Chapter 1157: The Thirteen Steps to Immortality

"To be all-knowing is called a Sage; to be subtle and without form is called Divine. A Sage is one who understands, who possesses the Dao, who hears the sound. The Dao is all-pervading, the light shines upon all; to hear the sound is to know the truth.

The Yao Dragon, the Yao Dragon—supple and agile as a dragon. Excluding the Jianghuai region, a True Dragon is also a perfected Yao Dragon.

People of this world call experts of the Yao Dragon realm 'Martial Saints.' There is a reason for this comparison. For a mere mortal to cultivate to such a degree—this King believes the term 'Martial Saint' is not inappropriate.

Above this, the Crucible is called a Martial Immortal. From Saint to Immortal—thus, Yao Dragon cultivation is the path of walking toward immortality.

The path to immortality has thirteen steps. The higher the step one reaches, the stronger the cultivation."

"Thirteen?"

"Correct. In Daoism, twelve is called the Earth Number, a cycle that repeats. Thirteen, however, corresponds to Heaven, moving from Earth to Heaven. It is the image of the old decaying and the new forming. This is the 'Various Masters' level.

Ten is the Heaven Number, flowing ceaselessly. Ten plus three moves from Heaven to the Dao. It is the image of returning to the source and opening the path to truth. This is the 'Supreme' level."

"King Chong, you might as well speak more clearly."

"In Daoism, twelve is a numerical cycle; thirteen means transcending the cycle: not within the Five Elements, outside the Three Realms. In Daoism, even demons and ghosts are within the cycle; only Immortals transcend it.

Not only in Daoism, but in Buddhism, thirteen is also a number of perfection. A pagoda is never higher than thirteen stories.

If one were to divide these thirteen, they can be roughly split into five realms: Initial, Mid, High, Full, and Awakened. Three steps make one realm, while the thirteenth step is listed separately as the 'Awakened Realm.'

The Great Shun and the Southern Frontier have always arranged for three Martial Saints each to face off at the border. I am at the fifth step, Pandong is at the fourth; we are roughly in the same realm. Kugu and Xingjin are both at the third step. The South Sea has always been formidable, at the eighth step, and Baizu is one level higher, reaching the ninth."

"Though the steps differ slightly, the actual realms are basically equivalent?"

"Indeed. The strength difference between Pandong and me is not great, we are evenly matched. If one wants to decide life and death before a stalemate, one must win with a single strike, which is quite difficult..."

"Is King Chong refusing?"

"No. Since Bai Yuan is feigning death, could you let me meet it? If we have an understanding, it might increase our chances of victory by a point or two. Only then can I make a judgment."

"You cannot see it. Bai Yuan's method of concealment is an act of deceiving Heaven; it is not tolerated by this world. Unless it is a critical moment, Bai Yuan cannot even communicate with others or be seen. Once it communicates, that is the moment it reveals its form, and the surprise attack will be in vain."

"..."

Chishan shook its head and wagged its tail as it emerged from the Prince's stables.

Ling Xuan held the imperial decree.

Liang Qu crossed his arms.

The two walked side by side along the field ridge.

The irrigation ditches were straight, dividing the fields evenly. They were filled with rice, and as it was the flooding season, they reflected the sky. The transition between the fields and the ridges was not wasted; the few slopes were planted with broad beans, their pods plump and full.

Picking up a pod, Liang Qu's thoughts surged. He inexplicably remembered the days spent with Long Long Eying, Long Yao, and Long Li, taking Little Shunzi, Xiao Shitou, and the Otter family to the paddy fields to catch crayfish.

Those were his happiest days.

Fruit of Position, Crucible, Disaster Realm, Dominion, Pseudo-Dragon, Underworld... he understood nothing.

Every day, he would laugh and joke with the Old Toad, riding the Fat Catfish to dash through the Great Marsh. In the kitchen, he could devour three bowls of rice with the Long Lady's fair legs, greedily consuming Water Marsh Essence.

Thinking of the fair legs, he thought of...

*Cough. *

He had been dead for half a year, and had been celibate for over half a year. The "Yin-Yang Spirit Seed Art" was almost ready to evolve from Star Fruit to Moon Essence. Liang Qu shook his head, shaking off the stray thoughts.

Withered wood meets spring, sixty years of accumulation.

Dying once to feed the Dew Seed and the Seed of Creation to the Flood Dragon to increase his odds of victory—the odds were added. When they met again, there would be no chance for "hibernation."

Liang Qu turned his head: "Brother Ling, do you think King Chong will agree?"

"The Cabinet and His Majesty have their reasons for this decision. However, King Chong is not old; he is only over four hundred this year, in the prime of his life. If he can exchange his fief for the South Sea Commandery, he has hope of advancing further in the future. There is no reason for him not to be tempted."

