Li An’s return filled Gu Hong with overwhelming relief and joy.
As they caught up, Li An learned that the day the Soulcore Beast had chased her, she had narrowly survived thanks to the Thunderstrike Talisman he’d given her. Luckily, the beast hadn’t pursued her far, allowing her to escape.
After it returned to the cave, she had searched for Li An for days, but found no trace.
Left with no choice, she came back to this spot to wait.
As time passed and Li An never returned, she ventured into the Cloud Mirage Mountains again and again, desperately searching for him—until despair nearly consumed her.
She never imagined he’d return on his own today.
"After I escaped that day, I tried to flee into the stream," Li An explained. "But I ended up stumbling into the territory of a Second Rank Spirit Crocodile. I was injured by the pack and barely got away. I had to hide in a cave and wait for my wounds to heal before I could make it down the mountain..."
A savage bite mark on his calf was still visible—clearly caused by the Spirit Crocodile.
Judging by the injury, the healing time aligned perfectly with the two months that had passed.
—In truth, he had used the Life-Nurturing Immortal Forging Art and recovered within a few days.
"What a pity about the Soulcore Beast..." Li An sighed heavily.
"As long as you come back, nothing else matters," Gu Hong said, her gaze softening.
Having brushed so closely with death, something had clearly shifted in her eyes.
"Daoist Li, this place isn’t safe. Let’s go home first."
Without waiting for permission, she bent down and hoisted Li An onto her back.
Li An was hesitant, but she insisted. Left with no choice, he lay silently on her back, catching the scent of her hair—and a flicker of something warm stirred in his heart.
They left the Cloud Mirage Mountains and found a safe place to rest for a few days. After Li An’s injuries were fully healed, they returned to Tempered Moon Valley.
Back at the valley, they told their story. Gu Songxi listened with regret, lamenting how fate often ran counter to one’s wishes, but he said little else.
That night, as Li An slept soundly, a faint, barely noticeable fragrance drifted into his room, sedating him. A figure entered, checked his storage pouch, and quietly left.
The entire time, Li An was perfectly aware—but pretended to sleep.
The sedative incense was indeed high-grade, but his Life Seed had detoxifying properties.
"As expected," he thought.
Li An wasn’t surprised.
He trusted Gu Hong, but Gu Songxi was not someone to be underestimated.
That was why, back in the Cloud Mirage Mountains, Li An had already stashed the Soulcore Beast's corpse, his Soul Suppression and Thunderstrike Talismans, the demonic cultivator’s treasures, and all rare herbs in a secure location.
What he carried now was only innocuous items—nothing worth suspicion.
The next morning, Gu Songxi acted no differently. Still, Li An noticed that the old man’s enthusiasm carried more genuine warmth now.
Gu Songxi kept his word. He gave Li An a comprehensive manual on First Grade pill refinement, filled with his personal insights and experience.
"Daoist Li, my master and I will be heading to White Tiger City soon," Gu Hong said.
Since they didn’t get the Soulcore Beast’s core, Gu Songxi planned to try his luck in White Tiger City—a haven for wandering cultivators, where all walks of life gathered. Perhaps new opportunities would arise there.
"Tempered Moon Valley will be left empty for a while," she continued. "I’ve spoken to my master. We’re entrusting it to you. With you here, it won’t fall into ruin. One day, if my master wishes to return, there will still be a place to call home."
Her tone was calm, her smile gentle.
"You won’t say no to such a small favor, will you?"
Li An nodded repeatedly. In truth, this was a tremendous opportunity Gu Hong had won for him.
Tempered Moon Valley possessed a Second Rank spiritual vein. Though not as powerful as those controlled by large Foundation Establishment clans, it was still immensely valuable. With such a place, Li An could one day establish his own cultivation clan.
Though not an outright gift, it was a profound gesture of trust.
"The valley’s array relies on the spiritual vein, but it still needs additional spirit stones. Right now, it has enough to last six months. After that, you’ll need to supply it yourself—but with your skill in talismans, it shouldn’t be a problem."
