Reincarnation Girl Becomes Immortal

"Qiongya?" Xi Heng had heard of this name before.

When the emperor was in charge of state affairs, there were often records of officials being exiled to Qiongzhou and Qiongya.

Qiongya was a city on the southernmost peninsula of the Great Zhao Dynasty. Due to its remote location and inconvenient transportation, it was difficult to communicate and connect with the Central Plains. As a result, Qiongya lagged far behind the cities in the Central Plains in terms of culture and economy, and the officials sent there found it difficult to manage and control.

The killing of officials was common in this area, so it was avoided by court officials.

One of the more severe punishments the palace had previously imposed on civil officials was exile to Hainan Island.

Because if you go there, you will likely die there soon.

"They really went back to the Great Zhao..." she sighed, rubbing her forehead.

I never imagined that by heading east, I would actually complete a round-the-world voyage.

After a moment of stunned silence, the gangster in front of him cautiously inquired, "May I ask where you come from, and what business you have in Cangcheng? If it's something my Blue Shirt Gang can help with..."

He could tell that the person in front of him was no ordinary person, and his appearance and temperament were far beyond those of ordinary people. Perhaps he was a master of internal strength as rumored.

If they could establish this connection, it would be a huge benefit for their gang.

“I never intended to come here.” She shook her head and said, “Do you have a map? Get me one.”

The man wisely ordered his men, "Quickly go to the ship and get a map."

The henchmen around him didn't dare to ask any more questions or say anything, and quickly got up and left.

Xi Heng waited quietly in the same spot.

Just as Senior Sister Hongmiao once said, as long as a martial artist is strong enough, they will be treated as an honored guest and with courtesy wherever they go.

A moment later, the person in front of me respectfully handed me a map of the coastal area on the ship.

Xi Heng took the scroll and unfolded it, finding that it was basically the same as the map of the southern territory of the Great Zhao, except that it included some maritime sections.

"Even if we are unwilling to admit it, it seems that we have already returned to Great Zhao today."

She gave a wry smile to the Crimson Goddess who was following beside her.

The other person remained silent for a long time, then the glint in their eyes turned into a sigh and they slowly exhaled.

For some reason, Chen Fenghuo moved a fraction closer to Xi Heng, as if his body was gradually losing strength, and leaned on her shoulder, whispering:

“I had heard that the Pure Fire Venerable existed on the continent across the Chonghai Sea, but now it seems that the so-called other side of the Chonghai Sea does not exist at all…”

"Perhaps we've just been heading in the wrong direction," Xi Heng casually reassured him.

"Or perhaps, there is no longer such a place in this world for cultivating immortality and seeking the Dao." The other party shook his head: "It would be possible only if a flying boat crossed the boundary, but there are no clues about flying boats in the world today, so how can we cross it?"

"There will always be a way."

"Maybe..." The other person sighed again, then leaned on Xi Heng's shoulder and fell silent.

The girl casually tossed the map to someone nearby and then ignored them, leading Chen Fenghuo into the interior of Cangcheng.

This city is not too small; it is at least a little larger than an ordinary remote town, and it can barely be called a city.

Leaving the port, your footsteps will lead you through some muddy alleys to a larger area where fishermen constantly call out to sell their fish.

There are notices here, with several crudely drawn and poorly drawn wanted portraits hanging above them, and a few tax notices posted.

A long wind blew from the sea, making the Xuan paper damp and blurring the characters.

Although the voyage ultimately only resulted in returning to Da Zhao, leaving Xi Heng in a bad mood... but having finally returned to shore, he should at least get some rest.

She found the largest inn in the city and ordered some food from the waiter.

Although the dishes served at these seaside inns are mostly the same fish and shrimp we're used to eating, they still taste better than the food on the boat.

"Shall we go elsewhere to seek immortality after this?" she said to the now dejected Crimson Goddess.

"Hmm..." the other person murmured softly.

Xi Heng then recounted his previously prepared plan to the other party:

"Before setting sail, both the Jingming Sect and the Daheitian Sect had already established a foothold in the southeastern region of Zhao. Now, half a year has passed, and their influence must have increased even more."

"Afterwards, will you continue to lead the sect and assist me in seizing the throne?" Xi Heng picked up a pastry, touched it to his lips, and gently took a bite.

