Begin your practice with the crane-shaped stance.

Outside Lin Yuan Prefecture, there is the Qixia Immortal Sect Market.

Unlike the bustling and noisy markets of the world, this place is quiet and secluded, with pine-covered slopes and bamboo paths. The mountain breeze blows through the forest and across the water, carrying a touch of otherworldly coolness.

As Xia Dong climbed the stone steps, he could see a pavilion with upturned eaves halfway up the mountain in the distance. Surrounded by clouds and mist, the scene inexplicably reminded him of a poem he had read in a past life.

"A hermit of the White Clouds and Yellow Cranes, with a sword, a book, and a cup of tea; his feathered robes are always tinged with the colors of mist and clouds, untouched by the peach and plum blossoms of the mortal world."

A thin veil of cloud-like patterns hangs around the pavilion. The mountain breeze cannot penetrate it, nor can fallen leaves pass through it.

Xia Dong stopped outside the pavilion, his gaze lingering on the light gauze curtain for a moment before he understood. This was most likely a magic array or artifact used by cultivators to prevent outsiders from spying on them.

"Miss Qin, you have finally achieved immortality through cultivation." He thought to himself, then calmly stepped into the pavilion.

Inside the pavilion, Qin Wan had already prepared a pot of tea at the stone table.

The two sat down and, through the rising steam, simultaneously began to sized each other up.

The past annulment of their engagement, the entanglements between their families, and even the current divide between immortals and mortals stand between them. Upon meeting again, they feel none of the awkwardness that mortal men and women experience at first sight; instead, a strange and profound sense of connection arises.

Qin Wan's eyes flickered slightly.

The man before him, Xia Dong, wore a faded blue robe, yet sat there with his back as straight as a pine tree. He possessed none of the crude, violent arrogance of ordinary martial artists; instead, thanks to his mastery of the Crane Stance, he exuded a restrained, peaceful, and serene clarity. His posture was upright and composed; if one didn't know his background, one might easily believe he was a hidden cultivator with profound inner strength.

At that moment, a faint sense of melancholy suddenly swept through Qin Wan's heart.

If only he possessed spiritual roots.

The path to immortality is treacherous, fraught with peril at every turn.

In the cultivation world, there is a saying: "Wealth, Companion, Dharma, Land." The word "Companion" is ranked second, which is by no means an exaggeration.

On the long road of life, if one can have a trusted and reliable partner who knows one's background well and knows when to advance and retreat, how many hidden arrows can one ward off?

"Young Master Xia, please try this Qixia Mountain Cloud Mist Tea." Qin Wan composed herself and poured him a cup.

"Thank you, Miss Qin."

Their conversation unfolded slowly over this cup of tea.

Having lived two lives, Xia Dong's breadth of vision and knowledge are naturally beyond those of ordinary youths; while Qin Wan comes from a wealthy merchant family and has been influenced by her surroundings since childhood. Now that she has embarked on the path of immortality, her perspective is also extremely broad.

The two chatted about everything under the sun without any hesitation.

Xia Dong was quite curious about the bizarre and wonderful world of cultivation. When he asked questions, he was just right in his manner, neither appearing obsequious nor arrogant and ignorant. Qin Wan was also very open with her knowledge, telling him about what she had seen and heard inside and outside the sect.

From a distance, a man and a woman can be seen in the pavilion.

The man, dressed in a simple blue robe, exuded composure and ease; the woman, her skirt swaying gently, possessed an ethereal grace. Amidst the tranquil pine-covered slope, their laughter and conversation accompanied by tea made them seem like a divine couple straight out of a painting.

However, the more harmonious this initial attraction was, the more Qin Wan's regret spread like wildfire.

"Such a person possesses exceptional breadth of vision, courage, and magnanimity..."

Qin Wan lowered her eyes slightly, looking at the green tea leaves unfurling in the cup. She picked up the teacup and, through the act of drinking tea, swallowed the sigh that was on the tip of her tongue.

Unfortunately, he lacked spiritual roots.

The aroma of tea wafted through the air, carrying with it a touch of the cool mountain air.

Qin Wan gazed at the composed young man before her, then sighed softly and put down her teacup. "Young Master Xia, our families are old acquaintances. Calling me Miss Qin now feels too formal. If you don't mind, please call me Wan'er from now on, and I'll take the liberty of calling you Brother Xia."

"it is good."

This single, crisp word actually made Qin Wan glance at him again.

