Chapter 511

Chapter 511: Living Up to the Qiao Family Name

"My last name is also Qiao."

"Qiao was originally just a common surname among many, but since the appearance of the Qiao family, this surname has taken on many new meanings."

"Because I share the Qiao surname, later, when I saved an ignorant follower in the Western Province Blood Lotus Immortal Kingdom, some people mistakenly thought I belonged to the legendary martial arts family, the Qiao family."

"After becoming obsessed with this false identity, I unknowingly did many things…"

"Unbeknownst to me, almost fifty years have passed…"

On Kuafu Mountain.

Qiao Yuan, with blurry eyes, opened a jar of old wine that had been sealed for many years and started reminiscing about the past.

After fifty years, Qiao Yuan is now over seventy’s.

He was the first person to practice the "Xumi Mountain King Sutra," and his progress was not slow, so he still looked like a young man in his twenties today.

But the gaze often cannot be deceived; fifty years of time has left an indelible mark in his eyes.

Meeting Qiao Huo, a senior of the Qiao family who returned from beyond the skies, brought him a sense of strange familiarity and nostalgia, even though they had never met before.

Memories from his youth suddenly surged up from the depths of his mind, and he found himself a little tipsy after drinking quite a bit.

"What Qiao Yuan has done goes beyond that," Lu Yanbei praised from the side.

"In these years, the Western Province, especially around Kuafu Mountain, has not had any interference from the Immortal Gate, and this is also related to him."

"Saint of Martial Arts, Wu Qizheng, is indeed famous all over the world, but though he sits quietly in Kuafu Mountain and his fame is not prominent, he has been the guardian of the Western Province for fifty years."

In response, Qiao Yuan just smiled faintly.

"My progress in martial arts cannot compare to Xue Changhe, Wu Mingkong, and other remarkable peers, but by chance, I found more bones and blood in the Kuafu Mountain Secret Realm left by the Blood Lotus Sect."

"My achievements in martial arts may be limited, but after blending more bones and blood from the hidden realm, I can still manipulate this giant of Kuafu Mountain a little."

"Although I cannot leave this Western Province, the Immortal Gate outside no longer dares to enter here."

At this point, Qiao Yuan’s expression became serious.

He poured a full large bowl of old wine, held it with both hands, and looked at Qiao Mu solemnly, saying:

"For fifty years now, there have been no more temples or spirits returning to the land of the Western Province."

"I may be a false member of the Qiao family."

"But in this life, Qiao Yuan will not live unworthily of this empty name."

Qiao Mu was taken aback, but he soon lifted his wine bowl and clinked it with Qiao Yuan’s.

In the two large bowls of wine, the pale yellow liquid rippled constantly, reflecting Qiao Yuan’s mature features.

Having practiced the "Human Path Sutra" for many years, Qiao Yuan, like the Earth Sword Immortal and others, showed no signs of aging even at seventy.

But even though his appearance was still that of his youth, his age had indeed caught up with him, and his demeanor and gaze were unmatched by the young.

Like a jar of aged wine, it may look the same as it did years ago, but only when tasted can one appreciate the rich flavor that long years bring.

Looking at Qiao Yuan now, Qiao Mu felt memories echoing in his heart.

The jailer who once walked out of the heavenly prison was merely a seed he had planted with a simple act of kindness, and now it had grown into a towering tree that could protect an entire region.

"What empty fame is there?" Qiao Mu said seriously.

"Fifty years guarding the Western Province, this is a true name, more real than gold."

Qiao Yuan laughed heartily, then picked up the wine bowl and drank the aged wine in one gulp.

"Indeed, what empty fame is there?" said the white-haired swordsman beside him, his eyes misty with drink, smiling at Qiao.

"And you, my friend, you are a true member of the Qiao family."

"Although my last name is not Qiao, according to our relationship, you have to call me Old Brother Six."

"Come on, let me hear you call it out."

Qiao Yuan was astonished.

"Has someone else taken their place?" Qiao Mu looked at the Earth Sword Immortal.

Even though it was just a joke, it lightened the serious atmosphere from before.

The few of them sat together, drinking and laughing.

After chatting for a moment, they returned to serious matters.

"My brother and I came to the Western Province together because we have something important to discuss." The wooden sword at the Earth Sword Immortal’s waist swayed slightly, and Lu Yanbei’s voice echoed in their hearts:

"Wu Qizheng, is he not here?" Lu Yanbei asked.

"Mr. Wu’s whereabouts are unpredictable," Qiao Yuan replied.

