Chapter 1524

Four Gates: Galloping Horse, Beacon Smoke, Tiger Hunt, Entering Zhen Xiang, Yao Dragon, Crucible — 【2】 How long does it take for an immortal to appear in the world? 【3】 One thousand years. 【4】 Two thousand years? 【5】 Four Gates, Seven Paths — since the founding emperor of Great Li, cultivation has risen to a new height, neglecting martial development, flourishing increasingly, population growing, over nearly four thousand years, the pattern of immortals appearing has gradually increased. Excluding the uncertain true or false founding emperor of Great He, then the martial immortals of Great Huang, Southern Frontier, Northern Court, and Great Shun — altogether ten thousand years — on average, it is roughly one immortal every two thousand years. 【6】 Even in the recent four thousand years, it should still be one immortal per thousand years. 【7】 The Immortal of Linchuan attained immortality during the Great Qian dynasty, splitting the rivers and mountains of Jiangnan, and it has already been a thousand years. By this rhythm, the present era should rightly welcome the fifth immortal. 【8】 Zhang Longxiang began cultivation at eighteen, entered Yao Dragon at forty, and by a hundred years old had already reached the tenth stage. Without two sixty-year cycles, he will surely ascend to the peak. His talent surpasses all contemporaries. Before Liang Qu appeared out of nowhere, for nearly a thousand years, even up to five thousand years, none could match him. Can he join their ranks? 【9】 Perhaps he can, perhaps he cannot. 【10】 No one can guarantee it. 【11】 From ancient times to the present, aside from Liang Qu this anomaly, no one before the Crucible has ever shown the posture of certain success. 【12】 How many extraordinarily talented and beautiful ones have fallen at the threshold. 【13】 Becoming an immortal has long ceased to be a realm reachable by talent and genius alone; it is now opportunity, timing, and karma. Given Zhang Longxiang's lifespan limit, perhaps he could truly succeed with the aid of the Xuanhuang Dharma, but it is absolutely impossible for him to achieve immortality at over a hundred years old by relying on the Owl God's devouring! 【14】 Half-immortals, empty immortals, over a hundred Yao Dragons — even slaughtering all Yao Dragons in the mortal realm would not suffice. 【15】 The "stone in the river" of the mortal realm — even if not a hundred, even if only ten, they would all rise up and attack together. Yet the most unlikely path to immortality, Zhang Longxiang has walked through, has trodden and broken. 【16】 Three hundred years earlier would be impossible; three hundred years later would also be impossible. 【17】 Precisely in this era, precisely Zhang Longxiang in this era. 【18】 Yin and Yang converge, the Peng migrates to the sea, dragons and snakes rise upon the land. 【19】 Tugging. 【20】 Intense tugging! 【21】 The soul struggles within the flesh, attempting to break free from the bodily shackles, to fly toward where Zhang Longxiang is. 【22】 Chills spread through the body; the old tribal chief only feels an ancient, ferocious beast has opened its mouth and roared, devouring all things, his blood stagnates throughout his body, uncontrollably attempting to burst through the skin, surging outward. 【23】 Suppression. 【24】 Absolute suppression! 【25】 The Crucible, absolute suppression of Yao Dragon. 【26】 In the cultivation of the Four Gates and Seven Paths, the utmost importance lies in the "foundation." Ten thousand years ago, a single rider left dust behind, myriad methods flourished. Even golden core cultivators who practice the golden core method find it difficult to pass the three apertures of the Galloping Horse. Unless there is absolute crushing, it is absolutely impossible to move another's "foundation." 【27】 Liang Qu's body ripples with waves, isolating the pull. Aside from him, everyone present — whether the Lion King of Awakened Realm, the second-stage old monk, or the first-stage Yue King — all have their qi and blood agitated, unable to stand firm. 【28】 Even the small fish in the Yellow Shahe River scattered blood on the spot, surging toward midair, staining the air crimson. 【29】 "Gua!" 