A few days had passed since Tian Hao discovered the overgrown garden. He'd spent his time there lounging, indulging himself in rich food, good wine, and experimenting with his pleasure-based cultivation method. As he settled back against a mossy rock, he eyed the feast he'd laid out and chuckled to himself. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step (千里之行,始于足下), huh?" He picked up a steamed bun, taking a hearty bite. "Well, maybe a feast or a nap makes for a better first step."
He sighed contentedly, letting the warmth of the sun lull him into a drowsy comfort—after all, he needed to stay well-fed for that long walk, right? Cultivation was tough work, and someone had to do the grueling job of testing just how many naps and snacks it took to reach enlightenment. The garden had become his own little haven, a place where he could avoid the prying eyes of the sect and cultivate in peace.
One sunny afternoon, Tian Hao decided to take a break from the garden and wander the sect grounds. He strolled along the winding pathways, humming to himself, his hands clasped behind his back. He wasn't looking for anything in particular, just enjoying the rare sense of freedom that this new life afforded him.
As he rounded a corner, he spotted a familiar figure up ahead, the woman from the Moonlit Pavilion. She was walking alone, her expression focused, her mind clearly elsewhere. Tian Hao's eyes lit up as he remembered their conversation at the tavern—the bold promises he'd made, the laughter they'd shared. He cringed a little as he remembered those promises and his boisterous, boastful behavior, but the thought only made him more determined to follow through.
With a grin, he picked up his pace, calling out awkwardly, "Hey! Fancy seeing you here, Moonlit Beauty!" He called out with a playful grin, realizing too late he still didn't know her name. "You from the Moonlit Pavilion, right?"
The woman paused, turning to face him, her eyes narrowing slightly. Tian Hao approached, scratching the back of his head. "You know, I never actually got your name that night," he said, his smile a bit sheepish. "Wouldn't feel right to keep calling you 'Hey you.'"
She sighed, clearly still wary of his intentions. "It's Lin Mei," she said, her tone guarded.
"Lin Mei," Tian Hao repeated, rolling the name around in his mind as if tasting it. He grinned, his confidence returning. "Lin Mei, huh? Sounds as graceful as a petal drifting on the breeze. I like it, but I think I'll call you Mei Mei."
Lin Mei blinked, her expression shifting from surprise to something between amusement and exasperation. "Mei Mei? Are you calling me 'little sister' or 'beautiful beauty'?"
Tian Hao shrugged, his grin widening. "Why not both?" He gave her a wink, and Lin Mei shook her head, her lips twitching as though she were trying not to smile.
Her eyes widened slightly, a mix of confusion and amusement crossing her face. "I didn't expect to see you again... let alone remember our conversation." There was a note of disbelief in her tone, her brow furrowed as if trying to figure out what his intentions were this time.
Tian Hao came to a stop in front of her, his grin never faltering. "Of course, I remember," he said, a playful glint in his eye. "How could I forget someone as intriguing as you, Mei Mei? With that mix of sharp wit and mysterious charm, you're impossible to overlook."
Tian Hao gestured for her to follow him, his eyes bright with excitement. "Come on, I want to show you something. I found this nice, secluded spot—perfect for training. I promise, it's nothing like the formal sessions. Just... something different, something unorthodox." He gave her an earnest look, his voice softening slightly. "I meant it when I said I could help you."
Lin Mei hesitated for a moment, studying his expression. There was a sincerity in his eyes that she hadn't expected, and despite herself, she found her curiosity getting the better of her. With a sigh, she nodded. "Alright, show me. But if this is some trick, Tian Hao, I swear—"
"No tricks," Tian Hao interrupted, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Just trust me, Mei Mei. You'll see. If I'm lying, you can throw me in the nearest pond!"
The two of them made their way to the overgrown garden, Tian Hao leading the way with an enthusiastic stride. As they approached the hidden spot, Tian Hao turned to Lin Mei, giving her a proud smile. "Here we are—my little hideaway."
Lin Mei looked around, her gaze taking in the overgrown plants, the unkempt weeds that sprouted everywhere, the crumbling stone paths almost swallowed by nature, and the shaded corners where thick vines hung lazily. The air was filled with the scent of damp earth and old leaves, a clear sign that the garden hadn't been cared for in years. She raised an eyebrow, her expression caught somewhere between amusement and incredulity. "This is where you've been hiding out?"
