Longevity Begins From Raising Disciples

”Go, go, go, play in the yard by yourself. Remember to bring the Vine King to Jin’er tomorrow.”

”Chirp~”

Upon hearing that Chen Ye didn’t continue questioning, the little white fox felt as if a great relief washed over it.

It cleverly broke free from Chen Ye’s demonic claws, picked up the Vine King, and using all four paws, transformed into a white blur and darted through the door gap.

Not stopping until it ran far away and dove into the spirit grass in the corner of the yard, confirming that Chen Ye hadn’t extended his divine sense to track it, did the little white fox finally halt.

Hiding in the shadows, it patted its fluffy chest, still feeling apprehensive.

”Chirp...”

So close, so close, almost got ensnared by this cunning human!

If he discovered its true identity as True Man Ye, wouldn’t it be socially ruined?

Bear in mind,

the little white fox is still planning to, upon regaining its true form, severely punish Chen Ye under the persona of True Man Ye!

...

The next day.

”Qing Xuan brother! Is Qing Xuan brother home? Open the door quickly, I have an urgent matter!”

It’s Tuoba You’s voice!

Chen Ye frowned slightly.

Suddenly visiting, with a flustered tone, this doesn’t align with Tuoba You’s usual demeanor.

Chen Ye withdrew the array, quickly walked out of the inner courtyard, and opened the door to Cold Scale Mansion.

As soon as the door was opened, Tuoba You squeezed in like a gust of wind.

This person’s hands were trembling, sweating heavily, as if something major had happened.

”Tuoba brother, what is so alarming?”

Chen Ye shut the door with a reverse hand and, taking the opportunity, activated the isolation array, asking in a deep voice.

Tuoba You grabbed Chen Ye’s arm, swallowed a mouthful of saliva, his voice trembling:

”Something big has happened... Qing Xuan brother, Lord Tuoba Mianjiang has just suddenly sent someone with a divine decree to summon both of us immediately!”

”Tuoba Mianjiang?”

Chen Ye’s heart moved.

Duqing Sect has three Divine Venerables, and two of them are from the Tuoba Family.

One is Tuoba Zhenshi, whom Qin Jiaming mentioned, Bai Li’s corpse is in Tuoba Zhenshi’s possession.

Tuoba Zhenshi is skilled in corpse refinement and artifact refining, often secluded, rarely inquiring about external affairs.

The Hidden Underworld Aperture is one of Tuoba Zhenshi’s creations.

The other is Tuoba Mianjiang.

Unlike the often secluded Tuoba Zhenshi,

many major matters of Duqing Sect are decided by Tuoba Mianjiang.

This person is the head of the Three Divine Venerables, mid-stage Golden Core, and the youngest, only just over two hundred years old.

”Why is True Man Mianjiang suddenly summoning us?”

Chen Ye asked calmly.

Tuoba You, anxious like an ant on a hot pan, paced back and forth in the hall:

”Damn it... Could it be because of the Celestial Abyss? When you and I were caught in the time rift by the Celestial Abyss, perhaps the Divine Venerable took interest in this, maybe even wants to perform a soul search on us!”

If the summons were only for Chen Ye,

Tuoba You might be able to breathe a sigh of relief.

After all, now all the cultivators of Duqing Sect know of a cultivator named Qing Xuan who has earned the favor of the Divine Son.

And what a status the Divine Son holds!

It’s understandable for the Divine Venerable to be curious about Qing Xuan.

But now.

The Divine Venerable wants to summon both him and Qing Xuan!

Once the Divine Venerable performs a soul search, the consequences are dire.

At best, you’d end up foolish, at worst, your divine soul would be shattered.

”Tuoba brother, don’t panic.”

Chen Ye poured a cup of calming spirit tea and handed it to Tuoba You, whose hands were slightly shaking, and with a composed expression, said,

”If the Divine Venerable truly wanted to search our souls, he would come directly to capture us. With True Man’s skills, dealing with two Foundation Establishment cultivators wouldn’t necessitate a special decree to summon us?”

Tuoba You was taken aback, accepted the teacup, and the scorching tea flowing down his throat finally dispelled some of the chill in his heart.

”This... Brother’s words make sense.”

Tuoba You wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, but still looked doubtful,

”However, aside from the Celestial Abyss, what other commonality do we have that might interest True Man Mianjiang enough to inquire about?”

Chen Ye’s mind was also rapidly running at this moment.

The only connection between him and Tuoba You is indeed the Celestial Abyss.

But why did Tuoba Mianjiang not summon it earlier, choosing to do so now?

”Whether it’s fortune or misfortune, the divine decree has been issued, you and I have no room to refuse.”

