Chapter 8: The Pain of Parting I

"Whoosh!"

A long sword pierced the air, speeding out from Cloud Mist Mountain and heading in the direction of the Ye Clan Immortal City.

Ye Qingxuan stood upon the flying sword, his mind filled with a thousand thoughts.

He had originally assumed he would spend a long time in the Ye family, but he hadn't expected to be leaving so soon.

This was for the best. By becoming a "Fortune Cultivator" (Fu Xiu) and having the Xuantian Sect as his backing, as long as he didn't exhaust his public lifespan, he could safely develop within the Xuantian Sect.

He wouldn't have to worry about living a life of hiding and fleeing in the future.

The concentration of spiritual energy in the Earth Profound Realm was astonishing; even in places where mortals lived, the concentration was not low.

Nourished by this spiritual energy, even mortals without any cultivation could reach a maximum lifespan of 130 years.

The limit for Qi Refining cultivators was 180 years, and for Foundation Establishment cultivators, it reached an astonishing 360 years.

As long as he became a Fortune Cultivator in the Xuantian Sect and broke through to the Foundation Establishment realm, since a Fortune Cultivator's lifespan was calculated as ten times that of a cultivator at the same level, his public lifespan limit would reach 3,600 years.

And as long as he developed his "Blessed Land" (Fudi) and broke through to the Purple Mansion realm before the age of 3,600...

With the 800-year limit of the Purple Mansion realm, his public lifespan would reach a terrifying 8,000 years.

In this cycle, as long as he made a breakthrough before his public lifespan ran out, he could continue to cultivate in the Xuantian Sect for a long time.

Once he successfully took root in the Xuantian Sect, according to the characteristics of a Fortune Cultivator, he wouldn't need to appear in public; he could slowly lay out his plans and remain firmly behind the scenes.

If things went smoothly, perhaps he would become the oldest cultivator in the Xuantian Sect—and the one with the lowest presence!

At that time, he could find a technique similar to a clone or puppet, use the clone to travel the Earth Profound Realm, and keep his true body hidden within the Xuantian Sect.

As long as the Xuantian Sect did not fall, he could "go" (survive/hide) until the end of time, until he stepped onto the peak of this world.

He didn't believe that over such a long period, he wouldn't be able to make up for his own spiritual roots.

Once he possessed twelve-element spiritual roots, what bottleneck could stop his progress?

He, Ye Qingxuan, would not only be the longest-living immortal, but also the most steady and successful one.

Having the hegemon-level Xuantian Sect as his backing was his advantage; all he needed to do was make good use of it and grow smoothly.

This was the real reason he had made up his mind to become a Fortune Cultivator and use that to join the Xuantian Sect.

"We've arrived. Let's go down!"

Just as Ye Qingxuan was imagining the future in his mind, Ye Yonglun had already brought him to the Ye Clan Immortal City.

The two descended from the sky and arrived at the entrance of Ye Qingxuan's home.

"I will come to pick you up in three days!"

"Uncle, why not come inside and sit for a while? Taste my mother's cooking?"

"No need. Those who cultivate do not eat mortal food; it would only delay my cultivation."

After dropping Ye Qingxuan at his doorstep and refusing his invitation, Ye Yonglun left directly.

After Ye Yonglun departed, Ye Qingxuan stared blankly at the familiar gate before him.

He hesitated for a moment, finding himself unable to push the door open.

Choosing to become a Fortune Cultivator and going to the distant Xuantian Sect was perhaps the best choice for him.

But he felt a unique sense of guilt toward the parents who had given birth to him and raised him in this life!

At this moment, he felt ashamed of his own selfishness and felt he had no face to see his parents.

Just as Ye Qingxuan was mired in guilt, afraid to push the door open, his mother's voice suddenly drifted from inside

"I wonder how Xuan'er is doing? Is he being bullied out there? Sigh!"

As soon as the words fell, his father's voice followed

"Mother of the child, don't worry. Xuan'er has been mature and steady since he was young; he will take care of himself."

"How can I not worry? I heard that the child of Auntie Ye on East Street died when he left the clan to search for cultivation resources. If I had known, I shouldn't have let Xuan'er go to test his spiritual roots. If something happens to Xuan'er, I won't go on living, wuwuwu!"

Speaking of this, his mother began to sob!

Seeing this, his father hurriedly stepped forward to hold her, comforting her with a pained heart

"Don't talk nonsense and scare yourself. Xuan'er has his own path to walk. This world is, after all, the world of those cultivators. Although our life looks good, we are ultimately trapped near this city, never daring to see the scenery outside. It is his good fortune that our son has spiritual roots and a chance to see the real world; we should support him."

Hearing his father's words, his mother's emotions stabilized slightly, but her longing for her son grew even more intense. She whispered

"I just don't know when Xuan'er will have time to come back."

Standing outside the door, Ye Qingxuan heard every word of his parents' concern for him. His eyes instantly filled with tears, and he couldn't help but push the door open and shout

"Father, Mother, Xuan'er is back!"

Having said that, he ran over and hugged his father and mother, who hadn't yet reacted.

His mother then realized what was happening, reaching out with trembling hands to stroke Ye Qingxuan's back. Confirming that he was real, she said happily and excitedly

"Xuan'er, my Xuan'er is back! Wuwuwu, as long as you're okay, Xuan'er, you scared your mother to death!"

His father didn't speak, but held his wife and son tightly with both hands!

Holding his parents, Ye Qingxuan felt an unprecedented sense of stability in his heart.

He had lived two lives; his mental age far exceeded his current body.

But the love of parents had nothing to do with age. No matter how old he was, in front of his parents, he was just a child.

Twelve years of parental affection were vivid in his mind; how could he easily let them go?

After a long while, the emotions of the three finally stabilized.

His mother held Ye Qingxuan's hand, having endless words to say, asking about his life over the past half-year.

Ye Qingxuan recounted his experiences from the last six months.

In the evening, his mother made Ye Qingxuan's favorite braised pork.

During dinner, Ye Qingxuan's expression was complex. He wanted to speak several times, but as he ate the braised pork his mother had made, he swallowed his words back down.

Happy times always pass quickly. In the blink of an eye, two days had passed.

Two days went by, and it was already late into the night of the second day. Ye Qingxuan ultimately did not confess his intentions for returning to his parents.

Unable to sleep, Ye Qingxuan went into the courtyard alone. He stood with his hands behind his back, staring blankly at the full, bright moonlight high in the sky!

His mind was filled with mixed feelings!

"Perhaps, I should spend a hundred years by my parents' side, accompanying them to the end of their life's journey."

His lifespan was eternal; a mere hundred years or so was insignificant in his future life.

But for his parents, this was the long journey they had to walk for their entire lives!

"What? Can't sleep?"

Just as Ye Qingxuan was lost in thought, his father's voice sounded from behind him.

Hearing the voice, Ye Qingxuan turned around in surprise, looking at his father who was also walking over with his hands behind his back, and said

"Father, why aren't you asleep yet?"

His father did not answer Ye Qingxuan's question. He walked to his side, looked up at the bright moon in the sky as well, and asked in return

"What is it? Something on your mind?"

Ye Qingxuan let out a breath, as if he had let go of something. He shook his head and smiled lightly

"Nothing on my mind."

After a brief pause, Ye Qingxuan continued

"Father, I'm not leaving this time!"

(End of chapter)