Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

"Previous promises made to us will certainly not be broken," Lin Zhonglu said with a smile. "Once you step outside, find a Foundation Establishment cultivator or two from the lower ranks and inquire, then you'll understand."

"Do not spread the word, or else the major affair will be in jeopardy!"

In a daze, Qing Ran seemed to have comprehended something.

He exited the treehouse and proceeded to the far end of the line, seeking out a Foundation Establishment of his own. He asked, "Lin Xiao, I wish to support the Divine Favored Qingxu of the Miao God, are you willing to accompany me?"

Lin Xiao was not of his clan but was a Loose Cultivator who only joined him after reaching Foundation Establishment.

The over fifty-year-old Lin Xiao glanced anxiously at the battlefield ahead and hesitated, "Lord Lin Zhonglu hasn't ordered it, so we should refrain from rash actions."

"Young Master, please remain calm."

Qing Ran felt as if struck by lightning, struggling to maintain his composure.

He understood now.

Thousands of words converging into one sentence: Yan Shiyin had arrived.

This man was indeed a hero in chaotic times.

Just his presence was enough to shake the resolve of the Lin Country's Foundation Establishment cultivators.

At this very moment, many of Lin Country's Foundation Establishment cultivators were likely plotting to kill their main lineage members to curry favor with Yan Shiyin.

The situation had not yet become entirely clear, so they hadn't acted yet.

It wasn't until now that he realized just how cunning Lin Zhonglu was.

And how overwhelming the pressure from Yan Shiyin was.

"Very well then, we shall rest and wait until both sides are exhausted!"

After reassuring Lin Xiao, Qing Ran returned to the wooden house, still feeling waves of fear.

Lin Zhonglu smiled warmly, "How was it?"

Qing Ran said gloomily, "It seems the lower-level Foundation Establishments are probably unmanageable now."

Lin Zhonglu, as if he had anticipated it, said, "That's why we in the Lin Country should not think about riding on the heads of these two individuals."

"If Yan Shiyin and Qingxu existed in a previous era, either of them would be a dominator of a region."

"They have long since calculated our demise."

"Therefore, Yan Shiyin initiated the battle suddenly when Qingxu came here."

Qing Ran's voice trembled slightly, "If Qingxu loses, what shall we do?"

Lin Zhonglu replied, "That depends on how the defeat turns out."

Qing Ran said, "Had I known earlier, I shouldn't have led the troops here."

"Coming here has instead put us in a passive position."

Lin Zhonglu laughed heartily, "Not coming here, how would we witness a battle between these two heroes?"

"Not coming here, how would we influence the world's situation?"

"Should we just stay in Lin Country waiting to die?"

"Being here, we have a slim chance to turn the tables!"

"You're still too young, go now, continue monitoring the battle."

"If anything changes, report to me immediately."

"Their victory or defeat will influence the entire situation in Nanli."

Qing Ran helplessly returned to the edge of the Giant Wood Forest, observing the progress of the battle.

Upon reaching the battlefield, Qing Ran was astonished to find that the situation had drastically changed.

Chen Qing had left his formation, astonishingly charging alone towards the enemy's main formation.

"How dare he?"

Not only he, but even Ying Xiaoxiao exclaimed in surprise.

Only Yan Shiyin showed a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

"You've indeed found the only way to change the tide of battle."

"Proceed with the plan!"

"Cheng Tianyou, lead the men to cut him down with all your might, I shall personally meet him too!"

"Chou Ying, Ying Xiaoxiao, hold back the enemy troops!"

Chen Qing used himself as bait, the only method to break the stalemate.

Overall, Chen Qing's side, having more main lineage members, had stronger individual Foundation Establishment abilities, but lacked time for training, unable to achieve the cohesion of the Mystic Gate Army.

It wasn't that Chen Qing didn't notice this, but Yan Shiyin had never given him the chance.

Moreover, the Mystic Gate Army outnumbered Li Bingwei, so continuing on, their defeat was only a question of time.

Thus, Chen Qing could only take a gamble.

He was gambling on how long he could hold out.

Once he ventured directly into the enemy's ranks, they had to allocate substantial forces to deal with him.

With the Dragon Elephant Gu and Dragon Sparrow Sword, Chen Qing displayed Fatian Xiangdi, yielding destruction far beyond before!

