I forge immortality with spiritual treasures.

Chapter 41 Everlasting Light Through the Years
Every autumn rain falls, every drop of jade-like rain.

It seems like only a blink of an eye and the year is already over.

The snow in the mountains wasn't heavy, but it was enough to evenly coat the sky and earth with a pure white hue.

Inside the Taoist temple, the walls and eaves of the houses were covered with a thin layer of snow, as if they were draped in a clean white cloak.

Although the snow on the road had been swept away, it still bore the footprints of the Taoist priest, the blue ox, and the white deer. Sometimes, sparrows would fly down to the snow, stay, and hop around, leaving behind claw marks like bamboo leaves, creating a charming scene.

Ying Chan was fishing on the Yunzhong Embankment.

Ever since he made an appointment with Chen Xiang once, he had grown quite fond of it.

In particular, he could read even while fishing, so every three to five days, he would sit on this embankment while studying Taoist scriptures, Taoist canons, and even miscellaneous books.

He often ran into Chen Xiang unexpectedly, and they would go fishing together.

Sometimes they chatted happily about everything under the sun, and other times they were engrossed in their books, each in silence.

Moreover, for some unknown reason, one day, in addition to Ying and Chen, there was another person fishing.

The number of people fishing on the embankment began to increase.

Even now, sometimes when I walk through the clouds, all I see are Taoist priests carrying Taoist books and holding fishing rods.

It was quite lively today.

Besides Ying Chan, Chen Xiang was also there. Not far away, there were many other Taoists, some alone, and some sitting side by side, at most three or five zhang apart.

However, even when there are companions or people sitting next to each other, people are careful not to disturb others from reading or thinking.

For this reason, although there are more people fishing, the place remains just as peaceful and enjoyable.

Xiaqi Lake never freezes; only a thin mist swirls on its surface, obscuring fishing lines that rise and fall, creating a thrilling spectacle.

"I got it."

After finishing reading the Yin-Yang Classic in his hand, Ying looked up and saw Chen Xiang cast his line, adding another fish to the basket, which was now full.

He glanced at his empty fish basket and couldn't help but shake his head.

"Good luck, fellow Daoist."

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiang joked, "It seems you've stolen all of Brother Ying's luck."

"Don't rush," Ying Chan said. "Things may be diminished to gain, or gained to diminish."

"Brother Dao has intercepted my catch, but I'm in for a treat."

Chen Xiang laughed heartily.

After reading "Quegu Shiqi Pian", Ying Chan did not make the same choice as Chen Xiang.

He continued to take the Five Essence Pills, but every now and then he would try to regulate his balance by going through a cycle of eating and fasting, and he gradually benefited.

However, although he can cook, the taste is just average.

Chen Xiang, on the other hand, has acquired exceptional culinary skills from who-knows-where, which is truly commendable.

The fish that the two caught, either released back into the wild or went into Chen Xiang's pot and ended up in their own stomachs.

But after Chen Xiang laughed, he suddenly said, "Brother Ying, I'm afraid you won't have a good meal today."

"Is Brother Dao practicing fasting?" Ying Chan asked. "But I remember you should have already reincarnated some time ago."

Chen Xiang said, "This time it's not because of fasting."

As he spoke, he suddenly tilted the fish basket, and the basket full of fish swarmed out and disappeared into the icy mist on the lake's surface, making a series of splashing sounds.

"Brother Dao, are you leaving?"

Chen Xiangwei nodded slightly, "Moreover, after today, it will be impossible to meet with Brother Ying for a while."

Ying Chan pondered for a moment, "Could it be that you, fellow Daoist, have already broken through the bottleneck?"

“That’s right.” Chen Xiang said leisurely, “I recently opened the thirty-sixth aperture.”

"Now that my magical power has been fully accumulated, I will go into seclusion to try to open up the meridians of heaven and earth."

He should turn his head slightly.

He knew that Chen Xiangshi had come here to fish because he had encountered a bottleneck in his cultivation, but he never expected that this bottleneck was actually the completion of Qi Refining!

Since he had already opened all thirty-six acupoints, he was about to attempt to break through to the Profound Light realm, so he must have a certain degree of confidence. Ying Chan straightened his expression, cupped his hands, and said, "In that case, I will congratulate you in advance on your successful cultivation of the Profound Light realm and your joining our sect."

"I accept your kind words, brother."

Chen Xiang stood up, called Brother Niu over and helped him onto the platform, then smiled at Ying Chan: "Let me first go to the Immortal Abode and find a place to fish."

"Haha." Ying Chan laughed loudly, "Then I certainly won't keep you waiting, fellow Daoist."

Farewell.

Farewell.

Chen Xiang rode the blue ox backwards and leisurely drove away.

Ying Chan knew that if they met again after today, it might be several years later, and he couldn't help but feel a little melancholy.

He put the thought aside and returned to the fishing rod in front of him, feeling that something was missing.

He sat for less than a quarter of an hour, then shook his head, put away his fishing rod, and left with his empty basket.

In a short time, a thin layer of snow accumulated on the road surface again.

Ying Chan walked along the lakeside through the snowflakes, then stepped on the thin ice that had formed on the stream stones, and returned to the courtyard gate, where he happened to meet two young Taoist boys who came to deliver lanterns.

"Senior Brother." The two young Taoist disciples bowed in unison: "Tomorrow is the New Year's Eve. We have been sent here by imperial decree to wish you a bright future in your Taoist practice."

So, tomorrow is the beginning of the new year.

"Thank you, young master."

Ying Chan returned the greeting with a serious expression. The two young Taoist boys then hung the lanterns on both sides of the courtyard gate before moving on to the next place.

Ying Chan watched the two boys leave, then turned back to look at the lantern.

Before he knew it, his first year at the Taoist academy was coming to an end.

Looking back, Ying Chan realizes that he has indeed gained a lot. He wonders if it will be the same next year at this time.

He came to his senses, pushed open the door and entered, just in time to see Li Xuanying coming out of the house.

"Senior brother."

Although they were already quite familiar with each other, Li Xuanying still formally cupped his hands before saying, "Just now I heard someone knocking on the door. Was it the boy bringing Changming here?"

"Exactly."

Li Xuanying smiled slightly: "There have been no festivals in the courtyard all year round, except for the time of year when we celebrate the New Year."

"I think it's both a wish for the disciple's long and fruitful spiritual journey and an encouragement and urging."

Ying Chan walked into the courtyard and asked, "After today, Xuan Ying will be of school age?"

He was fifteen when he began to study.

However, Li Xuanying entered the Taoist academy at the age of eight, indicating that he had already set his mind on learning Taoism.

"Indeed." Li Xuanying smiled slightly: "Next year will mark my seventh year as a disciple of the Dao Academy, and it's time for me to achieve something!"

This was the first time Ying Chan had seen him display such youthful spirit.

He looked up at the falling snowflakes, thought about these words, and couldn't help but laugh: "Good, indeed you are an ambitious student. I wish you success in your studies."

"Senior brother too," Li Xuanying said. "I'll be waiting for you at our sect."

"wait for me?"

Upon hearing this, Ying Chan shook his head: "I have already made an appointment with a fellow Daoist to wait for me today, and I do not want to keep Xuan Ying waiting."

"Hmm?" Li Xuanying asked in surprise, "What do you mean, Senior Brother...?"

"Next year will mark my second year as a student at the Taoist academy."

Ying Chan echoed Li Xuanying's words, saying, "It's time to achieve something!"

"Senior brother, you!"

After a rare display of youthful spirit, Li Xuanying also revealed a rare moment of youthful embarrassment.

(End of this chapter)