I became an immortal in the mountains

Chapter 873: Being too old to die is a thief
Taking action against the Ancient Divine Sect is not as simple as just fighting one battle; regardless of victory or defeat, it will bring about a series of changes.

These changes may not have a significant impact on Gu Yuanqing himself, but they are of great importance to the Qian Yuan Realm and the Great Qian Dynasty, affecting the whole situation from the slightest change.

Li Miaoxuan was slightly surprised: "Why did you suddenly change your strategy?"

Gu Yuanqing recounted to Li Miaoxuan everything he had discussed with Zhuo Ming that day.

Upon hearing this, Li Miaoxuan frowned slightly: "These seven remnant souls of true gods, through the hand of the Ancient God Sect, control a world and regard those who come after them as resources for their own path."

“Yes, cultivation in the Linglong World is already difficult. I didn’t expect there to be someone eyeing us covetously above this chasm. I’m afraid the better the aptitude, the easier it is to be targeted. Others don’t have the same opportunities as you and me. Even with the Shattered Heaven cultivation level, they are still being targeted by True Gods. How can they possibly have any chance?” Gu Yuanqing shook his head and sighed.

Li Miaoxuan asked, "Yuan Qing, what are you planning to do? Even if you do, I'm afraid you won't be able to kill them. The Ancestral Hall must be a top-tier magic treasure, perhaps even surpassing the level of a Void Immortal or a Demigod. It would be extremely difficult to break it."

Gu Yuanqing smiled and said, "Why kill them now? They're a bunch of remnant souls of true gods. If we really tear off all pretenses and force them into a corner, the backlash might be too much for us to handle right now."

Li Miaoxuan said, "So, you just intend to make an example of them and let them know that you have already broken through from the Shattered Heaven Realm?"

Gu Yuanqing nodded slightly: "Indeed, we have this plan."

Li Miaoxuan said, "But what this Zhuo said may not be credible; there might be a lie hidden within the truth. These old guys from the Ancient Divine Sect may not tolerate the existence of variables. If you can suppress Zhuo Ming, you can also pose a threat to them."

Moreover, the Linglong Realm is their foundation; they will not allow any accidents to occur here. Revealing their strength will only make them more cautious when they act, so they must not be careless.

Gu Yuanqing smiled and said, "Don't worry, I won't believe everything the enemy says. But it's worth a try. A conflict with those old guys from the Ancient Divine Sect is inevitable; it's just a matter of time."

If the conflict were to occur in the Qian Yuan Realm, I might not be able to protect this world. But if it were in the Taigu Divine Sect, I would have fewer concerns.

After discussing for a while, Gu Yuanqing finally sensed a noise coming from Li Chengyi's side and used the Heavenly Fishing Technique to bring him back.

After paying his respects to his parents, Li Chengyi poured tea for them before taking his seat below.

Gu Yuanqing also explained the whole story to him.

Li Chengyi said, "In all matters, just follow Father's instructions. Father doesn't need to consider the affairs of the Qian Yuan Sect too much. Even in the worst-case scenario, we can just abandon the Qian Yuan Realm and start over in the Spirit Realm."

The Linglong Realm, being a divine artifact governed by rules, inherently harbors hidden dangers, and a battle between it and the Primordial Divine Sect is inevitable sooner or later.

Gu Yuanqing smiled and said, "That shouldn't be the case. Although those old guys from the Ancient God Sect are true gods, their physical bodies have long been destroyed. They are just remnants of their souls hiding in the Ancestral Hall. Moreover, they dare not use their full strength within the Linglong Realm, otherwise they would attract divine punishment. So... the worst-case scenario should not happen."

Li Miaoxuan suddenly spoke up, "Could we wait another three years?"

Gu Yuanqing looked at Li Miaoxuan, a strange look in his eyes: "Three years, and you can break through to the Void Immortal realm?"

Li Miaoxuan nodded slightly: "There shouldn't be any problem."

