A Disciple Returns

Time passed in the blink of an eye.

Silently.

Chen Sheng reached the sixtieth year of his life, the end of his prime.

Although he had failed to break through to Foundation Establishment.

His Qi Condensation Perfection cultivation.

Coupled with his status as a high-grade alchemist.

Placed him among the small handful at the pinnacle of Qianji Market.

When Chen Sheng decided to hold a proper celebration.

The network of connections he had painstakingly built over decades revealed its full worth.

That day, before the gates of his residence.

The entrance was packed with guests, the visitors rubbing shoulders.

All who came were prominent figures.

Shopkeepers and stewards from throughout Qianji Market.

Several Qi Condensation Great Perfection cultivators who rarely emerged from seclusion.

Even the Foundation Establishment shopkeeper from the Qingmu Merchant Association had sent someone to deliver a gift.

It was truly a grand display of face!

Everyone entered the festively decorated residence with sincere yet courteous smiles.

"Congratulations to Tang Workshop Master on his sixtieth birthday!"

"Tang Master's alchemy is miraculous. Please accept this humble gift!"

Chen Sheng stood at the entrance in a brand-new Purple Patterned Dharma Robe, receiving the guests.

A proper smile rested on his face as he exchanged pleasantries with every distinguished visitor.

"Thank you, thank you!"

"Long time no see, Shopkeeper Zhang."

"Steward Sun, please come in."

After decades of wind and hardship.

Though Chen Sheng had maintained his health well and looked no more than a little over forty.

A trace of white had still touched his temples.

Chen Sheng clasped his hands in greeting and farewell, his voice booming:

"Thank you, fellow Daoists and honored guests, for taking time out of your busy schedules to come!"

"My humble residence is honored by your presence today. Tang is deeply grateful! Please, take your seats!"

Toward evening.

A travel-worn figure in a green robe stepped into the Pill Workshop. It was Qin Yuan.

At this moment, he dropped to both knees.

And respectfully kowtowed to Chen Sheng in the courtyard:

"Disciple Qin Yuan congratulates Master on his Sixtieth Year Grand Birthday!"

"May Master's blessings and lifespan endure, and may your Dao path forever flourish!"

"This disciple arrived late. Please forgive my offense, Master."

Chen Sheng hurried forward.

He steadily helped his prized disciple to his feet with both hands.

He firmly patted Qin Yuan's now sturdier arm, joy filling his eyes:

"It's good that you're back, good that you're back!"

"Get up! It's only been a few years, yet you've grown much sturdier!"

As he spoke.

Chen Sheng carefully looked Qin Yuan over from head to toe.

His cultivation was thoroughly restrained, revealing not the slightest hint of its depth.

After several years of trials.

Much of his former mild air had faded away.

His gaze had become sharper and more resolute, and a fierce aura clung to him.

Qin Yuan clasped his hands.

"This disciple has a gift to offer Master."

As he spoke, Qin Yuan brought a jade box out of his Storage Bag with both hands.

Once it was opened.

A three-foot crimson ganoderma was immediately revealed.

Chen Sheng recognized it at once.

It was a five-hundred-year-old ganoderma.

Such a thing was rarely seen on the market.

"Not long ago, this disciple explored an Ancient Cave Mansion and obtained a High-grade Pill Formula."

"This ganoderma was also planted by its former owner and is precisely the formula's main ingredient."

As he spoke, Qin Yuan took out another jade slip.

Chen Sheng looked at him with satisfaction.

"You were thoughtful."

He accepted the jade slip and swept it with his spiritual sense. It contained a pill formula called the Crimson Spirit Pill.

Chen Sheng said with a smile:

"Give it to your Master's Grandfather to study. He should be very pleased."

"Sit down. Master and disciple have not seen each other in many days. Tell me properly about your experiences."

"Yes!"

In the inner hall.

Qin Yuan skillfully boiled tea and poured Chen Sheng a cup.

Then he slowly began recounting his experiences over the past few years.

"These past few years, this disciple has traveled through the surrounding market towns, especially Yunlong Market..."

Qin Yuan slowly explained his experiences of the past few years.

