Out of fear of death, Invest Everything into Health

However, he was very concerned about his little sister, Ye Wuyue.

Upon learning that Ye Wuyue was getting closer to her True Destiny Celestial Maiden status, the brother showed a contented smile, like a child.

At that moment, Fan Wubing couldn’t help but tease,

"Wuyue has found her other half, what about you? Aren’t you taking any action as her elder brother?"

Ye Yixian laughed and said,

"Life spans thousands of years, the sky is so vast, why must one settle down?"

"That’s the line of a libertine and wanderer," Wei Changkong joked.

Ye Yixian laughed heartily, "Then I am indeed a libertine and wanderer. I love each and every Great Li person."

Wei Changkong raised his wine glass with respect and said,

"A toast to such a libertine and wanderer!"

The four burst into laughter.

Fan Wubing turned his head slightly, gazing from the Qi Observation Platform at the Imperial Capital’s night, where lights were just beginning to shine and myriad homes gleamed brilliantly. The Great Li Dynasty was now prosperous, surely leaving a significant mark in history.

Who would bear to let such a scenery vanish?

Fan Wubing then chatted with Chengming about Li Ying. Learning that this Sister Ying had now become famous along the Flower Picking Play and Cloud Immortal Melody paths in the Immortal Continent, he couldn’t help but feel happy for her. He knew Li Ying was someone who nearly devoted her entire life to performing arts. More accurately, for her, performing wasn’t a career but a passion.

"To be able to do what one loves throughout life is a great happiness," Chengming said.

Fan Wubing recalled a phrase spoken by the current Buddha of the Great World Zen Institute, Great Clothing Calamity Buddha, back in Miaomu Continent. He couldn’t help but share it with the three,

"The enlightened are happy."

The phrase provoked deep thought. The three each pondered their own lives, unsure if they were enlightened.

Seeing their expressions, Fan Wubing laughed,

"Striving deliberately for enlightenment only leads to the fate akin to Jian Shi Tathagata. The enlightened are happy, the happy are enlightened. It’s equivalent. Instead of overthinking this, why not drink instead."

And so,

The laughter and joy of the four filled the table once more.

...

After saying goodbye to friends, Fan Wubing returned to Little South Continent.

He first went back to the Fan Family. The Fan Family was now managed by other elders, with the Patriarch Fan Qi leading a group of talented disciples, venturing into the Immortal Continent to expand territory.

The Fan Family couldn’t stay put in Little South Continent forever.

Though Little South Continent had improved a lot, it was still small, not comparable to the Immortal Continent.

Moreover, the Immortal Continent was now filled with abundant "wild" resources with the Terminal Daoist gone. If they did not seize them, would they leave them for others?

In managing the family, Fan Wubing fully entrusted his father. With the Heaven and Earth Bank as a partner, there was no worry about thriving in the Immortal Continent.

Fan Wubing neither made a grand return nor left; he always returned home quietly and left quietly.

He originally intended to bring his disciple Zhuge Hong along, but finding her diligently "retreating and cultivating" in a warehouse, he decided not to disturb her.

Then he went to the Eternal Immortal Sect.

On Enlightenment Peak, he met his master Yushan Daoist again.

Yushan Daoist had fully shed his "Jade Ancestor" identity, courageously entrusting Wenxin Heaven to the young Guan Xin. He had always believed in the idea that "the future belongs to the young," never leveraging his status despite being the most senior person left from the Confucianism lineage.

He placed himself in the role of a "retiree."

Fan Wubing understood him nonetheless. If the world needed him, he would still stand out without hesitation.

Only after becoming the master of all beings did Fan Wubing realize that many people in this world shared the same attitude as his master. They mostly were those who survived from the Ascension Era and experienced the wars between this world and the heavens—a cohort of "middle and older people."

Mentioning this, Yushan Daoist couldn’t help but lament to Fan Wubing:

"Under the dual restraints of the Terminal Daoist system and Heavenly Dao, the world, for a long period, showed a lethargic aging state. Those with abilities were old folks, yet most old folks lacked enthusiasm and motivation. Young people had enthusiasm and motivation but were suppressed by the Terminal Daoist, making progress difficult, unable to grasp real skills."

