Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
During these three days, Lin Changkong's life was simple yet fulfilling.
By day, he cleaned and organized the Library Pavilion, and in his spare time, he immersed himself in reading.
At night, he practiced sword techniques in the bamboo forest behind the mountain, only returning to his room to rest when it was late.
After three days, he finally gained a rudimentary understanding of this world.
He read from a book called the Cangxuan Chronicles.
This continent was named the Cangxuan Continent.
The continent was composed of Thirty-Six Spirit Domains, each unimaginably vast.
With his current understanding of the world, he couldn't even begin to imagine the combined size of the Thirty-Six Spirit Domains.
The Spirit Domain where the Azure Cloud Sect was located was called the Canglan Spirit Domain.
Among the Thirty-Six Spirit Domains, the Canglan Spirit Domain was considered barren, relatively small in area, and with low Spiritual Qi concentration, classified as a lower-tier Spirit Domain.
The Canglan Spirit Domain was further divided into nine prefectures.
The Azure Cloud Sect was situated in one of these, the Qingmang Prefecture.
Lin Changkong specifically sought out books introducing the Qingmang Prefecture and read them carefully.
The book described the geography of Qingmang Prefecture, and he roughly estimated its size.
Qingmang Prefecture's territory was dozens of times larger than Blue Star.
And Qingmang Prefecture was just one-ninth of the Canglan Spirit Domain.
The Canglan Spirit Domain was merely one of the lower-tier Spirit Domains among the Thirty-Six Spirit Domains.
Lin Changkong closed the book, speechless for a long time.
Astonishment.
This was true astonishment.
He once thought that the mountain range where the Azure Cloud Sect was located was already vast enough.
But now he realized that what he had seen and traversed was merely a drop in the ocean of this world.
In those places he had never been, in those vast territories he couldn't even imagine.
There were countless cultivators far more powerful than him, countless rare and exotic beasts he had never heard of, countless wonders and dangers beyond his wildest dreams.
Lin Changkong sat by the window of the Library Pavilion, gazing at the endless mountains outside, a surge of indescribable emotion welling up in his heart.
Yearning, longing, yet also clarity.
This world was vast and full of wonders.
But without sufficient strength, venturing out recklessly would be courting death.
He withdrew his gaze, looked down at the book in his hand, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
No rush.
Take it slow.
First, survive and grow stronger.
One day, he would personally see just how vast this world truly was.
On the fourth morning.
The sun was just right, and a gentle breeze blew.
Lin Changkong was practicing sword techniques in the bamboo forest behind the mountain.
He stood in an open space, eyes closed, focusing his mind, his right hand resting on the sword hilt, repeatedly performing the move he had practiced countless times.
Draw the sword, sheathe the sword. Draw the sword, sheathe the sword.
After three days of hard practice, he had vaguely grasped some insights.
Although he was still far from achieving Sword Heart Clarity, at least his sword-drawing speed had more than doubled.
Just as he was about to continue practicing, a sudden rush of footsteps came from outside the bamboo forest.
Immediately after, a crisp voice called out:
"Brother Lin!"
Lin Changkong paused, turning his head to look.
At the end of the bamboo path, two figures were running quickly towards him.
In the lead was a young girl in a light blue dress, her figure light and graceful like a joyful butterfly.
Her face was adorned with a radiant smile, her eyes filled with irrepressible joy.
It was Luo Qinghan.
Following behind her was a handsome young man, who, though also running, had a much steadier pace and a smile on his face—Qin Hao.
Luo Qinghan ran up to Lin Changkong without hesitation, throwing herself into his arms and hugging him tightly.
"Brother Lin!"
Her voice carried a slight tremble and a hint of grievance, as if these three days had been three years.
Lin Changkong was momentarily stunned, then smiled helplessly.
He gently patted Luo Qinghan's back, his tone gentle:
"Alright, alright, it's only been a few days, why are you acting like a child?"
Luo Qinghan lifted her head from his embrace, her eyes a bit red, yet she stubbornly declared:
"Three days! I haven't seen Brother Lin for three days, I missed you!"
Lin Changkong chuckled, looking at Qin Hao standing to the side, he asked, "Haozi, why are you here?"
"Qinghan said she just managed to draw Spiritual Qi into her body and broke through to the Qi Refining Realm, so she pestered the Sect Master to let her come see you.
The Sect Master couldn't refuse her, so she agreed."
He paused, adding, "I also got lucky and came along."
Hearing this, Lin Changkong's eyes lit up as he looked at Luo Qinghan, full of gratification:
"Qinghan, you broke through to the Qi Refining Realm? So quickly?"
Luo Qinghan nodded, a hint of pride on her face, but then it quickly fell.
