Chapter 512

“Brother, this next sword strike is my strongest one yet. Be careful.”

High in the sky, Xiao Yan stood in midair as if on solid ground. In her hand, her longsword flickered with half a foot of sword radiance, its edge exuding such sharpness that even Xiao Li and Wuxing, who were watching from nearby, felt a chill in their hearts.

“It’s fine. Go ahead and unleash it,” said Lu Qing calmly, hands behind his back.

Around him, the geomagnetic field churned like a silent tide, forming layers of protection.

The next moment, Xiao Yan’s sword moved.

A blinding sword light burst forth, carrying the momentum to cleave all in its path, slashing toward Lu Qing.

Wherever it passed, even space rippled.

The powerful sword light cut into Lu Qing’s magnetic field defenses, shattering through layers with unstoppable force. It wasn't until it reached within three feet of Lu Qing that it finally dissipated.

“Impressive.”

Lu Qing reached out and pinched the remaining sword light between his fingers, his eyes full of surprise.

“Xiao Yan, with this sword alone, even a third transformation cultivator at the Golden Core Realm might not be able to withstand it.”

He was genuinely impressed.

Though the magnetic field he had laid down was only in its most basic form and hadn’t yet undergone many transformations, the fact that Xiao Yan’s sword had reached within three feet of him was still beyond his expectations.

With the power of that single strike, aside from himself, Master, Xiao Li, and Wuxing, there likely wasn’t another Golden Core cultivator in the world who could take it head-on.

Even the Three Holy Lords atop Sacred Mountain would have to avoid the sharp edge of this sword. A moment of carelessness could cost them their lives.

And yet the one who unleashed that strike—Xiao Yan—had only just stabilized her cultivation. She hadn’t even formally stepped into the first transformation of the Golden Core Realm.

“Is this the effect of the divine ability you gained after passing your tribulation?” Lu Qing asked.

Not long ago, after successfully enduring her Heavenly Tribulation, Xiao Yan had been granted a minor divine ability by the vortex of tribulation clouds.

Just now, Lu Qing had clearly sensed divine power surging from the girl.

“Yes, Brother. The divine ability I received is called Edge. It’s a minor Sword Dao divine ability.

When I activate it, my sword qi becomes significantly sharper—peerlessly so,” Xiao Yan replied.

“A very fine divine ability, and perfectly suited to you,” Lu Qing nodded. “You should cultivate it thoroughly. If you can master it fully, your Sword Dao will be unmatched—aside from Master, few will be your equal.”

“I will, Brother!” Xiao Yan answered seriously.

“Alright, our spar is over. Let’s head back. You’ve just finished consolidating your cultivation and left seclusion. I made something delicious especially for you,” Lu Qing said with a smile.

“Something delicious! Brother, what did you make?” Xiao Yan’s eyes sparkled.

“You’ll find out when we get back.”

Lu Qing couldn’t help but chuckle at the gleam in her eyes.

Even though she was already a Golden Core cultivator, she still had such a fondness for food.

The brother and sister, along with their two spirit beasts, began flying back toward the village.

But as they returned, they saw someone pacing anxiously outside their courtyard.

“Uncle Zhang, what’s going on?”

Seeing this, Lu Qing descended and asked from the front yard.

The man outside was the eldest son of Grandfather Zhang from next door.

“Ah Qing, you’re back. My father suddenly collapsed just now. Doctor Chen came and said… he may not make it.”

“What? But hasn’t Grandfather Zhang always been in good health?”

Lu Qing’s expression changed drastically, and with a flash, he was already rushing toward the Zhang household.

“What happened to Grandfather Zhang?” Xiao Yan asked, heart racing, and hurried after her brother.

At the Zhang residence, Lu Qing saw Master standing at the bedside.

Grandfather Zhang, his hair fully white, lay with eyes closed, his face calm, his breathing steady. He didn’t look like he was in critical condition.

But Lu Qing immediately noticed something was wrong.

He could sense that the old man’s Life Force was barely detectable, like a candle flickering in the wind—ready to go out at any moment.

“You’ve returned?” Doctor Chen said.

“Master, why did Grandfather Zhang suddenly collapse like this?” Lu Qing asked at once.

“Grandfather Zhang’s life span has run out. His vitality is all but gone. He has very little time left,” Doctor Chen sighed.

“How could this happen?!”

