Youth must be seized early, for one cannot remain young forever. Chapter 136: A Chance Encounter with an Old Acquaintance

"That will be all for today’s lesson," Bai Qingzhou said, standing up with a brief remark.

"We respectfully bid farewell to Deacon Bai," the many disciples replied, rising to offer a bow.

With a wave of his hand, Bai Qingzhou put away his teapot and strolled out of the lecture hall. Looking up at the bright, scorching sun outside, he couldn't help but stretch his limbs, feeling quite cheerful. He summoned his [Immortal Wind Sculpture] and flew toward his own courtyard.

It had been over six months since he began teaching. As his experience grew, he had become far more proficient, no longer suffering the parched throat he had endured during his first lecture. With this newfound familiarity, his efficiency had increased significantly. Furthermore, at the strong request of his disciples, he had even increased the frequency of his classes from twice to four times a month. Additionally, because the newly admitted disciples were still young, he had to set aside several days each month to teach them how to read and write, making his days feel quite fulfilling.

Beyond his monthly teaching duties, Bai Qingzhou sparred with Li Xian every day. Over the past six months, his swordsmanship had progressed rapidly. The long sword in his hand had become increasingly elusive and unpredictable, and his sword techniques had evolved from the ninth form, which he had mastered at the start, to the thirteenth form he could now execute with ease. His strength was advancing in leaps and bounds.

It wasn't just Bai Qingzhou who had improved; Li Xian had also made significant progress, reaching a new level of personal strength and seemingly catching a glimpse of the opportunity for Foundation Establishment. Just a few days ago, Li Xian had chosen to venture out on a journey to seek his chance at enlightenment. This meant that, once again, Bai Qingzhou had to return to practicing his swordplay alone.

Soon, Bai Qingzhou returned to his courtyard and sat down in the pavilion to rest. Before long, Ji Nian walked into the pavilion carrying a delicate and delicious meal. Having grown accustomed to his routine over many days, she knew he usually returned at this time, so she had prepared the food well in advance.

"Thank you for your hard work," Bai Qingzhou said with a smile.

"It is only what this servant should do," Ji Nian replied with a giggle.

"By the way," Bai Qingzhou suddenly remembered something and asked her, "When you returned to Ning Shui Province last time, did you see Ji Si?"

A brighter smile spread across Ji Nian’s face at the mention of her sister. "Of course I did. My sister and her husband are so affectionate; it truly makes one envious."

Sensing Ji Nian’s genuine joy, Bai Qingzhou couldn't help but smile slightly. Back when he was stationed as an immortal master in Ning Shui Province, Ji Si had often helped him with various tasks. Later, she fell in love with a scholar, and when the time came for him to return to the sect, she had knelt and asked to resign, wishing to fly away with her lover like a pair of lovebirds—a request that had greatly surprised him at the time. Now, learning that Ji Si was living happily, he felt a sense of relief.

He chatted with Ji Nian about trivial matters while he ate. Just then, Li Er walked in from outside the courtyard.

"Immortal Master, there is a letter for you," he said, handing over a letter with both hands.

"Whose letter is it?" Bai Qingzhou asked, setting down his chopsticks.

Li Er smiled and replied, "It is a letter sent by Immortal Master Chen Lin from Ning Shui Province."

"Oh?" Bai Qingzhou took the letter and noticed the handwriting on the envelope was indeed Chen Lin's. He couldn't help but feel a bit curious. Because Chen Lin had reached the required age, he had been sent to Ning Shui Province a month ago to serve as a stationed immortal master, responsible for various affairs. Why would he be sending a letter back today?

With lingering curiosity, Bai Qingzhou opened the letter and read it carefully. The note was short, only about a hundred characters, clear at a glance. After reading it, he set the letter down with a look of delight. The message was simple: while stationed in Ning Shui Province, Chen Lin had discovered an herb with spiritual energy among some gifts from mortals. It looked very much like the Dragon Whisker Grass that Bai Qingzhou had once mentioned in casual conversation, so he wanted to invite Bai Qingzhou to come and verify if it was genuine.

