Lin Wanhua opened her palm, revealing a fragment of a green gourd and a golden gourd seed.
"Ah?"
Lin Zhao recognized them almost at a glance and frowned, "Old Daoist Wang's?"
"Mm."
Lin Wanhua smiled and nodded. "Before he left, he asked me to give these to you. He repeatedly entrusted me, saying this green gourd is a world treasure. Its original owner was a Sword Saint named Pei. This gourd fragment contains a wisp of that Pei Sword Saint's sword intent. The old Daoist wants you to refine the gourd fragment in your spiritual ruins to slowly nurture this wisp of sword intent. As for the gourd seed..."
She smiled faintly. "It's the only seed taken from the pulp of the green gourd. The old Daoist has been wandering for years without a fixed abode, so he hasn't planted it. He said it's fated to be with your Mountain Peak Villa. This gourd seed is a gift to you. As for where to plant it..."
Lin Wanhua turned and glanced at the green treasure cauldron, which originally belonged to Zhao Suiguang of the Twelfth Realm. Now, garlic and scallions were planted in it. She pursed her red lips and smiled, "I think you know the best place to plant it, right?"
"Got it, got it."
Lin Zhao accepted both treasures with a smile. "Miss Lin, I still want to boldly ask, what's the story behind the gourd grown from this seed? Or rather, what's its use and how should I use it?"
"You don't even know this?"
Lin Wanhua was somewhat speechless. "This gourd seed is extremely precious. The gourd grown from it can be called an 'Immortal's Gourd'. Firstly, this Immortal's Gourd can be used to store fine wine. Secondly, you can nurture more flying swords within the gourd beyond your own limits. It has long been said that Sword Immortals nurture swords in gourds, haven't you heard?"
"I've heard a little."
Lin Zhao was a bit embarrassed and smiled, "If that's the case, can I carry an Immortal's Gourd in the future?"
"What do you think?"
Lin Wanhua's smile was playful. "A dignified White-Robed Sword Immortal, wouldn't it be too undignified to not have an Immortal's Gourd hanging at your waist?"
"Got it!"
Lin Zhao clapped his hands and smiled. "I will plant it well. When it yields an Immortal's Gourd in the future, the first one will be reserved for Miss Lin!"
"No need."
Lin Wanhua chuckled. "I am a Sword Cultivator of the Thirteenth Realm. My own sword lake and spiritual ruins are sufficient to nurture sufficiently strong flying swords. I don't need external aids. The old Daoist Wang hangs an Immortal's Gourd at his waist because he is a strategist, a Daoist, and a rhetorician, but not a Sword Cultivator. Therefore, he can only nurture thirty-six flying swords in the Immortal's Gourd. This is a practical solution. As for you... your realm is low. It's up to you. You can use the Immortal's Gourd however you wish. So, no need to reserve one for me. If there are extras, I can give one to Tong Yu."
"I know."
Lin Zhao said, "Tong Yu is the most outstanding Sword Immortal embryo among the younger generation at our Mountain Peak Villa. I would have saved one for her even if you hadn't mentioned it."
"Mm."
Lin Wanhua's dimples showed as she smiled. "Alright, I'm going to find Tong Yu and talk to her about cultivating the Thirty-Six Swords of Strategy and Rhetoric, so she doesn't go down the wrong path and waste her time."
"Okay."
Lin Zhao nodded with a smile.
...
Lin Wanhua went up the mountain to find Tong Yu. Tong Yu was refining swords on the peak. Their sword lessons mostly took place on the peak, with no fear of someone stealing their techniques, nor anyone attempting to do so.
Lin Zhao began to get busy. He called Dongcang, brought out some flower pots, and transferred the scallions and garlic from the green treasure cauldron. Afterward, Lin Zhao dug out some nutrient-rich silt from the edge of the lotus pond and filled the bottom of the green treasure cauldron. He then covered it with a layer of green soil, and lightly planted the gourd seed, followed by watering.
