An Xin brought Ye Yan to Gu An’s attic and then went upstairs to inquire.
Gu An had already sensed Ye Yan’s presence, but he couldn’t 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, “It’s been a long time, please have a seat quickly.”
An Xin, curiously, didn’t 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.
“Why are you…” Gu An frowned, hesitatingly asked.
Fifty years ago, Ye Yan was in his prime, youthful, and one of Li Xuandao’s 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 couldn’t state this outright, he could only inquire.
In reality, Ye Yan’s maximal life span had grown a bit over the years, though only slightly.
Ye Yan smiled and said, “Everyone has their time, mine is almost due, I wanted to come back to see this place before the end.”
Hearing this, Gu An couldn’t help but sigh and then stood up to pour tea for him.
Ye Yan’s gaze followed him and said, “Master, there’s no need for you to sigh for me. I’ve accomplished everything in life without regrets.”
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.
“It reassures me that you could come back to see your teacher,” 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 wasn’t keen on teaching just anyone—it risked revealing his Cultivation Level.
Every year, dozens of disciples graduate from Third Medicine Valley and Mystic Valley; he couldn’t possibly teach each one.
“If not for the master’s help, I couldn’t have had such a splendid life. If I hadn’t heard from His Majesty that you were well, I would have come back sooner to repay you,” 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 didn’t hide anything and started from when he left the valley, with Gu An listening intently.
The night passed as they spoke.
At dawn’s approach, Ye Yan made a request—he 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 Yan’s 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 didn’t 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.
“The journey of life is indeed unpredictable,” Ye Yan reflected.
He was close to death already, naturally not excessively sorrowful.
He turned to Zhen Qin and smiled, “Don’t be sad, when I go down there, I’ll greet him for you.”
His words left Zhen Qin’s 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.
“You little rabbit!”
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 Yan’s grave, the falling snow melting before it even touched him.
Gu An’s eyes were not sad but tranquil.
He wasn’t too distressed, merely standing there pondering the past.
Ye Yan wasn’t 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 “Reincarnation” 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.
…
During the blazing summer days, at the Supreme Sect Sub-sect.
Stay updated through empire
Ye Mansion.
Gu An and Ye Lan sat inside drinking wine, Ye Lan listening calmly to Gu An’s recount.
“Everyone dies someday; it’s just a matter of how long one lives. I, too, will face it eventually, and when that time comes, dear brother, don’t be too saddened,” Ye Lan said softly, looking at Gu An.
Gu An put down his wineglass and asked, “If I gave you a chance for eternal youth, but it required many sacrifices and adherence to certain rules, would you take it?”
Having witnessed Ye Yan’s death, Gu An felt uneasy, fearing that his teachings couldn’t 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, “Would those rules distance me from you?”
Gu An replied, “It’s hard to say.”
He remembered Heaven Sect mentioning that becoming a part of it involved forsaking many, including a spouse and children.
“Then forget it. Such immortality might be more of a curse. I am not interested,” Ye Lan shook her head.
Gu An remained silent.
Ye Lan seemed to sense Gu An’s mood. She reached out to hold the back of Gu An’s hand and smiled, “Brother, don’t 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.”
“Is a hundred years really enough?” Gu An asked with a smile.
“Maybe it is. Over the years, I’ve chased power, gotten bored with it over time, and recently I’ve been focusing on cultivation. I’ve been thinking about doing something else, like your writing…”
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 An’s face, feeling happy for her.
Life shouldn’t be about just one thing; that Ye Lan was considering enriching her life was an enlightenment in itself.
“Brother, if you really have that kind of opportunity, save it for someone who truly craves Immortal Cultivation. Right now, I don’t think the level of cultivation is that important,” Ye Lan laughed.
Gu An smiled and said, “What if you leave this world, and I pursue immortality alone? Wouldn’t that be lonely?”
Ye Lan blinked and laughed, “I haven’t given up, I’m just talking. Some things can’t be fought for; if you can’t have them, let it be. Don’t let them become a burden to you, including me, and even Zhen Qin and your disciples. If we die before you, don’t be foolish or let it weigh on your heart.”
Gu An, unable to resist, reached out to pinch her cheek, and she didn’t dodge.
“What about our last century; what would you want to do? Where would you go?” Gu An asked.
“Can I dream big?” Ye Lan raised an eyebrow.
“Of course, daytime is the best for dreaming.”
“Then I want to see how large this world really is. I’ve 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 Heaven…”
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 shouldn’t be like this…
Could it be his teaching methods were flawed?
“Master, do I still have hope?” Long Qing couldn’t 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, “Maybe you have a special physique. From tomorrow, I’ll teach you Body Refinement.”
“Body Refinement?”
“Yes, the path of Immortal Cultivation isn’t only about Energy Absorption; maybe your physique needs long-term honing, to accumulate slowly and release suddenly…”
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, “Senior, why have you been bringing this boy around every day?”
Shen Xinzi pressed his palms together and said, “Amitabha, this child and I have a connection, so I’m taking him around to play.”
After all, since Long Qing had no cultivation, no one could discover he was simplifying things secretly.
“Hey, Sister, why are you fussing so much?” Long Qing grumbled.
Hmph, once I succeed in Body Refinement, you won’t be able to boss me around!
An Xin grinned at Long Qing, thinking to herself, “You cheeky boy, your feathers have grown firm; I’d like to see what you can learn from him.”
She verbally said, “Alright, I’ll leave you be.”
With that, she bowed to Shen Xinzi and then took her leave.
Shen Xinzi watched her departing silhouette thoughtfully; her cultivation hadn’t improved, but she gave off a very subtle feeling, which he couldn’t quite explain.
