I Live Forever In The World of Cultivation World

Chapter 95: The Passing of an Old Acquaintance

As Su Yan spoke, He Song gradually gained some insight into why the old man and the little girl had moved and what had happened to them afterward.

Twelve years ago—

Evil cultivators attacked the Immortal Market, causing heavy losses to the law enforcement team. The outer areas of the market were completely abandoned.

However, at that time, Su Jin had already reached the sixth level of Qi Refinement Realm. Moreover, as someone who made a living hunting spirit beasts, he possessed formidable combat prowess.

Thus, when chaos erupted in the market, Su Jin chose to flee with Su Yan.

For someone like him—strong and experienced—protecting a child while escaping was not too difficult.

Ordinary evil cultivators would have had no way to harm him.

Later, when True Master Chengshan returned and wiped out the evil cultivators within the market, Su Jin brought Su Yan back and relocated to District A, living a secluded life ever since.

From that moment on, He Song had never seen the old man and the little girl again—

Until today.

Wandering the Immortal Market by chance, he had unknowingly entered District A and, by sheer coincidence, reunited with an acquaintance from twelve years ago.

After listening to Su Yan’s account, He Song maintained a calm expression, but inwardly, he had doubts about her story.

After all—

Twelve years ago, Su Jin had already reached the sixth level of Qi Refinement Realm. As a wandering cultivator, his combat experience was exceptionally rich.

When the market fell into chaos, rather than taking advantage of the situation, he had chosen to flee.

That didn’t seem like something a wandering cultivator would do.

In such circumstances—

Most wandering cultivators would have seized the opportunity to loot and plunder.

Many of the wandering cultivators He Song had heard of—those who mysteriously became wealthy after that catastrophe—must have done exactly that.

Besides, if he hadn’t suddenly come into wealth, why would he bother moving to a new home?

He Song scoffed inwardly at Su Yan’s explanation, but he did not question her. Instead, he simply nodded in agreement, his expression appropriately tinged with nostalgia.

"Sigh, back then, I was fortunate to be taken away by a friend and narrowly escaped disaster. Thinking about it now, that calamity was truly terrifying."

As He Song spoke, Su Yan nodded repeatedly, like a pecking chick.

Before long, she began asking about He Song’s experiences over the years.

Naturally, He Song selectively recounted only the things he could share from the past twelve years.

As for what he couldn’t say—

That, of course, remained unspoken.

He was well aware of the importance of discretion.

After more than a decade apart, he had no way of knowing what kind of person Su Yan had become.

If not for the fact that her sudden appearance had resolved one of his lingering dilemmas, he might not have even bothered speaking with her.

"What? Brother Song is already at the sixth level of Qi Refinement Realm?!"

Even though He Song had only shared selective details, Su Yan was still astonished when she learned of his cultivation progress.

Seeing her reaction, He Song quickly gestured for her to lower her voice, and she finally quieted down.

"The sixth level of Qi Refinement Realm… Grandpa’s highest cultivation was only at the sixth level when he was alive. Yet in just over ten years, Brother Song has already caught up to him."

As Su Yan spoke, a flicker of sadness flashed through her eyes.

But her words left He Song slightly stunned.

That powerful and battle-hardened Su Jin—the wandering cultivator who had reached the sixth level of Qi Refinement Realm and made his living hunting spirit beasts—

Was dead?

Hearing this, He Song opened his mouth, wanting to say something.

But as the words reached his lips, he realized he didn’t know what to say.

Thinking back to twelve years ago—

At that time, he was only at the third level of Qi Refinement Realm, while Su Jin had already reached the sixth.

He himself had never experienced a real battle, whereas Su Jin, a veteran wandering cultivator, had fought for his survival countless times.

Back then, though Su Jin was always polite to He Song, there was an unmistakable sense of distance between them—something He Song had been keenly aware of.

Whenever Su Yan clung to He Song, Su Jin never stopped her, but he never encouraged it either.

Their relationship had been no different from that of ordinary neighbors—merely maintaining a surface-level politeness.

If not for Su Yan frequently seeking him out, He Song probably wouldn’t have had much of an impression of the old man and the little girl.

And yet—

Hearing Su Yan personally confirm that Su Jin had passed away…

Recalling the past, He Song couldn't help but feel a sense of sorrow as he thought of the old man who always stood behind Su Yan with a faint smile on his face.

A mortal’s life lasted only a few short decades. To reach seventy was already a blessing from the heavens.

After all, in this world, mortals lived under conditions resembling ancient times, where life expectancy was far from ideal.

The saying, "Seventy years of life is a rarity since ancient times," was a perfect reflection of a mortal’s lifespan.

For a cultivator in the Qi Refinement Realm, even if they reached the peak of Qi Refinement Realm, their lifespan would only extend to one hundred and twenty years.

A cultivator in the early Qi Refinement Realm had a lifespan of ninety years. Those in the mid-stage could live to a hundred.

Compared to mortals, the lifespan of Qi Refinement Realm cultivators wasn’t drastically different.

Only upon reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, where the lifespan extended to two hundred years, could one truly claim to have transcended mortality. Compared to mortals, their longevity was more than tripled.

With the addition of certain life-extending pills, their lifespan could stretch even further.

As for higher realms—

He Song had no knowledge of the lifespan of Golden Core or Nascent Soul cultivators.

The miscellaneous books in the Immortal Market’s Spirit Techniques Pavilion had no clear records, only vague mentions that their lifespans were exceptionally long.

Now—

It had only been a little over ten years since He Song had transmigrated to this world, and already, people he once knew had been buried beneath the earth.

Although he had no idea how old Su Jin had been when he died, death was death. When a person died, their light was extinguished, never to return.

Such thoughts left He Song sighing inwardly.

“My condolences. But don’t underestimate yourself—you, too, will one day reach the sixth level of Qi Refinement Realm, or even higher. Foundation Establishment Realm is within reach.”

Despite his sighs, He Song still offered Su Yan a few words of comfort.

Though they had only been neighbors for a little over two years, Su Yan had often clung to him when she was younger, leaving behind some fond memories.

For an old acquaintance, He Song wouldn’t be stingy with his words.

However—

Words were one thing.

If she expected immediate assistance from him, that was unlikely.

She had merely been a little girl who used to follow him around. After over a decade of separation, He Song had no idea what kind of person she had become.

If, after some time, he found her character to be decent and they became true friends, then offering a helping hand wouldn’t be out of the question.

But for now?

Not a chance.

He Song highly doubted that Su Yan was living in hardship.

Before his death, Su Jin had been a level six Qi Refinement Realm cultivator. There was no way he hadn’t left behind some inheritance for her.

With that, she should be able to get by just fine.

After He Song’s words of comfort, Su Yan’s mood did improve somewhat.

But compared to before, there was now an almost imperceptible trace of sadness in her expression.

Soon after—

Following some casual conversation—

They exchanged their aura imprints for Transmission Technique and shared their current residences, agreeing to stay in touch. Then, they parted ways.

After leaving the teahouse, Su Yan disappeared to an unknown destination.

He Song, on the other hand, retraced his steps along the path from his memory and made his way back home.