Eternal Tale

Within the Spirit Hall, the elders of the Dao Academy appeared calm, though their hearts were far from tranquil. After all, Miss Nangong’s return wasn’t to cause trouble for the academy.

In the Spirit Hall.

The head of the Dongxuan Dao Academy, with an immortal aura, stood to the side, offering soul-returning incense, purifying incense, and virtue incense to He Ling.

Three figures stood before the hall. One was the current Dao Child of the Dongxuan Dao Academy, Fang Yu’an, a human from the Xuanwei Heaven domain, ranked first on the Void Refinement phase prodigy list, possessing a Dao spiritual root.

A direct descendant of the Fang family, a great family in Xuanwei Heaven, she had traveled across several regions to the most remote sea area of the Southern Yu Continent, causing quite a stir even in the capital.

With a Dao spiritual root, she could have directly entered the Dao Palace Immortal Palace, yet she chose to attend the Dao Academy.

Fang Yu’an looked respectfully at Senior Nangong. Her Fang family had good relations with the Nine Dragons Mystic Gate, having been guided by a great power from the Mystic Gate. The Dongxuan Dao Academy was indeed blessed with great fortune!

She had come to the most remote sea area of the Xuanwei Heaven domain, the Misty sea where immortal trash was discarded...

With the emergence of the Five Elements Immortal and Miss Nangong’s return, she could now truly see that Mo Ye Han, once a Dao Child of the Dongxuan Dao Academy, was now cultivating at the Yao Terrace Immortal Palace.

Given her current status and background, the Fang family could hardly compare.But entering the Yao Terrace Immortal Palace from the Dongxuan Dao Academy was a world of difference; it allowed her to connect with fellow Daoists.

This was vastly different from directly entering the Yao Terrace Immortal Palace, and it could open up the Fang family’s connections.

The Nine Dragons Mystic Gate’s guidance had paved a path to the heavens for the Fang family. Without her current status, she wouldn’t have been able to meet Senior Nangong.

Even a Tribulation Crossing Venerable couldn’t force such connections; some things aren’t determined by cultivation level. The grand world has never lacked powerful immortals, but it lacks pathways!

Fang Yu’an’s expression grew solemn, ceasing her thoughts as Senior Nangong began offering incense.

Standing before her were Little Chi and Yunying, the latter having returned, also paving a heavenly path for her past choices. She looked at He Ling with a face full of affection, remaining silent.

Those four old fellows... who knows which desolate mountain they might have perished on, while she continued her journey, even touching upon the profound realm of the Venerable.

Yunying felt a slight sense of nostalgia; sometimes choices indeed outweigh everything, even surpassing the iron rules and spiritual roots of the world of immortals.

She held only respect for the Dao Ancestor and affection for He Ling, having long considered her a junior, even risking her life to search the battlefield beyond the boundary.

Ahead.

He Ling’s eyes were dim, respectfully offering incense to the teachers and sages. The teachings of Baiyu True Lord seemed like only yesterday, a truly respectable elder.

”Teacher...”

He Ling murmured, feeling somewhat empty inside.

The head of the academy sighed softly from the side, ”If Baiyu’s spirit in heaven could know he taught such an excellent disciple, he would surely be gratified.”

”Headmaster.” He Ling’s voice was gentle, fearing to disturb the resting elder, ”Teacher Baiyu had great ambitions, a broad heart, a virtuous teacher.”

She bowed again to the spirit tablet. Baiyu Teacher passed away in the Dao Academy, never seeking external opportunities or longevity items even as his life neared its end, continuing to impart the Dao...

And he passed away while teaching, never competing, never striving for immortality, solely cultivating the heart, fulfilling his Dao heart in a quiet, ordinary life.

Half an hour later.

He Ling, feeling quite downcast, slowly walked out of the Spirit Hall. Only then did the head of the academy begin introductions, ”He Ling, this is Fang Yu’an, a peerless prodigy of our Xuanwei Heaven domain, the current Dao Child of Dongxuan.”

His voice was calm and unhurried, like a fresh forest after rain, making one feel a sense of goodwill.

”Fang Yu’an, greets Senior Nangong.”

Fang Yu’an’s expression was steady, bowing her head respectfully, not daring to say more.

”So, you are the Dao Child of this generation. I had heard of you before coming, and meeting you in person, your talent is indeed extraordinary, your immortal path strong.”

He Ling looked at Fang Yu’an, not sparing praise, with a faint smile, ”I have a brother who was also a Dao Child of the academy. If you enter the Yao Terrace Immortal Palace in the future, you might connect more, and I hope to hear your name in the Wild Heaven Region.”

”...Yes, Senior Nangong.” Fang Yu’an took a deep breath, bowing with humility, ”I will remember.”

”He Ling.” The headmaster, full of smiles after leaving the Spirit Hall, interjected, ”Your generation of Dao Academy disciples heard of your return and have organized a small Dao discussion at the Danqing Tea Garden. You might connect more.”

”Moreover, this garden is a rare hidden tea garden, offering a view of the immortal island’s scenery.”

”The person behind it is mysterious, with a significant background, having been established on the outskirts of our immortal island thousands of years ago. Securing a seat there shows these disciples’ sincerity.”

The headmaster’s expression was filled with admiration, highly recommending the garden, also intending to facilitate connections, beneficial to the Dao Academy, creating deep bonds.

But unexpectedly, He Ling shook her head with a faint smile, ”Headmaster, the Danqing Tea Garden is owned by our family. My elder brother gave me some spirit stones back then, and I did some business while cultivating at the academy.”

”What?”

The smile on the Dongxuan headmaster’s face suddenly froze, and the expressions of the academy elders also twitched, suddenly realizing, no wonder!

Fang Yu’an pursed her lips, rarely seeing these old fellows in such a state.

He Ling respectfully bowed to them, graceful and courteous, ”I understand the teachers’ intentions, but I’m not familiar with that generation of disciples, so I won’t disturb them.”

”Today’s matters are concluded, teachers, take care.”

He Ling’s voice was deep, her hair gently swaying in the night breeze, bidding farewell, ”I won’t stay long.”

After speaking, she looked at Wild Gold and the others, who also slightly bowed to the headmaster and elders of the Dongxuan Dao Academy, then the group of venerables strode out of the academy.

The Dongxuan headmaster seemed to have words stuck in his throat, watching their departure in silence, finally letting out a sigh, realizing the end of their connection.

The elders continued to bow, the aura of that group was too strong... this person was no longer part of their world, and her return was already satisfying for them.

Fang Yu’an also bowed respectfully, without the arrogance of a top prodigy with supreme spiritual roots, but with a unique steadiness of time.

For she was not a prodigy, but an old monster of the Fang family who had lived for twenty thousand years, having cultivated Dao essence... at the Great Venerable realm!

Fang Yu’an felt that becoming an immortal was hopeless, only able to start anew with Dao essence, but it was her last chance.

The chance to comprehend Dao essence again was one in ten thousand, and even the immortal essence couldn’t reverse rebirth with Dao essence.

However, based on her past failures, she wanted to walk a different immortal path in this life...

Establishing a sect, walking the path of relying on a mountain!