Chapter 091: Blue Moonlight (Twenty)
The leader of the Honglu Sect is a golden crow that has lived for a thousand years. No one knows this except for a few senior members of the sect.
Moreover, the Honglu Sect is now awash with factions. While striving to maintain a superficial peace, internal unrest has long since reached a point where even the Sect Master cannot suppress it. In these chaotic times, the Sect Master's true identity must be kept as hidden as possible.
Master's sound transmission technique carried a natural, scorching sensation. Sui Changsheng touched his ears, which were tingling with heat, and replied, "Master, this thought suddenly occurred to me. But what did you discover?"
"Just now, while entering a state of meditation, I stumbled upon a state of communication between heaven and man. I seemed to hear someone mention the Golden Crow clan, and one of the sentences was, 'The great master of Biechou Island shot down nine Golden Crows.'" The sect leader paused. "However, not all events sensed during this communication between heaven and man occur in the present. They may occur in the future, or even in the past. It's hard to say."
Sui Changsheng couldn't help laughing: "That must be in the future. After all, the number of people in the Golden Crow tribe throughout history, including you, is less than nine."
"This is what puzzles me most," the Sect Master said, his voice rising slightly. "If a great world in the future could accommodate the simultaneous birth of nine Golden Crows, who would be able to shoot them all?"
"Since this is a great era, naturally hundreds of races will compete with each other, and heroes will emerge in large numbers." Sui Changsheng slowly walked down the last step. "It's a pity that my disciple and Master will not be able to see it."
The Sect Master sighed softly, "Well, let's not dwell on these unfounded matters. Disciple, when you travel down the mountain this time, besides improving your cultivation and gathering talented individuals for the Sect, remember to also make a trip eastward."
"Why?" Sui Changsheng was puzzled.
"To the east lies the Yuman River. Follow it towards the East China Sea. There's a destiny and a calamity waiting for you to experience. When the time comes, you'll understand."
After saying these unclear words, the sect leader interrupted the sound transmission technique, and he did not answer Sui Changsheng's further questions.
He sighed, "I hate people who play dumb."
"……Um?"
"Master, why are you still here?!"
…
When your cultivation is neglected, you fall off quickly, and although it is hard to pick it up again, it is still easier than starting from scratch.
Under Luo Qifang's guidance, Chen Yunli recovered most of his lost skills in just a few days. The rest was just a matter of hard work, and he could slowly hone his skills while practicing archery.
As for wanting to go further and reach his goal - the Three Tribulations Realm, the test is talent and patience.
Fortunately, Chen Yunli only has average talent, but not lack of patience.
He summoned the same enthusiasm he had in his senior year of high school, studying hard.
He meditated for two hours each morning, afternoon, and before bed. Excluding two hours for rest, meals, and relaxation, the remaining time was used to improve his archery skills.
In fact, most practitioners can practice fasting and replace sleep with cultivation, but Chen Yunli does not intend to turn himself into a tool for cultivation. Moreover, combining work and rest is the best way to improve efficiency. This is true for learning and cultivation. He is very clear about this principle.
Even so, his sudden determination still surprised Luo Qifang and Su Chenyu.
At lunch time that day, Chen Yunli, who had practiced archery with fish and seaweed in the water and shrimps and crabs on the beach for the whole morning, appeared at the dinner table on time, holding a bowl and showing off. His energetic and full of life even infected Luo Qifang, who ordered half an extra bowl of rice.
After dinner, Chen Yunli usually takes a stroll on the beach to digest his food. This is also the most leisurely and relaxing time of his day.
Luo Qifang seized the opportunity and followed him out, walking slowly beside him with her hands behind her back, looking at him with her head tilted.
"What's wrong? Is there something wrong?" Chen Yunli walked while using his toes to stir the golden sand on the ground. When he came across beautiful and strange shells or conchs, he picked them up, rinsed them in the sea water, and put them in his sleeve pocket.
"Zhu Ji, you told me before that you didn't like practicing, and that you gave up practicing after your enemy died in the heavenly tribulation." Luo Qifang carefully avoided mentioning anything that would make him sad. "But why have you changed your mind now?"
