Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu-Chapter 122 - 100 The Roar of the Tiger - Tiger Out of the Cage_2

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He sat tall and proud on his horse, exuding youthful vigor and appearing impressively mighty.

"Let’s go, join the tribal gathering!"

Chen Qing spurred his horse through the crowd, with Jiang Miaoxian and Liu Guang following him first, then Jiang Yuhu and eight others, with fifty-four samurai at the rear.

The galloping horses stirred up a cloud of dust.

After rushing forward for thirty miles, Chen Qing arrived at the junction where two major roads converged and saw Xuanping, who had been waiting on her Mutant Blood Horse.

Her tribe was much larger than Chen Qing’s, with over two hundred people.

Chen Qing rode ahead and exchanged a friendly chest bump with the approaching Yuan Tianfang to greet him, "Yuan, your troops are truly formidable!"

Yuan Tianfang glanced at the eight people behind Chen Qing and laughed, "Can’t compare to your Iron Flow Valley producing the Eight Tigers!"

The two shared a hearty laugh, then rode up beside Xuanping, "What’s the process for this tribal gathering?"

Xuanping seemed a bit displeased for some reason and said, "First, there’s a blood ritual, then a hunt for malevolent demons nearby, and finally, perhaps some combat trials."

"In the past, it might not have been certain. But now that you’ve recently joined the Xuan Bird tribe, everyone wants to see what you’re made of and weigh your capabilities. There’s probably no way you can avoid this combat trial."

Chen Qing asked, "What about the Foundation Establishment of the three families?"

Xuanping rode ahead, "Let’s talk while we move!"

Chen Qing followed on his horse, the two riding at the head of the group, and Xuanping said, "The Black Feather Clan is quite unhappy with you. Did you detain their people?"

Chen Qing nonchalantly replied, "If they dare make trouble at my shop, shouldn’t they pay a price?"

Xuanping said, "I’ve been going to your place off and on, barely keeping them in check, but you can’t avoid them at this tribal gathering!"

Chen Qing said, "I’ve now mastered the Golden Skin and Jade Bone Skills, I’m not necessarily afraid of them!"

"It shouldn’t come to a fight to the death, right?"

Xuanping said, "That’s unlikely. But you’ve just joined our Xuan Bird tribe and already have the rights of Foundation Establishment; naturally, they are displeased."

"Once you showcase your abilities, it should be resolved."

Chen Qing pressed his legs against the horse’s sides, "Why do you seem unhappy today, an old injury acting up?"

Xuanping turned her head, "You’re calling my uncle ’brother,’ should I be calling you ’Uncle’ too?"

Chen Qing chuckled, "No need, no need, let’s keep it casual!"

"Your little brother here will follow your lead, Priestess Xuanping. You point, and I’ll attack!"

After three months of peace, Chen Qing felt relaxed enough to joke again.

Xuanping laughed disdainfully, "Ha, there’s not an ounce of truth in your words."

Leading over three hundred riders galloping for thirty miles, they approached a high mountain with an exceptionally flat top, where a large fortress stood at the center of a platform spanning hundreds of feet.

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This mountain was accessible in all directions, with seven broad paths around it, wide enough for horses to gallop.

Chen Qing gazed around and saw dust rising as numerous tribes led their forces to congregate at the mountain’s summit.

It looked like streams of black iron flowing past; seeing such a spectacle, Chen Qing thought no wonder there weren’t many major demons around the Xuan Bird tribe. This force would annihilate demons and evil spirits swiftly.

Two teams alone might easily crush small forces like Wuyou Mountain.

No grass would grow where the iron hooves passed.

Following the mountain path ahead, Chen Qing and Xuanping led the group uphill. Xuanping pointed her whip towards the wide plains to the east, "We’ll camp here, Qingxu, your people will camp next to mine."

Chen Qing sent Liu Guang to make arrangements, then rode with Jiang Miaoxian and the Eight Tigers to the center fort.

In front of the fort, there was an ironwood desk, flanked by five more on each side.

Chen Qing instructed Jiang Miaoxian and the Eight Tigers to dismount and settle the horses. Then he and Xuanping entered the meeting area.

Xuanping sat at the first desk on the right, gesturing for Chen Qing to sit at the one beside her, which he did without hesitation.

Three desks across were occupied except for the one at the front.

