The girl standing inside the pavilion looked with equal astonishment at Li Yundong’s departing back, only turning around when someone stood silently behind her, at which point she broke into a bright smile: “Sister Ziyuan, you’ve arrived?”
The girl named Ziyuan was about an inch taller than the girl in the red dress. Her appearance was breathtakingly beautiful; she too wore a long gown, though hers was a deep imperial purple, its hem flowing as if she were an immortal, utterly devoid of earthly dust.
Standing together in the pavilion, these two girls were like deities descended from a painting; any passerby who glanced their way would inevitably stop, struck dumb with awe.
Ziyuan’s gaze was not as sharp and piercing as the red-dressed girl’s; rather, it was hazy, as if veiled by a thin gauze, ethereal as mist. When she finally spoke, her voice carried a distinct coolness: “Mmm, Hongling, what are you looking at?”
Hongling couldn't help but glance once more in the direction Li Yundong had vanished, saying, “I think I just saw a cultivator.”
Ziyuan stated plainly, “There are more cultivators in the mortal world than hairs on an ox. It is hardly surprising to run into one or two outer disciples here.”
Hongling shook her head. “It didn't feel like an outer disciple. It felt more like a genuine inner core disciple. I saw him look over at me from fifty or sixty meters away, and his gaze was so sharp that I couldn't hold his eyes!”
Ziyuan’s placid features showed a slight ripple of surprise. “Oh? Though your temper is restless and eager, your master drilled you well since childhood. Your cultivation shouldn't be weak. To think there is someone this formidable in this mere Tiannan City?”
Hongling pouted playfully. “Sister Ziyuan, why do you never miss a chance to deflate me?”
Ziyuan looked at Hongling, a hint of fond indulgence curving her lips. “I’ll be returning to the sect soon. You should continue your cultivation in the mortal world, but with your temperament, I am very uneasy!”
Hongling wheedled. “Sister Ziyuan! I’m not little anymore; I can handle things on my own!”
Ziyuan smiled faintly and said no more, her gaze fixed far into the distance. After the two fairy-like maidens stood in the pavilion for a moment, Hongling suddenly spoke up. “Sister Ziyuan, shall I walk you out?”
Ziyuan replied, “No need. I’m leaving now. You must remember not to casually disturb the mortals; that is a discipline for us cultivators, one that must not be violated!”
Hongling said impatiently, “You’ve said that a thousand times!”
Ziyuan shook her head subtly, a look of deep contemplation crossing her face.
Hongling, having always been slightly afraid of her senior sister, probed tentatively when Ziyuan fell silent. “Sister Ziyuan, what are you thinking about?”
Ziyuan replied calmly, “Nothing much. Just thinking about the whereabouts of the Golden Core.”
Hongling winked, teasing her. “Still thinking about that cryptic verse? Sister Ziyuan, has your heart finally stirred? Ha, that’s rare, truly rare!”
Ziyuan, teased by Hongling, showed no change in expression, as if she hadn't heard. Her gaze drifted far away, and she murmured quietly, “Where exactly has the Golden Core gone?”
...
Li Yundong and Su Chan moved into the new residence that very day. Su Chan, looking at the spacious and bright new home, was so excited that she ran from one room to another, tumbling and rolling joyfully on the soft Simmons mattress in one moment, and leaning halfway out of the tall balcony the next, shouting with exhilaration.
“Hey, hey, be careful! Don’t fall off!” Li Yundong rushed over when he saw Su Chan practically hanging over the balcony railing, anxiously pulling the young girl’s delicate waist to him.
As a cultivator, Su Chan feared no such thing. She laughed, turning around, one hand excitedly gripping Li Yundong’s arm, the other pointing into the distance. Like a cheerful little sparrow, she chirped animatedly, “Yundong, Yundong, look quickly, look over there!”
Seeing the little girl so excited that her eyebrows seemed ready to fly off, Li Yundong smiled, tapped the tip of her nose, and then looked out into the distance.
