Longevity, starting from raising chickens

"Am I going to die?"

In the dark old house.

Song Dongyang lay quietly on the sickbed, staring blankly at the water drops seeping down from the leak in the roof.

The sound of dripping water was particularly clear in the empty room.

It fell drop by drop into the uneven mud pit inside the house, gradually forming a small puddle.

The splashing rain wet the surrounding soil, and a faint smell of mud filled the house.

Smelling this smell and listening to the snoring of some soldiers outside in the rainy night.

Song Dongyang's eyes seemed to be filled with a last ray of light, and all the things he had experienced in his life quickly flashed through his mind.

Born in a merchant family, his family was rich and he had no worries about food and clothing since childhood;

He was known as a child prodigy when he was young and went to Beijing to take the imperial examination at the age of sixteen. Although he did not get the top scorer, he was valued by the prime minister of the time because of his proposal "Memorandum on Water Control" to control coastal floods. The prime minister personally praised him and said, "You are a national talent!" He wanted to marry his own daughter to him, but he refused. The prime minister felt that he was a true gentleman and did not take it as an offense. He praised him highly. From then on, he became famous at a young age and was as dazzling as a star. He was so proud that he could see all the flowers in Hailing in one day.

Afterwards, he moved around the court and other places, but was not given a high position.

After being depressed and in distress for many years, he finally had an epiphany.

Afterwards, he worked hard, married the daughter of the prime minister, and was appointed as the cabinet minister. For decades, he remained standing, until everyone in the officialdom of Hailing treated him as a teacher.

However, everything in the world has its ups and downs, and goes through the cycle of creation, existence, destruction and emptiness.

Even with all the power in the government, it is still no match for the unpredictable human heart.

The people below want to climb up, and the people above cannot tolerate a powerful official who can shake the whole Hailing with just one stomp of his foot.

When slanderous ministers remonstrate, war will break out.

All the people in the family died, leaving him alone with his hair turning white overnight.

The wise ruler took pity on his old age and allowed him to return to his ancestral home to spend his later years in peace.

Day and night, he sent people to collect all the things in his house, until only a sickbed and half a medicine jar were left...

The local county magistrate also took the trouble to come here frequently to pay his respects to his deceased parents.

He stared at the roof.

It seemed like I was thinking of many things, yet nothing.

After pursuing wealth and glory all your life, it all ends up being nothing but a pipe dream.

Parents, wife, children, seven emotions and six desires are ultimately like passing clouds.

He has tasted all the best flavors in the world.

"But in this world, what else can last longer?"

He whispered blankly, but immediately thought of his body again.

He is seventy-six years old. Although he had taken good care of himself in the past, he is old after all and has experienced major changes in his life.

If he had not been so strong-willed, he would have died of rage the moment his entire family was beheaded.

Even so, at this moment, he is almost exhausted after days of torture. Perhaps this rainy night will be his last night.

Perhaps tomorrow, when the storm has died down, the local county governors who come here every day to humiliate him will only be able to look at the cold body of an old man in disappointment.

"If I die, can I become a ghost?"

"If possible, I would like to fly to the capital and stay in the palace. I want to see how that wise ruler died and his country was destroyed..."

He just kept talking in a low, mumbling voice.

But there wasn't much hatred in his voice.

As he approached and touched the end of his life, he gradually understood a lot and let go of a lot.

"Life and death, rise and fall... this is the way of heaven, and no one can go against it."

"I am just a tiny person among all living beings, how can I be an exception?"

He couldn't help but murmur.

At this moment, a clear voice suddenly rang out in the dark room:

"Well said. No wonder Master asked me to come and convert you."

Song Dongyang was stunned. He didn't know where the strength came from in his withered body. He struggled to hold on to the edge of the bed, raised half of his body, and looked around.

But saw nothing.

It was as if the sound came from underground.

Outside the window, the wind and rain were blowing and dropping, and the dark clouds of the rainy night obscured the bright moon, leaving only darkness and gloom.

At this moment, even though he had seen through a lot, he was still a little nervous and dazed:
"Who are you?"

"Could it be someone who is here to take me to the underworld?"

The words just fell.

He was surprised to see that the old ancestral house suddenly lit up inexplicably.