Once the nine tribal leaders had taken their seats, the old priest slowly came out from the fort and sat at the first desk to the left of the central table.

Chen Qing observed the people across from him, and Xuanping introduced them, "That one is the leader of the Yusheng Clan, at Foundation Establishment level, named Yushengzi."

Chen Qing looked over, seeing a middle-aged man who appeared about forty, with a somewhat sinister demeanor.

"The third one over there is the leader of the Black Feather Clan, Foundation Establishment level, named Hei Yu."

This man wore a long robe woven from black crow feathers, unusually tall with a prominent nose like a hooked beak, sharp-eyed, and also examining Chen Qing.

"That young man is the young clan leader of the Stone Heart Clan. His old clan leader is also at Foundation Establishment level, with unfathomable cultivation."

The young clan leader of the Stone Heart Clan looked extraordinarily young. Upon meeting Chen Qing’s gaze, he smiled warmly, his face sincere and slightly heroic but maintaining a sense of fairness.

To Chen Qing, he seemed deeply calculating, one to engage in friendly chatter face-to-face while ready to stab you in the back.

Just as Xuanping finished this introduction, everyone heard the sound of something massive flying overhead. Chen Qing looked towards the noise to see Xuan Mang arriving on a giant Xuan Bird with an eight-foot wingspan, flying through the clouds towards them.

This Xuan Bird was bronze-colored, its feathers unlike normal feathers but more like bronze itself, flying as if a bronze statue of a Xuan Bird had come to life.

A feather on its head stood a foot long, resembling a crown.

Every feather bore intricate patterns, elaborate and magnificent, offering a bizarre beauty like viewing an ancient painting or a legendary divine bird emerging.

Xuan Birds in flight, priests are born.

The Xuan Bird landed in the center of the meeting area; Xuan Mang dismounted and smiled at everyone before heading to the central seat.

The Xuan Bird approached Xuanping, pleasingly rubbing against her until she fed it a red Spiritual Peach, after which it obediently lay down beside Xuan Mang, motionless like a bronze Xuan Bird statue.

This was the core of the Xuan Bird tribe’s power, the true guardian of Cold Mountain City.

The Xuan Bird.

Chen Qing wasn’t sure of the Xuan Bird’s strength, but judging from its divine appearance, before his Foundation Establishment, it was likely unbeatable for him.

With his recent substantial power growth, Chen Qing constantly wondered if he could defeat whatever he saw, commonly known as "itchy fingers."

However, Chen Qing remained cautious; even if tempted, he could control his impulses.

Xuan Mang took his seat, and only then did Xuanping lead a respectful bow, "Greetings, City Lord!"

The ritual ceremony was somewhat dull.

Chen Qing restrained himself from nodding off, mainly out of respect for Xuanping, who presided over the rituals, unlike Yushengzi, who nearly dozed off from weariness.

Not that it mattered to him!

The proceedings mostly involved informing the royal capital, worshiping the Miao God, and honoring King Wu, praying for favorable weather and prosperity.

The major difference from earthly ceremonies was that this one truly worked!

King Wu, also known as Martial Virtue Monarch, symbolized strength and courage within the Jiuli.

The current King Wu had reigned for eight hundred years, one of the longest among the Nine Kings.

But Emperor Donghua of Da Yan was different, with each generation having very short lives. Except for the founding Emperor Donghua, who lived three hundred years, most barely surpassed a lifespan of a hundred; the longest reigned only a hundred fifty-four years.

The shortest merely thirty years.

Absurd!

Fu Luo said she had never seen her father, hearing his health wasn’t good.

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Chen Qing speculated it might be related to the Gu on Emperor Donghua, perhaps one that drained life span.

But Chen Qing wasn’t overly concerned about that now; he was more focused on whether he could find some valuable herbs in this demon hunt to break through to the ninth level of Qi Refinement.

If not, he’d have to consider spending a fortune to buy them.

With the rituals concluded, Xuanping, donned in a long black dress, began listening to Xuan Mang speaking, "Last year, there were traces of demons and evils in thirty-two locations. Seven urgent ones have been eradicated, leaving twenty-five that are less pressing and can be addressed now."

Xuan Mang turned to the old priest, "I request the old priest to announce these demon traces so that our warriors can investigate thoroughly and annihilate the demons!"

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