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Before long, the wave of True Dan-level spiritual energy descended from the Nine Fiery Heavens and headed directly toward Snow Plum Mountain.

As the presence approached, Lan Chang\'an sensed a familiar aura from an old acquaintance.

"Is it him? The response from Jin Yun Valley is rather quick."

Lan Chang\'an wasn’t surprised.

The news of his breakthrough into Core Formation in the Jing Kingdom had either been delayed or left uncertain for the lower-tier cultivators in the Liang Kingdom. However, the intelligence networks of the upper levels of sects moved faster—they had long confirmed Lan Chang\'an’s advancement to the Core Formation Realm.

After entering the Liang Kingdom, Lan Chang\'an did not bother to conceal his movements. Riding on the back of his spirit turtle, he had even encountered two patrol teams of sect law enforcement cultivators near the border.

Jin Yun Valley was the nearest cultivation sect to the Li Family of Snow Plum Mountain.

"Fellow Fellow Daoist Lan, congratulations on achieving True Dan!"

"If not for being tied down by sect affairs, I, Zhang, would have run to Jing Kingdom upon hearing the news to personally visit Fellow Daoist Lan."

From the sky, the clouds parted, and the deep voice of a man resonated.

Soon, a middle-aged man with a steady demeanor, average stature, and slightly tanned complexion descended from the sky. He was clad in a dark robe and rode on a streak of golden light, landing in mid-air above the Li Family\'s territory on Snow Plum Mountain.

"Tiangfeng Immortal! An Elder of Jin Yun Valley!"

The core members of the Li Family, including Li Congren, immediately recognized the visitor through his powerful True Dan aura and distinct attire.

"Zhang Tianfeng, the Law Enforcement Elder of Jin Yun Valley… it seems Grandfather Lan has a considerable connection with him," thought Li Congren, his heart trembling as he suppressed his excitement, refraining from stepping forward recklessly.

Tiangfeng Immortal was an absolute big shot in the Liang Kingdom’s cultivation world.

He had once fought to a standstill against a mid-stage Core Formation cultivator despite being in the early stages of Core Formation himself.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, it has been a long time. When I heard you were being pursued by a True Dan cultivator on the battlefield and disappeared, I was genuinely concerned for you," Lan Chang\'an said with a light smile, waving his sleeve as he approached to greet him.

"Many thanks for Fellow Daoist Lan’s concern. I narrowly escaped with my life back then. However, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise as I encountered a senior who guided me, allowing me to stand on equal footing with you as an Immortal today."

Zhang Tieshan had been in the True Dan stage for several years, and the aura of his Core energy was clearly stronger than Lan Chang\'an’s.

From a rough observation, Lan Chang\'an judged that Zhang Tieshan had likely formed a mid-tier True Dan.

Of course, the quality of one’s Core could be concealed, so there was always the possibility that Zhang Tieshan was hiding something. But this assessment could also very well be accurate.

Lan Chang\'an had previously discussed Zhang Tieshan with Li Congren in casual conversation.

Zhang Tieshan, born with subpar spiritual roots, had initially formed a Fake Dan before transforming it into a True Dan—a feat that made it clear to the onlookers he had experienced a great fortune.

After advancing to the True Dan stage, Zhang Tieshan’s combat power was exceptional, even among others of the same stage. In the entire Liang Kingdom, only a handful of cultivators could pose a threat to him.

More importantly, achieving a successful Core Reformation usually required the protection and assistance of a Nascent Soul True Monarch.

Zhang Tieshan had been candid about receiving the guidance of a senior expert.

It was said that a late-stage True Dan Great Cultivator once tried to probe Zhang Tieshan in secret but was frightened off by an invisible force, fleeing in panic.

Moreover, Core Dissolution methods were not considered particularly rare among Nascent Soul sects, especially in ancient and well-established sects like the Golden Sun Sect.

In Golden Sun Sect, every century, a few "second-generation immortals"—descendants of prominent cultivators—would undergo Core Reformation to rebuild their foundations.

After all, the Nascent Soul True Monarchs in such sects often had children and disciples, and sect inheritance naturally involved personal relationships and favors.

While Core Reformation seemed as difficult as ascending to the heavens for ordinary cultivators, for True Monarchs, it was merely a matter of convenience—something hardly worth mentioning.

…

Inside the main hall of Snow Plum Mountain.

