Chapter 384: The Longevity of the Mountains and Forests

Chapter 384: The Longevity of the Mountains and Forests

Chen Mu walked slowly, his gaze fixed on the distant landscape, bypassing the area where he had previously beheaded a bandit leader with a dry leaf. He glanced back but didn't notice anything unusual, a faint glimmer flashing in his eyes.

Was it just an illusion?

Killing a mere bandit leader didn't require such a grand display. His actions weren't merely a coincidence of meeting an old acquaintance or casually pointing out Song Zhou's blade technique. It was a test.

Ever since leaving the Seven Profound Sect, he had felt an indescribable sensation as if someone was watching him. But upon careful perception, he couldn't pinpoint the source.

This intuitive perception didn't stem from tangible senses but from his Heart-Soul Realm. At the level of Calm Heart, there was sometimes a mysterious feeling that went beyond the scope of detection.

With his current cultivation level, it would be extremely difficult for someone to follow him without being noticed. Even a Blood Replacement Realm expert like Yin Heng wouldn't be able to do so. Only a Celestial Being, whose body and mind were in harmony with the heavens and earth, could potentially achieve this level of concealment.

Was there a Celestial Being secretly following him?

This thought flashed through Chen Mu's mind, but his expression remained unchanged. His eyes calmly swept across the mountains ahead, and he slowly walked forward, his figure soon disappearing into the forest.

Having left the Seven Profound Sect, he was prepared to encounter Celestial Beings. Although their physical bodies and Primordial Energy were no different from ordinary Blood Replacement Realm experts, their true strength lay in the vast and broad Primordial Energy they could harness. Moreover, their perception covered a thousand miles, allowing them to easily transmit sound over long distances.

In terms of raw power, Celestial Beings weren't as overwhelmingly superior to Yin Heng as one might imagine. Even if they couldn't be defeated, they could at least escape without being completely helpless.

Additionally, among the millions of lives and countless martial artists in Great Xuan, only a few more than twenty had reached the Celestial Being level. They stood at the pinnacle of martial arts, each with their own resolve and courage. If someone were merely concerned about Chen Mu's future threat, they wouldn't personally come to the Cold North to deal with him. Otherwise, they wouldn't have reached the Celestial Being level and the pinnacle of martial arts.

This was what Yin Heng had told him before he entered the Blood Replacement Realm. As long as he didn't provoke the Celestial Beings or initiate conflicts, these existences wouldn't use their Celestial Being status to oppress a Grandmaster.

Furthermore, Celestial Beings were often chasing higher levels of martial arts, seeking to discover the path to further progress. Their pursuits were vastly different from ordinary martial artists. Most of their time was spent detached from the mortal world, which was one reason they were called Celestial Beings, distinct from ordinary mortals.

On the contrary, the Blood Replacement Realm experts who roamed the four seas were the ones Chen Mu had to be cautious of. After he single-handedly repelled Yu Wenhao, they would view him as an equal, no longer as a junior. These were the true challenges he faced at this stage.

However, for the current Chen Mu, as long as the Celestial Beings didn't make a move, he had nothing to fear.

Even if he faced a Celestial Being, he had the means to protect himself. Having left the Seven Profound Sect, he embarked on a fearless journey, following the path of the Heaven-Earth, unconcerned about any obstacles.

...

Chen Mu's figure appeared silently atop the city wall, gazing at the distant scenery.

Patrolling soldiers walked along the wall, but none of them reacted to Chen Mu's presence, as if they couldn't see him.

"Hey, I was telling you about the widow in the south yesterday..."

Several soldiers walked along the wall, whispering about local matters.

Chen Mu stood there, gazing at the magnificent government office of Yu Prefecture. He then took a step forward, and his figure vanished from the wall, reappearing within the city. He strolled through the outer city's streets.

In the past, the outskirts of Yu Prefecture's outer city were desolate and chaotic, with starving corpses and vicious thugs. But now, things seemed to have changed, perhaps due to Yan Jingqing's governance or the gradual influence of the various sects' branch offices.

As he walked on, the streets became more crowded.

Chen Mu walked through the market, but no one bumped into him, and no one's gaze lingered on him. He was in the city but seemed detached from the mortal world.

