Longevity Candle

North Sea.

A deserted island.

Jiang Xiyue sat on the rocky mountain, with waves crashing against the cliff below.

The roc landed beside her, gazing at the boundless ocean.

"I'm curious, are you old elves really without desires or wants?" Jiang Xiyue asked.

She could tell that the roc was an old spirit.

The power of immortals is vast and boundless, and they arrived without anyone noticing.

Having already reached the stage of refining the spirit and returning to emptiness, she was no longer weak.

"Before I answer you, I also want to ask you a question: what do you want to do after you've solved the eighteenth floor?" the roc asked.

"After clearing the eighteenth floor?"

Jiang Xiyue pondered for a long time before saying, "Perhaps they live in seclusion with their father and mother, leading a carefree life."

“They are living the life you want to live,” said the Roc.

Jiang Xiyue was speechless, a hint of guilt appearing on her face: "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have bothered you."

“You can also let go and live a carefree life in Beihai, or you can bring your father and mother here.”

The roc said, "I can take you to travel in the North Sea, or I can take you to the starry sky to chase meteors and meteorites. Those are all very interesting things."

"Go chasing meteors and meteorites in the starry sky?" Jiang Xiyue looked up at the sky, as if wanting to see the scenery of the starry sky: "When I was a child, I often heard people say that shooting stars are beautiful and can make wishes come true. Are they really that beautiful?"

"They are just some stones, not pretty at all."

The roc pondered and said, "But some stones will carry seeds that fall to different stars and bloom into different flowers."

"seed?"

“Yes, you can also interpret it as life,” the roc said.

“I understand. Have you ever been to the starry sky?” Jiang Xiyue asked.

“I’ve been there many times and have seen other kinds of life. They are not human, and they are different from spirits and monsters,” said the roc.

"What does it look like?" Jiang Xiyue asked curiously.

The roc laughed and said, "The starry sky is full of wonders, both beautiful and dangerous."

"Is it considered dangerous for an old elf like you?" Jiang Xiyue asked.

"For us, it's just a pleasant surprise of a starry journey; after all, very few things can move us," said the roc.

"I really envy you guys, you can go wherever you want," Jiang Xiyue said.

“You can too,” said the roc.

"I can't." Jiang Xiyue shook her head: "I haven't finished dealing with my own matters yet. Maybe I can later."

“But you don’t have the ability to handle it, and I don’t think you can persuade us,” the roc said.

“I give up. I shouldn’t disturb your peace,” Jiang Xiyue said. “I plan to go by myself. Your story may have ended long ago, but my story has just begun.”

The roc paused for a moment, then laughed, "You're really quite something. Want to know, what is an old elf?"

"Aren't you old elves?" Jiang Xiyue asked, puzzled.

"What I mean is, do you want to understand boundless magical power?" the roc said. "Or, beyond boundless magical power, so that you will have the ability to solve the eighteen levels on your own."

"Boundless magical power, even surpassing it?" Jiang Xiyue was stunned, and said uncertainly, "Can I do that? I'm just a Qi Refiner."

Those were ancient elves; no mortal cultivator could possibly reach the level of boundless magical power.

Even among the Dao Ancestors of the Central Plains, apart from the peasant slave, who dares to claim boundless magical power?

And they were all elves.

"Why not give it a try?" The roc spread its wings: "I'll take you to see the North Sea."

"Thank you," Jiang Xiyue said.

"Get on my back," said the roc.

Jiang Xiyue was taken aback: "You are an old elf, how can I ride on your back?"

The roc smiled, and a gust of wind blew, lifting her onto its back.

The roc spread its wings and soared upwards, instantly reaching the highest heavens.

Under Jiang Xiyue's astonished gaze, the Peng bird's body grew larger and larger, like a canopy in the sky.

"Your body is so enormous?" Jiang Xiyue exclaimed in shock, its length seemingly endless.

"Sometimes being too big can be a problem, so I prefer to travel to the stars, because the sky and earth don't allow me to spread my wings freely."

The roc said, "When I am in the starry sky, I can spread my wings and block out the stars, but I must try to avoid the stars."

Why avoid the stars?

"Because life within the stars needs sunlight and moonlight, if I shield them, they will not be able to absorb sunlight and moonlight."

Peng explained, "Perhaps it was just a short stay for me, but it has been several years for them."

For years, there has been no sun or moon?
She couldn't imagine what the world would be like if the sun and moon were gone.

She sat on the back of the roc, looking down at the azure North Sea.

The roc soared high and low, occasionally carrying her swooping down, almost skimming the surface of the sea.

The roc controlled itself very well, without stirring up any waves; otherwise, even just the gale of its wings would have been enough to cause turmoil in the East China Sea.

