Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 51: Legends of the Immortal Family

"Hoo..."

Li Xiaofeng took a deep breath and slowly began to speak:

"About seventy years ago, when I was sixteen, I lived by fishing on Bai Bo Lake."

"My father passed away early, and my family was impoverished. Our life was extremely difficult, and even though I fished tirelessly day and night, I could barely make ends meet."

His tone was drifting, with a hint of reminiscence in his eyes:

"At that time, I didn’t even dare to have thoughts of marrying and having children, only hoping to raise my younger siblings."

"But just when I thought my life would pass by like this, an unexpected turn occurred..."

Zhang Yao listening to his account suddenly felt a familiar sense of déjà vu, as if he had heard this story somewhere before.

"That’s it, Spring Orchid once mentioned that Li Xiaofeng had met an Immortal on Bai Bo Lake!"

He recalled, and his heart couldn’t help but shake violently, his gaze slightly changed.

Back then, he assumed it was merely an exaggerated rumor, but now hearing it directly from Li Xiaofeng’s mouth, it was evidently something else.

Li Xiaofeng did not notice Zhang Yao’s unusual expression, and continued his story:

"It was summer, and that day I set out fishing at dawn as usual, but encountered a rare storm."

"Luckily, I had coping experience, so I urgently docked the boat on an isolated island on the lake, secured the fishing boat, and hid inside the cabin waiting for the storm to pass."

"I endured for several hours and finally waited for the storm to pass. But when I came out of the cabin, I witnessed an unbelievable scene..."

He recounted to this point, his eyes unfocused, his tone filled with amazement and shock.

It was imaginable that even after seventy years, that scene still left an indelible impression on him:

"I saw a gentleman in white, stepping on a glowing broad green leaf, flying through the remnants of the storm from the sky."

"At that moment, I stared at him dazedly, almost forgetting how to breathe."

"When he saw me, he immediately descended from the green leaf, treading the water without a trace, and boarded the fishing boat, asking with a smile if there was fish or shrimp to accompany his wine."

Zhang Yao, listening, couldn’t help but interject:

"What did you answer?"

"I caught a few crucian carp on the spot and used the small pot and coarse salt from the boat to cook a pot of fish soup."

Li Xiaofeng was immersed in memory, his tone becoming increasingly ethereal:

"The Immortal said that I treated him to fish soup, and he treated me to wine."

"I drank his wine and immediately felt as if my whole body was in a warm furnace, clearing away the damp chill; the wine was astonishingly potent, making me drunk after just a few sips."

"When I awoke, the Immortal was already gone, leaving only half a pot of fish soup behind."

"I thought of it as a ridiculous dream and mentioned it to a few people after returning home, but other fishermen ridiculed me as having been dreaming during the day, which made the story spread half the city as a joke."

"And then?"

Zhang Yao pursued further.

"And then..."

Li Xiaofeng pursed his lips, with an indescribable glint in his eyes:

"Since that day, I soon discovered my strength had increased greatly. Within a few months, I became taller and stronger, immune to cold, heat, and illness."

"Overjoyed, I chose to join the Cao Bang to make a name for myself, and soon gained recognition due to my talents, standing out among my peers..."

His account ended there.

Zhang Yao, after listening, remained internally tumultuous and conflicted:

"Could it be there are truly Cultivators and Immortals in this world?"

Li Xiaofeng’s words seemed to reveal a door to a whole new world.

Though the door remained tightly closed, even a sliver of light escaping was enough to enthrall.

"...I understand now."

Zhang Yao took two deep breaths, suppressed his chaotic thoughts, and slowly began:

"It is because of this youthful encounter that there is today’s ’Pingbo Dragon King.’

"You believed that after hearing this secret, I would never leave Jiangzhou because of this immortal encounter?"

"Exactly!"

Li Xiaofeng nodded, frankly saying:

"To be honest, many years ago, I secretly instructed the Baihe Sub Branch to monitor for unusual occurrences on Bai Bo Lake, hoping for another immortal encounter."

"But after all these years, I’ve never achieved my wish, and now my lifespan is nearing its end, death is not far away."

"But undoubtedly, there must be Immortals near Bai Bo Lake because I saw with my own eyes."

He looked at Zhang Yao, speaking earnestly:

"I am already in my twilight years and can’t wait, but you are still young, with at least thirty years to wait."

"Governor Zhang, if you agree to join and oversee the Cao Bang, you can use their extensive manpower to continuously monitor all movements in Jiangzhou."

"Should another immortal encounter arise, you will certainly seize it, and may even embark on another realm..."

Zhang Yao remained silent for a moment before slowly shaking his head:

"Gang Leader Li, your idea is flawed."

"Even if there are Immortal Families in the world, their world, how can we even fathom it?"

"The notion that an Immortal is hidden near Bai Bo Lake might just be your wishful thinking."

Upon hearing Zhang Yao’s words, Li Xiaofeng showed unmistakable disappointment on his face, his tone low:

"So... you heard this secret and still chose to refuse?"

"Yes."

Zhang Yao’s tone was calm, saying:

"I still plan to leave Baihe City, travel the world, and see this magnificent land."

"But I didn’t hear your secret in vain; I’ll exchange it with another secret."

"Oh?"

Li Xiaofeng raised an eyebrow and asked:

"What secret?"

Zhang Yao smiled slightly, saying casually:

"The secret of how I broke through to Grandmaster in just eight years."

"Is this true?"

Li Xiaofeng’s face changed upon hearing that, he spoke solemnly:

"Please tell, I listen attentively."

Zhang Yao pondered briefly and organized his words before speaking:

"The secret is my interpretation of a predecessor’s cultivation insights, combined with my own cultivation process."

"I am especially sensitive to changes in the body due to my talent. Back when I achieved Absolute Peak Expert status..."

He detailed his insights meticulously, emphasizing mental calm and the avoidance of contention.

"So that’s it, so that’s it..."

Li Xiaofeng mumbled after hearing, suddenly thinking of many things.

It turns out breaking through to Grandmaster isn’t about enduring time or sudden enlightenment, but through gradual accumulation of years!

Upon inner and outer Perfection, the body begins the process of nurturing True Qi, akin to pregnancy lasting ten months, one must not move rashly.

The majority of Absolute Peak Experts never grasp this level, hence prematurely cutting off their Grandmaster path.

"Governor Zhang."

Li Xiaofeng collected himself, stood up, and solemnly bowed:

"This secret is invaluable, even more astonishing than mine."

"My Cao Bang is deeply grateful, please accept Mr. Li’s bow!"