Chapter 26: After returning to Fuguang Peak during the Lantern Festival, Li Youyang...

After returning to Fuguang Peak, Li Youyang asked, "Why didn't Jiuying come back?"

Fu Guangjun: "Something happened in Yingzhou, and he went back to deal with it."

Li Youyang didn't ask any more questions. The spiritual contract was still there, so everything should be fine.

Afterwards, Li Youyang found several kinds of spiritual materials and gave them to Bei Liyuan, asking him to retreat and refine his own immortal sword.

Half a month later, Bei Liyuan came out of seclusion and obtained a low-grade mysterious weapon. Fu Guangjun and Yao Sheng could not help laughing. The destiny of this master and disciple was really in stark contrast.

It is considered extremely lucky to be able to obtain a medium-grade immortal sword when refining one's own immortal sword in the Nascent Soul stage, but Bei Liyuan obtained a low-grade mysterious weapon. And when refining one's own immortal sword in the God Transformation stage, the worst that can be obtained is a high-grade immortal sword.

Li Youyang frowned at the two of them, turned around and went back to his room like a bad-tempered child, and Fu Guangjun quickly chased after him.

Bei Liyuan looked at Li Youyang's back with a look of doting in his eyes. His master was really like a child sometimes.

Nangong Liuchu was puzzled, so the Medicine Saint recounted what happened that year: "Youyang was troubled by this sword for three whole months."

Bei Liyuan curled his lips, regretting that he hadn't come into this world earlier. He really wanted to meet his master earlier. "Senior Medicine Saint, could you tell me about my master's past?"

The Medicine Saint thought for a moment and recounted a few embarrassing incidents that left a lasting impression on him: the first time Li Youyang and Fu Guangjun went to the forbidden area to fight a ferocious beast, they were badly beaten; the first time Li Youyang took Nan Liujing as his disciple, he was beaten up and refused to admit it; Nan Liujing got into trouble outside and got beaten up, and Li Youyang went to vent his anger and got beaten up too, and after returning, he refused to tell the truth to save face...

In the middle of the night, Bei Liyuan couldn't fall asleep, thinking back to the Medicine Saint's words. He could imagine his former master's life, as brilliant as the sun, but now he was as cold as a spring. What had Nan Liujing done a hundred years ago to cause his master to become like this? Thinking of this, he silently clenched his fists.

…

Two years later, Bei Liyuan successfully entered the Void Refinement Stage, Nangong Liuchu also successfully broke through the Golden Immortal Realm, and even the nine-tailed fox he raised was about to transform.

In the evening, after playing chess with Fu Guangjun, Li Youyang said casually, "There are still three months left before the competition for the next head of the Bei family. I should also take them back to Yunshan Sect. I'm sorry to bother you during this time."

Fu Guangjun smiled and said, "There are still three months left. Why are you in such a hurry to go back? The Lantern Festival is in half a month. How about going together to join in the fun?"

Li Youyang was about to refuse when Fu Guangjun said, "I guess Li Yuan has never been to the Lantern Festival. He'll have a tough battle when he returns. Just treat it as a break."

"I'll ask him later if he wants to go."

"I'll ask him right away."

But a moment later, Fu Guangjun returned: "He said he wanted to go."

Li Youyang held his forehead: "Then let's go together."

…

On the night of the Lantern Festival, Fu Guangjun dressed up specially, and Li Youyang followed him down the mountain lazily.

The Medicine Saint, along with Nangong Liuchu and Bei Liyuan, deliberately slowed down a few paces. Nangong Liuchu, who had originally shown little interest, now showed some interest. He whispered, "Senior, is Fu Guangjun planning to express his feelings to Master tonight?"

The Medicine Saint said with disdain: "If he had the courage, he might have achieved enlightenment a hundred years ago."

Nangong Liuchu uttered an "oh" and looked at Bei Liyuan again: "Junior brother, this should be your first time at the Lantern Festival, right? Just buy whatever you like tonight, I'll treat you, Senior Brother."

