Chapter 378 ·Old Friends Withering Away

Bibo ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Island.

After ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Lin Chang’an broke through to Late Core Formation and repaired the Four Symbols Dragon Scale Armor, he emerged from seclusion in an exceptionally good mood.

“Master, ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Li Tianmo came by half a year ago. These are the letters he left behind, and these few letters are from Yue Kingdom.”

The ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍moment he stepped out of the cave abode, the Sword Attendant respectfully stepped forward to greet him.

Hearing ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍this, Lin Chang’an could not help but pause in surprise.

Li ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Tianmo?

In his heart, the first person who should have come seeking Core Formation should have been that girl Zhou Bingxuan.

After all, among the three juniors, whether discussing cultivation foundation, cultivation base, or stability of foundation, Zhou Bingxuan was undoubtedly the strongest among them now.

However, seated within the pavilion, while the Sword Attendant respectfully brewed Spirit Tea nearby and a unique tea fragrance drifted through the air—

that fragrance seemed to fade somewhat after Lin Chang’an read the letters in his hand.

“That child Yifan… has passed away.”

A trace of sorrow flashed through Lin Chang’an’s eyes before he finally released a quiet sigh.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death.

Even cultivators could not avoid these things.

One could only say that stronger cultivation merely delayed the arrival of that day.

Years ago, within the letters exchanged between them, Wei Yingying had already mentioned that Li Yifan’s health was not very good.

He had never expected that after emerging from this seclusion, the very first news would be that the child he had watched grow up had already departed.

“The hidden injuries from his youth could be healed with the medicinal pills I previously gave him, but the vitality he lost could never truly be restored. In the end, this day was unavoidable.”

Back then, after learning of Li Yifan’s poor health, Lin Chang’an had already anticipated this day.

He had specifically arranged for the merchant ships of the Profound Sound Pavilion to deliver some Longevity Enhancement Pills back to him.

Mid Foundation Establishment cultivation.

Passed away naturally at two hundred and nineteen years old.

Although Foundation Establishment cultivators generally possessed lifespans beginning at two hundred years, some cultivators who cultivated wood-attribute cultivation methods focused on nourishing life could live to nearly three hundred years of age.

However, within the chaotic cultivation world, most Foundation Establishment cultivators either perished midway or died from the eruption of hidden injuries.

To survive past two hundred years and die naturally from old age was already considered rather fortunate.

Although such an age could not be considered longevity within the cultivation world, being able to leave without regrets was already an excellent conclusion.

Lin Chang’an’s sorrowful emotions also caused the Sword Attendant nearby to quietly fall silent, not daring to disturb him in the slightest.

“Another familiar person has left.”

After a long while, Lin Chang’an lightly sipped his Spirit Tea.

For some reason, today’s tea carried a trace more bitterness than before.

Li Yifan.

Back when he was still called Zhou Yifan, he had been taciturn since childhood.

At this moment, scene after scene from the past surfaced continuously within Lin Chang’an’s mind.

Erniu’s proud and excited expression while speaking of his child possessing spiritual roots, followed by all the later events, and finally Zhou Yifan changing his surname back to Li.

“For ordinary cultivators, Li Yifan’s life was already remarkably brilliant and splendid. From the son of a live-in son-in-law, he eventually rose step by step and ultimately established the current Foundation Establishment family.”

Although he had long anticipated it, and had already witnessed familiar old acquaintances depart one after another—

when it truly happened to oneself, countless emotions still inevitably arose.

“This cultivation path truly is the Great Dao of Emotionlessness.”

After stepping upon the cultivation path, as one’s cultivation grew deeper and deeper, one would inevitably experience this so-called Great Dao of Emotionlessness.

One familiar old acquaintance after another would age, fall ill, and die.

By the end of cultivation, many cultivators gradually became utterly alone amidst the changing years.

Calculating the ages—

those two juniors, Shen Fan and Wei Yingying, were already over two hundred years old as well.

However, after living for more than two hundred and fifty years, Lin Chang’an had already mentally prepared himself for the departure of familiar people.

Thus, he suppressed the emotions within his heart and continued reading the letters delivered by the Profound Sound Pavilion.

The letters were from two years ago, with several originating from Yue Kingdom.

Shen Fan and Wei Yingying mentioned news they had heard from their grandson Shen Zhuang, warning him to be careful and expressing various concerns before discussing the current situation within Yue Kingdom.

Toxic miasma had long enveloped the spiritual qi regions, giving birth to many poisonous insect and serpent demon beasts.

