Gou Zai Sect Beast Taming Longevity

"No..." Yu Changsheng's eyes struggled, but he finally exhaled slowly, smiled gently, looked at Old Wei, and suddenly clenched his fist. Unexpectedly, he threw a punch at Old Wei in front of him.

"Unfortunately, you're just a fake."

Yu Changsheng gently shook his head, feeling the power in his fingertips, and slowly exhaled.

"My disciple, you..."

Old Wei's astonished expression froze. He looked at Yu Changsheng, disbelief flashing in his eyes, which eventually turned into resentment. Before he could finish speaking, his body dissipated like shredded paper as Yu Changsheng exhaled.

At the same time, the surrounding space also vanished; the world, like shattered pieces of a mirror, drifted away with a series of crisp cracking sounds.

Beneath the shattered lens, it was as if a corner of a vast scroll had been torn open, revealing another... vast world.

Traffic was heavy, neon lights shone all night, a vast steel jungle stood side by side, high-rise buildings rose and fell, and roads stretched out like a long dragon, with vehicles flowing endlessly on them.

"This is……"

A flicker of confusion crossed Yu Changsheng's eyes. He abruptly looked up from his desk. Around him was a small workspace, about three square meters in size. On the computer screen, the time flashed—December 4, 2023, 7:38 PM…

Turning my head, through the smooth floor-to-ceiling windows, the height of the eighteenth floor ensured an absolutely unobstructed view. The neon lights were colorful and sparkling, adding some different colors to this dull city.

The sky was overcast, with no stars in sight except for a bright moon, and even the clouds were few and far between.

Under the night sky, the city was just beginning to stir, and the real commotion was just starting. On this floor, besides Yu Changsheng's workstation, there were a few other lights still on not far away. The people at their workstations either looked helpless or used to it, yawning and busy with something.

There was complete silence, broken only by the sound of keyboards being tapped.

"I'm back?"

Yu Changsheng's eyes were somewhat dazed as his gaze fell upon the open document on the computer desktop, where a line of large characters stood out.

"Market research in November and project planning in December..."

The world of cultivation seemed like a dream, shrouded in a strange power that clouded Yu Changsheng's mind, making his past even more blurry and unreal.

The only real thing is the cold keyboard in front of me.

In a daze, Yu Changsheng stood up almost unconsciously and walked to the French windows. He stared at the view in front of him, lost in thought.

Everything seemed so unreal, except for his own identity, which gradually became clear.

"What...am I thinking?"

Yu Changsheng muttered to himself, stretching out his palm and gently stroking the lines on it, slightly puzzled.

"Chang Sheng, what are you daydreaming about? Why don't you finish this quickly and go home to rest? It's so late, we haven't even eaten yet, and having to work overtime is really annoying."

A discordant voice came from behind, its tone tinged with complaint. As it spoke, the owner of the voice walked over, gently patted Yu Changsheng's shoulder, stretched, and looked tired as it spoke.

Yu Changsheng was taken aback, turned to look at the man, smiled slightly, nodded, and said softly:

"Nothing much, just thinking about some things?"

As Yu Changsheng spoke, he shook his head slightly, his tone carrying a hint of uncertainty.

The man in front of him was dressed in a suit and tie, looked middle-aged, had a kind face, slightly thinning hair, wore frameless glasses, and wore a clean and experienced white shirt. Yu Changsheng recognized him; he was a senior colleague at the company, Chen Changsheng.

Perhaps because they both shared the name Changsheng (meaning "longevity"), Chen Changsheng had taken good care of Yu Changsheng ever since he joined the company. He had helped Yu Changsheng a lot, and over time, their relationship naturally improved.

"Thinking about something else? What, you want to be in a relationship?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Changsheng laughed and spoke in a joking manner.

"Uncle Chen, stop teasing me. I don't even have a girlfriend, what's the point of dating? Dating you?"

Upon hearing this, Yu Changsheng shook his head and smiled bitterly.

After those few words, the initial slight awkwardness vanished completely, and looking at the person before him, Yu Changsheng felt only familiarity. Everything seemed so natural.

"Talk to me?" Chen Changsheng was taken aback. Hearing this, he silently wrote down his name, carefully looked Yu Changsheng up and down, and nodded seriously. "It's not impossible. Look at you, young and energetic. It's just that I'm already forty-three. I may be willing, but I'm not."

After saying this, Chen Changsheng sighed softly. Then he chuckled.

"What a wonderful child, I'm far too good for him."

