[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign":3,"chapter-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-204":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Eternal Green Immortal Sovereign",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2270212,4432,"Chapter 204: Reopening the Heavenly Gate","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-204",204,"\u003Cp>Transcendent and detached from the world, solitary and beyond mortal ties.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slender thread of blue qi lay quietly within a small wooden box, radiating a sacred aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui never imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Lin’s gift was immortal qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He nearly stopped breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So the immortal qi indeed fell into Jiang Lin’s hands.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Zhen was truly unlucky—he went searching for the immortal qi, hoping to find fortune at the site where Wudu Gui died, only to lose his life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Little did he know.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The immortal qi had long been taken by Jiang Lin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the immortal qi in Jiang Lin’s possession was more than what Li Rui had previously gathered from Gao Zhen and the Four-Armed Demon Ghost combined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Does this mean the Ghost Ming  Sect distributes immortal qi according to strength?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Rui’s reaction, Jiang Lin smiled in satisfaction:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like I gave it to the right person.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Jiang Head.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui was about to speak, but Jiang Lin waved his hand: “I sensed your qi matches this thing, so I thought you might be able to use it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Treasures of the world belong to those destined for them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve studied it for so long and still found no use—proof I’m not meant for it. Take it, no need to refuse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Lin’s expression was calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He obtained this from Wudu Gui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At first, he merely found it curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after extensive study, he still couldn’t figure out how to use it—until he accidentally noticed Li Rui’s qi resonating with it, prompting him to observe closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One look was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized Li Rui had broken through—so he guessed Li Rui had slain the Four-Armed Demon Ghost and acquired something similar, hence the matching qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He struggled endlessly without success, yet someone else cracked the mystery—what does that prove?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That he’s not destined for it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Lin believed in fate; otherwise, he wouldn’t have become an unlikely friend with Zhang the Daoist of Wenxian Pavilion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If not destined, don’t force it. Since it’s useless to him, better to let someone else benefit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui handles affairs well and has now crossed the Dragon Gate—he intends to cultivate Li Rui into a trusted right-hand man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dragon Gate grants three hundred years of life; though Li Rui is over seventy, he still has over a hundred years ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s in his prime!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having helped him resolve a difficult matter, Jiang Lin decided to take the opportunity to grant Li Rui this favor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui will remember his favor and aid him with more tasks—far more useful than any mere object.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Lin himself would never stoop to harming a subordinate over something obtained from a sixth-rank official.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world calls him the Immortal of the East River.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sword matters, but the “immortal” matters too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precisely because his nature is detached, unattached to worldly things, he exudes true immortal qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, why not call him Sword God or Sword Saint?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui took a deep breath: “Thank you, Jiang Head.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with his composure, he could not bring himself to refuse immortal qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He feared that if he declined, Jiang Lin might believe him—and withdraw the offer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Lin drained his teacup in one gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tea finished, guest departed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He rose and walked out of Li’s residence with Jiang Yan, not even glancing back, floating away like a celestial being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui gazed at the immortal qi in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“He probably doesn’t know. Yeah, he definitely doesn’t know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Jiang Lin had known this was immortal qi,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d never have shown such carefree, transcendent grace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s no surprise Jiang Lin failed to recognize it—immortal qi has always existed only in legend, never seen by anyone. Had Li Rui not had his system, he’d have been equally helpless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No martial cultivator would be bold enough to merge unknown celestial impurities into his dantian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the qi clashed, it would mean qi deviation and instant death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A stroke of luck!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui never imagined immortal qi would appear before him in this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had searched far and wide without success—yet now it came effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In comparison, Gao Zhen’s death was truly pitiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To prevent complications,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui took out the immortal qi and swallowed it in one breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The instant the immortal qi entered his dantian, it was drawn by the Immortal Form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Celestial light blazed fiercely, as if a purple-gold radiance illuminated the entire Immortal Court, dispersing clouds and mist to reveal the Southern Heavenly Gate standing at the southern end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An ancient stone gate slowly rose from the west.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Opposite the Southern Heavenly Gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Carved upon it were grotesque demonic beasts, lifelike and terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Western Heavenly Gate!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui rejoiced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the immortal qi, the Western Heavenly Gate had formed directly—saving him seven or eight years of arduous cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More importantly,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rank of Immortal Xuan Qi had risen again, its power increasing by at least fifty percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Utterly formidable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui’s spirits soared—he immediately activated Immortal Xuan Qi and completed seventy-two major celestial cycles. His true qi surged like a dragon; each cycle strengthened his body further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In no time, he’d likely complete Qi Strengthening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Awesome!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next morning,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui rose at the same hour every day—his biological clock had never failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He washed his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then stepped out of his room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he stepped outside, he suddenly heard someone speak: “Old men sleep so little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui let out a soft “Huh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang He and the others were still asleep; the courtyard was empty—where did the voice come from?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He searched for a long time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally confirmed—the speaker was the Crimson Dragon Horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui could now understand horse speech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Actually, I’ve always slept little.