Chapter Four: Nurturing a Long and Tranquil Life

"Then... then what about my father?" Wang Changsheng asked.

Since arriving here, Second Uncle had not mentioned anything about his father. Wang Changsheng had asked before, but Second Uncle never answered. Now, Wang Changsheng could only continue to press him.

"Big brother... he..." Second Uncle's face showed hesitation, as if he wanted to speak but stopped himself. Yet this time, he did not evade the question. He took out a bundle, his voice tinged with bitterness. "This... these are the belongings your father left behind."

"Belongings... relics... relics?" Wang Changsheng's eyes widened in disbelief as he grabbed Second Uncle's shoulders, his voice nearly a roar. "Second Uncle, what are you saying? Did I mishear you?"

"You did not mishear. These are indeed your father's relics," Second Uncle said gravely. "Child, restrain your grief."

Relics?!

Truly, relics!

Wang Changsheng was no fool; in fact, he was quite astute. He understood perfectly what Second Uncle's words meant.

If these were relics, then it meant his father was already dead!

"No... impossible... this can't be!" Wang Changsheng refused to believe it.

Though two hundred years had passed, Wang Changsheng could still recall his father's voice and appearance.

He never expected that the next news he would hear of his father would be of his death, and the words came from his closest Second Uncle. Wang Changsheng did not want to believe it, yet he could not help but believe.

"Twenty years ago, your father returned from a journey, gravely wounded, and left these things behind," Second Uncle recalled. "Your father's aptitude was much greater than mine. After we arrived here, the gap between us grew wider and wider..."

Through Second Uncle's recollection, Wang Changsheng finally learned what had transpired all these years.

When his father and Second Uncle first came here, they each revealed different talents for cultivation. Wang Changsheng's father advanced at an astonishing pace.

"We both practiced the Longevity Art before, but after coming here, we couldn't find the subsequent techniques for it, so we switched to other methods," Second Uncle continued. "But your father always believed that the mysteries within the Longevity Art were far greater than what we had seen."

Thus, after his father achieved mastery in cultivation, he set out to seek the continuation of the Longevity Art.

"Yet when your father returned, he was already at the end of his strength," Second Uncle said in a low voice. "Within this bundle is the Longevity Art your father sought out. I originally did not intend to give it to you. Now that you cannot join the Wandering Immortal Pavilion, without the Master's permission, I cannot impart you their methods."

Second Uncle's original plan was to have Wang Changsheng join the Wandering Immortal Pavilion and gain access to their cultivation techniques, which, having been established for many years, were far more comprehensive.

As for the Longevity Art recovered by his father, it was only a fragment at best, which could only be cultivated up to the peak of the Meridian Opening realm.

"If you reach the peak of the Meridian Opening realm and still haven't found the subsequent methods, switching to another path will become even more difficult," Second Uncle said gravely.

After deliberating, Wang Changsheng said, "Second Uncle, I will cultivate the Longevity Art."

"Changsheng, don't be rash," Second Uncle said. "The Longevity Art is indeed profound, I know, but without the subsequent techniques, what will you do after reaching the peak of Meridian Opening?"

"Believe me, even if the Wandering Immortal Pavilion doesn't accept you, I can find you other cultivation methods," Second Uncle continued. "Even if they're not as good as the Pavilion's, they won't be much worse."

"No," Wang Changsheng's face turned bitter. "I heard from the Master that you exhausted your wealth to bring me back."

"Second Uncle, you need not trouble yourself. I will continue to cultivate the Longevity Art," Wang Changsheng's expression grew resolute. "Since my father sent the Longevity Art back, perhaps he foresaw this day. Surely he wanted me to cultivate it—otherwise, why would he send it back?"

"You..." Second Uncle looked at Wang Changsheng, then finally nodded. "So it is."

A look of reminiscence appeared on Second Uncle's face.

"Second brother, don't waste your efforts. I know my own condition—no saving it."

"This is the Longevity Art I found. If you can bring Changsheng here, and if he chooses to cultivate the Longevity Art, don't stop him."

"The Longevity Art is by far the most profound method I've ever seen..."

...

"Second Uncle... Second Uncle..."

Seeing Second Uncle lost in thought, Wang Changsheng called out.

"Hmm, I was just remembering some things," Second Uncle said in a low voice. "Since it's decided, you may cultivate the Longevity Art, but you must be certain!"

"I have made up my mind," Wang Changsheng replied firmly.

"Second Uncle, may I ask you one more thing?" Wang Changsheng hesitated, unsure how to proceed.

"You wish to ask about your mother, correct?" Second Uncle asked.

Wang Changsheng nodded.

Second Uncle continued, "You ask me, but I don't know either. When your father brought you back, even I was completely in the dark."

