Longevity, starting from being a chicken raising servant

Wang Qingyang brought Song Dongyang to Wanfa Peak; the formation immediately opened, allowing the two to enter.

Song Dongyang did not dare to look around too much but still curiously stole glances at the surroundings out of the corner of his eye.

The furnishings atop the peak were akin to a rural farmhouse, completely betraying the fact that this was the residence of the Deputy Sect Master.

Yet, he still did not see the shadow of the teacher in question.

Until Wang Qingyang raised her graceful hand.

A shining entrance appeared out of thin air before the two of them.

Only then did Song Dongyang awaken as if belatedly realizing something:

"This... Is this also a formation?"

"This is the entrance to the dungeon. Come, Junior Brother."

With that, Wang Qingyang led the way and flew inside first.

Although Song Dongyang had already laid the foundation of his Great Dao, he had yet to learn to control spiritual energy. Forcing himself, he mustered a breath of Qi and jumped inside.

Whoosh!

It was like the sensation he felt when entering the sect.

Upon stepping into the dungeon, his entire body felt a sudden jolt, as if leaping from air into water—his entire being was engulfed by unreasonably dense spiritual energy.

A flood of spiritual energy surged into his body, leaving him with a suffocating sensation akin to drowning.

"Not good!"

Song Dongyang mentally cried out.

He did not know how to breathe properly or intentionally refine spiritual energy, relying entirely on his foundation established body to absorb and refine naturally. Yet, the spiritual energy here was far too dense. When it surged toward him in a swarm, he was utterly incapable of refinement—his body nearly expanded to the verge of tearing under the pressure!

Just then, a tranquil and serene voice sounding like the echo of the Great Dao suddenly rang in his ears:

"Keep calm; the Dantian holds one Qi. Begin from Lesser Yin..."

Song Dongyang had never dived deeply into the Dao of Cultivation, but his fame as a young scholar meant an extensive knowledge of numerous classic texts. He was no mere braggart—pressing down his panic, his heart quickly achieved clarity and realization. Immediately, he closed his eyes.

With thoughts guiding movement and Qi following thought, the dormant vortex within his Dantian quietly began spinning, carrying the clogged flood of spiritual energy and swiftly refining it...

Whether it was due to extraordinary talent or simply destiny, within less than a quarter of an hour, the surging spiritual energy inside his body transformed into streams of mana, flowing seamlessly within his Dantian.

Only then did Song Dongyang open his eyes.

He found the view before him had quietly changed.

Instinctively, he looked forward.

Between an ancient willow and a towering flame-leaf tree sat a young Taoist clothed in a Daoist robe, gazing at him warmly with a faint smile. A gentle breeze blew, stirring the robe lightly—simple and unassuming.

Yet, amidst this simplicity lay an unmistakable grace.

The tension born from anticipation dissolved quickly, leaving Song Dongyang's mind tranquil, his spirit soothed.

In a moment of divine inspiration, Song Dongyang prostrated himself upon the ground, performing the highest ceremonial gesture, bowing in complete submission.

"Disciple Dongyang pays respects to Teacher."

The young Taoist raised him kindly with that ever-present smile, his voice resonating like the sound of a great bell, cleansing the body and soul:

"Such reverent gestures are unnecessary. In the past, you helped me achieve the Dao. Today, it is my turn to guide you. One drink, one peck—that is the way of destiny."

With that, he raised his hand and lightly touched Song Dongyang's brow.

Song Dongyang's entire body shuddered, and in an instant, countless memories of past lives surfaced in his consciousness.

Joining the sect as a youth and encountering his mentor, leading him to pledge allegiance to Xingdou Peak. From that point onward, he immersed himself in cultivation, detached from worldly matters—Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul...

Serving in the Diwu Hall, Deacon… Vice Hall Master...

Until he faced the Immortal Ascension Tribulation. Despite his efforts, his foundation fell short, leading him to failure and death. It was only the Sect Master who intervened, preserving the legacy of Xingdou before his soul reincarnated.

Fifteen hundred years of life sped by in a single breath.

Song Dongyang stood stunned, muttering to himself:

"I am Song Dongyang... Yet, I am not Song Dongyang..."

"Diwu Hall's Vice Hall Master—that is me. Hailing Nation's Chancellor—that is me too..."

"But which 'me' is the true me?"

His gaze became lost, as if no one else existed.

The memories were both alien and familiar, and within the familiarity lay an unfathomable remoteness. In this moment, Song Dongyang could no longer comprehend who he truly was or why he existed.

By his side, Wang Qingyang looked at Song Dongyang with worry, then turned toward the young Taoist.

"Master, about my Junior Brother, he..."

"No need to worry."

Wang Ba cast a glance at the utterly entranced Song Dongyang, then spoke leisurely:

"He's no ordinary disciple. Despite seventy years of wandering the mortal realm and undergoing immense hardships, his state of mind and cultivation base are sufficient. Now, all that remains is this final tribulation. If he withstands it, the road beyond will be vast and smooth."

Wang Qingyang's lips parted in surprise as she exclaimed:

"Master, I didn't mention this—how did you know he's Lower A? Did you deduce it?"

"Haha, some things cannot be spoken, Junior Sister."

Wang Ba smiled mysteriously.

He turned his gaze to Song Dongyang once again.

In his eyes flashed an unusual brilliance.

In truth, it wasn't idle deduction that revealed Song Dongyang's evaluation in the Spirit Mirage Heart-inquiring Array. He had already received word from Lin Yi at Rende Hall moments following Song Dongyang's trial through the Spirit Rhinoceros Stone.

But there was no point in explaining everything. Leaving a bit of mystery for the disciple was often better.

What truly surprised him, however, was the faint presence of Ziwei Starlight, calamity aura, and merit radiance above Song Dongyang's head—all intertwined, seemingly as one yet distinct.

"This disciple of mine... Could he be the one meant to face the great tribulation in the future?"

"Until now, I hadn't detected it."

Hidden within his sleeve, Wang Ba's fingers performed swift calculations, but all he could glimpse were scattered, vague impressions—a single spirit scale amongst shadows. A thoughtful expression formed on his face.

Seeing her master's apparent confidence, Wang Qingyang was reassured and began to relay a story she'd overheard earlier: