Reversing the Milky Way

At this moment, Wei Ran stared at the painting and slowly said, "Don't you think she looks a lot like someone?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Muwan also asked, "Who is it?"

Wei Ran walked up to the portrait and said, "Miss, you may not know, but the person in this portrait is none other than Lin Mengxue, the Ice Crystal Fairy of the Qingyun Sect. I saw her thirty years ago. At that time, Lin Mengxue was exceptionally talented. At only twenty years old, she had already reached the late stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, surpassing many geniuses in the Huoyun Kingdom. In the following two years, she reached the Great Perfection of the Qi Condensation Realm. The emperor of the Huoyun Kingdom wanted to keep Lin Mengxue and offered very tempting conditions, but Lin Mengxue politely declined. Lin Mengxue was not only exceptionally talented but also incredibly beautiful, attracting countless suitors at the time. Even many royal princes pursued her, but Lin Mengxue had no interest in romantic relationships and returned to the Yun Kingdom. As for recently, I've heard that she has reached the late stage of the Meridian Opening Realm and has become the Holy Maiden of the Qingyun Sect."

After hearing this, Bai Muwan frowned slightly. "Late stage of the Meridian Opening Realm, isn't that even more powerful than my father?"

Upon hearing these words, Bai Cheng subconsciously remarked, "According to you, wouldn't the woman in the portrait be a fifty-year-old woman by now?"

After he finished speaking, Bai Muwan and his two guards looked at Bai Cheng as if he were a fool. Bai Cheng was somewhat bewildered by this scene.

"What? Am I wrong?"

At this moment, Wei Ran spoke up: "Brother Bai Cheng, are you really from the Nebula Continent?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Cheng knew that his words had once again touched on his blind spot.

Then, Wei Ran continued, "Once a cultivator reaches the Great Perfection of the Qi Condensation Realm, their lifespan will be two hundred years. If they reach the Great Perfection of the Meridian Opening Realm, their lifespan can reach four hundred years. If they can reach the Sea Connecting Realm, they can reverse aging, remain young forever, and their lifespan can reach seven hundred years."

After listening to Wei Ran's words, Bai Cheng's eyes widened in disbelief. Having been in this world for so long, this was the first time he had ever heard that cultivating immortality could lead to longevity. No wonder, since the various online novels he read on Blue Star said that cultivating immortality could indeed lead to longevity, but those were just fictional. Hearing such words with his own ears, he couldn't help but feel excited. After all, who doesn't want to live a long life?

At this moment, Yu Qing'an, who had heard the commotion, came out from the inner room. "Bai Cheng, who is it?"

Upon hearing the voice, Bai Muwan looked over, her face instantly filled with excitement: "Uncle! Is it really you?!"

Yu Qing'an was stunned upon hearing this, then stared at Bai Muwan with disbelief. "You are?!"

"It's me! I'm Wooden Bowl!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Qing'an's eyes widened: "Wooden Bowl? You're Wooden Bowl!?" Bai Cheng, standing to the side, was somewhat surprised: "Uncle? Yu Qing'an is Bai Wooden Bowl's uncle? Although I had doubts about Yu Qing'an's identity, I never expected that Uncle Yu would actually be a member of the Bai family."

Then, Yu Qing'an carefully examined the white wooden bowl in front of him and said, "I never imagined that the little girl from back then would grow into such a beautiful young lady. Is my father well?"

"Uncle, my father is doing well lately, and he's about to break through to the late stage of the Meridian Opening Realm."

After hearing this, Yu Qing'an sighed deeply, "Alas... things have changed."

After saying that, Bai Muwan asked, "Uncle, why have you lived here all these years? And what's the story behind your cultivation level?"

After speaking, Yu Qing'an told Bai Muwan the general events that had happened over the years. Bai Muwan was taken aback after listening.

"So Yueling really is my cousin?"

At this point, she glanced at Bai Cheng beside her. "What about Bai Cheng?"

Yu Qing'an then looked at Bai Cheng and immediately said, "Bai Cheng is just surnamed Bai; he fled from a very far place."

At this point, Yu Qing'an asked with a hint of doubt, "Didn't your grandfather tell you anything about me? I remember going back once before."

