Carefree Bliss

"Great experts are truly generous!" Luo Shui thought, "These two old men are incredibly lucky. Not only did they get to taste that immortal tea, but they also received a painting from a great expert. They must have never imagined such great fortune in their entire lives."

"Thank you, Mr. Li!" Lu Liang expressed his gratitude to Li Jiudao. The landscape painting held an unimaginable natural charm, enough to help them comprehend for a lifetime. This painting would also become the greatest treasure of their Falling Cloud Sect, elevating their sect to a position akin to the holy land.

"It was just a casual creation, no need to be so polite," Li Jiudao smiled, feeling that there wasn't much difference between cultivators and ordinary people. They all shared similar interests.

Lu Liang and the Falling Cloud Sect's founder left, carrying the painting with them. However, they didn't head directly back to their sect; instead, they went to the Tai Hua Sect.

"It seems like you won't have to face death now," Tai Hua Sect's founder, Wen Wuyou, personally welcomed them. Seeing the Falling Cloud Sect's founder and Lu Liang together, he knew that the issue of the Falling Cloud Sect's founder's impending death had been resolved. He was sure that the Falling Cloud Sect's founder would go meet the esteemed expert.

He also noticed the landscape painting hanging in the store, feeling the unimaginable natural charm it held. The Falling Cloud Sect's founder would undoubtedly gain significant benefits from meeting the esteemed expert, and his impending death wouldn't be a concern anymore.

"In your dreams! You're just hoping for my death, aren't you?" Falling Cloud Sect's founder, Zhou Tong, said gruffly.

"Of course, I wish you were dead. That way, our Tai Hua Sect could absorb your Falling Cloud Sect!" Wen Wuyou retorted.

"Get lost! With the meager strength of your Tai Hua Sect, you won't even cause a ripple if you come to our Falling Cloud Sect!" They were a pair of friends who had gone through many life-and-death situations together in their youth, so they had a good relationship.

After a bit of banter, Wen Wuyou asked Zhou Tong, "Have you met that esteemed expert?"

"Yes, I have. The realm possessed by that esteemed expert is beyond our imagination," Zhou Tong marveled. Meeting an expert of such terrifying power was beyond his wildest dreams, and he now understood that there were incredibly formidable individuals in the world.

"Indeed," Wen Wuyou echoed, deeply moved. Unless they saw it with their own eyes, they wouldn't believe that such terrifying experts existed in the world.

"Let's talk business," Zhou Tong said, taking out the landscape painting. "The esteemed expert gave us this painting, and after we go back and contemplate it, our strength will undoubtedly skyrocket. You also received significant benefits from the esteemed expert. I think we can try to enter that ancient relic again."

Wen Wuyou nodded, saying, "Your idea aligns with mine."

In their youth, they had explored the vast eastern wilderness together and stumbled upon an ancient relic. However, the relic was shrouded in an incredibly powerful force that they couldn't break through. They reported it to their respective sects, and strong members from both the Falling Cloud Sect and the Tai Hua Sect attempted to open the relic but failed.

As time passed, they grew stronger, eventually becoming the leaders of their respective sects, and later, the founders of those sects. However, they never forgot about the ancient relic and made multiple attempts to open it, hoping to gain opportunities and solve their impending death issues.

Now, things were different. Both of them had gained significant opportunities from Li Jiudao, which would greatly enhance their strength and understanding. They believed they could finally break through the ancient relic's barrier.

"It's settled then. After I consolidate my breakthrough, I'll come find you," Zhou Tong said, bidding farewell to Wen Wuyou before returning to the Falling Cloud Sect with Lu Liang.

In Qing Shan City, Li Jiudao lived a carefree and content life. He spent his time writing, painting, playing the zither, and taking Luo Shui on leisurely walks to appreciate the scenery. His days were even more blissful than those of immortals.

Luo Shui had gradually adapted to this lifestyle and was no longer shocked by everything happening around her. How could she not adapt? Even the characters Li Jiudao considered scribbles contained profound Dao, his unsatisfactory paintings still reached sublime levels, and the slightest strum of his zither strings produced celestial melodies.

In this period, Xia Yan would often visit Li Jiudao. They had become quite close during this time, and Li Jiudao found himself enjoying her company. 

"Being a cultivator is indeed different," Li Jiudao marveled, "Xia Yan was already beautiful, but now, with her cultivation, she truly resembles a celestial being."

He cherished the moments he spent with Xia Yan and didn't entertain thoughts of a deeper relationship. As an ordinary person, he understood that Xia Yan, being not just a cultivator but also the personal disciple of a sect leader, would become a formidable expert in the future.

"This piece I played sounds more like a wailing ghost than music," Xia Yan chuckled, scratching her head while Li Jiudao tried to teach her the zither. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't produce a pleasant tune; it was always off-key.

"It's okay, practice makes perfect," Li Jiudao reassured her, smiling. He realized that not all cultivators were proficient in every aspect, and Xia Yan's musical skills were far from perfect.

Suddenly, the tranquil forest shook as birds and animals scattered in all directions. A magnificent beast, resembling a lion and a tiger, dashed through the forest at incredible speed. It emitted a radiant golden blaze, leaping dozens of miles with extraordinary vigor.

On its back was a young man in his twenties, dressed in white robes. He had a handsome and imposing appearance, his eyes occasionally flashing with brilliance, exuding a powerful aura.

"All my efforts haven't been in vain; I've finally succeeded and can marry Xia Yan!" He wore a satisfied smile on his face.

Ever since he laid eyes on Xia Yan, he had been infatuated with her. However, Xia Yan had shown no interest in him, maintaining a cold attitude.

But he didn't mind. He was the prince of Ningguo, a neighboring country to Xia's homeland. He had asked his father, the king, to propose a marriage alliance, hoping to marry Xia Yan. However, Xia's emperor had refused, respecting Xia Yan's wishes. If she didn't agree to the marriage, neither would he.

"Hmph, it's all because they think Ningguo is slightly weaker than Xia. That's why they refuse. If Ningguo were stronger, they wouldn't dare to refuse," the young man snorted with a hint of resentment. "This time, I'll have my father propose the marriage again. Let's see if Xia's emperor still dares to refuse. I'm already a senior disciple of the Seven Stars Sect!"