Su Qing nodded, then walked up to her, placing a hand on her cheek. "Yes, I'm here to take you away today. What is it? Are you going to refuse to come with me like last time? What's the reason this time?"
In truth, the last time Su Qing had come to visit Bai Yuhe, she had already proposed taking her away to cultivate as an immortal.
And the time before that, and the time before that... she had mentioned it countless times.
She had lost track of how many times she had brought it up.
It was just that every time, Bai Yuhe would find a reason to refuse, or rather, to delay...
Su Qing was naturally very indulgent toward those close to her. Seeing her friend like this, she hadn't forced her.
As a result, one delay led to another, until they had reached this point.
It had reached a stage where Su Qing felt utterly helpless.
Anyone else would be beyond excited to learn they could cultivate for immortality, wishing they could start immediately. Yet Bai Yuhe was different; despite Su Qing reminding her countless times, she always acted as if there were no rush at all.
Su Qing simply couldn't understand it—she couldn't understand it at all.
Hearing Su Qing's words, Bai Yuhe gave a helpless smile and said, "Can I keep making excuses? To be honest, I still can't let go..."
Upon hearing this, Su Qing let out a long, weary sigh. "No! This time, no matter what you plan, you must come with me. This child... she's already doing very well. Even if you continue to teach her, there's nothing left for her to learn from you."
In the past, Su Qing certainly wouldn't have refused her...
But now, things were different.
Time no longer allowed her to keep dragging this out.
If they continued like this, Bai Yuhe's body would eventually reach a point beyond recovery.
"Do you even remember how old you are? Although your appearance has never changed and your physical functions don't seem to have declined, that is merely the effect of the Youth-Preserving Pill. You haven't attained longevity... your time simply hasn't come yet. But it's close; in a few more years, your time will be up. I can no longer allow you to be so headstrong."
Su Qing spoke with a tone that brooked no argument.
Clearly, there was no room for further delay this time.
Hearing this, Bai Yuhe smiled helplessly and said, "Aren't there still a few years left?"
"It's not enough. I don't want to wait until you've completely withered before I take you away." Su Qing shook her head and gave a wry smile. "So, don't even think about it."
Bai Yuhe let out a soft sigh and finally nodded.
In truth, she had already anticipated this. She knew Su Qing wouldn't give her another chance to make excuses or stall.
The reason she had wanted to try one last time was simply because she held onto a sliver of hope.
After all, one had to try; what if... it worked?
"I understand. Since that's the case... once I've finished handing everything over, I'll go with you!" Bai Yuhe looked at her daughter and said, "Don't worry, it won't take much time. At most, a day or two."
Su Qing nodded. "A day or two is something I can wait for. Properly settle your final affairs! After this, there won't be many chances to return."
These words made Bai Yuhe freeze for a moment, but she nodded helplessly. She then turned to her daughter and said:
"I'm sorry. It seems I must leave. I probably won't be able to help you after this, so the rest is up to you. I hope you've remembered everything I've taught you. Also... I'm actually quite satisfied with you. In the end, it was just my own inability to set my mind at ease."
With her departure imminent, Bai Yuhe finally said something sensible to the child.
Su Qing watched from the side, saying nothing, only smiling.
She then waited quietly for Bai Yuhe to completely hand over all her affairs.
In reality, there wasn't much left for Bai Yuhe to transfer.
Because she had stepped away from the center of power long ago, ceding most of the authority to her daughter.
Therefore, most things had already been handed over.
What remained was primarily the transfer of certain powers she had previously held onto, as well as clearing out some people who would be inconvenient for her daughter to deal with.
There were some things that were far more convenient for her, the old queen, to do than for her daughter.
Two days was not a long time for Su Qing.
It was just a bit boring.
Yes, even though it would take a day or two, Su Qing didn't leave to wait elsewhere. She stayed right there, watching.
Even though she knew Bai Yuhe had given up on delaying further, she still couldn't feel at ease with this troublesome woman.
Staying here to keep an eye on her was much better than leaving her to her own devices.
The two days passed quickly.
By the time that period was over, everything Bai Yuhe needed to arrange and do was more or less finished.
This morning, after settling the very last detail, Bai Yuhe was finally able to leave with Su Qing.
Before they departed, Su Qing looked at Bai Yuhe and asked with a beaming smile, "There's nothing else left now, right?"
Hearing this, Bai Yuhe gave a light laugh, shook her head, and replied:
"There's nothing left. Although... I do wish there were more. After all, I truly can't let go of this place."
"Regrettably, I can't let you be headstrong anymore."
Su Qing said calmly:
"Let's go. It's time to return to the Changbai Mountains. In a few days, I will find a longevity pill for you as soon as possible... Although it might not extend your life by much, it should be enough for you to enter the next realm."
Su Qing had her own plans; Bai Yuhe didn't need to worry too much about that.
Since Su Qing was taking her away, everything else had already been arranged or planned for.
Upon hearing this, Bai Yuhe nodded and said, "Don't worry, I'm not in a hurry... If you really can't find one, then just let me come back to this city and live out my final days."
Su Qing shook her head at Bai Yuhe's words. "No! Because there won't be any accidents! So, you won't have that chance."
Hearing this, Bai Yuhe smiled and said nothing more.
Su Qing shook her head slightly, then pinched a hand seal and steered the Somersault Cloud toward the Northern Continent.
Su Qing slowed her speed considerably so that Bai Yuhe could look at the scenery along the way and have a chance to properly release her thoughts.
In this way, the Somersault Cloud, which could have arrived in a very short time, took a full half-day to reach the Northern Continent.
