The next day, Qing Lin woke up even earlier than usual.
She smoothed her sleeves over and over, flattening even the slightest crease at the cuffs before she finally stepped out with her small booklet in hand.
Xiao Yan was waiting for her under the veranda, and couldn't help smiling at the sight.
"Didn't I say we wouldn't be testing medicine names today?"
Qing Lin lowered her head to glance at the booklet in her arms, the tips of her ears turning slightly red.
"I was afraid I'd forget..."
"Forget it for a little while, let's eat."
Xiao Yan gestured toward the table.
Xun'er had already saved a seat for her, while Xiao Yi Xian pushed a bowl of hot broth over and smoothly took the booklet, which had been clenched until it was somewhat wrinkled.
"Going in with an empty stomach will just make your eyes strain and leave you feeling dizzy from hunger."
Qing Lin lifted her bowl and gave a soft acknowledgment.
Yet this meal took her even longer than usual. The osmanthus cake she usually loved was left right beside her hand, but she only spared it two glances.
Xun'er noticed, though she didn't ask too much, simply wrapping one of the pieces in clean paper and placing it beside the food box.
"Keep it, eat it later."
After breakfast, the group headed together to the small courtyard where Xiao Yan practiced.
The courtyard gate closed, and the footsteps outside gradually faded away.
Xiao Yi Xian had also brought the bamboo cage from the apothecary, inside of which the small gray-backed snake coiled lazily, its head hidden beneath its body with only the tip of its tail exposed.
At the sight of it, Qing Lin unconsciously relaxed.
At least there was still a familiar little thing here.
Xiao Yan placed the cage on the stone table and pulled back half of the cage cloth.
"Qing Lin, just like you usually do, call it out to see."
She nodded, bent down, and softly called twice.
The little snake stirred, actually lifting its head from its coiled body and pressing close to the cage bars as it inched forward.
In the morning light, three tiny points of emerald light surfaced deep within the girl's pupils.
Xiao Yan's mind stirred slightly, and beside the Soul-Nurturing Lamp within the Storage Ring, Yao Chen had already straightened up.
"Let her look at that little snake again."
The aged voice sounded only within Xiao Yan's mind, unnoticed by anyone else in the courtyard.
Xiao Yan lifted the cage slightly as instructed.
Those three points of emerald light flashed once more, and Yao Chen took a clear look, astonishment instantly welling up in his eyes.
"Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils!"
"This lass is no simple character."
Hearing this name, the lingering suspicion in Xiao Yan's heart finally settled.
He gazed at Qing Lin, though no particular expression immediately showed on his face.
"Yao Lao, how should this pair of eyes be guided?"
"This Pupillary Art is exceedingly rare and relates to the Snake-People bloodline within her. It has an extraordinary suppressive effect on serpentine magical beasts. Once mastered, it can also disrupt the perceptions of others and plunge them into illusions."
Yao Chen paused, then cast another glance at the unusually docile little snake in the cage.
"It's just that she is still quite raw at the moment, and most likely has no idea how she even managed to use them. Rushing to urge them forth will only easily exhaust her mind and spirit."
With that, he looked toward Bodhi at the side and smiled.
"Of course, with Senior here, naturally old man like me doesn't need to worry about this."
Bodhi's horsetail whisk stirred slightly.
"Once your eyes have seen clearly, tend to the nurturing of your own soul in peace."
Yao Chen cupped his fists and sat back down beside the lamp.
In the courtyard, Qing Lin was still staring at the stone table, unaware of why Xiao Yan had suddenly quieted down.
Right at that moment, a wisp of faint clear light rose from the Storage Ring.
A white-robed Daoist appeared beside the stone table, his sleeves hanging down as even the wind in the courtyard seemed to grow somewhat gentler.
Xiao Yan introduced him to the others:
"This is my teacher."
Xun'er's gaze narrowed slightly. The old man was clearly standing right before her, yet she could not perceive the slightest aura from him, as if even the energy flowing through heaven and earth quietly parted and flowed around that white robe.
She suppressed the astonishment in her heart and properly executed a bow.
"Greetings, Senior."
Bodhi smiled and nodded, saying nothing further.
Startled, Qing Lin took half a step back and moved to bow, but was gently supported by a mild force.
"Just stand properly."
Bodhi looked at her with a smile.
"Did you hear what this little thing said just now?"
Qing Lin started, hurriedly shaking her head.