There were no lamps, nor any night-shining pearls or the like.

It just lit up out of nowhere.

A beautiful, bright and fairy-like woman suddenly stood in front of him without him knowing when.

At this moment, she looked at him curiously, and chuckled when she heard the words:

"It's not the underworld, it's to take you back to the sect."

"You, you are an immortal?"

Song Dongyang reacted at this moment and said in surprise.

When he was an official, he had seen immortals flying around, but these immortals did not seem to have much interest in them.

Therefore, there is little contact.

At the same time, he suddenly felt a shock in his heart, and vaguely remembered what his old parents had said to him before they died:

When he was born in the past, a Taoist priest came to visit and said that he had a connection with him and that he would come again to convert him when the time was right.

He always felt that his parents were just being fooled and defrauded of their money.

Could it be that this is the person in front of me?
The woman smiled slightly:
"It seems that you know something. My name is Wang Qingyang. I am your senior sister. Master said that you have enough experience in the mortal world, so he asked me to take you back to practice."

An ordinary person would have believed what the woman said, but Song Dongyang had been an official for many years and was mature and prudent. He was also cautious and suspicious, so he still doubted:

"Fairy... I'm not questioning you, but how can I, a weak and frail man, be valued by your master?"

Wang Qingyang did not hide anything and said truthfully:

"You are the reincarnation of a senior of my sect. I should have enlightened you and brought you back to the sect when you were born. However, in order for you to fulfill your filial piety to your parents in this life, I deliberately kept you here. I will come back to save you after you have finished your worldly affairs and completed your mission."

"I...I am the reincarnation of an immortal?!"

Upon hearing such shocking news, Song Dongyang couldn't help but be a little stunned for a moment.

"Well, I can't say I'm an immortal, I can say I'm halfway to becoming a god."

Wang Qingyang thought about it and corrected himself.

"Half-step to becoming a god?"

Song Dongyang was a little confused, but at this moment, some fragments seemed to flash through his mind.

It was a dark cloud filled with lightning, and a terrifying bolt of lightning was striking him straight...

He suddenly shuddered and woke up from the shock of being struck by thunder.

"How can there be lightning and thunder? Could it be that I was an unforgivable evildoer in my previous life?"

He couldn't help but recall the stories he had heard from some vernacular novels when he was young.

I was shocked and confused.

He didn't think there was anything wrong with being a bad person in the previous life, but such people were often prone to trouble and it was difficult for them to last long.

It is far less stable and lasting than doing things the right way.

However, this also proved that the fairy in front of him who claimed to be his senior sister did not deceive him.

A hint of joy rose in my heart.

But then he remembered his own body, and the light of joy suddenly extinguished, and he said sadly:

"Senior Sister Qingyang, you are a little late. I am already old and not far from death. Now I am just hanging on by a breath. Even if you can save me, I am afraid I will not be able to practice."

Wang Qingyang smiled softly when he heard this:
"Since Master has left you here, how could he not have a backup plan?"

After saying that, she made a light gesture and then blew gently at the center of Song Dongyang's eyebrows.

The next moment, a water bottle filled with starlight flew out from between Song Dongyang's eyebrows and landed in front of him.

The starlight flows like rippling water, which is beautiful beyond words.

"This, this is..."

When Song Dongyang saw the water bottle, he felt a shock all over his body, and he actually felt a sense of familiarity engraved deep in his soul.

It was as if he and this water bottle had been together for thousands of years.

Before Wang Qingyang even spoke, he blurted out:

"Star Water Bottle! It's Star Water Bottle!"

As he shouted.

Suddenly, a shadow of a little girl appeared from the bottle of star water, with a flash of light in her eyes. When she saw Song Dongyang, she immediately showed joy.

Then it seemed to realize something, and it gently scooped up the star water jar with its little hand. A handful of star water was scooped up, and then turned into a thin line and flew straight into the center of Song Dongyang's eyebrows.

The star water quickly spread from his brow to his entire body.

The body floated up involuntarily.

Song Dongyang only felt a shock, as if his consciousness, which had been dormant for many years, was suddenly awakened.

Countless strange yet familiar fragments came one after another and kept emerging in his mind.

