In the 34th year after the founding of the dynasty, the Sect Master of the Guiyuan Sect, Xu Tianji, gathered in the capital with eighteen sects to challenge Daoist Master Changsheng. More than half of the 500 experts were killed or injured. Xu Tianji, the overlord of the martial arts world, was captured and his fate was unknown.
The Wonderous Sect secret techniques spread throughout the world, and the name of longevity shocked the martial arts world.
At that point, the martial arts world had a living legend.
…
In the courtyard, Jiang Changsheng was meditating under a tree while Xu Tianji was recuperating in a corner. Little King Wei and Ping'an looked at him from afar with curiosity.
Wang Chen came to Jiang Changsheng's side and respectfully said, "Daoist Master, the martial arts sects have retreated."
Jiang Changsheng nodded and did not speak. Wang Chen turned around and left, not daring to disturb him.
Today's battle had refreshed his understanding of martial arts, especially the last strike of the Wondrous Sect's Dharma Idol. The destructive power made him shiver just thinking about it.
In this war, half of the 500 plus experts had died, and those who were still alive were severely injured. The reason why they were left alive was because Jiang Changsheng looked forward to the next survival reward.
Right now, he regarded Great Jing as a novice village, and the martial arts world was like a chive farm. He had won the number one spot in the world. In the future, countless experts would come to challenge him one after another to provide him with survival rewards.
Even though he was cautious, he still had his judgment. At the very least, it was impossible for anyone to surpass him in the martial arts world. Only people with high realms could threaten him in other places. Moreover, he did not have any conflict with those strong martial artists for the time being. Even the Mahayana Dragon Tower did not know that he was a potential enemy.
After waiting for a while, a notification finally appeared before Jiang Changsheng's eyes.
"In the thirty-fourth year after the founding of the dynasty, the Sect Master of the Primordial Spirit Returning Sect, Xu Tianji, attacked with 500 martial arts experts. With your own strength, you successfully repelled the martial arts experts and survived the calamity. You received the survival reward—the ultimate immortal cultivation technique, 'Bright Sun Tathagata'."
Bright Sun Tathagata sounded awesome!
Furthermore, it was an ultimate cultivation technique, which meant that martial artists could not learn it and only he could learn it.
Jiang Changsheng began to inherit the Bright Sun Tathagata, and the corners of his mouth gradually curled up.
What a powerful unique skill!
In the following month, the news of the battle spread throughout the world, and it was discussed with great relish.
New Years had arrived, and it was the thirty-fifth year after the founding of the dynasty.
Reports of war continued to come from the border battlefield. More losses than victories. More and more territories began to fall. The situation was not optimistic.
Jiang Changsheng did not experience the cruelty of war when he was on Longqi Mountain. Even though the income from incense offerings at Longqi Temple had decreased, there were fields and vegetable gardens on the mountain, making it self-sufficient.
During this period of time, Jiang Changsheng had written all the martial arts he knew into secret books and placed them in the Scripture Depository for his disciples to learn. Only the Heavenly Scripture of the Universe and the Wondrous Sect's Dharma Idol were missing. He intended to treat these two martial arts as his signature martial arts and only pass them on to his disciples.
Xu Tianji had changed into a Daoist robe. He had been imprinted with the Seal of Life and Death and was now obediently staying in Longqi Temple. Usually, he would clean everywhere with a broom. At first, he was humiliated. However, one time, he saw Jiang Changsheng teaching the Little King Wei martial arts and did not avoid him, so he had an idea.
Perhaps this was also an opportunity!
He was filled with curiosity about Jiang Changsheng. He did not understand what kind of cultivation technique this person trained in that it was so powerful. Moreover, that Wondrous Sect's Dharma Idol had already become a shadow in his heart.
On the seventh day after the New Year, the Emperor came to visit Jiang Changsheng.
Speaking of which, Jiang Changsheng had not seen him for a long time. Compared to a few years ago, Jiang Yuan had lost a lot of weight and looked listless.
Jiang Yuan and Jiang Changsheng sat at the stone table. He had a head full of white hair and many wrinkles on his face. His hands were as thin as matches, similar to the claws of a malicious ghost.