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hard to imagine a horse’s face wearing an expression of utter shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since merging with Wang Zhao, the Crimson Dragon Horse had become less and less like a horse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crimson Dragon Horse swore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui was certain—he could now understand the Crimson Dragon Horse’s speech.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was it because of Wang Zhao’s Immortal Xuan Qi?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He fell into thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, he understood the reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wang Zhao was merely the catalyst—the key was the Western Heavenly Gate. Legend says ancient Immortal Courts had four Heavenly Gates: the Southern Heavenly Gate connected to the mortal realm, the Western Heavenly Gate to the demon realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Western Heavenly Gate was the sacred ground of the demon race.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps for this reason, he had prematurely learned horse speech—and could even communicate with demonic beasts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of delight crossed Li Rui’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This ability might prove unexpectedly useful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“D-don’t come any closer!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Crimson Dragon Horse kept retreating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, seeing Li Rui made his soul tremble uncontrollably—he felt an irresistible urge to bow before this human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Red Dragon Horse could no longer hold on and collapsed to its knees with a thud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The commotion in the stable was the first thing to wake Wang Zhao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>=9+book_bar\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had actually slept the entire night in the stable and only returned to his room at dawn, so he burst out the door first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he saw a scene that shocked him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There, Dahong was bowing its head to Li Rui.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bowing its head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A horse, bowing its head to a human—such a sight was something he had never even dreamed of.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, what is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui turned his head and smiled slightly: “I think I can now understand Dahong’s words.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang He and the others all gathered around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When they heard that Li Rui could also understand horse speech, they all stared in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yong couldn’t help muttering:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does that mean anyone who raises horses can understand them?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hadn’t Li Rui and Wang Zhao both once been Zhu family grooms? And in the courtyard, only the two of them could understand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing that Dahong could no longer kneel,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui patted Dahong’s large head: “Get up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment he spoke,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dahong felt the pressure vanish entirely, rising as if freed from a death sentence, like a minister encountering his sovereign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yang Yong and the others couldn’t help murmuring in amazement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if the disciple could understand horse speech, it made sense that the master was even more powerful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A brief interlude passed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui practiced his sword as usual, then went to the Running Tiger Cavalry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Commander He, you’re back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A guard from the Anning Guard spotted a carriage slowly approaching and stepped forward to greet him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Shan was driving the carriage himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sitting inside was naturally his newlywed wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, I went to Anning Prefecture.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Congratulations on your wedding!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After seeing off He Shan,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the gate guard said:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How unusual—to see a smile on He Shan’s icy face.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Shan rarely left the Weapons Depot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his eccentric ways had made him well-known in the Anning Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard from Platoon Leader Tian that Commander He’s wife is breathtakingly beautiful—even more so than the top courtesan of the Entertainment Bureau.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Absolutely true!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The carriage stopped before a grand four-courtyard mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Shan leapt down and lifted the curtain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman in layers of white, flowing robes stepped out—her skin as pale as snow, eyes large and bright, features flawless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Delicate and frail, as if a breeze could knock her over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One couldn’t help but feel pity for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sickly beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Shan gently helped her down, wrapping his outer robe around her: “My lady, don’t catch a chill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s name was He Lan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had found her on the mountain, and he had given her that name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Found.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, the chirping of sparrows echoed in his ears, returning him to the forest where they first met.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, are you a bad man?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl was like a startled fawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not a bad man. Why are you alone here? It’s dangerous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Why am I here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl clutched her head, shaking it desperately: “I can’t remember… I truly can’t remember.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For some reason, He Shan’s heart, as hard as iron, trembled because of this girl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the girl was brought back to the military camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since she had lost her memory and didn’t know her name, he gave her the name He Lan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, your noodles are delicious…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, you’re so kind to me…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, let me be your wife…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Entering the mansion,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Shan ordered: “Light a brazier for the lady, and add another quilt.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The maids in the courtyard were newly hired, all to care for the girl—otherwise, with only himself, he preferred silence and had no interest in being a master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My lady, you’ve traveled far—rest well.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing He Shan turn to leave, the girl couldn’t help calling out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Shan turned and smiled: “I’ll go brew you some warm medicine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he hurried off to the back courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were maids specifically assigned to brew the medicine—he didn’t need to supervise it himself—but He Shan couldn’t relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The door to the room was slightly ajar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl sat alone on the edge of the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She sighed softly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re so kind… it’s making me reluctant to kill you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1869,"2026-06-19T22:01:11.003Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","888dc2df591a5ad0ee85e014edcbf15b8139356c5219979f4abf91c7fb93dd21","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-205","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-203",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Feternal-green-immortal-sovereign-cover.jpg"]