Chapter 286: Lifespan

Jiang Jian lowered his gaze and reached out to touch the holographic screen.

The communication connected.

“Jiang Jian.”

Lu Qingqing spoke first, “Have you tried it? How effective is this Book of Life and Death?”

Jiang Jian paused briefly, then said, “I examined it closely. Though mysterious, its nature is singular—after manifesting from the virtual into reality, it bears little resemblance to the myths.”

In legends, the Book of Life and Death was meant to anchor the lifespan of all living beings.

It recorded the names of every living creature and displayed their remaining years, capable of being altered to control life and death.

From birth to death.

All life information resided within it.

But.

After manifesting from the virtual into reality, its power weakened drastically.

The book contained no names at all.

Even its sole function—anchoring lifespan—

had become highly inaccurate.

Upon hearing Jiang Jian’s words,

the other side fell silent for a moment.

Then,

Lu Qingqing’s tone betrayed disappointment, yet she still asked, “What use does it have now?”

Jiang Jian said, “If you write a name and birth date into it, it displays the remaining lifespan.”

At these words,

Lu Qingqing’s hope flared again. “If true, it would still be a supreme treasure.”

Jiang Jian smiled. “I tested it on several beings. The lifespan prediction is utterly unreliable.”

Lu Qingqing fell silent.

The Book of Life and Death’s most vital function had always been “extending life.”

Once a being’s name appeared within it,

altering its lifespan allowed that being to continue living.

The Four Realms of Earth and Moon possessed many top-tier technological talents.

But their cultivation levels were all low.

Most were merely Spring Flow Realm, elevated by resources alone.

Even Divine Bestowal Realm cultivators were numerous.

For centuries,

these individuals aged, their lifespans nearing end.

Yet new talents grew ever scarcer.

Earth’s divine technology had nearly stagnated in recent years, stuck in place.

Beyond these tech talents,

even the Central Capital of Earth’s surface, Jingcheng, and the entire Earth Alliance, were filled with mid-tier and senior officials mostly at Spring Flow Realm.

In recent years,

these elites faced the despair of approaching lifespan’s end.

More and more people neared their lifespan’s limit.

Divine Bestowal Realm: 150-year lifespan.

Spring Flow Realm: 300-year lifespan.

But these were ideal theoretical maximums.

In reality, the lifespan gained upon breaking through each realm varied.

The exact increase depended not only on remaining lifespan but also on the individual’s condition.

In fact,

most people carried hidden injuries.

Their base lifespan fell far short of the theoretical limit.

Thus,

on Earth’s surface, the average lifespan of Divine Bestowal Realm cultivators ranged only from 80 to 120 years.

And a typical Spring Flow Realm cultivator,

in reality, lived only 100 to 200 years.

The Ninefold Chang’an Realm and Jingcheng’s Central Authority, with their numerous noble houses and tangled factions, had existed for centuries.

As time passed,

many noble houses grew deep-rooted, their status and influence rising.

But not everyone could break through to Divine Palace Realm.

Lifespan became the nobles’ deepest affliction.

The more they possessed, the less they wished to die.

Since the Yinshan Wonder appeared,

Jingcheng’s Central Authority and the Ninefold Realm,

countless eyes had kept constant watch over Yinshan Wonder!

The “Book of Life and Death”

had become the desperate hope these nobles clung to, a last resort for extending life.

(End of Chapter)