Mortal Grass and Wood Seek Longevity, the Lüo Family's Favor Severed in This Calamity

My old friend, a former Qi Rogue Cultivator, has returned to visit me now, only to find himself Foundation Establishment cultivator.

This is not surprising at all; even cultivators with Low-grade Spiritual Root have a chance of reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.

However, Chen Dengming, an old man whose lifespan was about to end, has now gone from Xiantian Martial Artist to the Foundation Establishment Realm in just under five years. This astonishing speed of improvement in strength is so great that Lüo Bing was still half-believing and half-doubting when she heard the words "Gu Daoist". Various thoughts swept through her mind.

"He has a secret, a real secret, is it the lineage the sect leader spoke of?"

"After obtaining the Dao lineage, the Sha Star could suppress the Nascent Soul Early Stage even at the Golden Core Late Stage, and now he is even more unfathomable."

"His combat strength is still unknown, but his cultivation speed is truly astonishing. If he really is on Xu Wei's side..."

As various thoughts raced through her mind, Lüo Bing arrived at the VIP room and saw Chen Dengming's unfamiliar yet familiar face. Instantly, her mind snapped back to reality, and her expression returned to its usual cold and unapproachable state.

"I didn't expect it to really be you?"

Lüo Bing frowned slightly, stepped into the hall, and with a wave of her hand, all the servants immediately withdrew.

When she heard Xi'er's hurried footsteps behind her, she turned her head slightly and transmitted her voice.

"Xi'er, you may leave too! I need to speak with him alone."

In the corridor, Xi'er was startled. The next moment, she sensed the faint, oppressive spiritual power emanating from inside the room. She couldn't help but feel a little dazed. She immediately bowed and left.

Stepping out of the corridor, she still felt quite apprehensive and couldn't help but look at the row of buildings behind the deep courtyard in the distance.

There was Xu Wei's house there. She bit her lip and immediately stepped closer.

Inside the hall.

When Lüo Bing arrived, Chen Dengming had already stood up, smiling and bowing in greeting.

He had long been grateful to the person who had once pleaded for him and led him into the world of Cultivation World.

Not to mention, the woman's gift of the Luo Family's Waist Token and subsequent collaborations also greatly helped him, enabling him to gain a foothold and increase his strength more quickly.

Although there were some transactions involved, and the other party presented a pragmatic image of not owing anyone anything, the debts owed still had to be repaid.

After all, Xu Wei had received protection from the other party and the Luo Family over the years, which was a favor in itself. Otherwise, with the world in chaos and war outside, Xu Wei might have already died.

Therefore, although the main purpose of his trip was to take Xu Wei away, Chen Dengming still planned to politely inquire about the current situation of the Luo Family while catching up with old friends.

"The Luo Family's situation? Very good. As you can see now, we have left the Southern Region and settled here in the Eastern Region."

Lüo Bing remained expressionless in the face of Chen Dengming's friendliness and politeness, but her heart was filled with mixed emotions. She tentatively asked, "But I never expected that when we meet again, Fellow Daoist Chen, you would already be Foundation Establishment cultivator."

This cultivation speed is something even I, with my High-grade Spiritual Root, can't match. Could it be that we made a mistake when we tested your Spirit Root back then, Fellow Daoist Chen?"

As she spoke in a seemingly joking tone, she walked to the table, picked up the teapot herself, and poured tea for Chen Dengming.

Chen Dengming was a shrewd man; he understood the meaning behind her words and looked at her loose hair and profile.

Thinking back to the time when the Wonderful Sound Sect searched for him, and how Lüo Bing was ultimately punished by being sent to the Repentance Cave, it's clear that the other party also knew a lot of information.

Some information, no matter how much you try to hide it, is useless now, because neither side is a fool.

He pondered for a moment and then smiled.

"What if I told you that I do indeed possess High-grade Spiritual Root, just like you, Fellow Daoist Luo?"

Lüo Bing's frosty, snow-white hand paused, and she moved her delicate body slightly away, her clear, bright eyes fixed on him. She said calmly, "So you are, as the sect said, hiding a secret, a great secret. Have you already come into contact with the Human Immortal Orthodox Lineage? A lineage like that of the Sha Star?"

Chen Dengming's tiger-like eyes flashed with a piercing light as he stared intently at Lüo Bing and said, "So the Wonderful Sound Sect came to me because of the lineage that the Sha Star has been in contact with, but I can tell you, I have not been in contact with any lineage."

