CHAPTER 646: 646 TALK

Su Yuanyuan sat down again, "I wonder what Daoist Zhan wants to ask." She couldn’t believe he came to her only after everyone else had left if there was truly nothing important.

"Little friend, I find you very intriguing. I have some knowledge of face reading, but I can’t discern your fortunes."

"Daoist Zhan, knowing everything isn’t always a good thing. I’m not sure what fortunes you speak of, but I once heard from the elders that knowing too much of the heavenly secrets isn’t good."

Zhan Yunzhao didn’t expect such a response from Su Yuanyuan. He paused for a moment, then laughed.

"You’re right, little friend. Why didn’t you join us in studying the Cultivation Technique?"

Su Yuanyuan shook her head, "Daoist Zhan, I feel that cultivation requires a peaceful mind. I can’t quite achieve that yet, so I haven’t been learning."

"Your age is perfect for nurturing a calm disposition. I think you’re already very composed."

Su Yuanyuan shook her head again, "Daoist Zhan, what you see is just an illusion.

Daoist Zhan, why do you and Daoist Wan remain on the mountain and never descend? Is it just for dedicated cultivation?"

Su Yuanyuan was genuinely curious about this. Were these two men really so adept at nurturing calmness?

"Haha, I started studying from a master when I was five and rarely went down since then. My master told me to sever mortal ties and avoid worldly attachments.

Moreover, I’m obsessed with cultivation. The more elusive success was, the more I desired to achieve it."

Listening to him speak so calmly and serenely, Su Yuanyuan truly admired his composure.

"Little friend, although the four of you aren’t from the same place, it seems you’re destined. I can tell you’re their noble."

"It seems that Daoist Zhan’s fortune-telling skills surpass your cultivation. Has that been your true practice over the years?"

"Yes, although I can recite the Cultivation Technique by heart, I haven’t made much progress. Not exactly none; even though I’m forty-five, my body can match that of a young man in his twenties. That’s one benefit of practice, right?"

"Daoist Zhan, isn’t that because you keep away from worldly matters, focusing on self-improvement?"

"That’s part of it. Look at my junior brother, he’s five years younger but looks older than me because he hasn’t been cultivating as long and hasn’t persevered."

Su Yuanyuan understood what Daoist Zhan meant.

"Little friend, would you like me to tell your fortune?"

Su Yuanyuan shook her head, "No need, I actually don’t believe in it. If the heart isn’t convinced, fortune-telling is useless."

Zhan Yunzhao smiled; she truly was different.

"Little friend, if I might ask, how long do you plan on staying here?"

"Daoist Zhan, I don’t know right now. I like to follow my heart, so I may stay for ten days or a fortnight, or maybe two to three years. I hope the Daoist can accommodate me when the time comes."

"Certainly, just as you please."

"Thank you, Daoist Zhan. I won’t keep you chatting any longer. I should go cook; having Daoist Wan cook for us makes me embarrassed."

Su Yuanyuan wasn’t being arrogant, nor did she intend anything special. She just didn’t believe in fortune-telling. Even though she was here now, it was different; she always believed that destiny is in one’s own hands.

Zhan Yunzhao returned to his room to meditate, though his mind was a bit unsettled.

In truth, he hadn’t mentioned that Su Yuanyuan was not only the noble for those three but also his own turning point.

He had foretold this himself that morning.

Before his master passed away, he told him that he was the only one with hope to master the supreme Cultivation Technique, but it required the aid of a noble.

So, every time he met a stranger, he would tell himself a fortune. He had waited so many years that he’d given up in recent years. Yet out of despair, his noble finally appeared.

Zhan Yunzhao hoped Su Yuanyuan would stay forever. But from their conversation, he knew she was like a cloud, never meant to linger.

It seems he must step into the world, rarely descending the mountain. Yet now, he must descend, to follow his noble.

Su Yuanyuan went to the vegetable garden outside and saw Wan Zhongming pulling out vegetables.

"Daoist Wan, let me cook. I’m from the north, so let me show you my skills."

"Thank you, little friend, then I won’t be polite."

Su Yuanyuan had planned it out: minced meat with egg and tomato, cold noodles. For so many people, she’d also make a few pancakes.

The cucumbers looked nice, so she’d make a cucumber salad too.

It had been a long time since she cooked. Su Yuanyuan felt a bit rusty, even kneading the dough was tricky.

Two hours later, the food was ready. Daoist Wan was already smoking meat by then, proving himself a man who appreciates life.

Zhan Yunzhao didn’t wait for an invitation and came out on his own.

"Little friend’s culinary skills are truly not bad."

"Please, Daoists, try my cooking. It’s been a while since I last cooked, so I’m a bit rusty."

She went to call Wei Guangxiang and the other two, finding them transcribing.

It’s actually best this way, so they can gradually comprehend it themselves. After all, it’s someone else’s book, and always holding onto it feels awkward.

"Time to eat."

"Yuanyuan, what did you cook? I smelled pancakes earlier."

"Yes, pancakes and cold noodles."

Zeng Hongling put down her pen, "I’m done writing, I want to eat. Just from the smell, I know Yuanyuan’s cooking is great."

Wei Guangxiang and Zeng Yixin also put down their pens, and the three came out together.

The dining table was filled with Zeng Hongling’s exclamations, all praising Su Yuanyuan’s delicious cooking.

After the meal, the three returned to transcribing, and Wan Zhongming had already prepared hot water. So Su Yuanyuan went to bathe and came back to lie on the kang, finding the new bedding quite comfortable.

Zeng Hongling returned after eleven at night.

Su Yuanyuan glanced at her and returned to sleep. Zeng Hongling carefully lay down on the kang.

The next morning, everyone exercised together, though Su Yuanyuan didn’t practice martial arts with them. Instead, she jogged and did stretching exercises.

Then she prepared breakfast, steaming buns, and cooking porridge.

After breakfast, Wei Guangxiang and the others had some questions to discuss with Zhan Yunzhao.

Su Yuanyuan took a basket and scythe and set off by herself.

She walked lone on the mountain path, surrounded only by insects and birds.

Such an environment filled her heart with great peace. She had left a note indicating her whereabouts, so with a whole day ahead, she could take her time.

This Shushan was quite steep. Few from the foot of the mountain came up, perhaps because it was quite dangerous.

With her Divine Sense fully released, covering a ten-mile radius, she did indeed find some good things, though she didn’t go straight for them. If they were near, she’d collect them; if too far, she let them be.

She even encountered two wild rabbits, which would make for a proper meal enhancement at dinner.

She really enjoyed such moments, feeling her mood improved greatly.