"It's late. Go to bed, all of you. That old man is probably fishing and drinking by the river again. Never mind him."
Mo Chen rose, answered respectfully, and returned to his room, where he resumed circulating his internal energy through the Flame-Drinking Art.
During that time, Mo Chen had also searched for the Spirit Stone he had once possessed. Unfortunately, it had shattered after falling from the sky with him, and the spiritual energy inside had long since dissipated.
What a shame. Just a tiny bit of spiritual energy would activate my Spring Water Spiritual Root.
Yet heaven would not grant him even that much.
Fuck this heaven!
Mo Chen ended his practice. Knowing he could not rush the matter of spiritual energy, he set it aside until another opportunity arose and began practicing his three sets of sword techniques.
The seasons turned, and autumn came again.
That day, before the first light of dawn, Mo Chen assumed the Green Mountain Stake stance beneath the old pear tree in the courtyard, just as he always did.
After four years of unbroken practice, holding this horse stance had become as easy as drinking water or breathing.
Today, however, Mo Chen noticed that Huo Yuci had not lit the kitchen fire.
How strange.
Were they not opening today?
Mo Chen finished his practice and went to check the kitchen, where he found Huo Yuci turning a dark teal robe over in her hands, inspecting it repeatedly.
The robe was made of fine cloth, with flowing cloud patterns embroidered in gold thread along the cuffs and collar. After stroking it a few times, Huo Yuci noticed Mo Chen by the window.
"Chen'er, come in."
Huo Yuci beckoned with a smile.
"Coming of age at twenty is a major occasion. You ought