Chapter 412: Memories of a Thousand Years, Like a Dream

Lin Che looked at the anticipation in her eyes, then thought of the clumsy wooden squirrel in his sleeve from yesterday, and finally nodded.

Seeing this, Immortal Lord Qingshuang rose with a smile: "It's rare for you two to be together, so I won't stay here."

"I'll take this tea. Let's meet another day, Brother Lin, for a spar."

Immortal Lord Qingshuang, carrying the tea box, transformed into a streak of clear light and vanished from the courtyard in an instant.

Only the two of them remained in the courtyard. Li Muwan took Lin Che's hand, her fingertips carrying a faint spiritual energy, soft yet firm.

"Husband, follow me."

Li Muwan led him through the bamboo forest behind the courtyard. Bamboo leaves rustled in the wind, and sunlight filtered through the gaps, weaving dappled shadows on the ground. Lin Che let her lead him.

His gaze fell on the plain silver hairpin in her hair.

He had crafted it for her himself when he first advanced to the Celestial Realm, and it was still as bright as new.

After walking for about half an hour, the path suddenly opened up.

A clear lake came into view, its water emerald green like jade. Large patches of reeds grew along the shore, and when the wind blew, it stirred up layers of white waves.

In the distance, the green mountains undulated, their peaks still covered with a faint mist, like they were draped in a light veil.

"This is Qingshan Lake."

Li Muwan stopped, pointing at the lake with a smile: "When I have nothing to do, I like to come here and sit, watching the sunrise and sunset, listening to the wind and water. It's quite peaceful."

Lin Che walked to the lakeside and leaned down to look at his reflection in the water.

In the lake, his temples already had a few strands of red, and his eyes held more vicissitudes than when he was young.

He recalled their first meeting: he had just emerged from the Ancient God's Land, and she was the most dazzling pearl of the Luohe Sect.

They met under a peach blossom tree, and the osmanthus tea she offered him still left a sweet aftertaste to this day.

"What are you thinking about?"

Li Muwan walked to his side, following his gaze towards the lake, and whispered softly: "Do you think the scenery here is far inferior to the famous mountains and rivers you visited back then?"

"Not at all."

Lin Che shook his head, his voice much softer.

"I was just thinking about how we first met. Back then, you were only in the Foundation Establishment stage, and I was already a Nascent Soul cultivator."

Upon hearing this, Li Muwan's cheeks flushed slightly. She gave him a chiding look and replied with a smile: "It's been a thousand years, and you still remember these trivial matters."

Though she said this, her eyes were full of mirth.

"I thought you had long forgotten."

"How could I forget?"

Lin Che raised his hand, gently brushed away a wisp of hair from her cheek, and nodded: "We've been together for a thousand years; I remember every single thing clearly."

The two sat side by side on the bluestone by the lake, neither speaking, just quietly watching the water.

The sun gradually set in the west, painting the lake golden, and the distant green mountains were also bathed in a warm red glow.

Reeds swayed gently in the wind, and occasionally a few water birds skimmed across the lake, creating ripples.

Lin Che leaned against the bluestone, feeling the warmth of the person beside him, listening to the sound of the lake water lapping against the shore. The anxiety he felt from breaking through his realm gradually dissipated.

After an unknown amount of time, the sunset slowly sank into the distant mountains. The sky was dyed a brilliant orange-red, then gradually darkened, and stars began to twinkle in the firmament.

Li Muwan leaned on Lin Che's shoulder, pointing at the sky with a smile: "Husband, look, that's the Big Dipper. I remember you once said that when you first learned stargazing, you always confused it with other constellations."

Lin Che followed her finger. The Big Dipper was exceptionally bright in the night sky, like a ladle hanging there.

He remembered when True Lord Huanglong taught him stargazing; he always forgot the positions of the constellations and was punished by his master to copy the star chart three times.

"I was indeed clumsy back then," Lin Che chuckled softly, gently holding her hand with a smile: "If it weren't for you by my side, I might not have made it this far."

"Husband, you jest."

Li Muwan looked up at him, her eyes full of adoration.

"You are always resilient; even without me, you would surely carve out your own path. All I do is offer you a cup of tea when you're tired and keep you company."

The two leaned against each other like this, watching more and more stars appear in the sky. Moonlight spilled onto the lake, like a layer of scattered silver.

Occasionally, a few insect chirps came from the reeds by the lake, adding to the tranquility.

Lin Che felt the breathing of the person beside him, smelled the faint fragrance in her hair, and suddenly felt that perhaps the realm of the Five Declines of Heaven and Man was not so important.

A thousand years of cultivation, he had seen too many partings and deaths, and experienced countless bloody storms, but in the end, what truly brought him peace was the companionship of the person beside him, this moment of peaceful years.

"Wan'er."

Lin Che spoke softly, his voice exceptionally clear in the night, and said gently:

"Starting tomorrow, I will pause my cultivation and stay here with you for a few days. We'll watch the sunrise together, watch the sunset together, and watch the stars in the sky together, okay?"

Upon hearing this, a surprised light flashed in Li Muwan's eyes. She nodded vigorously and buried her head in his embrace: "Okay. Husband, I've been waiting for you to say that for a long time."

Lin Che held her tightly, feeling her warm body, his heart filled with guilt and gratitude.

Guilt for having neglected her feelings all these years, and gratitude that he had finally awakened and not missed more time.

As the night deepened, by Qingshan Lake, the two leaned against each other. Moonlight draped a soft veil over them, and stars twinkled in the firmament.

Occasionally, a few soft squirrel chirps came from the distant bamboo forest. Lin Che remembered the wooden squirrel in his sleeve from yesterday, and a smile unconsciously curved his lips.

Lin Che knew in his heart that a thousand years of loneliness and anxiety would not completely disappear with just one night's companionship, but as long as Li Muwan was by his side, as long as he could have these ordinary joys, he would have the courage to face all future challenges.

The lake water gently lapped against the shore, and the sounds of wind, water, and insects intertwined, forming a gentle nocturne.

Lin Che looked down at the sleeping Li Muwan in his arms, gently pressed a kiss on her forehead, and whispered: "Wan'er, in the years to come, I will never let you be lonely again."

The stars in the night sky were still bright, and the time by Qingshan Lake became exceptionally long and beautiful at this moment… For the next period, Lin Che did not deliberately cultivate, because he knew that at this realm, cultivation was often not very useful anymore.

Unless he could kill a powerful expert in the Five Declines of Heaven and Man realm, breaking through his cultivation would not be easy.

Moreover, he now had some insights, as if such gentle cultivation was the true meaning.

"It seems… this is the way to break through cultivation."