Cultivation: I Forge Immortality with My Spiritual Eyes

Several hours passed in the blink of an eye.

As dusk fell, a howling wind rustled the leaves and branches.

In front of the stone table, Jiang Yi twisted his neck, stood up and loosened his muscles, looking slightly tired.

After focusing intently on comprehending the techniques for so long, my mind inevitably became somewhat fatigued.

"Meow~"

Just then, a nimble black shadow flashed across the top of the courtyard wall.

After running around wildly for a while, Xiao Li excitedly ran back to Jiang Yi's feet, looked up at him, and called out softly, looking adorably innocent.

Jiang Yi glanced at it indifferently and said expressionlessly:

"No, you just ate and you're hungry again? Bear with it, you're all grown up now, you should learn to endure hunger."

"Meow~ Meow~"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Li hurriedly jumped onto the stone table, gazing longingly at the remaining lotus leaf package, her cries growing louder and louder.

Jiang Yi swiftly scooped the roast chicken into his hands, a slight smile playing on his lips:

"The master promised to buy you two roast chickens, but he didn't promise to let you eat both of them."

Having said that, too lazy to argue with this glutton, he grabbed the scruff of its neck and tucked it back into his collar, scolding:

"Quiet down, stop making a fuss. The master has to go out on business, and he'll need your help when he gets there."

He glanced around the courtyard, then turned and walked straight out of the gate, hurrying towards the cave dwelling area.

Soon after.

Outside Cave No. 17, Section B.

Jiang Yi knocked on the courtyard gate and called out loudly:

"Is Fairy Qin here? I, Jiang, have come to visit you."

The courtyard gate opened quickly.

Qin Ruyi, dressed in a pink dress, her black hair styled high and adorned with a jade hairpin, looked Jiang Yi up and down for a moment, then said in surprise:

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, your cultivation has broken through again? You returned to Qingluo Island at this time, presumably with the wrecked fleet? To be able to escape unscathed from the Blood Scarf Bandits, Fellow Daoist is truly remarkable."

Jiang Yi smiled modestly and cupped his hands in greeting:

"No matter how extraordinary I am, I am still no match for the unfathomable depths of the fairy. In such a short time, the fairy has not only successfully advanced to the sixth level of Qi Refining, but her Qi is also so calm and stable, which is truly beyond my reach."

"Giggle~"

Qin Ruyi covered her mouth and chuckled, then turned to invite him:

"Alright, alright, let's stop flattering each other. Fellow Daoist Jiang, please come in."

Jiang Yi smiled and nodded, then followed her to sit down in the courtyard. He handed her the lotus leaf package and said gently:

"I have nothing of value to my name, but I noticed that you, my fairy, liked this item last time, so I brought one with me. I hope you won't find it offensive."

Qin Ruyi rolled her eyes at him upon hearing this, and while preparing tea with her delicate hands, she rambled on:

"You can come whenever you want in the future, without having to spend money. These days, spirit stones are hard to earn, and the prices of all kinds of spiritual items are rising. Don't be extravagant; save them for good."

Jiang Yi chuckled and didn't argue.

He glanced around and said, seemingly casually:

"Didn't the fairy say she was looking for someone to share an apartment? Where is the other fellow cultivator?"

Qin Ruyi poured a cup of tea and pushed it in front of him, then casually said upon hearing this:

"It won't happen that quickly. You can't rush things like roommates. We'll just have to let things take their course. We're a bit strapped for cash right now, but we can manage to get by."

Jiang Yi's eyes flashed, and he picked up his teacup and said slowly:

"Fairy Qin, what do you think of me?"

Qin Ruyi was slightly taken aback, somewhat puzzled:

"What, how is it?"

"cough."

Jiang Yi cleared his throat and said:

"I, Jiang, have now reached the fifth level of Qi Refining. I am finding my current residence quite limiting, and I am preparing to move to the Cave Abode Area. It just so happens that you, Fairy, are looking for a roommate. Wouldn't that be perfect?"

Qin Ruyi frowned and waved her hands repeatedly:

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, please don't joke. How can that be? I'm looking for a female Daoist with a similar temperament. A man is absolutely out of the question."

Why is that?

Jiang Yi raised an eyebrow and pressed for an answer.

Qin Ruyi was taken aback again, not expecting him to ask so directly.

She slightly averted her gaze, her tone revealing a hint of dissatisfaction:

"Men and women must maintain a strict separation and avoid suspicion. How can they live under the same roof? What kind of talk would that be if word got out?"

"Your Excellency is mistaken."

