Immortal and Mortal

Outside Linyuan Prefecture, at the market of the Qixia Immortal Sect.

This place was not like the noisy, bustling markets of the mortal world; instead, it was marked by quiet pine slopes and secluded bamboo paths. Mountain breezes drifted through the woods and over the water, carrying a touch of otherworldly chill.

Xia Dong ascended the stone steps, spotting a pavilion with upturned eaves halfway up the mountain from afar. Surrounded by swirling clouds and mist, the scene inexplicably reminded him of a poem he had read in his past life.

"White clouds and yellow cranes accompany the Daoist, a sword, a book, and a cup of tea; feathered robes always carry the colors of mist and sunset, untainted by the peach blossoms of the mortal world."

Around the pavilion hung a layer of translucent, cloud-patterned gauze. The mountain wind could not penetrate it, and falling leaves could not pass through.

Xia Dong stopped outside the pavilion, his gaze lingering on the gauze as realization dawned on him. This was likely a formation or magical artifact used by cultivators to shield themselves from prying eyes.

Miss Qin has truly entered the path of cultivation, he thought to himself, stepping into the pavilion with a composed expression.

Inside, at a stone table, Miss Qin had already prepared a pot of clear tea.

The two took their seats, and through the rising steam, they began to observe each other simultaneously.

The old matter of the broken engagement, the entanglements between their two families, and the vast chasm between the immortal and the mortal now lay between them. Yet, as they met, there was no awkwardness typical of mortal men and women; instead, a strange, profound feeling emerged.

Miss Qin's eyes flickered.

The Xia Dong before her wore a washed-out green robe, yet as he sat there, his spine was as straight as an ancient pine. He lacked the crude, violent blood-energy of a mortal martial artist; instead, due to his mastery of the Crane Stance, he exuded a restrained, peaceful clarity. His posture was upright and composed. If one didn't know his background, one might easily believe he was a hidden seed of cultivation.

In that instant, a faint trace of melancholy flashed through Miss Qin's heart.

If only he possessed spiritual roots, how wonderful that would be.

The path to immortality is treacherous, with danger at every step.

In the world of cultivation, it is often said that "wealth, companions, methods, and land" are the four essentials, and "companions" ranked second is no empty claim.

On the long road to longevity, if one could have a trusted companion who knew one's roots and understood the boundaries of advancement and retreat, how many hidden arrows could be blocked?

"Young Master Xia, please try this Cloud Mist Tea from Qixia Mountain." Miss Qin collected her thoughts and poured him a cup.

"Many thanks, Miss Qin."

Their conversation unfolded slowly, accompanied by the tea.

Xia Dong had lived two lifetimes; his breadth of mind and knowledge were naturally beyond that of an ordinary youth. Miss Qin, born into a wealthy merchant family, had been influenced by such matters since childhood, and having now stepped onto the path of immortality, her perspective was also exceptionally high.

They talked of everything under the sun, their conversation flowing without a single hitch.

Xia Dong was quite curious about the strange and wondrous world of cultivation. When he asked questions, his sense of propriety was perfect—neither servile nor arrogantly ignorant. Miss Qin, for her part, spoke freely, recounting her experiences both inside and outside the sect.

From a distance, the man and woman in the pavilion looked like a picture.

The man was dressed in a simple green robe, calm and collected; the woman's skirt fluttered slightly, her temperament ethereal. With clear tea and laughter, amidst the quiet pine slopes, they truly looked like a pair of immortal lovers stepped out of a painting.

Yet, the more harmonious this initial meeting was, the more the regret in Miss Qin's heart spread like wild grass.

Such a person—his breadth of mind, courage, and bearing are all of the highest order...

Miss Qin lowered her eyes slightly, looking at the unfolding green tea leaves in her cup. She lifted the vessel, using the act of drinking to swallow the sigh that had reached her lips.

It was just that he lacked spiritual roots.

The tea fragrance curled in the air, blending with the mountain chill.

Miss Qin watched the calm young man before her, suddenly sighed softly, and set down her cup. "Young Master Xia, our families are old acquaintances. Calling you 'Young Master Xia' now feels distant. If you don't mind, you may call me Wan'er from now on, and I shall take the liberty of calling you Brother Xia."

"Very well."

This crisp, decisive word made Miss Qin look at him once more.

