Name: Xu Chang'an
Bloodline: Ordinary Grey Rat (Ungraded)
Lifespan: 36 years
Realm: Qi Refining Seventh Layer
Skills: Alchemy (Tier One Low Grade)
Energy: (8/200)
...
'My lifespan limit has increased directly to thirty-six years.'
'A perfect breakthrough from the panel, as expected.'
'Even an ordinary Demon with a solid foundation and profound Cultivation would never gain this much of a lifespan increase.'
Xu Chang'an had been cultivating for over seven years in this life.
A thirty-six-year lifespan limit gave him many more possibilities.
He wouldn't have to take risky gambles because his time was running out.
Just like when he was searching for the opportunity to reach the Nascent Soul Realm in his past life!
If his lifespan hadn't been nearing its end, he could have taken his time and slowly accumulated enough Energy Points.
'In this life, I must recuperate and rebuild, and find a way to increase my lifespan limit!'
'If possible, I could try to acquire some Longevity Elixirs.'
Xu Chang'an felt a sense of exhilaration, but he didn't lose sight of his true self.
After laying out a plan in his mind, he changed his form again.
He shrank from a body that had grown to the size of a human youth back to the size of an ordinary squirrel.
Suppressing his aura back to the Qi Refining Second Layer, Xu Chang'an headed for Yellow Wasp Mountain.
The return journey was a bit faster than the trip out. After only four or five days, Xu Chang'an arrived at Yellow Wasp Mountain.
Speaking of which, Xiong Da had spent nearly a month on Yellow Wasp Mountain, and it had been quite a pleasant time.
A Cultivation at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer was nothing special on Langlang Mountain.
But on Yellow Wasp Mountain, it made him a local hegemon.
With his Low-grade Magical Artifact, Xiong Da had really thrown his weight around among the small factions on the hills surrounding Yellow Wasp Mountain.
He beat up several blockheaded Demons who didn't know their place.
As a result, Yellow Wasp Mountain's reputation in the surrounding area had actually risen a bit.
The Yellow Wasp Spirit was, of course, happy to see this happen.
When it was time for them to leave, he gifted Xiong Da a large amount of food and local specialties.
Xu Chang'an also benefited from this, receiving some as well.
After chatting for a bit with the Yellow Wasp Spirit, Monkey Spirit, and Wild Boar Spirit of Yellow Wasp Mountain,
Xu Chang'an left Yellow Wasp Mountain with Xiong Da.
The journey back to Langlang Mountain was much like the one before.
Xu Chang'an sat on Xiong Da's broad shoulders, enjoying a comfortable ride the whole way.
"Grey Rat, you were at the Marketplace for almost a month this time."
"Did the shopping not go well?"
Along the way, Xiong Da chatted idly with Xu Chang'an.
"Mm, a little. But the outcome was still quite satisfactory."
Xu Chang'an replied casually.
"Oh."
Xiong Da mumbled.
He then excitedly began telling Xu Chang'an about his experiences showing off his might around Yellow Wasp Mountain.
How he had hammered several Little Demons from the surrounding hills.
And how the demon folk on Yellow Wasp Mountain absolutely worshipped him for it!
Hearing the excited, smug tone in Xiong Da's voice, Xu Chang'an laughed out loud.
"Xiong Da, since it was so comfortable on Yellow Wasp Mountain, why didn't you stay a few more days?"
"The Yellow Wasp Spirit repeatedly urged you to stay. Why did you refuse so decisively?"
"Haha, talking about it now, are you starting to regret it?"
"I don't regret it."
"Showing off, drinking wine and eating meat, enjoying the worship of Little Demons... that's all just a small diversion in my cultivation."
"No matter how good the diversion is, it's not the main thing!"
"I still have to go back to Langlang Mountain in the end."
Xiong Da said with a simple-minded smile, his tone firm.
Xu Chang'an couldn't help but glance at Xiong Da.
A simple smile was on Xiong Da's face, but his eyes, fixed on the path ahead, revealed his resolve.
'This lug!'
"It takes more than ten days just to travel back to Langlang Mountain."
