Chapter 63

Chapter 63: The Crisis Facing the Long Family

Long Shaoyan rushed over upon hearing the news.

“Master, you just closed the door to seclusion for three months. Why have you come out so early?”

“I emerged from seclusion because I need to find some materials for alchemy and artifact refining. Here is the list of materials; you should send people to gather them. The more, the better. Take this 10 million top-grade spirit stones; as payment for the labor, none shall be spared.”

As Chen Ansheng instructed, he handed the last gift of 10 million top-grade spirit stones that the Long Family had given him to Long Shaoyan.

Top-grade spirit stones are incredibly precious in the cultivation world, but they are of little use to Chen Ansheng. They are perfect as wages to motivate the Long Family’s disciples to diligently search for materials for him.

Long Shaoyan only took the list of materials and respectfully said, “Master, you don’t need to spend the spirit stones; I will handle it.”

Chen Ansheng’s expression turned stern. “As my disciple, you must follow my principles when handling matters. You are not to take matters into your own hands in the future.”

Long Shaoyan felt a chill down his spine and realized he had been overthinking. His master was a transcendental figure; he had no right to question his thoughts. “Yes, Master; I understand my mistake.”

Chen Ansheng nodded faintly. “Alright, go.”

Long Shaoyan bowed and said, “By the way, Master, my ancestor said that if you came out of seclusion, I should inform him. I wonder if that is appropriate?”

Chen Ansheng replied, “You go about your business; I’ll go find your ancestor myself.”

Only then did Long Shaoyan withdraw.

In the next moment, Chen Ansheng’s figure flickered and he appeared in the place within the Long Family’s territory that had the richest spiritual energy.

The area was lush and beautiful, and the wooden house in the mountains was where Long Que resided.

“Why do high-level beings, regardless of whether they are from the upper or lower realms, prefer to live simply? What an outdated habit,” Chen Ansheng couldn’t help but complain.

Soon after, Chen Ansheng called out lightly, “Long Daoyou, are you here? Is there something important?”

Upon hearing the voice, Long Que, who had been sitting in meditation, realized that Chen Ansheng had arrived.

Long Que opened his eyes, a flicker of astonishment flashing through them. “I am at the eighth level of Immortal; I didn’t even notice that Dao Friend Chen was approaching. I wonder what kind of hidden skill he possesses to conceal his presence.”

After his surprise, Long Que flew into the air and, from a distance, smiled brightly, cupping his hands. “Dao Brother Chen, I was in deep meditation and did not greet you; I hope you can forgive me.”

Chen Ansheng returned the gesture and smiled, “We are like family; there’s no need for such formalities.”

Hearing this, Long Que felt delighted. “Hahaha, Dao Brother Chen is right; I won’t be polite then. Please, Dao Brother Chen, come to my humble dwelling for some tea.”

Chen Ansheng nodded. “Please lead the way.”

The two landed in a green bamboo pavilion, where Long Que brewed some precious tea he had found near the Forbidden Land, sitting down opposite Chen Ansheng.

“Delicious tea.”

After taking a sip, Chen Ansheng was amazed by the flavor, finding it only slightly inferior to Nan Gong Xiu’s tea.

In the cultivation world, finding such fine tea was truly surprising to Chen Ansheng.

“This tea was found by me at the perimeter of the Demon Bone Abyss, a place of great danger. I have treasured it for 1,900 years without drinking,” Long Que smiled and said.

“You’ve treated me lavishly,” Chen Ansheng said, feeling even more favorable towards Long Que.

Long Que waved his hand slightly. “As long as Dao Brother Chen does not mind the lack of etiquette, I am satisfied. By the way, I heard from Shaoyan that you entered the Spirit Pool without suffering any backlash?”

Chen Ansheng nodded noncommittally. “No backlash, but the benefits to my advancement are minimal; it’s a slight gain at best.”

Long Que said, “Improving one’s qualifications is extremely challenging; any increase, no matter how small, is a rare opportunity worth countless crystals. I congratulate Dao Brother Chen on this.”

Chen Ansheng took another sip of tea and said, “Long Daoyou, you didn’t invite me here just to congratulate me, did you?”

