Yellow Court Daoist

"Eighty thousand years ago, when I first met you, it was to change your fate against the heavens."

"Eighty thousand years later, when we met again, it was to destroy the Earth Immortal Dao Fruit that you had obtained with great difficulty."

Lu Qingfeng stood with his hands behind his back, looking at Ding Yu as if seeing the resolute youth from the mists of Yunwu Mountains in the past, who, despite being exhausted, still stubbornly persevered while defying the heavens to change fate.

Time flows on.

Age does not spare one from suffering.

It is now impossible to return to those days.

Lu Qingfeng, filled with emotion, looked at Ding Yu, who knelt before him and asked, "Do you blame your master?"

Ding Yu had attained the Earth Immortal Dao Fruit 1,800 years ago.

However, he had sustained severe injuries before and, though he strove to ascend, he was nearly depleted. He had to use a secret technique to seal himself, waiting for the Earth Immortal Dao Fruit to accumulate years before he could awaken.

Two and a half thousand years passed with the lamp's oil spent.

Eventually, by relying on the Immortal Pill, he succeeded in attaining the Earth Immortal Dao Fruit.

Ding Yu had exhausted all his accumulation. If he was forcefully revived, not only his Dao Fruit would collapse, but he would also fall into the Netherworld. Fortunately, upon achieving Earth Immortal, he was able to repair himself.

Given time, there would be no fear for his life. Once he emerged anew, he would be an Earth Immortal of the mortal world, henceforth eternally alive without the worry of lifespan.

But now was not the right moment.

Lu Qingfeng had woken Ding Yu from his slumber, interrupting his cultivation. His Earth Immortal Dao Fruit was unstable, on the verge of shattering, and he was quickly descending from Earth Immortal, his life soon to end.

This act.

Could be considered a great enmity!

"Disciple-being able to cultivate is all thanks to the master's favor, allowing me to live eighty thousand years, a life of extraordinary experiences."

"Being able to become an Earth Immortal later on is also all thanks to the master's diligent efforts, leading me to witness the realm of Immortals."

"Disciple is grateful and apprehensive, not daring to harbor the slightest resentment!"

Ding Yu looked up, his eyes sincere. An old man with white hair and beard knelt in front of the child with utmost courtesy, even revealing an expression of admiration, which seemed quite bizarre.

Yet.

The immortal child remained completely indifferent.

The old man, excited and joyful.

At first glance, peculiar.

Yet the scene was harmonious, eliciting admiring clicks of the tongue.

"Master?"

Fairy Yan Lan stood by, witnessing the reunion of the master and disciple, her mind already overwhelmed with thoughts. Seeing the elder bow down to the green-clad child and call him 'Master,' she was completely stupefied.

This child.

Could it be the revered master Qing Yuanzi whom her teacher had mentioned with utmost respect before his dissolution at the brink of death; the one who changed his fate and led him onto the path of cultivation?!

Then what she just—

A thought stirred, Fairy Yan Lan felt agitated and also overwhelmed by her teacher's sudden emergence from retreat. The blood that she struggled to suppress in her heart could no longer be contained.

"Puh!"

Blood spilled onto the ground.

Her body weak, she toppled to the earth.

"Yan Lan."

Ding Yu quickly extended his hand to support Fairy Yan Lan, pity in his eyes, "Why endure such suffering?"

Lu Qingfeng saw this and also sighed, "You've taken a good disciple."

"Yan Lan, she—"

"Indeed, she is obedient."

Ding Yu glanced at Lu Qingfeng, three parts evasive, and gave a noncommittal praise in the end.

"I remember, you weren't like this back in the day."

"Why have you become so rigid upon becoming an Immortal, holding domain over countless cultivators and myriad life spirits?"

Lu Qingfeng softly chided, "This woman climbed Sword Mountain and descended into the Fire Sea to save you. If you are emotionless like running water, just make it clear to her. If you have feelings, then don't stubbornly adhere to mortal proprieties and rules. Otherwise, if I destroyed your Earth Immortal Dao Fruit, wouldn't that be a waste of effort?!"

