Time slipped away like the spring breeze flowing through one’s fingertips—unseen and untouchable.
Twenty thousand years had changed many things, but it did not necessarily change the cold stone coffin within the Qiongqi Tomb.
“Creak~”
The stone coffin slowly opened. Looking at the surroundings, Chen Changsheng was bewildered.
Although the scene before him was exactly the same as it had been before his slumber, Chen Changsheng clearly understood that two thousand years had passed in this world.
Thus, he sat there in the open coffin for three days.
During these three days, Chen Changsheng recalled the dead Fu Yao in his hands.
……
Twenty-one thousand years ago.
“Chen Changsheng, when are you going to k*ll me? I can’t wait any longer.”
Looking at Fu Yao before him, Chen Changsheng’s mouth twitched continuously.
“What have you been up to these past two years? Why do you seem to be getting younger?”
“Zhang Zhen must bear the dual Heavenly Mandates, and Huaiyu and the others need to go on expeditions. The arrangements on the Four Directions Continent need someone to handle them.”
“I’ve been incredibly busy lately, where would I find the time to k*ll you? Can you wait a bit?”
In response, Fu Yao chuckled, “I can’t help it. The older I get, the younger I look.”
“It’s rare to find something promising, and I thought I should seize the time.”
“If you don’t agree to my request, I’ll bother you every day.”
Faced with Fu Yao’s shameless attitude, Chen Changsheng helplessly replied, “Fine, I agree.”
“After Zhang Zhen bears the Heavenly Mandate, I will definitely k*ll you, and I’ll make sure the world witnesses your downfall. Are you satisfied now?”
“If you had said that earlier, it would have been much easier. Come, accompany me for a drink.”
“Consider it a farewell for your soon-to-depart old friend.”
Hearing this request, Chen Changsheng shook his head helplessly and then put down the memorial he had in his hand.
……
On a mountain peak.
Chen Changsheng took out a jar of flower wine.
Looking at the translucent amber liquid in the cup, Fu Yao drooled and asked, “Where did you get this top-notch wine?”
“I brewed it myself before Emperor Huangtian was born, and there are only ten jars in total.”
“Unless you count our acquaintance, you wouldn’t even have the qualifications to smell this wine.”
Saying this, Chen Changsheng handed the cup of wine to Fu Yao.
The two leisurely drank on the mountain peak, with the white clouds in the sky and the flowers and grass beneath their feet serving as the “delicacies” to accompany their drinks.
After an unknown amount of time, Chen Changsheng spoke lightly.
“All these years, you’ve become increasingly eager to d*e. Are you planning to pull a fast one on me?”
“I don’t have the mood to trick you. I truly can’t go on living; I want to d*e next to you…”
“You’re talking nonsense!”
Chen Changsheng directly interrupted Fu Yao, disdainfully saying, “I can believe others when they say they can’t go on, but you, Fu Yao, not even if you beat me to d*ath would I believe that.”
“In the past, although you were full of schemes, at least you were more straightforward.”
“Now, it seems you’re instead full of lies. If I had known, I wouldn’t have given you a single drop of this wine.”
Hearing Chen Changsheng’s complaints, Fu Yao turned to look at him and said, “You’re so smart and eloquent, why don’t you tell me what I can still do while I’m alive?”
“I…”
Chen Changsheng was momentarily at a loss for words.
Upon seeing this, Fu Yao smiled slightly, gazing at the sea of clouds in the distance, she continued.
“Throughout my life, I have pursued many things: controlling reincarnation, attaining longevity, and taking care of my younger brother.”
“These are the things I have chased after.”
“But now, whatever should be done or shouldn’t be done, I have done.”
“I have already attained reincarnation, my younger brother has started a family, and my pursuits have come to an end.”
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng hesitated and said, “Not necessarily.”
“At least from my perspective, you still have many things left to do.”
“Becoming the greatest in the world, or killing me—aren’t those things you have always wanted to do?”
“Those indeed were my past ambitions, but I no longer desire them now.”
“You know my situation. When the Eight Desolates and Nine Domains met, I made a wager with you.”
“The result was that I gambled half my life on that and you are still hopping about.”
“Had it not been for that gamble, I might have continued pursuing those two things.”
“But now I will not.”
“Why? Do you no longer have confidence in yourself?”
Chen Changsheng asked curiously.
“Yes,” Fu Yao nodded and replied, “I truly have lost confidence in myself.”
“Whether it’s killing you or becoming the greatest in the world, I lost confidence in both.”
“In the Sea of Suffering Realm, currently, the most distant must be Emperor Huangtian, so let’s assume he is indeed the true greatest in the world.”
“To reach the height of Emperor Huangtian, you should know how much time and energy I would need to spend to achieve that.”
“As someone with only half a life left, do you think I have the time to pursue such things?”
“Taking a step back, even if I surpassed Emperor Huangtian and became the greatest in the world, would I then obtain what I desire?”
“I might end up taking on the burdens of Emperor Huangtian and leading his wars.”
“As for killing you, that’s even more absurd.”
“After battling you for so many years, I know you too well. You are always flawless, and I have no means to deal with you.”
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng smiled.
“If I were really that amazing, I wouldn’t have spent so much effort on the Four Directions Continent.”
“You’re not trying to flatter me, are you?”
“I’m speaking the truth,” Fu Yao said seriously. “Your cultivation might not be strong, and perhaps your plans could find loopholes.”
“But the time you possess is a dilemma that all living beings in the world cannot resolve.”
“If I want to k*ll you, let alone if I have the ability to deal with the people behind you, even if I did have that ability…”
“When the time comes, you find a place to hide, what can I do to you?”
“One thousand years, two thousand years, ten thousand years—regardless of how long has passed, you Chen Changsheng will still be you, yet I can’t live that long.”
“Instead of dragging on in life, only to be laughed at by you before dying, I’d rather d*e quickly.”
“At least in this way, I won’t be mocked by you, and I can let Ziping follow the path I hope for.”
After hearing Fu Yao’s words, Chen Changsheng instinctively clenched his fists.
Because he knew, Fu Yao was also approaching the end.
He had done what could be done, and he had tried for what couldn’t be done.
This meant he would have no more regrets in this life, no more goals, which is why he could face d*ath calmly.
Thinking of this, Chen Changsheng pursed his lips and said, “You are right; right now, aside from seeking d*ath, you have no other pursuits left.”
“Before you d*e, do you have any other questions to ask?”
“There is one. I want to know the key to your longevity.”
“Ask now?”
“Yes.”