It was early evening. The golden sun was sinking, and the jade rabbit moon was just beginning to rise. The sky was filled with colored clouds, like molten, burning glass—a riot of variegated and brilliantly beautiful shapes.
As Li Yundong gazed out, his mind felt instantly expanded, and his spirit refreshed. A surge of energy rushed from his lower abdomen to his heart, churning and rolling, giving him an urge to test his mettle, a desire to throw back his head and shout to the heavens.
Su Chan, being an experienced cultivator, immediately recognized that Li Yundong’s upward gaze and the vast Qi of the world had stimulated the Golden Core essence within his chest, causing his blood energy to surge and boil, thus creating the impulse to cry out.
Many tourists climbing mountains often feel a surge of heroic passion upon reaching the summit and gazing upon the vista, invoking the lines: “My chest stirs with layers of cloud; my eyes pierce to the returning birds. I must ascend the highest peak, and view all mountains small below.” This sentiment compels them to bellow out loud.
Those who emit such shouts are almost always young and vigorous men in their prime, for their internal energy is strong and easily drawn out by the vast, majestic Qi between heaven and earth. Older people, whose essence, Qi, and blood have already significantly waned—unless they have maintained themselves exceptionally well—are rarely moved by this celestial energy, nor do they feel the desire or impulse to shout.
Su Chan recalled what her master had once told her: humans experience the urge for a long cry or howl in three specific situations.
The first is when confronted with boundless, magnificent scenery—such as gazing upon a great mountain from a height, or observing the sea from Jieshi Cliff. People often feel the urge to cry out long and loud. The majestic Qi between heaven and earth is the most powerful force; even the paltry bit of essence within the chest of an unenlightened mortal can be agitated by it, leading to a resounding, heroic cry.
The second situation is when one’s chest is clogged with sorrow, vexation, oppression, frustration, pain, or internal conflict. To relieve this suffering, one howls or sighs deeply as a form of self-rescue; otherwise, such chronic stagnation will lead to debilitating illness.
The third is when one’s Qi refining reaches the foundation stage, and the internal energy becomes overwhelmingly abundant. At this peak, an involuntary, earth-shattering cry erupts! During the Ming Dynasty's Zhengtong era, the great Confucian scholar Wang Yangming was practicing Qi one night in his military camp. Suddenly achieving success, the Qi in his chest roiled, and he could not help but throw back his head and let out a long howl. This cry traveled for several miles, startling the entire army, who believed an immortal had descended upon the camp!
At this moment, Li Yundong was both a mortal whose blood energy was stirred by the heavens and a half-cultivator practicing Qi refinement.
The energy in his chest was churning, and he felt a surging pressure stuck in his throat, like a bone, which demanded release.
As Li Yundong opened his mouth, preparing to unleash a long cry, Su Chan, with lightning-quick reflexes, pressed a finger precisely onto the Huagai Acupoint on his chest.
The Huagai point is a vital nexus in the human body. Su Chan’s touch was like a vast army guarding a critical pass, forcefully suppressing Li Yundong’s impulse to howl.
Su Chan thought to herself: That was close. If Li Yundong had let that shout out, any nearby cultivators would have instantly been drawn by the sound. That would not only bring immense trouble but likely invite deadly peril!
There are many active cultivators living secretly in the mortal world, but most hide deeply; sometimes, two practitioners can live side-by-side as neighbors without ever realizing the other’s true nature.
Su Chan, hailing from the Fox Zen Sect, was proficient in arts of concealment, capable of masking every trace of her demonic energy, which is why she dared to follow Li Yundong into public view.
But Li Yundong did not understand. If he were to shout, attracting the attention of other cultivators, they would certainly approach out of curiosity. And once they looked, they would inevitably sense the magnificent, powerful Golden Core Qi surging within him!
