Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi

Over the years, in his spare time, he had refined and absorbed more than ten Magical Treasures, and some of them were used to exchange for Spiritual Gold from the Zhiyao Palace.

"Thank you, Ancestor."

Du Guyan immediately stood up to salute, accepting it with both hands.

"You flatter me, Daoist Brother."

Beside him, Du Gucheng was also all smiles, repeatedly expressing his gratitude.

For the Dugu Family, with its long-standing heritage, a single Golden Core Level Magical Treasure is, of course, not considered a particularly valuable treasure.

As the future successor and rising star of the Dugu Family, Du Guyan certainly would not lack for a protective Magical Treasure.

But the fact that Zhang Yao was willing to bestow a Magical Treasure was, even as a token of preliminary recognition, reassuring to them; this was the very reason he crossed countless mountains and rivers with Du Guyan to pay his respects.

"By the way, Daoist Brother."

After Du Guyan had put away the Magical Treasure, Du Gucheng spoke proactively:

"The second matter for our visit today pertains to the Da Mo Cultivation Realm."

"About a month ago, Jiuhua Ancestor of the Da Mo Divine Splendor Sect suddenly conveyed a message to us through the channel of Celestial Treasure Tower."

"The message indicated that frequent signs have appeared in the Middle Aged Mo Yuan, and the large-scale outbreak of the Black Tide is imminent, possibly in as short as a few months or at most a year."

"In the message, Jiuhua Ancestor stated that it was a pre-arranged communication with you, Daoist Brother, and therefore I dared not delay, setting out immediately to specifically inform you."

"Good!"

Hearing this, Zhang Yao smiled faintly and nodded:

"This news indeed holds significant importance for me, and I must thank Fellow Daoist Du Gu for delivering it."

"You honor me too much, Daoist Brother."

Du Gucheng maintained a humble demeanor.

The two chatted for a little over half an hour more, during which Du Guyan listened silently, choosing to interject with a few words only at opportune moments.

After they bade their farewells and left, Zhang Yao got up to see them off outside the gates of Changle Palace; he then returned to the Sealed Demon Hall and used the Divine Travel Array to contact the Mani Temple.

Two days later.

The Mani Temple sent over a Golden Body Arhat to take over the duty of guarding the place for Zhang Yao.

Zhang Yao then left the area of Changle Mountain, traveling swiftly west onboard his Escape Light towards the southwest border of the Da Mo Realm.

......

Half a month later.

Within the Da Mo Territory, Middle Aged Mo Yuan.

"Rumble..."

The sound of thunderous rumbling echoed intermittently around.

In the sky above the Middle Aged Mo Yuan, rounds of rainbow-colored fluorescence surged and rotated, painting half the firmament in a dazzling display.

"The Earth’s light is intensifying; it seems the outbreak of the Black Tide is imminent..."

Jiuhua Ancestor withdrew his gaze, his expression tinged with a hint of solemnity.

Among the many signs of a Black Tide outbreak, the Earth’s light is always one of the most evident, much like an impending earthquake, often indicating vast changes deep within the Earth.

And the scale of the Earth’s light this time was unprecedentedly massive, more astounding than during the last large-scale outbreak of the Black Tide.

"Indeed."

The Black Abyss Ascendant beside him also nodded slightly in agreement:

"In at most a month or two, the Black Tide will inevitably erupt!"

Upon hearing their words:

The few Golden Core Ancestors standing on the high platform together began to confer amongst themselves.

For this large-scale Black Tide, all the Golden Core level forces of the Da Mo had gathered; besides the Shenhua Sect and the Li Yuan Sect, there were also the Ying Mo Sect and the Heigu Chen Clan, making a total of six Golden Core Ancestors.

Out of the four major forces, the Heigu Chen Clan was the strongest, long reputed to be Da Mo’s foremost noble family, with three Golden Core Ancestors in residence.

Yet, for this collective action, the Heigu Chen Clan was not leading the charge.

"Black Abyss Ascendant."

Patriarch Chen Xuan of the Heigu Chen Clan stepped forward two steps, cupping his hands in a courteous salute:

"May I ask when your venerable master will arrive?"

"Do not worry, Patriarch Chen."

The Black Abyss Ascendant laughed heartily, waving his hand:

"My master is in seclusion within the Li Yuan Sect, and will naturally come to join us at the true outbreak of the Black Tide."

The master of Black Abyss Ascendant, the ’Nether Abyss Ancestor,’ is indeed the founding ancestor of the Li Yuan Sect.

Over two hundred years prior, the Nether Abyss Ancestor entrusted the sect’s foundation to the newly advanced Golden Core Black Abyss Ascendant and went to the Nine Mansions of the Celestial Continent in pursuit of the Immortal Dao.

Over two hundred years later:

During the period of the large-scale eruption of the Black Tide, the Nether Abyss Ancestor seemed to have sensed something and returned to Da Mo a year early.

