"I'm fine now. You and Miss Ye can talk about life and ideals," Li Yang said speechlessly. What's the point of continuing? There's an audience here; even the highest passion has vanished.
"Oh. Really, everything's alright?" Gao Qingmei asked, somewhat disappointed. Li Yang felt a headache coming on. "Don't you have a brain? Your breasts are like watermelons, but your brain is smaller than a date pit?" "It's alright," Li Yang could only say dismissively.
Li Yang then hung up the phone, cursing his bad luck inwardly. He leaned back in his seat, closed his eyes, and pondered. He couldn't very well end up wandering the streets or sleeping in his car in the middle of the night, could he? That would be too embarrassing if word got out.
Gao Qingmei, noticing Ye Ziyan's unusual expression, asked in surprise, "Cousin, what's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing? Your cultivation method and techniques were given to you by Li Yang? And your current realm was also opened up for you by Li Yang?" Ye Ziyan frowned as she looked at Gao Qingmei. The early stage of Qi Induction was already a figure who had entered the hall of fame in the cultivation world. After all, the leaders of the major cultivation sects she knew were only at the late stage of Qi Refining and Spirit Transformation. A disciple at the late stage of Qi Induction was already an extraordinary person with amazing talent, who could roam freely in the world.
Gao Qingmei's easy and effortless entry into the early stage of Qi Induction is a testament to her great fortune and good luck.
"Yes. Is there a problem?" Gao Qingmei had admired her cousin since childhood and wanted to consult her on almost everything.
"No problem. I just think you're very lucky and blessed~" Ye Ziyan said with a faint smile, not taking it to heart. Speaking of cultivation level, although she had only been a beginner for a short time and was far inferior to the Palace Master's Earth Immortal cultivation, as well as her aunt Ye Xiulan's late-stage Qi Refining and Spirit Transformation peak, she had already reached the mid-stage Qi Induction and Body Infusion realm after only half a year of cultivation. She could be considered a prodigy with heaven-defying talent.
It wasn't until six months later that she learned her aunt, who had been missing for over a decade, had gone to cultivate immortality, and had joined a sect that remained extremely mysterious in the cultivation world. Moreover, her family had always been tight-lipped about Ye Xiulan's affairs, unwilling to mention them. If Ye Xiulan hadn't suddenly returned home, Ye Ziyan would still not know where her aunt had gone, and would never have even seen this legendary aunt who was as beautiful as a celestial being.
Recalling her first meeting with this aunt six months ago, she was astonished, even shocked. Her skin was like spring water, her beauty like that of a celestial being; she was so young that she made her feel inferior. If no one had explained, she would have surely thought she was Ye Ziyan's sister. But her aunt was older than her father, who was already in his forties, so her aunt must be at least forty. Finally, she couldn't help but ask the question that had been bothering her, and learned that her aunt, Ye Xiulan, was already fifty-one. The shock she felt at that moment was unimaginable.
No girl can resist the allure of eternal youth, and Ye Xiulan's purpose in entering the mortal world this time is to find the third-generation successor. The Yaochi Immortal Palace has a single successor per generation, with only one disciple, but all disciples possess extraordinary talent and earth-shattering strength. As for the other girls living in the palace who also know some cultivation methods, they are merely maids, responsible for guarding the Yaochi Immortal Palace, as well as cleaning, cooking, and other miscellaneous tasks.
Upon seeing Ye Ziyan, Ye Xiulan's eyes lit up instantly. His star-like eyes shone with a wise and bright light as he sized Ye Ziyan up and down. Ye Ziyan felt as if she had been completely seen through, as if she were utterly naked. This feeling, though fleeting and as quick as it had never existed, was undeniably shocking. The thought of following her aunt in cultivating immortality suddenly sprouted in her mind, startling her greatly.