Lan Chang\'an and Zhang Tieshan, two True Dan Immortals, took their seats and began a cordial conversation.

Li Congren and his wife accompanied them briefly, exchanging pleasantries and making an impression on Zhang Tieshan before tactfully excusing themselves.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, I’ve just arrived in Liang Kingdom, and yet you sought me out so quickly. May I ask what brings you here?" Lan Chang\'an asked curiously.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, I come on behalf of our sect’s Grand Elder and Sect Master, who wish to invite you to Jin Yun Valley as a guest," Zhang Tieshan replied with a smile, revealing his purpose.

An invitation to Jin Yun Valley?

Lan Chang\'an immediately grasped the underlying intention behind the offer. Jin Yun Valley was trying to recruit him.

After years of cultivation wars, many of the Liang Kingdom’s sects had suffered losses among their upper echelons of power.

Lan Chang\'an, however, had a clear background and a trustworthy character. Not only was he a True Dan cultivator, but he was also a third-rank talisman master.

A talent like this would naturally attract the attention of sects.

"Now that Fellow Daoist Lan is a True Dan cultivator, a third-rank spiritual vein is indispensable for cultivation. Small-scale third-rank veins owned by ordinary families can hardly support multiple True Dan cultivators, and their quality and scale pale in comparison to Jin Yun Valley," Zhang Tieshan remarked, hitting the nail on the head.

True Dan cultivators required a third-rank spiritual vein to sustain their cultivation. However, such veins were nearly impossible to find outside of sects or large clans.

Resources like Foundation Establishment Pills, Crystal Condensation Pills, and third-rank spiritual veins were all monopolized by sects and prominent families.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, I am a man who fears trouble and cherishes my freedom. Joining a sect might not suit my temperament," Lan Chang\'an responded casually.

He knew that now that he had advanced to the True Dan stage, it would be difficult to remain independent from major powers while maintaining stable cultivation.

First- and second-rank spiritual veins could be rented, but third-rank veins were far harder to come by. Even if some were available for lease under special circumstances, the price was often exorbitant.

Moreover, managing and defending a third-rank spiritual vein without a backing force was a challenge in itself. Upwards, there were also higher-grade spiritual veins, such as mid-grade and high-grade third-rank veins.

"Fellow Daoist Lan, I’ve already discussed this with the Grand Elder. If you were to join Jin Yun Valley as a guest elder, your primary responsibilities would only involve crafting talismans and occasionally assisting with defending the sect. Even in the event of a demonic invasion by the Six Demonic Sects, you wouldn’t be required to fight on the frontlines," Zhang Tieshan said, clearly prepared for this response, his tone as calm as ever.

Lan Chang\'an’s interest was piqued. No need for bloody battles? That’s worth considering.

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, I’ve only recently advanced to the True Dan stage and returned to Liang Kingdom. I’d like to take a few years to consider this matter," Lan Chang\'an replied, neither accepting nor rejecting the offer.

There was no immediate rush. Before his Core Reformation, cultivating further was off the table for him anyway.

"I hope you’ll consider visiting our sect’s headquarters to meet with the Grand Elder and experience Jin Yun Valley’s sincerity firsthand. Regardless of whether you decide to join, I am willing to gift you a set of insights on Core Reformation as a gesture of goodwill," Zhang Tieshan added, extending an olive branch.

"Insights on Core Reformation?"

Lan Chang\'an’s heart stirred at this offer. He couldn’t help but ask, "May I ask where Fellow Daoist Zhang formed his True Dan?"

Zhang Tieshan hesitated briefly before answering, "My True Dan was formed in Wangyue Immortal City. This is a personal matter, and I ask Fellow Daoist Lan to keep it a secret."

"Thank you for sharing, Fellow Daoist Zhang. I assure you, I will not disclose this to anyone," Lan Chang\'an replied.

In truth, Zhang Tieshan’s choice of location came as no surprise to him.

Wangyue Immortal City had been one of the places Lan Chang\'an himself had considered for his breakthrough.

Wangyue Immortal City, located between Liang Kingdom and Feng Kingdom, was built upon the remnants of a fourth-rank demonic spiritual vein and was now a neutral city for high-level cultivators.

The city primarily catered to higher-tier cultivators and was known for its impeccable reputation and mysterious backing. Rumor had it that its sponsors hailed from the vast central regions of the Great Qing domain.

