The year-end snow fell gently, blanketing the world in white.
Inside the loft, Gu An was pouring tea for Ye Lan, who was recounting her experiences at the branch sect.
After many years apart, Ye Lan had grown into the bearing of a true great cultivator. As a Divine Transformation Realm cultivator, she was a figure of authority wherever she went, and her aura had only become more refined with time.
This made Gu An feel that she had become even more captivating.
The once-clingy girl who used to follow him around had now become a towering figure in her own right. It filled him with both pride and a sense of wistfulness.
Ye Lan's tales of the branch sect revolved mostly around power struggles. Thanks to Lü Baitian's support, she had emerged victorious in every conflict, making her journey relatively smooth.
After sharing her story, she turned to Gu An and asked about his life in recent years.
"Planting flowers, playing chess, and occasionally teasing the disciples. Very carefree," Gu An said with a smile, his gaze warm as he looked at Ye Lan.
Ye Lan raised an eyebrow and asked, "Who is the girl downstairs?"
You've been dying to ask, haven't you? Gu An thought, amused. Out loud, he said, "Her identity isn't simple. I'll only tell you, but you must keep it a secret!"
The loft was protected by an array that blocked the senses of anyone below the Divine Transformation Realm, so he wasn't worried about Ji Xiaoya overhearing.
Ye Lan nodded with a blank expression, signaling her understanding.
Gu An took a deep breath and said, "Her name is Ji Xiaoya. Do you understand now?"
Ye Lan frowned. "But wasn't Ji Xiaoya already dead?"
Ji Xiaoya had once been a renowned prodigy, her beauty unmatched. Her death had sparked widespread discussion within the Tai Xuan Sect, and Ye Lan had heard about it as well.
"She did die—but she was also reincarnated," Gu An explained, recounting what he had learned from Xie Wuxing, his expression tinged with awe.
Ye Lan was equally astonished. Such events seemed almost beyond belief. Furthermore, Ji Xiaoya's background was far more extraordinary than she had ever imagined, shattering her previous understanding of the world.
Gu An added cautiously, "Junior Sister, you mustn't let this information spread. If it does, we could invite catastrophic trouble. Matters involving reincarnation always attract powerful enemies. For entities of such magnitude, the Tai Xuan Sect would either submit or be obliterated."
Ye Lan nodded solemnly and then admitted with a wry smile, "To be honest, I was feeling jealous of her earlier. But now, I don't dare to. She's far beyond our league. Even if she were interested in you, I think it'd be a good thing. Senior Brother, you always say your aptitude is average, and your ties with that old senior have been severed. Perhaps she could change your fate."
Her tone grew serious as she spoke, her gaze earnest.
Gu An was touched by her sincerity.
Perhaps due to his experiences in past lives, Gu An had always believed that people ultimately acted in their own self-interest, even in matters of love.
He had rejected Ye Lan's feelings many times, yet she remained steadfast. He didn't want her to suffer, so he had always supported her. Deep down, he was moved by her dedication. Ye Lan already held an irreplaceable place in his heart.
But he hadn't expected her to wish for his future success, even if it meant encouraging him to pursue someone else.
This silly girl...
Gu An shot her a look and said irritably, "Cherish what? I have no such relationship with her. At most, we're just acquaintances. Besides, she doesn't care for romantic entanglements—her heart is set solely on the immortal path."
This was the truth. He could clearly sense Ji Xiaoya's ambitions.
In both her past and present lives, Ji Xiaoya was not the type to indulge in affairs of the heart. If she were, she wouldn't have chosen death in her past life to resist a forced marriage.
Ye Lan rolled her eyes at him. "Senior Brother, a woman living under your roof, with such a prestigious background, couldn't possibly be indifferent to you. Even if you can't win her heart, building a stronger connection with her would still benefit you."
Though she had reached the Divine Transformation Realm, Ye Lan felt her own path to immortality had already reached its end. She no longer dared to hope for eternal life but wished for Gu An to grasp the opportunity.
As for why, she couldn't quite say. She simply wanted Gu An to have a better future. In her eyes, he deserved it.