Jiang Changsheng frowned and asked, "Your Majesty, your strength…"
He could sense no trace of true qi in Jiang Yuan's body. Evidently, the reason why he had aged so much was because he had lost his strength and had consumed a large amount of his vitality.
Jiang Yuan did not have many years left to live.
Jiang Yuan looked at Xu Tianji who was sparring with Ping'an and Little King Wei not far away and said with a smile, "I have met Xu Tianji before. At that time, he was still a high-spirited young man. I wanted to recruit him into the White-robed Guards, but he refused. Unexpectedly, many years later, he entered Longqi Temple. Fate really makes fools of people."
When Xu Tianji heard this, his expression stiffened, but he pretended not to hear and concentrated on training with the two little guys.
If he taught them well, perhaps Daoist Master Changsheng would guide him and make him stronger.
Jiang Yuan retracted his gaze and looked at Jiang Changsheng with a smile. "I am well aware of my health. Why should Changsheng worry for me?"
"The medicine you gave me is indeed effective, but it is not a medicine for longevity. I have also figured out that there are no immortals in this world, so just let nature take its course."
Jiang Changsheng asked, "You dissapated your own strength?"
He did not think so. It was probably because Jiang Yuan had a hidden illness in his body, especially his dantian. His strength seemed to have been sucked away, leaving behind sequelae.
Jiang Yuan shook his head and said, "I have imparted my strength to the Crown Prince. It can be considered as my last effort. After all, I have left him a mess."
He sighed and his expression became worried.
He insisted on attacking Ancient Han and achieving great achievements that could last for thousands of years. Unexpectedly, it caused Great Jing to fall into a storm.
However, if it were to happen again, he would still fight!
After that, Jiang Yuan stopped talking about himself and talked about the Empress. He said that during this period of time, the Empress took care of him with all her heart. It reminded him of when the couple got into trouble back then. When he talked about the past, he began to talk incessantly.
Wang Chen, who was sweeping the floor, felt sad.
He did not know if he should hate Jiang Yuan or feel wronged.
Even if he did not become the crown prince, he would not have an easy life. On the contrary, Jiang Yuan had allowed him to live the life of a crown prince for at least thirty years. His life could be considered exciting and without regrets.
Jiang Changsheng listened quietly. Even though he felt emotional, his heart did not waver.
He did not intend to acknowledge Jiang Yuan and the Empress. He had already repaid the Empress's kindness by saving her life. Jiang Yuan knew that he was the real prince, and since Jiang Yuan was unwilling to expose him, he naturally would not be thick-skinned enough to acknowledge him.
Cultivate in peace. In another thirty years, this kinship would naturally disappear.
An hour later, Jiang Yuan left with Little King Wei. Looking at his hunched back and recalling his domineering attitude when they first met, Jiang Changsheng was even more determined to cultivate.
He had reached the ultimate goal that mortals wanted, to live forever. In that case, he had to cherish it and not die halfway.
"I am about to reach the sixth level. How far am I from becoming an immortal?"
Jiang Changsheng thought silently. On the vast road to immortality, tasting life, aging, illness, and death in the human world, the mountains and rivers, the sun and the moon rotated. It was quite fun.
…
March, a sunny day.
The Devil Lord came to pay a visit. This time, he brought a seven-year-old boy with him.
"Daoist Master, can you accept him? This child is extremely talented and will never let down your reputation as a martial arts legend."
The Devil Lord bowed and said respectfully.
The boy was slightly thin and had a fair complexion. He had thick eyebrows and big eyes as he stared at Jiang Changsheng without any fear.
Xu Tianji passed by with a broom and teased, "I was wondering who it was. Isn't this the famous Devil Lord? To think he would send someone to Longqi Temple. It seems like you've also realized that the martial arts of the Devil Sects are not enough."
The Devil Lord ignored him and maintained his bowing posture. He pretended not to know Jiang Changsheng and only came because of his reputation.
Jiang Changsheng sized up the boy and discovered that his muscles and bones were indeed outstanding. They were not as firm and pure as Ping'an's. They were filled with spirituality and as he breathed, his pores subconsciously absorbed the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, even though it was very weak.
Jiang Changsheng asked, "What's his name and what's his relationship with you?"
