Yang Guo: I'm invincible in the opening battle against Aunt Guo!

Yang Guo meditated and rested for about an hour.

A mute servant then arrived at Tingtao Garden.

He respectfully gestured to Yang's name, inviting him to come over for a meal.

Yang Guo tidied himself up briefly and changed into a clean blue robe that the mute servant had brought him.

The size was surprisingly perfect, and the material was soft and comfortable, clearly indicating that it was carefully prepared.

A slight thought stirred within him as he followed the mute servant along the path shaded by peach blossoms.

We walked toward the most exquisite group of buildings in the center of the island.

Rongxuan is not a single hall, but a group of pavilions and towers arranged in a staggered manner.

The main hall, "Hanyuan Hall," is bright and airy, facing a small lotus pond.

There are no lotus flowers in the pond yet, but a few koi carp swimming leisurely add to the lively atmosphere.

When Yang Guo stepped into the hall, Huang Rong and Guo Fu were already seated.

Huang Rong changed into a white dress embroidered with pale pink peach blossoms.

She wore a light gauze half-sleeved garment of the same color, and her long hair was loosely tied into a drooping bun.

A plain jade hairpin is inserted diagonally, washing away the dust and the embarrassment of the day.

She sat regally in the main seat, her face exquisitely beautiful, her temperament elegant and gentle.

However, the faint trace of melancholy and weariness between his brows could not be completely concealed.

Guo Fu wore a pale yellow shirt and had her hair styled in two buns.

Just as he was idly poking at a candied plum in the dish in front of him with his chopsticks, his eyes lit up when Yang Guo came in:

"Brother Yang Guo, you've arrived! Please have a seat, we've been waiting for you!"

She pointed to the empty seat next to her.

Huang Rong glanced at her daughter indifferently, said nothing, and simply nodded slightly to Yang Guo:

"Guo'er, please sit down. The island is simple, with only home-cooked meals; there's no need for formalities."

"Thank you, Aunt Guo, and Sister Fu." Yang Guo sat down next to Guo Fu as instructed, his posture respectful but not humble.

Dinner consisted of ordinary home-style dishes, yet they were extremely exquisite:

A steamed sea bass, with tender and delicious flesh.

A plate of bright green stir-fried vegetables.

A bowl of thick, white fish head and tofu soup.

There were also a few appetizing pickles and a plate of candied fruit in front of Guo Fu.

Although it lacks mountain delicacies, it exudes the unique seafood flavor of Peach Blossom Island.

"Brother Yang Guo, eat more fish! My mother's steamed fish is delicious!"

Guo Fu enthusiastically placed a large piece of fish belly meat on Yang Guo's plate, then turned to Huang Rong.

"Mom, you should eat too. You didn't eat much at noon."

Huang Rong hummed in agreement, picked up her jade chopsticks, her movements elegant, but she clearly had little taste for the food.

Her gaze occasionally swept over Yang Guo, but she always quickly looked away, and her ears seemed slightly red under the lamplight.

The room fell silent for a moment, with only the faint clatter of bowls and chopsticks.

Guo Fu felt the atmosphere was a bit stuffy. Her eyes darted around, and remembering Yang Guo's mention of "sparring" and "telling stories" during the day, she spoke up:

"Brother Yang Guo, you said you wanted to spar with me during the day, so you can't go back on your word! Also, you must have encountered many interesting things while traveling the world, right? Tell me about them, okay? It's so boring on the island."

Upon hearing this, Huang Rong paused slightly in her act of picking up food, but did not say anything to stop her; she simply listened quietly.

Yang Guo put down his chopsticks, pondered for a moment, and smiled:

"The world of martial arts is treacherous; there aren't many interesting things, but there are plenty of thrilling ones. However... I've heard some strange stories from very, very far places, which might be even more interesting than the affairs of the martial arts world."

"A very far place? Is it farther than the desert or Jiangnan?" Guo Fu asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"Yes, it's so far away that it might not even be in our territory."

Yang Guo's voice was calm, carrying a hint of reminiscence and storytelling.

"I once overheard a strange person mention a place called 'Battle Qi Continent,' where people don't practice internal energy; instead, they cultivate an energy called 'Battle Qi'..."

He recounted the story of the Xiao family in Wutan City, how the once-genius boy suddenly became a good-for-nothing, suffering endless scorn and ridicule, and even his childhood sweetheart fiancée came to break off the engagement.

"How was the boy back then?"

Guo Fu listened intently, then couldn't help but press for more information, her little face full of indignation, "Those people are so wicked!"

Huang Rong also put down her chopsticks, her gaze falling on Yang Guo's calm profile.

The beginning of this story unexpectedly reminded her of Yang Guo when she was young.

Wandering the world, he must have suffered a lot of cold treatment.

