Time passes swiftly.
Silently, without a sound.
Chen Sheng welcomed his sixtieth year of life, marking the end of his prime.
Although he failed to reach Foundation Establishment,
Chen Sheng had achieved Qi Cultivation Great Perfection,
and held the identity of a High Grade Alchemist.
This allowed him to be among the elite at the pinnacle of Thousand Machines Market.
When Chen Sheng decided to celebrate grandly,
the network of connections he had painstakingly woven over decades became evident.
On this day, at the front of his mansion,
the place was bustling with visitors, rubbing shoulders.
Those who came were all notable figures.
Shopkeepers and stewards of Thousand Machines Market.
Several Perfection Cultivators who usually lived in seclusion.
Even a shopkeeper from the Cyan Wood Commerce Association at Foundation Establishment Realm sent a gift.
Truly a display of honor!
Everyone entered the festively decorated mansion with sincere, courteous smiles.
"Congratulations to Master Tang on your sixtieth birthday!"
"Master Tang's alchemy skills are unparalleled; please accept this humble gift!"
Chen Sheng, dressed in a brand new Purple Patterned Robe, stood at the entrance to welcome them.
He wore a proper smile, exchanging pleasantries with every honored guest.
"Thank you, thank you!"
"Long time no see, Shopkeeper Zhang."
"Steward Sun, please come in quickly."
Decades of hardships.
Despite Chen Sheng's health regimen, appearing just over forty,
his temples still bore a trace of white.
Chen Sheng bowed in greeting, his voice resonant:
"Thank you, fellow cultivators and guests, for taking the time to come here!"
"Your presence lights up my humble abode, for which I am deeply grateful! Please take your seats!"
...
In the evening,
a figure in a dusty green robe stepped into the Pill Workshop—it was Qin Yuan.
He knelt respectfully on both knees in the courtyard before Chen Sheng, performing a grand ritual:
"Disciple Qin Yuan, congratulates Master on his sixtieth cycle birthday!"
"May Master have boundless blessings and everlasting path!"
"Disciple arrived late, please forgive me, Master."
Chen Sheng swiftly stepped forward.
He steadily lifted this favored disciple with both hands,
and heartily patted Qin Yuan's now sturdier shoulder, his eyes showing joy:
"It's good that you're back, it's good!"
"Stand up! You seem stronger after these years!"
While speaking,
Chen Sheng carefully examined Qin Yuan.
His cultivation was very restrained, revealing no depth.
After years of training,
his once gentle aura had significantly diminished.
His eyes were sharper and more determined, exuding a fierce aura.
Qin Yuan clasped his hands:
"Disciple has a gift to present to Master."
While speaking, Qin Yuan took out a Jade Box from his Storage Pouch.
Upon opening,
it revealed a three-foot red Reishi.
Chen Sheng recognized it at once.
This was a five-hundred-year-old Reishi.
Quite rare on the market.
"Disciple recently explored an ancient cave, obtaining a High Grade Pill Formula."
"This Reishi was also planted by the ancients, precisely the main herb for the formula."
While speaking, Qin Yuan also took out a Jade Scroll.
Chen Sheng looked at him with satisfaction:
"You've been considerate."
He took the Jade Scroll, and with a probe of his Spiritual Sense, he discovered it was a formula for the 'Red Spirit Pill.'
Chen Sheng spoke with a smile:
"Give it to your grandmaster to study; he should be quite pleased."
"Sit down; it's been a while since you and I have met. You should tell me about your training."
"Yes!"
...
In the inner hall,
Qin Yuan skillfully prepared tea for Chen Sheng.
Then he slowly began recounting his experiences of the past few years.
"In recent years, I roamed the surrounding markets, especially Cloud Dragon District..."
Qin Yuan explained his experiences over the years,
disguising himself as a Loose Cultivator Alchemist and traveling between markets.
The experiences were quite varied,
hunting Low Tier Demon Beasts, picking herbs.
Even clearing Tribulation Cultivators for small powers...
Qin Yuan's account was calm.
But Chen Sheng could hear the undertone of danger within.
He nodded from time to time,
eventually letting out a sigh:
"It really has been hard for you."
Qin Yuan quickly responded:
"For the sake of reaching Foundation Establishment Upper Realm, I dare not claim hardship."
As the master and disciple chatted leisurely,
Qin Yuan also asked about matters at home.
"Master, has Mistress reached Foundation Establishment?"
Chen Sheng shook his head, sighing:
"Not yet. She just reached Qi Cultivation Perfection a few days ago."
No wonder Huang Wangyou was so guilty back then.
Even during these years,
with Chen Sheng's close supervision day and night,
it still took Huang Wangyou nearly six years to perfect her cultivation.
Qin Yuan further inquired:
"And how is Grandmaster's health?"
Chen Sheng shook his head:
"Father-in-law is ninety-six, and his energy has noticeably waned in the past two years. It's only a matter of time."
Time shows no mercy.
Even cultivators can't escape the shackles of lifespan.
Chen Sheng sighed and advised:
"Since you're back, be sure to visit him. He's mentioned you a few times."
Qin Yuan's expression became serious:
"Disciple understands."
Finally,
Qin Yuan fell silent for a moment before asking about what concerned him the most:
"Master, has there been any word from Senior Sister?"
Chen Sheng understood and smiled slightly:
"Yes, she sent a letter at the beginning of the year."
"She even helped me collect some incomplete pill formulas to assist in my studies."
He paused, his tone comforting:
"You don't have to worry about her. She's made reliable friends in Linglong Immortal City and has benefited from hunting demons in cooperation."
"Her cultivation has advanced considerably, and she's not far from Qi Cultivation Perfection."
Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan's tensed lips relaxed slightly:
"As long as Senior Sister is safe and successful, it's good."
"And you?"
Chen Sheng turned his gaze, looking at him intensely:
"After these years of training, how has your cultivation progressed?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Yuan slowly shook his head:
"Disciple's aptitude is average, and progress in the Late-stage Qi Refining is becoming slower and slower."
"Now I've barely reached the mid-to-late stage of the seventh level."
"However, in Body Refining, progress has been rapid, having reached the Second Realm."
The Second Realm of Body Refining corresponds to mid-stage Qi Cultivation.
Qin Yuan's slow progress in Qi Cultivation was quite normal.
This disciple of his, like his Senior Sister, polished his mana meticulously without using Enhancing Technique Elixirs.
However, in Body Refining, Chen Sheng was quite surprised:
"Progress in Body Refining so quickly?"
The Body Refining Technique sent back by Tang Xichen.
Chen Sheng had also been practicing it.
It was indeed a superior cultivation technique, quite challenging, and he had barely achieved the First Realm.
Qin Yuan smiled lightly:
"The Body Refining Technique sent by Senior Sister seems quite compatible with me."
"Moreover, I've had some luck, finding a few spiritual objects which greatly aided my progress."
Chen Sheng nodded knowingly, not probing for details, but instead asking:
"So, how do you plan to head to Linglong Immortal City?"
Qin Yuan was not surprised that his master guessed his intention.
He pondered for a moment before speaking:
"I'll head there once I reach the Third Realm in Body Refining, to avoid being a burden to Senior Sister."
Chen Sheng nodded:
"The journey spans tens of thousands of miles, filled with unpredictable dangers."
"Your cautious mentality is commendable. Proceed as you deem fit."
"However, Linglong Immortal City is far, and your grandmaster's age is advanced; you might not see him again afterward."
"Since you're back now, make sure to spend more time with him."
Qin Yuan solemnly replied:
"Disciple will remember Master's teachings!"