Longevity: Starting from the Qi Tags-Chapter 1219 - 525 Born in distress, die in peace!

In the courtyard.

After a brief exchange, the distribution of resources from the Western Wilderness was completely decided.

Then, the three of them drank together until the sun set behind the ridges, the sky gradually darkened, and night fell with the waxing moon hanging high.

"This is my last toast to you, Daoist Friend Jiang, before I must return," Ji Hao said.

He then raised his cup towards Jiang Yuan as a sign.

Their cups clinked gently before they both drained them.

With his cup empty, Ji Hao stood up, "Daoist Friend Jiang, I’ve bothered you with my ramblings today!"

Jiang Yuan stood up with a smile, "Not at all! Drinking is one of life’s great pleasures. Today I needed to relax my tense spirit."

"A heaven genius as diligent as you is rare indeed, which is no wonder you have such talent," Ji Hao looked at him, filled with emotion, "To achieve great success, both hard work and talent are indispensable!"

Jiang Yuan just smiled noncommittally.

At this moment, Ji Yueyue also stood up and came over to Ji Hao’s side.

"Little brother, I’m going back now!"

Ji Yueyue waved to Jiang Yuan as a goodbye.

Subsequently,

"Burp—" She couldn’t help but let out a hiccup, her already flushed face now filled with embarrassment.

Seeing Jiang Yuan’s amused gaze, Ji Yueyue immediately covered her face, hiding her eyes.

Seeing this, Jiang Yuan couldn’t help but chuckle, "Xiaoxiao, take care on your way back!"

Then he said to Ji Hao, "Human Emperor, have a safe journey!"

Ji Hao then gave Jiang Yuan a slight nod of acknowledgement.

Just before leaving, Ji Yueyue suddenly removed her hands from her face, her eyes fixed straight on Jiang Yuan.

"Little brother, if you have time, come and visit me at the Imperial Palace! I’m so bored being there alone every day."

Then she ran over to Shu Xiaoxiao, taking her hands, "Sister, if you have time, you can come to visit me too! It just so happens we have a lot to talk about!"

"Sure!" Shu Xiaoxiao nodded in agreement.

A moment later.

Watching Ji Hao and Ji Yueyue leave,

Dugu Bo spoke slowly, "I should return as well."

Jiang Yuan said, "Then let me walk you out, Dean!"

"That would be good," Dugu Bo nodded, "Walk with me then!"

"Sure!" Jiang Yuan nodded.

...

The two walked down the mountain path.

The cold moonlight filtered through the gaps in the forest leaves, casting its glow on the cobblestone path between the trees.

"Do you know there’s something else Ji Hao didn’t mention to you?" Dugu Bo spoke while they walked along the forest path.

Jiang Yuan shook his head, "I wasn’t aware, but I’m sure the Dean knows."

Dugu Bo nodded, "I do!"

He continued, "The matter is not too great or too small. Now, with your rise, our human race has grown significantly in power. If necessary, the Four Seas and the Southern Ridges could be leveled, the Demon Tribe wiped out completely, ensuring that the Five Domains and Four Seas fall into the hands of the human race."

"So, it’s that matter! I’ve considered it before," Jiang Yuan said, then shook his head, "I used to ponder over it, but now I understand a principle."

"What principle?" asked Dugu Bo, a puzzled look on his face.

"Balance! The principle of balance!" Jiang Yuan explained.

He then asked, "Has the Dean ever heard the saying ’prosper in caution, perish in ease’? If the Five Domains and Four Seas are all under human control, with no other race as a rival, it won’t be long before we splinter into factions, with Great Forces vying and warring against each other. The consequences wouldn’t be any less severe than threats from the Demon Tribe."

"Instead, why not keep the Demon Tribe as the trial by fire for future generations of heaven genius, for their endless tempering?"

"Without external threats, there will not be unity, and eventually, it’s bound to lead to internal strife."

"Without external crises and conflicts, it will inexorably turn into internal crises and struggles."

Hearing the latter part of Jiang Yuan’s statement, Dugu Bo nodded in strong agreement.

"I quite agree with you!" he said.

"So you mean to leave the Southern Ridges and the Four Seas intact?"

Jiang Yuan nodded, "Yes! Leaving a sufficient number of the Demon Tribe will provide the future cultivators with a challenge. With me around, the Demon Tribe won’t be able to stir up major trouble. Moreover, among them, great cultivators are a resource in themselves, indispensable, one that can’t be replaced by any natural treasures."

Upon hearing this, Dugu Bo nodded again, "Makes sense! In that case, we’ll do as you say, we’ll leave them be. Next time I see Ji Hao, I’ll have a good talk with him about it."

As they conversed, they had reached the foot of Heavenly Pillar Peak.

At the mountain gate, Dugu Bo suddenly halted.

"Alright, you go back. I should be on my way," he said.

"Then, Dean, go safely!" Jiang Yuan responded.

Dugu Bo gave a slight nod.

The next moment, his figure quickly vanished from Jiang Yuan’s sight.

After watching Dugu Bo walk away, Jiang Yuan turned and started back.

Walking through the cool mountain breeze and the misty path, accompanied by the bright moonlight,

Jiang Yuan felt waves of tranquility as his mind emptied.

Without realizing it, he arrived at the gate of his own mansion.

"Young Master!" When he heard this call,

Jiang Yuan came back to his senses, looking at the woman in front of him with picturesque features, his lips curled into a gentle smile.

"Young Master, the mountain breeze is a bit cold, please come inside!" she said.

At her words, Jiang Yuan smiled warmly,

"Then, let’s go in," he said.

With that, he stepped across the threshold.

Seeing this, Shu Xiaoxiao quickly followed Jiang Yuan’s steps back into the mansion.

She then closed the mansion’s door firmly, secured the bolt, and hurried to catch up with Jiang Yuan’s pace.

...

Back in his room,

"Would you like to take a rest?" Shu Xiaoxiao asked.