Meeting Was a Miracle

Clear-broth goose.

The broth was thick and milky white, with golden fat floating on top. Thin slices of pickled radish gave its rich, savory flavor a slight tang.

It was a hole-in-the-wall restaurant outside the North Gate.

Teacher Shi Qian wasted no time on pleasantries. While they waited for the food, he talked about his days with Professor Chen. As soon as the pot arrived, he picked up his chopsticks and asked:

"You said you took the Sea-Opening Potion six months ago. What rank are you now? Reached the Second Tier yet?"

"I have."

"Not bad! How far into the Second Tier?"

"Um..."

Chen Shu hesitated, then decided to tell the truth rather than dress one lie up with more. "I'm about ready to make a push for the Third Tier."

"Seriously? That's impressive!"

"Is that supposed to be encouragement?"

"Do your parents know?"

"No."

"Oh..." Shi Qian nodded, drawing out the word to show he understood. These days, people no longer encouraged the path of the Ancient Cultivator. It was fine for young people to pursue it a little—who hadn't gone through a phase like that? But if Chen Shu showed signs of charging down that path at full speed, pressing forward without a glance back, his parents would certainly worry. "Still, your talent is extraordinary. Far better than your dad's!"

"So can I get the Thousand Mechanisms Art early?"

"Of course. Take it whenever you like! Oh, I forgot to mention this in class: anyone who's already advanced in this area can come to me for it early." Shi Qian ate a piece of meat. "Our department takes in crouching tigers and hidden dragons every year. Plenty of students arrive with a better grasp of Spell Principles than third- or fourth-year students at other schools. There's no need to hold them back."

"Can I have the complete version?"

"The Second Tier is a bit early for that, but if you're about to reach the Third Tier, you can study the complete version then. I can give it to you in advance. Judging by the questions you asked me before, your understanding is ahead of most fifth-year students. I trust you. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask."

"That would be great."

"Are you really that set on the ancient cultivation path?" Shi Qian glanced at Chen Shu. Steam rose from the meat and broth in his bowl. "What's wrong with modern cultivation? It's easier to find work, the pay's good. Ancient cultivation isn't much use outside the military, and it could get you into trouble."

"It's interesting."

"That's what they all say..." Shi Qian lowered his head and blew on the soup in his bowl. "If you want to follow that path, your cultivation rank matters a lot. Have you got an Advancement Potion ready?"

"I'm a little short on money. Do you know any good ways I could earn what I need?"

"I do."

Teacher Shi Qian sounded casual but certain. "Eat up, eat up. Less talking over dinner. We can discuss it on the walk back."

"Fair point."

Focusing on the food at the table was a good habit.

"This soup's good."

"It's a little too rich today. Usually it's better."

"Too salty? I hadn't noticed, but after a while it does get a bit..."

"Greasy?"

"Yeah. There's not enough pickled radish, and it hasn't pickled long enough. If you don't taste carefully, you'd think it was fresh radish."

"You've got a picky palate!"

"It's what I'm proudest of..."

Of course, discussing the food and exchanging opinions now and then was pleasant too.

By the time they finished eating, the sky had darkened.

Shi Qian went to pay the bill himself. It came to less than a hundred yuan. As they walked toward the academy, he said, "There are plenty of ways to make money, but most are slow. Students in our department usually sign up with a commission agency and take jobs that require cultivators, or even Ancient Cultivators. Make the most of your strengths, right? At least it pays better than the part-time jobs students in other schools take, and saves you time and effort."

He paused. "If you have any other skills you can earn money with, use those too. Ordinary part-time work definitely won't meet your needs."

"Any commission agencies you'd recommend?"

"I'll have to ask around when I get back."

"Okay..."

"Why is that girl over there staring at you?"

"What gi—"

Chen Shu turned his head. A graceful figure stood quietly at the edge of the sidewalk across the road, watching him. She wore a mask, her gaze calm.

"Maybe it's because I'm handsome..."

"Ha..."

Teacher Shi Qian laughed. "I'll leave you here, then. I'm heading back. Ask me whenever you have a question."

"Okay."

Chen Shu stopped.

Then he crossed the road.

Today Qingqing wore a pale blue sweater, so pale it was almost white, loose-fitting over a pair of light beige wide-leg trousers that looked soft to the touch. Her hair fell naturally down her back, as though she had just washed and dried it. She looked neat and quiet.

With her mask on and her hands resting lightly behind her back, she stood very straight.

Behind her lay the embers of the setting sun.

"Hey, beautiful. Who are you waiting for?"

The moment Chen Shu came close, she brought a hand out from behind her back and threw a straight punch.

Thud!

"Violence!"

