You tell Elder Brother to calm down first. Right now, the most important thing is to help you find the "grass of the Northern Frontier," which is the "Longevity Grass" recorded in the pill formula.

This grass only grows in the Northern Frontier.

"My fourth brother needs Longevity Grass to refine a pill and break through his realm. How could your elder brother not help? This is no trouble at all. Come, follow me to get it!"

Oh? That easy?

Having wide connections sure makes things easier to handle.

Indeed, the world isn't just about fighting and killing; it's about human relationships and social intricacies!

Chen Jing leads you northward, deep into the heart of the grasslands.

Ahead lies a massive chasm and cliff face, standing like a barrier blocking the northern part of the grasslands.

At the foot of that cliff, you see some felt tents commonly used by nomadic herders for lodging during their travels.

"The Longevity Grass of our Northern Frontier is under the care of the Grand Elder. After consuming this grass, one can extend their lifespan by five years. It's usually used to prolong the lives of Great Khans who still have unfinished business. I, your elder brother, am currently in my prime, so the Grand Elder definitely won't give it to me."

As expected, it's not going to be that smooth, you think.

"Does Elder Brother have a way then?"

Chen Jing lets out a hearty laugh.

"If my fourth brother wants something, would your elder brother have no way of getting it? Don't worry!"

An old man with a white beard and white hair walks out of a felt tent.

Li Lingyue tells you he is one of the two and a half Martial Saints in the Northern Frontier, the Grand Elder of the Northern Frontier, Gemenghan.

"Great Khan, you bring a guest today. May I ask what the purpose of your visit is?"

Chen Jing says nothing, walking silently up to the Grand Elder.

Then, he plops down on the ground, hugging the Grand Elder's leg and starts crying.

"Grand Elder!! This handsome young man is my fourth brother! One of the only two blood relatives I have left in this world! Don't be fooled by his youthful appearance now; he changed his face to get married! In reality, he's already in his seventies or eighties! He hasn't reached the Martial King Realm, so he doesn't have many years left to live! Grand Elder! The most painful thing in this world is being separated from a loved one for decades, finally reuniting, only to have to watch them pass away before your eyes! Grand Elder! Give me one stalk of Longevity Grass! Let him live a few more years, let us brothers..."

"Great Khan, there's no need for this. Since he is the Great Khan's own younger brother, how could this old man not show some personal consideration?"

"Good."

Chen Jing's tears vanish in a second.

He stands up as if nothing happened.

Just like that, you obtain the Longevity Grass and thank Gemenghan.

Li Lingyue smiles and says, "No wonder Elder Brother managed to fight his way out of the brutal succession competition set by the Previous Great Khan. A true man knows when to yield and when to stand firm; he is certainly no ordinary person."

Chen Jing gives a calm smile, then says seriously.

"Must not speak of this to outsiders."

You inform Chen Jing that currently, the Southern Borderlands, the Central Plains, and the major sects are all gathering at Cangqiong Ridge, setting up defenses in advance.

The message Li Chengqian asked you to deliver is also relayed.

"The Five Regions belong to everyone. If the Five Regions are in danger, the Northern Frontier cannot sit idly by! But the task entrusted by His Majesty cannot be neglected either! Therefore, the Northern Frontier must also divide its forces!"

Being willing to send a portion of people and resources to help is already very good.

Even if the Demon Tribe starts a war, only the vanguard will come in the early stages.

Gathering a million troops in one place, coordinating their deployment, and ensuring logistics isn't that easy. The Demon Tribe needs to eat too, you know.

Just as you are about to head to Xiliang with Li Lingyue to find the "water of Xiliang"...

Li Lingyue receives a message from a trusted subordinate.

"Demon Monkey Great General is leading a vanguard of one hundred thousand Demon Tribe troops, attempting to attack the various major powers in the Eastern Wastes. However, all the sects and noble families in the Eastern Wastes have already followed the Sword Lord's arrangements and evacuated to the Cangqiong Ridge defense line in advance. The Demon Tribe came up empty-handed this time."

