Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 76: Farewell to the Homeland

In the snowy land, silence reigned.

Beside him, Feng Changqing and a dozen strong servants stared blankly at the scene.

"Get up and speak."

Zhang Yao smiled, gestured with his hand, and a gentle force lifted Feng Lu into the air.

"Immortal..."

After getting up, Feng Lu’s eyes were already turning red, his voice containing a hint of choking: 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"In my twilight years, being able to see the face of the Immortal again is truly a blessing of three lifetimes!"

Standing beside him, Feng Changqing finally reacted, his eyes wide open, his heart trembling.

"An Immortal? In the depths of Celestial Capital Mountain, there truly is an Immortal?!"

He felt the world spinning, everything around him seemed filled with unreality.

Yet, his grandfather’s reaction unmistakably confirmed that this young man, looking in his twenties, was indeed the Immortal who saved them years ago!

Forty years without aging, isn’t that truly a living Immortal?!

Zhang Yao glanced at Feng Lu, sighing:

"The years in the mountains flow like water. The young scholar from back then, now is old and gray."

"Thanks to the Immortal’s great blessing, the fire dates bestowed upon me in those days have kept me healthy to this day..."

Feng Lu rambled on, his expression at ease, seemingly fulfilling a wish as he recounted his experiences over the years.

Forty years ago:

After achieving second place in the imperial examinations, Feng Lu soon showcased his talents, starting his career at the Ministry of Rites and later becoming Prefect, Governor, and finally Prime Minister step by step.

After serving as Prime Minister for over a decade, he retired due to old age and returned to his hometown.

Upon returning to his hometown of Siping Town, he spent his days enjoying time with his grandchildren and, at the same time, developed a wish to once again climb Celestial Capital Mountain and personally thank the Immortal.

This was his third time climbing the mountain; the previous two times had ended in failure. This time, he stumbled upon Zhang Yao preparing to leave and finally fulfilled his wish.

"No need to thank me."

Zhang Yao’s smile remained as he said:

"Your fearlessness and sincere filial heart back then were what prompted us to help, and it was your own sincerity that earned it."

"You managed to rise to the top of the officials by your own ability."

Hearing this, Feng Lu shook his head and said:

"Without the sympathy of the Immortals back then, I might have given up studying due to poverty, let alone reached the position of Prime Minister."

The two chatted for a moment, and Feng Lu learned that the seven Immortals from those years had already departed, leaving only Zhang Yao.

At this moment, even this Immortal Qingxu was preparing to leave Celestial Capital Mountain, which was why he could see him today.

"This..."

The two chatted leisurely, while Feng Changqing gradually regained his composure, his eyes rotating and his thoughts swirling.

This was a living Immortal before him, to see him was a stroke of immense karma. If he missed this chance, it would be too regrettable...

Thinking of this, he hesitated repeatedly but finally couldn’t suppress himself and found an opportunity to interject:

"Immortal, there’s something you don’t know."

"My grandfather’s retirement wasn’t entirely voluntary, but because he was squeezed out by treacherous court officials..."

Upon hearing this, Feng Lu’s face changed immediately. He glared at Feng Changqing with a look of disappointment.

He had tasted the cold and warmth of the world and been through the ups and downs of officialdom. How could he not know his grandson’s schemes?

His wish was simply to see the Immortal again, with no further expectations. Feng Changqing’s manipulative words really angered him.

"Please forgive my grandson, Immortal. He has been spoiled since childhood and speaks without consideration..."

Feng Lu quickly explained, feeling a bit anxious inside.

If his grandson’s words caused Immortal Qingxu to suspect ulterior motives, it would greatly go against his intentions.

"No harm done."

Zhang Yao saw through Feng Changqing’s little scheming but was unconcerned, waving his hand:

"Say whatever you want to say."

"...Very well."

Relieved by his grandfather’s words, Feng Changqing quickly laid out his intentions.

As he said, Feng Lu retired not only because of age but also due to being squeezed out by several court factions.

Upright and unyielding, he was greatly trusted by three generations of emperors but offended many court nobles, especially after becoming Prime Minister.

Last year, after the new emperor ascended, several factions united against him, forcing him to resign.

"...I earnestly request that the Immortal rectify the chaos and restore a clear sky for the people of Lu Kingdom!"

With his speech finished, Feng Changqing bowed his head, feeling anxious.

After listening, Zhang Yao was not particularly surprised.

Everything in the world follows the cycle of rise and fall, a dynasty no less.

Forty years ago, when he came to Central Province to seek Celestial Capital Mountain, Lu was in its glorious century of founding, at the height of its power.

Yet after the peak, it gradually slipped into decline.

"The world has been peaceful for over a hundred years, the population growing but the land limited."

"Coupled with the corruption caused by centralized power, the elite’s greed knew no bounds, suppressing and exploiting, consuming the people’s wealth, with land annexation growing increasingly rampant, the seeds of turmoil were long planted."

"Though not yet the end of the dynasty, Lu has begun its descent, with deep-rooted conflicts accumulating daily, leading to an eventual explosion decades down the line."

"When that time comes, chaos will ensue instantaneously."

Reflecting on this, Zhang Yao sighed:

"This is what is called the cycle of dynastic rise and fall, a tide so strong, even cultivators cannot stop it."

"Having crossed this world for nearly two hundred years, I’ve seen human vicissitudes and the rise and fall of dynasties, Da Wei of the past and today’s Da Lu, how similar they are..."

At this moment, Zhang Yao grasped the profound meaning of being a "Longevity Seeker."

He felt a vague stirring within, as if capturing something, but on deep reflection, that moment of insight slipped away.

"Immortal..."

Feng Lu watched Zhang Yao lost in thought and couldn’t help but say:

"Please do not be misled by this young man’s words; I am over seventy years old and truly do not wish to return to officialdom."

Hearing this, Feng Changqing turned pale but dared not speak further.

Zhang Yao returned to his senses, feeling slightly regretful but indifferent, knowing opportunities to explore the concept of longevity would come again.

"Not wanting to return to the court may be a good thing."

He smiled slightly and said:

"Since your wish has been fulfilled, we shall part here."

With those words, he waved his sleeve, and a bright yellow flying sword shot out like a darting fish, turning into a dazzling light.

Zhang Yao stood on the flying sword, his magical power mechanism integrating with the sword’s magic ban, in an instant turning into a stunning rainbow, piercing the clouds, vanishing into the horizon in a few flashes.

On the Celestial Capital Mountain peak, Feng Lu, Feng Changqing, and the others watched the scene in awe, speechless for a long time.

Departing from the homeland, with no return date in sight.