Zhang Zaizhi suddenly remembered something and took a golden spirit talisman from his sleeve. "Right, seven days from now, the Northern Dipper Immortal Sect will hold a grand feast on Shaking Light Star."
"At that time, aside from outer disciples and disciples carrying out missions, nearly all members may attend."
"For Northern Dipper Immortal Sect disciples, this feast is a rare opportunity to improve their cultivation."
"There will be discussions of the Dao, trading, transmission of teachings, and perhaps even a chance to meet direct disciples from several other main stars."
Xu Changqing accepted the spirit talisman and smiled. "Seven days from now, we'll go together."
Seeing how readily he agreed, Zhang Zaizhi did not linger any longer.
He immediately cupped his hands, summoned his escape light once more, and shot through the sky.
After the other man left, Xu Changqing stood alone on Green Bamboo Slope and took a deep breath.
The air carried the bitter fragrance of bamboo leaves, the damp scent of earth, and the faint smell of cooking smoke drifting over from afar.
Come to think of it, it had been a long time since he had smelled cooking smoke.
Then Xu Changqing turned and looked toward the two Tranquil-Mind Bamboo groves.
The bamboo had grown exceptionally well, every stalk as thick as the mouth of a bowl.
Their joints were long and slender, their leaves lush and emerald-green.
Whenever the wind blew, they rustled softly, as though someone were whispering in a low voice.
Tranquil-Mind Bamboo.
It reminded him of Senior Brother Zhu.
Back then, Senior Brother Zhu's bamboo grove had been the most elegant place Xu Changqing had ever seen.
The bamboo house, bamboo courtyard, bamboo fences—every object had been made of bamboo. Living there could quiet even one's heart.
Now that he had