Only the very strong and extremely disciplined have ever made it to the top of the cultivation realm.
And yes, with high level of cultivation, long life becomes a reality.
However, the problem with standing out is that one now carries a big target on their backs.
It is said that if one were to cultivate well, the possibility of reaching the stage of the gods was even possible.
But for man to shed his earthly form and ascend to such a level, he must go through the test of the heavens several times in his cultivation.
Failing the final of those tests is the reason for the Cardinal Forbidden zone.
After all, the final test carries both the anger and acceptance of the holy Dao.
Cardinal Forbidden zones are those places that peak cultivators unable to advance in their final tribulation fell.
Chiron knew about the Cardinal Forbidden zones and he could guess what old Red was telling him to do.