Ning Country, on the shore of Mirror Lake.
This is one of the few large lakes in Ning Country. Originally, the banks were lush with aquatic plants, cattle and sheep roamed freely, and the lake was teeming with fish and shrimp. It was one of the key locations of Azure Wave Cave, one of the three major scenic spots in Ning Country.
It's now a ruin.
A cluster of boats floats on the lake, surrounding a palace suspended above the Mirror Lake.
This palace shone brightly, its light spreading outwards in patches of array formations; it was one of the fortresses established by the Vast Waves Alliance in Ning Country.
Inside the main hall, the lights were on full display.
Fu Qianlan was hunched over the jade table, holding a Jade Slip slips piled up beside her. Her brows were slightly furrowed, as if she had encountered some problem.
Suddenly.
The interior of the hall was much brighter than before.
Fu Qianlan's Divine Ability responded automatically. Looking up, she saw Chen Shuangbai had already entered the hall in a beam of light, accompanied by a feathered boy who was holding a black raven bone carving in his hands.
" Old Bai... what brings you here?"
Fu Qianlan was somewhat surprised.
Chen Shuangbai, unusually, revealed a slightly mischievous smile and said, "How could I not come?"
Not long after.
As soon as the two sat down, servants served them spiritual tea and fruit.
Chen Shuangbai surveyed the main hall, and said with some emotion, "You didn't return even during the Golden Core Ceremony... Is rebuilding Ning Country really this troublesome?"
The two were from the same hometown and often supported each other during their Qi Refining Stage.
Although they hadn't seen each other for many years, they quickly became familiar with each other again.
Chen Shuangbai, a "cultivation genius," is naturally an unparalleled talent, but Fu Qianlan's current level is also at the Late Golden Core Stage, just one step away from entering the Nascent Soul.
It is evident that this fellow villager, in addition to his years of cultivation at the Jade Spring Sect, has also had his own unique fortuitous opportunity.
Speaking of this, Fu Qianlan couldn't help but feel a headache coming on. She raised her hand to rub her temples, her tone unusually complaining.
A saying circulates among mortals.
"Conquering a kingdom is easy, but maintaining it is difficult... I now truly understand this feeling. It can only be said that the efforts made by sects in stabilizing the mortal realm are truly not something that can be accomplished in one generation."
Listening to her complaints, Chen Shuangbai couldn't help but laugh, "It sounds like you're having a pretty tough time as the person in charge."
"How about... I remove you from this position and let you return to your sect to cultivate?"
"Hey!"
"No way!"
Fu Qianlan resolutely refused.
She was very spirited, with her black hair tied up with a gold ring and flowing down her back. She wore a blue and white Buddhist robe, which made her look capable and simple.
She doesn't seem like a cultivator; she looks more like a female general leading troops into battle.
Fu Qianlan sighed, "Although I can't compare to you, my cultivation speed isn't slow either... I've gone to see True Lord Jihai and True Lord Canxia to ask them for guidance in my cultivation."
"As the two True Lord have said, my Divine Ability and Law Power are sufficient, but my temperament is still lacking... That's why I asked for this assignment, to hone my temperament here, so that I can reach the Nascent Soul realm as soon as possible and contribute to the sect."
Chen Shuangbai had heard about this.
Therefore, Fu Qianlan has rarely returned to the sect in recent years, and she did not even return for the recent grand ceremony.
"I see."
Since her friend had his own plans, Chen Shuangbai didn't intend to "take matters into his own hands."
"How is He Qi now?"
Chen Shuangbai suddenly asked.
Fu Qianlan was taken aback, lowered her eyes slightly, and said in an enigmatic tone, "Not bad."
"He married the daughter of a Foundation Establishment from our sect, and with the conveniences we've provided over the years, he's already a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator... Hmm, his He Clan of Fanyang has gradually gained a reputation over the years."
"My second child was born not long ago, and I sent someone with a gift... um, I also sent one in your name."
