Chapter 1680: A Brief Interlude

Based on his current level of perception, Dong Fuyi had sealed the laws within Li Yan’s Nascent Soul according to a rhythm that matched the hidden laws of heaven. This would allow Li Yan to experience the peculiar fluctuations of those laws through careful contemplation in the future.

This gift seemed simple, but for a cultivator at this stage, it was the best and greatest gift possible. This was the difference between having a master and not having one; a master could tell what you needed most at a certain stage based on your progress, saving you from years of detours.

Through his conversation with Li Yan, Dong Fuyi gained a deeper understanding of him, but he also felt a sense of regret. How was this boy the “dull youth” he had always thought him to be? He had even been particularly envious of Martial Uncle Qian Chong, thinking the man had recruited a brilliant disciple while his own successor was merely average.

But now he saw that this dark-skinned boy, despite his honest appearance, possessed top-tier talent and intelligence. His regret was that if he had kept Li Yan by his side all these years, even if the boy had started later than Pei Buchong, he would surely be at the Void Refinement realm by the time they returned to the Immortal Spirit Realm. While it became harder for others to break through, that wouldn’t necessarily be the case for someone with Li Yan’s foundation!

Ten days later, when a weary Li Yan walked out of the room, the three women standing in the bamboo courtyard all looked his way. Thanks to his master’s secret protection, Li Yan hadn’t scanned the outside with his Divine Sense, but seeing them, he knew they had been waiting under the tree in the courtyard.

Though Zhao Min and Gong Chenying looked calm, they were clearly anxious as they waited for him to approach. Li Zhaoyan, in particular, opened her mouth to ask about her teacher, then stole several fearful glances at Li Yan.

Li Yan walked straight to the stone table and sat down. He then beckoned Li Zhaoyan over.

“I’ve been busy these past few days and haven’t had a chance to speak with you. Missing the chance to see you grow up is a regret for me as well!”

The softness in Li Yan’s voice touched a hidden cord in Li Zhaoyan’s heart. With a modest expression, she walked to his side and sat down on a stone stool.

“Your teacher’s Sea of Consciousness is slowly recovering. She hasn’t woken up yet, but her life is no longer in danger. Waking up will be a process; let’s wait and see!”

Ten days ago, Li Yan had taken Zhao Min’s True Essence Pill. Although he had helped Bai Rou refine it, he knew she wouldn’t be waking up anytime soon. In fact, even after ten or a hundred years, she wouldn’t wake up unless he found a way to resolve the problem with her mind.

But he didn’t say that. He intended to have Dong Fuyi appear in another identity so he would have an excuse to slowly reveal the truth about Bai Rou’s injury. Then he would take everyone as they ascended, and once in the Immortal Spirit Realm, he would head for the Five Immortals Sect and search for the celestial herb for her. Everything would then follow a natural course.

Otherwise, given the personalities of Zhao Min and the others, even though their cultivation was lower than his, they would likely insist on accompanying him to find the “Hazy Moon Purity.” Since Bai Rou was injured saving Li Zhaoyan, Zhao Min would feel particularly obligated. If he revealed the truth now, his daughter would be the one who could least accept it. Li Yan could see the guilt in her heart.

As expected, hearing Li Yan’s words, Li Zhaoyan’s eyes brightened, though they were also a bit red. Zhao Min and Gong Chenying also approached and sat on the other stools. Hearing this good news, and knowing that Qianji might also be resurrected, they were finally at ease.

Though cultivators viewed life and death with detachment, even someone as cold as Zhao Min had undergone a significant change in her nature under Li Yan’s influence. Specifically, she had accompanied him twice back to his birthplace. The contrast between those two visits had a profound impact on her; she could feel the helplessness and grief in his heart.

Gong Chenying, on the other hand, was someone who valued her clan and people deeply. Her coldness at the Malevolent Spirit Sect was because she bore too much responsibility; she had too much to accomplish. Her entire life had been dedicated to the safety and happiness of the Tianli Clan, leaving no room for romance until Li Yan appeared.

“I hear you have a Nine Yang Profound Bird egg?” Li Yan shifted the topic away from Bai Rou and asked Li Zhaoyan softly.

“Reporting to Father, Mother gave it to me. I’ve tried many ways to hatch it, but there has been no movement!” Li Zhaoyan replied respectfully, still showing some constraint.

“That is nothing unusual. The Nine Yang Profound Bird is a high-level fire beast that is rarely seen in the world now. Its bloodline rank is extremely high, so its birth is naturally suppressed by heavenly laws…”

Li Yan then shared what he had learned from Dong Fuyi. Li Zhaoyan listened intently; she had searched many jade slips and records but found nothing about the bird, even in a sect with a foundation as deep as the Malevolent Spirit Sect. Even when she asked her mother, Zhao Min said she didn’t know, only that it had been a gift from someone else.

Learning the details of the bird, Li Zhaoyan’s face broke into a smile. She finally understood how precious this egg was.

“However, you must also be prepared for it to never hatch. Nothing in this world is perfect, but as long as you put your heart into it, you will have no regrets.” Li Yan offered a word of caution at the end, and Li Zhaoyan nodded repeatedly.

“Your child will remember Father’s teachings!”

“The beasts of the lower realm are far inferior to those of the upper realm. In the North Pastoral Realm where I went, there is a Sky-Demon Prairie where even 4th-rank beasts can perish at any moment…”

Li Yan had heard from Zhao Min about how their daughter became Bai Rou’s disciple—it was because she had been too lively as a child and was especially fond of insects and beasts. So Li Yan began to talk about the Sky-Demon Prairie. He had traveled through it several times to reach the Soul Suppression Palace and was quite familiar with many of its inhabitants.

As Li Yan spoke, the vastness of the Immortal Spirit Realm unfolded before them. Zhao Min and Gong Chenying listened as well. Li Zhaoyan, initially just a listener, soon began to ask questions. Her eyes grew brighter and brighter, and as she spoke with Li Yan, her initial constraint vanished.

When Li Yan spoke about puppet techniques, Li Zhaoyan even brought out her own puppets to discuss them with him. While Li Yan wasn’t an expert in puppets, his cultivation was much higher, his vision was broader, and he had discussed the craft with Bai Rou. Furthermore, he had studied the manual given to him by Shuang Qingqing, which was written by her master, Shen Yuhuan—a grandmaster of puppets and mechanisms.

Thus, Li Zhaoyan was delighted to find that her father was so knowledgeable, even able to point out the flaws in her puppet techniques. They talked for over an hour, with Zhao Min and Gong Chenying chiming in occasionally, allowing Li Zhaoyan to fully relax…

By the time she put her puppets away, Li Zhaoyan was deep in thought about Li Yan’s advice. Gong Chenying then spoke up.

“The Eldest Senior Brother came by a few days ago, but seeing you were helping Junior Sister Bai, he left after a short stay. He wanted me to tell you that the Second Senior Brother’s injury has stabilized; you need not worry!”

Li Yan nodded. He planned to check on the Second Senior Brother and the others later. Having learned the root cause of this disaster, his guilt had only grown.

“Father came by as well. After he helped Peak Master Li stabilize her injury, he left her in the care of Senior Sister Changting and went to talk to Ancestor Mo about some affairs. He didn’t know when you would be leaving, but he wants you to find him before you go!” Zhao Min said softly, her voice still carrying that characteristic chill. She still referred to Li Yuyin as Peak Master Li, even though the latter was now a Nascent Soul Elder, and she didn’t call Mo Qing “Senior Brother,” but “Ancestor.”