Under the boundless night sky, all sounds were silent, as if the entire world had been pressed to pause.
Chen Chang’an and Li Bingyun sat on the rooftop, the surrounding world immersed in a deep and tranquil stillness.
Soon, however, Li Bingyun covered her mouth and laughed softly, breaking the silence. “Master, you’re lying to me. Your strength is unmatched in this world, and you still have more than 5,000 years of lifespan remaining. If you said anything else, I might believe it. But if you say you’re going to die, I absolutely refuse to believe it.”
Under the moonlight, disbelief and a hint of playful teasing shimmered in her eyes.
Chen Chang’an fell silent. Faced with his disciple’s distrust, he felt a trace of helplessness.
Deep sorrow flickered in his eyes. I really am going to die.
But those words echoed only within his heart.
Li Bingyun’s smile gradually stiffened, and a hint of worry appeared in her eyes. “But how could you possibly die, Master? Tell me, who could kill you? Unless you seek death yourself.”
Chen Chang’an was once again speechless. He looked toward the distant starry sky, a wave of inexplicable desolation rising within him.
He knew that no one in this world could kill him, unless he chose death himself.
With a bitter tone, he said, “Bingyun, just tell me whether you will listen to your master. I truly will die.”
His words carried deep powerlessness and resignation.
Li Bingyun finally gave in, though her heart remained filled with doubt and unease. “Very well. Your disciple will listen to you.”
A faint trace of satisfaction passed through Chen Chang’an’s eyes. He knew his time was short, and everything had to be arranged properly.
His voice grew firmer. “Good. Tomorrow, we will hold the succession ceremony.”
Then he pondered for a moment, a strange glint flashing in his eyes. “Bingyun, send another message to your mistress. Try to cry while telling her that I am going to die. Make her come back.”
There was both teasing and helplessness in his voice.
Li Bingyun froze in place. At last, she understood her master’s intention.
The request from three days ago and today’s succession ceremony were all meant to make her mistress return.
A bitter smile appeared on her face.
After the message was sent, the two of them sat silently on the rooftop, waiting for a reply.
Finally, Li Bingyun’s sound-transmission stone trembled.
Expectation flashed through Chen Chang’an’s eyes, only to be swiftly replaced by disappointment.
“Master, I already told you, such a clumsy excuse—who would believe it?” Li Bingyun’s voice carried helplessness.
Chen Chang’an let out a bitter laugh. He truly was going to die, yet to others, the reason sounded absurd.
He knew he would have to find another way to bring his wife back.
As time passed, Chen Chang’an lay back on the rooftop, gazing at the countless stars in the night sky, his heart filled with endless longing.
He remembered the days when he and his wife watched the stars together. The star he once carried back had now become a mountain standing before the sect.
He took out the sound-transmission stone once more, his voice full of affection and yearning. “My wife, I miss you. Come back…”
On this quiet night, only the stars kept him company, while his heart waited for a distant reply.
When the early dawn light spread across the land, a shocking announcement echoed throughout the once-quiet sect—the succession ceremony would be held.
The news spread through the sect like the morning breeze, stirring waves of discussion and astonishment.
Everyone was stunned. Even faint voices of disagreement arose quietly within the crowd.
But with a single cold snort from Chen Chang’an, all opposition instantly vanished. No one dared to object openly again.
Amid this atmosphere, Li Bingyun smoothly became the new sect master. Her name quickly spread across the entire Azure Cloud Continent.
Another morning arrived. As usual, Chen Chang’an rose early to feed the fish.
Standing by the pond, he scattered fish feed from his hand, a trace of reluctance and nostalgia in his eyes.
Each grain of feed seemed to carry memories of his love with Luo Yicheng. Those fish had been a precious gift from Luo Yicheng, witnesses to every moment they had shared.
Just as he immersed himself in those memories, the system’s voice suddenly rang out, interrupting his thoughts.
[248 days remaining.]
The number mercilessly reminded him that his time was quietly slipping away.
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the gate, breaking the calm of the morning.
“Come in.”
A faint trace of expectation lingered in Chen Chang’an’s voice.
The door opened, and a burly, white-haired middle-aged man stepped inside. His stride was steady, and deep concern shone in his eyes.
Seeing him, a trace of joy flashed through Chen Chang’an’s gaze. He quickly scattered the remaining fish feed and stepped forward with a smile.
Jia Jiyou frowned tightly, his eyes scanning Chen Chang’an as if searching for clues. “You’ve been possessed, haven’t you?”
The news from last night had left him incredulous, and the Chen Chang’an before him now seemed even more unbelievable.
“You’re the one who’s been possessed.” Chen Chang’an replied with a teasing warmth, pulling Jia Jiyou inside. “Come, sit down. Let’s drink tea and talk. You’re not leaving today. Stay with me tonight.”
Inside the house, Jia Jiyou instinctively prepared to remove his shoes, but Chen Chang’an said casually, “No need. Your sister-in-law hasn’t returned yet.”
The atmosphere between them suddenly relaxed, as if they had returned to the carefree days of their youth.
Entering the tea room, Chen Chang’an took out his treasured tea leaves and carefully brewed a pot for Jia Jiyou.
Shock and confusion flickered in Jia Jiyou’s eyes. He still remembered the last time he had secretly stolen a sip of this tea, never expecting Chen Chang’an to be so generous today.
“Didn’t you like this tea? I was stingy before. Today, we’ll drink it all!” Chen Chang’an said with relief and sentiment.
For him, the precious tea no longer mattered. What mattered was the old friend sitting before him.
The brewed tea steamed gently, its fragrance filling the room.
Chen Chang’an filled Jia Jiyou’s cup to the brim, nearly overflowing, a faint smile on his face. “When you finish, drink more. Today your elder brother is in a good mood. The tea is unlimited.”
Jia Jiyou stared in astonishment, unable to comprehend Chen Chang’an’s behavior.
A trace of suspicion rose in his heart. Could Chen Chang’an truly be hiding something unknown?
“I’m not drinking!” Jia Jiyou swallowed hard, forcibly suppressing his desire to taste the precious tea, and stubbornly refused.