Chapter 92. A Lifetime Between Sunrise and Sunset

Putting away the invitation, Eldrin turned to Chen Qinghe and noticed he seemed to have something to say but was hesitating.

His brow twitched, and he couldn't help but ask, "Does Elder Uncle have something to say?"

Chen Qinghe hesitated for a moment before finally speaking, "I heard you still possessed a Spirit Gathering Pill back then?"

"There is indeed 1 more."

Eldrin nodded slightly. Back in the day, he had successfully refined 3 Soul Convergence Pills. Lior and Chen Qingwan had each consumed 1, leaving him with precisely 1 pill remaining in his possession.

"This item can assist a cultivator in breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage. However, Uncle Qinghe seeks it—could it be that..."

Eldrin's words trailed off, a wave of melancholy washing over him.

It was only then that he noticed Chen Qinghe’s temples had long turned gray, his eyes shadowed with an air of weary resignation.

Now even Third Elder and Chen Qingwan were approaching 70, while this Second Elder of the clan was already over 80 years old—he had grown old.

In those years, to help Chen Qingyuan obtain the Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object), Chen Qinghe repeatedly activated the Bell of 9 Echoes (Magic Treasure) to confront the Foundation Establishment demon ape head-on, sustaining near-fatal injuries.

Although he later took a Dissipating Stasis Pill to heal his injuries, it resulted in a severe depletion of his lifespan. While an ordinary person at the ninth level of Foundation Establishment could typically live to 1 100 and 20 years of age, he would be unlikely to reach even a 100.

"In this life, my greatest regret is lacking the courage to attempt the Foundation Establishment breakthrough before reaching my first sexagenary cycle of life."

Chen Qinghe (Person Name) suddenly spoke up, his eyes glistening with tears as a trace of regret surfaced. "Now that my lifespan is nearing its end, I’ve finally come to understand—even if I cling to life in the Qi Refining stage without breaking through to Foundation Establishment, what difference would a few more years make?"

"Therefore, I wish to seize this moment before my vital energy depletes completely to attempt a breakthrough into the Foundation Establishment realm."

"I shall have no regrets even in death!"

Eldrin's mind felt as if struck by a colossal bell, his heart oppressed as though a mountain were crushing it.

If self-established Foundation Building before the age of 60 still held a 1-in-10 chance of success, then attempting it after 60 offered virtually no hope at all.

As 1's vital essence declines, both the physical body and meridians of a cultivator will deteriorate, their strength plummeting drastically.

Chen Qinghe's lifespan had been severely depleted, and his current physical state was nearly identical to that of a centenarian cultivator. In such a condition, even with a Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object), his chances of achieving Foundation Establishment would not exceed half a percent. Let alone the fact that he merely intended to attempt it with a single Essence-Gathering Pill (Spiritual Object).

Eldrin understood clearly that Chen Qinghe was marching toward his death. He would rather perish during his breakthrough, grasping for that 1-in-a-100-million chance, than lie on a sickbed a dozen or so years later awaiting death's arrival.

"Uncle Qinghe..."

Eldrin had no idea how to persuade him, nor what to say.

He knew full well that Chen Qinghe was courting death by doing this, squandering the precious Gathering Origin Pill. Yet, his hands trembling, he still took out the Gathering Origin Pill and thrust it into Chen Qinghe’s palm.

After a moment of contemplation, Eldrin still said, "Uncle Qinghe, perhaps you should wait a little longer."

"I'll go plead with Patriarch Jiang to see if I can purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) for you."

"Silly child."

Chen Qinghe patted Eldrin’s head and smiled with relief. “A single Foundation Establishment Pill is worth tens of thousands of spirit stones. Even if we acquired 1, it should be reserved for those with greater potential to achieve a breakthrough.”

"A decrepit old man like me, with my lifeblood all but dried up, doesn't truly believe I can break through to Foundation Establishment. I merely wish to glimpse the scenery of that realm before I die."

"Even if... just for a fleeting moment."

The night was profound, a bright moon hung high in the Ninth Heaven.

Eldrin's heart was heavy, as if burdened with a 1000 unspoken words, yet there was no 1 to whom he could pour them out.

He soared on his sword beyond the Celestial Ruins Market, alighting upon a peak that pierced the clouds. Gazing down upon the vast sea of mist and the boundless wilderness, he drew forth an ancient zither.

He sat atop the mountain peak, clad in snow-white robes, with a zither resting upon his knees. His fingers brushed lightly across the strings, releasing an ethereal, lingering melody that echoed through the heavens—like a cry resonating across the river of time, striking deep into the human soul.

No 1 knew how much time had passed before the zither’s melody faded, the final notes of the song drifting into silence.

Eldrin opened his eyes, only to find a hazy figure standing not far away, silently watching him.

Her eyes flickered slightly as she asked calmly, "What is the name of this melody?"

Big fish.

Eldrin blurted out before catching himself, then promptly rose and bowed. "Greetings, Ancestor Jiang."

Lyra shook her head. Standing at the edge of the cliff, she gazed at the vast, boundless land stretching beneath her, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips.

"Are you afraid of me?"

"I dare not." Eldrin's heart skipped a beat as he hastily replied.

She gave an ambiguous smile and asked again, "Do you think I look old?"

Eldrin’s heart skipped a beat, and he hurriedly replied, “Senior, you are in the prime of your life—how could you possibly be old?”

"Then why do you address me as Patriarch Jiang?"

Lyra cast a seemingly amused glance at him.

Before he could answer, she turned her gaze to the distant land, her expression serene as she spoke.

"The mayfly is born at dawn and dies by dusk, never knowing the distinction between day and night throughout its fleeting existence!"

For it, the rise of the morning sun and the fall of the evening glow—this was a lifetime.

