To comprehend all laws and attain immortality

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"Why are you here!"

Hearing footsteps, Qi Yan looked up and saw Gu Fan. He immediately stood up in surprise: "Could it be that the Bai family has used some tricks again?"

Half a year later, Qi Yan's complexion had recovered, and it was clear that the Bai family had not mistreated him, except that his magical power was somewhat weak.

"Didn't the Bai family tell you, Senior Brother, what happened outside?" Gu Fan asked softly.

Qi Yan shook his head: "I've been imprisoned here for half a year now. Apart from having my food delivered to me every day, I know nothing about the outside world."

Gu Fan sighed and recounted the recent events one by one.

Upon hearing the news of the decisive battle, Qi Yan exclaimed excitedly, "How could Senior Brother risk his life!"

"You've been implicated because of me, how can I turn a blind eye?" Gu Fan shook his head slightly and continued, "Besides, it's all in the past. Bai Ziming has already been killed by me. I've come here this time to rescue you."

Qi Yan hesitated slightly upon hearing this.

Gu Fan hurriedly said, "Don't worry, I have already asked the elders of the sect to witness this, and the Bai family will definitely not dare to pursue the matter."

Qi Yan was relieved and a smile appeared on his face. He invited Gu Fan to sit down and poured him a cup of tea.

"Because of me, Senior Brother's path to immortality was cut off. I, Gu Fan, am ashamed before Senior Brother," Gu Fan said, picking up his teacup and bowing his head.

"You're wrong to say that!" Qi Yan chuckled.

Upon hearing that he could leave, Qi Yan felt as if he had been relieved of a burden, and his whole body felt lighter.

"I have a secret that I've never told anyone before, but now I can speak freely about it." Qi Yan leaned forward slightly, a mysterious expression on his face.

Gu Fan raised his head, listening attentively.

"Actually... I don't want to cultivate immortality," Qi Yan said slowly, staring at Gu Fan.

"This..." Gu Fan was unwilling to believe it, taking Qi Yan's words as just a way of comforting him.

In the mortal world, countless people yearn to enter the immortal realm. Qi Yan had also cultivated diligently in the Zixiao Temple for three years, but now he said he didn't want to cultivate immortality. Gu Fan, of course, didn't believe him.

Qi Yan had anticipated Gu Fan's reaction and sighed, "I used to not really know what I wanted to do."

"As a child, I followed my father and brothers around, doing whatever they did."

"When I was young, I listened to my teacher's instruction and did exactly what he said."

"I have never delved into why I did it; I only know that it would please my father, brothers, and teacher."

"When my family fell into decline, I was fortunate enough to discover that I possessed spiritual roots. My father and brothers were overjoyed and sent me up the mountain. After entering the Zixiao Temple, although I was unable to enter the outer sect, people heard that the Qi family had produced a celestial master, and my former enemies dared not provoke me anymore. My family business prospered again."

"I asked my senior brother for help at Zixiao Temple not because I yearned for the path of immortality, but because I did not want to disappoint my family."

"After failing to cultivate Qi, I married into the Bai family to preserve my status as a cultivator. But look at the thousands of cultivators in the sect, toiling away day and night, some in seclusion until their lifespan is exhausted, others perishing in the bellies of demonic beasts, devoid of emotions and desires, and without the joys of family life. How many of them can truly achieve immortality?"

At this point, Qi Yan paused.

"I also considered whether to tip you off that day. I was also hoping for the best regarding the possible consequences. But when things were exposed and I was imprisoned here, I picked up these books again out of boredom."

Qi Yan picked up a scroll from the table and gestured to it.

Gu Fan glanced at it and saw that it was a classic among mortals, which he had also studied for the imperial examinations.

"Only now have the truths in these classics truly entered my heart." Qi Yan put down the book cover and looked at Gu Fan with relief, saying, "So, Senior Brother Gu, you don't need to feel guilty for me. I once said that I would repay the kindness of being taught with all my heart. That night, I went to find you. It was my own decision, and it was what I truly wanted to do."

Gu Fan pursed his lips, understanding Qi Yan's thoughts.

"And... what happens after we go down the mountain?" Gu Fan asked.

Qi Yan looked towards the door and smiled calmly: "Cultivation should be left to its own devices. Isn't it good to spend time with your parents and enjoy family life?"

