Chapter 233

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Chapter 233: Is the Former Qiao Mu Still Alive?

"I will fire King Qin in a few days."

This was said out loud.

The old soldiers’ reactions were calm, they were just a bit surprised for a moment before returning to their previous calmness.

Even though Qiao family member was not just one person, their image in the old soldiers’ minds was well-established.

Qiao Canxue, who was feeling extremely tired, was startled by the words and couldn’t help but open her eyes again.

What she saw was still a spirited young man, with a fierce gaze, but the voice she heard sounded quite old.

This appearance, this posture, made her involuntarily think of the past events in Yan City.

When Qiao Mu died in battle, Childe Guo came for the coffin, and Old Huang snatched the bowl of Hero Courage Soup, a person claiming to be Qiao Lin also returned, threatening Childe Guo with a spear to leave… but later on, she, who was blindfolded, discovered the true identity of Qiao Lin and guessed it must be some kind of disguise.

The age difference between Qiao Mu and Qiao Lin was not that big, with Qiao Lin returning as "Elder Brother Qiao Mu".

But the Qiao Shui in front of them was said to be a man over a hundred years old… No matter how skilled he was in disguises, it was probably impossible for him to hide flaws from Hai Siyuan, who was a strong-willed and intuitive martial artist.

That’s what they say, but Qiao Canxue still held a glimmer of hope in her heart.

What if… Qiao Mu isn’t dead?

The thought made her heart beat a little faster, and she couldn’t help but take two steps towards Qiao Mu.

She wanted to get closer, even closer.

With these eyes, she tried to see if she could make out the figure of Qiao Shui in front of her.

She cautiously asked:

"King Qin is well-known in Zhong Province, his reputation is built on his iron-fisted approach to dealing with dark cultivators, and his role as a martial artist in resolving conflicts with the Inhuman Disaster."

"According to the Copper Skin Soldier, King Qin has strong ties with the Great Dao Sect… and his previous reputation was likely boosted with the help of the Great Dao Sect."

"Not to mention how to kill King Qin, if King Qin really died, it would be like tearing off the hypocritical outer layer of the Great Dao Sect. Then the struggle between immortals and mortals would have no turning back."

After she finished speaking, she saw that Qiao Mu and the old soldiers were all quietly listening, without any change in expression.

"When has Jiu Province ever been peaceful? Has Jiu Province really been a time of peace and prosperity for the last forty years? Are there fewer people dying?" Qiao Mu said.

The Great Yan Imperial Court regards the Nine Immortal Gates as honored guests, pouring all the national resources to support the Immortal Gate. Now the people see them as immortal deities on the altar, and worship them respectfully.

Forty years ago, during the Inhuman War, one hundred thousand soldiers died.

In these forty years, the Great Yan imposed heavy taxes, frequent famines occurred, the Inhuman Disaster spread everywhere. The once thriving city of Yan in the Nan Province is now empty, with many refugees scattered around Nan and Zhong Provinces.

Although there were no major wars in Jiu Province for forty years, the number of deaths was much higher than during the Inhuman War period.

Qiao Canxue didn’t argue back…. In fact, she only saw shadows of Qiao Mu in Qiao Shui, and was just testing the waters with her words.

She continued to probe:

"But even so, the gap between the immortal path and the martial path needs a long time to catch up."

While talking, she unconsciously took two steps towards Qiao Mu, as if wanting to get closer, opening her eyes wide to see his face clearly.

"The immortal path is the great path of ancient and modern times," she said.

"Since the ancient barbaric era, the ancestor of the path opened the immortal path, guiding the human race to start the path of cultivation. The human race used this to resist natural disasters and fierce beasts and embarked on a path of longevity cultivation."

"From ancient times to the present, the smartest and most outstanding elites of the human race have followed the immortal path, while the martial path is only the path of cultivation for those without spiritual roots, naturally incomparable."

Speaking of this, Qiao Canxue seemed to realize that she had misspoken. Talking about these things in front of the old martial artist in this mansion seemed a bit thoughtless.

She explained:

"Elders, please don’t be upset. I come from the martial family Qiao Family of Heyang City. Naturally, I don’t look down on martial arts. It’s just that I was blind in both eyes in my early years, had poor aptitude for martial arts, and it was difficult for me to practice martial arts. In order to avenge my family, I had to follow the immortal path and join a branch of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Immortal Gate…"

Hai Siyuan and others waved their hands; they were not so sensitive as to treat this young girl who switched to cultivating the immortal path with cold eyes.

After all, General Li Changge’s younger brother, an elderly man who guarded the weapons arsenal of the lonely city, was also a cultivator, and played a significant role. He once held up Stone City to help them cross the desert.

"What is the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Immortal Gate?" Qiao Mu asked.

