Chapter 2456

Ouyang Tianyun stood slightly stunned, yet she knew that Zhu Yanyi’s words reflected her own inner thoughts.

She could not simply accept her as her sister. Although she had felt a sense of familiarity upon meeting her, it was a resonance deep within the soul, not a bond of blood and bone. Thus, she had not thought further, treating her only as a younger sister to care for. She never imagined she truly was her sister. Regrettably, now she could be considered only half a sister.

As a cultivator, Ouyang Tianyun was naturally open-minded. However, even an open mind required time to accept such a truth. He let out a laugh mixed with sighs, saying, "I never thought you would be my little sister."

"Actually, when I first learned the truth, I was also surprised," Zhu Yanyi said with a smile. "I even felt that whether we acknowledged it or not did not matter. Our current relationship as senior and junior martial siblings is sufficient."

Although they were not flesh-and-blood relatives, the closeness of their souls remained.

Ouyang Tianyun asked, "If so, why tell me today?"

Zhu Yanyi replied, "I told you so you can begin the process of acceptance. I have been Zhu Yanyi for many years. Even if I was once Su Wen, I am Zhu Yanyi now. The shadow of Su Wen will never appear on me."

Because she was Zhu Yanyi, even possessing Su Wen’s memories—or rather, knowing everything about Su Wen’s past—it held no other significance for her current self. It was merely knowledge.

Emotions require daily cultivation. The bond between Zhu Yanyi and Ouyang Tianyun as martial siblings was nurtured during their time at the Sage Academy. Having grown accustomed to interacting as senior and junior siblings, suddenly switching to brother and sister would feel awkward.

"You are truly the reincarnation of Little Sister Su Wen?" Ouyang Tianyun still looked somewhat incredulous.

She did not doubt it, nor did she need to. First, the Immortal Emperor would not deceive her. The Immortal Emperor had sent her here, clearly aware of the relationship between Zhu Yanyi and her.

Ouyang Tianyun pondered, understanding the Immortal Emperor’s arrangement.

Zhu Yanyi was alive, but Su Wen no longer existed. Yet, Zhu Yanyi and Su Wen were the same person. Even if their souls were identical, their different living environments and learned skills meant they were not the same person. Their bodies were different, and they lacked past memories.

It was better to interact as they were now than to force Zhu Yanyi to admit she was Su Wen, her sister.

Extending this logic to himself, he was no longer the son of the Shen family. Even if Ouyang Tianyun possessed the memories of the Shen family’s son, he was no longer that person. He was Ouyang Tianyun.

What would happen when she met Ling Shu? Ling Shu still retained her memories and had not yet reincarnated. However, she was now a demon. Humans and demons walked different paths; living together again was impossible.

According to what the Immortal Emperor had revealed, Ling Shu was destined to reincarnate. The reincarnated Ling Shu would naturally lack her current memories.

In that case, everyone would eventually part ways. If so, what was the point of his persistent search for his two sisters?

Ouyang Tianyun unconsciously voiced this question.

Zhu Yanyi listened and said calmly, "Actually, this is not a problem. The answer lies in your heart."

Zhu Yanyi casually took out an apple and took a bite. "You understand better than anyone. You seek Ling Shu and Su Wen because it is your vow. For a cultivator, if a great vow is not fulfilled, one cannot break through. This would hinder your cultivation path."

Speaking of this, Zhu Yanyi had to admire the Immortal Emperor. She truly cared for Ouyang Tianyun; otherwise, she would not have sent her here now.

The main reason for sending her to find her now was to let her slowly accept a reality: after reincarnation, both Ling Shu and Su Wen would become the past. The new lives born from reincarnation would not be called Ling Shu or Su Wen.

Once Ouyang Tianyun understood this, she would know how to interact with Zhu Yanyi and the soon-to-be-reincarnated Ling Shu. Even if this was the last time she saw Ling Shu, Ouyang Tianyun would leave no regrets.

Ouyang Tianyun pondered silently. Zhu Yanyi and Yan Aohan did not disturb him.

At this moment, a goat demon entered, carrying a basket filled with fresh plants. "Is the young mistress of the Yan family here?"

"Come in," Zhu Yanyi said. She tapped her finger lightly, and the formation in the courtyard ceased to operate.

The goat demon entered and greeted Zhu Yanyi. "Greetings, young mistress. These are plants my sisters and I found in the mountains. We did not know if they were useful, but someone nearby said they were medicinal herbs, so we brought them to you."

"Let me see," Zhu Yanyi said. She accepted medicinal herbs here. Basically, she accepted any herb, and in return, she usually gave pills to the demons who delivered them.

Zhu Yanyi had plenty of pills. Moreover, the pills she gave were ordinary ones, so she did not mind at all.

Zhu Yanyi examined them and smiled. "These are Qianjin Teng (Thousand-Gold Vine). They are indeed medicinal herbs. For this basket, I will give you one Yuanling Pill."

"Thank you, young mistress," the goat demon said, overjoyed.

Life as a demon was not easy. Daily cultivation required many pills. However, the alchemists in the city were arrogant. They would not trade pills for such ordinary herbs. Not even pill dregs would they give.

Zhu Yanyi, however, was always generous. She told them the names and uses of the herbs and accepted them. Even for ordinary herbs, she gave a pill. Therefore, they were very willing to go into the mountains to gather herbs in their free time.

"You are welcome. Bring any herbs you find. I usually need them," Zhu Yanyi said gently.

"Okay, okay. Then we will leave you to your work. I take my leave," the goat demon thanked her and left.

Zhu Yanyi closed the door again. Ignoring Ouyang Tianyun, who was still deep in thought, she said to Yan Aohan, "It seems no patients will appear today."

Yan Aohan nodded. "You have been busy for a while. Now that you have time, you should rest well."