Early the next morning, Lin Shisan rose early as usual.
He offered incense, cultivated, and cleaned.
He made porridge, boiled eggs, sliced pickled vegetables, and fried dough sticks, all in one smooth sequence.
After these past few days of practice, his cooking might not have improved much, but at least he was no longer scrambling about in a fluster.
Feng Xian'er walked over from the bamboo cottage, glanced at the breakfast on the table, and nodded in satisfaction.
The two finished breakfast in silence. Feng Xian'er raised her phoenix eyes slightly and looked toward the sky beyond the bamboo grove.
"The little lass is here."
Lin Shisan paused, then followed her gaze.
Amid the distant sea of clouds, a snowy-white immortal crane was winging its way toward them.
A young woman in plain clothing sat on its back, her dark hair cascading like a waterfall and her features delicate and lovely. It was Gu Mengli.
Today, she wore a moon-white dress with a pale blue-green silk sash around her waist, lending her dignified appearance an added touch of ethereal grace.
The crane landed outside the bamboo grove. Gu Mengli leaped lightly down and bowed to Feng Xian'er from afar.
"Mengli of the Gu Household pays her respects to Martial Uncle Feng."
Leaning back in her bamboo chair, Feng Xian'er waved lazily. "Come in. We're all family here. No need for so much ceremony."
Only then did Gu Mengli enter the bamboo grove with light, graceful steps.
Her gaze lingered on Lin Shisan for a moment, and she cupped her hands in greeting. "Greetings, Senior Brother Lin."
"Greetings, Junior Sister Gu."
Lin Shisan copied her gesture and returned the greeting, though he still felt somewhat puzzled.
What exactly had brought this prodigy of the Gu Household to Cold Moon Peak in