Invitation

Time flew by, and half a month passed in the blink of an eye. The routine of cultivation was dull yet orderly.

At this moment, Lin Qing sat beside the stone table in the courtyard and opened the system panel.

[Host: Lin Qing]

Realm: Skin-and-Flesh Realm (breakthrough time: 60 days)

Fused cultivation arts: Origin-Returning Body-Tempering Stance, Bone-Nourishing Tendon-Tuning Stance (expand)

Recorded cultivation arts: Lunar Visualization Art (38/9000), Solar Visualization Art (13/9000)

Body control rating: Mortal Tier limit

Recorded martial arts: Falling Rock Fist Art (9/100), Cloud-Piercing Sword Art (0/100), Mist-Treading Step (0/100), Sunken Rock Palm Art (0/100), Wind-Slashing Saber Art (0/100)

The clear system panel floated before Lin Qing's eyes, its information plain at a glance.

Now that all the Second-Tier Stance Arts had reached completion, the time required for his breakthrough had shortened to sixty days. It was now early September, which meant he would break through to the Second Tier in November. Even then, he would still be only fifteen years old.

Yet amid his delight, Lin Qing could not help feeling some regret. The supreme treasure, Earthheart Marrow, that had helped him advance at lightning speed had been consumed without interruption for days. Fewer than forty drops remained.

His gaze swept over the other two cultivation arts on the panel: the Lunar Visualization Art and the Solar Visualization Art. He had not deliberately spent his focus specializing in either of them.

During his usual street patrols, he would cultivate them for a short while only when he saw the morning sun by day or gazed upon the stars and moon while lodging at night, gaining a little proficiency along the way.

Cultivation was inherently constrained by the heavens and the seasons. There was no morning sun on cloudy days, no stars or moon on rainy nights. Moreover, he had focused all his efforts on the Second-Tier Stance Arts, so the two Visualization Arts had progressed slowly all along.

Fortunately, the system possessed its miraculous power. Whenever he completed a cultivation art, the total proficiency required for both Visualization Arts would quietly decrease a little. As days piled into months, their progress remained slow, but it would save him a great deal of bitter cultivation in the future. It was an unseen benefit.

After completing all the Second-Tier Stance Arts just now, the medicinal effect of the Earthheart Marrow had yet to dissipate completely. It still had roughly the duration of an incense stick left. He practiced the Falling Rock Fist Art three more times, yet its proficiency increased by only nine points.

Just as he had expected, after the Second-Tier Cultivation Arts reached completion, the Earthheart Marrow's effects had weakened again. It now provided only a threefold increase.

Lin Qing no longer planned to use the remaining Earthheart Marrow to cultivate combat techniques.

In martial cultivation, cultivation arts were the root, while martial arts were the leaves. Cultivation arts determined the upper limit of one's cultivation and formed the foundation upon which one stood in the martial path, which was why he had used the Earthheart Marrow to break through at top speed. Fist and foot techniques, however, were merely means for fighting and killing enemies.

There were still a full sixty days before his Body-Tempering Realm breakthrough. This span of time was more than ample. With nothing more than his own daily hard work, he could fully polish all the basic martial arts in his possession to completion. There was no need whatsoever to waste the precious Earthheart Marrow.

The days flowed by slowly amid such peaceful, uneventful cultivation and patrol duty.

Withered leaves drifted down, and in the blink of an eye, it was already mid-October. The Summer Kingdom had entered winter.

One afternoon, a servant dressed in the blue robes of the Wang Lineage came specifically to the Martial Suppression Office. Holding a calling card, he respectfully sought out Lin Qing, who was on duty.

"Young Master Xie, my young lady has prepared a modest feast and invites you to Cloudrest Tower tonight for a gathering."

The servant respectfully presented the calling card, his words humble and courteous.

Lin Qing did not decline. He nodded in acceptance and took the card. After finishing that day's patrol, he straightened his clothes and arrived at the appointment on time.

At dusk, the setting sun sank in the western sky, and evening clouds spread across half the heavens, dyeing every house and tower in Cloudmist Prefecture a warm red.

Alone, Lin Qing slowly made his way to Cloudrest Tower, the most renowned establishment in the center of the prefectural city.

Cloudrest Tower stood in the busiest district of the prefectural city. It was a five-story pavilion overlooking the river, with walls of blue brick and a roof of dark tiles. Its upturned eaves stretched into the air, and delicate bronze bells hung from their corners. Whenever the evening breeze brushed past, they chimed softly and clearly.

