And so, Lin Changkong led a peaceful and fulfilling life in the Library Pavilion.
Every morning, he would wake up to clean the courtyard and organize the books in the pavilion.
In the afternoons, he immersed himself in reading, from geography to biographies, from the basics of Formation Arts to the principles of Alchemy and medicine, reading book by book, accumulating knowledge bit by bit.
When night fell, he would go to the bamboo forest in the back mountain to practice swordsmanship, drawing and sheathing his sword repeatedly until late at night before returning to his room to rest.
Quiet, free, undisturbed.
This was exactly the life he wanted.
Days passed, the seasons turned in the Library Pavilion, spring giving way to autumn.
Lin Changkong's cultivation also steadily improved.
One layer per year, no more, no less, steadily progressing.
Quickly, two years passed.
On this day, Lin Changkong was sitting by the window on the second floor of the Library Pavilion reading a book when he suddenly heard familiar footsteps outside the courtyard.
He put down the book and walked to the window to look out.
Two figures were quickly walking through the bamboo path toward the Library Pavilion.
A man and a woman, both taller than two years ago, but he recognized their faces at a glance.
Luo Qinghan, Qin Hao.
A smile appeared on Lin Changkong's face as he got up, went downstairs, and walked out of the courtyard.
"Brother Lin!"
As soon as Luo Qinghan saw him, her eyes lit up, and she ran forward, throwing herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.
"Brother Lin! I've reached Foundation Establishment! I came to see you!"
Her voice was filled with uncontrollable joy, and a hint of grievance—two whole years without seeing Brother Lin.
Lin Changkong smiled and patted her back, "Alright, alright, I know, you've reached Foundation Establishment, impressive."
Qin Hao also stepped forward, smiling as he greeted, "Brother Lin."
Lin Changkong looked at him, nodding with satisfaction, "Not bad, both of you have reached Foundation Establishment, and you've grown quite a bit in two years."
Qin Hao smiled, "Brother Lin, we brought you some things."
As he spoke, he took out a storage bag from his bosom and handed it to Lin Changkong.
Luo Qinghan also lifted her head from Lin Changkong's embrace, wiped the corners of her eyes, and handed him another storage bag.
"Brother Lin, inside are pills for cultivation, Heavenly Treasures and Earthly Jewels, weapons and talismans, all specially chosen for you! See if you like them?"
Lin Changkong looked down at the two bulging storage bags in his hands, a warm feeling rising in his heart.
These two little ones, just reaching Foundation Establishment, and already thinking of bringing him things.
He opened the storage bags and looked at the pills, spirit herbs, talismans, and artifacts, all carefully selected and abundant in variety.
Lin Changkong looked up at Luo Qinghan's expectant little face and smiled:
"Qinghan, these things are too precious, keep them for yourself. I don't need them here."
Luo Qinghan's mouth immediately pouted upon hearing this.
A quick look at tinyurl.com/2p9emv8w will leave you more fulfilled.
"Brother Lin! I brought them especially for you, how can you not want them?"
Lin Changkong sighed helplessly, "It's not that I don't want them, I just really don't need them..."
"No! You must take them!" Luo Qinghan pressed his hand down, glaring at him, "If Brother Lin doesn't take them, I won't talk to you anymore!"
Lin Changkong looked at her serious expression, finding it both amusing and exasperating.
This girl, two years ago she would just pout and act spoiled, now she's even threatening people.
He sighed and smiled, "Alright, alright, I'll take them, is that okay?"
Only then did Luo Qinghan smile with satisfaction.
Lin Changkong took a few basic pills and talismans from the two storage bags, then returned the bags to the two of them.
"I'll take these, the rest you keep for yourselves.
You've just reached Foundation Establishment, you need resources, don't give them all to me."
Qin Hao smiled, "Qinghan, Brother Lin is right, we've just reached Foundation Establishment, we do need resources.
Brother Lin taking these is enough, we'll keep the rest, and bring more next time."
Luo Qinghan thought for a moment, then nodded and took back the storage bags.
"Alright, but Brother Lin, next time I come, you must take more."
Lin Changkong smiled and ruffled her hair, "Okay, I'll listen to you."
The three of them walked into the courtyard and sat under the old crooked tree.
Luo Qinghan chattered about her experiences over the past two years.
Qin Hao occasionally added a few words, saying how strict his master was with him, but privately treated him well.
Lin Changkong listened quietly, occasionally asking a few questions, occasionally nodding.
Sunlight filtered through the tree shadows, falling on the three of them.
That day, the small courtyard of the Library Pavilion was filled with laughter once again.
By evening, the two reluctantly left.
Lin Changkong stood at the courtyard gate, watching their figures disappear into the depths of the bamboo forest before turning back inside.
The days returned to peace.
Lin Changkong continued his daily routine of sweeping, reading, and practicing swordsmanship. Occasionally, Elder Willow would ask him to cook a meal, and the two would sit and eat together, exchanging a few words.
