Chapter 696: Congratulatory Gift (Part 3)

A smile touched Fang Qingyuan’s lips as he recalled the past. Childhood is usually filled with wonderful memories, but for Fang Qingyuan, it was a time of weakness and helplessness.

Recalling the help and trust Lechuan had given him, Fang Qingyuan finally took a crystalline jade bottle from his Immortal Mansion. After a few reluctant glances, he stuffed it into the birthday gift box he had prepared for Lechuan.

More than half a year of hard work had yielded less than three bottles of the substance. Back then, on Tu Wuzhao’s orders, Fang Qingyuan had traveled to the Abyss of Black Soil. He spent over half a year collecting an immense volume of the black soil and moving it into his Immortal Mansion.

Even back then, Fang Qingyuan had sensed that the black soil contained traces of Demonic Qi and Ghostly Qi. He guessed the Demonic Qi was likely a remnant left behind by the Ink Flood Dragon of old.

Fang Qingyuan had meticulously collected these wisps of Demonic Qi and fed them to the Profound Cyan Longevity Vine in his Immortal Mansion, which was how he had managed to produce the contents of those three small bottles.

Fang Qingyuan was now generously offering a bottle to Lechuan, partly out of consideration for the old man’s advanced age.

How many years did Lechuan have left, anyway? He originally had only fifty or sixty years remaining, and now he was caught up in the mentally and spiritually draining Expansion War. Fang Qingyuan believed him when he said it might shorten his life by thirty years.

Fang Qingyuan wasn’t ready for Lechuan to die so soon. ‘He has to at least live long enough to see me reach the Nascent Soul realm. I need to show off and gloat in front of him a little. Only then can he die without regrets.’

‘Don’t you go dying on me so soon, old man. You still haven’t seen me achieve Nascent Soul Formation.’

……

「Awakening Lion Valley, D Camp No. 3」

Inside a tent, Lechuan sat in the main seat, his complexion drained. Below him, a Cultivator who looked even more ancient than he was reported on the situation at the front lines.

Had Fang Qingyuan been present, he would have surely recognized this white-haired, white-bearded Cultivator as the same Ling Ziqing who had been so insufferably arrogant all those years ago.

After Fang Qingyuan left the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect, Ling Ziqing had gotten his wish and ascended to the position of Vice Sect Leader. A hundred years had passed, but he still hadn’t achieved Core Formation. Perhaps his secular duties had held him back, or perhaps he simply lacked the aptitude. Whatever the reason, Ling Ziqing was still a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Compared to his younger self, the Ling Ziqing of today was incomparably more composed. And why wouldn’t he be? With one foot already in the grave, how could he be anything but?

Between him and Lechuan, he was the one closer to the end. Despite being nearly two hundred years younger, he would die of old age long before Lechuan.

“We must secure the cavern to the southwest. I recommend adding another squad of disciples, all with Earth Element Spirit Beasts, to prevent the beasts from the Inner Valley from breaking through. Furthermore, the disciples resting and recovering from their injuries must be recalled half a month ahead of schedule…”

As Ling Ziqing was explaining the battle plans, a disciple at the entrance announced,

“Reporting to the Ancestor and Sect Leader Ling! The Qingyuan Sect has sent this batch of provisions. A large portion of it is a birthday gift for you, Ancestor, so it requires your personal inspection.”

Both men brightened at the mention of the Qingyuan Sect. Ling Ziqing was long past the age of competing with Fang Qingyuan; ever since he’d learned of Fang Qingyuan’s successful Core Formation, he had calmly accepted his own lot in life.

“A birthday gift?” Lechuan murmured. “He still remembers my birthday? I’d almost forgotten myself.”

Lechuan muttered to himself, but a look of undeniable joy spread across his face. Years of campaigning had taken a heavy toll on his energy. He sometimes had to intervene personally during critical moments. If not for his protection, far more disciples of the White Mountain Beast Taming Sect would have died.

“Junior Brother Fang has always been concerned for you,” Ling Ziqing said. “Why don’t you yield a little and clear the air with him? Our lives would be so much easier if you did.”

Lechuan’s brow furrowed, and he cut in coldly,

“Me, yield? Don’t be ridiculous. If anyone is going to yield, it’s him. I am his master.”

Lechuan’s words were harsh, but he knew the truth. ‘I tried to yield back then, but Fang Qingyuan wouldn’t have it. It’s useless to try now.’

When Lechuan picked up the gift list from Fang Qingyuan and scanned it, his hand trembled slightly before he abruptly snapped it shut.

‘You damn brat… you really spared no expense, did you.’