Bei Liyuan looked at the backs of Fu Guangjun and Li Youyang in the distance and hummed absentmindedly.

Nangong Liuchu touched his nose in dissatisfaction. It had been almost three years, and how come his junior brother was still so cold? He had grown a lot taller, almost catching up with... well, okay, he was already taller than him, and his appearance was even more outstanding. Who knew who would benefit from him in the future.

After walking for a quarter of an hour, they arrived at the Wishing Lake, where many people were releasing lanterns and praying by the lake.

Fu Guangjun casually bought two and said, "Youyang, shall we light one too?"

Li Youyang was too lazy to let go, but he could not bear Fu Guangjun's repeated requests and had to compromise.

Fu Guangjun picked up the pen and wrote, "I wish: to live with you and share this life."

Li Youyang also picked up the pen, and then gave the lantern to Fu Guangjun. When Fu Guangjun put the lantern, he secretly opened Li Youyang's paper, but saw that there was not a single word on it. He sighed silently in his heart. Li Youyang had become more cheerful in the past three years. He thought Li Youyang had recovered, but now it seems that he thought too much. How could a living person not have a wish?

"Someone fell into the water!"

Following a cry of surprise, everyone rushed towards the source of the shouting. In just a few moments, Li Youyang was pushed away by the crowd, and when Fu Guangjun turned around, he was gone.

In the crowd, Li Youyang rubbed his eyebrows and knew that he shouldn't join in the fun.

At this moment, the people next to him squeezed him without noticing, and Li Youyang lost his balance and fell backwards, then fell into a strong embrace.

Bei Liyuan carefully held the person in his arms and did not let go of Li Youyang until the crowd dispersed. "Master, are you hurt?"

Li Youyang said softly, "No."

Fu Guangjun and the other two had already walked far away in search of Li Youyang. Li Youyang frowned and said, "Li Yuan, I want to go back now. Please tell them later."

Bei Liyuan silently clenched his fists, disobeying Li Youyang's orders for the first time. He said softly, "Master, I just saw a very beautiful lantern and wanted to give it to you. Could you come with me to take a look and see if you like it?"

This was the first time Bei Liyuan had made a request since they became master and disciple, so Li Youyang certainly couldn't refuse: "Let's go."

Bei Liyuan's eyes lit up with joy: "It's not far ahead."

The two arrived at the place Bei Liyuan mentioned. There were also many people gathered there. Bei Liyuan raised his hand to protect Li Youyang. Worried that Li Youyang would be disgusted, he deliberately kept a certain distance.

When we got to the front, we saw a colorful lantern hanging high up. The stall owner smiled and said, "You two must be here for the Lantern King too. You can get it if you answer all the riddles correctly."

Li Youyang looked up. He didn't really like things that were too flashy, but he didn't want to disturb Bei Liyuan's interest. He was about to speak when Bei Liyuan pointed to an extremely ordinary pear blossom lantern next to the lantern and said, "Boss, I want that one."

The boss took a look and took it off directly: "I made this lantern casually, without spending much effort on it. Today is the Lantern Festival, so I'm giving it to you, young master."

Bei Liyuan took it and thanked him, but still left a spirit stone for the boss.

Walking out of the crowd, Bei Liyuan handed the lantern to Li Youyang: "Master, do you like it?"

Li Youyang took it and nodded softly.

I don't know if it was an illusion, but under this light, Li Youyang's eyebrows softened a lot. Bei Liyuan's heart was beating very fast. He took a deep breath silently, suppressed the throbbing, and said softly: "As long as Master likes it."

As soon as he finished speaking, Fu Guangjun and the other two hurried over.

Fu Guangjun immediately pushed Bei Liyuan aside and said with concern, "Youyang, are you hurt? It's all my fault. I shouldn't have left you there alone."

Li Youyang frowned: "I'm not that weak yet."

The Medicine Saint smiled and said, "He's just too concerned."

Fu Guangjun nodded repeatedly, looked at the lantern in Li Youyang's hand and said, "Your lantern is too ordinary. How about I buy you a better one as an apology?"

