Chapter 585: Obsession
Chapter 585: Obsession
Xiao Lan felt as if she were dreaming today. She had met a Dao Seeker who claimed she possessed exceptional talent and wanted to take her as a disciple. After witnessing the Dao Seeker's abilities, even her father, whom she considered the most formidable, knelt and bowed his head.
Everything seemed surreal.
Even as dusk approached, Xiao Lan couldn't shake off this dreamy feeling.
"What's wrong? Don't you want to cultivate immortality?"
A familiar voice interrupted Xiao Lan's thoughts, and she turned to see Gu An walking into the garden.
Seeing Gu An, Xiao Lan's apprehension dissipated. She replied, "It's not that I don't want to, but I'm a bit scared. After all, I've never been outside, and my... Master said she would take me to the Dao Court, which seems very powerful..."
She began to express her true feelings, and Gu An approached her, listening attentively.
In the end, Xiao Lan sighed, "If only someone could accompany me, but unfortunately, none of my siblings are recognized by my Master."
Gu An blinked and said, "I can accompany you. Your Master has already accepted me as a registered disciple. Although there's still a gap in our status, it won't be difficult for me to stay by your side in the future."
Xiao Lan's eyes widened in surprise. Excitedly, she grabbed Gu An's arms and asked, "Really?"
"When have I ever lied to you? Elder Xiao has already entrusted me with taking care of you," Gu An said with a smile, and as he spoke, he reached out and ruffled Xiao Lan's hair.
Having spent eighteen years in Xiao Estate, Gu An had become an integral part of it. Everyone in the estate held him in high regard, and through his experiences, he had developed a deep friendship with Elder Xiao. Moreover, as Gu An had watched Xiao Lan grow up, Elder Xiao trusted him implicitly.
It was worth mentioning that it was Gu An who had given Xiao Lan her name, which demonstrated the level of trust he had earned in the Xiao Estate.
"That's wonderful! From now on, we'll explore the cultivation world together!" Xiao Lan was thrilled and hugged Gu An's arm.
Since childhood, she had enjoyed playing with Gu An because he always fulfilled her wishes.
Her initial anxiety and confusion vanished, and she eagerly anticipated the journey ahead.
Two days later, a white-clad woman named Su Zhenren, along with Gu An and Xiao Lan, departed. All the members of the Xiao Estate gathered at the main gate to bid them farewell.
Xiao Lan's mother couldn't stop crying, while Elder Xiao's eyes were filled with anticipation.
Although his spiritual root was limited, Xiao Lan's encounter gave him hope. Perhaps, through his daughter, he could find the opportunity for longevity.
Partings were always sorrowful, but fortunately, Xiao Lan had Gu An by her side. After traveling a hundred li away from the Xiao Estate, she regained her lively spirit.
Ignoring Su Zhenren's status as a Dao Seeker, Xiao Lan kept asking about the Dao Court incessantly as they journeyed, chattering non-stop.
Gu An followed behind the two, admiring the scenery along the way. Midway, he switched with his clone, and the original went to gather medicinal herbs.
Su Zhenren treated Xiao Lan with gentleness and indulgence, while Gu An, though not overly enthusiastic, didn't show any displeasure. The atmosphere during the journey was quite pleasant.
As night fell, the trio stopped in a woods to rest. Su Zhenren didn't plan to return to the Dao Court immediately. She was currently traveling through the mortal world, experiencing the mundane, and intended to bring Xiao Lan back to the Dao Court after completing her own training. In the meantime, she would teach Xiao Lan cultivation methods.
Xiao Lan was thrilled, and even after half a day, she couldn't calm down.
"Master, tell us about the Dao Court and the cultivation world. Father told me that cultivators have their own levels. Although mortals can't see them, the cultivation world is vast and turbulent, with heroes emerging one after another," Xiao Lan said, leaning against Gu An as she spoke to Su Zhenren.
Su Zhenren was slightly displeased by Xiao Lan's intimate behavior with Gu An, but she didn't show it. Instead, she began to introduce the Dao Court.
According to Su Zhenren, the Dao Court was the most powerful sect in the world, with countless branches. She mentioned various names, all renowned prodigies within the Dao Court.
"Disciple, your talent is no less than theirs. As long as you're willing to work hard, I'll ensure you surpass them and become the number one prodigy of the Dao Court," Su Zhenren said, her eyes fixed on Xiao Lan.
Xiao Lan became even more excited. She sat up, patting Gu An's shoulder, and said proudly, "Brother Gu, I'll be the number one prodigy in the world in the future. You'll have to wait for me to protect you."
