In the 211th year of the Southern Dynasties, on the ninth day of the first month.

The Chen residence was bustling with activity, but it wasn't chaotic or noisy. Amidst the sounds of music and instruments, laughter could be heard faintly. Guests coming and going were either wealthy or noble, all distinguished scholars.

Even at this time, officials and dignitaries from outside the mansion were not few in number. They all lined up to send congratulatory gifts, which fully demonstrated the might of the Chen Mansion.

But at this moment, as the protagonist being celebrated, Chen Dengming, the head of the Chen family, was already somewhat weary of such worldly banquets. A long-suppressed impulse, hidden in his heart, was growing increasingly restless with the approaching date on that invitation card.

As the eighth martial arts master in Nanxun Kingdom to reach the Innate Realm, Chen Dengming has been a renowned figure in the Jianghu for decades.

But what truly propelled him to fame was an experience from over a decade ago when the King of Nanxim personally invited Chen Dengming to become the Crown Prince's martial arts instructor at the palace.

Although the title of Taishi (Grand Preceptor) was merely nominal, it elevated the Chen family's status. They rose from a prominent clan in the martial arts world to become a powerful official family.

But among these rumors, the most talked-about is that Chen Dengming once encountered a fairy in his youth and was given a longevity pill, so this old master Chen, despite being over eighty years old, still looks young with a handsome and dignified face, becoming the dream lover of many women in the Jianghu.

Recently, for his exemplary instruction of the Crown Prince in martial arts, King Nanxin bestowed upon Chen Dengming a golden plaque inscribed with "Martial Arts Master of Nanxin," personally written by His Majesty.

At one point, Chen Deng's fame nearly eclipsed that of the other innate masters.

These days, guests coming to the Chen residence to offer congratulations almost trampled the threshold, all hoping to catch a glimpse of the plaque "Southern Seeker Sword King" and the demeanor of the sword king himself.

However, it was ironic that Chen Dengming's most powerful martial art wasn't his swordsmanship, but the gu technique he had learned from that immortal back in the day.

"Having lived through eighty-two years, if I hadn't cultivated with the golden finger to prolong my life, I would probably be dead by now...... Unfortunately, twenty years ago after I achieved great success in martial arts, even ordinary martial arts or the highest level of skills could no longer help me cultivate and prolong my life. The only hope left is the Gu technique I learned from that immortal back then."

Chen Dengming stood with his hands behind his back on the high building, overlooking the lively and bustling banquet below. He had a wooden expression, as if he had seen through the world's vanity and was unwilling to waste any more energy on it.

Behind it were four screens engraved with the eighteen scenes of Nanzhi, and behind the screens, the ground was already covered with kneeling Chen family guards, all first-rate masters cultivated by him. They were about to do something for him.

Chen Dengming felt a pang of regret, “It’s a pity... that secret art from the immortals, even with my golden finger's help, due to the lack of cultivation resources, it would be difficult to make further progress.”

Now that I only have fifty years left, if I were still attached to the worldly wealth and glory, I would inevitably live out my life like an ordinary person and die just like them. Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

If he didn't know about the existence of immortals, Chen Dengming could completely treat his transmigration as being in a martial arts world.

He diligently cultivated himself until today, able to drink with the emperor and teach the prince, becoming the Taifu of the crown prince. His fame spread throughout the land. In his past, he was surrounded by beautiful women and enjoyed a life of wealth, power, and pleasure. He even married seven wives and concubines. It can be said that he has experienced all the glory, wealth, beauty, and power in this life, and has no regrets.

For the next fifty years, he was confident that he could reach the peak of the martial arts world and truly become the number one martial artist.

But...since it had been known for a long time that immortals existed in this world, his ambition had also undergone subtle changes a long time ago.

Since inheriting the immortal's gu technique all those years ago, he has been cultivating tirelessly. However, due to the limited resources in the mortal world, his progress has gradually stalled.

His lifespan had come to a complete halt at the age of one hundred and thirty-two fifteen years ago, and it was no longer possible for him to improve even slightly through cultivation.

