Longevity with a Turtle

Chapter 139: Chapter 111: Leaving Leeway, Forging Widespread Good Karma

But the Youthful Pill had another marvelous effect: lifespan extension.

A magical side effect of the Youthful Pill was a ten-year extension of one’s lifespan.

This was also why Sect Disciples who successfully reached Foundation Establishment could live for 240 years.

Not only could they consume a Lifespan Extension Pill to add ten years to their lives, but they could also gain another ten years from a Youthful Pill.

’Once our friendship deepens a little more, I can bring up the matter of the Youthful Grass. He won’t be able to resist the allure of a Youthful Pill, I imagine.’

Hundred Treasures Tower.

Gao Peiyao stood by the window holding a letter, bathed in the spring breeze. Strands of hair from her temples fluttered in the wind, brushing against her cherry-red lips and making her appear all the more breathtakingly beautiful.

Gazing in the direction of Fushou Lane, a sharp glint flashed in her phoenix-like eyes.

’That old alchemist certainly thinks far ahead. I just wonder if Chen Jianghe will play along with his plan.’

She had seen right through Alchemist Zhuang’s scheme to deliberately befriend Chen Jianghe. However, she was a little curious whether the ever-composed ’Brother Jianghe’ could resist the temptation of a Youthful Pill.

In all the years they had known each other, she had never seen Chen Jianghe take the initiative to ask anyone for a favor.

「A moment later.」

A Cultivator from the Hundred Treasures Tower led Chen Jianghe to the fifth floor, where he saw Gao Peiyao smiling by the window.

With a light wave of her jade-like arm, the Late-Stage Qi Refining Cultivator respectfully withdrew.

”Greetings, Fairy.”

Chen Jianghe said with a cupped-fist salute.

”Hehe~”

Gao Peiyao let out a soft laugh. Her phoenix-like eyes narrowed slightly, and her delicate frame trembled with her laughter, exuding an enchanting grace.

”Brother Jianghe, there are no outsiders here. Why are you being so formal?”

Chen Jianghe just smiled politely and said nothing.

The disparity in their status, position, and Cultivation Realm was simply too great. If he acted as he had in the past, he would only invite her displeasure.

Politeness never offends.

But impoliteness will earn you scorn.

”Brother Jianghe, do you have any need for resources lately?”

Gao Peiyao said softly, ”I’m in charge of the Hundred Treasures Tower and have so many trivial matters to attend to that I haven’t had time to meet with you.”

”You’re too kind, Peiyao. I don’t have any particular needs. Drawing Talismans day to day is enough to cover my Cultivation expenses.”

After Gao Peiyao’s request, he could change how he addressed her to make their relationship seem closer.

It would also show that she hadn’t forgotten her childhood friend after reaching Foundation Establishment.

But he couldn’t take the initiative to call her that, as it would seem disrespectful.

Yet, he couldn’t disobey her either, or she would think he was distancing himself, or perhaps even looking down on his Foundation Establishment friend.

”Hasn’t Brother Jianghe ever thought about Foundation Establishment?” Gao Peiyao walked up to Chen Jianghe, her bright pearl-like eyes staring at him with a faint smile.

”Do you think I can reach Foundation Establishment, Peiyao?”

Chen Jianghe chuckled, looking at Gao Peiyao and meeting her gaze.

They held each other’s gaze for a few breaths.

Gao Peiyao turned away with a smile and said, ”Brother Jianghe, you are six years older than me and have already reached sixty this year. Perhaps you can become a High-Grade Talisman Master in the future.”

The meaning was clear.

She was explicitly stating that Chen Jianghe had no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment and that his greatest future achievement would be becoming a High-Grade Talisman Master.

It was no wonder Gao Peiyao thought this way.

Chen Jianghe was already past sixty, an age where his vitality and blood-qi were in decline, yet his Cultivation was still at the Eighth-Layer Qi Refining.

He hadn’t even begun to practice any Body Refining Techniques or Spiritual Cultivation Techniques.

How could he possibly reach Foundation Establishment?

His chances were basically zero.

”Xiaoniu sent a letter. Brother Jianghe, take a look.”

Gao Peiyao picked up the letter from the fragrant wooden desk, walked over to Chen Jianghe, and raised her jade-like hand.

Chen Jianghe took it and gave it a quick glance.

It was similar to the letter sent to him, asking Gao Peiyao to also step in and persuade Yu Daniu not to act rashly and attempt Foundation Establishment blindly.

”Xiaoniu sent me a letter as well. The contents are much the same.”

Chen Jianghe handed the letter back.

”Since that’s the case, how do you think we should reply, Brother Jianghe?” As Gao Peiyao spoke, Magical Power surged in her hand, turning the letter to dust.

”We Cultivators all yearn for the Longevity Immortal Dao, but the Immortal Dao is hard to attain. In the end, longevity is a distant, unattainable belief. The hurdle of Foundation Establishment has been the grave of countless friends on the Immortal Path.”

Chen Jianghe said calmly, ”If one had more than a fifty percent chance, or a Foundation Establishment Pill, it might be worth a try. Otherwise, it’s better to simply live for another sixty years.”

