Chapter 406

Watching his own rice bowl being held by Yuan Cang, eating with great relish, Qing Shi really cried.

Damn, there's no need to bully people like this; I'm already several thousand years old, and you still come to steal my food?

However, Qing Shi and the others are still juniors before Yuan Cang; being several thousand years old doesn't matter—stealing food still doesn't care about you?

On the other side, Yu Mo and Wang Man watched Yuan Cang's actions, stunned for a moment, then also ate a few mouthfuls and finished the rice in their bowls, then immediately got up laughing and walked toward Hong Zun and the others.

Seeing this, Shi Song, Zhāng Tiānzhèn and the others were startled, then also imitated Hong Zun, frantically pouring rice into their mouths.

But this isn't something everyone can eat at that speed; seeing Yu Mo getting closer and closer, Zhāng Tiānzhèn, who still had half a bowl left, became anxious.

No time to think, he immediately... gulped, then spat.

A mouthful of saliva went straight into his own bowl.

Then he raised his head to look at Yu Mo; this move actually left Yu Mo bewildered.

Looking at Zhāng Tiānzhèn's rice bowl, Yu Mo's face showed disgust; "Can this still be eaten? Probably not."

Seeing Yu Mo's disgust, Zhāng Tiānzhèn finally breathed a sigh of relief, then happily continued eating.

As for Wang Man and Shi Song here, the gentlest Wang Man had a kind smile on his chubby face, not immediately resorting to force but speaking with a smile.

"Shi Song, you see, our uncle treated you well before, right?"

Wuu wuu wuu wuu...............

"Our uncle doesn't have much time left to live; shouldn't it be your turn to show filial piety?"

Wuu wuu wuu wuu..............

So this meal...............

Wuu wuu wuu...........

He hadn't said more than a few words when Wang Man's face darkened; with an angry roar, Shi Song was directly subdued.

"Don't eat it, leave some for me."

Although only the last bite remained, it was still snatched away by Wang Man.

If we compare the Dao Yi Sect's dry rations to a food chain, then previously Hong Zun and the others were obviously at the top of the food chain.

They never had to worry about dry rations, since they always had theirs to eat.

But with the arrival of Yu Mo and the other two, everything changed, and Hong Zun and the others also faced a crisis.

The only one who could remain calm was Bai Hua Xianzi.

After all, they had already given themselves to Ye Zhangqing, and every night they had to perform all those embarrassing actions, accompanying him in playing all sorts of fancy games; yes, as Ye Zhangqing said, that's role-playing.

For example, last night the game they played was "Emperor Selecting Concubines," which left Bai Hua Xianzi feeling extremely shy.

So, is eating a bit of rice excessive?

Sitting beside Ye Zhangqing, eating at a leisurely pace, while Ye Zhangqing held a large tea pot, watching Yu Mo and the other two with interest.

As an elder of the Dao Yi Sect, yet Yu Mo and the other two are completely different from what Ye Zhangqing imagined.

Aren't ancestors like them, with limited lifespan, usually dead‑serious, and even, out of the instinct to survive, become extremely selfish, stopping at nothing?

Who wouldn't want to live longer, especially for those Great Saint ancestors who have lived countless years?

As long as there is a chance, no matter how slim, they are willing to try.

Even in Dongzhou, there have been instances where sect elders sacrificed the entire sect to prolong their own lifespans.

This is not strange; demonic sects do this, and orthodox sects do the same.

When faced with life and death, every person is selfish; perhaps this is what is called the survival instinct.

But in Yu Mo and the other two, Ye Zhangqing sees none of that; they seem not to care at all that their lives are about to end.

Even though deathly aura surrounds them, the impression they give is not at all one of gloom.

"How, is it strange?"

It seemed as if she had seen through Ye Zhangqing's thoughts; Bai Hua Xianzi beside him spoke up.

"There are some."

"In this world, who doesn't want immortality? Any cultivator's ultimate dream is to live forever and roam freely; how many have actually achieved that throughout history?"

"Our uncles certainly also want to stay alive, but the heavenly cycle turns; who can break free from the shackles of heaven and earth?"

"Compared to how to live longer, our uncles now care more about the meaning of life, whether they can contribute this last bit of strength to the sect."

"A sect's development always requires the efforts of generation after generation; the elders grow old while the young thrive."

"The elderly must bear the responsibility of sheltering the younger generation from wind and rain; our uncles do so, and we will do the same later—when our lifespans are limited, we will likewise choose to slumber to protect the sect's safety."

This is just like a cycle of reincarnation.

Upon hearing Bai Hua Xianzi's words, Ye Zhangqing turned his head; the two locked eyes, rarely speaking of such a sorrowful topic, and Ye Zhangqing didn't like that feeling.

After gazing at each other for a long while, Ye Zhangqing smiled and said:

"Flower Auntie, will you please protect me well in the future?"

"By then I will definitely bring you along to slumber together."

"Is that a proper slumber?"

"You're bad..."

After a few teasing remarks, the previous sorrowful atmosphere vanished completely, and Ye Zhangqing gave a faint smile.

But as soon as he turned his head, he saw a wrinkled old face, which startled Ye Zhangqing.

"Ancestor, you... what are you doing?"

The person was Yu Mo; I didn't know when he had arrived in front of me, speechless, and upon hearing my words, Yu Mo asked with a grin:

"Kid, do you want a Dharma protector?"

Huh???

What nonsense is this old man spouting? His words don't make sense.

Seeing Ye Zhangqing stunned in place, Yu Mo repeated it again.

Hey, do you want a protector?

Old Ancestor, what does this mean?

Upon hearing this, Yu Mo instantly showed a hint of sorrow, and without caring about his image, plopped down on the steps in front of Ye Zhangqing, his cloudy old eyes full of reminiscence, and said:

I have lived so many years, from the vigorous youth to the middle-aged dominance of a lifetime, but this person, no matter how strong, ultimately cannot withstand the flow of Suìyuè.

Whether a sage or a Cultivation: Great Saint, in the end they are nothing but a handful of yellow earth.

Back then, I also aspired to seek immortality and wander the world freely, but 'immortality'—just two simple words—who has ever seen it?

Countless people pursue immortality, yet countless people ultimately cannot even figure out what immortality is before disappearing from the world.

I don't have many days left to live; these remaining days were originally intended to contribute a little to the Sect, to protect you youngsters so you can grow up.

But now, I don't want to sleep anymore; if this remaining lifespan is wasted in slumber, it would be too tragic.

So, kid, how about I be your protector?

Yu Mo's voice was hoarse, his words full of affection and concern for the Sect.

Perhaps since the moment they joined the Dao Yi Sect, people like Yu Mo have already prepared to devote their lives to the Sect.

When you were young, the Sect protected you; when you grew up, it was your turn to protect the Sect, back and forth—this is the reason and process for a Sect's strength.