In Bianliang, girls from noble families were usually engaged at the age of thirteen or fourteen, and married at the age of fifteen. A ten-year-old girl was no longer young.
Zhao Die 'er was already ten years old. A ten-year-old girl's body had yet to fully develop, but her beauty had already begun to blossom.
Today, Zhao Die 'er was wearing a small silk jacket. Her petite body was wrapped in a furry fox fur coat, and her face was bright and clean.
There was no snow in Bianliang this year. It was Ning Fan's first time meeting Zhao Die 'er when there was no snow.
Ten years had passed. Ning Fan's appearance now looked like that of a thirty-year-old man. His eyes were much deeper than before. However, the moment he saw Zhao Die 'er, his eyes turned gentle and he said with a faint smile.
"Oh? Isn't that Die 'er? "
"Die 'er greets Uncle Ning. Did Uncle Ning go to Bian River to enjoy the scenery again? Unfortunately, there was no snow in Bianliang this year, and the plum blossoms did not bloom. Without the company of plum blossoms, Uncle's wine will be a little lonely … "
Zhao Die 'er smiled shyly and lowered her head. Her black hair fell like a waterfall, and her voice was soft and sweet.
The ten-year-old Zhao Die 'er was more polite now. She no longer pestered Ning Fan to build a snowman.
The ten-year-old Zhao Die 'er already had the mind of a young girl … Ning Fan's appearance was already handsome, and because of his many years of cultivation, he had an otherworldly temperament.
Even though he had deliberately aged her appearance, it still made Zhao Die 'er, who had just started to understand love, blush and her heart beat faster …
Behind Zhao Die 'er were two maidservants of the Zhao Mansion. They were both eighteen or nineteen years old and had pretty features.
After serving the Zhao Mansion for many years, the two maidservants had seen many outstanding talents in Bianliang. They had also seen some who had outstanding looks and talents. However, it was rare to see someone like Ning Fan who had an outstanding temperament …
Therefore, it wasn't just Zhao Die 'er who blushed, even the two maids were blushing. They would steal a few glances at Ning Fan from time to time …
"Yeah, there's no snow in Bianliang this year and the plum blossoms haven't bloomed yet. This wine is really lonely … Brother Boyang's illness, is it better now?"
Ning Fan changed the topic and asked.
He had been in Bianliang for ten years and had known Zhao Boyang for ten years. They could be considered old friends.
For a whole month, Zhao Boyang did not come to the academy to teach. It was said that his old illness had relapsed and it was quite serious …
"Father's leg disease will act up every year, but it's more serious this year. He can't get out of bed, so he needs someone to take care of him. We've invited some famous doctors, but there's no improvement. Even the barbaric medicine given by Master Man Chi doesn't have any effect …"
When Zhao Die 'er thought of her father's sickly appearance, she felt a lump in her throat and her eyes reddened.
"Leg injury … Don't cry, come with me."
Ning Fan stroked Zhao Die 'er's black hair and pushed the door open to return to the mansion. His subconscious action made Zhao Die' er forget to cry.
She was already ten years old, a grown lady. Many aristocratic families in Bianliang had proposed to her, but Ning Fan still treated her like a child and caressed her head casually.
It was very rude, but Zhao Die 'er didn't seem to dislike this feeling …
Leaving the two maids outside, Zhao Die 'er entered the courtyard of the Ning Residence alone. The plum blossoms in Bianliang had not bloomed yet, but there was a plum tree in the courtyard that was in full bloom …
"Eh? The plum tree in Uncle's house is so strange. It's different from the one in Bianliang City … "Zhao Die 'er said in surprise.
"Of course it's different. It's not an ordinary plum tree …"
Ning Fan smiled and plucked two plum blossoms from the tree. One of them had a weaker spiritual qi and he put it on Zhao Die 'er's hair. As for the other one, he magically put it into a brocade box and gave it to Zhao Die' er.