Jiang Yi's expression turned serious, and he immediately retorted loudly:

"We diligently study the Dharma in pursuit of great freedom and liberation; how can we be confined by worldly etiquette?"

The so-called strict separation between men and women is nothing but self-imposed shackles. If we, as practitioners, were to adhere to this, wouldn't we be going against our own free and unfettered nature?

He paused, then, seeing Qin Ruyi somewhat speechless, pressed his advantage:

"I, Jiang, have dedicated myself to the Dao and pursued immortality. I no longer distinguish between men and women, and only the word 'fellow Daoist' remains in my eyes. I suppose... the fairy is the same."

After saying that, he smiled calmly, his expression open and honest, and picked up his teacup to take a sip.

Qin Ruyi stared blankly at Jiang Yi, who was calmly drinking tea.

Her red lips moved slightly, but she remained silent for a moment.

He was clearly moved by these impassioned words.

It resonated deeply and was thought-provoking.

Suddenly I realized that my concerns were indeed unwarranted.

It's definitely too narrow-minded...

She looked at Jiang Yi with a more solemn gaze, and her opinion of him rose even higher.

Although he had been persuaded, he still had some hesitation.

After thinking for a moment, he carefully chose his words and began to speak:

"Fellow Daoist Jiang, there are actually many vacant residences in the cave dwelling area. You could choose another place to settle down, as sharing a place is quite inconvenient..."

Jiang Yi spread his hands and said with a wry smile:

"What you say makes sense, Fairy. Unfortunately, I am short of money and cannot afford the monthly expense of twenty spirit stones. Therefore, I can only shamelessly trouble you, Fairy."

Having said all that, the woman was still hesitant, even though he had almost worn his lips out.

Jiang Yi frowned slightly and changed to a low tone:

"Fairy Qin, you wouldn't want to see me, Jiang, homeless, would you?"

"this……"

Qin Ruyi gritted her teeth inwardly.

Having said all that, I couldn't bear to refuse any longer and had no choice but to compromise.

"Well... alright then, Fellow Daoist Jiang, you can move over."

Jiang Yi was overjoyed and quickly reached into his sleeve, pulling out twenty spirit stones and handing them over:

"Thank you for your kindness, Fairy Qin. I will pay two months' rent first, and then move my things here later."

Qin Ruyi pursed her red lips.

I feel like something's not right, but I can't quite put my finger on it.

She reached out and took the spirit stone, glanced at a side room in the courtyard, and said softly:

"That place was originally a storage room, but I cleaned it out. If Fellow Daoist Jiang doesn't mind, then... then please make do with it for now."

Jiang Yi followed her gaze and smiled.

"No problem, no problem. We cultivators only seek abundant spiritual energy and do not care about such material things."

Having said that, he unwrapped the lotus leaf package, tore off a plump chicken leg, and handed it over:

"Fairy Qin, come, don't stand on ceremony, quickly taste how this chicken tastes today."

The spiced roasted chicken was really good. Qin Ruyi didn't refuse it. She thanked them and took the chicken leg, taking small, delicate bites.

"Meow~"

Little Pear, who had been waiting for dinner, immediately stopped pretending to be asleep and poked her head out of her collar, staring longingly at the roast chicken, rubbing against Jiang Yi's hand.

"hehe."

Jiang Yi smiled, tore off a piece of chicken wing and gave it to the little guy, then started to eat it himself.

A roast chicken isn't considered big.

They were quickly wiped out by the two people and the cat.

Without delay, Jiang Yi bid farewell to Qin Ruyi and rushed back to the courtyard to pack his things.

He didn't actually have much to bring; it was just a water-rich stone, a few changes of clothes, and a bag of spirit rice he bought today.

He quickly made two trips back and forth, putting all the items into the side room of the cave dwelling area, and then took a moment to greet Niu Yaojin and Yang Hongmei.

Leaving aside Niu Yaojin's shock and envy.

During his casual conversation with Yang Hongmei, Jiang Yi hesitated several times before speaking.

She wanted to tell him that she had seen Shi Qianye and that he was safe and sound, but she held back and didn't say it.

It was really difficult to explain why the other party didn't return to Qingluo Island.

They are both meticulous people; rather than casually telling a lie and making her worry and suspect day and night, it's better to just stop...

"..."

That night, the moonlight was like a ribbon.

Inside a side room of the cave dwelling courtyard.

Jiang Yi sat cross-legged on the bed, his eyes slightly closed, his hands forming a mudra, immersed in meditation.

He was placed on a water-bearing stone, and a borrowed thin blanket was placed at the head of the bed.

A faint, pleasant fragrance lingered in the room...