A Druid Also Can Cultivate

Chapter 532: Chapter 424: Perfection

Time passed quickly; in the blink of an eye, more than a decade had gone by. During this period, the Star Sea Continent experienced unprecedented tranquility and development.

During this time, besides cultivation and handling crucial policies and events, Qi Ping spent most of his time helping Old Zhou condense a stronger Carefree Dao Seed and accompanying him in his final days, chatting and drinking with him.

The time spent with Old Zhou was also the most relaxing period for Qi Ping.

As expected by Qi Ping, after more than ten years, Old Zhou’s life finally reached its end.

Additionally, the old mountain hyena that accompanied Old Zhou also reached the end of its life soon after.

It was already quite elderly, and during this time, it became Old Zhou’s bosom friend beyond age differences. Upon knowing Old Zhou’s end was near, it ceased cultivation and the use of Spiritual Medicine to extend life, allowing life to fade away.

The man and the beast passed away almost simultaneously.

Perhaps because their life’s wishes were fulfilled, or perhaps because they had each other’s company; the two like-minded old drunkards were still smiling before they passed, without any fear of death.

After Old Zhou and the old mountain hyena passed away one after the other, Qi Ping erected a tombstone for them in the yard.

This was Old Zhou’s request; to him, it didn’t matter being buried in some feng shui sacred place. The best resting place was being buried at home after death.

The old mountain hyena was more casual; it already had no home. As long as Old Zhou was there, that was home. It wasn’t picky, only requesting Qi Ping not let its corpse be dug up and eaten by anything.

Currently, dressed in black, exuding an aura that could overpower the world, Qi Ping stood shoulder to shoulder with Sister Nan, who was in white, and whose presence as the insect king was becoming more apparent, before the graves of Old Zhou and the old mountain hyena.

Maybe it was Old Zhou’s open-mindedness that influenced Qi Ping, or perhaps knowing Old Zhou hadn’t truly died, Qi Ping didn’t appear particularly sorrowful.

Over the past decade, he had tried his best to help Old Zhou condense a stronger and more perfect Carefree Dao Seed. After that, how much weight Old Zhou could occupy after fully awakening depended on Old Zhou’s abilities.

However, Qi Ping had some confidence in Old Zhou. This seemingly careless and unreliable old man had a strong Dao Heart that surpassed ordinary people, and he saw life more clearly than anyone.

But Sister Nan’s eyes were red from crying in front of Old Zhou’s grave, her eyes filled with unstoppable sorrow.

Now, unlike Qi Ping who had many friends and a vast foundation, Old Zhou was her only friend besides Qi Ping. She even knew Old Zhou earlier than Qi Ping, having been introduced to Qi Ping by Old Zhou back when he was still a young boy.

Thus, the loss of such a friend was an immensely painful event for her.

"Sister Nan, don’t be so sad. In a way, Old Zhou isn’t dead...." Qi Ping comforted her.

"Hmm? Old Zhou isn’t dead?"

Sister Nan quickly glanced at Qi Ping, her expression shifting from sorrow to astonishment.

But she had witnessed Old Zhou’s death with her own eyes not long ago. How could he not be dead?

"Yes!" Qi Ping nodded affirmatively.

"What’s the situation?"

"Through my deduction, Old Zhou is the reincarnation of an extraordinary figure. Old Zhou is just one incarnation in his cycle of reincarnation and enlightenment. Not long ago, Old Zhou left with the fruits of his cultivation to continue his reincarnation cycle... I hadn’t told you before to avoid affecting Old Zhou’s fruits of this life. Only when the importance of this life is high enough will Old Zhou’s personality become dominant once his memories fully integrate..."

Qi Ping chose not to hide this from her because he didn’t want Sister Nan to be overly saddened. The previous secrecy was only to strengthen Old Zhou’s Dao Fruit.

While the integration of memories may cause significant changes in Old Zhou’s personality, it’s still a comforting thought.

After hearing Qi Ping’s explanation, Sister Nan was utterly stunned.

The information was overwhelming, especially the fact that Old Zhou was the reincarnation of an extraordinary figure. Who would have thought that the seemingly negligent Old Zhou was such a being!

