“One hundred and fifty-six years old…” Riggs eximed with longing in his voice, “You don’t even appear to be fifty-six!”


    Willie replied casually, “This is what mastering spiritual energy does. I’ve already lived through the neenth, twentieth, and twenty-first centuries. If I can make it to the twenty-second, I will have no regrets in this life.”


    Riggs, taken aback, bent his knees and knelt down, bowing his head earnestly. “Uncle Willie, please teach me the secret to longevity. If you agree, I will dedicate my life to serving you, no matter the challenges we face!”


    Having practiced Daoism for over seventy years, Riggs found himself in the same state of mind as when Willie had left Changyun Temple. Despite his relentless pursuit of Taoism and alchemy, he had never been able to uncover the path to longevity.


    Now, at over seventy years old, he had resigned himself to his fate, yet he never anticipated encountering his uncle again. This unexpected meeting reignited his desire for a longer life.<h3 style="background-color:DodgerBlue">


    Willie regarded him with a soft sigh, speaking earnestly, “Riggs, after all these years, I returned to find you and the disciples of Changyun Temple, just as I have found others along my journey. I want to share what I have learned.”


    Riggs trembled with excitement, looking up at Uncle Willie, his voice choked with emotion. “Uncle Willie… are you truly willing to share the secret of longevity with your disciples?”


    Willie nodded, saying, “I have thought about Changyun Temple often over the years. It has treated me with kindness, and I wish for it to endure. Since you are the child of my junior brother, I hope you can also enter the path of longevity as I have, so that we can grow together.”


    Overwhelmed with joy, Riggs bowed three times and dered, “Disciple Riggs is eager to follow Master Willie through any trials!”


    Uncle Willie smiled gently, helping him up. “I returned with the hope of staying at Changyun Temple. You will retreat with me for five years, and I promise you will master the ability to control spiritual energy.”


    Riggs was ted, eximing, “Disciple Riggs thanks Master Willie for your incredible generosity!”


    Uncle Willie waved his hand dismissively. “But don’t rush. I cannot teach you right away. You need to set aside all other matters and return to Changyun Temple to begin your retreat. Wait for me there, and I wille back to you once I finish what I need to do.” Riggs eagerly asked, “


    “Master Willie, if I may be so bold, when will youplete your tasks?”


    Willie paused thoughtfully before responding, “It could be a year at the soonest, or ten years at the longest. If things don’t go well, it may take even longer.”


    Riggs was taken aback, nearly in despair. “Uncle Willie, how can I possibly wait ten years…”


    Willie sighed, “I understand, Riggs, but I am bound by circumstances. My mastery of spiritual energy was granted to me by a benefactor. The reason I haven’t returned all these years is that I have been fulfilling my promise to this benefactor. After he shared his wisdom with me, I made amitment to assist him. Now, he has sent me on a mission to find a woman and a token she possesses in Huaxia. If I seed, I will gain my freedom. If not, I will continue searching.”


    Willie added, “Oh, and I can’t remain in Eastcliff for long. I must head south in a few days. Please wait for my good news.”


    Riggs pondered the situation, realizing that this wait could stretch into decades or might end without resolution. He couldn’t passively wait for fate to decide his future.


    He urgently addressed Uncle Willie, “Uncle Willie, who are you searching for? Allow me to assist you. I will mobilize all my connections, even if it means searching tirelessly!”<fn170f> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on find~novel</fn170f>