The figure before him slowly overlapped with the girl in his heart. Zhao Li was stunned for a long time before greeting her.
Even though he tried his best to calm himself down, he still couldn't hide his shock, and his voice was clearly trembling.
He had absolutely no idea that when they met again, the little girl he once knew would be so beautiful and moving, and her strength would be so terrifying, already...
Alright, Zhao Li couldn't see through her at all, but it was precisely because he couldn't sense her aura that Zhao Li felt terrified. How could an ordinary person hide from him?
Ye Yunsheng smiled brightly, radiant like the morning glow, beautiful and moving:
"What? Don't recognize me?"
That smile seemed to awaken the ghost in Zhao Li's heart. For a moment, he was at a loss.
The emotions of his youth suddenly surged into Zhao Li's heart at this moment.
"Miss Ye, you..."
Zhao Li couldn't even finish a sentence.
He had too many questions to ask, but he couldn't voice any of them.
Ye Yunsheng noticed that Zhao Li was acting strangely and found it quite amusing, but since the ceremony was continuing, she slowly said:
"Coming uninvited, I hope the Sect Master will forgive me. Congratulations!"
Seeing her so proper and serious, Zhao Li forced himself to suppress the myriad thoughts in his heart, waved his hands repeatedly, and said:
"What Sect Master? It's just a title. I'm overjoyed that you could come, how could I possibly blame you?"
As he spoke, he felt a little embarrassed and asked:
"After being apart for so long, I wonder if Miss Ye would do me the honor of taking a walk together?"
Ye Yunsheng gently shook her head and smiled:
"If I, a guest, were to spirit away you, the Sect Master, what would that look like? Perhaps later."
Hearing Ye Yunsheng say this, Zhao Li also felt a bit shy. Although he didn't care, it would be somewhat improper for the main person of the ceremony to just leave like that.
At this moment, the onlookers outside who were watching the ceremony only felt the air suddenly freeze for an instant before returning to normal. They just assumed it was their own illusion and continued to chat and discuss among themselves.
Only Lin Lan seemed to sense something unusual. He looked at Zhao Li beside him but couldn't figure out anything.
Zhao Li sat down, forcibly averted his gaze from Ye Yunsheng, and reviewed his series of actions just now, cursing himself in his heart:
"Zhao Li, Zhao Li, you're over thirty years old, why are you still like this? So embarrassing!"
He felt like a child, clearly wanting to eat the biggest apple but having all sorts of reservations and not daring to say it.
Lin Lan felt suspicious and quietly observed Zhao Li. Seeing him sometimes frowning and sometimes smiling, completely lacking his usual composure, he sent a voice transmission and asked:
"Little Li, what's wrong? Something on your mind?"
Zhao Li was startled when he heard this, gave a dry laugh, and replied:
"Meeting an old friend again, I'm a bit excited. I've made Teacher laugh."
Hearing this, Lin Lan's heart stirred:
"Something's up."
He was an experienced person and quickly sensed the trick. He said "Oh" in a strange tone and teased Zhao Li:
"Oh? What friend? Could it be a girlfriend?"
Normally, Zhao Li would have naturally noticed Lin Lan's teasing, but at this moment, he was like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, quickly retorting:
"Master, don't talk nonsense."
But in his heart, he was unexpectedly a little joyful, the kind of happiness of expecting his careful thoughts to be seen through while pretending to be reserved.
Seeing this, Lin Lan stroked his long beard and chuckled:
"Little Guy, tell this old man, whose daughter is she?"
Zhao Li had completely lost his usual quick-wittedness. Seeing Lin Lan's gossipy look, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry and explained:
"Master, I haven't seen her in over ten years. I don't even know if that girl is married or not. Why are you saying all this?"
Seeing Ye Yunsheng again, the emotions that had been sealed deep in Zhao Li's heart reappeared. Besides the surprise, he was also anxious and afraid.
Too much time had passed, enough time for someone to completely change and live a different life.
In over ten years, he didn't know what Ye Yunsheng had experienced, and he didn't know if he was still special in her eyes.
Hearing this, Lin Lan shook his head, laughing inwardly, and also remembered his past self:
"So, the small actions and emotions I thought were hidden back then were so obvious in the eyes of my elders?"
The person involved is confused, while the bystander sees clearly. Although he didn't know the exact situation, judging from Zhao Li's reaction, the other party's appearance was likely unexpected. If there wasn't something on their mind, who would travel such a long distance to come?
"Alas~"
Lin Lan suddenly sighed. He didn't want his disciple to end up in the same situation as himself. He sent a voice transmission and asked:
"Little Li, you didn't invite that girl, did you?"
Zhao Li nodded. He didn't even know where she was, how could he invite her?
Just as I thought, Lin Lan mused, then continued, "If it were you, and you had no particular ties to someone, would you rush to attend a ceremony just based on unconfirmed news, without receiving an invitation?"
Zhao Li pondered this, then his eyes lit up. He wasn't stupid; he had just been a bit out of his depth for a moment.
But after hearing Lin Lan's words, he quickly understood what his Master was trying to convey. A strange sense of confidence welled up inside him, dispelling his earlier nervousness.
Lin Lan noticed Zhao Li's change and felt a spark of curiosity ignite within him, but he kept a poker face. He continued to analyze the situation for Zhao Li and finally added a piece of advice:
"Little Li, when you think about it, you're not getting any younger. You need to get a move on with this major life event. If you want to know something, just ask directly. Don't be wishy-washy and make excuses for your timidity."
This was a lesson he had learned from his own painful experiences, and he spoke with genuine emotion.
He had watched the girl he loved have her Soul Scattered before his eyes, and because of that, the girl who loved him had wasted away and died. He spoke with heartfelt sincerity; if he hadn't been so stubborn back then, he wouldn't have so many regrets now.
Zhao Li's heart stirred upon hearing this, and he understood.
Lin Lan's words were direct but very useful. He thought of all the TV dramas he had watched in his previous life, where misunderstandings deepened step by step because characters overthought things and refused to ask questions until they died, as if they had been born without a mouth.
Thinking this, the anxiety in Zhao Li's heart completely calmed down, and he continued to watch the ceremony.
Time flowed by, and the names on the guest list grew fewer and fewer. Finally, amidst the envy of the onlookers, this part of the ceremony concluded.
After reading the list, Elder Wu was also somewhat surprised. The value of the gifts received at this ceremony, if converted into Gold Coins, was almost equivalent to the Danyuan Sect's income for three years.
During the next few agenda items, the smile on his face visibly widened.
Time passed, and after nearly two hours, this already not-so-complex Succession Ceremony was nearing its end.
Elder Wu continued to preside. He said,
"The ceremony ends here. Next, let's have our new Sect Master say a few words."
Zhao Li had already been restless. Hearing this, he felt even more speechless. It seemed that no matter the world, so-called ceremonies were never without some element of showmanship.
To make a quick exit, he didn't delay. He stood up, walked to Elder Wu's side, and stood quietly on the platform. He scanned the crowd and immediately dropped a bombshell:
"Esteemed guests, you have come from afar, and I am deeply pleased. After the ceremony, I hope you all enjoy yourselves. I won't say much more now, but I will make a promise to you all here: as long as you provide the Medicinal Ingredients, I can Refine a Pill for you that is no higher than Seventh Grade."
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