"Old maid, are you done yet? I'm coming in!"
Li Batian's voice rang out from outside.
Donghua Yufan stood with both hands braced against the desk, silent.
Li Batian pushed the door open, glanced toward her, casually picked at his ear, and walked straight over.
"What's wrong? Hurt in body and soul?" he asked, his lips twitching as he spoke.
Donghua Yufan caught the scent of roasted meat and frowned.
"Can't you have at least a little self-awareness as a so-called high monk?"
Li Batian shrugged indifferently and poured himself a cup of spiritual tea. He drank it in one gulp and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Refreshing!"
Donghua Yufan ignored him and turned her head away.
"Tell me—what did Li Qiye say?"
"Yes, I told him."
"And then?"
"…Mo Li left without saying anything," Donghua Yufan hesitated.
She couldn't understand what his silence meant. He said nothing, and even when he left, his expression remained calm. That unsettled her deeply. Li Qiye had never looked at her like that before. She didn't know what she had said wrong—or what words had struck something deep inside him.
"What do you think it means?" Donghua Yufan couldn't simply ignore it. After all, she truly regarded him as a younger brother.
But in this world, everyone was ultimately alone. Even family couldn't stay together forever.
"What explanation do you want?" Li Batian replied coldly. "All that does is bruise your pride."
Donghua Yufan rolled her eyes. She decided to visit Mo Li another day. Maybe this was just a delayed rebellious phase? But at his age—wasn't that a bit late?
"Where's Yaya?"
"She's going to the outer sect of Fangshi City."
"There have been many outsiders visiting the Jade Void Sect lately. Stay alert. Master may leave soon, and I won't have time to watch over them."
Li Batian nodded. Donghua Yufan had been staying in the Eternal Palace for nearly two days now, while he had nothing to do except keep Tao Yaya company.
Several days later, Ye Jia finally dismissed the representatives of various sects from across the Fantian Continent. His expression visibly relaxed.
Though the days had been exhausting, he had gained much through discussions of the Dao with fellow cultivators.
With the major sects gone, the smaller northern sects didn't dare linger. At last, Ye Jia had time to整理 everything he had accumulated.
"Master! Master! Senior Brother Han and I are going to Dan Storage Cliff for a few days—we'll be back later!"
Tao Yaya's voice rang through the courtyard before she even entered.
Donghua Yufan lounged on a recliner in the courtyard, dressed in a white robe, her long hair loosely tied behind her. A book rested in her hand, a strand of hair falling across her chest, her expression lazy and serene.
Without turning around, she replied calmly,"Just the two of you?"
Tao Yaya pushed open the gate and froze at the sight before her. Her voice immediately dropped, her tone becoming cautious.
"N-No… we're going as a group."
"Go ahead." Donghua Yufan nodded lightly.
Tao Yaya suddenly crouched in front of her, cupping her face and staring wide-eyed.
"Master, you're so beautiful!"
Donghua Yufan laughed softly.
In the past, praise like that would have made her overjoyed. Now, she still felt pleased—but beauty was no longer something she cared deeply about.
Still, Tao Yaya's words were sincere, her gaze pure and untainted. Smiling, Donghua Yufan tapped her lightly on the head with the book.
"If you manage to have a child within ten years, how about I give you a youth-preserving pill?"
"Really?!"
Tao Yaya jumped up in shock, then squatted back down, staring at her eagerly.
"Of course. I've never lied to you."
She did possess such a pill, though she couldn't take many herself. Giving one away was no problem—she just hadn't expected the girl to take it so seriously.
"Master! I'm leaving now—I'll work hard!"
Before Donghua Yufan could stop her, Tao Yaya dashed out. The courtyard gate slammed shut.
Li Batian pushed open another door, staring blankly at the gate.
"Did that little girl just come by?"
"Yes. She's heading to Dan Storage Cliff."
"It's dangerous out there. I'll go protect your disciple."
Li Batian straightened instantly, speaking solemnly.
Donghua Yufan shot him a sideways glance. She knew exactly what he was thinking. He had wanted to follow her back from the beginning. That was why she'd kept a close eye on him—to keep him away from the sect's female disciples.
But outside? That was fine. With Tao Yaya around, Li Batian wouldn't dare misbehave.
"…Fine."
He left immediately, just as Tao Yaya had. Donghua Yufan looked silently at her now-lonely courtyard.
At that moment, she heard the call of the Eternal Lord God.
Her heart skipped. She knew instinctively—her master was about to leave.
By the time she reached the Eternal Palace, her emotions had already settled.
The Eternal Venerable stood in the center of the great hall, hands clasped behind his back, gazing upward.
All banquets must come to an end.
As a cultivator, she should calmly accept both reunion and parting.
"When I first entered this palace, I was only seven or eight—just like you. I was full of curiosity and longing for the world of cultivation. Time truly flies."
The Eternal Venerable turned, dressed simply, hair neatly tied, a gentle smile on his face. It was the first time Donghua Yufan had seen him so unadorned.
She had once thought him an old fox. Now, she found herself reluctant to part with him.
"Master…"
She knelt halfway behind him, lowering her head to hide the reluctance in her eyes.
She had thought she would be calm—but her heart still trembled. Perhaps because her greatest pillar of support was about to leave.
"Today, I pass the Eternal Order to you. From this moment on, you are the Master of Eternity—Donghua Yufan."
As he spoke, her loosely tied hair was gathered neatly atop her head. A jade crown was placed upon it, secured with a jade pin.
A wave of clarity washed through her, sending a shiver through her body.
"Disciple… I will see my master off."
As soon as she finished speaking, a deep bell tolled throughout the Eternal Palace.
"How light it feels," the Eternal Venerable laughed. "Being a teacher is finally over."
He hugged her briefly, waved his sleeve, and walked leisurely toward the palace gates.
"Master!"
She called out.
He didn't turn back. His figure slowly vanished beyond the hall.
Donghua Yufan smiled brightly at last.
With a trace of sorrow in her voice, she whispered,
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