Eternal Life: My Lifespan Increases Daily

Chapter 617: Chapter 416: Magic Beast Witch Soldier Seal, Scale! (Double Length)

Song Changming nodded and, after entering the Prince’s Mansion, skillfully made his way to a grand hall.

The plaque on the hall was inscribed with the words "Talisman Tao," and the royal talisman masters of the mansion mostly resided here.

This included Qian Yuan, who had accompanied him in the past.

This time, Song Changming was there to seek this chief talisman master of the mansion.

Inside the hall, upon seeing Song Changming, the talisman masters and some talisman Taoist children immediately paid their respects, respectfully calling him Grand Marshal.

In terms of official rank, although Song Changming was affiliated with the Military Department, he was undeniably a high-ranking official.

Within the entire official structure of the mansion, he belonged to the second tier.

In the entire Talisman Tao hall, only three to five people with the highest talisman skills could speak on equal terms with Song Changming.

Soon, he found Qian Yuan in the hall, playing chess with another white-bearded elder.

Song Changming did not interrupt them and quietly waited on the side.

He also studied the Tao of Chess and could tell at a glance that the battle on the chessboard was fiercely contested.

A quarter of an hour later, the game ended, with Qian Yuan losing half a move.

"Hehe, I will gladly accept it," the white-bearded elder laughed heartily, happily taking a few top-grade spirit crystals from the side.

It seemed the two old fellows enjoyed gambling on chess, and the stakes were quite substantial, showing no signs of cultivation and self-restraint.

"Hmph, old thing, the wind blurred my eyes, and I made an error! If you have the guts, don’t leave, let’s play again!" Qian Yuan glared, his old face full of dissatisfaction.

"You’re just being stubborn. I’ll take my leave today. If you want to give me more spirit crystals next time, remember to find me."

The white-bearded elder, not one to be trifled with, mocked a bit and nodded toward Song Changming before leisurely stepping away.

"Kid, what brings you here today?" Qian Yuan asked grumpily, clearly still upset over his loss on the chessboard.

Song Changming didn’t waste words, with a flip of his hand, a birdcage appeared.

The cage was small, containing a completely jet-black bird with a ghostly fire.

The bird no longer showed signs of life, only the ghostly fire on its surface continued to burn.

Upon seeing this peculiar exotic bird, Qian Yuan’s eyes immediately lit up.

"You actually managed to find this Night Firebird."

Song Changming nodded, put down the birdcage, and said, "This bird was fierce by nature. It was fine when captured, but unfortunately, it later severed its own vitality."

"No matter," Qian Yuan inspected it briefly and remarked, "It hasn’t been dead for long; it can still be used."

"This Night Firebird is really hard to come by. It seems the Prince Cui’s new commander is quite capable."

Qian Yuan patted Song Changming’s shoulder, praising him, dispelling the frustration of his recent chess loss.

"Since that’s the case, I’ll tell you the location of that fierce tiger. I don’t know what you intend to do, but be careful, that fellow’s not easy to deal with.

If Prince Cui learns you perished in the Nine Netherworld, it would implicate me." Qian Yuan kindly reminded him.

"Thank you for the warning, Elder." Song Changming nodded.

"Since you’re here, accompany me for a couple more games," Qian Yuan stated after fulfilling his promise, dragging Song Changming to a seat.

He knew of Song Changming’s chess skills and was eager to practice more.

"Playing chess with you, Elder, is indeed a pleasure, but I recently had insights into the Sumeru Array and am eager to get back to study..." Song Changming feigned reluctance.

"You brat, if you have any questions about the Talisman Tao, ask me, ask me, while playing!" Qian Yuan retorted, feigning annoyance.

Song Changming smiled slightly, sitting down without hesitation.

He was well aware that the chief talisman master of the mansion was a Level Six in the Talisman Tao.

With such a figure before him, it was a veritable treasure trove of Talisman Tao knowledge, a wasted opportunity if he didn’t seek guidance.

