Don't farm, cultivate immortality!

I opened my eyes, and through the blur, I saw my little sister's face.

The younger sister was dressed neatly, with two braids that swayed back and forth. She jumped barefoot onto the bed and shook Zhuang Xing's shoulders.

The faint light of dawn shone in through the window, and Zhuang Xing's head felt a little dizzy. He didn't know when his Dragon Breath Technique, which he used to practice continuously, had stopped.

He patted his little sister's head, took a deep breath, and expelled the stale air from his body.

Just now...

Was that a dream?

How could a dream be so real...?

He looked inward and thought that evil energy had entered his body, but everything was fine and his Qi was burning steadily.

He was puzzled. His mother pushed open the door and came in, saying, "Son, would you like noodles or steamed buns for breakfast?"

Zhuang Xing was stunned. He touched the corner of his eye with his fingertips, and a tear inexplicably slid down his cheek the moment he saw his mother.

"Brother, are you crying?" The little sister looked up at his face and reached out her chubby little hand to wipe away his tears.

Zhuang Xing shook his head and said, "Brother just yawned."

He said that, but he knew in his heart that when that tear fell, he felt a great sorrow and emptiness.

In the days that followed, he spent more time with his mother.

Hearing my mother's voice and seeing her figure, that feeling of emptiness gradually dissipated.

He discussed it with Yunling and also confided in his mother.

But even when the day came to return to the mountain, he still couldn't find the origin of that dream.

"Could it be that you're too tired from cultivating on the mountain?" His mother patted his shoulder. "Don't overwork yourself, you need to take a rest."

In the past two years, Zhuang Xing has indeed been dozens of times busier and more diligent than before. In order to compile the "Lin Lu Shui Ze Jing", he often goes down the mountain to remote suburbs to observe the habits of demons and beasts. He is also improving the "Long Xi Jue", or rather, creating a unique internal breathing technique to repay his master's kindness.

Perhaps he was really tired and needed to rest.

...

When we returned to Qingxuan Mountain, it was already late February.

Zhuang Xing and Yun Ling changed back into their Taoist robes, walked up the stone steps to the mountain, and went to report back to their master.

“When we get back, let’s consult Master Qingxuzi again,” Yunling said. “Master is very knowledgeable and might be able to deduce the reason. I’ll go to the pharmacy and get some calming and nourishing tea and pills to bring to your room. You should rest more.”

"Okay, then I'll go pay my respects to my master first and ask him about it." Zhuang Xing nodded.

When the two arrived at the Taoist gate of Xuanqing Temple, they found that all the pilgrims who came up the mountain that day were being blocked from entering.

Among the gatekeepers was Da Chun, who stood at the front, his burly figure blocking the vermilion gate. Holding a thick, long stick, he said in a loud voice, "Master has ordered that we will not receive any pilgrims today. Please go down the mountain."

As Da Chun spoke, he glanced at the sky. Zhuang Xing followed his gaze and saw a wild goose circling above Xuanqing Temple.

That was no ordinary goose. Zhuang Xing could tell at a glance that it was a goose that had become a spirit, but he didn't know where it came from or what it meant.

Letters from overseas

The pilgrims were noisy and clamorous. They had climbed the mountain to find their way here, but were turned away. Most of them were dissatisfied, but even though the Taoist disciples blocked their way, no one dared to cause trouble and had no choice but to leave.

Zhuang Xing, puzzled, stepped forward and asked, "Da Chun, what happened?"

Da Chun was taken aback when he saw him. After realizing what was happening, he scratched his head and said, "I don't know what's wrong. My master just told me to guard the gate and not to let outsiders in."

Before Zhuang Xing could reply, another group of young disciples emerged from the temple gate.

Upon seeing Zhuang Xing, the leader first bowed and greeted him respectfully, "Senior Brother Zhuang, you're back."

The people following behind him all called out to him in unison.

This is both etiquette and heartfelt respect, after all, Zhuang Xing is the most talented among the younger generation, and has already risen to the rank of Black Spike disciple, making him of a higher seniority.

He often went down the mountain to exorcise demons and protect the righteous path. In addition, the act of offering wheat and cotton back then truly benefited the people. He would also occasionally go to the sword hall to impart his sword skills, thus gaining much admiration and respect from the younger generation.

Zhuang Xing nodded in agreement and then asked, "I just returned from the foot of the mountain. Do you know why the temple is closed to visitors today?"

"Replying to Senior Brother, it was Master Qingxuzi who gave the order, saying that there was an unusual bird in the sky and it was not appropriate to entertain guests. We are here to escort the pilgrims down the mountain to rest."

Zhuang Xing looked up at the wild geese circling in the sky and thought to himself that it was indeed this monster that had caused the trouble.

"Senior brother, we still need to see the pilgrims off down the mountain. If you're interested, you can go to the Sword Dance Square. The elders are all there discussing this matter."

"I see."

Zhuang Xing casually pulled out a handful of talismans and handed them over.

"This talisman contains my sword energy. Take it for protection and be careful on your journey."

"Thank you, senior brother."

The young disciple reached out and took the sword talismans, then went to greet the pilgrims as they descended the mountain.

Seeing the commotion, the pilgrims seemed to sense that something was amiss and lined up in response to the Taoist disciples' calls. Zhuang Xing and Yunling then headed towards the sword-dancing platform together.

Sure enough, there were many teachers and elders waiting there. At the very front, an old Taoist priest held a whisk and looked at the strange bird in the sky.