It was rare to meet an old friend who had ascended to immortality, and he lacked understanding of cultivators on the immortal path, so he naturally had questions.

"The Nine Heavens and Ten Earths actually refer to the 19 sects in this realm that have inherited the legacy of True Immortals, and have produced ascended beings. Of course, in this current world, no one can ascend anymore."

Qiao Canxue seemed to understand what Qiao Mu wanted to know, and even without him asking, she continued to talk about the things that mattered most to Qiao Mu.

Throughout history, those without spiritual roots cannot cultivate immortality.

Therefore, cultivators on the immortal path are the elites among ordinary people, and the cultivators from the 19 sects of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths are the elite among the elites.

As we all know, the behinds of many elites are not in the same position as the behinds of ordinary people.

During times of abundant spiritual energy, it’s fine, as the cake is very large, with a big gap between cultivators and ordinary folks. The resources of mortal kingdoms are not even considered by cultivators on the immortal path.

But as the spiritual energy declined, the overall situation worsened. Everyone had to compete for limited resources, without caring about manners.

The world was like a furnace, and all living beings were trying to survive. Even immortal cultivators with long lifespans were not an exception.

Immortal cultivators’ first targets were not the Great Yan Imperial Court or ordinary people, but those with similar strength.

Only when Immortal Qingmu created the "Incense Symbol of Divine Fire," did the Nine Immortal Gates first pay attention to the Great Yan Imperial Court.

"After the decline of spiritual energy, half of the Nineteen Immortal Gates with True Immortal heritage were destroyed in battles, losing their foundation and nearly cutting off their inheritance."

"Of the victorious Nine Immortal Gates in the Immortal Gate battle, each holding a state, including the present Great Dao Sect, Xuantian Sect, and the Nine Immortal Gates."

"As for our ancestors, many years ago, they inherited part of the Earth Origin Temple, which belonged to the Immortal Gate but was destroyed long ago…"

Qiao Canxue narrated.

The current Nine Immortal Gates were the winners of the cultivation world after the decline of spiritual energy, where only the fittest survived.

Ordinary martial artists are at a disadvantage when facing ordinary immortal cultivators, not to mention enemies of the Nine Immortal Gates.

"In the immortal cultivation path, one can ascend to become an immortal."

"What can one achieve at the end of the martial cultivation path? Still just a mound of earth after a hundred years." Qiao Canxue looked up at Qiao Mu and asked tentatively:

"Even knowing the vast difference between immortality and mortality, do you still proceed without hesitation?"

Qiao Canxue remembered Qiao Mu’s friend with the surname Guo from the past.

Initially, Yan City Lord Guo Yan was also like a huge mountain in Qiao Mu’s path. He was the ruler of the city, skilled and cunning, while Qiao Mu hadn’t even cultivated any internal strength.

But he continued without hesitation, without any doubt or delay.

So, what about this "Qiao Shui" in front of them now?

Hearing these words, Qiao Mu actually sighed in his heart.

He wanted to ask if there is a way to cultivate with an Iron Spiritual Root in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths Immortal Gate. He only has one Iron Spiritual Root. Is it still okay to start cultivating now?

Of course, he didn’t say that out loud, because Qiao Mu was already a mature and steady 210-year-old man. Saying that to a girl would seem too oily.

You should do things according to your age.

As a mature man, Qiao Mu naturally gave a response suitable for his age:

"I’ll go and knock him out!"

"The secret to my longevity is four words: clear mind and thoughts."

"With a peaceful mind, one can live a long life. This is the principle of our Qiao family!"

Qiao Canxue was slightly startled, her expression changing for a moment.

As they chatted, she had already walked up to Qiao Mu and the two were now close.

"Since Elder Lao is so determined, I have a gift for him."

From her pocket, Qiao Canxue took out the book "Long Life Fist Sutra" and handed it to Qiao Mu.

"I am the last member of the Qiao Family in Heyang City, but I have given up martial arts. This book has been collecting dust with me… This book, a secret martial arts manual passed down in my Qiao family, will surely benefit Elder Lao."

Qiao Mu looked down and was stunned.

It’s like finding something without searching when you’ve worn out your iron shoes.

Before obtaining the "Xumi Mountain King Sutra," he had pursued the "Long Life Fist Sutra" diligently. However, once he acquired the former, his interest in the latter faded.

After all, the "Xumi Mountain King Sutra" can also delay aging, serving as a superior alternative to the latter.

Qiao Mu always welcomed martial arts manuals, he had plenty of time.

As he reached out to take the manual from Qiao Canxue, she not only didn’t let go but also quietly pressed his hand.

Qiao Mu sighed and thought, "Wow, it’s been so long since we last met, but his tastes have changed so much. He looks like an old man now, can he still handle this?"

When he glanced down, he saw Qiao Canxue opening her eyes again, with a blank stare fixed straight at him.

