Chapter Five, Day after Day.

Zhongzi Dao: "Why is the Suanni not afraid and still dares to bite me?" She has already learned the name of the monster

It is no wonder that it was misunderstood; just now, that intense malevolence could even lead him to mistakenly believe it was from the demon clan. It seems that out of fear, she instinctively wanted to resist, which is why she caused the misunderstanding with the Suan Ni, nearly losing her life.

Luo Yinfan nodded in silence

As she ventured deeper into the bamboo grove, Chongzi felt a sense of ennui. Noticing that the sky was growing dark, she realized that if she continued further, she would lose sight of the path. Thus, she turned around, intending to return.

Immortals exist to save all living beings; otherwise, how could they be worthy of standing in high places

So this is how the young apprentice lived before? Luo Yinfan raised her hand to signal her to come closer

The longed-for embrace, comfortable and reassuring, capable of shielding her from the wind and the cold. For the first time, Chongzi lay inside, as if in a dream, her small hands tightly grasping his garment, her eyes not daring to blink, fearing that she might wake up.

Luo Yinfan said: "Then he is not a Sword Immortal, but a Curse Immortal. Among those who escorted the Reverse Wheel Sword back in the day, besides the Qinghua Palace and our Nanhua Sect, there were also disciples from the Changsheng Palace and other Curse Immortal sects. What he left on you should be an immortal curse."

It was for this reason that Luo Yinfan finally understood the true cause of his little disciple's mischief, leaving him momentarily stunned

Zhongzi smiled and hurriedly asked, "What about my master?"

Look at that water, it seems to lead to the mountains behind

Mu Yu, he is indeed quite rare, having attained the immortal bone three years ago at the age of only twenty-five, which is why Master Min is so proud.

The cool breeze passes through the bamboo, and the sound of bamboo echoes across the mountains, a sound akin to celestial music

Mu Yu is quite amiable, and whenever there is a matter, Chong Zi always secretly seeks help from this gentle senior master.

Upon thinking of this, Luo Yinfan felt somewhat at ease and gently patted her on the back

There is nothing behind me

Chongzi cried for a long time before wiping her eyes and asking, "Why has the spell given to me by the immortal brother stopped working?"

A stranger has arrived at Zizhu Peak? The monster also felt puzzled, scrutinizing her for a while, gradually relaxing its guard, letting out a low growl twice, and slowly standing up to walk towards her

The master possesses celestial bones, which is why he appears so young and handsome. Without celestial bones myself, does that not mean I will grow old? Looking at Xing Xuan with his head full of white hair, a vivid image immediately surfaced in the mind of the young girl in purple—an elderly woman with white hair, appearing to be seventy-two years old, standing beside a twenty-two-year-old Luo Yin Fan

Zhong Zi gazed at the stars for half a day, and suddenly, with a face full of disappointment, said: "Master, these fish are all afraid of me and do not dare to come out"

Xing Xuan took a sip from the wine gourd, looking even more dejected: "Your master was one of the earliest among us, and also the earliest in the history of Nanhua... He is likely the earliest in the immortal sect as well, having attained the immortal bone at the age of 22"

They do not like the little beggar

I will definitely not make any noise

Zhongzi cannot understand any of this, she only knows that her master would not lie. The immortal spell has failed, and that immortal brother must have died as well. Thinking of this, she feels even more distressed and cannot help but cry again

All things are born out of responsibility; once a person departs from responsibility, they can no longer be called a human. If deities abandon responsibility, they can no longer be referred to as deities

This statement is very effective for Luo Yinfan. As for others' disciples, his disciples can certainly do the same. Gradually, he no longer opposed it and naturally allowed the young disciple to serve him

Feeling threatened, Zhong Zi was so frightened that she kept retreating, shouting: "Master! Master, come quickly!"

After several hundred years of tranquility, a little follower suddenly appeared by my side. In fact, this has not had a significant impact on Luo Yinfan. The little disciple is very sensible and will never make a fuss while I am handling affairs

Seeing the small face in her arms full of grievance, with big eyes nearly swollen shut, Luo Yinfan felt secretly ashamed. As a master, it was one thing not to teach the art of immortality, but to leave her disciple outside without care or concern was indeed a dereliction of duty.