Time flowed by like water.
Another six years passed.
This year, Lin Changkong was twenty-three.
His cultivation had steadily reached the 9th layer of Qi Refining, just one step away from Foundation Establishment.
On this day, he was practicing swordsmanship in the bamboo forest when he suddenly felt something and stopped, turning to look at the bamboo path.
A figure was gracefully approaching.
Sunlight filtered through the bamboo leaves, casting dappled shadows on the figure.
Lin Changkong was stunned at first glance.
It was a woman.
A woman so beautiful it took one's breath away.
She wore a moon-white flowing immortal dress, the hem gently swaying with her steps, like clouds and mist.
A light blue silk ribbon was tied around her waist, outlining a slender waist that seemed like it could be broken with a gentle touch.
Beneath the hem, a pair of long, straight legs were faintly visible, each step exuding an indescribable elegance and rhythm.
Her skin was fairer than snow, glowing with a lustrous sheen under the sunlight, truly ice-like and jade-boned, as delicate as porcelain.
Her jet-black hair cascaded like a waterfall to her waist, tied with a simple silk ribbon, enhancing her ethereal beauty.
Her face had brows like smoke, eyes like stars.
Those eyes were as clear as a mountain spring, yet as deep as if they held the entire starry sky.
A high nose bridge, lips like cherry blossoms, every feature exquisitely crafted, as if a masterpiece sculpted by the heavens.
Her figure was flawless beyond reproach.
Graceful yet elegant, her waist so slender it seemed it could snap with a gentle bend, the elegant curve of her waist and hips forming a breathtaking silhouette with her long legs.
She walked quietly, as if enveloped in a faint halo, not like a mortal, but like a celestial maiden stepping out of a painting.
Lin Changkong stared blankly, momentarily at a loss for words.
The little girl who had thrown herself into his arms six years ago had grown into such a figure?
"Brother Lin."
She called out, her voice sweet and melodious, with a hint of laughter.
It was Luo Qinghan.
She saw Lin Changkong's stunned expression, a trace of delight flickering in her eyes.
Then, she quickly stepped forward, spreading her arms as usual, and threw herself into Lin Changkong's embrace.
"Brother Lin!"
She hugged him tightly, a radiant smile on her face.
Lin Changkong's body stiffened.
Unlike the small figure from six years ago, now in his arms was a stunning beauty with a graceful figure and alluring curves.
He didn't know what to do for a moment.
His hands hovered in mid-air, unsure where to place them.
He hesitated for a moment, about to gently wrap his arms around her waist.
Suddenly, two chilling presences emanated from the void, making his heart race.
Cold, sharp! With a hint of subtle killing intent.
Lin Changkong's hair stood on end, his movements freezing instantly.
He instinctively called out the system, the golden panel flashing through his mind.
[Warning: Two powerful presences hidden in the void.
Source one: Azure Cloud Sect Master Su Luoxia.
Source two: Soul Body on Luo Qinghan. Both are currently displeased, with faint killing intent.]
Lin Changkong: "..."
His hands froze in mid-air, not daring to move.
The two presences lingered on him for a moment, seemingly warning, intimidating, before slowly withdrawing, disappearing into the void.
But the feeling of being watched lingered.
Lin Changkong took a deep breath, a wave of fear washing over him.
Too dangerous.
Too dangerous!
He just wanted to give a gentle hug, and almost got killed by two powerhouses on the spot?
Luo Qinghan seemed to sense his stiffness, lifting her head from his embrace, puzzled, "Brother Lin? What's wrong?"
Lin Changkong looked at that stunning face so close, a bitter smile in his heart.
This girl, does she really not know how lethal she is now, or is she pretending not to know?
He cleared his throat, subtly stepping back half a step, putting some distance between them.
"Nothing, it's just... you've grown up."
Luo Qinghan blinked, a sly glint in her eyes.
"Brother Lin just noticed?"
Lin Changkong: "..."
He decided not to engage in this topic for now.
"You've broken through to the Purple Palace?" he changed the subject.
Luo Qinghan nodded, her face lighting up with a happy smile:
"Yes! Purple Palace Layer 1! My master said I'm doing well and allowed me to come see Brother Lin."
She paused, then added:
"Qin Hao also broke through to the Purple Palace, but he took a mission yesterday and went out of the sect for training.
He asked me to tell you that he'll come see you when he returns."
Lin Changkong nodded, "Alright, I understand."
He looked at the young woman standing before him, filled with emotion.
Eight years.
From the little girl of eleven or twelve, to this peerless beauty who could captivate anyone.
From the girl who cried in his arms, to a genius cultivator at Purple Palace Layer 1.
Time flies so fast.
Luo Qinghan stood before him, her smile radiant, her eyes full of the joy of reunion.
Lin Changkong looked at her and smiled too.
Only this time, he deliberately kept a bit of distance.
No choice.
Those two gazes in the void were still there.