12dz Chapter 10 Drunken Immortal Pavilion
Chapter 10 Drunken Immortal Pavilion
"They never ask about me normally, so why are they suddenly sending me a letter now?" He wondered as he unfolded the paper in his hand, revealing neat and tidy handwriting.
Yang Changsheng examined it carefully, and what came into view were several large, elegant characters.
The Daoist Master Changsheng wrote: "I have just received news that Elder Zhao is over seventy years old, his vital energy is declining, and he has no hope of establishing a foundation. He has already resigned from his post and will soon return to his hometown to enjoy his remaining years."
Master Zhao was our guide when we newcomers first entered Biyue Lake, and his kindness is immeasurable. Therefore, I humbly suggest that we, the last five apprentices under Master Zhao's tutelage, gather for a farewell feast… Tomorrow evening at 3:45 PM, in the Tingchao Elegant Room of Zuixianlou, I hope you can spare some time to attend.”
Signed: Li Qingshan
"Old Zhao is leaving..." Yang Changsheng held the thin piece of paper, looked at the shimmering lake, and felt a ripple in his heart.
Zhao Dehai, the middle-level fisherman with white hair and beard, a kind face, who always patiently guided them, the newcomers, was finally succumbing to the passage of time and had to leave the clear lake where he had devoted most of his life.
Indeed, when he came to the Lu family at the age of fourteen, the other party was already ninety-seven years old. Now, three years have passed, and he is now in his centenary.
In theory, a Qi Refining cultivator can live to be 160 years old if they do not suffer from hidden illnesses or physical strain.
At the age of 100, one still has 60 years left, far exceeding the lifespan of ordinary people, so it is not short.
However, it is generally accepted in the cultivation world that the most suitable age for a Foundation Establishment cultivator to break through to the next stage is fifty years old, and there is basically no hope at one hundred years old.
Cultivators with cultivation levels are immune to all diseases and their appearance ages more slowly. However, after the age of sixty, their original vital energy and blood actually begin to decline slowly from their peak.
Even if one reaches the peak of the Qi Refining stage, the probability of failing to break through by force is as high as 90%, and it is very likely to cause serious injury or even death on the spot.
Therefore, when there is no hope of establishing a foundation, most people will choose to retire and enjoy their old age. If they have the energy, they will also reproduce and pass on their lineage.
"I should go! He taught me a skill, and he's a decent person," Yang Changsheng sighed inwardly.
Although he dislikes crowds, some things are unavoidable.
Li Qingshan was the best-born among his fellow apprentices, coming from a branch of the Li family, a small cultivation family affiliated with the Lu family. He had reached the fifth level of Qi Refining, was tactful, and well-informed, making him a suitable person to take the lead.
The path to immortality is long and arduous; no one can say for sure that one can reach the end. Even if one possesses an immortal body and a lifespan three times that of an ordinary cultivator, one may still perish prematurely.
The number of people traveling with you will only decrease, and such things are likely to become more common in the future. The sooner you adapt, the better it will be for your spiritual heart.
……
Zuixianlou, located in the most prosperous area of Port No. 1, is a place frequented by low-level cultivators and ordinary people with some wealth.
The next day at dusk, Yang Changsheng changed into a clean gray cloth robe, asked someone for directions, and entered Zuixianlou on time.
The private room is not large, but it can be decorated elegantly. From the window, you can see the lights of the harbor, wisps of smoke rising from the chimneys, and the afterglow of the setting sun on the lake in the distance, creating a very picturesque scene.
Four people had already arrived inside, and the main seat was empty, clearly reserved for Old Zhao.
The first one on the left is Li Qingshan. He is about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a fair and handsome face, a slender figure, and wearing a blue robe with a hint of spiritual light.
A blue jade pendant, a magical artifact, hung from his waist. He smiled gently and was skillfully instructing the servants to make arrangements.
Sitting beside him was an exceptionally burly young man with dark, shiny skin, as tall as an iron tower; it was Wang Ergou.