It was a gigantic monster, quadrupedal, resembling a lion in appearance, yet upon closer inspection, it was not a lion. It appeared somewhat ferocious, its body towering more than twice the height of a typical lion. At that moment, it was crouched on its forelimbs, adopting a defensive posture, ready to attack at any moment

Unfortunately, he quickly retracted that faint smile with a hint of stinginess, returning to his usual indifferent demeanor: "You have a natural aura of misfortune, so I cannot teach you the arts for the time being."

With a heavy heart and a tingling nose, I lowered my head

Taking advantage of his rest, Chongzi climbed onto his chair and seriously picked up a pen to imitate his writing.

The cries were truly tragic, but the little apprentice was exceedingly mischievous, nearly causing a serious incident. It was necessary to teach him a lesson. Luo Yinfan steeled her heart and said: "Since you are afraid, why do you still run around recklessly?"

If it can make the master laugh, Chongzi is still very happy: "Then when will the master teach me?"

Is this person no longer here? Chongzi lost her voice: "He is gone?"

For some reason, looking at these faint scars, Luo Yinfan felt a twinge of heartache: "Did they hit you?"

Chongzi could not help but reach out to touch it, to feel its reality

Given her special identity, Xing Xuan is somewhat sensitive: "Has your master taught you any immortal techniques?"

Luo Yinfan looked at the little disciple in his arms, feeling both helpless and angry: "Have you forgotten what I said? Being so naughty, when we return, I must confine you to your room and have you reflect on your misdeeds facing the wall"

... ...

The lion-like creature has become quiet, crouching beside him like a small dog, curiously gazing at the little person in his arms

Zhong Zi stared blankly at those eyes. Suddenly, he asked: "Does Master do that too?"

She absolutely does not want to become an old woman following her master! Chongzi clenched her fist: "I will definitely attain the immortal bone before the age of 20!" As soon as the words were spoken, she felt a lack of confidence, so her voice became a bit softer: "At least like my master, at 22!" After a pause, her voice became even softer: "Of course... 25 would be fine too."

The lion-like creature obediently stood up and returned to the depths of the bamboo forest

Zhong Zi's entire body was stiff, remaining in one position and not daring to turn around for a long time. This is actually a normal reaction for children, just as they fear the dark and do not dare to look back while walking at night, fearing to see something they should not see. However, even when Zhong Zi was a lonely little beggar, he had never experienced such a terrifying feeling.

The voice has not yet shed its childishness, yet the tone conveys a firmness akin to that of an adult

An inexplicable fear rises in my heart, like newly sprouted buds, taking root within, continuously growing and spreading

I do not wish to harm anyone

Zhongzi shook her head

Are you dazzled? Chongzi quietly comforted herself, deciding not to pay attention. She took a deep breath, suppressing her pounding heartbeat, and her body slowly turned away in accordance with her line of sight

A white shadow flashed by

Chongzi jumped up from the ground: "I want to cultivate the immortal bone, I want to cultivate the immortal bone before I turn twenty!"

The cries gradually diminished, and Chongzi raised her face while sobbing.

The familiar face remains beautifully indifferent, yet she is in his arms

Luo Yinfan was momentarily taken aback, rendered speechless by this twisted reasoning, feeling both amused and exasperated, yet somewhat touched in her heart, unable to resist the slight curve of her lips.

Luo Yinfan immediately pulled her down from her seat: "No nonsense allowed"

In addition to Zizhu Peak, another favored place on Nanhua Mountain is Tianji Peak. For the cheerful old man with a white beard who is over seventy, children are always particularly drawn to him. Moreover, the Tianji Master is very casual with his disciples, making him the most beloved immortal among the residents of Nanhua Mountain

The young apprentice knows gratitude, and Luo Yinfan immediately seizes the opportunity to guide her, holding her small hands: "Zhong'er! Zhong'er! Disciples of the Immortal Sect take it upon themselves to protect all living beings; what fear is there in death? A mere body can save more lives, what is there to hesitate about? With a heart for all beings, to fight and die against the demon clan should be without regret; what sorrow is there in death? Moreover, mortals also grow old and die; their reincarnation is like a dream, while disciples of the Immortal Sect merely fall into a long slumber, so what is there to be sad about?"

Luo Yinfan shook his head: "You were born with a malevolent aura, it is not your fault." After a moment of hesitation, he insincerely comforted, "As long as you harbor good intentions and do not commit evil deeds, you can suppress it. One day, it may disappear, and the Suan Ni will no longer bite you."