Tian Hao nodded, plopping down onto the grass and gesturing for her to do the same. "It's perfect, right? No distractions, no nagging elders... just peace."
Lin Mei slowly and reluctantly sat down across from him, her expression skeptical. "Alright, so what's this 'unorthodox method' you mentioned? I'm in the 7th stage of Body Refining, and if this unorthodox approach can help me break through, I'm willing to give it a shot."
Tian Hao gave her a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "Well, I may have promised a bit too much back then... but hear me out. There's something I want to try." He paused for a moment, then closed his eyes.
"Big Sister System," he thought inwardly, "I need your help. Got anything flashy? Something that will make me look like I actually know what I'm doing?"
BSS's voice chimed in his mind, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, so now you want my help? You really are something else, Tian Hao. I do have something... a mortal-grade technique that might impress her, but remember, there will be karmic consequences for this kind of indulgent usage."
Tian Hao rolled his eyes, his mental voice dripping with nonchalance. "Yeah, yeah, consequences. I've got it. Just give it to me."
BSS sighed dramatically before the knowledge settled into his mind—a simple technique called Restful Lotus Bloom (High Mortal Tier), a technique that aids deep meditation and enhances energy flow during traditional cultivation. It involved visualizing a lotus blooming with every breath, using pleasant sensory experiences to deepen the meditative state. It wasn't flashy, but it could certainly make an impression, especially with the right flourish. "But don't come crying to me if you mess up and look like a fool," she added, her tone dripping with mock seriousness.
Tian Hao opened his eyes, grinning at Lin Mei. "Alright, watch this. I found this technique buried in the Sect Archives, thought I'd give it a try." He took a deep breath, feeling the energy gather within his core, his dantian growing warm as he focused. He let his breath slow, visualizing the blooming of a lotus flower with each inhale, drawing in the sensations around him—the warmth of the sun, the scent of the earth, the gentle rustle of leaves. His fingers moved slowly, guiding the energy in harmony with the visualization.
Slowly, the air around them seemed to soften, and Lin Mei could almost feel the subtle shift in the atmosphere. It was as if the garden itself responded, the sense of tranquility deepening. Tian Hao's breathing was steady, and Lin Mei could almost see the faint outline of a lotus in her mind, blooming in sync with each of his breaths, as though she were being drawn into the meditation alongside him.
Lin Mei's eyes widened, her expression shifting from skepticism to curiosity. "How did you—?" she began, her voice trailing off as she felt the serene energy settle around them, almost like the meditation itself was reaching out to envelop her.
Tian Hao gave her a lopsided grin. "Told you I had something unorthodox up my sleeve. But don't think too highly of me yet—it's just a simple trick."
Lin Mei blinked, her gaze moving from the petals to Tian Hao. For a moment, she seemed unsure of what to say, but then she let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "Alright, I admit it, I'm impressed. I didn't think you actually had anything useful."
Tian Hao laughed, the petals fading as he let the energy dissipate. "See, Mei Mei? Sometimes it pays to give me the benefit of the doubt." He reached into his pack, pulling out a few steamed buns and offering one to her. "Now, let's eat. It helps with energy flow, trust me."
Lin Mei eyed the bun, her skepticism returning. "Eating helps with energy flow? Oh please, that sounds like the kind of excuse a lazy glutton would make. Are you sure this isn't just your way of avoiding real training?"
Tian Hao shrugged, taking a bite of his own bun. "Maybe it is, but it works for me. Besides, cultivation is about finding your own path, right? Who says I can't eat my way to greatness? Li Bai had it right—why sweat over power struggles when you can drown those worries in a good vintage?"
Lin Mei sighed, but she took the bun, her lips quirking into a reluctant smile. "You're ridiculous, Tian Hao. But... I suppose I'll give it a shot. By the way, who is Li Bai?"
Tian Hao waved his hand dismissively, a sheepish smile on his face. "Oh, just something I read in an old book of poems. Thought it sounded fitting for the moment, you know?"