Without waiting for Li Youyang's response, the person had already left. After a while, he returned with the Colorful Lantern King and handed it to Li Youyang. Li Youyang held his forehead. If it was Bei Liyuan who gave it to him, it would be difficult to refuse. But if it was Fu Guangjun, he would not be polite: "You should take care of this conspicuous bag yourself. I don't need it."

Fu Guangjun sighed silently. Why did he always do the wrong thing today? Youyang's temperament had changed a lot in these days. He might have liked the Lantern King in the past, but now the pear blossom lantern was more to his liking. The current Youyang no longer had the sharpness he had back then. He was no longer the Youyang God who wanted to win in everything.

Li Youyang said again: "You guys take a look, I'm a little tired, so I'll go back first."

Fu Guangjun hurriedly said, "I'll take you back."

Li Youyang frowned.

Bei Liyuan said softly, "Master, I haven't finished my homework for today. I will go back with you."

Li Youyang hummed. After the two left, Fu Guangjun looked at the Medicine Saint with a tearful expression, "I think I messed up. Will Youyang get tired of me?"

The Medicine Saint's face was filled with disdain: "What a waste! Don't worry, after thousands of years of friendship, he won't dislike you for such a small matter. Nangong friend, let's go over there and see if there's anything delicious."

The two took three steps before Fu Guangjun chased after them: "Really? Does Youyang really not get tired of me?"

Even the Medicine Saint didn't bother to pay attention to him.

…

In the middle of the night, Li Youyang felt a little thirsty and got up to pour a cup of tea. When he put the teacup down, he accidentally knocked the pear blossom lantern over. He put down the teacup and picked up the lantern to carefully check if it was damaged.

"This is?"

Li Youyang's fingertips gently brushed the wick, and a formation dissipated, with the seven words "May Master have a smooth life" engraved on it.

Li Youyang's expression softened considerably. This kid is really attentive, huh? And is he hiding something?

Li Youyang moved his fingertips lightly, and the formation on the petals of the pear blossom lantern disappeared. The whole lantern looked like a real pear blossom, but much larger than the real one.

The merits were used to make a lamp, and although it was only the size of a palm, it would probably take at least three hundred merits. Li Youyang recalled that Bei Liyuan had occasionally felt sleepy when listening to his teachings, and once he even fell asleep during practice, and was severely punished by him.

At the time, he had been puzzled as to why this child was so exhausted every day, even though youth is supposed to be the most energetic. Now he understood: he only allowed Bei Liyuan a maximum of three hours of rest each day, but he also had to do good deeds during these three hours to accumulate merit.

For cultivators, merit isn't particularly important; it primarily increases their luck and allows for a smoother ascension. However, for ordinary people, accumulating enough merit is also a possibility for achieving enlightenment and ascending. However, accumulating merit isn't easy, and accumulating enough merit to ascend is even more challenging.

Li Youyang moved his fingertips again, and the formation reappeared. He carefully put the lamp away. Since his little disciple was so attentive, he naturally had to keep it well.

"Youyang, are you asleep?"

Li Youyang stood up and opened the door: "It's so late, what's the matter?"

Fu Guangjun nodded slightly: "Can I come in?"

Li Youyang sat back at the table, supporting his forehead with one hand and looking at Fu Guangjun with a slightly tired look.

Fu Guangjun walked over and sat next to him: "I know your personality. You probably won't go to the Bei family in person. Why don't you stay in Fu Guang Peak for a few more days?"

Li Youyang remained silent. No one could shake his decision. Besides, as time went on, people would inevitably notice it and cause unnecessary trouble.

Fu Guangjun silently clenched his fists, then smiled and said, "Today is the Lantern Festival, and I haven't given you a gift yet. See if you like this?"

As he spoke, he took out a jade hairpin, saying that the jade hairpin was actually a spiritual treasure, which was imbued with 30% of Fu Guangjun's spiritual energy. If it encountered an enemy, even if the opponent had the cultivation level of Taiyi Jinxian, he could be easily defeated.