From childhood, she had always believed that her Senior Brother was destined for all the good fortune the world had to offer. Even though he had rejected her feelings, she wasn't upset. She had chosen to like him; why should he be obligated to return her affection?
"Forget it. I just want a peaceful life. If she's willing to stay at the Third Medicine Valley, I'll treat her well. If she wants to leave, I won't stop her. We're not from the same world and shouldn't tie each other down," Gu An said, shaking his head.
This was his honest thought.
His goal was immortality, not marriage or children.
Ye Lan blinked, unsure whether to feel relieved or disappointed.
"Senior Brother, if you never achieve immortality in this life, will you accept me?" Ye Lan asked.
Gu An thought for a moment and said, "If neither of us reaches immortality, we can spend our final century living as ordinary mortals. A mortal life is only a hundred years, after all. Until then, we'll both keep striving for the immortal path—who knows what might happen? I might crave stability, but I haven't given up cultivating."
Ye Lan smiled radiantly at his words. She gazed at him, her eyes sparkling with emotion. "Senior Brother, hearing that, I suddenly don't think the limits of one's lifespan are all that frightening."
Gu An reached out to ruffle her hair, mussing it up despite her protests. Only when she pouted in mock annoyance did he finally relent.
Afterward, their conversation shifted to the Grand Cold Demon Sect.
She had also learned a great deal about the Grand Cold Demon Sect, and this made her deeply worried.
Ye Lan feared that the continent might not survive this calamity, so she returned early to see Gu An, hoping to avoid any regrets.
Of course, she still clung to a glimmer of hope—Sword Master of Dao.
This hope was also why most disciples of the Tai Xuan Sect hadn't fallen into panic. For years, the protection of Sword Master of Dao had instilled confidence and resolve in them, even in the face of catastrophes.
As long as Sword Master of Dao didn't abandon them or fall in defeat, they believed they could endure any tribulation.
As their conversation drew to a close, Gu An invited Ye Lan to stay for a while. Naturally, she did not refuse.
When night fell, Gu An accompanied Ye Lan on a stroll through the valley, even taking her to watch others play chess.
He called Yang Jian over, asking him to pay respects to Ye Lan.
Yang Jian's attitude was very respectful, sensing that his master treated Ye Lan differently from others. The fact that Gu An had specifically asked him to come must carry a deeper meaning.
Could she be more than a Senior Aunt? Perhaps… the Senior Mother?
At the thought, Yang Jian chuckled inwardly. For a moment, he saw his master as less distant and more human, someone with personal ties and emotions.
That night, Ye Lan stayed in the Third Medicine Valley, residing in Gu An's dwelling. While Gu An read a book, Ye Lan meditated to cultivate her qi.
As midnight approached, Ye Lan opened her eyes and looked toward Gu An. The candlelight illuminated his face as he remained engrossed in his reading. A serene smile appeared on her face.
In truth, this was enough for her.
She watched him quietly for a while before closing her eyes again.
But as dawn approached, the atmosphere changed.
"Senior Brother, you must be tired. Let me massage your shoulders."
"Tired? You're the one who's been cultivating all night."
"It's nothing. I'm stronger than you, remember?"
"Is this a massage or—?"
"I'm just checking your health. What if you've developed bad habits?"
"Wait, no—don't touch there!"
"Senior Brother! How could you think I'd disrespect you? I have a unique method to nourish your qi and blood."
"No, not there—definitely not there…"
…
By early morning, Gu An descended the stairs with a complex expression, followed by a beaming Ye Lan.
Ji Xiaoya emerged from her room, her gaze shifting to the two of them as her brows furrowed slightly.
After introducing Ye Lan and Ji Xiaoya to one another, Gu An didn't linger on the matter, taking Ye Lan with him to the training grounds.
Ji Xiaoya remained behind, her eyes following them for a while before the crease in her brows relaxed.
Ye Lan planned to stay until after the Spring Festival before leaving. Whenever Gu An visited the outer gate cities or Xuan Valley, he brought her along. However, he didn't take her to Tianya Valley or other secret locations, and Ye Lan never asked why. She assumed it was a sign of hidden strengths and secrets her Senior Brother kept.
To her, such mysteries were a good thing—it meant her Senior Brother was far more capable than he let on.