Wanxiang Sect, Xingdou Peak, Master, Junior Brother, Sect Master Shao, Landform Hall...

Accompanied by the star water's cleansing of Song Dongyang.

It was as if some kind of induction was born.

The clouds and rain stopped outside, and the water drops on the leaky roof became sparse.

The light of the stars and the moon, contrary to its usual practice, fell again, shining on this dilapidated old house. The starlight passed through the hole and fell on Song Dongyang.

He slowly opened his eyes.

At this moment, the dust has gone away and the mirror is bright, and the empty room is filled with white.

Although he still looks like an old man, he no longer has the air of decay, as if he has been reborn and is full of vitality.

Looking at Wang Qingyang, he stood in the room, holding hands and saluting:
"Dongyang, meet Senior Sister."

Wang Qingyang clapped his hands and exclaimed:
"Junior brother realized the truth overnight and established his foundation in one thought. He is a natural born Taoist with a chance of immortality!"

Song Dongyang looked calm and shook his head:
"If it weren't for my teacher and senior sister, I would still be a dying person."

Seeing that Song Dongyang showed no emotion, Wang Qingyang became a little worried. Thinking of what she had learned about her junior brother, she couldn't help but say:

"Brother, do you want to seek revenge?"

Song Dongyang finally showed a hint of hesitation on his face, and whispered:
"May I?"

Wang Qingyang nodded immediately:
"Repay kindness with kindness, and repay evil with evil, why not?"

"Repay kindness with kindness, and repay evil with evil..."

Song Dongyang murmured these words, his eyes gradually becoming clearer, and then he shook his head slightly:

"No need, Senior Sister, please take the trouble to take me back to the sect."

Wang Qingyang was a little surprised when he heard Song Dongyang's decision:

"Junior brother, are you not going to take revenge?"

Song Dongyang looked calm:
"It only takes a moment for the country to fall and their families to be destroyed. Their suffering is still to come. As for me...no matter what I do, I can't bring them back..."

There was a flash of sadness in his eyes, but it disappeared immediately.

Wang Qingyang listened to Song Dongyang's words and didn't know what to say for a moment.

The temperament of this new junior fellow disciple was quite different from that of the senior she knew.

But since Song Dongyang had made the decision, she didn't say anything more, nodded, and then said:
"Then let's go, Master is waiting for us."

After saying that, he waved his sleeves, and his magic power carried Song Dongyang and he disappeared quietly in the old house.

When it appeared again, it was already in the night sky.

Song Dongyang looked down at the houses below and the sleeping soldiers around him. A hint of nostalgia flashed across his eyes, but soon, the nostalgia disappeared, replaced by a deep expectation.

Feng Xu rides the wind, as if he were a god.

The night wind blew, blowing up the joy in his heart.

I could faintly hear the voice of Senior Sister Wang Qingyang:
"Has Junior Brother awakened his wisdom?"

"No, I just remembered a few things and need your guidance... Oh, I don't know what kind of person Master is. I haven't prepared any small gifts. I don't know if Master will be offended."

"Master? He has a high status and has everything he needs. Don't even think about preparing any gifts for him. He won't care. As for his personality, I can't really describe it. Anyway, he's very, very good."

“Excellent?”

As Song Dongyang thought about it, the anticipation in his heart grew stronger.

…Autumn of the twenty-third year of the Bailong calendar.

The former Prime Minister Song Dongyang fell ill and stayed in his hometown, and his whereabouts were unknown. Some people said that they had seen him ascend to heaven. The king was terrified and searched the ground a hundred feet deep, but could not find him.

After that, he was frightened every day and suffered from "hysteria". The ministers of the country deposed the emperor in the name of clearing the court of evil rulers and supported the eight-year-old young emperor, changing the era name to "Dacheng".

The following year, the former prime minister Song Dongyang and other wronged officials were vindicated. A few years later, the young emperor died suddenly, and no ministers spoke out, all of them turned a blind eye...

……

"Is this our Wanxiang Sect?"

Song Dongyang looked at the two huge stone pillars in front of him that reached into the sky, and a hint of shock flashed in his eyes.

Of course he didn't need to ask, because he had already seen the three big words hanging in the middle of the stone pillar, but he still couldn't help but ask.

