Meanwhile, Li Zongyin and the rest of the Li family were escorted down Pingyang Mountain by Rong Yue and Wen Chu.
On the mountaintop, Yu Lijun, Ji Xiangyang, and their group followed Hong Yao into the palace, where they saw Li Ye casually reclining on a soft couch, flipping through a jade scroll.
"Young Master, Fellow Daoists Yu, and Ji have arrived,"
Hong Yao said, bowing slightly.
"Greetings, Master Li!"
Everyone respectfully saluted him.
Among them, only Yu Lijun who had visited once before managed to keep her composure. The others, overwhelmed with excitement and anxiety, showed visible signs of nervousness.
Li Ye set the jade scroll aside and sat up, sweeping his gaze over the gathered guests before smiling warmly.
"Junior Sister Yu, Junior Brother Xiangyang it's been a long time!"
Though Yu Xiaoshan's appearance hadn't changed much, her demeanor, dress, and overall bearing had matured considerably compared to the past.
Now, seeing Li Ye again with his youthful, graceful looks and the astounding achievement of reaching the Golden Core realm, far beyond her reach Yu Xiaoshan couldn't help but feel a complex mix of emotions.
Thinking back to the faint, unspoken affection she once harbored, her heart stirred with both bittersweet longing and excitement.
But when she heard him still speak with the same familiar warmth as before, calling her by the old affectionate titles, her heart trembled, her eyes grew misty, and she said in a voice tinged with tears:
"Senior Brother Li… it's been so long…"
"Back then, I shouldn't have left without a word… So many times, I've woken from dreams, filled with regret…"
Her girlish, vulnerable demeanor made Hong Yao's heart clench slightly.
It seemed this Yu Lijun wasn't just a random guest there was real history between her niece and the Young Master!
As mere attendants, she and Rong Yue had no place competing in matters of the heart...
Yu Lijun, meanwhile, felt a surge of happiness.
If her niece could truly win over Li Ye's heart whether through genuine affection or calculated effort, the Yu Family would secure a precious connection with a Golden Core cultivator. In these chaotic times across the four cultivation nations, that would be a tremendous shield for them.
Li Ye, however, simply laughed freely. With a casual flick of his fingers, a strand of mana flowed into Yu Xiaoshan.
The pure Wood-elemental energy swept through her like a spring breeze, soothing her turbulent emotions and halting her tears.
"Let's not dwell on the past," he said, his tone gentle and unburdened.
"We're old friends reunited there's no need for tears."
His words were calm, without a hint of reproach.
Though Yu Xiaoshan stopped crying, her heart ached even more.
Though Li Ye spoke to her as kindly as ever, after her silent departure years ago, it was clear they could never return to what once was.
Still, as she watched him, Li Ye casually picked up a small wooden token and a pill from the nearby table and placed them in her hands.
"Take this token. If you ever find yourself in trouble, bring it to me. It will absorb your aura, so even if you cannot use it personally, your bloodline descendants still can."
Yu Xiaoshan paid little attention to the precious pill; instead, she clutched the seemingly ordinary wooden token tightly, her tears falling again.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Li!"
She understood very well this token was all that remained of the bond they once shared.
After settling this matter, Li Ye turned his gaze toward Ji Xiangyang.
Back then, Xiangyang just a boy not even half as tall as an adult under Elder Ji Qing's tutelage had now grown into a handsome young man. His cultivation had even reached the early Foundation Establishment stage, nearly catching up to Ji Qing's level from those days.
Hearing Li Ye call him by name so naturally, Ji Xiangyang felt a surge of emotion and bowed respectfully:
"Senior Brother Li… Xiangyang greets Senior Brother Li!"
Though he had indeed come to build a connection for personal gain, at this moment, he couldn't help but be flooded with memories of his days under Ji Qing's care. His heart felt heavy and bittersweet.
Looking at Ji Xiangyang whose face now bore little resemblance to the playful boy who once laughed and joked with him Li Ye gave a small nod.
"Elder Ji's death is one of the greatest regrets of my life.
Seeing you safe and steadily advancing in your cultivation brings me some comfort."
Then, just as he had with Yu Xiaoshan, Li Ye took out a wooden token, along with the jade scroll he had been reading earlier, a pill, a delicate inner armor that looked like a thin gauze, and a flying sword, and handed them all to Ji Xiangyang.
With a faint smile, he said,
"You already know the use of the token. The jade scroll contains my cultivation insights, the pill is suited for your current level, and the inner armor and flying sword are both fine-quality spiritual artifacts."
"Elder Ji gave me great kindness in the past.
Though I can no longer repay it to him directly, today I gift these to you. I hope they help you walk further down the path of cultivation."
Ji Xiangyang stood there dazed, his arms full of treasures.
He had come today hoping to establish a connection with the newly ascended Golden Core cultivator, but he had never expected Li Ye to be this generous!
Realizing that all this was a repayment of Ji Qing's kindness, his feelings grew even more complicated.
That man had long since passed away, yet the blessings he left behind were still protecting him.
Others couldn't help but cast envious glances at him.
Even Yu Xiaoshan, who seemingly shared a past affection with Li Ye, had only received a token yet Ji Xiangyang had been given a trove of treasures.
Truly, it was as they said: the trees planted by predecessors provide shade for those who come after.
With these gifts, Ji Xiangyang's future path in cultivation would surely be much smoother!
Seeing Ji Xiangyang lost in thought, Li Ye turned instead to Yu Lijun and asked:
"I entrusted you to seek out my old friends from the days at the Purple Profound Sect.
Yet today, only these two young ones have come.
I hope you can explain what happened."
So many years had passed, during which there had been two great demonic tides.
Even if his old friends had only been spirit farmers or sect stewards roles that usually stayed safely within the sect they would have had little chance of surviving once the Purple Profound Sect's gates were breached.
Li Ye had long prepared himself for the bad news.
Still lamenting that her niece had failed to move Li Ye's heart, Yu Lijun could only force a bitter smile when he asked:
"Master Li's guess is correct... I did everything I could and used every method available, yet I couldn't find your old friends.
Likely, they are no longer among the living."
"In the end, I could only find these two younger ones and brought them to you."
As she spoke, she pulled a little girl who had been staring wide-eyed at Li Ye closer to her side.
"This little girl's name is Luo Jinghan.
She is the granddaughter of Luo Chongxi, the sect's steward you once mentioned.
Steward Luo passed away from old age many years ago.
His son and daughter-in-law perished during the latest demonic tide."
"Only Luo Jinghan survived.
She wasn't in the sect at the time and was later brought to Wu Kingdom by a disciple familiar with the family."
"Luo Jinghan, huh…"
Li Ye looked at the little girl.
She did resemble old Luo somewhat.
Repeating her name softly to himself, Li Ye met her bright, mischievous eyes and couldn't help but smile.
Regardless of what Luo Chongxi's original motives were for helping him, the aid he gave had been real and tangible.
Without him, Li Ye might never have even met Ji Qing.
These thoughts swirled through Li Ye's mind, and he sighed softly.
"Both her parents are gone, then…"
He looked at the little girl and asked gently:
"Luo Jinghan, would you like to stay here on Pingyang Mountain?"
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