"Kid, don’t say I didn’t warn you. Life and energy are limited; wanting everything is impractical. I suggest focusing on what you’re proficient in."

"Even the Changsheng Family isn’t like you."

Song Changming replied with a slight smile, "I’m merely interested in the Talisman Tao and will not neglect my martial arts cultivation. Please rest assured, Elder."

"Hmph, what a greedy little rascal," Qian Yuan muttered inwardly, not believing Song Changming in the slightest.

To reach a Level Three in talisman arrays and claim mere interest as the motive—it surely required a significant amount of time and effort.

But he refrained from advising further.

After all, their relationship was only so close, not intimate.

Moreover, the fact that Song Changming managed to advance so far on his own in the Talisman Tao was proof of his innate talent, so it wasn’t mere wishful effort.

Upon leaving Qian Yuan, Song Changming found himself with notable gains; he estimated his advancement to Level Three Talisman Master was not far off.

Besides that, he also obtained the intelligence he was after.

"So, what’s next..."

Returning to the army, Song Changming briefly gave some instructions, and then officially reported to the Military Department before leaving the city alone.

As a military leader, only Hu Tomb, the Grand Marshal, was above him; no one else could command him.

As he exited the city, a stationed officer noticed his departing figure on the city wall.

"Zhao Chang, what’s up?" Another officer, noticing his sudden pause and odd expression, inquired.

"Nothing," the officer replied nonchalantly, saying no more before walking off.

Elsewhere, in a quiet chamber within the Zhao Mansion.

The Shi family Grandmaster ancestor of the Zhao Family sat quietly inside, motionless like in meditation.

Upon closer inspection, one might notice that this former grandmaster’s aura was slightly disordered.

The entire chamber was filled with a pervasive medicinal herb scent that wouldn’t dissipate.

Since being injured by that Great Demon more than half a year ago, this grandmaster ancestor had yet to fully recover.

Clearly, the injury had struck his core, shaking the foundation of his Martial Tao!

That was the main reason why he could not shake off his malady.

Like any ordinary person, a wound that might heal quickly when young could prove life-threatening in old age.

This martial arts grandmaster was in such a condition.

As the last surviving ancestor of the Zhao Family, he was truly too old.

His decrepit body was far more fragile than in his younger years. The injury was not fatal, but his recovery was immensely challenging.

After a long while, he opened his eyes and sighed, his gaze gloomy.

He raised the corner of his garment, revealing underneath a ghastly deep claw mark on his emaciated torso.

A faint hint of demon qi lingered, haunting his wound, hard to purge.

"Damn it!" Zhao Wen Ruo gritted his teeth, hatred directed at the Great Demon, while harboring resentment toward Prince Cui of the mansion.

If it weren’t for Prince Cui forcibly conscripting all noble family grandmasters to combat the Great Demon, he wouldn’t have been injured.

As he pondered, the current patriarch of the Zhao Family, Zhao Boqi, knocked on the quiet chamber’s door.

"Ancestor, the boy has left the city again, and this time, judging by his prolonged report to the military, he intends to leave Cui Bai Dao and even Chuyun Province," Zhao Boqi reported respectfully.

"I understand." Upon hearing this, Zhao Wen Ruo released the corner hiding the claw mark and slowly stood as if to step out of the chamber.

Zhao Boqi, upon seeing this, hesitated but eventually voiced, "But your body..."

"Though injured, I remain a martial arts grandmaster. What, could I not handle a mere Innate Realm military commander?"

Zhao Wen Ruo cast Zhao Boqi a glance, as if aware of his concerns, responding firmly.

"But that boy is quite peculiar. In the past..." Zhao Boqi, recalling previous instances, still worried.

"Enough. Without handing him over to the Su Family, they won’t help us. Hmph, the Su Family’s bloodline is exceptionally noble; such dirty work can only be done by an outsider like me."

Zhao Wen Ruo did not wish to speak further with Zhao Boqi, stepping out, transforming into a stream of light, leaving the city.

...