Longevity: Starting as a Sect Servant

"No need to thank me... I couldn’t really help."

Yunxi sighed and said:

"The struggle for immortality grows fiercer; this time, who knows how many people will again become sacrificial pawns..."

Ye Cauldron asked, "Are you thinking of him again?"

Yunxi replied, "It’s just a past lesson, hard to forget."

"Isn’t it the same for you, Brother Ye? You had the chance to obtain the Longevity White Mist but ultimately watched it drift away, why? Wasn’t it because of Li Supreme?"

Ye Cauldron’s lips showed a hint of bitterness as he said, "...He truly made me understand many things."

"Living in this era, one must admit, it’s truly a sorrow."

His eyes were gloomy, evidently harboring unexpressed regret... and resentment.

They personally participated in the Battle of Taiji Mountain, so they knew the truth and understood... that a sword always hung over all living beings.

In fact, having witnessed Li An’s fate, they were always avoiding risk.

Afraid of walking down Li An’s old path.

The stronger one becomes, the easier it is to be noticed and caught by the eyes behind the scenes... This fear pervades everyone’s heart.

"If one day, you and I have the chance to take a gamble, Brother Ye, would you be willing to try?"

Yunxi smiled slightly.

Ye Cauldron glanced at Yunxi, then suddenly focused on An Li’s face, saying, "...If Li Supreme were still here, I would fight alongside him."

"But he’s no longer here, in this world... is there anyone who can be like him?"

An Li softly replied, "The Dao Sect will never forget Li Supreme’s teachings."

"While people of the Dao Sect may not possess Li Supreme’s unparalleled talents, they do have courage akin to moths flying into the flame like him."

Ye Cauldron instinctively glanced around, saying, "This... is too risky."

"I just want to ask Sect Leader An Li one thing: if Li Supreme were still here today, facing the current situation, what would he do?"

Ye Cauldron gazed into An Li’s eyes as if seeking some hope from them.

An Li’s cultivation was lower than those of the two, and the Dao Sect was far less prestigious than the two palaces, yet An Li was neither humble nor overbearing, instead smiling slightly and meeting Ye Cauldron’s gaze: "Li Supreme is actually a very simple person."

"He is always extremely calm, and as long as he can endure, he certainly will, even enduring humiliation for a greater cause is possible, but once he cannot endure anymore, when there is no hope, then he becomes cunning and spares no effort, leaving no stone unturned... in short, he will use any means necessary to destroy the enemy, not giving them the slightest chance!"

"Even in desperate situations, he would find a way to inflict the heaviest losses on the enemy!"

"So, if Palace Master Ye wishes to find someone like Li Supreme, indeed there is no one left in this world, but if Palace Master Ye wishes to seek guidance, it’s better to examine your heart and see whether you can still endure, or if you are at an impasse, then you will have your decision."

Ye Cauldron pondered for a long time, then slowly raised his eyes: "There were once rumors in the world that Sect Leader An Li possesses the heroism of Xiang Yuntian and the wisdom of Li Supreme; today... such words are not unfounded."

...

After a long while, Ye Cauldron had already left.

But Yunxi still remained there, lingering for a long moment.

"Does Palace Master Yun have something on your mind?" An Li asked.

"Nothing really, only today seeing the traces of old days again, I suddenly feel that over these four thousand years, although my cultivation has improved a lot, in truth... it really doesn’t mean much."

She chuckled, "I truly miss the youthful years, following Li An to charge up Purple Cloud Mountain... truly, it was so exhilarating."

She patted An Li’s shoulder: "You are the disciple of Xiang Yuntian and have the same heroism and righteousness as Xiang Yuntian, so we dare to trust you, but if you want to win... be more like Li An."

"Li An is the most capable winner I’ve seen in this world; when he toughens up, he recognizes no close family."

"This era is more suited for him, not Xiang Yuntian."

An Li gently made a courtesy and said, "I will remember, thank you for the reminder, Palace Master."

"Alright, the refinement check is about to finish, and Hongbo Fairy will soon return... it’s time for battle."

Yunxi stood up and left, her silhouette stretched long under the sunset, watching her leave, An Li’s eyes gradually grew steadfast.

"I will win... if being ruthless is necessary, then ruthless I shall be!"

He closed his eyes, as if recalling that face once more...

Each time the Dao Sect faces a major decision, hard to decide, or when fear and hesitation arise in his heart, he always recalls.

Recalling the moments beside his master Xiang Yuntian, and the bits and pieces of time with Li An.

As if Li An could endow him with courage and wisdom.

After a long while, he opened his eyes and left quietly.

...

"Once we return to the Deceit Realm, you find a place to rapidly breakthrough to the Immortal level; I will first follow them over."

Gu Xuening instructed Li An: "These few places all have mysterious immortal veins of the Immortal Level; seize the opportunity, once the great war starts, I may not be able to care for you."

Li An accepted the map she handed over, thanked her.

"Xue Sword, you and I are master and disciple, the chaos has arrived, this item, as your master, I will give to you..."

She suddenly handed Li An a jade pendant and said, "Within it is all the techniques of our lineage, you can open it once you become an immortal."

Li An received it respectfully and glanced at it, yet felt speechless inside.

Clearly, the jade pendant contained restrictions, although it indeed held some cultivation techniques, but if Li An activated it, it would certainly attack his sea of consciousness due to the restriction, probably causing direct amnesia, forgetting everything.

"Xue Sword,"

"Master?"

"Nothing... off you go."

Gu Xuening ultimately sighed lightly and waved her hand.

Li An respectfully withdrew.

In fact, he was not surprised by Gu Xuening’s action, he even felt that she was too soft-handed...

If it were Li An, after obtaining the Longevity White Mist, he should have already silenced all those in the know.

But she hesitated for so long, finally deciding only to wipe away all of Li An’s memories? Indeed, it was mercy of a woman.

The next morning.

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

Shouts of battle arose, the Great Wall at the frontier, gates wide open!

Heavenly Court’s Immortal Army of billions swept towards the Deceit Realm!

Meanwhile, amidst the boundless eerie aura came earth-shattering war sounds; as the Heavenly Court conducted comprehensive mobilization, the Deceit Realm also seemed ready!

This is a...

Comprehensive warfare!

...

Good night.