But now, three years had passed, and her cultivation was still at Qi Refining Layer 4. She had not broken through to Qi Refining Layer 5.
Yet He Song's cultivation had already broken through to Qi Refining Layer 5.
What did that mean?
It meant that He Song had taken merely three years to break through from Qi Refining Layer 4 to Qi Refining Layer 5.
Such rapid progress in cultivation made the strange light in Ping'er's eyes gradually deepen.
His cultivation had advanced so quickly.
Could the mundane affairs mentioned in his letter have been him desperately earning Spirit Stones?
Thinking about it that way...
It seemed to make sense.
After imagining the "hardships" He Song had suffered over the past three years, the trace of dissatisfaction in Ping'er's heart immediately vanished.
In its place was a faint, hidden delight.
Three years.
Three years of frenzied cultivation.
Had it been her, she would likely have long since been worn out in both body and mind.
Yet He Song still remembered the agreement they had made three years ago.
He had specifically invited her to the Hundred Flowers Teahouse for a chat.
Sure enough, she had not misjudged him.
"My sincerest apologies, Fellow Daoist. Mundane affairs have entangled me over these past three years and taken up far too much of my attention. I hope Fellow Daoist will not blame me."
He Song placed a freshly brewed cup of tea before Ping'er. As he spoke, he gave her a slight cupped-fist salute.
Mundane affairs entangling him.
Naturally, that was an excuse.
But after three years apart, he had to give Ping'er a reason—give her a way out.
Saying it this way would also greatly ease the misgivings in Ping'er's heart.
After all, He Song had not deliberately avoided her. He