Longevity Candle

Chapter 46 They once pursued the flickering light of the candle.

Immortal masters and Taoist priests, whether in tales of the strange and supernatural or in folk stories, all possess great supernatural powers and magical abilities.

Xue once said that immortal masters and Taoists can summon wind and rain, ride the clouds and mist, and possess many supernatural powers.

Jiang Zhu also said that the immortal masters and Taoists are spirits of mountains and seas, and can see the heavens and the sea.

Li Qingping possesses the talent of immortality and has 30% dragon energy. In addition, there is the sleeping Jiang Zhu. She has too many things to protect, so she cannot afford to be careless.

"If you wish to learn about Zhuzhao, you can ask the Fairy Fox; she guided me here." The strange creature removed its bamboo hat, revealing a pure white fox head.

arctic fox!

Not only humans, but some animals also possess the talent for immortality.

The earliest immortal masters also started from beasts. Later, due to needs, the attention of mountain and sea spirits, or the spread of immortal methods, human immortal masters were created.

"A celestial fox?" Yao Yao frowned.

"I'll be waiting for you at the Fairy Fox Temple in the county town." The white fox put on a straw hat and turned to leave.

Yao Yao returned to Peach Blossom Village, pondered for a long time, and looked at Li Qingping who was cultivating: "Brother, I have to go out for a while. Please keep the Green Lamp safe for your sister. No matter who it is, you can't let them take the Green Lamp away."

She worried that someone would steal the lamp after she left.

“Okay.” Li Qingping took the green lamp: “Sister, what happened? I have improved my martial arts skills and can help you.”

"No need. You have dragon energy on you, and you might be recognized if you go out. You should be careful."

Yao Yao said gently, "It's just a small matter. Sister will go tonight and return by tomorrow at the latest."

Night fell.

Yao Yao carried the Seven Star Sword Box and left Peach Garden Village.

The snow outside was heavier than she had imagined; the snow on the ground was knee-deep.

Near the county seat, the disaster has occurred, with trees fallen, houses collapsed, and fields covered in snow.

The snow stretched as far as the eye could see, and the snow in the sky was even heavier, no longer describable as "goose feather snow".

“Something’s not right. This snow is too heavy. I’ve never seen this much snow in Peach Blossom Village.”

Yao Yao was filled with countless doubts.

Even with the illumination, it only covered the area of ​​Peach Blossom Village and did not extend beyond it.

However, the snow near Taoyuan Village is nowhere near as good as that in the county town.

They easily flew to the top of the city wall. The situation inside the city was fine; the heavy snow did not fall inside.

However, the nearby residents had all moved to the city, causing overcrowding in the county town. People were sleeping everywhere on the streets, and even with magical barriers, it was still quite cold.

Yao Yao rode her sword and arrived at the city center, at the Immortal Fox Temple.

Inside is a white fox with nine tails, and the statue exudes a sacred aura, making people want to bow and worship.

Many people were gathered here as well, but they were all fast asleep and unaware of her arrival.

The golden light of merit flowed around, and the urge to worship vanished instantly.

“I’m here,” Yao Yao said.

The white fox, who had been in the daytime, changed into a white Taoist robe and stepped out from behind the statue, bowing deeply: "The Fairy Fox Goddess invites you in."

Yao Yao stepped into the temple, and the temple gate slowly closed.

The nine-tailed statue radiated pink light, and an ethereal voice rang out: "Before we talk about Zhuzhao, shall we make a pact?"

"What agreement?" Yao Yao frowned.

"Human kingdoms, after a long period of unity, will inevitably divide, and after a long period of division, will inevitably unite. Peach Blossom Village cannot remain isolated from the world forever, nor can you protect it forever." "The fairy fox will help me protect Peach Blossom Village?" Yao Yao said indifferently, her tone full of distrust.

“I know a road that leads south, to the border area between the Qian Kingdom and the Yunmeng Kingdom. No matter which country is at war, the impact is minimal. The land is fertile, with orchards everywhere; it is a treasure land.”

