An Xin brought Ye Yan to Gu Anâs attic and then went upstairs to inquire.
Gu An had already sensed Ye Yanâs presence, but he couldnât show it; only after An Xin knocked did he allow her to bring Ye Yan up.
Looking at the aged Ye Yan, Gu An smiled and said, âItâs been a long time, please have a seat quickly.â
An Xin, curiously, didnât stay, but honestly closed the door and left.
Sitting across the table from Gu An, Ye Yan felt a surge of emotions.
After many years, the master still looked so young, even more distinguished.
Gu An, wearing the Immortal King Crown, had a golden pattern emerging on his forehead, giving off the feeling of a Heavenly Divine Monarch sitting there.
Ye Yan could feel that, like him, his master was also at the Core Formation Realm; both at the same realm, yet their Essence Energy could not have been more opposite.
âWhy are youâŚâ Gu An frowned, hesitatingly asked.
Fifty years ago, Ye Yan was in his prime, youthful, and one of Li Xuandaoâs most capable generals.
Now, Ye Yan looked so old.
Gu An could see that Ye Yan had reached the end of his life span, but he couldnât state this outright, he could only inquire.
In reality, Ye Yanâs maximal life span had grown a bit over the years, though only slightly.
Ye Yan smiled and said, âEveryone has their time, mine is almost due, I wanted to come back to see this place before the end.â
Hearing this, Gu An couldnât help but sigh and then stood up to pour tea for him.
Ye Yanâs gaze followed him and said, âMaster, thereâs no need for you to sigh for me. Iâve accomplished everything in life without regrets.â
He had fought alongside Li Xuandao to unify the Taicang Dynasty, and Li Xuandao had granted him nobility. For decades, he enjoyed wealth and even marital bliss, and truly had no regrets.
âIt reassures me that you could come back to see your teacher,â Gu An said after serving the tea, turning around to speak.
Even if he taught Ye Yan now, it would only extend his life by a few more years.
Moreover, he wasnât keen on teaching just anyoneâit risked revealing his Cultivation Level.
Every year, dozens of disciples graduate from Third Medicine Valley and Mystic Valley; he couldnât possibly teach each one.
âIf not for the masterâs help, I couldnât have had such a splendid life. If I hadnât heard from His Majesty that you were well, I would have come back sooner to repay you,â Ye Yan, taking the tea bowl, replied with a smile.
He had shed his habitual martial fierceness, now as gentle as a small stream.
Gu An sat down and began inquiring about his experiences over the years.
Ye Yan didnât hide anything and started from when he left the valley, with Gu An listening intently.
The night passed as they spoke.
At dawnâs approach, Ye Yan made a requestâhe wanted to be buried in the Third Medicine Valley.
Gu An remained silent for a while, then nodded in agreement.
Thus, Ye Yan stayed.
Gu An sent An Xin to find Zhen Qin, and by evening, Zhen Qin had returned, her mood somber at the sight of Ye Yanâs graying hair.
They stood by the wooden railing, watching the snow while reminiscing about the past.
When Third Medicine Valley was first established, it was just Zhen Qin, Su Han, and Ye Yan. Back then, Zhen Qin had the least talent and was less powerful than the other two.
Three hundred years had passed, Su Han had long perished, and now Zhen Qin was about to bid farewell to Ye Yan, how could she not be sad?
Mentioning Su Han, Zhen Qin didnât hide the truth, and, hearing that Su Han had died early, Ye Yan also fell silent.
Su Han, known throughout the Taicang Dynasty for wielding the Hateful Heaven Divine Sword, Ye Yan knew of his exploits but was unaware of his fate.
âThe journey of life is indeed unpredictable,â Ye Yan reflected.
He was close to death already, naturally not excessively sorrowful.
He turned to Zhen Qin and smiled, âDonât be sad, when I go down there, Iâll greet him for you.â
His words left Zhen Qinâs eyes red with emotion.
Gu An stood by the window, watching their silhouettes, lost in thought.
Long Qing came downstairs, grabbing a handful of snow, intending to throw it at Gu An, but seeing his solemn expression, Long Qing held it for a long while before ultimately lowering his hand and turned to throw it at Blood Prison Great Saint instead.
Fast asleep, Blood Prison Great Saint was jolted awake, looking up to see Long Qing disappearing.
âYou little rabbit!â
Blood Prison Great Saint, furious, immediately got up to chase Long Qing, his massive bovine body kicking up snow mist in pursuit.
The winter snowfall grew heavier, as if to fill the Third Medicine Valley completely.
Time moved to the end of the year.
At the edge of Third Medicine Valley, on a mountain peak, Gu An stood in front of Ye Yanâs grave, the falling snow melting before it even touched him.
Gu Anâs eyes were not sad but tranquil.
He wasnât too distressed, merely standing there pondering the past.
Ye Yan wasnât the first disciple he had sent off; he was merely looking back on his earlier life, reliving past emotions anew.
Gu An thought about a question.
In the Great Heavenly Spirit Land, what exactly happens after death?
How does âReincarnationâ actually operate according to what rules?
Why do so many high-level Great Cultivators choose Reincarnation? Is its purpose just to experience karma, destiny?
Gradually, he entered a state of mystical understanding.
Path Enlightenment.
âŚ
During the blazing summer days, at the Supreme Sect Sub-sect.
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Ye Mansion.
Gu An and Ye Lan sat inside drinking wine, Ye Lan listening calmly to Gu Anâs recount.
