Gu Han's words exploded in the private room like a thunderclap from the Nine Heavens!
Gu Luoli froze in place, her mind going completely blank.
Those Double Pupils contracted violently, reflecting the figure of the person before her—
A moon-white long dress, silver hair like snow, and peerless elegance.
This figure slowly overlapped with the one she had caught a fleeting glimpse of yesterday, the one who had calmed the sea of flowers!
They were exactly the same!
No... watching from afar yesterday, she only felt a boundless majesty, like a deity atop the clouds.
Today, being so close, she could better feel that aura—vast as a sea of stars—hidden beneath the calm surface!
The refined Young Master "Gu Bai" who had just lent a helping hand... was actually the Master of the Yaochi Immortal Palace, Gu Han?!
The person she had been searching for so desperately, her only hope for survival, whom she hadn't even dared to dream of becoming a Disciple of... had just been sitting across from her, pouring her tea and listening to her story.
And now... she was even asking if she was willing to join the palace?!
A massive sense of absurdity and unreality crashed over Gu Luoli like a tidal wave, instantly submerging her.
She opened her mouth, but no sound came out.
It was as if her throat was being tightly gripped by an invisible hand, making even breathing difficult.
Her body trembled slightly, not from fear, but from the extreme shock and impact that made it nearly impossible for her to stand steady.
"You... You..."
Gu Luoli's voice was shattered, carrying an unbelievable raspiness.
She thought of those five strangely dead men on the mountain path, and that traceless, unheralded erasure.
Of course... besides the being before her, who else could have done it?
She recalled her outpouring of emotions, her humble pleas, and even the "any price" she had offered in front of "Gu Bai"... a wave of indescribable embarrassment surged in her heart, making her cheeks burn.
She was like a clown performing with all her might on a stage.
Inside the ring, Yun Miaoyi's remnant soul had fallen into a deathly silence.
There were no fluctuations, no transmissions, as if she had completely dissipated.
But Gu Han could clearly "perceive" just what kind of violent upheaval that remnant soul was undergoing inside the ring!
Shock? Horror? Absurdity? After-fear?
And even a trace of... the shiver of being completely seen through, with nowhere to hide?
In life, Yun Miaoyi was a Mahayana Stage Cultivator and an Eighth-Grade Alchemist, considering her vision and experience to be extraordinary.
Even as a mere remnant soul, her perception and judgment far exceeded that of ordinary Mahayana Cultivators.
Yet just now, she hadn't detected any abnormalities at all!
That "Gu Bai," from his aura to his Qi fluctuations... was completely and utterly a young man!
There were no flaws; it was perfectly natural!
She had even been secretly evaluating the other's strength and intentions, pondering how to use him.
As it turned out... he was the real deal!
Her little schemes and calculations were likely as clear as the lines on a palm to the other party, utterly laughable!
A chill instantly swept through Yun Miaoyi.
She had truly experienced just how unimaginably high this being's cultivation had reached!
It wasn't just a gap in power, but a total crushing of life levels, understanding of laws, and mastery over the essence of "existence" itself!
Those thoughts of hers, those hidden intentions... Gu Han took in the reactions of both individuals, her expression remaining calm.
"Gu Luoli, your resilience and your determination—this Seat has seen them."
Gu Han's voice rang out again, breaking the suffocating silence.
"You bear a Dao Wound and your Double Pupils are clouded, yet you still dare to seek life within death and pursue a glimmer of hope. This Heart-Nature is acceptable."
"As for the one in your ring..."
Gu Han's gaze seemed to pierce through Gu Luoli's finger, landing on the ancient ring.
Yun Miaoyi's remnant soul shuddered violently, as if directly locked onto by an invisible gaze.
"An Eighth-Grade Alchemist with a fragmented soul and lingering obsessions, wanting to live another life—that is understandable."
Gu Han's tone held neither joy nor anger; she was simply stating facts.
"You secretly guided her to find me, possessing both the heart to fight for a chance at life for her and the reality of seeking a way out for yourself."
"Is what this Seat says correct?"
A faint, almost imperceptible glow flashed across the ring.
Yun Miaoyi's remnant soul could no longer remain silent.
A slightly illusory figure of a woman, yet one that still showed her former elegance, slowly emerged from the ring and appeared beside Gu Luoli.
She bowed deeply toward Gu Han, her posture incredibly respectful and even tinged with a trace of terror.
