Cultivation of immortality begins with an eighty-year-old eunuch.

Chapter 462 Go wherever you want! The greatest joy in life is simple pleasure!

On the morning of the eighth day, Tian Xiangzi changed into a plain white dress, tied her hair up simply, and inserted only a green jade hairpin before arriving at the cave where Chen Fan was temporarily staying.

Chen Fan was already waiting by the stone table, where two bowls of congee and several small dishes were laid out. They were all made from spiritual plants commonly found in the Grass Valley, and while they were simple, they exuded the freshness of the mountains and fields.

"You're here?" Chen Fan looked up and saw that her complexion was rosy and there was no longer any sign of illness in her eyes. The last trace of worry in his heart also dissipated.

"Hmm." Tianxiangzi sat down opposite him, picked up the bowl of porridge, took a sip, and her eyes curved into a smile. "The porridge from the valley is still the best."

Chen Fan didn't say anything, but simply pushed a plate of pickled bamboo shoots in front of her.

The two finished their breakfast quietly. While Tian Xiangzi was clearing away the dishes, Chen Fan had already gotten up and walked outside the cave. Morning light shone through the thin mist onto the medicinal herb field, and dewdrops rolled among the leaves, shimmering with tiny sparkles.

"Where do you want to go?" Chen Fan asked.

Tian Xiangzi washed her hands and came out, standing beside him for a moment, thinking: "I've heard that there's a city called Linjiang in the south, bordering the Yangtze River, where the river delicacies are exceptional. Three hundred li to the west, there's a mountain called Luoxia Mountain, where at dusk, the clouds and rosy hues cover half the sky, as if it's on fire. And to the north is Hantan Town, a small town with a thousand-year-old cold pool, whose water is used to brew wine that is clear and sweet..."

She counted on her fingers, her eyes sparkling, as if she wanted to experience all the things she had heard and wanted to do while lying in bed over the years.

Chen Fan listened, a rare smile appearing on his lips: "Then let's all go."

"Really?" Tian Xiangzi turned to look at him, her eyes full of anticipation. "You'll come with me?"

"Yes." Chen Fan nodded. "We promised."

Tian Xiangzi laughed, a smile so bright it eclipsed even the morning light. She didn't ask any more questions, turned and went back into the house to pack a small bundle. In truth, cultivators don't need to bring much when they go out; just a few changes of clothes and some loose spirit stones.

Chen Fan waited for her to come out, and the two walked out of the grass valley side by side.

The blue stone tablet at the valley entrance stood silently in the morning mist. Tian Xiangzi glanced back and said softly, "Let's go."

With a flick of his sleeve, Chen Fan released a gentle stream of spiritual energy that supported the two of them, transforming them into a streak of bluish-gray light and silently departing from the Grass Valley Mountains.

They didn't fly at high speed on their swords, nor did they tear through the void to travel. They just flew slowly, no more than a hundred feet off the ground, so that Tianxiangzi could see the mountains, rivers, villages, and towns below.

Our first stop was Linjiang City.

The two landed ten miles outside the city and entered on foot. The city gate was not high, built of blue bricks, and the walls were covered with vines and blooming with unidentified wildflowers. The soldiers guarding the city leaned lazily against the wall, dozing off, and did not check the people coming and going.

Linjiang City was built along the river. The streets were narrow, but bustling with activity. Shops lined the streets, selling fish, cloth, and groceries, their calls rising and falling in a cacophony of vendors' hawking. The air was filled with the distinctive fishy smell of the river, mingled with the aroma of fried pastries.

Tian Xiangzi was like a bird released from its cage, everything was new and exciting to her. She stopped in front of the sugar figurine stall, staring intently at the sugar syrup flying in the old craftsman's hands. Chen Fan took out a few copper coins and bought a carp-shaped sugar figurine, handing it to her.

"How old am I to still eat this?" Tianxiangzi said, but she took it with her hand, carefully licked it, and her eyebrows curved into crescents. "Sweet."

Chen Fan didn't say anything, but simply walked half a step to her side, shielding her from the crowd.

