When Li An returned to the capital of Great Li, the other captured individuals had already been released.
Most people had been dismissed, but a few remained. Among them were the Demon Race’s Tan Qingxue, the Cyan Dragon Demon King, Xiang Yuntian and his disciple, as well as so geniuses from major forces like the Nanli Sect and Celestial Sword Sect, totaling a dozen or so people.
"The Spirit Realm Dao Sect will beco our ho for everyone."
Before parting, under the guidance of Tan Qingxue, they held a small gathering in the imperial capital with Tan Qingxue, Xiang Yuntian and his disciple, Shee Anqi, Shee Anrong, and others.
They were all people who had experienced life and death together this ti.
"Your Majesty is able to go to the Spirit Realm Dao Sect, a rare fortune through the ages. Anrong congratulates Your Majesty––"
Shee Anrong spoke respectfully. Although she and her sister Shee Anqi were both Nascent Soul cultivators, their talent was not strong enough and they were not chosen by the likes of Zhan Qingxuan.
But Tan Qingxue shook her head and said, "Anrong, you don’t have to call Your Majesty anymore. After leaving the Demon Race, you and I are fellow Daoists and sisters, no longer separated by rank."
"After we go to the Dao Sect, you all will soon ascend to the Spirit Realm, and we’ll et again––"
The group raised their cups and drank together.
Li An gulped the wine down, unable to suppress a violent cough, a trace of blood spilling out. He struggled to say, "My apologies, everyone."
The others looked at him with deep concern in their eyes.
"Brother Li, there’s no need to be so disheartened. Dao Sect is a superpower in the Spirit Realm, with profound foundations. Since Senior Zhan has allowed you to join, they will surely heal your injuries. The path of cultivation is not necessarily at an end."
Shee Anqi spoke words of comfort.
Li An gave a bitter smile, shaking his head, "Whether I can continue cultivating or not, I no longer care. After this battle, my thoughts have changed. To live an ordinary life, without pursuing that elusive immortality... isn’t bad either."
He poured a cup of tea and said, "This cup is to my fellow Daoists, whether you go to the Dao Sect or remain in the Emperor Origin Realm, I wish you all everlasting Immortal Dao––"
He wasn’t just being polite; the people before him, Tan Qingxue, Xiang Yuntian, An Li, Shee Anrong, and Shee Anqi, were those who had survived the test of life and death.
They were the ones he could trust the most at the mont, so naturally, Li An sincerely hoped for their well-being and growth.
The others also drank the toast in one go, and after drinking, Xiang Yuntian suddenly smashed the wine bowl to the ground, saying, "Li An, don’t worry, I’ll go to the ends of the earth to find the holy dicine to repair your dantian!"
After saying this, he brandished his sword and said, "I’m off!"
An Li followed after him.
Li An already knew Xiang Yuntian’s situation. Back then, Li An had trapped him and his disciple with an array, but Xiang Yuntian had defied the odds and advanced to the Nascent Soul Realm!
––During the battle at Ten Thousand Miles Abyss, all his spoils of war were taken by those of Celestial Sword Sect, but the "Justice Sword Scripture" was left unwanted, so it was given to Xiang Yuntian.
Aside from the Justice Sword Scripture, he had drawn in many resentful sword spirits during the ti at the Ten Thousand Miles Abyss, receiving wish power from those spirits, and without even having a Nascent Soul Pill, he leapt to beco a Nascent Soul cultivator!
This was why Zhan Qingxuan had taken notice of him.
After Xiang Yuntian left, the gathering also ca to an end.
After bidding a solemn farewell to the Shee sisters, Li An walked alongside Tan Qingxue towards the imperial palace.
Tan Qingxue was just as she had been in those early years, walking beside Li An, serene and radiant. At this mont, she seed to have returned to Qingyang market within the Profound Yang Sect, no longer the formidable Demon King.
But Li An was now so haggard. Having lost his cultivation, his hair was white, and his face full of wrinkles, the twilight years overtaking his youthful pri.
"Over at the Dao Sect, there’s a grandmaster who issued a decree yesterday, and once I’m at the Dao Sect, she’ll personally take as her disciple."
As they walked, Tan Qingxue suddenly spoke, "That grandmaster holds an extraordinary status in the Dao Sect, with profound cultivation."
Li An felt a mont of surprise, but soon he understood. Even Shangguan Xiaoxiao had ntioned that Tan Qingxue’s Demon Race bloodline was remarkable, and being noticed by an important person was perfectly normal.
Being recognized by a grandmaster of the Dao Sect, her future... could be described as a smooth path ahead.
"Congratulations!"
"Li Lang, do you rember the dress I wore when I left Qingyang market to return to the sect?"
Tan Qingxue asked softly.
Li An was silent for a mont, then nodded.
She looked at Li An, her eyes full of endless pity and reluctance, and asked, "In the past, you were committed to the Great Dao, uninterested in romance. Do you now reminisce, do you regret the decision you made back then?"
She seed very concerned about this answer.
Li An sighed, despondently, "What good does regretting do? Today has co to this; if I wish to hold hands once more and grow old beneath the woods and springs, not seeking immortality, how could it be possible again?"
"Fellow Daoist Tan, when you left back then, you wished long-lasting Immortal Dao. Today, I sincerely wish you the sa, long-lasting Immortal Dao!"
In the market back then, he was devoted to the Dao; Tan Qingxue’s talent had reached its peak; even Foundation Establishnt was difficult. At that ti, his future was bright, and Tan Qingxue was re passerby.
Now, today, he has beco a disabled man, while Tan Qingxue has risen against the odds. In contrast, he will turn to dust within a few years, while Tan Qingxue will continue her path of cultivation.
He had beco the passerby.
Tan Qingxue also sighed lightly, perhaps a sigh at the whims of fate, powerless to change it.
She took out a spirit-locking box and handed it to Li An, saying, "Whether immortal or mortal, strong or weak, I always hope you will call Qingxue, and not use the term fellow Daoist."
"I am not happy."
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