Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu

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If it hadn't been for Shi Xintie's early investigation, he wouldn't have known how to respond at this moment.

Luckily, his son had personally tested it, proving his loyalty to Chen Qing.

"I already had my son try it, and he succeeded three times in a row!"

Saying this, he showed a touch of pride and seriously added, "I've read Lord Wei's work with great care, so accuracy was ensured."

Su Yi, upon hearing this, was also amazed, "Three times in a row?"

"It seems General Shi really has been observing it attentively."

Shi Xintie asked, "Manager Su, I wonder why you are asking such questions?"

Su Yi smiled, "I did some probing. After everyone took it back, they let Qi Refining Realm cultivators try it, saving about forty percent of materials. Moreover, one person's Power Gu successfully transformed into a butterfly!"

"From this, it seems the academy's 'Power Gu Chapter' is indeed worthy of being passed down through generations!"

Shi Xintie said, "Is the manager planning to orchestrate this?"

Su Yi replied, "Exactly. Yan Shiyin can still oppose Lord Wei merely because of the support of people's hearts."

"Recent uprisings all around are due to this reason."

"If we spread the 'Power Gu Chapter' throughout Nanli, what support will Yan Shiyin have left?"

"Forget it, let's discuss this in detail during the morning meeting!"

Strolling down the long street, they arrived in front of the guard palace.

The guard palace spanned merely six acres, with a vast array of flourishing flowers and plants.

Yet, the lingering might of the Divine Weapon Treasure Realm had yet to fade, with the golden trees and silver blossoms still visible.

The towering and majestic guard palace had doors that stood two zhang high and a width of one zhang and six chi.

Entering the guard palace and ascending to the main hall, they waited only a moment before Chen Qing, holding a book, took his seat at the central position.

After glancing around to see everyone was present, Chen Qing said, "Now, let's begin the discussion."

Lu Shenglong was the first to step forward in the hall and reported, "Reporting to Lord Wei, Yan Shiyin dispatched his Shadow Guards to stir up rebellion across Yan Country."

"A large portion of our forces is concentrated at Langya Mountain, and now the Vermilion Bird Tribe seems to be showing signs of rebellion."

Chen Qing asked, "What specific actions have they taken?"

Lu Shenglong replied, "They dare not rebel on a large scale. However, many from the Vermilion Bird Tribe are secretly colluding with Yan Shiyin's Shadow Guards, plotting to seize the treasures in Xuantian City."

Chen Qing pondered for a moment, "Qing Ran."

Qing Ran rose, "Present."

Chen Qing instructed, "Investigate thoroughly. No matter who's behind these internal traitors, I want them all exposed."

Qing Ran replied, "Yes!"

Chen Qing asked, "Is there anything else?"

Sitting at the first seat to Chen Qing's right, Su Yi loudly said, "Lord Wei, I've already verified the 'Power Gu Chapter'; it is no less than the Divine Book!"

"After we took it back and tested with Foundation Establishment cultivators from each clan, it saved forty percent of materials, allowing the Gu to ascend!"

Chen Qing commented, "Forty percent; it must be for Power Gu with an already established foundation, right?"

Su Yi replied, "Right. The initial materials for ascending are still hard to predict, but once it reaches the Fifth Transformation, the 'Power Gu Chapter' predictions are very accurate!"

"That's why I say, it's only comparable to the Divine Book and not surpassing it."

Chen Qing nodded, "What's your plan?"

Su Yi stood and replied, "Soon the Dragon Cavalry selection will take place. I suggest we hold a symposium."

"The Martial Arts Competition will select the Dragon Cavalry."

"The Literary Society will experiment with the 'Power Gu Chapter,' providing a thousand spots for cultivators with Power Gu to register."

"Then, let academy members organize these thousand according to the 'Power Gu Chapter' predictions to conduct trials."

"In this way, Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Nine Countries will gather at Langya, and the Martial Arts Competition will showcase our Li Bingwei's martial prowess!"

"The Literary Society will show our Li Bingwei's commitment to helping the world!"

"With both martial and literary combined, the Nine Kings of Jiuli will surely be pleased!"

Chen Qing was instantly intrigued. Su Yi indeed lived up to expectations.

He was someone who could accomplish big tasks indeed.

"Let's hear more of this."

Su Yi said, "The selection for the Martial Arts Competition should use Foundation Establishment late stage as the threshold. Then hold duels, finally selecting three hundred people!"

"Our own and the Iron Country's Foundation Establishment aren't included in this; it's our internal selection."