However, it was precisely because these high-grade spiritual qi lands had transformed into poisonous miasma zones that many high-level cultivators could no longer cultivate there.

Thus, Yue Kingdom still remained under the control of the Profound Sound Pavilion.

There was also another letter written two years ago while Li Yifan was still alive.

It seemed that he had sensed his lifespan nearing its end, because the letter contained many reflections showing that he had finally seen through many things.

Things he had once stubbornly clung to in youth—

such as the suppression he felt toward the Zhou Family during his younger years.

Unexpectedly, the knot in his heart that had lasted an entire lifetime was finally unraveled at the very end.

When a person was near death, their words naturally became sincere.

Li Yifan’s various realizations before death unexpectedly gave even Lin Chang’an many insights.

After all, Li Yifan had grown up under his watch.

Naturally, Lin Chang’an understood many of the knots within his heart.

“I never expected to gain such realizations from a younger generation in the end.”

Lin Chang’an’s gaze flickered.

The strength of cultivation also prevented him from personally experiencing many aspects of aging and physical decline.

Yet now, through Li Yifan’s letter, he saw the perfect conclusion to the life of that once stubborn youth.

The final section of the letter stated that Li Yifan had visited the Zhou Family once more.

He had returned to the Zhou Family of Green Bamboo Mountain Marketplace where he had once grown up.

He walked through many familiar places within the Zhou Family.

In the end, accompanied only by two familiar old men from the Zhou Family, they chatted and laughed freely together, resolving the long-standing bitterness within his heart.

He even reconciled with someone from the Zhou Family whom he had once disliked deeply.

The two white-haired old men laughed heartily together as the grudges of a lifetime completely dispersed.

The two sides even agreed to become relatives through marriage.

“This Zhou Family girl possesses rather good talent and already has Late Qi Refinement cultivation. This time, she also arrived at the Five Dragon Islands aboard a Profound Sound Pavilion merchant ship to meet Li Tianmo.”

Li Tianmo’s letter expressed his willingness to become Dao companions with this Zhou Family woman.

At the same time, after witnessing the unrest within the Demon Beast Sea Abyss, he prepared to attempt Core Formation.

Regardless of success or failure, afterward he intended to return to Clearwater Bay Marketplace to inherit the position of Li Family Patriarch.

Although the Li Clan had developed quite well over the years, most of the family resources had been sent to Li Tianmo.

As a result, the clan now possessed only a single rather elderly Foundation Establishment cultivator.

As a member of the Li Family, Li Tianmo also carried the mission of revitalizing the clan.

“This is also why many family cultivators are only permitted to leave after the younger generation within the clan reaches a certain age.”

Cultivators who grew up within the clan naturally developed a sense of belonging toward the family.

Sects operated under the same principle.

Otherwise, cultivators lacking a sense of belonging naturally possessed very weak feelings toward their families and sects.

Incidents of ungrateful traitors within the cultivation world occurred frequently and were nothing unusual.

Thus, regardless of whether it was sects or families, all were extremely cautious when nurturing future generations.

“Li Tianmo wants to attempt Core Formation.”

Lin Chang’an frowned slightly.

He understood the Li Family’s situation, but Core Formation was not something easily achieved.

However, everyone possessed their own fate.

Given Li Tianmo’s current state, his emotions had already become increasingly unstable.

Dragging things out longer would instead become even more disadvantageous for his Core Formation attempt.

Families and sects were double-edged swords.

They could provide immense assistance, yet they also created bonds and burdens.

Wandering cultivators were similar.

Although they possessed far fewer attachments, they likewise lacked support behind them, making the early stages of cultivation incomparably difficult and requiring far greater effort and time.

Nothing in the world was ever absolute.

Afterward, Lin Chang’an picked up another letter from Old Hu.

The letter contained much information regarding the unrest throughout the sea regions and how the various major factions were secretly adding fuel to the flames, warning him to be careful.

Finally, Lin Chang’an set down both the letter and his teacup.

“Come. It’s about time we returned to the Five Dragon Islands.”

“Yes, Master.”

The Sword Attendant respectfully cupped her fists.

Meanwhile, within the water pool, sorrow also appeared within the Green-horned Ox’s bell-like eyes.

Its intelligence had already advanced enough to understand human speech naturally.

Thus, it knew clearly who had passed away.

Li Yifan.

Back when it had still been a calf on Green Bamboo Mountain, it had naturally been familiar with many of its master’s old acquaintances.

