Afterward, the two of them started chatting in the courtyard of the Library Pavilion.
Luo Qinghan chattered on about her experiences over the past six years, how she cultivated from the Foundation Establishment 1st Layer to the 9th Layer, and how she broke through to the Purple Palace.
How she was praised by her master, and how she stood out in the Sect Tournament.
She spoke animatedly, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Lin Changkong listened quietly, occasionally interjecting with a few words of praise for her impressive achievements.
He sometimes inquired about Qin Hao's situation and was pleased to learn that the young man had also successfully broken through to the Purple Palace and had taken on a sect mission to gain experience outside.
As they talked, the sun gradually rose higher.
Lin Changkong stood up and said, "Let's go, it's rare for you to visit, I'll take you into the mountains to find something tasty."
Luo Qinghan's eyes lit up, "Really?"
"Yes, I'm familiar with the back mountain, I know where the good stuff is."
The two of them then ventured into the back mountain together.
Now a cultivator in the Purple Palace Realm, Luo Qinghan could easily detect hidden mountain delicacies with a sweep of her Divine Sense.
Although Lin Changkong's cultivation wasn't as advanced as hers, he had spent eight years in these mountains and knew exactly where and when things could be found.
The two worked in perfect harmony, and within an hour, they had gathered a bountiful harvest.
Several plump wild chickens, a nest of wild eggs, and a large piece of honeycomb from a hive of spirit bees that Lin Changkong had long had his eye on.
Back at the Library Pavilion, Lin Changkong got busy.
Luo Qinghan, just like when she was a child, helped out by washing vegetables, stoking the fire, and handing over seasonings.
The kitchen filled with the aroma of cooking, and the sounds of pots and pans clattering echoed throughout.
"Brother Lin, how should I cut this?"
"Just slice it into sections."
"Brother Lin, isn't the fire too strong?"
"It's just right, keep it like this."
"Brother Lin, this smells so good, can I have a taste?"
"You little glutton, it's not done yet."
An hour later, the dishes were served.
Braised wild chicken, stir-fried mountain delicacies, honey-glazed spirit fruit, wild mushroom soup, and a plate of cold mixed wild vegetables.
Though all were simple mountain fare, under Lin Changkong's hands, each dish was aromatic and mouthwatering.
Elder Willow had somehow already seated himself at the table, eating slowly and occasionally nodding in satisfaction.
The three of them sat around the table, chatting and laughing.
After the meal, Elder Willow returned to his rattan chair to bask in the sun.
Lin Changkong took Luo Qinghan to the bamboo grove in the back mountain.
"Brother Lin, what sword art are you practicing?" Luo Qinghan asked curiously, looking at the ordinary iron sword in his hand.
"A set of Basic Sword Art, the Heaven-Sundering Draw Sword Art," Lin Changkong replied with a smile. "Want to see?"
"Yes!"
Lin Changkong stood still, closed his eyes to focus for a moment, then drew his sword.
A flash of sword light streaked by, so fast it was almost impossible to track.
Luo Qinghan's eyes lit up, "So fast!"
A quick look at will leave you more fulfilled.
Lin Changkong sheathed his sword and smiled, "Eight years of practice, and this is all I've achieved."
"Eight years?" Luo Qinghan was taken aback. "Brother Lin, you've been practicing this sword art for eight years?"
"Yes, every night."
Luo Qinghan fell silent.
Eight years, practicing a Basic Sword Art for eight years.
Anyone else would have grown tired long ago and moved on to more powerful sword arts.
She suddenly understood why Brother Lin, despite having a Mortal-grade Spirit Root, always made her feel at ease.
It was because of this persistence, this focus, this calm steadiness that never rushed.
"Brother Lin, let me try!" She suddenly felt inspired.
Lin Changkong handed her the iron sword.
Luo Qinghan took the sword, stood still, closed her eyes to focus like Lin Changkong, then drew the sword.
The sword light flashed, indeed very fast.
But Lin Changkong could see that while it was fast, it lacked the depth of experience he had cultivated over the years.
That was something only time could forge.
"Not bad," he praised with a smile.
Luo Qinghan pursed her lips, "It doesn't feel as fast as Brother Lin's."
"It's your first time practicing, having this speed is already impressive."
Luo Qinghan returned the sword to him, smiling, "Then Brother Lin, practice again for me!"
Lin Changkong took the sword, not refusing, and began practicing repeatedly.