But when her aunt Ye Xiulan said she wanted to take her as a disciple, believing she had exceptional talent and was extremely suitable for their Yaochi Immortal Palace's cultivation technique, the "Su Nu Jing," she almost couldn't help but doubt her ears. Was she hallucinating? Was all of this real? As she looked at Ye Xiulan in disbelief, Ye Xiulan smiled and nodded slightly, which made her extremely excited. She was almost like a three-year-old girl who had received a beloved treasure, cheering and jumping for joy, her chest swelling so much that it felt like it would burst.
But when she told her father and grandfather the good news, their expressions changed drastically, and they exchanged a dejected glance. Finally, her father shook his head and sighed, "Ziyan, have you considered that if you follow your aunt in cultivation, your lifespan will inevitably be extended, perhaps even hundreds or thousands of years? That would be an extremely painful thing. You would have to watch helplessly as I, your grandfather, all your relatives, and everyone you know disappear from this world one by one. Can you bear such immense suffering?"
Seeing the worry, pity, and heartache in their eyes, Ye Ziyan felt a pang of sadness, and tears welled up in her eyes. Ye Ziyan, who was usually calm and composed with rarely showing emotion, couldn't help but burst into tears. For a moment, she didn't know how to begin.
The door opened silently, and Ye Xiulan descended gracefully like an immortal, looking at her father and younger brother with kind eyes, and said softly, "Are you both alright?"
"Lanlan—" Old Master Ye called out in a low voice. His face flushed with excitement, and his white hair became disheveled.
"Sister!" Ye Qing cried out with deep emotion, standing up abruptly, her hands and feet trembling.
However, Ye Xiulan's emotional fluctuation was only momentary. After a short while, she regained her calm and serene demeanor, as still as a clear pool of water, and said calmly, "Cultivating immortality is a matter of defying the heavens. Although it does not require the elimination of the seven emotions and six desires, it does require not to be troubled by worldly affairs. Your mortal family is merely your birthplace. Family, love, and friendship are all tests of your cultivation in this world. Let them come joyfully and leave happily; that is already the greatest blessing. There is no need to be pained or troubled by their departure; it is a natural law, the replacement of the old with the new. You should be more open-minded."
Ye Xiulan's words caused Elder Ye to frown deeply and sigh silently. Ye Qing's eyes were filled with complex emotions, and he remained silent. How could he not understand his sister's words? But being born as a mortal meant living with emotions and desires; to relinquish these would mean no longer being a mortal, but an immortal. He was startled. Yes, they were cultivating immortality; these emotions and desires were merely part of their practice, no longer so indispensable.
"Ziyan, you need to make your own decisions about your life. Your grandfather and I have no right to interfere or ask questions, but you need to think it through and take responsibility for yourself. Do you understand?" Ye Qing and Old Master Ye exchanged a glance, then turned to Ye Ziyan and said.
Ye Ziyan bit her lip, tears streaming down her face like broken pearls. Her body trembled slightly, her eyes flickered, and she was struggling with intense inner turmoil and hesitation. The scene was completely silent; no one spoke, not even their breathing was audible. Ye Ziyan took a final deep breath and decided to follow her aunt in cultivating immortality.
"Ziyan, you possess a rare pure Yin constitution, making you perfectly suited to cultivate the 'Su Nu Jing' of the Yaochi Immortal Palace. Moreover, your progress is several times faster than that of ordinary people. I can almost foresee how glorious and dazzling your future will be. Now I will impart the true scripture to you. Close your eyes, concentrate, open your mind, and accept it earnestly." Ye Xiulan said to Ye Ziyan with a smile, pointing a finger at the center of Ye Ziyan's brow. Her slender, jade-like fingertip shimmered with a subtle, luminous light.
A moment later, Ye Ziyan felt a sudden surge of information in her mind. A profound and mysterious feeling and mantra emerged in her heart, as if they were her own from birth, deeply etched into her memory.
"What kind of magic is this? It's amazing!" Even with Ye Ziyan's composure, she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. Such a magical spell would be incredibly easy and efficient for memorizing things.
"This is called 'fingertip sentiment.' You'll be able to use it once you reach your master's level," Ye Xiulan said with a slight smile.
"Master?" Ye Ziyan pondered this novel title.
