【 In the first year of Kaiyuan, your father, Jiang Yuan, established the nation, named Jing. That same year, you were born and appointed Crown Prince, but were abducted by villains. Fortunately, you were saved by a master, escaping a calamity. You received a survival reward — a cultivation technique, the Dao of Nature Art. 】【 In the second year of Kaiyuan, you were sent to Longqi Temple by the master Daoist Priest Qingxu. You accidentally encountered Senior Brother practicing martial arts and were beaten nearly to death. Fortunately, you were saved by Second Senior Brother, escaping a calamity. You received a survival reward — a martial art, the Divine Shadow Kick. 】【 In the fourth year of Kaiyuan, the Capital experienced an earthquake, and Longqi Temple collapsed. You were almost crushed by a falling beam. Fortunately, you were saved by Senior Brother, escaping a calamity. You received a survival reward — a martial art, the Nine-Level Heavenly Dragon Steps. 】【 In the fifth year of Kaiyuan, a great cold descended, and influenza ravaged the Capital. You unfortunately contracted the illness. Fortunately, Third Senior Sister gathered medicinal herbs to treat you, escaping a calamity. You received a survival reward — a miscellaneous art, the Spring and Autumn Medical Canon. 】【 In the sixth year of Kaiyuan, the founding general Cao Hubao rebelled and was suppressed. He fled into Longqi Temple, where you encountered him. Cao Hubao attacked you. Fortunately, you were saved by your master, escaping a calamity. You received a survival reward — a magical artifact, the Qilin Horsetail Whisk. 】!
Early in the morning, the first rays of sunlight pierced through the Green Mountains, dispelling the darkness, and shone upon the highest floor of a pavilion. An ancient bronze bell hung suspended in the air, beside which a young Daoist priest stood lost in thought.
This was Jiang Changsheng, twelve years old this year. Every morning before ringing the bell, he would review the events of his past half-life, using them to steel his resolve.
A night of martial arts practice left him utterly exhausted. Fortunately, his duties were simple: ringing the bell on time every day to remind everyone in the temple to rise and begin their work. Having taken on this task since he was six, he had not encountered any further setbacks, and his days had become leisurely. However, relying on the cultivation techniques, martial arts, and medical skills he had acquired, his life was far from boring.
Jiang Changsheng's survival system originated from his previous life. In his past life, he was a member of a game development team, and he created a game. The main question posed was: if you could achieve immortality, how long could you survive in the Cultivation World?
Players had infinite lifespans, but could be killed. On the path of cultivation, they would encounter all sorts of challenges and temptations. Jiang Changsheng had tried it himself, surviving for over ten thousand years at most, finding it highly challenging.
This game was not a simple choice-based game; it required skill and practical exploration. Even if one always hid in one place, they could still encounter natural disasters. In short, it was a single phrase: "The fortunes and misfortunes of life are unpredictable."
After the game launched, it quickly became a massive hit. Overwhelmed by emotion upon seeing the backend data, Jiang Changsheng, after prolonged sleepless nights, suddenly died at his computer desk. He then reincarnated into this world.
In this life, he dared not guarantee whether he possessed immortality. He would only know after several decades. Before then, he intended to rely on the survival rewards to grow stronger, powerful enough to face the calamities of life.
Dao Fa Zi Ran Gong was stuck at the second level, but he had completely mastered Shen Ying Tui and Jiu Xun Tian Long Bu. The Chun Qiu Bao Dian was vast and profound; he had merely memorized its contents but had yet to apply them. As for magical artifacts, he hadn't cultivated spiritual energy yet, so he couldn't use them. He kept these treasures deep in his mind, waiting until he cultivated Dao Fa Zi Ran Gong to the fourth level and refined spiritual energy, then he would be able to master them. Currently, his body only contained zhenqi, which could enhance the power of martial arts.
Sunlight shone upon him. Jiang Changsheng yawned, gripped the wooden mallet hanging nearby with both hands, and began to strike the bell.
Dong—The bell's chime echoed through the mountains, lingering for a long time, as if urging time to move faster. Combined with the verdant mountains and clear waters of the world, it revealed a pleasing sense of the passage of time.
He struck it once, paused for five breaths, then struck it ten more times. Jiang Changsheng released his grip.
"Today's slacking-off life begins again."
Jiang Changsheng hummed softly as he began to descend the stairs. He wore a greyish-blue Daoist robe, and under the sunlight, its hem fluttered in the wind, giving him a unique ethereal air.
As soon as he reached the bottom of the stairs, a fifteen or sixteen-year-old Daoist disciple ran up to him, stopping in front of him, panting with sweat beading on his forehead. He said urgently: "Junior Brother Changsheng, this is bad! A guest died in the temple last night, and Master has summoned you to the Ming Xin Dian!"