She hesitated for a moment before finally bringing up the old matter that couldn't be avoided: "The previous annulment of the engagement was a decision made by the Qin family between social standing and the path to immortality. Father didn't want to delay you, and I also have a heart for seeking the Dao. It was truly a helpless situation. I hope Brother Xia will not keep this grudge in his heart."

"Miss Wan'er, you flatter me." Xia Dong picked up his teacup, gently blew away the foam, and said calmly, "Our paths are different, so it's only natural for us to annul the engagement. The Qin family has acted with integrity, not only not humiliating us but also leaving us with many generous gifts as compensation. I feel only gratitude and appreciation; how could I possibly hold a grudge?"

Looking into his open and honest eyes, Qin Wan shook her head: "With Brother Xia's talent and temperament, obtaining those external things will be a piece of cake in time. It's the Qin family that owes you a favor."

When she said these words, Qin Wan was also filled with emotion.

When she first met Xia Dong, she showed goodwill, mostly because she valued his special "Taoist identity." However, after this conversation, putting aside the Taoist identity, the young man's speech, knowledge, and even his dignified and unyielding demeanor were all extraordinary.

She had only recently entered the immortal realm, and the worldly air about her had not yet been completely washed away by the coldness of the cultivation world. Moreover, as a young woman in her prime, it was inevitable that she would feel a natural admiration and appreciation for such a talented and handsome man.

Qin Wan recalled what her father often said.

"Heaven shows no favoritism, but always sides with the virtuous."

In his youth, Master Qin traveled far and wide, encountering perilous situations several times, but ultimately managed to escape danger by virtue of "being kind to others." The annulment of the engagement was forced by circumstances, and the pursuit of a Taoist certificate was driven by self-interest, but the Qin family's long-term success in business was not due to kicking someone when they're down, but rather to consistently cultivating good relationships.

Having made up her mind, Qin Wan looked at Xia Dong, her gaze gentle yet exceptionally firm: "Brother Xia, in the cultivation world, it is often said that one must sever worldly ties and avoid getting entangled in mortal karma. But today, Wan'er is determined to get involved in your karma, Brother."

Xia Dong was slightly taken aback and looked up at her.

"Our families have a long-standing relationship, and our meeting here today at the foot of Qixia Mountain is truly a predestined fate." Qin Wan picked up the teacup in front of her and said solemnly, "If you would not mind, I would like to become sworn siblings with Brother Xia, sharing both fortune and misfortune. I wonder if you would be willing to accept me as your sister?"

Outside the pavilion, a mountain wind suddenly rose, causing the light gauze to flutter and rustle.

Xia Dong looked at the girl holding the teacup before him, and a slight ripple stirred in his heart. For a cultivator to offer to become sworn brothers with a mortal was tantamount to binding his own immortal destiny with that of a commoner. If this were to reach the Qixia Immortal Sect, it would likely be seen as a laughingstock.

He had no intention of currying favor, but now that things had come to this point, it would seem pretentious to keep him at arm's length, and it would be disrespectful to this newly promoted immortal master.

Moreover, Qin Wan's frank kindness truly touched his heart.

"I dare not refuse the gift from the immortal master." A gentle smile appeared on Xia Dong's lips. He picked up his teacup and gently touched it with Qin Wan's teacup, producing a crisp porcelain sound. "I, Xia Dong, am now just a mortal. This address of 'elder brother' is a huge advantage for me."

"Cultivate your mind and your way of life, not your social status or rank." Qin Wan smiled gently.

They drank tea instead of wine, finishing it in one gulp. There was no solemn oath of blood oath, no vow to heaven and earth; only in this desolate pine-covered pavilion, a celestial being and a mortal quietly formed a bond.

Xia Dong put down her teacup, her hand clenching slightly inside her sleeve.

Although he has nothing of value now, he will surely repay this kindness in the future.

After becoming sworn brothers, the atmosphere between the two became increasingly familiar and natural.

"Let's go, Brother Xia." Qin Wan stood up, straightened her skirt, and said, "This is my first time visiting the Immortal Cultivation Market. Let's go and see it together today."

"I couldn't ask for more." Xia Dong got up and brushed the fallen leaves off his blue robe.

The two walked out of the pavilion side by side.

Qin Wan removed the soundproofing artifact, and they walked side by side toward the cultivation market hidden deep in the mountains, stepping on the damp bluestone path and facing the gradually dissipating clouds and mist.