Wang Qingyang nodded slightly.

She deliberately did not bring him back directly from the teleportation array because she wanted Song Dongyang to understand the Wanxiang Sect from the outside to the inside, which would also help him remember everything about his previous life as soon as possible.

He raised his hand and cast a series of magical spells, and soon Song Dongyang saw a middle-aged man in a Taoist robe flying in the air from between the two stone pillars.

When he saw Wang Qingyang, his face immediately became solemn and he raised his palm to salute:
"Shaoyin Mountain Protector, meet the Deputy Palace Master."

He looked slightly sideways and saw Song Dongyang next to him, then asked in confusion:

"This person looks unfamiliar. May I ask who he is?"

Wang Qingyang nodded casually:
"This is the teacher's new disciple. I'm going to pick him up... Don't worry, I'll take him to the Rende Hall to walk through the Spirit Mirage Inquiry Formation."

"He is actually the deputy sect master's new disciple."

Upon hearing this, the guardian of Shaoyin Mountain was immediately in awe, and looked at Song Dongyang with deep admiration in his eyes. He did not dare to be negligent and quickly bowed to Song Dongyang.

"Junior Master has just entered the sect, and I don't know the situation either. This is a furnace of the third-level Lingtong Pills I refined before, which can help the soul...Junior Master, please accept it."

As he spoke, he took out a gourd from his sleeve and put it into Song Dongyang's hand.

Song Dongyang didn't dare to take over and quickly looked at Wang Qingyang.

Seeing Wang Qingyang nodded indifferently, Song Dongyang accepted it. Although he was not clear about the situation, he had been an official for many years and was familiar with this etiquette. He returned the salute.

The guardian of Shaoyin Mountain said he didn't dare.

Wang Qingyang did not stay for long and immediately took Song Dongyang and flew between the two stone pillars.

In the blink of an eye, the world changed drastically.

A strong spiritual energy that made Song Dongyang almost unable to hold back a groan suddenly rushed into his seven orifices and the pores all over his body...

However, he still forced himself to hold back his composure. Despite this, his body was like land that had been dry for a long time, hungrily absorbing the spiritual energy and nectar from the surroundings.

Wang Qingyang noticed Song Dongyang's abnormality and quietly slowed down.

After waiting for a while, Song Dongyang finally adapted to the concentration of spiritual energy here and let out a long sigh.

"The spiritual energy in our sect is different from that in the outside world. After integrating more spiritual veins over the years, the spiritual energy alone is probably better than that of Changsheng Sect and Youxian Temple."

Wang Qingyang said with a smile.

Song Dongyang nodded, and then asked curiously:
"Teacher, what is your status in the sect? Why is that guardian so envious of me?"

Although his innate wisdom had not yet fully awakened, he had been in the officialdom for so long that his vision was naturally extraordinary. He could see at a glance the respect, envy and flattery in the eyes of the guardian.

One can indirectly guess that this teacher of ours must have a very high status in the sect.

However, he had no idea about the sect's personnel structure and naturally had no way of guessing what level it was.

Wang Qingyang laughed and said:
"Of course he is envious. There are not many people in the sect who are not envious. As for the master's identity... you will understand after you watch."

As they were talking, the two of them passed through an area with extremely complex terrain.

But the sounds of beasts roaring and birds chirping were endless, and a fierce aura was in the air. Song Dongyang, who had just achieved foundation building, only felt a part of it and could not help but turn pale.

"This is the animal breeding ground of the Beast Taming Department... In recent years, Master has purchased a lot of high-level spirit beasts. Last time, they didn't keep a close eye on them, and some of them escaped and injured a lot of people. If you pass by this place in the future, remember to avoid it."

Wang Qingyang gave a warning.

Song Dongyang quickly memorized it in his mind, but then he asked in confusion:
"A high-level spiritual beast purchased from the teacher?"

Wang Qingyang explained casually:

"Among all the arts, Master is the best at taming beasts. Most of the new species of spiritual beasts that the Beast Taming Department has acquired in the past few decades were obtained from Master..."

Song Dongyang was thinking about something, and then he saw countless black chicken-like spirit beasts circling around a cultivator in the distance below.

