At that very moment, without a second thought, Li Qi knew it was due to the system.
Immediately after, as if sensing something, Li Qi felt a flood of information pouring into his mind.
It was from the system, which had been silent for a long time; he had almost forgotten about it.
As Li Qi felt the system's message, a hint of a smile bloomed on his lips.
"I am fortunate indeed."
For this system's origin predated even his own distant past on Earth.
Or rather, even the system didn't know its exact origin.
In essence, it was born when this universe came into being.
This was why the system was now rushing to explain.
It was because as Li Qi's strength grew, even if it remained dormant, he would eventually have the power to actively question it and seek answers.
It was better to be forthright now. After all, the system and Li Qi had been together for so many years; though they had little interaction, they were as close as could be.
As for the system's reply, Li Qi didn't doubt it.
If the system truly had any hidden agenda that he hadn't detected, there was nothing he could do about it.
But it was obvious...
His ethereal divine sense transformed into a palm, and Li Qi gently reached into his mind.
The system's true form, a great orb radiating immeasurable brilliance and mystery, was extracted without any resistance.
"So this is your true form. A great orb, plump and round, just like that fat pig."
The Heavenly Dao of Dixu beside him: ...
The system's true form: ...
If you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything.
But it was evident that Li Qi's current strength was overwhelming, and those who didn't want to be interrogated by him could only curse inwardly.
Then, Li Qi's ethereal palm pressed down, and the system's true form was directly stuffed back into his mind.
Although the system was no longer of much use now, he was accustomed to having it there.
Alternatively, with Li Qi's power, he could have created a treasure similar to the system if he wished.
For the countless eons that followed, Li Qi lived a leisurely life in the Dixu Realm.
Of course, Li Qi was no longer particularly concerned with the goings-on in the Dixu Realm and rarely ventured out. The Heavenly Dao of Dixu and the system were his last two friends, and he lived quite contentedly.
After all, most of his old acquaintances were long gone, and there was little point in venturing out again.
However, for a considerable time afterward, external immortals would occasionally seek to visit the Dixu Realm.
But Li Qi's reception depended entirely on his mood; sometimes he would meet them, sometimes he wouldn't.
If any truly insisted on seeing him, he would simply beat them up and send them away.
Then, one day, Li Qi, who had been enjoying a sweet trio with the Heavenly Dao of Dixu and the system, suddenly felt a slight shift in his perception.
He ceased his playful "interrogation" of the Dixu Heavenly Dao.
"I'm going out for a bit."
The next moment, his figure appeared in a certain area of the Dixu Realm.
This was the largest sect in the Dixu Realm, a place called the Feisha Sect.
But unfortunately, Li Qi paid no mind to the Feisha Sect.
Without anyone noticing, he entered the sect's vast grounds and arrived at the back mountain of an unremarkable peak.
The place where dreams began, and where Li Qi had resided in the early days of the Feisha Sect.
Within the Feisha Sect at this moment, an aged, frail old woman stood. Although her aura was incredibly terrifying, reaching the peak of the Mahayana stage, the signs of decay were still undeniable.
At this moment, on the verge of death, her eyes clouded, the old woman seemed to sense something.
Her clouded gaze suddenly lifted, becoming remarkably bright.
She appeared to want to stand up, but no matter how terrifying her aura and power, it seemed she could no longer do so.
"Senior Disciple Brother Li, I am sorry. I don't think I can hold on; I lack the ability to break through to immortality."
Li Qi stood quietly, his expression unchanged, but a ripple finally appeared in his eyes.
"You couldn't break through, what a pity. But you reached the peak of Mahayana in your lifetime; Wang Cheng would be very happy if he knew."
The lifespan of a Mahayana cultivator was only fifty thousand years, or at most sixty to seventy thousand with the aid of secret arts.
But now, it seemed, sixty to seventy thousand years...
Was so short.
"You are the oldest ancestor in the Feisha Sect; why is there no one by your side now?"
Li Qi produced a small stool from somewhere.
In response, the old woman before him shook her head.
"No, I told them I wanted some quiet time. I asked them not to come, as I wanted to spend this last moment with Master."
As she spoke, the old woman looked towards a spot not far away, where a simple, small grave lay, its inscription too faded to read.
Looking at the grave, Li Qi fell silent.
They stood facing each other, without speaking.
"Senior Disciple Brother, Master once said that you were a very lonely person. Master also said that if he died and you returned, I, as his disciple, should take good care of you. But it seems there will be no such opportunity now."
The old woman's increasingly weak voice sounded.
"Heh heh, that Wang Cheng boy..."
Upon hearing this, a faint smile appeared on Li Qi's face, and he gently shook his head.
"Not necessarily. Being alone can be quite good, to avoid sorrow. But actually... I do have two friends. You don't need to worry too much about me."
And then... they fell silent once more.
They stood there quietly, without a word.
The old woman stood before Li Qi, gazing at him, who remained unchanged. Memories of the past surged in her eyes.
From time to time, a look of admiration would reappear in her clouded gaze, and a smile would grace her wrinkled face.
"Senior Disciple Brother, I must depart!"
The old woman said with a remarkably relaxed smile at this moment.
"Yes, go."
Li Qi did not turn around, his gaze fixed on the heavens, where the bright moon hung high.
The moon of ancient times was the same moon of today.
But the people of ancient times were no longer beneath this moon.
Li Qi remained motionless.
After an unknown amount of time.
The gray sky began to brighten.
Accompanied by the crowing of roosters, one could clearly sense that the vast Feisha Sect, once silent, was now bustling with activity.
But here in the back mountain... there was still no movement.
Li Qi's still figure slowly turned his head at this moment.
The old woman's face still bore a smile, a smile so serene.