Chapter 1: Born with Eight Fingers (4) _1

Qin Shang smiled faintly, making a gesture for silence, "It seems that after more than twenty years of absence, it's time for a good talk with Old Ye Li."

Mei Ying turned to Piero and Diara who were standing beside her and whispered, "Master, what is to be done about them?"

Qin Shang cleared his throat lightly, his eyes flashing a hint of purple. It was only then that Diara, who had been lost in her thoughts, regained her senses. Taking a deep breath, she exclaimed in admiration, "That was amazing! Praise Falan; I never knew the beauty and power of a Divine Music Master. Master Qin, I look forward to learning more from you in the future."

Qin Shang shook his head and said, "What you felt was the power of Spiritual Magic. However, you do not understand the beauty of the melody. The difference between the spiritual and elemental attributes is substantial." As he spoke, he shielded Piero and Diara from Mei Ying's view and gave Mei Ying a knowing look.

Understanding his signal, Mei Ying said, "Thank you, Master Qin, for conferring a magical blessing on my son. If you ever have a moment to spare, I would like to invite you to visit the blue sky and sea. Allowing my husband and me the opportunity to repay your kindness, would that be acceptable?"

Qin Shang nodded, saying, "Then, don't mind if I do."

Diara, somewhat surprised, said, "Praise Falan, Mei Ying, I don't think I've ever been granted such a treatment!"

Mei Ying smiled and said, "There will be a chance in the future. Master Qin, please."

The blue sky and sea, embodies the idea of the ocean sitting within the azure heavens, and bamboo, for it is naturally hollow and green, hinting that the blue sky and sea refer to a dense and flourishing bamboo forest.

The location of this blue sky and sea is about thirty kilometers west of Luna City. The various types of tall, green bamboo make for a stunning view. Amid the soft shimmering light, all you can see is soft green. Each bamboo tree stands tall and proud.

For the Arcadians, the blue sky and sea is an exotic place. A large number of fresh bamboo shoots are produced here, however, no one has been able to venture deep into the heart of it. No one knows how vast the blue sky and sea really is. It stretches along the edges of both the Arcadia Kingdom and Landias Kingdom to the west of Arcadia. Everyone who steps into the blue sky and sea and ventures in, inexplicably ends up walking out from where they entered. No one knows why this happens. The bamboo forest doesn't seem to have any other rich resources besides bamboo shoots, and hence, nobody really pays it any mind or disturbs it.

The temperature within the blue sky and sea differs vastly from Luna City, perhaps due to the numerous green bamboo growing here. Once you step within it, the air immediately cools.

Walking among the bamboo with her son in her arms, Mei Ying admired, "Senior, you have exceptional stamina. I've never seen a mage like you, who can walk such long distances without showing any signs of fatigue."

A thirty-li journey wouldn't usually be considered much for a warrior, but for a mage, it's a long distance. If one were to look carefully, one would see a thin layer of wind surrounding the child in Mei Ying's arms. These were her Douqi protecting her precious son from the heat.

Qin Shang gave a wry smile, "Haven't you heard the saying? A musician's life is filled with hardship. As a divine music master, I don't have the speed-boosting spells the elemental mages possess, and I don't like having followers. Wherever I go on the continent, I have to rely on my own two legs. In the end, naturally, I can walk longer distances and have better stamina than mages from other fields."

As they chatted, Qin Shang noticed that the bamboo forest ahead looked a bit unreal. His face broke into a knowing smile. He casually snapped a bamboo stick from a tree and began to tap it on the surrounding bamboo as he walked. The rhythm of his tapping sped up and slowed down, producing a distinct sound wave. Leading the way, he walked straight into the depths of the bamboo forest. The blue sky and sea, which others see as an impassable barrier, was not going to stop an old friend like him.

It seemed as though Mei Ying had already anticipated this. She showed no surprise. Her steps adopted a similar pace to Qin Shang as she followed him into the depths of the bamboo forest.

Near the heart of the blue sky and sea, a row of neatly arranged bamboo huts scattered among thick bamboo groups formed a unique, elegant sight. Before Mei Ying and Qin Shang had even reached the bamboo huts, an old voice came from one of the huts, "Ying'er, why have you brought a stranger here? Don't tell me you've forgotten what I told you?"

Before Mei Ying could speak, Qin Shang chimed in, "My, my, Ye Li, are you even refusing to see old friends now?"

The door of the central bamboo hut opened, and a figure as quick as lightning instantly arrived in front of Mei Ying and Qin Shang. Although the figure moved swiftly, his movement was smooth, not creating any sense of abruptness.

Ye Li was even taller than Qin Shang. His long gray hairs spread over his shoulders. His face was less lined than Qin Shang's, making him appear to be in his fifties. His back was straight, eyes welling with a sparkling aura, and the vicissitudes of a mature man were perfectly reflected in Ye Li. At the sight of Qin Shang, his large hands immediately reached for Qin Shang's shoulders. Qin Shang did not dodge and let Ye Li grab his shoulders.

"Old buddy, how come you're here? We must not have seen each other in over twenty years, right?" Ye Li asked, excitedly.

Qin Shang's calm demeanor dissolved in front of Ye Li, making a somewhat goofy expression he said, "I came to see you! You still look so young while I have aged. Practicing Douqi really does have its advantages! Magic does age us quickly. If I remember right, you are older than me by one year."

Ye Li offhandedly said, "Young? Can't you see my hair turning white? Come on, let's go inside and talk." While talking, he pulled Qin Shang with him, sparing a glance at his grandson in Mei Ying's arms.

The bamboo hut was simply arranged with a bamboo bed, a bamboo table, and a bamboo chair, and nothing more.