"Alas, why do I always have a sense of foreboding?"
Li Changsheng pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed softly.
This Cultivation World is too dangerous.
His parents merely wanted to join in the excitement, but ended up dying in the aftermath of a battle between two cultivators.
Therefore, having witnessed the many stories and transformations over a hundred years, he understands one thing clearly in his heart.
That in this Cultivation Realm, one must develop stealthily and not be reckless, neither relying on minor achievements to flaunt outside arrogantly.
He’s seen too many such people.
Without exception, their graves now have grass three feet tall.
Therefore.
During these past ten years of rapid progress, Li Changsheng never once revealed his cultivation before others.
Until a few days ago, a group of Demons from the Joyful Union Demon Sect set their sights on his harem of hundreds of concubines.
Feeling powerless, he finally took action.
Though he eradicated the Demon group, his cultivation was utterly exposed to the public.
Suddenly, the world was shaken.
Even places like Yanzhou, tens of thousands of miles away, became aware of his decade-long Nirvana ordeal.
"Fame across the world is not my wish; the righteous path in the Mortal World is stability."
Li Changsheng exhaled a long, turbid breath.
Originally, he intended to rely on the Method of More Children, More Blessings to steadily develop until Longevity, waiting for the time to be invincible across the land before emerging.
Although this idea was abruptly halted, since the event has occurred, he found himself unwilling to dwell on pointless conflict.
The Nirvana Realm, more or less, signifies authority in this world!
Moreover, with multiple Divine Bodies, unless confronted with the elite in the Nirvana Realm.
He thought, there shouldn’t be much problem.
"Master, Miss Dai’er has arrived."
Outside the room, a respectful servant’s voice came.
"Alright."
Li Changsheng responded, attaching a bright red flower to his chest before striding out of the chamber.
Inside the grand hall, already crowded layer upon layer with people.
They were various women; some petite and delicate, some charming and seductive, some with a cool demeanor, some with extremely prominent figures, resembling mortal beauties.
Each woman without exception had superior looks.
"Husband~~~."
Upon seeing Li Changsheng emerge, dozens of women present unanimously called out charmingly.
The layered voices were so enchanting, one couldn’t help but feel intoxicated.
Li Changsheng merely nodded slightly, then gazed softly towards the sole elder woman with gray hair and a wrinkled face sitting in the main seat among all the wives and concubines.
"Zhinu, why aren’t you resting in your room, coming out to join in the bustle?"
Li Changsheng approached, speaking with a touch of fondness.
This gray-haired old woman was his sole wife, accompanying him through countless spring, summer, autumn, and winter seasons and growing old together.
Though Li Changsheng married over a hundred concubines, in his mind.
These concubines are merely tools to strengthen him.
While this woman, who married him when he was poor and miserable, now with gray hair, beauty faded, is his life’s true love.
Even with oceans of change and years passing.
Her status in his heart remains unchanged.
"Mother says she’s getting old; seeing you, father, one last time at such a joyous occasion, she wants to come out and feel the cheer."
A middle-aged man bearing some resemblance to Li Changsheng smiled and spoke to him.
Li Changsheng nodded.
This was the youngest son he had with Lvu Zhinu, now having reached the age of Celestial Mandate.
Speaking of which, despite having over a hundred descendants.
In his heart, those most valued are the children born him early on with Lvu Zhinu, those without cultivation talent.
"Changsheng, lately I’ve often dreamt of Biggie and Secondy coming to visit me. You say... might I, be nearing my end?"
Lvu Zhinu leaned on a cane, seated on a sandalwood chair, her voice old and hoarse, no longer as crisp and pleasant as it once was.
"No need to worry. With me here, no one can take your life away."
Li Changsheng gently placed Lvu Zhinu’s withered hand in his own, speaking warmly.
"No need to comfort me; birth, aging, illness, and death are all Celestial Mandate, no big deal, I’ve long accepted."
Lvu Zhinu’s aged face showed a serene smile.
"Biggie and Secondy have been underground for so long; surely, they miss me, their mother. Sometimes I think, with you developing so well now, you no longer need me; perhaps I should go and accompany Biggie and Secondy."
Upon hearing these words, a pang of pain like needle-pricks welled up within Li Changsheng.
Over these past hundred years.
He watched as his gentle and lovely first wife grew old slowly under the weight of time.
Time marred her beauty, bent her back, etched deep and shallow, dense, like dagger-carved wrinkles upon her face.
Even his eldest and second sons were worn down by years, turning into a pile of bones.
Sometimes.
Li Changsheng couldn’t help but wonder.
Longevity, longevity.
Is one person’s longevity truly interesting?
"Zhinu, I... owe you."
Li Changsheng’s voice rasped.
"Alright, don’t make that face; today’s your joyful day, cheer up a bit, otherwise if you pull a long face, people might think this old woman is causing trouble."
Lvu Zhinu chuckled lightly.
After a while.
With the sound of gongs and drums, the procession led a young, beautiful woman adorned with a red scarf into the great hall.
Amidst the guests’ congratulations, the wedding ceremony drew to a close.
Having already married over a hundred concubines, Li Changsheng remained calm, his heart as tranquil as an ancient well.
Summoning a maid to escort the Saintess from the Profound Celestial Divine Sect into the bridal chamber.
After exchanging pleasantries with guests, Li Changsheng prepared to enter the bridal chamber and begin his cultivation pursuit, yet was stopped by a white-faced man without a beard, wearing a high crown and holding a Duster.
"Fellow Taoist Sikong, greetings."
Li Changsheng cupped his hands towards the high-crowned man, speaking politely.
"Fellow Taoist Li, no need for formality, might I borrow a moment of your time for a word?"
The high-crowned man smiled.
"Naturally."
Facing the Sikong family’s third Sikong, Li Changsheng did not dare neglect, promptly escorting him to a quiet study aside.
After having servants bring tea and shutting the door.
"Fellow Taoist Sikong, may I ask what instructions you have?" Li Changsheng asked.
"Fellow Taoist Li, the East Profound Domain sacred competition is about to begin, are you planning to participate?"
Upon hearing this, Li Changsheng couldn’t help but smile while shaking his head:
"The East Profound Domain sacred competition is a land of fierce contests, my skills are inadequate, and lacking resources, not fond of conflict, hence I won’t participate in such competition."
"Oh? Does Fellow Taoist Li not desire to enter the Immortal Tao Lineage at all then?" The high-crowned man raised his eyebrows.
"I’m a simple man, there’s an old saying, ’Gold nests and silver nests are not as good as one’s own dog’s nest.’"
"I, Li Changsheng, am accustomed to freedom, like floating clouds and wild cranes, unwilling to move to another place and be controlled by others."
Li Changsheng smiled faintly.
"Really?"
The high-crowned man raised his eyebrows, seemingly a bit surprised.
"Fellow Taoist Li, indifferent to fame and fortune, truly admirable, but Fellow Taoist Li... the opportunity for Longevity resides in the Immortal Tao Lineage; are you really indifferent even to Longevity?"
Li Changsheng was about to speak.
"Even if Fellow Taoist Li can be content with the present and indifferent to Longevity, yet I notice your first wife appears to have exhausted her lifespan entirely, and as a mortal, she likely can no longer withstand heavenly materials and earthly treasures to extend her lifespan, right?"
The high-crowned man gently smiled and said:
"But our Sikong family possesses a method that can increase and prolong a mortal’s life by five hundred years!"
"If Fellow Taoist Li were to participate in the sacred competition for our Sikong family, I guarantee your first wife and offspring would not suffer disturbances of lifespan!"
Upon these words falling.
Li Changsheng’s pupils suddenly shrank fiercely.