Lingxiao Mountain, back hall of Diligence Hall.

The incense in the room spiraled upward, with a faint but refreshing aroma that lingered in the air.

The scent, once inhaled, invigorated the spirit.

Ge Ying’s eyes were full of pride as he softly spoke:

"Junior Martial Uncle, we originally agreed to build a teleportation array between Red Flame Peak and Ningcui Cliff, and we are applying to start construction now."

Within the Sect, it’s rare for Foundation Establishment cultivators to teach Chao Origin Stage disciples, perhaps only seen once in a century.

"The materials for the teleportation array are ready, but Junior Martial Brother Chu Huai’ge is currently on a mission, and is expected to start construction in a month."

Zhang Zizhao smiled and turned to look at Ji An, whose eyes were deep and serene, nodding silently in his heart.

The opponent was less than seventy years old, cultivating the Evergreen Wood Skill which had life-extending capabilities, and now had become a Chao Origin Stage cultivator, making this age relatively youthful. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

Young and promising, yet not arrogant, capable of taking up significant responsibilities in the future, and his prospects for a Golden Core seemed promising.

He once thought that it would be somewhat difficult for the other party to break through to the Chao Origin Stage, given their middle-grade aptitude.

Unexpectedly, the individual succeeded seamlessly through their understanding of the cultivation technique, which greatly exceeded his expectations.

It turned out that a profound understanding of a cultivation technique could greatly make up for the deficiencies in aptitude, thereby reducing the difficulty of breakthroughs.

"As long as Junior Martial Uncle keeps this matter in mind, it’s good."

Ge Ying laughed, acknowledging that Chu Huai’ge, the Sect’s Chao Origin Stage Array Master, was usually very busy.

With the materials prepared, once his schedule cleared, the teleportation array could be built in just two or three days.

Ji An added:

"Hall Master, I also have another piece of news for you. Next month, on the Celestial Time of the 60th year day, I want to hold a ceremony at Red Flame Peak, and I hope you will attend."

He originally wanted to address the other as Senior Brother, but since the Master was present, it seemed inappropriate, so addressing the position seemed better.

"Haha, I will definitely attend, it’s been a long time since there was such bustle."

Zhang Zizhao laughed heartily, knowing that in the coming ten days, he would attend three consecutive ceremonies.

In his memory, the Sect hadn’t seen such grandeur in nearly a hundred years.

After chatting for half an hour, Ji An and Ge Ying took their leave.

Upon exiting the hall, Ji An said:

"Master, I’m going to chat with Fellow Daoist Ye next, care to join?"

In recent years, the Demon and Calamity work and the post-disaster reconstruction have been very busy. Ye Changqing had not visited Red Flame Peak in many years.

Last time he went to the Inheritance Hall to exchange cultivation techniques, he left hastily.

This time, visiting Diligence Hall, they certainly had to have a good conversation.

"I will not go; I’m heading directly back to Ningcui Cliff."

Ge Ying summoned the Flying Shuttle and floated away.

Ji An entered the front hall, and seeing him, Ye Changqing, who was flipping through the accounts, gave a faint smile:

"Junior Martial Uncle Ji, what wind blew you here?"

Ji An mockingly scolded:

"Calling me that is too distant, Fellow Daoist Ye is teasing me!"

Since meeting him after Foundation Establishment, they had been acquainted for nearly forty years, and addressing each other by rank felt too detached.

He felt a pang of emotion; it had been years since they met, and the other was already white-haired like snow, with wrinkles covering his face, especially on the forehead and corners of the eyes.

Perhaps due to cultivating the Evergreen Wood Skill, Ji An could faintly sense an aura of decay and death from Ye Changqing.

If not mistaken, he feared the other had only a handful of decades left.

Ye Changqing bared his teeth, saying:

"Hehe, Junior Martial Uncle has broken through to the Chao Origin Stage for almost a month, right? I only found out through a chat with the Hall Master."

In his view, not sharing such good news first-hand implied an existing distance.

Many people, with the same realm, would call each other brothers; once status changes, naturally, there would be a gap, and he had seen this time and again.

Ji An slightly shook his head, explaining:

"I initially planned to inform fellow Daoists during the ceremony. The Dragon Blood Fruit is fully ripe, reaching a medicinal age of two hundred years.

This Spirit Wood seed was a gift from you back then, and we agreed that I would repay you with Spirit Fruit!

How is it, has Fellow Daoist lost appetite now?"

"Dragon Blood Fruit, ah!"

Ye Changqing sighed lightly, nostalgia showing in his eyes.

When he handed over the seeds back then, he hoped to taste the Dragon Blood Fruit someday but didn’t hold out much hope.

Yet, over the past thirty years, his life was nearing its end, and he didn’t expect to live to savor the Spirit Fruit.

"Well, fellow Daoist remembers the promise from back then; I, this old man, will have the cheek to attend the ceremony.

But let’s agree in advance; don’t expect gifts from me. I don’t have any Spiritual Objects for a Chao Origin Stage cultivator."

A hint of cunning flashed in Ye Changqing’s eyes.

Ji An shook his head, waving his hand:

"No, that’s not right. At least bring some Spirit Stones!"

"Haha, not happening!"

Amidst the joking, an implicit estrangement dissolved, and the two sat down to talk.

For the most part, Ye Changqing did the talking, reminiscing about the past and recounting two centuries of the Sect’s development and the turmoil caused by these Demon and Calamity events.

Unconsciously, over half an hour had passed.

Ye Changqing said quietly:

"I have applied to the Hall Master for retirement. Once the successor Junior Martial Brother takes office, I will spend the rest of my days with strong tea and light wine."

His words were tinged with desolation.

Ji An remained silent. The life of a cultivator is far longer than that of ordinary people, but without continuous improvement, they too would eventually succumb to the sands of time.

On the path to immortality, countless bones lie buried beneath the soil.

After sharing the ceremony’s time, Ji An took his leave.

Upon exiting the hall, he said to Ye Changqing, who came out to see him off:

"Fellow Daoist, if you have time, do visit me at Red Flame Peak. There’s plenty of Tier Two Spirit Wine, and Spirit Fruit is always available to eat."