"Or perhaps, he is not very clear-headed these days, and managing that Blood Flesh Divine Being’s body is clearly not easy; sometimes he is just confused."

"If fate allows, when he becomes clear-headed, he will naturally be seen on the battlefield against the Immortal Gate."

"It seems he is a person of importance and has many affairs; it is difficult to see him," Lu Yanbei said.

Qiao Mu nodded as well.

Before the Sky Piercing River water entered the Return Ruins, Qiao Mu had left more than ten flesh clones in Jiu Province, with varying ages.

Without Qiao Mu, the flesh clones are just a few strong corpses. If the corpses are left for the great demons to feed on, perhaps a new demon king could be born from them.

Of course, Qiao Mu has his own plans.

Except for Qiao Xin, these unmanned flesh clones almost all walked into the bloody flesh swamp at the feet of this Blood Flesh Divine Being, existing as nourishment.

This is a gift, but if not fully controlled, it can also be a burden.

"What do you want to talk to him about? Perhaps one day I can pass the message or help?" Qiao Yuan asked.

His own skills were not enough to compare with the Earth Sword Immortal, Wu Qizheng, and others, but within the Kuafu Mountain of the Western Province, it was another story.

"Actually, I am here to seek help," Lu Yanbei said, slightly frowning.

"The time of Xue Changhe, the head of the Xue family, is approaching. He has decided to lead the Xue family members to attack the Dong Province Long Life Gate and finish it in one battle."

"The time is approaching? Is Xue Changhe’s lifespan coming to an end?" Qiao Yuan was surprised.

Although the Earth Sword Immortal brother before him had lived for a full one hundred forty years.

In reality, the Earth Sword Immortal brother’s physical body had died fifty years ago, and now the two of them were no longer mortal beings, free from the constraints of human lifespan.

The Founding Emperor Yan is a special Medicine Spirit Body, which goes without saying.

As for the Qiao family member… that is another kind of rarity.

Even now, there are not many martial artists in the entire Jiu Province who can live to be over a hundred years old.

"The martial way is not a path to immortality; the path of the immortal is." At this time, Qiao Mu spoke up:

"The path of the immortal seeks methods for longevity and techniques for protection."

"The martial way is different; the birth and development of martial arts in Jiu Province are closely connected to the pressure from the path of the immortal over the past century."

"The martial artists in this world do not seek such luxurious things as immortality."

"Instead, under heavy pressure, they seek to live with dignity, not bowing low or being humble; they only want survival and respect."

"Therefore, no matter if it is fists, palms, fingers, or feet, the eighteen types of weapons, internal skills or external skills… the ultimate goal of all martial arts is to become stronger from weakness."

"Only seeking strength, not longevity, this is fundamentally different from the path of immortality."

The path of immortality seeks a long life; protective skills are not the core, just a means to enjoy a long and carefree life.

Martial arts are almost the opposite.

The reason today’s Jiu Province martial artists live longer than before is one, the "Long Life Fist Sutra" passed down from Long Life Gate—Heyang City’s Qiao Family Long Life Fist is an experiment of Long Life Gate’s founder. The fundamental purpose of Long Life Gate is to find a way to live long in this era of decline.

The vitality is only on the surface; the true aim of the Long Life Fist martial art is to seek a long life in martial arts… of course, this goal has not been fully realized until Qiao Mu derived the "Human Path Sutra" based on the "Xumi Mountain King Sutra" and the "Long Life Fist."

"Today’s martial arts cannot be called a path to immortality; calling it a path to longevity is acceptable," Qiao Mu pondered for a moment and assessed:

"Given Xue Changhe’s talent and the current legendary status in martial arts, his level of martial skills must be quite high."

"Logically, living to about one hundred should not be a problem… It seems the rumors are wrong; Xue Changhe has not completely broken the bloodline curse of Long Life Gate?"

Lu Yanbei was first surprised, then shook his head and said:

"Senior Qiao Huo must have never met Xue Changhe, yet already guessed eight parts of the truth. The knowledge of martial arts is indeed deep and vast like the ocean."

He then spoke:

"I heard that many of the martial arts from Long Life Gate come from the young ancestor in the Cave Heaven Small World. In fact, the entire study of mortal martial arts by Long Life Gate is because of that ancestor."

"Fifty years ago, that Immortal Gate ancestor disappeared with the elders of the Qiao family into the sky. Since then, Long Life Gate has only had one Soul Changing Taoist Lord left."

"Perhaps because of this, the power of Long Life Gate’s bloodline curse has weakened."

