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Longevity: Starting from Refining Gu-Chapter 414 - 242: King-Slaying Clever Strategy - Time to Close the Net_2
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After Qing Ran unleashed a torrent of anger again in the Shadow Guard Mansion, she received a letter. After reading it, she burned the letter, adjusted her attire, and headed to the Dead Sea Palace.
The Shadow Guards watched Qing Ran go, lamenting inwardly, thinking to themselves that this time, Lord Qing Ran was going to be scolded again.
When she returned, she would undoubtedly vent her anger on them.
Qing Ran arrived at the Dead Sea Palace once more and entered the side hall, where she could see Chen Qing conversing with Yan Sisi.
"Subordinate, I have met Lord Wen and Miss."
Chen Qing toyed with a jade jar in his hand and tossed it to Qing Ran, "Qing Ran, it’s time to close the net."
Qing Ran had waited seven years for this sentence, showing immense joy, "Is it enough?"
Yan Sisi said in a deep voice, "We’ve sown enough seeds, and now it’s time to reap."
"Prepare to take the final step, Qing Ran."
Qing Ran cupped her hands, exhilarated, "Yes, Miss, I’ll go prepare immediately!"
She turned on her heel and strode out of the side hall, feeling refreshed.
At this moment in the human world, rumors spread that an ancient treasure had appeared in Nanli, among which was a highly peculiar Gu, the Heavenly Mechanism Gu.
Rumor had it that acquiring this Gu could allow one to peer into the heavenly mechanisms and foresee the future, instantly stirring up a bloody storm across Nanli in the battle for the Heavenly Mechanism Gu.
The long struggle was on the verge of breaking out, plunging the entire Nanli into temporary chaos.
However, in the end, the Loose Cultivators or fiends of Nanli were no match for Jiuhe City, which secured the Heavenly Mechanism Gu, planning to secretly send it to the Death Realm for Lord Wen’s subordinates to use, to peer into the heavenly mechanisms and divine good or bad fortune.
Wutong Palace.
Fei Lie stepped into the great hall and bowed to Feng Qiwu, "Your Majesty, my stratagem has succeeded!"
Feng Qiwu rejoiced, "General Fei Lie, you mean the object required to open the Ghost Gate has already been swapped successfully?"
Fei Lie nodded, "Indeed, they can no longer directly send the Heavenly Mechanism Gu into Fengdu."
"This time, the Heavenly Mechanism Gu has entered the Death Realm, with its landing point rerouted to Ruoshui City near Chaotian City."
Feng Qiwu laughed heartily, "With you, sir, I am like a tiger with wings!"
"The Heavenly Mechanism Gu is of great importance and must not fall into the hands of Nanli!"
"If Qing Ran contracts the Heavenly Mechanism Gu, it won’t be so easy to deal with."
"Fortunately, sir, your divine foresight secretly altered the landing point of the Heavenly Mechanism Gu’s entry into the Death Realm."
"Sha Jingye, you are responsible for the seizure of the Heavenly Mechanism Gu this time!"
Sha Jingye laughed boldly, "Rest assured, Your Majesty, I will succeed without fail!"
In less than seven days, Sha Jingye indeed seized the Heavenly Mechanism Gu.
He returned to Wutong Palace to present it to Feng Qiwu.
Feng Qiwu, upon acquiring the Heavenly Mechanism Gu, opened the Promotion Map and began examining it, "Ancient Text?"
"Shu Wanli, can you understand this Ancient Text?"
Shu Wanli stepped forward immediately and, after examining it, said, "Subordinate can understand it, and I will analyze its secrets for Your Majesty."
"The heavenly mechanism is elusive, not achievable by human power."
"This Gu, uniquely crafted, manipulates the heavenly mechanism, requiring Life Span as a sacrifice to glimpse a thread of it..."
Upon hearing this, Feng Qiwu said, "Does this mean that the Heavenly Mechanism Gu is activated at the cost of Life Span?"
"And the larger the heavenly mechanism spied upon, the more Life Span is consumed?"
Feng Qiwu, already suppressed for three hundred years and relying on the Sumeru Gu to extend life, naturally was reluctant to contract such a Gu that required Life Span sacrifice.
"Three ministers, who is willing to contract this Gu?"
Sha Jingye and Shu Wanli, also once suppressed, lacked Life Span, and both directed their gaze toward Fei Lie.
Fei Lie generously stepped forward, "Your Majesty, since the two generals are short of Life Span, let me contract it."
Feng Qiwu said, "Fei Lie, your loyalty is evident, rest assured in contracting it. If it’s just minor matters, I definitely won’t let you waste your Life Span."
Another three months passed.