"Someone died?" Jiang Changsheng frowned. He knew that imperial officials had been visiting recently, but he hadn't expected someone to die. Judging by his senior brother's demeanor, the deceased must have been of no small status.
He habitually practiced martial arts quietly every night. Long Qi Guan was not small, yet he truly hadn't detected anything unusual last night.
He didn't think much of it and followed his senior brother, hurrying towards the Ming Xin Dian.
"Junior Brother Changsheng, you wouldn't believe it, that Zhuangyuan is amazing! Just by examining the corpse, he could determine the time of death, the cause of death, and even the victim's movements before dying!"
"The deceased was an official from the Ministry of Personnel, and I hear he held considerable power. To think someone would dare assassinate an official in the capital, tsk tsk, it's truly outrageous!"
Listening to his senior brother's rambling, Jiang Changsheng almost rolled his eyes.
*This* is outrageous? I was supposed to be the first Crown Prince of the Jing Dynasty, and damn it, I was swapped out! The most crucial thing is that it went undetected, and that imposter is now sitting on the Crown Prince's throne, his name known throughout the land. Has anyone ever encountered anything more outrageous than this?
Jiang Changsheng sighed inwardly.
This was another ancient world, similar to Huaxia. Jiang Changsheng had heard sounds from outside since he was in his mother's womb. The people in this world still spoke Han Chinese. Knowing he was born into the imperial family, he was incredibly excited. Moreover, it was in the early days after the nation's founding, and when his imperial father and mother spoke of establishing the fetus in his mother's womb as the Crown Prince, he felt his life would reach its peak.
His mother and imperial father were a devoted couple, accompanying his imperial father as he rose from the wilderness, overcoming hardships, pacifying the land, and establishing a new dynasty. In such circumstances, he only needed to ascend the throne to surely have a fulfilling life.
Unfortunately, heaven did not grant his wishes; wicked people were detestable.
What was past was past; Jiang Changsheng no longer dwelled on it. He took the name Changsheng (Long Life), which was enough to show his current aspirations.
After the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Jiang Changsheng followed his senior brother into Mingxin Hall. Mingxin Hall wasn't particularly large; in the courtyard, disciples had gathered, watching. Over a hundred people surrounded the place so densely that not even an ant could squeeze through. At the hall entrance, there were also servants of the guests waiting, numbering twenty or thirty.
Seeing Jiang Changsheng arrive, the disciples all turned their gazes towards him. Although he kept a low profile in Longqi Temple, his exceedingly handsome appearance meant his presence was far from negligible.
"Junior brother, come in. Master is looking for you."
A female disciple said. Longqi Temple wasn't a traditional Daoist sect; it was more like a jianghu sect, with both male and female members.
Jiang Changsheng nodded and strolled into the hall.
With a glance, he saw the body lying on the ground, covered by a white cloth. To the right were Daoist Master Qingxu and the three senior disciples. To the left were six guests staying at Longqi Temple. Standing at the very front was a man dressed in scholarly attire, the *Zhuangyuan* (top scholar) Jiang Changsheng had heard about on his way, Chen Li.
As soon as he entered the hall, Chen Li sized him up.
Jiang Changsheng walked up to Daoist Master Qingxu, bowed in greeting, and said:
"Master."
Daoist Master Qingxu was the one who had saved him when he was a child, and he had always held him in the highest respect. Don't let Daoist Master Qingxu's stern exterior fool you; there weren't too many strict rules in the temple. Everyone in the temple, from top to bottom, was his disciple, and there were no strict seniority differences among the disciples, so they lived together very harmoniously.
Daoist Master Qingxu, holding a whisk, with his snow-white hair and an air of immortal grace, nodded slightly and said, "Changsheng, tell Benefactor Chen where you went last night."
Jiang Changsheng turned to look at Chen Li and said, "Last night, I went to practice martial arts. My roommate junior brother and Master both know I have this habit."
How could he have hidden it for six years? He had started practicing martial arts at six years old, and by the end of that year, Daoist Master Qingxu had discovered him. He simply claimed he had comprehended it on his own, though his practice of the moves was somewhat disjointed. Daoist Master Qingxu hadn't thought much of it, even offering a few pointers. A few years later, his Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, and Third Senior Sister also discovered this, one after another. However, they hadn't revealed it to other disciples, allowing him to practice martial arts late at night.
In the eyes of ordinary disciples, Jiang Changsheng was merely a very low-key fellow disciple.
In the eyes of the three senior disciples, he was a martial arts prodigy who had created his own martial arts at a young age.
His Senior Brother, Li Changqing, had also created a type of fist technique in his youth, which was now widely taught to younger disciples.