【30】 The old toad was startled and frightened, scrambling in panic to hide beneath the Frog King's webbed feet. 【31】 "Observing promotion carries risk, frog!" 【32】 "I won't come next time." 【33】 However, in the very next instant, all the blood flowed back. 【34】 The Yellow Shahe River surged eastward, the river wind vast and mighty. 【35】 "Hualala!" 【36】 Water droplets splashed upward. 【37】 The panicked little fish struggled, flicked its tail, made a wave, and vanished without a trace. 【38】 The strange tugging sensation vanished completely, the flushed, swollen skin rapidly faded, returning to normal. Everyone remained shaken, breathing heavily. 【39】 "Congratulations, Daoist friend!" The Whale King spoke first to offer congratulations, "From today onward, there are six Crucibles in the world!" 【40】 "Congratulations, Daoist friend!" 【41】 The Immortal of Linchuan and the Immortal of the Southern Frontier spoke in succession. 【42】 "I never thought that, before I enter my slumber, I would be fortunate enough to witness, Zhang Longxiang, True Immortal." The Northern Court Immortal drooped his eyelids, "Indeed, also fortunate." 【43】 Zhang Longxiang rose to his feet. 【44】 The three immortals and one emperor have always been in the Nine Heavens, watching the flood dragon's battle to the death in the Nine Heavens, watching the great hunt of Huangzhou in the Nine Heavens, watching Liang Qu nurture his third fruit in the Nine Heavens. 【45】 This time, he actually stands on the same level as them. 【46】 Conversely, the Holy Emperor, tribal chiefs, and khans, who have always stood on the same level, have now fallen below, needing to lower their heads to look up. 【47】 Zhang Longxiang bowed deeply, one by one thanked the true immortals for their congratulations, spoke of discussing the Dao in the days to come, then turned and stepped outward, first seeing one person. 【48】 The Wolf Chief, an old acquaintance, who had long stood in opposition at the Northern Platform, now at this moment, his expression was inexplicable. 【49】 Between them, there already lay a sorrowful thick barrier — 【50】 "Congratulations, True Immortal Zhang Longxiang, virtue matching heaven and earth, Dao penetrating ancient and modern!" The tribal chief bowed, and Xin Daguai, Bai Zhu, and all others followed in bowing. 【51】 "Congratulations, True Immortal Zhang Longxiang, merit complete, rank among the immortals!" The Khan bowed, and the Lion King, Wolf Chief, and all others followed in bowing. 【52】 "Congratulations, True Immortal Zhang Longxiang! Achieved through the Steadfast Pillar, one step to true immortality!" 【53】 Zhang Longxiang slightly turned his body, stepped out half a pace, avoided the Holy Emperor's salute, bowed deeply: "Your servant was originally a commoner of Qi State, noticed and promoted by General Lü of Nanyang Commandery in the ranks, granted a name by the ancestral emperor in the ancestral temple, and further relied upon the vast grace of Your Majesty, thus basking in heavenly light, arriving at this day. 【54】 The loyalty of a dog and horse, I have never dared to forget; the contribution of a trifle, I still feel ashamed to have not repaid. 【55】 Now, though I have fortunately ascended to true immortality, how dare I overstep the ruler-subject distinction? I humbly beg Your Majesty to withdraw this grand courtesy, so that I may preserve my ministerial integrity, then I shall feel boundless gratitude." 【56】 The Holy Emperor was moved to the core, eye sockets reddened, firmly grasping Zhang Longxiang's hand: "You do not forget your roots — this is the model of a true immortal's family." 【57】 The Khan and tribal chief's eyes also turned red! 【58】 Father and son both Yao Dragons — exceedingly rare, unheard of. Those who can become Yao Dragons in the world, their parents and relatives — who among them did not die early? Formerly, those who raised elders have also passed away. How could there be a day to bask in reflected glory? Nothing but descendants and later generations being outstanding, let alone the even more inconceivable Crucible. 【59】 Yet precisely today, today it has appeared. 【60】 What a one-hundred-and-ten-year-old Crucible!