In Wangyue Immortal City, breakthroughs to Core Formation were a common occurrence. Even forming an upper-grade True Dan wasn’t considered particularly attention-grabbing. The city even permitted cultivators to attempt Nascent Soul breakthroughs!

The city’s main patrons consisted of Core Formation cultivators and Fake Dan cultivators, though Nascent Soul True Monarchs occasionally made appearances as well.

However, the surrounding areas of Wangyue Immortal City were lawless and teeming with powerful rogue cultivators. Unless one was already a True Dan cultivator, traveling there was exceedingly dangerous.

Foundation Establishment cultivators who visited typically did so under the protection of senior family members or sect elders, treating it as an opportunity to broaden their horizons.

Lan Chang\'an and Zhang Tieshan continued their conversation until evening.

Beyond reminiscing about the past and discussing the current state of affairs in the Liang Kingdom, the two also reached some tentative agreements.

For instance, forging a wood-element magical treasure.

Instead of accepting spirit stones as payment, Zhang Tieshan requested third-rank talismans as compensation from Lan Chang\'an in the future.

Zhang Tieshan had grown up in a family of blacksmiths and possessed a strong will. After stepping into the cultivation path, he exhibited notable talent for artifact refining and eventually became an artifact refiner within his sect.

In recent years, his skills in artifact crafting had advanced rapidly, making him a rare third-rank artifact refining master.

Lan Chang\'an couldn’t help but suspect that Zhang Tieshan’s progress was somehow related to the Five Elements Earth he had traded with him in the past.

He knew that Five Elements Earth could enhance the power of magical treasures and repair high-grade magical treasures, but he hadn’t heard of it improving one’s artifact-refining skills.

…

"Fellow Daoist Zhang, it’s already getting late. I originally planned to stay at Snow Plum Mountain for the night and head to Jin Yun Valley tomorrow," Lan Chang\'an said with a slight smile.

Jin Yun Valley was already his planned second stop after returning to Liang Kingdom.

Even if Zhang Tieshan hadn’t come to extend an invitation, Lan Chang\'an intended to visit Jin Yun Valley the next day anyway.

The reasons were twofold:

First, to catch up with old acquaintances.

Second, to conduct a transaction with Zhang Tieshan, forge a magical treasure, inquire about the location of Core Reformation breakthroughs, and exchange cultivation insights.

Now that Zhang Tieshan had personally invited him and even promised to share his Core Reformation insights, it aligned perfectly with Lan Chang\'an’s plans.

"No problem," Zhang Tieshan nodded. "Tomorrow, I will accompany Fellow Daoist Lan back to Jin Yun Valley."

He had a pretty good guess about Lan Chang\'an’s intentions behind staying the night at Snow Plum Mountain.

According to the intelligence, Jin Yun Valley had gathered, Lan Chang\'an had once used the Li Family of Snow Plum Mountain as a stepping stone to secretly cross the border into Jing Kingdom, thus securing thirty years of stable cultivation.

Simply passing by and making a brief stop was vastly different from staying the night.

This act was a subtle way for Lan Chang\'an to repay a favor, signaling to the outside world his goodwill toward the Li Family.

That evening, the Li Family of Snow Plum Mountain treated their guests with the highest respect, as if they were entertaining foreign dignitaries. The family arranged for the two True Dan cultivators to stay in the best guest courtyards.

Zhang Tieshan was given a serene and secluded courtyard.

As soon as he entered the pavilion within the courtyard, Zhang Tieshan waved away the maids and servants.

Like Lan Chang\'an, Zhang Tieshan had cultivated for over a century and never taken a Dao companion, nor left behind any descendants.

Lan Chang\'an, at least, had been the subject of some minor rumors back in the Liang Kingdom.

Zhang Tieshan, however, had never been linked to any female cultivators in a romantic sense.

Aside from his decisiveness in battle and his reputation for strict enforcement of the sect’s laws, this was one of the reasons he earned the nickname "Black Iron Face."

Suddenly, a childlike voice echoed in Zhang Tieshan’s mind.

"Ancient Trees Evergreen Technique... the legendary Great Cultivator Yan Donglai... I finally remember!"

The voice came from the artifact spirit that resided within a fragment of a spiritual treasure Zhang Tieshan had been painstakingly repairing. As the fragment was repaired, the artifact spirit’s memories were gradually being restored.