Gu Yuanqing said, "Won't it affect the foundation of your Great Dao? If so, it would be a loss."

Li Miaoxuan smiled and said, "No, in the past few years, I have perfected the Chaotic Undying Realm in the battlefield outside the domain, and I have also found the opportunity to break through to the Void Immortal Realm. Even if you hadn't taken action against the Ancient God Sect, I was planning to break through to the Void Immortal Realm in the next few years."

"That's good!" Gu Yuanqing smiled as well.

He wasn't surprised that Li Miaoxuan was able to find a breakthrough so quickly, and he didn't ask any further questions.

Li Chengyi's mind was in turmoil.

He was naturally very happy that his mother also wanted to become a virtual immortal!

This path, which is like an insurmountable chasm to the spirit world, is nothing but a trifle to his parents.

But considering that he had been cultivating diligently for so long and was still only at the Yin-Yang Void Breaking Realm, while his parents had broken through to higher levels one after another, he couldn't help but feel that his aptitude was really too poor.

Sometimes I even doubt whether I am my parents’ biological child, otherwise how could there be such a big difference?

Of course, these thoughts were just random ideas on his mind. He had cultivated for many years and experienced the cultivation world, so he was not ignorant. He also guessed that his parents must have some great secrets.

There are many methods that are definitely beyond their current level of understanding.

These secrets concern his parents' spiritual paths, and he wouldn't pry into them. He only thought about working harder in his cultivation so as not to embarrass his parents.

After discussing it for a few more minutes, Gu Yuanqing and Li Miaoxuan settled the matter.

For Gu Yuanqing, Li Miaoxuan's attainment of the status of a Void Immortal was no less important than resolving the hidden dangers of the Ancient Divine Sect.

After all, although the Ancient Divine Sect was powerful, it did not actually threaten his foundation; it would only cause him some trouble.

Li Miaoxuan's strength at the same level is no weaker than his, and she is even slightly better in terms of killing. Even Gu Yuanqing would have to avoid the sharpness of her magical treasures.

If she were to also achieve the status of a Void Immortal, she would be able to assist the Primordial Divine Sect in its attack, making the situation much easier to handle and increasing the chances of protecting the Qian Yuan Realm.

"However, there is one more thing we must guard against. As the saying goes, when one tribulation arrives, all tribulations follow, and pulling one hair affects the whole body. Cultivators like us can sense a glimpse of heavenly secrets in the darkness, and true gods are even more powerful than us. Even if I am undergoing tribulation in the Spirit Realm, I have karmic ties with the Linglong Realm and with you, and the Primordial Divine Sect may take the opportunity to attack."

"Of course, I might be overthinking it," Li Miaoxuan suddenly said.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yuanqing's gaze sharpened slightly: "A cultivator's thoughts always have a cause. Since you have inexplicably given rise to this thought, the possibility of this event occurring is very high."

The previously relaxed atmosphere suddenly became slightly tense.

Li Chengyi said, "Father, Mother, if that's the case... should we..."

Gu Yuanqing and Li Miaoxuan exchanged a glance.

Gu Yuanqing frowned slightly and shook his head, saying, "Forget it, if that's really the case, there's no way to avoid it. Let's proceed according to the plan we just discussed."

Li Miaoxuan nodded slightly.

After discussing it, Li Chengyi and Li Miaoxuan descended from the main peak.

Both mother and son went to pay their respects to Li Haotian.

At the same time, we will also discuss the specific affairs of the Qian Yuan Sect.

Li Shi'an was in seclusion, but when he sensed that Li Chengyi and Li Miaoxuan had returned, he came out to meet them.

Li Guanrong also rushed over from the palace. At this time, he had already reached the third tribulation of the Heavenly Transformation Realm. Although he was the emperor, his cultivation level had not fallen at all.

In recent years, he has even intended to abdicate the throne and venture out into the world like his father, but his father has not agreed.