The nine-tailed fox said.

Yao Yao remained silent in thought. Neither she nor Li Qingping could protect Peach Blossom Village forever.

The Qian Kingdom is currently preoccupied with its own problems, so it has no time to pay attention to Taoyuan Village.

If a new nation is established and the world is unified, then the place where she, the renowned sword demon, resides will inevitably come into the sights of the new royal family.

“I know you don’t trust the spirits of the mountains and seas and the immortal masters, but not every spirit or immortal master will stop at nothing to achieve immortality,” the nine-tailed fox spirit said.

"Could you tell me about the Path to Immortality?" Yao Yao asked.

"You actually know about the Path to Immortality?" The fairy fox was somewhat surprised. Before she could answer, the fairy fox said softly, "The Path to Immortality originated from the spirits of mountains and seas and the immortal masters. It is an organization initiated by some ancient spirits to explore immortality."

"At that time, they were focused on exploring the path of immortality, and everything was harmonious. However, as one immortal master after another, and one mountain and sea spirit after another, grew old, all the immortal beings understood that they alone could not find immortality."

"The Path to Immortality once sought out the Candlelight and the Shadow, the most ancient spirits, whose understanding of immortality certainly surpasses ours."

"Did they find it?" Yao Yao asked.

"I don't know." The fairy fox shook its head: "That's something the ancient elves did. Only the surviving ancient elves truly understand the Candlelight's glow."

"You're not an ancient elf either?"

"I am only a little over three thousand years old. Among elves, I am not considered young, but I am not yet an adult either," said the fairy fox.

Over three thousand years old, and still not an adult?

Yao Yao was dumbfounded. Even though she had reached the pinnacle of martial arts and surpassed all ages, her lifespan was still only a little over a hundred years.

Thinking about it carefully, it makes sense. Her current situation is only due to Jiang Zhu's glance at her once.

"And then?" Yao Yao asked.

"Later, the path to immortality split. Some elves and immortal masters did not want to grow old, so they used the fate of mortal kingdoms to attack the other elves."

The event happened suddenly, and the elves were unprepared. They were killed by the combined forces of the nation's destiny, and the elves were used as medicine to prolong their lives.

Only those who have taken the elven potion know exactly how long it will last…

Yao Yao listened quietly as the Path to Immortality split apart.

One faction resorts to any means to achieve immortality, while the other faction cultivates itself through ascetic practices, performs good deeds, and elevates itself in pursuit of immortality.

“Now that the Longevity Path has taken control of the nation's destiny and dragon energy, they are looking for a target,” the Immortal Fox said.

"Then why do you still dare to come out?" Yao Yao asked, puzzled.

"Although the path to immortality controls the fate of the nation, which of us spirits doesn't have three or five friends?"
Furthermore, thanks to our celestial masters and the blessings of the Qingjiang spirits, our nation's current fortunes are no longer sufficient for them to focus their attention on us.

The fairy fox said, "Emperor Yong'an left them two targets: the Qingjiang Spirit and the White Wolf King of the Grasslands. They are the best choices."

"Are you from another faction, practicing asceticism and doing good deeds?" Yao Yao asked.

“I don’t belong to any faction. I just have a few friends. Another faction is called the Way of Following Heaven. They follow the will of Heaven and hate the methods of the Way of Immortality. They will try every means to stop it, but unfortunately, they lose more often than they win.”

Why do we lose more often than we win?

"Naturally, it is the fate of the nation. The Dao of Following Heaven will not interfere with mortal kingdoms. Although it fights with the Dao of Longevity, it only tries to stop the Dao of Longevity when it enters the world, always lagging behind."

"Why can the nation's destiny suppress immortal masters, Taoist priests, and spirits of mountains and seas?"

"You've hit the nail on the head. Legend has it that it's the blessing bestowed upon all mortal beings by the Candlelight, and the protective rules for all living things..."

(End of this chapter)