So, in the morning, he only played for two hours, accompanied Xianchan for a while at noon, and in the afternoon he went to Shilong Lane to watch Chengming forge iron and lend a hand.

Chengming was not an ordinary blacksmith, but an extraordinary Refining Venerable. Although he was not truly refining artifacts, his actions alone taught Fan Wubing a lot.

Every time he watched him forge iron, Fan Wubing would enter a state of No Self, especially being unaware of the passage of time, often finding it was evening in a daze.

When evening arrived and Hongyu was off work, he would go to her house to learn more pieces of music with her.

Hongyu was someone who genuinely loved music. Even though her cultivation level was not high, her understanding shallow, just the heartfelt melodies she played were satisfying enough for Fan Wubing to go home every night fulfilled.

Since that day, Fu Manman no longer waited for Fan Wubing to return before resting.

Her life was actually simpler than Fan Wubing's; she meditated in the morning, joined Fan Wubing and Xianchan for some tea by the stove at noon, chatting a little, practiced Divine Techniques cultivation techniques in the afternoon, and took Xianchan to the bustling market to watch Flower Picking Play, listen to Cloud Immortal Tunes, or go to the lantern market to guess riddles by dusk.

After returning home at night, she put Xianchan to sleep and began her nighttime meditation.

As for Xianchan... whenever Fan Wubing and Fu Manman were busy with their own affairs, she would move a small stool, sit on the second-floor balcony, and stare aimlessly at the sky for hours, leaving only when either Fan Wubing or Fu Manman called her.

There's also some kids nearby. But she can't play with them.

The other kids thought she was dumb and silly, while she thought they were dirty and ugly.

This kind of life continued for more than half a month.

During this period, Lv Liang would occasionally visit.

No one knows what he was doing, but he looked more tired each visit. He usually just brought some food or little toys for Xianchan. He rarely stayed long, saying a few words before hurrying away.

In this way, the New Year was in sight.

In just a few days, the New Year would arrive.

The New Year atmosphere in Buxu City was growing stronger. As a capital city in a dynasty, it always grandly celebrated festivals like the New Year, which bolstered national cohesion and cultural confidence. Preparations began early, with streets and alleys being decorated with red paper, colorful streamers, lanterns, and door bars replaced.

Although they were in a foreign land and cultivators, Fan Wubing and Fu Manman both agreed that the New Year should be celebrated.

No matter cultivation, one should take a break at the end of the year.

Everyone knows the Immortal Path is harsh and cold, so why not seek a bit of fun in the suffering?

Fu Manman was learning to cook immortal dishes with Fan Wubing. She planned to prepare a New Year's Eve feast.

Fan Wubing's way of cooking immortal dishes was not at all like ordinary Immortal Chefs; it was based on "tongue desire." However, seeing Fu Manman so earnest, he patiently researched and improved techniques that didn't involve "tongue desire."

I must say, the heartless Fu Manman was quick to learn; once she comprehended something, it was like drinking water for her to master it.

On New Year's Eve morning, Fan Wubing stood at the kitchen door, smiling at the busy Little Princess inside, "This doesn't seem like a cultivator; more like a little chef."

Fu Manman was boiling dumplings, "Yes, yes, a little chef."

"Cook some more, will you?"

"I've already made some for Young Master Lv next door."

"Cook some more anyway."

"Why... are you delivering it to that sister?"

She was referring to Hongyu.

A few days ago, Fan Wubing was seen by Fu Manman as he came back with Hongyu, who had just finished her shift at Changle Pavilion and went home.

Although Fan Wubing explained on the spot and introduced them to avoid a misunderstanding.

But girls would always care. Fu Manman felt uncomfortable thinking about Fan Wubing spending nights alone with Hongyu.

A solitary man and woman in a room, only learning the zither, who would believe it if told?

However, it indeed was just learning the zither.

