But for an Other Shore cultivator like him, especially one with a sun sacred body, the effects were rather ordinary.
Of course, however ordinary the effects were,
they were still astonishing.
He ate and chatted with the beautiful Lin Jia, laughing and joking with her.
The two reminisced about the wonderful days of their university years.
Both were overcome with emotion.
"Whew..."
Before long,
Lin Jia could no longer take it.
She dared not eat any more, pleaded for mercy, and returned to the wooden cabin.
Sitting cross-legged on a meditation cushion, she circulated the opening passages of the Dao Scripture to refine that vital essence. These passages had long since spread throughout the Eastern Wasteland, with every sect, large or small, possessing a copy, and were specifically used to help newcomers who had just embarked on cultivation build their foundations.
Taiyi, meanwhile, leisurely enjoyed his meal.
Only after he had finished all the meat and broth in the enormous cauldron
did he settle into a relaxed, cross-legged posture, close his eyes, and immerse himself in cultivation.
Time flowed on.
In the blink of an eye, three days passed.
At dawn, golden rays shone from the horizon, dazzlingly beautiful.
The sight naturally lifted the spirits and soothed the heart.
Lin Jia, who had just finished cultivating, strolled over to Taiyi.
After three days of effort, she had refined the astonishing medicinal power. Her Bitter Sea had expanded, and her strength had improved considerably.
Smiling, she sat beside him, and they watched the glorious sunrise together.
They chatted, laughing and joking.
"Are we parting again?"
By noon,
when she saw Taiyi preparing to take his leave,
Lin Jia's gaze grew complicated. She felt wistful, and even more reluctant to let him go.
They had finally reunited as old friends, yet they were already about to part again.
Her heart felt hollow, and a trace of sadness welled up within her.
"Isn't parting just a prelude to a better reunion?"
Taiyi smiled and said, "I'm sure we'll see each other again soon!"
He was quite fond of this beautiful, intelligent woman.
Although she would achieve great things in the future, encounter considerable opportunities, and ultimately become a Quasi-Emperor,
Taiyi knew very well that Lin Jia was not happy deep down, nor did she yearn for such a life.
She always felt out of place in the world of cultivators.
She could not let go of the past.
"That's true, but..."
Lin Jia hesitated, leaving her words unspoken.
She gazed at the imposing, handsome young man before her, so full of spirit.
Her bright, intelligent eyes betrayed a measure of sadness and loss.
Watching the rising sun, its radiance almost blinding, she sighed. "Compared to the world of cultivation, I still miss our old life more!"
She desperately wished she could return to the past.
Yet she held little hope of ever returning to Earth.
The universe was far too vast. Even the Ancient Sages could not easily cross it, much less people like them.
Even if they truly became beings comparable to the Ancient Sages one day, everything would likely have changed beyond recognition by then.
This once-cheerful woman had grown melancholy and sensitive, always feeling that she did not belong here.
Alone, with no one to rely on, she felt an indescribable loneliness.
"Don't overthink it. Just focus on cultivating here..."
Taiyi's gaze was gentle as he lightly patted Lin Jia's shoulder. Looking at her beautiful face, he smiled and said, "Once I've established myself in the Yaoguang Holy Land, I'll recommend you for membership if the opportunity arises. Then we can be together again!"
His strength was still meager.
Naturally, he could not keep her by his side.
Even recommending her to the Yaoguang Holy Land was hardly possible.
The undercurrents there could not be swept away in a short time. Having Lin Jia join the Yaoguang Holy Land might instead drag her into needless danger. Enemies lurking in the shadows might set their sights on her, placing her in peril.
But if an opportunity arose, finding a way for her to join a power like the Jade Pool Holy Land, with its deep foundations and the protection of an Extreme Dao Emperor Weapon, would be a good choice.
Moreover, when he eventually prepared to return to Earth, he could consider taking her along.
"Besides, you don't need to lose heart..."
After a brief pause, Taiyi gently comforted Lin Jia. "Once we find a way back, we'll return together!"
He was all alone in the world.
Though he had no ties or attachments, and no particularly strong desire to return,
he did want to explore the ancient sites on Earth. Perhaps he could gain something from them.
He had also resolved to make a trip back sooner or later.
"Can we... really go back?"
"Of course. We definitely can!"
She gazed at Taiyi, who was smiling at her, his eyes filled with confidence and strength.
"Jin Tailang..." Lin Jia froze for a moment.
Then a smile appeared on her face, and her dejection faded.
Her alluring, phoenix-shaped eyes shone like gems, brimming with hope.
No longer lost or downhearted, she said, "Sorry for making a fool of myself... I suddenly got so sentimental that I hardly seemed like myself!"
At that moment,
she regained her usual confidence and smile, becoming radiant and captivating once more.
Already exceptionally beautiful, tall, and remarkably intelligent, this woman had gained an otherworldly grace after successfully opening her Bitter Sea and embarking on the path of cultivation.
Her skin was like creamy jade, lustrous enough to reflect a face.
Every frown and smile held an indescribable sensuality and charm.
It was enough to leave anyone momentarily spellbound.
"Well, it's getting late. It's about time I left..."
After reminiscing for a while,
Taiyi looked at Lin Jia, who had recovered her spirits, and had no intention of lingering any longer.
He simply touched a finger lightly to the center of her brow, passing on the Ancient Scripture he had previously obtained from Jiang Zhe's Tomb.
Although it was only a scripture left behind by a Saint, it was undoubtedly far superior to the legacy of Yanxia Cave Heaven.
Moreover, it was not a legacy of the Jiang Family, so there was no risk of being held accountable for sharing it.
"This is..."
Lin Jia trembled all over.
Her almond-shaped eyes widened involuntarily.
Her beautiful, shimmering eyes stared blankly at Taiyi.
The information that had suddenly appeared in her mind left her deeply shaken.
It was actually a legacy left behind by one of the Ancient Sages.
Chapter 19: Departure, Perfection of the Other Shore
"Cultivate diligently, and stop worrying about every little thing. We all have to look ahead!"
Taiyi smiled.
He gently stroked Lin Jia's hair.
Then he handed her a Rosewood Box as well.
"Is this the legendary 'Source'?"
Lin Jia opened the wooden box, and her beautiful eyes narrowed.
Inside lay a fist-sized piece of Source, sparkling and translucent.
Although she had never seen Source, which contained vast quantities of life essence, she had naturally heard of it and could guess what it was.
It was said that a single fist-sized piece of Source was enough to allow a Divine Bridge Realm powerhouse to break through to the next realm in the shortest possible time.
"Jin Tailang, this is too precious. I can't accept it!"
Lin Jia tried to refuse.
A scripture left behind by one of the Ancient Sages, along with a fist-sized piece of Source-such gifts were simply staggering.
In her eyes, the pot of Snake Meat Tonic Soup Taiyi had cooked three days earlier, using large quantities of spirit herbs and the flesh and blood of demonic beasts, had already brought her immense benefits.
Even a minor cultivator like her knew just how precious a scripture left behind by one of the Ancient Sages was. If word got out, the major powers would likely fight madly to seize it at any cost, killing until blood flowed in rivers.