How long does it take for an immortal to appear in the world?

A thousand years.

Two thousand years?

The Four Passes and Seven Ways, beginning with the founding ancestor of Great Li, rose to a new height, neglecting martial development, yet flourishing increasingly, population growing, over nearly four thousand years, the pattern of immortals appearing more frequently emerged. During this period, disregarding whether the True Ancestor of Great He was real or false, then the Martial Immortals of Great Huang, the Southern Frontier, the Northern Court, and Great Shun—altogether ten thousand years—this roughly amounts to one immortal every two thousand years.

Even in the recent four thousand years, it should still be one immortal per thousand years.

The Immortal of Linchuan attained immortality during the Great Qian dynasty, splitting the land of Jiangnan, and to this day has lasted a thousand years; by this rhythm, the present age ought to welcome the fifth immortal.

Zhang Longxiang began cultivation at eighteen, died as a drake at forty, and by a hundred years old had already reached the tenth stage; within two sixty-year cycles, he will surely ascend to the peak, his talent unmatched in the present age; before Liang Qu emerged from nowhere, for nearly a thousand years, even up to five thousand years, none could surpass him—can he join their ranks?

Perhaps he can, perhaps he cannot.

No one can guarantee it.

From ancient times to the present, aside from Liang Qu this oddity, no one before the furnace could display the posture of certain success.

How many extraordinarily talented and beautiful ones have fallen at the threshold.

Becoming an immortal has long ceased to be a realm attainable by talent and grace alone; it is now opportunity, timing, and causation. Given Zhang Longxiang's lifespan limit, perhaps he might truly succeed with the aid of the Xuanhuang Method, but it is absolutely impossible for him to become an immortal at over a hundred years old by relying on the Eagle God's seizure of food!

Half-immortals, empty immortals, those who died as drakes at a hundred or so—slaying all such drakes in the mortal realm still would not suffice.

The "stone in the river" of the mortal realm—let alone a hundred, even ten would rise up and attack it; yet the most impossible path to immortality, walked by Zhang Longxiang, was penetrated and trodden through.

Three hundred years earlier would be impossible; three hundred years later would also be impossible.

It happened precisely in this era, and precisely Zhang Longxiang was in this era.

Yin and Yang converged, the Peng bird migrated to the sea, dragons and snakes rose upon the land.

Pulling.

A fierce pulling!

The soul struggled within its shell, striving to break free from the bodily shackles, to fly toward where Zhang Longxiang was.

Chilled to the bone, the old tribal chief felt only a primordial ferocious beast, jaws open and roaring, devouring all things, his blood stagnant throughout his body, uncontrollably attempting to burst through his skin and surge outward.

Suppression.

Absolute suppression!

The furnace, absolute suppression of the drake.

In the cultivation of the Four Passes and Seven Ways, the foundation is paramount; one who leaves all others in the dust, tens of thousands of years ago, when a hundred methods flourished, even masters of the Golden Core among those who practiced the Golden Core method could not surpass three cavities of a galloping horse. Unless there is absolute crushing, it is absolutely impossible to move another's foundation.

Liang Qu's body rippled with waves, isolating the pull; aside from him, everyone in the field—whether the Lion King of Awakened Realm, the old monk of the second stage, or the King of Yue of the first stage—had their qi and blood shaken, unable to stand firm.

The small fish in the Yellow Shahe scattered on the spot, their blood spurting into midair, staining the air crimson.

"Ribbit!"

The old toad was startled and frightened, scrambling to hide beneath the claws and webs of the Toad King.

"Watching promotion is risky, toad!"

"I won't come next time."

But in the very next instant, all the blood flowed backward.

The Yellow Shahe surged eastward, the river wind vast and mighty.

"Splash!"

Water droplets flew up.

The panicked little fish struggled, flicked its tail, made a wave, and vanished without a trace.

The strange sensation of pulling disappeared completely; the flushed, swollen skin rapidly faded, returning to normal; everyone remained shaken, breathing heavily.

"Congratulations, Daoist friend!" the Whale King spoke first to offer congratulations, "From today onward, there are six furnaces in the world!"

"Congratulations, Daoist friend!"

The Immortal of Linchuan and the Immortal of the Southern Frontier spoke in turn.

"I never thought, before I entered my slumber, I could personally witness, True Immortal Longxiang." The Immortal of the Northern Court drooped his eyelids, "It is also fortunate."

Zhang Longxiang rose to his feet.

The three immortals and one emperor, from ancient times, have stood upon the Nine Heavens, watching dragons fight to the death upon the Nine Heavens, watching the great hunt of Huangzhou upon the Nine Heavens, watching Liang Qu cultivate his third fruit upon the Nine Heavens.

This time, he actually stood on the same level as him.

Conversely, the Sacred Emperor, the tribal chiefs, and the khans, who had always stood on the same level, now fell below, needing to lower their heads to look up.

Zhang Longxiang bowed deeply, thanked each true immortal in turn for their congratulations, spoke of discussing the Dao another day, then turned and stepped outward, first seeing one person.

The Wolf Chief, an old acquaintance, who had long stood in opposition at the Northern Platform, now at this moment had an inscrutable expression.

Between them, there already lay a sorrowful thick barrier—

"Congratulations, True Immortal Longxiang, your virtue matches heaven and earth, your Dao penetrates ancient and modern!" The tribal chief bowed, and Xin Daguai and Bai Zhu all followed in bowing.

"Congratulations, True Immortal Longxiang, your merit is complete, you rank among the immortals!" The Khan bowed, and the Lion King and Wolf Chief all followed in bowing.