Over this period, influenced by the "Sound of Dragon in the Heavenly River" in his mind, Fan Wubing was almost like a Saint. Truly detached, No Self, unmoved by temptations. Not to mention towards Hongyu, for whom he had no feelings, even when facing the honey-sweet feelings of Fu Manman, he was calm and composed.

Fortunately,

Fu Manman's personality, shaped by the ten years in the Eternal Immortal Sect, was not one to fight or vie. Whatever Fan Wubing said, she believed. This made Fan Wubing unwilling to deceive her, so he told her everything unless it absolutely had to be kept secret.

Fan Wubing said, "Sister Hong Yue finishes work at night, why would I deliver it now?"

"Then who else do you need to give it to?"

"Hmm... Can't say."

He intended to deliver some to Chengming. But Chengming's matters... needed to be kept secret.

"Alright." The little chef cooked some more.

After eating the steaming dumplings, Fan Wubing left with two boxes of dumplings.

He first went to Lv Liang's house next door, but he wasn't there.

Fan Wubing thought nothing of it and headed to Shilong Lane.

Inside the Three Flavors Blacksmith Shop.

Chengming, while eating the steaming dumplings, said between breaths, "The taste is great, truly immortal food. I've had immortal food before, but it was always more about effect than taste. I didn't really like it; it needs some flavor. Life is already so dull; how can the food be tasteless?"

Fan Wubing laughed, "Cultivators mostly think taste enjoyment is a lowly pleasure, you know."

"What do they know? Wubing, do you know why some people cultivate techniques focused on purity and lack of desire?"

"Why?"

"Because without cultivating purity and lack of desire techniques, they can't resist their own desires; eventually they'd ruin their Immortal Path," Chengming chuckled, "So, there are people out there who love corrupting those lofty, pure, saintly immortals, pulling them into the mundane, so they're stained with worldly dust."

"What kind of people are that, sounds so twisted."

"Fallen Heart Sect, the Demon Dao power," Chengming polished off a big bowl of dumplings, burping without regard to his image, "The Demon Cultivators of the Fallen Heart Sect. They're quite interesting, don't kill, just think of ways to make people fall. The most used method is seduction."

"Seduction?"

"Yes. Desire is an inescapable want for maiden saints," Chengming seemed like a gossip now, "I heard the Sect Leader of the Fallen Heart Sect, the Charm Demon Lord, once caused the fall of a Master of the Guardian Immortal Tower."

"The Guardian Immortal Tower in the Daoist Twelve Floors?"

Chengming grinned, "Exactly. Impressive, right."

Fan Wubing said earnestly, "Then I must be cautious, if I ever encounter anyone from the Fallen Heart Sect, I need to stay far away. With my outstanding appearance, I'll definitely be targeted."

Chengming was taken aback, then laughed heartily, patting his shoulder, "Don't worry, kid, they won't target you."

"Why?"

"You're not the type who is pure and desires nothing, stop pretending."

"..."

Fan Wubing enjoyed spending time with Chengming. Despite his age, he never put on airs, often sharing various secrets and interesting events from all over the world with Fan Wubing. Even just listening to them as stories was fascinating.

"Oh, by the way. Wubing, I think it's done."

"What's done?"

Chengming's eyes were profound and bright, "Dragon-Soothing Sound."

"Truly done?"

"Yes. But I need you to play 'Sound of Dragon in the Heavenly River.' Back then Nian Shu played it for me, allowing me to craft the complete Dragon-Soothing Sound. How prepared are you?"

Fan Wubing said excitedly, "I'm ready."

Though he hadn't played it yet, Fan Wubing already felt like he could perfectly perform it.

"Then... let's start at midnight the day after tomorrow. Today is New Year's Eve, tomorrow's New Year's Day, have a good celebration first."

"Will Master Cheng spend it alone?"

"I've spent it alone for three hundred years already. One more year won't matter."

"Alright."

Fan Wubing then hurriedly left.

Chengming looked towards the direction of the Celestial Balance Upper City, silently reciting in his heart,

"The world's Dragon-Soothing Sound, best calms the heart."

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