Lüo Bing suddenly chuckled, a mocking, ambiguous smile appearing on her icy face, giving the impression that she was eager to prove herself to him.

She said calmly.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, now that things have come to this, we should be honest with each other. When I brought you into the Cultivation World, the five of us tested your bone age and Spirit Root. There's no way we could have made a mistake."

"If you hadn't been exposed to the Daoist tradition, how could you have turned the rotten into the miraculous? You're already a Foundation Establishment cultivator, and you even claim to possess High-grade Spiritual Root?"

She changed the subject, picked up her teacup, and walked towards Chen Dengming, saying, "Putting aside these facts, since you know about the existence of the Daoist lineage, how could you not have come into contact with it? You're just Rogue Cultivator, so where did you get this information from?"

As she spoke, she gracefully approached Chen Dengming was less than three feet away. Her gaze was fixed on Chen Dengming intently, as if trying to see through the secrets of his heart, and she handed him a teacup.

Chen Dengming took the teacup and said with a carefree smile, "Fellow Daoist Luo, you don't need to test me anymore. I have indeed joined a sect. Otherwise, knowing that your Wonderful Sound Sect is looking for me, I wouldn't have dared to come to your Luo Family."

I've come to take Xu Wei away, and I also want to thank you for taking care of her all these years. If you have any difficulties, you can tell me, and I'll help you if it's within my ability."

"Difficulties?"

Lüo Bing smiled faintly, interrupting Chen Dengming, and turned away to pace back and forth.

"If my difficulty is to get you to join the Wonderful Sound Sect, would you be willing to help?"

If my difficulty is that you tell me the secret to your rapid advancement, would you be willing to help me?

Chen Dengming frowned.

Lüo Bing shook her head, the faint smile on her face disappeared, and she regained her icy, aloof beauty, a glint of wisdom flashing in her eyes.

"You didn't want to, but since you've already joined a sect, this sect must be stronger than the Wonderful Sound Sect, otherwise, given your personality, you wouldn't have appeared."

Just like at the Ascension Convention, you were the last one to arrive, which is why I gambled on you. I knew you wouldn't show up until I was sure you were safe.

Chen Dengming's eyes flickered slightly, and he took a deep breath.

It turns out that Lüo Bing hadn't been betting on him lightly in the past; this woman was indeed very perceptive.

"How laughable that I thought you were still just a Rogue Cultivator, and that finding you and recommending you to join the Wonderful Sound Sect would be a win-win situation for both of us."

"It's laughable that Sect Leader Han still thinks you're still hiding somewhere, that finding you will allow him to obtain the Dao lineage related to the Sha Star, and even that he'll use me as a tool to bind you tightly."

"Compared to Luo Ping, I would indeed prefer to choose you, because whether you possess a lineage or other secrets, your future is destined to be extraordinary."

Lüo Bing turned her back, a series of self-deprecating thoughts flashing through her mind like lightning, but she would never say them aloud; her pride wouldn't allow her to. In the end, she only said...

"If you want to take Xu Wei away, I'm afraid she no longer wants to go with you. If you want to see her, then go see her."

Chen Dengming's heart skipped a beat. The uneasy premonition that had been flashing through his mind before resurfaced. "What does this mean?"

A flicker of pity crossed Lüo Bing's eyes. "You'll know once you see her. Come with me."

She leaped out of the hall, her plain white robes billowing in the wind, her long, black hair flowing freely.

Chen Dengming's heart pounded with anxiety, and his bad premonition intensified.

A glint of cunning flashed in his eyes, and with a swift step, he followed closely behind.

The two fled at an extremely fast speed, and in an instant they had turned to the rear of the Luo Family's buildings and arrived at a deep courtyard.

Outside the archway of the mansion, Xi'er's figure was clearly visible. The moment she realized that Chen Dengming and Lüo Bing were approaching, Xi'er's face turned pale, her heart sank, and she stood frozen in place.

Chen Dengming sensed something was wrong as soon as he saw Xi'er's expression. After hearing Lüo Bing say, "Xu Wei is in the house in the courtyard," he rushed into the courtyard and Divine Sense a faint, gloomy aura inside the house.

He was about to Open Door.

Suddenly, a familiar yet slightly weary and hoarse voice came from inside the room.

"Brother Chen, is that you? Xi'er told me you came to the Luo Family to see me."

