Since her sister was schemed against by the Eternal Spirit and then trapped in that dark space, countless years have passed.
Yet, even now, Old Man Jing continues to dutifully abide by the agreement made back then.
Moreover, he personally forged the Demon-Sealing Tower, sealing himself and those descendants who were tainted and corrupted by the dark aura. He also left behind the ancestral decree for generations to guard the Land of Eternal Life.
This act alone is enough to earn Ling Yuxian's deep admiration.
Old Man Jing has already gone above and beyond, owing them nothing.
If one were to truly calculate, her sister's escape from captivity this time was thanks to Old Man Jing's assistance.
"Miss Yuxian, what you've said, this old servant is actually aware of. However, since I've already promised Young Master Gu, I can't simply back out, can I?
"Perhaps Miss Yuxian could go and speak with Young Master Gu? This old servant has noticed that your relationship seems quite good. Moreover, Young Master Gu is now considered a disciple of the Imperial Immortal Palace."
Jing Tianyun showed a bitter smile and then tentatively asked.
Upon hearing this, Ling Yuxian hesitated for a moment, then seemed to recall something and shook her head. She glanced at him and said, "My relationship with him isn't as good as you think. We merely had an agreement before.
"Since you've already promised him, we won't force you. If the Jing Clan encounters any trouble, feel free to inform the Imperial Immortal Palace. We are of the same lineage, so there's no need to be overly formal."
She had actually learned from Jing Xiang's parents that the curse on Jing Xiang had been lifted.
At that time, when Jing Xiang accidentally entered the Demon-Sealing Tower, it was also thanks to Gu Changge's assistance that he was able to safely meet Jing Tianyun and have the curse on him resolved.
From the very beginning, her prejudice against Gu Changge had been too deep, which is why she always felt he had ulterior motives.
But one incident after another proved that Gu Changge was not as scheming and sinister as she had imagined.
Over the past few days, Ling Yuxian had also reflected and wanted to find Gu Changge alone to explain those matters and sincerely apologize and thank him.
After all, her sister could now stand safely before her, and Gu Changge had played a significant role in that.
However, these past few days, Gu Changge had been resting alone in his courtyard, citing physical discomfort, and had not met anyone.
When Ling Yuxian went to visit one day, she unexpectedly ran into Jing Xiao outside the courtyard.
The encounter was awkward for both, and they turned away simultaneously. Jing Xiao also seemed to have much to say to Gu Changge, but similarly, she hadn't been able to meet him.
Ling Yuxian originally wouldn't have cared about such matters.
But for some reason, she recalled the many rumors in the Imperial Immortal Palace, such as how the palace master, Ling Qiu, often tried to match her with Gu Changge.
Her recent actions had only served to further darken this rumor.
At this point, even if she went to explain things to Jing Xiao, it would likely be futile.
"Miss Yuxian, this old servant will certainly keep your words in mind. Now that the Prime-Origin Civilization is in turbulent times, if the Imperial Immortal Palace encounters any calamity, please inform this old servant at once.
"Although this old servant has not yet fully recovered, I can still be of some help."
Jing Tianyun showed a respectful expression, then cupped his hands and led the Jing Clan elders away.
Soon, only Ling Yuxian and Ling Yuling, the two sisters, remained.
From the beginning, Ling Yuling had not spoken, as if deep in thought.
Only after Jing Tianyun had completely left did she seem to snap out of it. She looked at Ling Yuxian and softly asked, "How much do you know about this Young Master Gu?"
Ling Yuxian was startled, not understanding why her sister suddenly asked this question.
She thought for a moment, recalling what she knew about Gu Changge.
Then she suddenly realized that Gu Changge had always been shrouded in mist in her mind.
Even when she tried hard to recall his figure and face, they became somewhat blurry and hard to discern.
After a moment of thought, Ling Yuxian softly said,
"I don't actually know much about Senior Brother Gu. The first time I heard of him was in the Imperial Immortal Palace's council hall.
"He was brought by the elders of the Fragrant Dao Academy, standing out as extraordinary, transcendent, and calm. That was when I first noticed him.
"As for his origins and identity, I knew nothing at first. If it weren't for the warning thoughts you suddenly sent me, I probably wouldn't have been so wary of him later.
"Because I knew you were one of those who had seized the Gate of Eternal Life, I was worried that if he found out, it would disrupt the Imperial Immortal Palace's efforts to rescue you."
At this point, Ling Yuxian grew even more puzzled.
Why had Ling Yuling warned her to be cautious of Gu Changge?
Was it because she had known all along that Gu Changge was once the possessor of the Gate of Eternal Life?
Seeing Ling Yuxian's puzzled expression as she spoke, Ling Yuling also smiled faintly, somewhat helplessly.
The next moment, her expression turned serious. She glanced outside the pavilion and then lightly waved her hand.
A misty, water-like curtain spread out from her, enveloping the surroundings.
Seeing this, Ling Yuxian's expression also turned grave.
Even on the Jing Clan's territory, her sister was worried about being spied on, that their conversation might be overheard by others?
What exactly was she worried about?
Ever since escaping the Land of Eternal Life, she had seemed preoccupied.
"There are many things I dare not tell you, but you must know this: when I and the others joined forces to seize the Gate of Eternal Life, it was merely an ownerless object, without any so-called possessor."
Ling Yuling's gentle voice echoed in Ling Yuxian's mind.
Ling Yuxian's eyes widened in shock as she looked at her sister. She still stood there, pure and flawless, with a faint smile on her face, not speaking.
The voice just now seemed like an illusion.
"Does that mean Senior Brother Gu isn't the possessor of the Gate of Eternal Life after all?"
Ling Yuxian murmured in her heart, unable to hide her astonishment.
If that was the case, why hadn't her sister spoken up and exposed Gu Changge back in that dark space?
She had always mistakenly believed that Gu Changge was the possessor of the Gate of Eternal Life, and Gu Changge himself had never denied it.
Was this the reason her sister had been wary and cautious?
Gu Changge's origins were even more terrifying and astonishing than she had imagined.
He had claimed to be reclaiming what belonged to him. He could also dispel and drive away the dark aura and effortlessly take the Gate of Eternal Life.
What exactly was he trying to reclaim?