"Twenty years ago, fifty-year-old Xue Changhe was supposed to reach the end of his rope with the Xue family… This has nothing to do with how long he has left to live. Even if he could live one hundred or two hundred years, as long as Long Life Gate exists and the bloodline curse remains, he would have to die."

"But he is still alive, and he has lived for a full twenty years," Qiao Mu said.

"That’s right." Lu Yanbei’s voice became much quieter:

"The fifty-year-old Xue Changhe’s skills are no match for what he was at twenty, but even so, he cannot completely escape the bloodline curse left by the ancestor of Long Life Gate."

"As for why he was able to forcefully extend his life by twenty years, it is naturally at a heavy cost… This is something I, as an outsider, should not say much about," Lu Yanbei sighed.

"If you have the chance, Senior Qiao Huo should ask Xue Changhe directly."

"There will be an opportunity," Qiao Mu said calmly as he straightened up.

"If Wu Qizheng is not here, I will just visit Dong Province Long Life Gate."

"There is more than just one Xue family that has deep connections with Long Life Gate."

Lu Yanbei was slightly startled.

Qiao Mu, however, looked very calm; his heart was still like an ancient well, no longer disturbed.

But he had not lost his memory; he still remembered everything clearly.

Therefore, he would do anything he needed to do, just like a man in middle age, lacking desire, would regularly pay his taxes.

"However, this matter is actually quite significant," Lu Yanbei said again.

"In the past, the Nine Immortal Gates were rivals, and if one Immortal Gate fell, the others would quickly divide its power."

"But now it’s different; there are only two Immortal Gates left in today’s Jiu Province: Soul Predicting Path and Long Life Gate."

"If we want to deal with Long Life Gate, we must also be wary of Soul Predicting Path: even though they are rivals, with only two left, they understand the principle of mutual survival."

"So, if we take action, we are not only dealing with Long Life Gate, but also with Soul Predicting Path…"

"I understand, but regardless of whether Soul Predicting Path gets involved, the outcome will be the same," Qiao Mu said calmly.

"As long as I am here in the human world, there will be no Immortal Gate."

Lu Yanbei and Qiao Yuan exchanged glances, their hearts beginning to race slightly.

At this moment, they felt an indescribable sense of security: the Qiao family member who once swept through Jiu Province, making the Nine Immortal Gates retreat from the world, had returned.

"This matter should be done sooner rather than later." Qiao Mu simply stood up.

"Since we are going to Dong Province, let’s set off right away."

"Indeed," Qiao Yuan also stood up.

"It is a pity that if I leave Kuafu Mountain, I will not be able to use the power of the giant of Kuafu Mountain, so it’s better for me to stay here."

"No hurry, there may be a place for you to show your skills another day," Qiao Mu said quietly.

Qiao Yuan was slightly taken aback; these words held deep meaning.

The Western Province is his territory, and Wu Qizheng had once slept here, so both the Soul Predicting Path and the Long Life Gate avoided this place like the plague and did not dare to meddle here.

But from Qiao Mu’s words, could there be an even greater enemy than the Soul Predicting Path and the Long Life Gate?

Soon, Qiao Yuan’s slight feeling of unease was confirmed.

At that moment, an Immortal Boat appeared on the horizon, and a figure floated down gracefully like a fairy.

"Wait a moment." The one who appeared before them was Immortal Diyuan.

Her gaze lingered on Qiao Yuan for a moment, frowning slightly, then she looked toward Qiao Mu.

"My friend Qiao Huo, there are matters of importance and urgency. We have returned to the great world of Jiu Province, but you haven’t forgotten the main task, have you?"

"Of course not," Qiao Mu nodded.

Immortal Diyuan’s purpose was to find the reincarnated daughter of the Heavenly Emperor.

Since the Heavenly Emperor concealed the great world of Jiu Province, both Immortal Diyuan and Qiao Mu found it difficult to return to the great world of Jiu Province and often mistakenly ended up in other worlds, which is why they had teamed up until now.

Immortal Diyuan was once a True Immortal who ascended; she was not a minor character, and in terms of seniority and cultivation, she surpassed all the Jiu Province cultivators that Qiao Mu had killed.

Seeing Qiao Mu delay in doing important matters naturally caused her some displeasure.

She communicated with Qiao Mu in her mind, "This world is on the brink of destruction. The conflict between immortals and mortals in Jiu Province is not important. Finding the Heavenly Emperor’s daughter is the top priority. The Heavenly Emperor’s daughter is the only way to survive."

