The First Immortal of Destiny

Shen Mo and Chen Mengze’s sudden disappearance earlier had made Chen An extremely worried, even affecting his progress in opening his Spirit Sea!

Now that the two have returned safely, Chen An was naturally in a great mood, drinking a lot and talking a lot.

Perhaps knowing that his cultivation realm wasn’t high enough to guide them any longer, he didn’t talk much about cultivation but reminisced about the glorious years past...

He recounted how he escaped with the newborn Chen Mengze, evading the pursuing cultivators from the Liu and Wu families; how he was persuaded by Shen Mo’s father to join the Riverside Sect; how he struggled in both the inner and outer sects, earning the position of Outer Deacon; and how he hunted demonic beasts in the Linjiang Mountain Range, arduously earning cultivation resources!

In addition, he spoke of many silly and amusing things Shen Mo and Chen Mengze did in their childhood, until he was finally drunk and collapsed onto the stone table.

After helping Chen An into the house to settle down, Shen Mo invited Chen Mengze to take a walk and discuss her plan to breakthrough to the late-stage of the Golden Core Realm!

Immediately, clouds rose beneath their feet, and they leisurely strolled through various parts of the Mountain-River Zone.

At this moment, the Mountain-River Zone was already different from the Mountain River Realm of a hundred years ago. Due to the presence of a Fairyland in the Immortal Realm, the nature’s spiritual energy was vastly more abundant, and the scenery and resources within were far superior to those of the past.

The moonlight was just right.

A gentle breeze blew, caressing the two of them, their clothes fluttering, exuding an ethereal charm, like a pair of Divine Immortals!

"Uncle Chen... seems no longer worried about your lifelong matters." Shen Mo, slightly drunk, spoke slowly.

During the feast, neither he nor Chen Mengze had intentionally used their powers to dissipate the alcohol; such an action, firstly, would show insincerity to accompany Uncle Chen in drinking, and secondly, would lose the joy found in alcohol.

Anyway, there were no urgent matters at hand, and they could fully indulge in this sense of euphoria.

Chen Mengze’s face also showed a rosy blush, her skin as pure as snow taking on a pink-peach hue, with the drunkenness softening her typically icy aura, making her irresistibly charming.

Facing the night wind, her brows and body relaxed, she cheerfully said, "Since I successfully formed my Golden Core, my father has stopped talking about these matters. Perhaps he saw my Great Path within reach, and thus dismissed the thought..."

Shen Mo thought briefly and felt that this was likely the reason.

At that time, Chen Mengze was merely a Qi Gathering Realm cultivator, with a lifespan of only about two hundred years. Uncle Chen naturally thought of finding a good spouse for her, so they could continue the Chen Family bloodline.

But as her realm increased, the situation began to change.

A Spirit Sea Realm cultivator has a lifespan of five hundred years, and due to the growing differences as one’s cultivation level increases, the likelihood of bearing children becomes very small;

Golden Core Realm cultivators even more so, not only enjoying a thousand-year lifespan, but existences of this realm can hardly reproduce like normal men and women through the union of Yin and Yang!

Now, Chen Mengze is a middle-stage Golden Core cultivator, and with her current talent and accumulation, the Divine Bridge Realm isn’t beyond reach...

At such a cultivation realm, the possibility of having children is almost impossible, making marriage matters hold little significance.

Moreover, she currently has a lifespan of a thousand years, and once she successfully builds the Divine Bridge, she could live for three thousand years, outliving most cultivating families, rendering the need to have offspring entirely meaningless!

In this way, Chen An naturally no longer cared about her lifelong matters as before but was more concerned about her success on her path.

This is similar in both the Primordial Realm and the Universal Realm.

Low-class cultivators who have not entirely transcended the mortal world, to continue the value of their life, ideals, and inheritance in the next generation, consider marriage, reproduction, and disciple legacy extremely important.

However, once one becomes a high-class cultivator, possessing a long lifespan, family and offspring become insignificant matters;

At this time, forming a Dao companionship with someone is more for mutual support on the path to immortality!

"Then yourself, what do you think?" Shen Mo suddenly stopped, standing there on the clouds, under the bright moon, quietly looking at Chen Mengze.

His eyes clear and bright, like two shining stars, devoid of any drunkenness.

Chen Mengze, feeling somewhat shy under his gaze, yet refusing to be outdone, slightly rose her delicate chin, meeting his eyes: "Don’t tell me you still don’t understand my feelings by now?"

"It’s a pity that back then, I was wholly focused on avenging the blood feud of my mother and the entire Chen family, and thought you were too weak, not worth my attention."

"Once I came to my senses, you had already soared like a True Dragon on the Wind Riding path, with Junior Sister Lingyin beside you. What could I possibly do then? Throw tantrums like a market woman, disregarding everything to seek your affection? Or act as a long-tongued woman, trying to arouse discord between you and Zhao Lingyin, to win you back? Or should I humble myself, catering to your desires, and become your concubine?"

Gazing at Chen Mengze’s stunning appearance under the moon, and listening to her heartfelt words, Shen Mo suddenly felt a sense of illusion.

The memories of youth and the vague feelings towards Chen Mengze had long faded away, which is why he always treated her as a fellow sect member and family friend!

But, as time passed, and because of their interactions over these hundred years or so, their relationship seemed to have subtly changed... Shen Mo also gradually became aware of her changes, and having clarified his inner feelings, had already regarded her as an indispensable presence on his path.

Therefore, it was only today, slightly drunk, that he inquired about Chen Mengze’s thoughts, attempting to redefine their relationship.

However, this matter is not like cultivation, it isn’t solely Shen Mo’s decision. Chen Mengze has her own thoughts and plans, as do her Dao companion Zhao Lingyin; he could, of course, impose his will on them due to his higher cultivation, but if he were to do so, what he valued most would instantly vanish without a trace, losing all significance!

Shen Mo slowly stepped forward, caressing Chen Mengze’s face with the back of his hand, whispering softly: "I’m no sentient plant; how could I not know your heart? If you are willing..."

"I’m not willing!"

Chen Mengze seemed to anticipate what he wanted to say, rubbing her cheek against his hand, smiling sweetly, "Things are good as they are now, no need to change anything."

"We have both transcended the mortal realm, and one day, we might even cultivate into True Immortals. At that time, we’d have nearly endless lifespans. Even the most beautiful appearance would become tiresome after tens of millions of years. Even the most passionate emotions would fade over hundreds of millions of years! Although we aren’t Dao companions, if we continue supporting each other on our paths to becoming immortals, wouldn’t that surpass being Dao companions?"

"What I want now is not to be left behind by you, becoming a humble glowworm amidst weeds and mud, looking up at you, the bright moon hanging high in the night sky. I only wish that in a thousand years, or tens of millions of years, I can still stand by your side like today, enjoying the breeze and the beautiful moonlit scenery with you!"