Around noon, the two found a riverside restaurant. The restaurant wasn't large, but the second-floor window seats offered a perfect view of the river. Boatmen rowed their oars, fishing boats swayed in the shimmering water, and egrets skimmed across the surface in the distance.

Tian Xiangzi ordered steamed river perch, braised eel, and scallion-oil shrimp, along with a pot of locally brewed rice wine. The dishes arrived quickly. The river perch was tender, the eel was rich and flavorful, and the shrimp were fresh, sweet, and springy. Tian Xiangzi ate with great relish, occasionally placing a piece of her chopsticks on Chen Fan's plate.

"Try this, it's really fresh." She placed a piece of sea bass belly into Chen Fan's bowl.

Chen Fan paused for a moment, then picked up his chopsticks and ate. The fish melted in his mouth and was indeed fresh and sweet.

"How is it?" Tianxiangzi asked, resting her chin on her hand as she looked at him.

"Not bad." Chen Fan nodded.

Tianxiangzi smiled and poured him another cup of wine. The rice wine had a low alcohol content, a faint sweet aroma, and a smooth taste. The two ate slowly while enjoying the river view, chatting casually.

The sun shone brightly outside the window, and a cool river breeze caressed his face. The streets below were bustling, but upstairs it was quiet and cozy. Chen Fan watched Tian Xiangzi excitedly recount the amusing stories of the grass valley and suddenly realized that this kind of life wasn't so bad after all.

After finishing their meal, the two strolled along the riverbank. Willow trees lined the embankment, their branches drooping to the water's surface, swaying gently in the breeze. Children chased and played on the bank, their laughter ringing out. Tianxiangzi squatted by the stone steps, watching several women washing clothes by the river, the sound of their washing mallets echoing.

"Back in Caogu, I often went to the stream to wash herbs," she said softly. "At the time, I always found it boring, but now that I think about it, it was quite interesting."

Chen Fan stood behind her, his gaze fixed on the shimmering waves of the river, and did not respond.

As evening fell, they left Linjiang City and flew westward.

Luoxia Mountain is not high, with a gentle slope, and there is a small pavilion on the top. When the two arrived, the sun was just setting. The clouds were dyed in golden red, orange, and crimson, spreading out in layers, truly looking as if half the sky was on fire.

Tian Xiangzi stood by the pavilion, lost in thought. The sunset glow reflected on her face, casting a warm halo. Chen Fan sat on a stone bench in the pavilion, quietly watching her back.

After a long while, Tianxiangzi turned around, her eyes still filled with amazement: "So beautiful."

"Mm," Chen Fan replied.

"I used to watch the sunset often in Kusaya too," Tenkako said, walking back to sit down beside him. "But it never felt as grand as it is here. Maybe it's because... my state of mind is different now."

Chen Fan glanced at her but didn't ask what was different.

As dusk fell, the two did not descend the mountain but rested in the pavilion. Chen Fan took out two futons and a thin blanket from his storage bag. Tian Xiangzi wrapped herself in the blanket, leaned against a pavilion pillar, and watched the stars gradually brighten.

"Chen Fan," she suddenly said.

"Um?"

"Thank you for being there for me," Tianxiangzi said softly. "These past years... I feel like I've always been a burden to you."

Chen Fan was silent for a moment, then said, "No."

"Why not?" Tianxiangzi turned to look at him. "From our first meeting in Caogu, to the events in Dayuan, and now this injury... you've always been the one to save me and help me."

Chen Fan gazed at the distant mountain silhouettes and said slowly, "You've helped our family before too."

Tian Xiangzi paused for a moment, then laughed: "That's true. I still remember the first time I saw you, you were cold and aloof, wearing a mask, looking like you wanted to stay away. Who would have thought that later..."

So many things happened after that.

Neither of them said anything more, and they just quietly looked at the starry sky.

A cool night breeze blew, and Chen Fan raised his hand to create a windproof barrier. Tian Xiangzi wrapped herself tightly in the blanket and gradually became sleepy.

She leaned against Chen Fan, her breathing even and deep.

Chen Fan didn't move, letting her lean against him.