The whole army's formation would change, with enemy troops encircling him, while his Li Bingwei encircled the enemy.

Forming a three-layered structure inside and out.

In such a scenario, once Chen Qing forcibly disrupted the opponent's formation, Li Bingwei would have the chance to showcase their individual strength.

Only in chaotic battle was there a sliver of victory possible.

Faced with Chen Qing's decision, Lu Shenglong, Zhang Can, and Yan Bailiang felt it was unwise.

But at this moment, they had no alternatives.

Chen Qing stepped across several hundreds of yards, leaping into the enemy formation, recklessly swinging his sword.

With a single sweep, five Foundation Establishments couldn't evade and were cut in two.

He mobilized the Lifebound Light Butterfly, constantly drawing life force from the earth into his body, ready to heal his injuries at any time.

Standing within the enemy formation, Chen Qing surveyed the densely packed foes and felt a twinge of anxiety.

Yet, at this moment, there was no retreat, Chen Qing's hair wildly danced as he wielded the Dragon Sparrow Sword, performing the Great Kui Sword towards those around him.

Numerous Mystic Gate Army members dodged aside, forming a clearing several hundreds of yards wide around Chen Qing.

Li Bingwei, under Lu Shenglong's command, began to counter-encircle the enemy.

In normal circumstances, eight hundred couldn't encircle 1,200, but Chen Qing had tied down a sizable enemy force.

Finally allowing Li Bingwei to succeed in encircling, Lu Shenglong watched Chen Qing charge left and right within the enemy's ranks and shouted, "If we lose today, we are doomed!"

"Only through a deadly fight can we have a glimmer of hope. Comrades, charge with me!"

A large number of Li Bingwei, hearing Lu Shenglong's shout, understood their predicament.

Indeed, before Yan Shiyin, they had no escape.

Many were main lineage descendants.

They weren't Lin Country's Foundation Establishments, they had been pushed by Yan Shiyin into a corner with no way out!

"Kill!"

"The Lord has already tied up the enemy, attack!"

At that moment, Li Bingwei, frenzied, began a ferocious assault on the enemy under Lu Shenglong, Zhang Can, and Yan Bailiang's leadership.

Chen Qing understood the key to the battle's outcome.

What had begun as a clash of armies turned into how long he could endure.

The longer he held out, the more fear the enemy felt, and the higher his side's morale would rise!

Amidst the crowd, Chen Qing brandished his sword, indifferent to the enemy's attacks.

Flying swords struck his body, crackling away layers of his protective Xuanhuang Qi.

Chen Qing pressed a hand to the ground, using his control over the earth to raise four Stone Dragons, which surged in different directions and battered the surrounding Foundation Establishments.

In moments, the Stone Dragons were cut into fragments by the Foundation Establishments.

Suddenly, rubble flew everywhere.

Chen Qing was about to continue slashing the Spear Feather Forest Formation in front, when he noticed Yan Shiyin's ghost-like figure appear to his left.

Drawing the golden knife from his waist, Yan Shiyin slashed diagonally, breaking through his Xuanhuang Qi and leaving a bloody wound.

"A Harmonization Spirit Grade Blade Gu?"

Its quality must be exceptionally high!

At their level, they rarely lacked materials, only needing time for trial and error.

This Yan Shiyin likely had considerable fortunate encounters.

A surge of life force appeared at Chen Qing's wound, rapidly healing it.

Chen Qing extended his left hand, performing the Dragon Capturing Hand to seize Yan Shiyin, but Yan Shiyin transformed into a plume of smoke, dispersing.

Immediately extending his powerful perception, Chen Qing sensed every minute detail around him.

Cheng Tianyou, on the left, shrank, seemingly preparing to enter his body.

He had to trick him into his stomach!

Yan Shiyin appeared at his back.

Chen Qing intended to turn around, but saw over twenty Immortal Ropes aiming to bind him!

Raising his arm like a frenzied Barbarian Dragon, Chen Qing not only broke free from the Immortal Ropes, he flung them into the distance!

Using that trick again?

It doesn't work anymore, buddy!

Turning around, he violently slashed, his speed greatly increased by the Dragon Sparrow Gu, directly clashing with Yan Shiyin!

Boom!

Blade met sword, exploding with force, debris and broken trees were blasted away, and leaves and sand filled the skies.