After quite a while, Sister Nan finally voiced her question:

"When Old Zhou’s memories awaken, will he still be Old Zhou or become another person?"

She didn’t know much about reincarnation and enlightenment, but she could imagine the unimaginable impact caused by merging so many past life memories.

"In terms of reincarnation and enlightenment, whichever life is the most significant becomes the dominant personality. Since every life is a real-life experience, the more significant experiences influence the personality the most, even surpassing the first life. Old Zhou’s fruit of this life is exceptional, and with good cultivation, we will meet again one day in the future!"

Upon hearing this, Sister Nan nodded with joy.

"Thank goodness Old Zhou isn’t dead. Perhaps the next time we meet, he’ll have surpassed us!"

"Old man, I’ll often come back to visit you!"

After pouring three pots of wine for Old Zhou, Qi Ping sealed the entire mountain. The place where Old Zhou was is where his true home lay, even if Old Zhou had already passed away.

Moreover, he couldn’t fully determine what the awakened being’s attitude would be like in the future.

"However, one thing is certain: Old Zhou’s memories will never disappear. Even if they don’t dominate the personality in the future, their influence will still be significant...."

"Moreover...as long as my future strength is great enough, I could forcefully revive Old Zhou’s memories!"

Such a thing is far simpler than resurrecting a person.

With this in mind, Qi Ping felt even more at ease. Moving forward, he only needed to focus on becoming stronger, studying the essence of power in this world, and using the collective strength of the Star Sea Continent to gather power capable of breaking through all destinies and puppet masters behind the scenes.

Additionally, it’s worth mentioning that the siblings Chang Qing and Chang’e, whom Old Zhou had picked up, also bid him farewell. Especially Chang’e, who, with her sincere nature, cried her heart out over the loss of her grandfather-like figure, while Chang Qing sternly held back his tears.

In Old Zhou’s final days, the siblings frequently visited him, helping manage everything on the mountain.

After Old Zhou’s passing, managing the bees on the mountain was entrusted to the siblings.

When they recently found out about Qi Ping’s identity, it was mind-blowing for them.

No wonder Old Zhou said they would only be slightly qualified to know Qi Ping’s true identity once they reached the Golden Core Stage.

At first, they thought this statement was exaggerated. The Golden Core Stage was a lofty status, a level of greatness!

They had tried to imagine Qi Ping’s identity to be as lofty as possible, but they never expected that the seemingly calm Qi Ping was at the pinnacle of the Star Sea Continent, capable of becoming an eternal emperor!

Thus, the shock at learning the truth was inevitable.

Neither did they expect amiable Old Zhou, their friendly yet lazy mentor, to be the master of such a figure!

Now that they have reached the Golden Core Stage, they understand how Old Zhou’s comment was not an exaggeration. Even as newly minted "experts" at this once-remote stage, they felt as insignificant as ants compared to Qi Ping.

However, their quick advancement to the Golden Core Stage was not only due to their special contribution in helping Qi Ping with Spirit Wood cultivation but also because of their rare talent, suitable knowledge, cultivation techniques, and resource support.

The Golden Core Stage on the Star Sea Continent shouldn’t have been so scarce during Qi Ping’s time, but back then, no force had an understanding and cultivation system as thorough as Cyan Origin Academy or Star Sea Academy, nor could they provide such vast resources.

Compared to today’s conditions, even Qi Ping back then seemed like a beggar in Immortal Cultivation....

Thus, it’s no surprise the siblings Chang Qing and Chang’e quickly broke through to the Golden Core, which also reflects the prosperity of the Nine Star Sea Realms.

The current Nine Star Sea Realms can be depicted with twelve words: a glorious era, generations of outstanding talents, and mighty beings as common as dragons!

Today’s new generation of young people is full of fighting spirit, eager to make a name for themselves in the upcoming crisis, preparing to seize a lasting reputation!

Some even hope to become core disciples at the peak of the Star Sea Academy!

Currently, each core disciple of the Star Sea Academy is a prodigy remarkable enough to astonish a generation and is also a place longed for by today’s young generation across the Nine Star Sea Realms!

....

Thus, more years passed.

One day, while immersed in the study of Laws, Qi Ping suddenly perceived an enormously terrifying power, rapidly pressing toward the direction of the Star Sea Continent!