The word "throne" drew the attention of the Crimson Goddess from her despondency.

"Have you forgotten? I am the Princess of the Great Zhao Dynasty. According to the original order of succession, the throne should rightfully belong to me."

"...Is that so?" Chen Fenghuo was somewhat confused.

Xi Heng continued, "Our goal is to seek immortality and attain enlightenment. Once I become the emperor of the Great Zhao, I can mobilize the entire power of the Great Zhao to help us seek immortality. So, would you be willing to lend me a hand?"

The other party was silent for a moment, but then answered the question with a question:

"You've only just returned to land, and you're already thinking about all this?"

"Ever since I heard about the cultivation world, I have been determined to ascend the throne as emperor."

"How do you know we still have a chance to return to Great Zhao... What if we perish at sea?"

“So what if I’m dead?” Xi Heng replied casually.

"You're quite open-minded," Chen Fenghuo sighed softly.

She really couldn't understand why Xi Heng was able to adjust his mindset so quickly.

Having just returned to Zhao, he has already begun planning for the future.

Does this person never experience setbacks?

She had been adrift at sea for half a year and was prepared to die, but in the end she returned to Da Zhao, and had already begun to think about giving up.

But in Xi Heng's heart, it seems that the word "give up" simply doesn't exist.

Chen Fenghuo had a vague feeling and said it aloud: "If there really is someone in this world who can find a fairyland, that person can only be you."

"Hmm?" Xi Heng didn't know why the other party would say such a thing.

“In that case, it is most likely that I will find the path to immortality with you,” she said. “I am willing to help you.”

"Thank you," Xi Heng said. "I hope you will continue to lead the remaining Jingming Sect and Dark Heaven Sect as the Crimson Heaven Goddess."

"Dark Heavenly Sect?"

"Please appoint me as the Merciful Saintess of the Dark Heaven Sect."

……

Chapter 99, The Road Ahead is Long

"Please appoint me as the Merciful Saintess of the Dark Heaven Sect."

Xi Heng casually grabbed a Blood Sea Technique book from the air as if by magic and pushed it to the other party.

"This Blood Sea Great Art is the foundation of the Dark Heaven Sect. Once you learn it, you can impersonate a demon and become a holy maiden in our sect."

The other party paused for a moment, but asked first:

"Where did this item suddenly come from? Do you possess the legendary storage treasures of cultivators?"

"Why are you asking this?" Xi Heng clicked his tongue and said, "I guess so."

"I'm so envious."

As she spoke, she pointed to the Blood Sea Technique on the table.

Upon seeing that the spells recorded above all involved using flesh and blood to transform into spiritual energy, Chen Fenghuo couldn't help but purse his lips.

"This is truly demonic magic..."

As a more orthodox successor of immortal arts, she did have some prejudice against this.

Xi Heng then pulled out several empty spirit stones from his inventory:

"These spirit stones are also given to you, but their spiritual energy is depleted. You will need to use the Spirit Absorption Technique from the Blood Sea Great Art to replenish their spiritual energy."

Chen Fenghuo found it hard to accept for a moment.

But after a while, and thinking it over carefully, I agreed:

“Evil magic can also be used for the righteous path, and I do indeed lack spiritual energy to use… I agree.”

"Then, you will be the one in charge of both the Dark Heaven Sect and the Pure Bright Sect."

Xi Heng continued:

"I will go to the north to join the army to resist the Yan Meng Kingdom and establish my authority in the army so that I can seize the throne later... During this time, please develop your skills as soon as possible, and then come with me to attack the capital."

Upon hearing that they were going to attack the capital, the other side showed some interest and nodded steadily.

Afterwards, Xi Heng called over the waiter, flicked a small piece of silver as a tip, and asked him for information.

In this small coastal town, even the most well-informed innkeepers know very little about the current affairs of the Great Zhao Dynasty.

In the end, she only asked a few questions and learned a few of the more widely circulated stories.

For example, after Fang Tiande's death, the Tianliang Army split into three forces, each occupying one of the three sides.

One side was won over by the government and granted amnesty, joining forces with government troops to attack their former comrades. In just over six months, they annihilated the other side, reclaiming most of the area south of Xiujiang for the imperial court.

Their leader was also given the title of General Who Guards the South, and was also referred to as a dog of the imperial court by various figures in the martial arts world.