After placing the treasure cauldron properly, Lin Zhao proudly squatted beside it, looking for a long time, wishing it would sprout and flower immediately. After thinking for a while, he decided to be prepared for the future. He found the branches of the Eleventh Realm Pear Demon and skillfully built a trellis for the gourd seed, making preparations in advance. After all, if hundreds of Immortal's Gourds were to yield in the future, an ordinary wooden trellis wouldn't be able to bear the load.
Just as he was admiring his work with his arms akimbo, standing leisurely in front of the green treasure cauldron, someone arrived from afar. Tang Guangjun, in a short shirt and with a long sword on his back, clasped his fists and said, "Mountain Master, Sword Immortal Xie Yiying and her disciple from the Lingyan Sword Sect in Furong Prefecture seek an audience!"
"Ah?!"
Lin Zhao was taken aback and hurried forward. Indeed, Xie Yiying stood on the stone steps of the mountain path, holding her long sword, with Chen Mengjun, dressed in a green dress, beside her. Lin Zhao had actually seen Chen Mengjun at the Nine Nether Dragon Court before, but he hadn't had the time to catch up. However, he was very worried about her. The lowest realm of the five great cultivators from the three tribes who besieged the reincarnation of the true dragon was the Eleventh Realm, so Chen Mengjun was the weakest in terms of combat power among them. Lin Zhao was quite concerned about her safety.
Now, seeing Chen Mengjun standing gracefully before him, he finally felt relieved.
"Go."
Lin Zhao waved his hand, signaling Tang Guangjun to leave.
The scruffy man respectfully clasped his fists, turned, and left on his sword. In fact, he wanted to listen in a bit longer, to hear the Mountain Master's stories from the martial world. Unfortunately, he dared not. He even dared not use any means to eavesdrop. He shamefacedly returned to the south gate of the town to guard the gate.
"Lin Zhao greets Sword Immortal Xie!"
Lin Zhao respectfully clasped his fists and smiled. "Sword Immortal Xie, please come in. Dongcang, serve tea!"
Xie Yiying smiled and nodded. Seeing that Lin Zhao had such a grand establishment, she felt quite at ease. A disciple of the Confucian Saint Qin Suihan was indeed extraordinary. Of course, even before, Xie Yiying had wanted to visit Mountain Peak Villa, but it felt a bit presumptuous. However, she had to come, as her precious disciple truly wanted to see him.
Lin Zhao looked at Chen Mengjun.
Instantly, Chen Mengjun's pretty face flushed crimson. She lowered her head, not daring to look at him.
"Mengjun, why are you still so shy?"
Lin Zhao smiled. "Come, try the aroma of the tea from our Mountain Peak Villa."
"Oh..."
Chen Mengjun responded softly.
In the living room, Xie Yiying sat upright and said, "The situation of the true dragon's reincarnation was extremely perilous. Fortunately, my disciple and I managed to return alive, which was no easy feat. Lin Zhao, under such critical circumstances, you still dared to use strategist talismans to attack Qi Lian Dao. It's truly admirable, worthy of being a disciple of the Confucian Saint Qin Suihan."
These polite words were somewhat unbearable.
Lin Zhao's scalp tingled. "Sword Immortal Xie praises me too highly. It is Sword Immortal Xie and Mengjun who dared to draw swords against Qi Lian Dao of the Fourteenth Realm that is truly admirable. I merely employed some clever tactics and took a less conventional approach."
Xie Yiying chuckled and sipped her tea.
Lin Zhao brewed a cup of tea and handed it to Chen Mengjun. "Are you alright? I was sent away by Old Daoist Wang early on, and I didn't know what was happening in the Nine Nether Dragon Court afterward, but it looked extremely dangerous."
"I'm fine."
Chen Mengjun pursed her red lips, raised her head, and her beautiful eyes looked at Lin Zhao. "Senior Wang saved my life."
"Is that so..."
Lin Zhao rubbed his hands together and smiled. "The old Daoist has been freeloading and drinking at my place for many days, consuming much of my excellent Ting River wine. Now that he has done many things that benefit the human world, he hasn't drunk the wine in vain!"
