Yaoyue Palace, Rear Mountain.
Cyan Casket Garden.
Gu Qingfeng was admiring the beautiful scenery of the garden when, after a short while, Han Dong emerged from the house, supporting an elderly woman. The old woman's hair was gray and white, and even with the aid of a walking stick and Han Dong's support, her steps remained unsteady. Her face was etched with the weathering of time, and a pair of turbid eyes seemed to conceal endless sorrow.
This person was none other than the current palace master of Yaoyue Palace, Daozun Feiyan.
"Grandma Feiyan!"
Ouyang Ye called out happily, running over to help support Daozun Feiyan as well. She smiled and said, "It's only been a few days, but you look more and more spirited, Elder."
"You little girl, your mouth is still as sweet as ever..."
"Of course it is!"
Ouyang Ye pointed at Gu Qingfeng and said, "Grandma Feiyan, haven't you been talking about Young Lord Chiyan all this time? Hehe! He just returned from outside yesterday and came to see you without even resting first."
"This junior, Gu Qingfeng, pays his respects to Senior Feiyan."
Gu Qingfeng set aside his usual laziness and casualness, and for once, he clasped his fists in a formal greeting.
Back in the days when he had lived incognito at Yaoyue Palace, aside from Feng Zhuyue, the person he had interacted with the most was Daozun Feiyan. In his memory, the Daozun Feiyan of that time was undoubtedly a woman of peerless beauty and grace. He never imagined that after just a few short centuries, when he saw Daozun Feiyan again, she would already be in her twilight years.
Cultivators who form a Golden Core might be able to preserve their youth and extend their lifespan.
But that was all.
It did not mean they would never age or die.
As one's cultivation became more refined, the rate at which one's appearance aged would slow down—provided that cultivation continued to grow more refined. Once cultivation dissipated and the support of spiritual power was lost, the internal organs would fail, and one's appearance would also age.
Daozun Feiyan had been severely injured for over a century. Although her Primordial Spirit still existed, it was merely an empty shell; her essence had long since scattered, and she could not hold on for much longer. As for the so-called "improving spirit" that Ouyang Ye spoke of, it was merely an illusion. The true Daozun Feiyan was like a lamp that had burned through all its oil; even an Immortal would be powerless to reverse her fate.
"Young Lord Chiyan, there is no need for such courtesy."
Daozun Feiyan smiled and said, "Please, have a seat quickly."
There was a pavilion in the garden. After Han Dong helped Daozun Feiyan over, she not only prepared some delicacies but also personally brewed some Jade Dew.
Daozun Feiyan seemed particularly concerned about Gu Qingfeng, constantly inquiring after his well-being, just like an elder caring for her own child.
"It is Dong'er's great fortune to have formed a Dao partnership with you, Young Lord... it must be the merit accumulated from her past life..."
"Haha! Senior, you jest."
Gu Qingfeng smiled lightly and said, "Han Dong is not only beautiful in appearance, but also possesses exceptional talent and a kind heart. For me to form a Dao partnership with her is the fortune I cultivated in my past life."
"Dong'er has been lonely and bitter since childhood. It is also my fault for being too strict with her when she was young, which led to her cold and solitary nature. I hope you will be tolerant of her in the future."
At this moment, Daozun Feiyan resembled a mother seeing her daughter off to marriage, her words filled with kindness and affection. Gazing at Han Dong, who was concentrating on brewing the Jade Dew, she sighed and said, "It's all my fault for being bedridden all these years. Not only have I been unable to take care of Dong'er, but I have also made her take care of me all this time. And her role as the Heir Apparent of Yaoyue Palace... ah! Dong'er has endured far too much suffering over these years."
Han Dong forced a smile and said softly, "Master, why bring up such things now when everything is fine?"
"Yes, yes!"
Ouyang Ye, standing nearby, chimed in, "Grandma Feiyan, from now on, Elder Sister Han Dong will have Young Lord Chiyan to take care of her. You can rest your heart at ease."
Having said that, the little girl quickly winked at Gu Qingfeng.
Understanding her signal, Gu Qingfeng smiled and said, "Rest assured, Senior. I will definitely take good care of Han Dong. From now on, her matters are my matters. As for Yaoyue Palace, you need not worry at all. I promise you that as long as I am here, no one will dare to lay a finger on Han Dong."
Ouyang Ye immediately shot him an approving look, secretly transmitting her voice in praise: "Lao Jiu! Well done! Proceed according to our original plan. Keep going, make sure Senior Feiyan is completely reassured."
Gu Qingfeng nodded in understanding and continued, "I will stay in the Star-Moon Domain for this period of time and do everything in my power to help Han Dong, ensuring she ascends smoothly to the position of Yaoyue Palace Master. If anyone in Yaoyue Palace dares to disobey, I will keep beating them until they submit!"
"Good! Very good! Lao Jiu, that's exactly what you should say!"
While secretly transmitting her voice, Ouyang Ye deliberately asked aloud, "Young Lord Chiyan, we all know your strength is formidable, but... I've heard that the Second Elder has already colluded with the Immortal Office. What if the people from the Immortal Office intervene then?"
"A mere Immortal Office, what is there to fear?"
Gu Qingfeng finished a cup of Jade Dew and said disdainfully, "If the Immortal Office dares to intervene, I dare to annihilate the Immortal Office!"
"Ah!"
Ouyang Ye pretended to be shocked and asked again, "But that's the Immortal Office! It has the Immortal Dynasty backing it."
"What of the Immortal Dynasty?"
Gu Qingfeng spoke with both arrogance and audacity: "In the Ancient Era, the Immortal Dynasty oppressed the common people, and my master, the Chixiao Monarch, overthrew it. If the Immortal Dynasty dares to act recklessly again in the Present Era, I, Gu Qingfeng, will certainly stand up and overthrow it once more. I'll sever the Immortal River, disrupt the spiritual veins, slay gods if they block my way, and cut down Buddhas if they stand in my path. If they piss me off, this Young Lord will charge up to the Nine Heavens and wipe out the Immortal Emperor himself..."
"Damn it! That's too much, Lao Jiu! You're blowing your own horn way too hard! Charging up to the Nine Heavens? Your uncle! You really dare to boast!"
Seeing that Gu Qingfeng's bragging was getting more and more outrageous with no sign of stopping, Ouyang Ye quickly stepped in to cut him off, saying, "Grandma Feiyan, a few days ago, Young Lord Chiyan took Elder Sister Han Dong and me to visit Senior Ziyang and the other old Chixiao followers. Senior Ziyang said that if we ever need help, he will come without hesitation."
Beside them, Han Dong, who was brewing the Jade Dew, also felt that Gu Qingfeng had gone too far with his words just now. However, she couldn't very well say it directly. She said softly to Daozun Feiyan, "Master, Young Lord Chiyan is the successor of the Chixiao Monarch. With him helping your disciple, you can rest assured."
Ouyang Ye giggled and said, "Mhm, mhm, Grandma Feiyan. With a single Chishang Summons Token from Young Lord Chiyan, all the Chixiao followers under heaven will come rushing. Never mind a small Immortal Office in our Northwest Frontier; even the Immortal Dynasty probably wouldn't dare to say a word. Please, be at ease."
"At ease? Of course I am at ease. Since Young Lord Chiyan is the Monarch's successor, how could I not be at ease?"
Daozun Feiyan looked at Gu Qingfeng and said, "Moreover, the unruly, domineering, and solitary aura that emanates from your every gesture and movement truly bears some resemblance to the Monarch's demeanor from back then. Truly worthy of being the Monarch's successor! Remarkable! Truly remarkable!"