At the Dao Palace’s mountain gate, today is the day that the group from the Purple Heaven Jade Mansion departs.

As the senior brother, Chu Xuan naturally accompanies several masters to help send off the guests.

During the past half month, quite a few disciples from the two sects have become friends, and now, as the time of departure draws near, everyone bids farewell, promising to meet again.

Gu Haitang naturally exchanged some private words with Chu Xuan, and she even pulled Chu Xuan’s sleeve, leading him away from the crowd to speak in private, showing a close demeanor.

This drew everyone’s attention, causing them to occasionally glance over and whisper, discussing how well these two’s relationship seemed.

The masters of the Dao Palace smiled silently, while Li Yucheng shook his head in a resigned manner, as if lamenting "a daughter cannot be kept at home when grown," while Master Liu darkly said nothing.

...

Chu Xuan found it rather amusing, "Aren’t these all just ordinary farewells? Why did you pull me aside to say them?"

Gu Haitang, with her hands behind her back, laughed charmingly, "Of course, to let them misunderstand, so everyone knows you’re engaged, and no girls will dare openly pursue you in the future."

Chu Xuan slapped his hand with a laugh, "What a sly trickster, I can’t let you have your way."

Gu Haitang suddenly got serious, "You must strive to cultivate diligently, and so must I."

"After all, we are cultivators, and cultivation is fundamental."

Then she glanced at the scenery on the horizon with a complex expression, "The world might be about to descend into chaos."

Chu Xuan was somewhat surprised, as he knew the world was quite peaceful; at least in the mortal realm, there hadn’t been any wars for a century, and the cultivation world had been relatively calm for several hundred years. Why was it suddenly going to be chaotic?

He decided internally that he must ask his master clearly when he returned.

"Alright, let’s not talk about these dispiriting things," Gu Haitang smiled again, reaching out her hands to hold Chu Xuan’s hand.

This was the first time they had physical contact in the past half month, aside from yesterday’s "accidental touch."

Haitang’s palm was very warm, and Chu Xuan recalled a certain someone, remembering her careful application of Moon Dew and Hundred Flowers Ointment on him.

However, after being comforted by his senior sister last time, he now felt only faint heartache, and he was relatively able to accept it—it was uncertain whether he had been numbed or truly started to let go...

"Chu Xuan, let me tell you something honestly. I haven’t fallen for you yet, but after these days of observation, I believe you have great potential, so I hope you can grow."

"When that time comes, a ’marriage alliance’ isn’t necessarily impossible..."

Before Gu Haitang finished, she frowned, because she noticed Chu Xuan’s attention suddenly diverted from her, his eyes focused on the horizon with a gradually joyous expression.

Chu Xuan actively let go of Haitang’s hand, eagerly flying into the sky to greet someone.

It was a tall woman in a white dress, as if born from the spiritual aura of heaven and earth.

Her neat and tidy long ponytail made her appear beautiful and spirited, bright and graceful.

The man and woman met in the air from afar, both showing smiles from the heart.

Gu Haitang watched this scene, her frown deepening, her hands clenching tightly with her nails digging into her palms, without her realizing it.

...

"Senior sister!" Looking at this familiar face in front of him, Chu Xuan’s heartbeat began to accelerate, and the joyful expression was undeniable.

Qin Mengyao smiled at her junior brother. Compared to three years ago, her appearance had hardly changed—only her eyes had gained a hint of worldliness.

She reached out and touched Chu Xuan’s head, speaking calmly, "Seeing me back, are you this happy?"

Chu Xuan felt slightly embarrassed, "Is it that obvious?"

Qin Mengyao nodded, "Very obvious."

With that, she continued forward, flying side by side with her junior brother towards the mountain gate.

"Why are there so many guests today? Judging by the attire, they’re from the Purple Heaven Jade Mansion?"

Chu Xuan nodded, briefly mentioning the events of the past half month.

Needless to say, he glossed over anything regarding Gu Haitang, not wanting his senior sister to have any undesirable impressions.

Despite this, Qin Mengyao smiled and said:

"I know who it is—the beautiful girl staring at me with a look that could eat me up, the one proposed to marry you, Gu Haitang, right?"

Chu Xuan hurriedly waved, "The marriage talk is merely joking; in reality, it’s impossible."

At the same time, he anxiously glanced towards Gu Haitang, but thankfully, Haitang still stood there coolly, without showing any unusual expression, not as exaggerated as his senior sister described.

"Oh right, senior sister, have you succeeded in forming your core?" Chu Xuan actively shifted the topic.

Qin Mengyao nodded, "Of course, otherwise, how could I return with any face to meet you and Master?"

Soon, the two landed before the mountain gate, and Qin Mengyao proceeded to greet her elders from her own sect and the two masters from Purple Heaven.

Li Yucheng looked at her with great admiration, "Mengyao formed her core so quickly—truly worthy of being Master of the Floating Clouds’ beloved disciple."

Qin Mengyao humbly replied, "Uncle is joking. Mengyao took eighteen years to barely form her core, far less than the disciples of your sect."

