Yaochi Immortal Palace, Main Hall square.
Space fluctuated slightly, and two figures appeared out of thin air.
Gu Luoli only felt a blur before her eyes; one moment she was in a private room of a teahouse in Linyuan City, and the next she was in a strange place.
She stumbled, quickly steadied herself, and looked around blankly.
What met her eyes was a vast square paved with white jade, with pavilions and buildings scattered in the distance, hidden within the spiritual mist.
The most eye-catching thing was the vast, misty lake ahead.
The lake water was crystal clear, and the pavilions on the island in the center were exquisite; the entire lake surface was shrouded in a faint golden halo, beautiful beyond words.
The surrounding Spiritual Qi was so thick it had almost materialized; every breath made Gu Luoli feel a sense of comfort.
"This... this is the Yaochi Immortal Palace?"
She murmured to herself, her eyes filled with shock.
Even Qingyun Holy Land was far inferior in comparison.
"Correct."
Gu Han's voice woke her from her shock.
"This place is the Yaochi Immortal Palace, and it will be your home from now on."
Before her voice had even faded—
"Master Mommy!"
A crisp, soft, and sweet voice came from outside the hall.
A small figure was seen running over with short legs, making "da da da" sounds.
It was A'Yao.
Today she had changed into a light pink dress, and her black hair was tied into two small buns, making her look even more adorable.
A Yao ran to Gu Han's side, habitually wanting to pounce into her arms, but stopped when she saw Gu Luoli.
She tilted her little head, her big eyes full of curiosity as she sized up this strange sister.
"Master Mommy, who is this pretty sister?"
Gu Luoli was stunned by the address "Master Mommy" and subconsciously looked at Gu Han.
She saw that this unfathomable Palace Master was full of doting when facing this little girl.
"A Yao, this is Gu Luoli; she will be your Third Junior Sister from now on."
Gu Han stroked A Yao's head and said gently.
"Third Junior Sister?"
A Yao blinked, walked up to Gu Luoli, looked up with her small face, and gave a sweet smile:
"Hello, Third Junior Sister! My name is A Yao, and I am your Eldest Senior Sister!"
Gu Luoli looked at the innocent and romantic little girl before her, a wave of complexity rising in her heart.
Eldest Senior Sister?
This little girl, who looked only four or five years old, was actually her Eldest Senior Sister?
But on second thought, to be taken as the first Disciple by the Palace Master, she must be extraordinary.
She quickly collected her thoughts and bowed respectfully:
"Luoli greets Eldest Senior Sister."
"Junior Sister, no need to be so polite!"
A Yao waved her small hand, having quite the demeanor of an "Eldest Senior Sister."
She looked carefully at Gu Luoli's pale face, her small face showing concern:
"Junior Sister, your face is so white; are you sick?"
"But don't be afraid, Master Mommy is very powerful and will definitely be able to cure you!"
These words were innocent, yet they warmed Gu Luoli's heart.
"Thank you for your concern, Eldest Senior Sister."
"Master, you're back!"
At this time, Liu Ruyan also walked in.
She had clearly just finished her cultivation, and her aura was a bit more solid than before.
When her gaze fell on Gu Luoli, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes, which then turned into a gentle smile.
"This must be the new Junior Sister? I am Liu Ruyan, your Second Senior Sister."
Gu Luoli quickly bowed:
"Luoli greets Second Senior Sister."
She could feel that although this Second Senior Sister's cultivation didn't seem high, she had a special aura about her that was definitely not ordinary.
Liu Ruyan smiled and helped her up.
"Junior Sister, there's no need for such formality. Now that you're here, we are family."
Feeling the concern of her two Senior Sisters, Gu Luoli's eyes turned slightly red.
"Thank you, Second Senior Sister."
Gu Han looked at the three harmonious girls and nodded with satisfaction.
"Ruyan, you First, take Luo Li to her place.."
"Yes, Master."
Liu Ruyan complied, took Gu Luoli's hand, and said softly:
"Junior Sister, come with me."
She then said to A Yao:
"Eldest Senior Sister, do you want to come along?"
"Yes!"
A Yao nodded immediately and followed along at a trot.
Watching the backs of her three Disciples as they left, a flash of gratification appeared in Gu Han's eyes.
Her figure flickered and she disappeared from the spot, returning to the Main Hall.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Liu Ruyan held Gu Luoli's hand and walked slowly along the white jade path.
A Yao skipped alongside them, occasionally pointing out exotic flowers and plants along the way to introduce them to Gu Luoli.
The childish words made the atmosphere among the three much more relaxed.
However, Liu Ruyan's heart was already in a state of turmoil.
Gu Luoli... she remembered this name!
Not from this life, nor from the previous life, but from the even earlier first life!
In the memories of that life, about three hundred years later, an exceptionally talented woman named Gu Luoli would burst onto the scene.
Legend had it that she was born with Double Pupils, was a dual Cultivator of Alchemy and the sword, reached Mahayana in a hundred years, and underwent tribulation in two hundred.
With her Double Pupils, she hacked through thorns and brambles, carving out an invincible path, her brilliance overshadowing all prodigies.
What was even more talked about was her mysterious Origin and her enigmatic Master; it was only known that she came from a hidden Sect.
At that time, countless forces wanted to investigate her Sect, but all returned empty-handed.
There were rumors that the Sect had very few Disciples, but every single one was an earth-shattering figure.
Its Sect Master was even more mysterious and unfathomable; legend had it that they had already left the Canglan Continent for the legendary Immortal Realm.
At that time, Liu Ruyan was just a minor Cultivator struggling to survive at the bottom of the cultivation world.
