After Chen Changsheng finished speaking, the System's voice echoed in his mind.
"Since the Host has doubts, why not seek the truth yourself?"
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng rolled his eyes and waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't joke around. Why would I experiment with something so dangerous on myself? If an accident happened, the loss would be huge. Besides, I don't want to spend my life being hunted down like that Blood Demon Patriarch."
"Host, my meaning was that you could seek the safest, most reliable method."
These words gave Chen Changsheng pause.
"The safest, most reliable method? Does such a thing exist?"
"Why would the Host assume it doesn't? Nothing in this world remains unchanged forever. The Blood Demon Patriarch chose such a drastic, shortcut method because his lifespan was running out. But you are different, Host. You possess a nearly limitless lifespan. Accumulating knowledge day by day, it's not impossible that you could solve this problem."
Considering the System's response, Chen Changsheng tilted his head. "Makes sense. Time may seem soft and powerless, but it is the sharpest blade in this world. Whether you're a powerful Ancestor or a divine weapon, nothing can withstand the erosion of time. Everything becomes insignificant before time; this minor cultivation problem is naturally no exception."
The Artificial Spirit Root was another hypothesis proposed by the Blood Demon Patriarch. He wanted to implant external objects into the human body to form a Spirit Root. However, this method had many unresolved challenges. For instance, what kind of rare natural treasures are suitable to act as Spirit Roots? How can those treasures avoid being absorbed by the body and instead transform into a Spirit Root?
But faced with these problems, Chen Changsheng wasn't in a hurry to solve them. He had plenty of time.
After chatting idly with the System for a bit longer, Chen Changsheng climbed into the coffin he usually slept in. After three busy months, it was time for a good rest.
...
The matter of burying the Blood Demon Patriarch didn't cause any ripples. Chen Changsheng returned to his peaceful and solitary life.
It was worth mentioning, however, that the kind-hearted little monk would often seek out Chen Changsheng. Sometimes it was to ask Chen Changsheng to collect a body; other times, it was to share his own cultivation insights. But most often, they discussed Buddhist teachings.
Over the decades, Chen Changsheng had constantly been reading. From Buddhist sutras and Taoist scriptures to popular stories and vulgar novels, if it contained recorded knowledge, Chen Changsheng hadn't missed it. Combined with fifty years of worldly experience, Chen Changsheng usually won their debates.
...
"Chen Changsheng! Today, this humble monk will debate with you for three hundred rounds!"
A shaved head clad in monastic robes strode through the coffin shop's door. Seeing the visitor's brash manner, Chen Changsheng glanced at him and said mildly, "You are, after all, the successor of Tianfo Temple, the Master Yixiu everyone speaks of. If people saw you like this, wouldn't they laugh?"
In response to Chen Changsheng's words, Yixiu rolled his eyes and casually sat on a coffin. "Let them laugh if they want. Even if they praise me to the heavens, it doesn't change the fact that I've been losing for twenty years."
That's right. This Yixiu monk before him was the very same little monk who, twenty years ago, had asked Chen Changsheng to bury the Blood Demon Patriarch. Time flowed on; twenty years passed in the blink of an eye. The former little monk had become a capable young talent.
Hearing Yixiu's complaint, Chen Changsheng set down the book in his hand. "From the sound of it, you still want to debate Dharma with me today?"
"Of course! If not for debating Dharma, why would I come find you? Among all the people I know, you're the only one who can match me in Buddhist doctrine. But speaking of that," Yixiu continued, "your cultivation talent is truly awful. Twenty years ago, you were at the third level of Qi Refinement. Now you're at the fourth level? Your rate of progress is pathetically slow. I'm genuinely worried you'll kick the bucket one day accidentally. Who would I debate with then?"
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng smiled faintly. "Cultivation talent isn't something I can decide. What can I do?"
"I can help you with that! While I can't change the fact that you lack a Spirit Root, prolonging your lifespan isn't a problem. You never tell me how long you've lived. I don't want to lose a friend like you."
Faced with Yixiu's words, Chen Changsheng merely responded with a smile, not giving a direct answer. Mingling in the cultivation world had one great advantage: he didn't have to worry about his unchanging appearance, because Youth Preservation Pills weren't rare items.
"Life, death, and fortune are in Heaven's hands. Don't take lifespan so seriously; just let things take their natural course. I don't feel like debating Dharma with you today. There's something I'd like your help with."
"Not helping!" Yixiu refused Chen Changsheng's request outright. "Not unless you agree to let me extend your lifespan."
Looking at Yixiu's stubborn expression, Chen Changsheng smiled wryly. "Fine. If you help me with this, I'll agree to let you extend my lifespan."
The moment these words were spoken, Yixiu immediately jumped down from the coffin, excited. "What is it? Just say the word! I, Master Yixiu, guarantee I'll get it done!"
"You came to the Linglong Sect probably to attend the ceremony for 'Longevity Fairy' assuming the elder position, right?"
"What, you want to see her too?"
"No," Chen Changsheng shook his head. "I want you to give this to the 'Longevity Fairy'."
As he spoke, Chen Changsheng pulled out a wooden carving shaped like a tiger from his robe.
Looking at the object in Chen Changsheng's hand, Yixiu's face instantly contorted. "Chen Changsheng, don't tell me you have feelings for the 'Longevity Fairy'? That woman has zero interest in taking a cultivation partner. Don't waste your effort."
"Just deliver it to her hands. No need for extra words. If you manage it, I'll agree to the lifespan extension."
Faced with this "troublesome" request, Yixiu scratched his head anxiously. Finally, he snatched the wooden carving from Chen Changsheng's hand. "Let's be clear. I can help you deliver it, but I won't mention your name. If her suitors find out about this, you'll probably die horribly."
"Deal!"
Once he had Chen Changsheng's agreement, Yixiu left the coffin shop with the wooden carving.
Watching Yixiu's retreating back, Chen Changsheng said softly, "Little monk, see you in eighty years."
Having said that, Chen Changsheng embedded several spirit stones into the floor. Array patterns immediately lit up within the coffin shop—this was a random teleportation array Chen Changsheng had spent ten years setting up. The teleportation range was unknown; the destination was unknown. The purpose was to prevent anyone from tracing his location through the array.
Hum!
Light flashed. Chen Changsheng vanished within the array. The random teleportation array on the ground was completely spent.