Not long after, the green-robed painter completed a landscape ink painting. As if sensing the onlookers, he turned around, his umbrella still on his back, and faced Lin Zhao. He bowed with a smile, "This humble work of mine has soiled the eyes of this young friend from the martial world. I am truly ashamed. I am Wu Yuanzi, a painter. May I ask who this young brother is?"
"Just a wandering swordsman."
Lin Zhao cupped his fist lightly and smiled, "Mr. Wu, your painting is truly a masterpiece. To capture the essence of the heavens and earth with ink, how can this be called humble work? It is clearly a superior creation that rivals nature itself."
Wu Yuanzi chuckled sheepishly, "Not at all, not at all..."
As he spoke, Wu Yuanzi noticed Lin Zhao standing on a single reed stalk, yet managing to travel far on the shimmering River Xianning. Such cultivation! The thought struck Wu Yuanzi, and his demeanor became even more respectful. "Young friend Lin Zhao, if you are inclined, why not come aboard and drift down the river together? I shall paint, and you shall admire the scenery. We can keep each other company on this thousand-li journey along the River Xianning. Would that be agreeable?"
Lin Zhao nodded with a light smile, "Then I thank you, Mr. Wu. Please paint at your leisure; I will not disturb you."
"Good."
Wu Yuanzi, clad in a green robe, sat on the bow of the boat, his umbrella behind him. He directly used the clear river water to grind ink and continued his painting. Lin Zhao, on the other hand, plopped down at the stern. Having nothing else to do, he took out his fishing rod and other gear made at Tianranju and began to cast his line by the side of the boat. In a moment, a small boat carrying two people, one painting and one fishing, seemed to blend harmoniously with the landscape.
...
A short while later, Wu Yuanzi's painting of a new riverbank with weeping willows was half done. He looked at Lin Zhao and smiled, "May I be so bold as to ask, young friend Lin Zhao, are you from out of town?"
"Indeed I am."
Lin Zhao did not conceal it and smiled, "I have only been wandering the martial world for a few days. If I have been in any way abrupt, please forgive me, Mr. Wu."
"Not at all, not at all."
Wu Yuanzi chuckled, "Young friend, you are so polite, how could you possibly be abrupt?"
Lin Zhao smiled and continued fishing. Soon, one by one, river fish took the bait. Lin Zhao tied his fishing basket to the stern of the boat. Before long, there were over ten fish in the basket, the largest grass carp weighing as much as seven or eight jin. Wu Yuanzi, meanwhile, was even more engrossed, his entire mind focused on the canvas.
Before long, as night fell, a mist began to rise.
Lin Zhao hung a bright red lantern on the bow of the boat. Wu Yuanzi took a fresh sheet of paper and began to paint a misty scene on the river. Lin Zhao glanced over. Although he couldn't discern Wu Yuanzi's level or cultivation, he could sense that the man possessed cultivation, at least above the sixth realm. Otherwise, an ordinary person's stamina would not be enough to sustain such continuous painting. Thus, Lin Zhao stood up and assumed a fist stance at the stern, "Force from the Earth," beginning to nourish his boxing intent. The martial arts farmer's nine fists, when performed by Lin Zhao, a Confucian sword cultivator, looked even more striking, drawing Wu Yuanzi's gaze, which was filled with admiration.
He practiced his fists until the early hours of the morning. The mist on the river grew thicker and thicker, to the point where one could barely see anything more than a few dozen meters away. Lin Zhao cast his line again and chuckled, "Mr. Wu, it will be dawn soon. After dawn, perhaps we could dock for a short rest. I have caught quite a few fish. How about I cook some fish soup for Mr. Wu and heat up some flatbread for sustenance?"
"Ah?!"
Wu Yuanzi looked overwhelmed with gratitude, "If that is so, then I am most grateful, young friend Lin Zhao!"
"You're too kind!"
Lin Zhao continued to fish. One after another, river knife-fish and mandarin fish were caught, all excellent for making soup. This made Lin Zhao very happy. If there was one thing the River Xianning had, it was abundant produce. With so many plump fish, how could the spiritual energy of this region be lacking? It was no wonder the Xu Dynasty and the ancient Shu Kingdom had waged wars over the River Xianning.