"It didn't speak."
"Was there any hazy feeling in your heart?"
She hesitated for a moment, then looked toward the bamboo cage.
"It seemed to... find the light too glaring, and wanted to burrow back beneath the cloth."
Xiao Yan casually pulled the cage cloth up a fraction.
The little snake immediately shrank its head back and nudged toward the shadowed side.
Curiosity lit up Xiao Yi Xian's eyes, and Xun'er also lightly raised an eyebrow.
Qing Lin herself was the first to be stunned.
She had originally thought that seeing the snake avoid the light was just something she had guessed blindly.
Bodhi pointed toward her eyes.
"These eyes have a name called the Triple Jade-Green Snake Flower Pupils. Used well, you can perceive the intent of snake beasts much more easily than others, and you can also make them obey your commands."
"However, today we learn to listen clearly first."
Qing Lin gazed at him, her fingers tightening little by little.
In the past, when others saw her eyes and scales, what they said most often was for her to stay farther away.
She had hidden for so long, never knowing that such a skill was concealed within them.
"I... can I learn it too?"
"The eyes grow on your head; if I don't teach you, am I going to teach him?"
Bodhi tilted his whisk toward Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan rubbed his nose.
"This disciple's pair of eyes temporarily only knows how to recognize herbs and find food."
Xiao Yi Xian couldn't hold back a chuckle.
Qing Lin pressed her lips together, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly as well.
Bodhi raised a hand, and a speck of clear light landed between her brows.
There was no surging Dou Qi, nor any uncomfortable collision. Several lines of clear text seemed to be slowly written down, remaining within her mind and spirit.
Azure Spirit Soul-Nourishing Manual.
"This is a soul-nourishing method I compiled based on the nature of your Pupillary Art. First nourish your mind and spirit, then learn to maneuver your Pupillary Art. You shall practice starting from this opening section."
Qing Lin subconsciously closed her eyes.
Though the characters were clear, she read very slowly, and whenever she encountered something she didn't understand, she would recite it softly.
Bodhi did not rush her either, casually pointing out the essentials within it, having her relax her clenched hands and sit upon the rush mat.
"No need to hold your breath. You are nurturing your spirit, not trying to stuff yourself into a jar."
Xiao Yan had just wanted to smile when the Grandmaster already glanced over.
"When you first began learning, you weren't any better than her."
He instantly straightened his expression.
Xun'er's eyes curved at the side.
Half an hour later, Qing Lin opened her eyes once more.
The sour fatigue in the depths of her gaze had faded considerably, and even the breeze blowing through the courtyard seemed clearer than when she had first arrived.
Bodhi reached out and lightly traced a line around the perimeter of the stone table.
A pale light flashed and then melted into the table edge.
"Let it out."
Xiao Yan opened the cage door, and the gray-backed snake poked its head out, slowly slithering onto the tabletop.
The moment it approached the edge of the table, it seemed to touch a soft wall, sliding right back along the rim without even bumping its head.
Qing Lin had originally been afraid it would slip into the grass, but seeing this, she finally set her mind at ease.
"Let it look at you first."
Following Bodhi's words, she slowly bent down and gazed into those tiny snake pupils.
Three points of emerald light surfaced within the depths of her eyes.
The little snake paused for an instant.
Joy welled up in Qing Lin's heart as she hurriedly willed it to come over.
Yet it merely flicked its forked tongue, then twisted its head away and continued slithering along the edge of the table.
It didn't come over.
She lightly pressed her lips together, her gaze chasing the little snake as the thoughts in her mind grew anxious along with it.
It had clearly worked just a moment ago.
The Grandmaster had taught her personally, and the young master and the others were all waiting; surely she couldn't even call back such a tiny snake.
The emerald light in the depths of her eyes flared brightly all at once.
Yet the little snake seemed startled by something, violently shrinking its body back and lashing its tail against the tabletop.
A pain immediately flared between Qing Lin's brows.
She drew in a soft breath, and the slender snake shadow before her eyes actually wavered into two.
"Stop."
Bodhi's voice was not loud, yet it dropped straight into her chaotic emotions.
A thread of coolness brushed across the space between her brows, and the darting emerald light subsided accordingly.
As the pain faded, Qing Lin blinked, her eye sockets already somewhat red.
Xiao Yi Xian immediately helped her sit properly, while Xun'er moved the bamboo cage closer, and the little snake of its own accord burrowed back into the darkness.