By the time they arrived at the domain, the sky had already dimmed. It wouldn't be long before the sun set!
Fortunately, there wasn't much for Su Qing to do upon returning home, and someone had already prepared the food.
Su Qing landed in the courtyard.
A maid came forward to greet her, saying, "Miss Tingtong has asked where Master was many times..."
During the few days Su Qing was away, the person who missed her most was undoubtedly her daughter, Su Tingtong.
Su Qing gave a light laugh and said, "Mhm, I know. Once I've handled the matters at hand, I'll go see her. But that girl really is something—I've only been gone for a few days, so why is she constantly mentioning me?"
The dragon girl maid replied, "She likely just misses Master! She has always been the most clingy toward you."
That was the truth. Su Tingtong was most attached to Su Qing, followed by Bai Suzhen. As for others, her attitude was generally indifferent.
She was only reasonably close to her two sisters.
However, it didn't reach the level of her attachment to Su Qing.
Su Qing chuckled and asked, "Alright, how is the room I asked you to tidy up a few days ago?"
"In response to Master, it was naturally prepared long ago." The dragon girl maid nodded and said, "This lady can move in whenever she wishes..."
Su Qing nodded in satisfaction. "That's good... In that case, you go about your business. I'll take Yuhe there myself."
The dragon girl maid naturally had no objections. She nodded and went back to her work.
Su Qing then led Bai Yuhe to the room.
"The room isn't very large, so I'll have to ask you to make do for now," Su Qing said with a helpless smile.
The room wasn't actually that small, about sixty or seventy square meters, but compared to the places Bai Yuhe was used to living, it was naturally much humbler.
However, there was no other way. It wasn't convenient for Su Qing to renovate it.
Even though she had been the Acting Guardian here for who knows how many years, this was still someone else's domain after all. She couldn't just do whatever she wanted...
And the most important point was...
Su Qing didn't know how she should renovate it anyway.
When it came to her living quarters, her requirements were truly minimal.
Upon hearing this, Bai Yuhe shook her head and said, "A room like this is already very good. I'm not picky... Besides, this is a place where immortals live. How can a mortal like me feel wronged by staying here?"
Su Qing shook her head and said, "No, you will soon become an immortal as well."
Hearing this, Bai Yuhe only smiled and said, "Become an immortal... I was an immortal once in a past life, but... it wasn't as wonderful as one might imagine."
What Bai Yuhe said was naturally true...
She truly didn't have that much of a craving to become an immortal.
Because she had been one before, she knew there was nothing particularly special about it.
Immortals still died; they just lived longer.
The only benefit to becoming an immortal, she supposed, was being able to stay with Su Qing for longer.
That was her only reason for being willing to become an immortal and seek longevity.
Hearing this, Su Qing gave a helpless smile and said, "Don't worry, it won't be like that lifetime. You'll live here from now on. You can go anywhere you want within this domain; just be careful not to touch anything dangerous. If you really want to see something, just tell me. You can wait for me, or I can ask someone to take you. Don't go off recklessly."
Bai Yuhe smiled and said, "I'm not a three-year-old child; how could something like that happen? More importantly, aren't you going to see your daughter? Doesn't that child miss you? Let's go! I want to see that girl again too. I'm quite fond of Tingtong myself!"
Bai Yuhe didn't intend to continue the previous topic, so she quickly changed it.
Although the transition was a bit stiff, it didn't matter to her as long as she could end that subject.
Of course, her desire to see Su Tingtong wasn't fake, and her fondness for the girl was very real.
After all, the child was just too adorable...
Then again, would anyone really dislike a daughter like her?
Su Qing let out a sigh and nodded. "Very well, let's go. That child is probably waiting like crazy."
Bai Yuhe also broke into a smile...
She nodded and said, "Let's go!"
Su Qing and Bai Yuhe walked out of the room and into the courtyard, intending to find Su Tingtong.
But before Su Qing could find her, Su Tingtong found her first.
The little one had been hiding somewhere. Just as Su Qing stepped out of the room, she was hugged from behind.
"Hehehe, was Mother scared?" Su Tingtong asked with a beaming smile.
Su Qing tapped her on the head and said, "I wasn't scared, just a bit surprised. When were you hiding there, you little rascal?"
Many years had passed, and although Su Tingtong had grown a bit, her growth rate was quite slow... at least in terms of height.
However, there was nothing surprising about that.
After all, no matter how one looked at it, this child was the offspring of a demon, and her lifespan was naturally much longer than that of a mortal.
It wasn't strange for her to grow slowly.
Of course, while she grew slowly physically, she was incredibly fast at learning things. In thirty years, she had mastered countless spells and techniques, learning half of Su Qing's entire repertoire.
During this time, the girl had also learned many of Laojun's skills and Old Mother's spells...
As well as some special techniques from other immortals.
This child...
Could be described as quite extraordinary.
She left everyone in awe.
Naturally, although the child was a genius and acted quite maturely in front of outsiders, she still showed her most childish side in front of Su Qing.
She played with Su Qing with the purest attitude of a child.
However, though she was childish, this girl was clearly much better than Yudie and the other one.
After all, while she was childish, she was also exceptionally obedient and, more importantly, reliable...
One could only say she truly lived up to being a little genius.
Because of this, Yudie and her sister were often lectured by their mother...
Despite all being children of the same family, one of them had become the 'perfect child' used as a point of comparison.
It was truly quite something.
Fortunately, the relationship between the three sisters hadn't soured because of it...
Lectures were lectures, but everyone's relationship remained as good as ever.
This allowed Su Qing to breathe a huge sigh of relief.
She had been worried that there might be discord among the sisters.
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