He expressed deep gratitude to his pupil:

"Therefore, Wubing, what you have done for this world is more than breaking the cage, primarily in inspiring confidence. You have revitalized the Cultivation Realm from its lethargy, bringing back energy and vigor. A young Cultivation Realm is what everyone wants to see. As the master of all beings, you possess not only extraordinary talents but also rare virtues."

Fan Wubing laughed,

"I actually didn’t think that much."

Yushan Daoist said,

"So you are enlightened. So you are filled with happiness."

"The master is familiar with that saying too."

Yushan Daoist laughed aloud, "My ’Reversal Heavenly Formation’ in the ’Reality Seeking Book’ owes a great deal to Great Clothing Calamity Buddha."

Fan Wubing realized that those standing at the peak of this world had good relationships with one another, exchanging ideas often.

This was perhaps some kind of truth that all roads lead to the same destination.

The block within Fan Wubing’s heart dissipated completely; he gazed at the distant sunset and said,

"Master, I want to rebuild the Path to Immortality."

Yushan Daoist glanced at him and laughed,

"As a master, I will surely support my pupil. Nonetheless, I might not be able to help much this time. The Destiny Dao is far beyond my reach. Unseen, untouchable, daunting to grasp its essence, difficult to reach that fact—when the candle is spent, to witness this thing requires fierce burning."

"Master, don’t burn yourself out," Fan Wubing said with a smile, "I still need to fulfill my filial duty."

Yushan Daoist smiled contentedly,

"Is An An alright?" Fan Wubing asked.

Yushan Daoist replied, "Rest assured, she is fine. Yet, let her sleep a little longer."

"Yes," Fan Wubing nodded.

He understood, his master wanted him to focus on walking this final path.

As night descended,

Standing on Enlightenment Peak, one could see the dazzling stars. The colorful glow illuminated the world.

Yet within Fan Wubing’s eternity-seeing eyes lay a different starry sky. He gazed at a dim star on the edge of the universe and said,

"Sorry, master."

"What’s wrong?"

"I couldn’t bring Sister Fu back," Fan Wubing said with lowered head, "After killing Heavenly Dao, I searched everywhere but couldn’t find any trace of her. I vaguely felt... perhaps she already ceased to exist."

Yushan Daoist didn’t believe in "vague" or "perhaps." He knew Fan Wubing had the ability to see through the essence of things, surely aware of Fu Ming’s non-existence, refusing to accept it.

He asked,

"Wubing. What kind of sister do you wish for?"

Fan Wubing answered,

"I can’t quite explain. To be honest..."

He did not conceal his experiences from the previous world to his master.

After hearing, Yushan Daoist felt enlightened and completely at ease,

"I see. Wubing. You once gave your all for Fu Ming, and she was willing to do the same for you. When I first awoke, I wondered why she went to such great lengths for you, why she valued you more than herself. Now I understand."

"But... must it be this way? Is self-sacrifice necessary for peace of mind? What did she go through?"

Yushan Daoist laughed,

"I believe this isn’t some sort of sacrifice but a complete self-fulfillment."

"Self-fulfillment?"

"Master, with my limited ability, can’t resolve your confusion. You might as well ask her directly, get to know what she thinks."

Fan Wubing paused,

"Ask her? But she no longer exists..."

"It’s not non-existence but a return to self," Yushan Daoist turned and left with slow steps, "Wubing, go to Divine Phoenix Hall. Your sister is waiting for you there. She will tell you everything."

Divine Phoenix Hall?

Fan Wubing inquired, "Is it the Divine Phoenix Hall of the Heaven-Questioning Sect?"

"Is there a second Divine Phoenix Hall in this world?"

"The Divine Phoenix Celestial Venerable’s Divine Phoenix Hall?"

Yushan Daoist laughed heartily, "Is there a second Divine Phoenix Celestial Venerable in the world?"

Fan Wubing finally understood,

Sister never left, always accompanying him.

He lowered his head, murmuring,

"Such a teasing..."