Medical Sage

Cyprus is a small island nation, so its economy isn’t very diverse. It is, in fact, extremely singular, with tourism as the crucial component of its economic fabric. The beaches of Limassol are beautiful by day or night, and the sensation of the fine breeze caressing one’s skin like a feather is truly unique.

Not to mention the slightly salty sea breeze, the endless, magnificent vistas, and the comfortable, fine sand beneath one’s feet. There were even couples from all over the world, out at night seeking romance, lost in the throes of passionate love. Together, they contributed to a colorful tableau that added to the charm of Limassol’s shores.

”No wonder it’s one of the Mediterranean’s famed tourist destinations. It really is different from back home.”

Walking along the tranquil sea under the night sky, with the wind on his face and sand under his feet, even Chen Fei couldn’t help but grin in appreciation. He smiled and opened his arms as if to embrace something.

It was then that he suddenly felt that a midnight stroll, with the sea breeze brushing past, was actually quite nice.

Beside him, Shadow Immortal Dance, dressed in light evening wear, walked silently. Her exquisitely beautiful face was cool and expressionless, like an otherworldly fairy fallen to the mundane world, giving her an air of aloof detachment. Yet, every so often, she would suddenly lift a fair leg and gently kick at the little seashells and rocks ’sleeping’ quietly on the beach, pouting subconsciously if she missed. Her actions were full of childlike innocence.

As they walked on, they didn’t notice how far they had gone.

”Shall we take a break? How about we go sit on that rock over there and chat?” he asked with a laugh, pointing to a boulder that jutted out over the sea, with waves lapping playfully at its base.

He paused slightly before flashing a mischievous smile and adding, ”Or how about a race? Let’s see who can get to that rock first.”

”Are you bullying me?” Hearing his proposal, Shadow Immortal Dance turned her head. She looked at him with a serious expression, her bright, clear eyes fixed on his as she asked the question softly. Her words made Young Master Chen blush with a bit of embarrassment.

Considering his current Qi Refining Fifth Layer cultivation is already comparable to the Innate Middle Stage, proposing such a contest does seem a little... like bullying. *Ahem*...

”Heh…”

But just then, the previously serious Shadow Immortal Dance’s lips curved into a smile. With a graceful step, she vanished from Chen Fei’s widening eyes, swiftly reaching the boulder in just a few steps. Only after she was already there did Chen Fei snap back to reality. He stared at the poised figure atop the rock, the corner of his mouth twitching as he muttered, ”When did this girl learn to pull a fast one like that? That shouldn’t be possible.”

While muttering to himself, his figure flickered on the spot. With a flicker of faint, fiery light, he reappeared on the boulder. Seeing this, Shadow Immortal Dance’s beautiful eyes flashed with a peculiar light, and she couldn’t help but ask, ”What was that just now?”

”Do you want to know?” Chen Fei asked, his lips curling in a proud smile, trying to be mysterious.

”You lost our race, so you owe me one. Tell me,” Shadow Immortal Dance replied calmly, her expression unchanging. The smug look on Chen Fei’s face instantly froze.

”Alright, I’ll tell you.” He couldn’t help the frustrated look that crossed his face as he lamented, ”It’s only been a month. How did you get so cunning?”

”You still haven’t answered my question.” For some reason, hearing Chen Fei’s words and seeing the frustration on his face made Shadow Immortal Dance feel quite happy. Her lips curled up slightly as she asked again.

”Have you forgotten I’m a Qi Practitioner? Like this…” Chen Fei snapped his fingers, and a faint, fiery light suddenly rose from beneath his feet. Just as Shadow Immortal Dance’s bright, stream-like eyes were drawn to it, Chen Fei’s figure vanished completely, along with the faint glow.

”Magical, isn’t it?” A moment later, a somewhat rough hand landed on her head and ruffled her hair. Chen Fei had reappeared behind her, asking with a grin.

”It is magical.”

Feeling his slightly coarse hand, Shadow Immortal Dance’s delicate body trembled slightly, and her eyes shone brightly. It wasn’t that she disliked or resisted his touch; rather, she was stunned that he could vanish from right in front of her and reappear behind her in the blink of an eye.

