After many years, Gu Changge returned to the Dao Prosperity True World, which naturally caused a huge stir.
All cultivators and factions were paying attention, wanting to know what Gu Changge intended to do upon his return to the Dao Prosperity True World.
However, even those who had personally gone to pay their respects to him that day were left in the dark, unaware of Gu Changge's intentions, let alone everyone else.
Moreover, aside from that one meeting in the divine kingdom, no one had seen Gu Changge again, and his whereabouts remained unknown.
Of course, during the few days since his return to the divine kingdom, Gu Changge hadn't gone anywhere.
After spending a few days with Yin Mei and Wang Zijin, he refined the World Orb and merged it into the deepest part of the divine kingdom, integrating it with the blazing sun.
The radiant light, like eternal daylight, illuminated every inch of the divine kingdom's territory and void. The World Orb emitted boundless light, hidden within the sun, and like a whale swallowing the ocean, vast and surging fortune and faith power continuously poured in, transforming into overwhelming rivers and oceans that churned and surged in the depths of the divine kingdom.
The earth-shaking momentum was as if ten thousand celestial horses were galloping within.
All the consorts in the divine kingdom, whether in seclusion or meditation, could feel the dense divine substances drifting and accumulating in the void, like threads or mist, ethereal and light.
These substances were invisible and untouchable, but the spiritual sense could perceive them, as if immersed in a warm ocean, being nourished and nurtured.
Every moment, every breath, their spiritual senses grew stronger. No matter what cultivation techniques they practiced or what divine abilities they used, their progress was twice as effective.
Of course, in Gu Changge's eyes, the dense divine substances were like the most intense rays of light, white, purple, and golden, falling in different regions and evolving into different hues.
For those like Yin Mei and Wang Zijin, who possessed Dao Realm Seeds, the experience was most direct. In their vast spiritual sea, it was as if a flurry of goose-feather snowflakes were falling. This supreme and immense power filled every inch of the void and space, causing their cultivation to undergo incredible transformations.
Watching the changes in the divine kingdom, Gu Changge felt somewhat relieved. The nearly thousand years he had spent refining the World Orb had achieved the desired effect.
Upon returning to the Dao Prosperity True World, Yue Mingkong, Jiang Chuchu, and others were still in seclusion. Gu Changge did not disturb them or wake them prematurely.
Their palaces and pure lands, though independent small worlds, were within the territory of the divine kingdom and thus naturally nourished and radiated by the immortal and creation substances condensed by the World Orb.
In addition to observing the changes in the divine kingdom, Gu Changge also took the time to visit the wilderness near Gu Xian'er's palace. The former Land of the Forsaken Immortals had been moved there by his great divine ability, close to the palace Gu Xian'er had intended to build, making it convenient for her to return to Peach Village to visit her masters.
Over the years, Peach Village had remained unchanged, incredibly peaceful, with orderly houses and well-maintained paths. The villagers had grown accustomed to life after Tao Yao's disappearance.
Of course, Peach Village was not large, covering only a few dozen miles, and had always been home to fewer than a hundred households.
The children in the village, the oldest around seven or eight years old and the youngest still drinking beast milk, learned simple Qi cultivation techniques from the adults.
Even if they didn't become cultivators in the future, they could still strengthen their bodies and hunt in the ancient forests.
Now, many children sat cross-legged on green stones, facing the sunrise and absorbing the morning mist.
The environment here was excellent, with clear waters, green mountains, and fragrant grass. The distant lake was emerald green, and many spirit beasts drank from its shores.
There were also herds of snow-white celestial horses, drinking from the lake in groups, creating a serene, idyllic scene.
Gu Changge's sudden appearance shocked the villagers of Peach Village.
However, the village chief and others, having already heard of Gu Changge's return to the Dao Prosperity True World, were not surprised and welcomed him in.
Yao Yao was naturally overjoyed and excited by her master's arrival. After so many years, she still looked like a delicate porcelain doll, as if time had stood still for her, leaving no trace of its passage.
Gu Changge presented her with some gifts he had prepared and then held her in his arms.
The reason he had come to Peach Village this time was to see this little girl.
After all, truth be told, he had been a rather irresponsible master, leaving Yao Yao in Peach Village and hardly ever checking on her.
Fortunately, the little girl was obedient and sensible, never causing him any trouble.
"Yao Yao misses you very much. She often sits on the green hill at the village entrance, watching for you. Sometimes she sits there all day, from sunrise to sunset, and even goes there alone at night…"
The village chief, seeing Yao Yao tightly hugging Gu Changge's neck, couldn't help but sigh.
