"Unfortunately, the Lesser Five Elements Technique can only allow him to cultivate up to the Nascent Soul stage!"

Amidst the turbulent winds and clouds atop Turtle Mountain, the ancient tortoise, who has lived for countless years, still sheds tears as it recalls that distant time.

Even though thousands of years have passed and Master Roshi has forgotten many things, his memory of that boy remains vivid, as if it were yesterday.

Simply because he called him Master.

"Is there really no way out after reaching the Nascent Soul Realm?"

Listening to Master Roshi's story, Qin Shou couldn't help but sigh with melancholy.

"Such a brilliant young man, yet he was trapped by his innate constitution and perished on the path of cultivation. It's truly a pity."

Qin Shou knew that he had never experienced that period of time, so he could not understand the hardships that boy had endured.

But considering all the resources he's poured into Changsheng over the years, Changsheng has only managed to reach the eighth level of Qi Refining. Yet that helpless young man was able to reach the Divine Transformation Realm step by step through his own efforts. That's just unbelievable!

"Senior, even that incredibly talented young man couldn't break through his limitations?"

"Yes, he's so amazing, why can't he break free from the shackles of fate?"

Master Roshi sighed softly, "Even when he knew there was no way forward after reaching the Nascent Soul stage, he still did not give up."

He began to cultivate other methods: Buddhist practices to achieve a golden body, Taoist practices to seek the natural order, various techniques, and everything else imaginable in this world...

He failed time and time again, rising again and again, until after two thousand years of fruitless struggle, he grew impatient and enraged. He drank strong liquor for ten days and ten nights, and in his drunken stupor, he pointed at the heavens and cursed, "Why? Why are some born to be the chosen ones, while he has to wallow in the mire? Why, despite his so much effort, will heaven refuse to offer him a glimmer of hope? Why is it all so unfair...?"

That day, he lay on my tortoise shell and cried for days and nights.

He cried until he was exhausted and fell asleep.

Upon waking, he seemed to have returned to the confident young man he was thousands of years ago when he first began cultivating immortality.

However, the ways of Heaven repeatedly closed the door for him, causing his character to begin to change.

He began to fall into demonic ways, feeding demons with his body, cultivating demonic arts, studying evil spells, and nurturing countless ghosts with his heart...

real,

That time, he almost succeeded!

It was so close!

It was so close!

As he spoke, Master Roshi seemed to become somewhat agitated.

This is only the second time in the past millennia that he has recounted that period to someone.

"Unfortunately, under the vast heavenly calamity, there was ultimately no room for such a heaven-defying 'demonic creature'..."

Master Roshi was heartbroken, "I watched with my own eyes as he, carrying everything and all his resentment, perished under the lightning tribulation, turning to ashes..."

Qin Shou listened to Master Roshi's story for a long time, then turned his gaze to Changsheng, "Changsheng, do you want to go down the mountain to gain experience?"

"Between life and death, escaping from dire straits, who knows, I might even break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm?"

Chang Sheng shook his head decisively, "Master, I think if I were to go down the mountain, I wouldn't even need to hesitate or seek refuge; I'd just be killed by a small demon beast."

"Wow, you have a pretty clear understanding of your own position."

In fact, Qin Shou also felt that if Changsheng went down the mountain, he would probably die within two days.

Immortality is probably not the path for that young man.

The main problem is that Changsheng simply doesn't have the same fighting spirit as a young person, the drive to defy fate and destiny.

For cultivators, the most important thing is often their "spirit and will."

"Alright, Changsheng, you can sleep with this divine stone from now on. As long as you comprehend it, you can live longer than anyone else in this world."

"Yes, Master, don't worry. From now on, I'll hold it every time I go to the outhouse. The main purpose is to provide deep companionship, and over time, we'll grow fond of each other."

Qin Beast: ...............This child is teachable!

Master Roshi: ...Is this kid out of his mind? Anyway, if he can figure out this divine stone, I'll take off my tortoise shell and expose my little brother to the scorching sun for three days and three nights.

...

noon.

Qin Beast prepared a large banquet to entertain the Turtle Immortal.

"Hehehe, fellow Daoist is truly hospitable, but isn't hosting such a large banquet a bit extravagant?"

Master Roshi transformed into a hunchbacked, somewhat short, white-haired old man.

He sat upright at a square table several meters long, looking at the dishes on the table, and couldn't help but admire Qin Shou's friendliness and hospitality.

He could tell that these dishes were not simple; the ingredients were very expensive, and many of the side dishes were even high-grade spiritual herbs and medicines.

"One, two, two, three... Chef, why are there two fewer dishes today than yesterday?"

Yi Cheng was counting, and then he scratched his head.

The goose will have to eat one less plate of vegetables again today...

At this moment, Master Roshi was somewhat petrified... It turns out I was just being presumptuous.

"Haha, senior, come on, have some food."

Qin Shou picked up a piece of fish and placed it in the bowl in front of Master Turtle, warmly saying, "Not to boast, but these dishes are comparable to the God of Cookery's skills."

"Hehehe, then this old man will have a taste."

Master Roshi didn't believe it at first, but after he tasted it, his little eyes widened in disbelief.

"Hiss~! Fellow Daoist's skills are truly unparalleled!"

Master Roshi gave a genuine thumbs up, and then began to devour the food without any of the demeanor of a Nascent Soul stage master, as if he had been starving in the deep mountains for thousands of years.

Indeed, Master Roshi had long since stopped eating ordinary grains, but today, having tasted a dish comparable to the God of Cookery, his appetite was suddenly overwhelmed.

"Aaaaah, big turtle, don't steal our goose food!"

When Yicheng saw that more than half of her food was gone, she started to complain with a stern face.

Snap!

Qin Shou picked up his bamboo chopsticks and tapped Yi Cheng on the head. "No manners. Next time, call him Grandpa Turtle. Also, today is for entertaining guests, so eat less. Master will make up for it tomorrow."

Yi Cheng pouted, looking aggrieved. "Okay, Master."

"Holy crap! What's cooking in this soup?!"

Just then, Master Roshi, who was devouring the soup, was about to take a sip when he was suddenly startled by several fiery red herbs inside.

"Oh? That's a spiritual soup made from several grade-three Fire Cloud Ginsengs and a grade-four Heavenly Spirit Fruit."

Qin Shou responded with a faint sound.

With a clatter, Master Roshi dropped his chopsticks.

Mom, what did I used to drink? Was it the northwest wind?

This family is so wealthy!

I like it.

"Ahem, it's like this, I think that this Heavenly Longevity Stone might have some connection with your disciple."

Therefore, after much consideration, I am willing to extend the period for lending this divine stone to your disciple. What do you think?