He was dressed in a coarse cloth robe, and his hands and feet were large. He seemed a little reserved in this situation. When he saw Yang Changsheng come in, he grinned憨厚ly and scratched his head.
To the right are two young women. The one closer to the main seat is wearing a light blue silk dress. She has a beautiful face, bright eyes, fair skin, and long legs. She has a gentle and refined air about her. Her name is Liu Xiaoying.
Her father was a well-known first-tier talisman master in Lujiafang City. With many brothers and sisters and limited resources, she temporarily chose the relatively stable but low-potential path of fishing and farming.
The other girl was dressed in an elegant white dress, with a graceful and generous demeanor, a delicate oval face, arched eyebrows, a straight nose, and bright red lips. She had a scholarly air about her, and it was Su Wanqing.
Born into a scholarly family, she was found to have a mid-grade spiritual root sensitivity. With her outstanding talent and calm temperament, she has advanced to the level of intermediate fisherman in just a few years, responsible for raising first-grade low-grade dragonfish. At this moment, her cultivation level has reached the fifth level of Qi Refining.
"It's Changsheng! Please have a seat." Li Qingshan greeted the visitor warmly, pointing to the seat next to Wang Ergou.
In fact, the two had almost no contact since the month-long basic fishing and farming training.
"Greetings, fellow Daoists."
Yang Changsheng cupped his hands in greeting, a faint smile on his face, and sat down next to Wang Ergou.
Wang Ergou chuckled and moved to the side, somewhat hesitant to approach the tall, handsome young man with an indescribable air about him.
"Brother Changsheng, I heard your harvest increased again this year? Manager Wang praised you." Liu Xiaoying's voice was clear and crisp, her beautiful eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Compared to when they first met three years ago, Yang Changsheng was taller, with fair skin, a well-proportioned and strong figure, and his handsome face had grown into something more dashing. Even in simple clothes, it was hard not to take a second look.
"It was just luck; I was only a little diligent on weekdays. It's nothing special," Yang Changsheng replied modestly.
"Hey, Brother Changsheng is really amazing! I'd be lucky if my shrimp farm could break even." Wang Ergou's voice was loud and clear, tinged with envy.
His spiritual roots and comprehension were both of low quality, and his cultivation was slow. He barely maintained his identity as a fisherman and farmer by relying on his physical strength and honesty. However, the increase in production was slow.
Even now, he's only at the first level of Qi Refining. Without a fortuitous opportunity, it's clear that his path to enlightenment is hopeless.
However, I am already very satisfied with such a chance encounter with the immortals. Otherwise, I would still be farming in my hometown, growing old in my fifties and dying in less than a hundred years.
Even the lowest-ranking alchemists can easily live to 140 years old if they take good care of themselves, and can even maintain their youthful appearance until they are around 60 or 70 years old before it begins to decline.
Su Wanqing simply nodded slightly to Yang Changsheng, her large eyes calm and serene, with a hint of brilliance in them. She didn't say much, her demeanor as composed as ever.
As the group exchanged pleasantries, the door to the private room was pushed open, and an elderly man with white hair, a kind face, wearing a brand-new blue robe in the Lu family's standard attire, and a ruddy complexion walked in with steady steps.
The protagonist of tonight is Zhao Dehai, a 100-year-old intermediate-level fisherman and a Qi Refining Level 6 cultivator.
"Old Zhao!" Upon seeing the newcomer, the five men stood up in unison and bowed respectfully in greeting.
"Alright, good children, sit down...you all sit down!"
Zhao Dehai's voice was a little hoarse, his smile was gratified, and his eyes were filled with sadness and reluctance at the impending departure.
His gaze swept over the five people, lingering briefly on Su Wanqing, where he nodded approvingly. He then looked at Wang Ergou, a hint of barely perceptible pity in his eyes.
When he saw Yang Changsheng, he nodded slightly.