The Devil Lord hastily answered, "His name is Huang Chuan, and he is my grandson. His parents have passed away, and I am already old. I don't know how long I can live. In the future, he will be alone, so I hope that Daoist Master will pity him."
Ping'an moved closer. He was only six years old, but he looked tall and strong than Huang Chuan.
"Hehehe, accompany me… play… fight…"
Ping'an grabbed Huang Chuan's shoulder and smiled. Huang Chuan frowned. He wanted to shake off Ping'an's hand, but he could not move his shoulder.
What great strength!
Huang Chuan was furious. He punched Ping'an's chest. Ping'an released his grip and took four steps back. He rubbed his chest. He did not feel any pain. Instead, he revealed an even more excited expression and pounced on Huang Chuan again.
The two teenagers started fighting just like that. Ping'an relied on brute force without any reservations. Huang Chuan had obviously learned martial arts before, as his footwork was elegant. He could dodge and attack at the same time, but his punches and kicks could not hurt Ping'an who was as strong as a bull.
Xu Tianji stopped and watched the battle with interest.
The Devil Lord was shocked by Ping'an's talent. What was the background of this kid?
He was confident in Huang Chuan's talent. In the Devil Sect, no one under the age of fifteen was his opponent. That was why he dared to look for Jiang Changsheng. He did not expect to be suppressed by a silly kid the moment he arrived.
"Go down the mountain. I'll take him as my third disciple."
Jiang Changsheng stared at the two youths and said.
The Devil Lord came back to his senses, hastily saluted, and then turned to leave.
He did not turn back to look at Huang Chuan. When Huang Chuan saw that he had left, Huang Chuan immediately became anxious and shouted, "Grandfather! Don't go…"
Huang Chuan wanted to chase after him, but he was hugged by his waist and thrown to the ground. He could not move. He could only watch as the Devil Lord walked out of the courtyard and disappeared. The young him could not help but shed tears.
Wang Chen could not bear it and walked over to drag Ping'an away. He taught him a lesson that he should not have used so much strength. Ping'an did not know anything and only knew how to twist his head and giggle.
Jiang Changsheng came to Huang Chuan and squatted down. He wiped his tears and smiled. "Why? Are you going to lie on the ground and cry?"
When Huang Chuan heard that, he immediately got up and stubbornly turned his head away. He looked in the direction the Devil Lord left and remained silent for a long time.
Jiang Changsheng stood up and touched Huang Chuan's head. Huang Chuan trembled, but he did not dodge. On the way here, the Demon Lord had already explained the situation to him. He wanted to acknowledge the current legend of the martial arts world as his teacher. This was a huge opportunity that he had to strive for.
"Longqi Temple should also nurture a group of disciples that can support its reputation."
Jiang Changsheng silently thought of Meng Qiushuang, Qing Ku, Wan Li, and Mingyue's mediocre talent, making it difficult for the temple to produce any outstanding talents.
Huang Chuan was different. He was only seven years old, but he already had the skills of a third-rate expert. Once he learned internal arts, his martial arts would definitely advance by leaps and bounds.
Jiang Changsheng asked Wang Chen to arrange accomodation for Huang Chuan before he glanced at Xu Tianji.
Xu Tianji shivered in fright and hastily lowered his head to sweep the floor. He muttered in his heart, "Oh my god, the Devil Lord actually has such a grandson. In the future, he will definitely be famous in the pugilistic world."
As a sect master, he naturally paid attention to geniuses. However, no matter how envious he was, he did not dare to snatch people from Jiang Changsheng.
At that point, there was another person in the courtyard.
…
In the blink of an eye.
Two months passed.
The summer was coming.
Jiang Changsheng was cultivating under the Earth Spirit Tree, enjoying the spiritual energy. All of a sudden, he opened his eyes and revealed a strange expression.
The Seventh Prince, Jiang Yu, was personally sending Little King Wei here and had already ascended the mountain path. There was also someone following behind Jiang Yu. It was not the Fortune Buddha or the Thirteen Assassins of the Sky, but it was an unfamiliar expert whose true qi could compare to Xu Tianji.
That was not what surprised him. What surprised him was that Jiang Yu was more than twice as strong as Xu Tianji. How could a true expert in the Divine State become so powerful even after absorbing Jiang Yuan's strength?