"Congratulations, True Immortal Longxiang! Achieved upon the Steadfast Pillar, one step to true immortality!"

Zhang Longxiang slightly turned his body, stepped out half a pace, avoided bowing to the Sacred Emperor, and bowed deeply: "Your subject was originally a commoner of Qi State, favored by General Lü of the Southern Yang Commandery who recognized and promoted him in the ranks, granted a name by the Ancestral Emperor in the ancestral temple, and further relied upon the Emperor's vast grace, to bask in heavenly light, thus arriving at this day.

The loyalty of a dog and horse, I have never dared to forget; the repayment of the smallest measure, I still feel ashamed to have not yet repaid.

Now, though I have fortunately ascended to true immortality, how dare I overstep the ruler-subject distinction? I humbly beg the Emperor to withdraw this grand courtesy, so that I may preserve my integrity as a subject, then I shall feel boundless gratitude."

The Sacred Emperor felt boundless emotion, his eye sockets reddened, he firmly gripped Zhang Longxiang's hand: "You have not forgotten your roots—this is the model of a true immortal's family."

The eyes of the Khan and the tribal chief also turned red!

Father and son both dying as drakes—exceedingly rare, unheard of; among those who can die as drakes in the world, whose parents or kin are not already long dead? Formerly those who raised elders are also gone; how could there be a day of basking in reflected glory? Nothing but descendants and later generations excelling others, let alone the even more inconceivable furnace.

But today, today it has appeared.

What a magnificent one-hundred-and-ten-year-old furnace!

What a harmonious ruler and minister!

You pass down a tale for the ages, you are remarkable, you are lofty!

Banners flutter and fly, the gilded "Shun" character twisting in the wind.

All of Great Shun rejoices.

Zhang Xing, Zhang Jin even more so, is in a trance, his steps floating.

Father has become an immortal!

My Furnace Father!

"The 84th year of Shun, the Dragon-Elephant ascends to True Person, the Emperor will bow, the Dragon-Elephant avoids it, prostrates and firmly declines————the Emperor sighs————"

The petty clerk with knife and brush carves with knife and brush, bamboo slips curl and grow, one character, one stroke.

One History, Three Records.

The historians of Great Shun, the Southern Frontier, and the Northern Court, simultaneously hold the knife, simultaneously record.

After finishing speaking with the Immortal and the Sage Emperor, there remains one more person.

Within Zhang Longxiang's field of vision is nothing but blue sky, his thoughts unconsciously drifting far away.

The Duke of Nanyang, the Grand Ancestor Emperor, the Sage Emperor————

Along the way, there were bumps, there was support, there were benefactors, there were enemies; if twenty years ago someone had told him today's events in full, he would certainly have thought it a mouthful of nonsense.

He turns around.

He descends to the riverbank, looking toward Liang Qu.

Four eyes meet.

The petty clerk blows wood shavings off the bamboo slip, switches to a fresh slip, the carving knife pauses on the bamboo, he holds his breath and focuses, afraid his breathing will disturb his hearing, blurring the next single character.

His body unconsciously trembles slightly, it is excitement, it is thrill.

The Bing Fire day occurs once a year; three suns appear together, once every twenty-two or twenty-three years; the Chihuo meteor streams once every eighty-six years;

The Five Planets gather, once every one hundred seventy-nine years; Yinghuo disturbs the spirit, once every two hundred forty-nine years.

These things ordinary people can hardly encounter in a lifetime, to serve as an observer and record even one is a great fortune in life, but today, he encounters the most fortunate event.

An Immortal emerges into the world.

No.

Perhaps in his lifetime, during his term, there will be two!

Since ancient times, an unprecedented event; history differs from today.

The petty clerk stares fixedly at Liang Qu, his fingers trembling ever more violently.

To personally record the birth of two Immortals, and their first exchange, words, deeds; a hundred years later, a thousand years later, will later generations unearth the records, discover his name in the corner of this record, praise him: "This petty clerk recorded well, allowing us to glimpse the demeanor of the two Immortals back then"?

What will the Prince of Huai say? If there are rare characters————

"Hahaha!"

Laughter drowns out the wind.

Liang Qu grins, suddenly raises his thumb, shouts: "Real man!

"

"Crack!"

The carving knife pauses.

The shout reverberates in the wind.

The petty clerk's mind gradually goes blank, like auspicious clouds unfurling.

The Sage Emperor, the Tusi, the Khan King, the Ge Ancestor all show surprise, then on second thought feel it is Liang Qu's style, unconsciously revealing smiles.

