedlings in the chaos.’

Liu Tao’s words shattered any such illusions for Chen Qingyang. "Of course it needs maintenance. For now, disciples below the Non-Eighth Realm are forbidden from going out. They’re only doing simple tasks, so the senior brothers and sisters are enough."

Chen Qingyang, not giving up, continued to ask, "Then has there been any more news about the Cyan Nether Sword Embryo? Not everyone can just wait here. We have to do something, right?"

Although they meditated daily, Liu Tao and the others were still summoned for an audience every three days, so they couldn’t easily leave the Nine True Temple.

Seeing him like this, Liu Tao couldn’t help but roll her eyes. "I think you’re more anxious than the Foundation Establishment Masters themselves. If anything really changes, I’ll definitely tell you. With all this on your mind, you might as well think about taking me for a stroll in the city. Meditating all the time is so boring!"

Chen Qingyang said, "I think Senior Sister should prioritize her cultivation. Once your cultivation improves in the future, there will be plenty of days for strolling."

’What a load of crap. There’s always more "future," but the present is gone once it’s passed.’

Liu Tao was furious. She shot him another vicious glare. "You’re so right! And so full of principles!"

Seeing that she was genuinely angry, Chen Qingyang had no choice but to say, "Senior Sister, I see that the weather is quite nice today. It’s morning right now, so why don’t we head down the mountain?"

Seeing his sudden change of tune, Liu Tao was no longer angry. "You’re the one who suggested it. I didn’t force you, did I?"

Chen Qingyang nodded repeatedly. "That’s right. I’m going willingly."

The two of them began to wash up. Just as they were about to leave, they suddenly heard a voice from outside, "Senior Sister Liu, the Foundation Establishment Masters are summoning all the Immortal Sect disciples."

Instantly, Liu Tao deflated like a popped balloon. Her eyes shot to Chen Qingyang as her anger flared up again. "Did you know this was going to happen? Is that why you agreed to go with me?"

Chen Qingyang could only protest his innocence. "Senior Sister, do you think the Foundation Establishment Masters listen to me? Do they do whatever I tell them to?"

Liu Tao calmed down again and realized he had a point. With no one to vent her anger on, she could only leave Chen Qingyang alone in the small cabin.

Chen Qingyang was also surprised by this turn of events. He wouldn’t dare to carelessly release his Conscious Fish inside the Nine True Temple. This was just a coincidence.