"Fate? Reincarnation?"
Hearing the Little Immortal Tiger's words, Qi Ping's gaze froze. It was exactly as one of the results he had guessed. When he saw the abnormal life force behind Old Man Zhou, he had roughly suspected this.
Now, the only thing he couldn't be certain of was whether his Druid inheritance and his encounter with Old Man Zhou were related—perhaps even related to his transmigration. In the past, Qi Ping felt that after his transmigration, the distance to his original home must be incredibly vast. Now it seemed that if there was someone behind his inheritance, then that home might be within one of the channels in the Sea-Riling turbulence; he just couldn't find it yet.
It wasn't that Qi Ping was particularly attached to his home; after all, in his past life, he was just one of countless "cattle and horses," with minor hobbies like gaming and traveling. Compared to his current status and achievements, the past life was nothing. Furthermore, after several hundred years, the people he knew had long returned to dust. He had no great obsession with his former home, though he held some special feelings.
But for Qi Ping, what truly mattered was that if his home was in one of those channels, then this world was far more vast than he thought. Perhaps this already immense cultivation world, containing countless continents and worlds, was merely one of the more brilliant parts of it. At this thought, his interest in exploring the world grew even stronger.
Of course, Qi Ping's primary focus now was on Old Man Zhou, for he was the person closest to him in this world and his guide.
"Yes, Boss. Behind Old Man Zhou, I saw countless figures. The source of their aura is identical to his. There were farmers, generals, emperors... even some figures I couldn't see clearly. I only took one look and couldn't bear it. If not for your protection, Boss, I fear I would have died on the spot."
As the Little Immortal Tiger spoke, a trace of lingering fear remained on its face, clearly terrified by the scene.
"You've worked hard!" Qi Ping stroked the tiger's head. If not for his Beastmaster status which allowed him to resurrect his animal companions, he wouldn't have dared to let the tiger Deduce such an existence with immense karma.
"It's fine. Anyway, Boss, you can resurrect me! Hee-hee!" The tiger chuckled, seemingly indifferent.
"If that resurrection ability can be avoided, it should be. There's always a price. By the way, Boss, besides those, I also saw an incredibly unique Fate Line connecting Old Man Zhou to you. But..."
"But what?"
"That Fate Line is about to snap!"
"What?" Qi Ping's brow furrowed. So this was the reason for Old Man Zhou's mysterious life force drain and the birth of Death Qi? "Did you see anything else?"
"No, Boss. My ability can't see anything more!" The chubby tiger shook its head helplessly.
"You've done excellently!"
Having obtained the answer he wanted, Qi Ping didn't hesitate. His main body stepped out of the ancestral vein dwelling and, without anyone noticing, instantly merged with his spiritual body.
"How was it? I was right, wasn't I? Hee-hee!" Old Man Zhou chuckled, showing no signs of frustration. Seeing Qi Ping's expression, he knew Qi Ping had sensed the Death Qi.
"Your life is about to be lost, and you can still laugh?" Qi Ping asked with a stern face.
"What's there not to laugh about? I was already a dying man. Since you extended my life back at Cloud Mist Mountain, I've stolen many years of providential fate and time, allowing me to see the full appearance of the Star-Sea Continent."
Old Man Zhou continued: "And I witnessed a feat that overturned the history of the ages. The Nine Domains, the Academy... the Eternal Emperor who achieved all this was picked up by me! Having witnessed all this, I feel it's enough. If my life were longer, it wouldn't be as interesting. This is just right!"
Old Man Zhou spoke very easily, his voice full of open-mindedness. To him, the length of life wasn't important; he felt the life he had experienced was brilliant enough. If it were longer... it would get boring! He wasn't someone who liked cultivation or pursuing longevity. Most importantly, Qi Ping had grown into a powerful existence capable of standing on his own and carrying billions of lives—so strong he couldn't hope to match him even with full effort.
Such an emperor, revered by all spirits, was raised by his hand! His most comforting thought was witnessing all the brilliance of the continent. But his proudest achievement was bringing Qi Ping up the mountain and leading him onto the path of cultivation; otherwise, how could the continent have its current splendor? In this regard, he, Old Man Zhou, had performed a great service!
His only regret was that he didn't have news of the disciple who had left. That was his first disciple, a filial fellow before he left, but for some reason, he never returned, vanishing into the vast Star-Sea. But it was fine; life always has regrets and departures; imperfection is a part of life. Looking back on this life, he was immensely satisfied!
At this moment, Qi Ping sensed a special intent of Carefree rising within Old Man Zhou. A seed was slowly condensing within his consciousness. Yet, surprisingly, neither the Old Mountain Primal nearby nor Old Man Zhou himself noticed anything.
This was a very special power. If Qi Ping hadn't specifically researched true spirit consciousness for life-preservation, he might not have noticed this mysterious energy.
'A Carefree Dao Seed forming in the consciousness? Hmmm... I can call it that. This is a power system I've never seen, completely different from the Dao-Heart or Immortal systems. So this Carefree Dao Seed is what the mysterious existence behind him is seeking through endless reincarnation?'
Qi Ping watched the seed form and began to calculate. 'In that case, I'll lend a hand!'
Looking at Zhou's life and the mysterious identity behind him, it wasn't strange that he would comprehend a Carefree Dao Seed. But regardless of who was behind Old Man Zhou or how powerful they were, it had nothing to do with him. The person who was his family had always been Old Man Zhou, even if he was just one of endless reincarnations.