"Brother Lin, Master only allowed me to stay for half a day. She said I'm at a crucial stage for laying my foundation and should focus more on cultivation. She also said..."
She lowered her head, her voice growing smaller.
"She also said that after I go back this time, if I don't reach the Foundation Establishment Realm, I won't be allowed out."
Her tone was full of disappointment and reluctance.
Lin Changkong looked at her, feeling both amused and pained.
He raised his hand to gently ruffle Luo Qinghan's hair, just as he had done over the years.
"Silly girl."
His voice was soft, yet very gentle.
"The Sect Master is right, the most important thing for you now is to lay a solid foundation and cultivate well."
"You know, in these three days, I've read many books in the Library Pavilion and gained some understanding of the Cultivation World.
This world is too vast, so vast that you can't even imagine. The Thirty-Six Spirit Domains, each one is countless times larger than all the places we've ever been combined.
And those who can roam freely across this continent, which of them didn't start from Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment, advancing step by step?"
He looked at Luo Qinghan, his gaze earnest and gentle.
"You have great talent, a top-grade Spirit Root, that's your blessing.
But talent is just the starting point, how far you can go depends on how hard you work.
The Sect Master is strict with you for your own good, wanting you to reach higher and go further."
"So, you must listen, cultivate well. Once you reach the Foundation Establishment Realm, won't you be able to come out?"
Luo Qinghan lifted her head, her eyes red, yet stubbornly said, "But... reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm will take a long, long time..."
Lin Changkong laughed.
"Not long."
He looked at her, warmth in his eyes.
"See, you succeeded in Qi Refining in just three days.
Though the Foundation Establishment Realm is difficult, with your talent, it won't take long. Then you can come see me, right?"
"And besides..."
He paused, his tone becoming even gentler.
"If you cultivate well and become stronger, you'll be able to protect Brother Lin in the future, remember what you said at the mountain gate that day?"
Luo Qinghan was taken aback, then recalled what she had said at the mountain gate that day.
"When I become stronger, Qinghan will protect Brother Lin."
Her eyes gradually filled with determination, and she nodded vigorously, "Yes! Qinghan will protect Brother Lin!"
Lin Changkong looked at her serious little face, a warm feeling surging in his heart, and he smiled as he reached out to ruffle her hair.
"That's more like it!"
Luo Qinghan, her hair a bit tousled from his ruffling, didn't shy away but instead squinted her eyes like a little cat being petted.
The sadness on her face vanished, replaced by a happy smile.
"Hehe!"
Qin Hao stood to the side, watching this scene, smiling and shaking his head.
From childhood to now, Brother Lin had always been especially doting on Qinghan, and Qinghan only showed this childlike side in front of Brother Lin.
Lin Changkong released his hand, turning to look at Qin Hao.
"And you?" he asked, "Haozi, how are you doing?"
Qin Hao stepped forward, saying, "Brother Lin, like Qinghan, I also just broke through to the Qi Refining Realm.
Master said my foundation is good and let me come along to see you. But..."
He paused, smiling helplessly.
"Master said that after we go back, I also have to go into seclusion for cultivation, and I can't come out easily until I reach the Foundation Establishment Realm."
Hearing this, Lin Changkong's eyes flashed with gratification.
These two little ones, with outstanding talent and valued by the sect's high-ranking members, were destined to walk a path far beyond his own. He was happy for them.
"Good, very good." He smiled, patting Qin Hao's shoulder, "Cultivate well, don't waste your talent."
Qin Hao nodded earnestly, "Yes! Brother Lin, don't worry, I will."
Luo Qinghan tugged at Lin Changkong's sleeve, looking up to ask:
"Brother Lin, how have you been these past few days? Has anyone bullied you here? Is Elder Willow fierce?"
Lin Changkong chuckled, "No one bullied me. Elder Willow, though not talkative, is very kind and takes good care of me. Don't worry."
"That's good." Luo Qinghan nodded in relief.
Lin Changkong glanced at the sky, saying, "Since you're here, let's not just stand around talking. Come, I'll make something delicious for you."
"Really?" Luo Qinghan's eyes lit up.
She remembered how delicious the wild chicken Brother Lin made that day was. Get faster updates on g.com.
Although after joining the sect, there was a dedicated dining hall, and the spiritual rice and vegetables were tasty, she always felt that nothing compared to Brother Lin's cooking.
Qin Hao also showed a look of anticipation.
Lin Changkong nodded with a smile, "Really. Elder Willow is here too, I'll make a few more dishes, and we can all eat together."
The three of them chatted and laughed as they headed towards the courtyard of the Library Pavilion.
In the courtyard, under the crooked old tree, Elder Willow was still lying on the rattan chair, resting with his eyes closed.
