Half a month after returning from the secluded valley, Zhang Xiaofan had been in the Qingyun Sect for exactly three years. He also concluded his bamboo-chopping career, but the results he turned in at the end were so poor that even he blushed with shame.
Because of that inexplicable journey into the secluded valley, for the following half month, Zhang Xiaofan often felt dizzy and lightheaded, his qi depleted and blood weak, and he tired extremely easily. He privately guessed that it might have been caused by the severe bleeding he had dimly seen that day when his consciousness was blurred. But after examining his entire body, he found no wound whatsoever. Uneasy and too afraid to ask his master, he could only bury his worries in his heart.
Though he didn't speak of it, his body reacted. In the past, poor as his performance had been, he could at least chop through two great black-jointed bamboos. Now, after just a few swings, he would be panting and drenched in cold sweat, unable to finish even one black-jointed bamboo after half a day. In truth, this was hardly surprising—in that secluded valley, the Blooddevouring Pearl had nearly sucked away half the essence blood in his body. Had he not always been robustly built, he likely would have been bedridden long ago. Still, for Zhang Xiaofan to chop bamboo as he once had was now nothing more than a vain hope.
This condition persisted until half a month later, when Zhang Xiaofan finally felt his body improve slightly, his spirit and strength somewhat restored. However, the bamboo-chopping lessons ended around this time. On the final day, under the watchful eyes of Senior Brother Song Daren and the others who had come to inspect his progress, Zhang Xiaofan exerted himself with all his might and finally chopped through one black-jointed bamboo before the allotted time expired.
Song Daren and the others exchanged glances, speechless. Only Tian Ling'er stepped forward, grinning as she patted his shoulder. "Xiaofan, it's fine. Having one-tenth or so of your senior sister's skill is already pretty good."
Zhang Xiaofan could only smile bitterly.
At dinner, the people of Big Bamboo Peak sat around the dining hall. After Tian Buyi and his wife sat down, Song Daren first reported Zhang Xiaofan's situation. Tian Buyi let out a cold snort, not even glancing at Zhang Xiaofan. But Su Ru smiled and said, "Ah, Xiaofan, you've been with us on Big Bamboo Peak for three years now."
Zhang Xiaofan quickly replied, "Yes, Shiniang."
Su Ru sighed softly. "Ah, time passes so quickly. In the blink of an eye, three years have gone by." As she spoke, she suddenly paused, raised her voice, and said to the other six disciples, "Do you all feel this too?"
The disciples of Big Bamboo Peak trembled in unison, immediately sitting up straight. "Yes!"
Su Ru let out a humph. "Now your youngest junior brother has grown up, yet you lot haven't shown the slightest bit of progress these three years. Are you trying to anger your master and me to death?"
None dared to speak, but all eyes turned to Song Daren. Urged on by his other junior brothers, Song Daren braced himself and said, "Don't worry, Shiniang. This time we will definitely make you proud!"
The words "I don't believe you" were plainly written on Su Ru's face. Just as she was about to speak, Tian Buyi suddenly interjected, "Old Sixth."
Du Bishu started all over, looking up in surprise. "Master, you called me?"
Tian Buyi said indifferently, "These past few days, I've seen you dancing around with pots and pans in the kitchen during your leisure time. What's going on?"
Du Bishu's face reddened. He stammered, "Master, h-how did you see?"
Su Ru let out a surprised "Yi?" and said, "Bishu, what is it?"
Du Bishu hesitated for a long moment, then lowered his voice. "This disciple wanted to see if I could make those things move..."
Everyone immediately showed shock on their faces. The realm of "object manipulation" was the fundamental basis for cultivating magical treasures in the Qingyun Sect's Dao arts. It was unimaginable without reaching the fourth layer of the Jade Purity Realm in the Taiji Xuanqing Dao.
Tian Buyi nodded. There was little expression on his face, but a hint of joy flashed through his eyes. "How did it go?"
Du Bishu lowered his voice. "It seems... it seems to have moved a little."