Gu Xian'er's other masters, witnessing this scene, also nodded and sighed.
"Since Xian'er left last time, we haven't heard any news of her. We only heard from Xian'er that she is no longer in this world."
"We old folks can no longer accompany Yao Yao, this little girl. She's not the same little girl she used to be."
They could guess the purpose of Gu Changge's visit to Peach Village.
Since Gu Xian'er was no longer in Peach Village, he certainly hadn't come to see them old folks.
"Master is usually very busy. He has many, many things to do."
Yao Yao, still tightly hugging Gu Changge's neck, softly defended him when the village chief and others seemed to blame him for not visiting her sooner.
Hearing this, Gu Changge smiled and patted her head. "I'm sorry. As your master, I haven't visited you for so long."
"It's okay. Master's matters are more important. I'm already very happy and satisfied that you came to see me today," Yao Yao quickly replied.
Hearing her tone, Gu Changge was slightly surprised.
"Yao Yao has grown up…" the village chief sighed.
Yao Yao's head still rested on Gu Changge's shoulder. Her clear, black-and-white eyes, like sparkling black gemstones, showed initial joy and excitement, but her emotions remained calm.
Though her body hadn't grown, her mind was far more mature than that of an adult.
Of course, this was a gradual process. She couldn't remain the naive, carefree little girl forever.
After all, the children she had once played with had long since grown up, started families, and had descendants. Many had even passed away, returning to the earth.
She had witnessed all her peers grow up, marry, have children, and pass away, watching their descendants repeat the cycle over and over, like leaves falling in autumn and growing back in spring.
Such a repetitive process would drive any sane person to despair—unable to cultivate, unable to grow, and unable to die.
Even her once closest sister had long been forgotten, all memories and traces of her erased from the world, as if wiped away by some unimaginable force.
For her, wasn't this life an unsolvable curse?
Though the village chief and Gu Xian'er's masters treated her well, her daily life remained unchanged—monotonous and torturous.
While Gu Changge's arrival brought Yao Yao great joy, the gleam in her eyes was soon overshadowed by gloom.
Gu Changge wouldn't stay here forever. He would eventually leave.
And her life would return to its previous trajectory, trapped in that unsolvable "loop."
If she were still the naive, carefree little girl who never grew up, perhaps she wouldn't care or understand these things, and thus could accept this unchanging life.
"You've really grown up…"
Gu Changge noticed the change in Yao Yao's emotions, his gaze also somewhat complicated.
As the manifestation of Tao Yao's Dao Fruit, Yao Yao's growth indicated that she was gradually breaking free from Tao Yao's influence.
She had truly become an independent life form, no longer bound by her previous identity as a "Dao Fruit."
This was because Tao Yao's existence had truly vanished from this world.
Her karma, traces, and even memories and influence related to her were disappearing.
"I came to Peach Village this time to take you away from here."
Gu Changge, looking at Yao Yao leaning on his shoulder, said softly, "From today on, I will keep you by my side and personally teach you cultivation."
These words not only stunned the village chief and others but also left Yao Yao momentarily speechless, her eyes wide with disbelief.
Her master was taking her away from Peach Village? And would teach her cultivation?
Was this real? Was she dreaming?
Her little face was filled with shock and disbelief.
"But Yao Yao can't cultivate, can she?"
The village chief, the first to react, was utterly astonished.
He had always known that Yao Yao's body was special—unable to cultivate, unable to grow, and immune to injury, as if she were a spirit born from the heavens.
No matter how they tried to guide her in cultivation, it was futile.
Yao Yao, now also reacting, looked at Gu Changge in surprise.
"From now on, she can cultivate," Gu Changge said calmly, offering no further explanation.
Hearing Gu Changge's confirmation, Yao Yao's face lit up with joy and excitement, her voice trembling slightly, almost slipping out of Gu Changge's arms.
The villagers of Peach Village were naturally happy for Yao Yao. If Gu Changge said so, then it must be true.
The next day, after staying overnight in Peach Village, Gu Changge transformed into a divine light and took Yao Yao away.
As Yao Yao watched Peach Village grow smaller and smaller, eventually disappearing into a tiny dot, her delicate, porcelain-like face showed a complex expression, but it soon turned to determination.
"Master, do you… not remember my sister either?"
She looked at Gu Changge, who was right beside her, and finally couldn't help but ask the question that had been weighing on her heart, her voice trembling.
Everyone in Peach Village had forgotten her sister Tao Yao's existence. They didn't even remember why the village was called Peach Village, only that it had always been named so since its creation.