Chen Dengming was taken aback, but immediately replied happily, "It's me!"

Just as he was about to Open Door, Xu Wei's voice came again, "Brother Chen, please don't come in, okay? Just talk to me outside, that's fine."

Chen Dengming frowned, narrowed his eyes, turned around and gave Lüo Bing and Xi'er a cold glance at the door. After taking a deep breath, he said in a relaxed tone.

"Why? Don't you want to see me? I came here to take you away from the Luo Family. Don't you want to leave?"

Inside the room, a slender figure sitting quietly on a futon trembled slightly, and even her voice trembled as she said, "Yes, Brother Chen, I don't want to leave yet. I'm still too weak. It's not easy for you to cultivate outside, and you're already having trouble taking care of yourself. If you take me along, wouldn't you just be a burden? I'll just talk to you for a while. Thank you for coming to see me."

"Xu Wei!"

Chen Dengming shouted in a low voice, realizing something was seriously wrong. He suddenly rolled up his sleeves and burst through the door.

In an instant, he saw a figure in yellow silk robes with his back to him inside the room. His gaze narrowed abruptly and stopped on the figure's full head of white hair.

"Brother Chen, why are you doing this?"

Xu Wei shook her head and sighed, turning away with tears in her eyes. It was only two short years, yet her youthful beauty had already faded. Even with hasty makeup, she could not hide the crow's feet at the corners of her eyes and her full head of white hair.

Chen Dengming stood there in astonishment, and when he sensed Xu Wei's faint spiritual power at the Qi Cultivation Sixth Level, an unbelievable thought surged into his mind.

"She wanted to catch up with you, to try her best to keep up with your figure, to be worthy of you, and that's why she also practiced the <Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique>."

Lüo Bing's voice transmission suddenly came through.

Chen Dengming's eyes hardened with coldness, and he transmitted his voice in an icy tone, "I never passed on the <Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique> to Xu Wei. You were both at the Ascension Convention, and only you could have traded it with that old Daoist priest."

Lüo Bing transmitted her voice, "I obtained it, but I only gave it to Xi'er. Ever since the Foundation Establishment Deacon of the Moon Reflection Sect came to the Luo Family, Xi'er has harbored resentment after learning that you have Qi Cultivation Tenth Level Refining. She was determined to catch up with you and begged me to exchange this technique for her. But unexpectedly, she secretly passed it on to Xu Wei. I spent most of my time repenting in the Repentance Cave, and when I returned, it was already too late."

"Brother Chen"

At this moment, Xu Wei seemed to have noticed something from Chen Dengming's expression, and shook her head with a smile, saying, "It's not the fault of Miss and Sister Xi'er. I was indeed ignorant and arrogant back then, and I wanted to catch up with you by learning the same Cultivation Method as you, so that you might take me with you next time you come."

Chen Dengming felt a fire gathering in his chest; his intuition told him that this matter was not so simple and there were too many suspicious points.

But now his mind was in turmoil, so he could only wave his sleeves, close the door, and walk towards Xu Wei.

Looking at the slender, delicate body gently wrapped in the yellow silk robe, seemingly fragile and delicate.

Youth fades quickly, and beauty withers easily.

He's experiencing it now, albeit a step ahead of time.

If you ask him how he feels right now, he can only say that he feels terrible and his feelings are very complicated.

If it were just Xu Wei dying of old age a hundred years later, and he were to buy wine to see her off, perhaps he wouldn't feel as heavy-hearted as he does now. It's just that immortality is cruel, and he has already made all the necessary mental preparations.

Unlike the seven wives and concubines he took in the mortal world, he took them in a high-profile manner when he was 67 years old, and the seven wives and concubines were mostly a combination of interests and Lineage ties.

After fifteen years of getting along, we were outwardly friendly but inwardly estranged. Sharing wealth was easy, but sharing hardship was difficult.

Xu Wei was the first woman to treat him kindly when he was sleeping in an alley after he entered the Cultivation World.

Originally, the two sides would not have developed to this point, but gradually found that indescribable and subtle feeling in each other's mutual suffering at the bottom, but they never crossed the final layer of their relationship.

When they arrived at the Luo Family, the girl, who had been waiting for him for so long, said she wanted to give him her best treasure so that he would remember her most beautiful appearance.

But he only left her with the words, "I can't make any promises to her," while she remained steadfast in her commitment.

