Chapter 261: Chapter 153: Elixir of Longevity, Eternal Life Lock (Two-in-One) (2)

This point had long been verified in the status bar; it was only after Chen Kuang had digested the Elixir of Longevity that he obtained the passive ability "Meat Ganoderma."

But what exactly does the Elixir of Longevity, a thing as contrary to logic as a perpetual motion machine, represent?

Even Jiang Wuya did not know.

Chen Kuang pondered for a moment and rephrased his question:

"Since you don’t know, then how can you help me slay the specter behind me?"

He pointed to the shadow of Su Yu, which moved in sync with his gesture, adding a touch of horror.

"Isn’t this thing attached to me through the Elixir of Longevity?"

Jiang Wuya said:

"Listen as I relate it one by one."

"Six years ago, I heard that the Emperor of Liang Kingdom was seeking talents to concoct the Elixir of Longevity, so I volunteered to relieve the emperor of his burdens, but unexpectedly, the Elixir of Longevity had long been in the emperor’s possession."

"He sought people merely to cover up the true origin of the Elixir of Longevity."

As Chen Kuang listened, the "I am Inspired" passive immediately activated, determining that Jiang Wuya was speaking the truth, which allowed him to relax a little.

Even though he didn’t know what purpose this guy had, at least he was telling the truth.

That was enough.

Chen Kuang then frowned and asked, "It appeared long ago, so where did this Elixir of Longevity come from?"

If it were produced through proper channels, there would be no need for cover-ups.

It indicated that the origin of this thing was unusual!

Jiang Wuya sighed and said, "Who could have imagined that this Elixir of Longevity actually condensed from the fate of Liang Kingdom!"

Upon hearing this, both Chen Kuang and Su Huaiying were shocked.

It was directly born from the national destiny of Liang Kingdom?!

This wasn’t just nonsense; national destiny is the foundation of a country!

Previously, Chen Kuang had persuaded the Emperor of Yang Kingdom to call upon national destiny to forcibly suppress a Saint!

It showed how powerful national destiny could be.

It was said that in ancient times, national destiny was even more terrifying, capable of directly affecting the strength of the kingdom’s cultivators, granting unimaginable various enhancements and miracles.

And now, after countless weakenings, this is the state of national destiny.

But it was unexpected that a piece of the Elixir of Longevity would be born from the national destiny of Liang Kingdom?!

Doesn’t that imply that Liang Kingdom’s national destiny has signs of reviving ancient phenomena?

For an emperor, wouldn’t that be a truly auspicious omen!

But Jiang Wuya continued, "However, soon after, Liang Kingdom’s national destiny began to decline infinitely, almost leading to its ruin."

"Sure enough, not long after, the news of the Elixir of Longevity in the hands of the Emperor of Liang Kingdom was leaked, and Zhou Kingdom began dispatching armies to harass and probe."

"Alas, poor General Huo, managed to hold on alone for four years, before he could not continue any longer."

"After that, naturally, Liang Kingdom’s defenses were breached, the Black Armor Army invaded, corpses were left everywhere, the Imperial City was broken, the emperor was killed, and the empress was imprisoned..."

Hearing this, Chen Kuang then coldly chuckled and said:

"But all this, Su Yu had actually foreseen."

"The decay of national destiny, Liang Kingdom’s downfall was only a matter of time... However, before that, he had already figured out a fallback plan."

Jiang Wuya grinned at Chen Kuang and said, "Correct, that fallback plan was you."

Chen Kuang took a deep breath, "This choice can’t be something Su Yu picked casually, could it?"

Jiang Wuya nodded, "Correct, correct."

He extended his bony finger, pointed to himself, and proudly said:

"It was I, who discovered among the court musicians one whose fate was peculiar, capable of retreating intact from an encirclement of thousands, taking away a sliver of life."

Chen Kuang: "..."

If not for the fact that this guy was still useful, he would have really wanted to punch his head apart!

So, the culprit was you, old geezer!

Chen Kuang took several deep breaths, then expressionlessly said:

"I get it, national destiny and the Elixir of Longevity are tied together, but how did Su Yu, also become an ingredient in the Elixir of Longevity?"