You and Chen Jing are invigorated.

"Good!"

"However, the two sides are already fighting at Cangqiong Ridge. My Southern Borderlands soldiers and martial artists have already suffered quite a few casualties..."

A look of pity appears in Li Lingyue's eyes.

She cultivates the Faith Dao and possesses a natural compassion for the subjects who worship her.

You take her hand.

"Go. Fight alongside your people."

The understanding between you and Li Lingyue needs no words.

Li Lingyue takes out a golden statue, life-sized like herself, from her storage ring.

"If you are in danger, infuse the Three Energies into this golden body. It will then transform into a faith avatar, and I can fight for you at full strength for the time it takes an incense stick to burn."

Impressive!

You've cultivated the martial path for many years and have never heard of such a method.

This is undoubtedly an ability unique to the Faith Dao!

It's not just one golden body; Li Lingyue also gives you many Southern Borderlands-specific treasures for self-defense.

This leaves Elder Brother standing to the side, feeling awkward and at a loss.

If he doesn't give something, it would be quite embarrassing.

In reality, you have the Nine Provinces Cauldron.

In the mortal world, what danger is there that can't be solved by hiding inside the Nine Provinces Cauldron?

You tell Li Lingyue and Elder Brother not to give anything more. Whether it's solving the internal problems of the Five Regions or dealing with the Demon Tribe attacks...

These top-tier powerhouses will be charging at the very front. They need treasures to assist them too.

Carrying too many of these things on your person is pointless; you can't inherit them after the simulation ends anyway. Better to let them stay where they can shine and be useful.

The fifty-ninth year, age seventy-seven.

You replace "Ageless Male God" with "Man and Sword as One."

You replace "Dragon Plays with Phoenix" with "Senior Tomato User."

You set foot on the land of Xiliang.

The Ten Thousand Souls Banner can no longer contain itself, becoming restless and agitated.

You have no choice but to release it from within your body.

As soon as this guy comes out, he roars wildly at the heavens and earth.

"Xiliang Spirit Artifact Nation!! Your emperor has returned!!!"

The Demon Refining Pot speaks with sarcasm.

"Well, well, well! You certainly know how to put on airs for yourself! Who acknowledges you as the emperor of the spirit artifacts? I think I have more of an imperial bearing!"

"Shut up! You broken chamber pot! Go push your dung ball!"

"Ooh—savage Immortal Artifacts are so crude, I spit on you~"

These two are arguing again.

Two tigers cannot share one mountain.

One refines souls, the other refines demons. They have their own specialized fields and neither submits to the other.

In the last simulation, the Ten Thousand Souls Banner wasn't in an Immortal Artifact body and couldn't out-argue the Demon Refining Pot.

This time it's good. There's not much essential difference between them now. At most, the Ten Thousand Souls Banner's artifact spirit hasn't fully recovered, but the gap isn't that big anymore.

This is truly a clash of titans.

But no matter what, with the Great Dao Immortal Artifact, the Nine Provinces Cauldron, holding authority over both of them, they ultimately have to follow your command.

The "water of Xiliang," its real name is "Forgetful Dust Water," is a rare natural treasure that only appears in the waters of Xiliang.

Although the pill formula clearly describes the properties of this water, it doesn't have detailed records on how to obtain it.

It only says to come to Xiliang and try your luck.

That would waste too much time.

You head straight for the imperial palace of the Xiliang Spirit Artifact Nation, preparing to help the Ten Thousand Souls Banner seize power and install him on the throne!

Afterwards, you'll control the emperor to command the officials, mobilizing all of Xiliang, whether human or artifact, to help you search together!

Being the emperor is easy to become a target; it's not a good choice.

Let the Ten Thousand Souls Banner be the emperor of Xiliang, but he must listen to you!

Hehehe... I'll pluck the fruit, you carry the blame!

Is this the feeling of being a powerful minister? Suddenly, I understand Qin Rong!