Esteemed Seniors

Two formidable figures encircled the unconscious body of an individual. Their auras and commanding presence transformed the once serene and gentle breezes into a potent and perilous force.

"A new prisoner after countless eons! What crimes led to his confinement in this dreadful realm?" inquired one of the figures, fixing a scrutinizing gaze upon the unconscious man.

"He must've done some very evil deeds to be sent here." The other figure who was an old woman responded to her fellow companions question. She also stared at their first guest in ages with a curious gaze.

After scrutinizing their guest for several hours, he eventually exhibited signs of awakening, gradually rising from the ground with a dazed expression, cradling his head.

They permitted him a moment to compose himself before posing any questions they had.

Regaining his composure, Tang Yun, who had been unconscious moments earlier, lifted his gaze towards the two towering figures standing above him.

Their faces bore deep wrinkles, so profound that it appeared as though they had endured countless millennia under the relentless gaze of the sun.

Despite the deeply lined contours of their faces, their eyes exuded profound wisdom, and their aura wielded such potency that even Tang Yun, the God of Alchemy and one of the most powerful cultivators in the primordial realm, felt like a mere ant in their overwhelming presence.

Observing that he had regained composure, the two figures, eager to inquire, addressed him, "Greetings, young man. Would you be willing to indulge with these two old fools the crimes that led you to find yourself in this dreadful prison?" inquired the elder man.

Tang Yun humbly dropped to one knee, intertwining his fist with his other palm in a respectful gesture, and bowed as he greeted, "This junior extends his respectful greetings to his esteemed seniors."

The seniors were taken aback by Tang Yun's display of respect. "Ah, a young cultivator who honors his seniors. A rarity indeed. Nowadays, most cultivators are burdened with needless pride," remarked the old man, stroking his lengthy white beard.

"Indeed, I agree with that old crows words," remarked the female senior, acknowledging Tang Yun's uniqueness and slyly insulting the old man in the process.

Tang Yun found himself astonished by the seniors' behavior, discerning that they acted and spoke out of sheer boredom. Intrigued by their enigmatic presence, he pondered about how long their imprisonment has been. Although he harbored a desire to ask about their age, he hesitated, cautious not to utter anything that might provoke them.

Rising from his kneeling position, Tang Yun commenced his explanation, "I was imprisoned for rejecting the Sage Emperor's proposition to serve as his alchemist. Though I intended to defend myself for 'offending' him, I was unaware that he was in possession of an item capable of imprisoning cultivators at the God Qi Realm."

Both seniors stared at Tang Yun in silence before erupting into laughter. "Haha! Imprisoned by someone named the Sage Emperor?" they scoffed, mocking the very name. Though their derisive laughter provoked anger in Tang Yun, he restrained himself from uttering a word.

After several minutes of unabated laughter, they eventually composed themselves and inquired, "Who is this Sage Emperor you mention? At the God Qi Realm, such a man wouldn't dare challenge you even if he had the prison realm artifact." The old woman's question prompted Tang Yun to arch a brow, surprised by her curiosity about the Sage Emperor's identity.

To be unfamiliar with The Sage Emperor, a figure of immense age and renowned as The God of Cultivation, suggested that these two seniors had been confined long before his ascent to power and widespread fear in the primordial realm.

"He earned the title 'God of Cultivation' for reaching the peak of the God Qi Realm," Tang Yun informed the seniors, triggering an eruption of rage from both of them.

"This Sage Emperor, still wet behind the ears, dares to proclaim himself the God of Cultivation while being in the mere God Qi Realm!" the old man thundered, his words causing the air to sharpen like blades.

Tang Yun's eyes widened to an extent that it seemed they might burst from their sockets.

Overwhelmed by curiosity, Tang Yun's desire to know the identity of his seniors became too potent to resist. "This junior wishes to know the identity of his esteemed seniors," he respectfully expressed.

The expressions of both seniors turned smug. "Prepare yourself for our name. We are the Twin of Cultivation," they proudly declared in unison.

Witnessing their prideful revelation, Tang Yun never anticipated the anticlimactic nature of their identity.

Observing Tang Yun's perplexed expression, both seniors seemed to drown in a sense of despair. "We have been forgotten by history, haven't we, my dear sister?" the old man sighed, to which the old woman responded, "Indeed, my dear brother, we have."

Tang Yun found himself utterly perplexed by their reactions. The way they spoke suggested they were renowned figures, yet he remained entirely unfamiliar with their identities.

"Well then, young man, when you depart from this place, I implore you to seek and learn of our identity. In doing so, you may attain enlightenment beyond the confines of the God Qi Realm," the old woman advised.

Tang Yun couldn't fathom how they expected him to leave when his cultivation had been sealed the moment he got imprisoned in this place.

Sighing, the old man spoke, "The pill concealed within you has a powerful aura, similar to the prison realm artifact. While I lack knowledge about Alchemy, it's obvious that the pill holds significant power."

As the old man mentioned the hidden pill within him, Tang Yun's memory was jogged, recalling the Pill of Rebirth he had created just days before his imprisonment.

The presence of the seniors had caused Tang Yun to forget entirely about the Pill of Rebirth concealed within him.

The Pill of Rebirth, a unique creation by Tang Yun, facilitates a form of reincarnation while retaining memories. Its rarity is such that individuals would go to great lengths, even resorting to offending powerful figures or murder, to possess it.

Tang Yun summoned the Pill of Rebirth before him, revealing a red, glossy circle pill about the size of a fingernail. Its power was such that even its aura materialized, enveloping it in a fiery red smoke.

Even the two seniors, unaccustomed to surprises over countless eons, stared at the pill with widened eyes, evidently taken aback by its presence.

"To think that such a pill was created by a young man like yourself. Your potential knows no bounds. I have no doubt that you will surpass us in the future," the old man acknowledged, expressing his admiration.

"Well then, we shall stop our chatter and allow you to start your new journey, young man," the old woman declared, both she and the old man stepping back to afford Tang Yun the space to consume the pill.

Tang Yun bowed in gratitude before swallowing the pill. Moments later, his soul ignited with an intense flame, and shortly after, his body vanished.