"Alright, alright, this is all a mess." Yu Changsheng waved his hand, speechless. With that, their relationship seemed to instantly become closer again.

This seems to be the normal way things are.

"You, you always overthink things. Young man, have some energy! You're so dull all the time."

Chen Changsheng said casually, loosening his tie and remarking with a sigh.

"Really?" Yu Changsheng touched his nose, pondered for a moment, and turned to look at Chen Changsheng.

The man before me showed the marks of time in the crow's feet at the corners of his mouth, and the vicissitudes in his eyes were hard to conceal.

"Yeah, look at you, you're at such a good age and you don't have any pressure. Unlike me, I'm in my forties or fifties, and my whole life is tied to this company."

Chen Changsheng spoke, his tone wistful, his eyes dimming almost imperceptibly, "I have elderly parents to care for and young children to raise. This is probably how my life will be."

As he spoke, Chen Changsheng exhaled, slowly took out a cigarette from his pocket, handed it to Yu Changsheng, then thought for a moment and took it back.

"Never mind, just don't smoke, it's really bad."

Yu Changsheng remained silent, then forced a smile upon hearing this. After a long pause, he hesitated before speaking:

"Uncle Chen, you said there are things like this in this world..."

"What?" Chen Changsheng glanced at Yu Changsheng and put the cigarette back in his hand.

"Do...immortals exist?"

Yu Changsheng hesitated for a moment, but finally spoke up.

"Immortal?"

Chen Changsheng was taken aback, gave Yu Changsheng a strange look, and said with a hint of amusement, "Why are you suddenly asking this question?"

"I just suddenly felt a bit sentimental."

Yu Changsheng shook his head and spoke softly.

"I see," Chen Changsheng pondered, "I think it exists, but..."

After a pause, Chen Changsheng said with a smile:

"However, all of these are too far removed from us mortals."

As he spoke, Chen Changsheng's gaze darkened, and he shook his head, his tone slightly somber, and chuckled:

"Me? I'm still waiting for tomorrow's sun to rise, to pay my children's tuition, and to live a good life."

Chen Changsheng spoke very calmly, as if he considered this to be the natural thing to do.

Yu Changsheng was also taken aback for a moment, then fell silent.

Are we all just mortals?...

Yu Changsheng remained silent for a long time before murmuring softly.

Those fragments in my mind vanished quickly, like a dream, blurring rapidly, leaving only shadows.

But if this is all a dream, then it's a bit too real, isn't it?

"Alright, stop thinking about it. Let's finish this project quickly. Come to my house tonight; your sister-in-law has prepared a whole bunch of delicious food."

Chen Changsheng seemed to notice that Yu Changsheng was in a low mood, so he laughed and patted Yu Changsheng's hand.

Yu Changsheng shook his head, looked at Chen Changsheng, and after a long while, he finally exhaled, a smile appearing on his face as he nodded gently.

"Okay, then we're in for a treat."

By the time I finished all the work that evening and arrived at Chen Changsheng's house, it was nearly nine o'clock.

Chen Changsheng's wife was a very quiet and gentle woman from Jiangnan. She inherited the gentle and virtuous qualities of women from Jiangnan. After hearing the two knocking on the door, she took the initiative to open the door and greeted them.

"Hello, Aunt Yang."

Yu Changsheng took the initiative to greet him, stood next to Chen Changsheng, and gave an embarrassed smile.

"Chang Sheng, are you working so late again tonight?" Aunt Yang smiled and nodded gently. She wasn't surprised by Yu Chang Sheng's arrival, as Chen Chang Sheng had obviously given her advance notice.

"I can't help it, it's almost the end of the year and I'm so busy with work. That's why I'm bothering you again."

I'm currently reading the error-free version! This is the first time I've published this novel.

Yu Changsheng shook his head, touched the bridge of his nose, and chuckled.

"Not at all, it's good to have more people come. Wash your hands and come eat quickly, I'll go heat up the food, it's all cold."

Aunt Yang smiled, exchanged pleasantries, turned around to clear the table, went to the kitchen, and reheated the food.

"Please also bring two bottles of wine."

Chen Changsheng took off his coat, handed Yu Changsheng a pair of slippers, and said something to Yang Sao without turning his head.

"understood."

Aunt Yang's voice drifted out slowly, and soon the food was heated up.

At the dinner table, Yang Sao ate a little bit with everyone before going back to her room to be with the children. The rest of the guests were Yu Changsheng and Chen Changsheng drinking together.