"Relax, cast aside your worries, and you will be able to embrace the world," the roc's voice rang out.

"Cast away your worries and embrace the world?"

Jiang Xiyue murmured to herself, gradually relaxing and enjoying the trip.

She felt more relaxed than ever before, no longer thinking about anything, casting aside all distractions.

Feel the vastness of Beihai and watch the big fish leap out of the sea, splashing up waves.

free!

Carefree!

At this moment, Jiang Xiyue seemed to understand why these old elves no longer came out of the mountains.

They had already reached another level, enjoying the freedom and tranquility of heaven and earth.

The tide rises and falls, sometimes high, sometimes low.

Jiang Xiyue opened her arms wide, shouted loudly, and felt the sea breeze.

She seemed to have returned to her childhood, carefree and without any worries.

Whether it's spiritual practice or the hustle and bustle of life, everyone wants to pursue ultimate relaxation and complete freedom.

But in this mortal world, who can truly enjoy such tranquility?
Only these old elves embraced heaven and earth.

Seemingly affected, a giant deep-sea serpent burst from the surface and plunged back into the water, chasing after the Peng bird.

Next came the old octopus, a massive fish, an unprecedented deep-sea creature, a glowing fish.

They chased each other, converging on the sea to form a beautiful picture.

Jiang Xiyue looked at this scene and felt very lucky to be a part of it: "So beautiful."

The roc laughed heartily: "Hold on tight."

His body spun in the air, like a young elf playing on the sea.

Rumble

The sound of waves came from afar, along with a huge wind that gathered into a tsunami that soared into the sky.

Two white gulls were dancing gracefully amidst the massive tsunami.

They are spirits of the wind, and also members of the ocean.

As the roc entered the tsunami, two white gulls greeted Jiang Xiyue with smiles, welcoming her arrival.

Jiang Xiyue waved in response; at that moment, she seemed to have come to understand the true nature of Beihai.

She looked at Peach Blossom Island, where the enormous old tortoise awoke from its slumber and looked up at her. Yan Yu and the others waved to her from the edge of the island.

As evening approached, the roc stopped and asked, "I'm going back to the sea. Are you going back to Peach Blossom Island, or will you come with me?"

“I’m going back to Peach Blossom Island. Next time my father wakes up, I’ll bring him to visit,” Jiang Xiyue said.

"Okay." The roc nodded and plunged into the deep sea.

Jiang Xiyue looked at him, and the moment he entered the sea, he transformed from a roc into a giant fish, the biggest fish she had ever seen.

She bowed respectfully to the roc, bid it farewell, and turned to leave.

Jiang Xiyue rode the cloud back to Peach Blossom Island and told Yan Yu about the Peng bird.

"I can tell you're very happy," Yan Yu said.

“I’ve never felt so relaxed before, it’s like I’ve gone back to my childhood, with my parents by my side,” Jiang Xiyue said.

Yan Yu said gently, "Life on Peach Blossom Island is like this too. Only by staying away from the mundane world can one be free and carefree."

"I'll think about it carefully, and I won't bother them anymore," Jiang Xiyue said.

Yan Yu smiled and nodded: "Follow your heart."

Jiang Xiyue relaxed and began to appreciate the world that belonged to Beihai.

A month later, she found the giant sea serpent again: "Old elf, I have come to find you."

"What are you doing?" The old voice was very cold.

"I came to find you to play and experience this world." Jiang Xiyue said, "I saw you last time, but you weren't as fast as the old Peng bird spirit."

"That was when I was in the sea, without using any magic. If I were in the sea, I would definitely be faster than him," the aged voice said.

“I think so too, so I want to see the sea,” Jiang Xiyue said. “I’ve been here for so long, and I still don’t know what the depths of the North Sea are like.”

The aged voice took on a kinder tone: "Then let me show you that the depths of the sea are not just darkness."

A burst of magical power enveloped Jiang Xiyue and drifted away into the distance.

The enormous figure shrank, becoming a mere ten meters long, carrying her into the distance.

Jiang Xiyue still did not use her magic power, but simply adjusted her breathing.

She rode a giant sea serpent, gazing at the underwater scenery.

Beautiful corals, luminous fish, and rare wonders in the azure waters...

The giant sea serpent concealed its presence, allowing her to observe it up close.

Some fish swam over and nuzzled Jiang Xiyue.

The deep-sea serpent is an ancient spirit; although it is highly venomous, it does not harm these aquatic creatures.

In fact, these aquatic creatures are naturally close to the spirits of the North Sea.

Jiang Xiyue played carefree, emptying her mind. Her soul seemed to have been baptized by the North Sea, undergoing a unique change.