"Am I just too stupid..."
Qing Lin lowered her head, not daring to look at anyone.
Xiao Yan handed over a clean handkerchief.
"How long have you even been practicing? Back when I first learned fire control, I nearly burned my own sleeves off."
"Really?"
"Would I lie to you about this?"
Watching him, Xiao Yi Xian suddenly recalled that practiced air he wore when refining medicine on ordinary days, and more smiles gathered in her eyes.
Bodhi sat upon the stone stool and spoke leisurely.
"She was anxious, but back then, your mind went running off to think about other things."
Xiao Yan wore a helpless expression.
"Teacher, spare this disciple a little face."
Holding the handkerchief, the corners of Qing Lin's mouth finally twitched upward once more.
Xiao Yi Xian brought over a bowl of medicinal soup that had been kept warm earlier, utilizing only a few mild-natured herbs to slowly soothe fatigue.
Qing Lin tasted a tiny mouthful, and her brows immediately knitted together.
Bitter.
Bigger than she had imagined.
Seeing her trying so hard not to make a sound, Xiao Yi Xian couldn't help saying, "If you think it's bitter, just say so; I won't laugh at you."
Xiao Yan nodded from the side.
"It's fine, I frowned when I drank it too."
"You call that frowning? The last time you drank three cups of water, you practically poured the bottom of the cup straight down your throat."
Xun'er unwrapped the osmanthus cake she had packed that morning, waiting until Qing Lin finished her soup before placing it into her hand.
"Eat a little to wash away the taste."
The sweet fragrance blossomed across the tip of her tongue, and as Qing Lin held the pastry, her eyes grew somewhat warm again.
The thing she had failed to accomplish just moments ago had not brought a single word of disdain.
Even the little snake had been properly returned to its cage and was resting securely in coils.
She swallowed the last bite of the pastry, carefully wiped her fingers clean, and only then raised her head to look at Bodhi.
"I want to try again."
Bodhi gazed at her and nodded slightly.
"Run through that opening section once more first. Once your mind is still, open your eyes."
This time, Qing Lin did not rush to look at the stone table.
She sat back down upon the rush mat and, following the characters in her mind, slowly regulated her breathing.
Someone walked past the veranda outside, their shoe soles stepping sharply against two flagstones; leaves in the courtyard swayed gently, and a speck of sunlight landed upon her cuff.
She stopped desperately trying to drive those sounds away and simply drew her attention back, little by little.
After a long while, her taut back gradually relaxed.
"That will do."
Only when she heard Bodhi's voice did she open her eyes.
The second time the little snake climbed onto the stone table, it first glanced warily around.
Qing Lin did not call to it right away.
Following that vague sensation from before, she gently directed her gaze toward it.
Three points of emerald light appeared in her eyes again, but their glow was much softer than the first time.
Soon, a faint trace of emotion reached her.
Wariness, and a little unease.
Before, she had been so intent on making it obey that she had not noticed any of this.
Qing Lin glanced at the sunlight falling across the table and reached out to pull the cage cover aside a little, creating a small patch of shade at the table's corner.
"Over here."
Her voice was soft, but her gaze did not waver.
The little snake stayed where it was and flicked its tongue twice.
Xiao Yan stood beside her with his arms folded, making no sound to hurry her along.
A moment later, the gray snake finally moved.
It wound around an empty teacup and slowly slithered into the shade she was pointing at.
Qing Lin's eyes lit up, but she resisted the urge to turn around immediately and seek the others.
Remembering the lesson she had just learned, she first steadied her mind, then gently sent out another thought.
Stop.
Sure enough, the little snake's outstretched head slowly came to a halt.
It was barely half a foot from the cage entrance, yet it did not continue inside.
Qing Lin's breath caught slightly.
This time, she felt it clearly.
It was no coincidence, nor had it simply come closer after hearing her voice.
That exceedingly fine thread of connection linked her to the little creature before her.
"Let it go back," Bodhi said.
Qing Lin nodded gently and sent out the thought again.
The gray-backed little snake turned its head, slithered through the cage door, and obediently coiled up in its original spot.
Only after the cage door closed did she slowly blink.
The three points of emerald light in her pupils faded with it.
"You did it."
Xun'er smiled and clasped her hand.
Qing Lin looked at the bamboo cage, then at her own hand, the joy on her face becoming harder and harder to hide.