"Advancing further..." Liang Qu's trip was not in vain; he had a clearer understanding of the Martial Saint realm. It was not polite to ask elders such things directly. "Brother Ling, Martial Saints naturally die of old age. What realm are they usually at?"

"High realm, perhaps? Roughly the level between the seventh, eighth, and ninth steps? It depends on the person." Ling Xuan replied, "Changing fiefs, I think King Chong has the possibility of charging toward the tenth step."

Liang Qu nodded.

Cultivation was not difficult at every step. It seemed like it was incredibly hard to promote to Perfected Form, yet ten out of ten failed to reach the second realm, and one could only be a first-realm Grandmaster after a lifetime of hard cultivation.

From one to two was not as hard as zero to one. There was no reason why the latter could be done and the former could not.

Personally speaking, as time passes, within the extra sixty years of lifespan from Hunting Tiger to Perfected Form, one can usually reach the second realm through steady cultivation, though it only happens at a more advanced age. If one is lucky and dares to struggle, one might even reach the second or third stage before death, or perhaps scrape by as a Heaven-Human.

Of course.

Setting aside the micro perspective, in reality, there are Perfected Form experts of various ages. Over three hundred years, generations change; Heaven-Humans die, Hunting Tigers become Perfected Form experts, and this creates the current situation where the proportion of such individuals is becoming increasingly sparse.

Heaven-Human Unity, Piercing Heaven and Severing Earth, and Knocking on the Heaven Gate—taking these three steps is what is truly rare.

With limited vitality, there is no one who isn't tempted to climb to the peak as much as possible to leave behind more abundant time.

Daring to struggle and reaching Heaven-Human by the end of one's life—that is the logic behind it.

Struggle, one must struggle; if you don't struggle, it won't work.

Comfort is good, but a moment of struggle in exchange for long-term comfort is better.

"Wait!"

Wait for spring, wait for Prince Chong, wait for the opportunity.

Bidding farewell to Ling Xuan and returning to the Linjiang camp, he was met with flattery everywhere, until his ears grew numb. He dove into his tent, and no one knew that Liang Qu and Ling Xuan had ever been to Prince Chong's mansion.

Tripod Master: Liang Qu】

Refining Marsh Spirit: Water Ape Great Sage Orange Fusion: 50.5%】

Innate Divine Ability: Water Travel for a Thousand Miles, Nether Sea Prison, Vortex Palace Cannot Move, Round Head, Fist..., Pillar Supporting Heaven, Water Dragon Piercing Clouds】

Water Marsh Essence: 78】

River Dominion: 0.5 Favor: 28.278】

Dragon Seed Aura: Two】

Heaven and Earth Long Qi: Nine】

Communicating with the Marsh Tripod, Liang Qu, preparing for the great battle, fell into a dilemma.

He had been to Qinzhou in the past and harvested two wisps of water-attribute Long Qi, bringing the number to nine.

The Tiger Amber had not been exchanged with the imperial court. After the exchange, the number of Long Qi would jump to ten!

A very subtle number.

One could consume ten spirit fish and one point of dominion to advance the Vortex Palace, preemptively seizing the supreme domain of the Huai Vortex Water Lord—the Pseudo-Marsh Kingdom.】

Ten wisps already satisfied the conditions for the Marsh Kingdom, but there was another part that could not be ignored—one point of dominion.

He only had half a point of dominion!

"Thirteen steps to immortality, what step is Bai Yuan?"

Liang Qu was indecisive.

He was conflicted. On the day of his rebirth, with all the Demon Kings gathered, shaking the entire Jianghuai Great Marsh, could he gather the remaining dominion in one breath and seize the Marsh Kingdom?

The rise of dominion could undoubtedly be achieved by projecting military force.

The Great Snow Mountain Cold Ice Spring in the past proved this, and the necessary ritual of the Flood Dragon walking the river confirmed it from the side.

Since obtaining the Fruit of Position, no matter how Liang Qu looked at the Marsh Kingdom, he felt it was of extraordinary significance.

Divine Might】, Marsh Kingdom】, River Lord Emperor】 favor, Water Beast Special Attack—even if the realm gap was eleven or twelve steps, Liang Qu did not believe he couldn't withstand it.

But such behavior was too risky.

In the current environment, Liang Qu could not guarantee that the battle group could be opened in Jianghuai, and most crucially, he wanted to place the battlefield in the Southern Frontier!

Let the crowd of Demon Kings come to the Southern Frontier!

This brought a new problem.

How could the Turtle King, Frog King, Sea Shopkeeper, and General Yuan arrive quickly?

They did not have the ability to shuttle.

