Longevity: My Talents Are a Bit Abundant

Ming Liu True Master’s tone was calm and every word was clear.

"If Fellow Daoist Guo wishes to exchange for a Golden Transformation Pill or Core Formation Spiritual Objects, this old man can exert his full effort to mediate. Even if the merits are slightly insufficient, I can find a way to temporarily lend a portion to Fellow Daoist Guo."

He paused, his gaze suddenly sharp.

"This old man only has one condition. My Liu Family has been ordered to participate in the battle, and I hope Fellow Daoist will do his utmost to look after and protect the safety of my Liu Family’s disciples."

"This is a duty within my expectations."

Shen Xuan’s expression turned solemn.

"Since I am an Honored Guest of the Liu Family, I ought to advance and retreat together with the Liu Family’s disciples, striving to ensure their safety."

He contemplated briefly, a hint of well-timed confidence in his tone.

"Let Ming Liu Brother Dao know, I have a bit of insight into the Fire Technique. Even an ordinary Tier Three Demon King, I could handle to some extent."

He intentionally emphasized "ordinary" and "handle to some extent."

The boundaries were clearly drawn.

An average Demon King could be resisted temporarily.

If it exceeds this limitation, my power will not suffice.

Ming Liu True Master heard this, his eyes like lightning, staring intently into Shen Xuan’s eyes, as if trying to probe into his Divine Soul.

After a long while, he slowly nodded, his face once again revealing a smile.

This time, it was much more cordial.

"Fellow Daoist Guo, this old man trusts you."

The voice was not loud, but carried a certain solemn meaning.

"From this day forth, as long as Fellow Daoist Guo does not betray the Liu Family, the Liu Family will never betray you. This promise, heaven and earth can attest."

Shen Xuan smiled faintly, raising his cup as a gesture: "Agreed."

With just one word, the alliance was formed.

The two gently clinked their cups.

"Haha, being able to meet such a young and outstanding individual as Fellow Daoist Guo is truly a fortune for our Liu Family!"

Ming Liu True Master laughed heartily, and the atmosphere suddenly became more relaxed.

He then took out a red Jade Scroll, pushing it in front of Shen Xuan.

"This is a detailed record of recent demon beast wars, documenting quite a few Demon King information active on the frontline, which may be beneficial to Fellow Daoist."

"Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, in this expedition, my Liu Family’s troops are under the command of True Master Hua Yang. I have already spoken to him, and he will take special care of our Liu Family."

Finally, he raised his cup, speaking earnestly: "I hereby wish Fellow Daoist Guo a fortunate encounter with Core Formation opportunities, success and perfection, and a safe return!"

...

Upon returning to Dongming Mountain, the entire Liu Family was enveloped in an atmosphere of severe hostility.

The roster of participating disciples was drafted overnight, and elixirs, talismans, and magical artifacts flowed out from the storeroom like water.

The disciples of the clan were all gritting their teeth in intense cultivation, and the disturbance of Spiritual Qi constantly echoed from the quiet rooms day and night.

Liu Zhicheng originally intended to progress steadily for another two years.

The [Mountain Shaking Iron Bear Technique] he practiced was of a slightly higher grade than Liu Zhijie’s "Shadow Leopard Transformation Art," but it was also more arduous.

With the imminent great battle, he had no choice but to consume the fiery Breaking Realm Secret Medicine under the protection of two clan elders.

After three days of torment, a faint golden light appeared around his body, and a thread of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

Fortunately, Liu Zhicheng finally staggered into the Golden Body Realm.

On the flat ground on the hillside, Liu Family clan elders personally sat in charge, temporarily establishing a trading ground.

Liu Family disciples shuttled back and forth, exchanging for Spirit Talismans, Elixirs, Magical Treasures, etc., with merit points or Spirit Stones.

The various cultivation resources exchanged from the Bright Flame Sect by the Liu Family were sold at flat rates without earning a penny.

The air was filled with the faint fragrance of Spirit Medicine.

Everyone’s expressions were grave, and the sounds of trading were short and subdued.

Shen Xuan was the most composed of them all.

He handed a pair of pre-forged battle axes to Liu Zhicheng.

The battle axes were heavy, the blades sharp, and glinting in the cold light.

"Like those Shadow Leopard Claws, they are both Tier Two Magical Artifacts."

Liu Zhicheng tightly gripped the staff, nodding heavily, and knelt to receive the staff.

They had no title of master and disciple, but in reality shared such a relationship.

Shen Xuan had been as benevolent as one could be to him and Liu Zhijie.

Half a month later, the conscription order from the Bright Flame Sect arrived.

Eighteen thousand cultivators were summoned!

This number caused everyone’s heart to sink.

On the day of the oath, before dawn, the wilderness outside the Bright Flame Sect’s mountain gate surged like a sea of trees.

Banners hid the sky, fluttering loudly.

Eighteen thousand cultivators stood solemnly and silently, with only the whistling of the wind sweeping the banners.

True Monarch Red Flame stood in the air, his red robe seemingly burning half the sky.

He did not say much, merely raised his hand and waved.

"Slay demons, expand territory!"

These four words thundered across the wilderness.

In an instant, eighteen thousand cultivators roared in unison, their murderous intent soaring to the heavens, shaking even the clouds apart.

Shen Xuan gazed from afar in the crowd.

True Monarch Red Flame should be at the Nascent Soul Middle Stage, his aura blazing like fire.

It is said he is the strongest in combat among the three Nascent Souls in the Bright Flame Sect.

The army of cultivators was divided into five routes.

The Liu Family’s over one hundred and twenty would be incorporated into the Left Army’s Seventh Battalion.

Clan leader Liu Minglin personally led the team, along with Liu Mingzhi, Liu Mingli, the two clan elders, seven Foundation Establishment, eight Golden Body Realm, and over a hundred in the Late Stage of Qi Cultivation.

This was the most elite force the Liu Family could muster.

This was also the Bright Flame Sect’s requirement for the Liu Family’s personnel to respond.

Shen Xuan silently followed beside Liu Minglin, maintaining composure.

The next day, eighteen thousand cultivators boarded the ships.

Over a hundred Tier Three Spaceships were docked densely before the mountain gate, resembling slumbering beasts.

Behind them, thousands of Tier Two Flying Ships lined up tightly, their end beyond sight.

Thanks to Ming Liu True Master’s manipulation behind the scenes, the Liu Family was able to board a Tier Three Spaceship with several allied forces.

The ship’s body was framed with mysterious iron, its exterior made from paulownia wood, with a dragon head prow sculpted fiercely, and runes flowing on both sides like fierce beasts.

As he stepped onto the deck, Shen Xuan glanced back.

Like swarming ants, eighteen thousand cultivators were boarding the ships, their figures miniature as dust against the giant ships.

Some were excited, some hung their heads in silence, and others gripped their artifacts, their faces pale.

"Set sail!"

The order rang out like a bell.

All ships trembled simultaneously, the array beneath them glowing brilliantly, the airflow roaring powerfully.