Chapter 110 [From the Same Source] (6400 words)
At this moment, as Gu Qingyi looked at Chen Yan, she felt that there was a subtle difference in his demeanor compared to before.
It was not his cultivation — in terms of cultivation, Gu Qingyi used the Qi Observation Skill and could immediately tell that Chen Yan’s cultivation level had not changed from the previous day.
It was just that Chen Yan’s expression seemed serene and composed, exuding a kind of inexplicable tranquility and stability.
It was not agedness, not lethargy, nor fatigue.
It seemed like he had entered a very delicate state.
Not anxious, not impatient, not hurried.
Just... perfectly fine?
Even Chen Yan’s gaze towards her was not quite the same as usual.
Gu Qingyi knew how stunning her appearance was.
After entering, she took off her thick down jacket, revealing a close-fitting outfit beneath that highlighted her impressive curves.
In the past, Chen Yan would have invariably stolen a few glances, and then, as if for some reason, would not dare to look too long, deliberately avoiding his gaze — very deliberately avoiding.
But at this moment, as Gu Qingyi removed her jacket and walked slowly towards Chen Yan, his gaze was calm, he looked at her calmly twice, then lowered his head to eat. After a couple of bites, he suddenly remembered something, looked up at her again, and smiled, "Why do you keep staring at me?"
Yes! That was the look!
Very casual, very normal.
There was none of the usual, being attracted and then deliberately avoiding gaze!
After scrutinizing Chen Yan for a while, Gu Qingyi slowly took the book from his hand, and as she looked at the words on the page, she subconsciously read aloud:
"...Time is like a fleeting traveler, life and death elude sentiment..."
Placing the book down, Gu Qingyi frowned at Chen Yan, "Why have you suddenly taken to reading this kind of stuff?"
"Just some insights, flipping through casually." Chen Yan’s tone was very nonchalant.
Gu Qingyi focused her thoughts for a moment and suddenly said, "You... are attempting to cultivate your Primordial Spirit?"
Chen Yan was somewhat surprised, "You could tell?"
Pointing to the "Liezi·Tianrui Chapter" book on the table, Gu Qingyi slowly said, "I have also flipped through these books that you brought back from the academy. Some of the ideas are quite similar to those in cultivating the Primordial Spirit."
Chen Yan nodded, "That’s right, reading this book, I am indeed thinking about the principles of cultivating the Primordial Spirit."
Gu Qingyi pursed her lips as she looked at Chen Yan, and some ripples stirred in her heart.
The cultivation technique left by the old woman for Chen Yan lacked methods for cultivating the Primordial Spirit. When Chen Yan initially told her this, Gu Qingyi outwardly claimed not to know the techniques for cultivating the Primordial Spirit, but in truth...
She had been internally conflicted about whether to teach Chen Yan the "Supreme Heaven Repairing Strategy."
But back then, Gu Qingyi withheld it for two reasons.
The first reason was that while the "Supreme Heaven Repairing Strategy" included both paths and naturally also the techniques for cultivating the Primordial Spirit—in Gu Qingyi’s view, it was a mediocre method, created for balance and compromise, inherently flawed!
If one cultivated the "Supreme Heaven Repairing Strategy," they were destined to have limited achievements in this life, reaching no higher than the Ascension Realm, with absolutely no chance of a realm breakthrough into the Celestial Being. Because... the path beyond was cut off!
At that time, Gu Qingyi was concerned that Chen Yan showed exceptional talent!
So young yet reaching the Guiyuan Realm, he would be a little prodigy even in the Domain Realm!
If she gave the "Supreme Heaven Repairing Strategy" to Chen Yan for cultivation, it was hard to say if it would help him or harm him!
The second reason derived from their analysis of the old woman’s intention!
The old woman deliberately left out the method for cultivating the Primordial Spirit, which had to be significant—Venerable’s actions naturally had their reasons.
Especially considering the analysis of the phrase "No illness or calamity, ascend to nobility!"
Since it was the old woman’s intent not to let Chen Yan cultivate the Primordial Spirit, Gu Qingyi naturally dared not arbitrarily pass on the "Supreme Heaven Repairing Strategy" to him.
"What did you go out to do today?" Chen Yan asked curiously.
"Went to pick up a package, didn’t I tell you yesterday?" Gu Qingyi replied, feigning a casual tone.
"It takes an entire morning to pick up a package and deliver it? You could have used Gui Geng and crawled back and forth!" Chen Yan pouted.
The nearby package station was just across the street from the community entrance, a few hundred meters outside the gate.
"Mind your own business." Gu Qingyi pouted, "I went out for a stroll, isn’t that allowed?"
"Of course it is." Chen Yan’s tone was very candid, "But at least tell me so I know whether to cook for you or not?"
"... Okay, next time I go out for a long time, I’ll let you know." Gu Qingyi adapted, then served herself a bowl of rice, picked up chopsticks, sat across from Chen Yan, and reached out to take a piece of pork belly.
"Hmm? The taste is pretty good." Gu Qingyi smiled, "Your cooking skills have improved."
"Not bad, right?" Chen Yan also smiled, "While cooking, I suddenly realized a principle."
"Just right." Chen Yan smiled, "In the past, when cooking, I would worry too much about whether there was too much water or not enough salt—many things, the more you think about them, the more you care, the harder it becomes to judge properly.
Today I maintained a normal mind, and it turned out quite well."
Gu Qingyi nodded, "A normal mind?"
She pointed with her chopsticks to the book on the table, "Is this what you gained insights from reading the book?"