Rubbing his chest, Chen Shu told her, "And you claim I taught Xiaoxiao to hit people. Ask anyone else, and they'd definitely say she learned it from you!"

Ning Qing took off her mask and put it away carefully.

"I didn't teach her."

"She picked it up from watching you!"

"..."

"See? Nothing to say to that, have you?"

"What does that have to do with me?"

"Still making excuses."

"Tsk."

"What made you come looking for me? You didn't even tell me beforehand." Chen Shu started walking. "How did you know I'd pass this way?"

"I guessed."

"You can guess that? Does that mean I'll never have any privacy again?" Chen Shu put on a frightened face. "I'm trembling."

"You tell so many lies. When have I ever exposed you?"

"I don't."

"There's another one."

"..." Chen Shu pursed his lips. "Have you had dinner?"

"Yes."

"Then I'll take you around the sports field. Lots of young couples walk there in the evening." Chen Shu paused. "We can pretend we're a couple too."

"Okay."

The last light of the sun gradually faded, and the sunset clouds lost their color. The sky at the horizon grew lovelier still. The first white star appeared, while a waning crescent hung on the other side.

The sports field bustled with activity. People played ball in the center, the inner lanes of the track belonged to night runners, and the outer lanes were full of people strolling.

Chen Shu and Qingqing walked slowly. He asked, "Are you getting along better with your roommates?"

"A little."

"Really?"

"I don't lie."

"How did you manage it? Tell me."

"Through my wisdom."

"Look at you, Qingqing!" Chen Shu patted her shoulder. Her shoulder was soft, and the fabric of her sweater was so soft too. "How does it feel?"

"Your hand's heavy."

"How does it feel to get along with your roommates?"

"Fine."

"Keep it up."

"I'm going to look for a place off campus. Somewhere with a courtyard."

"Have you decided whether you'll keep living in the dorm?"

"I'll see."

"..."

The floodlights around the sports field came on.

Thursday, Ling'an Academy.

Ning Qing had a full day of classes too.

In the morning, she had Theoretical Astrophysics and Cosmic Observation. Her first long class in the afternoon was Cosmology and Galaxy Formation, followed by Cosmic Radiation and Spiritual Power. As soon as the first class ended, Ning Qing went to the next classroom and sat in the front row.

The teacher for this course was Lord Ouyuangong.

She had read Lord Ouyuangong's popular science books when she was very young. They had sparked a deep fascination with the universe that stayed with her into adulthood and eventually led her to choose this major.

This was the first class of Cosmic Radiation and Spiritual Power.

There were forty students in the class—enough to fill its quota, with no extra places added. But there were certainly more than forty people in the room. Students from other majors had come to sit in. Clearly, both the mysterious universe and the venerable Lord Ouyuangong held a powerful draw for young people.

The old gentleman came in carrying a cup of water. His hair had turned gray, and age spots showed on his face.

Cultivators usually remained in the best condition of their lives until spirit decline began. His appearance meant that stage was near for the old gentleman. He was approaching the end of his life.

Spirit decline was painful, and the higher a cultivator's rank, the worse it became. It was a cultivator's old age and the most terrifying ordeal of a cultivation career. Its many symptoms often left those it afflicted to die with even less dignity than an ordinary elderly person.

In ancient times, there had been nothing anyone could do about it.

As a result, many cultivators chose to skip that stage. When their time drew near, they would gather their disciples and children, tell them they were about to die, and then die.

The pain was secondary. What mattered was losing their dignity.

Modern medicine had made great progress in this area.

For low-ranking cultivators, spirit decline had essentially been overcome. With regular medication, they could lead normal lives, though they would age over those few years.

For mid-ranking cultivators, it depended on the individual. Some needed long-term medical supervision or even permanent hospitalization, but treatment could greatly reduce their symptoms.

For high-ranking cultivators, however, even enormous expense brought little improvement.

Reaching a high rank was also extremely difficult. The cost increasingly outweighed the return, while the potential for social instability grew. Unless necessary, the government no longer encouraged people to advance to a high rank or proactively provided resources and other support.

The military and other essential posts were exceptions—

Those cultivators sacrificed a great deal. Even with longer lives, they did not spend their extra years enjoying themselves. They kept striving to improve, protecting their country and serving its people. When spirit decline came, if they chose to pass away as cultivators had in ancient times, the state would compensate their descendants and give them a grand funeral. If they wished to see the world for a few more years, the state would do everything it could to ease their pain and preserve their dignity in old age.

Lord Ouyuangong was over three hundred years old and was naturally a high-ranking cultivator.

The old man looked perfectly ordinary. His back was still straight, and he showed not the slightest fear of death. He even insisted on continuing to teach young people.