âEveryone dies someday; itâs just a matter of how long one lives. I, too, will face it eventually, and when that time comes, dear brother, donât be too saddened,â Ye Lan said softly, looking at Gu An.
Gu An put down his wineglass and asked, âIf I gave you a chance for eternal youth, but it required many sacrifices and adherence to certain rules, would you take it?â
Having witnessed Ye Yanâs death, Gu An felt uneasy, fearing that his teachings couldnât keep up with the passing of time.
He had taught Ye Lan and Xiaochuan among others, truly improving their maximal life span, but each time was less than before, only adding two hundred years for Ye Lan through teaching, and the last two sessions combined added just a single year.
The mysterious designs of fate were terrifying, merciless.
Ye Lan asked, âWould those rules distance me from you?â
Gu An replied, âItâs hard to say.â
He remembered Heaven Sect mentioning that becoming a part of it involved forsaking many, including a spouse and children.
âThen forget it. Such immortality might be more of a curse. I am not interested,â Ye Lan shook her head.
Gu An remained silent.
Ye Lan seemed to sense Gu Anâs mood. She reached out to hold the back of Gu Anâs hand and smiled, âBrother, donât forget our last century pact. If I could spend the rest of my days with you, that would be enough. A hundred years is actually quite long.â
âIs a hundred years really enough?â Gu An asked with a smile.
âMaybe it is. Over the years, Iâve chased power, gotten bored with it over time, and recently Iâve been focusing on cultivation. Iâve been thinking about doing something else, like your writingâŚâ
Ye Lan started to share her experiences from these years.
Now over three hundred years old, she had her own views and insights on life.
She was now at the Divinity Transformation Realm and held a high position within the Supreme Sect; her pursuits were evolving.
Listening to her, a smile unconsciously spread across Gu Anâs face, feeling happy for her.
Life shouldnât be about just one thing; that Ye Lan was considering enriching her life was an enlightenment in itself.
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âBrother, if you really have that kind of opportunity, save it for someone who truly craves Immortal Cultivation. Right now, I donât think the level of cultivation is that important,â Ye Lan laughed.
Gu An smiled and said, âWhat if you leave this world, and I pursue immortality alone? Wouldnât that be lonely?â
Ye Lan blinked and laughed, âI havenât given up, Iâm just talking. Some things canât be fought for; if you canât have them, let it be. Donât let them become a burden to you, including me, and even Zhen Qin and your disciples. If we die before you, donât be foolish or let it weigh on your heart.â
Gu An, unable to resist, reached out to pinch her cheek, and she didnât dodge.
âWhat about our last century; what would you want to do? Where would you go?â Gu An asked.
âCan I dream big?â Ye Lan raised an eyebrow.
âOf course, daytime is the best for dreaming.â
âThen I want to see how large this world really is. Iâve heard that beyond the sea there are other continents. I also want to go to the heavens, to see how high it really is, and what lies beyond Outer HeavenâŚâ
Ye Lan spoke enthusiastically, Gu An listening intently, his thoughts drifting far with her words.
Two days later.
Gu An first went to the North Sea Mountains to gather medicinal herbs, then spent an Ancient Hour in Mystic Valley.
Upon returning to the Third Medicine Valley, he was in good spirits and played two games of chess with Nine-Finger Divine Lord.
Near evening.
Shen Xinzi and Long Qing walked along the path between the Medicine Garden, Long Qing dejected, occasionally casting timid glances at his master walking ahead.
Although Shen Xinzi appeared composed, he was quite perplexed inside.
Having taught Long Qing for so long, yet Long Qing had still not manifested any Spiritual Power.
Even the most mediocre talents shouldnât be like thisâŚ
Could it be his teaching methods were flawed?
âMaster, do I still have hope?â Long Qing couldnât help but ask, having lost the fighting spirit he initially had, even developing a slight fear of cultivation, frightened by the disappointment he might see in his master.
Without turning, Shen Xinzi said, âMaybe you have a special physique. From tomorrow, Iâll teach you Body Refinement.â
âBody Refinement?â
âYes, the path of Immortal Cultivation isnât only about Energy Absorption; maybe your physique needs long-term honing, to accumulate slowly and release suddenlyâŚâ
As Shen Xinzi spoke, his tone grew increasingly determined.
Whether Long Qing believed it or not, he believed first.
Exactly! That must be it!
Yang Jian was also physically strong; perhaps Gu An chose Long Qing because they were similar.
Hearing this, Long Qing immediately cheered up and began to jump for joy.
When they reached the attic area, An Xin came up to them, smiling and asked, âSenior, why have you been bringing this boy around every day?â
Shen Xinzi pressed his palms together and said, âAmitabha, this child and I have a connection, so Iâm taking him around to play.â
After all, since Long Qing had no cultivation, no one could discover he was simplifying things secretly.
âHey, Sister, why are you fussing so much?â Long Qing grumbled.
Hmph, once I succeed in Body Refinement, you wonât be able to boss me around!
An Xin grinned at Long Qing, thinking to herself, âYou cheeky boy, your feathers have grown firm; Iâd like to see what you can learn from him.â
She verbally said, âAlright, Iâll leave you be.â
With that, she bowed to Shen Xinzi and then took her leave.
Shen Xinzi watched her departing silhouette thoughtfully; her cultivation hadnât improved, but she gave off a very subtle feeling, which he couldnât quite explain.
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