"This..."

Wang Changsheng was perplexed; he had never met his mother, and whenever he asked his father, the answer was always withheld. He had no idea who his mother was.

"Come, I'll take you to a safe place. When you've cultivated to the Meridian Opening realm, I'll introduce you to the Wandering Immortal Pavilion," Second Uncle said.

Wang Changsheng nodded.

Soon after, Second Uncle led him to a vast plaza.

"This is... such a huge ship?" Wang Changsheng stared at the vast vessel standing in the plaza, astonished. "This is a ship? It looks more like a mountain!"

"This is a Cloud Vessel," Second Uncle explained. "Some places have no teleportation arrays and can only be reached by Cloud Vessel."

"The place we're going has no teleportation array, so we must rely on the Cloud Vessel," Second Uncle said.

"Cloud Vessel?"

"Yes, Cloud Vessel," Second Uncle continued. "Remember the spirit stones you paid earlier to use the teleportation array?"

Cloud Vessels resemble ships in appearance, but their function is entirely different!

Cloud Vessels are powerful magical artifacts, powered by spirit stones as their driving force, enabling long-term flight. More importantly, they are covered in formations that, once activated, can resist attacks. Superior Cloud Vessels can even launch attacks.

"Forget Meridian Opening cultivators—even those of the Transformation Realm cannot break the defenses of a Cloud Vessel," Second Uncle said.

"Second Uncle, what realm are you at?" Wang Changsheng asked.

Second Uncle thought for a moment. "The Core Formation realm."

"Core Formation realm?"

"Yes," Second Uncle nodded. "Forming true essence into a core, creating the supreme Golden Core, is the true cultivation of the Dao. The process of forming the core is the Core Formation realm."

"You need not rush these things. Right now, your priority is to transform your qi into true essence. The road ahead is long, so there's no need to hurry."

"Understood."

"Alright, let's go," Second Uncle said.

Standing beneath the towering Cloud Vessel, Wang Changsheng could not help but marvel yet again.

"Wait here, I need to pay the fare," Second Uncle said.

Soon, Second Uncle returned after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

"Take this jade slip—it's your ticket for the Cloud Vessel," Second Uncle handed Wang Changsheng a jade slip. "I won't accompany you further. When you arrive, focus on your cultivation. Once you reach the Meridian Opening realm, try to return, and then join the Wandering Immortal Pavilion."

Wang Changsheng nodded quietly.

"Second Uncle, where is the place you're sending me?" Wang Changsheng asked.

Second Uncle produced two letters and handed them to him. "I marked one; you can open it once you're aboard to learn about the place. The other, deliver it to the person I mentioned when you arrive, and he will arrange things for you."

"Alright," Wang Changsheng nodded.

"Go on," Second Uncle said. "Remember—cultivate diligently! And whatever you do, always keep your wits about you. The world of cultivation is ruthless; survival is paramount. Your father has already gone—you must not come to harm."

Wang Changsheng nodded and quietly boarded the ship.

Once on the Cloud Vessel's deck, Second Uncle's figure was barely visible, a testament to the vessel's immense size.

"Jade slip!"

A middle-aged cultivator addressed Wang Changsheng in a deep voice.

Wang Changsheng promptly handed over his jade slip. The cultivator examined it and said softly, "Third deck, fifth room—it's yours. The jade slip contains instructions for controlling the room. Read it yourself. Go on."

Wang Changsheng took the jade slip and walked into the Cloud Vessel.

He found his room, but the door was tightly shut and would not budge despite his efforts.

"How do I use this jade slip?" Wang Changsheng wondered, puzzled as he stared at it.

"Maybe I should try squeezing it?" he thought.

Previously, when using the teleportation array, squeezing the jade slip had triggered its response. Perhaps it worked the same way now?

Even after squeezing it with all his might, Wang Changsheng found the jade slip unresponsive.

"Fellow Daoist... er... Elder... are you... are you unable to open the door?"

As Wang Changsheng puzzled over this, a young, rotund cultivator approached.

Wang Changsheng nodded.

"Elder, this jade slip is not like the one for the teleportation array!" the young cultivator said with a smile. "Just hold the jade slip close to the door and it will open automatically!"

"And you don't read the jade slip with your eyes, but with your mind," the young cultivator explained. "First, calm your mind, then meditate and use your consciousness to access the contents. There's not much information inside—at your level, Elder, you can handle the influx easily."

After the young man's explanation, Wang Changsheng finally understood how to control the jade slip.

"Thank you, Daoist friend," Wang Changsheng said with a clasped fist.

"No need, Elder," the young cultivator waved his hand. "You're probably here to retire, since cultivation is no longer possible for you, right?"