Curiosity

In the blink of an eye, three months had passed.

Leisurely days always went by quickly. Before they knew it, spring had faded and summer had arrived.

Flowers bloomed across the mountains and plains. Birds chirped and fluttered under the blazing summer sun, and the warm air was filled with a faint floral fragrance. The small mountain village felt like a worldly paradise, brimming with laughter and tranquility.

Over the past three months or so.

Yi Feng's body had fully recovered, and he had completely integrated into the life here. Every day, besides going to the schoolhouse to teach, he would help Lady Bai chop wood and carry water, doing everything in his power to repay her kindness.

The two lived as neighbors. Every morning, they went to the schoolhouse together to teach, and at noon, they returned to cook and share meals. They increasingly developed a mutual understanding and grew much more familiar with each other.

Being neighbors with a woman as beautiful as a celestial maiden and teaching the village children together every day—this kind of life was incredibly leisurely, bringing Yi Feng an indescribable sense of physical and mental relaxation.

In his eyes, Lady Bai was truly a descended fairy, capable of anything.

She could gracefully stand in the hall to lecture on classic texts, and just as easily enter the kitchen to cook delicious meals. Though her hands were as white as jade, making her look like a pampered young lady who had never done a day of hard work in her life, she was proficient in everything.

If there truly were fairies in this world, they would be exactly like her.

To encounter such a breathtaking beauty in this life was indeed a great fortune. Yi Feng naturally held admiration in his heart, but it was merely pure appreciation and adoration; he absolutely dared not harbor any improper thoughts toward his benefactor.

After all.

The current him could not remember anything from his past, nor did he know why he had ended up severely injured and stranded in this small mountain village.

Perhaps he used to be a great villain.

Or perhaps he was hunted down by villains to such a state.

But no matter what, Yi Feng couldn't even be certain of his own past, so he naturally dared not have any other thoughts. Even if a trace of affection occasionally surfaced, it was silently suppressed deep in his heart.

The current him was nothing more than Ah Dai, a man with no special skills. Aside from knowing how to read, write, carry water, and chop wood, he knew nothing else. If not for relying on teaching to receive the fruits, vegetables, and grain gifted by the villagers, he would have had to live off Lady Bai's charity...

Having narrowly escaped death with severe injuries, and now being able to work as an ordinary schoolteacher in this mountain village, living a carefree life, Yi Feng was already content.

As for everything in the past, he was truly powerless to do anything about it.

Whether his past self was good or bad, Yi Feng had already let it go.

Let everything follow fate; contentment brings happiness.

This straightforward and natural attitude was more or less noticed by Lady Bai.

After several months of interaction, she grew to understand Yi Feng more and more.

Even though she still didn't know what kind of past Yi Feng had, in the little details of their daily life, Ah Dai's words and actions were all seen by her. Discovering that his character was quite noble, Lady Bai felt very gratified.

This Ah Dai could teach at the schoolhouse and also do heavy labor like carrying water and chopping wood. No matter his circumstances, he never complained in the slightest, always wearing a sunny and peaceful smile.

What was even rarer was that this man had a grateful heart. He was always silently repaying her kindness, and even towards mischievous children, he was very tolerant.

Gentle, sunny, hardworking.

All the words of praise known to the world would not be an exaggeration if applied to Ah Dai.

Occasionally looking at that handsome face, Lady Bai would also feel a bit of admiration in her heart, growing increasingly curious about this person's past. Unfortunately, she always came up empty-handed.

Days passed by one after another.

Lady Bai became more and more familiar with Ah Dai. Even though this man was ordinary and only occasionally revealed new talents that gave her a slight pleasant surprise, there seemed to be nothing else special about him.

However, Lady Bai was already certain that Ah Dai was a responsible and experienced, reliable scholar.

If it were said that there are truly kindhearted people in the world, Ah Dai would count as one.

Unfortunately, when one lacks sufficient ability, mere kindness cannot protect oneself; one might even suffer a lot of unfair treatment.

If one wishes to guard the justice in their heart, they must have the ability to protect themselves.

Thinking of this.

Lady Bai secretly made up her mind.

One day, at noon.

In front of the thatched schoolhouse, after the children respectfully said their goodbyes, they each embarked on their journey home, their cheerful laughter gradually fading away.

