The Charismatic Charlie Wade

With a graceful gesture, Renard left the others standing outside the concealed chamber and entered it alongside Gideon.

As Gideon stepped into the hidden sanctuary, his guide, Renard, suddenly halted and bowed before him, addressing him as “Master Gideon.” It was an unexpected and marvelous sight to behold after all these years. Gideon’s presence filled him with delight, recognizing the magnitude of the person before him.

With a warm smile, Gideon extended his hand to help Renard rise. “Although you are not my direct student, you were nurtured by my younger colleague and regarded him as your esteemed mentor. In my eyes, you are no different from my personal disciple.”

Renard was overcome with excitement and respectfully inquired, “Master, where have you been all these years? Why didn’t you return here to pay a visit?”

Gideon countered, “Am I not already back?”

“Yes…” Renard nodded eagerly and asked again, “By the way, Master, you…”

“What have you experienced during these years? I wonder if you can share your captivating stories with me!” Gideon interrupted, a playful gleam in his eyes.

Gideon chuckled and remarked, “Can seventy years of life experiences be summarized in just a few words?”

my friend. The truth is, I have indeed discovered the secret to everlasting

instant, Renard’s excitement surged and he hastily inquired,

clutches of life’s challenges, aging, sickness and death. Although I possess

asked, “Master, are you perhaps over one hundred and fifty

one hundred and fifty-six years old. I am old

don’t even look fifty-six years

would be the pinnacle of achievement, having already witnessed the unprecedented advancements of the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries. It would bring me immense

down once more, bowing his head heavily and pleaded, “Master Gideon, please teach me the path to longevity. If you agree, I am willing to devote my

years, yet he found himself in the same state as when Gideon had left Evercloud Temple. Despite dedicating his days to the practice of Taoism and elixirs, he struggled to uncover the secret to a prolonged existence. He had devoted all his efforts to finding the path’s elusive starting point, but it remained an unsolved mystery. Now, at over seventy years old, he had resigned himself to his fate, never expecting to encounter his old acquaintance again. Yet, this reunion reignited his

many years with one purpose to find you and the disciples of Evercloud Temple. Together, let us

trembled with excitement as he looked up at Gideon, his voice choked with emotion. “Master, are you truly willing to bestow upon

he said, “I have pondered this for years. Evercloud Temple has shown me great kindness. Naturally, I hope it will endure forever. And you, Renard, were raised by my junior brother. I hope that you can embark on a journey of a long and fulfilling life alongside me. Together, we shall explore the wonders of the future and strive for personal growth. Having a companion who shares my

enthusiastically proclaiming, “Master, I pledge to be your disciple and promise to overcome any challenge that comes

helped Renard up. “On this return, I envisioned a future where I could stay at Evercloud Temple. During that time, you will retreat with me for five years and I promise to