At the moment when all the higher-ups of the Yunlan Sect had gathered together,
a clear, piercing whistle suddenly soared into the sky. Under the gaze of countless eyes, a white figure emerged from the depths of Yunlan Mountain and then, treading upon the void, slowly made its way toward the plaza of the Yunlan Sect.
The white figure did not summon the Dou Qi Wings; each time his foot descended, the void would ripple outwards in circles. As the ripples dissipated, the figure had already reached a hundred meters further, extremely mysterious.
This was the mark of a Dou Zong expert!
With such strides, in just a short period, the figure had appeared before Xu Ran.
Clothed in an extremely plain white robe, the breeze caused it to flutter, giving off an air of otherworldly elegance. He did not look very old. His face lacked the wrinkles one would expect of an elder, rather it seemed like a piece of smooth, polished jade.
This was Yun Shan, the previous Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect!
Upon seeing the newcomer, everyone's hearts were filled with shock.
Unexpectedly, the old Sect Master had appeared.
Xu Ran had actually made the old Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect personally come to receive him; what kind of scene was this?
For any sect, their strongest members were not the current Sect Master but those retired old Sect Masters. They were powerful, guarding the safety of their sect.
The old Sect Master, unless the sect was in danger, would not typically make an appearance.
Because their lives were nearing their end, by reducing their activities, they could better extend their lifespan and protect the sect for a longer period.
"We pay our respects to the old Sect Master!"
Upon seeing Yun Shan, everyone from the Yunlan Sect knelt down.
"Teacher." Yun Yun also approached Yun Shan with great respect.
"Master." Nalan Yanran was not neglectful either, paying her respects earnestly.
"There's no need for such formality. I am but an old bag of bones, why stare at me? Lord Xu Ran is an honored guest of our Yunlan Sect, a friend of our Yunlan Sect. If anyone neglects Lord Xu Ran, it would be a grave offense."
"Lord Xu Ran, I am Yun Shan, the previous Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect."
Yun Shan said respectfully, his face not devoid of flattery.
Although he was a Dou Zong, he did not put on any airs in front of Xu Ran.
It was true that he was a Dou Zong expert, but Xu Ran could create Dou Zong experts, and on this point alone, he surpassed Yun Shan by far.
He would not live much longer now. He had heard that powerful alchemists could concoct elixirs that extend life, so...
Moreover, he speculated that Xu Ran's grade as an alchemist was definitely not limited to Seventh Grade. Others might not have such discerning eyes, but having been around the Continent for so many years, he knew very well.
And as a Dou Zong, he couldn't detect a breath of Qi from Xu Ran at all.
This was enough to prove that Xu Ran's strength was far beyond what was rumored.
"Sect Master Yun Shan, no need to be so courteous, we are all family here." Xu Ran said with a smile. He had not expected Yun Shan to come to meet him, and even more so, that he would be so amicable. The original character seemed somewhat proud and unyielding.
However, that was at a time when the sect was almost destroyed by Xiao Yan; even someone with a good temperament would have exploded in anger, no doubt.
"Hahaha, for Lord Xu Ran to consider the Yunlan Sect his home, that is an honor for the Yunlan Sect."
"Lord Xu Ran, let us go inside and continue our chat."
Upon seeing Xu Ran's amicable attitude, Yun Shan breathed a sigh of relief. He was aware that powerful Alchemists often had their quirks.
In the great hall, only Yun Shan, Yun Yun, and Xu Ran remained.
Yun Shan treated Xu Ran with the utmost respect, inviting Xu Ran to take the seat of honor while he himself sat below Xu Ran.
Such a posture caused Yun Yun's lips to twitch, unsure of what to say.
But besides the fact that they dared to act petulantly in front of Xu Ran, who would dare to disrespect a powerful Alchemist?
Even her teacher, the former Sect Master of the Yunlan Sect, would not.
This was the status of a powerful Alchemist!
One could offend a strong man while traveling the Continent, but not a Alchemist of the same grade.
"Sect Master, if you have something to say, just say it."
Xu Ran smiled. Since Yun Shan was Yun Yun's teacher, he naturally would give Yun Shan some face. Yun Shan had been very humble, and Xu Ran would not embarrass him too much.
"Lord Xu Ran, here's the thing. After so many years of cultivation, my time is running out. I am very clear about the state of my body, and if I continue like this, I fear I won't live much longer. Especially since, over the years, my body has accumulated many hidden illnesses. If Lord Xu Ran could help me remove these ailments, I think I could hold on for a few more years,"
"As long as Lord Xu Ran is willing to help, no matter the condition, as long as I can fulfill it, I will not shirk from the responsibility."
Yun Shan looked at Xu Ran with hopeful eyes.
In one's youthful recklessness, one claims not to care about life or death. But when one truly approaches death's door and experiences that feeling, the preciousness of life becomes clear.
Who would choose death if they could live?
"Xu Ran, please help my teacher. As long as you are willing to help my teacher, you can take away anything from the Yunlan Sect," Yun Yun implored upon hearing this.
She had not considered this aspect before, until Yun Shan brought it up.
An Alchemist was not just skilled in creating Elixirs to aid in cultivation; they also had the fabled abilities to raise the dead and heal fatal wounds.
Yun Shan was her mentor, and without him, her current status would be impossible.
So, one could imagine the depth of respect Yun Yun had for Yun Shan.
In the original story, it was precisely because of Yun Shan and the Yunlan Sect that Yun Yun could not let go, and therefore, she did not end up with Xiao Yan. On one side was the Sect that raised and nurtured her, and on the other, the man she loved. This was the most difficult choice for Yun Yun. Hence, even though the outcome was tragic, if Yun Yun had really been with Xiao Yan, that would have been the true tragedy. A female lead who gives up kinship and righteousness for love loses her charm.
It was this regret that made Yun Yun particularly enchanting.
"I can help. I don't need the Yunlan Sect to give up anything. To me, all those baubles of the Yunlan Sect are worthless," Xu Ran said dismissively.
Hearing Xu Ran belittle them, Yun Shan showed no dissatisfaction; rather, he agreed wholeheartedly. A powerful Alchemist like Xu Ran could obtain many priceless treasures simply by concocting an Elixir for others.
"What I want is Sect Master Yun Yun. I wonder…" Xu Ran appraised Yun Yun's figure, her elegant and noble stature accentuated by a green dress, her body exuding an air of regal grace.
Sect Master Yun Yun had an unspoken allure back at the Yunlan Sect. Perhaps it was her status as Sect Master that added a mature charm to her presence within the Sect.
Who wouldn't be bewitched by such a Yun Yun?
"You man!" Yun Yun wished she could bite Xu Ran. They could have discussed this matter in private; she was not against the idea. But Xu Ran had brazenly brought it up in the open, especially in front of her own master.
With Yun Shan present, she couldn't be too presumptuous, so she could only stand behind Yun Shan and glare fiercely at Xu Ran.