The three raised their glasses to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new, and also to celebrate the first time in five years since they settled in the mountains that they had gathered together for the New Year.
Chen Shuangbai took a sip of the spirit wine, and just as He Qi had said, it was initially clear and refreshing like a spring, then a warm and soothing sensation rose from her stomach, spreading to her limbs and bones to nourish her body, while a faint fruity and woody fragrance lingered on her tongue.
This wine doesn't possess a particularly strong Spiritual Qi, but its strength lies in its gentleness. Coupled with a slight chill, it offers a refreshing experience.
"Good wine."
Chen Shuangbai praised.
He practiced asceticism in the mountains and rarely drank alcohol, but he could still appreciate the subtleties of the wine.
"Of course! I begged Senior Brother Xu for ages before he finally agreed to spare me a small jar!"
He Qi, beaming with delight, filled their glasses again.
They were sixteen years old when they entered the mountains, and now, almost five years later, they have come of age.
Five years have passed, and a deep friendship has indeed blossomed from our original kinship as fellow townsmen.
Fu Qianlan chuckled softly, her eyes sparkling, making her even more outstanding. But Chen Shuangbai knew that He Qi actually had some feelings for Fu Qianlan, but he just hadn't made it clear yet.
"What's the point of just drinking? Let's eat!" Fu Qianlan said with a smile.
The three enjoyed fine wine and delicacies, chatting about interesting things from their sect, occasionally interspersed with anecdotes about cultivation, but mostly expressing their hopes for the future.
After several rounds of drinks and five different dishes,
Chen Shuangbai was slightly drunk, feeling a warm sensation throughout her body.
He looked around his cave abode and saw that the usually quiet cave abode had become more lively with the decorations of peach wood charms and couplets, which made him feel nostalgic.
Suddenly, a series of crackling sounds came from not far away.
He Qi was taken aback, then looked over and couldn't help but laugh, "I didn't expect to hear firecrackers."
"That's not all!"
Fu Qianlan smiled mysteriously, then led the two out of the cave abode and all the way to the summit, looking towards the southwest.
Suddenly, in the dark night sky that was originally dotted with starlight, dazzling lights bloomed one after another, like iron trees adorned with silver flowers, exceptionally beautiful.
"Fireworks!"
He Qi exclaimed in surprise.
It turns out that the fireworks display was specially set up by the market town near the sect to celebrate the New Year and to take care of the many mortals in the market town.
This is both to stabilize the many mortals who form the foundation of the market and to ensure the continuation of their customs, and to gather people together so that cultivators will not forget where they came from!
The Jade Spring Sect did not prohibit it, so not long after, there were sounds of fireworks and firecrackers in the mountains, clearly indicating that the mortal servants were celebrating the New Year.
Another year has passed.
Looking at the dazzling fireworks filling the sky, Chen Shuangbai couldn't help but sigh softly.
He Qi and Fu Qianlan also sensed something, and the atmosphere became slightly somber.
He Qi flicked his sleeve and said, "Why think so much? Come, let the three of us have another drink to celebrate this New Year's Eve and wish ourselves a smooth Dao Path."
"Alright! Then I wish us a peaceful and trouble-free spiritual practice!"
Chen Shuangbai seemed to have been somewhat infected by the two friends' boldness, and couldn't help but raise his glass, saying, "With these two gems before us, then I wish... everyone longevity!"
Upon hearing this word, both of them paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"Yes, immortality! Immortality!"
As midnight approached, perhaps to match the New Year's Eve atmosphere, the sect faintly emitted the melodious sound of bells in the distance.
"When--!"
Amidst this series of melodious chimes.
He Qi grinned and said, "Happy New Year!"
Fu Qianlan chuckled softly and said, "Happy New Year."
"Happy New Year," Chen Shuangbai replied with a smile.
When the sky had brightened slightly, the two took their leave.
Chen Shuangbai stood on the summit, watching his two friends gradually disappear into the distance, and stood at the entrance for a long time.
Much later.
He sighed softly, "The old year has passed, and the new year has begun... A new journey of cultivation is about to begin."
After saying this, he turned and went back to cave abode cave abode. When he reached the entrance, he kicked Feiguang, whose belly was bulging from eating, and laughed and cursed as he got up to digest. Then he went inside and began his cultivation for the day.
Time always flies when you're practicing.
Once Chen Shuangbai had consolidated his cultivation, it was time for him to descend the mountain.
In the warm spring of March, the temple grounds remained lush and green.
Outside the palace, the snow begins to melt, turning into trickles that flow into the Shattered Star River and eventually into the Li River, which runs through the Jing Kingdom.
Chen Shuangbai awoke from his cultivation, walked outside the mansion, and used a contract to summon Feiguang back from afar. He then saw a white shadow streak across the sky at a frighteningly fast speed.
"After several years of careful breeding, it has finally begun to resemble the king of the snow mountain birds."
Given the Snow-Plumed Eagle's growth rate in the wild, it would take at least fifteen years to transition from a juvenile to a young adult. However, Chen Shuangbai's alchemy, skillful craftsmanship, and abundant Spirit Stone, coupled with his frequent provision of good food and drink, allowed Feiguang to transition into a young adult in just a few years.
Now, Feiguang has a wingspan of over ten meters, and its two talons are strong enough to pierce gold and split rocks. Its snow-white feathers gleam in the sunlight, shimmering with a metallic luster. Even if Chen Shuangbai were to use the Cold Spring Sword to strike without actually fighting, it would not cause any damage.
A faint crescent moon mark between his brows seemed to grow ever deeper, and his eyes were sharp and frightening, inspiring fear in those who looked at them.
The Feiguang fell from the sky, fluttering down onto the flat ground outside the cave abode.
With its current size, the sacred pine tree outside the mansion can no longer support it.
However, this king of the sky, once he stepped onto the ground, appeared somewhat comical, which truly diminished his majesty.
Chen Shuangbai stepped forward and saw Feiguang Chen Shuangbai its large head against her, its sharp eyes softening slightly.
Chen Shuangbai knew that this meant he was going to ask for more pills again.
"I won't give it today!"
Chen Shuangbai thought to himself that today's business was more important. After patting Feiguang's head, he took out the beast token and put it away.
His beast token was merely for containing Feiguang, thus unlike those unruly individuals who would seize the Essence Blood and soul of Demon Beast beasts.
Feiguang was not happy, but knowing that his master had something to do today, he could only transform into a beam of white light and fall into it.
Chen Shuangbai glanced back at the cave abode where she had stayed for several years and couldn't help but sigh at how quickly time had passed. She then waved her hand to close the door.
The clan will naturally arrange for servants to manage this place.
He walked to the clear pond outside the mansion, Law Power his magic power, and summoned the Life-Accepting Gourd that had been submerged in the pond. The gourd had been submerged for more than half a year, absorbing the water and wood essence between heaven and earth, and now it had finally transformed a lot of spiritual liquid.
Chen Shuangbai swayed slightly and said, "It wasn't a complete waste of effort."
After tidying himself up and making sure he had brought everything he needed, he summoned the Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch and flew straight towards a certain place in the mountains.