Courtyard House: Time Traveler Not Yet a Ghost

He Damin smiled, took out a small jade bottle from his pocket, and poured out a pill. The pill was golden yellow, with nine spiraling patterns on its surface. Its fragrance wafted out, even calming the distant waves. "Do you recognize this?"

The girl's harpoon clattered onto the rocks, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Nine-Nine Pattern Golden Pill?! That's a ninth-grade pill! Legend has it that it can revive the dead and heal the wounded!" She had seen pictures of it in the town's pharmacy; ninth-grade pills were treasures even the elders of major sects coveted.

"Hmm, just something I made casually." He Damin put the pill away, dusted off his hands, and said, "I'm a Pill Emperor. Do you think rogue cultivators have a future?"

The girl's mouth hung open, unable to speak for a long time. She looked at He Damin, then at Chen Xueru beside her, who was munching on a roasted sweet potato, and suddenly knelt down with a "thud," her knees hitting the rocks, making her wince in pain. "Master! This disciple was blind to your greatness! Please accept me as your disciple!"

He Damin helped her up, frowning when he saw that her bare feet were bleeding from being cut by the rocks. "We need to find a better place to cultivate in the future." He took out a pair of cloth shoes from his bundle, which Chen Xueru had made overnight. "Put these on first."

The girl took the shoes, her eyes reddening. Her parents had died early, and she made a living by fishing and gathering herbs; she had never worn such soft shoes before. "Th-thank you, Master..."

What's your name?

"Hai Ling'er," the girl whispered, "My mother says I'm a Hai Lingzi in disguise."

"A good name." He Damin nodded. "From today onwards, you are my third disciple."

In the days that followed, He Damin, along with Chen Xueru and their three disciples, explored the Xuan Tian Continent. They went to the bustling capital city, and while listening to storytelling in a tavern, they discovered that one of the storytellers featured a scholar in a blue robe who spoke with a strong Chinese accent. Upon investigation, He Damin found that the scholar was indeed a reincarnated individual. The scholar had a faint white light above his head, indicating the aura of the Wenqu Star (a star associated with literature and scholarship), so He Damin took him in as his fourth disciple and named him Wenxuan.

They went to the far north ice plains and found a little girl in a snow cave. She was only eight years old and was running barefoot in the snow. She wasn't cold at all. The white light above her head was like a small sun. She was an ice spirit. He Damin took her in as his fifth disciple and named her Bing'er.

They also traveled to the Ten Thousand Mountains in southern Xinjiang, where they met a young man in a Miao village who knew Gu magic. He could talk to poisonous insects, and his head glowed with a vibrant green light, radiating life. They took him as their sixth disciple and named him Aman...

Along the way, she took in disciples, and before she knew it, she had twelve. Her eldest disciple, Lin Feng, was steady and reliable; her second disciple, Tie Zhu, was strong; her third disciple, Hai Ling'er, was intelligent; her fourth disciple, Wen Xuan, was learned; her fifth disciple, Bing'er, was cold-resistant; and her sixth disciple, A Man, knew how to raise Gu... Each of them had their own strengths. Chen Xueru sewed clothes and prepared food for them along the way, treating each child like her own.

When they returned to the valley, it was harvest time. The younger generation of the He family saw that He Damin had brought back twelve new disciples, and they all gathered around to watch the excitement. Xiao Sanzi grabbed Tiezhu's hand and asked, "Can you forge iron? My dad made me a new little hoe!" The little girl hugged Hai Ling'er's leg, insisting that she tell her stories about the sea.

He Damin gathered all his disciples under the pomegranate tree. The bluestone slabs beneath the tree were worn smooth by countless footsteps, and small stools were placed around it. The twelve new disciples stood in a row, followed by dozens of younger members of the He family, chattering like a flock of sparrows.

"From today onwards, you are all disciples of the He family." He Damin looked at these young faces, some nervously clutching their clothes, others curiously looking around. "I will teach you all the arts of cultivation: alchemy, weapon crafting, formations, talismans... As long as you are willing to learn, I am willing to teach you."

"Master!" the disciples shouted in unison, their voices so loud that the pomegranates on the tree swayed.

He Damin's class started on the second day. He didn't make any grand gestures; he simply laid out a straw mat under the pomegranate tree, sat on a small stool, and had his disciples sit around him. Even Chen Xueru brought a small stool, sewing shoe soles in her hands, and listened with great interest.

"Let's talk about spiritual energy today." He Damin picked up a twig and drew a circle on the ground. "Spiritual energy is like water in the ground. You have to know where it flows and how to guide it into your own field..." He explained it in a simple and easy-to-understand way, comparing the meridians to irrigation canals and the dantian to a reservoir. Even the youngest Bing'er understood it, nodding her little head.

After explaining the basics, he began teaching the real skills. The alchemy room was readily available, so He Damin led Lin Feng inside, starting with recognizing medicinal herbs—which was angelica, which was astragalus, how to process them, and how to control the heat. Lin Feng learned diligently, his nose even covered in medicinal powder, but his eyes shone brightly. Looking at him, He Damin recalled his own days as an apprentice in a pharmacy when he was young, and felt a warmth in his heart.