Last year, when I visited Gu Yuanqing, I looked aggrieved and massaged his shoulders while saying, "Grandfather, you should talk to your son when you have the chance. He abdicated the throne and is now living a carefree life, but he has kept his grandson trapped in the palace. He can't even cultivate in peace. Look at Yu Ze now. He's not young anymore. He's been the crown prince for hundreds of years and has the cultivation of the second tribulation of the Heavenly Transformation. He's more than capable of being the emperor of the Great Qian Dynasty."

Gu Yuanqing simply smiled and said, "I don't care about what's between you and your father. Why don't you go ask your grandmother if she's willing to put in a good word for you?"

Li Guanrong then fell silent.

Compared to Gu Yuanqing's more lenient and permissive approach to his children and grandchildren, Li Miaoxuan was much stricter. Back when Gu Yuanqing went into seclusion to cultivate, Li Miaoxuan urged Li Chengyi to cultivate, and Emperor Li Guanrong was often reprimanded for it.

For Gu Yuanqing, taking action against the Taigu Divine Sect was merely a battle, but for the Great Qian Dynasty, it had many implications.

Centuries have passed, and the power of the Great Qian Dynasty has spread like roots, deeply penetrating into many exquisite realms.

The Great Qian Empire's presence can be found almost everywhere, from mineral veins and trade routes in various realms to secret realms and the trading of elixirs and magical treasures.

The descendants of the Gu and Li families have long since left the Qian Yuan Realm, gaining experience, managing businesses, and holding important positions in various places.

For a cultivator, a few hundred years might just be a few days of seclusion, but for the entire dynasty, and for the Li and Gu families, it represents countless generations.

Some clansmen with less outstanding cultivation aptitude branched out, making the entire clan quite large.

Once a full-scale war breaks out with a behemoth like the Ancient Divine Sect, the flames of war will not be confined to the Qian Yuan Realm.

Those scattered cultivators, businesses, and strongholds of the Great Qian Dynasty will inevitably become the primary targets of retaliation or attacks by the other side, and the descendants of the Gu and Li families may also become their primary prey.

Although people like Li Chengyi know that Gu Yuanqing has the ability to cross realms, when they really fight against the Ancient Divine Sect, they probably won't be able to take care of these juniors. Even if they could, they can't rely on him for everything.

Moreover, they didn't want these things to distract Gu Yuanqing when he was fighting against the experts of the Ancient Divine Sect.

As half a day passed, messages began to be sent out from the Qian Yuan Realm in the most secretive way. This force, which had long become a behemoth in the Linglong Realm, was also undergoing some changes quietly.

After returning to the outer realms, Li Chengyi asked the Yujie Alliance for leave, saying he was going back to the Xuanqiong Realm to cultivate.

He had been on duty at the Anti-Jie Alliance for many years, and no one had ever stopped him.

Moreover, to be honest, he came to the Alliance of Tribulation Control for training under the pretext that he came from an overseas sect in the Spirit Realm. But after so many years, how could the Alliance of Tribulation Control not investigate him when it was investigating the spies of evil sects?

Ultimately, the investigation led to Li Miaoxuan, and the matter was dropped. Many high-ranking members of the Yujie Alliance knew her background, but they kept it a secret.

Afterwards, Li Chengyi went to the Lingxu Sect's residence, where Li Miaoxuan arranged for him to meditate in a cave. In reality, he returned to the Qian Yuan Realm to take charge of the overall situation.

Li Miaoxuan herself killed several more Chaotic Heavenly Demons, clearing out all the Heavenly Demons outside the three void rifts guarded by the Lingxu Sect. She also used the excuse of going into seclusion to cultivate and returned to Beiquan Cave.

He left only a jade talisman for the sect leader, Ye Zhenghong, saying that he could crush the talisman in case of crisis.

Ye Zhenghong didn't say much. Although Li Miaoxuan was a Dao Child in the sect, she had not yet succeeded to the position of sect leader.

However, Li Miaoxuan is the only Undying Grandmaster of the Spirit Void Sect, the only Elder of the Spirit Void Sect in the Tribulation Control Alliance, and more importantly, the only Daoist partner of a Void Immortal Grandmaster in the Spirit Realm.