Only taught the method of breathing exercises

A faint tone carried a hint of urgency that was more pronounced than usual, and Zhong Zi immediately opened her eyes. Upon seeing the familiar face before her, it took her a while to regain her composure, and she stammered, "Master"

Luo Yinfan held her, gracefully landing on the ground: "Chong'er! Chong'er!"

Luo Yinfan nodded

Who is it?

There seems to be something behind.

No wonder the master looks so young; it turns out he has always maintained the appearance of when he was twenty-two! Chongzi blinked, not particularly surprised by Luoyin Fan's success, for in her eyes, the master was naturally the best and the most formidable.

On the second day, early in the morning, Luo Yinfan had just gotten out of bed and was preparing to go to the hall. Sure enough, she saw Chongzi waiting outside the hall, obedient and tidy. She followed him into the hall, diligently helping him grind ink and lay out paper, serving tea and water, appearing quite pleased.

Xing Xuan also learned to extend two fingers and shake them

She giggled while holding onto the back of the chair without letting go

Luo Yinfan seemed to understand her thoughts: "Master is not so easily perishable, but if it must come to that, he would never hesitate to sacrifice his life. Master only hopes that you can be like that immortal, not forgetting your responsibilities out of fear of death. Whatever you do, you must prioritize others and consider the well-being of all living beings. This is what makes a good disciple of Master, do you understand?"

The pink little face exudes innocence, and the sparkling big eyes are full of mischief. Luo Yinfan, feeling both helpless and amused, begins to wonder if other people's disciples also act this way to be cute

Once a person is idle, time seems to pass exceptionally slowly. Zhong Zi finally understands what it means to live a day like a year. When he was a little beggar, at least he was still troubled by food every day. Now, even eating has been eliminated. The method of breathing and meditation has become quite familiar, and there is almost nothing else to do. Besides sleeping, all that is left is to daydream.

Now I finally understand why the senior brothers are so protective of their disciples. The young disciple is not only adorable but also inherently kind-hearted. Even if he carries a hint of malice, he is still just an ordinary child seeking protection. If it were not for the insistence of the senior brothers and uncles to intervene, he would have devoted himself to teaching her the art of immortality. Such a young child, who knows how much bullying he has endured, is now unable to practice the art of immortality like the other senior brothers due to prejudice. How can a master not feel guilty about this?

After more than half a year, Chongzi has already learned not to confuse the Twelve Peaks of Nanhua. Apart from the instructions from Luo Yinfan, she rarely goes down from Zizhu Peak to play, as she prefers to accompany her master. Of course, Luo Yinfan occasionally consults with Min Yunchong and Yu Du on various matters, often bringing her along. However, she has a vague sense that Min Yunchong does not like her, and with Wen Lingzhi constantly making sarcastic remarks and difficulties, after several encounters, Chongzi began to avoid them.

At any time, the master is so beautiful, and this moment is undoubtedly the most beautiful time, sacred and solemn, with gentle eyes that are even more beautiful and captivating than starlight

At the moment of lowering my head, I clearly caught a glimpse of a dark shadow passing by in the corner of my eye

At dusk, Chongzi walked upstream along the waters of the Four Seas, eager to see what lay ahead. However, she soon felt disappointed, as behind the mountains was yet another vast expanse of bamboo forest, only denser and more lush, blocking out the sky and sun. The clouds beneath her feet were thicker, rising like steam, resembling scattered cotton drifting through the air. The ground was extremely uneven, making it difficult to walk.

With her chin resting on her hand, she stared blankly for a while, and then suddenly spoke: "Master, I once encountered a celestial being like you, dressed in white. " She blinked her eyes, reminiscing as she recounted the events of that year: "He cast a spell on me, so that if anyone tried to harm me, they would be sent flying. But later, it stopped working.

As long as there is no noise, it is acceptable

Meanwhile, the monster seemed to sense something unusual, its footsteps suddenly halted, the fur on its neck and head stood on end, its eyes abruptly gleamed with ferocity, and with a roar, it lunged towards her.

Is it going to eat itself! Chongzi clenched her fists tightly

Is that death? Do even immortals die

Zhong Zi thought for a moment: "It seems like... it's been two years."