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Fifteen years ago, he publicly married and took concubines, expanding his family. It was a crazy, desperate gamble to live life to the fullest and leave no regrets.

But he never had any children. This was largely due to the Vajra-Immovable Zen practice he learned in his youth. Moreover, a sliver of hope remained in his heart. After all, when he received the Gu sorcery transmission from that immortal, there was also an invitation.

According to the invitation, once every hundred years, a celestial being from another realm will descend. They will hold a grand ascension ceremony on Piao Miao Cliff in Bingfeng Forest, north of Nanxun Country.

But anyone holding an invitation, regardless of their background, is eligible to go to Miaofeng Cliff and try their luck at becoming an immortal.

If one possesses the aptitude for cultivation, they will be welcomed into a celestial sect, stepping into the realm of immortals and seeking the path to eternal life.

It was precisely the existence of this invitation that kept Chen Dengming's aspiration to cultivate immortality burning brightly all these years.

But now, with only half a year left until the grand Ascension Ceremony officially begins, Chen Dengming has decided to abandon his Chen family and leave.

He took one last look at the lively family feast, then turned his gaze from another window to the backyard.

His seven wives and concubines were chatting merrily with the wives of officials and nobles.

It can be seen that all of his wives are enjoying the rich and luxurious life now......

These wives were all taken by him fifteen years ago during his time of great wealth and prosperity. Each one was a well-born daughter from a prominent family, marrying for status and riches. They naturally enjoyed the benefits they received now.

But sadly, no one understood his feelings.

Now, he suddenly had a realization. Before crossing over, when he watched "Tang Bohu Spots the Autumn Fragrance," he thought Tang Bohu's emotionless state when looking at his many wives and concubines was strange. Now, he realized he felt the same way.

When I was still a high school student, I couldn't understand this. Now that I understand it, I am already an old man in his sixties.

He turned and left, instructing his manager, who hovered like a shadow by his side, to summon the wives and concubines of both the Sixth House and the Third House.

Fifteen years passed, and many of the seven wives he had taken back then had already aged. However, he, thanks to taking elixirs of youth in his early years, still looked thirty.

Of all the wives and concubines, only the sixth and third were still young and beautiful. Their skin was even smoother than that of a young girl, and their temperament was impeccable.

Three months ago, his Vajra Immovable Meditation had reached its peak, with nothing to hinder him anymore.

Before parting, Chen Dengming wanted to go all out one last time, leaving behind an heir so that this mortal life would be complete and without regret.

Otherwise, once the pursuit of immortal love fails and something dangerous happens during the process, wouldn't he have just lived a pointless life in this world, leaving behind little trace, not even an heir to inherit his vast family business?

“Chen Zhong.”

Chen Deng said calmly.

“Here I am, master!”

Butler Chen Zhong was withered and gaunt, with a simple and honest face. But his sharp eyes flickered with intelligence, making him appear resolute and not easily underestimated. At this moment, he stood bowed, awaiting instructions from Chen Dengming.

Chen Dengming calmly said, "If the third and sixth houses are pregnant, regardless of whether it's a boy or a girl, I want you to protect the child until they grow up and pass on the family business to them. There is no need for them to be particularly capable, I just hope they can be healthy and safe."

“The old slave will certainly not betray the master's trust!”

Chen Zhong was overwhelmed with emotion, kneeling down on the ground and raising his hands to receive the token and entrustment delivered by Chen Deng. His eyes were already red.

He understood this was Chen Dengming's great trust in him.

After being bestowed the surname Chen, he changed his name to Chen Zhong. Throughout his life, he remained loyal to the Chen family and his master.

>

Having spent so many years navigating the treacherous world, Chen Dengming wouldn't rely solely on one contingency plan. However, Chen Zhong, with his formidable skills that had reached the peak of human potential and unwavering loyalty, was his chosen guardian for the family after his departure.

In addition, he also selected other candidates from the assassins, ensuring that everything was foolproof.

That night.

