When her finger touched Lin Beichen's palm, she felt the warmth of his hand, and her heart trembled involuntarily.
This was actually her first time having such contact with a boy!
This thought flashed by, and Xia Luyao unconsciously looked up at Lin Beichen, a faint blush quietly creeping up her cheeks.
Lin Beichen was about to guide Xia Luyao into a meditative state but suddenly noticed the blush on her cheeks and curiously asked, "What's wrong with your face, why is it so red?"
"Ah? I..." Xia Luyao raised her hand to touch her cheek, indeed feeling a bit hot, and her heart was a mess.
She hurriedly explained, "I was just thinking this room is too stuffy."
After speaking, she lowered her head, somewhat afraid to meet Lin Beichen's gaze.
Lin Beichen glanced around the room and nodded; indeed, the ventilation wasn't great, and it was a bit stuffy.
"Alright, don't worry, once we start meditating, and your mind calms down, you'll feel cooler."
Xia Luyao nodded awkwardly, hoping to quickly shift the topic.
...
"Alright, now, close your eyes and relax your body and mind, I'll guide you into the state," Lin Beichen said to Xia Luyao in a gentle tone.
Both slowly closed their eyes, and Lin Beichen began channeling his True Qi, slowly guiding Xia Luyao.
Xia Luyao followed Lin Beichen's instructions, trying her best to relax and let go of distractions.
Then, she was amazed to feel a warm stream of Qi slowly flowing from Lin Beichen's palm into her own.
This stream of Qi began at the palm, slowly flowing through her entire body, moving through her limbs and bones, permeating every acupoint.
Under the effect of this True Qi, Xia Luyao felt as if her acupoints were being unblocked one by one, feeling an unprecedented comfort.
As the True Qi flowed within her, she felt her entire body filled with heat, as if every acupoint was awakened by this force.
After a while, the Qi flow gradually dissipated, and Lin Beichen's voice softly sounded by her ear: "Alright, you can open your eyes now."
Xia Luyao slowly opened her eyes, looking at everything around her, feeling as if she'd transcended time.
"How was it? Did you feel it this time?" Lin Beichen released her hand and asked softly.
Xia Luyao nodded, "Yes, I felt a stream of Qi flowing inside me, like all my acupoints were opened."
"See, I told you I wasn't lying!" Lin Beichen said to Xia Luyao, the corners of his mouth carrying a hint of a proud smile.
Xia Luyao, a bit uncomfortable, adjusted her neck, pretending to be calm: "It's just like that, I guess you make some sense."
After this experience, she indeed believed in Lin Beichen's talk about meditation.
However, she didn't want this guy to get too proud, so she intentionally showed less excitement.
"It's just like that?" Lin Beichen heard and slightly frowned, a bit helpless.
No way? He had let her experience it personally, and Xia Luyao still didn't believe him?
At this moment, a system notification suddenly sounded in his ear.
[Faith Value +1000.]
Hearing the notification and seeing Xia Luyao's pretentious haughty look, Lin Beichen's mouth couldn't help but curve upward.
It seems his little apprentice may not show it, but she truly believes inside. What a case of saying one thing and meaning another!
"What are you smiling about?" Xia Luyao noticed Lin Beichen's smile at the corners of his mouth and asked curiously.
Xia Luyao looked at Lin Beichen's smile and wondered silently about whether he had seen through her thoughts.
Noticing the flicker in her eyes, Lin Beichen smiled easily and said, "I just find it funny, what's wrong, Instructor Xia, am I not allowed to smile?"
"When did I ever want to control your smile?" Xia Luyao was speechless; she had no interest in bothering if he smiled or not.
Lin Beichen just smiled at her reply and then straightforwardly said, "I plan to continue meditating, you can join me if you want, or go for a walk instead."
Xia Luyao considered briefly and whispered, "I'll continue meditating with you; there's not much to see on this mountain."
"Suit yourself." Lin Beichen responded calmly, then closed his eyes and began to meditate.
The Supreme Nine Revolutions Qi Cultivation Technique he practiced had only reached the first level; recently, he had been meditating frequently, hoping to break through to the second level soon. During his time in the barracks, the training was intense, and he could only cultivate sporadically. Today, having the rare opportunity to be free, he was determined not to miss it.
Seeing Lin Beichen had entered the state, Xia Luyao also closed her eyes and began to meditate, following his guidance. The afternoon sun slanted in, and dust danced in the sunlit air. The two sat together, meditatively, silently, as time calmly slipped away.
They meditated for the whole afternoon in the Meditation Room. After dinner, each of them returned to their rooms to rest. The night in the mountains was exceptionally quiet, perhaps because meditation had relaxed their minds and bodies, they both slept especially well that night.
The next morning, the dawn slowly tinted the sky red.
Xia Luyao got up early, taking a deep breath as she faced the morning light.
The environment in the mountains was indeed pleasant, quiet at night, and refreshing morning air.
After washing up, Xia Luyao went to the front yard to look for Lin Beichen.
"I wonder if he's up yet." She murmured as she walked. Entering the front yard, she saw Lin Beichen sitting in the open, head bent in deep thought.
"Lin Beichen, what are you doing here early in the morning?" Xia Luyao asked curiously. As she approached, she saw the Eight Trigrams Array drawn in front of him.
Lin Beichen looked up at Xia Luyao and said indifferently, "Nothing, just bored, did a divination."
"Divination? What did you see?" Xia Luyao asked curiously. Last time, Lin Beichen's master predicted their mission to Yun Province, which came true, so she couldn't help but be interested in Lin Beichen's Divination.
Lin Beichen looked at the Eight Trigrams Diagram and slowly said, "I'll tell you later, let's eat first." He worried that once he mentioned the divination, Xia Luyao might not be able to focus on breakfast.
"Why do we have to wait?" Xia Luyao asked, puzzled. Lin Beichen glanced at her and slowly said, "Because I'm hungry." Xia Luyao was speechless and had no choice but to follow him to eat.
Breakfast was simple and delicious; Lin Beichen made porridge and boiled eggs.
After eating, Xia Luyao asked, "Lin Beichen, what are we going to do this morning?"
After learning meditation yesterday, she felt mentally refreshed and was deeply interested in Daoist Cultivation techniques.
Lin Beichen looked at the time and said, "It's not early, you better pack up and prepare to leave."
Xia Luyao was shocked, "Leave? It's only morning now." Their vacation was supposed to last another day, why did they have to leave so early?
Lin Beichen explained, "I did a divination this morning, and you will soon have a new mission, so you'd better prepare in advance." Xia Luyao was half believing, but then her phone rang.
Seeing the call from the military district, Xia Luyao quickly answered.
"This is Xia Luyao!" Her voice was firm.
"Captain Xia, urgent task, please return to the military district immediately; details will be given when you return." An urgent voice came through the phone.
"Understood, I'm returning now." Xia Luyao replied, then hung up and turned to Lin Beichen.
Before she could speak, Lin Beichen was already saying, "It seems you have an urgent mission, better pack your things quickly."
Xia Luyao was stunned, then recalled Lin Beichen's earlier prophecy and couldn't resist asking, "Lin Beichen, besides knowing I'm going on a mission, what else do you know?"
Lin Beichen gave a slight smile, mysteriously saying, "Some things, if you say them, it shortens life, you know."
Xia Luyao frowned, about to get angry, but Lin Beichen continued, "However, in the interest of our relationship, I'll share a tidbit."
"Hurry up!" Xia Luyao urged.
Lin Beichen slowly began, "This trip concerns the southwest, amid the blades and swords, you will travel to Manla Village. There, an evil force is rampant."