The building was not plated in gold and draped in jade like the pavilions of wealthy clans, flaunting extravagance. Instead, it was ancient and dignified throughout. The grain of its wooden window lattices was distinct, while its layered carvings were simple and elegant—neither gaudy nor vulgar. From its five stories, one could lean over the railing and overlook the myriad household lights of all Cloudmist Prefecture and the murmuring river below. Its location was superb, and its bearing extraordinary.

This place had always been where the winds and clouds of Cloudmist Prefecture converged. Young scions of prominent families, gifted young wanderers of the martial world, and refined scholars all loved to drink, discuss the Dao, chat, and make friends here. It was rightly considered the most famous tavern in Cloudmist Prefecture.

Lin Qing stepped forward and entered Cloudrest Tower directly.

The interior was even more distinctive, breaking free from the commonplace splendor of ordinary taverns and perfectly blending the boldness of the martial world with the refined elegance of scholars.

The floor was paved with polished bluestone slabs, spotless and free of the slightest dust. Rather than colorful murals and embroidered finery, the surrounding walls displayed landscape ink paintings and freehand calligraphy of the martial world, their brushwork serene and their meaning profound.

The pillars throughout the building retained the natural color of raw wood, without elaborate lacquerwork. Wooden couplets hung upon them, inscribed with poems of wandering heroes and brief lines of mountains and rivers, their noble spirit laid bare.

The moment he entered, a quick-witted waiter in a short jacket hurried over, his manner respectful and attentive.

"Young master, have you come alone, or do you already have an appointment?"

Lin Qing spoke calmly. "My name is Xie Chen. I have come at Miss Wang Qingwan's invitation."

"So it is Young Master Xie! This humble one understands. Miss Wang gave instructions long ago. Please follow me!"

Upon hearing this, the waiter immediately bowed and led the way. They climbed the wooden stairs step by step until they reached the fifth floor.

The fifth floor consisted entirely of private rooms, far from the bustle downstairs and quietly elegant.

The waiter stopped outside an elegant private room at the innermost end. He gently knocked on the wooden door and announced softly, "Miss Wang, Young Master Xie Chen has arrived."

A moment later, the wooden door opened in response.

The one who opened it was Yuan'er, Wang Qingwan's personal maid.

Yuan'er wore a plain maidservant's dress. Her brows and eyes were gentle, and upon seeing Lin Qing, she immediately bent her knees in a slight curtsy. Her voice was soft. "Greetings, Young Master Xie."

"No need for formalities." Lin Qing gave a slight nod.

Yuan'er stepped aside, gestured invitingly, and led Lin Qing into the room.

The private room's layout was simple and open, without elaborate ornaments. A round table of raw wood stood in the center, already laid with delicate dishes and warmed fine wine.

Only two people sat beside the round table, both outstanding in appearance and bearing.

One was Wang Qingwan, lovely in appearance and gentle in temperament. She wore a light-colored long dress and simple, elegant makeup. The anxious haggardness from the previous troubles of her Lineage had faded away, leaving her brows and eyes tranquil and soft, her radiance bright and moving.

The young man seated beside her possessed an even more exceptional bearing. He stood tall and straight like a pine, dressed in fitted azure sect robes of fine fabric and understated patterns. His features were clear and handsome, and an aloof, unworldly aura unique to a peerless genius naturally surrounded him.

He was none other than Ye Lingchuan, a disciple of the Azure Profound Sect and a top genius ranked on the Hidden Dragon Ranking.

When Lin Qing entered the room, Wang Qingwan and Ye Lingchuan rose at the same time.

A gentle smile curved Wang Qingwan's lips as she spoke first, her tone warm and friendly. "Young Master Xie, your presence honors us. Please, sit quickly."

As she spoke, she took the initiative to introduce the two men to each other.

Looking at Lin Qing, she introduced softly, "Young Master Xie, this is Ye Lingchuan, a core disciple of the Azure Profound Sect and a renowned genius of the Hidden Dragon Ranking among the younger generation of Cloudmist Prefecture."

Then she turned to Ye Lingchuan, a touch of softness in her brows. "Lingchuan, this is the Young Master Xie Chen I often mentioned to you. He serves in the Martial Suppression Office and has helped me many times before. I owe him a great debt of gratitude."

