Wu Jianchi could not believe it.
After 200 years, he had finally defeated Chen Chang’an?!
“I also find it unbelievable. You’ve improved greatly,” Chen Chang’an said with a sigh of emotion.
Wu Jianchi said in a deep voice, “There has indeed been improvement. But something feels off.”
During the battle just now, he had clearly felt different from before.
His strength seemed to have increased significantly.
More importantly, in the past his mind had been filled only with the desire to defeat Chen Chang’an.
But in that battle, his state of mind had changed.
All he thought about was learning from Chen Chang’an during the fight.
He also knew why he was like this. During these seven days, he had been learning from Chen Chang’an every single day.
It had gradually become a habit.
Chen Chang’an smiled. “It seems you’ve realized the reason you won. Your talent is actually far higher than mine. You were just trapped in an endless vicious cycle before.”
“Cultivation is not just about cultivating. Reflect on that sentence carefully. If you comprehend it, your strength will rise by another large margin.”
Wu Jianchi remained silent.
Then he cupped his hands respectfully. “Thank you for your guidance!”
Chen Chang’an smiled. “From now on, you’re number one on the Azure Cloud Continent. But don’t be happy too early. I will take it back.”
Wu Jianchi froze for a moment, then smiled. “I’ll be waiting!”
Seeing Wu Jianchi smile again, Chen Chang’an smiled as well.
Truly, this guy looked good when he smiled. He should smile more.
After the battle ended, Wu Jianchi prepared to leave.
Chen Chang’an did not try to keep him like he had with Jia Jiyou.
There was no choice. He was afraid he would not be able to keep up the act.
If Wu Jianchi realized he had gone easy, that would be awkward.
“Since I’ve become number one, next year it will be your turn to come challenge me,” Wu Jianchi said seriously before leaving, staring at Chen Chang’an.
Chen Chang’an nodded.
Unfortunately, I won’t live until next year.
“And also, thank you.”
Wu Jianchi cupped his hands in salute.
“For what?” Chen Chang’an asked.
Wu Jianchi did not answer. He turned and flew into the distance.
But he suddenly stopped, turned around, and stared at Chen Chang’an. “Will you really die?”
Chen Chang’an paused for a moment, then smiled. “Other than you, do you think there’s anyone in this world who can kill me?”
“After these seven days together, I could sense a well-hidden sorrow in you.”
Wu Jianchi’s words made Chen Chang’an fall silent.
This guy was sharper than he seemed. He could even sense that.
“You’re right. No one can kill you,” Wu Jianchi murmured.
“Live well. We’ll meet next year. You don’t need to come find me. I’ll come find you.”
After saying that, Wu Jianchi truly flew away.
“It seems he knew I went easy on him.”
“He’s clearly quite perceptive. Why does he usually act so rigid?”
Shaking his head with a smile, Chen Chang’an flew back into the courtyard.
The courtyard was empty once again.
He walked straight to the pond, took off his shoes, and stepped into the water.
The surface instantly churned.
Refreshing.
The news of his battle with Wu Jianchi quickly spread across the Azure Cloud Continent.
People were extremely shocked by the result of their annual sparring match.
Chen Chang’an, number one on the continent, had lost!
But not long after the news spread, another speculation arose.
Chen Chang’an had gone easy. The true number one was still Chen Chang’an.
For a time, the two speculations were evenly matched.
Everyone thought that only next year would reveal the real answer.
After all, one year was not long for those who lived for hundreds or even thousands of years. It was merely the blink of an eye.
If Chen Chang’an lost again next year, the answer would be obvious.
Chen Chang’an remained in his quiet courtyard, living as peacefully as before.
With Wu Jianchi having promised to protect the Eternal Peace Sect once, presumably no one would dare invade after he died.
In this lifetime, he had many good friends, but also many enemies.
Some enemies hid in the shadows. Even he could not find them.
After he died, what those enemies might do, he did not know. The only thing he could do was to provide as much protection as possible for his sect and the people around him while he was still alive.
The sun was already setting.
The evening glow at the horizon was like a red cloth draped over the mountain peaks, flowing with the wind.
Chen Chang’an once again took out the Sound-Transmission Stone.
This time, it vibrated on its own.
“You lost? That must have been Wu Jianchi cooperating with you as part of some act, right? You’ve always valued your reputation. Was it worth throwing it away just to trick me into coming back?”
Hearing his wife’s calmer tone, Chen Chang’an’s spirits lifted.
“It was worth it. I want to see you. You don’t have to come back. I can go find you. Is that okay?”
When a person is about to die, what use are reputation and pride?
“I forgive you. But you know I value promises. When I say ten years, it’s ten years. I also need to go into seclusion to break through. We’ll meet again in ten years.”
Her tone was still calm, and Chen Chang’an could tell she had already let go of her anger.
But.
He truly would not live another ten years!
“My wife, I’m afraid that by the time you return, I’ll already be a pile of bones… This time, I’m not lying.”
The Sound-Transmission Stone remained silent for a long time.
Finally, only one sentence came back.
“I’ll return in one year, just when my seclusion ends. And don’t lie to me again, or I’ll get angry with you once more.”
Chen Chang’an remained silent for a long time.
He wanted to say: I won’t even live a full year.
The word “exactly” was too absolute.
Who could be certain of the exact day of their death?
He gave a bitter smile.
Forget it. It seemed fate had already arranged everything.
He would not see the one he loved again.
Chen Chang’an transmitted, “My wife, then we’ll meet in one year. I love you…”
He put away the Sound-Transmission Stone.
His heart felt heavy, but there was nothing he could do.
Everything was the best arrangement.
Perhaps it was better this way.
Death was so undignified. It was better that she was not there.
Then he would die alone.
It did not matter.
Night fell.
Chen Chang’an stood outside the courtyard, gazing into the distance for a long time before returning to sleep soundly.
He had no more desires.
From here on, everything would be left to fate.
The next day, the system’s voice woke him.
[Remaining lifespan: 228 days.]
Chen Chang’an had already completely gotten used to that voice.
It felt as though it was deliberately tormenting him.
“System, can you stop saying it in the future? It’s annoying.”
[Unable to control it.]
Chen Chang’an’s mouth twitched.
Fine. No point arguing with a soulless artificial intelligence.
It was useless.
He got up, and the first thing that came to mind was fish therapy.
He had become addicted as well.
This thing was either zero times or countless times.
That was right. Why should those foolish fish live longer than him? Then they could just keep nibbling his feet.
As soon as Chen Chang’an arrived at the pond, the Longevity Fish excitedly gathered around, scrambling forward, leaving him speechless.
It seemed that instead of disgusting these foolish fish, he had given them pleasure.
Just as he was about to put his feet into the pond, there was a knock at the door outside.
“Senior Brother, moxi moxi, are you there?”
It was his junior sister’s voice.
“Yes. Come in.”
Chen Chang’an placed his feet into the pond.
He did not go out to greet her.
He knew very well that his junior sister would come.
The girl came almost once every month.