During those years, he had changed his appearance and identity, posing as a rogue cultivator alchemist as he traveled between several market towns.

His experiences had been abundant.

He had hunted low-level demonic beasts and gathered herbs.

He had even cleared out robber cultivators for small factions...

Qin Yuan's account was calm.

But how could Chen Sheng fail to hear the flashes of blades and shadows of blood within it?

He nodded from time to time.

Before finally sighing.

"You have truly suffered."

Qin Yuan hurriedly said:

"For the sake of advancing to Foundation Establishment, this disciple dares not call it hardship."

As master and disciple chatted.

Qin Yuan also asked about matters at home.

"Master, has Master's Wife attempted Foundation Establishment?"

Chen Sheng shook his head and sighed.

"Not yet. She only reached Qi Condensation Perfection a few days ago."

No wonder Huang Wangyou had been so guilty back then.

Even over these past years.

With Chen Sheng refusing to let up and urging her day and night.

Huang Wangyou had still spent nearly six years reaching perfection.

Qin Yuan asked again:

"And Master's Grandfather? Is his health still well?"

Chen Sheng shook his head.

"Your Father-in-law is ninety-six. His energy has clearly declined over the past two years. He likely only has these two years left."

Time was merciless.

Even cultivators could not escape the shackles of lifespan.

Chen Sheng sighed and instructed him:

"Now that you have returned, you must go see him. He has mentioned you several times."

Qin Yuan's expression turned solemn.

"This disciple understands."

Finally.

Qin Yuan fell silent for a moment before asking the greatest concern in his heart:

"Master, has there been any letter from Senior Sister?"

Chen Sheng understood at once, a faint smile appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Yes. She sent one at the beginning of the year."

"She also helped me gather several incomplete pill formulas to aid my comprehension."

He paused, his tone gratified.

"Do not worry about her. She has met some trustworthy fellow Daoists in Linglong Immortal City, and their cooperation in hunting demons has yielded considerable gains."

"Her cultivation has improved greatly. She is not far from Qi Condensation Perfection now."

At this, the tightness around Qin Yuan's lips eased somewhat.

"It is good as long as Senior Sister is safe and all goes well."

"What about you?"

Chen Sheng abruptly changed the subject, his gaze piercing as he looked at him.

"After all these years of training, how has your cultivation progressed?"

Hearing this, Qin Yuan slowly shook his head.

"This disciple's aptitude is ordinary. After reaching Qi Condensation Late-stage, my progress has become increasingly slow."

"I have only barely reached the middle to late phase of the seventh level."

"However, my Body Refining has progressed quickly. I have already reached the second realm."

The Body Refining Second Realm corresponded to Qi Condensation Mid-stage.

Qin Yuan's slow progress in Qi Refinement was entirely normal.

This disciple of his had followed his Senior Sister's example and carefully tempered his mana, without using Mana-Increasing Pills.

But regarding his Body Refining, Chen Sheng was somewhat surprised.

"Your Body Refining has progressed so quickly?"

Tang Xichen had sent back a Body Refining Method.

Chen Sheng had practiced it as well.

It was, after all, a superior cultivation method and quite difficult. He had only barely reached the first realm.

Qin Yuan smiled lightly.

"The Body Refining Method Senior Sister sent back seems particularly suited to this disciple."

"And this disciple was fortunate enough to find several Spiritual Objects that were quite beneficial."

"That is how I barely made some progress."

Chen Sheng nodded in understanding and did not ask for details, instead asking:

"Then how do you intend to proceed with going to Linglong Immortal City?"

Qin Yuan was not surprised that his master had guessed his thoughts.

After considering it for a moment, he said:

"This disciple will go after reaching the third realm of Body Refining, so that I do not hold Senior Sister back."

Chen Sheng nodded.

"It is tens of thousands of miles away, and dangers are impossible to predict."

"It is a good thing that you have such a cautious mindset. Proceed as you see fit."

"However, Linglong Immortal City is far away, and your Master's Grandfather is already advanced in years. You may not be able to see him again in the future."

"Since you have returned this time, spend more time accompanying him."

Qin Yuan solemnly replied:

"This disciple will remember Master's teachings!"