If he were an enemy…

Shadow Immortal Dance gently removed his hand from her hair. She lifted her cool, stream-like eyes to meet his and asked in earnest, ”Can you teach me how to become a Qi Practitioner!?”

Hearing this, Chen Fei was momentarily stunned. ”You want to become a Qi Practitioner?” he couldn’t help but ask, still dazed.

He immediately cursed himself for being an idiot. Anyone could see that Qi Practitioners were far more powerful than Ancient Martial Artists. If he were in her shoes, he would want to learn too. Of course, she felt the same way.

”Is it not possible?”

But hearing the clear hesitation and shock in his tone, the light in Shadow Immortal Dance’s clear, stream-like eyes dimmed. She lowered her head and whispered, ”If not, then just forget it.”

She knew she had probably asked the wrong thing. In matters of lineage, whether in the Circle of Ancient Martial Arts or among Qi Practitioners, the rules were likely the same. No one would casually pass on their sect’s legacy to an outsider. The consequences of being discovered would be severe. In fact, she had regretted asking the moment the words left her mouth, but a part of her had been unwilling to let the opportunity slip by.

So, he’s rejected me, right? That’s to be expected. It’s not surprising.

Thinking this, she suddenly felt a tightness in her chest, a sense of being wronged. Her face returned to its cool mask. She crouched down, sat on the rock, and stared silently at the dark beach of Limassol, feeling the salty sea breeze.

”I don’t recall saying no. Why so sentimental all of a sudden?”

But in the next moment, Chen Fei sat down beside her. He also looked out at the tranquil, dark sea and asked with a smile, ”I know I said I wouldn’t ask... but are you really troubled by something? Can you tell me about it?”

”Can you help me?” Shadow Immortal Dance’s eyes flickered as she looked at him.

”Of course I can.” Chen Fei smiled confidently, a surge of youthful pride and impulsiveness rising within him. He then added with a laugh, ”If you want to become a Qi Practitioner, I can help you. I can even give you a Cultivation Method suitable for a woman. However, I think it’s best you wait until after you become an Innate Expert.”

He paused briefly before continuing, ”As for any other trouble, you can really tell me about it. Even if I can’t help, just getting it off your chest isn’t a bad idea, don’t you think?”

”Best to wait until after I’m an Innate Expert?” Shadow Immortal Dance’s bright, stream-like eyes flickered. She then lowered her head again and said, ”I got a call from my master. He wants me to return as soon as possible.”

”He wants you to return? What’s the problem with... wait, could it be...?” At first, Chen Fei was confused, but then he suddenly recalled what she had told him on the train, and his expression changed.

He remembered what she had said about the issue between her master and Luo Zun, something about a bet and ”seven seats.” Could it be…

”So I have to leave tomorrow. Whatever the reason my master is so urgently calling me back, I have to go see.” As she spoke, Shadow Immortal Dance slowly lifted her head and rested it on Chen Fei’s shoulder. Her voice was faint and ethereal. ”I’m sorry. I was the one who asked you to come here, and now I’m leaving you all alone tomorrow.”

”You don’t have to apologize. Didn’t I make you wait here for a month? Still, is there anything I can do to help with this matter?” Chen Fei asked, a helpless look in his eyes.

”Help... not right now, I think. I need to go back first and see what’s going on,” Shadow Immortal Dance said, shaking her head.

”Alright. In any case, if anything happens, just contact me. As long as it’s something I can help with, I’ll find a way,” Chen Fei said. Seeing her shake her head, he didn’t press the issue. Strictly speaking, this seemed to be an internal matter of her sect, and it wasn’t his place to interfere.

”Mmm, I know…” Leaning on his shoulder, Shadow Immortal Dance seemed to have nothing more to say, her voice trailing off.

Seeing this, Chen Fei could only shake his head with a sigh. He shifted his shoulder to let her rest more comfortably, then turned to stare blankly at the tranquil sea. He was used to being alone, and a lot had happened recently. This quiet environment was the perfect place to think.