At the moment of parting, Ji Shiyun was quite reluctant to let go. Seeing this, Ji Shiyue comforted her, “It’s only half a year at most, cousin will be back.” As he spoke, he turned to look at Lin Yao, “You’ll return right around the New Year. If there’s anything you like, cousin, just send a letter and let me know. Your elder brother will definitely prepare it for you!”
“Yes, yes, Yao Yao! Since it’s inconvenient for us to come visit, you must write to us!”
Lin Yao felt warmth flooding her heart. She looked at the Ji family siblings with a radiant smile and obediently nodded. Mrs. Bai glanced at Lin Yao, then at Ji Shiyue, before looking up and sharing a knowing smile with Ji Zichen.
For the latter half of the day, due to the incident at the Old Man of the Moon Temple, Xiao Yuanzi—being a “familiar face” and because of his young age—was assigned by Li Chengyang to stay by Lin Yao’s side and help her familiarize herself with the Jade Capital Pavilion.
The Jade Capital Pavilion wasn’t actually very large. Back when Bu Xizhou traveled here, he noticed faint signs of purple energy breaking free, making it suitable for establishing a sect. So, he made minor renovations and turned it into an academy.
Of course, as Abbot Li Chengyang put it, the personnel affairs of the Jade Capital Pavilion were very simple: those with talent would cultivate spells to exorcise demons and defend the Dao; the rest would refine medicines to make a living! In any case, anyone who came to the Jade Capital Pavilion would learn a skill to support themselves and wouldn’t go hungry!
Lin Yao suddenly recalled the short-haired mage and couldn’t help but purse her lips into a light laugh, “Your Third Senior Brother Wuyou must be quite talented, right?”
Xiao Yuanzi replied with immense pride, “Master says Third Senior Brother is a prodigy seen only once in a hundred years!”
He added, “Although Third Senior Brother is the Abbot’s disciple, all of his skills were personally taught by Dean Zhou. Even though he’s only twenty years old, his mastery of spells has long surpassed that of all the other disciples!”
So he was Zhou Tianshi’s closed-door disciple! No wonder he had achieved so much at such a young age—even capable of performing the supreme technique like the Nine Heavens Spirit Summoning!
Xiao Yuanzi was very diligent in his duties. He took Lin Yao from the front hall to the medicine hut on the back mountain, then from the western training ground to the Haotian Tower. By the time they reached the eastern Listening Wind Cliff, Lin Yao was too exhausted to walk any further. She stood with her hands on her hips, panting heavily, but her gaze was drawn to the lakeside cottage not far away.
This cottage stood quietly on the Listening Wind Cliff as if detached from the world. The air was rich with osmanthus fragrance, and medicinal herbs cleared the mind; the wind whispered softly, and birds chirped melodiously. In one corner of the fenced wall, tall hibiscus trees bloomed with clusters of pink and white flowers, their petals scattering profusely over the swing set!
Lin Yao was mesmerized, staring blankly as she asked, “What place is this?”
“This is Third Senior Brother’s residence.”
What? This dreamy, girly crush-worthy house actually belonged to him? The taste of the chosen one was indeed different!
“Can I go in and take a look?”
Before Xiao Yuanzi could answer, a clear voice came from the upstairs—
“Dream on—” Yan Wuyou poked half his head out of the window, “I’m taking a bath, get lost!”
That brat! Lin Yao quickly turned around, stamped her foot in frustration, and fled in disarray.
Leaving Yan Wuyou with a mischievous grin: So easy to fool!
At night, everything outside was quiet. Lin Yao sat at the table, staring blankly at the candle flame.
Knock, knock, knock—
She was startled and asked warily, “Who is it?”
“It’s me.”
Recognizing the voice of her teacher, Jingyang Female Teacher, Lin Yao stood up and opened the door.
Jingyang sat down at the table, gesturing for her to sit as well, and said softly, “Why aren’t you asleep yet? Are you missing your uncle and aunt?”
