After today, Li An officially moved into Song Mingzhang's residence.

He began to read tirelessly, getting up early and staying up late, diligently.

Although they were not formally a master and apprentice, Song Mingzhang offered Li An much guidance. Li An, whether truly or falsely, indeed gained significantly from Song Mingzhang and was very respectful.

...

In the blink of an eye, five years passed.

In those five years, besides reading, Li An seldom went out at all.

It wasn't just for show, but because he truly became immersed.

Over the course of eight years, he genuinely developed a reading habit.

Furthermore, as his knowledge grew richer and more profound, he truly felt that... in his past life, focusing solely on arduous cultivation had indeed been somewhat problematic.

Although he had been a Golden Core cultivator, there were many knowledge gaps that were now being filled.

After all, an Artifact Evaluator at the Treasure Pavilion demanded a rich knowledge and a broad perspective.

This evening, Song Mingzhang returned home from the Treasure Pavilion.

The maids in the residence had already prepared dinner, and Li An, who was reading in the study, was reminded by a maid that it was time to eat, so he walked out of the study.

Over these five years, the maids in the residence had become accustomed to Li An's presence, and in a sense, they considered him a part of the place and treated him with great courtesy and respect.

At the dining table, there were only Song Mingzhang and Li An.

Song Anning's meal was sent to her room; she never dined with Li An—after all, she needed to remove her veil while eating.

Although her "Yin Decay" disease had been cured, the sequelae were difficult to clean, and her skin's scars and pits might never fully recover in this lifetime.

Unless she succeeded in Foundation Establishment, she could at that time use extensive cultivation to renew herself.

As usual, Li An recounted what he had learned that day to Song Mingzhang, who kept nodding approvingly.

He was becoming increasingly satisfied with Li An.

Firstly, over the past five years, Li An had been studying tirelessly, without any slack, and did not inquire about external affairs, which made him further believe that Li An was a person of pure dedication.

Secondly, Li An's profound reading, in their daily conversations, often inspired Song Mingzhang, frequently giving the feeling of making further progress, which was important to him as well.

"Does the elder have any worries today?"

Li An asked.

He noticed that Song Mingzhang seemed low in spirits today, as if troubled.

Song Mingzhang let out a long sigh, looked at Li An, and eventually said:

"Today, the Pavilion Master gathered us old folks and said many things... Heh, the end is near, the sun sets in the west!"

There seemed to be a trace of self-pity in his eyes:

"Zuo Wen, my life has been smooth, I have no regrets, my only concern is my granddaughter, Anning."

"She has not been exposed to the world, rarely steps out, and was tormented by the Yin Decay disease… If, in a few years, I pass on, who will she rely on?"

Li An couldn't help but solemnly state: "Elder, you need not worry too much, your longevity is evergreen, and such things won't happen quickly. Even when you become a True Immortal, with your connections in the city, she will still fare well."

"Zuo Wen will also do his utmost to ensure the young lady's safety."

Song Mingzhang nodded gratefully, that was exactly what he wanted to hear.

Years ago when he took in Li An, it was partly out of appreciating talent, and partly for this very reason.

Even though Li An was a hundred years old this year, with his Early-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, he still had at least a hundred good years to live!

His granddaughter, with her poor qualifications, coupled with the setbacks from her illness, will find it very difficult to achieve Foundation Establishment in this life.

Song Anning is now in her early thirties, and her entire lifespan is estimated to be less than two hundred years.

Li An could probably protect Song Anning for her whole life!

As for other connections, Song Mingzhang was well aware that when a person is gone, their influence fades. Once he is gone, if Song Anning ever needed anything, others might at most lend a hand with a small matter, but would not put in any significant effort for her.

Connections are about a mutual effort and exchange of benefits.

This was the most important purpose for grooming Li An.

"By the way, elder, Zuo Wen recently thought of a way that might be able to cure Miss Anning's facial condition..."

Li An spoke at an opportune moment.

Actually, when he first met Song Anning five years ago, he already had a solution in mind.

But only revealed it today.

First, if he showed this ability too early, it might lead Song Mingzhang to suspect. Over the past five years, he occasionally tried making various spirit liquids as preparation for this moment.

