Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi

Daoist Palace Main Hall.

The sudden change caught everyone by surprise.

"What happened?!"

The Nether Abyss Ancestor was filled with shock and anger, with a faint dark light rising behind him, as if something was about to be reborn.

He didn’t have time to think further; instinctively he operated his magical power to suppress forcefully. His inner aura clashed and retaliated, causing him to groan again, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

"Master!!"

The Black Abyss Ascendant abruptly stood up, shocked and discomposed, quickly stepping forward:

"What happened to you?"

"Buzz!"

Zhang Yao quickly reacted, frowned, and at the same moment, his powerful and majestic Divine Thought immediately spread out fully, scanning the surroundings of the Daoist Palace.

"Such powerful Divine Thought!"

The remaining Golden Core Cultivators, noticing this sweeping Divine Thought, were stern in their hearts while also releasing their own Divine Thoughts:

"What is going on?"

"Could someone be attacking secretly?!"

As the thoughts of many Golden Core Cultivators flickered, five or six Divine Thoughts swept through the inside and outside of this Daoist Palace, but found no clues whatsoever.

There were no signs of a cultivator hiding, not even traces of magical power; the "unknown attack" just experienced by the Nether Abyss Ancestor seemed to not exist at all.

"This..."

Jiuhua Ancestor was somewhat unsure, indicated to Zhang Yao with his eyes.

He somewhat suspected that the hidden person’s methods were too clever, to the extent that his Divine Thought could not detect them.

Zhang Yao noticed his eyes and slightly shook his head—clearly, just like those early stage Golden Core cultivators, he found nothing either.

"Phew, phew..."

The Nether Abyss Ancestor at the main seat, after taking two deep breaths, casually wiped away the blood at the corner of his mouth and spoke:

"No need to worry, I’m fine."

As he said this, he stood up and bowed to everyone with an apologetic look:

"It was just a small error in my cultivation technique earlier, not someone secretly attacking, but it disturbed the assembly, truly sorry."

Upon hearing this, the many Golden Core Cultivators naturally responded immediately admitting no issue, exchanged a few polite words, and this matter was settled.

It was evident to all that the Nether Abyss Ancestor’s state was not right just now, but since he had no intention of disclosing, others naturally were tactful not to ask further.

"Master..."

Only the Black Abyss Ascendant still had a deep worry in his eyes, but given the occasion, he suppressed his concerns and did not speak further.

Soon:

The Nether Abyss Ancestor, having regained his composure, resumed discussing some detailed plans for benefit distribution with everyone.

Once the discussions were nearing conclusion, led by the Nether Abyss Ancestor, they all signed a Magic Contract together, formally forming an alliance.

The terms of the Magic Contract were quite loose, besides the distribution consensus just reached, primarily ensuring no mutual attacks under Nether Abyss and mutual assistance as much as possible.

The binding period of this Magic Contract would persist only during the exploration of Mo Yuan and would automatically void once leaving Mo Yuan.

After signing the Magic Contract, everyone’s expressions relaxed significantly, and they held a small ritual banquet for some time before dispersing.

Back in his room:

"Pfft..."

Unable to sustain any longer, the Nether Abyss Ancestor suddenly knelt on the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

The blood he spat out was shockingly black as ink, its form and texture like sludge, paste-like, spread on the ground but did not dissolve.

"Who could it be..."

The Nether Abyss Ancestor slowly got up, a grim expression on his face as he wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and waved a sleeve:

"Boom!"

A black Yin fire ignited on the ground, burning the sludge-like blood completely clean without leaving any scent or trace.

He came to the cloud bed in the sleeping hall, sitting cross-legged, his brow furrowed in thought:

"I have speculated before that it probably wasn’t just me who managed to escape from that ghostly place."

"Unexpectedly, this time we indeed ran into each other; because too close, it triggered a reaction, ’he’ should have also noticed..."

Thinking to this point, the Nether Abyss Ancestor’s expression grew even more grim.

"Master!"

Outside the room, the isolation array was touched by a thought, and the Black Abyss Ascendant’s voice sounded:

"Are you okay?"

The Nether Abyss Ancestor raised an eyebrow, hearing the concern in his apprentice’s tone, his expression slightly relaxed, and responded with his Divine Thought:

"I’m fine, you just focus on your cultivation."

Speaking, he paused for a moment, then added:

"The Black Tide’s eruption is imminent, cultivate well, do not slack, maybe this time is your chance."

"If you can find suitable Treasures and Spiritual Objects, nurturing a Golden Core Disciple, you can join me to the Celestial Continent."

"...Yes, Master."

The Black Abyss Ascendant remained silent for a moment before respectfully answering and turning away.

At the same time:

In the Quiet Chamber, Zhang Yao sat cross-legged, still pondering the scene just witnessed.

"This Nether Abyss Ancestor, something’s not right..."

Just at that moment:

Although the change happened suddenly, he still noticed it—the Nether Abyss Ancestor seemed to have something vaguely trying to break free.

The most crucial point was the breath that accompanied the rising black light, which gave him a faint sense of familiarity.

He didn’t have time to ponder deeply, as that feeling quickly faded into oblivion, returning home after the magic assembly dispersed allowed him to calm down and review the earlier details and clues.

"This feeling..."

Zhang Yao contemplated carefully, suddenly realizing something and shockingly aware:

"Muddy Qi!!"

"The extremely faint breath from Nether Abyss Ancestor seems very similar to Muddy Qi!"

He had been in Mani Kingdom for nearly twenty years, spending day and night dissipating the Muddy Qi, becoming extremely familiar with Earthly Miasma.