She seemed to have drawn closer to heaven and earth.

It's a very unique feeling, unlike anything I've ever experienced before.

Time passed happily, and Jiang Xiyue became familiar with the spirits of Beihai.

Of course, as long as we don't mention asking them to leave Beihai to deal with the matters of the Eighteenth Floor.

Jiang Xiyue didn't mention it again, and simply enjoyed playing with the elves in the North Sea.

However, as she traveled around, she seemed to develop a unique connection with Beihai.

She seemed to have become a part of Beihai, developing a natural affinity for it, and her magical powers increased day by day.

It's peach season again.

Jiang Xiyue said goodbye to the old octopus: "My father is about to wake up, I have to go back. I'll bring him to visit you later."

"Get lost," the old octopus said impatiently.

Jiang Xiyue wasn't angry. She chuckled and rode the cloud back.

The candlelight flickered, and Jiang Zhu awoke from his slumber.

As the mist and rain fall, peaches are being picked, and the people of Peach Blossom Island begin brewing a new batch of peach blossom wine.

The improved version of peach blossom wine also helps them in their cultivation.

"Father."

Jiang Xiyue descended on a cloud and came to her side.

“You’ve made considerable progress in Beihai,” Jiang Zhu said.

In just one year, Jiang Xiyue's magical power has greatly increased, and she is almost at the peak of the Refining Spirit and Returning to Emptiness stage.

Moreover, she seemed to merge with heaven and earth, as if she were about to become a part of them.

This is the key to boundless magical power!
"It was the old elves who took me on my travels. Every time I was with them, I felt carefree, relaxed, and able to embrace the world."

Jiang Xiyue recounted, "I don't know why this is. Even though I'm not cultivating, I'm progressing very quickly."

"Because you embrace the world, you naturally progress very quickly," Jiang Zhu said with a faint smile.

"Is that so?" Jiang Xiyue thought for a moment and said, "Father, I told them that we would visit them together when you wake up."

“I don’t have much time. If I visit them one by one, I’m afraid it won’t be enough,” Jiang Zhu said thoughtfully. “Now that Tao’er is in her prime, why don’t we host a banquet for them on Peach Blossom Island?”

“Then I’ll go and talk to them,” Jiang Xiyue said.

"Okay." Jiang Zhu nodded.

Jiang Xiyue skipped away, as if she had returned to her childhood and was inviting her playmates to her house to play.

Yan Yu murmured, "Isn't it too simple? It's just an ordinary peach."

“They are already incredibly powerful. Even if you search the whole world, there will be few who can move their hearts,” Jiang Zhu said calmly. “Let’s see if they have any requests.”

The old elves were unwilling to leave the mountain, but instead chose to help Jiang Xiyue improve in this way.

Perhaps the old elves have something they desire.

Jiang Xiyue wandered around and didn't return until evening. The elves all agreed to come to Peach Blossom Island for the banquet.

Yan Yu and the others busied themselves selecting peaches to entertain the elves.

Three days later.

The elves arrived one after another, all of them transforming into human form.

Yan Yu and the others served peaches and peach blossom wine.

Jiang Zhu and Jiang Xiyue sat in the main seats. To their surprise, the old tortoise also came to join in the fun, transforming into an old man in black.

"Senior, it's been a long time. What brings you here to join in the fun today?" Jiang Zhu greeted him with a smile.

The old tortoise said, "Come and see the little ones. Maybe when they wake up next time, they won't be able to see them anymore."

"Old turtle, you may live a long time, but you might not live as long as us," the roc laughed. "Who knows, one day I might have to dig a hole and bury you."

“That’s right, we’re still young compared to you,” the old elves laughed.

The great elves and the little elves did not speak, they just smiled.

"Hey, you guys have no respect for your elders at all. Little Xiyue is much more polite."

The old tortoise suddenly sighed, "I wonder if there will ever be another scene like this."

“Even if not, in a few years, new elves will gather together,” the Roc said.

“That’s true.” The old tortoise nodded. “Thinking back to the past, Fusheng wanted to hold a Peach Banquet, but it didn’t work out. So we’re all gathered here to eat. Although it’s not a Peach Banquet, it’s still a grand event.”

Jiang Zhu frowned slightly, not expecting the old tortoise to steer the conversation toward Fu Sheng.

The roc said, "Then you're really unlucky. You didn't get to eat the peaches of immortality. My predecessor at least attended the Peach Feast hosted by Jiang Zhu."

"Ok?"

In an instant, all the elves' eyes were focused on the Roc.

Jiang Zhu sighed softly. Sure enough, they came for these reasons. (End of Chapter)