A vast expanse of snow-white ground.
A purple-robed elder hunched over, holding a crooked wooden staff.
He slowly dragged his feet through the snow, advancing alone.
One step, two steps...
No one knew how long he had walked. The purple-robed elder stopped, brushed aside the hair at his brow, and revealed a somewhat aged face.
Ahead remained a boundless sheet of white. Other than the snowflakes filling the sky, nothing could be seen.
Yet the purple-robed elder seemed not to care. He raised his foot again and continued steadily onward into the falling snow.
Just then, a gray streak of sword light swept through the air behind him, caught up to him, and stopped before him.
As the spiritual light faded, it revealed a young woman dressed in gray robes.
"So much time has already passed. You do not have much time left, so do you still refuse to give up?"
"No matter how far you walk, you will ultimately fall. Why waste your time here? You might as well make it quick and spare yourself some suffering."
"Listen to me. Just give it up!"
"Whether cultivators or mortals, no matter what realm they cultivate to, they cannot escape perishing in this world in the end.
Those so-called Great Paths of Longevity are nothing more than jokes used by those above to deceive all living beings. You have cultivated for so long—do you truly believe in them?"
"As long as you are willing to stop, you can leave this place at once. There is no need to watch yourself grow old day by day. All suffering will soon vanish."
"..."
Hearing the gray-clad woman's unceasing persuasion beside his ear, the purple-robed elder paid no heed whatsoever. His gaze remained unwavering.
He slowly moved his feet and continued onward!
One step,