Beside it is the Shen residence, not a cultivator clan, just an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator family.

"Everyone tidy up well, Grandfather Lin’s letters last year already mentioned that he has become the legendary Core Formation cultivator. Our Li family absolutely must not lose decorum."

Since last year when the trade route reopened, some of Lin Chang’an’s letters naturally arrived, including the news of his Core Formation achievement.

After all, Lin Chang’an is now an Honored Guest Elder of the Profound Sound Pavilion, news that cannot be concealed.

Later, ever since learning that Lin Chang’an would return this year, the Li family began preparations, more festive than even during New Year.

Cultivators passing through Qingshui Bay Market curiously gazed at the Li family.

"Is there some joyful event happening with the Li family?"

"Of course, it’s a grand celebration. The legendary Master Lin has successfully formed his core overseas, and it’s said he will return this time with the Profound Sound Pavilion merchant ship..."

"Master Lin?"

"This Master Lin is extraordinary, genuinely from the bottom rung of loose cultivators in our Yue Kingdom, and the first Core Formation Master among our loose cultivators in over three hundred years."

"First there was Master Lu the Mystic Turtle, now there’s Master Lin. Our loose cultivators are also quite commendable."

Throughout the market streets, Lin Chang’an’s legendary story as a Core Formation cultivator was spreading everywhere.

This also proves one thing: when you succeed, all your previous experiences will be regarded as a legend.

Shen Family.

"Mother, are you feeling better?"

On the sickbed, the once young girl Lu Qingqing is now a gray-haired, wrinkled old woman.

At this moment, Lu Qingqing weakly coughed, slowly getting up with Wei Yingying’s support, her murky eyes couldn’t help but weakly wave at the celebratory Li family next door and said:

"I know my own health, but this Li family really is lively."

Wei Yingying, at ninety-eight due to being a Foundation Establishment cultivator, maintained a middle-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation, appearing around forty due to her decent cultivation.

"Mother, the Li family went to great lengths to welcome Grandfather Lin, naturally they have to put in more effort."

Although she was older, Wei Yingying’s temper hadn’t changed a bit, instantly quipping with a hint of disdain.

Lu Qingqing couldn’t help but shake her head watching this, chuckling, "You, don’t underestimate the Li family’s development, but at the same time, the family has also hindered his cultivation."

In this regard, there was still a touch of pride in Lu Qingqing’s eyes.

Her son, Shen Fan, and Wei Yingying both now had Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivation.

In contrast, due to being held back by family development through the years, Li Yifan was still stuck at the Foundation Establishment early stage bottleneck.

Ultimately, the Immortal Cultivation Realm worships strength.

Right at this moment, a jade talisman placed on the table in the room suddenly lit up.

Wei Yingying, upon seeing this, exclaimed, "Mother, Uncle Lin has returned!"

This was the Sound Transmission Talisman Lin Chang’an had kept with everyone back then.

And Lu Qingqing naturally saw it too, her aged eyes moistening with tears, trembling as she said, "Quick, notify Fan’er and the Li family, Brother Lin has returned!"

Outside Qingshui Bay Market, Li and Shen families, each with their Foundation Establishment cultivators leading their juniors, headed toward the market’s outskirts.

This scene naturally attracted many cultivators within the market, and many sharp individuals also deduced something, hastily following along.

...

Less than half an hour later, outside Qingshui Bay Market.

From afar, Lin Chang’an already saw the familiar yet unfamiliar market, along with Li Yifan leading several brothers and descendants, and Shen Fan and Wei Yingying’s figures.

And in everyone’s eyes, they naturally saw this Core Formation cultivator riding a Cyan-Horned Bull.

"Uncle Lin!"

Looking from afar, Wei Yingying, upon seeing the silhouette, couldn’t help but joyously shout.

Following her shout, others joined in.

"We greet Senior Lin!"

"Uncle Lin!"

"Greetings to Master Lin!"

"Congratulations to Grandfather Lin on achieving the cultivation of a True Pill and returning to the homeland of Yue Kingdom," Li Yifan and the direct descendants respectfully saluted.

Riding the Cyan-Horned Bull and witnessing this scene, Lin Chang’an subtly frowned.

Although he had long known that his return might cause quite a stir, he didn’t anticipate it being this grand.

"Little Junior Sister."

However, among the crowd, upon seeing the elderly woman Wei Yingying was supporting, Lin Chang’an’s expression paused. The woman’s neatly arranged hair still faintly revealed her youthful face.

And with that call of "Little Junior Sister" from Lin Chang’an, Lu Qingqing’s eyes welled with tears, and she choked, saying, "Brother Lin!"

This meeting comes after nearly fifty years of separation.

