Don't Want to Live Forever

Without Chen Xia's area for preparatory disciples, it was like a stove without fire.

Even though all the ingredients were there and there was no shortage of seasonings and tableware, it just couldn't liven up.

When Chen Xia was around, almost every few decades, there would be a magnificent and real battle to watch. It was a serious fight, no joking around, and definitely not a small disturbance.

At the very least, they would beat up the imperial capital and Qiu Li, the sprouts of the emperor. It was even easy to cross the border and fight against other cultivators.

The most outrageous thing was lowering six levels, reaching the peak of the Mountain-moving Realm, and beheading the six layers of the Ocean-reversing Realm, Quan Qi's head.

After Chen Xia was imprisoned, many people missed him.

Among them, Chi Yu and Big Yellow Dog missed him the most.

Chi Yu and Big Yellow Dog had a genuine affection, after all, they had taken Chen Xia as their master, and this time Chen Xia went to prison for their sake.

Chi Yu tried every possible way to rescue Chen Xia, even willing to exchange his family's great medicine to reduce Chen Xia's years in prison.

The elders of the sect's laws did not agree, saying that this was the rule of the sect. If everyone could disregard the rules with treasures and money, wouldn't the sect be in chaos?!

Chi Yu, perhaps influenced by Chen Xia, countered with an extreme understanding.

"If everyone could disregard the rules with treasures and money, the sect could also become rich."

The elder of the laws was taken aback, probably finding some truth in it, but the reasoning was not complete, so he shook his head and told Chi Yu not to waste his efforts.

He also asked Chi Yu to collect the great medicine and not bring it out again.

Chi Yu came for the second time with Big Yellow Dog, both of them willing to take Chen Xia's place in prison.

"What do you mean by taking someone's place? According to your logic, when you get married, can Chen Xia take your place in the bridal chamber?" Lei Elder was a little impatient.

"Sure." Chi Yu nodded, he didn't mind, after all, he had no intention of getting married.

"I'm fine too," Big Yellow Dog added, as long as Chen Xia didn't mind.

"Nonsense!" Lei Elder scolded, frowning, "It's really nonsense. Don't even think about it, do you really think being imprisoned in the Sword Sea for five hundred years is something enjoyable?!"

"If the two of you go to the Sword Sea that's ten thousand meters deep, you won't survive for more than ten years before being strangled by the Sword Intent."

Lei Elder's words were not an exaggeration, it was true. The Sword Intent in the ten thousand-meter deep Sword Sea could easily strangle cultivators in the Great Accomplishment Realm, and ordinary Mountain-moving Realm cultivators couldn't last more than thirty years inside.

But as soon as he said that, Chi Yu and Big Yellow Dog felt even worse. The thought that Chen Xia was in prison because of them filled their hearts with overwhelming regret.

Lei Elder didn't say anything more. He knew their relationship with Chen Xia and understood their feelings, so he waved his hand and sent the bird and the dog away.

The two stood there with their heads hanging, unable to say a word. After a while, Big Yellow Dog choked out a soft voice.

"It's my fault."

If it hadn't been for its meddling hands to steal that White Vine Grass, Chen Xia wouldn't have clashed with Quan Qi, nor would he be facing the current imprisonment.

But now, what could it do? Quan Qi had long been buried, and Chen Xia couldn't come back.

"It's my fault," Chi Yu murmured. He had also fought with Qiong Qi, but he hadn't won. If he had won, Chen Xia wouldn't have had to intervene.

In the end, it was because he was too weak. From the time he entered the Blue Sky Sword Sea until now, he hadn't won a single match.

He felt somewhat unwilling. After all, he was also a supreme seed. But when he thought about it carefully, why had he been dragging Chen Xia down all this time?

Chi Yu touched his head and his gaze became resolute.

"I'm going into seclusion."

Big Yellow Dog looked up with a dejected expression, opened his mouth, but didn't say anything.

Chi Yu left and returned to his own cave. He probably wouldn't come out for some time.

He held himself responsible and when he came out, he saw Chen Xia's empty cave, intensifying his self-blame.

It was all because of his uselessness.

These days, Chi Yu often had thoughts like this. Occasionally, he would also think of the scene when they became sworn brothers.

It was Big Yellow Dog's suggestion, and Chi Yu agreed.

Chen Xia sat beside them, his face showing a hint of helplessness and nonchalance, as if he was joking along.

But in the end, it was Chen Xia who was the most serious.

Chi Yu clenched his fist and stepped into his waiting cave, sealing the entrance. His eyes glimmered with determination.

Not until he reached the pinnacle of Mount Banyan would he leave this place!

---

The autumn wind blew gently.

Big Yellow Dog carried a broom and cleaned both the inside and outside of Chen Xia's cave, arranging the chess pieces neatly.

He also brewed tea and placed it in front of Chen Xia's favorite rocking chair.

In case Chen Xia was released early, he would have tea to drink when he returned.

Big Yellow Dog thought this way and tidied up the entire cave meticulously, even using his tongue to clean the impurities that were difficult to clean in the corners.

Every two months, he would come here for a thorough cleaning without slacking off.

In the current Blue Sky Sword Sea, no one came to talk to him anymore. It seemed like the days of being a lonely dog had returned.

After finishing the cleaning, Big Yellow Dog would sit alone on a stone stool, looking at the neatly arranged chess pieces in front of him, occasionally picking up a cannon to start a game.

But this time, there was no one to share the joy with.

Finally, Big Yellow Dog picked up the broom, closed the entrance of the cave, and walked back to the Sword Forest with his head lowered.

Lei Elder was waiting for him in the Sword Forest, and he became happy as soon as they met.

"I've brought back my medicinal field. Haha, from now on, you can continue to take herbs from it, as long as they're not too valuable."

With his head lowered, Big Yellow Dog dragged the broom and shook his head in a somber manner.

"No need, I... I won't take them anymore."

Lei Elder was taken aback. "What's wrong? You've been taking them for thousands of years. Why don't you want them now?"

"From now on, I won't take them anymore," Big Yellow Dog said in a resolute tone.

Lei Elder didn't say much, he nodded and turned away.

Everyone will change, everyone will grow. From taking to not taking, this was Big Yellow Dog's change.

The autumn wind blew again, swirling some dried yellow leaves on the ground.

Seated among them, Big Yellow Dog placed the broom aside and pondered the purpose of being a creature of longevity. Is it only about immortality?

But what good is immortality alone?

Is it merely to witness the successive deaths of Chi Yu and Chen Xia?

Big Yellow Dog furrowed its thick brows tightly, unable to comprehend. Dry, yellowed leaves fell before it.

This is the cycle of life and death for a leaf.

Big Yellow Dog looked up at the towering tree, standing tall and indifferent to the falling leaves and withered branches.

It remembered that this tree had also lived for a very long time, not much different from itself. In a sense, this tree could be considered a creature of longevity as well.

But is immortality really just about this?

If the price is to be powerless in the face of everything, then this kind of immortality is better off rejected.

Having survived through two great eras, Big Yellow Dog stood up, took the broom, and walked into the Sword Forest behind it.

For over a hundred thousand years,

It was the first time it no longer desired immortality.