Even Chen Dengming, who considered himself a complete scumbag, felt sorry for this kind of foolish woman. Not to mention the world before he transmigrated, it would be difficult to find such a woman even in the Nanxun Kingdom.

"Brother Chen, don't be sad. This was still my fault."

Seeing Chen Dengming's complex and sentimental expression, Xu Wei shook her head and smiled, her eyes still shining with familiarity and brightness, as if it were yesterday.

Chen Dengming was shocked. He had never imagined that a person's eyes could convey so many complex and unspeakable emotions in a fleeting glance.

These emotions include reluctance, longing, stubbornness, and a deep sense of helplessness—helplessness towards low aptitude, helplessness towards cultivating immortality, and so much helplessness, all of which are normal helplessness for an ordinary person.

As a nobody, Chen Dengming had never truly understood these helpless situations.

Because he didn't have to worry about his lifespan or his inability to progress in cultivation, but at this moment, he felt the same way Xu Wei was going through.

In an instant, he felt as if he were witnessing the life of Xu Wei, Rogue Cultivator with low aptitude, struggling to cultivate as humbly as grass and trees in the mortal world, just like the blessing she had given him. "The immortals live forever, while mortal plants wither and flourish as they please. I only hope that the peach blossoms and spring waves will warm, and that Chen Lang will once again pass through Lüoshan City."

If mortal plants and trees also desire the immortal lifespan of the sun and moon, to ride the flying immortals and live forever in the moonlight, they must pay the price for their stubbornness.

Almost the instant Chen Dengming understood, he also instantly sensed something amiss in Xu Wei's eyes.

"Xu Wei!"

Chen Dengming's eyes flashed with a sharp light, his long hair flew wildly, and an immense suction force instantly emanated from his body, as if the surrounding air had collapsed into a deep pool.

Xu Wei body instantly flew up, and the Spiritual Qi that was invading her heart meridian was immediately slowed down.

"Brother Chen"

A Xu Wei's eye, and suddenly her Qi Cultivation Sixth Level Spiritual Qi erupted forcefully.

"Etc!"

Chen Dengming gave a low shout and grabbed Xu Wei's shoulder.

But in the next instant, his eyes widened, and at that moment he truly understood the stubbornness and strength ingrained in this frail woman's bones.

Even though it may seem as humble as ordinary plants, it possesses the amazing resilience of plants.

The other party had already secretly placed Spiritual Qi in his heart meridian the moment he forced his way into the house, preparing to sever his own heart meridian. No matter how fast he was, it was too late to realize something was wrong. He could only quickly use the Withered to Flourishing Art to transfer Life Force.

However, Xu Wei held his hand tightly, her body soft and serene, her expression calm and composed, as if she had completely let go and been freed from all resentment. She coaxed him like a child, saying, "Brother Chen, don't blame them. Eldest Miss Lüo is truly good. In fact, she and you are the real ones. A perfect match."

Chen Dengming felt the flame in his chest burning completely.

Xu Wei's heart was shattered, and knowing that her lifespan was about to end, she was determined to die. Even if the Withered to Flourishing Art could repair her heart, it would not save a person whose heart had died and whose lifespan was about to end.

It's truly ironic that this Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique brought him success at the cost of many others.

The person who created this achievement died suddenly because of it, and now even Xu Wei has died from gambling with her life.

He had plenty of lifespan to spare, Xu Wei died young and with a short lifespan. Could this be considered a backlash?

He stared at Xu Wei's eyes, which had completely dimmed, his mind in turmoil. Suddenly, a bold idea flashed through his mind.

Without time to think, she quickly calmed her mind, reaching a state of utmost stillness and tranquility. In that instant, her spirit, detached from her Physical Body, sensed a faint shadow lingering around Xu Wei's delicate body, about to dissipate.

The shadow was now bewildered and dissipated, and perhaps it would soon vanish completely.

Without hesitation, Chen Dengming summoned another empty Soul Guiding Banner.

Waaah--

A sudden gust of Yin Wind swept through the room. He rolled up the banner, and with Xu Wei flash of dark light, he instantly drew Xu Wei's weak and dissipating soul into the banner.

"Dao, fellow Daoist, you... you've dragged her soul into the Soul Guiding Banner. Even if you refine her into a Yin spirit and give her sentience, her lifespan is still short. Even in Yin spirit form, she won't last long."