His voice sounded like that of any ordinary old man too.

"Hello, students."

"Hello, teacher."

"Before we begin, allow me to ramble for a moment." The old gentleman looked around the room. "As everyone knows, the universe is vast, and most of it is dead. For life to arise on our planet is something wondrous beyond belief. For us to meet here, to think here, and to talk here is a miracle that seems ordinary."

Ning Qing listened quietly, a smile touching her lips.

It is a miracle.

The old gentleman continued. "So in this course, what I hope for most is that we get to know one another. Each of us is unique in all the world. Each of us is part of a miracle that took the universe eighty billion years to bring forth. Perhaps we can come to appreciate all the wonder and beauty within it. More than that, I hope we can meet as equals. Set aside our roles as teacher and students. We can talk about anything related to the universe in this classroom, as friends—inside the curriculum or outside it, rigorous or wildly imaginative. All of it is welcome.

"I hope that when the day comes for us to part, none of you will feel you wasted this time. And years from now, perhaps you'll still remember me as your teacher and think of me now and then.

"And if anyone finds this course dull, or has something more important to do, you may choose not to come at any time.

"You have my permission to skip class.

"There are many things in this world more important than attending class. Many.

"Perhaps the moonlight is beautiful one evening, and as you walk along, you suddenly don't want to come. Then you don't have to. Perhaps someone you love has spent hours traveling to see you that day. Of course you should go meet them. Remember to dress nicely.

"Or perhaps some other beauty in this world has caught your eye...

"The universe is boundless, but believe me, it is not the most important thing. While you lose yourself in the stars, don't forget to bring your gaze back down and admire the beauty of this world."

The old gentleman's voice carried the weight of years. His eyes held too much as well; they had long since lost the brightness of his youth.

"Now, let's begin.

"I see your last class was cosmology. Your teacher must have covered the cosmic explosion and residual radiation, so I won't dwell on them. In this class, we can discuss Cosmic Embers and the Source of Spiritual Power in turn. That will also lay the groundwork for Plane Studies next semester."

Ning Qing was already familiar with everything covered in the lesson, but listening in person was different from reading a book. She still came away with something new.

Two hours passed quickly.

The old gentleman began packing his things at an unhurried pace, with the ease that came with his years. Outside, someone was calling Ning Qing.

"Ning Qing!

"Ning Qing!

"Hey! Over here!"

The classroom windows were very high. Ning Qing caught sight of Zhang Suannai's head popping into view now and then and could picture her jumping outside.

Zhang Suannai kept waving at her too.

Ning Qing pressed her lips together, picked up her books and water cup, and went out.

Zhang Suannai stood beneath the window, waiting for her with an excited grin. "I came to pick you up!"

"What are you doing here?"

"I just told you. I came to pick you up!"

"?"

"I happened to have class upstairs, and my teacher let us out early, so I thought I'd try my luck and see if you were still here. Then I spotted you right away in the front row. Hey, aren't you worried you'll block everyone's view when you sit up front? You're so tall."

"Let's go."

"You're so aloof!" Zhang Suannai fell into step beside Ning Qing. "Which dining hall are you going to? Want Grandma... I mean, your senior to take you to another one?"

"Talk less."

"Why?" Zhang Suannai asked, looking baffled. "I have a mouth so I can talk!"

"I don't like it when people talk too much."

"Are you like this with everyone?"

"..."

"Are you like this with your parents too?"

"Yes."

"Then you must be a terrible daughter."

"Shut up."

"Why didn't you answer when I asked about everyone? Does that mean you're not like this with everyone? That makes you an even worse daughter..."

"..."

"How about your senior takes you shopping at the Royal Plaza this weekend?"

"I'm not going."

"See! I knew there was a reason you didn't answer!"

"Stop bothering me."

"Fine, fine..."

Ning Qing reached the turn in the corridor on the ground floor and glanced back. The elderly gentleman stood alone outside the classroom, holding a cup of water as he looked up at the osmanthus blossoms in the courtyard. Countless young students passed him, talking and laughing. His hair alone was white; his expression alone was tranquil.

Clusters of golden blossoms on the tree gave off a faint, sweet fragrance. Everyone could smell it, but only he had stopped to admire them.

Ning Qing paused to look for a few seconds before turning away.

It was osmanthus season again...

She knew herself well. She lacked the ability to stop and appreciate the world. Without a miracle, her life should have been a dull one.

Fortunately, someone was always there to remind her.

Just like with these osmanthus blossoms: last year, it had been Chen Shu's osmanthus cakes; this year, it was a teacher.

I updated 7,800 characters today. Jasmine was amazing!