Chen Mengjun's pretty face flushed slightly. "Lin Zhao, thank you..."
"Thank me for what?"
Lin Zhao smiled. "Just thank Old Daoist Wang. No need to thank me. Actually, I didn't do much. My realm is too low. A mere Nascent Soul Sword Cultivator is not even strong enough to tickle Qi Lian Dao or Tan Xin."
Xie Yiying and Chen Mengjun chuckled together.
After drinking tea, Lin Zhao stood up and led the two Sword Immortals from the Lingyan Sword Sect on a tour of Mountain Peak Villa. After walking around the mountain, Xie Yiying clasped her sword and said, "Alright, we should be returning to Furong Prefecture."
"Ah?"
Lin Zhao was surprised. "Aren't you staying for dinner? I've already instructed Dongcang to cook more delicious food."
"We won't impose."
Xie Yiying smiled. "We were just passing by this time to see you. Next time we come to visit properly, we will definitely eat for three days and three nights."
"Okay!"
Lin Zhao smiled. "Then Lin Zhao will await you both at the Snow Domain Heavenly Pond."
"Mm."
Xie Yiying and Chen Mengjun rose into the air on their swords. Lin Zhao stood on the mountain path and clasped his fists. "Sword Immortal Xie, farewell! Mengjun, be more open, don't always be so shy. Break through your mental barrier first, then break through the True Return Realm!"
Xie Yiying looked at her precious disciple meaningfully.
For a moment, Chen Mengjun's pretty face was filled with a deep blush. "Then I'm leaving?"
"Mm, see you in the martial world!"
The two turned into two streaks of sword light and left. Lin Zhao then turned back to the Natural Dwelling. It was time to refine and nurture that green gourd fragment.
...
On the way back.
Xie Yiying's lips curved into a smile. As she flew on her sword, she looked at her precious disciple beside her and said with a smile, "Mengjun, looking at him again now, how do you find Lin Zhao?"
"He's very good..." Chen Mengjun's voice was very soft.
"Indeed, he is very good."
Xie Yiying said, "In terms of human righteousness, Lin Zhao is worthy of the title of Confucian Saint's disciple. However... for your state of mind, Lin Zhao is like a heart demon. Master can see that Lin Zhao only regards you as a very good friend in the martial world, but not as the person he truly likes. Therefore, Mengjun, why bother with unrequited love?"
"Master..."
Chen Mengjun's delicate eyebrows furrowed. "How can Master see these things?"
"Isn't it simple?"
Xie Yiying said gently, "When drinking tea, you were a bit flustered, and your state of mind clearly changed. It's likely you felt Lin Zhao was being too formal with you, and being so distant would make one feel estranged. So, at that time, even though you concealed it, you couldn't escape Master's eyes. You were already a bit unhappy. Why didn't that Lin Zhao kid notice at all?"
She frowned. "If a man truly cared about you, he would notice your every smile and frown. Therefore, Master thinks Lin Zhao is good, but not suitable as a companion. This boy's heart is filled with the entire world, filled with human righteousness. When it comes to romantic love, he is not adept."
Chen Mengjun bit her red lips. "If that's the case, I will never regret it. He carries the world and righteousness in his heart, and I carry him in mine. Isn't that also a good thing?"
"Silly girl..."
Xie Yiying was speechless and stopped trying to persuade her. She couldn't persuade her anyway. After all, wasn't she the same in the past? Her heart had always been filled with the later renowned Confucian Saint.
...
Natural Dwelling.
Lin Zhao sat cross-legged and cultivated, gradually refining a gourd fragment.
He frowned. Chen Mengjun seemed a bit displeased when they were drinking tea earlier. Could it be that she was unhappy with the tea at their Natural Dwelling? So, he looked up and said, "Dongcang, was the boiling water used for the tea today leftover water?"
"..."
Dongcang, who was drawing water by the lake and well, stood straight, looking wronged. "No..."