The person Li Guanqi was thinking of was none other than Song Zhi'ang, who handled chores in the outer sect.
At present, the Great Xia Sword Sect had a multitude of outer sect disciples, and by no means could just anyone enter the inner sect. The selection criteria and examinations had become much more rigorous.
Halfway up the mountain in the outer sect, the delicious aroma of food drifted from a row of houses where curling smoke rose into the air.
Li Guanqi closed his eyes slightly to sense the surroundings, then flickered and appeared outside the door.
Inside the room, steam and smoke swirled. A woman of graceful figure in a light blue gown had her sleeves rolled up, carrying tier after tier of bamboo steamers. A smile always graced her face, while beside the hearth sat a ruddy-faced man with frost-white temples and a hint of age about him.
When the man looked at the woman, his eyes were filled with doting affection.
The woman was indeed Song Zhi'ang, and the man was her father.
Setting down the steamer, the woman inadvertently glanced toward the doorway, only to see a young man standing there with a gentle smile.
Her brow relaxed, and Song Zhi'ang looked toward Li Guanqi with bright eyes as a smile radiant as sunshine gradually blossomed across her face.
Hastily pulling down her sleeves to cover her fair arms, she stepped briskly up to Li Guanqi and dipped into a respectful curtsy.
"Blessings upon the Immortal Master."
Seeing this, Li Guanqi could not help but gently raise her up by the hands and chuckle. "We are old acquaintances. There is no need for such formalities."
Hearing this, the man also hastily stood up. After all, though the young man before him seemed young, he was a true colossus in this world. Not to mention, he was now an elder of the Great Xia Sword Sect, possessing an exalted status.
That he and his daughter could live such a peaceful life in the Great Xia Sword Sect was entirely thanks to this young man's grace.
The man quickly wiped his hands, cupped his fists, and bowed deeply. "Song Kangning, a mere mortal of the secular world, pays respects to Elder Li."
Li Guanqi said with a smile, "How is it? Are the two of you settling in well here in the sect?"
Song Kangning answered with slight apprehension, "Well, very well. Everyone in the sect takes wonderful care of us."
Song Zhi'ang stared at Li Guanqi's face, her eyes shimmering with brilliant light.
Seeing this, Li Guanqi rubbed his nose and said softly, "What is it? Did flowers sprout on my face?"
Where Song Zhi'ang found the courage was anyone's guess, but she quipped, "You look better than flowers."
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Song Kangning let out a few awkward coughs and hastily spoke up. "Well then, Elder Li, please talk. I have to deliver the steamed buns to the dining hall now."
Li Guanqi nodded with a smile. After Song Kangning left, Li Guanqi chuckled and asked, "Care to take a stroll outside?"
Song Zhi'ang was delighted at first, but then her expression dimmed slightly as she said, "Maybe... if you have something to say, we can just talk here. If we walk outside together... I worry the sect disciples might gossip when they see us, and that would reflect poorly on you."
Li Guanqi was taken aback, not expecting that she would still be considerate of him in such matters.
Li Guanqi smiled faintly and said gently, "It does not matter. I do not care about such things. I came today partly to see how you are doing, and partly to ask you about a few things. As for what others think, I do not mind. Besides, if others see me walking with you, your days ahead will only be easier. In any case, it has no effect on me."
Song Zhi'ang lowered her head, a complex light in her eyes. Twiddling her fingers, she murmured softly, "Thank you..."
Li Guanqi turned slightly and said, "Do you want to head back and change your clothes?"
Song Zhi'ang nodded with a smile and said softly, "All right. Wait for me a moment, I won't be long."
Song Zhi'ang hurried back to her quarters with brisk steps, while Li Guanqi wandered about idly.
When the many outer sect disciples saw him, they bowed in astonishment and even boldly spoke up to ask, "Elder Li, when will you come lecture at the outer sect? We work very hard too!"
Li Guanqi gave it some thought upon hearing this and smiled. "All right. Pass the word down: in two hours, all outer sect disciples are to gather at the outer sect square. I will give you a lecture."
Hearing this, the youth's eyes widened in ecstasy as he bowed repeatedly in gratitude.
Soon after, the news spread like the wind through the entire outer sect.
Some disciples who were away from the mountain rushed back madly upon hearing the news.
Before long, Song Zhi'ang returned, having changed her clothes.
She wore a light blue dress patterned with silver butterflies. Its sleeves were wide and thin as cicada wings, while the cinched waist accentuated her slender curves to perfection. Her long black hair was casually gathered at the back of her head, pinned with a single jade hairpin.
Her face was unadorned by makeup, yet breathtakingly beautiful.
Charming eyes dipped with modest grace; vermilion lips parted in an unfolding smile.
Basking in the sunlight, the young woman held her hands behind her back, her cheeks slightly flushed, her brows and eyes brimming with coy bashfulness.
Li Guanqi wore a smile on his lips, genuinely happy for Song Zhi'ang's current life.
As for romantic affection, he felt none. Perhaps back when he was tempering his heart in the mortal realm and encountered Song Zhi'ang selling tofu, he had felt something like it. But looking back now, it was probably just a fleeting stir of youthful wonder toward beauty.
Song Zhi'ang understood in her heart as well that she and Li Guanqi belonged to two different worlds.
She was a mere mortal with a lifespan of only a hundred years, whereas the youth before her could live for thousands. In ten or twenty years, her beauty would fade, her youthful charm lost to time...
Yet right now, she only wished to dress up beautifully for him to see, to show him that she was doing very well and living happily.
Looking at her, Li Guanqi praised sincerely, "You look beautiful."
Standing side by side, the two made a striking pair—a handsome youth and a fair maiden. Every passing disciple could not help but wonder inwardly about them.
A young girl passing by bowed in greeting, then sighed inwardly to herself, *They look so well-matched... Who is that woman? How come I've never seen her before?*
Feeling the gazes from all around, Song Zhi'ang could not help but feel her cheeks burning hot.
Noticing this, Li Guanqi said softly, "Would you like to experience what it feels like to fly in the sky?"
Song Zhi'ang looked up, her beautiful eyes alight with intense excitement. "Can I?"
Seeing Li Guanqi nod, Song Zhi'ang nodded vigorously.
An invisible force immediately enveloped her, and her feet slowly left the ground as she drifted upward into the air.
Experiencing flight through the air for the first time, Song Zhi'ang could not help but clutch Li Guanqi's arm with her slender hands, her eyes tightly shut, not daring to open them.
After a while, Li Guanqi's teasing voice sounded by her ear.
"If you keep your eyes closed, we'll have already reached our destination."
Only upon hearing this did Song Zhi'ang slowly open her eyes. The magnificent vista before her instantly made her forget the terror of soaring through the skies.
Beside them drifted white clouds and immortal cranes, and everywhere their eyes could see lay the three thousand majestic peaks of Great Xia!
Endless rivers and lakes wound gracefully around the peaks, their surfaces shimmering with golden ripples in the sunlight.
Song Zhi'ang gazed at scene after scene in wonder, her heart surging with emotion.
Suddenly, she turned to look at Li Guanqi, her eyes shimmering with complex feelings.
*If only... I could cultivate and attain longevity too, how wonderful that would be...*
At this thought, her grip on his arm tightened a little more.
Chapter 395