Lu Qing immediately activated his spiritual powers and examined the old man with his abilities.

A few seconds later, his body trembled.

Because the information revealed through his divine ability confirmed the same thing: Grandfather Zhang was nearing the end of his life, his flame about to be extinguished. ɽ₳ꞐȯＢÊS̈

And this wasn’t something that could be treated with ordinary medicine.

It was the manifestation of the Heavenly Rules—the end of one’s natural lifespan.

In this world, a Postnatal Realm cultivator’s maximum lifespan was around 120 years.

Even Martial Grandmasters who had tempered their bodies to Postnatal Perfection couldn’t escape this limit.

Only those who broke through to the Precelestial Realm and underwent a transformation of their life level could reach 200 years of life.

Grandfather Zhang was over ninety. In theory, he hadn’t yet reached the absolute limit.

But in his youth, he had worked tirelessly to support his family, depleting much of his vitality.

The fact that he had no chronic illness was already a testament to his strength.

Over the years, Lu Qing had constantly tended to his health, and the spiritual energy of Jiuli Village had nourished him as well.

Still, the lifespan consumed by his early toils couldn’t be fully recovered.

And since he had never cultivated, the amount of blood and vitality his body could hold was ultimately limited.

So even though his body still looked healthy, he had already reached the end of his allotted years.

“Ah Qing, is it true… my father is really going to die? Not even you can save him?” the eldest son asked anxiously.

“Mm. Grandfather Zhang’s time has come. Even I can’t reverse it,” Lu Qing nodded.

Hearing this, the old man’s sons and daughters-in-law all fell into despair.

To them, Lu Qing was like an immortal. If even he said there was no saving him, then there truly was no hope.

Seeing the sorrow on the faces of Grandfather Zhang’s family, Lu Qing fell silent.

In truth, there was still a way to save him.

If one could find a spiritual medicine capable of extending life and have him consume it, there might yet be a chance.

But such medicines that defy the rules of Heaven and Earth and extend lifespan are unimaginably rare.

Even Golden Core True Beings or Nascent Soul Cultivators would fight over them if one appeared.

Since the revival of this world, not a single such elixir had ever been discovered.

So that method… was simply not feasible.

At this moment, Doctor Chen spoke up. “Grandfather Zhang is currently asleep, but if he remains this way, he will pass away within a day at most.

If there is anything you wish to say to him, I can use the Golden Needle Technique to rouse him.

However, once awakened, he will only remain conscious for half an hour.

Whether to proceed with this method is up to you to decide.”

The sons and daughters-in-law of Grandfather Zhang looked at one another, uncertain.

No one could make a decision right away.

In the end, the eldest son looked toward Lu Qing. “Ah Qing, what do you think we should do?”

“You are the eldest son, Uncle Zhang. It is your decision to make. But no matter what you choose, I believe Grandfather Zhang would not blame you,” Lu Qing said gently.

Hearing Lu Qing’s words, the eldest son’s face struggled with emotion for a while, but at last, he made up his mind.

“Father collapsed so suddenly, and there are still many matters left unsaid. Please, Doctor Chen, wake him. Let’s hear if he has any final words to leave us.”

“Very well.”

Doctor Chen didn’t hesitate. He immediately performed the Golden Needle Technique, piercing several points on Grandfather Zhang’s body.

Soon, under the stimulation of the needles, Grandfather Zhang’s complexion began to grow rosy, and slowly, his eyes opened.

“Father, you’re awake?”

His children rushed to his side.

“What’s going on? Why are all of you here? Ah Qing, you too?” Grandfather Zhang looked around, bewildered by the number of people in the room.

“Father, it’s like this... You suddenly fainted just now…” his eldest son explained quickly, recounting everything, especially what Doctor Chen and Lu Qing had said.

“I see… So I’m about to go join your mother.”

Understanding dawned in Grandfather Zhang’s eyes. But instead of fear, he appeared calm and accepting.

“I’ve been unfilial,” the eldest son said tearfully. “Doctor Chen said you could pass away peacefully in your sleep, but I feared you might still have things left unsaid. So I had him wake you up.”

“It’s fine. You did the right thing. I do indeed have a few things to say,” Grandfather Zhang replied, shaking his head gently. “Bring out the wooden chest from under the bed.”

The eldest son quickly retrieved the wooden chest.

