Chapter 73: Chapter 71: A Word or Two from the Peach Blossoms

’I’ve had a good life this time around. What about you? Have you reincarnated too?’

’The existence of True Spirit reincarnation in this world is undeniable. However, the vast majority of people can’t break through the Mystery of the Womb. When they live another life, they are already a different person.’

’Even if I found you and reawakened your past life memories, would I be awakening the you who spent a lifetime with me, or the you from several lives before that?’

’So, I’ve never seriously considered searching for your reincarnation. Even if I happen to run into you, I’ll just nod, smile, and walk on by. If you think that’s heartless, then so be it.’

During his first reincarnation in this world, when he was the Prime Minister of the Wu Kingdom, Du Youqian had many beautiful women in his life and a harmonious family.

But his official wife was part of an aristocratic alliance. Despite his efforts to cultivate the relationship, their bond remained too placid.

They were respectful to each other as guests, each fulfilling their respective roles within the family.

As for his concubines, some were taken for their beauty and others for political alliances; there was little genuine affection involved.

Moreover, as the Prime Minister, he was busy his entire life and had very limited time to spend with his family.

What little free time he had was mostly spent educating his children and grandchildren. How could he have had any time to cultivate his relationships?

In contrast, it was the life he shared with Long Ruzhen, where they supported each other through hardship, that he cherished the most.

Although when they first got together, it felt forced. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

In the end, he found he couldn’t be without her.

As for his relationships on Earth, there was even less to say. How much sincerity could be found in modern love?

A 996 worker commuted for several hours a day. How much time did they have to nurture a relationship and a family?

’I’m grateful for that life, for having you by my side. You let me experience a love more profound than any I had ever known. Farewell, forever.’

When he was done, Du Youqian stood up and went to look at the peach tree he had casually planted forty years ago when he buried his beloved wife.

A gentle breeze blew past, and the Peach Blossoms seemed to nod in response.

The leaves rustled.

The sound echoed in his ears like a lover’s whisper.

But when he listened closely, it was just the ordinary sound of leaves again.

’When the Peach Blossoms fall, will they bring me a word from you?’

After indulging in his sorrow for a moment, Du Youqian pulled himself out of those Emotions.

’To feel, but not to be burdened by it.’

The peach tree looked lush with blossoms and leaves. He could imagine it in the autumn, its branches heavy with plump peaches.

Du Youqian placed a hand on the trunk and sent his Magical Power into it to get a sense of its condition.

Having already begun to study Spirit Plant Art, he quickly determined that the peach tree was not in good health.

The main issue was that it was nearing the end of its natural lifespan.

In layman’s terms, it was about to die of old age.

If not for the Tier One Spirit Vein nearby nourishing it, it probably wouldn’t have survived this long.

It was a bit troublesome now, but not beyond saving.

After a moment of contemplation, Du Youqian began to set up an Array.

First was a small Spirit-Gathering Array to make the Spiritual Qi around the peach tree richer and more abundant.

Spiritual Qi could be considered a panacea, capable of extending the lives of humans, animals, and plants, or even causing beneficial mutations.

This Spirit-Gathering Array alone would be enough to let the peach tree live for another one or two hundred years without a problem.

Next came a Rain Cloud Array. In the event of a drought, this small Array could save the tree’s life.

He also needed an Insect-Avoidance Array, and oh, a Beast-Expelling Array too.

These were all simple Tier One Middle and Lower Grade small Arrays, presenting no difficulty.

After setting up the Arrays, Du Youqian spared no expense with his Magical Power, using the standard techniques from Spirit Plant Art to properly comb through the peach tree’s channels and heal its hidden injuries.

Having done all this, he took a few steps back and smiled as he looked at the first recipient of his Spirit Plant Art.

’This way, the tree should have no problem living for over three hundred years, right?’

Plants were not like humans.

For a human, no matter what he did, without a high-grade Longevity Celestial and Earthly Spiritual Object, he couldn’t extend their lifespan beyond the great limit of about one hundred and thirty years.

The lifespan limit of a Qi Cultivation Cultivator was the same.

Only by advancing to Foundation Establishment, where one’s level of life was fundamentally changed, could this limit be broken.

’So plants are better after all.’

’Their lifespans aren’t locked.’

’They can accompany me from one life to the next.’

After dealing with these matters, Du Youqian went to Elder Tao’s grave. He first poured out some fine wine for Elder Tao, then took out a Guqin that was a Tier One Middle Grade Spiritual Artifact.

As a Magical Artifact, the Guqin’s only special quality was... a richer, fuller tone.

He sat down cross-legged, placed the instrument on his lap, and played a rendition of "The Smiling, Proud Wanderer" for Elder Tao.

’My skill with the Guqin is getting better and better... Even though I only play casually, I can’t help but make time to play in every life, and the practice accumulates. Maybe after a few more reincarnations, before I succeed in Immortal Cultivating, my Guqin skills will have reached a saintly level...’

Then, as was his custom, he also spoke a few words to Elder Tao.

"Master, I’m doing pretty well in this life, probably a lot better than you were back in the day. If you’re watching from the great beyond, I hope you can feel some satisfaction... though you’ve probably already reincarnated."

"I’ll find a way to settle the scores from your last life. An eye for an eye, and a favor for a favor. In my next life, I’ll try to join the Chongzhen Sect! But if my luck is bad and my points don’t go into a Fire Spirit Root, leaving me without a Middle Grade Spirit Root, I won’t meet the Chongzhen Sect’s disciple recruitment standards. In that case, there’s nothing to be done. I’ll just have to wait for the life after that, or the one after that."

"But don’t you worry, old man. I will definitely do what I promised you. As for your senior brother’s lineage, I’ll make sure his disciples, grand-disciples, great-grand-disciples, and great-great-grand-disciples all have a hard time."

After paying his respects to his wife and Elder Tao, Du Youqian looked over at the Daoist Temple.