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Chapter 2: A Millennium of Life
Chapter 2: A Millennium of Life
As spring turned to autumn, a year passed in the Medicine Valley of Tai Xuan Gate, left untouched by the changing seasons.
In a pavilion, sixteen-year-old Gu An emerged with Meng Lang and Li Ya, bowing towards the room before Meng Lang closed the door behind them. A collective sigh of relief escaped the trio as they descended the stairs.
Once they reached their courtyard, Meng Lang couldn't help but voice his pent-up frustration. "What took so long? He could've just given us his copy of the Hundred Herbs Record and saved us the lecture."
Li Ya shook his head helplessly and walked to a corner of the yard, picking up a sword embedded in the soil and beginning his practice. Despite his mediocre spiritual roots, he hailed from royalty and possessed a sophisticated set of sword techniques. He intended to use this skill to turn his fortunes around.
In the Great Cang Empire, the path of cultivation was revered, and all officials practiced it. The empire categorized its citizens into four ranks: slave, commoner, official, and immortal. Merchants were considered within the commoner rank, and only those who attained the immortal rank were deemed true nobility. Regular officials could only hold positions in towns, while those of the immortal rank governed county seats and entire states. As for the imperial city of Chang Luo, entry was exclusively reserved for those of the immortal rank.
Many immortal-ranked noble families would exile their offspring with inferior spiritual roots to maintain the purity of their bloodline, and the royalty was no exception.
Li Ya, despite his current humble state, was of the immortal rank, and thus not someone Gu An could afford to offend.
After all, Gu An was merely of the slave rank.
Over the past year, Gu An had dedicated himself to helping Li Ya and Meng Lang gather herbs, mostly during the summer or early mornings. His efforts had earned him their goodwill.
At other times, such as during planting, watering, and fertilizing, Gu An did not assist them, and they felt too embarrassed to ask further. Moreover, Zhang Chun Qiu would always oversee them from the pavilion during planting.
Gu An listened to Meng Lang's incessant chatter while keeping an eye on Li Ya's sword practice.
All men shared the dream of becoming a swordsman.
Having spent a year together, the three had developed a close bond, and Li Ya didn't mind them watching his practice. After all, he couldn't hide away to train, and the Li family's sword techniques included a unique breathing technique, rendering mere forms useless without it.
Meng Lang chatted away for a while before finally trailing off. He patted Gu An's shoulder and smiled. "You rarely cultivate, yet you seem so interested in sword techniques."
"I'm just mediocre, so I'm lazy about practicing," Gu An replied casually. "I watch Li Ya's sword practice to pass the time. Don't you find life in the Medicine Valley boring?"
"Yes, it's terribly boring," Meng Lang agreed. "Back home, I had four maids to entertain me. You can imagine..." He trailed off, lost in his thoughts.
Gu An was used to his boastful nature and didn't bother to call him out on it.
As dusk fell, Li Ya finally concluded his sword practice and sheathed his sword in the courtyard. Wiping the sweat from his brow, he announced, "I'm going to take a walk in the small forest."
Without waiting for a response from Gu An or Meng Lang, he strode towards the courtyard gate.
After he left, Meng Lang muttered softly, "I wonder what that guy is always doing in the little forest."
Gu An shrugged. "How would I know? He's a royal disciple, so it's normal for him to have some secrets. Who knows, maybe he'll return to his kingdom and become a prince one day."
"Impossible," Meng Lang scoffed. "He was sent here to be a servant."
"But think about it," Gu An persisted. "There are other sects besides Tai Xuan Gate in this world. Why did he end up here as a servant?"
Meng Lang fell silent at Gu An's words.
Soon after, Gu An walked to the well, scooped a ladle of water from the bucket, and drank it down. Setting the ladle aside, he strode out of the courtyard.
Meng Lang didn't follow Gu An, as he knew what his friend was about to do. Muttering to himself, he returned to the house to cultivate.
Gu An arrived at a garden where second-rank spirit herbs, Quiet Heart Grass, were grown.