In the weapon-forging room, Tie Zhu, shirtless, swung a large hammer, hammering away at a piece of black iron. He Damin pointed out the way: "A little more heat, yes, a little more precision in the hammer's strikes..." Tie Zhu was strong, making him perfect for weapon forging. In just a few days, he forged a small dagger, which, though crooked, exuded a kind of resilience.

Inside the array room, Hai Ling'er was drawing an array diagram on the ground with chalk, her brows furrowed. He Damin squatted down beside her, took the chalk, and helped her correct the lines: "It needs to be curved a bit here, like ocean waves, so that the spiritual energy can circulate..." Hai Ling'er understood immediately and soon drew a spirit-gathering array. As soon as the array's core lit up, the surrounding spiritual energy surged into it with a "whoosh".

Inside the talisman room, Wenxuan held a brush, carefully drawing a calming talisman. He possessed the luck of the Wenqu Star (a star associated with literature and scholarship), and his talismans carried an inherent scholarly air, making them more effective than others. Bing'er cultivated in the ice chamber, A'man talked with poisonous insects in the herb garden, and the other disciples were all at their own pace. The valley was bustling with activity every day. The alchemy room emitted the fragrance of herbs, the weapon-forging room echoed with the sound of hammers, the array room flickered with spiritual light, and even on the field ridges, disciples could be seen cultivating while helping with chores. Life was as warm and inviting as freshly steamed buns.

He Damin had a rule for teaching his disciples: never force or push them, and always teach according to their aptitude. Lin Feng loved alchemy, so he brought out all his best-kept recipes; Tie Zhu loved blacksmithing, so he took him to the mountains to find ore; Hai Ling'er was fascinated by formations, so he would spend entire days with her in the center of formations. Sometimes Chen Xueru would bring over water, and seeing the master and his disciples covered in dirt, she would laugh and scold, "You all look like mud monkeys! Go wash up and eat!"

After teaching for several years, He Damin felt that staying in the valley wasn't enough; they needed to broaden their horizons. He and Chen Xueru discussed it and decided to take their disciples to various sects for exchanges. Their first stop was the Qingyun Sect, Lin Feng's old haunt.

When the sect leader of Qingyun Sect heard that He Damin had arrived, he personally led the elders to greet him outside the mountain gate, running so fast that his shoes almost fell off. He Damin was the only cultivator at the peak of the Tribulation Transcending stage in the entire Xuantian Continent; he was practically a living ancestor. "Senior He's esteemed presence is an honor to our sect!" the sect leader said, bowing so low he resembled a shrimp.

He Damin waved his hand and pointed to Lin Feng behind him: "My eldest disciple came from here, so he's back to familiarize himself with the place."

Lin Feng saw the outer sect elder from back then, his eyes a little red, and quickly stepped forward to bow: "Elder, your disciple has returned." The elder was so excited that he kept rubbing his hands. Back then, he thought this kid was not promising, but he never expected him to become the disciple of a Tribulation Transcending expert. He really misjudged him.

He Damin spent half a month at the Qingyun Sect, spending every day with the elders of the Alchemy Hall. He was generous, sharing all his insights on alchemy—how to control the fire, how to purify, and how to fuse medicinal properties. One old elder, who had spent his entire life refining pills but was stuck at the eighth-level alchemist for years, broke through on the spot after listening to He Damin's lecture. He hugged He Damin and cried for a long time, insisting on giving him the Alchemy Hall's most prized possession. He Damin couldn't refuse, and finally took a yellowed ancient book, saying he would use it as teaching material for his disciples.

On the day of his departure, the disciples of the Qingyun Sect lined up for ten miles to see him off. Lin Feng stood at the front of the line and kowtowed three times towards the mountain gate, as a farewell to the past. He Damin looked at him and nodded inwardly, thinking, "This kid has grown up."

Then he went to Canglang Holy Land, Qinglian Holy Land, and the Loose Cultivator Alliance... In each place, He Damin exchanged skills with the people there. He taught others and learned from them. The weapon-refining techniques of Canglang Holy Land were unparalleled, so he discussed the timing of quenching with them; the formations of Qinglian Holy Land were exquisite, so he studied the layout of their formation cores; the Loose Cultivator Alliance was full of hidden talents, and there was an old lone cultivator who was good at controlling beasts, so he learned from him how to communicate with demonic beasts.

Along the way, the disciples also broadened their horizons. Lin Feng showed off his skills in the alchemy hall of the Qingyun Sect, and the eighth-grade pills he refined amazed the elders; Tie Zhu forged an axe in the weapon-refining room of the Canglang Holy Land, which could cut iron like mud; Hai Ling'er set up an illusion array in the Qinglian Holy Land, trapping several array masters... Seeing the disciples showing their talents one by one, He Damin felt sweeter than if he had drunk honey.

