Beside Yaochi, Liu Ruyan was sitting cross-legged on a bluestone, consolidating her recently broken-through cultivation.
A Yao, on the grass nearby, was intently controlling her flowing light lotus platform, playing with great joy.
Sensing someone approaching, Liu Ruyan immediately restrained her aura, opened her eyes, and stood up.
When she saw the woman in white holding a sword beside Gu Han, with a pure and aloof temperament, her heart gave a sudden jolt.
With the insight she had accumulated over three lifetimes, she actually couldn't see through this woman's depth at all!
She felt that just by the woman standing there, even a hint of aura unintentionally released made her Soul tremble.
"Master!"
Liu Ruyan hastily bowed in greeting, then gave another respectful bow to Li Hanyi.
"Junior Liu Ruyan greets..."
She didn't know how to address her for a moment and looked at Gu Han with an inquiring gaze.
A Yao also stopped playing, ran over holding her lotus platform, and looked up at Li Hanyi with curiosity.
Gu Han reached out, pulled A Yao, who had run over, in front of her, and then introduced:
"Ruyan, A Yao, this is Li Hanyi. She is my good sister and will also be the Grand Elder of the Yaochi Immortal Palace from now on."
"You can call her Elder Li, or..."
She paused, her eyes scanning Li Hanyi's cold and ethereal profile, the corners of her lips curving slightly.
"Or in private, it's also fine to call her 'Sister Hanyi'."
"Elder Li!"
Liu Ruyan immediately followed the suggestion and bowed respectfully, though her heart was in turmoil.
Master's good sister?
The future Grand Elder of the Yaochi Immortal Palace?
This person's cultivation is likely far beyond her imagination!
Fusion? Mahayana? Or even Undergoing Tribulation?
She didn't dare think further, only feeling that Master's connections were indeed unfathomable.
A Yao looked up, thinking this sister in white was very beautiful, but a bit cold.
She was a bit timid yet curious, and whispered:
"Sister... Hanyi?"
Li Hanyi's gaze fell upon the two girls.
Liu Ruyan was respectful yet full of inquiry and shock; with her Foundation newly forged, she was a good prospect.
As for the little girl holding the glowing lotus platform... a very faint trace of surprise flickered in Li Hanyi's cold eyes.
With her insight, she actually couldn't see through the girl's origins, only feeling that she was extremely full of spirituality, perfectly natural.
Facing their address, Li Hanyi only nodded slightly as a response.
She was not a person of many words to begin with, let alone when facing Juniors she was meeting for the first time.
Gu Han was not surprised by Li Hanyi's reaction and said to Liu Ruyan and A Yao with a smile:
"Hanyi's cultivation is profound and her Sword Dao is mystical. If you have any difficulties in your cultivation in the future, you may consult her often."
Liu Ruyan was overjoyed upon hearing this. If she could receive guidance from this unfathomable Elder Li, the benefits would be infinite. She hastily replied:
"Yes! This Disciple will certainly seek guidance with an open mind!"
A Yao also followed Liu Ruyan's example and nodded vigorously:
"A Yao will also be good and listen!"
Gu Han looked at Li Hanyi again and said:
"Hanyi, Ruyan is my Second Disciple. She possesses the Reincarnation Dao Body and has a resilient Heart-Nature, making her worthy of cultivation."
"A Yao is my eldest Disciple, but her... situation is a bit special. Her intelligence has only recently awakened, so please look after her more."
Li Hanyi's gaze swept over the two again, lingering a bit longer this time as she noted Gu Han's words.
Then she gave a soft "Mhm," indicating her acknowledgment.
"Alright, that's all for today."
Gu Han looked at the sky and said:
"Ruyan, your Foundation is newly formed. Spend these next few days focusing on consolidating your cultivation and comprehending the Samsara Dao Scripture."
"If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me anytime, or consult the Grand Elder."
"Yes, Master."
"A Yao, you should also go back to Cultivate. Don't just focus on playing."
Gu Han lightly tapped A Yao's forehead.
