Divine Root Bone

As the sun slowly sank into the depths of the mountains, the vegetation was bathed in a warm, orange-red hue.

After traveling for most of the day, the mountain path became increasingly rugged, covered with loose stones, and overgrown with bushes on both sides, making the journey quite arduous.

Zhang Yang and Lin Wanqing walked slowly side by side. A bamboo basket filled with herbs hung beside the girl, the basket occasionally making a soft sound as it bumped against the stones. Her steps were thin, and walking on this bumpy mountain path was already strenuous. She had been so focused on talking to Zhang Yang that she slipped and staggered forward half a step.

"Be careful!"

Zhang Yang reacted very quickly, immediately reaching out and firmly taking her arm.

The force was gentle yet firm, just enough to keep her steady and prevent her from falling heavily into the pile of rubble.

Lin Wanqing stiffened, her nose nearly bumping into Zhang Yang's shoulder, the two instantly becoming extremely close. A faint blush rose to the girl's cheeks, and warm breath gently brushed past her ear. She could clearly smell the clean, light scent of herbs on the boy, and her heart began to beat faster.

"Thank you so much..." She hurriedly lowered her head, her fingertips slightly clenching the hem of her clothes, not daring to look Zhang Yang in the eye, her ears turning bright red.

"The road is difficult to walk on, slow down." Zhang Yang released his hand from her arm, his tone still calm and indifferent, but his gaze swept lightly over the uneven road surface, and he deliberately slowed his pace to accommodate her.

Lin Wanqing secretly glanced at him, her heart filled with tender admiration. Throughout their journey, this young man from the mountains had always been calm and reliable. The warmth of their brief, intimate touch lingered on her arm, leaving her unable to calm her emotions for a long time.

After walking a while longer, a steep slope blocked the way ahead, its surface covered with loose gravel, threatening to slip and tumble down if one wasn't careful.

Lin Wanqing hesitated and stood still, looking at the steep slope with some difficulty.

Zhang Yang turned to the side and tilted his head slightly: "I'll help you up."

After saying that, he extended his arm.

The girl hesitated for a moment, then gently placed her hand on his forearm, her fingertips lightly touching the fabric, as they slowly made their way up the steep slope. Her steps faltered as she went up, and twice she instinctively leaned very close to Zhang Yang, their shoulders touching, the atmosphere between them quiet and subtle.

Once she had safely reached the top of the slope, Lin Wanqing quickly withdrew her hand, lowered her eyes, and whispered her thanks, her voice soft: "If it weren't for you taking care of me all day, I'm afraid I would have fallen and hurt myself several times on the way."

"It's on our way, no need to be so polite," Zhang Yang replied casually, his gaze fixed on the long road that wound its way ahead, leading directly to the Qingyun Sect.

As dusk settled, a cool evening breeze swept through the mountains. Lin Wanqing, wearing only a thin shirt, couldn't help but hunch her shoulders slightly.

Zhang Yang saw this and silently took off his coarse cloth outer garment, handing it to her: "It's chilly at night, put this on."

The coat still carried his faint scent of grass and trees. Lin Wanqing hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took it, obediently draping it over her shoulders. The loose-fitting garment covered her slender body, keeping out the chill. Wrapped in the coat that carried the boy's scent, the girl felt a sweet warmth in her heart, following him closely, unwilling to leave his side even for a moment.

The two found a flat stone slab by the roadside to rest, intending to spend the night there and then head to the Qingyun Sect's mountain gate early the next morning.

Lin Wanqing busied herself tidying up her bamboo basket, taking out the mixed grain cakes and sweet wild fruits she had prepared inside, and dividing them in half and pushing them in front of Zhang Yang.

"I haven't prepared much food, please don't mind." She sat beside him, very close, and could clearly see the young man's handsome and gentle profile when she turned her head, his eyes filled with undisguised joy and admiration.

Zhang Yang quietly took the food and ate it slowly, saying little but not deliberately distancing himself from the girl beside him.

The campfire burned quietly, and the flickering flames cast long shadows of two people huddled close together.

The other young people on their way around gathered in twos and threes, chatting about things like innate talent, physical tests, and the distinction between inner and outer halls of a sect.

Lin Wanqing would occasionally strike up a conversation, explaining in detail the process of the Qingyun Sect's assessment, where it was easy to bump into things and get injured, and what to pay attention to during the physical fitness test. She would ramble on and on, meticulous in every detail. Occasionally, when she got excited, she would unconsciously lean closer to Zhang Yang, their shoulders occasionally brushing lightly. Each time they touched, she would lower her head slightly, her cheeks flushing, a shy joy quietly rising in her heart.

The night is deep and the mountains are quiet, with only the chirping of insects.

Exhausted from her journey, Lin Wanqing leaned against the stone wall behind her for a short rest. Unconsciously, her body tilted slightly, and half of her shoulder rested gently on Zhang Yang's arm as she slept soundly.

Zhang Yang noticed the soft weight on his shoulder, but he didn't move to disturb her. He just sat there quietly, letting the girl rest against him, his eyes calm and serene.

The next day, just as dawn was breaking, the sunlight pierced through the thick fog in the mountains.

Lin Wanqing slowly opened her eyes and realized that she had been sleeping next to Zhang Yang all night. She hurriedly sat up and apologized in a low voice.

Zhang Yang shook his head slightly, indicating that it was alright. He stood up, dusted off his clothes, and looked up at the giant mountain gate of the Qingyun Sect, which was faintly visible in the clouds in the distance.

"It's dawn, let's continue our journey."

Lin Wanqing stayed close to him, still wrapped in the outer garment he had given her the night before. Her fingertips unconsciously clenched the fabric, and she secretly hoped that after joining the sect, she could stay by his side like this all the time.

As the road stretched onward, the outline of the giant sect became increasingly clear, and countless young cultivators came to take the assessment. Two figures, walking side by side, slowly merged into the crowd.