When the Nether Abyss Ancestor left, he was only at the early stage of the Golden Core, but after more than two hundred years, upon his return, he had become a mighty powerhouse at the late stage of the Golden Core, accompanied by two helpers at the middle stage of the Golden Core!

So upon his return, he exerted pressure in all directions, even the usually arrogant Heigu Chen Clan became exceptionally obedient and did not dare to breathe loudly, following orders to wait by Mo Yuan.

However, for the Heigu Chen Clan, the return of the Nether Abyss Ancestor was both advantageous and disadvantageous.

Because every time the Black Tide erupted on a large scale, it was a carnival for the Golden Core cultivators practicing dark attribute techniques from the surrounding countries of the southwest, with at least dozens of Golden Core cultivators pouring in from all directions!

It was precisely this harsh situation that forced the major local powers of Da Mo to band together for self-preservation, with joint actions having become a tacit agreement.

This time, the local side of Da Mo had nine Golden Core cultivators, led by the late-stage Nether Abyss Ancestor, forming an unprecedentedly powerful force, which was extremely beneficial for the Heigu Chen Clan as well.

After all, with greater strength comes greater competitiveness, and in the perilous depths of Mo Yuan, there was also more security.

"Boom!" "Boom!"...

Streaks of escape light flew rapidly back and forth, and from time to time external escape lights joined the large team waiting at the edge of Mo Yuan.

Looking into the distance:

Artificial high platforms were piled up, with many Golden Core Ancestors either gathering in small groups or sitting cross-legged alone, with large blank areas beside them.

Apart from the many Golden Core Ancestors, there were also hundreds or thousands of Foundation Establishment cultivators, and more fearless Qi Refining cultivators, who gathered in groups scattered around the vast outskirts at the entrance of Mo Yuan.

"Boom!"

Suddenly, a white escape light sped rapidly, its mighty aura alarming many Golden Core cultivators.

"Hmm? Are there still strong ones coming?"

Many Golden Core cultivators showed surprise, looking up at the white escape light on the horizon.

The large-scale eruption period of the Middle Aged Mo Yuan could not be kept secret, so many Golden Core Ancestors had already prepared in advance and should have arrived by now.

Then who is this hurriedly arriving one at this moment?

"It’s him! Elder Qingxu!"

Jiuhua Ancestor, Black Abyss Ascendant, and others quickly recognized the person from the familiar escape light, exchanging smiles.

In the southwest, the illustrious reputation of Elder Qingxu and his strength never fell short of the late-stage Golden Core, which was tremendous news for them.

Imagine this:

Other Golden Core cultivators mostly came from the Central Plains countries, most of them acting alone, rarely forming groups, and even if there were groups, they were very small, generally consisting of only two or three Golden Core cultivators.

But with the inclusion of Elder Qingxu in their ranks, their strength presented an overwhelming advantage, who would dare to confront them directly when under Mo Yuan?

"Boom!"

Zhang Yao’s escape light slowly descended onto the vast high platform.

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu!"

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Qingxu."

Jiuhua Ancestor, Black Abyss Ascendant, Ying Mo Sect Leader, and the three ancestors of Heigu Chen Clan stepped forward to pay their respects together.

"Greetings, everyone."

Zhang Yao also wore a smile as he returned the greetings one by one.

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, please have a seat."

After a few pleasantries, they invited Zhang Yao down to the viewing platform, set up wine and a banquet in the palace below to welcome him and cleanse him of travel dust.

And while everyone was feasting:

Among the many Golden Core Ancestors on the outskirts of Mo Yuan, an undercurrent began to surge.

"...Did you clearly see that was truly Elder Qingxu?"

A short and stout Golden Core cultivator asked with furrowed brows.

"Of course."

Another Golden Core cultivator, holding a folding fan, scoffed:

"I’ve stayed in Mani Kingdom for twenty-five years, just left a few years ago, and happened to know him, having seen him several times at a Dharma meeting."

"This man’s strength is extraordinary, capable of entering the Demon Cave alone to suppress Golden Core-level Yin Demons, with a renowned reputation in Mani Kingdom, certainly not someone with an empty reputation!"

Upon hearing this:

The short and stout Golden Core cultivator’s face became somewhat unsettled.

Initially, these Golden Core cultivators from the Central Plains viewed the Golden Core cultivators of the southwest base with a subconscious sense of superiority.

After all, due to differences in cultivation environments, the artifacts of the Central Plains cultivators were often sharper, and their experience in same-rank magical battles more abundant, naturally making their average strength superior.

They originally thought that the renowned Elder Qingxu of the southwest was nothing special, at most at the middle stage of the Golden Core.

Who would have thought, that this person was indeed not just an empty facade but held great renown even in Mani Kingdom, far beyond what they could contend with?

"This might ruin things..."