This was the first time Lin Yao was alone with her teacher, and she didn’t yet know her temperament. Unsure how to respond, she pursed her lips tightly and nodded.
Jing Yang looked at her disciple who was trembling like a startled rabbit, and her heart softened. She gently said, “I’m accustomed to being alone and am not skilled in social interactions. Since you’ve become my disciple, it means we are fated. I will do my best to teach you, but I wonder what you wish to learn?”
Lin Yao’s heart stirred, and she tentatively whispered, “Master, my constitution is unusual and easily attracts evil spirits.”
Upon hearing this, Jing Yang thought to herself: It seems she’s still too timid. We must fight poison with poison. Only with a strong mind can one be fearless!
Thus, she earnestly instructed, “Starting tomorrow, come to Tranquil Peace Hall at Chen hour every day for training.”
“Yes, Master.”
Seeing her disciple’s obedient demeanor, Jing Yang hesitated to say more but finally advised, “The Jade Capital Pavilion is different from your mansion. There are no maids or matrons here—you must manage your daily life independently. If you truly don’t know how or find it inconvenient, you may come to the quiet room to find me. Alright, it’s getting late, rest early.” With that, she stood up and walked out.
The next day, Lin Yao arrived punctually at the quiet room.
Jing Yang took a carved wooden long box from the shelf, opened it, and placed it before Lin Yao.
“This ice flute was passed down to me by your grandmaster,” Jing Yang said as she took out the flute and handed it to Lin Yao. “Today, I pass it on to you.”
Lin Yao received the ice flute with both hands. It felt icy cold, the chill seeping deep into her heart and lungs—
The ice flute appeared like an ordinary jade flute, but it was faintly surrounded by an almost imperceptible crystalline aura. In reality, it contained the Weak Water Power. The music it produced was as piercing as cold steel, and it could perfectly merge with the player’s internal energy. Under extreme force, it could momentarily freeze demons, making it extremely precious.
Her master was actually giving this to her, yet she had concealed her true purpose for coming to the Jade Capital Pavilion. Lin Yao felt guilty and blushed.
“Disciple thanks Master, but… if you’ve given this ice flute to me, what will you use?”
Jing Yang smiled faintly, drew an old wooden flute from her sleeve, lightly stroked its body, and calmly said, “I rarely venture beyond these walls. This is enough for me.”
An hour later.
“Memorize the flute melody after you return. Remember, you must not practice at night,” Jing Yang reminded her again.
Lin Yao nodded. At night, everyone in the academy needed to rest, and practicing the flute would indeed disturb their dreams.
From then on, Lin Yao began her life at the academy—
Jing Yang both lived and slept in the quiet room. Apart from the daily hour of flute practice, Lin Yao rarely saw her at other times.
One day, after finishing her flute practice and feeling bored, she wandered to the back mountain. The autumn back mountain carried a sweet, fragrant scent—the wild persimmons on the eastern side had ripened.
These were yellow, firm persimmons with tender, juicy flesh. Once peeled, a bite revealed a crisp sweetness. The thought of the satisfaction from eating one nearly made Lin Yao drool.
She lifted her skirt, about to climb the tree, when a large persimmon dropped right by her feet.
Standing under the tree, she looked up and scanned the area, only to find Yan Wuyou lounging leisurely on a branch, watching her with amusement.
Lin Yao blinked her exceptionally dark, bright eyes and offered what she thought was a very sincere smile: “Senior Brother—since we’re fellow disciples, you pick yours, and I’ll pick mine. Is that alright?”
Yan Wuyou lightly wiped his nose, pretending to ponder: “You actually eat grains, fruits, and vegetables too?”
Lin Yao felt a bit embarrassed upon hearing this: although she knew she was quite good-looking, being praised to her face as an immortal untouched by worldly cares made her rather shy…
Yan Wuyou watched her bow her head with a faint smile and snorted coldly: “There are radishes over there. Go eat those instead.”
