Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

Chapter 672: Chapter 278: Sitting by the River, Dead at the Sight of the Sun_1

Beside the Qin Flower River.

Under the immense night veil, the sound of rushing river waters resonates.

An old man sits alone on a mossy stone, his gaze weathered and distant, staring reverently at the mighty, ever-eastward flowing river.

Behind him, a middle-aged man stands with his hands behind his back, admiration filled his eyes as he gazes at the silhouette of the elderly man.

The night wind howls, whipping against the crinkled visage.

A gentle breeze against the skin was what it used to be, but at this moment, Li Jinhuang found it strangely cold, his body could not help but tremble.

With a concerned look on his face, Li Yingzhang said, “Ancestor, the wind is too strong out here, let’s go back.”

Li Jinhuang raised his hand, indicating his refusal to the proposal.

The hand he raised did not fall but stretched out towards the flowing river, as if wanting to touch the mighty waters.

“Yingzhang, my lifespan is nearing its end, and I can’t help but reflect on the hardships of life.”

“Like this endless river, though it dreams of reaching the vast ocean, the journey is long and fraught with difficulties.”

“However, every river eventually finds its way into the sea, unlike my aspirations of restoring the prosperity of our clan, an ambition that has proven elusive, leaving me with a lifetime of regret.”

The aged voice reverberated, resonating deep within the listener’s heart.

During his lifetime, Ancestor Li Jinhuang devoted all his thoughts and effort to revitalizing the Qin Flower River Li family.

Until his dying days, he was constantly making efforts, establishing alliances, all because he was worried that once he was gone, the Li Clan would wither like the Fu Clan did in the past.

Indeed, he died after giving his all.

His life seemed radiant and glorious to outsiders.

But only those close to him knew the extent of his discontent hidden beneath that glorious exterior.

Life did not grant him his wish!

Li Yingzhang felt as if his heart was being squeezed tight, making it hard for him to breathe.

Choked, he declared, “Ancestor, I understand some of your sentiments. With your intelligence and insight, your keen desire to regenerate our clan, surely mirrors our collective ambition.”

“However, like streams converging into rivers, it was never an easy feat. As it finally flows into the ocean, there is a realization of its insignificance.”

“You and I, we are but insignificant beings in this vast universe.”

“The growth and prosperity of a clan is not dependent on just one or two generations, but on a commitment to sustain and nurture it over a long, long time, to ensure the family line remains unbroken.”

A morning breeze rustled subtly, a flock of waterbirds soared into flight, causing the water to splash in countless directions.

“For a long, long time, the family line must remain unbroken….”

Murmuring these words, Li Jinhuang suddenly burst out laughing heartily!

“Hahaha….”

The booming laughter echoed, reaching miles.

Upon the Qin Flower River, fishes flipped and birds swooped in alarm; numerous humble Rogue Cultivators residing on both banks were startled awake from their dreams.

About seven breaths later.

The laughter gradually subsided.

Li Jinhuang stated, pleased, “It seems that practicing the ‘Nine Returnals of Origin’ has indeed honed your character.”

“It’s all because of Ancestor’s excellent guidance!”

Li Jinhuang chuckled, then with a wave of his hand, a longsword, even in its sheath, appeared in his grip.

The sword, three feet and seven inches long, had a sheath decorated with layer upon layer of wave patterns, fashioned from the skin of a fierce shark.

At this moment, even though the sword was still sheathed, it emitted a powerful spirit qi fluctuation.

“Seeing as you have come so far, you are now worthy of inheriting this Chi Dragon Sword.”

Shocked, Li Yingzhang said, “This is your personal magic item, Ancestor! I am only at the Qi Refinement Stage, how can I possibly inherit it?”

He could see that there had been no blood sacrifice to the sword.

He could not inherit the sword through the bond of bloodline.

However, under Li Jinhuang’s burning gaze, he still plucked up the courage to accept the longsword.

“I will succeed in my Foundation Establishment without fail and uphold the prestige of the Chi Dragon Sword!”

“Good, from this day forth, you are the clan chief of the Qin Flower River Li family!”

Li Jinhuang gave a content nod.

Turing his side to face the east, his weary eyes took in the panorama unfolding before him.

The unfathomable darkness draped over the boundless river, its waters continuously rushing eastwards.

Suddenly!

A soft golden light gradually rose from the vast horizon.

The darkness faded away, and light burst forth.

Across massive stretches of teal waves, the morning breeze whispered gently.

Against this splendid view, Li Yingzhang fell into a momentary trance.

When he shook off his stupor, the elder figure before him had fallen silent forever.

A wave of sorrow gushed into his heart.

“Li Yingzhang pays his respects to the departed Ancestor!”

…

Atop Danxia Peak.

Inside the Luo Tian Grand Hall, Luo Chen fiddled with an old jade slip in his hand, feeling a peculiar heaviness in his heart.

“Old fellow, was there a need to be so resolute?”

He could understand, yet he could never truly empathize with Li Jinhuang’s decision.

With a sigh, Luo Chen carefully tucked the old jade slip into his chest.

Clear footstep sounds came from the outside.

Not long after, Zhou Yuanli entered the grand hall.

“Chairman, we’ve received a sad report from the Qin Flower River Li family. Clan Chief Li Jinhuang passed away peacefully by the riverbank at sunrise today.”

“He watched the first rays of dawn and passed.”

“He was bid farewell by his grandson, Li Yingzhang, and his passing was witnessed by many Rogue Cultivators residing on both banks.”

“He’s finally dead, huh?” Luo Chen muttered to himself.

The voice was soft.

However, Yuan Dongsheng, the Ninth Level Qi Refinement Expert, heard it clearly in this spacious grand hall.

He was somewhat stupefied.

“What do you mean by ‘finally dead’?”

Was the chairman eagerly anticipating that man’s death?

With a clenched jaw, he cast aside those unspoken thoughts and respectfully asked, “Chairman, do you plan to attend personally?”

Many people knew that Luo Chen had a close relationship with Li Jinhuang.

Ever since their families became allies through marriage, they frequently visited each other.

So, this question seemed natural.

Unexpectedly, Luo Chen simply shook his head.

“I won’t go. My old friend has just passed and his soul is probably in the heavens, going for the funeral would only add to the sadness. ”

“The tradition here is to have a seven-day mourning period, isn’t it?”

Zhou Yuanli nodded, “Indeed, it is believed that the spirit of the deceased returns seven days after death. Therefore, the body is kept for seven days in anticipation of the spirit’s return.”

“This tradition is most widespread among the Immortal Cultivation Clans.”

Yes, indeed!

We, as True Cultivators, either go with the flow of nature or rise against it.

We experience the full spectrum of nobility and humiliation during our lifetime, and upon death, we rest eternally beneath the green mountains.