Chen Li asked, "May I ask, where does the young Daoist practice his training?"
Jiang Changsheng replied, "In front of Daozhong Tower. I have a habit of going up the tower to strike the bell after my training, and during the day, I listen to Daoist teachings."
He was very natural, not nervous at all. After all, he hadn't killed the person, and he didn't even know who the deceased was.
A middle-aged man beside Chen Li spoke up. "I see that young brother has soft skin and tender flesh, with smooth, downy hands. He doesn't look like someone who practices martial arts. I wonder what kind of martial arts young brother practices?"
His tone was aggressive and intimidating. To Jiang Changsheng's ears, it sounded rather grating.
Chen Li smiled and said, "Little Daoist priest, please don't take offense. We've ruled out suspects for the past two hours, and those with me have proven their innocence. They are all ordinary folk, unfamiliar with martial arts. Thus, we can only search within your esteemed temple. Naturally, we are not casting suspicion on your temple; it's also possible that a culprit disguised themselves as one of your disciples."
Disguise? Jiang Changsheng had never left the Capital since childhood, and since entering the temple, he had never left it either. Thus, he had no idea what level the art of disguise had reached in the outside world.
He replied, "I practice internal martial arts."
Any disciple who reached six years old would choose their own name and learn the internal cultivation method of Longqi Temple. Jiang Changsheng merely pretended to learn, for in reality, he was cultivating the immortal cultivation method, Dao Fa Ziran Gong.
If one could cultivate immortality, why cultivate martial arts? The reason he mentioned internal martial arts was that his martial arts were all movement techniques. If, by some remote chance, the deceased died from this martial art, then did he just accidentally implicate himself?
Chen Li's eyes lit up as he asked, "It is rumored that Longqi Temple's True Heart Scripture is unique in the martial arts world. When His Majesty the Emperor's dragon might was still weak, Daoist Priest Qingxu, using the True Heart Scripture, single-handedly held the pass and saved His Majesty the Emperor in a moment of crisis. Once the True Heart Scripture is activated, both pupils will glow unusually bright, like luminous pearls in the dark night. Little Daoist priest, you've been practicing for several years and have already made some headway. I wonder if you could demonstrate it?"
Second Senior Brother Meng Qiuhua smiled and said, "This junior brother of mine has unparalleled talent. His internal martial arts have naturally made a start, perhaps even reached minor accomplishment. Changsheng, show them a little."
Jiang Changsheng was embarrassed.
He hadn't practiced the True Heart Scripture at all. It's not like Daoist Priest Qingxu ever bothered to check on the disciples' training.
The True Heart Scripture has special effects? How come I didn't know?
Jiang Changsheng's mind began to spin like a whirlwind.
Hearing Meng Qiuhua's words, the disciples outside the hall began to chatter noisily. To be praised by Second Senior Brother, could Jiang Changsheng really be a martial arts prodigy?
Under everyone's gaze, Jiang Changsheng could only be frank: "I'm sorry, I don't practice the True Heart Scripture. I prefer to create my own martial arts. Currently, I'm still exploring internal cultivation, as for actual martial arts..."
Chen Li interrupted, "You happen to practice footwork, don't you?"
Jiang Changsheng was startled, looking at Chen Li in surprise.
Chen Li bent down and lifted the cloth covering the body, revealing a young, strong, and robust man. On his finger was a jade archer's ring, indicating it wasn't a robbery but merely an act of revenge.
Chen Li pulled open his chest. His sternum was caved in, and the wound was somewhat long, as if he had been kicked with devastating, layered force.
Such a coincidence? Jiang Changsheng finally realized his misfortune. After six years of peace, bad luck had still arrived.
The deceased was connected to officials. Once he was taken out, Daoist Priest Qingxu wouldn't be able to protect him, and then the trouble would be immense.
When Daoist Priest Qingxu saved him previously, those villains had also seen Daoist Priest Qingxu's appearance, which meant they knew his whereabouts.
While Jiang Changsheng was captured by the villains, he also heard about their identities. There were civil and military officials among them, even those who had made great contributions to the founding of the dynasty. This was a shocking and deep conspiracy, and they were certainly waiting for Jiang Changsheng to leave the Daoist temple.
Daoist Master Thanh Hu, having previously saved Emperor Jiang Yuan, was remembered with gratitude and rewarded by the emperor. As a result, Longqi Temple became the only martial arts sect in the capital that government offices were forbidden to investigate, and the army was not permitted to enter without authorization.
"Little Daoist Master, why aren't you speaking? Could it be that you are the culprit?" Chen Li asked, his eyes shining brightly as he stared intently at Jiang Changsheng.