After what seemed like only a few steps, Chen Mu recognized the familiar streets of Nine Streets, where he had spent his early years.

The two low houses he lived in back then were still there.

However, the surrounding houses and buildings had all been renovated, transformed into elegant courtyards.

"Sir, look over there. That's the old residence they say is the Dragon Ascension Land. Every sunrise, it's enveloped in purple aura... These nearby courtyards have all been bought by the city's wealthy. If you want some good luck, we have a courtyard less than a thousand steps from here."

In the distance, a pawnbroker and a customer in a long robe were discussing the purchase of a courtyard. The customer was followed by several servants, but none of them seemed to notice Chen Mu standing by the two low houses. It was as if they couldn't see him at all, and all they perceived was an empty space.

Dragon Ascension Land?

Listening to the pawnbroker and the potential buyer, Chen Mu couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle. He didn't see any signs of a Dragon Ascension Land or the purple aura they mentioned.

When Xu Hongyu and Chen Yue lived in Yu Prefecture, this area hadn't undergone such significant changes. It was only in recent years that everyone moved to the state capital, and the entire place was transformed. What used to be a humble street for the common folk was now a spacious area with elegant courtyards built from green stones.

He wondered how much the nearby courtyards had sold for. By his estimation, it would not be a small amount.

However, these people still knew their limits. His two low houses had never been touched, and likely no one dared to touch them. Not only these two, but also the few rooms where Wang Ni and her grandfather had once lived, remained untouched.

The property deeds for these houses were always in his possession. Although property deeds were often just scraps of paper in chaotic times, whether they were scraps or unbreakable laws depended on whose hands they fell into.

"Ha ha."

Chen Mu glanced at the two low houses, feeling a bit nostalgic. He then lightly waved his sleeve toward the low houses and turned to walk away without another glance.

Almost as soon as his figure disappeared, the few low houses, which seemed to have been neglected for too long, creaked under the weight of their own decay. With a loud crash, they collapsed, turning into a pile of scattered rubble and dust.

The pawnbroker and the local gentry, who were enthusiastically discussing the nearby courtyards and residences, talking about things like 'fortune,' 'heavenly mandate,' and 'purple aura,' were startled by the sudden collapse.

They all stumbled back a few steps. When the houses finally collapsed and turned to dust, they looked at each other, each with a puzzled expression.

...

In the inner courtyard, an old woman with a gentle demeanor sat in a reclining chair. Her hair was mostly silver, with only a few strands of black remaining. Time had left its mark on her face with numerous wrinkles, but she was in good spirits. Around her were two children, about five or six years old, and three little girls, about four or five, all calling out "Grandma," "Grandma."

"Grandma, Grandma, tell us the story about Uncle again."

"Grandma, I want to learn martial arts too, and become as strong as Uncle."

The children, still in their tooth-replacement years, surrounded her with clear, cheerful voices.

Chen Hong, with a gentle expression, said, "Learning martial arts isn't easy; it requires a lot of hardship. Back in the day..."

As she spoke, she suddenly paused, as if a string had been lightly plucked. She instinctively turned her head and looked up at the eaves, but there was nothing there except a sparrow preening its feathers.

Chen Hong's movement made the children look up at the eaves as well, but they saw nothing. They all looked at her curiously, "Grandma, what are you looking at?"

"Nothing," Chen Hong shook her head, thinking that old age often brought such strange feelings. She quickly composed herself and looked at the children with a gentle smile, "Back then, our family was poor, and we often didn't know where our next meal would come from..."

The children gathered around, listening intently to the story.

At the corner of the eaves, Chen Mu stood quietly, watching the scene of his family. He nodded gently, then quietly turned and disappeared from the eaves, while the sparrow continued to preen its wings, seemingly unaware.

...

Walking down the street, Chen Mu did not stop and soon entered the inner city.

After several years, the inner city had changed significantly. The area occupied by the Yu Family's headquarters had also changed, expanding in some directions and shrinking in others due to the influence of sects and factions.

Chen Mu walked calmly, passing by some of the Yu Family's guards and caretakers, but no one saw him. He eventually reached a simple courtyard deep within the Yu Family's compound.