"If only I were in the Late-stage Qi Refining Realm and had a Middle-grade Magical Artifact."
Xu Chang'an knew what Xiong Da was talking about.
A Late-stage Qi Refining cultivator could use a Middle-grade Magical Artifact to travel via Yukong for long periods.
That would drastically shorten the time it took to return to Langlang Mountain.
"Grey Rat, hold on tight! I'm speeding up!"
"Okay."
"Been out so long, I'm kinda missin' that bunch of little piglets on the mountain."
...
The rest of the journey was uneventful. After more than ten days, Xu Chang'an and Xiong Da arrived safely at Langlang Mountain.
Looking at the familiar sights on Langlang Mountain, Xu Chang'an felt a little dazed.
When he had left Langlang Mountain, his Cultivation was at the Qi Refining Fourth Layer, and he only possessed two Low-grade Magical Artifacts.
Now, merely two months later, he had stepped into the Qi Refining Seventh Layer and possessed a Middle-grade Magical Artifact and numerous other techniques.
'The path of cultivation is truly fickle and unpredictable!'
After bidding farewell to Xiong Da, Xu Chang'an first went to the Alchemy Hall on Hundred Arts Peak to report in.
The Alchemy Hall had granted him three months of leave, but he had only used two, which naturally required an explanation.
...
'The most urgent task right now is to finish refining the Yuanbao Seal and the Illusory Bell as soon as possible.'
Inside his mountain cave, Xu Chang'an was lost in thought.
'Once the refinement is complete, with my Qi Refining Seventh Layer Cultivation, these two Middle-grade Magical Artifacts, and my other various techniques...'
'...I'll have some confidence to deal with the situation, even if it suddenly escalates and Black Crow Mountain and Langlang Mountain officially go to war.'
'Furthermore, I must continue to improve my Alchemy Skill.'
'I also need to start practicing the few Magic spells from my past life's memories.'
'With the help of my panel, I spend very little time on cultivation compared to ordinary Demons.'
'This leaves me with a lot of time each day for study and practice.'
'The Demon Path is difficult, and the situation is volatile. The Qi Refining Seventh Layer only provides a decent ability to protect myself; it's not enough to be a real force.'
'I absolutely cannot let my guard down!'
...
After returning to Langlang Mountain, Xu Chang'an fell back into his old rhythm.
By day, he practiced Alchemy in the Alchemy Hall; by night, he refined his Magical Artifacts and practiced Magic in his cave.
In the blink of an eye, a year passed.
During that year, a letter arrived from the Yellow Wasp Spirit of Yellow Wasp Mountain.
It was mainly to stay in touch and share some news and current events.
Xu Chang'an was happy about this.
Having an information channel outside of Langlang Mountain to stay informed was a good thing.
Sometimes, possessing information was equivalent to seizing the initiative in advance.
Even if most of the information was useless, over the long run, some of it would eventually prove valuable.
Xu Chang'an wrote a letter in reply, also sharing some information he knew.
In the letter, he also expressed that they could stay in regular contact and share what they had.
Finally, he ended with a blessing: may your Demon Path be smooth, and may you attain Longevity!
Relations between demons, naturally, require give and take.
Only then can they last.
'I've lived on Langlang Mountain for so long. My understanding of the outside world is far too limited.'
'The Yellow Wasp Spirit's Cultivation is shallow, and he's just established his own little territory. Relying on him alone, the information will be limited.'
'Bai Yuhu and the Striped Tiger Demon are on Red Cloud Mountain.'
'As the Overlord-level Influence in the Red Cloud Mountain Range, Red Cloud Mountain has a vast number of information channels, where intelligence and news are constantly intertwined.'
'Being there, they only need to overhear a thing or two...'
'...and for me, that would be priceless, first-hand information.'
'When the opportunity arises, I must deepen my connection with those two!'
'The refinement of the Yuanbao Seal and the Illusory Bell is nearly complete. In another month or two, it should be completely finished.'
'Once that's done, I can breathe a small sigh of relief.'
'Also...'
'Just three months ago, the situation between Langlang Mountain and Black Crow Mountain became tense again.'
'It feels like the winds that precede a coming storm!'