I Live Forever In The World of Cultivation World

Now that the Maze Formation was fully set up and the aura of the Spirit Gathering Formation completely concealed, He Song finally let out a sigh of relief.

At last, he no longer needed to worry about his identity as a formation master being exposed.

With the Maze Formation in place, even if He Song brought someone into his quiet room, they would have no idea they were enveloped by not one but two formations.

Nor would they suspect that the seemingly unremarkable He Song standing before them was, in fact, a formation master.

After completing the setup of the Maze Formation, He Song left his quiet room and went into his study.

Seated by the desk, He Song brewed himself a cup of tea.

The faint fragrance of tea slowly filled the room, calming his slightly weary mind after the meticulous task of arranging the formation.

Taking a gentle sip, He Song found the taste to be somewhat unusual, which made him pause in thought.

And then, suddenly, an image of Ping’er from the Spirit Techniques Pavilion flashed in his mind.

Three years ago, Ping’er had gifted He Song a box of fine tea.

Now, three years later, he was brewing that very tea in his own home.

In the blink of an eye, three years had passed.

He wondered, could the Ping’er who had personally given him that box of tea be free now?

Would she join him in fulfilling the promise of sharing a drink, instead of him sitting here alone?

A three-year delay did seem a bit long.

After some consideration, He Song took out a thin piece of paper.

“To Fellow Daoist Ping’er, Three years ago, you graciously gifted me a fine box of tea, for which I remain deeply grateful. However, mundane affairs preoccupied my mind and delayed my thoughts.

Now, as I once again brew that tea, I am struck by how time flies. In the blink of an eye, three years have passed.

I wonder if you might be free today? As I sit here drinking alone, I fear it would be a disservice to your thoughtful gift.

Sincerely, He Song.”

As strands of spiritual energy flowed from his fingertips, the words etched themselves upon the paper.

After confirming the message, He Song pointed at it lightly.

Instantly, a paper crane flew into the sky, heading toward its destination.

<+>

Far Away, at the Spirit Techniques Pavilion

On the second floor, Ping’er was in the midst of her daily cultivation when she suddenly opened her eyes.

Her beautiful gaze was filled with curiosity as she looked at the messenger paper crane hovering in front of her.

A messenger paper crane?

In this Immortal Market, the only people she was familiar with were the others from the Spirit Techniques Pavilion.

If someone from the pavilion needed to find her, they would just approach directly.

Who would go to the trouble of using a messenger paper crane?

Puzzled, Ping’er released a wisp of her spiritual energy.

In an instant, the glowing paper crane transformed into a thin sheet of paper.

As the paper fluttered into her hand, lines of words emerged.

“So, he’s not dead.”

Reading the message, a look of realization flashed across Ping’er’s eyes.

Three years without a word—she had almost assumed that He Song had met his end somewhere.

Otherwise, why hadn’t he contacted her for so long?

After all, the tea she had given him was quite valuable.

She had waited and waited, but He Song’s response never came.

Still, she had hesitated to contact him herself, lest it seem like she was demanding something in return for her favor.

So, as the years passed, she resigned herself to the idea that her gesture had gone unappreciated, and that He Song might no longer be around.

But now, looking at the note in her hand, she realized he wasn’t dead—he just hadn’t thought of her.

Heartache.

Taking a deep breath, Ping’er composed herself, her expression calm as she pulled out a sheet of paper.

With a flourish of spiritual energy, she wrote:

“To Fellow Daoist He, How could I decline your invitation? Pray, tell me where you are, and I shall come immediately.

Sincerely, Ping’er.”

<+>

Upon receiving Ping’er’s reply, He Song thought for a moment before deciding to set their meeting at a teahouse within the market.

“I shall await you at the Hundred Flowers Teahouse,” he wrote, and sent off another messenger paper crane.

Afterward, he placed several Thick Earth Talismans within easy reach, prepared for any eventualities.

Only then did he leave his home and head toward the Hundred Flowers Teahouse.

Inviting someone into his home?

That was absolutely out of the question.

They had only met three times before this—four times, counting today.

Even if they had met a hundred or a thousand times and become close friends, He Song would still think twice before inviting anyone into his house.

Things were different now.

In the past, his home held no secrets, so having guests was no issue.

But now, with two formations running simultaneously, any slip could attract unwanted attention.

That was a risk He Song could not afford to take.

<+>

The Hundred Flowers Teahouse

The teahouse was named for its signature tea, Hundred Flowers Tea.

Made from the petals of a hundred fragrant flowers, the tea released a captivating aroma when brewed, making one feel as though they were surrounded by a garden in full bloom.

Each sip left a lingering sweetness that lasted for days.

Though not a spiritual tea, Hundred Flowers Tea was a prized luxury among mortals.

Within the market, however, its price was relatively modest.

Upon arriving at the teahouse, He Song chose a private room, ordered a pot of Hundred Flowers Tea, and set it aside.

Then, he took out the box of tea Ping’er had given him and began brewing it carefully.

Moments later, the rich fragrance of tea filled the room.

Ping’er arrived shortly thereafter.

Today, she was no longer dressed in the standard uniform of the Spirit Techniques Pavilion.

Instead, she wore a light green robe adorned with subtle embellishments, a stark contrast to the image He Song had of her.

Her attire today made her already striking features even more captivating and accentuated her graceful figure.

Clothes make the woman, as the saying goes.

Indeed, the change in attire made all the difference.

He Song silently praised her in his heart, though he maintained a composed expression.

This invitation was not born of sentimentality but rather to fulfill an old promise and assess what Ping’er’s intentions might truly be.

Still, there were some things he needed to ask.

“Fellow Daoist He, I’ve waited three years for this tea. You’ve made me wait far too long.”

Sitting across from He Song, Ping’er’s bright eyes locked onto his, her expression tinged with feigned sorrow.

Three years—how many such years does one have in a lifetime?

Looking at the man calmly brewing tea before her, Ping’er felt a mix of emotions.

She had never expected that after giving him such a valuable gift and waiting patiently, it would take him three years to respond.

But now, meeting him face-to-face, a glimmer of surprise flashed in her eyes, and her dissatisfaction was quickly set aside.

‘How has his cultivation advanced so quickly?’

In just three years, He Song had broken through to the fifth level of Qi Refinement Realm.

Three years ago, when they last met, he had only recently reached the fourth level.

Back then, she could even sense the fluctuations of spiritual energy that came with his breakthrough.