Lingdong had long since regained its prosperity. No, its prosperity had reached a height never before seen in its history.
Stoneborn and Qi Zhongbin flew over Lingdong together, and that "shooting star" gradually faded as they switched to Wind Control and cruised high in the sky.
Although it was nighttime, this was not the dead of night, when all was still. It was the hour when ten thousand households lit their lamps.
Gazing at Lingdong's myriad lights, Qi Zhongbin and Stoneborn both felt a moment of unreality, along with deep emotion. From their vantage point, it was almost as though they could turn back time and compare its former dwindling destiny with the present.
"Gathering anew, little by little... this is what it means for ten thousand households to light their lamps."
Qi Zhongbin murmured, and Stoneborn could not help nodding. Hui Mian, perched on Stoneborn's head, nodded inwardly too. These two disciples truly took after their master.
Still, something displeased Hui Mian. With great distaste, Hui Mian patted Stoneborn's topknot and little crown, then tugged at the hairpin holding them in place.
"Stoneborn, why are you wearing this thing? Can't you make the top of your head a little flatter?"
Whenever Hui Mian came over to Stoneborn, the urge was to sprawl on his head with all four limbs spread. But now there was a "bump" up there. How was anyone supposed to lie on that? It was downright uncomfortable!
"Ah, Senior Gray, I'm hardly a youngster at home anymore... oh, never mind."
With that, Stoneborn reached up and pulled out the hairpin. The little crown flew into his hand as well, and his long hair fell loose, without the slightest tangle or kink. Hui Mian immediately sprawled on top. Much better!
The two fellow disciples watched from the