Volume 3 Chapter 1

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Volume 3 Chapter 1: A Sense of Home

"Ting’er, we’re home."

Gazing at the towering and majestic Jiuhua Mountain, surrounded by a protective formation turning into mist, Xu Qingfan’s eyes were complicated as he gently patted Ting’er’s head and whispered.

It seemed as if Xu Qingfan was speaking to Ting’er, yet also to himself.

During the wandering and perilous battles of this year, Xu Qingfan often found himself longing for the small house behind Jiuhua Mountain, a place where the mountains were green and the water clear, with an idyllic environment. There, he could read and meditate in peace, perhaps not as expansive and novel as the outside world, but possessing a sense of freedom. If before Ting’er appeared, that small dwelling was merely a residence, now with Ting’er by his side, it truly felt like home.

Isn’t a home just a combination of loved ones and a place to live?

Ting’er looked at the desolate mountain before him, more barren than the Southern Wasteland, with a hint of puzzlement in his cool eyes, as if not expecting the "home" Xu Qingfan spoke of throughout their journey to look like this.

Although fleeting, Xu Qingfan noticed the confusion in Ting’er’s eyes, recalling how Lu Huayan had brought him here twenty-eight years ago. He couldn’t help but smile slightly and, mimicking what Lu Huayan did back then, softly said, "Look closely."

As he spoke, Xu Qingfan pulled out a yellow talisman from his sleeve and threw it towards Jiuhua Mountain. The charm flew a short distance over the desolate mountain before it seemed to hit an invisible barrier and stopped. Then, the paper spontaneously ignited, releasing dazzling rays of light. Under the radiant display, the barren mountain scene rippled like the surface of a calm lake struck by a stone. Shortly after, the paper burned away, revealing a circular portal of light at the spot where it had stopped, emitting an ethereal glow.

Observing the scene before him, Xu Qingfan’s eyes momentarily glimmered with nostalgia. Everything he saw was identical to what had happened twenty-eight years ago, as if time had turned back. However, Lu Huayan was gone, replaced by Xu Qingfan, and Xu Fan had matured into Ting’er.

Although Ting’er’s father had great magical powers, they all came from the demon orb, which wasn’t as profound as the mystical arts. Nor did it create such magnificent scenes. So, despite Ting’er’s usual calm demeanor, a hint of surprise still flickered in her eyes when she saw the scene before her.

Noticing the expression in Ting’er’s eyes, Xu Qingfan felt a slight joy in his heart. Over the past half year, Xu Qingfan had been trying to change Ting’er’s character and often approached her for conversation. Due to his efforts, Ting’er, although still quiet, now displayed a more common human expression.

As the portal in the protective array of Jiuhua Mountain started to form, Xu Qingfan didn’t hesitate and, riding the "Nimbus Cloud," took Ting’er and flew towards Jiuhua Mountain. As they entered the protective array, the landscape transformed from barren to lush and grand. The mountain was surrounded by celestial mist, occasionally accompanied by the calls of cranes. Several grand, exquisite, and elegant halls and bamboo huts were built from the mountain’s waist to its peak, appearing and disappearing in the drifting clouds.

Once Xu Qingfan and Ting’er entered Jiuhua Mountain, two bright beams suddenly flashed from the mountainside, quickly flying towards Xu Qingfan.

Seeing the white and purple beams flying towards him, Xu Qingfan knew they were Li Yuhan and Sheng Yushan, the disciples responsible for welcoming guests at Jiuhua Mountain.

Indeed, before the beams reached within a few fathoms, Li Yuhan’s voice called out.

"Martial Uncle Xu has been gone for a year, and we’ve missed him dearly. Many elders have come looking for Martial Uncle Xu over the past year, causing us great anxiety. In the end, my brother and I almost wanted to leave the mountain to find him ourselves."

Xu Qingfan clasped his hands politely and said, "There are many mundane matters at the foot of the mountain, which delayed me quite a bit. I apologize for the inconvenience to you both."

As he spoke, two beams of light stopped abruptly three feet in front of Xu Qingfan, and after the radiance faded, Li Yuhan and Sheng Yushan appeared.

Looking at his two nephews, Xu Qingfan sighed inwardly. In a year, Li Yuhan’s cultivation was just a step away from the Lingji Stage, and it seemed he would break through within two years. Sheng Yushan, although focused on special abilities, had also reached the peak of a significant stage.

Upon their arrival, Li Yuhan and Sheng Yushan closely observed Xu Qingfan and the young Ting’er beside him. Ting’er’s purple-blue flame pattern on her face surprised them, but being reserved, they showed no odd expressions. However, when they saw Little Green in Ting’er’s arms, they couldn’t help but react slightly.

"Martial Uncle Xu, who is this…?" Li Yuhan asked slowly, looking at Ting’er beside Xu Qingfan.

Compared to Li Yuhan’s subtlety, Sheng Yushan was more direct, frowning as he said, "Martial Uncle Xu, the sect’s rules state no outsiders are allowed unless under special circumstances."

Although Sheng Yushan’s words were somewhat blunt and seemed accusatory, Xu Qingfan didn’t mind. He knew Sheng Yushan’s nature and role, so he smiled and explained, "This is my long-lost niece, Ting’er, who has a decent aptitude for cultivation. I brought her back to teach her."

