Traveling through time to cultivate immortality: a life and death test

After bidding farewell to Jiao Jiao, Liu Xing hurried back and met the Jindan cultivators who came to pick him up fifty miles outside Haibin City.

"Brother Liu, is everything going well?" Lu Hua was the first to come forward and ask. The peace talks were his idea, so he was most anxious to know the outcome.

Seeing Liu Xing escape unscathed, everyone felt relieved. At this moment, Lu Hua asked what everyone was thinking, and everyone looked at Liu Xing.

"Don't worry, fellow Taoists. I negotiated with their leader and used the Blue Dragon as a bargaining chip. They agreed to withdraw their troops!" Liu Xing said loudly to everyone.

"Really? The demon soldiers really agreed to retreat!" Everyone cheered, especially City Lord Han, who was extremely grateful to Liu Xing. The foundation he had worked hard to build for hundreds of years was saved, and he even wanted to pass it on to his son.

"Senior Brother Liu, you're amazing! You drove back a hundred thousand demon soldiers with just one word! I admire you so much!" Miao Qiuyue expressed her admiration so openly that everyone looked at her sideways. Furthermore, she glanced provocatively at the ordinary-looking Nie Xiaoqian.

Nie Xiaoqian quietly watched the happy crowd surrounding the heroic Liu Xing, staring at Liu Xing's handsome face with a smile, without any words of expression, and ignored Miao Qiuyue's provocation.

"Brother Liu is so handsome!" she thought silently in her heart.

Liu Xing was escorted back to Seaside City by the crowd. That evening, City Lord Han hosted a banquet for the soldiers. News of the demons' retreat spread, and the monks and common people of Seaside City rushed to the streets, spreading the news, singing and dancing, and firing cannons in celebration.

I heard that this victory was all due to the contribution of Master Liu. The people of Haibin City put up Liu Xing's portrait in the hall, burned incense and prayed every day, and expressed their gratitude to Liu Xing. It seemed that a mysterious force of merit was forming in the dark.

Stories like Liu Xing's bravery, his single-handed attack deep into enemy territory, his perilous encounter with the demon soldiers, and his capture of their leader alive on the battlefield spread like wildfire. Storytellers woven these stories into tales and spread them far and wide, filling teahouses and taverns to overflowing. Liu Xing's heroic image, fearless and dedicated to his country and his people, spread far and wide.

Soon, a wealthy businessman donated money, and skilled craftsmen constructed the sculpture, and in just three days, a massive statue was erected in the central square of Haibin City. The sculpture, thirty feet tall, held a majestic figure. Liu Xing's brows were sharp, his eyes sparkling, his long hair flowing. With his left hand forming a magical gesture, his right hand held a jade flute, slung behind his waist. He exuded an indescribable elegance and grace. Everyone who approached the sculpture would gaze in awe.

Of course, the rapid spread of these rumors and their efficient execution were largely due to City Lord Han's behind-the-scenes instigation. City Lord Han's motive was simple: to do whatever it took to curry favor with Liu Xing. First, he had made a grave mistake in the past, and now he could only try to atone for it. Second, Liu Xing's ascension to the Thousand Machine Sect's leadership was practically certain, and his power and wealth far surpassed that of his tiny Seaside City. Therefore, offering him merit was a way to curry favor with Liu Xing.

It's true that Liu Xing refused all of Han City Lord's gifts and didn't look very happy. However, he didn't intend to stop Han City Lord from spreading his heroic deeds and let him do it.

In an elegant teahouse private room, Nie Xiaoqian invited Liu Xing to have tea. When Liu Xing came in, Xiaoqian was already waiting there.

"Miss Xiaoqian, the place you are looking for is really remote. It took me a while to find it." As Liu Xing spoke, he pushed open the door and was about to go in.

He looked up and saw a woman of angelic beauty sitting quietly behind the coffee table, smiling at him. He was startled. Such a beautiful woman, more beautiful than any other woman he had ever seen, was so stunning that he grunted in his throat. But he had never seen this woman before. Did he go to the wrong room?

He immediately left the room and looked up at the room number. It was indeed the private room that Xiaoqian had booked. He then pushed the door open again and scanned the room. The beauty's temperament was exactly the same as Nie Xiaoqian's.

"Hehe, Brother Liu, you're not in the wrong place. The tea is cold. Please sit down quickly." Nie Xiaoqian burst into laughter, thinking that Liu Xing's behavior at this moment was very funny and cute.

Xiaoqian's smile was so charming that Liu Xing's heart melted instantly.

"Ah, Miss Xiaoqian's true face is so beautiful that it can rival that of a fairy!" Liu Xing finally reacted and praised her highly.

"Brother Liu, am I really that beautiful? This is the first time I show my true face in front of people." Xiao Qian was overjoyed to receive praise from Brother Liu.

"It's like a light cloud covering the moon, and like snowflakes drifting in the wind." Liu Xing borrowed a famous saying from his previous life.

"Brother Liu, stop praising me." Xiao Qian remembered Liu Xing's words of praise clearly. It was well said. Brother Liu was really talented. Even his praise of others was so pleasing.

Miss Xiaoqian made tea, handed a cup to Liu Xing, and poured herself a cup, her movements extremely elegant.

"Brother Liu, have a cup of tea."

Liu Xing was admiring the beauty's figure while sipping tea, feeling extremely relaxed. This was a rare leisure time for him.

"Hmm, delicious! This is Longjing tea picked from West Lake, right? The first batch of spring tea this year, full of vitality, very refreshing." Liu Xing took a sip and praised.

"Brother Liu, you also know tea."

"I know a thing or two." Liu Xing has been running the Economic Hall for the past few years and has done a lot of research on the tea business. He also talks about business with various businessmen and drinks tea with them quite often, so he has developed the ability to smell and identify tea, and recognize the tea after tasting it.

Next, the two of them each recounted their own experiences, which had progressed quite smoothly. They were both concerned about the hardships the other had experienced, and were also pleased with the achievements the other had made.

Under the care of City Master Han, the Huanxi Sect prospered. Nie Xiaoqian, collaborating with Liu Xing on alchemy and weapon refinement, accumulated a wealth of cultivation resources. With her master's dedicated support, she successfully advanced to the middle stage of the Jindan stage. Her senior sister had reached the Jindan stage earlier than her, but was still struggling to break through to the early Jindan stage. For a century, the Huanxi Sect had maintained its dual-Jiedan status, becoming one of the city's leading factions. With more resources, Nie Xiaoqian, with her superior talent, surpassed them and reached the middle stage of the Jindan stage, just as her master passed away.

"Miss Xiaoqian, the resources in Haibin City are limited. Why don't you come with me to Qianji Sect?" Liu Xing made the invitation at the right time, hoping to help her take a step further on her path to immortality.

"Really? Brother Liu, are you willing to take me away?" Nie Xiaoqian was very surprised. She had wanted to leave here for a long time. If it weren't for the demon soldiers besieging the city this time, she would have been worried about Huanximen and would have gone on a journey long ago.

"Of course. I am about to be elected as the leader of Qianji Sect. The sect will naturally not refuse if I introduce a mid-stage Jindan expert to the sect." Liu Xing said confidently.