In the master bedroom of Chen's family home, eighteen brides and eighty grooms are gathered. Gray hair meets red makeup. The mandarin ducks bed is filled with couples at night, a pear tree blossom overwhelms the peony flowers.

On this very night, fireworks crackled and boomed throughout the Chen family compound. Outside the courtyard, the east wind carried thousands of blossoming flowers as they danced in the air. Inside, thousands upon thousands of pear blossoms bloomed, painting a scene of ethereal beauty.

The Third and Sixth Wives were overjoyed with tears of happiness, thinking after so many years of waiting, the Master had finally relented and wanted to have an heir. Little did they know that Chen Dengming was about to depart, pursuing the path of immortality.

...

The next day.

The Chen family's first batch of death warriors departed first, heading straight for the Bingfeng Forest and Miaoyao Cliff in the north of Nanxinguo.

Chen Dengming, in pursuit of immortality, had searched for decades but never found any trace or sign of immortals.

As for the Icewind Forest, he had sent people to investigate many times, but found nothing unusual.

As the Grand Ascendance Conference drew nearer, he became even more composed and didn't rush to investigate it immediately. Instead of acting impulsively, he chose a calculated approach. He first sent his death squads to explore, ensuring they could avert any potential danger beforehand.

After all, the inheritance he received from the Gu Dao Immortal back then was only obtained from a corpse.

Why do immortals die, and is the Ascension Grand Meeting a hoax? These are all unknowns.

As a time traveler, Chen Dengming's thoughts and vision were beyond what the natives of this world could compare to.

When it comes to shamans, the response from indigenous people might be one of extreme reverence, even bordering on blind obedience and a fear of going against their will.

But Chen Dengming's reaction might be, 'Perhaps immortals are just cultivators, those who cultivate the Tao, and they are also powerful beings cultivated by humans.' I've seen this too many times in novels from my past life.

>

Of course, after all, he has not yet truly seen the so-called 'immortals'. He wonders if the cultivators of this world will be different from what he imagined. Everything is still unknown.

One week after the first group of assassins departed.

Outside the notorious Blood Centipede Cave, a place feared throughout the martial world, a figure clad in fine robes suddenly appeared.

The Blood Centipede Cave is renowned for its countless venomous blood centipedes. In the dim light, numerous cave openings shimmer with phosphorescence, as eerie as ghostly flames.

>

Every midday, a faint green miasma would erupt from within the cave. It was the excrement of the venomous Blood Centipede, ejected through skull-shaped holes in the ceiling. Should anyone inhale it unknowingly, they would surely succumb to its deadly effects.

In the past, some people in the martial arts world mistakenly believed that there was a treasure hidden inside this cave, thinking it was the tomb of an imperial family from a previous dynasty. This attracted many martial artists who were greedy for wealth and wanted to enter and steal the treasure. Let me know if you have any other text you'd like me to translate!

Who would have known that this blood centipede den was merely a place for Chen Dengming, the old master of the Chen family, to cultivate venomous insects.

At that time, Chen Dengming had not yet been promoted to the Innate realm, but he was already a well-known chivalrous figure in the martial world. Facing some greedy and unscrupulous martial artists, he had also spoken sternly to remind them of the dangers within the cave. However, no one was willing to heed his advice, even thinking that he wanted to dissuade everyone so that he could monopolize the treasure for himself.

Unable to do anything about it, Chen Dengming could only let it happen and secretly did his best to control the blood centipede from harming people.

Greedy martial artists swarmed into the cave, ransacking it frantically. In the end, they disturbed the blood centipede, resulting in many casualties within the Blood Centipede Cave.

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For many years after, some people were still drawn into the cave, either by the legend of the treasure or by greed for the secret martial arts and weaponry said to belong to the swordsmen who had died within. As more people perished with little gain, the Blood Centipede Cave gradually became a place of death, and no one dared to enter it recklessly again.

"Without the lessons of blood, without hitting a southern wall, human greed will never stop."

The man in fine clothes let out a soft sigh, listening to the rustling sounds from within the cave ahead, like centipedes crawling. He walked to another patch of dwarf forest, calculated the time, and bent down to start digging a hole with his short shovel, taking out the poisonous fungus from the pit.