After much deliberation over the past months, Xu Qingfan decided to return to Jiuhua Mountain to teach Ting’er the cultivation methods. He couldn’t bear the thought of watching her age while he pursued immortality. Though Ting’er might one day seek revenge, he believed he could control and change the situation.

Hearing Xu Qingfan’s words, Sheng Yushan frowned again in dissatisfaction, but Li Yuhan smiled and said, "In that case, please have Junior Brother Xu and younger martial sister Ting’er register with us so the sect is informed."

"Alright." Xu Qingfan nodded slightly and spoke. With that, he followed Li Yuhan and Sheng Yushan to the "Welcome Hall" to register, then bid them farewell and quickly flew towards the back mountain with Ting’er.

The scenery in the back mountain hadn’t changed at all during the year Xu Qingfan was away. It was still tranquil and beautiful. Two elegant and exquisite wooden houses sat among the lush green trees, surrounded by a multitude of exotic flowers and grasses, enhancing the atmosphere. This was Xu Qingfan’s home in the back mountain.

"This will be our home from now on," Xu Qingfan said gently to Ting’er, pointing to the two wooden houses below.

As he spoke, Xu Qingfan guided the "Nimbus Cloud" to land in front of the two wooden houses and led Ting’er inside.

"This is the burial ground of Ninth Uncle’s senior brother," Xu Qingfan whispered to Ting’er as they walked towards the wooden house, pointing to the graveyard not far in front of the houses, "His name was Yue Qingru, you may call him Uncle Yue. He was very kind to Ninth Uncle during his lifetime, a good man, and Ninth Uncle often talks to him when he has nothing else to do."

"Do you like these flowers? They are called Ring Flowers, their fragrance is light, and they calm and refresh the mind when smelled often. They were one of Uncle Yue’s favorite flowers when he was alive, and Ninth Uncle also likes them. Although they stand alone and don’t compete with other flowers for attention, their simplicity and elegance have a peaceful charm. I hope you will like them too, Ting’er."

"The small courtyard in front of the house is peaceful and spacious enough. If you want to practice your cultivation, you can do it here. We can also set up a small nest for Little Green here."

"The smaller house was your Ninth Uncle’s residence for seventeen years. Once I tidy it up, it will be for you to live in. You can arrange it however you like."

"The larger house was your Uncle Yue’s residence. Ninth Uncle will move in there now. If you need anything, you can find Ninth Uncle there. The house has many books, and since your father has taught you to read, you can come there to read with Ninth Uncle when you have free time."

Xu Qingfan walked along with Ting’er, talking as they went. It was less of an introduction to Ting’er and more of a chance for Xu Qingfan to relive the memories of everything that happened there.

When speaking about Yue Qingru’s grave, Xu Qingfan began to recall the night before Yue Qingru passed away, remembering how he held his own hand tightly, promising to take care of himself. As he mentioned Ring Flower, vivid images floated in his mind of his excitement upon first witnessing the wonders of ‘The Formula of Wither and Flourish,’ Yue Qingru’s gentle and peaceful demeanor as he tended to plants, and how Yue Qingru seemed even happier than Xu Qingfan when he discovered the formula’s secrets. When he talked about the small courtyard, the scenes of his drinking sessions with Jin Qinghan Yue Qingru came clearly to life in his mind.

That small house was where Xu Qingfan spent most of his time meditating over the years. Yue Qingru’s large house was a place Xu Qingfan frequently visited to borrow books, and it seemed that every time he went, Yue Qingru was engrossed in reading.

Everything, everything—though it had only been a year away, it seemed like a distant memory; yet it also felt as if everything had just happened, vivid and lifelike.

While Xu Qingfan introduced everything, Ting’er quietly listened by his side, her cool eyes silently observing Xu Qingfan. It seemed that only at those moments, Xu Qingfan, who rarely displayed emotions, allowed her to glimpse a little deeper into him.

As they conversed, Xu Qingfan led Ting’er into the wooden cabin he used to reside in; of course, from then on, it would be Ting’er’s. But Xu Qingfan was surprised to find the cabin spotless, as if someone had been regularly cleaning it.

Seeing the unusually clean room before him, Xu Qingfan paused for a moment, recalling who among his acquaintances at Jiuhua Gate could have done it. Only Jin Qinghan, Martial Uncle Liu from Herb Garden, and Zhao Qingxuan, whom he met nine months ago, came to mind.

It couldn’t possibly be Zhao Qingxuan, because Zhao Qingxuan didn’t know about Xu Qingfan’s retreat in the back mountains; nor could it be Martial Uncle Liu, as he never stepped outside Herb Garden; and surely not Jin Qinghan, as Xu Qingfan couldn’t imagine proud and aloof Jin Qinghan with a mop or broom.

Could it be her? Xu Qingfan couldn’t help but picture Dongfang Qingling. Since the big competition within the sect, Dongfang Qingling occasionally visited the back mountain to discuss the Way with Xu Qingfan, and they had formed a close bond. But Xu Qingfan quickly shook his head, as he couldn’t envision mischievous and temperamental Dongfang Qingling helping him clean the room.

In the end, when Xu Qingfan really couldn’t come up with anything, he decided not to think too much about it. This person would clean his room and obviously meant no harm, and soon he would naturally find out.

Just as Xu Qingfan was about to pack up his things and move to the room next door, a familiar, clear voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"Senior Brother Xu, I heard from Li Yuhan that you’re back. Are you there?"