The Ancient Strengthening Technique

AST 2329 - Meeting Miss Li Once Again

Since the woman rejected Qing Shui, he didn't insist either. He offered the gesture as a form of reciprocation; he supposed the woman didn't think too highly of his skills.

Qing Shui flashed a smile and said, "In that case, feel free to pay me a visit when you change your mind. I won't disturb you any longer."

Qing Shui intended to leave now that the incident was resolved. It was time he fetched Chi Ao and Chi Feng over; this would fulfill his own wish as well. He hadn't expected to be able to locate their parents for them. After all, he didn't know if their parents were still alive, much less their whereabouts. It was more difficult than finding a needle in a haystack.

Who would have expected this? It was as though destiny was at work as a form of fate. These things were beyond explanation.

The woman didn't persuade him to stay. Instead, she got up and sent Qing Shui on his way.

After exchanging a handshake, he disappeared without a trace. Qing Shui believed that the woman was the type who held enormous weight to her words; disagreement meant just that, however, once agreed, she'd make sure to do it right.

"Vice Sect Leader, why didn't you let him heal you? He's rather knowledgeable and is a Miracle Physician, the cream of the crop among them. Perhaps he will really be able to heal you," Yuchi Ding asked softly.

"I do not wish to face disappointment again. Besides, I'm fine the way I am; I'm used to it," she replied just as gently.

Her eyes were as radiant as the stars. However, the scar-ridden face had seemingly distracted the people from its brilliance.

Qing Shui left. He hadn't expected the Vice Sect Leader of the Divine Rain Sect to be a woman and one with a story at that. However, Qing Shui didn't hold much interest in the stories of others. With a trip back to the Chi Clan, he notified Chi Yang that he'd soon fetch Chi Ao and Chi Feng back.

The couple was agitated by the news and wished to accompany Qing Shui on his journey.

"Qing Shui, let us go with you. It may be good to go slower anyway," Chi Yang's wife offered.

Qing Shui could understand the heart of a mother; she felt like she owed her children. Hence, she preferred going to them instead of having them brought back. Even if they were to fetch them them back, she'd want to personally do it, too.

After some thought, Qing Shui nodded. "Alright. We'll leave this place to Third Uncle Chi and the others for a while. Don't worry, nothing major will happen again in the future."

Qing Shui didn't explain, but everyone knew that he went on a trip to the Divine Rain Sect. Furthermore, the Divine Rain Sect was forced to compensate with several Divine Artifacts despite having their people murdered; this was unheard of. Since the Divine Rain Sect had already done this, there was no one else who would dare provoke the Chi Clan. They would be courting disaster otherwise.

After a simple round of preparation, Qing Shui had a realization just as they were about to leave. The Five Elements Heavenly Chess still had slots for designation, making it much easier for them to get back. Elated, he set it for the Eight Desolates City.

As for the location, it was in the huge manor surrounding the She Clan which was under reconstruction now. The She Clan had completely perished, and the area was now owned by Qing Shui, his two women, and the other Battle Gods.

Chi Yang kept the manor for Qing Shui and the others; it would belong to Qing Shui forever.

Once the location had been set, Qing Shui smiled at the couple. "I missed this out earlier. Now that it has been set, we'll be able to make it back quickly. In fact, it will take about the same time for me to travel back alone, perhaps even faster."

It was still morning when Qing Shui led the couple on their journey with the Five Elements Heavenly Chess and arrived at the Dancing Phoenix Continent instantly. Along the way, he visited Sou Hun and his wife.

A look of disbelief painted Sou Hun's expression at the sight of Qing Shui. Gleefully, he lunged forward with a bear hug. "It has been so long! Thankfully, you didn't forget about me."

"How would I forget Elder Brother? I've just been too busy; I could barely return home. I'm returning home this time around too and look, I even visited first before going home," said Qing Shui as he laughed. He was ecstatically happy.

Entering Sou Hun's Jade Mountain Hall, Qing Shui's heart skipped a beat. There stood a familiar figure who was diagnosing others in the room. The elegant silhouette, well-rounded body, sexy lips, and her enchanting eyes. Her appearance held resemblance to Huoyun Liu-Li, perhaps even slightly inferior, but he had never forgotten about her.

This woman looked like a replica of another woman he knew from his previous life, down to her voice and personality. She was Li Yan, the lady from the Li Clan. Qing Shui didn't know why she was here. At this moment, Sou Hun spoke up, "This girl has a great aptitude. She has already mastered half my knowledge. Perhaps she'd be able to open her own Imperial Cuisine Hall in the future."

"Oh, is that so? That's great. Right, where's that godson of mine?" Looking around, Qing Shui saw no traces of Sou Yi.

"He went to his grandparents' place with his mother. Let's not bother about him. Come on, we're all brothers here. Let's have a drink!" Sou Hun was already acquainted with Chi Yang and his wife at this point.

"Don't drink too much!" Qing Shui smiled.

"Younger Brother, Sister-in-Law, don't worry about the delay in your journey. Rest assured, you'd be able to see your children by tomorrow." Sou Hun patted Chi Yang's shoulder as he spoke.

Li Yan was clearly startled by the sight of Qing Shui as well; she hadn't seen him in a long time and almost didn't recognize him at first glance. Now that she remembered who he was, she flashed a smile. "You're back."

"Hm. Miss Yan'er, you're also a Miraculous Physician now." Looking at her, Qing Shui was filled with a sense of happiness.

"Don't mock me. I'm aware of my abilities. I'm too dumb." Li Yan said, abashed.

"You're a smart girl. Here, have this. Learn it first, then pass it on to your teacher. I'll demonstrate it in a bit." Qing Shui passed her a book of acupuncture. This included practical acupuncture techniques which could be learned by regular folk, too.

"Younger Brother, aren't you being too obvious on your interest in the girl? Why don't I be your matchmaker?" Sou Hun laughed.

"Do I need a matchmaker? Come on, let's drink up first. Yan'er, read that first. You can ask me anything you're unsure of." Qing Shui seized the opportunity and added.

Li Yan's face was decorated with a hint of red. This rascal had addressed her as Yan'er now instead of the initial Miss Yan'er…

She grew flustered. After so many years, she had never forgotten about this young man. She had rejected many proposals for marriage but didn't know what she had been waiting for. She hadn't liked the art of medicine initially, yet she did now. At this thought, she couldn't help but drift her sights to the man who was now happily drinking.

Qing Shui turned around and met her beautiful eyes. They were filled with a deep sense of camaraderie, or at least that was what it looked like. Qing Shui stood up as he felt a tremor in his heart.

"Younger Brother, it's your time to drink. Hm? What are you doing?"

"Just a moment!" Qing Shui didn't turn back when he replied. He walked straight to Li Yan and engulfed her in his arms.

Li Yan thought of struggling against his embrace until his voice sounded out. "Yan'er, I'm just going to hug you. I don't know if you'd believe me, but I loved you to death in my past life. Sadly, we weren't fated to be together in the end. That was like a dream, and you look just like her. Do you know I would have such a reaction at our first meeting? I like you, I really do."

Li Yan's body grew rigid. She knew that she wasn't as beautiful as the women by his side, and neither was her cultivation. Now, she could understand why he had paid much attention to her. She was filled with glee at the realization that he really did like her.