If it weren't for the fact that Brother Jing happened to find us, we might still be wandering around now!

Yang Guo continued, "Faced with humiliation, the young man remained neither servile nor arrogant. He publicly wrote a letter of divorce—not that she was breaking off the engagement, but that he was divorcing her! And he said to the woman and her sect..."

He paused, his voice not loud, but each word clear and distinct, carrying an indescribable sense of power:

"Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river; never underestimate a young person's potential!"

"Never underestimate a young man's potential..." Guo Fu murmured repeatedly, her eyes shining.

"Well said! And then what? Did he have some kind of extraordinary encounter and become incredibly powerful?"

"Yes."

Yang Guo nodded and briefly recounted the hardships the young man later endured.

With perseverance and a bit of luck, he gradually returned to the top.

A journey that has made all those who once looked down on him look up to him.

He didn't go into the specific details, but he vividly portrayed the spirit of turning adversity into opportunity and persevering.

Guo Fu was deeply moved, her little fists clenched: "That's how it should be! Let those who look down on us regret it!"

Huang Rong was also deeply shaken.

The "annulment of the engagement" and the "never underestimate a young man's potential" in this story are so resolute and inspiring.

She couldn't help but glance at Yang Guo again. The young man's eyes were clear as he spoke, without any resentment.

It was as if he was simply recounting someone else's story, but the underlying pride and resilience subtly resonated with his own temperament.

Back then, wasn't Brother Jing a bit as stubborn as that?

However... the grudges and favors in this story are clearly defined, and the revenge is swift and decisive.

This seems to be somewhat different from the chivalrous principles she and her brother Jing upheld.

"There's another story," Yang Guo said, seeing that the two were listening intently.

Huang Rong, in particular, though her expression was calm, her eyes revealed that she was also listening.

He continued:

"It takes place in another, more bizarre world, where there are cultivators who can fly and escape into the earth, and legends of immortality."

He then told the story of "Han Paopao" (Han Li, the character who ran away from home).

A poorly trained farm boy accidentally enters the world of cultivation, where he finds himself in a perilous and dog-eat-dog environment.

How did he manage to survive countless near-death experiences and forge ahead step by step, relying on his extremely cautious nature, the mysterious little bottle that could accelerate the ripening of herbs, and his unwavering perseverance?

"He has a nickname, 'Han the Runner'," Yang Guo said with a slight smile.

With a strange smile on his face.

"Because what he does best and most often is to run away without hesitation when faced with an insurmountable danger. As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn."

"Huh? Always running away?" Guo Fu was a little disappointed. She felt that a hero should defeat all the bad guys head-on.

Huang Rong's eyes flickered as she listened.

She was exceptionally intelligent and immediately discerned the difference between this story and the previous one.

The previous one emphasized being sharp and unyielding, and forging ahead without hesitation.

This one, however, prioritized "survival" and "endurance," even at the cost of being branded as a "runaway."

Isn't this a kind of wisdom?

Especially when one is not strong enough.

Reflecting on his own current predicament, and Yang Guo's decisive "rescue" and swift relocation in the hot spring stone house...

Her opinion of Yang Guo had become subtly more complex.

"He always seems to be running away, but he always manages to survive, and each time he escapes, he becomes stronger."

Yang Guo said slowly.

"The path to immortality is long and arduous, and lifespan is vast. Compared to the path of immortality, temporary victories and defeats, and the loss of face, seem insignificant. His goal has always been clear—to live, to become stronger, and to go further."

The hall quieted down, with only the occasional soft crackling of the lamp wicks.

Guo Fu is still processing the two completely different heroic figures.

Huang Rong had already lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a small shadow under her eyes, as if she were thinking about something.

These two stories, one as fiery as a raging fire and the other as deep as a still pool, both point to the same core—strength and growth.

And the boy who told them...

"These stories are quite unique."

Huang Rong finally spoke, but her voice betrayed little emotion.

"It's clear that the world is vast and full of wonders. Guo'er, it's a stroke of luck that you've heard these things. Fu'er, after hearing the story, have you understood any lessons?"

Guo Fu thought for a moment, then said loudly, "I understand! We can't look down on people! And... if we can't beat them, we should know how to run!"

She said the last sentence a little shyly, and secretly glanced at her mother.

Huang Rong gently shook her head, seemingly helpless, but the corners of her lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile:

"I understand a little bit. Let's eat, the food's getting cold."

Dinner continued in a much more relaxed and subtle atmosphere.

Guo Fu chattered on, asking about the details of Yang Guo's story.

Yang Guo answered the questions he could, and for those he couldn't answer, he claimed he couldn't remember.

This caused Guo Fu to be sometimes amazed and sometimes regretful.

Huang Rong didn't talk much, but occasionally she would put food on her daughter's plate and remind her not to talk while eating.