Today, only one force of the Southern Uprising Army remains to hold the coast. However, since Fang Tiande's death, they have lost sufficient appeal and prestige, and can only continue to hold their ground in a few large, easily defensible cities, making it difficult to expand their influence.

As for the imperial court, the rebels in the south had been defeated, and two of the major bandit groups in the capital region had been wiped out by the well-trained Beijing army, thus easing the domestic situation.

But then, trouble broke out in the outer border regions.

In the spring, the Yanmeng Kingdom in the north quelled their struggle for the throne, and the new king, Yan Qingshi, ascended to the throne as Great Khan. This man was brave and skilled in battle and had the strategic acumen of Xiong and Leopard. More than ten years ago, when he fought against the Northern Army of Great Zhao, he won several battles that were rare for the Yanmeng Kingdom. However, he had his right arm cut off by a general of Great Zhao and had always harbored resentment.

Upon hearing of the numerous internal strife within the Great Zhao state, and the fact that tens of thousands of the Great Zhao Ever Victorious Army, which guarded the northern border, had marched south to maintain stability, Yan Qingshi immediately reorganized the military headquarters and personally led troops to invade the northern border of the Great Zhao state in early March of this year.

It is now the end of March, and the North has already fought several major battles.

The Northern Frontier Military Headquarters put up a tenacious resistance and, although it did not fall into defeat, it inevitably added to the financial and food pressure on the domestic situation.

The people toiled and worked every day, yet they still couldn't get enough to eat or wear, and their resentment grew daily, leading to the rise of small groups of rebels in various places.

In this chaotic world, cults are flourishing. The Daheitian Cult, which has taken over the headquarters of the Jingming Cult, is thriving. Even the southern coast where Xi Heng is now located has a branch of the Daheitian Cult, with many believers.

The Jingming Sect did not disappear; in order to avoid the Daheitian Sect, which viewed them as enemies, they moved to the southwest to spread their teachings.

Other major and minor heretical sects are no match for these two.

In a subtle way, based solely on their influence, the two major sects have already qualified to participate in the affairs of the world.

As for the leader of the martial arts world, Donghuangmei Mountain, it seems to have reached an agreement with the imperial court and has never led an uprising to attack the government. At most, some martial artists have used the name of Huangmei Mountain to cause trouble for local governments.

Currently, the biggest threat of cholera to the imperial court is still the war in the northern border region.

These messages were heard by Xi Heng from shopkeepers, storytellers, and customers in the shop, and should therefore be somewhat credible.

After finishing their meal, Xi Heng continued to stroll around the city, bought a new outfit with Chen Fenghuo, and purchased a map from a general store.

During the journey back to port and onto the ship to rejoin the fleet, Xi Heng made the following suggestions for the upcoming itinerary:

“We can return to Pearl City first and order the Dark Heavenly Cult and the Pure Bright Sect to merge, with you becoming the new leader to control both factions.”

The Crimson Goddess, who had been a member of the sect longer than Xi Heng, scoffed:

"We have been away from the land for half a year, and the sect has been developing freely for a long time. Perhaps we will need to perform a miracle to regain control of it."

"Then we'll need spiritual energy... but it's not that difficult." Xi Heng nodded.

"In this chaotic world, bandits and outlaws abound. You can continue leading the fleet across the sea, while I will travel by land. We should be able to collect a few spirit stones along the way. I'll wait for you in Pearl City first, and then we'll naturally have spiritual energy to use."

The Crimson Goddess nodded gently: "The fleet still needs to rest for a while, replenish supplies and make up for any omissions. During this time, we can send people to spread the word in Great Zhao that the Holy Maiden of the Dark Heaven Sect has returned from the Great Dark Heaven, leading believers from all over the world to gather in Pearl City for pilgrimage... Through this kind of publicity, we can seize power in the fastest and most stable way."

Xi Heng blinked.

When it comes to running a cult, the other side is definitely more professional.

If she were to do it herself, she would probably still establish her authority through killing, just like before.

Now that I have the help of this former cult leader, I don't need to put in any more effort myself.

"As you say."

……

The fleet, having completed its voyage, has anchored on the beach, and all the crew members have set up tents and lit campfires around the campsite.

These tents had been stored deep in a warehouse for a long time, and some of them were already moldy and rotten. Now they have finally come in handy.