Forming a spell seal, the soil around the coffin continuously condensed, becoming incomparably hard.
The coffin subsequently sank continuously, only stopping when it reached about five zhang deep.
If someone were to dig up the top layer of soil at this moment, within two or three meters, they would completely be unable to dig any further.
The soil quality was comparable to metal and stone; an iron shovel striking it would only produce sparks.
After finishing this matter, Chu Xun still maintained his control over the marshes of heaven and earth within a hundred zhang.
Not allowing a single trace of water vapor to fall on the grave mound.
Merely having Qi Condensation stage cultivation made him feel very exhausted.
He had to lean against the tombstone. Vaguely, he seemed to hear familiar voices again.
"I secretly filled this from the water buckets Dad carried, quickly drink some to relieve the heat."
"Hus... husband..."
"I also beg the Water God, if there really is an afterlife..."
"Please let me be a crow."
"Because crows seem to be able to accompany you longer."
...
The corners of Chu Xun's mouth were bitter, and he sighed to himself, "So this is the price of seeking longevity..."
He had always known that to achieve longevity, he would inevitably witness many joys and sorrows, partings and reunions.
He had also thought that one day, when he had seen enough, perhaps he would no longer think too much about it.
But ultimately, he hadn't reached that point yet.
Chu Xun stayed here for a long time. The villagers were all very worried, and Huan'er, Qi Ermao, and the others took turns waiting here.
Even the children in the village took the initiative to run over, bringing quilts and food to Grandpa Village Chief.
They perhaps didn't quite understand life and death yet, only knowing that they would never again see that old grandma who would always smilingly grab a handful of roasted goods and stuff them into their pockets.
It wasn't until after the first seven days that Chu Xun returned.
Qi Ermao and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief.
While escorting Chu Xun home all the way, Qi Ermao was still saying, "Brother Xun, you have to look on the bright side, don't do anything silly."
From ancient times to the present, there have been countless people who died for love.
They all knew that Chu Xun and Zhang Anxiu had deep feelings for each other, so it was inevitable to worry about this aspect.
Chu Xun didn't turn his head, his voice clearly entering their ears, "No need to worry, I still have many things I haven't finished doing."
Although Qi Ermao and the others didn't know what he was talking about, as long as Chu Xun had no intention of seeking death, that was good.
After that, every day the villagers would take the initiative to come to Chu Xun's house to sit for a while and talk.
Just so he wouldn't feel too lonely.
Chu Xun knew the villagers' good intentions. When summer arrived, he would walk around all the farmlands in the village every few days.
The crops in the village grew exceptionally well this year, at least a fifty percent increase in yield.
Until Year 9 of Chongming.
The hot summer was approaching. Lin Qiaoxi's health had also not been very good recently, and Huan'er came back to take her to the Capital City, lest an accident happen and they couldn't see each other for the last time.
He also made a special trip to Pinecone Village, wanting Chu Xun to go with them.
"I still have matters to attend to, we'll talk about it after I'm done," Chu Xun said.
"What matters do you have? I can have someone do it, why do you need to do it personally?" Huan'er asked in puzzlement.
He was now the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, a Rank 3 official.
Many things were just a matter of a single sentence.
Chu Xun said, "I promised someone else this matter, I have to do it personally."
Huan'er still wanted to say something, but Chu Xun asked first, "How is Lord Tang doing now?"
Speaking of Tang Shijun, Huan'er's complexion became even worse.
He said in a low voice, "There are assassinations almost every month. I received news that someone hired experts of at least Rank 1 or above, and there might even be Innate Grandmasters."
"Can he still hold on?" Chu Xun asked.
"Teacher also has Rank 1 experts under him, but the assassins will probably arrive in these two days. Whether he can hold on or not is hard to say," Huan'er sighed.
In these two years, he had fallen out even more with Tang Shijun on the surface.
Even though they were both in the Ministry of Revenue, one a Minister and the other a Vice Minister, they had to act like enemies when they met.
Sometimes Huan'er even doubted whether his teacher truly held a grudge against him.
