Miao Fa Yuanjun, Su Zhiqing, upon hearing the words that Xiao Jie blurted out, her eyes immediately shone brilliantly. Her originally aloof and ethereal face was instantly filled with intense interest, as if she had discovered something more interesting than studying Ancient Talismans.

"Oh?" She slightly raised the corners of her mouth with a playful smile, "The person you’re talking about, could it be that young lady from yesterday who hasn’t officially joined any of our three disciples, yet you favorably regard her enough to secretly pass on Secret Techniques to her—An Ran?"

Xiao Jie couldn’t help but feel speechless inside. How is it that this Miao Fa Yuanjun, who usually seemed exceptionally wise and formidable, suddenly became so gossipy when it came to this topic? The image of the Immortal was on the verge of collapsing!

"Ahem, this matter... is a personal issue of mine, and Su, perhaps you shouldn’t be overly concerned, and definitely not gossipy about it," Xiao Jie tried to maintain his composure, politely refusing.

But Su Zhiqing immediately pulled a serious face, adopting a righteously instructive manner: "Ah, Sui Feng, you are mistaken in saying that! How can this be gossip? This is about the stability of your Dao Heart and the harmony of your mental state! Matters of love easily give rise to Heart Demons and can shake the Immortal Foundation. Quickly, come and tell your sister all the twists and turns of this situation. You mustn’t, out of ignorance or mishandling, stray into a wrong path and harm your progress. I’m doing this all for your good!"

Listening to these words, Xiao Jie rolled his eyes internally, thinking: You’re clearly just unabashedly digging for gossip! Yet you speak so righteously!

Seeing his expression, Su Zhiqing changed to a sincere, heartfelt look and continued, "Moreover, from the moment you achieved your Immortal Position and ascended to Gu Yun State, you became one of us in the Immortal Realm. We Gu Yun Immortals have always been united like family. Important life events such as this... oh no, Immortal life events, I, as your elder sister, naturally must help you deliberate over and guide. How could I sit by and do nothing?"

Those words left Xiao Jie somewhat unable to firmly refuse. He reconsidered and thought it wouldn’t hurt to talk about it, maybe even gain some advice from this "one who has been through it"?

"It is indeed her." Xiao Jie nodded, admitting with a tinge of awkwardness, "Yesterday she was momentarily... moved and kissed me. Unfortunately, at that moment, I was still in my Immortal Spirit Body, emotions dulled, and reacted very coldly. In retrospect now, I really was too unaware of the situation and may have startled the young lady."

"Hmm—" Su Zhiqing drew out her words, her eyes sparkling with a probing gleam, "Then the critical question is—do you like her?"

Xiao Jie was taken aback by this straightforward question. After pondering for a moment, he replied with uncertainty, "Naturally, there is... some liking, I suppose? To be honest, before I became an Immortal, I was so caught up in making a living and playing games every day that I never had a serious romantic relationship. After becoming an Immortal, my emotions have waned even further. Now that I’ve reshaped my physical form and returned to human nature, I do think it’s time to experience the taste of love."

"Experience the taste?!" Su Zhiqing’s voice suddenly rose, full of incredulous reproach, "You scoundrel, such lack of romantic spirit! True affection between a man and a woman is about genuine emotion, arising naturally. Only when feelings run deep is it genuine love. How can you ’experience’ for the sake of ’experiencing’? If you sincerely pursue her and wish to forge a good match, you must treat her with sincerity, care for her closely, letting things naturally fall into place. You must not be frivolous or reckless for a moment of novelty, as that will only harm the young lady’s heart and tarnish your own Dao Heart!"

Xiao Jie smiled inwardly: This Su really is traditional to the core, no wonder she’s been an elder Immortal for who knows how many years.

But he replied aloud, "Your words are not without reason, Su. Golden and wise words, I’ll keep them in mind. However, as Immortals, we are transcendental to mundane customs in certain respects; naturally, one can do as they please as long as they do not go against their true self or harm the natural order, so one does not have to rigidly adhere to those societal moral frameworks."

After saying this, he didn’t wait for Su Zhiqing to offer more "insights" and, with a bow, turned and left on a cloud, leaving Miao Fa Yuanjun in place, seemingly still pondering the deeper meaning of his words "do as one pleases," her expression rather filled with exasperation.

Xiao Jie didn’t rush to find An Ran immediately. Although he spoke charmingly, when it came to actual practice, there was still a bit of uncertainty in his heart. Heaven knows, in both of his lives combined, he’s been as naive as Little White when it comes to romance. As a mortal, he was preoccupied with studies and work, throwing himself into games trying to earn money and secure his future.

Initially, he thought of establishing his career first, securing a financial foundation, and then girlfriends would just be at his disposal, right? Unfortunately, ideals are plump, but reality is skinny. His entrepreneurial endeavors fell short halfway, encountering an economic downturn that led to a steep decline in earnings from his gaming studio, ultimately forcing him to disband it, leaving only his good brother Han Luo with him...

And now, by a twist of fate, he has become an Immortal. Looking back, he realized he was almost thirty and indeed should seriously engage in a romance.

Even though Immortals live nearly infinitely, with all the time in the world ahead, this youthful flutter, anticipation, even clumsiness, has an expiration date. Falling in love as an old monster would probably feel completely different.

He couldn’t help but recall the little moments from when he first met An Ran in the game, remembering that day she wore a black evening dress and black stockings, recalling that somewhat ambiguous night... It unexpectedly stirred some long-missed, youthful nervousness and anticipation in his heart.

Taking a deep breath, he calmed himself and glanced around. Since there was still a bit of hesitation in his heart, he wasn’t in a rush to act impulsively. This "Visualizing All Things" Skill he had just mastered; it was a perfect opportunity to properly test and get familiar with it.