Chapter 329 - 127: The Last Glow (Part 3)

Chapter 329: Chapter 127: The Last Glow (Part 3)

Until...

Fang Rui used his connection with Zhou Changfa to find an abandoned baby girl. He had her aptitude as a Spirit Master tested and discovered she had Green Talent, so he named her Fang Li.

As expected, Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family’s attention was diverted. With the little one to keep her company, her mood gradually improved.

...

「Half a year later, in a small village in Lanzhou.」

The setting sun was like blood.

SWOOSH!

Qing Yan’s white robes remained spotless as he struck down the last of the mountain bandits, saving the villagers.

When he tested the aptitude of the village children who came forward, he was surprised to find that one of them, an orphaned girl, possessed a rare Cyan Talent for a Spirit Master.

"Are you willing to become my disciple?"

"I am," the girl replied, nodding timidly.

"Do you have a name?"

"Second Girl!"

"Second Girl, I will give you a Daoist name. Let’s call you... Mo Chou!"

’We first met by the shores of Mochou Lake. One look at Fang Ling, and my fate was sealed for a lifetime.’

Qing Yan turned and gazed toward Shangluo. ’Grandma, Auntie, Uncle Fang, Sister Nannan, and... Ling’Er, are you all well?’

...

Tonight, a curtain of light shimmered over Shangluo City, displaying the images of the "South Mountain Evergreen Pine" and the "East Sea’s Endless Flowing Water."

Beams of light drifted down, transforming into illusory longevity peaches that scattered in every direction.

FWOOSH—BANG!

Vast bursts of fireworks bloomed across the sky.

That’s right. Today was the fifty-second birthday of Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family.

This spectacle was made possible by the influence of Zhou Changfa and Yuan Haogu, as well as the reputation Fang Rui had earned over a decade of saving lives. They had to combine their efforts just to apply for this one-time display.

The entire Shangluo City was abuzz. Countless people looked up at the sky, marveling at such an extravagant birthday celebration.

"What a magnificent sight! I wonder which of the city’s powerful families is behind this?"

"I heard it wasn’t any of the nobles. It was Divine Doctor Fang from Caozhi Hall, celebrating his mother’s birthday. They say he called in countless favors just to make this happen."

"Could such a devoted son truly exist in this world?!"

"As a woman, I’m more envious of Divine Doctor Fang’s mother. To experience something like this just once makes your whole life worthwhile!"

"Isn’t that the truth?"

...

「The Fang Residence.」

"Auntie, happy birthday!"

"Grandma, Brother Ah Rui’s special cake is here!"

"Rui, all of this... what’s happening outside, and all these things here... it’s far too extravagant!" Mrs. Xue of the Fang Family said, but her face was wreathed in a joyful smile, full of pride for her capable son.

"Brother, you really have a lot of influence!" Fang Ling whispered, leaning in close.

"I actually requested this for you. The original plan was for a grand wedding procession and a city-wide shower of flower petals. But since it doesn’t look like you’ll be getting married anytime soon, I used it for Mom’s birthday instead."

Fang Rui smiled. "So? Any regrets?"

"Of course not!"

Her face, as radiant as a blooming flower in the glow of the dazzling fireworks, broke into a wide smile. "In that case, I’ll just have to leech off you for the rest of my life, Brother!"

...

「Time flew by, and another six months passed in a flash.」

One day, Yuan Haogu suddenly summoned Fang Rui. The old man’s face was ruddy and full of vigor; he was so energetic he wasn’t even using his cane.

Seeing this, Fang Rui’s heart sank. "Elder Yuan, this is..."

"A last flicker of life before the end? I know. I’m about to die!"

Yuan Haogu waved a dismissive hand, smiling calmly. "Kid, I called you here today for two reasons. First, to say goodbye. Second, I haven’t been eating your Exotic Fruits and enjoying your treatments all these years for nothing. Time to give you something in return..."

"What? Are you finally going to explain why ’Spiritual Qi is poisonous’?" Fang Rui suppressed the melancholy in his heart, forcing a smile as he joked.

"No, not that. Some things can’t be said. They just can’t!"

Yuan Haogu paused, then said, "The poison in the Spiritual Qi... it’s actually not a big deal. For short-lived species, it has almost no effect in a lifespan of a mere hundred years or so."

"Kid Fang, just pretend I never said anything about it. After all, looking back to antiquity, who in this world has ever achieved true longevity?"

AHEM!

’I really wanted to retort, "That would be me, actually." I wonder if it would make the stubborn old geezer so angry he’d forget about dying.’

’Of course, that was impossible.’

’Elder Yuan’s words really hit a nerve! I wasn’t dead set on finding the answer before, but now that he’s dangled it in front of me like this, how am I ever going to sleep at night until I figure it out?!’ Fang Rui mused.

"As for the gifts... First, I’m giving you all the books in my room. They’re not Cultivation Techniques or secret manuals. They are the Holy Books of the sages, which teach one how to cultivate the self, govern the family, and bring peace to the world."

"Second,"

Yuan Haogu turned to face Fang Rui. "Do you know of the power of an Innate Supreme Treasure?"

...