After a short rest, the younger generation continued to cultivate the wasteland. Qin Luo was not idle; he picked wild vegetables nearby.

At midday, the sun shone brightly.

The wasteland was reclaimed, and the younger generation's faces and clothes were covered in mud, but they had joyful smiles on their faces. Qin Luo led them back to Mirror Lake Academy.

Is tilling the land tiring?

"tired!"

The younger generation said in unison.

Zhou Peng followed Qin Luo, his eyes shining. "Dean, my grandfather said that if it weren't for you giving me the opportunity to study, I might have been farming in the mountains long ago."

Li Guannan nodded in agreement. "Dean, my father also said that I should study hard, otherwise I'll only be able to go back home and farm in the future."

"My mother is too."

The younger generation echoed this sentiment.

Looking at the energetic young people, Qin Luo asked, "Would you like to farm in the future?"

The younger generation all shook their heads. Zhou Peng scratched his head and said, "Dean, I want to farm at home in the future."

"Why?"

“My grandfather is in poor health. I want to stay at home to farm and keep him company.”

Qin Luo patted Zhou Peng's head with a smile in his eyes. Looking at the younger generation covered in mud, he said meaningfully, "You reap what you sow. Whatever you do in the future, you must be down-to-earth."

"knew!"

The younger generation nodded emphatically.

Back at Jinghu Academy, Qin Luo and the younger generation ate in the canteen, and he handed the wild vegetables he had just picked to Su Rong.

Qin Luo sat with the younger generation, a bowl of rice and some pickled vegetables—that was his meal.

evening.

The school bell rang at Jinghu Academy, signaling the end of the school term.

As Qin Luo was about to leave Jinghu Academy, Su Rong ran up to him, carrying a cloth bag full of wild vegetable dumplings.

"Xiao Qin, take these home and eat them."

"Thank you, Auntie."

Qin Luo took the still-steaming wild vegetable dumplings.

The little dumpling ran up to Qin Luo and grinned, "Boss, I'll help you get back the Dragon Tiger Temple."

Qin Luo knew what the little dumpling was planning, but still handed her the cloth bag full of wild vegetable dumplings.

"Jia'er, let's go."

"Here I am!"

Lin Jia'er, still carrying her shoulder bag, skipped and hopped away with the little dumpling, their laughter echoing all the way. Chu Xuan followed closely behind them, calling out, "Wait for me!"

When Qin Luo walked out of Jinghu Academy, he saw Chen Chang'an standing under the shade of a tree.

"Brother Qin!"

Chen Chang'an bowed respectfully.

Qin Luo approached Chen Chang'an, and they walked towards Black Mountain. "Chang'an, what do you want with me?"

Chen Chang'an paused, somewhat nervously, "Brother Qin, I'd like to know if the Mountain God can get married?"

"As long as it's mutual, of course it's fine." Qin Luo asked with some curiosity, "Chang'an, do you have a girl you like?"

Chen Chang'an nodded, and he did not hide anything. "Brother Qin, I have found myself liking Hongyao, the mountain god of Guiyun Mountain, and I am preparing to propose to her. As the mountain god, I do not know if this is the right thing to do, so I have come to bother you."

Qin Luo laughed heartily, "I don't know about other places, but in the Purple Cloud Mountains, there are no taboos."

Chen Chang'an stopped worrying and continued, "Brother Qin, what kind of gifts do you think are appropriate for a marriage proposal?"

Qin Luo shook his head, somewhat embarrassed. "I have no experience in proposing marriage. You can ask Chu Peiran. If this goes well, remember to invite me for a drink."

"must!"

Chen Chang'an beamed with joy.