"Junior Yun Miaoyi is but a wisp of a remnant soul barely surviving in this world. I did indeed have selfish motives and the intention to use Luoli!"
Her voice was ethereal and pleasant, yet it carried a distinct tremble.
"Luoli has a pure Heart-Nature and extraordinary talent, but unfortunately, her fate has been full of hardships. Junior could not bear to see this bright pearl covered in dust and sinking into ruin."
"Upon learning of Senior's immortal traces, I developed an extravagant hope. If she could enter Senior's tutelage, not only could Luoli gain a new life, but Junior..."
"Junior is also willing to offer my lifelong knowledge of the Alchemic Dao to be used by the Immortal Palace to repay the grace of reconstruction!"
Yun Miaoyi spoke with extreme sincerity, almost completely laying out her cards and intentions.
Before such a being, any concealment or calculation appeared laughable and dangerous.
Honesty was perhaps the only way out.
Gu Luoli looked at the remnant soul of Yun Miaoyi appearing beside her and listened to her words, a complex light flashing in her eyes.
There was moved emotion, understanding, and also a hint of realization at having been "arranged."
But ultimately, it all turned into a deeper awe for the Palace Master before her.
Gu Han listened quietly, her gaze shifting between Gu Luoli and Yun Miaoyi for a moment.
"Yun Miaoyi, you are quite frank."
She nodded slightly, seemingly acknowledging this honesty.
"The experience and knowledge of an Eighth-Grade Alchemist are indeed useful for the newly established Immortal Palace."
Then, she looked at Gu Luoli again, her voice cold and majestic:
"Gu Luoli."
"This Seat will ask you one more time."
"Are you willing to enter my Yaochi Immortal Palace?"
Gu Luoli's delicate body jolted, snapping awake from the massive shock and confusion.
She looked at the peerless and unfathomable Palace Master before her.
Remembering that fleeting glimpse that day, the strange cessation of life on the mountain path, and the gentle listening in the teahouse just now... all the coincidences connected into a clear line at this moment!
This was no accident; this was... a "fated encounter" long arranged by this Palace Master!
She had noticed her from the very first time and had been testing her Heart-Nature all along!
Seeing whether she could still maintain her original heart and persistence amidst despair!
Immense excitement, relief, and a sense of honor at being "chosen" instantly swept away all hesitation.
Without the slightest hesitation, Gu Luoli fell to her knees and kowtowed deeply to Gu Han.
Her forehead touched the cold floor, her voice choked with emotion but incredibly clear and firm:
"Gu Luoli is willing to enter the Yaochi Immortal Palace!"
"I will never regret it in this lifetime! I beg Senior... to take me in!"
As the last word fell, she had already broken into tears.
It was the wild joy of finding life in a desperate situation, the peace of finally finding a home after wandering without support.
Yun Miaoyi's remnant soul also bowed gracefully at the same time:
"Yun Miaoyi is willing to join the Yaochi Immortal Palace, to offer my lifelong learning and be at the Immortal Palace's beck and call, even unto ten thousand deaths!"
Looking at the girl and the remnant soul kneeling on the ground, a genuine smile finally flickered in Gu Han's eyes.
She reached out and gave a slight upward gesture.
A gentle but irresistible force lifted Gu Luoli up.
"From now on, the Yaochi Immortal Palace is your home."
Gu Han's voice was calm, yet it carried a power that settled people's hearts.
"Henceforth, you are the third Disciple of this Seat."
"As for Yun Miaoyi..."
Gu Han turned her gaze toward the illusory soul body.
"You shall temporarily reside within Luoli's ring. Once we return to the Immortal Palace, this Seat will naturally find a way to reshape your Physical Body."
"In the future, the Immortal Palace's Alchemy Pavilion will require your full devotion."
"Yes! Thank you, Master (Palace Master)!"
Gu Luoli and Yun Miaoyi responded simultaneously, their voices filled with excitement and gratitude.
Gu Luoli wiped away her tears. Within her Double Pupils, the long-dimmed luster seemed to be injected with new life, with a faint light beginning to circulate.
"Let us go. Follow me back to the palace."
Gu Han brushed her sleeves, and the figures of the three instantly vanished, leaving behind only the lingering scent of tea and empty seats.
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[email protected]/DaoistRoeoNQ
Thank you so much for your support!!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"