Over the past year, Gu An had only harvested first-rank medicinal ingredients, and these spirit herbs were not ordinary plants. They took much longer to mature, and many had to be left for several years before they could be harvested. Thus, the amount he had gathered in a year was not significant.
Zhang Chun Qiu had said that they would be able to harvest the Quiet Heart Grass in this garden in another month. It would be their first time harvesting second-rank medicinal ingredients, and Gu An had been eagerly anticipating it.
In his eyes, each deep blue stalk of Quiet Heart Grass represented a number of years added to his lifespan.
Suddenly, Gu An spotted one of the Quiet Heart Grass stalks swaying, and upon closer inspection, his expression changed drastically. He quickly climbed over the wooden fence and rushed over.
He saw a white-furred rat the size of a palm tampering with the soil beneath the Quiet Heart Grass, seemingly attempting to uproot it.
Startled by Gu An's sudden approach, the white-furred rat scurried away faster than lightning and disappeared beneath the wooden fence at the edge of the garden, vanishing without a trace.
Gu An had wanted to give chase, but when he saw that the Quiet Heart Grass had been gnawed on and its stem broken, he immediately knelt down and took out a spirit-protecting paper from his waist.
With his left hand, he swiftly plucked the Quiet Heart Grass, and with his right, he wrapped the spirit-protecting paper around its roots to prevent the dispersal of its spiritual energy.
After bandaging it, Gu An stood up.
You have successfully obtained Quiet Heart Grass (Second-Rank) and gained 4 years of lifespan.
Before Gu An could even smile, another line of text appeared before him:
Your lifespan has surpassed a millennium for the first time. The Lifespan Investigation function is now unlocked.
Lifespan Investigation?
Intrigued, Gu An glanced at the Quiet Heart Grass on the ground and silently willed, 'Check lifespan.'
Quiet Heart Grass (Second-Rank): 4/25/102 years (Age/Lifespan/Lifespan Limit)
Gu An gazed at the Quiet Heart Grass on the ground and silently willed, 'Check lifespan.'
Quiet Heart Grass (Second-Rank): 4/25/102 years (Age/Lifespan/Lifespan Limit)
This stalk of Quiet Heart Grass has a lifespan limit of a hundred and two years?
The lifespan taken was also different from its original lifespan. It seemed that he couldn't completely deprive the target of its entire lifespan, as most of it dissipated with the target's death.
Gu An wasn't sure what the difference was between lifespan and lifespan limit; perhaps it had something to do with cultivation.
Picking up the bandaged Quiet Heart Grass, he turned to leave, heading toward Zhang Chun Qiu's loft.
All the medicinal herbs in Medicine Valley had to be handed over to Zhang Chun Qiu for safekeeping. Gu An, Meng Lang, and Li Ya received their wages as menial disciples of Tai Xuan Gate every six months, which consisted of spirit stones and spirit pills for cultivation. Zhang Chun Qiu would also give them seeds of medicinal herbs based on their performance.
Gu An had three stalks of Quiet Heart Grass growing in his yard, one more than Meng Lang and Li Ya. The two didn't seem jealous of this fact.
As Gu An walked out of the herb garden, he spotted a figure climbing the stairs to Zhang Chun Qiu's loft. It was an elderly man dressed in black, carrying a book box and wearing a black cloth hat, his entire demeanor shrouded in mystery.
Watching the black-clad elder from a distance, Gu An's heart stirred, and he checked the man's lifespan. Immediately, two lines of text appeared before his eyes:
[Cheng Xuandan (8th Layer of Qi Refining Realm): 104/120/180]
Cheng Xuandan!
The master of Medicine Valley and Gu An's nominal master, whom he had only heard about from Zhang Chun Qiu. Cheng Xuandan had been traveling the world in recent years, and today was the first time Gu An had laid eyes on him.
At 104 years old, Cheng Xuandan had a lifespan of 120 years and a lifespan limit of 180 years. In other words, barring any unforeseen circumstances, he only had 16 years left to live.
Gu An found the Lifespan Investigation function quite intriguing; it could help him identify others' cultivation levels and talents.
He guessed that the lifespan limit might represent one's innate talent, but this hypothesis would require further testing to confirm.
