Chapter 424: So It Seems You Have Come to Amuse Me
The passage of nine years, neither excessively long nor excessively short, has nevertheless been sufficient to alter many things.
However, the little girl before him seemed to be forever frozen in time, exactly as she was on the day Lu Heng revived her, without the slightest alteration.
Still, her demeanor remained slightly respectful, her affection still tinged with a hint of seriousness. Even though twenty years have passed, her countenance, posture, and tone have never acquired an air of aging arrogance.
Lu Heng looked at Xiao Ai before him, feeling a slight sense of emotion. He let out a long sigh and smiled, saying, "Long time no see, Xiao Ai. You must be approaching thirty years old now…"
Caught up in the joy of the Wolf God's return, Xiao Ai paused for a moment, feeling somewhat bewildered and uncertain as to why the Wolf God suddenly brought up her age.
For a cultivator, thirty years old and three years old are actually indistinguishable.
However, when the Wolf God inquired, Xiao Ai nodded earnestly and said, "Yes, Xiao Ai is already twenty-nine years old this year…"
Lu Heng sighed and said, "Back then, I promised that if the opportunity arose, I would help you find your missing father. Yet now, in the blink of an eye, twenty years have passed, and I have no idea about the current whereabouts of your father…"
Lu Heng mentioned this matter, feeling a slight sense of remorse.
If Xiao Ai's father is merely a mortal, he would be around fifty or sixty years old by now, and it is unknown whether he is still alive in this world.
After Xiao Ai listened to Lu Heng's words, she was momentarily stunned.
Later, Xiao Ai said, "To be able to constantly accompany the Wolf God, that is what resides in Xiao Ai's thoughts, desires, and affections. As for father…"
When Xiao Ai mentioned this, she paused slightly, then continued, "Father disappeared inexplicably in the past. Perhaps he has long since passed away and Xiao Ai has already given up hope."
"Moreover, now that Xiao Ai is already a cultivator, even if father is not deceased and Xiao Ai could reunite with him, she still could not reveal herself. The current Xiao Ai can only take a distant glance at him, resolve the lingering attachments in her heart, and then depart. If Xiao Ai were to manifest herself, it would only worry father, disrupt his current life, and add unnecessary troubles…"
Xiao Ai's narration startled Lu Heng for a moment.
Afterwards, he shook his head with a wry smile and said, "Xiao Ai, oh Xiao Ai, you truly are…haha…"
It's just like me, really.
Lu Heng shook his head with a smile and said, "Alright, let's not dwell on these troubling topics. Today is the autumnal equinox, and Friend Candle Dragon and Friend Jiu Mie will be arriving shortly. Although we may depart immediately after our brief meeting, it would be wise to prepare some tea, so as not to neglect my two mischievous friends and give them an excuse to mock my humble and frugal Hanyu Mountain."
Lu Heng, being quite familiar with these two mischievous friends, would never give them any opportunity to find fault by revealing the slightest vulnerability.
Upon hearing the instructions, Xiao Ai immediately complied and set off, preparing the tea.
Hanyu Mountain is not lacking in treasures and precious items, after all, the Arctic Skyark Palace and Thousand Needles City send gifts here every year.
When the envoys from the Human Emperor Palace come every year to invite Lu Heng for a banquet, they also bring gifts as they pay him a visit.
And these precious treasures, usually left unused in the Wolf God Temple, can now be brought out and displayed while Jiu Mie and Candle Dragon are visiting, giving them a glimpse of Hanyu Mountain's wealth.
After Xiao Ai had prepared the tea, it didn't take long before a pitch-black streak of light appeared in the distant sky.
That streak of light was gloomy, pitch-black, and exuded a menacing aura. Wherever it passed, even the white clouds were dispersed, frightening numerous wild beasts on the ground into fleeing. If someone who didn't know the truth saw it, they would surely think it was the passage of a wicked demon.
However, in reality, the people inside were not demons. Of course, it wouldn't be appropriate to say they were righteous cultivators either, as those on the righteous path wouldn't possess such a strong malevolent aura…
And the one who arrived was none other than Candle Dragon, Lu Heng's "dear friend".