Upon hearing this, Bai Muwan replied, "I don't know about that. I only know that Grandpa said that you eloped with a woman of unknown origin, Uncle. It's really true. Why did Aunt leave young Yueling behind and leave you here alone, Uncle?"

After saying that, Yu Qing'an's expression turned troubled, because his wife had once said that even the emperor of Huoyun Kingdom could not help her, let alone the Bai family. Then, Yu Qing'an said, "She had no choice. I don't blame her. I just hope she is alright."

Hearing this, Bai Muwan sighed and said, "Alas, it's a pity I've never seen what your aunt looks like. I really want to know what kind of woman she is that could make you, Uncle, elope with her."

After hearing this, Yu Qing'an went to the painting in the middle of the hall. At this moment, Bai Muwan exclaimed in surprise, "No way!" But before she could finish her surprise, Yu Qing'an took down the painting, revealing another painting that was being hidden behind it.

She was an extremely alluring woman. Although she was dressed simply, her captivating eyes seemed to be able to see right through people's souls.

When Bai Cheng saw the painting, he exclaimed in surprise, "There's another painting hidden behind this one! Could this be Yue Ling's mother?"

After he finished speaking, he noticed that the woman's eyes in the painting were exactly the same as Yue Ling's back then.

Then, Yu Qing'an took down the scroll and placed it in front of everyone.

Bai Muwan exclaimed in amazement, "As expected of your aunt, although she is dressed simply, her temperament is completely different, and her appearance is stunning. No wonder she has captivated my uncle so much that he doesn't even come home."

At this moment, Bai Cheng also asked in confusion, "Uncle Yu, what is your real name?"

"My real name is Shirakawa Kai, but you can still call me Yu Qing'an."

After speaking, Bai Muwan walked up to Yu Qing'an.

"Uncle, aren't you going back to the family? Once you return, your cultivation will recover quickly. Yueling should go back with you too. With her talent, the family will definitely focus on nurturing her. Perhaps her future achievements will surpass those of our great-grandfather."

Upon hearing this, Yu Qing'an shook his head and said, "No, the time that Yue Ling's mother agreed to is approaching, and I must wait for her here."

As soon as he finished speaking, they heard a commotion outside the gate. Following the noise, the group went to the gate and opened it to find two men dressed in matching clothes, who appeared to be from a sect, standing outside, followed by several villagers.

Upon seeing the newcomers, Bai Cheng asked, "Who are you?"

The two people outside the door looked superior. One of them said, "I heard that your family has a girl with exceptional talent. The elders specially sent the two of us down the mountain to recruit her into the sect."

After listening, Bai Cheng and the others exchanged glances and remained silent. Seeing this, another man said, "What's with those expressions? Hurry up and thank us. You know, this kind of destiny isn't easy to come by."

After speaking, Yu Qing'an replied, "Then may I ask which sect you gentlemen belong to?" The two exchanged a smile and said, "Listen carefully, we are disciples of the Crimson Soul Sect!"

After he finished speaking, several villagers who were watching nearby began to discuss it.

Villager No. 1: "Isn't the Crimson Soul Sect the sect located in the eastern part of the Cloudfall Mountains?"

Villager #2: "Yes, I heard it's at least 300 li away from Yujia Village."

Villager #1: "Why is the Crimson Soul Sect accepting disciples here?"

Ignoring the whispers of the surrounding villagers.

Wei Ran, standing to the side, said, "I thought you were from some other sect. Turns out you're from the Crimson Soul Sect. I heard your sect has developed a pill that can turn people into demons, which has already been resisted by righteous cultivators. You still have the nerve to come to the village to recruit disciples?"

Upon hearing this, one of the two Crimson Soul Sect members immediately revealed a fierce glint in his eyes. "What did you say? You dare to slander our Crimson Soul Sect? You're courting death!"

After saying that, the man drew the long sword from his waist and slashed straight at Wei Ran. Upon seeing this, Wei Ran neither dodged nor evaded, but instead channeled his spiritual energy to form a golden spiritual energy barrier in front of him, blocking the attack.

Then, the attacker was sent flying.

Upon seeing this, the other person also stared intently at Wei Ran and said, "You're actually a cultivator! No wonder you dare to be so arrogant."

