Longevity Chronicles-Chapter 328 - 240: Hidden in Plain Sight, Secret Realm of All People_2

"Afterwards, we will further undermine the foundation of the Demon and Evil Cultivators' malevolence... by then, this cruel world that devours people will gradually be reformed."

Tao Qian vaguely understood Yu Yanshi's idea, which could be described as a radical change that would shock the world.

However, such a grand venture is simple in words but immensely difficult in practice.

The very first step alone, blending the Transcendent powers with the mundane world and making such strength useful to the commoners,

seemed to Tao Qian nearly impossible.

Why?

It couldn't be simpler; this very first step already violated the Cultivation World's foremost iron law.

"Cost!"

"Whether it's Daoist, Buddhist, Demon, and Devil, other Cultivators, or even those Demons and Ghosts, Alien Species and Charmers, the possession of strength is always backed by unimaginable sacrifices, sacrifices that mortals could never afford no matter what."

Members of the National Salvation Congress also knew this point.

Therefore, they didn't say much, only inviting Tao Qian to come and see for himself.

What Tao Qian saw now was the fruit of their long efforts.

Almost at first sight, Tao Qian realized why they had been so excited before.

They were indeed plotting an unprecedented reform, and they had already succeeded somewhat.

Cradling Yunrong in his arms, Tao Qian had just entered this Small Cave Heaven named the "Secret Realm of All People" by Yu Yanshi, along with the others.

They had only walked a few steps when a very unique "fruit forest" blocked their path.

Tao Qian approached and discovered that within this forest were planted countless species of fruit trees. At first glance, both mundane fruit trees and some common spirit fruit and alien trees from the Cultivation World were mixed in together, creating an extremely abnormal sight.

Yet with another careful look, he could immediately tell something was amiss.

Take these three or four trees in front of Tao Qian, for example, no more than two zhang tall and twisted at odd angles, exactly like crooked-necked trees.

The trees were laden with strange fruits, almost bending them over with their weight.

But these fruits were really... about the size of a fist, resembling dried-up skulls with smiling faces, with skin clinging to bone. With the breeze blowing, it looked as though hundreds or thousands of smiling skulls were swaying in unison, quite bizarre indeed.

Even weirder was the old man beneath the trees, bare-chested and fanning himself with a palm-leaf fan as if he were a fruit farmer.

Upon seeing him, Tao Qian immediately sensed: a Transcend Mortality Realm Cultivator!

A Transcend Mortality Cultivator, who would be an esteemed guest elsewhere, now stood below the tree, hands on hips, and suddenly burst into "Ha ha ha" laughter.

As soon as he laughed, the dried-up skull fruits began to laugh too.

Then, with a succession of thuds, each of the fruits fell from the tree.

The fruit farmer laughed a few times and just as many fruits fell.

The old man took a fruit basket and deftly picked up seven of the skull heads and put them into the basket, then came up to them smiling, fanning himself, and said,

"It's rare to see new faces brought by my acquaintances, you must be distinguished guests."

"I, Old Liang, don't have much to offer, so I welcome you with these 'Laughing Corpse Fruits,' I hope you won't find them distasteful."

After saying this, he passed the basket forward, and by coincidence, Tao Qian was the first in line.

Before Tao Qian could reach out, Yu Yanshi's voice came again,

"This is Liang Qiu, a member of the millennium-old Liang Family. He has voluntarily left home due to disagreements with his family's principles, and joined our National Salvation Congress a few months ago."

"Liang Daoist is responsible for the cultivation of spirit fruits and immortal plants, but his goal is not to cultivate fruits that increase the supernatural power of Cultivators."

"He seeks only one thing, to cultivate a large quantity of fruits that can be of great use to the common people."

"This Laughing Corpse Fruit is Liang Daoist's proud creation. Despite its dreadful appearance, it is actually juicy and sweet, refreshing, with high yields, and does not require laborious harvesting, as a laugh causes a fruit to fall. Cultivators have little use for it, but a commoner who eats one can be satiated for the whole day, with unceasing energy, a clear mind, and bright eyes. Indeed, it is a marvelous thing."

In fact, without Yu Yanshi's introduction, Tao Qian had been intrigued since the first glance.

As soon as the fruit basket was offered, Tao Qian directly reached out and took one.

First impression feedback: the touch and the smell were indistinguishable from a dried corpse's head.

Subsequently, records surged in his mind.

[Record Name: Laughing Corpse Fruit.]

[Record Type: alien.]