”Indeed. The Immortal Dao is hard to attain.”

Gao Peiyao took a deep breath. That sentiment resonated deeply with her, stirring profound feelings.

”I just don’t know if Brother Daniu can be as enlightened as you, Brother Jianghe, and recognize reality. Rather than struggling for the illusory Immortal Dao, it’s better to live for another sixty years and pave the way for future generations.”

At this, both Chen Jianghe and Gao Peiyao tacitly avoided mentioning a reply. Clearly, they were of the same mind.

They would both act as if they had never seen the letters.

And naturally, they wouldn’t have to reply.

Obstructing someone’s path to the Dao creates immense negative karma.

After discussing Yu Daniu, Gao Peiyao finally brought up the letter from Zhou Miaoyun, which explained that Yu Daniu’s fifth son and her niece had taken a liking to each other.

However, Zhou Miaoyun had not asked Gao Peiyao to act as a matchmaker.

She had enough self-awareness for that.

Although they had been friends in the past, the disparity in their status was now immense. Gao Peiyao was a Foundation Establishment expert; why would she act as a matchmaker for Zhou Miaoyun’s niece?

If Yu Daniu had written the letter himself, it might have been a possibility.

But why would he waste a favor on the marriage of his offspring?

Therefore, Zhou Miaoyun’s intention was to ask Gao Peiyao to attend the wedding if Wuniu and her niece were to marry.

This would not only bolster Yu Daniu’s prestige but also build up the Zhou Family’s influence.

”Yun Wuniu... I’m not familiar with his character, and I’ve never met Fellow Daoist Zhou’s niece. I’m afraid I won’t be able to attend.”

”If you plan to go, Brother Jianghe, please help me... ”

Before Gao Peiyao could finish, Chen Jianghe cut in awkwardly, ”Peiyao, you know my disposition. I’ve never been fond of lively gatherings.”

”True. In that case, we’ll just send a written blessing.”

Gao Peiyao nodded.

Evidently, Yu Daniu hadn’t written to Gao Peiyao complaining about what a scoundrel his fifth son was.

Otherwise, Gao Peiyao would never have even mentioned the words ”written blessing.”

She might not have even given it a second thought.

”Brother Jianghe, if you ever want a Tier One High-Grade Talisman Dao Inheritance in the future, you can come and tell me.”

”I will figure something out and see if I can procure a complete Tier One Talisman Dao Inheritance for you.”

Gao Peiyao said with a cheerful laugh.

”Thank you, Fairy.”

Instantly, Chen Jianghe’s expression turned serious, and he thanked her solemnly.

Gao Peiyao was planning for Chen Jianghe’s future, as she believed he had no hope of reaching Foundation Establishment.

She assumed he would eventually leave Qinghe Marketplace, find a Cultivation Town, marry, have children, and manage a family clan.

If he had a complete Tier One Talisman Dao Inheritance, then his descendants would surely have a chance to rise in the future.

Therefore, Gao Peiyao was offering him a huge favor.

Naturally, Chen Jianghe had to thank her with the utmost sincerity.

Although he had no intention of marrying, having children, and establishing a family—at least, not for now.

Foundation Establishment was his current goal.

The Longevity Immortal Dao was his true pursuit.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Chen Jianghe left the Hundred Treasures Tower.

Watching Chen Jianghe’s departing figure, the smile on Gao Peiyao’s face vanished, replaced by her usual cold and detached expression.

She was like a noble frost flower—coldly beautiful, proud, and keeping everyone at a great distance.

’I don’t know if Chen Jianghe has secrets, but by fostering good karma now, even if he does have them, we can maintain the genuine friendship of our youth.’

’If he has no secrets, then this can be considered a fitting end to the memories of our youth, and it won’t affect my state of mind in the future.’

Gao Peiyao returned to her desk and wrote a reply to Zhou Miaoyun.

In it, she gracefully declined the invitation.

However, she also offered Zhou Miaoyun an opportunity.

If there was a favored junior with decent Talent, they could be sent to Qinghe Marketplace. She would then recommend them to a Steward of the Celestial South Sect, which might allow them to enter the Sect as a servant disciple.

As someone with a great secret of her own, she never deliberately alienated those she befriended, but instead did her best to maintain good karma with them.

The world is unpredictable; perhaps one day, these connections would prove useful.

It was just that Yu Daniu’s attempt to break through to Foundation Establishment had caught her somewhat off guard.

She didn’t want Yu Daniu to attempt it. It was too dangerous; it would be better for him to just live out his remaining sixty years and plan for his descendants’ Foundation Establishment instead.

However, she owed Yu Daniu a favor.

Regardless of what happened to Yu Daniu, she would lend Yun Xiaoniu a helping hand in the future.

Chen Jianghe walked back along the road.

He thought about Gao Peiyao’s words and couldn’t help but admire her inwardly.

’She’s still the same as before,’ he mused. ’She never burns her bridges, handles matters with thorough consideration, and cultivates good karma wherever she can.’