Chen Qing nodded, "Hmm, good, proceed."

Su Yi continued, "For the Literary Society, I plan to distribute materials for free for participants to use."

Chen Qing asked, "Launching it on such a large scale, can our reserves sustain it?"

Su Yi answered, "Currently, we have seven Spiritual Medicines shipped by the Divine Weapon Treasure Realm, which, after being exchanged for Spirit Stones in Lin Country, can sustain us."

Chen Qing then nodded, "Since Spirit Stones aren't an issue, it's much easier."

He immediately ordered, "Alright, let's hold a symposium to showcase both military and civil prowess!"

"To prove that our Li Bingwei is the rightful master of Foundation Establishment in Nanli!"

"This task will be led by Su Yi!"

"Wei Qingchen, Shi Xintie, assist Su Yi in organizing the Martial Arts Competition!"

Wei Qingchen and Shi Xintie rose, "Yes!"

Shi Xintie let out a sigh of relief; being tasked with execution should ensure the Iron Country's Foundation Establishment interests were fully safeguarded.

Chen Qing continued, "Qing Ran, Jiang Xingchuan, assist Su Yi in organizing the Literary Society!"

Qing Ran and Jiang Xingchuan rose, "Yes!"

They further discussed matters of quelling the rebellion, sending Lu Shenglong back out to suppress various disturbances, and everyone chatted a bit about what Yan Shiyin had been up to recently before adjourning the meeting.

Afterwards, Jiang Xingchuan quickly found Su Yi to begin deliberating on the Literary Society matters.

It was only at this point that Jiang Xingchuan felt completely at ease, prepared to serve under Chen Qing.

Initially, he thought it was merely two formidable figures vying for power, with no concern for who would win or lose.

But now, it felt different; he indeed sensed it clearly.

Jiuli needed to be in Chen Qing's hands.

This would be the best choice for the whole of Jiuli.

Chen Qing genuinely wished to govern Jiuli well.

Initially, he saw it as just a disturbance affecting Foundation Establishment.

It would conclude once either Chen Qing or Yan Shiyin returned from the Death Realm.

The whole of Nanli would return to its former state.

But after this Literary Society, the entire situation in Jiuli might shift.

If Chen Qing succeeded in returning from the Death Realm, the organization wouldn't dissolve; it would continue.

It's not just the achievement done before, but because of the 'Nanli Common Gu Theory'.

Even if Chen Qing returned from the Death Realm, the Nine Kings of Nanli might allow Chen Qing to maintain his rule.

The significance of the 'Nanli Common Gu Theory' was simply too immense.

If things continued this way, Chen Qing indeed had a chance to be king.

A Nanli Prince Wen?

Throughout Nanli's history, individuals with strength comparable to Chen Qing's may be found, but the 'Nanli Common Gu Theory'...

Apart from Chen Qing, no one else could have written it.

Seeing this, Qing Ran also followed up, and the three were ready to discuss internally.

Qing Ran's stance was clear, "Money, Spirit Stones, materials, as much as needed—the rest isn't within my control."

As the three gradually departed, Chen Qing suddenly felt inspired.

Should he write a letter to Yan Shiyin?

Returning to his study, in a short while, Xuanping brought over a pot of Spiritual Wine and a few small dishes.

Chen Qing picked up his chopsticks, sniffed the Spiritual Wine, finding the smell slightly strange, "Poisoned again?"

Xuanping nodded, "There's Intestine-breaking Powder in the wine, and Crane Crown Red in the dish."

Chen Qing took a sip of the Spiritual Wine, "The taste is strange."

"If it truly tasted this strange, could I drink it?"

Xuanping said, "Still, you need to be cautious. Even though you have the Snake Gu, what if there's a poison that you can't fend off?"

"Trying it now is better than being suddenly poisoned without knowing what to do."

"If something happens now, we still have the time to treat it."

"If something suddenly happens during a march, what then?"

Chen Qing ate a piece of beef with Crane Crown Red, "Next time, find some colorless and tasteless poison."

Chen Qing was quite at ease with Xuanping's fondness for feeding him poisons.

He merely felt Xuanping matched him perfectly.

Xuanping seemed even more cautious than him, always preparing for such trivial matters in advance.

After drinking a cup of poisoned wine and eating a bite of the poisoned dish, Chen Qing asked, "What do you think about me writing a letter to Yan Shiyin, inviting him to send a hundred Qi Refining Realm cultivators to participate in the Literary Society?"

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