### **Chapter 1531 — Beneath The Ancient Starfall Tree**
Late that night—
The Heaven Cutter Sect had become unusually quiet—
Most disciples were cultivating inside their caves—
Others had already entered deep meditation—
Even the spirit beasts resting among the immortal mountains had become silent—
Meanwhile—
Yang Lin stood alone atop a cliff—
Looking toward the endless stars above.
The night sky stretched endlessly—
Countless stars shining across the heavens—
Then—
His gaze shifted slightly.
Far away—
Beneath an ancient Starfall Spirit Tree—
A lone white figure sat quietly.
Xue Yao.
Her white hair flowed softly beneath the moonlight—
While silver leaves drifted around her.
Without making any sound—
Yang Lin disappeared.
Then appeared before her.
---
### **Chapter 1532 — An Unexpected Visitor**
Xue Yao's eyes lifted slightly.
A trace of surprise appeared within them.
Because she hadn't sensed Yang Lin approaching at all.
Meanwhile—
Yang Lin simply looked toward the empty space beside her.
Then calmly asked—
"Can I sit here?"
For a moment—
Xue Yao simply stared at him.
As though slightly surprised he would even ask.
Then she gave a small nod.
"You may."
Yang Lin sat down beside her.
The two quietly looked toward the sky.
---
### **Chapter 1533 — What Are You Thinking About?**
The immortal wind flowed gently.
Neither spoke for a while.
Then Yang Lin finally asked—
"What are you thinking about?"
Xue Yao remained silent briefly.
Her gaze staying fixed on the stars.
Then she answered quietly—
"The past."
Her voice carried an unusual softness.
"The people who died."
"The enemies who escaped."
"The things I couldn't protect."
A trace of loneliness appeared within her eyes.
Very faint.
Yet real.
For someone who had lived countless years—
Such memories could never truly disappear.
---
### **Chapter 1534 — The Burden She Carried**
The Starfall Tree continued shedding silver leaves.
One landed near Xue Yao's shoulder.
Yet she didn't notice.
Her eyes remained distant.
"Sometimes..."
"I wonder if I should have become stronger sooner."
A bitter smile appeared briefly.
"If I had."
"Perhaps many things would have been different."
The normally cold Immortal Venerable—
For the first time—
Looked somewhat tired.
Not physically.
But emotionally.
---
### **Chapter 1535 — Yang Lin's Reminder**
Yang Lin listened quietly.
Then calmly said—
"I already told you before."
Xue Yao looked toward him.
Then Yang Lin continued—
"I'll help you kill those Immortal Sovereigns."
"Don't think too much about it."
His tone wasn't dramatic.
Nor filled with killing intent.
He simply stated it as though discussing ordinary weather.
Yet somehow—
That simple confidence carried immense weight.
For a moment—
Xue Yao's expression softened slightly.
"...I know."
---
### **Chapter 1536 — The Question She Wanted To Ask**
Several moments passed.
Then—
Xue Yao finally asked something she had wanted to know for a long time.
"Yang Lin."
He looked toward her.
Then she continued—
"What realm are you actually in?"
A pause followed.
Then she added quietly—
"I won't tell anyone."
"Just tell me."
For perhaps the first time—
Her curiosity completely outweighed her usual restraint.
---
### **Chapter 1537 — A Realm Is Only A Realm**
Yang Lin looked toward the endless stars.
Then smiled faintly.
A very small smile.
"You're asking the wrong question."
Xue Yao blinked slightly.
Then Yang Lin continued—
"My current realm is enough."
"When you climb into much higher realms in the future..."
"You'll understand what I mean."
Xue Yao frowned slightly.
Because that answer sounded suspiciously vague.
Yet Yang Lin continued before she could speak.
"A realm, to me..."
His voice became quieter.
"Is only a realm."
Then he stopped.
As though there was more he could say—
But chose not to.
---
### **Chapter 1538 — What Cultivation Means**
The night remained silent.
Then Yang Lin spoke again.
"What is cultivation?"
The question seemed directed at himself.
Not at Xue Yao.
Then he answered—
"To me..."
"Cultivation is experiencing life."
"From a mortal."
"To an immortal."
"And beyond immortals."
"Far beyond immortals."
His gaze remained fixed on the stars.
As though seeing something far away.
Something nobody else could see.
---
### **Chapter 1539 — The Illusion Of Power**
The immortal wind grew slightly stronger.
Then Yang Lin calmly said—
"Most people chase power."
"They worship power."
"They fear power."
"But very few understand it."
Xue Yao quietly listened.
Then Yang Lin continued—
"The things immortals call absolute power."
"The things they call eternity."
"The things they call perfection."
A faint smile appeared.
"To me..."
"Most of it is fake."
Xue Yao's pupils narrowed slightly.
Because those words would sound insane coming from anyone else.
Yet somehow—
Coming from Yang Lin—
They sounded strangely reasonable.
---
### **Chapter 1540 — The Endless Road Ahead**
Silence returned.
The stars continued shining above.
Neither moved.
Neither spoke.
After a long while—
Xue Yao quietly looked toward Yang Lin.
For the first time—
She felt she understood something.
Not his realm.
Not his power.
Not his secrets.
But his perspective.
Meanwhile—
Yang Lin simply continued looking toward the endless heavens.
Calm.
Peaceful.
As though the countless realms—
The countless immortals—
And the countless years ahead—
Were merely part of a journey that had never truly ended.
And beneath the ancient Starfall Spirit Tree—
Two figures sat quietly beneath the stars—
While the Heaven Cutter Sect slept peacefully below.