The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly became somewhat silent.
Chen Shuangbai, unusually, slipped up and didn't know what to say.
He initially joined the Jade Spring Sect.
He, Fu Qianlan, and He Qi, being from the same hometown, spontaneously formed a close bond after entering the sect, helping and caring for each other, and their relationship was very deep.
But so many years have passed.
Chen Shuangbai and Fu Qianlan both began to make progress.
Chen Shuangbai, in particular, broke through to the Foundation Establishment, then caught the eye of the sect's higher-ups, became a disciple of Yi Chongyue, achieved the Golden Core, and is now Nascent Soul True Lord!
He has taken every step steadily, and now he is a genius figure who is admired by the Jade Spring Sect and even the entire country!
Chen Shuangbai and Fu Qianlan both had their own opportunities, but He Qi...
His natural talent was mediocre, and with only the support of Fu Qianlan and Chen Shuangbai, he has been stuck at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage for many years.
It wasn't that he was unwilling to try to advance again, but rather that his aptitude was truly limited, and forcing a breakthrough might risk his demise. Therefore, he married and had children early on, focusing his attention on the continuation of his Lineage, and gradually severed ties with his two friends.
This is not He Qi's fault, nor is it Chen Shuangbai's or Fu Qianlan's fault.
But the path of life is merciless; some are destined to go further, while others are destined to remain only halfway.
Chen Shuangbai remained silent for a moment, then finally sighed softly and said, "That's fine too."
"With millions of people in the world, how can everyone's life trajectory be the same?"
"It's simply a matter of individual destiny; you can't force it."
"It is a blessing that he was able to live out his life peacefully and happily."
Fu Qianlan was also deeply moved.
However, neither of them were sentimental people, and they quickly composed themselves.
After the visit, Chen Shuangbai prepared to leave.
When Fu Qianlan learned that he had gone to cause trouble for Yan Nanlai, hatred flared in her eyes, and she said in a deep voice, "Senior Sister A Heng's Dao Path to enlightenment has been ruined, and the responsibility lies mostly with this Uncle Yan."
" Old Bai, if possible..."
Chen Shuangbai nodded slightly and said softly, "I will personally escort his true form back to Senior Sister A Heng to kowtow and admit his mistake."
"Good."
Having said that, the void shattered, and Chen Shuangbai and Feiguang stepped inside.
The entire hall became empty again.
Much later.
Fu Qianlan's voice rang out from inside the hall, as if she were talking to herself. " Aunt Yuan... when you still had a physical body, how did you compare to my good friend?"
Aunt Yuan remained silent for a long time.
She tried to speak several times, but couldn't open her mouth. In the end, she only mumbled, "There are people in this world who appear like shooting stars, and in the end, they either become the Grand Yin, or they become dim meteors."
"I can't really see your friend clearly either."
"Yeah?"
Fu Qianlan murmured to herself.
Not long after, Aunt Yuan hesitated for a moment before finally saying another sentence.
"Just now... your friend seemed to have figured out what I was thinking?"
"Ah?"
The bizarre and fantastical scenery rushed past him. Chen Shuangbai stood with his hands behind his back in a hazy expanse of light, gazing into the endless depths of the void, lost in thought.
Feiguang was holding the raven bone carving, standing quietly behind him.
A flash of purple light appeared.
Haoming Boy's figure suddenly materialized, and he said, "My lord, your friend does indeed possess a divine soul. In his previous life, he was probably at the Nascent Soul level, but how much Nascent Soul level strength he can retain now... is hard to say."
Chen Shuangbai lowered her eyes slightly and asked, "Is it harmful to Qianlan?"
"It doesn't seem like that; it's more like a master-disciple relationship."
"That's fine."
[PS: Four chapters today! Please give a good review! Please support with gifts! Please click to urge me to update! Updates have resumed, please follow along and don't skip! Thank you so much!]