Once they had finished dividing the spoils, Xu Qingtong said, "Sister Dongfang, we've gathered all the items for the trial. What do you plan to do next?"
Dongfang Hui paused, then said, "I've lost all my magic power and can't even protect myself. What plans could I possibly have? If you don't mind, Brother Qingtong, I'll stick with you. Wherever you go, I'll go."
Xu Qingtong's heart fluttered at her words. Sister Dongfang seems to be hinting at something!
Her answer sent his thoughts galloping like a restless horse, his heart swinging like a monkey. He wondered what had gotten into him today. Why did he keep feeling so distracted? Silently circulating the True Origin Scripture, he gathered his mind into one focus, calmed his breath, and steadied his spirit. Before long, the stray thoughts faded, his mind regained its clarity, and his eyes became clear and pure again.
After some thought, he said, "Sister Dongfang, we came here to gather the medicinal herbs for the trial. Now that we've completed our task, there's no need to keep running around. You've lost all your magic power and won't recover it anytime soon, while my cultivation is low and I'm still injured. The spiritual qi here is far richer than outside. Why don't we stay here and cultivate until the month is up, then leave? What do you think?"
Dongfang Hui nodded. "I'll leave everything to you, Brother Qingtong!" Then, looking a little embarrassed, she added, "Brother Qingtong, could you turn around and face the cave wall for a moment?"
Afraid he might not understand, she explained softly, "My clothes are dirty and torn. I'd like to change."
Xu Qingtong gave a dry cough. "I'll wait outside." He was about to rise and leave when Dongfang Hui stopped him. With a bashful expression, she said, "You're injured. Moving around isn't easy for you. I trust your character. You certainly wouldn't behave like a beast."
I'd rather like to be a beast, but sadly, I have a thief's desire without a thief's nerve! Xu Qingtong shifted around to face the wall, crossed his legs, and began meditating. He used a minor method from the Heavenly Fire Body-Tempering Art to temper and repair the wound on the right side of his chest. Yet the rustling behind him made it impossible to calm his mind.
After a while, Dongfang Hui finished and said, "All done. You can turn around now." Xu Qingtong slowly turned to see her dressed in a pale yellow gown, her dark hair piled like clouds, her brows like willow leaves and her cheeks like peach blossoms. She resembled a crabapple blossom intoxicated by sunlight, a pear blossom beaded with rain, her bearing dignified and elegant.
Xu Qingtong lost himself for a moment, then quickly recovered and teased, "Sister Dongfang, dressed like that, you've thrown my heart into turmoil. How am I supposed to cultivate?"
Dongfang Hui smiled sweetly. "You little child, what nonsense are you spouting? I know you have an excellent disposition, far beyond that of ordinary people. That's why I dare to share a room with you. How could a grown man let his resolve falter, become bewitched by beauty, and squander his bright future?"
Xu Qingtong's heart sobered at her words. Sister Dongfang's words sound casual, but they carry a deeper meaning. The road of cultivation is long, and fate is full of hardships. If my resolve is weak and I cling to beauty, how can I walk steadily and reach far?
At that thought, he cupped his hands and bowed to Dongfang Hui, saying earnestly, "Thank you for showing me the way, Sister. I've learned my lesson."
Seeing that he was sincere, Dongfang Hui could not help thinking even more highly of this young man, and a faint ripple stirred in her own heart.
Seeing that Xu Qingtong's eyes were clear again, Dongfang Hui said, "Brother Qingtong, go ahead and meditate to heal your injuries. I can't cultivate for now, so I'll tidy up the cave. We'll be living here for another twenty-odd days. It'll be more comfortable if it's clean."
Xu Qingtong nodded and said no more. He began circulating his cultivation method to heal his injuries and recover through meditation.
The day soon passed. That evening, Xu Qingtong finished cultivating, let out a long breath, and stood up. He moved his body about and felt that he had mostly recovered. His wound had scabbed over and no longer hurt. Looking inward at his Dantian, he found his magic power nearly full, though his divine sense had yet to recover completely. During his battle with Lin Qian, he had exhausted so much of his divine sense that he had fallen unconscious. Had Xiao Qi not helped him and killed Lin Qian, he and Dongfang Hui would probably have been the ones to die.
Xu Qingtong looked around and found the cave thoroughly cleaned and neatly arranged. Dongfang Hui was sitting a short distance from the entrance, staring absentmindedly at Xiao Qi, who stood guard there. He coughed softly and walked toward the entrance.
Hearing him, Dongfang Hui turned around. When she saw Xu Qingtong approaching, she stood and asked, "Brother Qingtong, how is your recovery?"
Xu Qingtong patted his chest. "All healed. There's no need to worry, Sister. It's windy by the entrance, and it isn't safe either. Xiao Qi is guarding this spot, so you should head back inside."
Dongfang Hui agreed and returned to the cave with Xu Qingtong. After they sat down, she asked curiously, "Brother Qingtong, what kind of demon beast is that little chick of yours? It's so powerful-it killed Lin Qian with a single peck. And it's incredibly loyal to you. When you were unconscious, it wouldn't even let me come near you."
Xu Qingtong considered this. Xiao Qi's identity was too unusual to reveal lightly. Besides, his master, Yu Xuzi, had warned him not to trust others easily. Dongfang Hui had faced life and death alongside him and shared his hardships, so she ought to be trustworthy. But this matter was too important, and Xiao Qi's life was at stake. He dared not be careless. All he could say was, "I don't know what kind of demon beast it is either. I rescued it right here in this cave. At the time, a large snake had coiled around it."
He recounted his encounter with Xiao Qi from beginning to end. Dongfang Hui listened with repeated gasps of alarm, tense throughout, and grew considerably fonder of the little chick.
They chatted a while longer. Seeing that Dongfang Hui seemed sleepy, Xu Qingtong took out the Red Sun Sword and hacked away inside the cave, carving out a stone bed. He then took out several pieces of clothing and spread them over it before saying, "Sister Dongfang, go and rest on the bed. I can meditate here."
Dongfang Hui had assumed Xu Qingtong was making a bed for himself. Unexpectedly, once he finished, he gave it to her instead, moving her deeply. She had thought of making a bed herself, but she had no magic power and felt too embarrassed to trouble Xu Qingtong. She had been about to find somewhere to make do, never expecting this young man to make a bed for her.
She gave Xu Qingtong a long, deep look, said nothing, and obediently climbed onto the bed.
Remaining where he sat, Xu Qingtong watched Dongfang Hui settle down to rest and smiled warmly. Then he closed his eyes and guided one of his primordial spirits into the Seven-Star Bracelet. More than a day had passed since he had modified the bracelet, but he had not found time to inspect it.
Once his primordial spirit entered the bracelet, he saw that the hares and pheasants were still lively and the transplanted flowers, grasses, and trees were all brimming with vitality. His heart eased. The bracelet his master Yu Xuzi had left him was truly miraculous. To think it contained such a space-it was practically a little world! When he found the chance, he would bring Xiao Qi inside. It ought to like this place.
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