She pondered for a moment before finally bringing up the matter that could not be avoided. "The previous matter of the broken engagement was truly a choice made by the Qin Family, weighing social status against the path of immortality. My father did not wish to hold you back, and I had a desire to seek the Dao; it was truly a helpless situation. I hope Brother Xia will not harbor any resentment."

"Miss Wan'er speaks too heavily." Xia Dong picked up his teacup and gently blew away the foam, his tone as calm as water. "The immortal and the mortal walk different paths; breaking the engagement was only natural. The Qin Family acted with integrity; not only did you not humiliate me, but you also left behind many generous gifts as compensation. I have only gratitude and appreciation in my heart; why would I harbor any resentment?"

Looking at his frank gaze, Miss Qin shook her head. "With Brother Xia's talent and character, those material things would be easy to obtain in time. It is the Qin Family that owes you a favor."

As she said this, there was a ripple in Miss Qin's heart.

When she first met Xia Dong, she had shown kindness mostly because she valued his status as a holder of a Dao Registry. However, after this conversation, setting aside the Dao Registry, the young man's eloquence, insight, and his unyielding character were clearly not those of an ordinary person.

She had only just stepped into the immortal gate, and the worldly aura of the mortal realm had not yet been completely washed away by the coldness of the cultivation world. Moreover, as a young woman in the bloom of youth, it was inevitable that she would feel a natural admiration and appreciation for a man of such talent and appearance.

Miss Qin recalled what her father often said.

"The Heavenly Dao has no favorites; it always sides with the virtuous."

Master Qin had traveled far and wide in his youth, falling into deadly traps several times, yet he always managed to turn misfortune into luck by relying on the principle of "being kind to others." The broken engagement was forced by circumstances, and seeking the Dao Registry was driven by interest, but the Qin Family's long-term success in business was never built on kicking someone while they were down, but on cultivating good karma.

Thinking of this, Miss Qin reached a decision. She looked at Xia Dong, her eyes warm yet exceptionally firm. "Brother Xia, the cultivation world often speaks of severing mortal ties, fearing the entanglement of worldly karma. But today, I, Wan'er, wish to entangle myself in your karma."

Xia Dong was slightly startled and looked up at her.

"Since our families have old ties and we are meeting here at the foot of Qixia Mountain today, it is truly a fate ordained by heaven." Miss Qin picked up her teacup and said solemnly, "If you do not mind, I wish to become your sworn sister, sharing in both fortune and misfortune. I wonder if you would be willing to accept me as your younger sister?"

Outside the pavilion, the mountain wind picked up, causing the gauze to flutter loudly.

Xia Dong looked at the young girl holding her teacup, and ripples stirred in his heart. For a cultivator to take the initiative to swear brotherhood with a mortal was equivalent to binding her own immortal fortune to a common man. If this were to reach the Qixia Immortal Sect, it would likely be seen as a joke.

He had no intention of clinging to her, but since she had spoken, refusing her would seem pretentious and would show no respect to this newly minted immortal master.

Moreover, Miss Qin's frank kindness had truly touched his heart.

"If the Immortal Master grants it, I dare not refuse." A gentle smile appeared on the corner of Xia Dong's mouth. He picked up his cup and tapped it lightly against Miss Qin's, producing a crisp sound of porcelain. "I, Xia Dong, am but a mortal; to be called 'Brother' is a tremendous advantage for me."

"Cultivating the heart and the Dao is what matters, not the cultivation of status or rank." Qin Wan smiled radiantly.

She toasted with tea instead of wine, draining the cup in one gulp. There was no tragic solemnity of a blood oath, nor any vows sworn to the heavens and earth; just here, in the cold and indifferent Pine Slope Pavilion, an immortal and a mortal quietly forged a bond.

Xia Dong set down his teacup, his hand tightening slightly within his sleeve.

Though he possessed nothing of great value now, he would surely repay this kindness tenfold in the future.

After the oath, the atmosphere between the two grew increasingly familiar and natural.

"Let's go, Big Brother Xia." Qin Wan stood up and smoothed her skirt. "This is my first time setting foot in a cultivation market as well. Let us siblings go and see what it has to offer today."

"I couldn't ask for anything better." Xia Dong rose and brushed the fallen leaves from his green robes.

The two walked out of the pavilion side by side.

Qin Wan deactivated the sound-dampening artifact, and they stepped onto the damp bluestone path, walking together toward the cultivation market hidden deep within the mountains as the mountain mist began to dissipate.