"You have lived a little over 30 years, yet to it, that equates to 3 1000 lifetimes of worldly dust—so would you call yourself old?"

Eldrin was left speechless. Many believed that high-level cultivators, having lived for thousands of years, were nothing but undying monsters.

Little did they know, in the eyes of supreme cultivators, what difference was there between those people and mayflies? A mortal's entire lifetime was but the span of a brief nap for a mighty Dao Lord.

I watched you enter this world, I watched you grow, I watched you in the prime of your youth, I watched you gradually age, I watched you turn to dry bones in the grave—yet I remain ever youthful, enduring through the mortal realm untouched by time.

You laugh at me for having lived thousands of years, calling me an ancient monster—yet how is that any different from the mayfly in the water gazing up at me?

"You are different from others."

Lyra's eyes reflected the boundless earth, as if seeing through the ceaseless shifts of mortal affairs within this vast wilderness.

"10 1000 years from now, perhaps you'll understand—I'm only slightly older than you."

Upon hearing this, Eldrin replied with some trepidation, "Legends say only Divine Soul Dao Lords can live for over 10 1000 years. How could someone of my humble standing deserve such praise?"

"You," Lyra couldn't help but chuckle at his flustered appearance. "So young, yet you carry yourself like an old man—completely lacking the sharp edge of youth."

Eldrin felt that her smile was utterly captivating, her bright eyes sparkling like stars in the night sky. For a moment, he found himself completely entranced.

Noticing the expression on his face, Lyra (Person Name) reined in her smile. With a turn, she swept her long skirt and transformed into a sword gleam, vanishing into the sky.

Watching that sword radiance vanish into the horizon, Eldrin finally snapped back to his senses.

He shook his head with a wry smile and turned to pack his ancient zither. Suddenly, his eyes widened slightly as he noticed a jade box had materialized beside the instrument at some unknown hour.

"This is?"

He opened the jade box and discovered a Foundation Establishment Pill (Spiritual Object) resting prominently within.

Silent, Eldrin stood still in place, gazing in the direction she had departed, remaining wordless for a long time.

He slowly closed his eyes, drawing a deep and measured breath. A subtle fragrance lingered in his heart, a serene aroma that seeped into his soul, lingering there, unwilling to fade.

Chapter 1: The Reborn Youth Mount Canglan, Outer Sect. In a dilapidated thatched hut, a pale youth suddenly sat upright on his bed, his eyes flashing with a terrifying gleam. "To think I, Chen Fan, the revered Flawless Immortal Venerable who dominated the world for 3 1000 years, would perish at the hands of my most trusted disciple and the woman I loved most... How laughable! How pitiful!" A surge of violent killing intent erupted within him, yet was quickly suppressed. "Since the heavens have granted me a second chance, allowing my primordial spirit to return to my youth, then in this life, I shall sever all regrets and achieve true flawlessness!" "Lin Feiyu, Su Qingluan... Just you wait! When I return to the Immortal Realm, it will be the day of your demise!" Chen Fan's gaze was profound as he surveyed his surroundings. This was the outer sect of the Mount Canglan Sect, where he had spent 5 years in his previous life. It was here that he had missed the sect recruitment examination due to his injuries, ultimately leading to his expulsion from the sect and a lifetime of mediocrity. But now, everything would be different. Ding! A crisp chime echoed in his mind. [Detected host's soul has stabilized, system binding in progress...] [Congratulations, host, for successfully binding the 'Omnipotent Cultivation System'!] Chen Fan was momentarily stunned, then a faint smile touched his lips. "A system? Interesting." [Newbie Mission: Attend the sect recruitment examination 3 days from now and become an outer sect disciple of the Mount Canglan Sect.] [Mission Reward: 1,000 system points, 1 random low-grade magical treasure.] Chen Fan's eyes narrowed. The sect recruitment examination—this was precisely the turning point that had altered his destiny in his previous life. He remembered clearly that in his past life, he had been severely injured by a jealous disciple just before the examination, causing him to miss it and be expelled from the sect. It was only later that he discovered the mastermind behind the attack was none other than his so-called "good friend," Zhao Feng! "In this life, I will not only participate in the examination but also claim the top spot!" Chen Fan declared coldly. He closed his eyes and began to inspect his body. His cultivation was only at the third level of Body Refining—utterly insignificant. But with his 3 1000 years of cultivation experience and memories, reaching the peak was merely a matter of time. "The Heavenly Emperor Scripture I cultivated in my previous life was too domineering and unsuitable for my current weak physique. It seems I must start with a foundational technique." After a moment of contemplation, Chen Fan selected the most basic "Primordial Chaos Art." Although it was a basic technique, in his hands, it could achieve miraculous effects. He sat cross-legged and began to guide the spiritual energy of heaven and earth into his body. The surrounding spiritual energy swarmed toward him like a tidal wave, continuously tempering his muscles and bones. Crack, crack— His joints emitted a series of crisp sounds. In just 1 cycle, Chen Fan had broken through to the fourth level of Body Refining! If others were to witness this, they would be utterly astounded. For an ordinary person, breaking through 1 small realm would require at least several months of arduous cultivation. Yet, he had achieved it in mere moments! "Too slow." Chen Fan frowned slightly. The spiritual energy in the outer sect was far too thin. If this continued, breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage before the examination would be impossible. He needed spirit stones—a large quantity of them. Just as Chen Fan was pondering how to acquire spirit stones, a burst of noisy conversation came from outside the door. "Hey, trash! Time to pay your protection fee!" The door was kicked open with a loud bang, and 3 outer sect disciples swaggered in. The leader, a pockmarked man, grinned arrogantly at Chen Fan. In his previous life, Chen Fan had been regularly extorted by these people. But now... A cold light flashed in Chen Fan's eyes. "Scram!"