Chen Ye gathered his emotions.

”Let’s go, Tuoba. If we let the Divine Venerable wait too long, that would truly spell disaster.”

Tuoba You forced a bitter smile and could only nod despite the apprehension.

...

Wuyang Palace, Celestial Ash Hall.

This was the domain of Tuoba Mianjiang, and also his place of long-term cultivation.

Half a year ago,

He had a confrontation with a True Man from the Lingyin Sect and seemed to have sustained injuries, so he had been recuperating here.

As for the other two True Men,

One was busy refining treasured pills, and the other was engaged in battle with the Lingyin Sect on the front lines.

If not for the aid sent by the Tide Lake Li Family, the Emotion Crossing Sect would surely be no match for the Lingyin Sect.

As the two approached the Celestial Ash Hall, they instantly felt the overwhelming pressure of the Golden Core True Man, akin to a boundless abyss.

Even an unintentional wisp of aura made Tuoba You’s chest feel tight, and his legs weak.

Without showing any sign, Chen Ye activated the Withered and Flourishing Profound Light Scripture, neutralizing the pressure.

Guided by two sword-holding Daoist Children with expressionless faces, Chen Ye and Tuoba You stepped into the hall.

The hall was vast and simply adorned.

At the far end was a throne forged from gleaming white bones.

It was said that,

Every time Tuoba Mianjiang slew a formidable enemy, he would extract their bones and forge them into the throne.

Sitting day and night atop the remains of his once-invincible foes, hearing their lingering wails of resentment was the Divine Venerable’s greatest pleasure.

On the eerie white throne, a figure was seated.

He appeared to be just over thirty, with deep-set eyes and a high-bridged nose, a loose-fitting dark robe draped casually over him, fiddling irritably with a small fingertip bone.

”Greetings, Divine Venerable!”

Tuoba You dared not meet his gaze, bowing with clasped hands.

Chen Ye also followed suit: ”I am Qing Xuan, greetings to the Divine Venerable!”

The hall fell silent for a moment.

”Tap, tap, tap...”

Tuoba Mianjiang’s fingers gently tapped the bone armrest, each tap sent cold sweat streaming from Tuoba You’s brow like rain, quickly pooling on the stone floor.

For a long time,

Tuoba Mianjiang lifted his eyelids and sneered:

”If Tuoba Hong were here, he wouldn’t be as inept as you. You, mixed with the greedy vein for years, are only capable of flattery, truly a disgrace to the Tuoba family!”

At the mention of his brother’s name,

Tuoba You felt a deep sorrow in his heart, yet dared not utter a word of rebuttal, only burying his head lower, trembling as he replied:

”My... my aptitude is dull, shaming the family’s reputation, amusing the Divine Venerable...”

”Step aside, you’re an eyesore.”

Tuoba Mianjiang snorted coldly, and Tuoba You gratefully scrambled to the edge of the hall, keeping his head down, not daring to make a sound.

In the center of the hall, Chen Ye stood alone.

”Tap.”

The sound of tapping on the armrest abruptly ceased.

Tuoba Mianjiang’s gaze fell coldly on Chen Ye.

In an instant, Chen Ye felt the air around him closing in like an iron wall!

Alarms rang in his mind, Qi-blood surged, and the Heart Slaughter Sword trembled uncontrollably.

This man had murderous intent towards him!

Chen Ye’s spirit tightened.

Tuoba Mianjiang’s eyes slightly narrowed:

”You are Qing Xuan?”

”I heard that recently, the Divine Son had kept you at Wuyang Palace... listening to your teachings?”

Indeed, this summons wasn’t for the Celestial Abyss but concerning that Demoness!

Chen Ye’s thoughts raced as he suppressed the surging Qi-blood and replied respectfully, ”Divine Venerable, that is correct. The Divine Son is gifted, though occasionally puzzled over the affairs of loose cultivators, and I merely clarified for the Divine Son.”

”Clarified?”

”Boom!”

The fingertip bone in Tuoba Mianjiang’s hand suddenly crumbled into powder, the bone ash slipping through his fingers.

From reclining lazily, Tuoba Mianjiang suddenly leaned forward.

He sneered repeatedly, a terrifying aura of murder akin to a mountain of corpses and sea of blood pressed upon Chen Ye’s spine:

”Qing Xuan, do you truly think I am a fool easily deceived?!”

”The Holy Sect is replete with prodigies, teeming with individuals of vast knowledge and prowess. When did the trivial Foundation Establishment Stage insect like you earn the chance to soothe her boredoms?!”

”She has long resided in solitude within Wuyang Palace, having no prior interaction with you. Then why... would she suddenly summon you?!”