Li An's return filled Gu Hong with immense joy.

After some conversation, Li An learned that on that day, Gu Hong was chased by a Primordial Soul Beast. Thanks to Li An's Thunder Shock Talisman, and because the Primordial Soul Beast did not pursue too far, she managed to survive.

After the Primordial Soul Beast retreated, she searched for Li An around the area for a long time, but found no trace.

She had no choice but to return here and wait.

Seeing that Li An hadn't returned, she ventured into the Cloud Illusion Mountain Range several times.

Her heart was anxious and burning, almost despairing.

Unexpectedly, today Li An returned on his own.

"After I escaped that day, I intended to run into the creek but accidentally stumbled into the territory of a Tier Two Spirit Crocodile. I got injured in the group of crocodiles and barely escaped. Due to my injuries, I took refuge in a cave to recover before barely making my way down the mountain..."

Li An spoke up.

On his calf was a frightening bite mark, indeed a wound from a Spirit Crocodile!

Judging by the injury, the healing time was about two months.

- In reality, using the Life Nourishing Immortal Skill, it took him only a few days to recover.

"What a pity about the Primordial Soul Beast..."

Li An sighed deeply.

"It's good you're back, everything else doesn't matter."

After experiencing a near-death separation, there was a noticeable change in Gu Hong's eyes as she said, "Fellow Daoist Li, it's not safe to stay here long, let's head back first—"

Saying this, she promptly picked Li An up without another word.

Li An was somewhat reluctant, but she insisted, so he had no choice but to lie quietly on her back, smelling her hair's fragrance, with a trace of tender emotion flickering in his heart.

Leaving the Cloud Illusion Mountain Range, they rested in a safe place for a few days until Li An's injuries were completely healed, then hurried back to the Moon Tempering Valley.

Upon returning to the Moon Tempering Valley and hearing about the events, Gusongxi looked regretful, lamenting that things do not always go as one wishes, without saying much more.

But that night, after Li An fell asleep, a faint fragrance filled the room, entrancing him, as a figure came in and checked his storage bag.

Then left.

Throughout the process, Li An was fully aware but pretended to be asleep.

The fragrance used was of high grade, but Li An's Life Seed was capable of neutralizing poison.

"As expected."

Li An was not surprised.

He did not doubt Gu Hong's trust, but he knew Gusongxi was not an easy character.

Considering this, even back in the Cloud Illusion Mountain Range, he found a safe place to hide the body of the Primordial Soul Beast, the Soul-Calming and Thunder Shock Talismans, the treasures from the Demon Cultivator, Spirit Medicines, and other items.

All he carried were innocuous items.

The next day, Gusongxi acted as usual, but Li An noticed that he seemed more genuinely enthusiastic.

Gusongxi didn't go back on his word, indeed giving Li An a copy of the Alchemy General Discussion for First Grade Pills, containing his own valuable insights.

"Fellow Daoist Li, my master and I are heading to White Tiger City."

Gu Hong spoke.

Since Gusongxi couldn't acquire a Primordial Soul Beast Crystal Core, he could only try his luck in White Tiger City, a Holy Land for Loose Cultivators where people from all schools and sects gather, where he might find some opportunities.

"The Moon Tempering Valley is temporarily vacant. I've spoken with my master about entrusting it to you. With you here, it won't fall into desolation, and should our master wish to return, there'll be a place to stay."

She spoke calmly, smiling, "You wouldn't refuse such a favor, would you, Fellow Daoist Li?"

Li An nodded repeatedly. In fact, this was a significant opportunity Gu Hong had secured for him.

The Moon Tempering Valley itself contained a Tier Two Spirit Vein. Although it wasn't as powerful as an ordinary Foundation Establishment family, it was nonetheless valuable. With such a place, Li An could even consider establishing a Cultivation Clan.

Though it wasn't exactly a gift, it was still a considerable trust to give him this place.