Vaguely, she seemed to see a ghostly image of a snake with its tail connected, hovering over Qiao Mu’s figure.

The image came and went quickly, disappearing without a trace in a blink of an eye, as if it were just a dream.

Qiao Canxue’s newly regained sight had not fully developed, and sometimes she would see things that were hard to understand… Was this time no different?

She instinctively closed her eyes again, a drop of blood trickling from the corner of her eye. She looked as though she had been hit hard, her face turning pale as she swayed unsteadily, almost falling over.

Qiao Mu took the Long Life Fist Sutra and found a sturdy chair for her to sit on.

"Are you hurt?" Qiao Mu and Hai Siyuan exchanged a glance, feeling somewhat helpless.

They were all martial artists and knew little about mystical injuries, so they were powerless to help her.

"If you rest your eyes for a bit, Qiao Canxue, you’ll feel better," Qiao Canxue tried hard to open her eyes again, but this time she couldn’t even find the strength to do so.

She had no choice but to take out a Message Jade Talisman from the storage bag and hold it in her hand.

About fifteen minutes later, a rainbow light silently appeared and landed in the ruined courtyard, transforming into a plump-faced nun, who was Lingling Taoist Priest.

Lingling Taoist Priest seemed friendly at first, but as soon as she saw Qiao Canxue’s current condition, her expression changed.

"I told you before, don’t open your eyes too easily… This is not something ordinary people can possess." She sighed softly, took out a bottle of elixir, and fed Qiao Canxue a few pills.

After doing all this, her expression finally softened a little.

Her attention remained focused on Qiao Canxue, hardly noticing the nearby old men and Qiao Mu.

"A member of the Qiao family, known for their longevity in martial arts?" Lingling Taoist Priest glanced at Qiao Mu, nodded slightly, as a way of greeting.

Seeing the Long Life Fist Sutra in Qiao Mu’s hand, Lingling Taoist Priest roughly guessed what it was about.

"Different paths in the world of martial arts, no need to get too involved… Since all debts are settled, I will leave with the lingering snow."

After saying this, before Qiao Mu could respond, she had already turned into a rainbow and disappeared into the distance.

The Great Dao Sect has a base in the Imperial Capital, but she didn’t want to stay there for long.

Practitioners like Lingling Taoist Priest, who have received the inheritance of the ancient Immortal Gate, have always kept their distance from the flourishing Nine Immortal Gates.

If it wasn’t for Qiao Canxue’s message, she wouldn’t have risked getting close to the Imperial Capital.

……………

Lingling Taoist Priest arrived quickly and left just as swiftly.

Without time for farewells, she had already left with Qiao Canxue.

Holding the Long Life Fist Sutra in his hand, Qiao Mu could still feel the warmth lingering on the ancient scroll.

Hai Siyuan also bid farewell to the old soldiers.

The injuries from the Heavenly Demon Disintegration Method on Qiao Mu were not something that could be healed in a day or two. They didn’t immediately urge Qiao Mu to set off, but left first.

There was a commotion outside the mansion, it was the belated official constables, but with Hai Siyuan, a third-ranked general present, dealing with the constables was easy. They didn’t let anyone disturb Qiao Mu.

In the collapsed mansion, only Qiao Mu was left.

He found a somewhat intact chair, leaned against the old tree in the courtyard, and sat down, casually flipping through the "Long Life Fist Sutra" in his hand.

With a glance, he saw that the sun was already setting and became engrossed, reading for several hours.

"The Spiritual Refining Chapter of this Long Life Fist Sutra may indeed complement the ‘Xumi Mountain King Sutra’."

Qiao Mu was no longer an ordinary person, he possessed nearly two hundred years of martial arts experience, had a wide range of knowledge in martial arts, and had almost mastered them to a high level. He was no longer comparable to an ordinary martial artist.

His mastery of the Xumi Mountain King Sutra surpassed that of the ancestor Hai Wuya by two levels, and he had already perfected the training section of the Long Life Fist Sutra.

So he immediately saw the extraordinary aspects of the Long Life Fist Sutra Spiritual Refining Chapter at first glance.

If the Xumi Mountain King Sutra follows the path of open-source, carrying Hai Wuya’s humane beliefs, allowing martial artists to continuously accumulate qi and blood, pile up earth into mountains, thereby resisting human aging and prolonging life.

On the other hand, the Long Life Fist Sutra follows a path of conservation, and when practiced to the end, one can live to be over a hundred years old without aging.

"The qi and blood cultivated from practicing the Xumi Mountain King Sutra are mainly used to combat human aging… If one practices both sutras, relying on the Long Life Fist Sutra to stay young, then…"

Qiao Mu glanced at the qi and blood column, the number above was… 21%.

Could it be that the absolutely smooth frictionless inclined plane is about to appear?