As dawn broke, the eastern sky turned the color of fish belly, signaling the approaching light.
Lin Zhao placed the caught fish into his basket. As he cast his line again, with a "snap," the moment the hook hit the water, ripples spread, and droplets of water hung suspended on the surface. At this very instant, Lin Zhao's heart fluttered, and a trace of a ripple of thought emerged. Within this ripple of thought, the surrounding great river and the world abruptly vanished, replaced by the babbling White Fish Stream. Lin Zhao transformed into his youthful self, standing on the stone bridge of the White Fish Stream, assuming a fist stance and practicing his fists under the scorching sun, sweat pouring down. Following him was the young Shi Tou, also practicing.
In the distance, a group of people approached. They were the legendary Ten Prodigies of the World.
Among them, Lin Zhao's eyes immediately fell upon Leng Yan and Shen Xingchen. This seemed to be the scene of their first encounter. Su Xinghe and Yi Shi Cang Liang walked side by side, merely casting a sideways glance at the boy practicing his fists on the stone bridge. Shen Xingchen, carrying a staff, smiled and said to Leng Yan, "We've finally entered the Snow Domain Heavenly Pool. It wasn't easy at all..."
Leng Yan smiled faintly, "Indeed, it wasn't easy. We traveled through mountains and waters, not only facing difficult terrain but also dealing with wild ghosts and spirits in the mountains. Even the local deities and mountain spirits caused trouble. But we've finally arrived here, and our hardships should now be rewarded~~~"
"Mmm, mmm."
Shen Xingchen smiled, "But I still need to team up with my senior to level up. If he wants to maintain his level advantage, I have to lead him. So, I can't help it, Yan, we two will be together after the public beta!"
"Alright!"
Leng Yan's pearly dimples showed as she smiled, "That's reasonable, I understand!"
"Hmph, hmph~"
Shen Xingchen quickened her pace and caught up with Su Xinghe. Xian Bai, carrying a staff, followed Leng Yan's steps and said, "Leng Yan, shall we team up later?"
"Get lost, you want to leech experience?"
Leng Yan carried her long sword and glanced sideways at the boy practicing his fists on the stone bridge. Suddenly, a hint of complexity flickered in her beautiful eyes, like a retrospective glance across lifetimes. She curved her lips slightly, smiled at Lin Zhao, and then followed the others towards the northern mountain of the town.
"..."
Lin Zhao stood on the stone bridge, a strange feeling washing over him. This was clearly an illusion, yet why did Leng Yan feel so alive? Not long after, a pair of slender, fair jade legs stepped onto the stone bridge. After the Ten Prodigies entered the town, Leng Yan returned, flung her arms open, and lunged into Lin Zhao's embrace, murmuring softly, "I've missed you so much..."
As she spoke, her lustrous red lips gently touched Lin Zhao's.
"Ah?!"
Lin Zhao's heart trembled. Why was this ripple of thought so intense? Moreover, Leng Yan in his arms felt so real. In an instant, he became vigilant. The scene before him was truly bizarre. It was the legendary "wish fulfillment," where everything one thought of and longed for seemed to be realized here.
Leng Yan loved Lin Zhao without reservation, and Lin Zhao naturally loved Leng Yan. In the town, only Leng Yan cast a soft gaze upon him; others did not. Even Shen Xingchen's gaze towards Lin Zhao at the time was indifferent. Therefore, in this life, Shen Xingchen would likely never compare to Leng Yan in Lin Zhao's heart. However, the vast difference in their social status had always prevented Lin Zhao from taking the initiative to step forward. But this ripple of thought had fulfilled him here. Therefore, this ripple of thought was not necessarily a good thing for Lin Zhao; perhaps it was merely a heart demon. A scholar's self-discipline was to be kept deep within one's heart. Towards Leng Yan, he should always act out of affection but stop at propriety.
"Swish!"