Even if the battle started in the Jianghuai Great Marsh, Liang Qu had to face this problem. The Turtle King and Frog King were easy; they were local to the Jianghuai Great Marsh and could arrive without effort. The Sea Shopkeeper and General Yuan were too far away; an error of a few minutes could be extremely dangerous, let alone ten minutes or a quarter of an hour.

The Vortex Channel】 had its limits; it couldn't transport Martial Saints, and even the Frog King's weapons or Big Fatty and Little Fatty wouldn't work.

He paced three times in the tent.

Long Long Eying leaned against the head of the bed reading, occasionally casting a glance, not disturbing him.

"Sigh..." Liang Qu sighed. "Ten birds in the forest are not as good as one in the hand. I can't bear to use the Sky Silkworm Cocoon Long Qi as a consumable; I must keep it for use. I'm already short one wisp."

The Tiger Amber Long Qi would not be moved for now; this thing could be exchanged for two.

Just as Chishan returned, he would let it take the amber and make another trip to the Imperial Capital.

For the remaining Long Qi, he would use one wisp first to add another divine ability for himself.

Vortex Escape Path: Clears water channels, travels a thousand miles in an instant; pierces through a hundred rivers, remains undying for a hundred years.】

The Vortex Channel】 wouldn't work. Could the Vortex Escape Path】 transformed into a divine ability transport Demon Kings and shorten the time?

The rest.

River Lord Emperor!

River Lord Emperor favor sublimation, obtain Martial Path Divine Connection Fifth Layer, Martial Path Talent increased fivefold, damage to water-attribute demon beasts increased by 50%.】

Consume five spirit fish to sublimate favor: Martial Path Divine Connection Fifth Layer.】

One divine ability, one favor.

Six wisps of Long Qi, sixty thousand essence.

"Must use some Great Merit first to get some Water Marsh Essence."

Liang Qu stood firm, a decision forming in his heart. He sat at the desk and took out a blank booklet. Long Long Eying, who was silently watching, got up to put on a robe and grind the inkstone.

"Where are the amber and tiger skin found by the Third Prince?"

"The tiger skin is being used as a mat by Tatta Kai, and the amber is being used as a rolling ball by the Golden-Haired Tiger."

"Tatta Kai! Go get them."

*Whoosh whoosh. *

Tatta Kai did a double backflip, turned into a whirlwind, pulled the tiger skin from under the little river otter, tied it to its body as a cape, and ran out of the tent in a flash. When it returned, it held a golden amber the size of a human head in its claws and presented it to Liang Qu.

The tiger skin wrapped the amber.

Liang Qu reached out and pressed the amber, his heart moving.

Inside, a golden Long Qi flowed, like a cat's-eye gemstone, magnificent.

Long Eying had just finished grinding the ink.

The wolf-hair brush licked the ink.

Liang Qu wrote freely, writing the function of the Long Qi and the appropriate location for the Long Qi into it. Between the lines, he hinted that he needed two Profound Yellow Plates as a reward. This Long Qi was suitable for enlightenment, and the appropriate location was definitely the Martial Hall. As for which Martial Hall, there was no need to say more.

Ruler and subject had a tacit understanding; those who understood, understood.

He dried it and closed it.

He took out the second booklet.

The war in the Southern Frontier was not over, and he intended to claim merit in advance.

It was true that the battle situation was not decided, but the Grandmaster heads were real. Although most heads had no remains, making it impossible to maximize benefits, there would be some losses, but not none.

First beheaded fifteen, captured one Curse Evil, then beheaded thirty-eight, captured Red Water Poison, and killed three more in pursuit. The captives were to be exchanged with the Southern Frontier. He had killed fifty-six in total. The first and second realm Perfected Forms were the bulk; the Great Merit was at least over a thousand.

Liang Qu directly overspent, not more, not less, just one thousand Great Merit.

"Phew..."

His hands trembled slightly while filling it out.

The Great Merit he had earned in his life combined was not as much as the one month he had spent in the Southern Frontier.

Twenty were exchanged for Profound Yellow Qi, and the rest were all exchanged for precious plants and spirit fish.

There was no time for water-attribute Great Elixirs; only fresh Great Elixirs had Water Marsh Essence. The less fresh they were, the more they lost, and in terms of value, they were not as good as consuming precious plants. It was now mid-January, and refining so many Great Elixirs would take at least two or three months.

That would be April or May. Not to mention spring, in terms of solar terms, it would almost be early summer, and the yellow vegetables would be cold.

Of course, if there were freshly baked ones in the alchemy workshop, he wouldn't refuse them; he could take them.

Let the other Barons, Viscounts, and Marquises suffer a bit; he, Marquis Baron Xingyi, would bear the fame, wealth, and glory after the event!

As for the Frog Duke's reward...

Being two days late didn't matter; it was just a bit more interest. Let A-Fei be a mount for two more days.