"Eliminating a couple of Immortal Gates with cultivators who have only reached Tao Achieving Stage is pointless. When the great disaster comes, this world will fall into Return Ruins like the other great worlds we have experienced."

"At that time, everything will come to an end."

"Some matters are more important than others. Do you not know what is urgent and what is not?"

Qiao Mu looked at her calmly.

"So, you are certain that after finding the Heavenly Emperor’s daughter, there will be a way to survive the Great Collapse?"

He was not unaware of what was urgent and what was not.

But ever since he saw the body of the Heavenly Emperor in Return Ruins, a strange feeling of being played with often rose in his heart.

Fifteen years of wandering through a thousand worlds seemed like a vast experience, but in reality, it was just going in circles on the Heavenly Emperor’s chessboard.

Now the time has come, they indeed took the Sky Boat of the heavenly palace, returning before the Great Collapse swept through Jiu Province. This felt like an unbelievable coincidence, everything seemed just right.

Immortal Diyuan was momentarily speechless.

Qiao Mu waved his hand.

"Never mind, what you said actually makes some sense. Since it has come to this, let us part ways once more."

"As for the reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor’s daughter, who she might be, I actually have a guess in my heart…"

At this, a slight smile appeared on Qiao Mu’s lips.

"What if I say that this reincarnation of the Heavenly Emperor’s daughter is exactly the heir of the Earth Origin Temple, whom you left behind thirty thousand years ago?"

"Isn’t that a coincidence? A very special one?"

"What? The Empress Reincarnation could be my disciple’s descendant?" Immortal Diyuan was greatly astonished.

She felt a little confused and had many thoughts in her heart.

Although Immortal Diyuan is also a True Immortal, they only trained for thirty thousand years after becoming immortal.

Every True Immortal has reached a level where they live as long as the heavens and earth, making it one of the final paths of evolution for living beings.

Therefore, even in the immortal realm, it is unlikely to see a situation where "True Immortals walk everywhere and even a random dog by the road has the cultivation of Mahayana Stage."

But the mighty Heavenly Emperor, with many True Immortals at his side who are much stronger than Immortal Diyuan, wouldn’t need to bother with someone like her, a True Immortal who has only ascended for thirty thousand years, right?

"Let’s find the Heavenly Emperor’s daughter first to see what the truth of this matter is," Immortal Diyuan said, shaking her head and not thinking about it further.

With a thought, she did not greet Qiao Yuan and the others, but soared into the sky and returned to the Sky Boat.

"The descendants of the Earth Origin Temple should still be in the Qingming Medicine Valley in Nan Province; you can go there to search."

Qiao Mu calmly reminded her, watching as the sparkling Immortal Boat disappeared into the sky.

Until the Sky Boat completely vanished, Lu Yanbei and Qiao Yuan finally regained their senses.

"Who was that just now…" They were not inexperienced young people; seeing the Sky Boat and Immortal Diyuan made them feel it was truly unfathomable.

"Is that Sky Boat a treasure tool of a cultivation master?" Lu Yanbei asked hesitantly.

"In these fifty years, I have fought with Immortal Gate cultivators many times, even the Immortal Sect Leader is not someone I haven’t seen before."

"But that Sky Boat, although broken and scarred, felt quite extraordinary to me, completely different from the treasures of the two Immortal Gates today."

"That person seems quite arrogant; could he be a master from the Mahayana Stage of the Immortal Gate?" Qiao Yuan said with a frown.

He actually had a more exaggerated guess in his heart, but he did not say it out loud.

"It’s quite likely." Qiao Mu said casually.

"She is indeed a master of the Immortal Gate, but she is the first master of the Earth Origin Temple from Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, who ascended thirty thousand years ago, Immortal Diyuan."

"The Sky Boat actually comes from the heavenly realm and was once a warship patrolling the many worlds of the Celestial River. It contains a Secret Realm Space, where thousands of people can live comfortably."

Qiao Yuan and Lu Yanbei were left speechless. Can you really call this close enough?

The Immortal Gate, which they found difficult to fight against, had actually been declining since the great changes in the world thousands of years ago.

True Immortal? In over ten thousand years, only the leader of the Soul Predicting Path sect has emerged as a new Tao Achieving Stage cultivator, let alone a Mahayana cultivator or an ascended True Immortal.

If the changes in the human world over the past fifty years tell a story of human suffering, then the Qiao family members entering the Return Ruins have clearly stepped into the realm of legends, mingling with True Immortals.

"But all of this is just a former glory; now they are merely survivors in a great catastrophe," Qiao Mu said as he stood up and walked outside. "It’s time to set off."