"That's right. From today onwards, you are my disciple, the third-generation true disciple of Yaochi Immortal Palace!" Ye Xiulan said solemnly.
"Yes!" Ye Ziyan nodded solemnly.
Ye Ziyan was lost in her memories, ignoring Gao Qingmei. She pouted and grumbled, "Cousin, why are you daydreaming? Do you think I'm too lucky? Are you envious and jealous?" She didn't know Ye Ziyan's identity, nor did she know that Ye Ziyan's cultivation level was a level higher than hers. She thought Ye Ziyan had always been better than her. Suddenly learning that she could cultivate immortality, maintain her youth, and even prolong her life, along with many other benefits, she couldn't accept it for a while. Feeling unbalanced, she became distracted and lost in thought.
Ye Ziyan didn't expose her, and softly apologized, "No, you're overthinking it. I was just thinking about something else. I'm truly happy for you to have such an opportunity. Congratulations!"
Gao Qingmei glanced at Ye Ziyan, then quickly looked down and whispered, "If you want to learn, cousin, I'll talk to Li Yang and ask him to teach you, okay?"
...
"Remember, as disciples of the Jade Pool Immortal Palace, you must strictly adhere to your identity. The Jade Pool Immortal Palace has the responsibility to monitor all cultivators in the world, punish evil and promote good, and ensure the continuation of the cultivation world. It is mysterious and elusive. We can only appear in the mortal world when the cultivation world faces a great calamity; otherwise, we must remain in the palace to cultivate. Even when traveling among mortals, we must conceal our identities. These are the palace rules. Do you understand?"
Chapter 936: Asking a Question You Already Know the Answer To
These are Ye Xiulan's words of advice to Ye Ziyan.
"Master, do Father and Grandpa not know where you went to cultivate immortality? They don't know which sect you joined either?" Ye Ziyan asked curiously.
"Of course I don't know. As a second-generation disciple of Yaochi Immortal Palace, I am naturally bound by the palace rules," Ye Xiulan said calmly.
"So how did you join the Jade Pool Immortal Palace?"
"Did you go on a trip? I'm a seasoned traveler, and I used to love going to famous mountains and rivers, especially remote places. As a result, I had a stroke of luck and was taken in as a disciple by the Palace Master. However, my aptitude isn't the most suitable for Yaochi Immortal Palace, but I'm just a transitional role. After all, the heavy responsibility of protecting the cultivation world and Yaochi Immortal Palace doesn't directly fall on my shoulders." Ye Xiulan gazed at Ye Ziyan with a meaningful look in his eyes.
"Could it be me?" Ye Ziyan was taken aback.
"That's right. It's you. The Palace Master was a disciple who entered the mortal world five hundred years ago, turning the tide and saving the cultivation world. And this five hundred years is your opportunity~"
"But I..."
"No buts. Fate cannot be defied. Don't underestimate yourself or worry about your strength. Since it is destiny, you will be fine."
...
Thinking of these words, Ye Ziyan shook her head slightly and said in her heart, "I'm sorry, cousin. I can't tell you the truth. Actually, I am also a cultivator, and my cultivation level is even higher than yours. I have joined the mysterious Yaochi Immortal Palace in the cultivation world."
"Thank you for your kindness, cousin, but I really didn't mean it that way. This is your opportunity, and you should cherish it. As the saying goes, 'The secret should not be passed on to six ears, and the true scriptures should not be easily passed on.' You must not reveal the secret, or it will bring great disaster. Besides, maybe your cousin will also have her own opportunity? So, you don't need to think so much." Ye Ziyan gently comforted Gao Qingmei.
Gao Qingmei glanced at Ye Ziyan again, making sure she wasn't lying, before letting out a sigh of relief and saying, "It's good that you're not angry. I was really afraid you'd be upset about this. Otherwise, I wouldn't know what to do, caught between you and Li Yang."
"Now you don't have to be torn between the two, right?" Ye Ziyan said lightly and cheerfully.
"No need, my cousin is so easy to talk to and has such a positive outlook. I just love being with her," Gao Qingmei said cheerfully.