Birth, aging, sickness, and death—

even demon beasts could understand such things.

……

Compared to the eternally gloomy skies of the Fog Sea of Tongtian, the Five Dragon Islands region could be described as bright and sunny with distinct seasons.

After leaving the Fog Sea of Tongtian, even one’s mood seemed to improve considerably.

Celestial Spring Peak.

A waterfall resembling a silver river cascaded down from the cliff summit, crashing thunderously into the deep pool below and sending up countless sprays of white mist.

Although the sound of water was loud, it could not suppress the continuous chirping of cicadas from within the trees.

Instead, those long and lingering cicada cries added a unique sense of tranquility.

Upon the spiritual peak stood an elegant pavilion built beside the water.

Inside the pavilion, Lin Chang’an sat opposite Fairy of Rainbow Skirt while the two played chess.

The sounds of cicadas, flowing water, and chess pieces striking the jade board merged together in a marvelous harmony, composing a melody of immortal dao resonance far removed from worldly dust.

“Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lin, on breaking through to Late Core Formation.”

After placing a white chess piece and slaughtering a massive dragon formation, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt smiled while raising her head toward Lin Chang’an.

Looking helplessly at the chessboard, Lin Chang’an conceded defeat once more.

However, hearing the congratulations of Fairy of Rainbow Skirt still brought him considerable joy.

After all, when he had first entered the cultivation world, throughout all of Yue Kingdom, the name of Fairy of Rainbow Skirt had been synonymous with peerless genius.

Yet after only a little over two hundred years, he had chased all the way up until they now stood side by side.

“Fellow Daoist Rainbow Skirt is too courteous.”

Seeing himself lose several rounds consecutively, Lin Chang’an had just prepared to let the Sword Attendant substitute for him in a few matches—

when Fairy of Rainbow Skirt’s eyelid twitched slightly, and she immediately smiled while changing the topic.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, now that you’ve returned to Celestial Spring Peak, are you preparing to help these juniors attempt Core Formation?”

Lin Chang’an naturally noticed this blatantly obvious topic shift and inwardly felt speechless.

So you also know that winning nonstop becomes boring.

However, regarding the matter of Core Formation, Lin Chang’an remained rather open-minded and merely nodded lightly.

“Yes. Along my cultivation path, there have only been a few such friends. Within my abilities, I naturally wish to help the descendants of these old acquaintances.”

“This disciple Li Tianmo is also known to me, but isn’t he acting somewhat too hastily?”

“Hasty? His heart has already become unsettled. Delaying further may not necessarily be beneficial. And haste isn’t always a bad thing either.”

Regarding Li Tianmo’s Core Formation attempt, Lin Chang’an himself could not determine whether it was good or bad.

One could only say it was half and half.

“Although his family affairs have affected him somewhat, sometimes such things are not entirely bad. Instead, they may strengthen one’s Dao Heart at certain times.”

At this point, Lin Chang’an’s gaze drifted toward Fairy of Rainbow Skirt.

Dressed in a cyan-white long gown, revealing her exquisite features, she elegantly sipped tea without the slightest discomfort under his gaze.

Hearing Lin Chang’an’s words, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt smiled lightly at the corners of her lips and nodded.

“What Fellow Daoist says is correct. That girl Zhou Bingxuan recently auctioned off a spirit flower possessing calming and spirit-focusing effects at the marketplace. Presumably, she is also nearing Core Formation.”

Lin Chang’an nodded lightly after hearing this.

Given Zhou Bingxuan’s talent and cultivation, that was indeed about right.

Just as the two chatted casually, two figures flew over upon swords and landed outside the cave abode.

“Disciple Li Tianmo and Zhou Xiuwan pay respects to Sect Master, Elder Lin, and Elder Qiu.”

The arrivals were precisely Li Tianmo and the Zhou Family female cultivator Zhou Xiuwan from Yue Kingdom.

She possessed Ninth Layer Qi Refinement cultivation and carried the appearance of a gentle and virtuous woman.

Suddenly facing three Core Formation cultivators at once naturally made her nervous.

Meanwhile, Li Tianmo gently patted the hand of the woman selected for him by the family patriarch—his own grandfather—to comfort her.

Because outsiders were present, Li Tianmo naturally did not address Lin Chang’an as Great Granduncle.

As for Elder Qiu—

the Sword Attendant’s real name was Qiu Ling’er. Coupled with her current Mid Core Formation cultivation, she now also received the待遇 of an elder within the Profound Sound Pavilion.