She thought she hadn't taken over, but it was simply because Li Miaoxuan had no interest in the position of sect leader.

Subsequently, she went into seclusion in Beiquan Cave to cultivate and refine her cultivation to a more perfect state.

Before Li Miaoxuan underwent her tribulation, Li Shi'an went ahead of her.

He had stood at the peak of the Three Tribulations of Heavenly Change for many years. After emerging from seclusion that day, he originally intended to wait for Li Miaoxuan to overcome the Tribulation of the Void Immortal before undergoing his own tribulation.

However, in matters of spiritual practice, things don't always go as planned, and sometimes they can't be suppressed by force.

During this day of meditation, a slight movement stirred within my mind, causing changes in the celestial and human world, with yin and yang interacting and thus breaking through my previous realm.

Fortunately, he had been preparing for many years, and had already made arrangements on the side peak of Beiquan Mountain.

The Heavenly Tribulations of the Forty-Nine Heavens were each stronger than the last, leaving Li Shi'an covered in wounds and narrowly escaping death.

Li Haotian, Li Chengguo, and other younger generations were all very worried.

But in the end, he managed to overcome it and became the second Yin-Yang level cultivator among the native cultivators of the Qian Yuan Realm, besides Gu Yuanqing and Li Miaoxuan.

When the calamity clouds dispersed, everyone in the Qian Yuan Sect cheered in unison.

Another half month passed.

An elder from the Underworld Palace came to visit, requesting to see Lord Gu.

This elder, who had undergone three tribulations in the Heavenly Transformation Realm, was naturally not qualified to see Gu Yuanqing, but he presented her with a jade pendant, saying that the mountain master would know once he saw it.

The jade pendant was delivered to the main peak by Li Chengyi.

Gu Yuanqing took it, glanced at it, and smiled calmly: "These old guys finally couldn't hold back anymore."

"Father... is this the jade pendant?" Li Chengyi asked.

Gu Yuanqing crushed the jade pendant.

The jade pendant scattered starlight, the light and shadow intertwined, transforming into a phantom figure. The figure opened its eyes, looked at Gu Yuanqing, and then looked up at the sky.

"Has the Heavenly Dao been severed? It seems... Zhuo Ming has been suppressed by you?"

Gu Yuanqing smiled and said, "Boundless Starlight Dharma Body, you must be Zhou Tianyan of the Primordial Divine Sect?"

Zhou Tianyan's eyes flickered slightly as he said, "Even within the Ancient God Sect, few know my true name. Was it Zhuo Ming who told you?"

Gu Yuanqing chuckled, hands behind his back, "Does that matter?"

“It’s really not important. Even if they knew, with the power of my Dharma body, it would be difficult to send the message back,” Zhou Tianyan nodded.

“If you know that’s probably the case, why come here in the first place?” Gu Yuanqing said.

Zhou Tianyan smiled: "How can I be sure without seeing it for myself? Besides, the fact that the connection between the Dharma Body and the True Body is severed is enough information. Zhuo Ming would not do that."

“That’s true.” Gu Yuanqing nodded.

"Since that's the case, then why don't you clear up my doubts? Are you really just a person from this world?" Zhou Tianyan stared into Gu Yuanqing's eyes.

Gu Yuanqing chuckled and said, "Why waste time? Why not tell me how your Ancient Divine Sect plans to deal with me?"

Zhou Tianyan shook his head and sighed softly: "You shouldn't have come to this realm. The Linglong Realm can't produce so many True God cultivators. Your arrival has taken away our fortune and opportunities. This is the struggle for the Dao."

Gu Yuanqing's smile gradually faded: "I wonder if you've ever heard this saying?"

"Which sentence?" Zhou Tianyan asked.

"To be old and not die is to be a thief! You are not people of this era, so you should not sever the path of this world because of your greed," Gu Yuanqing said indifferently.

(End of this chapter)