"Legendary Great Cultivator Yan Donglai?"

Zhang Tieshan frowned, puzzled. This was the first time he had heard such a name.

The only thing he knew was that three hundred years ago, in the Great Qing central region, there had been a late-stage Nascent Soul Great Cultivator who had led the Ten Sects of the Xuan Gate to defeat the Six Demonic Sects at the height of their power.

It was this cultivator’s actions that reshaped the balance of power in Great Qing, forcing the Six Demonic Sects to expand eastward.

The artifact spirit continued: "A ‘Legendary Great Cultivator’ is a title reserved for the most elite late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators. Their fame transcends regional boundaries, with tales of their exploits spreading across the Tianheng Continent. Such ancient monsters typically possess extremely powerful true spiritual treasures. In situations where Deity Transformation Heavenly Lords are restricted, these Legendary Great Cultivators are even capable of standing toe-to-toe with them."

"That old fox Yan Donglai was one of the best among them. In fact, one of my former masters was tricked by him..."

The artifact spirit’s voice carried a tone of bitterness, mixed with lingering fear and grudging admiration.

"May I ask," Zhang Tieshan interjected, "if Senior Yan is still alive today?"

"Heh, even if that old fox isn’t completely dead, he’s probably in a terrible situation." The artifact spirit chuckled gleefully, clearly enjoying the thought of Yan Donglai’s misfortune.

"The Ancient Trees Evergreen Technique—is it some sort of unparalleled cultivation method?"

"Hah, not quite. It’s an ancient longevity technique. Its combat utility is mediocre at best, but it’s exceptional for extending lifespan and healing injuries. That said, the technique has absurdly high requirements—it demands an earth-grade wood spiritual root at minimum. Even then, the cultivation speed is as slow as a tortoise. For top-tier geniuses, it’s nothing but a waste of time."

"An earth-grade wood spiritual root? Wait, Senior Spirit, I recall that Lan Chang\'an’s wood spirit root isn’t even mid-grade," Zhang Tieshan interrupted, frowning.

"Er... This artifact spirit doesn’t know all the details," the artifact spirit replied, slightly flustered. "Perhaps Lan Chang\'an has some secret method to conceal his true spiritual roots, or maybe there are other unique conditions involved."

"Regardless, cultivating this technique almost always leads to a bad end."

Lacking complete memories, the artifact spirit couldn’t provide a definitive explanation and eventually concluded with a vague statement.

...

The Next Morning.

Lan Chang\'an completed his daily routine of nurturing his treasure talismans and practicing the Hundred-Refinement Vajra Art.

This body refinement technique was relatively unremarkable—balanced but lacking any unique traits. With enough talent, resources, and effort, it could be cultivated steadily.

Having a solid foundation in body refinement, Lan Chang\'an estimated that within about a year, he could restore his previous level and then push toward the third rank of body refinement.

After finishing his morning practice, he met up with Zhang Tieshan to prepare to bid farewell to Li Congren.

...

Inside the Main Hall.

Li Congren was entertaining an important guest—a long-bearded elder with streaks of gray in his hair. The elder, a Fake Dan cultivator, carried himself with politeness and humility as he conversed with Li Congren.

"The Chang\'an Mines belong to the Li Family of Snow Plum Mountain, which first discovered and developed this vein. This is a well-acknowledged fact in the surrounding region. Previously, a few younger members of my Dongmen Family offered a price that was far too low, which must have been laughable to you, Little Friend Li."

The long-bearded elder was the helmsman of the Dongmen Family, the Dongmen Patriarch.

Watching this previously unattainable figure—who now spoke with hidden apologies and a friendly demeanor—Li Congren felt a wave of satisfaction, as if a blazing sun had cleared away the gloomy clouds that had weighed upon him for years.

It was hard to imagine that this was the same man whom he, until now, hadn’t even been qualified to meet.

The Dongmen Family had long stationed secret spies to monitor the activities of the Li Family on Snow Plum Mountain.

Upon learning that two True Dan cultivators had spent the night there—one of whom was a Law Enforcement Elder from Jin Yun Valley—the Dongmen patriarch had broken out in a cold sweat.

The Dongmen Family had suffered significant losses during the Golden Sun Sect\'s war and subsequent northern migration, including the death of their True Dan grand elder.

