Chapter 354 - 238: Entrusted Memorial Rite, Youth Preservation and Longevit

Chapter 354: Chapter 238: Entrusted Memorial Rite, Youth Preservation and Longevit

"First, enjoy life while you can. Second, provide for your descendants. Beyond that, there’s nothing else!"

Xu Fugui let out a sly laugh, a sign of the enlightened acceptance of one who has seen it all.

"You’re right. This Cultivation Realm may seem vast and boundless, but how many people truly reach Tier Four or Tier Five? How many can ascend to the Upper Realm? For those without an unshakable Dao Heart or a promising future in cultivation, making a graceful exit might be the best choice."

Lin Changheng’s own Dao Heart was unshakable, but that didn’t stop him from offering a few words of comfort to his friend.

"You’re right, Brother Lin."

The two of them left the house and began to stroll.

Just as they had thirty or forty years ago, they walked and talked along the banks of the Black Water River, the breeze from the water on their faces.

Aside from the occasional Xu Clan Members who would spot Lin Changheng and respectfully step aside to bow with humble gratitude, it was no different from before.

As they reminisced about the past, a nostalgic look appeared on both their faces. They recalled the days of drinking and feasting with their many friends, all promising young cultivators back then.

’The young pines on the green hills where they’re buried must have grown tall enough to form canopies by now, haven’t they?’

Lin Changheng cut straight to the point. He said the Qiu Family Ancestor was dead and that he had brought back his ashes. He planned to wait a few days until the anniversary of Bai Fengxian’s death. Then, he would take a few jugs of the wine they used to drink to his friend’s grave and scatter the enemy’s ashes before the tomb to finally appease his spirit.

He also told Xu Fugui to get ready. The annihilation of the Qiu Family was imminent. This was not only a chance for satisfying revenge; if Fugui’s children needed resources, he could start preparing to claim them.

Lin Changheng’s tone was calm, yet it carried a profound sense of brotherly loyalty.

Although Xu Fugui was a top-ranking figure in the Xu Clan, this matter was still being discussed among the four core members and hadn’t been announced publicly.

Upon hearing this, Xu Fugui stopped dead in his tracks. He whipped his head around to look at Lin Changheng, a storm of emotions instantly surging in his eyes.

Shock and elation gave way to an indescribable mix of feelings: the thrill of seeing a great wrong righted, a deep longing for his departed friend, and, above all, astonishment at the progress of Lin Changheng’s power!

"Excellent, excellent! Well done, Brother Lin! Old Bai’s spirit can finally rest in peace."

Xu Fugui roared with laughter, the force of his Peak of Ninth Level Qi Cultivation making the nearby trees tremble and rustle violently.

Then, Xu Fugui brought up the widow and orphan Bai Fengxian had left behind.

Lin Changheng’s gaze flickered as he looked at Xu Fugui. Having been away for so long, he had been willing but unable to care for the mother and child. He feared that giving them Spirit Stones or other valuables would only bring them trouble—a case of attracting disaster by possessing a treasure. The actual task had to fall to Xu Fugui.

He learned that Xu Fugui, acting within his authority, had provided them with the utmost care in the name of honoring a fallen hero’s family.

They were all living well now. Bai Fengxian even had a grandson, whom Xu Fugui had recommended for an apprenticeship in the clan’s Spirit Talisman Hall.

This was a highly sought-after technical position within the clan. With a Tier Two Talisman Master like Tantai Feiyue presiding over it, the Hall was at the peak of its prestige.

Competition for the spot was incredibly fierce.

When a clan is small and weak, things are simple; everyone pulls in the same direction. But once a clan grows large, issues of resource distribution arise. People’s selfish desires inflate, and things are no longer so pure.

Everyone had to use their own tricks to fight for their interests!

But according to Fugui, the boy was making a good showing for himself. Based on his current performance, he had the potential to become an Entry Tier Talisman Master.

Lin Changheng said nothing, simply patting Xu Fugui firmly on the shoulder.

Then, they exchanged a knowing smile.

Neither of them sought any reward. They had each simply done what they could, all for the sake of an old promise and their enduring friendship.

...

Continuing their walk, the two soon arrived at Cui Mountain, just outside the Gui Feng Dojo. Halfway up the mountain stood a pavilion, a place to rest and enjoy the view.

The distant river and the nearby peaks, the shimmering water and the mountain vistas—the entire panorama could be taken in from there, possessing a unique charm.

Seeing the pavilion, Lin Changheng’s eyebrow twitched as a memory surfaced.

Years ago, Xu Xuzhong had tried to play matchmaker for him right here.