Gu An laughed and said, "Great! I'm already looking forward to it."
Su Zhenren's eyebrows furrowed slightly.
In her eyes, Gu An was not worthy of Xiao Lan, and Xiao Lan's path ahead did not require emotional attachments.
To become a top genius in the Dao Court, one must dedicate all their energy to cultivation.
However, she didn't stop them either, believing that once Xiao Lan witnessed the grandeur and wonders of the Dao Court, she would eventually lose interest in Gu An.
Her gaze towards Gu An turned sympathetic.
Being abandoned is never pleasant, but regardless, she considered him her disciple, and she would ensure a good end for him.
Su Zhenren's thoughts were quite intriguing.
Gu An listened to her inner monologue and thought to himself that this journey was quite interesting.
Xiao Lan, unaware of their thoughts, continued to indulge in her fantasies of the cultivator's life.
This year, Xiao Lan began her Qi cultivation, and Su Zhenren not only taught her cultivation techniques but also provided her with pills, accelerating her progress significantly.
The following year, Gu An gifted Xiao Lan the White Spirit Sword, which delighted her immensely.
She had grown up and developed a vague understanding of love. She realized that her feelings for Gu An resembled that of a married couple in the mortal world. Every time she thought about it, she blushed and couldn't help but sneak glances at Gu An. Neither of them explicitly acknowledged this unspoken affection, enjoying the hazy emotions between them.
Although Su Zhenren didn't actively stop them, she often took Gu An and Xiao Lan to witness the struggles of mortals in love, hoping Xiao Lan would understand the unreliability of romance.
However, Xiao Lan remained unaffected and instead felt relieved that her brother Gu was not like those men.
Time flew by.
Fifty years passed in the blink of an eye.
Xiao Lan had reached the Huashen Realm in her cultivation, fully displaying the extraordinary talent symbolized by her near-limitless lifespan of 9,999 years.
According to Su Zhenren, if Xiao Lan cultivated within the Dao Court, her progress would be even faster.
Gu An's apparent cultivation level had reached the Jiedan Realm, which was by no means ordinary on the Great Azure Continent, but in Su Zhenren's eyes, this cultivation speed was not worth mentioning.
In those fifty years, they traveled through twelve dynasties, experiencing the local customs and cultures, and encountering cultivators, demons, ghosts, and monsters.
Xiao Lan matured, letting her hair down from the two braids, gradually exuding the aura of a heavenly proud daughter.
No matter how much higher her cultivation was than Gu An's, her feelings for him never diminished; they only grew stronger. In the past, Gu An had taken care of her, but now, she was the one looking after him.
Whenever Gu An fell silent, she would ask him if he was feeling pressured, which both amused and exasperated Gu An, while also further irritating Su Zhenren.
She couldn't understand why Xiao Lan liked Gu An so much.
Previously, Xiao Lan had never left the mountain villa and had not encountered any man more outstanding than Gu An, so Su Zhenren could understand her feelings for him.
But now, with Xiao Lan's broadened experiences, her affection for Gu An only deepened, leaving Su Zhenren perplexed.
The crucial point was that Su Zhenren realized it would be difficult for her to stop them.
Her intuition told her that if she tried to separate them, Xiao Lan would become her sworn enemy.
On a scorching summer day, the three of them walked along the riverbank. The waves crashed against the shore, and white gulls flew in unison, creating a majestic and desolate atmosphere.
"Brother Gu, are you hot? Do you need me to cast a spell for you?"
"Brother Gu, are you tired? Do you need to rest?"
"Brother Gu, look over there! That demon bird is so cute. Do you like it? Should I catch it for you?"
Hearing these questions, even Gu An, let alone Su Zhenren, felt overwhelmed.
"I've at least reached the Jiedan Realm. How am I being treated like a frail scholar?" Gu An sighed helplessly.
Xiao Lan, dressed in white and looking like a celestial fairy, stood beside him, and upon hearing his words, she blinked and giggled softly, "I just can't help it."
She didn't know why, but she thought of Gu An at every moment, sometimes even tuning out her master's words.
Whenever she looked at Gu An, her heart fluttered with joy, and she felt like the luckiest person in the world.
As she spoke, she couldn't resist hugging Gu An's arm, as if afraid he would leave.
Gu An felt both helpless and touched. He hadn't cast any spells on Xiao Lan; this was a love that transcended reincarnation.
Ye Lan's love for him had become an obsession in her reincarnation memories.
(End of Chapter)
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