After saying that, he directly summoned a long sword from his storage bag, then channeled his spiritual power and slashed at Wei Ran with the sword blade formed by his spiritual power.

Upon seeing this, Wei Ran clenched his right fist, and as he gathered his strength, a golden fist shadow appeared behind him. Then, he suddenly threw a punch, and the golden fist shadow burst forth, striking towards the incoming sword blade.

The fist and the incoming sword collided, generating a huge fluctuation of spiritual energy. Even the villagers watching the scene were shaken and forced to retreat.

The golden fist shadow didn't stop after shattering the sword blade, but continued to attack the Crimson Soul Sect member. Upon seeing this, the man quickly raised his longsword to protect himself. Although he used all his strength to block, the fist shadow still sent him flying when it hit him, landing heavily on the ground.

Then, he staggered to his feet, staring fiercely at Wei Ran and said, "I didn't expect you to be at the mid-stage of the Qi Condensation Realm. Do you dare to state your name?"

Upon hearing this, Bai Muwan stepped forward and said, "Bai family, Bai Muwan."

Upon hearing this, the member of the Crimson Soul Sect narrowed his eyes and said coldly, "So you're from the Bai family of White Maple City. I'll remember that. You'll all just wait and see."

"Junior brother, let's go."

After saying that, the two helped each other leave.

At this moment, the surrounding villagers exclaimed in surprise, "Isn't this the immortal from before? How come he's in Yu Qing'an's house?"

Ignoring the surrounding villagers' comments and after the earlier incident, the group closed the door and returned to the courtyard.

At this moment, Bai Cheng asked, "They said they were from a sect, are they here to recruit?"

Yu Qing'an's expression turned solemn after hearing this, and he slowly said, "I didn't expect the news to spread so quickly. In less than a day, the news has already reached the Crimson Soul Sect, which is 300 miles away."

After saying that, Bai Muwan also said with a serious expression, "Uncle, why don't we let Yueling go to the clan? Staying in this village might cause some trouble, and it might even implicate the villagers."

Upon hearing this, Yu Qing'an lowered his head and began to think.

Bai Cheng then asked from the side, "Is it that serious? If we don't go, are they going to just rob us?"

Hearing this, Bai Muwan said, "This situation is indeed rare, because the foundation of a sect is unimaginable. Even the lowest-ranking third-rate sect is not comparable to some aristocratic families. However, fortunately, the royal family of Huoyun Kingdom stipulates that there will be a cultivator guarding each village. Even if his cultivation level is not high, his presence represents the village and is protected by the Surveillance Bureau. Therefore, ordinary third-rate sects do not dare to act recklessly."

After hearing this, Yu Qing'an slowly said, "That's right, so I have other plans for Ling'er's matter."

Upon hearing this, Bai Muwan sighed and said, "Since Uncle is determined, I will not try to persuade him any further."

After exchanging pleasantries, Bai Muwan and the others arranged for Wei Ran to stay there temporarily, while they returned to Xue Fu Restaurant in Wuling Town with Wei Tao.

After Bai Muwan left, Yu Qing'an asked Wei Ran, who was standing to the side, "That's surprising. How did you recognize me? I don't think I've ever seen you before."

Upon hearing this, Wei Ran replied, "Many years ago, I met you once. Wei Tao and I are brothers. Twenty-five years ago, my brother Wei Tao and I joined the city lord's guard. At that time, the city lord was still the old city lord of the Bai family, Bai Muxuan. I saw you among the candidates for the next city lord. Everyone said you were the best candidate, but later we heard that you disappeared for a while while chasing a fleeing demon general. We all thought you had met with misfortune. But unexpectedly, when you reappeared..." It was a year later. When the old city lord learned you were alright, he was overjoyed for quite some time. However, the city lord election had already concluded, and later I heard the news of your departure from the Bai family. After that, rumors began circulating in Baifeng City about you, saying you left the Bai family because you didn't get the position of city lord. At that time, I had just entered the early stage of the Qi Condensation Realm, and was later transferred by the current city lord, Bai Zhenhai, to the Bai family's own guard. Later still, I was assigned to protect Miss.

After hearing these words, Yu Qing'an couldn't help but recall the day he returned to his family.