Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 1434 - 906: Birth, Aging, Sickness, and Death Are Human Nature; The Immortal Path Is Fraught with Hardship and Defies the Heavens...

The majestic Red Cloud had aged, its once robust frame now frail, its fur losing its luster, and its fiery mane dimmed from its former glory.

A profound sigh escaped its throat, its voice no longer carrying its former resonance.

With a gentle touch, Yang Zhenshan caressed its softening mane, carefully infusing its body with mana.

A contented sigh rumbled from Red Cloud as it leaned into the touch.

A smile graced Yang Zhenshan's lips. "Shall we take a stroll outside?"

A soft sigh emanated from the beast, its large eyes now clouded with age, yet Yang Zhenshan still perceived a glimmer of joy and eager anticipation within them.

"Let's go!" Yang Zhenshan declared, untying the reins and leading his faithful companion from the stable.

Red Cloud, though a Mutant Beast, had surpassed a century of life; its natural lifespan was reaching its end. While the Spiritual Spring Water could bolster its constitution, it offered no reprieve from the inevitable passage of time.

Another sigh, deeper this time, as Red Cloud nudged its head against Yang Zhenshan. He paused for a moment before lightly mounting its back.

"You've grown old now, let's just take it slow," he murmured, aware of Red Cloud's desire to gallop freely as it once did.

A soft whinny escaped Red Cloud, its head held high, but its front legs struggled to lift. Yang Zhenshan, seated atop, was essentially supporting himself with mana, preventing Red Cloud from bearing his full weight. Even so, each step was a monumental effort.

Slowly, deliberately, Red Cloud moved its hooves along the verdant stone path, its aged, clouded eyes taking in the familiar surroundings with a fond gaze. Yang Zhenshan patiently matched its pace, his heart adrift in memories of their shared battles.

In those days, Red Cloud was a vibrant, powerful beast, armored and thundering across battlefields, leaving a trail of destruction. As the memories flooded back, tears welled in Yang Zhenshan's eyes. He had long passed the age of easy sentimentality, his heart growing calloused with the years; few, save for his dearest old friends, could stir such deep emotion.

But Red Cloud was different—an irreplaceable old friend. He vividly recalled the day Red Cloud first entered his home, the irresistible urge to reach out and feel the fiery red mane that seemed to blaze with life. He reached out again, stroking Red Cloud's mane, the texture now coarse and sparse, a stark contrast to its former silken smoothness.

He couldn't bear to let go. "Old friend!" Yang Zhenshan dismounted, his eyes red, meeting Red Cloud's gaze.

Soft breaths, growing fainter, escaped Red Cloud; its breathing becoming increasingly labored, its life force waning.

"Let's go, I'll take you back," Yang Zhenshan whispered, carefully using his mana to support the weakening beast as he guided it back to the stable. Even with the power of cultivators, the depletion of vitality was an insurmountable foe.

Yet, Yang Zhenshan refused to yield. Back in the stable, Red Cloud could no longer stand. It collapsed onto the hay, and Yang Zhenshan sat beside it, a silent vigil of companionship.

A day passed. Yu Qingyi arrived. "Husband!"

"Hmm, it's alright. I just want to be with it," Yang Zhenshan replied, his complexion regaining a semblance of composure. Life, sickness, and death were natural cycles. Over the years, he had bid farewell to innumerable friends, sometimes even steeling himself to their passing. But this particular old friend was the hardest to release.

Yu Qingyi sat beside him, gently stroking Red Cloud's head. The beast's eyes grew more clouded, its breaths shallower.

Another day dawned. Red Cloud's breath was now a mere flicker, like a candle flame in a gale, threatening to extinguish at any moment. Just as a dying candle eventually fades, so too did Red Cloud's life force.

Finally, its breath ceased entirely. "It's gone!" Yu Qingyi softly declared.

Yang Zhenshan nodded slowly, "Ah, I just can't bear to part with it."

"Parting in life and death is inevitable!" Yu Qingyi offered words of comfort.

Yang Zhenshan shook his head, his eyes suddenly shimmering with a golden light. "I want to keep it!"

Through the faint golden luminescence, Yang Zhenshan perceived an indistinct shadow—Red Cloud's spirit. All beings possessed souls, but this realm lacked an Underworld. Upon death, souls returned to the earth, without any concept of reincarnation, unless one considered the Buddhist teachings of reincarnation, which were separate from any Underworld or the six realms.

Gazing at Red Cloud's spirit, a thought sparked in Yang Zhenshan's mind. The Seven Treasures Soul Suppressing Tower within his Sea of Consciousness began to rotate gently, an invisible force extending to draw Red Cloud's fading spirit into the Soul Returning Array. This array contained the independent space of the Luminous Soul Domain, designed to separate a creature's Divine Soul from its physical form and imprison it within the domain. However, Red Cloud's spirit, being that of a First-order Mutant Beast, was exceptionally weak, even less substantial than that of an ordinary person.Yet, Yang Zhenshan anchored its spirit within the Luminous Soul Domain. In this world, Ghost Cultivation techniques existed. Possibly, in time to come, Red Cloud could emerge as a Ghost Cultivator. Furthermore, the Seven Treasures Soul Suppressing Tower possessed the capability to nurture Divine Souls, ensuring Red Cloud’s spirit could endure within the Luminous Soul Domain. However, by undertaking this, Yang Zhenshan relinquished the ability to employ the Soul Returning Array against adversaries. Witnessing Red Cloud’s spirit find stability in the Luminous Soul Domain, Yang Zhenshan's deep sorrow lessened considerably. Birth, illness, and demise are inherent to humankind. Yet, the pursuit of immortality is a path riddled with perils, a defiance of the heavens. The nature of humans is not an unchangeable decree of the Immortal Path. "You ought to return first. I shall seek out a Feng Shui treasure site for Red Cloud!" Yang Zhenshan offered assistance to Yu Qingyi, speaking in a gentle tone. Yu Qingyi remained unaware that he had secured Red Cloud’s spirit within the Luminous Soul Domain. Perceiving his composed expression, her own heart found a measure of peace.