Secondly, he was concerned that if Song Anning was cured too early, Song Mingzhang would surely seek a good match for her. When considering future recommendations for Artifact Evaluators, the additional family from such a marriage would naturally be the first choice, rendering Li An, the outsider, insignificant.

Now, Song Mingzhang only had about four or five years of life left, so it was good to fulfill his last wish as well.

Moreover, sensing that Song Mingzhang had the intention of entrusting his orphan to him, he decided to fan the flames.

"Oh? You can restore her appearance?!"

Song Mingzhang was somewhat excited.

For a low-tier female cultivator, in some sense, they were not much different from secular women. Their most important asset was, indeed, their face!

Song Anning's scarred face also destined her life to be filled with hardships.

If change is possible... that would be best.

"If the senior trusts me, I will prepare tomorrow for Miss Anning to try!"

...

The next day.

Li An went out once and bought many things.

In the evening, Song Mingzhang and Li An entered Song Anning's boudoir together.

"Mr. Zuo, can my face really recover?"

Song Anning looked at him excitedly.

"It should be possible. Please rest assured, Miss, Zuo Wen will do his best—"

Song Anning nodded and then gently removed the veil.

It was the first time she "showed her face" in front of Li An, and she instinctively lowered her head.

But Li An's face did not show any fluctuation; he began to prepare the herbs and so on.

He crushed various herbs, added spirit liquid and spirit soil, mixed them evenly into a sticky paste.

Song Anning lay down, and Li An picked up the paste, slowly applying it to her face.

It was very much like applying a face mask!

However, among these herbs, Li An quietly injected a trace of his life seed spiritual power.

After applying it for four hours, Song Anning got up to wash her face.

As she washed her face, Song Mingzhang and several maids nearby exclaimed!

"So beautiful, so beautiful!"

"Miss is truly beautiful!"

Even Song Mingzhang was excited: "Anning, Anning!"

When Song Anning heard everyone so excited, her body couldn't help but tremble a little. She took the mirror handed by the maid and saw in the mirror a fair face had already appeared.

She tightly grasped the mirror, and tears couldn't help but flow from her beautiful eyes.

Her original face was like overturned pomegranate peel, nailed shoes stomping on mud, a big piece of hemp skin!

But now, although there were still many pits and spots that hadn't been removed, compared to before, it was a world of difference.

Her beauty as a budding beauty was already beginning to show.

"Zuo Wen... thank you!"

Song Mingzhang grabbed Li An's hand, his heart also extremely excited.

...

Next, Li An meticulously helped Song Anning concoct potions.

The first effect was obvious, but the subsequent nurturing was much slower.

In the blink of an eye, another five years passed.

Under Li An's careful care, Song Anning completely transformed into a great beauty, graceful and radiant.

Before, she was unwilling to go out to see people, staying deep in her chambers, but recently she was keen on "socializing."

As Song Mingzhang's granddaughter, she now also outshines others, so she soon enjoyed mingling with young people of similar standing in the city.

She spent her days strolling the long streets buying cosmetics, and her nights on riverboats enjoying the moonlight.

She even often returned home late at night.

Song Mingzhang pampered her tremendously, so he didn't mind much and let her play as she wished.

Li An was calm; he understood that Song Anning, during her most beautiful years, had always hidden an unsightly face from the public, and now she was experiencing a "retaliatory compensation," which was quite normal.

However, when he went out occasionally, he would hear some gossip, saying that many playboys in the city were vying for Song Anning's affections.

No one dared to tell Song Mingzhang about these rumors.

Li An carefully inquired and observed, and the matter seemed to be true, and the competition among those playboys made Song Anning very proud and happy.

He sighed slightly but didn't intervene much.

...

Since Song Anning's face improved, Song Mingzhang was much happier, recently even planning a marriage for Song Anning.

During this time, many came to propose marriage, especially some youth from the Treasure Pavilion.

But Song Mingzhang was quite skeptical and refused them one by one.

He could see that those people did not genuinely like Song Anning but were attracted by him, and they were showing eagerness.

Song Mingzhang was nearing the end of his life, with only two or three years left, making him increasingly anxious about this matter, and in the blink of an eye, another half year passed.

At this time, something happened that neither Li An nor Song Mingzhang expected—

Song Anning... unexpectedly got pregnant.

...

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.