The old Taoist priest frowned slightly, his wrinkled face showing a thoughtful expression.

Beside the old Taoist priest was Yunling's master, Master Yuanyan.

Master Yuanyan asked, "This bird spirit has come uninvited and has been circling around my temple for three quarters of an hour, but we don't know what it means. Why don't you invite it down?"

"This bird spirit seems to carry the scent of an old friend," the old Taoist said.

"You've even been acquainted with monsters?"

"No," the old Taoist shook his head.

As he pondered, the wild goose spirit finally flew down and landed on the green tiles of the main hall.

"May I ask if this is the Xuanqing Temple on Qingxuan Mountain? Does anyone know the name Song Yu?"

The goose spirit spoke in a slightly shrill voice, neither male nor female, with a hoarse quality as if it hadn't spoken in a long time.

Zhuang Xing was startled when he heard the name. Talking monsters were not uncommon. The five red pandas he kept in his house, the cat and dog demons that lived with people in Yidu, and even the fox he met on his way to the capital all spoke human language.

What surprised Zhuang Xing was not the bird spirit's speech, but the name it uttered: Song Yu.

This is clearly the name of the senior brother who left the temple many years ago. He must have gone to the East China Sea more than fifty years ago with the treasure ship built by the old emperor in search of the elixir of immortality.

Senior Brother Song Yu has disappeared for over fifty years. In these fifty years, the only things related to him that have been found are the sword tassel and Taoist robe that he left in the palace storeroom. Many people have long forgotten his name.

However, the old Taoist priest still remembered that Zhuang Xing also had a deep impression of this senior who left the temple.

Upon hearing Song Yu's name, Qingxuzi immediately recalled where this "breath of an old friend" came from, and his expression softened considerably.

Upon hearing the wild goose spirit's purpose, Qingxuzi treated it with courtesy, saying, "This old Taoist is Elder Zisui of Xuanqing Temple, Qingxuzi, and Song Yu's mentor. May I ask what your relationship is with my disciple?"

"You are Qingxuzi?" The goose spirit stretched its neck to look ahead and murmured, "Finally, we found the right place and didn't fly around aimlessly."

It looked around for a moment, then flapped its wings and slowly descended.

“I have been entrusted by Song Yu to deliver a letter. Since you are his master, I will give this letter to you. Please keep it.”

The goose spirit used its beak to pluck a feather from its left wing. The feather flew down and transformed, truly becoming an envelope that landed in Qingxuzi's hand.

“Song Yu saved my life. I flew for two years to deliver this letter for him, which can be considered as repaying his kindness. If you have any more letters to write, write to me within three days, and I will go to find him.”

"This..." Qingxuzi vaguely put the letter into his sleeve.

"May I ask how I should address you?"

"Just call me North Wind."

"Lord Shuofeng, would you like to rest at the temple? This old Taoist priest will certainly treat you well."

"can."

The goose spirit replied.

It puffed out its chest and strode forward with a proud and imposing air, like the leader of a flock of chickens.

Even though there were many Taoist priests here, it showed no fear.

If it was indeed Song Yu who asked it to deliver the message, then it must have flown thousands of miles across the East Sea to get here, which shows that it is not an ordinary being and has considerable cultivation.

It was probably skilled and daring, and felt that the Taoist priests in the temple couldn't keep it.

That was how it should have been, but when Zhuang Xing stepped forward to greet the old Taoist and chat with the bird, an unexpected situation arose.

Upon seeing Zhuang Xing's face, the wild goose spirit named Shuofeng suddenly stood frozen in place.

Zhuang Xing noticed a look of surprise on the bird's face, as if it had seen a ghost in broad daylight. It withdrew its forward steps, said nothing, and immediately spread its wings and took off.

I felt a gentle breeze pass by, and in a flash, it disappeared without a trace.

The old Taoist was stunned by its agile flight. After a few seconds, he turned to look at Zhuang Xing's face and asked in a low voice, "Disciple, what grudge do you have with this Fellow Daoist Shuofeng?"

"Master, this is the first time I have met this Senior Shuofeng," Zhuang Xing said.

He didn't know why, but the goose spirit, which had been so aggressive just moments before, suddenly flew away like a deflated balloon.

"Think again, did something happen somewhere?" the old Taoist priest asked again.

Zhuang Xing thought carefully for a while. He had a good memory and was certain that he had never seen this goose spirit anywhere else. In the end, he shook his head and replied, "Absolutely not."

"That's strange." The old Taoist stroked his beard. "Well, let's go and take a look at that letter first."

Snacks

Spring has arrived and the weather is warm and sunny. After a satisfying afternoon meal, it's the perfect time to find a place to lie down and soak up the sun.

You can see five red pandas climbing up the bricks and tiles onto the blue tiles, their bellies upturned, eyes half-closed, basking in the sunlight.

Its large tail, with rings of black circles, swayed back and forth, and its short legs stretched out backward.

Eat your fill, sleep your fill, eat your fill, and when you're bored, chase your tail for fun—this is the life the red panda dreams of.

As for internal breathing techniques and cultivation, they have to put on a show when someone is watching, but when no one is watching, they naturally lie down and fatten up, doing whatever is comfortable.

Anyway, the older sister in the house never argues with them. She looks cold, but she can easily fool her by rolling around in front of her and wagging her tail.

"The snow has melted, Your Majesty will be back soon."