It wasn't until night fell and the market lights came on that Chen Shuangbai got up to say goodbye.
He stood at the entrance of the courtyard, glanced back at the yard, and recalled what the outer sect elder had just said. He couldn't help but sigh softly, " The Dao Path is fraught with difficulties."
Liu Feng said that his Dao Path enlightenment was hopeless, and that his future cultivation was to accumulate spiritual materials for his descendants.
The creator of this sword technique originally intended to establish a lineage of swordsmanship for the sect, but he died unexpectedly and could only leave it to his descendants. However, the Lush Foliage Pavilion is now in ruins, and Liu Feng felt ashamed of his predecessor's trust, so he sent the original back to the sect's Book Collection Cave.
Coincidentally, Chen Shuangbai arrived with the talisman. Although they had a brief conversation, Chen Shuangbai could discern some of Chen Shuangbai's true nature. Therefore, he presented the original talisman to Chen Shuangbai, hoping that it would be carried forward and developed.
This was a long speech, containing the heartfelt words of an old monk who had been frustrated and unfulfilled for many years.
Chen Shuangbai immediately felt the same way.
However, this feeling did not last long, and Chen Shuangbai recovered.
He left the market, riding Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch, and traveled under the moonlight.
My heart is as hard as iron; my only purpose in this life is the Great Way.
The night was deep, Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch across the sky, leaving faint cloud trails.
Chen Shuangbai- legged on top.
Letting the mountain breeze caress my face, my State of Mind gradually detached itself from Liu Feng's sorrow and lament.
Upon returning to the sect, Chen Shuangbai immediately went into seclusion to study the original sword technique.
After returning to the mountain gate,
Chen Shuangbai then carefully examined the original sword manual and discovered many annotations not found on the rubbing, as well as a trace of its True Intention.
Chen Shuangbai probed the Jade Slip with her spiritual sense.
In an instant, the scene before my eyes changed; I was no longer in the familiar cave abode, but in a hazy, dreamlike space.
Within the space, a fine drizzle, like silk or mist, nourished all things.
In the distance, a phantom image of a giant, illusory tree rises from the ground, its branches and leaves lush and full of life.
The drizzle and the giant trees intertwine to create a vibrant scene of "spring rain nourishing the trees".
"Indeed, this original copy, which contains a wisp of the founder's True Intention, is different from the rubbings provided by the Book Collection Cave. It makes me feel as if I am there at the moment of its founding."
This wisp of True Intention imparted to Chen Shuangbai a trace of the essence of the sword technique that Qinglin created.
No, it's less about the spirit and more about the "meaning".
I don't know how much time passed.
Chen Shuangbai slowly pulled himself out of his trance-like state of mind. He slowly opened his eyes, a fleeting glint of light in them, revealing an undisguised joy.
"This Jade Slip can probably be used a few more times. If I develop this sword technique to a higher level in the future and take on disciples, I can ensure its inheritance, thus fulfilling Senior Qinglin's original intention."
Chen Shuangbai sighed softly and then returned to her cultivation.
Days passed by like this.
The mountains are spring-like all year round, and the streams gurgle and babble.
This day.
Chen Shuangbai was suddenly disturbed outside her cave abode and slowly awoke from her cultivation.
The people who arrived were none other than Fu Qianlan and He Qi.
Chen Shuangbai opened the cave abode's protective barrier and walked outside, only to see the two people carrying some items.
Chen Shuangbai was taken aback and asked, "What is this?"
He Qi was someone who couldn't hide her feelings, and her voice was unusually loud. Upon seeing this, she immediately laughed at Fu Qianlan and exclaimed, "Hahaha, I told you! Old Chen definitely doesn't remember what day it is today!"
What day is it?
Chen Shuangbai was even more confused.
Fu Qianlan glared at He Qi, clearly annoyed by his loud voice, then looked at Chen Shuangbai and said:
Today is Lunar New Year's Eve.
Upon hearing this, Chen Shuangbai was taken aback at first, then suddenly understood.
He spent his days cultivating, and with the protection of a powerful array in the mountains, where it was spring-like all year round and he felt no chill, he completely forgot what year it was.
"So, it's the end of another year."
Chen Shuangbai couldn't help but sigh, and then welcomed the two into the mansion.
Fu Qianlan brought spiritual dishes from the Hundred Flavors Pavilion. Putting aside the taste, just looking at the presentation, you could tell that it cost a lot. He Qi brought a small jar of spiritual wine that he got from his senior brother Jade Guarding Hall. It was said to be sweet and refreshing but not intoxicating.
In addition, couplets, peach wood charms and other items symbolizing the New Year were specially prepared, which instantly added a festive atmosphere and a lively feel to the originally quiet cave abode.
The three had just entered the mansion when a clear, melodious cry of an eagle suddenly rang out from the sky, and the eagle landed with Feiguang on a pine tree not far from them.
Feiguang cawed and kept glancing at the three of them, appearing very clever.
Fu Qianlan and He Qi didn't quite understand.
Chen Shuangbai glared at him and laughed, scolding, "You gluttonous thing."
I was originally craving something to eat.
Chen Shuangbai simply used magic to move all the tables and chairs out of the mansion and place them on a flat area outside, then cleaned up the clutter on them.
Fu Qianlan used her Law Power to arrange the dishes of spiritual food ordered from the Hundred Flavors Pavilion. Chen Shuangbai thought they were quite exquisite, as they were Hundred Flavors Pavilion's signature dishes, cooked with spiritual birds and vegetables, and were excellent in color, aroma and taste. There were ten dishes in total, which symbolized perfection.
These spiritual foods not only satisfy the appetite but also benefit spiritual cultivation.
"The spiritual dishes at the Hundred Flavors Pavilion are not easy to book. Qianlan, which senior brother or sister did you ask for help?" Chen Shuangbai asked with a smile.
He Qi opened the bottle of spirit wine, and a refreshing aroma, carrying a faint fragrance of fruit, wood, and flowers, filled the air, instantly invigorating the senses.
He poured a cup for each of the three of them, and the wine was clear and cool, swirling in the jade cup with a faint glow.
"This wine is called 'Winter Green' (meaning 'Frosty Green'), brewed by the senior brother of the Jade Guarding Hall using several cold-resistant spiritual fruits mixed with the cold spring water from the snow-capped peaks. It must be aged in a snow cellar for more than three years before it can be opened."
He Qi explained, "I've tried it a few times before. This wine has a warming effect as soon as it goes down, Spiritual Qi and soothing quality that helps calm the mind, and it's not very intoxicating. It's perfect for a little drink for a few of us."
Fu Qianlan took a small sip, and her eyes lit up.
"Now I understand why you like this wine, He Qi. It tastes really good."
"Of course!"
"Come on, let's raise a glass!"
He Qi started shouting loudly.
The three raised their glasses, first to celebrate this rare gathering, and then to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new, sharing a toast together.
After drinking that cup, and with the addition of the spiritual food, the conversation quickly picked up again.
Seeing its master enjoying the meal, Feiguang kept pupa-like incessantly beside it. Chen Shuangbai initially considered feeding it a few Spirit-Feeding Pills, but fortunately Fu Qianlan knew that her fellow villager was raising a Demon Beast, so she ordered a roasted wild boar from elsewhere.
When Feiguang saw the roasted wild boar, golden brown and still sizzling, his already small eyes widened. He rubbed against Fu Qianlan several times like a puppy before hopping off to eat the pork.
Upon seeing this, He Qi couldn't help but burst into laughter.
" Old Chen, it seems to me you've raised more of a greedy cat than an eagle."
"Ha ha ha ha..."