'So...'
Having made a decision, Qi Ping didn't hesitate. He raised his hand and placed it on Zhou's brow. Earth Immortal Druid power and the Way of Sentient Beings activated simultaneously. A miniature version of the Star-Sea Continent appeared around Zhou's consciousness, merging like a shell with his true spirit and the Carefree Dao Seed within.
Since the Dao Seed was nurtured using Zhou's life experiences as soil, it possessed a natural affinity for Qi Ping's power and the Star-Sea Continent—they were powers from the same source. Under Qi Ping's control, the two merged, whether intentionally or not.
After a long while, Qi Ping felt a surge of joy. 'It worked.'
The Carefree Dao Seed had merged with the world-prototype power model he had comprehended. 'Next, I only need to condense a spiritual manifestation to maintain and strengthen this force. Not only will it make the Dao Seed stronger, but it will also merge with the world-prototype model to become armor from the same source as Old Man Zhou's consciousness.'
Since Zhou's current strength wasn't high, Qi Ping was able to do this.
'Old Man Zhou, it won't be so easy for you to die. But once your reincarnation true spirit finishes merging, how much you can occupy will depend on yourself... If you can occupy the primary position and become the core consciousness, that would be for the best!'
If that happened, Old Man Zhou might walk further than him on the path of immortality—or rather, the path of invincible longevity. Qi Ping had read records of reincarnation; if a person experienced a hundred or more lives, they would integrate every memory. These memories weren't separate or hostile, for at their essence, they were "one person." But after the fusion, which personality would exert the most influence depended on how deep that life's impact was.
So what Qi Ping was doing wasn't isolating Zhou's current memory from the others, but making this current life even more important. First, under his life-extension, Zhou had truly comprehended the Carefree Dao Seed. In Qi Ping's eyes, this was a rare and special power, making this life exceptionally important. As long as he raised the achievements and importance of this life by another level—even making the Carefree Dao Seed the most brilliant and exceptional among them—then when they met again, the awakened Old Man Zhou would still be the relative he knew.
This was an open scheme that no one would refuse. Since they had chosen a hundred reincarnations, they wouldn't mind being a bit stronger; wasn't that the purpose? Thinking of this, Qi Ping felt this was good, for given Zhou's original aptitude, it was very hard for him to become a top expert. Even with Qi Ping's full help, it was unlikely he could truly help Zhou achieve immortality; after all, Qi Ping had no certainty himself.
Thus, it was likely that Zhou would transform into an expert he might have to look up to. To be optimistic, Old Man Zhou would awaken memories of a hundred lives; after merging, there would be changes, but Zhou would become a partner and relative qualified to pursue invincible longevity like him!
At this thought, the trace of worry in Qi Ping's heart vanished. Forcing a life-extension on someone who cherished life was a happy thing, but for Zhou, it wasn't—he wasn't someone who wanted to live a hollow life. Instead of being forcibly kept alive and losing his life's purpose, it was better to merge a hundred memories and become a more brilliant existence... Most importantly, as long as Old Man Zhou was happy!
So, having understood this, Qi Ping looked forward to it. However, the prerequisite was to enhance the Carefree Dao Seed in Zhou's consciousness as much as possible before he truly fell!
...
"Sigh."
Qi Ping sighed after finishing this. Old Man Zhou didn't know these things, and to avoid breaking the perfection of this life, Qi Ping didn't choose to tell him. If telling him caused an adverse effect on the Dao Seed's growth, it would be a true loss. It was better to follow the normal rhythm.
"Why are you sighing?" Old Man Zhou looked at Qi Ping with annoyance.
"I tried to extend your life, but the most I can do is help you a bit—maybe several decades, but possibly less than ten years." This was the reaction he should normally show. After all, the first time Zhou's life reached its end, it was Qi Ping who forcibly extended it.
"Why are you so stubborn? Life and death are fated. Life isn't measured by length. My life is already complete; living more would be ungraceful!"
Subsequently, Qi Ping argued with Old Man Zhou, and they drank wine. The atmosphere was harmonious. Qi Ping cherished this final time, for once Zhou awakened his memories, he wouldn't be this pure Old Man Zhou. And the time of his true reincarnation might not be now; Qi Ping didn't know when they would meet again.
But thinking that when Old Man Zhou truly awakened in the future and remembered today, he might feel embarrassed. After drinking every drop of the fine wine Zhou had stored—leaving the old man jumping in anger—Qi Ping finally left with satisfaction. However, he immediately arranged for people to send even more fine wine to the old man; he wouldn't truly let this "short-lived" fellow lack wine.
After leaving Old Man Zhou, Qi Ping went to see Sister Nan. Unlike Zhou's "slacking," Sister Nan was much more serious and hardworking, never slacking in her cultivation. Her realm was the best proof: Middle Nascent Soul!
In such a short time, this speed was absurd! She was almost catching up to his own speed. But this achievement was partly due to the top-tier resources Qi Ping provided, and largely because she, as a Prime Spirit Insect Body, had contracted the Eight-Winged Ephemera who had reincarnated as a tiny insect!
The Eight-Winged Ephemera, who had once transformed from a Void Refinement expert into the weakest spirit insect, no longer looked weak. Instead, it had already evolved into a Rank 4 top-tier time-attribute spirit insect, and was close to reaching Rank 5!