"I know, Master Mommy!"
A Yao stuck out her tongue, held her lotus platform, and nodded obediently.
Gu Han turned back to Li Hanyi:
"Hanyi, there is a 'Snow Moon Peak' on the east side of the Immortal Palace. The environment is quiet and secluded, which I think will suit you. It will be your cultivation Immortal Cave from now on."
Li Hanyi looked in the direction Gu Han pointed, where the outline of an independent mountain peak was vaguely visible.
The peak seemed to be covered in snow, shimmering in the light of the setting sun.
A trace of satisfaction flashed in her eyes, and she nodded slightly:
"Thank you, Palace Master."
"In private, you can just call me Gu Han."
Gu Han smiled slightly, patted her hand gently, and then her figure gradually disappeared.
With Gu Han's departure, only Li Hanyi, Liu Ruyan, and A Yao remained by the lakeside.
The atmosphere became a bit quiet for a moment.
Facing this Grand Elder with an unfathomable aura, Liu Ruyan was somewhat restrained and was thinking about how to take her leave.
A Yao, however, was already blinking her big eyes and had moved closer to Li Hanyi, looking up with curiosity:
"Sister Hanyi, can you show your sword to A Yao? It seems to be glowing!"
Hearing this, Liu Ruyan's heart tightened, fearing that A Yao might offend this Elder who didn't seem easy to get along with.
Li Hanyi looked down at the little tot staring expectantly at her; there was no displeasure in those cold eyes.
She was silent for a moment, then she actually lowered the long sword in her hand slightly so A Yao could see it clearly.
The scabbard was ancient and simple, neither metal nor jade, with a faint radiance flowing over it.
"It is called 'Tingyu'."
Li Hanyi's voice was still devoid of warmth, but facing A Yao, she actually showed a bit more patience.
"Tingyu... what a beautiful name!"
A Yao reached out a fair little finger, wanting to touch it but not daring to, only gesturing in the air.
"Does it like rainy days?"
The question was so innocent it was almost nonsensical.
Li Hanyi, however, seemed to think about it seriously for a moment, then shook her head slightly:
"I don't know. Perhaps... I just feel this name is suitable."
She herself didn't remember the origin of the name; she just subconsciously felt that this sword should be called 'Tingyu'.
Liu Ruyan watched from the side in secret amazement; this frost-cold Elder Li seemed to have a gentle side as well.
"Eldest Senior Sister, Elder Li's sword is a Life Magical Artifact and shouldn't be touched casually."
Liu Ruyan still gave a soft reminder.
"Oh..."
A Yao obediently withdrew her hand, but her big eyes were still glued to the sword.
Li Hanyi looked at A Yao, then looked up at Liu Ruyan, suddenly speaking:
"Do you practice the sword?"
Liu Ruyan was startled and hastily replied:
"In reply to the Grand Elder, this Disciple has studied it for a period of time."
Li Hanyi's gaze swept over her, seemingly able to see through the surface to her essence.
"In the future, if there is anything you don't understand, you can come and ask me anytime."
She dropped that concise sentence and turned toward Snow Moon Peak, taking a single step and vanishing.
Liu Ruyan stood in place, trying to process those words.
"If there's something I don't understand, I can ask her anytime?"
"Elder Li is going to give me guidance?!"
A massive surge of joy welled up in her heart.
To be guided by a Sword Dao powerhouse who was at least at the Mahayana Stage, or perhaps even the Undergoing Tribulation stage—what an Opportunity!
"Junior Sister, Sister Hanyi has already left."
A Yao tugged at her sleeve, calling her back from her thoughts.
"Yes, Eldest Senior Sister, let's go back too."
Liu Ruyan suppressed the excitement in her heart and took A Yao's small hand.
"Junior Sister, let me tell you, my room is very bright. If it were lit by the little lotus platform, it would definitely be even brighter..."
Their voices gradually faded into the distance, and the Yaochi Immortal Palace welcomed its first most heartwarming night.