When they arrived, Ming Yu, or rather, Ji Mingyu, was applying the "Moon Dew Hundred Flower Ointment" given by Lady Baihua onto the back of her hand.
For nearly a year, she had done this every time she went out, just like applying hand cream.
In any case, Chu Xuan found it quite perplexing. Although it was icy and snowy outside, with the cold wind sweeping through, it couldn't really touch you, Master. Upon reflection, it could only have the effect of moisturizing the skin.
Oh, right, it was by a sheer coincidence that Chu Xuan learned his Master's full name.
Initially, he sincerely thought she was surnamed "Ming", until during a mythology lecture, Master mentioned the "Ji River", casually remarking that her surname was Ji.
Chu Xuan was naturally puzzled and asked, "Master, why didn't you say so the first time?"
"Because I want you to call me Ming Yu in the future," she said with a tone of natural confidence.
This indeed sounded closer, but Chu Xuan felt his heart flutter.
Under normal circumstances, one should not directly call their Master by name, as it's disrespectful. But the fact that Ji Mingyu was envisioning a future where Chu Xuan would affectionately call her name indicated something.
In summary, this mutual interaction, rather than one-sided longing, filled Chu Xuan with beautiful fantasies for the future.
...
Suddenly, Ji Mingyu, who was ahead, paused and gestured for Chu Xuan to come over.
"What's wrong?" Chu Xuan hurriedly put down his fishing rod and approached.
Ming Yu slightly raised her right hand, revealing a clump of white ointment; she seemed to have scooped out too much earlier.
She directly took Chu Xuan's hand, shared half with him, and carefully helped him apply it evenly.
A man and a woman, intertwined fingers, skin-to-skin, feeling the softness of Master's palms and the warmth of her fingertips, Chu Xuan found himself a bit bewildered.
Master, isn't this tactic a bit familiar? Are you trying to flirt with me?
If so, Master's understanding is quite advanced, as comprehending these aspects without guidance isn't simple at all.
After a bout of intimate "touching," Ji Mingyu finally let go contentedly.
Then she held Chu Xuan's hand again, stood up, "Let's go."
---------------------
A clump of white clouds broke through the sweeping snowstorm and ascended into the clear sky.
The snow mink lay on Chu Xuan's shoulder, chirping as if trying to tell him something, but Chu Xuan, standing hand in hand with Master, only felt the spring's refreshing air and gentle breezes, and everything seemed to brighten his mood.
Meanwhile, Ji Mingyu slightly curved her lips, reached out to embrace the sulking snow mink, and gently soothed it.
The cloud's speed was incredibly fast, and soon, they descended onto a stark black mountain peak in the north.
This mountain was extremely high and straight, resembling a Celestial Sword standing on the earth. The most dissonant part was that it seemed to have been cut by some sharp weapon, with a totally flat top, entirely unlike a natural formation.
Although there was no snow or wind nearby, this lone black mountain stood amid a white expanse; fortunately, the mountain was perpetually shrouded in white clouds and fog. From a distance, only the peak was visible, or it would be even more bizarre.
Landing, Chu Xuan looked around in surprise, "Master, weren't we going to fish? Where's the water?"
Ji Mingyu gently shook her head, "There's no water here."
She took a deep breath of the chilly mountain-top air, her expression mingled with a hint of nostalgia.
"No water... so, can the fish here burrow around underground?" Chu Xuan murmured to himself, walking ahead to explore the situation.
Then he almost plunged into an abyss, nearly smashing into pieces!
Having nearly stepped off, Chu Xuan broke out in cold sweat, retreating rapidly—there was a cliff ahead, apparently also severed by a blade, with a straight, smooth edge, camouflaged by fog, a natural trap indeed.
Ji Mingyu lightly laughed, covering her mouth, as she supported his shoulder, "Fish here, don't wander off."
It was then that Chu Xuan realized, could the fish be in the abyss below the cliff?
Ji Mingyu demonstrated with her actions, taking a jade fishing rod from his hand and sitting by the cliff edge.
Casually casting the hook, the line stretched infinitely downward, extending hundreds or thousands of yards, vanishing into the fog.
Not wanting to appear timid, Chu Xuan emulated his Master's actions and sat down as well. Then he noticed, incredibly, that the mist before him could even block Divine Sense, quite remarkable.
"Master, what is this place?"
"An ancient battlefield," Ji Mingyu didn't elaborate.
Thus, Chu Xuan asked no more, focusing on fishing. Yet the snow mink was uninterested, languidly laying beside them.
Chu Xuan found it somewhat amusing, wanting to ask what's wrong, then remembered—there's no bait on the hook!
He turned to his Master, but Ming Yu calmly said, "The willing shall take the bait, no hurry."
Was this fishing in name only but truly a test for cultivating patience and mindfulness?
With this thought, Chu Xuan too calmed down, holding the rod, sitting upright with closed eyes, like an old monk in meditation.
They had been fishing since morning, remaining seated till the sun rose high, yet both fishing rods were utterly motionless.
The snow mink, bored, began tugging at Chu Xuan's sleeve, wanting him to leave and play with it.
Chu Xuan slightly opened his eyes, finally understanding why the excited creature was now dispirited; it seemed to know those fish were extremely hard to catch, and it wasn't sure what it was anticipating.
He ignored the mink and continued with closed eyes, accompanying his Master from sunrise to sunset, from dawn to dusk.
Around midnight, as the night reached its darkest, the snow mink became lively once more, hopping and chirping around them.
Chu Xuan opened his eyes again, and before he spoke, he witnessed something remarkable!
Light spots, innumerable light spots, emerged from the abyss below the cliff, illuminating the pitch-black, gloomy night sky.
Surprised, he stood up, and even Ji Mingyu also rose, appreciating this world's unique spectacle.
As the light spots broke through the fog, drifting closer, Chu Xuan finally saw clearly—they were glowing silver fish, their bodies semi-transparent, with each bone visibly distinct.
Each fish was about the size of a pinky, possessing a peculiar spirit, migrating across the sky like a school.
As the countless light spots ascended, they didn't depart but swirled around the mountain peak, forming a cylindrical light curtain in the boundless night, a stunning sight!
Chu Xuan marveled at this scene, while the snow mink excitedly leaped around, its tiny paws flailing wildly in the air.
Meanwhile, Ji Mingyu slightly looked up at the night sky, her thoughts unknown. The gentle glow outlined her ethereal presence, as if ready to drift away at any moment.
Occasionally, a stray silver fish would venture closer to the mountain top. Each time this happened, the snow mink would pounce precisely, catching a little fish and swallowing it with satisfaction, closing its eyes with a content expression.