Chapter 66: Your Body Begins to Slumber

The false appearances faded away layer by layer.

Like falling petals.

Like shattered mirror reflections.

Amidst the faint, flickering haziness, Klisa's face revealed its true form.

It was the face of a seventeen-year-old girl, unworn by time and unhaggard by the past; her delicate features still maintained the indifference Xu Xi was familiar with.

"She's very beautiful, isn't she?"

Xu Xi spoke gently, his gaze filled with affection.

He stood before the immortal witch; one showing every sign of old age, the other with her youth preserved, forming a stark contrast.

Invisibly.

The boundary known as life and death quietly emerged.

Dividing the two with a tiny gap.

"…" The atmosphere on the scene was somewhat silent, laced with a faint trace of sorrow; Xu Xi could only stroke the top of Klisa's head, using this method to soothe the witch's constantly trembling body.

Outside the house, a rustling sound rang out; it was the movement of autumn leaves drifting down.

Autumn had arrived.

This meant the biting cold of winter was not far off.

[Simulation Year 50: You are 64, Klisa is 56]

[You begin trying to maintain your health, casting Life Magic on yourself every day to restore vitality. Unfortunately, your body cannot hold onto the vigorous life force and continues to age and decline.]

[In the outside world, the Church of the Gods is still frantically searching for your traces. You have hidden yourself well and remain undiscovered.]

[Simulation Year 51: You are 65, Klisa is 57]

[You have acquired some leisure hobbies of the elderly, such as sitting at the door basking in the sun, gazing outside all day, or planting some beautiful flowers and herbs.]

[Klisa remains the same as before, serving by your side every day. When you need it, she brews a cup of bitter spirit clearing grass magic drink.]

[Simulation Year 52: You are 66, Klisa is 58]

[Your body remains healthy; although your physical functions are not as good as when you were young, you have not developed any illnesses.]

[You are very happy, guessing that you might be able to live a bit longer.]

[Simulation Year 53: You are 67, Klisa is 59]

[The witch's culinary skills have improved. To better the meals, she often goes to the market alone to buy ingredients. Now, she never mistakes poisonous ingredients again.]

[Simulation Year 54: You are 68, Klisa is 60]

[Unable to progress in magic, you immerse yourself in the process of planting flowers and herbs. You have planted a patch of dragon blood grass in the flowerbed, with the dragon blood Materials sponsored by a certain unknown Red Dragon.]

[The witch stands beside you, carefully wiping the bloodstains from "grey rekindling" with practiced movements.]

[Simulation Year 55…]

[Simulation Year 56…]

[Simulation Year 57…]

Years rolled by like a movie on fast-forward, leaping through his mind at a frantic speed. When he came to his senses, only many blurred memories remained.

Xu Xi's body aged year by year.

Like the setting sun at dusk.

Though there was still radiance and warmth, behind that fading sun, one could already see an endless grey silence of death.

Simulation Year 61: Xu Xi is 75. By this time, Xu Xi already has a head full of white hair.

He sat at the entrance of the courtyard, reclining in a resting posture.

His grizzled hair shimmered slightly in the sunlight. On his wrinkled face was a pair of deep, steady eyes, with all his Mental Energy contained within, hidden and unreleased.

"It's truly stifling…"

Xu Xi said.

Long ago, he knew an aging body would be much more inconvenient than a young one.

But when this day truly arrived, Xu Xi discovered that the feeling of aging was far more terrifying than he had imagined.

Many things that could once be easily accomplished…

…after just a few years passed…

…could no longer be done.

"It's only because my Mental Energy is strong enough that I can use it along with magic to find alternative ways to assist with every aspect of life."

"Otherwise, this retirement life would truly be unbearable."

Wind Elements surged, pushing Xu Xi to stand up.

Earth Elements sank, and all the dust on his robes was flicked away.

Then.

Xu Xi's body rose into the air, his robes billowing. Wrapped gently by the Wind Elements, he slowly flew into the house within the courtyard.

"Mentor, welcome back." Klisa, with her grey-silver long hair, had already been waiting here for a long time. She opened the door for Xu Xi, and they entered the house together.

On the dining table was the lunch the witch had prepared in advance.

It was steaming hot, with an inviting aroma.

"Klisa, your cooking has improved even more," Xu Xi remarked with a smile after tasting it.

"Yes, thank you for your appraisal. I will continue to work hard."

The witch's voice was as flat as water.

But Xu Xi knew this didn't mean the witch was being perfunctory; it was just that her lack of emotions made her unable to properly express joy, anger, or sorrow.

After the meal.

Klisa used Wind Magic and Water Magic to begin cleaning the dishes and tidying up after the meal.

Xu Xi walked toward the living room with slow steps. He reached a wooden recliner and, facing the sunlight and the plants, closed his eyes and lay down quietly.

He was truly old.

The sluggishness of his body created mental fatigue.

Now, he became more lethargic day by day, feeling frequently exhausted, especially during the afternoon.

"Well then, I'll sleep a bit more today."

Lying on the slightly cool brown wooden rocking chair, the fatigue originating from his body quickly submerged his consciousness. Xu Xi felt his surroundings grow darker and quieter.

Whole heart.

Whole Soul.

Whole self.

All plunged downward at an extremely high speed.

"Mentor… Mentor…!"

In his daze, Xu Xi seemed to hear Klisa's voice, but he thought it must be an illusion.

So tired.

I really want to sleep a bit longer.

His consciousness drifted in muddled confusion, his Soul lost in a blank void. He slept deeper and further. After a long time passed amidst repeated changes, he finally returned to his body.

"I am…"

Xu Xi opened his eyes in a daze.

He discovered that he, who should have been lying in the living room, had actually returned to the bed in the bedroom.

Did Klisa do this?

Xu Xi guessed as much and instinctively wanted to speak, but the burning, parched sensation in his throat made him cough violently.

Cough! …Cough cough! Cough cough cough!"

"Mentor, the water is here."

At the critical moment, Klisa handed him a water cup.

Xu Xi drank it in one gulp. The cool stream moistened his lips and then flowed satisfyingly down his throat, replenishing his parched body with moisture.

"Thanks, Klisa."

Xu Xi put down the empty water cup and instinctively looked toward the witch's position.

But with that one glance…

…Xu Xi was stunned.

The witch before him had not only changed her clothes, but her face was also incredibly haggard, as if she had experienced something extremely sorrowful.

"…You're finally awake, Mentor."

[As usual, you lay down for an afternoon nap.]

[This sleep was extremely peaceful and made you feel comfortable.]

[It was as if all fatigue and aging had completely left you.]

[After waking, you learned from Klisa that you had actually slept for three whole days. You were surprised, you were shocked, and you began to investigate the reason behind it.]

[Mortals Wisdom continues to activate…]

[You understood the truth. As you age, your decaying Mortal Physical Body gradually becomes unable to carry your transcendent spirit. Therefore, the body spontaneously enters a state of slumber to allow itself to rest.]