The two booklets were written.

Then the third one, the anticipated consequences of the Flood Dragon's actions, as well as the anticipated situation of the Southern Frontier battlefield and suggested contingency plans.

Involving Martial Saints, there were too many uncontrollable factors. Outside of the Three Kings and Three Shamans, everyone outside of Lingnan Province had to be prepared. The matter was highly likely to evolve into a great melee of the Ten Kings and Ten Shamans in the middle of the year.

"Chishan!"

"*Screech! *"

Chishan pushed open the curtain and entered. The little river otter threw out a rope, climbing up and down, using both hands to fix the amber to its body.

"One wisp of Long Qi, three booklets, and I'll give you another red feather. Be extremely careful."

Liang Qu tied the golden-red feather to Chishan's chest. This was the tail feather of the Chongming Bird that the Holy Emperor had rewarded him with in the past. Under Heaven, only the Imperial Garden had them. One could enter the Imperial Palace directly without reason or request. Wearing it on one's body could lighten the body. There were three in total, and this was the second.

"Go fast and return fast!"

Chishan stepped out of the camp, first entering the mountains and forests, and after getting far from the front line, turned into a streak of rainbow light.

Pengze.

The Old Toad tightened its double whiskers, drove the Fat Catfish, and found General Yuan and the Time Insect.

The Fat Catfish stood up, demanding the recent dividends from the former and the key substances for weaving Long Qi from the latter.

The explosion was sharp.

General Yuan narrowed his eyes, raised his turtle claws, and let the Time Insect calm down: "The things can be given to the Liang kid, just exchange them with his plantation dividends!"

"Hmph!" The Old Toad raised its frog head high, carrying its double webs on its back. "Do you think this Duke doesn't care?"

General Yuan's face collapsed.

Pingyang Prefecture, Jiangchuan County.

"Old County Magistrate, I've come to find you." The little Mirage Dragon flew *whoosh whoosh* to Brother Quan Brother Quan Linghan.

Brother Quan Brother Quan Linghan, who was entertaining the new Twenty Jiaoren and settling them in, was stunned and bowed: "So it is the Third Prince. Does Lord Liang have any instructions?"

"That's right! If you have Twenty Jiaoren tears, hand them all over. I want them all now, all of them! We'll talk about the future later; if you don't have them, I won't take yours!"

Three-party action, resource gathering.

Liang Qu dove into the Blood River Realm, worked in a fake manner for two days, walked around the Elder's cave dwelling in the Shuyu Pavilion to get familiar, and took the opportunity to go to the Dragon King Cave.

"Old Senior? I've come to see you!"

The blood sea surged, shimmering.

Countless streams of light floated on the water surface, gathering from all directions, turning into a familiar dragon-shaped shadow.

"You are busy outside, what are you looking for me for?"

Damn it, voyeur, aren't you afraid of getting styes!

Does the Heaven Fire Sect have any cultivation techniques that explode if you look at them one more time?

Urgently needed.

Muttering to himself, Liang Qu landed on the Pillar Supporting Heaven】: "Isn't it because this junior sees you, a dragon, lonely and bored in this blood hole, so I came to keep you company and talk?"

"If you have a fart, let it out quickly."

"This junior has a plan. You, elder, are high-minded and well-informed; you can see it clearly without me having to say it. If this junior were to set the battlefield in the Southern Frontier and, with the help of the waterways, bring the four great demon kings of Jianghuai, Pengze, and the sea together to assist, what are the chances of winning?"

"Demon kings cannot traverse your waterways." The dragon shadow hit the nail on the head.

Liang Qu was startled: "Not even with divine abilities?"

"No."

Liang Qu frowned deeply.

"However..."

Liang Qu's face lit up with joy: "Does the senior have a way?"

"If you are willing to part with two wisps of Profound Yellow Qi and add them when constructing the waterway, within a few months or even half a year, you could allow that waterway to transport Martial Saints, and the speed would be even faster."

Damn.

An old player is an old player; the experience is rich.

But why is it long-term Qi again?

"Can't it be done without divine abilities and just Profound Yellow Qi? Only for a few days; this junior's requirements aren't high."

"..." The dragon shadow flickered, speechless, "Divine abilities are the prerequisite."

Hiss.

Liang Qu sucked in a breath through his teeth.

The Heavenly Silkworm Cocoon should not be moved if possible; after returning from Red Mountain, there should be nine wisps of long-term Qi left.

One for divine abilities, five for favor, two for construction.

Phew, fortunately, it's enough.

The old turtle's Wood of the First Heavenly Stem can be kept.

"Many thanks for the information, senior. If I let the demon kings be transported, will there be a chance of winning?"

Silence.

"Yes."

(End of chapter)