"It really heard me!"
Xiao Yi Xian smiled too.
"At last, someone can talk our apothecary's most difficult little guest into behaving."
Standing to one side, Xiao Yan watched the girl's face brighten, and his own heart grew lighter as well.
This was only the first day.
With the Grandmaster guiding Qing Lin personally, how far she might go was truly something to look forward to.
Just then, an eagle's cry suddenly rang out from atop the courtyard wall.
Xiao Lan landed on the wall, tilted its head to look down, then flapped its wings and flew over.
Qing Lin hurriedly reached out to shield the bamboo cage before her.
Unexpectedly, that blue streak never even glanced at the little snake, heading straight for the food box beside Xiao Yan.
Quick of eye and hand, Xiao Yan snapped the lid shut with a clack.
"You certainly know how to pick your moment."
Xiao Lan landed on a stone stool and gave two disgruntled cries.
Xiao Yi Xian reached out and tapped its head.
"Didn't I feed you this morning?"
It turned its head the other way, pretending not to hear.
Only then did Qing Lin lower the hands shielding the cage, unable to keep from laughing.
"I thought it was going to catch the snake."
"It's more interested in the food in that box," Xun'er said with a smile.
Bodhi looked at Qing Lin and offered a casual reminder.
"You can connect with this little snake because your Pupillary Art resonates with the bloodline of snakes. With an eagle beast, you cannot simply do what you did just now and make it obey your every command."
Qing Lin committed this carefully to memory, then lowered her head and covered the cage.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yan opened the food box, selected a small piece of cake, and handed it to Xiao Yi Xian.
"Take it over there to eat. A couple more cries, and the whole courtyard will know we've hidden something good."
Finally satisfied, Xiao Lan followed Xiao Yi Xian over to the covered walkway.
Qing Lin watched the woman and eagle, then touched the bamboo cage's handle. A moment ago, she had been too caught up in her joy to notice; only now did she realize she had dared to reach out and shield this little creature in front of her.
Bodhi let her rest for a moment, then fetched a small, smooth pebble and placed it on the stone table.
"Besides sensing snake beasts, these eyes can also make people see things incorrectly. Today, we will try it for only an instant. Do not strain yourself again."
As he spoke, he gestured to Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan sat down opposite her, reined in his soul power, and made no effort to put up defenses.
"Go ahead. I'll test it for you."
Qing Lin first glanced at Bodhi. Only when she saw him nod with a smile did she try to focus again.
Emerald light flickered.
In Xiao Yan's eyes, an exceedingly faint phantom outline suddenly appeared along the pebble's edge, as though the surface of water had rippled gently.
The change lasted only an instant before everything returned to normal.
Had he focused his mind even slightly, this tiny illusion would not have left so much as a shadow.
But for Qing Lin, who had only just learned to consciously use her Pupillary Art, it was already enough.
"I saw it."
Xiao Yan picked up the pebble and told her with a smile.
"You almost turned it into two."
Qing Lin opened her mouth in delighted surprise, but before she could try again, Bodhi had already raised his horsetail whisk.
"That is enough for today."
She hurriedly reined in her mind and nodded obediently.
The Grandmaster placed a thin booklet beside her hand. It contained the opening principles of the Azure Spirit Soul-Nourishing Manual, along with a few simple illustrations she could consult at her own pace.
"If you do not understand, ask. There is no need to force yourself to guess."
Holding the thin booklet in both hands, Qing Lin rose and bowed solemnly.
This time, she did not first tug at her sleeves to cover her wrists.
The tiny green scales lay exposed in the sunlight. She was still a little unaccustomed to it, but she did not rush to hide them again.
"Thank you, Grandmaster."
Bodhi smiled faintly, his figure dissolving into clear light and returning to the Storage Ring.
The courtyard fell quiet again.
Xiao Yi Xian picked up the bamboo cage, ready to take it back to the apothecary, but Qing Lin gently tugged at her sleeve.
"Can I carry it?"
"Of course."
As the cage passed into her hands, the little snake slowly raised its head, as though it had sensed something.
Qing Lin did not activate her Pupillary Art again. She simply looked at it through the bamboo slats.
"Come on. Let's go back."
She held her newly acquired booklet securely and followed Xiao Yi Xian and Xun'er.
This time, as she stepped through the courtyard gate, those emerald-green eyes no longer remained fixed on the tips of her shoes.
Before you continue