As Li Xiaoya listened, he raised questions from time to time and occasionally offered insights of his own. Some of his views pleasantly surprised Liu Hang, and without either of them noticing, they grew considerably closer...
Just like that, an afternoon of lessons passed...
"All right, that's enough for today! Go back and have something to eat, then head to the Training Room to meditate!" Liu Hang glanced outside, set down the book in his hand, and spoke calmly.
"Huh? It's time already?" Li Xiaoya stretched, still hungry for more.
"Heh! You little rascal. If you studied the five classics and six doctrines in the Mortal World, you might even pass the exams as the top scholar! I've never seen you put this much effort into your cultivation technique." Liu Hang shook his head and chided him with a laugh.
"Hahaha... really?" Li Xiaoya's heart blossomed with delight at those words. Although he knew he could never actually go and sit the examinations, he understood perfectly well what being the top scholar meant in the Mortal World. It was the highest honor a scholar could attain.
"No! Hahaha!" Liu Hang burst out laughing, waved a hand, and added, "I'm off to practice alchemy! You can go!" With that, he turned and left.
"Hmph!" Li Xiaoya shook a fist at his retreating back, then began tidying up the things on the desk. Liu Hang had specifically instructed him to do so, saying that a scholar should cherish books and keep everything neat. He had to clean up after every lesson; otherwise, he would have to spend an extra two hours meditating that evening.
Once he finished tidying up, Li Xiaoya closed the door and went beneath the enormous tree to call the Snowwind Eagle, leaving the Mountain Valley to have dinner