Li Yundong was currently barely initiated into cultivation. Relying on the power of the Golden Core, he could handle ordinary people, but against true cultivators, he wouldn't even be able to withstand a single finger strike.
At this point, Li Yundong was like a child walking through a busy market carrying a golden bowl; it would be miraculous if no one coveted the Golden Core essence within him!
With this surge of energy violently suppressed, Li Yundong felt a painful blockage in his chest. But not knowing the secret technique, he assumed he was just flustered and uneasy from a long day of activity.
He rubbed his chest, frowning to himself.
Seizing the moment, Su Chan immediately offered, “Shall I give you a massage?”
Li Yundong laughed. “You must be tired too after such a busy day? Never mind!”
Su Chan pondered. It was the time when Yang energy was fading and Yin energy was beginning to grow; the effects of Qi refinement wouldn't be very good right now. It would be better to wait until after the midnight hour (Zi Shi)!
Su Chan did not insist. Her eyes darted around, and she asked, “Then what can I do for you? Cook? Fetch water?”
Li Yundong shivered slightly and quickly said, “My dear auntie, forget it. I’ll do it myself. What do you want to eat? I’ll make it for you!”
Su Chan mumbled demurely, “But that’s too embarrassing; you’re doing everything.”
Li Yundong said earnestly, “You not doing anything is helping me!”
Su Chan pouted. “Hmph! Annoying!” With that, she dashed into the bedroom.
Li Yundong laughed heartily, went to the kitchen, rolled up his sleeves, and began preparing a feast with groceries bought from the supermarket downstairs.
Around six in the evening, Li Yundong had finished cooking three dishes and one soup. The two sat in the spacious, bright dining room, exchanging glances before both smiling warmly.
Li Yundong looked at the radiant beauty before him, then at the modern, spacious new home, and felt a joy and happiness that was indescribable.
“This must be what home feels like,” Li Yundong sighed softly. “It’s a pity this house isn't ours! When I make money in the future, I’m buying a house just like this!”
Su Chan nodded vigorously. “You will become amazing in the future; what’s one house compared to that!”
Li Yundong didn’t know if the little fox meant amazing in cultivation or amazing at earning money. He laughed, pushing a dish toward her.
This was Li Yundong’s proud specialty—Beer Duck. Not only was it delicious, but it looked superb. Su Chan’s mouth watered just looking at it, but she was too shy to eat it all by herself, so she only picked up one piece of duck meat and placed it in her bowl.
Li Yundong urged, “Take more, don't be polite!”
Su Chan, blushing deeply, picked up another piece. Her delicate demeanor confused Li Yundong: Didn’t this girl eat like a ravenous wolf before? Why was she suddenly acting like a demure young lady? He wasn't used to it!
Li Yundong pressed on, “What’s wrong? Are you afraid of getting fat? Take more. Is my cooking not good? Don’t…”
Before he finished speaking, he saw Su Chan push the bowl holding her two pieces of Beer Duck toward him, and then pull the entire platter of Beer Duck toward herself.
The little girl said shyly, “I’m sorry, thank you!”
“Damn it…” Li Yundong’s cheek twitched. He scrambled up, waving his arms in mock fury, trying to snatch the Beer Duck back from Su Chan. “You actually dare do that! You little brat, hand it over quickly, and I might spare your life!”
Su Chan shielded the dish in front of her with both hands, guarding her food like a pet, baring her teeth at Li Yundong. “No, no! I won’t give it up even if I die!”
With that, she grabbed the entire platter and turned away, gobbling down several large mouthfuls.
Li Yundong laughed despite his anger. “Hey, eat slower, it’s hot, don’t burn yourself to death!”
Su Chan turned her face and made a face. “I’d rather be burned than give you any! You made it too delicious!”
The two played and teased each other, their laughter echoing in the new residence. Outside the window, the rising jade rabbit moon blinked its eyes playfully, seemingly watching the deeply attached couple with a touch of envy.