Visitors (7)

The Spirit Crane slowly landed on the platform below the peak. The two dismounted, and the disciple leading the way straightened his robes before taking the lead. "Junior Brother, follow me. Ninth Elder should be in the courtyard."

With that, he headed deeper along the mountain path, Gu Jingzhao close behind. The two followed the bluestone path inward, and before long, a small courtyard emerged from the morning mist.

A wooden plaque hung above the courtyard gate, bearing the four bold clerical-script characters: Snow Sea and Pine Waves. The vigorous strokes and ink-dark lettering were steeped in haze, their outlines softly blurring into the fog.

The courtyard was far simpler than imagined—three old pine trees stood alone in one corner, their thick trunks covered in mottled patterns, branches stretching recklessly in every direction. Morning dew clung to the pine needles, glimmering with scattered silver under the faint dawn light;

The bluestone path through the center was laid unevenly, with several tender green blades of grass poking from the cracks, their tips drooping listlessly. They added a touch of life, but also made the plain courtyard seem slightly untidy;

Not to mention the waist-high patch of weeds in the corner, where an ancient well stood alone, exuding the desolation of long neglect.

Snow Sea and Pine Waves was the residence of Yu Xiao True Person and Chu Shihan. Both were the sort to devote themselves wholeheartedly to cultivation and remain in seclusion year-round, never caring much for the arrangements of their residence—especially after Yu Xiao True Person had once whimsically filled the courtyard with pine trees and been lectured by Yu Qin True Person for it.

There were neither exotic flowers nor rare grasses to decorate the courtyard, nor any exquisite ornaments on display. At a glance, it looked no different