"Greetings, Founder."
Only after Gao Xian had reforged the Blood River Celestial Venerable Transformation Origin Book did he come to pay his respects to Daoist Lord Xuanyang.
It was the end of the year, and heavy snow drifted outside. Daoist Lord Xuanyang reclined on a long couch, a blanket covering his knees, a book in his hand.
Beside the couch sat a clay brazier burning charcoal, with wine, dried fruits, and fruit warming over it.
The fragrance of heated wine and fruit mingled with the warmth of the fire, quietly wafting through the room. Outside the window, the cold wind howled back and forth, making the room seem all the more warm and tranquil.
Had he not seen it with his own eyes, Gao Xian would have found it hard to believe that a dignified sixth-rank Pure Yang Dao Venerable lived such a simple, plain life. The old man's comforts could practically be called shabby.
Gao Xian thought perhaps Daoist Lord Xuanyang's tastes were simply too refined, having reached the realm of returning to simplicity. In any case, he still preferred magnificent residences, beautiful women, fine food, fine wine...
Yet this simple life carried an indescribable air of enduring serenity.
Daoist Lord Xuanyang casually pointed at the clay brazier. "Help yourself."
Since the Dao Venerable had said so, Gao Xian did not stand on ceremony. Grinning, he went over and picked up two peanut-like dried fruits to taste. They were fragrant, and their spiritual qi was rich and pure.
Even with his cultivation, the powerful, dense spiritual qi made his blood and qi churn, heat rising to his face.
Gao Xian sighed inwardly. He had been fooled by the old man's humble appearance. Just these dried fruits and fruits roasting over the little brazier were things he had never enjoyed