News came from the front that Xu Yaofeng was defeated, losing three cities in succession in front of an old dragon.
Moreover, Xu Yaofeng was gravely injured, his life hanging by a thread.
Chen Qing, furious, deployed Wushang for support, but it presented Li Chonghuan’s side with an opportunity, allowing them to send their troops and capture a city.
Suddenly, Nanli was plunged into a situation of extreme danger.
The situation on the Central Plains battlefield seemed to spiral completely out of control due to Xu Yaofeng’s severe injuries.
Upon hearing this news, Feng Qiwu’s joy was evident, and he gathered his generals for a meeting again.
For before this news arrived, he had once again had the same dream as seven years ago.
A Goddess brought the sun into his dream, and this time, a blazing red sun hung high in the sky, illuminating thousands of miles, seemingly foretelling that he was on the brink of a significant victory and was one step closer to the true throne.
"Now the Death Realm Central Plains, Qingxu is greatly defeated, and Nanli’s situation is completely out of control. Generals, do you think there’s a chance for a great victory?"
Shu Wanli said, "Your Majesty, I think we should wait for the right opportunity; doing big things cannot be rushed."
Feng Qiwu was slightly displeased and looked at Sha Jingye. Knowing his lack of wisdom, Sha Jingye said, "Let’s see if Fei Lie has any news."
Fei Lie then stepped forward, "Your Majesty, according to my intelligence, due to the Central Plains’ loss of control, the rogue Qingxu has already secretly set off for the Central Plains!"
"Now, Chaotian City and Fengdu are not more than empty cities!"
"And now that the Central Plains’ situation is out of control, Qingxu will surely lead his army to support, otherwise, the defeat is inevitable!"
"In my opinion, this is our great opportunity!"
"If our army strikes, we will undoubtedly secure a great victory!"
"The only secret to this battle is speed; only with speed can we catch the rogue Qingxu off guard!"
"He thinks his covert strategy to head secretly to the Central Plains won’t be discovered by us, little does he know we’ve already uncovered such secrets!"
Upon hearing Fei Lie’s information, both Sha Jingye and Shu Wanli felt that this battle could be won.
Shu Wanli said, "The Central Plains is the key to vying for the throne; the rogue Qingxu cannot sit still!"
Sha Jingye also said, "Yes, Your Majesty, this time, as long as our army strikes, Qingxu is bound to lose!"
"We must seize Chaotian City and Fengdu before he returns, so our chances in future decisive battles will be greater."
Listening to his subordinates’ words, Feng Qiwu felt a sudden inexplicable doubt in his heart.
"Allow me to ponder this."
Three days later, Feng Qiwu convened another council, "This is an excellent opportunity. If we win, we can gain a decisive advantage."
"But I am still somewhat worried, after all."
"How about letting Fei Lie divine a fortune?"
Fei Lie showed reluctance, but everyone waited calmly, not anxious.
Such grand battles involve countless causes and effects, and peering into the heavenly mechanism might require a significant cost.
After dozens of breaths, Fei Lie then knelt, "This lowly servant is just a mere grass, and it’s only because of Your Majesty’s elevation that I’m here today. I am willing to burn my Life Span to divine."
"Still, may I leave a will?"
At this moment, Feng Qiwu remembered the terrifying cost of burning Life Span and frowned.
After pondering long and hard, he said, "It’s not that I am cruel, but this opportunity is rare, and we only have this one chance."
Fei Lie finished his will and smiled, "Your Majesty, if I divine this fortune and my soul returns to the Nine Nether, please look at my will carefully."
Feng Qiwu was nearly moved to tears, "Sir, please proceed. Your merits will be immortal!"
Fei Lie then began the divination, and everyone watched as Fei Lie aged from a young man into one with white hair, finally becoming an old man of advanced age.
The consumption of Life Span was truly terrifying!
Fei Lie, now aged and weary, as if he might die at any moment, still held on, "Your Majesty...."
"Great fortune...."
And with that, he fainted.
Feng Qiwu cried out, "Someone, quickly, someone, bring the Longevity Gu!"
"And take good care of Fei Lie. If he dies, I’ll butcher you all!"
After a chaotic scene, Sha Jingye cupped his hands, "Your Majesty, please do not grieve too much. Fei Lie is blessed with great fortune and will surely recover."
Shu Wanli cupped his hands, "Indeed, Your Majesty, now that General Fei Lie has exhausted so much Life Span to divine this fortune, please cherish it and decide promptly!"
A resolute look appeared in Feng Qiwu’s eyes, "Very well, deploy three thousand troops and strike with me!"
"This battle, I will completely rewrite the situation in the south!"
"Qingxu, let’s see the outcome tomorrow, and who will stand as king!"
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