Under the moonlight, in the bamboo grove, the sword light flashed again and again, lighting up and extinguishing.
Luo Qinghan sat on a nearby stone, resting her chin in her hands, watching quietly.
She suddenly felt that just watching Brother Lin practice his sword was quite nice.
As night fell, the two returned to the courtyard and chatted a bit more.
Luo Qinghan leaned against the stone table, listening to Lin Changkong recount interesting stories he had read over the years, occasionally laughing out loud, occasionally asking a few questions.
The moon rose, hanging on the branch of an old crooked tree.
Luo Qinghan looked up at the sky, her smile gradually fading.
"Brother Lin, I have to go back."
Her voice was full of reluctance.
Lin Changkong nodded, not trying to stop her.
He knew the sect's rules were there, her master's expectations were there, and this girl had her own path to follow.
"Be careful on the road."
Luo Qinghan stood up, looking at him, her eyes reddening again.
"Brother Lin, I'll come to see you next time."
"Alright."
"I'll definitely reach the Purple Palace 5th Layer soon, then I can come see you more often."
"Mm, I'll be waiting."
Luo Qinghan took a deep breath, turned, and as spiritual energy surged, her figure slowly rose.
She looked back once, seeing Lin Changkong still standing in the courtyard, waving at her with a smile.
She waved back, then turned and transformed into a stream of light, flying toward the Main Peak.
The night wind blew, her clothes fluttering.
Flying through the night sky, below her were the endless mountains, and in the distance, the faint lights of the Main Peak. Yet her mood was somewhat low.
It was always like this.
Always coming in a hurry, leaving in a hurry.
Always having to wait so long just to see Brother Lin once.
She had to cultivate faster, reach the Purple Palace 5th Layer quickly. Then she could have more freedom, could come see Brother Lin more often.
Just then, an ethereal female voice echoed in her mind.
"Qinghan!"
The voice was gentle and ethereal, seeming to come from afar, yet also from within her heart.
"You possess the Seven-Aperture Exquisite Heart, a talent rare in millennia. You should spend more time cultivating rather than indulging in mundane affairs, as it will affect your progress in cultivation."
The voice continued, "Moreover... that boy is just a Mortal-grade Spirit Root waste, you two are from different worlds. You should..."
"Master!"
Luo Qinghan interrupted, her tone calm yet firm.
She addressed the voice as "Master."
Since this Soul Body had awakened, it had been secretly guiding her in cultivation, imparting techniques and secret arts.
Though there had been no formal apprenticeship ceremony, in Luo Qinghan's heart, this was her master.
"Brother Lin is not a waste."
Her voice was light, yet earnest.
"He is the most important person to Qinghan."
The voice fell silent for a moment.
Luo Qinghan continued:
"I know Master has my best interests at heart, and I know Brother Lin's talent.
But I will strive to cultivate, and when I become stronger, I will find Heavenly Treasures and Earthly Jewels for Brother Lin to improve his talent.
There must be a way."
"You..."
The voice sighed helplessly.
"Sigh..."
The sigh was filled with worry, helplessness, and a hint of hidden heartache.
This girl, why is she so stubborn?
What is so good about that boy?
He's just a Mortal-grade Spirit Root waste, who will never catch up to her in cultivation.
Yet this girl is so devoted to him, thinking of her Brother Lin from childhood to now.
She had lived for so many years and seen too many such examples.
Two people with such a disparity in talent would eventually walk different paths.
One in the sky, one on the ground, ultimately drifting apart, leaving only regret.
But this girl wouldn't listen.
"Master need not say more."
Luo Qinghan's voice sounded again, still calm, still firm.
"Qinghan will work hard in cultivation, not to disappoint Master's teachings, as for Brother Lin..."
She paused, a gentle smile appearing on her lips.
"Qinghan knows what she's doing."
The voice said no more.
In the night, the stream of light streaked across the sky, heading toward the Main Peak.
The mysterious Soul Body fell silent, speaking no further.
Yet within her heart, complex emotions churned.
This girl was even more stubborn than she had imagined.
That boy... who knows what luck he had to make this girl so devoted.
Never mind.
She shook her head, thinking no more.
The path was ultimately chosen by the girl herself.
She could only watch, only protect, and as for what the future held, who could say?
The night wind blew gently, stars twinkling.
Luo Qinghan's figure disappeared into the lights of the Main Peak.