Lin Chang’an gently raised his hand, channeling a stream of profound heavenly spiritual energy into Lu Qingqing’s body, preventing her emotions from affecting her health.

"Brother Lin, you’ve achieved Core Formation. Before Shen Lie left, Erniu and the others believed that you would definitely succeed," she said with a quiver in her voice, echoing around them, while a trace of sadness flickered in Lin Chang’an’s eyes.

Indeed, he hadn’t seen his old friends one last time.

Finally, under the watchful eyes of everyone, Lin Chang’an, now a Core Formation Master, returned to Qingshui Bay accompanied by the Li Family and the Shen Family.

At the same time, the visit of a Core Formation Cultivator to Qingshui Bay caused quite a stir.

Lin Chang’an understood and could see through the Li Family and Wei Yingying’s actions of leveraging his Core Formation Cultivator status.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent them a sound transmission before coming.

Having a senior Core Formation Master, even if not a direct relative, provides convenience for the two families, outwardly, as long as he is alive.

Ordinary Cultivator Clans would not dare to easily offend them.

Lin Chang’an used this simple method to care for the younger generation and send a signal to the outside world.

...

Lin Chang’an did not go to the Li Family, but instead to Lu Lao’s former residence, where Lu Qingqing currently lived.

Having left his homeland for nearly fifty years, through their conversation, Lin Chang’an gained a better understanding of the current situation in the Yue Kingdom.

Following the fall of the Divine Sword Sect and the external betrayal of Li Huo Palace, the power of the two major sects in the Yue Kingdom either fled or defected.

Now, the Yue Kingdom, once the most prosperous among the Seven Kingdoms, is entirely under the control of the Profound Sound Pavilion. 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Of course, now the main spirit veins of the Seven Kingdoms are polluted by miasma, leading to small clans and loose cultivators remaining, with only a portion of the major sects’ powers staying behind.

"After Erniu left, Wei Buyi drank himself sick and then..."

Listening to Little Junior Sister Lu Qingqing’s words, Lin Chang’an quietly listened.

However, when Erniu left, he was smiling because he saw the establishment of the Li Family, the Immortal Cultivation Clan.

Once a lifelong ambition that led to heartbreak, a turnaround arrived when the numerous descendants led to forming the embryo of an Immortal Cultivation Clan within the Li Family.

The main family naturally consisted of Li Yifan and his full siblings, while there were many half-brothers.

Although their cultivation was not high, importantly, they could early expand and flourish.

Thus forming an embryo of an Immortal Cultivation Clan.

"Those two bickering friends, who would have thought they’d go in succession."

Regarding Li Erniu and Wei Buyi, who quarreled all their lives, yet left one after the other, Lin Chang’an shook his head.

And Shen Lie, following the departure of his old friends, he too left with a smile one winter.

From the old group of friends, only Lu Qingqing remains.

Among them, only Lu Qingqing was the youngest, but the weariness she now carried showed Lin Chang’an that his Little Junior Sister was also reaching her life’s end.

She likely won’t last through this year.

"Brother Lin, I never thought you’d really achieve Core Formation."

At Lu Lao’s former residence, Lu Qingqing, full of smiles, looked at Lin Chang’an achieving Core Formation, and her eyes shone with pride.

Having a Core Formation Cultivator friend is enough in life, providing the means to protect future generations.

"Yes, I didn’t expect it either. Back then, it was just unwillingness that drove me, and I never truly thought I’d succeed in Core Formation," Lin Chang’an said with a melancholic sigh. Indeed, in the Immortal Cultivation Realm, geniuses exist, yet opportunities are always unpredictable.

They talked for a long time, and Lu Qingqing recounted the old days and everyday life of everyone after he left. Although he missed them at times, they all lived well.

Lin Chang’an listened with a smile, sharing his experiences in the Demon Beast Abyss.

To outsiders, this was perhaps his legendary journey, while to old friends, it revealed the inherent dangers.

Opportunities and risks always come hand in hand.

"Brother Lin, do you remember the first gathering at the Gathering Immortals Tower, Sister Yun..." Lu Qingqing laughed and spoke, with Lin Chang’an realizing this clever Little Junior Sister likely guessed Yun Yao was still alive long ago.

After all, there were many hints back then, like Shen Fan and Wei Yingying’s wedding, where he delivered a Dual Cultivation Secret Technique on behalf of Yun Yao, something he couldn’t have easily obtained at the time.

"In fact, from that time, I could see that Sister Yun had feelings for you, Brother Lin..."

Listening to Lu Qingqing share secrets only known among old friends, Lin Chang’an nodded with a light smile.

This sense of ease is likely the last of its kind.