After several rounds of drinks and finishing another bottle of baijiu, feeling the churning in his stomach, Yu Changsheng decided to stop.

Chen Changsheng did not force him. He glanced at the time, which was exactly ten o'clock.

"Okay, I have to go to work tomorrow, and drinking too much is really not good."

Chen Changsheng was somewhat unsatisfied with the meal, and in the end, he still spoke with some regret.

"Uncle Chen has a really good capacity for alcohol; I can't even compare," Yu Changsheng said with a wry smile, waving his hand as he put down his wine glass and picked up a peanut.

"That's all from years of practice, what can you do about it?"

Chen Changsheng shrugged, somewhat indifferent.

"It's getting late. If there's nothing else, Uncle Chen, I'll head back now. Thank you for your hospitality today."

Yu Changsheng hesitated for a moment, looked at the empty wine glass in his hand, and spoke softly.

"Go back? Just sleep here. We can go to work together tomorrow. It's closer to here, so you won't have to get up early and squeeze onto the subway by yourself tomorrow."

Chen Changsheng muttered to himself, his brows furrowing slightly.

"It's not like there aren't any rooms available, what's there to be afraid of?"

Yu Changsheng felt ashamed, but his heart warmed. After hesitating for a moment, he shook his head and said:

"No, maybe next time. I have some things to take care of when I get back."

Helpless, Chen Changsheng saw that Yu Changsheng was not just being polite and stood up without making things difficult.

"Alright, I'll see you off then."

After saying one more thing to Aunt Yang, Chen Changsheng put on a coat and accompanied Yu Changsheng downstairs.

"Alright, I won't bother Uncle Chen any longer. You must be tired today, go home and get some rest."

Down in the stairwell, looking at Chen Changsheng who had come to escort him, Yu Changsheng said softly.

"It's nothing," Chen Changsheng let out a long breath, his nose reeking of alcohol, and then suddenly smiled.

"Come with me for a walk along the riverbank, take a stroll, and let the effects of the alcohol dissipate. You seem to be alright, don't you?"

Yu Changsheng was taken aback, then slowly nodded and agreed.

"good……"

Along the riverbank, a gentle night breeze dispels the city's daytime heat while bringing a touch of coolness, which brushes against one's face and sharpens one's thoughts.

The city at night is ablaze with lights, and under the neon lights, groups of people can be seen everywhere.

Chen Changsheng didn't seem to be in a hurry either. The two walked slowly along the riverbank, chatting casually.

"What's wrong? Something's on your mind? You seem a bit distracted today."

Chen Changsheng glanced at Yu Changsheng, whose effects of the alcohol had mostly worn off, and asked.

"It's nothing, it's just that things feel a bit unreal right now."

After thinking about it carefully, Yu Changsheng said with a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"Unreal?"

Chen Changsheng's expression faltered. Hearing this, he paused, leaned against the railing by the river, and looked at the opposite bank with a complicated expression.

Through the vast river, the opposite bank still features tall buildings standing side by side, their lights twinkling. Occasionally, a cruise ship, shimmering with dazzling lights, slowly glides on the river. From a distance, one can vaguely see a scene of singing and dancing on the deck of the cruise ship.

"Me? I'm the complete opposite of you. I think this world is just too damn real!"

Chen Changsheng frowned at first, then relaxed. He spit a mouthful of saliva into the river and said with a sigh.

"I don't know what's wrong with you today, Changsheng. Or maybe something happened. If you want to tell me, then please do."

"Then, if there's anything you want to do, do it while you're still young. Don't leave any regrets; that's the right thing to do."

"After all, we mortals spend our entire lives reading, growing up, getting married, having children, working, retiring... we can see the end of our lives at a glance, and that's how it is."

Chen Changsheng's gaze was deep and his tone revealed a hint of helplessness as he spoke softly.

"I……"

Yu Changsheng hesitated, wanting to say something but unable to utter a word. He could only swallow hard, looking at the somewhat forlorn Chen Changsheng, feeling a pang of emotion. Finally, after a moment's thought, he said:

"Uncle Chen, what about you? What do you want to do?"

"I?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Changsheng smiled faintly, his eyes narrowed slightly, and his gaze darkened as he shook his head.

"What else can I do? I just accept it as it is, knowing there's nothing I can do about it."

After saying that, Chen Changsheng gave a self-deprecating laugh and turned to look at Yu Changsheng.

Yu Changsheng's body suddenly stiffened, and he froze on the spot, staring blankly at Chen Changsheng. (End of this chapter)