Watching this scene.

Lady Bai's red lips curled into a faint curve. Although it was just a hint of a smile, it was already breathtakingly beautiful.

Quietly gazing at that peerless smiling face, Yi Feng's eyes went blank. Even though he had seen it many times, every time he saw Lady Bai smile, he still felt an indescribable sense of awe, and he couldn't help but reveal a hint of a smile himself.

She was smiling at the children, and Yi Feng was smiling at her.

The joy of life, perhaps, was just this simple.

At this moment.

Yi Feng felt his heart flutter. He wanted so badly to forever remember this exquisitely beautiful instant.

Unfortunately, beautiful things are always exceptionally brief.

Before Yi Feng could take a few more glances, those clear eyes had already turned towards him with a smile.

What are you smiling at?

Her soft voice was as peaceful as usual, but Yi Feng's old face flushed red with embarrassment at the question.

I...

I was looking at these children. I really envy them.

He stammered a few words without making much sense. Although the panic in his eyes could still be concealed, his toes were curling so hard they could have dug out the Great Wall.

Fortunately, Lady Bai didn't ask further, only nodding slightly.

Mhm.

Yi Feng finally relaxed, his awkwardness slightly alleviated.

Seeing that Lady Bai had already begun to gracefully walk away, Yi Feng absentmindedly followed quietly. He walked for an unknown amount of time, not even paying much attention to the path ahead.

When he stopped along with Lady Bai.

He raised his eyes to look closely and realized they had actually walked into the bamboo forest behind the village.

Yi Feng's eyes revealed surprise, and he voiced his confusion while giving a polite bow.

Lady Bai, it is currently lunchtime. Why have we come here?

Hearing his voice, Lady Bai quietly looked back, carrying a hint of an expectant smile in her eyes.

I brought you here, naturally, to do something.

Hearing these baffling words, Yi Feng's tone couldn't help but become flustered.

W-what thing?

Lady Bai's expression suddenly became solemn, and her tone grew much more serious, just as if she were teaching the children in the schoolhouse, as though she were possessed by a strict teacher.

Ah Dai.

To tell you the truth, I am originally a cultivator. Seeing that your character is excellent, I intend to impart the path of cultivation to you.

Hearing this, Yi Feng's eyes widened in shock!

Lady Bai, you are actually a legendary cultivator?!

At this moment.

Looking at that spotless long dress and jade-like silhouette, Yi Feng finally understood why this lady always gave him a feeling of being too lofty to look up to.

So, she was actually an immortal.

Although Yi Feng had no memories of his past, he had heard the villagers mention that there were profound experts in the outside world capable of cultivation. It was said that those who achieved success in cultivation could move mountains and fill seas with a raise of their hand, leaving people sighing in amazement...

He never expected that a legendary immortal would be right by his side.

Suddenly, Yi Feng felt the gap between him and Lady Bai being infinitely stretched.

Shock, sudden realization, apprehension.

Various emotions constantly shifted in Yi Feng's eyes, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words.

Until Lady Bai spoke up to ask.

Are you willing to follow me in cultivation?

As soon as her words fell, Yi Feng's heart was touched, and he agreed with almost no hesitation.

I am willing!

Even though he didn't know how difficult cultivation would be, or whether his ordinary self could step onto the immortal path, Yi Feng was unwilling to miss this opportunity. He desperately wanted to catch up to this white moonlight before his eyes.

Lady Bai seemed quite satisfied with Yi Feng's decisiveness. Smiling and nodding, she began to offer her guidance.

Before long.

Yi Feng began his cultivation according to the method of circulating qi. In less than ten breaths of time, he had unexpectedly mastered the breathing technique and could perceive spiritual energy!

This performance left the observing Lady Bai secretly astonished.

"Even I did not possess such talent back then..."

"His meridians are clearly still blocked, and he is nothing more than a mortal shell, yet he was able to instantly comprehend the breathing technique. From the looks of it, even though he has passed the optimal age to enter the Dao, he might still be able to step onto the immortal path..."

"With such incredible talent, how could he just be a mortal?"

"Just what kind of past did he have?"

Quietly watching Yi Feng's earnest meditating posture, Lady Bai was quite shocked. Feeling increasingly shaken, a strong gleam of curiosity began to flicker in her beautiful eyes...