The Little Array Spirit that had been silent Soul House couldn't help but remind them.

Chen Dengming noticed that Xu Wei's weak soul was in a state of unconsciousness within the banner, but it had not dissipated. He breathed a sigh of relief, his eyes hardening with coldness as he spoke.

"I can't worry about that anymore!"

He suddenly picked up Xu Wei body, turned around, rolled up his sleeves, blasted open the door, and strode out. His lightning-fast gaze instantly fell on Xi'er, whose face was pale.

Xi'er immediately struggled to breathe, her internal organs felt as if they were about to burst, and her whole body felt like it was being pricked by needles. She was completely unable to resist the terrifying spiritual power and astonishing rage emanating from Chen Dengming, who was in the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

"Foundation Establishment Late Stage!?"

Lüo Bing's beautiful eyes showed shock, and her movements to stop her were slightly slower as her heart tightened.

Chen Dengming's clear eyes revealed an undeniable will, directly piercing into Xi'er's heart, "Speak, why did you pass on the Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique to Xu Wei?"

Xi'er was so frightened that her face turned as white as a sheet of paper. She felt that she dared not lie or have any ulterior motives under that gaze, and stammered in terror.

"I was afraid too, afraid of shortening my lifespan, so I thought, I wanted to use her, to test her out first, really just to let her try, who knew her lifespan would be so short."

"Besides, she wanted to learn it herself, so it's not my fault... it's not my fault..."

"Short-lived. Is that not surprising?"

Chen Dengming's eyes suddenly flashed with a fierce light.

"This skill was passed down to her by me!" Lüo Bing flashed forward, about to block Xi'er's path.

"Get out of here!"

Golden Light shone brightly in the air as a gigantic Vajra Iron Fist condensed amidst countless golden rays of light, unleashing an astonishing spiritual power. With the force of pushing down mountains and overturning jade pillars, it radiated the spiritual power of Foundation Establishment cultivator, like a giant stone mill, fiercely grinding towards Lüo Bing.

"I will save Xu Wei, even Xu Wei becomes a ghost! I will kill Xi'er, she will die even as a ghost!"

Chen Dengming strode forward, unleashing a murderous aura accompanied by his Divine Sense, aimed directly at Xi'er.

With a thud, Xi'er staggered a few steps and fell to the ground, the light in her eyes instantly dimming.

"Clang!--"

At the same moment, a deafening metallic tremor erupted, and Lüo Bing's magic sword bent in a breathtaking arc. As her figure was blasted away by the Spirit Venerable's punch, the arched wall behind her collapsed in the force of the impact, and bricks and tiles shattered and scattered in all directions.

Lüo Bing let out a muffled groan, her beautiful eyes revealing astonishment, blood trickling from the corner of her mouth as she looked at the Golden Light giant, as tall as a building, that had risen from the ground in front of her.

After his initial rage subsided, Chen Dengming coldly stared at Lüo Bing and said, "You disdained the Life-Damaging Seedling Pulling Technique' back then, so it's impossible that you also traded it with that old Hidden World Sect. What are your intentions in suddenly trading this Cultivation Method and giving it to Xi'er these past two years?"

"Since you knew I would be furious that Xi'er had done such a thing, why didn't you send her away immediately? Instead, you left her here to suffer my wrath. What is the meaning of this?"

Lüo Bing's face remained cold and frosty, and she did not utter a word.

Just then, a commotion broke out inside and outside the Luo Family, and in the distance, sharp whistling sounds of wind breaking could be heard.

Spiritual Light, accompanied by powerful Foundation Establishment spiritual energy, approached. From within a cluster of Red Cloud, the cries of a child and excited shouts could be heard.

"We've arrived! We've found Chen Dengming!"

"Wait, something's not right. How come his spiritual power is so strong?"

"Foundation Establishment Late Stage!?"

Several beams of light paused in surprise above the Luo Family's residence, their Divine Sense probing Chen Dengming with astonishment.

Chen Dengming felt that indescribable unease again, his expression darkening as he glanced upwards, then coldly looked at Lüo Bing, narrowing his eyes.

"Did you secretly notify them to come over?"

Lüo Bing looked equally puzzled, staring in astonishment at the figures appearing in the sky.

She had never contacted these people.

(I'm still far from meeting the monthly ticket requirement, so I'll add an extra long chapter! Please vote with more monthly tickets!)