Back in the valley, He Damin compiled his observations and learnings from the journey into several books, including "Detailed Explanation of Alchemy," "Introduction to Weapon Refining," and "Essentials of Formation." Each book was written in a simple and easy-to-understand style and was accompanied by illustrations. His disciples each had a set and were completely engrossed in reading them.

Three hundred years passed in the blink of an eye. He Damin's name had long been known throughout the Xuan Tian Continent. Mentioning the name "He Damin" was enough to elicit a thumbs-up from everyone. "He's a living god! His cultivation is heaven-reaching, and his skills are unparalleled!" His twelve disciples had also become prominent figures, known as the "Twelve Heroes of the He Family," respected wherever they went. The He family had become one of the most prestigious families on the Xuan Tian Continent. Schools, alchemy rooms, and weapon-refining workshops were built in the valley, and even the field ridges were paved with bluestone slabs. Yet, He Damin still preferred to sit under the old pomegranate tree, drinking the spiritual tea brewed by Chen Xueru, watching his disciples busily working.

That night, the moonlight was exceptionally bright, like silver scattered on the ground. He Damin and Chen Xueru sat under the pomegranate tree, the shadows of the branches falling upon them. Chen Xueru leaned on his shoulder, holding a sewing basket in her hand, sewing a small garment for her newborn great-grandson.

"Brother Damin, do you still remember when we first came to this world?" Chen Xueru's voice was soft, as gentle as moonlight.

"How could I not remember?" He Damin laughed. "Back then, we had nothing but a tattered bundle, and you even gave me the last half of the pancake."

"And now?" Chen Xueru looked up, her eyes sparkling.

"Now..." He Damin looked at the brightly lit valley in the distance, the laughter of his disciples faintly drifting over, "We have families, businesses, apprentices, and a legacy—we have everything."

Chen Xueru put down her needlework and took his hand: "Is there anything else you wish for?"

He Damin was silent for a moment, gazing at the moon in the sky, which was surrounded by a faint halo. "I want to ascend."

Chen Xueru was taken aback: "Ascension?"

"Hmm." He Damin nodded. "Above the Tribulation Transcending stage is the Mahayana stage, and above the Mahayana stage is Ascension. I want to see what the Immortal Realm is like. I heard that the spiritual herbs there grow taller than trees, and pills can be refined with ease." He looked like a child, his eyes sparkling.

"What about the He family? What about the disciples?" Chen Xueru was a little reluctant; this place held her life's memories.

"They've all grown up and have their own paths to walk," He Damin patted her hand. "I can't stay with them forever. Besides, it's not like I'm never coming back."

Chen Xueru leaned on his shoulder without speaking. After a while, she asked softly, "How long will it take you to walk?"

"It's hard to say, maybe a few hundred years, maybe a few thousand years," He Damin smiled. "But don't worry, I won't abandon you. Once I find a way to ascend, I'll come back and take you with me."

Chen Xueru nodded and buried her face in his shoulder. The wind blew through the pomegranate tree, the leaves rustling as if whispering secrets.

The next morning, He Damin gathered all his disciples under the pomegranate tree. The disciples had all grown up; Lin Feng's temples were now streaked with gray, Tie Zhu had become a strong man, and Hai Ling'er had blossomed into a graceful young lady. Behind them stood their apprentices and grand-apprentices, a dense, dark mass.

"I'll be leaving for a while," He Damin said, his voice low but clear enough to reach everyone's ears. "I'm going to some places to take care of some things. You all focus on your cultivation, look after the house, and wait for me to return."

"Master!" the disciples cried out in unison, their voices filled with reluctance. Lin Feng wanted to say something, but after opening his mouth, he swallowed it back. He knew that once his master made a decision, no one could change it.

He Damin smiled, turned to Chen Xueru, and asked, "Gone?"

"Okay." Chen Xueru nodded and handed him the bundle she had packed earlier, which contained a few changes of clothes and some pancakes she had just made.

The two transformed into a streak of light and flew towards the depths of the sea of ​​clouds. The valley behind them grew smaller and smaller. On the ridges of the fields, Xiao Sanzi's great-grandson was learning to plant crops with a small hoe. The aroma of herbs wafted from the alchemy room, and the sound of hammers echoed from the weapon-refining room. Everything was so familiar, so peaceful.

He Damin glanced back. The old pomegranate tree shone brightly green in the morning light, and the pomegranates on its branches were a vibrant red, like clusters of tiny flames. A slight smile appeared on his lips, and a warm feeling filled his heart.

"Where are we going?" Chen Xueru's voice rang in my ears.

"Let's go to the Boundless Sea to see the dragons, to the ends of the earth to watch the sunrise, to places we've never been before." He Damin gripped her hand tighter and flew even faster. "Anyway, we have plenty of time."

The sea of ​​clouds surged, radiating golden light. Their figures gradually disappeared into the horizon, leaving behind only the vitality and hope of the entire valley, like that old pomegranate tree, rooted in the earth, reaching towards the sky, slowly growing.