Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu-Chapter 255 - 160: Staying Overnight in Front of the Military Camp, Dreaming of Killing Four People and Returning_2

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Chen Qing reached out and captured the souls of four people, transforming them into four black fish. He took out a purple clay pot, placed them inside, and began to cook them.

Seeing such a display of divine power, everyone gained a vague understanding.

No wonder he could subdue so many evil spirits; it turned out Chen Qing had divine power skills specifically designed to restrain them.

After cooking three of the fish until they turned white, Chen Qing tossed them away, leaving only Zhu Ye in the pot.

Picking up the pot, Chen Qing drank the bitter fish soup in one gulp, using the power of the Sea of Suffering to temper his body while absorbing Zhu Ye's memories.

A quarter of an hour later, Chen Qing opened his eyes, now having an extremely detailed understanding of the Vermilion Bird Tribe.

Could they really gather over a hundred Production System Foundation Establishment Cultivators?

As expected of the Vermilion Bird Tribe.

What's even more surprising is that Zhu Ning actually took those hundred production cultivators out!

But then again, considering the current lack of peace, keeping them close would ensure their safety.

They can't be left to guard Xuantian City, can they? Just the thought of over a hundred production-focused Foundation Establishment cultivators defending a city is a nightmare.

They even sent two hundred people to disrupt and interfere with my plans.

So, Zhu Ning truly had only about five hundred people capable of fighting in their hands now.

I deployed nearly seven hundred people for an ambush, catching them off guard. Victory seemed assured.

Under Chen Qing's banner, those cultivators began to feel a sense of respect.

At noon the next day, after Chen Qing awoke, he led his army to Xuantian City. Standing before the city, he laughed loudly and said, "Zhu Yan, I have four heads in my possession. If you're willing to come over and pour me a drink, I'll return these heads to you!"

Zhu Yan stood in front of Xuantian City with a somewhat grim expression.

"It seems Zhu Ye and the others failed."

All around were Foundation Establishment cultivators pleading, "Miss, please, beg the young master for help. We truly can't hold on."

"If the treasures accumulated by the Vermilion Bird Tribe for thousands of years are seized, how can we continue to stand tall?"

Zhu Yan hesitated for a long time before gritting her teeth and ordering, "Send a message to inform brother, and remember, only to inform!

"Whether to come back and rescue us, let brother decide."

But within a quarter of an hour, Chen Qing saw numerous small red birds flying through the layers of white clouds, heading into the distance.

Chen Qing let a smile play at the corners of his mouth and softly ordered, "Intercept those birds, let only one go."

Immediately, over a hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators chased after the red birds.

Chen Qing looked at Zhu Yan atop the city wall and said, "Surrender!"

To Chen Qing's surprise, Zhu Yan dared to actually step down from the city with just ten others.

Approaching the front line, Chen Qing moved forward about a mile. Seeing Chen Qing come out alone, Zhu Yan also halted her escort and walked alone toward him.

Chen Qing spread a bamboo mat on the ground with a wave of his hand and sat opposite Zhu Yan. "You've already lost, surrender."

Zhu Yan replied, "My army is just a thousand miles away. You've only won for the moment. If you dare to strike against Xuantian City, my brother won't let you go."

"Even to the ends of the earth, he will hunt you down!"

Chen Qing replied with a cheerful smile, "It seems you're still unwilling to give in."

Zhu Yan said, "You merely took advantage of our vulnerability and attacked by surprise!"

Chen Qing was happy to negotiate terms with Zhu Yan, hoping to stall for time.

He knew Zhu Yan was playing the same game, so he allowed her to continue analyzing the situation here.

Without buying time, how could he ambush Zhu Ning's army?

Chen Qing feigned mild surprise, "Only a thousand miles away?"

Zhu Yan nodded seriously, "Indeed, only a thousand miles away, they can return within a day!"

"If you are confident you can capture Xuantian City in a day, then make your move!"

In his heart, Chen Qing chuckled coldly, knowing they were at least three thousand miles away, yet she was still lying to him.

Fine, it plays right into my hands, I'll humor you.

"Do you believe your own words?"

"My terms are simple, I want treasures worth one hundred thousand Spiritual Pearls. Give them to me, and I'll leave!"

Hearing this number, Zhu Yan felt like she was going crazy, "One hundred thousand Spiritual Pearls, do you even know what you're saying?"