Zhang Longxiang opens his mouth, for a moment doesn't know what to say, so he laughs along.

"Hahaha, hahaha!"

Laughter continues unbroken, sideburns flying, the petty clerk slowly returns to his senses, refocuses.

The historians record straight from history, not changing a single character!

The carving knife records: "The Immortals, Sage Emperor, Khan King, Tusi offer congratulations in order, the True Person turns back to the riverbank, alone sees the Prince of Huai. The Prince of Huai Qu laughs loudly, says: 'Real man!'"

The Southern Frontier and Northern Court recorders look at each other in dismay.

The Southern Frontier historian deliberates a moment, follows the record.

"The Prince of Huai says: Hero!"

The Northern Court historian scrapes off a layer of slip surface, the bamboo silk slowly bends from the knife tip, winding and growing.

"The Prince of Huai says: A true man indeed!"

"Good news, good news! The Dragon-Elephant King's merit is complete, he ascends to True Person and becomes an Immortal, the whole world celebrates together, by His Majesty's edict, a great feast for three hundred days! General amnesty for the world, except the ten unpardonable evils, all other crimes are pardoned! Effective upon hearing! Effective upon hearing!"

"Good news, good news! The Dragon-Elephant King's merit is complete, he ascends to True Person and becomes an Immortal————"

Hooves pound fiercely, imperial guards wave small flags, riding swift horses, braving the biting cold wind, rushing to all directions, surging out of the imperial capital like a tide.

Cheers shake the heavens.

Three hundred days, wine shops tax-free!

Yixing County, before the New Year festival, to celebrate the Dragon-Elephant King becoming an Immortal, the River God Festival New Year Special Edition "Running Horse" launches, one event every three counties, five total, one per day, attend and receive the Dragon-Elephant Immortal's personal signature, containing a hint of the Dragon-Elephant Immortal's martial dao insights.

At the same time the popular dream-roaming "Hero Assembly" updates again, releasing three Hero Special Editions: Immortal·Dragon-Elephant! King·Dragon-Elephant! Taotie·Dragon-Elephant!

Just one hundred ninety-eight taels to purchase directly, and receive a New Year skin as a gift.

【Sacrifice to Huaijiang, utmost orthodox legitimacy, heaven and earth, on land and in water, none who do not revere, River Favor +564.1274】

"Damn, I'm done, truly convinced, how is this new hero Immortal·Dragon-Elephant still not as strong as the Huai King, is there a mistake? The Furnace can't beat the Fledgling Dragon? Who designed this?"

"This is game balance, how could it be stronger just because he's an Immortal, how would ordinary commoner players play?"

"What's the situation with this 'Huai King'? Does he have balance?"

"If you can't beat him, you can ban him—aren't there five ban slots? You didn't ban yourself, who else can you blame?"

"Stop complaining—this is the Huai King's doing on purpose. Now the Hero Association has more tactics, there's a threshold, so we need heroes like the Huai King, suitable for beginners to get started—"

Noise and chatter.

Liang Qu couldn't control everyone's complaints, he just kept cutting—seizing the time, he pulled up Zhang Longxiang, and in the name of celebration completed the final wave of sacrifices.

Others would only envy Zhang Longxiang becoming an immortal, but he's different—he'll seize the opportunity to reap benefits.

I don't know if February already counts as the second year, or if the participation of entirely new immortals makes it different—unlike last year's two rounds of "arid dryness."

Huaijiang actually recovered quite a bit—after a grand and stirring sacrifice stimulation, a large amount of favor surged forth!

【Sacrificing Huaijiang, utmost righteous principle, heaven and earth, land and water, none disrespectful, river favor +345.5512

】

【Sacrificing Huaijiang, river spring favor +100】

Alas, by the fourth sacrifice, Huaijiang withered again.

【Sacrificing Huaijiang, river spring favor +20.4451】

【Sacrificing Huaijiang, river favor +10.8845】

Sixty points of favor for "Bu Neng Dong," fully prepared, the remainder eighty-one evenly divided.

【River Dominion: 80.9 (River Favor: 100)】!

"Refreshing!"

Liang Qu waved his fists.

He originally just wanted to bring Zhang Longxiang along to help gather sixty points of favor for "Bu Neng Dong," but unexpectedly gained extra rewards.

Twenty points of leisure, over fifty million water marsh essence.

Even if advancing to Ze Linghou requires more resources, it's enough to rise to a considerable number, right?

Based on the experiences of the Water Wang Yuan and Ze Hou.

