Qingshui Bay Market.

In Lu Lao’s residence, Li Yifan brought the Li Family, Shen Fan and Wei Yingying as well as their children, all gathered in a large group.

Amidst the howling wind and snow, Lu Qingqing’s weak laughter echoed from the bamboo house.

"Little Junior Sister."

Looking at the gray-haired Lu Qingqing, her face etched with the traces of time, Lin Chang’an’s eyes revealed complex emotions.

He was happy for his old friend having no regrets in life, yet also saddened by the merciless passage of time.

"Brother Lin, I know my own condition. If it weren’t for your return this time, I might have already gone ahead."

Lu Qingqing’s hoarse laughter carried no regret on her cheeks.

And Lin Chang’an sighed deeply. Little Junior Sister’s vitality was exhausted, her essence nearly depleted, her end was nearing.

"Brother Lin, your journey is still long, and you have to walk it alone."

Looking at the still youthful Lin Chang’an, Lu Qingqing’s eyes showed envy, yet also sympathy.

This path of cultivation was destined to be lonely, watching one’s old friends age, fall ill, and pass away, one after another.

Choosing Shen Lie back then was influenced by her grandfather.

"If there’s a chance, tell Sister Yun I don’t regret it. At least in this life, I had a husband, and I have Fan’er and Yingying, with children and grandchildren all around..."

With a hoarse and weak voice, Shen Fan and Wei Yingying, both Foundation Establishment cultivators, had tears of reluctance in their eyes.

"Mother!"

"Aunt Lu!" Li Yifan was also filled with sorrow.

Amidst the howling wind and snow, painful cries of grief filled the house, from men and women, young and old alike.

In the obscure depths of chance, Lin Chang’an seemed to feel something; he could not help but lift his head and sighed softly.

"Everyone’s gone. Of the companions on the cultivation path, only Yun Yao remains now."

The passing of Li Erniu, Shen Lie, and Wei Buyi resurfaced a sense of sadness in Lin Chang’an.

"Perhaps your choices were right, a good marriage, a century hand in hand, children and grandchildren in abundance."

Seeing Shen Fan and Wei Yingying’s children, who now had grandchildren, Lin Chang’an felt a wave of melancholy.

His choice was not wrong either.

Each person has their own path to walk.

"Your paths are completed; I envy you, but unfortunately, I still have a long journey ahead."

Lin Chang’an stood alone under a withered tree in the courtyard, his resolve growing ever stronger.

A hundred years in life, like a mayfly’s day!

A mayfly’s short life is, for the mayfly, vibrant and brilliant.

He just chose a longer, lonelier path of cultivation.

...

During the mourning period, many guests attended.

Shen Fan and Wei Yingying, a couple both in the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, were formidable together.

Their reputation in the area was high, and with Lin Chang’an’s influence as a Core Formation cultivator, even the Profound Sound Pavilion sent people over.

Because of the mourning rituals, the return journey was delayed by half a month.

Yet with Lin Chang’an’s current stature, the Profound Sound Pavilion felt no dissatisfaction, and considered it only right.

A sentimental and trustworthy Honored Guest Elder is far more reliable than a cold and unfeeling one.

...

"Uncle Lin."

In the house, Shen Fan and Wei Yingying brought their children and even grandchildren to pay respects.

The couple’s cultivation was impressive. They had a son and a daughter; the son was married with children, the daughter had married into the Li Family.

The two families, from Li Erniu and Shen Lie on, had maintained close ties.

There were also descendants of Li Yifan, making the small house instantly crowded.

Looking at these descendants of old friends, Lin Chang’an pondered before gently saying:

"I know what some of you have been pondering these days, but the Demon Beast Abyss is unpredictable. Not to mention I am just a recently advanced Core Formation cultivator, even the once powerful Long Family..."

Their rise and fall happens within a century; if any of you wishes to follow me to the Demon Beast Abyss..."

Lin Chang’an solemnly conveyed the risks of the Demon Beast Abyss to the juniors. If any of them had promising talent or higher cultivation, he didn’t mind nurturing them.

Unfortunately, those with exceptional talent in the Immortal Cultivation Realm are always few and far between.

But even in Yue Kingdom, he wasn’t unable to protect them, after all, now he is a Honored Guest Elder of the Profound Sound Pavilion.

The entire Yue Kingdom is under the Profound Sound Pavilion’s rule.

Thus, remaining in Yue Kingdom, he could still take care of them.

"Uncle Lin, Fan and I have decided to stay."

Wei Yingying, now much more mature, looked at Lin Chang’an and showed a carefree smile.

Many hesitated upon hearing the true state of the Demon Beast Abyss.

The risks were too great; a Foundation Establishment cultivator faced such turbulence in the Demon Beast Abyss, whereas here, they were revered.

The comparison was stark.

Li Yifan hesitated for a moment, but ultimately remained silent; he had grown accustomed to being a figurehead in the small area of Qingshui Bay.

The risks were too great, and he had many clansmen and descendants to protect.

Too many responsibilities.

"Mother is right. Compared to the unrest of the Demon Beast Abyss, the stable situation in Yue Kingdom means we have no grand ambitions."

Seeing the wise decision from Wei Yingying, Lin Chang’an couldn’t help but nod approvingly.

Without the burden of descendants, Shen Fan and Wei Yingying might have ventured out.

But they bore the responsibilities to protect their descendants.

For Li Yifan, years of family responsibilities had left him surpassed in cultivation by Shen Fan and Wei Yingying.