......

The next day, Gu Fan escorted Qi Yan back to his hometown.

Lingxiao Sect disciples who haven't reached the mid-stage of Qi Refining by the age of sixty are supposed to leave the mountain, and Qi Yan's return to his hometown was not hindered.

To Gu Fan's surprise, Bai Qiaoyun also chose to return to her hometown with Qi Yan.

When Gu Fan looked at her with surprise, Bai Qiaoyun pouted and said, "He's my husband, and the father of the child in my womb. If I don't follow him, who else should I follow?"

Gu Fan pondered for a moment and then felt relieved.

Whether Bai Qiaoyun followed Qi Yan back to her hometown out of genuine affection or it was an arrangement by the Bai family, at least she dared not make things difficult for Qi Yan.

Bai Qiaoyun is carrying Qi Yan's child, so they won't be separated from their flesh and blood.

The Qi family lived in a town hundreds of miles away from Yunjie Mountain. Qi Yan had been cultivating immortality for less than ten years, but the Qi family had already become a prominent family in the area, with their residence covering more than ten acres.

Upon learning that Qi Yan had left the Lingxiao Sect, Qi Yan's siblings were all shocked, fearing that their current wealth and status would vanish into thin air.

Only Qi's father remained silent for a moment, then said in a deep voice, "This family fortune was originally acquired by my son. If you can't hold onto it, it's because you're all incompetent. What's the big deal?"

After speaking, Qi's father looked deeply at Qi Yan: "It's good that my son is safe and sound; it's alright if he doesn't pursue immortality!"

"Thank you very much, Master Gu, for bringing Qi Yan back. I am deeply grateful," Qi's father said, nodding his thanks.

Gu Fan shook his head and said, "This matter was originally caused by me, Uncle, there is no need to thank me."

He then took out a jade pendant from his storage bag and handed it to Qi's father.

"If anything happens to the Qi family in the future, you can bring this jade pendant to the Lingxiao Sect to find me."

The Qi family was overjoyed upon hearing this, and Qi's father nodded and accepted the jade pendant without hesitation.

Gu Fan stayed at the Qi family's residence for a day, and only returned to the Lingxiao Sect after Qi Yan had made all the necessary arrangements.

......

The next day, there was a knock on the door outside the courtyard.

Gu Fan knew exactly who the visitor was, and with a flick of his sleeve, he opened the courtyard gate.

Bai Mingxuan came alone. After entering the courtyard, he did not exchange pleasantries, but bowed and said directly, "I apologize for disturbing you, fellow Daoist. I have come today to discuss the matter of redeeming Bai Ziming's body."

After speaking, Bai Mingxuan untied a storage bag and gestured, "There are 10,000 low-grade spirit stones in this bag. They will be used to redeem Bai Ziming and also as an apology from the Bai family to you, fellow Daoist."

Gu Fan's eyes flickered.

Ten thousand spirit stones—the Bai family's actions are by no means stingy.

As for his relationship with the Bai family, Gu Fan doesn't yet have the strength to retaliate against a Foundation Establishment family, so he can only leave it for later.

Gu Fan also took off a storage bag and handed it to Bai Mingxuan. Inside was Bai Ziming's corpse. As for Bai Ziming's storage bag and golden robe, they had already been put away.

Bai Mingxuan exchanged storage bags with Gu Fan, glanced at them briefly, and then put them away. He then asked, "Fellow Daoist, would you be willing to sell the talisman that Bai Ziming used that day? The Bai family is willing to pay more spirit stones, definitely not below market price."

Gu Fan refused without hesitation upon hearing this.

"I have no intention of selling that talisman. Please leave."

Bai Mingxuan sighed, cupped his hands in greeting again, and turned to leave.

He was just giving it a try and didn't have high expectations.

Although spirit stones are willing to be paid, talismans are not something that can be bought at will. Each time a talisman is made, it will damage the original magic weapon. Therefore, they are mostly left by Golden Core cultivators to their descendants for life-saving purposes, rather than for sale.

After Bai Mingxuan left, Gu Fan returned to his house, sat down cross-legged, and began to take stock of his belongings.

Although the battle was dangerous, it undoubtedly filled his empty storage bag.