The sunset paints the bamboo forest red.

The wind rustled through the bamboo leaves.

Inside the Yangxinzhai, Qin Luo looked at the Floating Cloud Hermit and asked respectfully, "Senior, why do you cultivate?"

The hermit of floating clouds sat upright and said earnestly, "I am weary of worldly life and prefer the life of a hermit, so I have chosen to live in seclusion in the deep mountains."

Qin Luo likes this kind of life. "My senior and I want to leave the world, Brother Chu wants to enter the world, and Master Guichen is between entering the world and leaving the world. Although our paths are different, we are following our hearts."

Chu Peiran nodded and smiled in agreement, "Yes, home is where the heart is!"

Gui Chen clasped his hands together and said in a deep voice, "Transcending the world is the same as Nirvana."

"Have some tea, have some tea."

"I am a hermit of the floating clouds," he greeted warmly.

Qin Luo picked up his teacup and drank it in three sips. He savored it carefully and praised with a smile, "Good tea. A cup of clear tea brings peace of mind."

"Would you sell your tea, senior?"

Chu Peiran thought it was good and wanted to buy it.

The hermit of floating clouds looked at Zhou Qing outside the door and said, "Disciple, go and fetch three cans of tea."

Zhou Qing immediately brought over three jars of tea, made of bamboo tubes and filled with tea leaves.

With a gentle smile, the hermit of floating clouds said, "These tea leaves are a small gift for the three young friends."

"I can't accept this!" Chu Peiran opened the book box and took out a yellowed book. "Senior, this is a sword manual. Consider it a return gift. Please don't find it offensive."

The hermit of floating clouds waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Young friend, the Dharma is not easily passed on. This old man cannot accept such a precious thing."

"There are countless techniques, but techniques are the cheapest. Senior, this tea is very good. It relieves my worries, and I like it very much." Chu Peiran placed the sword manual in front of the Floating Cloud Hermit.

The Hermit of Floating Clouds picked up the sword manual and felt its weight. He cupped his hands to express his gratitude, saying, "I have been trying to understand the Dao for a hundred years, but I have never even touched a technique. Thank you for the sword manual, young friend."

Qin Luo took out a book from his Qiankun bag, a warm smile on his face. "This is a summary of talisman techniques from this junior. I hope it will be helpful to you, senior."

The hermit of floating clouds was at a loss for words. "My tea is worthless, but these gifts are far too precious!"

Qin Luo chuckled and said, "These tea leaves are worthless to you, senior, and these techniques are worthless to me. Techniques cannot compare to the Dao. I think your tea leaves are better."

"You flatter me, young friend!"

The hermit of floating clouds bowed in greeting.

Gui Chen took out a golden Buddhist scripture, presented it with both hands, and said loudly, "Senior, we are destined to meet. I would like to give you this copy of the Vajra Kung Fu. I hope you will accept it."

The hermit of floating clouds accepted the Buddhist scriptures and said, "Haha, thank you for your gifts, my three young friends. I'd like to offer you a toast."

Respect to our senior!

Qin Luo and the others then picked up their teacups.

...

The sun sets in the west.

Moonlight shines into the bamboo forest.

They chatted for a long time inside the bamboo house.

It was late at night when the Hermit of Floating Clouds said warmly, "It's getting late, why don't you three young friends rest at my humble abode? There's a bamboo house available."

"Then I'll take my leave."

"Don't bother us, just treat this place like your own home."

Zhou Qing had already cleaned the empty bamboo house.

The hermit of floating clouds led Qin Luo and the others into the bamboo house, where there were several beds. Chu Peiran asked with some doubt, "Senior, do you often have guests here?"

The Hermit of Floating Clouds shook his head and sighed, "Young people often come to me seeking to become my disciples. They are after techniques, which I cannot teach them, so they leave."

Qin Luo thought of his senior brothers and sisters, most of whom pursued skill, and he also pursued skill. He looked at Zhou Qing beside him and asked, "Do you think skill is important?"

Zhou Qing bowed and said, "Important."

"Then why are you still here?"

"The more you want, the more you suffer. Compared to techniques, I would rather live a carefree and immortal life."

Zhou Qing answered truthfully.

"That makes sense."

Qin Luo nodded with a smile.

Fuyun Jushi and Zhou Qing left the room.

Qin Luo lay on the bed to rest, his mind relaxed, listening to the sounds of nature. Fireflies fluttered their wings in the courtyard, and frogs croaked by the river outside the bamboo forest.

Chu Peiran was in good spirits. He sat on the edge of the bed and read a book by the moonlight coming through the window.

Gui Chen held a golden alms bowl, sat cross-legged on the bed, and silently recited Buddhist scriptures.

The hermit of floating clouds sat in the courtyard, looking at the bamboo house not far away, and said softly, "Disciple, can you see the light in the room?"

Zhou Qing shook her head in surprise, "No."

"There is a bright and pure aura in that room, a compassionate Buddha's light, and a benevolent and righteous spirit. If you can't see it, close your eyes and feel it properly."

The hermit of floating clouds offered a gentle reminder.

Zhou Qing closed his eyes, feeling a warm sensation, as if he were bathed in the bright spring sunshine.

"Master, I can feel it!"

Zhou Qing looked excited.

The hermit of floating clouds nodded with satisfaction. He opened the book that Qin Luo had given him, which contained various talismans. As he read, he gestured with his fingers.

Suddenly, a brilliant golden light shone in the courtyard.

A dazzling golden light emanated from the body of the Hermit of Floating Clouds.

Zhou Qing stared in disbelief, while the Floating Cloud Hermit remained relatively calm. "This is magic! Truly amazing!"

"As expected of our master!"

Zhou Qing's eyes were filled with admiration. He couldn't understand the talismans in the book at all, but his master could cast spells after reading them only once.

The hermit of floating clouds rose and said softly, "Disciple, rest early and get up early tomorrow."

"Disciple understands."

Zhou Qing nodded respectfully.

The next day, early morning.

The mist in the bamboo forest had not yet dissipated.

Qin Luo opened his eyes. He had slept well last night and was full of energy. "It smells so good!"

Chu Peiran stretched and said, "Yeah, it smells so good. It's been so long since I've smelled the aroma of cooking."

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