I Alone Am Immortal: My Rebirth and Leisurely Cultivation

Chapter 81 Mountain Climbing
In the living room, on the sofa, three people sat side by side, soaking their feet.

"Mengmeng, it's your birthday tomorrow, how are you planning to celebrate?" Jiang Yingzhu teased the two of them with her feet as usual, asking as she did so.

"You say so, we'll all listen to you."

Mei Mengqian was initially pleased, but then sighed, "I have to go to school tomorrow, so I'll just have to make do."

"By the way, what gift did you prepare for me?"

“That’s a secret,” Li Yan said.

"That's right, I can give it to you tomorrow night. Look forward to it!"

······
The next day, early in the morning, it was drizzling.

Mei Mengqian let out a satisfied burp as a small portion of the fragrant longevity noodles remained.

"We can't finish it all, Zhuzhu, Li Yan, you can divide the rest among yourselves."

After saying that, Mei Mengqian realized that she seemed to have mentioned an extra person, but she didn't correct herself.

“I can’t eat either, Li Yan, you can have it all.” Jiang Yingzhu said, pushing her own bowl over as well.

Li Yan's lips twitched slightly as he looked at the two bowls in front of him.

"Can I say no?"

"I'm the birthday boy!"

"I'm the birthday girl's best friend!"

"Alright, alright, I'll be the Clean Altar Messenger, okay?"

Li Yan admitted that he wanted to steal Bai Cai's identity and ate two bowls of noodles.

The rain still hadn't stopped, and the three of them took the bus to school.

"There are still seats available, exactly three. Let's go quickly!"

Jiang Yingzhu, along with Li Yan and Mei Mengqian, rushed ahead of a group of elderly women to board the bus and immediately spotted the three empty seats at the back door.

A girl was sitting in one of the two seats on one side. Jiang Yingzhu glanced at her and chose to sit next to her.

“You can sit in those empty seats over there.”

After she finished speaking, she sat down next to the girl by the window.

Li Yan and Mei Mengqian followed behind her, glanced at the girl, greeted her, and sat down.

"Good morning, Yu Bing."

Yu Bing nodded slightly and responded in a low voice.

"What, you know him?" Jiang Yingzhu glanced at Li Yan and immediately understood. She then turned to look at Yu Bing.

"Hey classmate, are you in the same class as Li Yan?"

"Yes."

"He must be quite popular in your class, right?"

Yu Bing, holding her schoolbag, said in a calm and unhurried tone:
"When you're popular, you're popular; when you're not popular, you're not so popular."

"Hey~, what do you mean?"

"Sometimes they're popular, sometimes they're not."

"When?"

"When you're popular."

Jiang Yingzhu scratched her head, feeling that she, who was always enthusiastic about socializing, couldn't even have a conversation with this girl who looked like an elementary school student!
Her fists hardened slightly. She took a deep breath, determined not to believe she couldn't win an argument with him.

"Alright, classmate, your name is Yu Bing."

"Correct."

"I am Jiang Yingzhu, and now we are officially acquainted."

"Yeah, just like when I first found out."

"Do you always talk like that?" Jiang Yingzhu couldn't help but ask, sensing that the two people next door were laughing.

"Speak when you should speak, and remain silent when you shouldn't."

"."

Li Yan originally wanted to listen to songs, but ended up listening to Jiang Yingzhu and Yu Bing sing crosstalk the whole way.

Upon arriving at school, Yu Bing went to the cafeteria for lunch, and Jiang Yingzhu scratched her head in frustration, saying:
"Why is she just spouting nonsense?!"

Upon hearing this, Mei Mengqian recalled Yu Bing's usual behavior and found that she couldn't find several scenes where Yu Bing spoke.

"Perhaps you're just more talkative?"

"Fine, I'll chat with her online! I refuse to believe it!"

Li Yan blinked and decided not to disturb Xiao Qingmei's interest.

During the long break, the rain was still falling, neither fast nor slow.

Mei Mengqian glanced at the sky and felt that the clouds were getting thicker and thicker, which made her feel a little melancholy.

"Does this mean we can't go hiking today?"

"How could that be? I saw it stop after a short while."

Li Yan glanced at the sky, took out a piece of draft paper, and used his finger instead of a brush to inscribe a rain-avoidance talisman with his spiritual power.

To others, it was just a blank piece of draft paper.

He folded up the draft paper, stood up, stepped into the corridor, and casually tossed the draft paper into the rain.

Yu Bin and several other people watching the rain looked over curiously.

"Brother Yan, what are you doing?" "There's a bug on that piece of paper. I'm releasing it back into nature."

Yu Bin and the others were speechless for a moment. Li Yan returned to his seat as if nothing had happened.

