?
Just as Xiao Yifeng was lost in thought, the sound of light footsteps broke his concentration. He turned his head toward the courtyard gate and saw a young girl dressed in gray standing there.
She appeared to be around 10 years old. Although she wore the plain green robes of a servant, the fabric could not hide her delicate, jade-like features. She was a rare beauty in the making.
Upon seeing Xiao Yifeng, she seemed momentarily stunned, but she quickly regained her composure and bowed gracefully.
"Greetings, Young Master Xiao. This servant has been sent by the Mistress to attend to you. My name is Lianyue, but you may call me Xiaoyue."
Xiao Yifeng offered a bitter, self-deprecating smile. "Sister Xiaoyue, there is no need for such formality. I am no Young Master. You can just call me Yifeng. Master's Wife insisted on sending you to care for my daily needs, and I couldn't refuse. I apologize for the trouble I will cause you in the future."
"Serving Young Master Yifeng is my duty," Xiaoyue replied softly. Hearing his gentle tone, the stone weighing on her heart finally lifted.
Unbeknownst to anyone in the sect, this humble maid was actually a Princess of a mortal dynasty named Lianyue. Her mother, refusing to let her daughter become a political pawn, had gone to great lengths to smuggle her into the Luoshu Mansion as a menial disciple.
During her childhood, she had followed Lin Ziyun to the Wentian Sect and had served Su Qianyi’s family ever since. Because Lin Ziyun was extremely kind-hearted, their lives had been comfortable and safe.
But today, when she was suddenly told she would be gifted to a newly promoted True Disciple, she had been terrified. She wondered if she had done something wrong to deserve being sent away.
Or perhaps this new True Disciple was so extraordinary that the Mistress was using her beauty to please him?
She suspected the subordinates had misunderstood Lin Ziyun’s instructions and selected the most beautiful maid—her—by mistake. Her heart had been pounding like a drum, filled with anxiety about serving an arrogant, lecherous cultivator.
But seeing that her new master was just a 10-year-old boy with a kind face, she finally breathed a long sigh of relief.
"Sister Xiaoyue, you can take a room on the first floor. I live on the third floor," Xiao Yifeng said, waving his hand casually, completely unaware of her internal panic. "If anything comes up, come find me upstairs. Go ahead and tidy up your room first."
Xiaoyue bowed in acknowledgment. "Yes, Young Master."
She turned and entered the building to settle in.
Xiao Yifeng watched her retreating figure for a moment, smiled to himself, and then looked up at the bright moon hanging in the night sky. He turned and ascended to his room on the third floor.
Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he closed his eyes and began to circulate his Qi, attempting to absorb the Spiritual Qi of Heaven and Earth.
If Xiang Tiange or Su Qianyi were to see this, they would be shocked. No one had taught Xiao Yifeng the cultivation techniques of the Wentian Sect yet.
But Xiao Yifeng needed no teacher. Drawing on the memories of his past life, he knew that no one would disturb this small courtyard after nightfall. As for Xiaoyue, anyone who could serve as Lin Ziyun’s personal maid would be someone who knew her place. She wouldn't barge into his room without reason.
He had no reservations. The earlier he started cultivating, the better.
He didn't want to waste a single breath. Regardless of his plans for this second life, strength was the foundation of everything. Without strength, he would only be able to rage helplessly against fate.
In the silence of his mind, ancient texts flashed by: the Formless Heart Sutra, the Nine Scrolls of Asking Heaven, and the True Explanation of Stars.
He chose to practice the True Explanation of Stars and the Nine Scrolls of Asking Heaven simultaneously, using the Formless Heart Sutra to harmonize the conflicting energies.
Although practicing a single technique would yield faster initial progress, his past life experience taught him otherwise. By running both parallel paths now, his foundation would be unshakeable, and his later momentum would rise like crashing waves, each stronger than the last.
Moonlight spilled through the window, casting dancing shadows of tree branches across the floor. The room was quiet and serene.
On the bed, a young boy sat in deep meditation, his face void of joy or sorrow.
Early the next morning.
Xiao Yifeng opened his eyes after a sleepless night of meditation. He frowned. Despite cultivating for hours, he could barely feel a faint wisp of Spiritual Qi. He hadn't even achieved "Qi Guiding"—the first step of pulling energy into the body.
He shook his head. My natural talent in this body is truly terrible.
Downstairs, Xiaoyue was already awake. Xiao Yifeng greeted her with a smile as she hurriedly brought up a basin of water.
After washing up, Xiao Yifeng stepped out into the courtyard to stretch his limbs. Although his mind was used to meditation, his 10-year-old body was stiff and sore from sitting motionless all night.