"Wow!" The crowd burst into an uproar, all pleasantly surprised. Fifth Brother Lu Daxin, sitting beside him, heavily patted his shoulder, his face full of smiles. Su Ru across from him was also beaming with joy. "Good kid, I didn't expect you to make us proud. When did this happen?"
Infected by everyone's mood, Du Bishu relaxed as well. "It was recently. A few days ago, while cultivating in my room, I suddenly noticed that under my willpower, the water cup on the table moved slightly. I wondered if I had broken through the third layer." At this point, he smiled rather embarrassedly and continued, "But this disciple wasn't confident and didn't dare believe it, so I tested it often. I didn't expect Master to discover it."
Tian Buyi smiled. "It is exactly so. Between the fourth and third layers of the Jade Purity Realm, although the effects are worlds apart, there isn't any obvious abnormality when one first achieves it. You have always been clever. Though you entered the sect late, I didn't expect you would surpass your seniors."
Everyone laughed and offered their congratulations. In the midst of this, Tian Ling'er interjected, "Sixth Senior Brother, have you decided what magical treasure to cultivate?"
Du Bishu was taken aback. "No, I only just confirmed from Master that I've reached the fourth layer. I haven't had time to think about it yet."
Su Ru smiled. "There's no rush. Take your time these next few days. But you all know your master's temper—he has never forced you to cultivate immortal swords. Whatever you like, once you've decided, go look for materials."
Zhang Xiaofan watched from the side, extremely envious. Seeing Sixth Senior Brother grinning from ear to ear, he then heard Tian Buyi say, "Old Sixth."
Du Bishu quickly replied, "Master."
Tian Buyi said, "According to the old rules of our Qingyun Sect, disciples who have cultivated to the fourth layer of the Taiji Xuanqing Dao must descend the mountain to travel the world, and at the same time search for excellent materials and spiritual objects to refine their magical treasures. As for whether you can obtain a divine object that gathers the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, that depends on your own fate and fortune. Prepare yourself; go down the mountain in the next few days."
Du Bishu was stunned for a moment. There was some reluctance in his eyes, but also some joy. He lowered his voice. "Yes." Then he remembered something and said, "But Master, the meals here have always been this disciple's responsibility. After I leave..."
Lu Daxin beside him laughed heartily. "What are you afraid of? Before you entered the sect, didn't we still have me? Don't worry, no one will starve."
Du Bishu and the rest broke into laughter. Only Tian Ling'er smiled from the side. "Fifth Senior Brother, how can you even say that? The food you cooked when I was little gave me nightmares!"
Lu Daxin's face reddened. The crowd burst into hearty laughter. When the laughter subsided somewhat, Tian Buyi said indifferently, "In the future, have Old Seventh take care of the kitchen."
Everyone was startled. Lu Daxin said in surprise, "Master, our junior brother is still young..."
Tian Buyi glanced sideways at Zhang Xiaofan. Zhang Xiaofan quickly said, "Master, don't worry. I often helped Sixth Senior Brother in the kitchen. I know how to do it."
Tian Buyi nodded and said no more. With a wave of his hand: "Eat!"
※※※
Three days later, Du Bishu finished packing. After clearly handing over all matters in the kitchen, he went down the mountain. Over the past three years, among all the senior brothers, Du Bishu had been the youngest in age and the liveliest in temperament,
Zhang Xiaofan had been the closest to him. Now that he was leaving, Zhang Xiaofan felt quite reluctant, feeling that Big Bamboo Peak had instantly become a few degrees lonelier.
Afterward, Zhang Xiaofan began his second "assignment" in the Qingyun Sect—cooking.
That day was his first time formally cooking rice and stir-frying dishes. He busied himself alone in the kitchen for an entire morning—washing rice, cleaning vegetables, happily occupied without noticing the time. Before he knew it, it was noon. Tian Buyi and the others walked into the dining hall. They saw that the table was already set with food as usual. Zhang Xiaofan sat at the end of the table, hands clasped, trembling with anxiety. Anyone could sense his nervousness.
Everyone sat down. Tian Buyi said nothing, but Su Ru glanced at Zhang Xiaofan, a slight smile appearing on her face. "Xiaofan, how do you feel cooking for the first time?"