Ding Yu's expression changed, seemingly struggling.

Upon seeing this, Fairy Yan Lan tried to stand up, her pale face flushing with embarrassment, but her eyes could not hide the bitterness as she addressed Lu Qingfeng, "Master... Grandmaster, you misunderstand. I have always regarded my teacher with respect and admiration, without any romantic affections."

"..."

Lu Qingfeng gripped his green bamboo staff, glancing at Fairy Yan Lan and scoffed, "Facing death and yet still so timid and hesitant. There truly is a saying—like master, like disciple."

With those words out.

Both Ding Yu and Fairy Yan Lan looked towards Lu Qingfeng.

"Humph!"

"I never taught such a useless disciple!"

Lu Qingfeng pointed at Ding Yu and sharply said, "Previously, as the leader of the South Sea Alliance, you considered yourself a role model for all Immortal cultivators and dared not to transgress established norms. I do not blame you for that. But now, when both you and your disciple are half a step into the Netherworld, yet still cannot take this step?! If you had no intentions, why, when I mentioned your disciple's plight just now, did you not hesitate to give up the Earth Immortal Dao Fruit and your life, insisting on leaving seclusion?"

His just-now call was not out of force.

But to inform of Fairy Yan Lan's injuries and intentions, how to decide was still in Ding Yu's hands. Of course, given Ding Yu's character, knowing that Fairy Yan Lan was willing to die without a future just to see him one last time,

Choosing to awaken forcefully was also expected.

"Give up the Earth Immortal Dao Fruit, life, and fortune?!"

Fairy Yan Lan's expression froze, and she looked at Ding Yu beside her in a panic, "Teacher's Earth Immortal Dao Fruit has not come easily, and in the future, you can live long and well. Why would you—"

She truly lost her composure.

"For the teacher—"

Ding Yu stumbled over his words. With the teacher in front, it was the first time he lost his composure in front of this disciple, speechless.

Upon seeing this, Lu Qingfeng chuckled lightly.

He walked out with big strides, leaving with a leisurely comment, "The little lady probably doesn't know, when your teacher was at the brink of dissolution, the words he murmured were 'Yan Lan'."

Having said that.

He vanished into thin air.

"Teacher."

Fairy Yan Lan looked up, her face previously tense and anxious. Upon hearing these words, her eyes shimmered with joy, and she couldn't help but curve her lips into a smile as she intently gazed at Ding Yu.

...

Half a day later.

A youth, ordinary in appearance but with an air of immortality, walked side by side with a modestly dressed, elegant woman.

They saw a small child standing with his hands clasped behind his back, facing the sky in the distance, a solitary figure, as if longing for something.

The youth and the woman exchanged a glance.

The youth stepped forward and gently called out, "Teacher."

Lu Qingfeng set aside his reminiscences, turned around, and upon seeing his disciple Ding Yu's transformation from an old man to a youthful figure, and noticing their interlocked fingers, he realized that Perfection had been achieved. He nodded in approval, saying, "Well done."

Fairy Yan Lan's cheeks blushed as she respectfully bowed to the young-looking senior disciple, saying, "Thank you, Senior."

This was Xie Luqingfeng's matchmaking.

"Ha ha!"

"As long as I've not been a hindrance, all is well."

Lu Qingfeng laughed heartily.

Lovers eventually becoming spouses is always a beautiful thing.

"Previously constricted by secular social mores, having endured the Blood Sea Calamity, my sole intent was to eradicate demons, to be an example for all immortals, daring not to step beyond the bounds of propriety."

"Fortunate to have been awakened by Teacher, I am able not to fail this fine woman."

Ding Yu glanced at Fairy Yan Lan by his side, devotion filling his eyes. His radiant smile indicated a man who had come to terms with life, heart expansive and unburdened.

"What a pity."