Jiang Wuya chuckled, "Have you heard of the ’Eternal Life Lock’?"

Chen Kuang’s eyebrow twitched.

Of course, he had heard of those three words.

Moreover, this term remained an unsolved mystery in his heart for a long time.

A month ago, shortly after he escaped from the Imperial City, he was hunted by two elders from the Three Tribulations Sect, named Wei Yan and Zhao Lie.

At the time, during their conversation as if no one else was present, they had mentioned the term "Eternal Life Lock."

In their conversation, the "Eternal Life Lock" was supposed to be the name of an array, and this array might involve "national destiny," "dragon vein," and so on.

But at that time, Chen Kuang didn’t know much about these things.

So he had no way of knowing what the "Eternal Life Lock" truly was.

Now, it seems that this thing is probably of an incredibly high level.

Chen Kuang said, "I’ve heard of it, but I don’t know what it is."

Jiang Wuya’s pupils glowed with a purple light as he explained, "The so-called ’Eternal Life Lock’, is an ancient forbidden secret technique, only usable by an emperor who has mastered national destiny."

"It was originally a benevolent technique."

"Only a benevolent ruler with the world at heart would use it."

"Because the function of the ’Eternal Life Lock’ array is to sacrifice the ruler himself, boost national destiny, and benefit the general populace."

"Once the array is activated, the ruler immediately sacrifices his own fortune, spirit, and body, everything altogether, greatly enhancing the national destiny, allowing the country’s people to enjoy longevity, and aiding cultivation."

"Because this array allows the ruler to merge with national destiny, making the ruler’s consciousness become the consciousness of national destiny, in other words... the ruler is the country!"

"From then on, the ruler can spread blessings through national destiny, ensuring the country’s long-lasting peace and stability."

Jiang Wuya lamented, "Yet, the only problem is that this ruler would forever be trapped within the shapeless, invisible national destiny, spending an eternal life."

"Hence, this secret technique is called the ’Eternal Life Lock’."

With a frown, Chen Kuang said, "But... this secret technique has now become forbidden."

"After all, a ruler is human too, and over such a long time, even a benevolent ruler could be driven mad and become a tyrant."

Jiang Wuya, his face full of excitement, exclaimed while gesturing wildly:

"Exactly! Exactly!"

"Any ruler who used the ’Eternal Life Lock’ ultimately, without exception, turned into a terrifying invisible demon, personally burying their own country."

"Because they existed with national destiny, only when national destiny perished would they die too!"

"Since then, the ’Eternal Life Lock’ became forbidden, no longer used."

Chen Kuang said, "So, Su Yu used the ’Eternal Life Lock’ in his final moments, merging himself with national destiny."

"At the same time, transferring national destiny and the Elixir of Longevity to me?"

Jiang Wuya nodded.

"Phew..." Chen Kuang exhaled deeply.

He finally understood a bit about how he was being used as a pawn in this grand scheme.

But then, Chen Kuang frowned, instinctively sensing something amiss:

"No, I heard this term from the Three Tribulations Sect elders in Zhou Kingdom..."

Jiang Wuya grinned:

"This world doesn’t only have Su Yu knowing about this secret technique."

Chen Kuang frowned, "Is Ji Chengtian planning to use it too? No, that’s impossible, he’s still fine in Zhou Kingdom, why use this technique?"

Jiang Wuya laughed heartily, eyes wide and sinister like an owl, slapping his thigh and saying:

"Ji Chengtian is planning to reverse this secret technique!"

Chen Kuang inhaled sharply.

Next to him, Su Huaiying instantly understood, his scalp tingling: "Ji Chengtian intends to reverse the ’Eternal Life Lock’?"

"Yes, and the target isn’t Zhou Kingdom’s citizens, but... Liang Kingdom!"

With Jiang Wuya’s words, Chen Kuang’s scalp tingled.

Damn it, it was all true!

So, Ji Chengtian plans to reverse the process, sacrificing the entire population of Liang Kingdom for himself, using their flesh and blood to boost Zhou Kingdom’s national destiny!