They strolled through the valley, surrounded by birdsong and fragrant flowers, the atmosphere tranquil and serene. From a distance, they looked like a pair of cultivator companions.
"Daoist Li, we’ll be leaving tomorrow," Gu Hong said, suddenly stopping. She reached out and plucked a flower, holding it between her fingers.
"This flower is beautiful," she murmured. "But its bloom is far too short-lived."
Li An looked at the flower and said, "We mourn how fleeting the bloom is, and envy the endless flow of the long river."
Gu Hong turned to him. "So what you truly desire, Daoist Li, is not the brilliance of a fleeting flower—but the eternity of that endless river. Isn’t that right?"
Li An remained silent for a long time.
Then, Gu Hong suddenly stepped forward and gently wrapped her arms around him.
He didn’t resist, placing his hands on her waist. Their eyes met—and then he kissed her lips.
A long time passed.
Finally, Gu Hong pulled away and smiled with a carefree air. "Farewell, Daoist Li."
"I hope that in this life, we’ll meet again. And when we do, may both you and I still walk the path of immortality."
And with that—she left.
Li An remained where he was, watching flower petals drift to the ground. Everything felt like a dream.
He stood there for a long time, then bent down to pick up a single fallen petal. It was already withered.
He hesitated, then slipped it into his pocket.
Up in the pavilion, Gu Hong gazed down through the railing, quietly watching Li An.
"Hong’er," Gu Songxi said with a chuckle behind her, "if you really like him, just tie him up and drag him to White Tiger City. Why all this hesitation?"
"No, Master," Gu Hong shook her head.
"Though his cultivation is low, he has his eyes set on the immortal path. He doesn’t entangle himself in romantic distractions."
"I may have reached Foundation Establishment, but... I’m still not worthy of him. Forcing it would only bring misfortune. This way is best."
Despite her words, her heart ached. If she had never fallen into the hands of that demonic cultivator—if she hadn’t been left a broken woman—maybe she could’ve been braver today.
But without that past, she and Li An might never have met.
"You don’t force it, and now I’ve just handed over my entire pill refinement manual and this whole valley. What a loss!" Gu Songxi shook his head, looking genuinely heartbroken.
Gu Hong replied with a smile, "It’s not like we’re giving the valley away. Once we reach White Tiger City, you’ll surely find a way to extend your lifespan. Then we can return here and live out our days in peace."
"Whether I live longer or not… that depends on fate," Gu Songxi sighed.
"Your senior brother has been managing things there for years. I don’t even know if he’s as reliable as you."
"Let’s just take it one step at a time."
The next morning.
Gu Hong and Gu Songxi departed.
Before leaving, she carefully explained everything about the valley’s array to Li An.
After seeing them off, Li An returned to the valley with a cheerful heart.
This trip... had been more than worth it.
He had obtained the corpse of a Second Rank Soulcore Beast and gained an incredible cultivation haven.
It was truly a great harvest.
And now, he also had a reliable retreat should anything happen to the Clear Sun Sect.
If trouble really did come, he could live here for a while—then head to White Tiger City.
He left the valley and started gathering news about the Clear Sun Sect.
To his surprise, nothing had happened.
The Yin-Yang Demonic Sect had suddenly disappeared recently—turns out, they’d gone off to attack a mid-grade spirit mine controlled by the three major sects.
This stirred up quite a storm and sparked heated discussion across the cultivation world.
After some hesitation, Li An decided to return to Sect's Market.
The Clear Sun Sect still seemed stable. And for now, he couldn’t fully sever ties with them. He also still needed to earn spirit stones from that side.
For the next six months, the valley’s array wouldn’t require extra spirit stones—but after that, he’d have to maintain it himself.
That would be a major headache.
Even though the Second Rank spiritual vein consumed little, it still cost around ten spirit stones per day.
He needed to save up—save like mad!
Without delay, he headed for Sect's Market.
(End of Chapter)