In an instant, the ripple of thought vanished, and the dream returned to reality. At this moment, Lin Zhao had just cast his line, and the hook arced through the air, disappearing into the mist. It was precisely at this moment that a luxurious official vessel emerged from the mist. The ship was elaborately decorated, quite opulent, even bearing golden dragon patterns carved on its exterior. Lin Zhao's fishhook happened to pass through the mist and snagged the hem of the apricot-yellow skirt worn by a young girl on the deck. The next moment, the official vessel sped away, and the girl stumbled and fell into the water.
Everything happened too quickly for Lin Zhao to react.
"Be careful!"
He leaped out, stepping onto his flying sword, Hongye, and grabbed the falling girl, pulling her onto the sword. But as he turned, the official vessel had disappeared into the mist without a trace. Lin Zhao, carrying the girl, flew for several li without finding it. Perhaps the vessel had turned, and the vast mist on the great river made it impossible to find.
"Lin Zhao."
On the small boat, Wu Yuanzi stood up and said, "The mist on the river is too thick, come back quickly. I heard that river demons often appear on the River Xianning in the early morning. Be careful."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao returned to the small boat with the girl. As soon as he sat down, the girl began to cry, wiping away tears and saying, "My father and mother are on the boat. You pulled me into the water with your fishing hook. What should I do now?"
Lin Zhao looked at the girl's face and was greatly astonished. The girl appeared to be about twelve or thirteen years old, with a remarkably clear and beautiful appearance. However, this was not what shocked Lin Zhao. The most wondrous thing was that the girl's appearance and demeanor bore seven or eight parts resemblance to Leng Yan, as if Leng Yan at twelve or thirteen had met himself.
Could it be a heart demon?
His heart pounded. Judging from his spiritual sea, this girl showed no signs of malevolence or aggression. She should not be a heart demon, yet all of this was too bizarre, and he couldn't help but suspect.
"Little girl."
He looked at the young girl with deep apology in his eyes and said, "I'm sorry, it was my fault. I will definitely help you find your parents. What is your name? Who are your parents, and what do they do?"
The girl sobbed, "My name is Qing Yan."
"..."
Lin Zhao frowned. Even her name was so similar to Miss Leng's?
"Lin Zhao."
Beside him, Wu Yuanzi said, "Her clothes are all wet. Let's dock. We can start a fire to dry her clothes and have some hot soup. Otherwise, she might fall seriously ill."
"Mm, alright."
...
Lin Zhao flew his sword, dragging the small boat to the shore. He built a bonfire and began to boil a pot of white fish soup, then roasted some flatbread. Beside him, Qing Yan huddled fearfully near the fire. When Lin Zhao's fish soup was ready, Qing Yan's clothes were also dry. The three of them each had a bowl of fish soup and a few pieces of flatbread.
After drinking the fish soup, Wu Yuanzi exclaimed in wonder and raised his thumb to Lin Zhao. Little girl Qing Yan stopped crying after drinking the soup and finally managed a smile, saying, "It's delicious."
"Eat more to warm your body," Lin Zhao said.
"Mm!"
After eating and drinking their fill, Wu Yuanzi stood up, picked up his drawing board, and returned to the boat. "I'm going to continue painting the river landscape. Lin Zhao, are you still joining me to drift east down the river today?"
"No, I need to take Qing Yan to find her family."
"Alright."
Wu Yuanzi stood on the boat, bowed, and said, "In that case, we shall meet again in the martial world."
"Mm, Mr. Wu, we shall meet again in the martial world!"
Lin Zhao cupped his fist lightly and watched Wu Yuanzi leave the riverbank. Then he turned to the little girl and said, "Qing Yan, where are your parents headed next? I'll take you there in advance to wait for them."
"Ah?"
The little girl looked at him with her big, clear eyes and smiled, "Brother, you don't need to take me anywhere. Father and mother always restrict me. Today, it's rare to have some free time. How about... you accompany me to wander around for the whole day today, and tomorrow we'll go look for my parents?"
Lin Zhao frowned, worried about Qing Yan's parents. But if she didn't say where she was going, how could he find them in this vast world? He could only nod, "Then let's agree on this first: tomorrow morning, we'll go find your parents."
"Deal!"