With that, he leaped down from the tree, picked up the persimmon from the ground, and turned to leave.
Good heavens! He must have seen Tao Tao’s true form that day and thought she was a rabbit spirit!
By the time Lin Yao collected herself, Yan Wuyou had long disappeared from sight.
Lin Yao pouted and turned back to pick persimmons by herself. Remembering the medicine hut was located in the back hills, she brought some persimmons to share with Xiao Yuanzi.
Pushing open the wooden door, she found the courtyard filled with drying racks covered in various medicinal herbs. The bittersweet scent made one’s tongue feel bitter, yet Xiao Yuanzi sat calmly in the yard pounding herbs. Lin Yao pulled a chair from the corridor and sat beside him.
“Xiao Yuanzi, why are you alone in the medicine hut? Where are the others?”
“Reporting to shijie, some shixiong went to the city to sell medicine, some went to the village to treat patients, and the rest went herb gathering.” Xiao Yuanzi thought for a moment and added: “Oh, and Jiang Shixiong and the others – there’s a funeral in two days, so they’re practicing tunes at the training grounds.”
Lin Yao made an understanding sound: “Jade Capital Pavilion sure takes on lots of work!”
She asked again: “Xiao Yuanzi, how old are you?”
“Twelve.”
“When did you come to Jade Capital Pavilion?”
Xiao Yuanzi shook his head while continuing to pound herbs: “I’ve been here since I can remember.”
Remembering her own experiences, Lin Yao reached out to pat his head. But Xiao Yuanzi dodged away: “Shixiong told me to keep my distance from you, shijie! You have… you have demonic aura!”
Lin Yao burst out laughing and decided to tease him, putting on a fierce expression: “Then you’d better be careful! When night falls and everything’s quiet, I’ll sneak in and eat you!”
Xiao Yuanzi cried out and fled—
Lin Yao sat in the chair, clutching her stomach as she laughed heartily.
Thump—
A hard object hit her head squarely. Lin Yao covered her head and looked down to find a jujube! She stood up and looked around, finally spotting a jujube tree half-leaning over the distant courtyard wall. Who else could that lazy figure sitting in the tree be but Yan Wuyou?
Is he a monkey? Doesn’t he fear the jujube tree pricking his butt!
“Have you been following me?”
Yan Wuyou sneered: “Flattering yourself.”
Lin Yao puffed her cheeks: “Why did you hit me?”
“Why did you scare Xiao Yuanzi?”
“Weren’t you the one who scared him first? Telling him I have demonic aura!”
Yan Wuyou looked at her from afar, pointing at his own chest: “Aren’t you aware of it yourself?”
Had her secret been discovered?
Caught off guard, Lin Yao’s heart skipped a beat. She grabbed a persimmon and threw it at him, saying guiltily: “Nonsense!” Then she turned and ran.
Yan Wuyou caught the persimmon, wiped it on his sleeve, and took a fierce bite.
Returning to Quiet Bamboo Residence, her chest suddenly felt hot.
“Tao Tao, what’s wrong?”
Tao Wu replied weakly: “For two whole months, you and your master have been playing the Spirit Control Tune every day. How could this old man withstand that!”
“Spirit Control Tune? That secret technique of the Spirit Control Sect that was wiped out?”
“Exactly. This humble old man nearly got dragged out by her…”
Lin Yao frowned: “Just who is my master?”
“Who knows? She’s definitely someone with a story, that’s for sure!”
“Tao Tao, hold on. Wait for me to find the right opportunity to confess to Master. She definitely won’t make things difficult for us.”
“Hmph!”
After another torturous month passed, on this day in the meditation room, Lin Yao cautiously probed: “Master, this tune you taught me is…”
“Spirit Control Tune.” Jing Yang’s tone suddenly shifted. “Yao Yao, are you still unwilling to speak the truth?”