Huang Rong moved gracefully to the two of them. The morning light shone on her smiling face, making her even more lively.
Her gaze swept over Lin Yu, her mischievous little eyes darting around as if she might come up with a wicked idea at any moment.
Lin Yu could read the teasing in Huang Rong's eyes.
Look at the trouble you've caused.
Lin Yu returned a pleading look.
"What's the use of being anxious?" Huang Rong deliberately put on a stern face and pointed at Guo Jing with her slender finger.
"What Xiao Yu lacks now is time to hone his foundation, not techniques. Even if you teach him all Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, if his foundation isn't solid, it'll just be a showy display. He might even damage his Genki."
Upon hearing that his Genki had been damaged, Guo Jing immediately became anxious and nodded repeatedly, "Absolutely, absolutely."
Rong'er is right. I was rash. Trying to do too much at once will only lead to failure. The basics are the most important!
He then turned to Lin Yu and earnestly advised, "Brother Lin, you must not be impatient right now. You must start with the gentlest breathing exercises to build a solid foundation for your body."
"We'll take it one step at a time. With your memory and comprehension, you'll definitely be able to master it in the future!"
His serious yet concerned demeanor made Lin Yu feel a little embarrassed; who had just been so insistent on teaching him martial arts?
Lin Yu could only nod in agreement. "Brother Guo's words of wisdom are invaluable. I will remember them and proceed step by step to live up to your expectations."
"That's right!" Guo Jing patted Lin Yu on the shoulder with satisfaction.
Then, as if remembering something, her eyes lit up; "That's right, I have a Quanzhen mantra here that I learned from Master Ma Yu in my early years. It focuses on nourishing life and cultivating one's vital energy, which is perfect for building a foundation. I'll go and write it for you right away."
As he spoke, he actually turned around and was about to go back to his room to do his dictation.
"Hey! Brother Jing!" Huang Rong called out to him quickly, feeling both annoyed and amused.
"You're so impatient. Xiao Yu is right here; he can't run away."
Guo Jing blushed, stopped awkwardly, and chuckled, "That's true, that's true."
"Eat first, eat first, Brother Lin. I'll read it to you later. You have a good memory, you'll definitely remember it."
Looking at Guo Jing's energetic and sincere demeanor, Lin Yu felt grateful and cupped his hands in thanks, saying, "In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Brother Guo."
Breakfast consisted of congee and side dishes prepared by Huang Rong, along with a few steaming hot buns—simple yet refreshing.
During the meal, Guo Jing, as expected, couldn't wait to begin whispering the Quanzhen Sect's mantra to Lin Yu.
Lin Yu understood it after listening to it only once.
Huang Rong sipped her porridge, watching the two of them, one teaching with such dedication and the other "learning" with such focus, and the smile on her lips never faded.
With her keen intellect, how could she not see Lin Yu's ease and confidence?
He was simply happy to watch Lin Yu play along.
After the meal, Guo Jing indeed pulled Lin Yu into the courtyard, wanting to watch him try meditation and guiding the qi for the first time according to the incantation.
Lin Yu readily complied, sitting cross-legged with his palms facing upwards, adjusting his breathing and focusing his mind according to the instructions.
Guo Jing stood guard nearby, nodding repeatedly with encouraging eyes. Huang Rong leaned against the door, seemingly casual, but actually observing as well.
Huang Rong leaned against the door, seemingly casual, but actually observing.
She noticed that when Lin Yu was cultivating, even the sound of the wind rustling through the bamboo leaves seemed softer.
Everything around him slowed down, as if afraid of disturbing him.
This isn't the effect of Internal Force; it's more like a... natural affinity.
About half an hour later, Lin Yu slowly opened his eyes, his gaze clear and bright, showing no signs of fatigue or restlessness typical of a beginner.
"How are you feeling?" Guo Jing asked quickly.
"I feel refreshed and invigorated, my limbs are warm and comfortable," Lin Yu said truthfully.
"That's wonderful!" Guo Jing exclaimed with delight.
"Brother Lin, you are indeed exceptionally talented. On your very first cultivation session, you were able to calm your mind and sense the energy! With perseverance, you will surely reap the rewards."
He was even happier than if he had made progress in his own training.
Huang Rong walked over at the right moment and said with a smile, "Alright, Brother Jing, Xiao Yu has only just begun. Don't praise him so much that he loses his way."
"Didn't Lord Lü want to discuss something with you? If you don't leave now, it'll be too late."
Guo Jing then suddenly remembered the important matter and slapped his forehead. "Look at my memory! Brother Lin, you should continue your cultivation on your own. If you have any questions, feel free to come to the city to find me anytime."
"Miss Rong'er, Brother Lin, I'll be taking my leave now!"
With that, he clasped his hands in a fist salute to the two men, then strode away, his back view exuding an air of high spirits.
After watching Guo Jing leave, only the two of them remained in the courtyard.
Huang Rong walked up to Lin Yu and teased, "Well done, Xiao Yu. Your acting is pretty good. To use Sister Su's words, you're a movie star."
"They've completely charmed our great hero Guo, making him want to give you everything he has under his belt."
Lin Yu stood up, brushed off non-existent dust from his robes, and smiled calmly, "Brother Guo is a man of utmost sincerity, and I will reciprocate with the same sincerity."
"As for martial arts, it's merely a skill for survival. I'll learn as much as I can; my primary goal on this trip is still my objective."
Huang Rong's eyes sparkled. "Should I send Beggar Clan' Sect disciples to help you search?"
Lin Yu neither directly agreed nor denied, but simply gazed towards the verdant mountains outside the courtyard and slowly said, "This world is imbued with spirit. Since I have come here, I will follow fate; perhaps I will encounter something."
Huang Rong understood and didn't delve any further, simply saying, "If you need help, just ask. Our Beggar Clan' Sect has fairly good information networks in the Xiangyang area and even further afield."
"Thank you." Lin Yu nodded.
Then, Lin Yu, on a whim, asked, "Sister Huang Rong, have you ever heard of any strange places near Xiangyang?"
"Do you have a more specific description? There are many strange places in this world. I don't know what you're looking for?" Huang Rong didn't know which kind of question Lin Yu wanted to ask, so she asked him to elaborate.
Lin Yu thought for a moment, and since it was related to the Five Elements, the surrounding scenery must also be related.
"For example, a valley perpetually shrouded in mist, where trees are either unusually lush or withered, or... a place with special legends, or that produces unusual minerals or plants?"
Upon hearing this, Huang Rong seemed to be deep in thought, lightly tapping her chin with her finger. "A strange place, huh... The depths of Shennongjia, more than a hundred miles to the west, have always been mysterious. It is said to contain ancient relics, many exotic flowers and rare herbs, as well as many ferocious beasts. Ordinary people dare not venture deep into it."
"In the Funiu Mountain to the north, there is a valley Blazing Sun Valley. It is said that there are geothermal hot springs at the bottom of the valley, making it warm as spring even in winter, but the miasma is quite heavy."
"But if we're talking about the strange..."
She shook her head. "I can't think of anything special right now. What, do you have a clue?"
"It was just a casual question," Lin Yu said.
"I might need to ask Sister Huang Rong to investigate these places later."
"No problem," Huang Rong readily agreed.
Then he gave a sly smile.
"However, gathering information also requires manpower and resources..."
"Xiao Yu, look how much I care about you, shouldn't you reciprocate in kind..."
Huang Rong leaned close to Lin Yu, tilting her cute face up to look at him mischievously.