Hearing the introduction, Lin Qing remained composed. He clasped his hands lightly, neither servile nor overbearing. "Young Master Ye, I have long admired your name. The fame of a Hidden Dragon Ranking genius resounds throughout the Summer Kingdom. Now that I see you in person, your bearing is indeed extraordinary."

Ye Lingchuan was likewise gentle and courteous. He immediately returned the salute, his gaze open and sincere. "Young Master Xie flatters me. Wan'er has mentioned you to me many times before, and it is truly fortunate that we can finally meet today. When Wan'er's Lineage faced danger in the past, you took great pains to help her. Lingchuan offers you his thanks."

The instant Lin Qing heard the intimate, natural way he said "Wan'er," he understood.

After several months apart, Wang Qingwan and Ye Lingchuan had already come together. Affection had quietly sprouted between them, and their hearts were in accord.

People always called love at first sight romantic and sincere, yet most love at first sight in this world was merely a momentary stirring at first glimpse of a face—desire born from beauty. Love that could truly endure together for years would never arise from nothing.

When the Wang Lineage had been mired in crisis, Wang Qingwan had taken the initiative to befriend Ye Lingchuan. At first, she had indeed intended to borrow Ye Lingchuan's influence to protect her Lineage. It had not been wholly from the heart.

Yet in human relationships, understanding one another was precious.

After spending a long time together, she must have seen Ye Lingchuan's character, bearing, and gentle true nature clearly. Ye Lingchuan, in turn, had come to understand her resilience, intelligence, tenderness, and sincerity. With one exchange after another, their interest-driven connection gradually faded, while genuine affection quietly took root. What had begun as deliberate closeness became the sincere love of two people running toward each other.

Those thoughts flashed through Lin Qing's mind in an instant, and the smile on his face deepened as he sat down calmly.

Yuan'er stepped forward at the proper moment and filled Lin Qing's cup with warmed fine wine before silently retreating to stand waiting in a corner.

The three sat around the table, and the atmosphere was relaxed and harmonious. They chatted about scenery and romance, amusing matters in the prefectural city, and a few anecdotes from the martial world and tales of sects. They spoke of local customs from various regions and interesting matters of martial cultivation, without the slightest awkwardness or unfamiliarity.

After three rounds of wine, the atmosphere gradually grew warmer.

Ye Lingchuan suddenly raised the wine cup before him. Sitting upright, he looked sincerely at Lin Qing and spoke solemnly. "Young Master Xie, I heard from Wan'er. If you had not guided and helped her back then, building a bridge between us, Wan'er and I would not have the fate we share today. Lingchuan will remember this kindness of bringing us together in his heart. I offer you a cup!"

Lin Qing was slightly taken aback, then laughed.

He had not expected Wang Qingwan to frankly tell Ye Lingchuan how he had advised her to borrow Ye Lingchuan's influence and take the initiative to befriend him.

But after thinking it over, he understood completely.

Wang Qingwan was open-hearted and gracious, never concealing her true feelings. She did not wish for their relationship to begin with deliberate concealment and calculation, so she chose honesty and told him the truth about her original purpose.

It was precisely this sincerity and openness that had allowed pure, genuine affection to arise between her and Ye Lingchuan.

With that thought, Lin Qing no longer hesitated. He raised his wine cup and lightly clinked it against Ye Lingchuan's. A crisp sound rang out, and he tipped back his head, draining the warmed wine in a single gulp.

The wine was clear, sweet, and mellow. It lingered smoothly in his throat, its warmth slowly flowing into his stomach.

Once the wine in his cup was finished, Wang Qingwan smiled gently and drew an exquisitely bound, elegant red invitation from her sleeve. She presented it to Lin Qing with both hands.

Her gaze was gentle and her tone sincere, carrying a young woman's delight and anticipation. "Young Master Xie, Lingchuan and I are in love, and we have already set our wedding date. We will marry this December. We have specially prepared this invitation and hope that Young Master Xie can make time to attend and honor us by witnessing it."

Lin Qing accepted the warm invitation, his fingertips touching the smooth paper. As he looked at the neat, elegant character for joy on its cover, a warmth rose sincerely in his heart.

Looking at the talented man and beautiful woman before him, a match made in heaven, he nodded openly and agreed with a smile. "Congratulations to you both on this heaven-made union! I will certainly come to offer my congratulations and attend your wedding banquet."

The night grew deeper. Outside the window, the evening breeze drifted gently, and the lights of the city glittered brilliantly. Within the private room, warmth filled the air.