9 99 Years Later (1/2)
An extremely well-known and powerful immortal, 100 years ago, challenged heaven's will and broke through their world's boundary to ascend to higher plane. A legend amongst legends that birthed the era of the ascending immortals while ending an era where heaven reigned supreme.
That day called for celebrations from all over the cultivation world!
With many immortals ascending, only a few stayed well-known immortal cultivators stayed back to heal the hero of legends to complete their cycle of karma.
They used their most precious medicinal treasures, caring for the hero for many years. As a century crept closer, many left to ascend and await for their hero to create another legend.
Yet, the flow of time continued and only2 remained by his side.
The immortal opened his eyes for the first time in 100 years in a very unique and beautiful chamber that an emperor would only dare to dream of. He slowly got off the bad, balancing himself to stand up straight and walked towards the window beside his bed.
His face and body appeared as a young man with a hint of age and wisdom in his honey-brown eyes standing lost in a reminiscent daze. He attempted to use his divine sense to figure where he was but felt surprised that he could no longer use his divine sense. Not only that, he couldn't circulate any qi through his meridians.
Even though he lost his abilities as a cultivator, he could still feel that his body kept its strength of a powerful immortal. Throughout the century, during his slumber, many of his friend gave up their life-saving treasures to keep him stable thus enhancing his immortal body.
If he used the leftover energy of his immortal body, he will continue to weaken and return to a mortal once again. It would definitely take a long time until his energy depletes unless he were to come against another immortal.
Gazing out the window, deep in his thoughts, the door swung open yet he paid no attention to those that came in.
Two individuals, a young man and woman, stood there by the entrance waiting for the hero to snap out of his thoughts. In theirs eyes, a longing could be felt while their heart's pumped in jubilation.
”I am no longer able to cultivate and I can feel that my lifespan will only last me another 100 -150 years,” the hero spoke aloud breaking the silence. He turned his head towards the young man and woman with loving yet distant eyes.
”Tell me Naeba, what has changed since I lost conscious? What happen to those old friends of mine?”
”Disciple greets, master! It has been nearly 100 years since you fell unconscious, since then you have been within our care. Master's old friends ascended 3 years ago, with strong resolution, hoping to send an avatar to bring back treasures to return your cultivation.
Many older generations ascended while the younger aspire to be someone like you. You've been name a hero that is told in stories and textbooks ,” the young man named Naeba responded after he bowed.
”With so many life and death friends, I'm already happy enough to know they gave so much. Naeba and Iris, ascend and relay my information,” the hero instructed hiding the pain in his heart.
”Tell them to live their new life, I've lived for too long. After going through hundred thousands of hardships and trials, I should finally retire. I'll hope to meet everyone once more in the next lifetime!”
”Disciples Naeba (and Iris) will do as instructed, Master Silver,” the siblings replied acknowledging his instructions.
With such a stubborn and straightforward personality, noone in any of his lifetime's could change his mind. Yet, Iris and Naeba could only feel a bitter, heartbreaking sadness. Their kind and passionate master took care of them for millions of years but they knew they would eventually leave his side.
The were unable to even mourn over their master and send him off to meet Grandma Meng.
”Do not worry about me, Naeba and Iris,” Silver spoke knowingly of how they felt.
”You're both my children. I've taken care of you pair of brother and sister for a very long time. Like the Great Kun Peng, swimming in the oceans for years, you must learn to fly out of the waters and see the world.”
Naeba and Iris stood by the chamber's doors, tears slowly escaping from the corner of their reddening eyes. They watched the fading back of their master taking a step, shifting into the air like a mirage as if they were living in a daydream.
Facing each other, the siblings a gaze were filled with sadness yet newfound hope and determination. Both of them sat down in a lotus position, drawing in streams of qi into their dantian to ascend to the higher plane immediately.
Silver stood on the peak of a mountain covered in snow, gazing at the shining lights of his disciples ascension. The light finally dissipated, marking the last immortals to have left the lower realm. Once more, Silver turned towards the east and vanished in a single step.
Many years later . . .
”Grandpa! Grandpa!” a young child exclaimed as they ran into a small, wooden cabin.