Eternal Life by Daily Divination

Chapter 255: Chapter 190: Shocked Old Acquaintances, Clouds and Rain in a Familiar Place

His descendants’ Immortal Path was simply a continuation of his own.

Even if he himself could never reach the Golden Core realm, that didn’t mean his descendants couldn’t.

As long as his family endured, one day, a descendant would emerge who was talented enough to defy the heavens. They would reach that fabled state beyond the ravages of time, resurrect him, and help him walk the Immortal Path once more!

Li Chang’an had heard of this philosophy of cultivation before, but he didn’t subscribe to it.

He didn’t trust others; he trusted only himself.

Their philosophies on cultivation were incompatible.

Zheng Yuandao could only sigh.

“Daoist Li, have you no desire to leave behind descendants?”

“The time is not yet right.”

Li Chang’an’s voice was steady, though he evaded a direct answer.

Zheng Yuandao suddenly asked, “What do you think of Qingqing?”

“Hm?”

Li Chang’an froze. ’That’s a bit too direct,’ he thought.

Zheng Qingqing, who was sitting on the other side, also froze for a moment.

She pursed her lips, not saying a word. Her gaze drifted to the world outside the main hall as if she hadn’t heard Zheng Yuandao at all. But the delicate hand gripping her teacup trembled slightly, revealing the turmoil in her heart.

「A moment later.」

Li Chang’an said in a heavy tone, “Elder Zheng, I understand your meaning. However…”

As he spoke, he glanced at Zheng Qingqing.

“The Cultivation Immortality Realm is volatile. A Foundation Establishment Cultivator might seem powerful, but we are little more than driftwood on the water, swept along by greater currents and rarely in control of our own fates. Only after reaching the Golden Core realm would I dare to consider starting a family.”

Hearing this, Zheng Yuandao was deeply moved.

He knew the feeling all too well.

Even as a Foundation Establishment Ancestor, he often felt a sense of powerlessness.

’If only I could become a Golden Core Master,’ he often thought, ’perhaps things would be different.’

“Sigh. Daoist Li, you speak the truth. It was I who was not considerate enough. I’ve put you in a difficult position.”

Zheng Yuandao sighed, offering a sincere apology.

Li Chang’an assured him it was nothing.

Afterward, he brought up his reason for coming today.

“Back in Qinghe, Zheng Lingfeng constantly targeted me. He nearly killed me on several occasions. I intend to end him!”

“Daoist Li, Zheng Lingfeng is here on the family grounds. I have no objection if you wish to kill him, but you will have to get past Zheng Feihong.”

“Good!”

With that, both Zheng Qingqing and Zheng Yuandao had given their consent.

Only Zheng Feihong remained!

In truth, Li Chang’an didn’t need their permission. He could have dealt with Zheng Lingfeng secretly, just as he would have in the past.

But…

Times had changed. He was no longer that Junior Cultivator from before.

To deal with Zheng Lingfeng, he no longer needed schemes or plots. He would simply crush him, fair and square!

“Daoist Li, when do you plan to go to the family grounds?”

“I must ask you to wait a moment, Elder. I need to see some old acquaintances.”

With that, Li Chang’an rose and, in a flash, appeared outside the Zheng Family estate.

He had already sensed several familiar auras.

And sure enough, outside the estate, many familiar faces had gathered.

There was Luo Kun, Wang Hu, the father-daughter pair of Chen Yuanshan and Chen Qianya, and more…

“Everyone, thank you for waiting.”

Li Chang’an appeared with a smile.

The moment he saw him, a smile spread across Luo Kun’s face. He wanted to call out “Li the Kid” or “Daoist Li,” just like in the old days.

But then he felt the powerful aura of Foundation Establishment, and he froze. The words died in his throat as he realized an insurmountable wall now stood between him and Li Chang’an.

His expression turned reverent, and he slowly bowed.

“E-Elder Li.”

The others around him quickly followed suit, bowing with faces full of awe.

“Greetings, Elder Li!”

“There’s no need for such ceremony. We’re all old friends.”

Li Chang’an smiled and sent out a gentle wave of Magical Power, lifting them all to their feet.

Personally experiencing the vastness of his Foundation Establishment Magical Power, the crowd was once again stunned.

Even now, many of them still found it unbelievable, as if they were dreaming.

When it came to innate talent, Li Chang’an had been considered below average among their group.

Many of the people here had been more gifted than him.

And yet…

Li Chang’an had already reached Foundation Establishment, while many of them couldn’t even break through to the Late Stage of Qi Refining!

Luo Kun, his face weathered with age, asked cautiously, “Elder Li, could you tell us about the path to Foundation Establishment?”

He was too old and had no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment in this lifetime, but he was still fascinated by the realm and wanted to know what wonders it held.

“Of course!”

Li Chang’an nodded with a smile.

“Since Elder Luo has asked, I will tell you what I can.”

Hearing himself called “Elder,” Luo Kun shuddered. His eyes went wide as saucers, and he clutched his chest. After a few sudden twitches, he fainted on the spot.

The crowd cried out in alarm and rushed to help him up.

Li Chang’an was surprised at first, but then he remembered how much Luo Kun used to enjoy being flattered.

To be addressed as “Elder” by a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator was a far greater honor than any flattery from juniors. The shock of it was too much for him, and he had fainted from sheer excitement.

’This is just…’

Li Chang’an was at a loss for words.

’Calling him Elder was just an old habit; he hadn’t meant anything by it.’

Many Cultivators were obsessed with titles and forms of address, but he didn’t care for such things.

He had always called people whatever felt most natural.

Afterward, he sent a stream of Evergreen Magical Power into Luo Kun, waking him.

Luo Kun’s face was flushed with embarrassment. “Sigh,” he explained, “I got a bit too excited and lost control of myself.”

“It’s nothing.”

Li Chang’an waved it off.

He looked out at the crowd, and his calm voice began to slowly recount the path to Foundation Establishment.

As time went on, word spread, and more and more Loose Cultivators from the Marketplace gathered around.

A Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator was personally giving a lecture! If they missed it today, they might never get such an opportunity again in their entire lives!

Even many disciples of the Zheng Family gathered to the side, sitting and listening quietly.

Gradually, everyone became completely absorbed. Whether standing or sitting, they were utterly entranced, having completely forgotten the passage of time.