An immortal crane swiftly soared down from the sky.
"Yuan Shan, what brings you here?"
In a corner behind Dragon Head Peak, there’s an inconspicuous small hill.
This place is usually devoid of visitors, barely noticeable in the thousands of miles of the Zixiao Mountain range. Content originally comes from ɴovelfire.net
The immortal crane spread its wings, its usual loud cries subdued; the crane, typically arrogant, seemed modest and careful, yet joyful upon hearing the elder’s voice, much like a child greeting their elder.
With a wave, the crane obediently approached, allowing the elder’s rough hand to stroke its body continuously. Most of the spiritual beasts in this mountain were raised by this elder. Who would have thought that Gu Yuanshan, the Sect Master of Purple Cloud Palace, might step onto an immortal crane and fly directly to this location?
"Greetings, Junior Master."
This opening line could scare someone to death, the kind that makes one’s soul leave their body.
What kind of ancient monster could deserve to be addressed as Junior Master by the present Sect Master of Purple Cloud Palace?
Gu Yuanshan seems middle-aged now but is actually around seven hundred years old, having ruled for nearly four hundred years. Throughout the cultivation world, he ranks among the highest in seniority, even more so than Cen Yueyue’s grandfather and the father of the current Xuanyin Sect Leader.
None are older than him.
In terms of seniority, the so-called founders of each sect are at most equal to Gu Yuanshan, and since the last joint campaign against Demon Night True Monarch, the ancestors of various sects were mostly lost; it’s been mentioned before that cultivators can potentially live for hundreds of years.
At the Foundation Establishment Stage, living a hundred and eighty years is easy enough if one avoids external battles and injuries, even reaching two hundred years is rather effortless, essentially being the norm before the Nascent Soul Stage.
Once past the Nascent Soul Stage, lifespan multiplies, easily exceeding three hundred years, and with some opportunities or progress, reaching five hundred is not too problematic.
However, here’s the issue.
This is nearly the limit of the cultivation world.
Typically, a disciple from a Great Sect with decent talent can only aspire to reach roughly the Divinity Transformation realm.
Should one have mediocre talent, at best they may form a Nascent Soul during this life, all of which are purely theoretical lifespans.
How many times have you been beaten? Consumed elixirs with side effects? Fought for cultivation resources and gotten injured? Succumbed to heart demons during cultivation?
Over centuries of life, even the cultivators themselves might lose count.
Thus, hardly anyone lives to the theoretical age; Nascent Soul Stage cultivators supposedly can live up to three hundred, nearly four hundred years, but due to prolonged battles, they might pass away after two hundred plus years.
There are numerous reasons; some exhausted by mentoring disciples, others carrying hidden wounds from years of fighting, which go unnoticed when young but become significant with age, coupled with stagnation in their realm.
As their health declines, heart demons arise, triggering various hidden injuries and syndromes, ultimately leading to their death. But there is another possibility.
Turning into an Evil Cultivator, stealing others’ flesh and blood to extend their lifespan.
Thus, living healthily to such an age proves difficult and rare, instances like these individuals were undoubtedly exceptional in their time—be it physical body, mentality, divine soul, or disposition, they were part of the finest group.
"Junior Master, I recently traveled to the East Sea and unexpectedly encountered unforeseen events, hence I’ve come specifically to seek advice."
Politely performing a junior gesture.
Even as a sect leader, one must show utmost respect before such an ancient being, yet the elder simply smiled kindly, examining his nephew with both admiration and a hint of regret.
He admired this nephew’s ability to manage the grand Purple Cloud Palace orderly following the brother’s demise, revitalizing after severe losses from previous battles, Gu Yuanshan was truly born a leader.
The regret naturally stems from his nephew’s somewhat aggressive methods and the realization that his nephew might never achieve that higher realm.
At times, the sacrifices made as a sect leader exceed one’s imagination.
"Now with Nine Peaks revived, Swordmaster Peak reopened and accepting disciples again, you, as the sect leader, ought to consult with the sect’s pillars instead of seeking advice from me, this old man."
The elder merely chuckled, apparently unwilling to listen, believing it customary for a sect leader to discuss matters with Nine Peaks, as tradition dictates.
Moreover, he faintly sensed the matter his nephew might talk about could be rather unpleasant.
Yet, Gu Yuanshan only gave a bitter smile, standing tall, with jade-like features, purple beard, and emerald eyes; even at this age, he exudes mature male charm, his appearance in no way revealing he is nearly seven hundred.
Not offering a chance for refusal, simply lamenting: "Junior Master, you should know my nature, I wouldn’t seek you unless absolutely necessary."
"Ah, alright, let’s sit down and talk."
A wave of the elder’s hand.
In a blink, the surrounding environment changed dramatically, akin to a revolving lantern, the next moment, both were in a simple, rustic wooden hut, with steaming tea on a table.