“Hahaha.” Long Que laughed. “You’re not easy to fool, Dao Brother Chen. Here’s the situation: in recent years, the Northern Ancient Holy Land has been coveting the spiritual spring passage. The Long Family has already had several skirmishes with them that ended in a stalemate, and they temporarily withdrew.

“However, recently, the Northern Ancient Holy Land has been making unusual moves, killing my Long Family disciples for no reason, attempting to provoke conflict. I suspect that an old fellow from the Northern Ancient Holy Land has broken through.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Ansheng spoke up proactively. “Do you mean for me to lend a hand?”

Long Que quickly waved his hand. “Dao Brother Chen is a loose immortal. I know that loose immortals typically do not occupy karmic ties and dislike getting involved in disputes. How could I dare trouble you? What I meant is that if the Long Family faces great peril, I hope you can help ensure Shaoyan’s safety, if you would be willing to agree.”

Hearing this, Chen Ansheng realized he had underestimated Long Que.

This person, truly an experienced figure of over ten thousand years, understood human nature very well.

So, Chen Ansheng replied, “If something truly happens, there’s no need for you to remind me, Long Daoyou. I will ensure my disciple’s safety myself.”

Long Que cupped his hands. “Thank you in advance, Dao Brother Chen. From now on, Shaoyan will be entrusted to you.”

Chen Ansheng felt as if Long Que was bequeathing his last words, realizing that the Long Family was indeed facing a significant dilemma.

“Long Daoyou, are you worried that someone from the Northern Ancient Holy Land has broken into the ninth level of Immortal, hence your great concern?” Chen Ansheng asked.

“To not conceal anything from Dao Brother, just so. The Long Family has had several predecessors at the ninth level of Immortal in the past, but they could not withstand the heavenly might’s call and have already ascended. The other major top-tier powers’ ninth-level Immortals have met the same fate; aside from unknown powers lurking in the forbidden zones, it has been over 70,000 years since a ninth-level Immortal has appeared in the Dark Profound Realm.

“If that ancient fellow from the Northern Ancient Holy Land has truly broken through to the ninth level, with the Long Family’s foundation, we would certainly be unable to withstand it.”

The Long Family’s foundation consists of a few at the eighth level of Immortal. If a ninth-level Immortal truly appeared, even a combined effort of all the eighth-level ones wouldn’t stand a chance, especially since the opponent also had two eighth-level experts.

Chen Ansheng fell into silence upon hearing this.

He pondered that the levels of eighth and ninth Immortal were still beyond his grasp; after all, he was still several levels below that.

However, just because he couldn’t get directly involved didn’t mean he couldn’t offer help.

Chen Ansheng’s advantage lay in his weapons and treasures. If a great battle truly occurred, lending some formidable weapons to the Long Family’s eighth-level experts might allow them to contend with the opponent.

Thinking of this, Chen Ansheng said, “Long Daoyou, you don’t need to worry too much. While the ninth level of Immortal is certainly powerful, it is not invincible. After all, a cultivator’s battle prowess is not solely determined by their level; weapons, armor, talismans, and formations are all crucial factors influencing victory.”

Long Que smiled wryly and shook his head. “Though Dao Brother Chen’s words are reasonable, the Immortal tools that our Long Family possesses are not as good as that clan-protecting Immortal tool from the Northern Ancient Holy Land. From that aspect, it is truly impossible to win.”

“Haha.” Chen Ansheng smiled. “Long Daoyou, hasn’t that boy Shaoyan shown you the Jiaolun Spear I gave him?”

“What Jiaolun Spear?” Long Que asked, looking confused.

Chen Ansheng thought to himself, that brat Long Shaoyan actually hid the Immortal tool he gifted him, keeping it a secret even from his own ancestor. What a cautious one.

“It’s nothing much.” Chen Ansheng said blandly, “Just a top-quality Immortal spear I bestowed upon him a while back. Also, if Long Daoyou needs it, I have some weapons here I can lend you temporarily; you can see if they fit.”

Saying this, Chen Ansheng waved his sleeve.

Four top-quality Immortal weapons floated before the two.

“What, what, what…”

Long Que was shocked as he felt the overwhelming Immortal might from the weapons, causing him to nearly stagger.