In the End of the World Valley.
Meng Lang's lips curled upward as he picked herbs; he heard Zhang Buku's words and felt both gratified and a sense of accomplishment.
Senior Brother Zhang, did you ever think I would become a pillar of support for your son?
Gu An's thoughts drifted, returning to decades ago. The Cheng Xuan Pills were still in existence, mostly kept upstairs from the constant alchemy, and it was Zhang Chunqiu who had taken him, Li Ya, and Meng Lang to toil away.
Years passed, and of the original five master and apprentice, only Gu An and Li Ya remained.
Time flew by; some people and some things would be carried away by the years, erasing the traces they left.
The autumn leaves fell; Sun Da, Sun Er, and Sun San followed at Gu An's side, asking questions from time to time.
Usually, neither Luo Soul, Lv Xian, nor Ji Ruolai paid much attention to them, but Gu An always chatted with them when he visited and gave them gifts, so they were fond of him.