Yet the Muddy Qi on Nether Abyss Ancestor seemed slightly different from his understanding, with subtle details changing, causing him to not recognize it immediately.

"This is interesting... How does he have Muddy Qi on him? Could he be a Demon Cultivator?"

Zhang Yao’s mind was swirling with thoughts, speculating ceaselessly.

Li Yuan Sect is a lineage of Demon Cultivators, while not impossible, the possibility is truly low.

After all, for someone who is a Demon Cultivator, no matter how strong their disguise methods, openly establishing a sect and even venturing to the Celestial Continent Nine Mansions, is truly unbelievable.

Yet among the myriad cultivation techniques in the world, only Demon Cultivators can utilize Muddy Qi, if Nether Abyss Ancestor isn’t a Demon Cultivator, what else could he be?

"Seems like he holds substantial secrets within him."

Zhang Yao contemplated for a moment but couldn’t come to any conclusions.

"It’s best to find an opportunity to indirectly inquire a few questions..."

Such a thought burst forth in his mind.

Logically speaking, those who can cultivate to the late stage Golden Core are individuals with exceptional talent, insight, resources, and opportunities, having secrets is absolutely normal.

As long as this Nether Abyss Ancestor doesn’t ruin his plans and doesn’t obstruct his seizing of Endless Yin Earth, Zhang Yao couldn’t care less.

But at this critical juncture, everyone has signed the magic contract and formed an alliance; if this matter attracts unforeseen trouble, Zhang Yao must plan ahead.

"When it comes to critical moments, I wouldn’t hesitate to tear the magic contract, and won’t let him lead me by the nose!"

In his heart, Zhang Yao was already prepared for the worst.

The binding power of magic contracts depends on the specific level, the one Nether Abyss Ancestor presented was only a common one without strong binding power.

The binding effect of such a low-level magic contract is slightly stronger than the ethereal Dao Heart Oath.

The backlash suffered from breaching a magic contract could cause a typical Golden Core Cultivator severe injury, but for Zhang Yao, it was just a trivial matter; he didn’t care at all, otherwise, he wouldn’t have signed it so readily.

......

The imminent eruption of the Black Tide made every day pass slowly.

Since the alliance was formed, all the Golden Core cultivators practiced together in the Daoist Palace, frequently exchanging cultivation experiences and discussing various topics, maintaining good relationships.

The Nether Abyss Ancestor, with his style, looked down on the other Golden Core cultivators, but made an exception for Zhang Yao.

With Zhang Yao’s deliberate efforts at friendship, their relationship progressed quickly, occasionally converging for mutual engagement; Zhang Yao sometimes wished to spar a bit, but was always declined by the Nether Abyss Ancestor.

On this day:

Zhang Yao and the Nether Abyss Ancestor were drinking and conversing in a scenic pavilion in the back hall of the Daoist Palace, once again bringing up the experiences of the Nether Abyss Ancestor.

"... Hey, the Celestial Continent is just like that."

The Nether Abyss Ancestor drank a cup of wine and swayed his wine cup, speaking disdainfully:

"In those years upon entering the Celestial Continent, I was indeed greatly amazed, feeling a sense of admiration for the towering heights, acting with utmost caution."

"But later I came to realize gradually that the local cultivators of the Celestial Continent were excessively xenophobic; it permeated in countless aspects, creating irreconcilable conflicts."

"The competition is already fierce there, for us outsiders to rise, joining secret organizations like the Three Celestial Palaces is the only way..."

"The Three Celestial Palaces?"

Zhang Yao’s expression shifted, keenly catching onto this keyword.

Regarding the specifics of the Celestial Continent, he was already informed through Five Elements Wanderer Liu Cang’s memories, but this mention of the Three Celestial Palaces was the first he’d heard.

Yet the Nether Abyss Ancestor seems unwilling to divulge more about his experiences in the Celestial Continent, immediately switching the topic:

"There’s not much to talk about concerning the Celestial Continent, you’ll understand naturally once you visit it yourself in the future, Fellow Daoist Qingxu."

"Nevertheless, the Mo Yuan, soon to be explored, is indeed well worth discussing..."

He paused before speaking:

"Fellow Daoist Qingxu, you probably aren’t very well informed."

"The bottomless abyss that connects deep to the Earth’s core is far more than just one or two, they exist in places like the Central Plains, East Sea, and Northern Desert."

"Yet the Mo Yuan at the southwest border, is rightfully named the ’First Abyss’."

"Oh?"

Zhang Yao raised an eyebrow, indicating:

"I’m interested in hearing more."

The Nether Abyss Ancestor set down his cup, nodded while speaking:

"This information I only learned after visiting the Celestial Continent."

"There are many bottomless abysses globally, each possessing distinct characteristics, but based on predecessors’ opinions, this Mo Yuan might be the deepest."

"Its exact depth is still unknown, but it is said that during the early Middle Ages, a Divinity Transformation True Monarch once descended more than one hundred thousand zhang without reaching the bottom, ultimately returning empty-handed..."

"One hundred thousand zhang?"

Hearing this, Zhang Yao couldn’t help but be amazed.

Under normal conditions, even Golden Core cultivators find it challenging to descend ten thousand zhang into Mo Yuan’s depths, yet a Divinity Transformation True Monarch going more than one hundred thousand zhang is truly unimaginable in terms of divine power and magical ability.

It’s crucial to note that as one ventures deeper underground, the Power of Earth’s Magnetic Force surge exponentially; for every ten thousand zhang descended, the difficulty varies dramatically.

"The key is beneath those one hundred thousand zhang, who knows how many world-unique heavenly and earthly treasures might exist..."