Mirror Lake.

It was covered with a thick layer of ice and snow.

The lake was bustling with activity as children from Mirror Lake Village played. Some were having snowball fights, while others were building snowmen. Little Dumpling and Lin Jia'er sat on a smooth wooden plank, and with a gentle push from behind, they slid off.

"Alas!"

The lake was filled with laughter and cheerful voices.

The Earth God of Mirror Lake stood not far away watching them, while Linglong sat at the highest point of Mirror Lake Academy, her pretty face smiling.

Inside the academy, Wu Shashen and Chen Xingzhou were clearing away the fallen snow, Chu Peiran and Zhao Qing'er were playing chess and chatting in the pavilion, and Meng Bai was reading in the library.

In the kitchen, Su Rong and Zi Mu discussed what meals to prepare for the children tomorrow.

In the mountains and forests, Dong Jisheng was chopping firewood. Occasionally, he would find one or two shriveled winter dates, which he would put in his pocket.

...

evening.

The backyard of the Taoist temple.

Peach blossoms fall from time to time.

Qin Luo practiced his boxing in the courtyard, surrounded by a pure aura. Zi Yue sat on the platform, watching her senior brother who was appearing and disappearing in the mist. She was even afraid that her senior brother would turn into clouds and dissipate.

We're back!

Laughter could be heard coming from outside the Taoist temple.

Little Dumpling and Lin Jia'er returned to Longhu Temple.

Lin Jia'er held a box of pastries and said sweetly, "Uncle Qin, we're having dinner at Grandpa Gao's house tonight. His fried rice is especially delicious. These are pastries he gave us, but Grandpa said he doesn't like them."

These pastries were given to Lao Gao by Zhu Xian, who was worried that he had bad teeth. The pastries were soft and sticky, but Lao Gao couldn't bear to eat them and gave them all to Xiao Tuanzi and Lin Jia'er.

Lin Jia'er said crisply, "Uncle Qin, Aunt, these pastries are delicious, you should try them."

"Mmm, it's really delicious."

This is the best pastry Ziyue has ever eaten.

The little dumpling shook its head helplessly, "These are pastries that the Empress gave to Grandpa Gao. Grandpa also asked me to give them to Chu Peiran and the others to taste. He didn't eat any himself."

...

night.

Heavy snow was falling.

Qin Luo lay on the bed to rest, looking at the words Hua Ying had written, listening to the snow falling all night.

The next day, early morning.

After adjusting his mindset, Qin Luo, as usual, took Lin Jia'er to Jinghu Academy. On the way, they encountered Chu Peiran and Zhao Qing'er sitting in an oxcart.

"Jia'er, get in the car quickly!"

"Here I am!"

Lin Jia'er and Xiao Die got into the oxcart, and Qin Luo followed behind, leaving shallow footprints in the snow.

Inside the academy.

Wu Shashen was doing morning exercises with a boy.

The boy's name was Yuan Qihu. He was tall and strong, and he practiced martial arts with Wu Shashen every day.

After practicing the Health Preservation Fist for a period of time, Wu Shashen's temperament changed drastically, and he no longer displayed his sharp edge.

Qin Luo went to the cafeteria to drink porridge. The porridge had a strong rice aroma today. Chu Peiran sat opposite Qin Luo, smiling and raising his eyebrows, "Brother Dao, Qing'er and I are planning to get married at Mirror Lake Academy. We'll need your help then."

"I'm good at serving dishes, but I'm no good at hosting weddings." Qin Luo had no experience hosting weddings and didn't want to ruin the happy occasion.

Chu Peiran couldn't help but chuckle, "Old Meng will be officiating the wedding, so please help me take care of the guests."

"That's no problem."

Qin Luo nodded with a smile.

"Brother Chu, do you plan to stay at Jinghu Academy in the future?"

"There are too many geniuses at the Great Xia Academy. It would be superfluous for me to stay there. I still have some use here."

Qin Luo had been to the Great Xia Academy, where there were indeed many prodigies. Tong Yan had left a deep impression on him. The current Mirror Lake Academy also had many promising talents. Li Guannan and Lin Jia'er were both very intelligent. "Brother Chu is too kind."

Chu Peiran said earnestly, "Jinghu Academy has a promising future, and I want to use Jinghu Academy to comprehend the Dao."

"That's a good choice."

Qin Luo expressed his agreement.

......

In the blink of an eye.

A month has passed.

The wind and snow in the Ziyun Mountains are getting heavier and heavier.

Jinghu Academy is on holiday, and Xiao Tuanzi and Xiao Die took Lin Jiaer home to visit relatives. The Taoist temple is very quiet.

Qin Luo did not leave Longhu Temple.

A familiar figure appeared in the Taoist temple.

Qin Luo noticed the boy entering the Taoist temple. He came into the courtyard, a smile in his eyes, and said, "Stone."

Shi Tou was tall and slender, dressed in simple white clothes. He was very excited, with tears in his eyes. "Brother Qin!"

Qin Luo patted the snow off his shoulder, knowing he had had a long and tiring journey. "Let's rest in the palace first."

Looking at Qin Luo, Shi Tou asked with concern, "Brother Qin, are you alright?"

"I'm fine."

Qin Luo smiled slightly.

Shi Tou followed Qin Luo to the main hall of the Taoist temple, where he bowed respectfully before the portrait of the Taoist patriarch.

Qin Luo said softly, "I heard from Chang'an that you left with the powerful members of the Farmer Clan. Why did you suddenly come back?"

"Brother Qin, I heard you were back and wanted to come back to see you." Shi Tou said respectfully.

Caixia brought Shitou a bowl of ginger soup.

"Thank you, little fairy."

"You're welcome."

Qin Luo asked softly, "What are your plans for the future?"

Stone held the ginger soup, his eyes shining, and said respectfully, "Brother Qin, I want to follow the example of our ancestors and travel around to help people in need."

Qin Luo nodded, his eyes filled with satisfaction. The child whose leg was broken on the street and who was about to starve to death had now grown up, had the world in his heart, and had even greater ideals.

“Brother Qin, these are spirit rice seeds given to me by an elder from the farming family. They can grow in all kinds of harsh environments. Grain yields in the Purple Cloud Mountains are very low. Planting spirit rice in the future will definitely increase grain yields.” Shi Tou handed a bag of spirit rice seeds to Qin Luo.

Qin Luo accepted the spirit rice seed. "Stone, on behalf of the people of the Purple Cloud Mountains, thank you."

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