Li Yucheng said seriously, "It’s not the same. I see your current vitality and spirit are complete. Although you’ve just formed your core, many cultivators at the late Golden Core Stage are likely no match for you."

The surrounding young disciples, especially those from Purple Heaven, were quite surprised. They rarely saw the strict Master Li give such high praise to a junior.

Gu Haitang had unknowingly returned to the group. She knew Chu Xuan had a senior sister who traveled, but she hadn’t realized how important she was to him...

On the contrary, Chen Yusheng, who had previously felt despair and turned away, strangely found a glimmer of hope.

After continuing the conversation for a while, Li Yucheng didn’t waste any time, saluted, and rode on a cloud, leading the disciples into the sky.

Chu Xuan no longer had a chance to speak with Gu Haitang. He felt somewhat apologetic for abandoning their conversation halfway, so he could only give Haitang an apologetic look.

Gu Haitang merely nodded lightly, her expression showing no hint of joy or anger.

...

The Cloud Riding Technique of a cultivator who had reached the sixth realm was naturally very fast.

Standing at the front of the cloud, Li Yucheng asked without turning, "Haitang, do you really like him?"

Master Liu couldn’t help but turn her head to look at this usually obedient disciple, who lately had been ignoring advice as if she’d become a different person.

Gu Haitang shook her head, responding calmly, "I’m just a bit interested; there’s no need to rush. I don’t have any plans for marriage in the near future."

Chen Yusheng, who had lost considerable weight these days, quietly sighed in relief. He had truly feared that upon returning, Gu Haitang might inform the sect leader and the two sects would begin arranging a marriage. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

Li Yucheng nodded, "Alright, this matter needs long-term planning. You can also get closer in the future."

After concluding this topic, he transmitted a message separately, "After half a month of observation, you should be able to draw a conclusion, right?"

Gu Haitang nodded, "Though mostly indirect observation with little direct contact, since Jiang Yiyi is close to Chu Xuan, I often see her."

"My conclusion is: Jiang Yiyi might have some secrets, otherwise she wouldn’t resemble that person from back then so much, but it’s unlikely she’s an Immortal descending to the mortal realm."

Master Liu heard these words too. Her expression remained calm, and she seemed not surprised.

It’s quite normal. During this half-month, the two masters had also covertly watched Jiang Yiyi, though not as conveniently as Gu Haitang. Her behavior indeed differed significantly from that of a Celestial Fairy, and no one would believe it if said.

Li Yucheng nodded again, "Very well, I will truthfully report to the sect leader. Let’s consider this matter settled."

----------------------

After seeing off the guests at the Cyan Lotus Daoist Palace, Chu Xuan chatted with Qin Mengyao as they returned to the Dao Palace’s main hall to meet the master.

He was naturally curious about his senior sister’s experiences over the past three years.

Qin Mengyao wasn’t in a hurry to share, instead asking about the happenings within the sect over the years, including his junior brother’s cultivation progress.

Chu Xuan answered each question and received encouragement from his senior sister.

But for some reason, he felt something was somewhat off?

Before he could think further, they met the master, and from that point, Qin Mengyao started narrating her experiences over the three years.

There were quite a few thrilling moments, even several near-death encounters, making Chu Xuan sweat for his senior sister. Luckily, she managed to overcome each one.

Three months ago, after slaying a demonic cultivator at the Golden Core Stage, Qin Mengyao found a tranquil place to enter closed cultivation, successfully breaking through and forming her core.

Master of the Floating Clouds stroked his long beard, smiling and nodding, "Very good, I can see your mind has become more resolute. It seems you’ve made progress in your Dao Heart. I believe breaking into the fourth realm won’t be an issue in the future."

The greatest hurdle to breaking from the third to the fourth realm is the questioning of one’s Dao Heart.

Only when a cultivator truly understands their own heart and determines their future path can they hope to advance to the Nascent Soul Stage.

This step can actually begin during the Foundation Establishment to Core Formation process. The sooner one understands their own heart, the easier it will be to form their core, and breaking into the fourth realm later will be more relaxed.

Upon hearing this, Chu Xuan silently resolved to strive towards his senior sister’s example, ideally addressing this while forming his core so he wouldn’t have to worry in the future.

...

Afterwards, he didn’t hold onto Qin Mengyao. She had just returned, and she needed some rest.

After visiting the master, they each went their own way.

Instead of returning to his residence, Chu Xuan went to Li Xingchuan’s secluded cultivation place outside the main peak.

Yesterday, this Demon Monarch gave him a tip. Although he outwardly showed no reaction, he had already made up his mind internally.

Chu Xuan didn’t guess blindly; he would directly ask the Demon Monarch. Others might fear Li Xingchuan, but he didn’t.

Halfway there, Chu Xuan encountered Jiang Yiyi.

This girl seemed to have something to say to him, showing a rare hesitant demeanor, which was unusual for her outgoing personality.

Finally, Chu Xuan simply waved his hand and said, "I don’t have time now; if you have something to discuss, go to my room and wait. I’ll find you later."

Jiang Yiyi breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.

Is she going to confess to me? Chu Xuan suddenly thought but then found it amusing, thinking he must be crazy to have such a thought.