Zhang Xiaofan opened his mouth but couldn't think of what to say. Tian Buyi let out a humph. "Eat." The disciples responded and raised their chopsticks to pick up food, putting it in their mouths.
In the dining hall, there was a deathly silence.
Zhang Xiaofan was so nervous his heart nearly leaped into his throat. Cold sweat poured from his forehead. He lowered his voice. "Master, Senior Brothers, I... I didn't do well. You... you all..."
"Wow, it's really delicious!" Tian Ling'er suddenly cried out in delight, unable to resist picking up another slice of bamboo shoot and putting it in her mouth. Zhang Xiaofan was stunned. He saw that every senior brother was smiling from ear to ear, nodding continuously, wielding their chopsticks like the wind and full of praise.
"I didn't expect Little Junior Brother to have such a skill. Impressive, impressive!"
"Mmph (muffled), better than Fifth, no, better than Fifth and Sixth combined, hehe!"
Even Tian Buyi picked up a few more helpings at this point, nodding with a bit more smile in his eyes. Zhang Xiaofan saw this and felt a wave of satisfaction.
From then on, Zhang Xiaofan continued working in the kitchen. He had yet to show any talent in Dao cultivation, but he actually possessed quite a gift for cooking. His skills were self-taught without a teacher, and the dishes he made were fresh and delicious, far surpassing those of others. And in his heart, as long as Tian Buyi nodded slightly in approval, it was already the greatest joy.
Time passed swiftly, and another half year went by. The "Seven Peaks Tournament," held once every sixty years in the Qingyun Sect, was drawing nearer. Not only Su Ru, but even Tian Buyi began urging his disciples. Everyone focused on cultivating the Dao. Only no one came to disturb Zhang Xiaofan—after all, no one had any expectations of him anyway.
As for Zhang Xiaofan, he didn't mind. Busy in the kitchen every day, he actually gained a bit of happiness from these pots and pans. During his free time, he would cultivate Dao techniques on his own, and late every night he would practice the "Great Brahman Prajna." His days passed quite peacefully.
During this time, the gray monkey he had brought back from the secluded valley had lived with him for half a year. The bond between man and monkey had grown quite close, and Zhang Xiaofan had even given it a name—Xiao Hui. The name was just like his own: plain and ordinary, nothing eye-catching.
Ever since he began working in the kitchen, Xiao Hui had taken advantage of its favorable position, often following him to the kitchen, grabbing a slice of bamboo shoot here, a piece of fruit there, stealing food all day long. After half a year, it had actual-
ly grown a good deal plumper. However, on Big Bamboo Peak, the monkey Xiao Hui still had one nemesis: the big yellow dog Tian Buyi had raised from childhood—Da Huang.
For some unknown reason, the yellow dog Da Huang had never taken kindly to this monkey. In the beginning, every time it saw Xiao Hui it would bark madly without end, frightening Xiao Hui into scrambling to higher ground. As time went on, it finally reluctantly acknowledged Xiao Hui as a member of Big Bamboo Peak, but every time they met, it would bare its teeth and make vicious faces. Every time, once Xiao Hui was frightened into squeaking "zhi zhi," Da Huang would bark "wang wang wang" a few times, raise its head high, wag its tail, and walk away.
Autumn passed and winter came. The weather on Big Bamboo Peak gradually turned cold. Except for Tian Buyi and his wife, whose profound cultivation made them long unafraid of ordinary temperatures, the other disciples slowly began adding layers of clothing.
One day, the sun on Big Bamboo Peak was unseasonably warm and gentle. Zhang Xiaofan finished his kitchen duties, walked out, stretched, then sat down beside a pine tree outside the house. Leaning against the trunk, he closed his eyes and comfortably enjoyed the sunlight.
After sitting for a while, just as he was growing drowsy and about to fall asleep, Zhang Xiaofan suddenly heard several dog barks from up ahead. Opening his eyes, he saw Da Huang also sprawled lazily on the ground up front, basking in the sun. But Xiao Hui was slowly creeping toward Da Huang from behind, step by step.
