Proofreader & Editor: Lotas
Xu Taiping, although hearing about the "Crimson Sun Golden Flame Art" for the first time and not quite clear on its specific might, knew well how rare a heaven-grade technique was.
Take the Qingxuan Sect for example, the heaven-grade techniques each peak possessed could be counted on one's fingers.
"The better True Fire refining methods are at least of the heaven-grade," Fairy Lingyue said with a light smile.
Seeing Fairy Lingyue speak so casually, Xu Taiping couldn't help but wonder in his heart, "Could there be techniques above heaven-grade?"
However, he just muttered to himself and didn't voice his thoughts. Based on his understanding of Sister Lingyue, if she didn't wish to mention it, it surely wasn't time for him to know.
"However, cultivating the Crimson Sun Golden Flame Art won't be easy. You'll also need to practice the Shadow Division Technique and Fire Bullet Finger, so the days ahead won't be too relaxing," Fairy Lingyue reminded Xu Taiping.
"No amount of hardship matters!" Xu Taiping shook his head vigorously, his excitement palpable.
He feared not having the drive or goals to move forward more than hardship. Now with so much to do, he was too happy to worry.
"In the next three months, just focus on your cultivation. First, to adapt to the spiritual energy of the mountain, and second, to prepare for your descent and trials," Fairy Lingyue said with a nod and a smile.
"As for the ten-plus acres of the Immortal Field and the herb garden, leave them to me," she continued.
Xu Taiping's enthusiasm had a peculiar infectiousness, prompting Fairy Lingyue to look for more tasks to undertake.
"Then I'll have to trouble Sister Lingyue," Xu Taiping said, expressing his gratitude without any hesitation.
***
Twilight Drum Mountain, Moon Perch Pavilion. A clear morning, two months later.
"That silly bird, no slacking off. By tonight, you must catch all the bugs in this field."
"Little Peace, don't help it, come eat some grapes."
"What are you looking at? Keep staring and you won't get into the gourd tonight!"
Amidst the misty herb garden, Fairy Lingyue's spirit form lay lazily on a recliner, levitating a bunch of grapes with one hand while directing the white-feathered creature catching bugs in the garden with the other.
"You enchantress, why should I catch bugs while Peace eats grapes!" The white-feathered creature exploded in indignation, its chest feathers puffing out.
"Because you sneaked a peek at me sleeping in the gourd last night," Fairy Lingyue shot a glance at the white feathers.
She then inhaled the essence from the grapes, leaving behind only shriveled skins.
"I… I… I didn't!" Although the white-feathered creature argued, its tone lacked conviction, and after speaking, it buried its head in bug-catching, forgetting about the grapes.
"Sister, look, I've picked some plums for you," Little Peace, the monkey, said, presenting a handful of plums to Fairy Lingyue.
"Little Peace, you're the best, not like that silly bird, always thinking dirty thoughts," Fairy Lingyue said, patting Little Peace's head from afar.
The white-feathered creature gnashed its teeth in frustration, but a stern glance from Fairy Lingyue sent it back to its task. It had been two months since the creature learned of Fairy Lingyue's existence. At that time, Xu Taiping was about to enter seclusion, and the herb garden needed tending, so Fairy Lingyue simply stopped hiding her identity from it.
And so began the white-feathered creature's miserable life.
"Sister, Taiping hasn't come out for a long time," Little Peace said, stuffing grapes into its mouth while speaking to Fairy Lingyue.
"Don't worry, if he doesn't come out today, he definitely will in the next day or two," Fairy Lingyue replied with a smile.
According to the agreement between her and Xu Taiping, regardless of his cultivation progress, he had to emerge from seclusion more than ten days before the trial period.
"Hm?"
But no sooner had she said this than a look of surprise appeared in Fairy Lingyue's eyes, followed by a slight smile. She had just sensed Xu Taiping's presence.
"Fairy Lingyue, Peace, White Feather."
Just as Little Peace was reminiscing about Xu Taiping's cooking, Xu Taiping's voice suddenly came from the direction of the stone tower, clear and resonant.
"Taiping, you've finally come out!"
Before Little Peace could react, the white-feathered creature flapped its wings and shot toward the stone tower like an arrow.
"Xu Taiping, you have to stand up for me, that enchantress is abusing me!" The white-feathered creature's pitiful cries echoed over Moon Perch Pavilion.
"Ah, White Feather, so fast, you just said you had no energy," Little Peace swallowed a bunch of grapes, looking amazed in the direction of the stone tower.
"Hmm, it seems I need to give it more work to do," Fairy Lingyue mused, nodding thoughtfully.
***
In front of the stone tower in the backyard of Moon Perch Pavilion.
"She's coming, Xu Taiping!" The white-feathered creature perched on Xu Taiping's shoulder whispered a warning.
Then, Xu Taiping saw Fairy Lingyue's spirit form approaching the courtyard with Little Peace.
"Fairy Lingyue," Xu Taiping greeted with a smile.
"Xu Taiping, didn't you promise to talk to her properly?" White Feather panicked.
"White Feather, it's time for you to return to the gourd for cultivation," Fairy Lingyue levitated her green gourd.
"I won't!" White Feather flew to the rooftop.
"What, do you think you can now kill the Peacock King?" Fairy Lingyue's gaze was calm as she looked at White Feather.
At her words, White Feather trembled violently. Without another word, it dove into the green gourd, but not before throwing out a demand—"Xu Taiping, I want roasted yellow lamb tonight!"
Xu Taiping couldn't help but laugh at this, but he eventually agreed, "Alright, you cultivate well, and I'll make it for you."
"Xu Taiping, I don't want meat, I want roasted sweet potatoes," Little Peace then jumped onto Xu Taiping's shoulder.
"Okay, I'll make that for you too," Xu Taiping patted Little Peace's head gently.
Little Peace giggled in response.
"So, how was it? Any progress in these two-plus months of seclusion?" Fairy Lingyue asked Xu Taiping with her arms crossed and a smile.
"The progress in cultivation isn't significant, but the spiritual energy here on the mountain is indeed much more abundant. Even without the Dragon Gall Wine, my cultivation speed can match that of the Black Spirit Bone. Plus, I've adapted to the potency of a cup of Dragon Gall Wine, and I can try taking two cups next. By then, my speed should catch up to or even surpass the Black Spirit Bone," Xu Taiping reflected, then answered earnestly.
His cultivation speed had always been slow. Down the mountain, he was faster than others because he regularly soaked in the Bone Cleansing Marrow Washing Soup, meditated and practiced without interruption every day, and relied on Dragon Gall Wine.