Chen Yunli looked at him, and he blinked: "If you don't want to tell me, just pretend I didn't ask. I'll take a quiet walk with you."
"There's nothing I can't say." Chen Yunli smiled. He had already found an excuse, and all he needed to do was to form his words. "There's a demon coveting me under the East China Sea. It's only a matter of time before it comes looking for me. And the fact that you took the initiative to enter the Enlightenment Realm to improve your cultivation in order to save my life has made me understand."
"Actually, I..." Luo Qifang tried to explain that it wasn't just for him, but when his eyes swept over, Luo Qifang swallowed the explanation back into her stomach, "Nothing, go on."
Chen Yunli nodded. "Perhaps one day you can truly cultivate to the point where you can fight Him, but I don't like the feeling of hiding behind others. I'm afraid of death, cowardly, and that's not my style. I think if I could become stronger, when a crisis comes, even if I can't protect myself alone, I can fight alongside you. I can live happily and die comfortably. Isn't that more meaningful than leaving my fate in the hands of others?"
"So that's what you think..."
Luo Qifang murmured in a daze.
He found that today seemed to be the first time he had entered Chen Yunli's heart, even though Chen Yunli had never closed his heart, and even told him everything without reservation.
Because of her strong talents and strength, Luo Qifang's personality is actually a little arrogant that she is not even aware of.
He treats people with enthusiasm and sincerity, and will not hesitate to draw his sword when he sees injustice. He takes it as his responsibility to fight demons and defend justice, and any innocent person who is weaker than himself is his protector.
But he forgets that some people are unwilling to live in disgrace and be protected by him.
Chen Yunli is such a person.
He was indeed not very strong, even weaker than Su Chenyu, who had practiced for ten years and slacked off for nine years. However, he, Luo Qifang, Su Chenyu, and even everyone in the world were equal and independent in personality.
Dust is not as dazzling as stars, but when looking up at the stars, we should not despise dust.
Luo Qifang seemed to have learned a lesson in the dark, and the content of the course was called "equality".
The universe is vast and the sky and the earth are infinite. He cannot bear everything and cannot protect everything. He should learn to "keep a normal mind".
Maybe he could slow down and wait for those who are willing to fight alongside him.
For example, the person next to me right now.
"Hey! This looks great!"
Chen Yunli's scream woke up Luo Qifang who was immersed in his thoughts. He lowered his head and saw Chen Yunli digging out a conch shell half the size of a palm from the moist sand.
The sea is a turquoise blue, two colors that are both independent and intertwined, flowing with dazzling brilliance in the sunlight. Its shape resembles a butterfly spreading its wings, ready to take flight, with circles of circular patterns on its wings, resembling delicate ocean waves.
Chen Yunli put the conch shell to his ear and listened for a moment, then passed it to Luo Qifang's ear: "Listen."
Luo Qifang subconsciously listened attentively. A distant and ethereal sound came from the conch, like the sea breeze, the slow waves, and the cry of whales in the distant sea.
He smiled: "It's the sound of the East China Sea."
Chen Yunli nodded and carefully put away the conch.
Luo Qifang watched his movements and suddenly asked curiously, "By the way, I've been wanting to ask you since a while ago, why are you picking up so many shells?"
Chen Yunli replied with a mysterious smile: "Keep it secret for now, you'll know in a few days!"
After saying that, he took off his shoes and ran barefoot towards the waves in front of him. His joyful back looked like a child who had not grown up yet.
Luo Qifang found it interesting and didn't ask any more questions. He would tell her eventually, sooner or later, so she followed him.
A quarter of an hour later, the two who had returned from the waves were scolded by Su Chenyu. The main idea was -
"Why don't you invite me when you two go out to play?"
The two of them shrank their necks and smiled at each other.
…
A few days later, the late autumn wind blew red the moon maple tree planted by Su Chenyu, and the oranges on the branches were swept away by the hardworking Luo Qifang, leaving a thin layer of frost on the brown branches.