Lu Qing and the others quietly stepped out of the room, leaving the family some privacy.

Grandfather Zhang motioned for the chest to be opened. Inside were some land deeds, along with silver and copper coins.

He reached out and took the land deeds.

“All these years, I’ve been telling you and your brother to divide the household, yet you’ve always refused. Now that I’m about to see your mother, it’s time you did.

These land deeds are the family’s property. You and your brother, divide them equally.

And the silver in this chest—this is what I’ve saved over the years. You should split that too…”

Bit by bit, he handed down the final matters of the household.

Then Grandfather Zhang said, “That’s all I have to entrust to you. Remember—after I’m gone, you two must remain united. Support one another. No fighting.”

“Father, we understand,” the two sons said, holding back their grief.

“If there’s ever something you can’t handle, you may ask Ah Qing for help. But on ordinary days, don’t bother him. Ah Qing is an immortal, and he has the matters of immortals to handle. Don’t trouble him over trivial things,” the old man advised.

“We understand.”

“Alright. Go invite Ah Qing and Xiao Yan in. I have something I’d like to say to them.”

Lu Qing stood in the courtyard, gazing absentmindedly at the drifting clouds above.

Grandfather Zhang’s eldest son emerged from the room. “Ah Qing, Father says he has something to say to you and Xiao Yan.”

Lu Qing came back to his senses and nodded slightly. “Alright.”

Inside the room, Grandfather Zhang’s face lit up with a warm smile when he saw Lu Qing and Xiao Yan enter. His complexion looked even healthier now.

“You all head out first. Let me speak with Ah Qing and Xiao Yan alone.”

Once everyone else had left, Xiao Yan could no longer hold back her emotions and began to sob softly. “Grandfather Zhang…”

Lu Qing, too, looked sorrowfully at the elderly man before him.

Grandfather Zhang’s rosy complexion gave the illusion of health—it was hard to believe he was at death’s door.

But they both knew this was nothing more than a final flare of vitality.

What should have been enough life to last another day had been concentrated and burned away within this brief half-hour—nothing more than a fleeting glow before the end.

“Don’t cry, girl,” Grandfather Zhang reached out and gently patted Xiao Yan’s head. “You’re an immortal now, flying through the heavens—why are you still crying?”

“But Grandfather Zhang…” she tried to speak, but no words came.

Now a Golden Core Realm cultivator herself, she could sense the condition of his body clearly.

“Don’t be sad. I’ve lived over ninety years. To pass peacefully, without illness or pain—that’s better than most people ever get. You should be happy for me.

All the old friends I grew up with are long gone. I’ve outlived them all. It’s time I joined them.”

Grandfather Zhang smiled as he comforted her.

Once Xiao Yan had calmed a little, the old man turned to Lu Qing.

“Ah Qing, I must thank you. If it weren’t for the formation you set up around the village, we old folks wouldn’t have had such peaceful twilight years.”

“It was my duty,” Lu Qing said softly.

Over the years, many elders in the village had passed away. Those of Grandfather Zhang’s generation were mostly gone.

Thankfully, thanks to the spiritual energy nourishing Jiuli Village, they had all passed peacefully and painlessly.

It was something Lu Qing had managed to give them.

“You and Xiao Yan are both good children… It’s just a pity that back then, we failed to protect your parents. What happened to them still weighs on my heart,” the old man sighed.

“Grandfather Zhang, don’t say that. What happened was the Black Wolf Gang’s fault. Besides, I’ve already avenged my parents.”

“Even so, we elders didn’t do enough to stop your parents in time.

But it’s alright… I’ll be seeing them soon.

When I do, I can tell them just how incredible you and Xiao Yan have become—immortals now, both of you…”

Holding Lu Qing’s hand, the old man spoke at length.

Until his breath gradually weakened… and finally, his hand loosened, his face still wearing a peaceful smile as he quietly closed his eyes.

“Grandfather Zhang!” Xiao Yan cried out, unable to hold back her sobs any longer.

Hearing the sound, everyone outside rushed in. Soon, the room was filled with weeping.

Lu Qing stepped slowly out of the house into the courtyard, gazing at the distant mountains, lost in thought.

In his heart, what surfaced were memories from the time he first came to this world—how the old man had cared for him and his sister.

Though more than twenty years had passed, those scenes remained vivid in his mind, as if they had happened only yesterday.