Only to witness the pitch-black streak of light cutting through the vast sky, landing atop the main peak of Hanyu Mountain and in front of the Wolf God Temple, amidst the astonished and awestruck gazes of numerous third-generation disciples of Hanyu Mountain, transforming into an elderly figure dressed in a grey robe, with a sinister countenance - Candle Dragon.
No matter how many times Lu Heng saw it, the expression of Candle Dragon with his gloomy face, as if others owed him a lot of money, always gave Lu Heng an inexplicable sense of amusement.
Before the Wolf God Temple, Lu Heng stood up tall and chuckled, saying, "A cordial welcome to the esteemed visit of the venerable Candle Dragon to Hanyu Mountain… With the arrival of the venerable, Hanyu Mountain shall flourish, and we are honored by your presence. Please, come, and allow us to seat the venerable."
As soon as Lu Heng spoke, he exuded an unparalleled warmth despite this impression.
And Candle Dragon, evidently, remained oblivious to the malicious undertones of the term "venerable."
He shook his head and said, "What 'venerable'… Such an inappropriate term. My friend, what kind of trick are you playing today?"
Upon Lu Heng's warm invitation, he took a seat under the pavilion and, raising his eyes to survey the surroundings, remarked, "Indeed, my friend, this Hanyu Mountain is tranquil and leisurely, making it a fine dwelling. However, the constantly shifting calamitous clouds above give me a dizzying sensation… Are you certain, my friend, that these calamitous clouds won't suddenly unleash a bolt of heavenly lightning?"
Candle Dragon fixed his gaze upon the enormous swirling vortex clouds above and skeptically questioned, "As a cultivator, how does one manage to lead a normal life and cultivate under such calamitous clouds?"
"My friend, I can forgive your peculiarity, as you are an oddity yourself. But even the disciples scattered across this Hanyu Mountain seem to be able to disregard the ominous aura of heavenly lightning… It is truly astonishing, unimaginable."
Candle Dragon shook his head and exclaimed, "A nest of oddities, a nest of oddities!"
As Lu Heng brewed tea for Candle Dragon, he smiled and said, "Nothing else, just got used to it after living here for a long time."
"Moreover, the group of third-generation disciples at the back mountain may not have high cultivation levels, but they are not cultivating ordinary cultivation methods. Although they have yet to gain a glimpse of the 'Tao Scripture,' the book of 'Divine Skill' has been fully passed down to them."
"Practicing such ancient esoteric arts, and living in Hanyu Mountain from the very beginning, renders us immune to the onslaught of heavenly thunder. Composure, composure, my dear friend, don't be alarmed, come and enjoy some tea."
"This cup, called Northern Domain Heavenly Ice, is a renowned top-grade tea from the northern region. My friend, please have a taste and see if it truly lives up to its reputation," Lu Heng said with a cheerful smile.
Candle Dragon casually accepted the cup and drank it all in one gulp, remarking, "My friend, you seem unusually courteous today. Is there perhaps some mischievous intent brewing within you? Hmmm… speaking of which, where is Friend Jiu Mie? Has he not arrived yet?"
Candle Dragon glanced at the sky and said, "I thought I was already late, but I didn't expect Friend Jiu Mie to arrive even later… Hmm, wait a moment, Divine Skill?"
Just as Jiu Mie mentioned, Candle Dragon looked over in surprise and said, "Friend, you're directly teaching this group of youngsters the 'Divine Skill'? Tsk… you really spare no expense."
Candle Dragon shook his head and said, "These young ones are fortunate to be disciples under your tutelage at Hanyu Mountain. It is truly a remarkable opportunity, overflowing with good fortune. One can only imagine how many people envy them."
Regarding this, Lu Heng shook his head and chuckled, saying, "Fortune relies upon misfortune, and misfortune hides within fortune. What may appear as a fortunate event today might not necessarily be a blessing in the future."
"By entering the ranks of Hanyu Mountain, one will indeed have access to top-notch cultivation methods, but it will also make them a target of criticism and draw attention."