This made Yao Yao deeply sad and pained. It seemed that, apart from her, no one in the world remembered her sister's existence—that figure in white, transcendent and peerless in grace.
So when she asked Gu Changge this question, her voice trembled uncontrollably, filled with tension, fearing that even Gu Changge had forgotten her sister.
Hearing this question, Gu Changge fell silent for a moment before replying, "Didn't Xian'er leave the Dao Prosperity True World and go to the vast expanse? How could I forget her?"
"I'm not talking about Xian'er sister. I mean Tao Yao sister," Yao Yao quickly shook her head, her face full of anxiety.
Gu Changge frowned, then shook his head gently. "Yao Yao, are you mistaken? When did you have another sister?"
Yao Yao froze, as if struck by lightning, her little face pale.
Gu Changge said no more and took her back to the divine kingdom.
Yao Yao's constitution didn't require any foundational training. As the Dao Fruit of Tao Yao, her memory inherently contained Tao Yao's insights and experiences in cultivation. She was naturally close to the Dao, more suited to cultivation than anyone else.
However, if she were to truly embark on the path of cultivation, she would need his initial guidance to set her on the right path.
So Gu Changge had Yin Mei and others gather the materials needed for her foundation-building, while also clearing the obstacles on her cultivation path. The materials he currently possessed were too advanced and not yet suitable for Yao Yao.
As for why he didn't acknowledge Tao Yao's existence, he had his own reasons. After all, the traces of Tao Yao and Chan Hongyi had been erased by his own hand. He had other plans and arrangements.
Several days later, deep within the divine kingdom's grand hall, an ancient four-legged bronze cauldron stood, with clusters of Dao flames licking its base.
In the void, waves of radiant clouds gathered, constructing scenes of primordial chaos and ancient beginnings. Innate Five Qi, Primordial Light, and other substances collided and merged.
Inside the cauldron, the purest immortal Dao essence, the true blood of ancient pure-blooded beasts, and million-year-old spirit herbs were being brewed.
Yao Yao, naked and clean, soaked in the cauldron, her little face flushed from the heat. She gritted her teeth, enduring the pain, her eyes filled with determination, refusing to show any sign of suffering.
The day she learned that even her master Gu Changge didn't remember her sister Tao Yao, Yao Yao felt as if she had been struck by lightning, her mind in chaos, unable to accept it.
In her dazed state, she even began to doubt her own memories. Was it possible that her sister never existed, and she had been mistaken all along?
But she couldn't forget the scenes in Peach Village, where her sister and master would sit and drink tea, occasionally walking around the lake, scattering fish food into the water.
Both dressed in spotless white, their clothes fluttering in the breeze, they looked like a perfect pair, as beautiful as a painting.
She had always dreamed of growing up to be as beautiful as her sister, standing side by side with her master.
But now, she was suddenly told that those scenes were false, her memories were false, and her sister never existed?
She couldn't believe it. She couldn't accept it. She would cultivate diligently, uncover the truth behind her sister's disappearance, and bring her back.
Yao Yao's foundation-building lasted over half a month. During this time, Gu Changge visited the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect, though he didn't reveal himself, only observing Lin Qiuhan from the void.
Now, Lin Qiuhan was a Supreme Elder of the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect, and only the most exceptional immortal pills could entice her to take action.
When Gu Changge arrived, she had just finished refining a cauldron of pills. Thick alchemical mist surged into the sky, and rolling tribulation clouds gathered, shaking half the star domain. Multicolored lights intertwined, and terrifying scenes unfolded within, showcasing immense power.
Lin Qiuhan rose from beside the cauldron, her slender hand flicking a ribbon that transformed into a river of light, shattering the gathering tribulation clouds. Clearly, she had anticipated this and handled it with ease.
"As expected of Fairy Qiuhan, refining pills for an Immortal King is effortless."
"It won't be long before Fairy Qiuhan can refine pills at the Quasi-Immortal Emperor level."
The cultivators who had been waiting nearby emerged, full of admiration.
A long-bearded Immortal King even clasped his hands in praise, his eyes burning with desire as he gazed at the cauldron of pills.
Lin Qiuhan, veiled in plain gauze and with a graceful figure, stepped out from the alchemy peak. She nodded gently, her eyes warm. "I have fulfilled my duty."
With that, she handed the cauldron of pills to the Immortal King before her.
Though she was still some distance from becoming an Immortal King, her talent lay in alchemy, so her slow progress in cultivation was natural.
Even veteran Immortal Kings treated her with utmost respect.
Under Lin Qiuhan's leadership, the Purple Extreme Alchemy Sect had long become the foremost alchemy sect in the Dao Prosperity True World.