“Mm, not bad.”

Looking at the two, Lin Chang’an nodded in satisfaction.

Li Yifan had finally stopped being as stubborn as in his youth.

After becoming the head of a family, one naturally had to plan for future generations.

From the perspective of benefits, Clearwater Bay and Green Bamboo Mountain were neighboring marketplaces, while the Zhou Family was clearly quite powerful.

A marriage alliance between the two naturally benefited both families.

Originally, establishing a family had never been Li Yifan’s wish.

It merely gradually formed while he protected his descendants.

Deep within his heart, he had actually always resisted it somewhat.

The hidden dangers within the Li Family had always existed throughout these years, and Lin Chang’an naturally understood them clearly.

However, during his final years, Li Yifan had finally let go of the obsessions within his heart.

Only during the final stage of his life had he truly become the head of a Foundation Establishment family.

Back then, he had been told to marry a Zhou Family woman yet refused.

Now, his descendants had instead completed that unfinished connection.

“I already know about Yifan’s passing. Within the cultivation world, birth, aging, sickness, and death are also normal occurrences. Furthermore, for Yifan, his life was already sufficiently splendid and carried few regrets.”

Mentioning his grandfather caused sorrow to appear within Li Tianmo’s eyes as well.

However, before three Core Formation cultivators, he still respectfully cupped his fists.

“Great Granduncle, Tianmo also carries few regrets. This time, I came seeking Great Granduncle’s gift of a Core Formation spirit item. Regardless of success or failure, the Li Family will slowly repay this debt in the future.”

Although it was something bestowed by another, Li Tianmo was not foolish enough to truly regard it as a free gift.

Whenever there were gains, there would naturally be losses.

Hearing this, Lin Chang’an smiled slightly.

This child truly was not foolish.

He actually understood how to use the matter of repayment to further deepen their relationship, preventing it from gradually fading after people departed.

“Enough. This is Blackwater Liquid, a superior Core Formation spirit item. As for success or failure, no one can help you with that. You can only rely upon yourself.”

Lin Chang’an calmly bestowed the Core Formation spirit item.

For the sake of an old acquaintance’s descendant, this Core Formation spirit item also contained a trace of Profound Heaven life aura.

However, such things merely added flowers atop brocade.

True success or failure still depended upon oneself.

Seeing the precious Core Formation spirit item now within his hands, Li Tianmo excitedly cupped his fists.

“Great Granduncle’s great kindness will never be forgotten by Tianmo and the entire Li Family.”

“Enough. Celestial Spring Peak possesses dense spiritual qi, and I’m usually not here anyway. You may open a cave abode halfway up the mountain and prepare for secluded Core Formation there.”

Then Lin Chang’an jokingly added:

“After all, my Celestial Spring Peak possesses luck enhancement.”

This teasing remark stemmed from the fact that everyone who had attempted Core Formation on Celestial Spring Peak had succeeded.

From the Sword Attendant to the Zhao Sisters of the Profound Sound Pavilion, even the quality of their Golden Cores had not been poor.

Thus, in the eyes of outsiders, Celestial Spring Peak had naturally become regarded as a blessed land of fortune.

Meanwhile, Fairy of Rainbow Skirt thoughtfully noticed Zhou Xiuwan standing nearby and smiled lightly.

“Double happiness arrives together. Since the Zhou Family now also belongs under the Profound Sound Pavilion, and your cultivation is not bad either, it just so happens that the Profound Sound Pavilion recently refined a batch of Foundation Establishment Pills.

I shall bestow one upon you so that you may enter seclusion and cultivate within the sect, striving to break through as soon as possible.”

Originally, merely following along to pay respects to Core Formation cultivators had already left Zhou Xiuwan somewhat dazed.

She had never imagined such an enormous fortune would fall onto her as well.

Foundation Establishment!

Although her grandfather had already told her that the excellent marriage arranged for her would make future Foundation Establishment highly likely—

she still found it difficult to suppress the excitement within her heart.

“Many thanks, Sect Master. Many thanks, two Elders.”

Zhou Xiuwan forcefully suppressed the excitement within her heart and respectfully cupped her fists in salute toward all three.

Even toward Lin Chang’an and the Sword Attendant, she displayed complete respect.

Requesting double monthly tickets. Last month, despite taking leave occasionally, I still updated over 230,000 words, averaging 7,781 words daily.

Though not the best, still above average. I hope all fellow Daoists can continue supporting me.

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