At this meal, Lian Youming ate an entire sheep and drank two large jars of sheep's milk, leaving the man and his family dumbstruck.
Even then, he was not quite satisfied and ate quite a few dried fruits.
Although this was no richly nourishing meat, it at least contained a little vital essence.
After eating, he sat beside the river with his palms, soles, and the crown of his head facing heaven, and began regulating his breathing and circulating his internal energy. As his internal breath surged rapidly through his body, the meat in his stomach was ground down at an astonishing rate, speeding up digestion.
He sat there for most of the day.
Lian Youming's previously haggard, ashen face had regained a good deal of color.
On the grassland behind him, Sangji was playing with the Tibetan mastiff, chasing and frolicking with the little girl and the boy.
Goshawks circled overhead, and mountain ranges stretched into the distance.
Between those mountains, the fiery red setting sun hung at an angle, not quite sinking below the horizon, staining the winding river before him red. Even the fish swimming beneath the water were revealed, amid great rippling expanses of golden light.
At the sight of this exquisite natural scenery, Lian Youming could not help shedding his stray thoughts, his mind opening wide.
"What are you thinking about?" Sangji came over just then, carrying a loose saffron monk's robe.
Lian Youming looked at his reflection in the water, at the self he could scarcely recognize, and said gently, "The mortal world is full of troubles, while places beyond it have always been peaceful. When I have the chance, I want to bring Lingyun, Stone, and that little one who hasn't been born yet here for a visit, to see these magnificent mountains