After Chen Changsheng finished speaking, the System's voice echoed in his mind.
"Since the Host has doubts, why not seek the truth yourself?"
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng rolled his eyes and waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't mess around. Why would I do something so dangerous to myself?
If I accidentally get into trouble, it would be a huge loss.
Besides, I don't want to end up like the Blood Demon Ancestor, hunted for a lifetime."
"Host, what I mean is that you can find the safest and most reliable method."
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng paused for a moment.
"The safest and most reliable? Is there such a method?"
"Why would the Host think there isn't? Nothing in this world is unchanging."
"The Blood Demon Ancestor chose such a hasty method because his lifespan was nearing its end."
"But you, Host, are different. You have an almost infinite lifespan."
"With time, this problem might be solved."
Faced with the System's response, Chen Changsheng tilted his head and thought, "Makes sense. Time may seem weak, but it's the sharpest blade in this world.
Whether you're a Divine Transformation Ancestor or a Divine Weapon, you can't resist the erosion of time.
Everything becomes insignificant in the face of time, so this small cultivation issue is naturally no problem."
The artificial spiritual root was another hypothesis proposed by the Blood Demon Ancestor. He wanted to implant external objects into the human body to form a spiritual root.
However, this method had many unsolved challenges.
For example, what kind of heavenly materials and earthly treasures are suitable as spiritual roots, and how to prevent them from being absorbed by the body and instead transform into spiritual roots.
But faced with these issues, Chen Changsheng wasn't in a hurry to solve them because he had plenty of time.
After chatting with the System for a bit, Chen Changsheng climbed into the coffin he often slept in.
After three busy months, he needed a good rest.
***
The matter of collecting the Blood Demon Ancestor's body didn't cause much of a stir.
Chen Changsheng resumed his peaceful and solitary life.
However, it's worth mentioning that the kind-hearted Little Monk would come to see Chen Changsheng every now and then.
Sometimes he asked Chen Changsheng to collect bodies, sometimes he shared his cultivation insights.
But what they discussed most was Buddhist teachings.
For decades, Chen Changsheng had been reading everything from Buddhist scriptures and Taoist classics to popular novels and lowbrow stories.
As long as it contained knowledge, Chen Changsheng didn't miss it.
Combined with fifty years of worldly experience, Chen Changsheng usually won their debates on Buddhist teachings.
***
"Chen Changsheng, today I must debate with you for three hundred rounds!"
A bald man in monk robes stepped into the Coffin Shop.
Seeing the visitor's carefree demeanor, Chen Changsheng glanced at him and said calmly.
"You are, after all, the heir of the Heavenly Buddha Temple, known to all as Master Ikkyu. If people saw you like this, wouldn't they laugh?"
In response to Chen Changsheng's words, Ikkyu rolled his eyes and casually sat on a coffin, saying.
"Let them laugh if they want. Even if they praise me to the skies, it won't change the fact that I've been losing for twenty years."
Indeed, this Ikkyu monk was the same Little Monk who once asked Chen Changsheng to collect the Blood Demon Ancestor's body.
Time flies, and twenty years passed in the blink of an eye.
The once Little Monk had become a young talent capable of standing on his own.
Hearing Ikkyu's complaint, Chen Changsheng put down his book and said, "So you mean you want to debate with me today?"
"Of course, why else would I come to see you if not to debate?
Among the people I know, only you can match me in Buddhist teachings.
But then again, your cultivation talent is really poor.
Twenty years ago, you were at the third level of Qi Refining, and now you're at the fourth. Your realm advancement is way too slow."
"I'm really worried you'll accidentally die one day, and then who will I debate with?"
Hearing this, Chen Changsheng smiled faintly and said, "Cultivation talent isn't something I can decide. What can I do?"
"I can help you even if you lack cultivation talent!
Though I can't change the fact that you don't have a spiritual root, I can extend your lifespan.
You never tell me how long you've lived, and I don't want to lose a friend like you."
Facing Ikkyu's words, Chen Changsheng responded with a smile, without giving a direct answer.
In the cultivation world, the biggest advantage is not having to worry about unchanged appearances.
Because longevity pills are not rare.
"Life and death are predestined, wealth and honor are in the heavens. Don't take lifespan too seriously, just let things take their course."
"Today, I don't want to debate with you; I have something to ask you for help with."
"No way!"
Ikkyu flatly refused Chen Changsheng's request.
"Unless you agree to let me extend your lifespan."
Seeing Ikkyu's stubbornness, Chen Changsheng smiled helplessly.
"No problem, if you help me with this, I'll agree to let you extend my lifespan."
Upon hearing this, Ikkyu immediately jumped off the coffin, excitedly saying.
"What is it? Just say it, and Master Ikkyu will ensure it's done!"
"You came to the Linglong Sect to attend the ceremony for 'Fairy Changsheng' taking over as Elder, right?"
"What, do you want to see it too?"
"No," Chen Changsheng shook his head and said, "I want you to give this to 'Fairy Changsheng'."
Saying this, Chen Changsheng took out a tiger-shaped wooden carving from his pocket.
Seeing the item in Chen Changsheng's hand, Ikkyu's face twisted.
"Chen Changsheng, don't tell me you like 'Fairy Changsheng'."
"That woman isn't interested in Dao companions at all, so don't waste your effort."
"Just deliver it to her, no need for extra words."
"If you do it, I'll agree to extend my lifespan."
Faced with Chen Changsheng's "troublesome" request, Ikkyu scratched his head anxiously.
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In the end, Ikkyu grabbed the wooden carving from Chen Changsheng's hand and said.
"Let me be clear, I can deliver it, but I can't mention your name."
"If Fairy Changsheng's suitors find out, you'll probably end up dead."
"Fine!"
After getting Chen Changsheng's answer, Ikkyu left the Coffin Shop with the wooden carving.
Watching Ikkyu's departing figure, Chen Changsheng softly said, "Little Monk, see you in eighty years."
After speaking, Chen Changsheng embedded a few Spirit Stones into the floor.
The Coffin Shop was suddenly filled with formation patterns, a random teleportation formation Chen Changsheng had spent ten years setting up.
The teleportation range was unknown, and the destination was unknown.
The purpose was to prevent anyone from tracking him through the teleportation formation.
Buzz!
With a flash of light, Chen Changsheng disappeared into the formation, and the random teleportation formation on the ground was completely destroyed.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan