Chapter 254 - 190: Shocked Old Acquaintances, Passion in a Familiar Place

That single address, "Daoist," silenced the entire Qinghe Marketplace for a moment.

Nearly every Cultivator stopped what they were doing.

They could, of course, recognize the voice.

That aged voice belonged to the Zheng Family’s Ancestor, Zheng Yuandao.

For Zheng Yuandao to address someone as "Daoist," they must naturally be another Foundation Establishment cultivator.

However...

What did he mean by "return" in his words?

Could it be that this Foundation Establishment elder had once lived in Qinghe Marketplace?

The crowd turned to look toward the horizon, their eyes filled with a mixture of confusion and awe, eager to catch a glimpse of this Foundation Establishment Powerhouse’s true face.

Among them, a few wore complex expressions.

"Could it be him?"

"Who?"

"Li Chang’an!"

"Not long ago, news of his Foundation Establishment just came back from Yellow Crane Immortal City."

"The one who reached Foundation Establishment is really him? Could it be someone else with the same name?"

"..."

In the Marketplace, quite a few people knew Li Chang’an.

People like Luo Kun, Wang Hu, Chen Yuanshan, and so on...

Back then, when Li Chang’an left, he hadn’t told anyone for safety reasons.

He vanished overnight as if he had evaporated into thin air, never to be seen again.

Later, bits of news trickled back, indicating that he had gone to Yellow Crane Immortal City and was doing well for himself there.

However, more than ten years passed, and he never returned.

The name Li Chang’an was gradually forgotten by everyone, fading into the long river of time.

That was until, not long ago, news of an Independent Practitioner Foundation Establishment suddenly arrived from Yellow Crane Immortal City, reminding them of Li Chang’an.

’Could it really be that kid, Li Chang’an? His talent was worse than mine, yet he actually managed to reach Foundation Establishment?’

Luo Kun still lived next door to Li Chang’an’s old residence.

He looked much older than he had ten-plus years ago, his hair and beard completely white. He gazed at the horizon and muttered to himself.

Suddenly, two familiar figures appeared in his line of sight.

One of them was, to his shock, Li Chang’an!

"It’s him! It’s really him!"

...

「Returning to Qinghe.」

Li Chang’an looked at the familiar Marketplace before him, his heart filled with a thousand emotions.

In this Marketplace, he had completed his transformation from a mortal into a Cultivator, set foot on the long Immortal Path, and endured his weakest period of time.

The hardships and struggles of those years were as clear as if they had happened yesterday.

Now, he no longer had to depend on others. He had his own Dao field and had become a Foundation Establishment Ancestor looked up to by countless Loose Cultivators.

"We’re back."

"Yes, we’re back."

Zheng Qingqing’s bright eyes were like water, her expression gentle. Dressed in a long, turquoise-green dress, she looked just as she had back then.

From within the Marketplace, an aged figure rose into the air, his body suffused with the Magical Power of the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment.

It was none other than Zheng Yuandao.

Beaming, he flew to the outskirts of the Marketplace to personally welcome them.

"Daoist Li, I have long heard of your name. It is a pleasure to finally meet you today."

"Elder Zheng."

Li Chang’an smiled.

Ever since he first arrived at the Marketplace, he had heard of this Zheng Family Ancestor’s prestigious reputation.

In the past, he was just a minor Qi Refining Junior Cultivator, unable to withstand even a wisp of the aura emanated by a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse.

Today, he could already converse with Zheng Yuandao with complete composure.

Zheng Yuandao cupped his hands and said, "Daoist Li, please, let us speak in the main hall."

"Very well!"

The three of them entered the Marketplace together and descended upon the Zheng Family’s grand residence in the center.

Outside the main hall.

Numerous Zheng Family disciples were lined up on both sides, their expressions respectful and slightly tense as they welcomed Li Chang’an, a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse with a different surname.

Li Chang’an’s gaze swept over them, and he saw many familiar faces.

For instance, Zheng Yunting, Zheng Songfeng, and others...

The swift passage of more than a decade had added a touch of age to these old acquaintances.

Zheng Ling’er stood in a corner, her expression complicated.

She no longer looked like the young girl she once was, having gained a more mature air. Looking at the still-youthful Li Chang’an, her heart was a whirlwind of emotions.

’He’s already at Foundation Establishment...’

Back then, Zheng Qingqing had tried to set her up with Li Chang’an.

But at that time, she had been arrogant and proud, looking down on a Loose Cultivator like Li Chang’an. She believed he would never reach Foundation Establishment in his lifetime and only wanted a Daoist companion who had a chance of doing so.

Now, Li Chang’an had returned, having reached Foundation Establishment.

The powerful Foundation Establishment aura that swept past her seemed to be mocking her shortsightedness from all those years ago.

Regret welled up in Zheng Ling’er’s heart, and she slowly lowered her head.

In her current state, she didn’t even have the right to speak with Li Chang’an, let alone become his Daoist companion.

What was lost could never be recovered.

Just then, Zheng Qingqing’s Sound Transmission echoed in her ear.

"Ling’Er, the one who saved you and your grandfather back then was Daoist Li."

"What?"

Zheng Ling’er’s head snapped up, and she stared blankly at Li Chang’an’s back as he entered the main hall.

She had assumed that Li Chang’an had stumbled upon some great opportunity in Yellow Crane Immortal City, allowing him to make a meteoric rise and become a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator.

But now it seemed that even back in Qinghe Marketplace, Li Chang’an’s strength had already far surpassed her imagination!

How laughable that she hadn’t seen it at all, instead assuming it was some old elder on friendly terms with the Zheng Family.

"Li Chang’an..."

Zheng Ling’er’s eyes turned red, her mind a tangled mess. She felt as if she were about to be consumed by vexation and regret.

If time could turn back, if she could do it all over again.

She would definitely make a different choice.

...

「Inside the main hall.」

Li Chang’an took a seat.

Composed and at ease, he began to discuss the path of cultivation after Foundation Establishment with Zheng Yuandao.

Zheng Yuandao was an elder, after all, with high Cultivation and vast experience. His words about his own Cultivation Insights were of great help to Li Chang’an.

In the end, he solemnly invited Li Chang’an to join the Zheng Family.

But Li Chang’an politely refused, stating that he only wished to be a carefree Loose Cultivator.

"Daoist Li, for people like you and me, reaching Foundation Establishment is already quite difficult. Taking another step forward is next to impossible. Why not focus on managing a family and nurturing the next generation?"

Zheng Yuandao explained his philosophy on cultivation.