However, in the area centered around No. 6 Middle School, the dark clouds gradually dissipated over time.

The rain didn't stop; it just became even more torrential, appearing outside the city limits.

After the third period, those who like to get some fresh air in the corridor, such as Ye Daijia and Yu Bin, can see this clearly.

A third of the way into this direction on the distant horizon, there was only a patch of dark clouds, with rolling thunder echoing around.

The torrential rain blurred the buildings in that area.

Meanwhile, on their side, the sun was shining brightly.

It's like there's a barrier that keeps the dark clouds out.

"This weather is really strange, why aren't those clouds coming over?" Xiao Shuai said as he filmed a video with his phone.

Ye Daijia said, "I don't know. The weather is strange these days, all caused by environmental damage."

"I feel like something must have gone wrong here, otherwise it would have rained."

Yu Bin said in a serious tone, "It will be ready when the chickens have finished pecking at the rice and the dogs have finished licking the noodles."

“That makes sense! But that’s something from Journey to the West, what does it have to do with us?”

The people outside were chatting, and those inside could actually see them.

Mei Mengqian was quite surprised, tugged at Li Yan, and looked amazed.

"Li Yan, how did you know it wouldn't rain? That's amazing."

"Impressive, isn't it?" Li Yan smiled smugly. "I can tell fortunes."

"Then your fortune-telling tool isn't called Ink, is it?" Lin Yufan from the next alley said.

"Fanfan, let's not talk about the traces, let's be civilized for everyone," Yu Qingya said, covering her mouth with a laugh.

By noon, the rain in the nearby city had gradually subsided.

On the path leading from the residential area behind the school to the back mountain, Mei Mengqian smelled the slightly moist breeze blowing from the mountain, which was refreshing and pleasant.

She turned to look at Li Yan, "Zhuzhu really isn't coming?"

"Didn't I tell you? I couldn't win against Yu Bing online, so we had to face her in person."

"Oh, okay then, let's hurry up." Mei Mengqian nodded and walked lightly up the slightly damp wooden plank path towards the mountain.

There are a few more paths leading up the mountain, but they are either too far or muddy.

Therefore, Li Yan chose to take the main road.

The mountain road wasn't particularly steep, and Li Yan was carrying some snacks.

The two ate and strolled around. When they reached the mountainside, Mei Mengqian's eyes lit up when she saw a path paved with stone slabs.

Since ancient times, Chinese people have loved to seek out secluded places, and Mei Mengqian, who has a touch of literary and artistic temperament, is no exception.

"Let's go take a look. Have you been here before?"

"No."

"Then we should definitely go and take a look."

The winding bluestone path led the two to a Taoist temple that was not particularly grand.

The three characters "Qinghe Temple" are still faintly visible on the mottled plaque. The gold powder on the characters has faded, or perhaps there was never any gold powder to begin with; they are almost completely worn away, revealing only a hint of antiquity.
Mei Mengqian was a little surprised, but also felt that it was only natural.

"What are you standing there for? Go in and take a look."

Li Yan glanced at the Taoist temple. He had never been here before in his previous life. Since the gate was open, he simply stepped inside.

"Wait for me!"

Mei Mengqian was still hesitating, but seeing that he had already gone in, she quickly followed!
The Taoist temple, with its white walls and black tiles, is neither too big nor too small. The ground is paved with blue bricks, and an old plum tree leans against the center with fallen leaves scattered around. The stone tables and benches under the tree are worn smooth, indicating that people often sit there.

The two approached, but there was no one in the courtyard. Nearby was a clear pond with many coins in it.

"It seems to be for making a wish. Do you want to make a wish?" Li Yan asked.

Mei Mengqian patted her pockets. "No coins."

“I have some.” Li Yan took out the change from the snack shop owner.

Mei Mengqian took the coin, and with a forceful pull, the coin splashed on the water's surface as she silently pondered her thoughts.

After making their wish, the two entered the main hall and saw a female priest holding a cell phone and a hamburger under the porch.

"Want to draw a fortune stick or burn incense? There are blessed religious items over there, ten yuan each, thirty yuan for four."

After saying that, she yawned, glanced at the two of them indifferently, and slowly stood up.

Strange, the last time I saw this guy on the mountain road, the girl with him didn't look like this.

"So cheap?" Li Yan was surprised.

"We made it ourselves, so we can sell as many as we want."

Mei Mengqian glanced at the dusty statue, then looked at the table on the side where the consecrated ritual implements were displayed.

There weren't many items on it, just copper coins and pendants.

The two then offered incense, and Mei Mengqian bought four incense sticks, taking out a copper coin and handing it to Li Yan.

"Give."

Turning around again, the female Taoist priest was nowhere to be seen, having hidden away somewhere.

(End of this chapter)