Jiangnan in ink and wash

"I must say, once we enter the territory of Xu Prefecture in Jiangnan, we can definitely feel a different atmosphere."

Fang Zelin walked on the official road, and looking ahead, all he could see were endless green mountains and clear waters.

The distant mountain peaks, when viewed from afar, appear to be shrouded in a hazy mist, as if one were immersed in a traditional Chinese ink painting.

Standing here now feels like stepping directly into a traditional Chinese ink painting.

Looking at the beautiful scenery, Fang Zelin couldn't help but smile.

Following the official road forward, it didn't take long before we saw wine flags fluttering in the wind; it was a tavern located by the roadside.

There were also teahouses and inns next to the tavern, making it a very lively place at first glance.

"Sir, would you like to have a meal? There's nowhere to stay further ahead; to find a place to rest, you'd have to go to Qinlan City, nearly a hundred miles away."

As Fang Zelin approached, a waiter immediately called out to Fang Zelin, shouting enthusiastically as he did so.

"Our shop has been open for over a hundred years, and our Jiangnan dishes are absolutely authentic. If you're not satisfied with your meal, you can smash up the shop later!"

The waiter was calling out very enthusiastically, and Fang Zelin was even a little tempted.

Looking at the time, it was getting late, and it seemed unlikely that they could reach Qinlan City in time.

Thinking of this, Fang Zelin immediately nodded.

Upon seeing the guests, the waiter immediately led the way.

He led Fang Zelin upstairs and asked, "Sir, would you like something to eat?"

The first floor of the shop was empty, with wooden stakes driven into the ground. The inn was only accessible on the second floor, presumably for insect control.

Fang Zelin stood at the door, his eyes sweeping around the restaurant. He saw that it was crowded with people, who were already enjoying their food.

A slight sniff revealed a delightful and enticing fragrance.

"Sir, rest assured, our shop is not only a long-established inn, but it also keeps up with the times. We've heard that foreign guests enjoy a wide variety of delicious food, so we've even learned a few tricks from them!"

Seeing Fang Zelin's actions, the waiter remained calm and continued to say something.

Upon hearing this, Fang Zelin suddenly realized why the fragrance seemed somewhat familiar.

"Well, then let's eat something."

Fang Zelin nodded slightly and, led by the waiter, walked to the table in the middle.

The tables by the window were already full, leaving only the middle table empty.

After Fang Zelin sat down, the waiter came over with a plate containing bamboo slips with the names of the dishes written on them.

"It rains a lot in Jiangnan, and if you carry a vegetable book, it will easily get wet, so we use this method as a vegetable book."

The waiter gave an explanation and then began to introduce Fang Zelin to the local Jiangnan dishes.

Bamboo shoots, for example, have been dried and stored until now; their flavor is, needless to say, superb.

There are also rice paddy fish, braised pork, wild pheasant, and other local specialties.

"The game tastes good, but we get it from hunters, so the price is a bit higher."

When the waiter saw Fang Zelin looking at the wild game, he said something in response.

After thinking about it, he realized he still had over forty taels of silver, enough for a meal.

Seeing this, Fang Zelin reached out and selected the side dishes he wanted.

After noting down everything, the waiter poured tea for Fang Zelin before calling out and leaving.

After waiting for a while, the waiter brought the dishes to the table one by one, announcing the names of the dishes to Fang Zelin.

"Your dishes are all ready, please enjoy!"

Fang Zelin picked up the chopsticks and glanced at them. They were actually brand new, freshly shaved from bamboo, with bamboo fibers still on them.

"This shop is quite meticulous in its work."

Fang Zelin looked quite satisfied, but still took out chopsticks from his bundle.

If you don't have chopsticks, you can just cut a twig from the roadside and sharpen it a few times; it's very simple and convenient.

After Fang Zelin picked up his chopsticks and tasted a bit, he immediately nodded.

Indeed, the side dishes here have a unique flavor.

The rice just didn't taste quite right.

After eating and drinking his fill, Fang Zelin paid for the meal and went upstairs to stay.

Around midnight, Fang Zelin climbed out of the window and went to the field he had seen earlier.

With his hands forming hand seals, wisps of clouds began to appear, and then a light rain began to fall on the fields.

"It's great to have increased cultivation! Before, when I used the Lesser Cloud and Rain Technique, the clouds I created were only a tiny bit. Now that my cultivation has increased, the Lesser Cloud and Rain Technique can cover ten acres of land directly."

Fang Zelin used his Lesser Cloud and Rain Technique several times to irrigate the rice paddies in front of him with spiritual rain before carrying Bearing the Heavens back to the inn to sleep.

The next day.

Fang Zelin got up very early, but there were others who got up even earlier than him.

Before dawn, some merchants set off, braving the hazy fog.

Fang Zelin got up, washed up, ate something to fill his stomach, and then leisurely set off.

In a day, walking a hundred miles is no problem.

There were quite a few pedestrians on the road, and every now and then someone would gallop by on horseback.

"Did it rain last night? Why are the rice seedlings in the field all wet?"

Fang Zelin walked forward for a while and encountered farmers who had come to take care of the rice seedlings. As he got closer, he heard them talking about something that seemed puzzling.

They could clearly see the difference between dew and rainwater.

Strangely, it seemed that it only rained in the fields, but not elsewhere.

Could I have misread it?

A group of farmers gathered together and discussed for a long time without reaching a conclusion, ultimately treating it as nothing more than dew.

Fang Zelin listened to their conversation and a slight smile appeared on his lips. He walked past them, his robes fluttering, yet exuding an air of otherworldly elegance.

"If we can't find Jade Void Mountain, then looking at the scenery here is also excellent."

Fang Zelin walked along unhurriedly, and even casually said something to Bearing the Heavens behind him.

Upon hearing the voice, Bearing the Heavens immediately responded with a buzzing sound.

Around noon, the road ahead turned, and a stream flowed slowly ahead.

Willow trees were planted along the stream.

The willow branches are now covered with tender buds, and the long branches are swaying in the wind, like the slender figure of a beautiful woman.

A few swallows flew by at that moment.

What a beautiful spring scene!

After pondering for a moment, Fang Zelin saw a huge rock nearby and immediately walked over to it, conjuring a sword with his fingers.

"A tall tree, adorned like jade, with ten thousand green silk ribbons hanging down. Who could have cut such delicate leaves? The spring breeze of February is like a pair of scissors."

"I can't just keep all those amazing poems from my ancestors in my memory; I have to bring them out and amaze the world as well."

Fang Zelin looked at the poem he had written and smiled with satisfaction. Then he wrote the words "Blazing Summer" at the end of the poem.

After finishing writing, Fang Zelin turned and left with a flourish.