Youth must be seized early; how can one remain a youth forever? Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Eight: Five Years Have Passed

When Bai Qingzhou returned to the shop, heart brimming with joy and clutching the "Ethereal Sword Technique," she was surprised to find an unexpected visitor inside, standing and talking with Meng Li.

Stepping inside, Bai Qingzhou was momentarily taken aback at the sight of the young boy before her. "Xiao Shi! What are you doing here?" she asked.

The visitor appeared to be about fourteen or fifteen years old, with a youthful face, resolute features, and eyes that gleamed with a hint of shrewdness. He was none other than Shi Zhichen, a disciple of the Xuanyang Sect.

He had ascended to immortality alongside Meng Li’s cohort but was considerably younger than her.

During the last attack on their sect, it was Shi Zhichen’s quick wit that detected the suspicious behavior of Qin Feng and his two companions, alerting everyone in advance and preventing them from breaching the mountain gate. His brave efforts had earned great merit for the Xuanyang Sect.

However, Bai Qingzhou wondered why he had suddenly come to Huoying Square.

"Greetings, senior brothers and sisters!" Shi Zhichen first bowed respectfully before responding, "This time, Steward Dai sent me."

"Good, good. Please have a seat; we can talk while sitting," Bai Qingzhou said warmly, pleased to see her junior sect brother.

Shi Zhichen took the opportunity to sit down, and Meng Li followed suit, the three seated around the table.

Bai Qingzhou smiled gently and got straight to the point. "Tell me, what does Steward Dai want to convey this time?"

After a moment of thought, Shi Zhichen’s expression turned serious. "Senior brothers and sisters, I have two matters to report. First, the Ascension Conference is about to begin. The Sect Leader has decided to hold a grand banquet to welcome the new disciples and to gather all the sect members. In particular, Senior Brother Bai, you are required to return."

Hearing this, Bai Qingzhou’s face brightened with a smile. "That’s good news! After a year of recuperation, it should be so."

Meng Li sighed softly beside her. "Time flies so fast. Unnoticed, it’s almost been five years..."

"Indeed," Bai Qingzhou fell into a reverie. At the last Ascension Conference, he had witnessed Meng Li, Shi Zhichen, and Tang Si successfully ascend. Later, three more registered disciples achieved immortality. That cohort had produced six cultivators—a remarkable surge.

"But why specifically do they need me to return?" Bai Qingzhou asked curiously.

Shi Zhichen shook his head. "Steward Dai said it was the Sect Leader’s request, but he himself wasn’t sure of the details."

Bai Qingzhou fell into thought, uncertain of the Sect Leader’s reason for summoning him now.

Before she could dwell further, Shi Zhichen spoke again, breaking the silence, "Senior Brother, there is a second matter..."

The sound interrupted Bai Qingzhou’s musings. He turned to face Shi Zhichen immediately but was struck by a sudden unease upon seeing a trace of sorrow on his face.

Noticing Shi Zhichen’s expression, Bai Qingzhou suppressed her smile and said slowly, "Junior Brother, speak plainly..."

Meng Li also sensed the gravity of the moment and turned to look at Shi Zhichen intently.

After a brief pause, Shi Zhichen said solemnly, "The second matter is about attending Senior Brother Chen Li’s funeral..."

With a sharp slap on the table, Bai Qingzhou sprang up.

"What?!" she shouted involuntarily, anger flaring.

"How could this be..." Meng Li murmured, covering her mouth in disbelief.

"Senior Brother Chen’s funeral?" Bai Qingzhou demanded angrily, "Xiao Shi, who killed Senior Brother Chen?!"

At this, Shi Zhichen shook his head slowly, eyes filled with grief. "No, it wasn’t like that... Senior Brother Chen Li recently attempted to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage but failed, resulting in his body exploding..."

Bai Qingzhou was stunned, all her fury instantly vanishing as she slumped back into her chair, dazed.

Chen Li... had failed his breakthrough?

Her mind involuntarily recalled the last time she had seen him...

A flash of realization struck her.

Yes, last time he came to hand over the affairs of Senior Brother Chen’s shop so that Chen Li could focus on preparing for his Foundation Establishment breakthrough...

Now, a year later...

A deep pain welled within Bai Qingzhou as memories flooded back.

Chen Li had once been the Transmission Steward, explaining various cultivation world basics to all new disciples, effectively serving as Bai Qingzhou’s guiding teacher.

He had introduced her to the nature of the continent beneath her feet.

He had helped her build the world view she held in her mind.

He had always quietly devoted himself to the Xuanyang Sect, earnestly caring for every disciple.

Bai Qingzhou’s mind kept replaying Chen Li’s face, unwilling to accept the truth. She shook her head, whispering, "Senior Brother Chen... it shouldn’t be like this. How could he have died from his body exploding?"

"It was because he forcibly pushed through the Foundation Establishment stage. He refused to give up," Shi Zhichen said slowly.

Bai Qingzhou remained silent.

Although breaking through to Foundation Establishment was risky, at worst one’s cultivation level could regress; death was unheard of. If failure seemed imminent, one could simply give up.

Usually, a disciple had three attempts to break through; only after three failures would further attempts be impossible.

"Did Senior Brother Chen fail all three attempts?" Bai Qingzhou asked quietly.

"Yes. Since returning to the sect, he had been preparing for the breakthrough and even had two Foundation Establishment pills ready, but he failed three times. On the last attempt, he forcibly broke through, which caused the accident," Shi Zhichen explained.

Bai Qingzhou and Meng Li exchanged looks filled with sorrow.

They had never imagined Senior Brother Chen would leave them in such a manner.

The three sat in silence for a long time.

Finally, Bai Qingzhou broke the quiet. "When is the funeral?"

"In one month."

"Very well, I understand," Bai Qingzhou sighed deeply. "I will make sure to return then."

Judging by the timing, the Ascension Conference would be around the same period.

"Alright, the matters have been conveyed. Senior Brother, I will take my leave now," Shi Zhichen stood and said.

"Let me take you to eat something first; there’s no need to be in such a hurry," Bai Qingzhou said, taking hold of Shi Zhichen’s arm.

"But... I still have to go to Shuiying Square to notify Junior Brother Fan," Shi Zhichen replied with some difficulty.

"It’s alright," Bai Qingzhou stood and said to Meng Li, "Junior Sister Meng, let’s rest here today. We’ll take Junior Brother Shi out for a walk."

Meng Li stood and nodded softly. "I’ll follow Senior Brother’s advice."

"Very well. Thank you, Senior Brother and Sister," Shi Zhichen responded.

With that, the three secured the shop door and headed out toward the marketplace outskirts...

...

After a simple meal in the square, Bai Qingzhou bought some gifts for Shi Zhichen and handed him several spirit stones before seeing him off on the spirit boat...

(End of chapter)