"In the days to come, when the Earthly Catastrophe descends, these disciples, like myself, will likely become thorns in the eyes and thorns in the flesh of formidable enemies from beyond the realm, and they will be the first to be eliminated."
The narration by Lu Heng, however, made Candle Dragon shake his head disapprovingly.
"When the Earthly Catastrophe arrives, those who are not yet at the Innate realm will inevitably perish. The only difference lies in whether they die earlier or later… it is all death, without distinction as to superiority or inferiority."
"Indeed, by entering the esteemed Hanyu Mountain and cultivating this Divine Skill, the prospects of attaining the Innate Realm are far more hopeful than pledging loyalty to any other place."
"If you step into the realm of innate ability, you can activate the Life Deviation Technique and qualify for the continuation of life, living another life in the new era."
"So by venerating here, they have a glimmer of hope, enabling them to strive for their own survival in the future."
"In the mortal realm, there are countless cultivators who have endured arduous struggles but have consistently failed to attain the Innate realm, lacking even the qualification to strive for their own survival. Compared to those cultivators, the young ones in your mountain can truly be considered bursting with exceptional fortune."
During their conversation, they went through two rounds of exchanging tea, and the sky gradually grew darker.
Finally, a frail figure, step by step, appeared in the sight of Lu Heng and Candle Dragon, walking on the stone steps of Hanyu Mountain.
As they looked at the figure in front of them, who lacked any trace of spiritual aura and appeared as a mere mortal ascetic, Lu Heng and Candle Dragon were greatly astonished, yet they couldn't help but speak up one after another.
"My friend, you have arrived fashionably late once again."
"It's not that you're fashionably late again, it's that you're always fashionably late."
The two of them exchanging greetings one after another, made the old monk chuckle, without a trace of embarrassment, and he said, "There's no fashionably late, I've arrived at just the right time."
The old ascetic cultivator didn't stand on ceremony either. After walking into the pavilion, he promptly sat down on an empty seat and said, "After traveling such a long distance, I'm parched. My friend, please bring me two cups of tea to quench my thirst."
"One cup must be fully boiled, with all the tea leaves floating to the surface in the cup, not a single tea leaf should curl up and sink in the cup."
"Another cup must be completely chilled, with all the tea leaves sinking to the bottom of the cup, not a single one should float to the surface…" Jiu Mie said, casting a sidelong glance at Lu Heng, and said, "Why haven't you prepared it yet? Is it perhaps that the old ascetic cultivator's worn-out attire is not worthy of even the qualification for two cups of tea?"
Lu Heng gave him a stern look and said, "You must be here to mock me… Pour your own drink. If you utter another word, you will be dragged outside and dealt with a thrashing."
Jiu Mie laughed and said, "Ok, ok. My friend, don't mind me if I happen to drink more."
After speaking, Jiu Mie directly lifted the teapot and poured it into the cup. The whole pot of hot tea filled the small teacup completely, and astonishingly, the tea kept pouring in without a single drop spilling over.
Finally, the entire pot of tea was emptied, and Jiu Mie's tea cup was only filled to one-third of its capacity.
Holding this seemingly meager cup of tea, Jiu Mie shook his head and said, "Stingy, stingy, not even offering a cup of tea… sigh… The Wolf God of Hanyu Mountain, how stingy!"
After speaking, the venerable monk raised the cup of hot tea and drank it all in one gulp.
He had even emptied an entire pot of Arctic ice from the heavens.
Upon witnessing such a situation, Lu Heng couldn't help but raise his hand to his forehead and say helplessly, "After nine years of not seeing each other, my dear friend, your audacity has grown thicker. Truly admirable. If everyone in the world had the same thick skin as you, we wouldn't have to worry about the Earthly Catastrophe. After all, if everyone cultivated their resilience like you, relying solely on their imperviousness to fend off enemies, they would be invincible against all methods and indestructible against all trials."
Jiu Mie smiled and set down the teacup, laughing, "Mutual, mutual. When it comes to thick skin, my dear friend, you are certainly not far behind. Hahaha…"