This is the text after translation: There are many reasons why people choose to learn English.

"Hiss—"

A brightly colored snake suddenly popped out of the pit, its red tongue flicking.

He grabbed the snake's head with his hand and pressed it into the pit. With the other hand, he calmly began picking up the white-green poisonous fungus that grew along the edge of the pit and put it into the gourd pouch at his waist.

But all that could be seen within the pit was a writhing mass of venomous snakes, in clusters and coils. Green, flowered, red—all colors imaginable. Their icy eyes, scales, and forked tongues, all filled one with a sense of dread.

He, however, had grown accustomed to it. After all, he was a master of raising insects, and cultivating the crazed wasp was nothing unusual for him.

He was Chen Dengming, the head of the Chen family, a legendary figure in Nanzhi Kingdom.

This cultivated type of centipede, as recorded in the ancient texts of Gu Immortal left behind by the former Gu Immortals, is the most common mundane Gu, not ranking amongst the elite.

Although so, according to the records of the Gu Refining Manual, it still poses a certain threat to cultivators of lower realms. It can be considered one of his trump cards before he went to the Ascension Conference this time.

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To brew this poison, a venomous snake is buried in the ground to cultivate snake venom fungi. The fungi are then used to harm people or to feed blood centipedes, which are used in further gu cultivation.

After taking out the epileptic worms, Chen Dengming went to a nearby bamboo forest and took out worm pieces soaked in a specially made medicine for over ten years from a bamboo tube.

Then he went to a nearby pond and retrieved the mud carp elixir, made with mud carp mixed with his own hair and special poisonous mud.

After extracting all kinds of poisons, Chen Dengming entered the notorious Blood Centipede Cave.

After lighting the fire, you could see in the depths of the Blood Centipede Cave, a vast expanse of writhing crimson centipedes. Enough to make anyone with arachnophobia suffocate just looking at them.

The sound of hundreds of limbs crawling on the ground, or the poisonous pincers tearing into each other, was like countless jelly beans bouncing in your ears.

Thousands of blood centipedes are refined into one gu, and this is how cruel the refining process is.

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In this cave, only one blood centipede can survive in the end. That blood centipede will be the main material for refining the blood centipede, which is what is called "taking a hundred insects into a jar, opening it after years, and one insect will have eaten all the others. This is called Gu."

After Chen Deng had disrobed and put his clothes neatly stacked inside the cave.

Although he was over eighty years old, he was still physically strong and fit, with layers of muscle and even some scars from blades and swords. These were the marks of many years of martial arts practice and fighting in the Jianghu.

He applied a special ointment to his body and then entered the Blood Centipede Cave.

Countless ferocious blood centipedes, catching a whiff of his scent, surged toward him like a tidal wave.

Chen Dengming, without any fear, took out a knife and cut his wrist, sprinkling blood around his body in a circle.

Suddenly, a horde of blood centipedes converged on the circle he had drawn with his blood. They fought each other savagely, vying to consume his blood.

This is what is called 'refining gu with humans', the whole process is eerie and mysterious.

The Blood Centipede is inherently cruel and unruly, difficult to control like an arm. After being refined into a Blood Centipede Gu, it becomes even harder to manage, easily retaliating against its master.

But through the method of 'refining centipedes with human essence', the blood centipede can finally consume the refined master's blood and mixed medicine. The blood centipede gu ultimately refined will be able to obey commands and connect with its master like blood relatives, communicating telepathically.

To cultivate this blood centipede, Chen Dengming spent forty years.

>Before heading to the Heavenly Ascension Conference, this would be his last trump card.

For once this blood centipede gu is refined, it becomes a true spiritual gu, posing a fatal threat to all cultivators.

Once the Ascending Immortal Grand Gathering happened to have any mishap, this could all be Chen Dengming's trump card to guarantee his own safety.

Moreover, the Blood Centipede Gu will also be the key to further breaking through his Gu refining technique. At that time, his lifespan will also increase again as a result...

...

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