After the war, the Dongmen Family focused on recovery, using the spoils of war and reparations to cultivate one Fake Dan and two Foundation Establishment cultivators.

However, even with all the resources they amassed, they had failed to produce another True Dan cultivator.

Fortunately, the clan had relocated to the Liang Kingdom.

Had they remained in Feng Kingdom, they would have been outclassed by other top clans, each boasting at least one True Dan cultivator—some even more.

The Dongmen Family, now struggling with a generation gap in their leadership, could not afford to provoke a True Dan cultivator over something as trivial as a mining vein.

Even if their former grand elder were still alive, it would not have been worth the risk.

Moreover, the Dongmen Family’s territory was under the jurisdiction of Jin Yun Valley, where Zhang Tieshan held significant influence.

"Patriarch Dongmen, this junior must excuse himself for a moment to send off our two esteemed True Dan guests. Please wait here for a short while," Li Congren said, glancing briefly at his wife, who stood outside the main hall. He rose from his seat and apologized with courtesy.

"No need! For two True Dan cultivators, this old man would be honored to join you in bidding them farewell," the Dongmen patriarch replied thick-skinned, shamelessly following Li Congren out of the hall.

Before long, the group arrived at the courtyard, where Lan Chang\'an and Zhang Tieshan were in conversation.

The Dongmen patriarch and Li Congren’s family watched from a respectful distance as the two True Dan cultivators spoke.

"This humble one is Dongmen Qing, patriarch of the Dongmen Family…"

The Dongmen patriarch’s voice carried a tone of humility, his face adorned with a genial smile as he approached the two.

However, Lan Chang\'an and Zhang Tieshan merely exchanged a few indifferent words with him, their tones flat and uninterested. They showed no enthusiasm for further conversation.

"Take care, Grandfather Lan," Li Congren and the core members of the Li Family said respectfully as they watched the two cultivators ascend into the skies, disappearing into the Nine Fiery Heavens above the clouds.

At this moment, Li Congren turned to glance at the Dongmen patriarch standing nearby. The old man’s expression was awkward and bitter, a stark contrast to his earlier calmness.

It was at this moment that Li Congren truly understood the immense gulf between Fake Dan and True Dan cultivators.

It was even greater than the difference between a True Dan and a Golden Dan.

The difference between True Dan and Golden Dan was primarily in raw power and future potential. While True Dan cultivators were considered weaker than Golden Dan cultivators of the same rank, both were ultimately acknowledged as being part of the Core Formation Realm.

However, Fake Dan cultivators were another matter entirely.

To many high-level cultivators, Fake Dan cultivators weren’t considered true Core Formation cultivators at all.

Their status was dependent on their identity—some might respectfully address them as "Immortal," but if not, they might even be treated as juniors.

The dismissive attitude of Lan Chang\'an and Zhang Tieshan toward the Dongmen patriarch demonstrated this stark disparity.

"If I ever have the chance to form a Core in this lifetime, I must make sure it’s a True Dan."

Li Congren resolved himself, deeply impressed by the awe-inspiring presence of a True Dan powerhouse.

There was no need for deliberate shows of dominance, no need to fight or argue, no need to lower themselves to conflict.

Just by staying one night on Snow Plum Mountain, Grandfather Lan had caused the Dongmen patriarch to personally come forward, back down, and resolve any lingering grievances.

Of course, Li Congren was unaware of one crucial detail—neither his Grandfather Lan nor Zhang Tieshan were ordinary True Dan cultivators…

…

Less than half a day later.

Lan Chang\'an and Zhang Tieshan arrived in the skies above Jin Yun Valley.

The radiant sunlight illuminated the towering, mist-shrouded mountains below. The metal-rich rocks of the peaks reflected faint golden hues into the surrounding clouds, painting a scene of resplendent beauty—a sacred, awe-inspiring land of immortals.

Lan Chang\'an had lost count of how many times he had been to Jin Yun Valley.

However, there were two visits that he would never forget.

The first was when he came to participate in Jin Yun Valley\'s entry assessment—and failed.

Back then, he had come with three other cultivators from Hengshui Prefecture: Zhao Siyao, Lin Yi, and Li Ergou. Among the four, only Zhao Siyao, with her superior aptitude, had successfully joined Jin Yun Valley.