Suddenly, a heavy thudding sound echoed from outside.
A massive, snow-white beast burst into the courtyard. It was a Snow Lion, standing over a meter tall at the shoulder, with muscles rippling under its fur.
Close behind it, Su Miaoqing trotted in. She was dressed in white training robes with tight-fitting sleeves, looking ready for action.
Seeing Xiao Yifeng already stretching in the yard, Su Miaoqing froze. Her jaw dropped slightly.
"Ah! You... you're already up? I was thinking of bringing Xiaobai over to..."
She stopped mid-sentence, realizing she had said too much.
Xiao Yifeng glanced at the hulking Snow Lion. He recognized it immediately as the cute little "cat" Su Miaoqing usually cradled in her arms. Now, in its battle form, with sharp fangs and fur standing on end, it looked ferocious enough to tear a mortal apart.
He looked at Su Miaoqing’s surprised face and couldn't help but laugh.
"Thinking of what, Senior Sister? You weren't planning to bring a giant Snow Lion over at the crack of dawn just to scare me out of bed, were you?"
"No such thing! Don't talk nonsense!" Su Miaoqing’s face flushed red. Her childish prank had been exposed instantly.
She quickly composed herself, putting on a serious expression. "I was afraid you would oversleep, so I came specially to wake you up! We need to go up the mountain to chop bamboo. Hurry up, don't waste time!"
Xiao Yifeng suppressed a grin. "I'm ready. Let's go, Senior Sister."
He walked over to the Snow Lion and boldly patted its massive head. The beast bared its teeth and growled low in its throat, but didn't dare to bite.
Xiao Yifeng shook his head. Damn cat. Still as unfriendly as ever.
Seeing that Xiaobai had failed to intimidate the new boy, Su Miaoqing huffed angrily.
"Catch!"
She tossed a heavy object through the air.
Xiao Yifeng caught it with both hands. It was a standard woodcutter’s hatchet, heavy and dull iron. He swung it a few times to test the weight. It felt decent enough.
"Let's go!"
Su Miaoqing waved her hand. The massive Snow Lion leaped into the air, shrinking rapidly until it transformed back into a fluffy white kitten, landing softly in her embrace.
With her pet secured, Su Miaoqing turned and marched out of the courtyard, nose in the air.
Xiao Yifeng followed her out. The sun had just begun to peek over the horizon, bathing the world in pale morning light. Looking toward the back mountain of Wuya Hall, hazy mist still drifted among the peaks, creating a dreamlike scene.
Two children and a cat began their trek into the mountains.
The journey was long. Su Miaoqing’s petite white figure moved along the mountain path with agility and grace, light as a feather.
Xiaobai was even more energetic, darting back and forth, chasing shadows in the woods, and acting completely unlike the ferocious beast it had been moments ago.
Watching Su Miaoqing skip ahead, Xiao Yifeng felt a pang of nostalgia.
She was innocent, lovely, and undeniably beautiful even at this age. What young man wouldn't adore her?
In his previous life, he had loved this Senior Sister deeply. But back then, he was crippled by insecurity. He was a nobody with poor talent, while she was the Hall Master's daughter. He had felt unworthy, burying his admiration deep in his heart, never daring to speak it aloud.
In the end, Su Miaoqing probably never even knew her foolish Junior Brother loved her, did she?
Later, she met Xuan Yi—a peerless genius who matched her in every way. It was love at first sight. Their eventual engagement was celebrated as a perfect match, half-political alliance, half-true love.
At that engagement banquet, Xiao Yifeng had stood in the corner, heartbroken and silent. Only the Mistress, Lin Ziyun, had noticed his pain and offered him words of comfort. No one else had cared.
But I am no longer that foolish boy.
As they hiked, Xiao Yifeng silently circulated the breathing techniques of the Nine Scrolls of Asking Heaven. Although the climb was strenuous for his weak body, the technique regulated his stamina. He wasn't collapsing with exhaustion like he would have in his past life.
Su Miaoqing glanced back, expecting to see him panting and begging for a break. Instead, she saw him walking with a steady rhythm, looking almost leisurely.
She scowled. He's not suffering enough.
"Hmph!"
She spun around and quickened her pace, her legs moving in a blur.
Xiao Yifeng smiled bitterly. I forgot how petty Senior Sister could be.
He had no choice but to push himself to catch up. The increased speed broke his rhythm, and soon, his breath began to come in ragged gasps.
Hearing the heavy panting behind her, Su Miaoqing’s lips curled into a triumphant smile.
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