Longevity: Starting as a Sect Servant

After speaking, they all left.

...

"Never did I imagine that one day, our Dao Sect would need to humble ourselves like this!"

Xiang Yuntian clenched his fist, his eyes filled with fury, and said, "Li Nianxue clearly agreed to this marriage for the sake of the Dao Sect... yet we couldn’t prevent it."

Gu Canye sighed and said, "Old Xiang, at this point, all our hopes rest in the Space-Time Secret Realm..."

"If we can safely wait for the opening of the Space-Time Secret Realm, enter it, and acquire sufficient power, first, we can save the Purple Fairy, and second, strengthen ourselves. By then, opportunities for change will naturally arise."

Xiang Yuntian nodded and said, "I will convey the order. From today, the entire sect will enter seclusion, awaiting the opening of the Space-Time Secret Realm!"

...

Li An awoke half a month later.

Although Li Nianxue agreed to the engagement, she didn’t really pay it any mind; instead, she kept vigil outside the hall every day.

Moreover, since Li An had ’resisted’ the Golden Immortal Powerhouse Qianmiao Master, both Xiang Yuntian and Gu Canye visited him once and praised him, which meant he was fully recognized as a new disciple.

After a few days of healing, the Celestial Pearl Sacred Land sent over the betrothal gifts, and everyone in the Dao Sect knew about the engagement.

Li An also attended.

In the grand hall, among the crowd, Li An saw Tan Qingxue.

She was dressed in white, her beauty unchanged, but she had an added aloof aura, as unfathomable as a lake, as unapproachable as an iceberg. Even when she dealt with her daughter, Li Nianxue, and old acquaintances like Xiang Yuntian, she maintained a cool and distant attitude, as if none of these people could stir even the slightest ripple in her heart.

The once naive girl of the Profound Yang Sect, later the affectionate Demon Queen of the Demon Race, and now the Celestial Maiden of the Demon Ancestor Peak in the Dao Sect... she seemed to have completely transformed into another person.

Up on the Demon Ancestor Peak, she severed her past — not only did she cut off Li An, but also the self that was prone to melancholy, moved by emotions.

Only a Dao Heart for immortality remains.

"Did I do something wrong?"

After the engagement ceremony was completed, Li Nianxue walked over to Li An and whispered, as if uncertain, seeking an answer from him.

Li An smiled slightly and said, "Everything is the best choice. No matter what you do, I will support you."

Nonsense, how could this be wrong? To him, this is the best solution!

The Dao Mountain can rest safe for now, and it also secured the allocation for entering the Space-Time Secret Realm, which is simply great for Li An.

It wouldn’t matter even if the entire Dao Sect joined in the union; Li An would still find no issue as long as it benefited him.

Upon hearing this, Li Nianxue seemed to gain some strength and said, "I will do my best, not just for the Dao Sect... but for the Supreme as well."

Li An said nothing.

Amidst the crowd, Tan Qingxue noticed and approached, saying:

"From now on, you are the fiancée of the Dao Qian Saint Child from the Celestial Pearl Sacred Land. You must mind your manners."

She glanced at Li An indifferently. Having been through a lot, she naturally sensed that her daughter seemed to hold something special for this young man...their closeness when speaking was unusual.

She didn’t want such a trivial figure to interfere with her plans.

Li An said, "Aunt Li, I’m heading to the Stele Forest first—"

He turned to leave, without speaking to Tan Qingxue any further.

But as Tan Qingxue watched Li An’s departing figure, she felt a moment of inexplicable daze. However, having already severed her past, it was like ripples on water, vanishing instantly without any further thought, and only looked at Li Nianxue, saying, "This young man knows how to adapt; since he understands the current situation, he is a rational person."

"Did he ever oppose your marriage into the Sacred Land?"

Li Nianxue shook her head.

Tan Qingxue sneered and said:

"That’s it then. Being of low status yet rational but not sentimental, someone like that, in order to climb up, would stop at nothing, even using you as a tool. Don’t invest your emotions in such people; it will only result in loss and self-harm. Consider what truly benefits you and make the right decision."

Li Nianxue responded, "So, that’s what you thought back then, and it led to a life full of regrets, ultimately ending with you severing your past, right?"

Her words carried an undisguised mockery toward Tan Qingxue.

Tan Qingxue did not become ashamed or angry; instead, the smile faded from her beautiful face, and she said calmly, "Severing the past, in your eyes, may be a life of regrets, but to me, this is the true path of immortality; you will understand in time."

...

After marrying into the Celestial Pearl Sacred Land, the Dao Sect indeed immediately quieted down, and no more bodies of disciples were sent to the Stele Forest.

The entire sect began intense cultivation. Through this event, everyone was indignant and driven.

Even Li An received the Life Nourishing Immortal Skill and various techniques transmitted from within the Dao Sect for cultivation while keeping watch over the Stele Forest.

Everything was in preparation for the opening of the Space-Time Secret Realm two decades later.

...

"The Celestial Pearl Sacred Land is truly abominable, daring to act like this!"

At this moment, at Double-Headed Mountain, Bai Jingxian, Qianmiao Master, and others were in secret talks.

"Hypocritical and deceitful, the marriage alliance with the Dao Sect is merely a ploy to annex the Dao Sect... We have plotted painstakingly for years, only to gift them the accomplishment."

"Indeed, although the Celestial Pearl Sacred Land compensated us with twenty slots this time, compared to future interests, it’s insignificant!"

Everyone was deeply displeased.

The Celestial Pearl Sacred Land intervened to protect Dao Mountain and from their own quota, gave Double-Headed Mountain twenty slots. Double-Headed Mountain weighed the pros and cons and retreated for the time being.

However, these twenty slots are only for this time, and compared to future long-term interests, it’s a total loss.

"Brother Bai, does this mean you had a different consideration at the time?"

Qianmiao Master spoke to Bai Jingxian, as it was he who agreed initially.

Bai Jingxian said, "If we didn’t agree, with the Celestial Pearl Sacred Land involved, we wouldn’t be able to destroy the Dao Sect."

"So, regardless of any machinations the Celestial Pearl Sacred Land has, we must first take the current benefits and then plot long-term strategies."

Someone asked, "What should be the long-term strategy?"

Bai Jingxian smiled slightly and said, "The Celestial Pearl Sacred Land itself has two hundred slots to enter the realm; they hold no interest in Dao Mountain’s affairs. Their main interest, and the reason they’re willing to intervene, is that young girl named Li Nianxue, who is significant to their Saint Child Dao Qian. Annexing the Dao Sect is merely ancillary... But if, perchance, we ensure that the young girl Li Nianxue perishes within the Space-Time Secret Realm?"

"By then, the marriage contract would naturally dissolve, the Celestial Pearl Sacred Land would have no reason to protect the Dao Sect any longer, and we could take action."

Hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement; for now, it seems to be the only viable option.

...

Time flew by.

In the blink of an eye, Li An had spent another twenty years in the Stele Forest.

"The Space-Time Secret Realm is about to open; from today, we can select the individuals who will enter the realm."

Xiang Yuntian, Gu Canye, and others convened a meeting of the sect’s members.

They already had a rough idea about the selection; it was just a matter of discussion.

With only twenty slots available among ten thousand members of the Dao Sect, these slots had to be carefully selected and deliberated over repeatedly.

After much consideration, the initial list was formed.

"I have a request."

At this moment, Li Nianxue spoke, "Chi Yilan must accompany me inside."

Hearing this, Xiang Yuntian, Gu Canye, and the others looked at her with puzzlement.

...

Goodnight.