Influenced by Chen Yunli, Luo Qifang picked up her old habit of morning exercises during this period. She would go to the beach to practice swordplay before dawn every day and return home around lunchtime.
For this reason, Su Chenyu jokingly said that his home had become an inn for the two of them, and pretended to ask them for some money for food and accommodation.
Luo Qifang went out to practice sword as usual today, and returned at three quarters past nine. She carried two swords crossed on her shoulders, and walked with the gait of a second-rate man with a unique face.
But as soon as he entered, he found that the atmosphere in the yard was somewhat different from usual. Chen Yunli, who was supposed to be meditating in the house, was actually helping Su Chenyu in the kitchen. There was also a plate of duck eggs dyed red on the stone table under the moon maple tree.
...Wait! Red duck eggs?
Luo Qifang's eyes narrowed, and all the occasions where red duck eggs were needed flashed through her mind. Finally, her thoughts settled on a custom in her hometown - every birthday, the family would cook a plate of duck eggs and dye them red as a celebration.
He counted the days on his fingers, and today seemed to be...
"Hey, you're back? My timing was perfect!"
Chen Yunli stepped out of the kitchen and looked up to see him standing in a daze at the door. He smiled and raised the hot bowl of stir-fried snails with double peppers in his hand to him.
"Happy birthday! Go wash your hands and get ready for dinner."
After saying that, he put the dishes on the table and ran back to his room.
Luo Qifang was still a little dazed when Su Chenyu came out of the kitchen carrying some dishes. He raised an eyebrow at him and said, "What are you standing there for? Go serve the dishes! You have to work even if it's your birthday."
"oh……"
Luo Qifang felt dizzy and floated into the kitchen like a wandering soul. She felt as if she was in a dream until she sat down with Chen Yunli and Su Chenyu.
Chen Yunli looked at his dazed expression and laughed: "What? Did you completely forget that today is your birthday, or you just can't believe we would celebrate your birthday?"
Luo Qifang scratched her face and smiled embarrassedly: "I think both..."
"Practitioners live their lives one day at a time, year after year. Originally, I hadn't planned to celebrate with you this year," Su Chenyu said slowly. "But the other day, I happened to mention to Mr. Chen that your birthday was coming up, and he said he wanted to prepare a gift for you, both to celebrate your birthday and to thank you for your care these days. So I decided to cook a few dishes for you, so you wouldn't think I wasn't a good friend."
Luo Qifang looked at Chen Yunli, her eyes sparkling and a smile on her lips, which made Chen Yunli think of some furry little animal for no reason.
He pulled out a rectangular brocade box from his sleeve pocket and pushed it over. "Here, this is a little gadget I made myself. It's not expensive, but it's a token of my thoughtfulness. Please don't despise it."
“No, no…”
Luo Qifang shook her head vigorously and opened the lid of the box impatiently. She saw several familiar items in the satin-covered box.
Several slender silver chains were threaded through a butterfly-shaped blue-green shell, forming a delicate knot at the bottom. The remaining chain segments were wrapped around shells of varying sizes, staggered and arranged in an orderly manner. When they collided, they made a crisp sound, like jade or pearls.
It was a very simple handicraft, but it was the first time someone made it for him and gave it to him as a gift.
"Is it a tassel?" Luo Qifang happily held out the conch.
"Yes." Chen Yunli nodded, his eyebrows slightly curved. "You have two swords, but this year I will only give you one sword tassel. This way, I have a ready-made answer for next year's birthday gift, and I don't have to bother thinking about it anymore."
Luo Qifang chuckled, not caring about his "perfunctory" remarks. She brought the two knives to her legs and gestured with them, and finally tied the tassel to the silver-white handle.
Su Chenyu rested his chin on his hand while watching the show, not forgetting to interrupt him: "Don't you think Sui Zi is getting in the way now?"
"What are you talking about!" Luo Qifang said seriously, "The blade tassel won't hinder my sword's speed, it's my lack of strength that will! ...Oh, is it because no one has ever given you a handmade gift, and you're envious?"
Su Chenyu: “…Pooh.”
Chen Yunli: "Hahahaha——"
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