Hearing footsteps, he slightly opened a slit of his eyes, seeing two young figures following Lin Changkong, his brows moved slightly.
"Elder." Lin Changkong stepped forward, smiling:
"These two are my hometown friends, Luo Qinghan and Qin Hao.
They came to see me today, and I was thinking of cooking something for us to eat together. What do you think, Elder?"
Luo Qinghan and Qin Hao quickly bowed, "Greetings, Elder Willow."
Elder Willow's gaze swept over the two, a subtle, unnoticeable glint in his eyes.
These two youngsters... their bone age was only eleven or twelve, yet they had both stepped into the Qi Refining Realm.
Moreover, their foundations were solid, and their Spiritual Qi was pure, clearly indicating excellent talent.
He nodded slightly, saying indifferently, "Go ahead."
Lin Changkong acknowledged and led Luo Qinghan and Qin Hao into the kitchen.
Elder Willow closed his eyes again, but the corners of his mouth curved into a barely noticeable smile.
This boy, he certainly has a knack for making friends.
In the kitchen, Lin Changkong tied on an apron and started busying himself.
He rummaged through the storage room, finding some supplies, a few wild rabbits he had hunted a few days ago, mushrooms from the mountains, and some spiritual vegetables he had gotten from Elder Willow.
Though the variety wasn't much, they were fresh.
Luo Qinghan and Qin Hao rolled up their sleeves to help.
Luo Qinghan was in charge of washing vegetables, Qin Hao tended the fire, and Lin Changkong handled the cooking.
In the kitchen, the air was filled with the aroma of cooking, and the clatter of pots and pans echoed.
"Brother Lin, how big should I cut this?" Luo Qinghan held up a piece of spiritual bamboo shoot.
"Slice it thin."
"Brother Lin, is the fire too big?" Qin Hao added wood to the stove.
"It's just right, keep it like that."
"Brother Lin, these mushrooms smell so good, are they ready to eat?" Luo Qinghan leaned over the pot, watching eagerly.
"Little glutton, they're not done yet, just wait a bit longer."
The oil in the pot sizzled, and the fragrance gradually spread.
An hour later, the meal was finally ready.
A plate of braised rabbit meat, glistening red and aromatic.
A plate of stir-fried spiritual bamboo shoots, crisp and refreshing, with a hint of sweetness.
A bowl of mushroom soup, clear and fragrant; and a dish of cold mixed spiritual vegetables, simple and appetizing.
Lin Changkong carried the dishes to the stone table in the courtyard, setting out bowls and chopsticks.
Elder Willow, who had somehow already sat up, was leaning on the lounge chair, his gaze subtly drifting towards the stone table.
Lin Changkong smiled, "Elder, it's time to eat."
Elder Willow lightly coughed, slowly getting up and walking over to sit by the stone table.
Luo Qinghan and Qin Hao also sat down properly.
The four of them gathered around the stone table, under the shade of the crooked old tree, with the mountain breeze gently blowing and the sound of flowing water nearby.
Lin Changkong first served Elder Willow a bowl of soup, then gave Luo Qinghan and Qin Hao each a piece of rabbit meat.
"Eat, don't be shy."
Luo Qinghan eagerly picked up the rabbit meat and took a bite, her eyes lighting up immediately.
"Delicious! Brother Lin's cooking is the best!"
Qin Hao also tasted it, nodding repeatedly.
Elder Willow took a sip of the mushroom soup, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his cloudy old eyes.
This boy's cooking skills were indeed getting better and better.
At the dining table, Luo Qinghan chattered about her experiences in the sect over the past few days, about how impressive her Master was, and how envious the senior brothers and sisters were of her.
Qin Hao occasionally added a few words, saying that although his Master was strict, he was actually very kind and personally guided his cultivation.
Lin Changkong listened with a smile, occasionally interjecting, asking about their cultivation progress, reminding them to listen to their Master and lay a solid foundation.
Elder Willow said nothing, just slowly eating, occasionally glancing at the three young people.
Sunlight filtered through the tree leaves, falling on the stone table, the dishes, and the faces of the four.
At this moment, the small courtyard of the Library Pavilion, which had been quiet for over two hundred years, had an indescribable warmth.
The meal lasted for more than an hour.
Luo Qinghan and Qin Hao reluctantly said their goodbyes.
"Brother Lin, I'm leaving." Luo Qinghan stood at the courtyard gate, her eyes a bit red again, "Wait for me, I'll definitely reach Foundation Establishment soon and come see you."
Lin Changkong nodded with a smile, "Alright, I'll be waiting."
Qin Hao also said, "Brother Lin, take care."
Lin Changkong patted his shoulder, "You too, cultivate well."
The two turned to leave, walking a few steps before turning back to wave.