Those Who Walk Different Paths Cannot Make Common Plans

After leaving, Su Changqing had no idea that his appearance in the small hall had caused quite a stir.

"Was that just now our little junior brother? I could barely recognize him."

"Ever since little junior brother joined the peak, he has mostly cultivated in Quiet Heart Cave. I remember when he first arrived, he was such a well-behaved child. Who would have thought he would change so much in half a year?"

"Senior sister, how did he change? Did he become much more handsome? Did little junior brother make your heart flutter?"

"What nonsense are you talking about, you little girl? How old is little junior brother? Saying such things will only make others laugh at me."

"Oh, he can grow older. Once little junior brother grows up a little more, then you can..."

"You're asking for a beating!"

At once, laughter filled the small hall.

"I didn't expect Sword Riding to feel this incredible!"

At that moment, Su Changqing stood atop his Flying Sword and cried out with a refreshed, exhilarated spirit.

This was Su Changqing's first time personally controlling a Flying Sword. With the aid of Unrivaled Insight, he had already become highly proficient in the Divine Sword Thunder Control Technique. Though this was his first time using Sword Riding, he quickly got the hang of it.

As he controlled the Flying Sword, he admired the scenery below. Such leisure truly felt wonderful!

Still, to avoid being discovered, Su Changqing chose to land in an uninhabited area near the Sect Main Hall and entered on foot.

Unexpectedly, after only taking a few steps, he saw several people approaching. At their head was Lin Jingyu, with Zhang Xiaofan beside him and several disciples following closely behind Lin Jingyu.

Su Changqing quietly observed them for a few moments, somewhat lost in thought.

In just half a year, he was not the only one who had changed. Lin Jingyu before him had changed greatly as well. Not only had his features become more mature and handsome, but his eyes had also lost the innocence they held back in Caomiao Village. Instead, they now carried a proud, unruly air. His every step and expression brimmed with vigor, like a victorious general.

Zhang Xiaofan, meanwhile, had changed the least among the three. Other than growing taller and looking a little more mature, there was no other change. His temperament remained as honest and simple as before.

"Junior Brother Lin, congratulations! Your Cultivation Level has advanced again, and you have now entered Qi Refining Layer Six!"

"Yes, yes! Crossing six layers in half a year! With such cultivation speed, you are already catching up to the Qingyun Ancestor."

"Hahaha! Isn't that so? The first time I saw Junior Brother Lin, I knew he was an extraordinary talent with the bearing of a great man! In the future, he will surely become someone outstanding!"

Before they even drew close, Su Changqing heard the group of followers behind Lin Jingyu chattering away, praising Lin Jingyu without pause.

"Qi Refining Layer Six already?"

Su Changqing murmured to himself.

Lin Jingyu reaching Qi Refining Layer Six in half a year was not as monstrous as Su Changqing's own progress, but he was still among the best of countless disciples. After all, not everyone possessed a system like he did.

Just looking at the followers behind him made it easy to imagine that he had already gained considerable fame within the sect.

After all, followers like these were generally reserved for star disciples such as Xiao Yicai and Qi Hao. For someone who had only joined the sect half a year ago to have them was truly rare.

Only then did Su Changqing recall a rumor.

It seemed he had heard someone say that among Qingyun Sect's new generation of disciples, the position of foremost disciple belonged to none other than Lin Jingyu. Looking at things now, it really seemed to be true.

While Su Changqing was observing him, Lin Jingyu and Zhang Xiaofan also looked over at him.

Lin Jingyu merely frowned and continued on his way, showing no intention of greeting him. Su Changqing pursed his lips, unconcerned.

Su Changqing understood why Lin Jingyu treated him this way. Since they belonged to the same sect, the two had run into each other several times before. However, Su Changqing had always been reserved by nature and disliked flattering others, so he remained indifferent toward the rapidly rising Lin Jingyu rather than fawning over him like everyone else.

For that very reason, Lin Jingyu also disliked running into Su Changqing. Even when they did meet, they would only exchange a simple greeting before going their separate ways.

Now, even that simple greeting had been omitted.

Zhang Xiaofan, on the other hand, was delighted to see Su Changqing. Smiling, he jogged over and warmly asked, "Chang Qing, where have you been these past two or three months? Why haven't I seen you at all?"

"Xiao Fan, I went into seclusion on Little Bamboo Peak, so it is only natural that you did not see me."

Su Changqing replied with a smile.

"Then have you been doing well? Have you been eating properly? I learned cooking on Great Bamboo Peak. Senior brothers and Master all like the food I make. Do you want to come taste it tomorrow?"

When Zhang Xiaofan heard Su Changqing mention seclusion, he remembered his senior brothers saying that seclusion required one to devote oneself entirely to cultivation, remaining fully focused and fasting throughout. He immediately felt sorry that Su Changqing had to undergo such difficult cultivation.

"Hm? You already learned how to cook? That's great. I'll come try your cooking another day and see whether it is really as delicious as you say."

Su Changqing answered enthusiastically, pleasantly surprised.

Su Changqing vaguely remembered that, in the story, Zhang Xiaofan had once learned to cook and won the approval of everyone on Great Bamboo Peak. It was also because of his time tending fires and cooking that his black staff came to be called the "Firewood Stick."

Su Changqing greatly liked Zhang Xiaofan's honest, simple nature and warmheartedness. He was worth befriending, because when Zhang Xiaofan cared about someone, he genuinely cared about them. He did not only care about their Cultivation Level, nor would he arrogantly point fingers at others over such things.

"Chang Qing, after being in seclusion for so long, did you gain anything?"

Lin Jingyu, who had been watching the two converse so warmly from the side, could not help but interject.

"Nothing much."

Su Changqing answered with a faint smile.

Lin Jingyu shook his head in disappointment, flicked his sleeve, and brushed past Su Changqing as he prepared to leave. The several followers behind him also followed him away.

"What are you putting on airs for? A worthless Qi Refining Layer Two of the first level of Taiji Xuanqing Dao is copying others by going into seclusion. You secluded yourself for so long, yet your Cultivation Level has not improved at all."

"Hmph! Junior Brother Lin was considering that they were fellow villagers and wanted to help him improve his Cultivation Level. It would have been one thing if he did not appreciate it, but his attitude is so cold as well. What a waste of Junior Brother Lin's good intentions."

As they passed by, the followers behind him discussed it in voices neither too loud nor too soft, yet they happened to carry clearly to the ears of all three.

"What did you say?"

Before Su Changqing could speak, Zhang Xiaofan had already shouted angrily at them.

The followers were slightly stunned. They had clearly been insulting Su Changqing, so why was Zhang Xiaofan getting worked up? Then again, he was also useless. Most likely, he had taken it personally.

"It is the truth. Are we not allowed to say it?"

The followers stubbornly prepared to retort, but when they saw the look Lin Jingyu gave them, they hurriedly stopped.

When they had insulted Su Changqing, Lin Jingyu had not joined in, but he had remained silent as well.

Now that Zhang Xiaofan was about to stand up for Su Changqing, Lin Jingyu frowned and interrupted, "Enough! Stop talking. Those who walk different paths cannot make common plans. What is there to say? Just let him be!"