Eternal Tale

”Come, settle your mind and breathe. Even as a martial artist, you must cultivate a calm heart. Follow my lead.”

”Yes, Brother Xun.”

”Heaven and Earth have qi. Let the qi sink into your dantian, let your heart merge with Heaven and Earth, complementing each other.”

”Brother Xun... I don’t understand.”

”Look into the distance and take deep breaths. Empty your mind, think of nothing.”

”Got it!”

Zhou Guangyi mimicked Chen Xun’s posture. Although it felt awkward, the morning breeze and distant view were quite pleasant, and his heart gradually calmed.

Half an hour later, the bright sun rose, casting golden rays everywhere. The households in the alley began their daily bustle, and greetings could even be heard from the rooftops.

Zhou Guangyi frowned slightly, feeling a bit disturbed. His previously calm heart became restless.

”Go practice martial arts. This requires persistence. When you no longer feel disturbed, you’ve reached the next level.””Yes... Brother Xun.”

Zhou Guangyi whispered, licking his lips, feeling dry from the wind, ”Be careful when you come down.”

”Heh, I know martial arts.”

Chen Xun raised an eyebrow at Zhou Guangyi and winked, ”Watch my ’Great Sun Dragon Travel’ technique!”

Whoosh~

A gust of morning wind blew, and Chen Xun lightly descended from the rooftop. Zhou Guangyi’s mouth gaped wide, stunned like a piece of wood. This was definitely lightness skill!

His eyes sparkled with intense excitement, his heart nearly leaping out of his throat.

Lightness skill was something he couldn’t yet grasp, but he knew that those who mastered it were highly regarded in the martial world.

”Brother Xun, I’m coming down!”

”Alright.”

Chen Xun nodded with a smile, ”Come down quickly.”

The two came to a Crane Spirit Tree, where Chen Xun taught him many strange postures to practice. Zhou Guangyi was in agony, his face turning red, each posture more bizarre than the last.

Especially with Black Bull and Little Chi watching and jeering from the side, their calls were nothing short of mockery!

Zhou Guangyi dared not question anything, as Brother Xun was doing it too. Little Crane was also covering her mouth with a giggle on the stone bench, secretly putting down her book to watch.

Time passed quietly, day after day, year after year.

Zhou Guangyi grew through the pain, soaking in medicinal baths to recover from injuries.

His physique became stronger day by day, his staff skills reaching an extraordinary level, and true qi even appeared within him!

His aura grew more powerful each day, his gaze sharp and righteous, like a legendary ninth-grade martial artist!

But in a blink, five years passed, and Zhou Guangyi had grown into a young man.

He packed his belongings, carrying a wooden staff crafted by Chen Xun himself, and bid farewell to his family for a journey. Chen Xun’s family personally saw him off at the alley’s entrance.

Zhou Guangdai and Zhou Guanghan cried their hearts out, unsure of how many years would pass before they saw their brother again, communicating only through letters. Their parents, filled with concern, accompanied him for a long distance.

Chen Xun’s face gradually aged, no longer the youthful look of a twenty-year-old, now sporting a bit of a beard. The old blind man remained in good health, free from illness.

Wang Da Auntie had grown some white hair, her eyes a bit cloudy, but she never stopped talking, more energetic than ever. Over the years, many families moved into the alley, and many left.

Chen Xun gained some reputation, but still wandered the streets with a teacup and Black Bull, often watching the old blind man paint, undisturbed by anyone.

Little Chi remained as lively as ever, though a bit lonely without Zhou Guangyi to bully.

However, Nangong Heling’s beauty spread throughout the alley, attracting many suitors, all left embarrassed by Wang Da Auntie’s sharp tongue, who even gathered her old friends to point and gossip.

Dream on, you lot!

Yet Wang Da Auntie still cared for Nangong Heling, wondering if she would find a husband, as many women in this grand world remained single without the traditional constraints of the small boundary. Nangong Heling said it wasn’t necessary, and Wang Da Auntie didn’t press, being quite reasonable.

The next day.

Zhou Guangdai also packed her bags and left the alley, heading to a big city to follow a teacher.

She wrote home every month, but Zhou Guanghan nearly cried herself to sleep every day, washing her face with tears.

With her eldest brother and second sister gone, one venturing the martial world, the other heading to a big city, she was left alone at home. Her parents were aging, and she feared she couldn’t support the family.

Many suitors came recently, and her parents began considering them, suggesting she take a look.

In this world, parents’ orders and matchmakers’ words weren’t as emphasized, focusing more on mutual consent.

Zhou Guanghan had blossomed beautifully, but with her siblings just gone, she wasn’t in the mood, turning them all away.

She couldn’t help but selfishly hope that Brother Xun and Sister Heling wouldn’t leave, so she could stay in the alley and care for her parents.

Today, the sky over Qiongyang Town was dim, with a light drizzle falling.

The old blind man continued selling paintings, while Chen Xun sat beside him. The streets were filled with hurried passersby, their conversations hushed.

Chen Xun gently raised his head, speaking softly, ”Old sir, it seems the weather isn’t on our side today. It’s raining; we should pack up early.”

The old blind man continued painting, unfazed, ”It’s perfect to let this spiritual rain nourish the world within the painting. I quite enjoy painting in the rain.”

”But sir, after the rain, the ink will smudge.”

”Chen Xun, look at this painting. The world within, nourished by the spiritual rain, isn’t crafted by me, but by a world I’ve never seen. You can only appreciate it.”

The old blind man suddenly laughed heartily, swiftly moving his brush across the paper, blending seamlessly with the drizzle, creating a harmonious masterpiece!

Chen Xun’s gaze gradually focused, observing intently.

A stick of incense later, suddenly!

Boom~

His expression turned to shock, rising abruptly as a thunderclap echoed across the sky outside the town. Purple dragons of lightning spread in all directions, the wind and clouds surged, and heavy rain poured, tearing the paper!

It seemed as if the scene within the painting had escaped, merging with the real world, everything becoming extraordinarily magical and perilous.

Chen Xun felt a powerful energy surging, as if connected to the heavens and earth, his heart filled with unprecedented excitement and passion.

Ten years of watching paintings outside the alley, finally, it’s time to pick up the brush!