Chen Qing smiled and asked, "Do you have any other options?"

"Either bring them to me yourself, or I'll take them with my own hands!"

Zhu Yan looked at Chen Qing's face with intense dislike, "Even if you capture my Vermilion Bird Tribe, you couldn't gather that many!"

Chen Qing looked up at the sky, "I'll give you two hours to consider. If you don't agree, when the time's up, I'll come for them myself!"

"When that happens, and the city falls, don't blame me for being ruthless!"

Even for the Vermilion Bird Tribe, such an amount couldn't be gathered.

Chen Qing knew the wealth of the Taihao Tribe, and the Vermilion Bird Tribe was even stronger, yet the genuine treasures within the tribe were few.

The true treasures were in the hands of those in the Mystic Gate Realm; these Foundation Establishments had little.

After nearly three hours of back-and-forth, Chen Qing finally lowered the price to sixty thousand Spiritual Pearls.

Zhu Yan said, "Sixty thousand Spiritual Pearls, even for our Vermilion Bird Tribe, can't be gathered immediately. We need to call upon the tribes allied with us to gather them."

"You need to give me some time!"

This was another stalling tactic.

Chen Qing didn't mind.

Chen Qing smiled and said, "That's negotiable, but until you collect them, you must remain with me as a hostage, serving me as a groom and pouring my wine."

Zhu Yan glared at Chen Qing angrily, knowing it was the only way. She had to figure out a way to stall until Zhu Ning returned.

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Nearly biting through her silver teeth, Zhu Yan finally nodded, "Fine, I'll go back to inform my clan."

An hour later, Zhu Yan returned to the spot. Chen Qing did not withdraw his troops but continued to press the city.

He couldn't take Zhu Yan back to the camp and let her see through his bluff.

The battlefield entered a strange stalemate.

On September fifteenth, during the night, Chen Qing attended a gathering.

It was nothing too significant, just the usual guidance offered.

In his eyes, it was less thrilling than the current state of his battle.

However, that girl Red Lotus seemed to be getting richer, bewildering him somewhat.

It was as if Red Lotus might have her own Luck Gu.

After the gathering, Chen Qing redirected one hundred and eighty men to assist Lu Shenglong in ambushing Zhu Ning.

With such forces, it was certain Lu Shenglong wouldn't disappoint him.

Chen Qing, meanwhile, led the remaining hundred to continue the siege on Xuantian City, lounging boldly before the city while receiving Zhu Yan's service.

This fearless demeanor only heightened the anxiety within Xuantian City, as they all hoped Zhu Ning would return swiftly.

During these days of serving Chen Qing, Zhu Yan felt extremely humiliated. To serve a lowly person as the legitimate noblewoman of the Vermilion Bird Tribe!

Even a prince would treat her with utmost respect, not daring to slight her in the least!

Yet Chen Qing always maintained an imperious attitude.

After waiting a full three days, she still hadn't received any news that Zhu Ning had returned to his army, causing her to feel uneasy.

Could it be that brother has already abandoned Xuantian City?

Impossible, even if he abandoned me, he wouldn't abandon the treasures within Xuantian City!

That night, Chen Qing lay back on the bamboo mat, eyes closed, and said, "Pour the wine."

Although Chen Qing acted imperiously, he maintained no physical contact with Zhu Yan.

Zhu Yan was a woman he had other plans for and couldn't have any physical relationship with her.

She was a future leverage point to control Lu Shenglong.

At that moment, a Foundation Establishment cultivator suddenly flew in, landing in front of Xuantian City. After being inspected, he quickly approached Chen Qing.

"Lord Wei, battle report from the front!"

Chen Qing immediately became alert, took a sip of Spiritual Ginseng Wine, and said, "Read it!"

The messenger promptly took out a letter from his sleeve and read, "After Commander Lu took over military authority, he reassembled the troops and decided our army would ambush Zhu Ning's forces at Six Plate Water!"

"Our army laid ambush amidst the river for three days, neither appearing day nor night, awaiting Zhu Ning's army to arrive."

"This is the shortest route for Zhu Ning's army to return. Commander Lu was certain Zhu Ning wouldn't heed a few dozen miles of wetland and marsh."

Hearing this, Chen Qing had yet to react, but Zhu Yan could no longer hold the wine jug in her hand.

The jug fell, shattering into pieces.

The clear wine quickly spilled over the crimson-red ground.

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