Pushing open the gate, he saw a garden filled with flowers. An elderly man with white hair and beard was walking leisurely among the flowers, occasionally raising his hand to summon raindrops that gently watered the flower beds.

Noticing the gate open, Yu Jiujiang turned and saw Chen Mu walking in calmly. He said softly, "It's been a long time, Old Man. How have you been?"

"Good, good, everything is fine."

Yu Jiujiang was initially surprised but quickly recovered, chuckling. He slowly withdrew his hand, and the raindrops in the air disappeared. He then walked toward Chen Mu with his cane, his steps steady and healthy, though Chen Mu could see that Yu Jiujiang's blood energy had declined to the point where it was even less than an ordinary person's.

With Chen Mu's current cultivation, he could directly determine Yu Jiujiang's lifespan. If nothing unexpected happened, he would have about a year left before his time of return to the void.

"Why are you back in Yu City today? Just passing through?"

Yu Jiujiang looked at Chen Mu.

Though far in Yu Prefecture, the Yu Family had always maintained correspondence with the state capital and communicated with Xu Hongyu and others. Moreover, the Yu Family's status had changed, and they were well-informed about recent events concerning Chen Mu and the Qiuan Sect.

Yu Jiujiang knew that Chen Mu, though renowned throughout the Cold North and ranked as the top grandmaster in the world, was now at a critical moment. Whether he could break through and reach the pinnacle of the world would depend on the coming days. It was surprising to see Chen Mu return to Yu Prefecture during such an important period, but it also brought him a sense of joy.

As one grows old, approaching the end of their days, such feelings are inevitable. He wanted to see Xu Hongyu again, but the journey from Yu Prefecture to the state capital was long, and his body could no longer endure such travel. Given the serious situation Chen Mu faced, it was safest for Xu Hongyu to remain at the Qiuan Sect's mountain gate, and it was not advisable for her to make the long journey back to Yu Prefecture.

I had thought that in these final years, I wouldn't have the chance to meet Chen Mu and Xu Hongyu again, but who would have expected that today, we would reunite once more.

"I came especially to see you."

Chen Mu spoke with a calm tone.

After carefully examining Yu Jiujiang's physical condition, he gently raised his hand, and a drop of crystal-clear green liquid quietly appeared, floating silently in his palm.

"This is the Heaven-Earth Creation Dew, capable of halting the decay of flesh and blood. I was fortunate enough to obtain a few drops, and although you haven't undergone Bone Marrow Washing or cultivated a Martial Body, it should still be effective for you."

The Heaven-Earth Creation Dew was a rare spiritual treasure, rarely mentioned even in the classics. Chen Mu had previously obtained seven drops from Yu Shou Xuan and others. According to rumors, a single drop could extend one's lifespan by ten years. However, Chen Mu wasn't sure about its effectiveness on Yu Jiujiang.

The reason was that this so-called lifespan extension of ten years was relative to a Bone Marrow Washing Grandmaster.

A Grandmaster with a perfected Martial Body could naturally lock in their blood energy, preventing its dissipation until the very end of their lifespan. Therefore, the Heaven-Earth Creation Dew's ability to prevent the dissipation of blood energy was highly effective for them.

However, Yu Jiujiang was not a Bone Marrow Washing Grandmaster; he was merely at the Five Viscera Realm, and his current realm had already declined, making his blood energy almost indistinguishable from that of an ordinary person. The effectiveness of the Heaven-Earth Creation Dew on him would undoubtedly be diminished, but Chen Mu wasn't sure to what extent.

After all, the records also lacked information about the effects of Creation Dew on individuals below the Grandmaster level.

Seeing the drop of crystal-clear spiritual liquid in Chen Mu's palm, Yu Jiujiang paused briefly, then sighed with a touch of admiration, "I, an old man who has lived over a hundred years, have already experienced and seen everything I desired. Now, with half my body buried in a coffin, it would be a waste to use such a precious spiritual treasure on an old man like me."

Hearing Yu Jiujiang's words, Chen Mu shook his head slightly and said, "As long as I'm around, the bloodline of the Yu family will not be severed. In the coming years, the world may change, and you should be able to witness a few more years of worldly splendor."