Like flowers slowly blooming, infusing the earth with the hope of life; like a ray of light breaking through the night, surpassing the brilliance of a starry sky

The summer night scenery of the Chonghua Palace is the most beautiful. In the past, I would sit quietly alone, but this year, there is someone to share the view with, and it feels quite nice. Luo Yinfan gazed at the quiet little figure by the water, and a hint of warmth inevitably appeared in her eyes

Zhongzi was unwilling, and spoke with conviction: "Senior brothers, they all ... ... "

Despite causing trouble several times, she cannot bear to be punished too harshly. Her master truly treats her well, and no matter how thick-skinned she is, she absolutely cannot be mischievous and provoke his anger again

Tianji Place sounds quite grand, but in reality, it is merely a few rock caves, and it is far less elaborate than the Moyun Cave in Minyun.

The Way of the Transcendent: "Nature."

This is the first time Chongzi has seen him smile, a gentle smile, yet it is the most beautiful and the most difficult to describe in the world

Extremely beautiful, profoundly moving, and ethereally enchanting

As soon as the words fell, a shadow appeared before me

Chongzi was overjoyed and extended his hand as instructed

Good

Riding the sword and soaring with the wind, only the master and disciple remain between heaven and earth

Has Master Mu also attained celestial bones

As the esteemed Heavenly Secret Master, the child before him either spoke the truth or was aware of it, allowing Xing Xuan to feel at ease

Chongzi is a child, believing it to be true, and becomes happy: "Master, don't be afraid, I won't do anything bad."

... ...

He originally intended to comfort her, but unexpectedly, Zhongzi's big eyes sparkled with tears streaming down her face as she threw herself into his arms and began to cry. No one had ever spoken to her in such a manner, and she naturally believed that no matter what happened, her master would protect her, just as he had appeared suddenly during the last attack by the mountain guardian.

Old Master Xingxuan sighed with a frown: "Because my aptitude is somewhat lacking, the Master had already attained the immortal bone at the age of thirty-five, while I only achieved it at the age of seventy-two."

I want to follow the master every day, just like my senior brothers do

The little apprentice was busy running around, while an adult sat back and enjoyed the fruits of her labor. Luo Yinfan found this quite uncomfortable and took a moment to command her: "Go take a break."

Because he always ignores her, she tries every means to create trouble, yet she does not make any major mistakes, hoping to attract his attention. She deliberately accepts punishment, kneeling in the hall just to be with him

In theory, Luo Yinfan, who maintains the appearance of a twenty-two-year-old, should be younger than Mu Yu. However, that feeling, that gaze, makes her seem more like an elder than Mu Yu.

Xing Xuan's heart stirred, and he smiled, saying: "Alright, considering that you, this little girl, are being obedient, I will take a look for you. Extend your hand."

Luo Yinfan slightly frowned: "It is not about guarding the master, but about guarding Nanhua and protecting all living beings in the world"

The profound words of Chongzi resonate: "The common people have a master to protect them; by protecting my master, I am protecting them."

Did someone hit you

Zhong Zi nodded and suddenly said word by word: "I will definitely learn the immortal arts well, assist my master in dealing with the demon clan, and protect my master"

Thinking that the immortal elder brother might be dead, Chongzi began to feel sad again, rushing onto the stone bridge and continuing to lie down.

Gazing at those sparkling big eyes, Luo Yinfan fell silent for a moment, then raised a hand to point at the water of the Four Seas: "When the fish in the water no longer fear you, I shall teach you."

After repeated comparisons, Chongzi extended two fingers and shook them, saying: "My master is not just twenty-two years old."

Zizhu Peak is actually quite large, with bamboo forests at the foot of the mountain. I wonder what it is like behind the mountain

After a few months, Luo Yinfan noticed that the Chonghua Palace had become much livelier. No, it was not the palace itself, but rather his surroundings that had become much more animated. Every morning, as soon as he stepped outside, a clever little disciple would run over and call out "Master." While handling affairs, there were also people nearby pouring tea and grinding ink, so he no longer had to labor over spells.

"It is my oversight as a teacher. In the future, how the other senior brothers do things, you can also do the same, right?" The tone softened.