"To have wasted many years, with only sixteen left."

Lu Qingfeng, reflecting on the pair, spoke with a touch of melancholy.

"After sixteen years, there is another lifetime."

"Life after life, generation after generation."

Fairy Yan Lan moved closer to Ding Yu.

"..."

Hearing this, Lu Qingfeng looked at Fairy Yan Lan, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. Seeing his reaction, her face grew even redder.

She fell silent.

Yet Ding Yu turned to Lu Qingfeng, gratefully saying, "Fortunately, Teacher's awakening came in time. If we were to wait for sixteen more years, and Yan Lan were to survive the Wind and Fire Tribulation, there would be no turning back. By then, even if I had become an Earth Immortal, I would live with eternal regret. Compared to that, at least now we have sixteen years to be together. For mortals, a lifetime is but a few fleeting decades. Yet Yan Lan and I have countless lifetimes ahead."

"Enough."

It was apparent.

Ding Yu had indeed let go of everything.

Perhaps it is human nature to do so when facing imminent death; having weathered many calamities, he shed all the burdens weighing upon him, renewing his youthful vitality like shedding old skin.

"With Teacher here, I trust you will not let the demons prevail."

Ding Yu said with a smile.

Lu Qingfeng, listening, neither agreed nor disagreed, instead asking, "What do you plan to do for the next sixteen years?"

Ding Yu glanced at Fairy Yan Lan snuggled beside him and smiled at Lu Qingfeng, "I plan to take Yan Lan on a good journey through the South Sea. After being preoccupied for tens of thousands of years, I realize I have never truly seen this land. It's time to leave worldly cares behind and spend quality time with Yan Lan."

Ding Yu was one of the few mighty beings who emerged from the Blood Sea Calamity.

After the Blood Sea Calamity.

The Five Directions Realm was engulfed in chaos and disintegration, with sentient beings suffering greatly.

It was Ding Yu who reversed the dire situation; amidst the storm of blood and flesh, he led the scattered surviving cultivators, laying the groundwork for the South Sea Alliance. After tens of thousands of years of exhaustive effort, the South Sea Alliance now stands as it does—

Dominant over the two great alliances of the east and west.

Demons and monsters easily repelled.

Even the Longevity Alliance would give way and avoid confrontation.

"That's good."

Lu Qingfeng nodded.

Ding Yu flipped his palm, and immediately a red feathered fan appeared in his hand, which he respectfully offered as he said, "This is the 'Divine Fire Fan,' a treasure I found when exploring perilous lands with...my junior brother Zheng Chi. It's the supreme treasure of the Five Fire Sect, and I received its legacy as well. Part of my achievements today can be attributed to this fan."

"I, along with Yan Lan, will soon reincarnate, so the Divine Fire Fan will be of no use to me. I ask that Master accept it, whether to command the South Sea Alliance or to find a successor for the sect, it's all up to you, Teacher."

This showed trust in his Master Lu Qingfeng.

It also showed complete detachment, even willing to leave the once cherished South Sea Alliance to his discretion.

He did not concern himself with matters after his own departure.

"The Divine Fire Fan."

Lu Qingfeng took the fan, gave it a brief inspection, and recognized it bore some similarity to the 'Five Fire Seven Bird Fan' he had once seen wielded by Jiazi Tai Sui Yang Ren outside the Void.

The flames were intense, and even he felt a twinge of trepidation.

Clearly, it was an Immortal Artifact.

"I will see to it that this fan is well taken care of."

"And worry not about the South Sea Alliance."

Lu Qingfeng stowed away the Divine Fire Fan and then looked towards Ding Yu, saying languidly, "Tell me everything about your junior brother's current situation. Even though I have been inquiring throughout the lands for years, I only hear vague accounts, surely not as detailed as what you know."

"Yes."

Ding Yu complied, recalling, "The first time I met junior brother Zheng Chi was at—"

An enmity and entanglement persisting for eighty thousand years unfolded through Ding Yu's narration.