Zhang Tieshan, on the other hand, had come from another region, and he had claimed first place in that year’s assessment for mental fortitude.

Now, over a century later, the fate of that small group was clear, and in many ways, already set in stone. Some had perished, while the remaining few had taken vastly different paths.

The second memorable visit? That would be today.

...

"Fellow Daoist Lan, this is the sect master of Jin Yun Valley, Xuanxiao Immortal."

A powerful mid-stage Core Formation aura surged out of Jin Yun Valley’s main hall like a golden dragon soaring into the sky.

A golden streak of light descended before the two, coalescing into a tangible form.

It was a man of exceptional bearing, donning a tall ceremonial crown and a golden feathered robe. His strikingly handsome features radiated an aura of calm authority.

Under Zhang Tieshan’s introduction, the two exchanged formal greetings.

The poised, elegant interaction between the two figures was like a scene from an immortal painting.

"Immortal Evergreen, I have long admired your reputation."

"Sect Master welcoming me personally? Lan is truly unworthy of such an honor," Lan Chang\'an said with a hint of surprise.

He hadn’t expected the sect master of Jin Yun Valley to personally come out to greet him.

It wasn’t that the sect master had the highest cultivation in Jin Yun Valley—on the contrary, that title belonged to the Grand Elder.

However, the sect master, as the head of the sect and the overseer of its mundane and administrative affairs, was still the face and representative of Jin Yun Valley. For him to come in person spoke volumes about Jin Yun Valley’s attitude toward Lan Chang\'an.

This moment left a deep impression on Lan Chang\'an.

A century and a half ago, Jin Yun Valley had rejected him, forcing him to become a loose cultivator. Left with no other choice, he had joined the Mu Family of Feiyue Lake.

Now, 150 years later, he returned to Jin Yun Valley, accompanied by an elder of the sect, with the sect master himself stepping out to greet him at the gate.

The vicissitudes of time, the rise and fall of fortunes, the ebb and flow of honor and disgrace…

To live long enough was to witness history unfold—and to stand apart as a mere observer of the tides of change.

...

The three Core Formation cultivators chatted amiably as they descended toward the gates of Jin Yun Valley.

Just as they were about to enter, a streak of light as graceful as the dawn mist approached them from the distance.

The newcomer was another True Dan cultivator—a woman. She wore a flowing, multicolored long dress that perfectly complemented her slender figure.

Her youthful appearance made her seem no older than eighteen or nineteen. She had brows like emerald feathers, skin as fair as snow, and eyes so lively and bright they seemed to glisten like two stars filled with emotion.

At first glance, her features bore a striking resemblance to Zhao Siyao. However, their temperaments were worlds apart.

Zhao Siyao’s demeanor was cold, steady, and dignified—composed yet approachable.

This young woman, on the other hand, exuded a spirited charm. Her presence was pure and vibrant, with a playful, lighthearted energy that sparkled in her every gesture.

"Zhao Tan’er?"

Lan Chang\'an paused for a moment before recognizing her. She was the disciple of his old friend Zhao Siyao.

Judging by her spiritual aura, Zhao Tan’er had only recently broken through to True Dan—perhaps in the last year or two.

The last time Lan Chang\'an had heard news about her, she had been at the Foundation Establishment Realm, and she had made significant gains in the Green Underworld Mysterious Realm.

At the time, the Earth Burrowing Rat under his care was attempting to break into the third rank, while Zhao Siyao had also formed a Fake Dan for many years.

"Tan’er greets Uncle Lan."

The now-mature Zhao Tan’er curtsied elegantly, her sweet and melodic voice carrying a newfound grace and composure from her recent advancement.

"Is your master in the sect?" Lan Chang\'an asked, a touch of nostalgia flashing through his eyes. He hadn’t seen Zhao Siyao in decades, and visiting Jin Yun Valley on his return to Liang Kingdom was partly with the intention of reconnecting with her.

"My master? She just entered seclusion today," Zhao Tan’er replied, her bright eyes darting over this seemingly ageless "Uncle Lan," her gaze filled with subtle curiosity and intrigue.

"Seclusion?"

Lan Chang\'an blinked, momentarily stunned. What are the odds?

A True Dan cultivator like himself, returning to Jin Yun Valley, would surely have made enough of a stir that Zhao Siyao would have heard about it. And yet, she happened to go into seclusion the very same day he arrived?

...