Curious: "What is that?"

Wang Qingyang glanced at it and replied:

"It's a Black Chicken Daoist soldier, but it's just a weaker one among the second-level Daoist soldiers... at most it can be compared to a cultivator in the early or middle stage of the Golden Core."

"So powerful?"

However, Song Dongyang couldn't help showing surprise.

Wang Qingyang shook his head:

"That's nothing special. Master has several third-level Taoist soldiers in his hands... I won't say more. Here we are."

As they were talking, the two of them rose rapidly, and in the blink of an eye they saw three large halls suspended in the air in the shape of a Chinese character "品".

Many monks travel between these three halls.

When they saw Wang Qingyang, they all bowed.

Wang Qingyang nodded one by one, then flew into the Rende Hall with Song Dongyang.

After learning Song Dongyang's name, there was a stir in the Rende Hall.

All the monks in the Hall of Virtue looked at Song Dongyang with surprise.

Fortunately, Wang Qingyang had mentioned it before, so Song Dongyang was not too nervous.

He quickly walked through the so-called 'Spiritual Mirage Heart-Questioning Formation'.

After coming out, he saw his senior sister Wang Qingyang chatting with some monks.

He was also a foundation-building cultivator, and he heard some unfamiliar words:
"...It's best to fight..."

"The Ten Thousand Gods... didn't expect... a tie..."

"Zhenwu...I'm in trouble..."

Song Dongyang was slightly curious.

With just these few words, he had pieced together something.

“Is there a war between monks?”

Curiously, he walked to Wang Qingyang and whispered:
"Sister."

Wang Qingyang didn't know what he was looking at. He turned around when he heard the words, looked at him with some surprise and joy, and then said goodbye to these monks from the Morality Hall.

But when he left, Song Dongyang had a lot more gifts on him.

"Just accept them all. It's okay. They are doing this for Master's sake and because you have a promising future. We are all from the same school, so there is no need to reject you."

Wang Qingyang smiled and comforted Song Dongyang.

Song Dongyang didn't have too many feelings, but he couldn't help but feel a little more curious about the teacher he had never met.

"Let's go. We have passed the Spiritual Mirage Heart-Searching Formation. Let's go to the ancestral temple first. After paying homage to the ancestor, we will be considered true members of the Wanxiang Sect."

Wang Qingyang said.

Song Dongyang has no objection.

However, just as they left the Rende Hall, a light blue figure hurriedly flew past them.

Seeing the pale blue figure, Wang Qingyang hurried forward and saluted:
"Master Uncle Tang."

When the pale blue figure heard Wang Qingyang's greeting, he paused for a moment and nodded slightly:
"It's Qingyang, where are you going?"

Song Dongyang looked at the man and saw that he was wearing a light blue Taoist robe. His age was unknown, but he had handsome eyebrows, bright eyes, and a slight beard under his chin. Although he was in a hurry just now, he looked relaxed at this moment, and was indescribably elegant and graceful.

Wang Qingyang's attitude towards this person was obviously more respectful. He pointed at Song Dongyang beside him and said:
"I am just about to take my master's new disciple to the ancestral temple."

"Oh? He actually accepted a disciple?"

The light blue figure looked at Song Dongyang with some surprise, then nodded:

"You should also accept two more disciples. Your Wanfa Peak has been a single-person successor for several generations, which is a bit too lonely."

He then looked at Song Dongyang, pondered for a moment, and then took out a incense stick from his sleeve. Without any movement, it fell into Song Dongyang's hand.

"This is our first meeting, and as your elder, I don't know what to give you. This incense stick can block the attack of an ordinary cultivator in the middle stage of the Nascent Soul, so I'll use it as a peace charm for you."

Song Dongyang couldn't help but look at Wang Qingyang.

Wang Qingyang smiled and said:
"Dongyang, please accept it. Uncle Master Tang's incense card is not something that everyone has the chance to obtain."

"The little girl just knows how to tease me."

The pale blue figure smiled helplessly, but the next moment, he was startled and turned to look at Song Dongyang:
"Your name is Dongyang?"

Wang Qingyang and Song Dongyang were both stunned and didn't understand what was going on.