Chu Xun nodded slightly, his white beard swaying with the wind.
His head full of white hair was as clean as snow.
"After tonight, everything will get better."
Huan'er still didn't understand his meaning and smiled bitterly, "Perhaps."
"Are you really not coming back to the Capital City with me? If you don't want to sell the assets here, it's fine to keep them."
Chu Xun waved his hand, "My mind is made up, go back, and take good care of your mother."
Seeing him so insistent, Huan'er couldn't say anything more, thinking he would come back to persuade him after this busy period was over.
Chu Xun saw him out the door and watched the horse carriage leave.
Just then, Qi Ermao arrived. He glanced at the horse carriage and asked, "Was that Vice Minister Zhang?"
"Yes," Chu Xun said. "You came at the right time. Tomorrow I'm going on a long journey, and I don't know how many days it will take to return. When the time comes, you take care of the village's affairs for me first."
Qi Ermao was astonished upon hearing this, "A long journey? Where to?"
"Don't ask so much, just remember this matter," Chu Xun said.
Although his tone was calm, Qi Ermao still heard an unusual flavor and suddenly became a bit nervous, "Brother Xun, don't scare me. At such an old age, what are you running around alone for?"
"Are you feeling the house is too cold and cheerless? Go stay at my house for a few days."
His concern came from the bottom of his heart.
This was a feeling cultivated over forty or fifty years. Chu Xun smiled and said, "It's not like I'm going to seek death, what are you so nervous for. Maybe I'll be back in a few days."
Qi Ermao looked at him with a face full of suspicion. Going on a long journey at such an old age, and not saying where he was going, how could he not worry.
He thought in his heart, "How about I squat at Brother Xun's door tonight, lest something goes wrong."
Chu Xun seemed to know what he was thinking and said, "If you come tonight, don't ever think about seeing me again."
When saying this, Chu Xun's expression was very serious.
Qi Ermao inexplicably felt that these words were true.
If he really came to squat tonight, he might never see him again in this lifetime.
After a burst of struggle, he finally sighed and said, "Alright, then you absolutely must take care of your health. No matter what, no matter what happens, you have to come back to the village and let us know."
"No one else can be the Village Chief of Pinecone Village except you."
Only after Qi Ermao left, looking back three times with every step, did Chu Xun close the courtyard door and return to sit at the door of his room.
Looking down, the fruit of the Spirit Pearl Grass had completely turned deep purple.
It was increasingly crystal clear, like a gemstone.
A faint fragrance emanated from it.
The crows on the eaves cawed a few times.
Weasels, field mice, and even a group of rabbits popped their heads out from everywhere.
Chu Xun looked up at them and smiled, "No need to worry, how could I leave you behind and not care."
Time passed bit by bit, the sun moving from east to west, from rising to setting.
The sky gradually darkened, the bright moon appeared, and then became clear.
The moonlight fell. In the Songliu River, a five-zhang-long giant python crawled out.
Its cyan and white scales reflected a hazy glimmer under the moonlight.
It quickly crawled towards the direction of Pinecone Village, the river water surging behind it.
One cyan, one white, two giant pythons that were several times larger, at least over ten zhang long, poked their heads out.
In their scarlet pupils, a bit of hesitation could actually be seen.
They looked in the direction the cyan and white giant python left, and ultimately chose to sink underwater.
When the cyan and white giant python arrived at Pinecone Village and swam to the front of Chu Xun's courtyard door, it was exactly halfway through the hour of Zi (midnight).
It crawled up along the door frame.
Its massive python head thus poked over the top of the wall.
In the courtyard, the old man with white hair and beard stood up.
The Spirit Pearl Grass by his feet bloomed with purple light.
The fierce wind howled, rustling loudly.
Chu Xun glanced at the python head on the wall but didn't drive it away. He looked down at the Spirit Pearl Grass flashing with purple spiritual light by his feet.
"Sixty years of time, long and drawn out."
"You and I have both endured it."
"It's time for Foundation Establishment."
[End of Chapter]