The small face gradually turned blue

Three parts tenderness, three parts indulgence

The incident caused a great stir and can be regarded as a major tragedy for the Immortal Sect. Luo Yinfan sighed softly: "Immortals naturally can be immortal, but two years ago, a significant upheaval occurred; the Sword of the Reverse Wheel was stolen, and the Demon Lord Wanjie emerged in the world. Not a single one of the three thousand disciples escorting the Sword of the Reverse Wheel returned unscathed." Seeing the confusion on Zhong Zi's face, he changed his question: "Do you remember what that immortal elder looked like?"

It feels as if being closely watched by a pair of eyes

When is it not effective

As long as I stay by his side, it matters not if I lack magical skills; who could possibly harm a disciple of Luo Yinfan?

Luo Yinfan fell silent for a moment and said: "With a master present, no one will bully you anymore"

... ...

The Suanni is an ancient divine beast, possessing spiritual sensitivity, tasked with guarding the mountains. It originally does not harm humans; it merely detects malevolent energy and, believing that you intend to harm it, instinctively attacks.

Zhongzi Dao: "Just like the master, they are very good-looking, dressed in white garments, all are the finest immortals"

Luoyin Fan gently patted its head

On a summer night, the starry sky is vast. The master and disciple are admiring the night by the waterside in front of the hall. Luo Yinfan sits upright, savoring tea, while Chongzi leans over the bridge, counting the stars reflected in the water

Chongzi clutched his collar, crying countless tears, and then sobbed, "Master never pays attention to me, Senior Brothers can all... can see Master, Wen Lingzhi can follow Master Min, I also want... to accompany Master"

Chongzi suddenly remembered something, and her eyes lit up: "Aren't you good at divination? Could you help me predict when I will attain the immortal bone?"

The long sword was drawn from its sheath, floating in mid-air, its blade shimmering with brilliance, reflecting the dark bamboo forest, rippling like autumn waters, as Luo Yinfan gently stepped onto it. The sword then slowly rose into the air, gliding above the waves of bamboo.

There has been no news for a long time

Chongzi gazed at the sea of clouds for a while, feeling increasingly bored. Suddenly, he noticed the water in front of the palace flowing and the mist moving, which piqued his interest. His master often said that the water from the four seas is extremely cold and is formed by the convergence of the water spirits from the dark currents at the bottom of the four seas. He wondered where its source might be

The master is always the youngest and most attractive! Chongzi is envious and suddenly thinks of a serious question: "Respected one, must one cultivate the immortal bone to achieve immortality?"

Xing Xuan looked at her and said: "Before the age of twenty, not to mention Nan Hua, there has been no such precedent in the entire realm of immortals."

Chongzi quickly got up from the ground and ran to his front

What remains is unclear

Two years ago? ... Could it be ... ... Luo Yinfan's expression gradually became serious, hesitating for a long time, ultimately not deceiving her: "There is no such person in the world anymore, so the spell will naturally be broken."

Chongzi felt her body lighten, as if she had left the ground

Zhongzi lay on the ground, propping up her chin: "The esteemed one is the junior brother of the sect leader and also the nephew of Master Min. How is it that he is older than both the sect leader and Master Min?"

The soles of my feet were trapped, and I fell heavily to the ground, watching helplessly as the monster lunged at me with its claws, unable to evade it, I closed my eyes in despair: "Master! Master!"

The expression remained unchanged, yet the tone carried a great deal of concern

Good

Luo Yinfan said: "Your malevolence is too strong, ordinary birds and beasts can easily sense it, which is why they are afraid"

The child could not clearly remember the appearance, and Luo Yinfan shook his head: "Does he carry a sword?"

Dressed in white garments cleaner than snow, trailing upon the ground like a cloud blanket, under the starlight, he sat there with an expression of indifference, increasingly exuding an air of detachment and serenity

Luo Yinfan raised her hand, rolled up her sleeve, and indeed saw many scars on that small arm; the child was growing quickly, and the scars had already faded significantly.

May I enter the hall to accompany my master

With a pale face tinged with deep purple, she suddenly burst into tears, exclaiming "Wow".

There is truly nothing much; after all, a heart that has been heavy with longing has finally found its place. Yet, I do not dare to linger for long and quickly walk away.

Of course, children still have their mischievous moments

Seeing that she was unharmed, Luo Yinfan let out a sigh of relief, but then his handsome face darkened. This mischievous little disciple had rarely behaved properly for two days, and now had caused trouble again. If he had not heard the call of the mountain guardian Suan Ni and rushed over in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable