41: Xi Nian

"It really is Fairy Xinian; she actually came to our Jade Moon Sect as well."

"Didn't I hear that Fairy Xinian is in a critical period of her Epiphany in the Mortal World? Why would she come out of seclusion?"

"Perhaps this is also part of her Epiphany in the Mortal World? Who knows, but Fairy Xinian is truly so beautiful!"

Not only the Disciples of the Jade Moon Sect, but Disciples from other forces also couldn't help but fix their gazes on Fairy Xinian.

Everyone was extremely curious about this Fairy Xinian.

After all, as the Saintess of the Taiyi Dao Sect, she was top-tier in both appearance and natural talent.

Even the Old Ancestor of the Taiyi Dao Sect had once personally asserted it.

Xi Nian is the person who has been closest to the Great Dao in the Taiyi Dao Sect for thousands of years.

To some extent, she is even the Incarnation of the Dao.

As long as there are no accidents, she will surely be able to found a sect and be hailed as an ancestor in the future.

A legendary figure like her would naturally attract the attention of many.

At this moment, Xi Nian did not care about the gazes from the outside world.

In her heart, the words the Sect Master had said to her before still lingered.

'My Heart Demon... is it truly here?'

'But... he was never my Heart Demon.'

'He...' Xi Nian pursed her lips slightly, leaving only a faint sigh.

At this time, after hearing Yun Qingci's words, Gu Yuan also looked toward Xi Nian in the distance.

However, the moment he saw Xi Nian, Gu Yuan's expression instantly froze.

'Why did she come too...' Gu Yuan's eyes were filled with complexity.

There were traces of guilt, traces of heartache, and... traces of melancholy.

'She should be continuing to pursue her Great Dao; why would she come to the Jade Moon Sect?'

Gu Yuan felt a bit more confusion in his heart.

Because according to his understanding of Xi Nian, she should be in a critical period of sensing the Great Dao right now.

Any outside disturbance could potentially affect her state of mind.

Yet, in such a state, she had actually come to the Jade Moon Sect.

'This... what on earth is going on?'

"You're dazed, aren't you, Gu Yuan? I didn't expect you to like that type, hmph~"

Seeing that Gu Yuan hadn't spoken for a long time, Yun Qingci, who was beside him, poked him somewhat irritably.

This guy was staring so hard his eyes were fixed, seriously.

She didn't know what her current state of mind was, but she just felt inexplicably annoyed.

"Uh..." Gu Yuan withdrew his gaze and gave her head a light hand-chop, caught between laughter and tears.

"What are you talking about? I'm just a bit surprised that she would come too."

"Ouch..." Yun Qingci covered her small head and pouted.

However, after hearing his words, Yun Qingci was also somewhat puzzled.

"True, now that you mention it, why would the Saintess of the Taiyi Dao Sect come in person?"

Gu Yuan glanced at Xi Nian once more, an inexplicable feeling in his heart.

'She... couldn't be here to look for me, could she?'

'Well... that shouldn't be the case.'

Having entered the Jade Moon Sect, Xi Nian suddenly felt something and looked up.

And this just happened to collide with Gu Yuan's gaze.

Gu Yuan was stunned for a moment and hurriedly shifted his gaze.

At the same time, for some reason, he felt a bit more guilty.

'Who... is that...?'

Xi Nian did not recognize the current Gu Yuan, but she inexplicably felt that person was... very familiar.

But she didn't know anyone from the Jade Moon Sect, so why would she have such a feeling?

Before Xi Nian could think further, the Junior Sister beside her gently tugged at her sleeve.

"Senior Sister, we should go in."

Xi Nian was stunned for a moment, and when she looked back in that direction, the person was already gone.

'So be it. Those meant to be met will always be met.'

Xi Nian's mindset was one of taking things as they come.

However, if she knew that person was the one she had been searching for, would she still be so indifferent then?

"Gu Yuan, what are you doing? Why did you suddenly run so fast?"

Yun Qingci glanced at Gu Yuan with some strangeness.

This guy had suddenly dragged her to another place for some unknown reason just now.

Could he be possessed?

Gu Yuan coughed lightly and smiled somewhat sheepishly.

Just now, after being seen by Xi Nian, he had directly pulled Qing Ci and run away in a moment of urgency.

Thinking about it now, Xi Nian didn't recognize his current self, so he didn't need to be so guilty at all.

"Um... I just felt there was nothing much to see there. Oh right, and Revered Master seems to be calling me. Yeah, I'll head over first. Qing Ci, you're on your own!"

With that, Gu Yuan waved at Qing Ci and then turned around to leave directly.

"Eh!?"

Yun Qingci blinked her eyes, somewhat baffled.

Wait, what was wrong with this guy?

Hey, wait, she still had some things she wanted to ask him!

Watching Gu Yuan's departing back, Yun Qingci could only pout her lips.

Forget it, she would ask later.

In fact, Gu Yuan really wasn't lying to her; Revered Master indeed had something for him today, it was just that Gu Yuan had only just remembered it.

When he arrived before Dongfang Yingxue, he saw her let out a light huff.

"Now you even dare to come this late when I tell you to, Gu Yuan. I've noticed you're becoming more and more..."

Seeing that Master Baby was about to start a new round of lecturing, Gu Yuan hurriedly grabbed her small hand with a smile and kissed it.

"Hehe, Master Baby, haven't I arrived? Cough, is there something you need?"

Dongfang Yingxue let out a low gasp. How was this Rebellious Disciple becoming more and more skilled?

And every time she was about to lose her temper, he could always shift the topic extremely naturally.

Why did she feel like she was being completely controlled by him?

Dongfang Yingxue rolled her eyes at him, but she also spoke of serious business.

"People from the Jin Mie Cult will be arriving in a few days. Gu Yuan, go and scout them out for me. It would be best if you can figure out their intentions."

"Huh!?"

Gu Yuan was stunned upon hearing this.

Wait, how did it turn into him going to receive them?

Wasn't it agreed that before the Qiong Yue Grand Assembly began, he would just be a nobody?

"Um... Revered Master, aren't these things Elder Zhao usually does? Look, I'm not good at receiving others or anything, I..."

Before he could finish, Dongfang Yingxue gave him an annoyed glare.

"What are you saying? I see you've been getting along quite well with that little girl from the Liyue Sword Sect lately. Fine, it's decided, no need to say more."

'I... what else can I say?'

Gu Yuan nodded with a look of despair.

'Master Baby, you're the one who asked me to receive them.'

'When the time comes, if that girl, the Cult Leader, does something, don't go getting unhappy again.'

As for whether the Cult Leader would do something extremely over the top, Gu Yuan was absolutely certain.

No one understood that girl better than he did.

At any time, at any place, with anything—as long as she wanted to, there was nothing she wouldn't do.

'Sigh, I hope that girl doesn't mess around too much.'

Gu Yuan let out a soft sigh.