"Ascension should be the central pillar of the furnace, plus the Dragon Elephant King and Linchuan—five furnaces, even if not skipped, at least able to contend with the Great Li Taizu or Whale Emperor one, just worrying about those two joining forces—"

Great Li Taizu equals three immortals; if the Whale Emperor is equivalent, then the two together are six furnaces—on paper, their strength still slightly exceeds Liang Qu's side—

Even Liang Qu dares not guarantee that their side's unity can surpass the Whale Emperor and Great Li Taizu.

In the eyes of Nanjian, Linchuan, and Beiting immortals, it's best not to let the Whale Emperor and Great Li Taizu ride on their heads—do their utmost to stop them; if truly beaten to death, discovering the situation is hopeless, it's hard not to develop a侥幸 mentality. Even Liang Qu himself has a bit of it.

What if these two have already met the conditions for transforming into rainbows, needing no other major fruits?

But this侥幸 vanished without a trace after hearing the possible traits of the Whale Emperor and Great Li Taizu.

One a big stomach, one a control freak.

"Elder!"

"Pingjiang?" Liang Qu turned, his eyes lighting up—"Has there been news of the 'Dragon Spirit Technique'?"

"Yes, the Yellow Sha River, Ehe River, and our Huaijiang dragon seeds are all gathered—just waiting for the elder's lecture and reward distribution."

"Good, good, good—hurry and take me! Is there a lecture script?"

"The Third Elder has written it—"

Liang Qu rushed without pause.

From December to today, over a month has passed—great demons, grand masters' breakthroughs, and the cultivation of the 'Dragon Spirit Technique' are all nearing completion.

The harvest season has arrived!

【Absorbing dragon seed aura————】

【Absorbing dragon seeds————】

【Dragon seed aura: seventy-four】

One before, one after, nearing a hundred long auras! Especially the Ehe River dragon seeds, nearly doubled!

No nonsense—directly poured all into the nurturing of Feilian.

One hundred dragon seed auras poured in before and after.

Liang Qu immediately felt Feilian's transformation—extremely swift!

The crowded throng trampled the blue bricks, water could not pass through.

"Alright, alright, go back—today's quota is already finished, everyone go back, go back." The bat hung upside down on the branch, shaking and shouting.

The crowd's regret surged skyward.

"Whoosh————"

Zhang Longxiang set down his brush, exhaled a long breath—unknown why, just after becoming an immortal, Liang Qu dragged him over to sell signatures, participate in the river god sacrifice, and he couldn't well refuse.

Five days, every morning, he'd give one or two strokes to each martial hall disciple who came seeking him—those who received them treated them as treasures, even a secondhand market auction arose—"Can one really make money this way?"

February sixth, after finishing today's, also the final limited thousand signatures, Zhang Longxiang actually felt a sense of relief, while simultaneously having his horizons opened by Liang Qu's actions.

He hasn't fully completed ascension—these past few days his strength has still been growing rapidly, just as when he was Zhen Xiang, theoretically needing a month, actually the following half month or even more, he can move freely.

"Haha, hard work, Dragon Elephant King—oh no, Dragon Elephant True Immortal!"

Liang Qu pulled Long Eying along, walking side by side, face full of smiles.

Zhang Longxiang turned his head, then immediately froze.

Five days ago, his own aura fluctuated unstably—he didn't notice others' conditions, or rather, completely drowned out others' auras—until now did he discover the difference.

His gaze drifted toward Long Eying.

Fifth stage?

Zhang Longxiang remembered that before his ascension, the Huai King's consort was clearly still at the first stage—even if Liang Qu used the sublimation position fruit to sublimate, he could only raise her by two stages at most?

He felt curious, turned his head to look again at Liang Qu—if not looking, it wouldn't matter, but originally the youth's vigorous essence and energy had vanished without a trace, and he blurted out: "Is your primordial yang gone?"

"Ah—" Liang Qu sighed toward the sky, "Yes, I've lost my virginity."

Long Eying: "?"

What are you lamenting about?

Zhang Longxiang's thoughts raced.

He wouldn't be embarrassed by this; anything that aids cultivation is a good thing.

Liang Qu's methods are extraordinary, holding multiple mid-tier Fruits, his creativity is out of the ordinary, his thoughts and actions wildly imaginative and unpredictable, he would absolutely never act without reason.

My own breakthrough, Long Eying at the fifth stage, Liang Qu lost his Yuan Yang—

"Has the Huai King's Consort succeeded in self-cultivation?"

"Holy crap, you're open?"