Yu Jiujiang had dedicated his entire life to the Yu family.

No one would refuse to live longer, but Yu Jiujiang knew the value of the Heaven-Earth Creation Dew, so he didn't want to use it himself. Instead, he hoped that Chen Mu would take care of the Yu family in the future. After all, Chen Mu's Martial Dao cultivation was still in its early stages, and he had a long lifespan ahead of him. In a few decades, most of the Yu family elders who knew Chen Mu would have passed away, and the connection between Chen Mu and the Yu family would be greatly diminished.

Chen Mu was well aware of this, so he simply mentioned that he wouldn't let the Yu family bloodline be severed. It wasn't just because of Yu Jiujiang's care in the past, but also because he had benefited greatly from the Yu family. Xu Hongyu, in particular, had grown up in the Yu family and was like a family member. Chen Yue had also received much care from the Yu family, allowing him to overcome the most challenging initial period.

Hearing Chen Mu's words, Yu Jiujiang finally smiled and said with a touch of emotion, "If I could live a few more years and witness such splendor, it would indeed be worth living for."

He understood the meaning behind Chen Mu's words. In the current world, all the splendor was centered around Chen Mu.

Living a few more years, would he be able to see it?

He felt it was unlikely. Despite his low realm, he was from the Qi Xuan Sect and was well-informed about worldly matters. He knew that although Chen Mu seemed just a step away from dominating the world, it was not something that could be achieved overnight.

But since Chen Mu had already spoken, he naturally wouldn't refuse.

"I will," Chen Mu said softly, then gently sent the drop of crystal-clear Heaven-Earth Creation Dew forward.

The drop of Creation Dew quietly floated towards Yu Jiujiang and, upon reaching him, disintegrated in mid-air, transforming into a mist of multi-colored fog that enveloped Yu Jiujiang's entire body.

Yu Jiujiang took a deep breath, feeling as if he were a dying man in the desert who had suddenly drunk a mouthful of dew. In an instant, his body, which had nearly decayed due to the decline of his blood energy, regained its vigor and vitality.

After a moment, when all the changes subsided, Yu Jiujiang opened his eyes and assessed his physical condition. He sighed, "The wonder of the Heaven-Earth Creation Dew is unparalleled, but it's a pity that my old body is wasting such a precious treasure."

Given his past status and position, it was natural that he had never come across the Heaven-Earth Creation Dew, a treasure for extending one's lifespan. All the longevity-enhancing spiritual treasures he had heard of were through rumors. However, this didn't prevent him from understanding the changes brought about by the Creation Dew.

If his realm hadn't declined and he had maintained the Five Viscera Realm, this drop of Creation Dew would have been enough to sustain his blood energy for another ten years, truly extending his lifespan by nearly a decade.

But now, with his blood energy in decline and his body no different from an ordinary person's, this drop of Creation Dew, while preventing further decay and restoring some vitality, couldn't reverse the irreversible decline. It was impossible for him to regain the Martial Body cultivation of the Five Viscera Realm.

According to his judgment, the effect of this drop of Creation Dew on him would be at least halved, and it might only extend his lifespan by four or five years. Hence, he sighed, feeling that this heavenly treasure was somewhat wasted on him.

"If it allows you to witness a few more years of worldly splendor, then it has served its purpose, and there's no waste," Chen Mu said, understanding Yu Jiujiang's assessment. This drop of Creation Dew should extend his lifespan by four to five years, and its effectiveness wasn't significantly diminished. Moreover, the process by which it took effect gave Chen Mu some food for thought.

This effect of preventing blood energy decay and restoring vitality was somewhat similar to the demonic cultivation method of the Heavenly Demon Sect, which involved a process of demonization. However, the Creation Dew's effect was upright and pure, without any side effects, while the Heavenly Demon Sect's method was demonic and could affect one's mind and reason. The two methods had similar effects but vastly different processes.

It was rumored that the old Emperor Xuan had practiced forbidden arts to extend his lifespan, which led to him becoming half-mad and half-sane, ultimately causing chaos in the world. The current age of turmoil was said to be a result of his cultivation, but the specific method he practiced remained unknown.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end