Xu Changqing set down his teacup, looked at the other man calmly, and said, "Director Gu, although the Nine-Turn Starry Grass is rare, cultivating it is no easy task.
"But the Northern Dipper Immortal Mansion is vast and well-resourced. There are far more cultivators skilled in nurturing spirit plants than just me.
"With your identity and standing, finding an experienced Spirit Farmer in the Spirit Plant Bureau to help should not be difficult, should it?"
He paused, his tone turning teasing. "Yet you came specifically to me, and at a banquet too, before so many people.
"To be honest, that was rather urgent of you!"
Having said that, he spoke no further.
"Ah..."
Gu Chenzhou froze for a moment, then let out a sigh. The smile on his face slowly faded, revealing a trace of bitterness. "Xu, direct disciple, your mind is indeed meticulous. Since that is the case, this old man will no longer beat around the bush."
He fell silent for a moment, as though organizing his words.
After a long while, he raised his head, sincerity and fervor in his eyes. "To tell you the truth, this old man does not have much lifespan remaining."
The moment those words fell, Zhang Zaizhi's expression changed drastically.
Who was the man before them?
The deputy director of the External Affairs Bureau on Shaking Light Star!
It could be said that he alone represented the entirety of Shaking Light Star.
Should he die, far too many matters would be implicated. The very thought was enough to make one shudder.
Gu Chenzhou continued on his own, "This old man has remained at the Peak Void Refinement for a full three thousand three hundred years.
"Over the years, I have exhausted every possible method, consumed countless heavenly treasures, and even sought help