Cheng Xuandan entered Zhang Chun Qiu's house and closed the door behind him.
Gu An walked to Zhang Chun Qiu's courtyard and placed the bandaged Quiet Heart Grass on a long table before turning to leave.
He returned to his own courtyard and first paid a visit to Meng Lang, who was cultivating in his room.
[Meng Lang (2nd Layer of Qi Refining Realm): 17/90/190]
Mhm, indeed a waste.
After learning about Meng Lang's lifespan, Gu An didn't linger and soon returned to his own room.
He waited until nightfall, and when he heard Li Ya's footsteps, he got up and opened his door.
Li Ya was just about to head to his room when he saw Gu An. "What's up?" he asked.
Gu An replied, "Master has returned. Shall we pay him a visit tomorrow?" as he simultaneously probed Li Ya's lifespan.
[Li Ya (6th Layer of Qi Refining Realm): 18/210/1550]
Whoosh—
A lifespan limit of 1,550 years!
So this is the talent of a royal descendant?
But Li Ya also has a mediocre spiritual root... Gu An's gaze at Li Ya changed subtly. Perhaps Li Ya was a hidden genius who would eventually shine brightly.
Moreover, this fellow's cultivation had already reached the 6th Layer of Qi Refining Realm!
What does this mean? A wolf in sheep's clothing?
The cultivation realms Gu An was familiar with were, in ascending order: Qi Condensation, Foundation Establishment, Core Formation, Nascent Soul, and Soul Formation. Each major realm was further divided into nine minor realms, and for Li Ya to have reached the 6th Layer of Qi Condensation Realm at the age of 18, it wouldn't be long before he could establish his foundation and become an official disciple of Tai Xuan Gate.
He must befriend such a talented fellow disciple!
Upon hearing Gu An's suggestion, Li Ya raised his eyebrows slightly and nodded. "Sure, that's thoughtful of you. Come get me when you wake up tomorrow."
With that, he turned and walked toward his room.
Gu An watched as he closed the door, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Indeed, class exists in any world, and the gap in their statuses would make it difficult for him and Li Ya to become true friends.
But Gu An didn't mind. Having grown up as a servant, he was used to being looked down upon and neglected. He didn't blame Li Ya, either; after all, he himself appeared so ordinary.
No matter, with his ability to take lifespans, Gu An believed that he would eventually achieve immortality. For now, he valued a low profile and a peaceful life as he accumulated lifespans.
To maintain peace, one must avoid conflicts and stay out of trouble. The lower the profile, the better! Gu An smiled and closed his door.
That night, the moon was full, and the moonlight spilled onto the stone steps of the courtyard like flowing water.
...
The next morning, in the main hall.
Gu An, Meng Lang, and Li Ya stood side by side. In front of them, Cheng Xuandan sat in a chair, holding a cup of hot tea. Zhang Chun Qiu stood beside him, looking respectful.
[Zhang Chun Qiu (5th Layer of Qi Refining Realm): 54/110/175]
Gu An felt that the master disciple's talent was lacking, but then he thought, that's to be expected. There were probably many Medicine Valleys like this one in Tai Xuan Gate, and it was already remarkable to have someone like Li Ya.
Moreover, compared to these people, the initial Gu An had been the biggest waste of all.
Cheng Xuandan raised his cloudy eyes to examine Gu An and the others. "I've heard about your performances from your senior disciple," he said. "As your nominal master, I should give you a gift for our first meeting."
"You can each choose one of the following: the Hundred Herbs Record, the Qi Nurturing Technique, or the spell Toxic Woodvine. However, you may only choose one, and they must not be shared with each other. If I find out otherwise, there will be severe punishment."
Upon hearing this, Meng Lang quickly spoke up. "Master, I want Toxic Woodvine!"
Gu An thought that no one would want the Hundred Herbs Record, so he might as well let Li Ya choose first as a goodwill gesture.
Li Ya said, "I'd like the Hundred Herbs Record, please."
Gu An looked at him in surprise.
Brother, aren't you going by the book?
(End of Chapter)
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