There was no earth-shattering grandeur, no dazzling brilliance, only the rustling sound of pages turning, which stood out clearly amidst the sea of Buddhist seals.
"The highest good is like water, which benefits all things without striving..."
Su She's voice rang out, gentle yet carrying a righteous spirit that embraces all things.
As he recited, faint blue patterns appeared on the pages of the Tao Te Ching. The patterns flowed and transformed into an invisible barrier, blocking all the incoming Buddhist seals, flowing light, and Zen staffs.
"Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!"
A bizarre scene unfolded—the Buddhist seals crashed into the barrier and vanished instantly, like mud oxen sinking into the sea. The Buddhist cultivators who had made the move seemed to be devoured by an invisible force, spitting out a mouthful of blood and staggering backward, dropping their prayer beads and staffs to the ground.
The middle-aged monk at the head of the group turned deathly pale, clutching his chest, his eyes filled with disbelief: "You...your martial arts..."
He had never seen such a bizarre defense. It was clearly not offensive at all, yet it made their Buddhist power feel like it was hitting cotton. Not only did it fail, but they were also injured by their own power!
Su She closed the book and put it back in his pocket. He didn't even glance at the Buddhist cultivators who had collapsed and were vomiting blood, but continued walking up the stone steps.
His steps were steady, each step treading on golden light, as if the conflict had never happened.
The Buddhist monks lay on the ground, watching the figure in the blue robe walk further and further away, and none of them dared to get up and stop him.
They finally understood that the scholar before them was someone they could not contend with. His way of life seemed as gentle as water, yet it possessed an indestructible resilience, just as he had just recited, "Water benefits all things without striving"—it does not strive, yet no one can stop it.
On the platform, only the painful groans of the Buddhist monks and scattered ritual implements remained. The rich golden light seemed to have dimmed somewhat, and even the ethereal chanting had taken on a hesitant quality.
Su She's figure gradually disappeared around the corner of the stone steps, heading towards the higher Great Thunder Temple.
He didn't know what awaited him at the summit—a truly compassionate high monk, or an even more turbulent obstacle.
But he knew that his path lay on the stone steps beneath his feet, in the reality he witnessed firsthand.
Even if the road is more arduous than he imagined, he will keep walking it.
Deep within the Hidden Mountain of the Central Region, the familiar stream still flows gently. Only the ice on the bank seems thinner than last time, and the sunlight falling on it refracts into tiny specks of light.
Ling Xue squatted by the stream, her fingertips hovering above the water's surface, but instead of freezing the water as usual, she stared blankly at the small fish swimming in the water, lost in thought.
"Want some grilled fish again?"
A familiar voice sounded from behind, carrying a gentle smile.
Ling Xue turned around abruptly and saw the figure in green robes carrying a bamboo basket, walking slowly towards her. Sunlight shone on him, gilding him with a light gold hue. It was Xiao Chen.
A slight blush rose to her cheeks, like a frozen sunset, and she nodded gently: "Mm."
Xiao Chen smiled and walked three zhang away, skillfully using his spear intent to create a barrier to block the cold air. Then he took out tools from the bamboo basket—the same set of seasonings Lin Zhou had given him: cumin, chili powder, and soy sauce bottles were neatly arranged. He then used his spiritual power to scoop up a plump fish from the stream, cleaned it, and placed it on a simple grill he had condensed with his spiritual power.
Flames flickered, and the fish meat quickly released its oil, sizzling and releasing a rich aroma. Xiao Chen flipped the fish over, sprinkling on seasonings with practiced ease, as if he had done it a thousand times before.
Ling Xue sat on a rock on the shore, watching his busy figure, a hint of warmth flashing in her blue eyes.
These days, she would occasionally think of the green-robed cultivator who could grill fish, and of his saying that he wanted to ask his master to help him solve his physical condition. She took it as just a word of comfort—after all, even the elders of their clan were helpless, so what could a cultivator from the Southern Region possibly do?
But he really came.
"Alright, have a taste." Xiao Chen handed over the golden-brown grilled fish, using his spiritual power to support it, and presented it to Ling Xue.
The fish was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, steaming hot, dispelling the surrounding chill. Ling Xue carefully took it, took a small bite, and the familiar aroma spread on her tongue, even tastier than last time.
"By the way," Xiao Chen said in a light tone as he saw her eating happily, "I told my master about your situation."
Ling Xue paused, looked up at him, and her eyes held a hint of barely perceptible tension.
“My master said that I should take you back to the Qingyun Sect.” Xiao Chen smiled sincerely, his tone full of certainty. “He is very capable and has seen all kinds of strange and unusual constitutions. Maybe he can help you solve this problem.”
He began to talk at length about Lin Zhou's "deeds"—such as how the spirit-gathering array he casually set up was even denser than the sect's forbidden area, and how he broke an array that even those undergoing tribulation struggled with with a single finger.
Ling Xue listened quietly as the grilled fish in her hand gradually cooled down.
She felt touched, like the gentle sound of a stream melting ice. He really remembered her and even made a special trip to pick her up.
But more than anything, there is hesitation and uncertainty.
Their family has a thousand-year-old lineage, possessing countless secret techniques and rare treasures. Even the Supreme Elder, most skilled in ice-based techniques, could only barely suppress the cold energy within her body, unable to cure it completely. Could Xiao Chen's master truly do it?
She wanted to say "Forget it," to tell him not to have too high hopes, lest he be disappointed.
But looking into Xiao Chen's bright eyes, and seeing the admiration and confidence in him when he spoke of his master, the words that came out of her mouth were just a soft "Mm".
Xiao Chen didn't notice her complicated emotions and took it as her agreement, which made him even happier: "Then when shall we set off? I still have things to do at my sect, so it would be best to go back as soon as possible."
Ling Xue lowered her head, looking at the grilled fish in her hand, and said softly, "I...I have to go back and tell the clan elders first."
To leave the Central Region, one must obtain the consent of the clan elders.
"Of course," Xiao Chen nodded. "Shall I wait for you here?"
“No need,” Ling Xue shook her head and stood up. “My home is not far away. I’ll be right back.”
She carefully put away the remaining grilled fish, as if trying to hide away the warmth as well. Then she glanced at Xiao Chen, turned, and walked towards the valley not far away. Her white skirt fluttered in the woods, leaving behind a trail of faint chill, but it was gentler than usual.
Xiao Chen watched her figure disappear at the valley entrance, smiled, and began packing his things.
He felt that his master would definitely have a way so that once Ling Xue arrived at Qingyun Sect, she could eat hot meals and bask in the sun like a normal person, and no longer have to worry about others getting frostbite.
Ling Xue walked quickly, but her mind was in turmoil.
Should we tell the clan elders? Would they agree?
Can Xiao Chen's master really create miracles?
She looked down at her palm, where the warmth of the grilled fish still seemed to linger, and gently clenched her fist.
Anyway, let's go take a look.
At the very least, we cannot let his good intentions go to waste.
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