I didn't expect that I was the heartthrob.

When the two heard the laughter, they turned around and saw a lively girl wearing Tianyin Sect's clothes jumping down from the tree.

That was Baoyin. She had come here at some point, but the two of them were so engrossed in their conversation that she didn't notice him at all.

"What are you doing here?" Baoyin ran to Gu Lan happily, pulled Gu Lan's eyes and looked at Ah Xiu, and asked enthusiastically: "This sister is so beautiful, sister, which sect are you from?"

Seeing Ah Xiu dressed in Miao clothes, Baoyin roughly guessed that she must be a disciple of Master Hongmei from southern Xinjiang.

Seeing Baoyin asking, Ah Xiu turned her head to look at her.

The two were of similar age, but there was a big difference in height. Ah Xiu was tall, while Bao Yin was half a head shorter.

Looking at each other, they found that they were both smart, cheerful and lively, and they couldn't help but feel a lot of favor for each other.

Ah Xiu passed Gu Lan and pulled Bao Yin, "My name is Ah Xiu, I'm from Southern Xinjiang, what about you?"

Baoyin's eyes lit up. "My name is Baoyin, and I'm from the Tianyin Sect. I heard that there are many rare animals and exotic flowers in the southern border, and the Tianchan Golden Silk Bamboo is very magical. If I can get one to make a magic weapon for you, it would be great."

Ah Xiu smiled, "If you say so, I'll bring you a few when I go back. Behind Master's Bixiao Stone Mansion are all Tianchan Golden Bamboo. When spring comes, golden bamboo shoots emerge from the ground, tender and fresh. Dig a basket of them, cut them into pieces, boil them in spiritual spring water, and add some spices. They taste delicious."

Ah Xiu was so moved by what she said that she couldn't help swallowing.

Baoyin listened carefully, and when she mentioned food, she couldn't help but feel a little regretful, "Tianyin Sect is not allowed to eat after fasting."

Ah Xiu and Gu Lan were both stunned. "Wouldn't that mean we'd miss out on a lot of delicious food?"

"Master said that eating whole grains will destroy the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, and will only create foul qi, which is not conducive to cultivation."

This is a pity.

After the three of them got to know each other, they gathered together to chat about other things, talking and laughing, and they had a very pleasant conversation until the sky turned pale before they dispersed to rest.

The next day, Ah Xiu begged Master Hongmei to stay and participate in the sect competition. Originally, Master Hongmei would not allow it, but he was called by the Xuantian Sword Sect this time just for this matter. After a night of discussion, the sect competition was basically settled.

Seeing that his disciple wanted to participate, Master Hongmei revealed some information.

After hearing this, Ah Xiu was overjoyed and hurried to Lin Bifeng to tell Gu Lan the good news.

It turned out that after this demonic disaster, all the major sects had suffered many losses, and they wanted to take this opportunity to absorb more talents, so they opened their doors to smaller sects and independent practitioners. Not only that, this sect competition was also brought forward a lot, and would only be held in a few days.

Gu Lan was also very happy when he heard this. This is good, this is fair!

Knowing that the time would come in a day or two, Gu Lan became stricter with his fellow apprentices, accompanying them every day to practice together. Seeing that his fellow apprentices had caught up with him from the beginning to the late stage of foundation building, but Gu Lan's cultivation had not improved at all, he could not help but feel extremely anxious. The more he practiced, the more impetuous he became, and he even had a knot in his heart.

Gu Lan did not dare to tell his fellow apprentices, let alone his master, so he had to digest it himself. One day, Gu Lan was still picking fairy herbs at Lin Bifeng. When he was tired, he sat by the pond and thought.

These days, she rarely lets herself go and let her thoughts wander.

I don't know how my parents will live if I die? I am the only child in the family. I graduated from college and started working. I haven't made much money in three or four years. I have to rely on my parents for help occasionally. At this time, Gu Lan secretly cursed herself for being useless, but when she went online, she found that everyone was in the same situation.

Some of the better ones may earn tens of thousands of yuan a month, and can buy a house and a car in full within two years. It would be a lie to say that I am not envious, so I feel anxious. But what is the use of being anxious? Gu Lan buried herself in the world of online literature, working while being anxious, and just reading some online novels for entertainment when she got home.

Alas, who knew that he would die suddenly.

Still remembering that when her soul left her body, Gu Lan seemed to hear a woman's heart-wrenching cry in a daze. At that time, she only felt a huge pain in her heart, as if someone was cutting it with a sharp knife, but she could not speak, otherwise she would have said something.

It has been almost a year since she came into this world, but Gu Lan still feels like she is dreaming.

Of course, pain can give her a sense of reality.

However, looking back, I feel that all this is a bit absurd. How did I end up in this world? Will I go to another world after death? Or is this another me in a parallel universe?

No matter what Gu Lan guessed, what she wanted most was to return to the modern era.

But, can I go back?

In novels, there are always strange things in forbidden places. Can one return to the modern era by going to the Soul Prisoner's Abyss? Or will one die again after going there?

But even then, it’s worth taking the risk!

Gu Lan was concentrating and letting his thoughts wander, when a person slowly emerged from the shadow of the cold pond.

He hid in the darkness, and he didn't know how long he stayed in that darkness.

That person is Jing Lian.

The disaster caused by the devil has naturally spread to the Cangwu Abyss.

Jing Lian also heard that she was abducted by the demon Gu Qi, and left the palace without hesitation, wanting to look for Gu Lan.

But his mother stopped him.

Jing Lian looked at his mother's hateful eyes and felt very embarrassed.

Many years ago, my young mother fell in love with a cultivator.

At that time, the mother obtained a magic potion, exchanged it for a pair of human legs, and went to the shore to marry the immortal cultivator. However, she didn't know that the immortal cultivator actually abandoned her in the end.

In anger, the mother killed his father and took the young boy back to the Cangwu Abyss.

From this point on, his mother hated humans to the core and would never allow him to come into contact with any humans, for fear that he would repeat his past mistakes.

However, Jing Lian was born curious about humans and often sneaked out to make friends with humans. In the end, he was deceived and almost lost his life, but Gu Lan saved him.

Jing Lian told his mother about this. Although his mother had no hatred towards Gu Lan, she did not allow him to have frequent contact with Gu Lan.

Jing Lian naturally understood what his mother was thinking.

Mermaids are loyal throughout their lives. Once they identify someone, they will remain partners for life and will never have other thoughts.

His mother was just afraid that he would repeat the same mistake.

But......

Jing Lan, out of great worry, disobeyed his mother's wishes and rushed over.

When he learned that Gu Lan was rescued and was training in Xuantian Sword Sect, he was not willing to wait even a moment longer.

Missing, worrying, and suppressing emotions.

Suppress the longing! Suppress the worry! Suppress the desire to see her!

Jing Lian's heart was like a volcano erupting under repeated suppression. He was almost suffocating. His blood was surging wildly, and every cell was clamoring for him to see her as soon as possible.

And when he really saw Gu Lan again, and saw her sitting quietly by the pond, Jing Lian touched his heart with his hand. It was beating strongly, full of longing, but also calm.

He didn't want to hurt Gu Lan or scare her.

Jing Lian stared at Gu Lan for a long time, and when she was about to leave, he called her softly.

"Gu Lan."

The voice was hoarse and trembling.

Even though I've called this name many times in my heart, it's sweet every time I say it.