Zhang Xiaofan was greatly surprised. Da Huang often ran into the kitchen to eat on ordinary days and had grown familiar with him as well, so he knew the relationship between this monkey and dog better than anyone. He never expected that today the sun seemed to be rising from the west—Xiao Hui was actually approaching Da Huang of its own accord! Zhang Xiaofan immediately perked up and stared fixedly ahead.
He watched as Xiao Hui quickly approached Da Huang. Although Da Huang couldn't see what was behind it, its nose twitched and it immediately smelled something amiss behind it. Turning its head, it instantly opened its big mouth to reveal sharp teeth and barked "wang wang wang" several times in succession.
Xiao Hui shrank back, looking somewhat frightened. But the monkey's eyes rolled around a few times, and it raised its right hand, waving it in front of Da Huang.
At first, Da Huang didn't take it seriously and barked at Xiao Hui nonstop. Unexpectedly, a moment later its nose twitched a few times, as if it had smelled something. Its two dog eyes immediately fixed on Xiao Hui's hand, unblinking and unmoving. It stopped barking, opened its mouth, and stuck out a long tongue. Even its tail began wagging nonstop to show friendliness.
Zhang Xiaofan was exceedingly surprised. Looking carefully, he couldn't help but laugh in spite of himself. It turned out Xiao Hui was holding a meat bone in its hand, its fragrance wafting in all directions. Even from far away, he could faintly smell it. This was something he had intended to use for soup. Knowing that Da Huang loved this sort of thing the most, he had specially sealed it and placed it in a high spot after cooking. He hadn't expected Xiao Hui to have stolen a piece at some point and run over to get close to Da Huang.
Right then, Xiao Hui shook it a couple of times and tossed the meat bone in front of Da Huang. Da Huang's mouth had long since watered. It immediately opened its mouth and bit down on the bone, gnawing loudly nonstop.
Xiao Hui watched Da Huang's appearance, squeaked "zhi zhi" twice, and cautiously approached. Hesitating for a moment, it reached out its hand to touch Da Huang's head.
Da Huang suddenly let out a low bark. Xiao Hui hurriedly withdrew its hand. But before long, unable to resist, it reached out toward Da Huang's head again. This time, Da Huang didn't react; it was only busy gnawing the bone. Xiao Hui placed its hand on Da Huang's head, gently stroking Da Huang's bright, soft yellow fur. Da Huang actually seemed to find it quite comfortable. It shrank back a bit and let out a low sound, but there was no hostility whatsoever.
Xiao Hui's courage grew a bit. Chuckling and squeaking twice, it began rummaging through Da Huang's fur, as if looking for fleas. In the midst of this, Da Huang turned its head and actually licked Xiao Hui with its tongue. In an instant, this monkey and dog had become intimate; their relationship changed faster than anything.
Zhang Xiaofan watched dumbstruck, thinking that this Xiao Hui was truly clever. However, it seemed that from now on, he would have to hide the meat bones even more securely.
Just as he was thinking this, a sudden ripping sound rang out from overhead. Two streaks of white light sped in from the west. Da Huang seemed startled and barked loudly at the white light. Xiao Hui reached out and patted its head a couple of times, as if comforting it. Unexpectedly, this was quite effective—Da Huang immediately quieted down.
Zhang Xiaofan watched as the two streaks of white light landed before the main hall, the "Tranquility Hall." After a flash of light, two figures appeared. One was tall and stood with elegant poise, unrestrained and extraordinary, white clothes fluttering in the wind—exceptionally handsome.
The other was a youth, somewhat shorter than him, about fifteen or sixteen years old.
Zhang Xiaofan suddenly held his breath. A trace of once-forgotten sorrow slowly welled up from the depths of his heart, because of that somewhat lonely-looking figure from behind!
"Jingyu?" He stood up, his voice growing hoarse, and called out.
The youth's body trembled. He immediately turned around, eyes wide and mouth agape, as if wanting to say something. But in the end, thousands of words ultimately condensed into just two words:
"Xiaofan!"