[Record: This object is an Alien Species Demon Fruit, a hybrid of a mundane pear tree and a Corpse Locust tree, nurtured through the constant watering of a highly poisonous sap that causes death with laughter before dying; after forty-nine days and seven cycles, it is finally cultivated successfully, renamed the "laughing corpse tree." This tree only needs to be fertilized with blood once to bear hundreds or thousands of Laughing Corpse Fruits, unaffected by seasons; if the fertilization is sufficient, it can bear fruit all year round. The fruit is useless for cultivators to consume, but mortals can satisfy their hunger for a full twenty-four hours and gain increased strength.]

[Note One: Consuming this fruit comes with a price. First, within the twenty-four hours, one will laugh uncontrollably several times, with each episode requiring dozens of breaths to cease; second, there is a significant chance of vomiting and diarrhea when eating other food the next day.]

[Note Two: The person who cultivates this tree and fruit is known as Liang Qiu, a millennium-old member of the Liang Family, ranked among the top three of the Liang family's younger generation. Despite splitting from the family due to differences in Daoist heart and ambition, his cultivation was not revoked, and he has reached the Perfect Transcend Mortality. He specializes in cultivating spirit fruit and immortal plants through the "Divine Wood Seed Origin Scripture."]

[Note Three: The price can be waived!]

"It turns out to be true, indeed a good thing."

After perusing the record, Tao Qian immediately exclaimed.

Although strictly speaking, this Laughing Corpse Fruit still comes with a price.

Such as the uncontrollable laughter and the possible diarrhea and vomiting.

But compared to the effects, these prices could be considered negligible.

Tao Qian thought this and then planned to let Sister Yunrong in his arms have a taste first, but reconsidered, as it would most likely earn him a scratch.

The little ones like Little Age and a few others had been left behind in Bie Fu this time, guarding Jin Xiuju.

Without anyone to pass the buck to, Tao Qian resigned himself to putting the Laughing Corpse Fruit into his mouth.

His only consolation was that Yu Yanshi and the others would have to eat it too.

When Tao Qian bit into the shriveled outer skin, he was surprised by the unexpected sensation, incredibly sweet and crisp juice flowed forth.

For a moment, Tao Qian felt as if he were eating some sort of Immortal pear.

But as he continued to eat, he still had to close his eyes.

It's the taste!

No matter how delicious, it cannot change the fact that it looked like a dried corpse's head.

Obviously, Yu Yanshi and the others shared the same sentiment. After eating the Laughing Corpse Fruit, they quickly dragged Tao Qian onto the next territory.

Completely ignoring them, Liang Qiu Daoist courteously called out from behind, "Don't leave, don't leave, take a few along for the road. Oh, and I've recently cultivated the Yellow Infant Fruit, Blood Line Banana, Centipede Date... they all taste quite good and are quite effective for commoners, definitely worth promoting."

After passing through the bizarre fruit orchard, they soon saw a great marshy lake.

At first glance, it appeared to have rippling azure waves and endless mist, certainly another beautiful scene.

By the lake stood a middle-aged woman in green clothes, reeking of fish and with hands full of calluses, resembling a weather-beaten fisherwoman.

As everyone approached, Yu Yanshi immediately introduced her.

It turns out this place is called "Fish Planting Lake," and the fisherwoman named Anong was also a Transcend Mortality Cultivator.

Her reason for joining the National Salvation Congress, however, was far more complicated.

Anong had lived in a fishing village since she was young, living an ignorant life and earning her keep by fishing.

Who would have thought that one day, as soldiers and bandits passed through and massacred the villagers, Anong jumped into the lake to escape death and unexpectedly found a Secret Realm at the bottom. There, she obtained an ancient Cultivation Method, "Spiritual Carp Heavenly Water Scripture," began her cultivation, established a foundation, and then ventured out into the world. During this time, she witnessed many tragedies in the Human World, which gradually cultivated a desire for seclusion, along with a heart filled with sorrow and unwillingness to accept her fate.

Fortunately, she met the Great Wilderness Mountain Wanderer, "Tianjiang Immortal," who introduced her to the National Salvation Congress, where Anong was responsible for the fishery business.

In layman's terms, this meant aquaculture.

However, the aquatic species she raised had extraordinary effects.

Thus, as Tao Qian and the others headed to the next territory, Anong likewise called out from behind:

"Slow down, my Daoist friends, first try these thinly veiled fish eggs. This is an ancient fish species; don't be fooled by its sharp teeth, tentacles, and toad-like head, which do not match the descriptions, but its snake-like body and six legs are consistent."

"The most important thing is, these fish can spawn and lay eggs all year round, and with a simple rub, you can get three or four pounds of fish roe, delicious and savory. Eating it not only fills the stomach but also prevents nightmares and brings blessings of many children and fortune..."