An Old Father's Worries

"Success!"

Bibi Dong happily cradled the Immortal Herb and ran back to the shore, carefully placing it into a box made of red jade.

"Well done."

"Next is the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew, over there."

With the success of her first attempt, Bibi Dong's confidence soared.

She ran over to a Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew plant and looked at the diamond-like dewdrops on its leaves.

Following the method described in the book, she plucked the Full Moon Wearing Autumn Dew.

"Teacher, this dewdrop is so beautiful."

"Be careful not to spill it. A single drop is worth a fortune." Qian Xunji smiled.

The harvesting process grew smoother and smoother afterward, and Bibi Dong gradually mastered the knack of it.

Each time she harvested an Immortal Herb, she carefully recorded it in a blank booklet: the herb's name, the time of harvest, how it should be stored, and, most importantly, the location where its seeds had been left behind.

"I buried the seeds of the Octagonal Mysterious Ice Grass and Infernal Delicate Apricot over there and marked the spot."

"I left three bulbs of the Aromatic Silk Beauty in the soil. They should sprout next year."

"I cut off a small piece of the Narcissus Jade Muscle Bone's rhizome and buried it again. The book said it could regenerate that way..."

She gave her report earnestly while Qian Xunji listened nearby, occasionally nodding in approval.

As the sun began to sink westward, Bibi Dong finally finished harvesting every known Immortal Herb except the Lovesick Heartbreak Red.

Dozens of Jade Boxes, jade bottles, and crystal containers were neatly arranged before Qian Xunji.

In the valley, wherever herbs had been harvested, either the mother plant remained or new seeds and rhizomes had been buried.

The energy of the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well continued nourishing this land. Before many years had passed, new Immortal Herbs would grow here again.

"Teacher, I've finished picking them all."

"Thirty-seven mature Immortal Herbs in total. They were all harvested and stored correctly, and the seeds and offshoots have all been preserved."

"You worked hard, Dong'er. You did exceptionally well."

Bibi Dong smiled sweetly, then suddenly remembered something. "By the way, Teacher, are you going to take the Cockscomb Phoenix Sunflower now?"

"No rush. It's already very late."

"We should head back. Your parents will be worried."

Bibi Dong nodded and looked reluctantly at the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well. "It's so beautiful here... Can we come again in the future?"

"Of course."

"This is a secret that belongs only to us. We can bring our children here someday, too."

Hearing that, Bibi Dong understood the implication behind his words, and her face reddened again.

"By the way, Dong'er, help me fill a little bottle with water from the Ice and Fire Yin-Yang Well."

"What does Teacher need that for?"

"A secret."

Bibi Dong shot him a reproachful look. "Teacher, you really like keeping people in suspense."

"You'll find out later. When you fill it, you must put the extremely cold and extremely hot waters together. Otherwise, the jade bottle won't be able to withstand it."

"All right, I understand."

Bibi Dong then picked up a jade bottle and filled it with both kinds of spring water, allowing them to neutralize each other.

"Done."

"Thank you." Qian Xunji took the jade bottle and placed it inside the Angel Ring.

"Let's go."

Beneath the setting sun, teacher and disciple packed up all the Immortal Herbs, took one final look at this miraculous place, and soared into the sky.

Before leaving, Qian Xunji set up a barrier at the entrance to the valley. He did not want outsiders to discover this treasured land.

At dusk, in the Bi family's small courtyard in Anping Village, Bi Dashan paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.

His brows were tightly furrowed. From time to time, he looked toward Sunset Forest in the west, muttering without pause.

"What time is it already... Why isn't Dong'er back yet?"

"Sunset Forest is such a dangerous place. Could something have happened?"

"That kid Qian Xunji looks pretty reliable, but what if..."

Bi Xi, sitting on a small stool beneath the eaves, was dizzy from watching his father circle around and finally could not help speaking up. "Dad, stop pacing. You're making me dizzy."

Bi Dashan stopped and smacked the back of his son's head irritably. "You heartless brat. Your sister still isn't back, and you're not worried at all? You're just sitting here so carefree."

Bi Xi rubbed the back of his head. "Isn't brother-in-law with her? What could possibly happen with him there?"