Song Dongyang quickly saluted and replied:
"Yes, junior... My name is Dongyang, my surname is Song, and I am honored to meet Master Uncle Tang."

The pale blue figure couldn't help but feel a shock in his heart, and his voice trembled slightly:
"Dongyang, surname Song...You are also called Song Dongyang?"

Wang Qingyang reacted upon seeing this and quickly explained:
"Master Uncle Tang, this person is the reincarnation of former Vice Palace Master Song. He was discovered by Master and specially enlightened. He just returned today."

"Reincarnation body... reincarnation body..."

The pale blue figure had an extremely complicated expression at this moment.

He couldn't help but look at Song Dongyang, but he couldn't see any resemblance to the appearance in his memory.

I couldn't help but ask:
"Do you remember me?"

Song Dongyang hesitated and shook his head blankly.

Seeing that Song Dongyang had no impression of him at all, the expression of the light blue figure became more complicated.

He whispered slowly:

"My name is Tang Ji... In the past, I once went to the Sen Country and Mu Sen Island with you. We each obtained a Dao opportunity and wanted to use it to achieve the Divine Transformation... That's it, that's it."

He shook his head slightly, sighed, and then walked away on his own.

Song Dongyang was extremely confused for a moment.

Wang Qingyang saw through the inside story, sighed and explained:

"Master Uncle Tang and you had a friendship in your previous life, but because of his lack of foundation, he secluded himself for many years and only came out a few years ago. Recently, he has also been preparing for the tribulation. Now that he sees you, he must be feeling a little complicated and worried."

Song Dongyang glanced into the distance as if he understood something, but found that he could no longer see the light blue figure.

At this moment, for some reason, he inexplicably felt the great terror pressing deep in the monk's heart.

That is the great terror between life and death, gain and loss.

There was nothing more to mention after that. After coming down from the ancestral temple, Wang Qingyang took him straight to Wanfa Peak.

"There are not many people in Wanfa Peak. Apart from Master, Master's Wife and me, there is only Yi An who comes back occasionally. As I said before, he is Master's only son. Most of them are now in Xinjian Peak or Chunyang Palace..."

"Chun Yang Palace?"

Song Dongyang's heart moved, and some images suddenly flashed through his mind, the ancient palace, the old man with a long beard...

A name came out:

"Master Shao!"

"It seems that you have remembered some things, but Sect Master Shao has been gone for almost two hundred years... The current Sect Master is Yi An's teacher, Uncle Zhao."

"Uncle Zhao?"

Song Dongyang searched his memory but did not find any relevant fragments.

Wang Qingyang lowered his voice and explained:

"It's normal that you don't remember. Uncle Zhao has only risen to prominence in recent years. Sect Master Qu originally wanted Uncle Ma, but Uncle Zhao's attainments in swordsmanship are too amazing, he is decisive in killing, and he has the support of Master..."

"What is the identity of the teacher? How can he influence the position of the leader of a sect?"

Song Dongyang finally couldn't help but asked in a low voice.

With his many years of experience in Hailing State, he knew that the patriarch was like the king of a country, and the only ones who could influence the throne were the powerful ministers of the dynasty. He was well aware of the disaster of being more powerful than his master, and he still had lingering fears, so he couldn't help but ask.

Wang Qingyang didn't know what he was thinking, so he smiled and said:
"I won't hide it from you. Master is the deputy leader of our sect. His status is only below that of the leader. However, no one in the sect disobeys Master."

Song Dongyang frowned immediately:
"When the master is weak and the ministers are strong, it is likely to be a disaster rather than a blessing!"

But just as he was speaking, he heard Wang Qingyang laugh and say:

"reached!"

Song Dongyang looked up immediately.

But among the countless mountains, an ordinary peak stood in front of him.

It's simple and plain on the top of the mountain.

There are only a few houses, a few acres of fertile land, and a newly sprouted gourd vine hanging on an old tree.

Occasionally I hear a rooster crowing.

But no human voice was heard, and no human figure was seen.

"Teacher, do you live here?"

Song Dongyang looked at the mountain peak that was getting closer and closer. For some reason, when he thought about meeting this mysterious and high-ranking teacher, he couldn't help but feel a strong sense of anticipation in his heart. (End of this chapter)