Gathering Immortals Tower, Celestial Private Room.
Yun Yao, Shen Lie, Lin Chang'an, Li Erniu, along with Wei Buyi, all gathered around a table.
Wei Buyi was also part of the same batch for the assessment back then, but unlike them, he is the offspring of an old friend of Elder Lu. They met for the first time at the foot of the mountain during the sect assessment.
The four of them originally came from the Mortal Realm to this unfamiliar Immortal Cultivation World together.
This gathering was initially not meant for him, but considering he came to bid Elder Lu farewell, and they were somewhat like classmates back then, he was invited to join.
"Fairy Yun, please sit."
In the Immortal Cultivation Realm, strength is respected, so Yun Yao did not refuse and took her seat first.
The reunion after twenty years brought a wave of sentiment among the five, as the youthful faces of the past had matured.
Especially Yun Yao, whose transformation was the most significant, becoming a Great Cultivator at the peak of Qi Refining in their eyes.
"To be able to gather once more after twenty years, let's first toast to ourselves."
The little marquis, Shen Lie, who was best at forging connections, had reddened eyes as he raised his glass.
Only by personally struggling in the Immortal Cultivation Realm can one truly understand the hardships involved; it was already a blessing that they were all still alive and reuniting after two decades.
"Cheers."
No one said much, even the usually aloof Yun Yao showed subtle changes in her expression.
Lin Chang'an also downed his drink, feeling a deep sense of emotions.
As they finished a glass of wine, the initial unfamiliarity began to fade, and the atmosphere became more harmonious.
Especially upon hearing that Erniu had advanced in cultivation at the Zhou Family and even had a son with a Spirit Root, Shen Lie and Wei Buyi expressed their surprise.
Who would have thought that the farmer's boy, once considered the lowest in status, had fared quite well, firmly rooting himself in the Immortal Cultivation Realm.
Even the little marquis Shen Lie couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
"Had I known, I would have joined Erniu and Brother Lin at the Cyan Bamboo Mountain Market back then."
Although Shen Lie had reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, only he knew the hardship he had endured over the years.
"But Lin Chang'an, didn't I hear that you were planning to return to the Mortal Realm?"
Wei Buyi, with a smile on his face, turned to Lin Chang'an and asked, feigning surprise.
This made Yun Yao and Shen Lie frown. Wei Buyi had always somewhat looked down on those who came from the Mortal Realm like them.
Who would have thought, twenty years later, he'd still be the same.
No, Wei Buyi's personality has improved a lot; at least when looking at Yun Yao and Shen Lie, his attitude wasn't like this.
Even when regarding Li Erniu, there was no longer the contempt of the past.
But Li Erniu glared; back then, he found this Wei the most displeasing, and after twenty years, it was still the same.
"Wei, you're mistaken. Brother Lin can now skillfully draw Tier One Lower Grade exquisite talismans, not like you, the half-baked Alchemist."
Unpleased, Erniu retorted, after which Lin Chang'an nodded with a smile:
"Indeed, I had thoughts of returning to the Mortal Realm, but after letting go of my obsessions, I suddenly realized enlightenment."
As Lin Chang'an spoke with a smile, his mind was already making calculations.
The matter of his disheartened intention to return to the Mortal Realm was known only to Erniu and, back then, when he sent a letter to Master Lu. Erniu couldn't be the one, and Master Lu wasn't the type.
Thinking about how Wei Buyi hadn't been doing as well over the years and that Master Lu had left behind a considerable estate, Lin Chang'an seemed to understand something, but he just smiled briefly since with the commandery princess here, it would be easy to protect this little junior sister.
"Tier One Lower Grade exquisite talisman!"
No one was a fool; this meant Lin Chang'an was already capable of learning to create Tier One Middle Grade talismans.
This made Wei Buyi's face flush, and he awkwardly laughed it off.
"I misspoke, let me drink this first as an apology."
Wei Buyi's ability to switch expressions quickly allowed him to both put on a facade and to lower his pride as he raised his glass and drained it to show his remorse.
"A Tier One Middle Grade talisman. Brother Lin, what plans do you have next?"
Yun Yao's beautiful and clever eyes fell upon Lin Chang'an's face, a hint of nostalgia passing through them.
Hearing the title 'Brother Lin,' Lin Chang'an paused in his heart.
"The market plans to expand its unclaimed lands, so I'm preparing to visit the Zhou Family."
Lin Chang'an spoke with a smile. After much contemplation, he initially planned to ask Erniu upon returning. Since it came up here, there was no need to hide it.
Erniu, upon hearing this, showed a delighted expression. Wouldn't this mean he could be with Brother Lin every day from now on?
"Then let me first congratulate Brother Lin."
Excited, Shen Lie raised his glass in celebration; the status of a Tier One Middle Grade Talisman Master was far more valuable than that of a Qi Refining Fifth Layer cultivator like him.
"That's quite good."
Yun Yao nodded lightly, apparently reminded of something.
"We have all embarked on the path of cultivation, hence should address each other as fellow cultivators in the future."
Lin Chang'an raised his glass with a smile, taking the initiative to suggest the idea.
Though his eyes were on Shen Lie, the little marquis, everyone knew who he meant.
"Right, right, hopefully, a hundred years later, we can still call each other fellow cultivators."