She had once been fortunate enough to see that Double Pupil Fairy from afar.
At that time, Gu Luoli was like the moon in the Nine Heavens, high and unreachable, revered by all.
The gap between the two was like clouds and mud.
But the Gu Luoli before her had dim Double Pupils and a broken dao foundation; where was there any sign of the future Double Pupil Fairy's elegance?
"So... it's her..."
Liu Ruyan realized in her heart, followed by an indescribable shock.
In the first life, she only knew that Gu Luoli had joined a mysterious Sect, but never knew its name.
It turns out... it was actually the Yaochi Immortal Palace!
In this life, by a stroke of fate, she had actually entered the Sect one step ahead and even became her Senior Sister!
This wonderful fate made her heart race, and her gaze toward Gu Luoli became even more complex.
There was awe for the legendary figure of the past life, pity for her fellow Junior Sister, and a sense of 'prophetic' reflection.
"Second Senior Sister?"
Gu Luoli's voice woke Liu Ruyan from her contemplation.
Only then did she realize she had unconsciously stopped and was staring blankly at Gu Luoli's eyes.
"I just thought of something and got distracted."
Liu Ruyan smiled apologetically, collected her thoughts, and continued walking.
"Junior Sister,"
Liu Ruyan spoke thoughtfully, her tone as casual as possible,
"Your eyes are very special."
Gu Luoli's body stiffened slightly, and she subconsciously lowered her head, her voice a bit raspy:
"These are Double Pupils."
"But due to my Cultivation Technique and injuries, they are no longer of any use."
Her words were filled with loss.
In the Qingyun Holy Land, these Double Pupils had been her glory and her capital for becoming a Saintess.
But after her dao foundation was damaged, the Double Pupils also became dormant, instead becoming an excuse for others to mock her.
Liu Ruyan keenly sensed her emotions and sighed in her heart.
"Junior Sister, you are mistaken."
Liu Ruyan stopped, looked at Gu Luoli seriously, her voice gentle yet firm:
"Double Pupils are a blessing from heaven, rare throughout the ages."
"When your injuries are healed and the day your Double Pupils truly awaken, the entire continent will surely be shaken because of you."
Gu Luoli was slightly startled; from her Second Senior Sister's words, she felt an extraordinary trust.
Since her dao foundation was damaged and she was abandoned by the Holy Land, she hadn't felt such kindness and expectation for a long time.
Liu Ruyan sensed her inner turmoil and continued to lead her forward.
"Third Junior Sister, you must know that those with Double Pupils are born with the ability to perceive the essence of all things."
"In Alchemy, you can distinguish medicinal properties to the smallest detail; in sword practice, you can glimpse the Origin of Sword Intent; and your cultivation speed is a hundred times that of ordinary people."
"Once your talent blooms, it will surely be radiant and beyond anyone's reach."
Her words were like a spring breeze, quietly nourishing Gu Luoli's parched heart.
Gu Luoli listened until her eyes were slightly red, her voice a bit choked:
"But the Elders of the Qingyun Holy Land all said... my Double Pupils are useless, and there is no hope for the Great Dao in this life..."
"Qingyun Holy Land?"
Liu Ruyan shook her head gently, her tone carrying a hint of disdain,
"They are just frogs in a well, blind to what's before them."
"Junior Sister, you must remember that from the moment you stepped into the Yaochi Immortal Palace, you are no longer the person you once were."
"Here, with Master around, nothing is impossible."
She paused and added meaningfully:
"Believe me, before long, you will make everyone who once mocked you only able to look up at your back."
Liu Ruyan said this with absolute certainty.
Because she had seen the Gu Luoli who stood at the top of the clouds in the first life!
Although A Yao didn't quite understand, she waved her small fists and said with a smile:
"Second Junior Sister is right! Master Mommy is very powerful!"
"She will definitely be able to cure you, and then we can Cultivate together!"
Innocent words, yet they carried the purest trust.
Gu Luoli looked at the serious Second Senior Sister before her and the little Eldest Senior Sister waving her fists with a determined face.
The string in her heart that had been taut for too long finally loosened quietly, turning into a heart full of warmth.
"We're here."
Liu Ruyan pushed open a courtyard gate and led Gu Luoli inside.
The courtyard wasn't large, but it was quite elegantly arranged.
"Thank you for your trouble, Second Senior Sister."
Gu Luoli thanked her sincerely.
"We're family, no need to be polite."
Liu Ruyan waved her hand with a smile and left with A Yao.
Stepping out of the Qingyin Pavilion, Liu Ruyan looked back at the quiet courtyard, her eyes gleaming.
If she could form a fellow Disciple bond with Gu Luoli before she rose to prominence, it would undoubtedly be of inestimable help to her own future.
She looked down again at the Eldest Senior Sister beside her, who was kicking stones and humming a song.
But searching through her memories, she couldn't find any rumors about this "Eldest Senior Sister."
Presumably, in that life, the Eldest Senior Sister must have already followed Master to the Immortal Realm, which is why she had never heard of her.
This Immortal Palace was quietly gathering the most brilliant stars of that era.
And she, Liu Ruyan, was fortunate enough to be one of them in this life, personally participating in and witnessing the beginning of these legends.
And the source of all this, the creator of the legends, all came from that unfathomable Master.
Liu Ruyan looked toward the Main Hall; amidst the swirling mist, she seemed to see that peerless figure.
"Master... just how far into the future have you seen?"
"And what kind of path to heaven have you laid out for us on this chessboard?"
She knew she might never be able to guess the depth of her Master.
But she was absolutely certain that in this life, her choice would never be wrong.
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