"There is a Tier Two Array in the valley, running on the Spirit Vein, but additional Spirit Stones are still needed. The current supply can support it for six months. After that, Brother Li, you'll have to pay yourself, but your prowess in Talismans suggests it shouldn't be a problem."

The two wandered in the valley, amidst the chirping of birds and the fragrance of flowers, calm and serene. From behind, they looked like a pair of Dao companions.

"Fellow Daoist Li, we set off tomorrow."

Gu Hong suddenly stopped, picking a flower absentmindedly, saying, "This flower is beautiful, but alas, too fleeting."

Li An also said, "Lament the fleeting bloom, envy the eternal river."

Gu Hong said, "So what Fellow Daoist Li seeks is the eternity of the infinite river, not the ephemeral brilliance of this flower, right?"

Li An was silent for a long time.

Gu Hong turned around and suddenly embraced Li An lightly.

Li An did not resist, wrapping his arm around her waist. Gazing into each other's eyes, Li An kissed her red lips.

For a very long time, Gu Hong gently withdrew from Li An's embrace, suddenly smiling with freedom, "Fellow Daoist Li, farewell."

"May we meet again in this lifetime, and wish that by then we'll both be Evergreen in the Immortal Dao."

With those words, she left.

Li An stopped in place, watching the petals fall, feeling as if it were all a dream.

He stood for a long time, picking up a fallen red petal, already withered.

After hesitating, he tucked the withered petal into his pocket.

...

From the pavilion in the valley, Gu Hong watched Li An through the railings.

"Hong'Er, if you really like him, you should have just tied him up and taken him to White Tiger City, why this hesitation—"

Behind her, Gusongxi spoke with a smile.

"Master, no."

Gu Hong shook her head, "Though his cultivation is low, he has the ambition to gaze at the Immortal Dao, not lingering in matters of the heart."

"Though I am now at Foundation Establishment, I... am not worthy of him. Forcing it would be a sin. This way is best."

Though she said this, her heart couldn't help but feel a bit self-pity. Had she not fallen into the hands of that Demon Cultivator, becoming a withered flower, might she have been braver today?

But without that Demon Cultivator, she and Li An would not have met.

"If you don't insist, then my alchemy insights and this Moon Tempering Valley have been given away for nothing—it's a huge loss."

Gusongxi shook his head repeatedly, feeling quite pained.

Gu Hong said, "This Moon Tempering Valley isn't given to him. Once you reach White Tiger City, you'll surely find a way to extend your life and return to enjoy your twilight years—"

"Whether I can extend my life depends on fate... Your senior brother has been managing over there for many years, but whether he's as reliable as you I really have no clue."

"We'll take it as it comes—"

Gusongxi sighed.

...

The next morning, Gu Hong and Gusongxi left.

Before leaving, she had already told Li An all about activating the array in the valley.

After seeing them off, Li An returned to the valley, feeling quite delighted.

This trip... was truly worth it.

He acquired the body of a Tier Two Primordial Soul Beast and gained such a cultivation haven.

Indeed excellent.

Moreover, this trip prepared him a retreat.

If something truly happens to the Profound Yang Sect, he could temporarily reside in the Moon Tempering Valley and then head to White Tiger City.

He left the Moon Tempering Valley and began inquiring about news regarding the Profound Yang Sect.

To his surprise, the Profound Yang Sect was actually fine. The Yin Yang Demon Sect had suddenly disappeared because it went to attack the Middle Grade Spiritual Ores controlled by the three major sects.

This stirred a considerable commotion and became a hot topic.

Li An hesitated for a long time but eventually decided to return to Qingyang Market first.

The situation at Profound Yang Sect should still be stable, and he couldn't completely separate from it yet as he still needed to gather Spirit Stones there.

Currently, the array in the Moon Tempering Valley doesn't need Spirit Stones for half a year, but afterward, he'd have to support it on his own!

It gives him a headache.

Even relying on the Tier Two Spirit Vein in the valley consumes little, but it still costs about ten Spirit Stones a day.

He needs to save money, save desperately!

Immediately, he headed towards Qingyang Market.

...

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