The young marquis Shen Lie was the most tactful, and under his influence, the atmosphere gradually became harmonious.
However, Yun Yao gave Brother Lin a meaningful glance, but she was the first to address him as Mr. Lin.
While Lin Chang'an conversed with the crowd with a smile, he sighed inwardly.
It wasn't that he was timid, but he had experienced too much.
"If I just proceed steadily now, achieving Foundation Establishment in the future is not impossible, but I must be cautious and avoid attracting attention."
Lin Chang'an pondered quietly, realizing that this Golden Finger only promised him an unlimited future, not the power to transcend stages.
He indeed had a promising future, so he couldn't be reckless.
Wei Buyi also joined, exchanging cultivation insights and discussing the strange happenings of the Immortal Cultivation Realm.
...
No banquet lasts forever. As Lin Chang'an and his group left the Gathering Talent Tower, they bid farewell, blessing each other with words of enduring prosperity on the immortal path, and went their separate ways.
Gathering Talent Tower attic.
As she gazed out at the departing figures through the window, Yun Yao, dressed in a plain white outfit, spoke softly:
"Qingqing, you've seen it all too, what do you think?"
Following Yun Yao's gentle voice, Lu Qingqing unexpectedly emerged from behind the screen.
However, on her petite, delicate face, her eyes bore a calm gaze.
"Sister Yun, you once said Brother Lin was the most suitable, but what I saw is someone who hasn't given up after twenty years of arduous cultivation, and even now, he's a man of steadfast resolve, yet unsuitable for starting a family."
Lu Qingqing gently shook her head; she was not an ignorant or blindly romantic female cultivator. She clearly understood her own low-grade Spirit Root aptitude.
If she aimed too high without solid capital, she would just end up as a foil in the future.
"And then there's Wei Buyi, who returned to Qingshui Bay in the past two years, frequently visiting under the guise of old family ties, but I know very well it's all about eyeing this family business, his motive is too obvious."
Although Lu Lao only reached the Qi Refining Seventh Layer during his life, he accumulated a lifetime of family business and connections. Wei Buyi's father died early, and he didn't make a name for himself outside over the years. Clearly, he intends to take everything.
Reaching this point, Lu Qingqing shook her head in self-mockery and said:
"When Brother Lin's letter came before, Grandpa sighed with emotion, but Wei Buyi only heard a little of it and is already acting like this today.
In the Immortal Cultivation Realm, even someone like you, Sister Yun, a prodigious talent, must tread carefully. His behavior will only spell trouble in the future."
The concern isn't ill intentions but rather a lack of self-awareness.
Listening to Lu Qingqing's assessment, Yun Yao nodded softly with a sigh.
"You're right, the Immortal Cultivation Realm is ever-changing, and it's not so simple."
As Lu Lao's granddaughter, Lu Qingqing didn't have grand aspirations, only wanting to live a solid life.
Wei Buyi's greed for the family business did not bother Lu Qingqing since, in the Immortal Cultivation Realm, who isn't greedy? But after observing secretly today,
Wei Buyi left her shaking her head in disappointment.
Originally, Li Erniu was honest and reliable, the most suitable, but he had already become a son-in-law of the Zhou Family and was directly excluded.
If Lin Chang'an knew, it would likely suffocate him. Back then, when the Zhou Family sought a son-in-law, he was eliminated due to his appearance, and today he's rejected for his resolve.
Yet Li Erniu, with his honest and reliable demeanor, was always the preferred choice.
This Immortal Cultivation Realm is just too unfair.
"The young marquis Shen Lie, with a smooth personality, is adept at networking, knows when to advance and retreat, and doesn't have too great ambitions. Moreover, Grandpa's old connections will fade with time.
Perhaps I could partner with the young marquis to open a business for Sister Yun, earning some Spirit Stones for cultivation."
Finally, Lu Qingqing pondered for a moment before looking towards Sister Yun, speaking softly.
"Have you decided?"
"Yes, I've decided."
Lu Qingqing smiled. Her greatest asset was her self-awareness.
Right now, her only reliance was Yun Yao, but once she leaves, this support will gradually fade over time, so leaning on this support is the best choice now.
Not only can she preserve the family estate and connections left by her grandfather, if Yun Yao indeed achieves Foundation Establishment one day, her backing will be even more solidified.
After all, it's easy to add flowers to the brocade, but hard to offer help in times of need.
"In that case, I'll introduce you to Shen Lie, and whether it works out depends on your fate."
Yun Yao nodded gently, her face blossoming with a smile.
She had a keen insight, and naturally, she could see Lu Qingqing's intentions, but it was exactly this sense of knowing when to advance and retreat that didn't make things difficult for her.
After all, as the sole descendant of Mr. Lu.
Actually, the best choice was Lin Chang'an. As Lu Qingqing brushed her bangs aside, she inadvertently glanced at Sister Yun.
But at this moment, Yun Yao gazed through the window, her eyes gradually losing their focus on the already vanished figure.
Youthful girlish sentiments, as youthful experiences and insights grow, looking at the person who has fallen from grace, have long faded.
Yet this encounter did not reveal the decline and mediocrity she had imagined, but rather the same confident dark eyes from back then.
However, now the gap between the two is vast.
Yun Yao smiled faintly, realizing this was just a part of her life's memories. Currently, she only had one steadfast goal in her heart.
Foundation Establishment!