Gao Xuan, having received the news, dashed out frantically, only to see Nannan from a distance holding a shabby rattle drum, standing timidly outside the mountain gate.

His heart suddenly contracted, almost bursting through his chest.

He wanted to rush over, to hold her tightly in his arms, to tell her that daddy is here, daddy is back...

But his feet seemed rooted to the ground, unable to take a step forward.

After all, she had already met him outside the mountain gate of Cangyan Daoist Palace last time, and she couldn't recognize him at all.

During this time, he searched through all the ancient books, but a cultivator can only seize a body once in their life, and he could never return to the image of the daddy in her memory.

The only way was to take it slow, to gradually wear it down with time, so she could accept this unfamiliar daddy once again.

He bit his teeth hard, his eyes aching from the swelling, but he could only forcefully suppress the surging emotions, pulling out a stiff smile, and step by step, walk towards her.

But Nannan recognized him first, her eyes lit up, and she took a step forward, "You're that crying uncle! Nannan knows you!"

Gao Xuan's knees went weak, almost kneeling before her.

He reached out wanting to touch her, but stopped midway, finally just gently crouching down to meet her gaze.

His throat moved several times before he could speak, "Yes... I am the crying uncle. Your dad... your dad has some matters, so he asked me to pick you up."

He didn't dare blink, afraid that tears would fall in the next moment.

Wu Sha stood beside, his face under the black robe icy cold, saying nothing.

Within the barrier, Cao Zhengyang, Mo Xingjian and others quietly watched, their expressions complex.

Luo Lingling, Zhou Qing, and Lu Yaoyao, having also received the news, hurried over.

Luo Lingling, already knowing the whole story, had slightly reddened eyes, unconsciously looking towards Mo Xingjian.

Lu Yaoyao stood by Zhou Qing's side, quietly sniffing, sighing inwardly, "How are we supposed to reunite? Nobody will believe it!"

At this moment, Nannan heard Gao Xuan's words, and her eyes suddenly brightened.

"Really?"

Gao Xuan fought back the heartache, forcing out a smile, "Your dad promised to buy you some candied hawthorn, knowing you're coming back today, he went out of his way to buy it for you."

Nannan's eyes immediately curved into crescent moons with a smile, "I knew daddy loves Nannan the most!"

Just then, Zhou Qing stepped forward.

"Brother Zhou Qing—" Nannan also recognized Zhou Qing, calling out happily.

Zhou Qing walked forward, smiling warmly, "Nannan, welcome home."

"Thank you, Brother Zhou Qing!" Nannan said joyfully, "My dad went to buy candied hawthorn for me, I'll be seeing daddy soon!"

Zhou Qing lightly rubbed the top of her head while quietly releasing his divine sense to probe.

Moments later, he slightly nodded to Gao Xuan, who finally loosened his tense shoulders.

"Didn't he say two years' time?" Zhou Qing turned to Wu Sha, frowning, "Why so early?"

Wu Sha expressionlessly took out a jade scroll, "I don't know what you're talking about, but my Palace Master told me to give this to you before leaving."

After receiving it, Zhou Qing didn't put it on his forehead directly, instead first confirming its safety with the Daily Reflection, then looked at it.

Inside the jade scroll, only "Waiting for you" was written in bold strokes, with a smiley face drawn at the end.

After reading, Zhou Qing frowned even more.

"The Palace Master also said," Wu Sha continued, "he has kept his promise, you can rest assured there's no hidden move, for this is a rare sense of achievement for him."

"As for the third condition, he still hasn't decided…" He paused, "He said perhaps he'll have decided by the time you seek him out."

"He's gone?" Zhou Qing asked.

Wu Sha suddenly stepped back, solemnly saluting, "Though the Palace Master often says my advice might be fatal, I always feel there's a future following him. I want to know where exactly he went?"

Looking at him, Zhou Qing hesitated briefly, then said, "The Imperial City!"

Wu Sha's eyes glinted, saluted again, "Thank you!"

Before the words finished, he transformed into a black shadow and disappeared.

Cao Zhengyang watched the direction Wu Sha left in, unconsciously licking his lips, with a glint of fervor in his eye.

The two conditions Sikong Yan had mentioned previously were one, for Zhou Qing to help him over at the Imperial City, and the other... to have Taiqing Sect take over Cangyan Daoist Palace.

Now that the other party has left, so—

"No, can't rush it, it could be a trap, must plan carefully."

...

After Gao Xuan brought Nannan back to the mountain gate, he immediately went to find the Lu Family sisters to have them check again.

Only after confirming there were no other hidden dangers did he finally set his suspended heart at ease.

As for the other Peak Masters, they were puzzled at when Gao had a daughter.

But soon, under Cao Zhengyang's cryptic expressions, everyone suddenly understood.

It turned out that although Gao did not have a Daoist companion, he was not inexperienced in affairs between men and women.

But... seeing the five or six-year-old Nannan, could it be that over the years the senior brother secretly went down the mountain and left her?

It was well hidden indeed, and even used the alias Dong Lisheng, quite amusing.

...

The next day, after the Lu sisters answered everyone's doubts, Zhou Qing finally pushed the door open.

"How do you feel?" Zhou Qing asked.

Lu Yuanzhi organized the jade scrolls, smiled, "Pretty good, at least life feels fulfilling, haven't felt this peaceful in a long time."

Lu Yuanjiu lightly sipped her tea, took over the conversation, "Your uncle-masters are all smart, eager to learn."

Zhou Qing smiled, then explained his plan to head to the Imperial City, hoping they could help look after the sect.