Cultivation: Starting with a Dual Cultivation Technique at the Immortal Rank

43: Chapter 43 Heartfelt Words Under the MoonLi Yifei’s smile deepened as he led her, walking slowly along the winding stone paths of the peak.

The night breeze brushed past, bamboo shadows swayed, and the surroundings were so quiet that only their footsteps and light breathing could be heard.

Initially, the atmosphere was somewhat silent and subtle; Su Yanran was tense, her steps a bit unsteady, as if all her attention was focused on the hand being held tightly.

Li Yifei was in no hurry and took the initiative to bring up some light topics.

”Did you go to the Library Pavilion today? I saw that girl Meng Zhishu admires you greatly, saying your commentary on an ancient sword manual enlightened her.”

Hearing a familiar topic, Su Yanran’s tense nerves relaxed slightly. She composed herself and said softly, ”Junior Sister Meng has high Comprehension Ability and a pure heart; she is a good seed for sword cultivation.”

”Hmm, she is indeed not bad.” Li Yifei nodded in agreement. ”The children on the peak all like you very much, especially Qin Baobao’s little one. Every time you go to see him, he smiles exceptionally happily.”

Mentioning that little life carved from pink jade, Su Yanran’s cold eyes couldn’t help but soften: ”Chengji is very well-behaved and cute.”

”Yes, he is the first child between Baobao and me.” Li Yifei’s tone carried a hint of fatherly warmth. ”In the future, we will have many, many more children.”

As he said this, he gave Su Yanran a meaningful look.

Su Yanran’s heart skipped a beat, and the heat that had finally faded from her cheeks surged up again.

She quickly changed the subject, pointing to a lake not far away shimmering with spiritual light under the moonlight, and asked, ”What is that place...”

”That is Spirit Heart Lake. I channeled a spiritual spring from an earth vein to form it. I’ve raised some first-rank Ice-Scaled Fish in the lake; their meat is fresh and delicious, and they taste excellent when made into Sashimi. I’ll have them prepare some for you to taste tomorrow,” Li Yifei explained with a smile.

The two of them walked and chatted like this.

From the scenery of the peak to anecdotes about the new Disciples.

From insights into the Dao of Alchemy to realizations about Sword Techniques.

Under Li Yifei’s deliberate guidance, Su Yanran’s embarrassment and unease gradually faded.

She found that talking with Li Yifei was a very comfortable thing.

He was well-read and knowledgeable; no matter what she talked about, he could easily follow along and often offer insights that were refreshing to her.

Unknowingly, the two arrived at a pavilion built by the lake.

Outside the pavilion, the moonlight was soft and the lake sparkled; inside, the stone table and benches were clean and elegant.

Li Yifei let go of her hand, entered the pavilion first to sit down, and poured a cup of pre-prepared Spiritual Tea for Su Yanran.

With her palm suddenly empty, Su Yanran actually felt a trace of inexplicable loss.

She suppressed this strange emotion, followed him into the pavilion, and sat opposite Li Yifei. She picked up the teacup but only gently rubbed the warm wall of the cup with her fingertips without drinking.

The atmosphere became quiet again. But this time, it was no longer awkward, but a silence like waiting for a verdict.

Li Yifei looked at the face opposite him that was so beautiful under the moonlight it seemed unreal. She lowered her eyes, her long eyelashes casting a shallow shadow on her face, her pretend calmness incredibly cute.

He knew that this thin veil of paper would ultimately have to be broken by him.

”Senior Sister Su,” Li Yifei spoke slowly, his voice exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

Su Yanran’s body trembled slightly as she raised her eyes to look at him.

Li Yifei looked directly into her clear eyes, which held both longing and a final trace of reserve, and smiled: ”I think you should have seen it clearly by now. The effectiveness of the ’Grand Ultimate Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation Secret Canon’, the life on Yifei Peak, and... my sincerity.”

Su Yanran’s breath hitched, and her fingers holding the teacup tightened unconsciously.

Li Yifei did not give her a chance to escape; he leaned forward slightly, his gaze burning.

His voice carried an unquestionable sincerity and strong confidence: ”The path of immortal cultivation is lonely and long. Walking alone can indeed temper one’s Dao Heart, but the hardships and loneliness within are known only to oneself.”

”After a hundred years of seclusion, things may have long changed by the time you emerge. Encountering a Bottleneck with no one to talk to, you can only sit in silence. Even if you gain something, there is no one to share the joy with. Is such a Dao really what you want?”

Every one of his words was like a heavy hammer, striking hard at Su Yanran’s heart.

Loneliness, boredom, no one to share with... Was this not the true portrayal of her cultivation path over the past many years?

She had always thought this was natural, the price a seeker of the Dao must pay.

”On Yifei Peak, you see another possibility.” Li Yifei’s voice became soft and full of temptation.

”Family sitting leisurely together, the warm glow of lights. When cultivating, we can discuss the Dao and validate each other’s progress. In leisure, we can enjoy the scenery together and laugh about interesting anecdotes.”

”Someone to worry for you, someone to share with you, someone behind you, building a harbor where you can always dock. The Great Dao is still ahead, but the road leading to it no longer has to be traveled alone.”

He stood up, walked to Su Yanran, and reached out his hand to her.

”So, Su Yanran.”

He called her by her full name, his expression extremely solemn.

”Are you willing to become my Dao Companion and a part of this family? From now on, cast aside your past loneliness and, together with me and the sisters, support each other and walk side by side toward the Peak of Eternal Life?”

Moonlight filtered through the eaves of the pavilion, falling on his broad, warm palm and into his sincere and deep eyes.

Su Yanran’s Dao Heart completely collapsed at this moment.

All pride, all reserve, all hesitation appeared so pale and weak before his heartfelt words.

She longed for the Great Dao, and he had given her a warmer, more efficient ladder to the heavens.

Everything she wanted, he understood.

What she hadn’t said, he had said for her.

What else could she refuse? What reason was there to refuse?

Su Yanran slowly raised her head, her clear eyes already shimmering with tears.

She looked at the handsome and gentle face before her, at the hand waiting for her, and the final barrier in her heart melted away.

The blush on her face spread from her cheeks to her snow-white neck and then to her delicate ears; her whole being seemed to be simmering, emitting a touching warmth.

After a long time, during Li Yifei’s patient waiting, she finally trembled and placed her slightly cool hand gently, yet with absolute firmness, into his palm.

Then, in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s hum yet perfectly clear, she said shyly:

”I... I am willing.”