"Immortal Master, has something happened?" Li Er asked cautiously.

Bai Qingzhou beamed and said, "It is nothing, just a minor matter, but I must make a trip to Ning Shui Province." He then turned to Ji Nian and said, "I will not be back tonight, so you do not need to prepare dinner."

"Yes!" Ji Nian replied with a bow.

Without delay, Bai Qingzhou finished his lunch and summoned his [Immortal Wind Sculpture], flying out toward the mountain gate. The flying artifact streaked across the high sky, drawing the attention of many servants who stopped to watch. Looking down at the expressions of the disciples and servants below, Bai Qingzhou felt a sense of comfort. After two years of healing, everyone had finally moved past the tragedy of the sect leader’s death and the massacre of the entire sect. They were no longer as gloomy as before, and a glimmer of hope had returned to their eyes.

As he glided past the protective mountain formation and was just about to accelerate, his peripheral vision caught sight of a familiar face on the road below.

"Grandfather, when will we finally arrive?" a young boy of about ten, looking rather spirited, asked the old man beside him.

The old man patted his head with a smile and pointed ahead. "We are here! Look, that mountain in front—isn't that Xuanyang Mountain?"

The boy gazed at the mountain with anticipation, excitedly asking, "Grandfather, can I really become an immortal?"

"Oh, not an immortal. Didn't I tell you? You are going to be a servant for the immortals," the old man corrected. "You already participated in the Immortal Ascension Assembly, and the immortal master said you lacked the aptitude for spiritual roots, so you should just be content as a mortal."

"But..." the boy looked at the old man with a pitiful expression, his voice trembling as if he might cry, "I want to be an immortal. I don't want to be a servant."

"A servant? What do you know, boy!" The old man sounded slightly angry. "If you go up there and serve for a few years, you can return to become someone of great status and influence. Do you understand? Your grandfather was the same way back in the day, you know!"

"Ah, can I really be like you, Grandfather?" The boy stopped crying and looked at him blankly.

"Of course! As long as you listen to me, you can become someone even more successful than your grandfather. Understand?"

"Then, then I want to be a servant! I want to be even more successful than Grandfather!" the boy shouted excitedly.

The old man smiled with satisfaction. Just as he was about to offer some praise, he suddenly noticed a man standing before him. Seeing the gray robe the man wore, his expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly knelt, pulling his bewildered grandson down with him.

"This humble commoner pays respects to the Immortal!"

The man was Bai Qingzhou, with his refined features and slender build. Bai Qingzhou looked at the pair and smiled slightly. "Sun Sheng, do you not recognize me?"

Hearing the voice, the old man looked up at the face. His eyes widened in shock as he immediately recognized the man—the immortal who had helped them exterminate the ghosts in their town years ago.

"Immortal Master Bai...?" the old man exclaimed.

Indeed, this old man was Sun Sheng from Dongkou Town. When Bai Qingzhou had first descended the mountain to handle outer sect affairs, he had gone to Dongkou Town and stayed at Sun Sheng’s house for several days.

"It really is Immortal Master Bai!" the old man said, overjoyed. "I never thought this humble commoner would see Immortal Master Bai again!"

Bai Qingzhou chuckled. "Why have you come here?"

Sun Sheng quickly explained the situation. It was simple: he wanted to send his grandson to the Xuanyang Sect to serve as a laborer in hopes of finding a path to immortality.

After listening, Bai Qingzhou smiled and said, "Such a small matter; let me help you."

Back in Dongkou Town, Sun Sheng had been helpful and diligent, and Bai Qingzhou did not mind performing this simple favor.

Sun Sheng knelt and kowtowed frantically. "Thank you, Immortal Master!"

The boy, prompted by his grandfather, also knelt and kowtowed in a daze.

"There is no need for such formalities," Bai Qingzhou said, bringing them both onto his flying artifact before turning to head toward the mountain gate.