"Brother-in-law, brother-in-law. You sure call him affectionately!"

Bi Dashan grew even more annoyed. "I never should have trusted him to protect Dong'er properly."

"A young master from the city—what does he know about the dangers of the mountains and forests? What if they run into a ten-thousand-year soul beast? What if they wander into a miasma zone? What if..."

The more he spoke, the more panicked he became. Finally, he stamped his foot. "No, I have to go into the mountains and find them."

"Father of my children, calm down!" Liu Xiulan poked her head out from the kitchen. "Qian Xunji isn't the kind of child who doesn't know his limits. If he said he'd protect Dong'er, then he definitely will."

"But it's already..."

Before Bi Dashan could finish, a familiar voice suddenly came from outside the courtyard gate.

"Dad, Mom, we're back."

The courtyard gate was pushed open, and Bibi Dong walked in with a bright smile, followed by the composed Qian Xunji.

Bi Dashan rushed forward in a single stride, gripped his daughter's shoulders with both hands, and looked her over from head to toe. "Dong'er, you're finally back! You scared your father to death! Are you hurt? Did you run into any danger?"

He fired off question after question, completely ignoring Qian Xunji standing beside her.

Qian Xunji was not annoyed. He simply stood to the side with a smile, watching the old father fret anxiously.

"Dad, I'm fine."

"With Qian Xunji there, it was very safe."

Only then did Bi Dashan seem to notice Qian Xunji. He cleared his throat and nodded with feigned seriousness. "Mm... It's good that you're back. Um... Qian Xunji, you worked hard."

"It's what I should do."

Liu Xiulan came out of the kitchen, wiping her hands, relief written across her face. "You came back at just the right time. Dinner will be ready soon. Go wash your hands and get ready to eat."

"Wait, Mom."

Bibi Dong suddenly remembered something and looked at Qian Xunji. "Teacher, didn't you say you had something especially good to give everyone?"

As soon as she said that, three pairs of eyes in the courtyard turned toward Qian Xunji in unison.

Bi Xi was the most curious. He jumped straight off his stool. "Brother-in-law, what good thing is it?"

Qian Xunji glanced outside the courtyard gate, where several neighbors happened to be working in the vegetable fields in the distance.

He lowered his voice. "Let's talk inside."

In the main hall, the candle lamp was lit.

Qian Xunji had Bibi Dong close the doors and windows before taking several Jade Boxes from the Angel Ring.

He first picked up a rosewood box. When he opened it, a deep-purple, ganoderma-like plant lay inside.

"Uncle Bi."

Qian Xunji pushed the wooden box before Bi Dashan. "This is Nine-Rank Purple Ganoderma. It has remarkable effects in strengthening one's foundation and replenishing one's vitality."

"After taking it, it will not only strengthen your muscles and bones, but also purge toxins from your body."

Bi Dashan froze. Looking at the Immortal Herb, which was obviously priceless, even his hands began to tremble. "Th-this is too precious... How can I accept it..."

"Please accept it, Uncle."

"Dong'er hasn't been by your side these past years, and you've suffered far too much for her."

Bibi Dong also chimed in from the side. "That's right, Dad. Just accept it. Qian Xunji picked it especially for you."

Bi Dashan looked at the expectant gaze in his daughter's eyes, then at the Immortal Herb. His eyes grew a little hot.

"All right, all right... I'll accept it. Thank you, Qian Xunji."

At that moment, Qian Xunji picked up another white jade box and pushed it toward Liu Xiulan. "Auntie, this is the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid."

"Its effect is to purge impurities. Its medicinal nature is mild, and it can address the weakness of slow cultivation."

"Th-this is for an old woman like me? You young people should use it instead..."

"Mom, just accept it." Bibi Dong linked arms with her mother and said coquettishly, "This is a token of Qian Xunji's affection."

Liu Xiulan felt a little embarrassed. She looked at Qian Xunji, but in the end, she accepted it.

"Then... thank you, Qian Xunji."

"You're truly so thoughtful... It would be even better if you could become our family's son-in-law..."

"Mom, wh-what are you saying?"

"What am I saying? Look at you, you can't even suppress that smile."

"I'm not." With that, Bibi Dong lowered her head.