So that was how it was.
After hearing this, Ling Yuxian couldn't help but nod, finally understanding.
And when Ling Yuling explained Jing Tianyun's origins, she did not avoid Gu Changge and Jing Tianyun, stating it plainly.
"Back then, it was indeed entirely thanks to the kindness of the two young ladies; otherwise, this old servant would not be where he is today."
Jing Tianyun stood there with a respectful demeanor, seemingly showing immense respect for the two women.
He did not say much about the origins Ling Yuling explained, his expression unchanged.
"Since Elder Jing has already escaped, I can rest assured."
Ling Yuling showed a gentle smile, turned around, and patted Ling Yuxian's shoulder, signaling that she no longer needed to borrow the power of the Imperial Immortal Palace's elders.
"Sister?"
Ling Yuxian was stunned, her expression slightly surprised. She noticed that just a moment ago, her sister's brow seemed to furrow, her smile disappearing, and a slight heaviness appeared.
Of course, this subtle change in expression happened in an instant and quickly vanished, almost making her wonder if she had seen wrong.
"It's nothing. Making you continuously borrow the power of the Imperial Immortal Palace's elders is tiring for you.
You have worked hard."
Ling Yuling shook her head gently, smiling.
Ling Yuxian's doubts deepened.
Why, after Elder Jing rushed here, did her sister seem somewhat troubled and worried, not truly relieved?
Could something have gone wrong?
"Sister, your complexion looks a bit off," she said in a low voice.
Ling Yuling said gently, "Don't worry. It's just that the previous consumption and loss were a bit severe, damaging my true soul origin. After escaping, I will naturally recover."
Hearing this, Ling Yuxian let it go and didn't think much more.
However, this scene made Gu Changge, who had been keeping an eye on Ling Yuling from nearby, show a faint odd look.
He smiled indifferently, as if he had seen through something, but naturally didn't say anything.
Afterward, Ling Yuling took the initiative to look at Gu Changge, showing a curious expression, and softly asked, "And this young master is…?"
Gu Changge's gaze fell on her face, and he smiled faintly, "My surname is Gu. I came here only to retrieve my belongings; I bear no ill intent, so you need not worry."
"Surname Gu?"
Ling Yuling's pupils contracted, as if she had thought of something, and her expression changed slightly.
"What's wrong, Sister?
Is there something wrong with this surname?"
Noticing Ling Yuling's expression change, Ling Yuxian asked, puzzled.
Ling Yuling shook her head, her expression returning to normal, and said, "I just thought of a certain clan; I just don't know if this Young Master Gu before us has some connection or origin with that clan."
Gu Changge made an "Oh" sound, then asked with interest, "Which clan might that be?
I am also a bit curious."
Ling Yuling showed a hint of apology, shook her head and smiled, "Perhaps I'm overthinking. In the myriad worlds, there are all kinds of clans and surnames; it should just be a coincidence of surname."
At this, Gu Changge merely smiled and did not question further.
Then, Ling Yuxian glanced at Gu Changge, and whispered to Ling Yuling, "Sister, like me, he is someone with a great origin from a past life, possessing innate wisdom. He came here to retrieve the Gate of Eternal Life; in fact, he was the original owner of the Gate of Eternal Life."
She was actually somewhat worried, afraid that Gu Changge would learn that back then, her sister Ling Yuling had joined forces with others to snatch the Gate of Eternal Life from his hands, causing him to reincarnate and cultivate anew.
"The owner of the Gate of Eternal Life."
Hearing Ling Yuxian say this, Ling Yuling was stunned once more.
Her fine brows furrowed involuntarily, then she looked at Gu Changge again and saw his expression unchanged, offering no explanation, as if tacitly agreeing with Ling Yuxian's statement.
Ling Yuling was silent for a moment, then showed a smile and said, "So that's it. Since Young Master Gu is the owner of the Gate of Eternal Life, returning it to its rightful owner is only proper.
But Young Master Gu may not know that the Gate of Eternal Life was corroded by a drop of blood from the Lord of the Dark Calamity, tainted by dark aura, and is no longer the same Gate of Eternal Life from back then. My being trapped here is also greatly related to the Gate of Eternal Life."
As she said this, her tone shifted, seeming full of regret and helplessness, with no solution.
"Miss Yuling need not worry. Young Master Gu already knows about this. When we were inside the Demon-Sealing Tower, it was precisely he who helped me expel the part of my primordial spirit tainted by the dark power of the Gate of Eternal Life's artifact spirit."
At this, Jing Tianyun couldn't help but speak up, explaining proactively the encounter in the Demon-Sealing Tower.
A trace of astonishment appeared on Ling Yuling's face.
"The clan's secret is also related to the artifact spirit of the Gate of Eternal Life?" Ling Yuxian also asked curiously.
Jing Tianyun nodded, saying with slight helplessness, "To be honest, young ladies, back then after Miss Yuling entrusted me with the important task of guarding the Gate of Eternal Life, I also fell victim to the Eternal Life Spirit's scheme and had no choice but to build a Demon-Sealing Tower to seal and suppress myself."
As he spoke, he recounted all his experiences in the Demon-Sealing Tower over the years without any concealment.
Including how he fell for the Eternal Life Spirit's calculations, and later how he dealt with it—even some descendants of the Jing clan were not spared, nearly committing patricide as a result.
If not for Gu Changge's arrival this time, lending a hand to expel that part of the dark aura,
he would likely still be trapped in the Demon-Sealing Tower, suffering torment day and night.
After hearing this, both Ling Yuxian and Ling Yuling seemed shocked, then fell silent.
"So this was the method the Eternal Life Spirit mentioned."
After a long while, Ling Yuling let out a sigh that sounded somewhat fearful.
"Unexpectedly, there were these unknown secrets. This Eternal Life Spirit is truly terrifying, leaving so many backup plans."
Ling Yuxian also felt fear, then couldn't help looking at Gu Changge. She never imagined he had helped so greatly in this matter.
If Gu Changge hadn't helped, what consequences would have occurred?
She simply dared not imagine.
Thinking of this, Ling Yuxian suddenly felt a bit guilty and somewhat embarrassed.
After all, all this time, she had been on guard against Gu Changge, giving him no good looks, and even suspected him of having ulterior motives that would endanger Jing Xiao's safety, telling him to stay away from Jing Xiao.
But before coming to the Land of Eternal Life, her sister repeatedly warned her to be wary of Gu Changge, feeling he was very dangerous. What was the reason for that?
Was it also intuition?
Or was there something her sister was hiding from her?
"I never expected that Young Master Gu could even expel dark aura. His methods are truly unfathomable and admirable.
For this matter of escape, I will have to trouble Young Master Gu to lend a hand."
While Ling Yuxian's mind was filled with speculation, Ling Yuling spoke again in a gentle and graceful tone.