His gaze lingered more on Yang Guo, with scrutiny and a hint of unfathomable contemplation.

After the meal, the mute servant cleared away the bowls and plates and served tea.

Huang Rong picked up her teacup, blew on the floating leaves, and said to Yang Guo seemingly casually:

"Guo'er, you're new to the island. Although you have a foundation in martial arts, what you've learned is a bit eclectic. Peach Blossom Island's martial arts have their own system. Tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), you can come to the 'Sword Testing Pavilion,' where I'll teach you some basic island skills to solidify your foundation."

This is the formal instruction he will receive in Peach Blossom Island martial arts!

It wasn't just to cover it up; it seems there was also a genuine intention to offer guidance.

Yang Guo stood up and bowed respectfully: "Thank you for your guidance, Aunt Guo."

Guo Fu exclaimed excitedly, "Mom, I want to go too! I want to learn something new!"

"Have you mastered your Falling Flower Sword Palm technique?"

Huang Rong glanced at her.

"Practice your palm technique for two full hours tomorrow. If I am satisfied, then you may observe."

Guo Fu immediately wilted, muttering, "It's palm techniques again."

"Fu'er, it's getting late. You should go back to your room and review today's poems and essays."

Huang Rong put down her teacup, her tone gentle yet authoritative.

Guo Fu knew her mother's mind was made up, so she could only get up and wave to Yang Guo:

"See you tomorrow, Brother Yang Guo!" He skipped away.

Only Huang Rong and Yang Guo remained in the hall.

The atmosphere suddenly quieted down, with a hint of awkwardness and something else lingering in the air.

The lamplight illuminated Huang Rong's beautiful face. She remained silent for a moment, her fingertips unconsciously tracing the warm rim of the teacup, before finally whispering:

"The 'poison of seven times seven'... its onset seems unpredictable, but it is generally related to emotional and blood fluctuations. The heat of the hot spring is the trigger."

She was explaining, and also reminding people.

Yang Guo lowered his head: "Guo'er understands. I will be more careful in the future and will not mistakenly enter the forbidden area again."

"Um."

Huang Rong responded with a sound, paused, and then spoke in an even softer voice, almost like a mosquito's buzz.

"You...you were right about that line in your story, 'Never underestimate a young man's potential.' You are now...very good."

After she finished speaking, she seemed to realize that what she said was inappropriate.

She immediately picked up her teacup and took a sip as a cover-up. Her profile was soft under the light, but her earlobes were tinged with a light red.

Yang Guo felt a slight warmth in his heart. He raised his head and met Huang Rong's gaze, which she glanced at briefly before quickly looking away.

That look in his eyes was complex and hard to decipher; it contained admiration, guilt, and perhaps something else entirely...

"Aunt Guo, you flatter me." He steadied himself.

"Guo'er will certainly live up to Uncle Guo and Aunt Guo's expectations."

Huang Rong nodded, put down her teacup, and stood up:

"Go back and get some rest. Remember, tomorrow at Chenshi (7-9 AM), at the Sword Testing Pavilion."

"Yes. Aunt Guo, please get some rest as well."

Yang Guo bowed again and left Hanyuan Hall.

Walking back to Tingtao Garden, the cool night breeze dispelled the slight stuffiness that had filled the hall earlier.

As Yang Guo savored the conversation during dinner, Huang Rong's last words, "You are doing very well now," and the complex emotions contained in that fleeting glance, a vague feeling in his heart gradually became clear.

The story seemed to have an unexpected effect.

He looked up at the night sky, where countless stars twinkled.

The first night on Peach Blossom Island is about to end.

And tomorrow will be a new beginning.

In Tingtao Garden, Yang Guo did not fall asleep immediately.

He sat cross-legged on the couch, the melody and imagery of "The Song of the Rising Tide of the Blue Sea" flowing through his mind like water, echoing the faint sound of the waves outside the window.

The internal energy of the early second-rate cultivator circulated slowly, consolidating his realm.

Meanwhile, in the master bedroom of Rongxuan.

Huang Rong leaned against the window, gazing at the same starry sky, unconsciously toying with the key to the secret room in her hand.

The story Yang Guo told during dinner, especially the way "Han Paopao" endured hardship and silently accumulated strength in desperate situations, inexplicably touched her.

Isn't her current situation a kind of "desperate predicament"? She is suffering from poisoning, her relationships are out of sync, and she is tormented by inner turmoil.

But... the people in the story also found a way out of the predicament, even if the way they did it wasn't so honorable.

"Survive, become stronger..." she murmured to herself.

Perhaps, before we completely resolve the toxicity issue, before we untangle this mess.

What she should do most is not wallow in shame and self-blame, but as the story suggests.

First, use everything you can to "survive and become stronger".