Li Ling stayed at Eaglebeak Point for more than two months straight, well past the New Year.
Ever since meeting Li Ling that day, Lin Ping had been intensely curious. He would slip away from his friends to visit from time to time, and even began thinking of following the immortal master to seek immortality and the Dao.
One day, he met Li Ling on the cliff and tentatively voiced the idea.
Li Ling glanced at him and said with some regret, "Your spirit root is deficient, leaving you no foundation for the Immortal Dao. Even I cannot help you."
Lin Ping could not help feeling disappointed. "How could that be?"
Li Ling explained, "Cultivation is called cultivation for a reason. Cultivating is one aspect, putting it into practice is another. Theory must be linked to practice, followed by systematic instruction.
"You lack both natural aptitude in your root bone and spiritual insight. If you expect me to casually enlighten you, teach you a few divine abilities and extraordinary arts, and immediately let you roam the world unchallenged, that is hardly possible. Even legendary tales speak of studying for decades before descending the mountain. Would you be willing to cultivate under me for that long, perhaps gaining nothing even by the time you died of old age?"
"Oh... Then what would you be willing to teach me, immortal master?" Young Lin Ping was somewhat disappointed, but still asked with eager anticipation.
Li Ling said, "I can teach you to read and write. If you have the opportunity in the future, you can go out and see the world for yourself."
Lin Ping exclaimed happily, "That would be wonderful! Thank you for your instruction, immortal master!"
Then he grew troubled again. "But I have nothing worthwhile to give you. I heard