He had introduced him to the granddaughter of one of the clan’s veteran higher-ups. She was eighteen, with a delicate nose, cherry-red lips, a lovely face, and a slender, graceful waist.

Her name was... Hanyi!

She also had a Mixed Spirit Root.

He had refused at the time. His heart hadn’t been moved in the slightest, which even led some to suspect that he wasn’t interested in women.

’Lin Changheng was not yet forty back then. Now, nearly forty years have passed. That woman must be almost sixty by now, right?’

As this thought crossed his mind, Xu Fugui was the one who brought the matter up.

"Brother Lin, do you know what happened to that woman afterwards?"

"What happened?"

Seeing Xu Fugui’s sorrowful expression, a bad feeling began to grow in Lin Changheng’s heart.

"She was on her way to the Marketplace one day when she was targeted by a group of wandering Qiu Family Cultivators. They robbed and killed her. Such a shame..."

Xu Fugui sighed.

Back then, friction between the two clans was constant. The Qiu Family was stirring up trouble everywhere. It’s how Bai Fengxian died, and it’s how she died, too.

But Xu Fugui left one detail out: which Marketplace she had been heading to.

He was holding something back.

"The Qiu Family has done too much evil. Now, they will reap what they have sown."

Lin Changheng’s tone was level, but the chill in his words was unmistakable.

That evening, the two shared a meal and some wine before parting ways.

As he was leaving, Lin Changheng once again presented a gift—the one he had missed giving when Fugui had taken a new concubine and had another child.

Inside was the very elixir the other man had been longing for—one that nourished one’s origin.

It would allow him to take several more concubines and father several more children without any issue.

It was worth noting that of the first few women from the Xu family who had been with Xu Fugui, because they were mortals, some had grown old and lost their looks, while others had already passed away.

Lin Changheng caught the flicker of pain in Xu Fugui’s eyes and couldn’t help but shake his head inwardly.

’How can a man, not being made of wood or stone, be without feeling?’

’To gain is to inevitably lose. Fugui was a sentimental man; he wouldn’t be able to let go of this so easily.’

...

A few days later, it was the anniversary of Bai Fengxian’s death, and Lin Changheng went with Xu Fugui to pay their respects.

They stayed until sunset before returning.

Two days later, the Xu Family held a meeting of its higher-ups. They announced the death of the Qiu Family Ancestor and began to plan the annihilation of his clan.

Emotions ran high as everyone pooled their wisdom and efforts, eagerly offering suggestions to complete the plans.

At that moment, the upper echelons of the Xu Family were filled with a belligerent, battle-hungry spirit.

Xu Fugui had already made his move, securing a key leadership position for the main assault, intending to establish his own battle merits.

He wanted to secure another sliver of a chance for his eighth daughter’s breakthrough.

He needed to get a Heart Protection and Vein Strengthening Pill to serve as a safety net for her attempt.

Lin Changheng gave no indication of his thoughts on the matter. His deep friendship with Xu Fugui was limited to their generation. He could offer some minor help to the next generation, but not at the expense of his own fundamental interests.

Therefore, the genuine Foundation Establishment Pill in his possession remained untouched, resting securely in his Storage Bag.

News of the impending attack on the Qiu Family was not communicated to the outside world or to lower-ranking clan members. The true objective was kept under tight wraps for fear of leaks.

After all, the accumulated wealth of an old, long-established Foundation Establishment Clan was a tempting prize.

Although their long-term military readiness had consumed a great deal of resources, a starved camel is still bigger than a horse.

It could easily attract outsiders who would want to intervene and take a slice of the pie.

That could not be allowed.

Soon, the Xu Family began to prepare for war in earnest. They sharpened their weapons and fed their horses, establishing a false objective to serve as a decoy.

Lin Changheng observed the Xu Family’s preparations but didn’t pay them too much mind, nor did he ask any questions. After all, they were undoubtedly more professional at this sort of thing than he was.

’Why stick my nose in?’

He had already entered secluded cultivation in the secret chamber of Tantai Feiyue’s residence.

He first regulated his Essence, Qi, and Spirit to a perfect state before taking out a round, fragrant elixir and resolutely swallowing it.

It was none other than the Tier Two Genuine Youthful Appearance Pill.

He had recently obtained more of the Roots, one of the main ingredients for the Tier Two Youthful Appearance Pill. Since he could use them to cultivate more, there was no need to be frugal.

Moreover, it was the perfect opportunity to investigate the "Longevity Origin"!

BOOM!

Upon entering his stomach, the elixir did not immediately transform into a rushing torrent. Instead, it was like a bright pearl dropped into a tranquil lake, instantly sending out gentle yet incomparably pure ripples of Medicinal Power.