"Take the plum blossoms in the box and feed it to your father. His leg disease will recover by itself … Don't spread this matter in Bianliang City and don't tell your father that I'm the one who gave him the plum blossoms."
Zhao Die 'er's little head was already in a daze. She didn't hear what Ning Fan said at all. She instinctively took the jade box and lowered her head like an ostrich.
There was only one thing in her mind – she was being teased by Uncle Ning!
In Bianliang, men and women were not allowed to touch each other, but Ning Fan stroked her hair and put a flower on her head …
Her face seemed to be on fire, it was boiling hot and there was only the sound of her heartbeat in her ears …
"Do you know how to be shy now? Die 'er has really grown up. It's uncle who has become frivolous …"
Ning Fan laughed and shook his head. His bone age had already reached a thousand years. Zhao Die 'er would always be a child in front of him. He didn't think about the layer of precaution between men and women before, but now he knew that he had to pay attention to it.
He repeated what he had told Zhao Die 'er just now and reminded her in detail. Only then did he let her leave.
Zhao Die 'er's face was still blushing when she walked out of the gate of Ning Mansion. It took her a lot of effort to calm down. She looked at the brocade box in her hand with a face full of disbelief.
"Why did uncle give me a plum blossoms? He even said that this plum blossoms can cure father's leg disease … Die 'er has read many medical books, but I've never heard that plum blossoms can cure leg diseases … "
Although she didn't believe that plum blossoms could cure leg diseases, she still wanted to give it a try. She brought the plum blossoms back home and gave it to her father to consume.
Zhao Boyang's leg disease was obviously incurable, but after he consumed the plum blossoms, his leg disease actually improved day by day.
Zhao Boyang kept asking where the plum blossoms came from. Zhao Die 'er remembered Ning Fan's instructions and didn't speak nonsense. However, this matter still spread in Bianliang City.
No one knew what kind of plum blossoms could actually cure Great Scholar Zhao's chronic leg disease.
Zhao Die 'er was the only one who knew the truth. When she was ten years old, it was her first time witnessing Ning Fan's inconceivable abilities.
When she went to the Ning Family again and was about to thank Ning Fan for giving her the plum blossoms, she realized that Ning Fan wasn't at home. Only his' wife 'and' daughter 'were at home …
After asking Liu Yan's' aunt 'and Immortal Loli' sister, Zhao Die 'er found out that Ning Fan was currently painting at the bank of Bian River.
"Uncle Ning is painting at Bian River?" Zhao Die 'er felt very surprised. In her impression, Ning Fan seemed to only know how to drink wine and admire plum blossoms.
When she arrived at the bank of Bian River and found Ning Fan, she saw him standing beside a flat bluestone that was half the height of a human and looking at an ancient painting.
After ten years of turning into a mortal, Ning Fan finally began to comprehend the truth. The truth of the Dao could not be passed down by word of mouth. Thus, Ning Fan integrated his comprehension of the truth of the Dao into his painting and drew it into a painting to comprehend the truth.
The ancient painting that Ning Fan was looking at was a painting that he obtained from the Luo Yun Demon Sealer Lu Daochen when he was in the nine divisions of the Lu Clan.
The content of the painting was the scene where Lu Wu, the Demon Marshal of the ancient Heavenly Court, drove a chariot to battle.
This painting was drawn by a painting immortal of the ancient Heavenly Court. It could turn illusions into reality. As long as one activated their magic power, the person in the painting could materialize.
This painting contained the comprehension of the truth of the Dao of that painting immortal …
Ning Fan stared at the ancient painting for a long time. Then, he kept it and took out some paper, ink, brush and inkstone. He placed them on the bluestone and began to paint.
He knew that Zhao Die 'er had already arrived and was standing beside him. However, at this moment, he focused on painting and did not pay attention to her. Zhao Die' er also did not disturb him.
Ning Fan's painting skills could only be considered ordinary. His skills were far from the highest level. However, his painting contained profound intent realm that was close to the Dao. The most important thing in ink painting was the intent realm.
What he painted was the landscape of Bian Liang City. Every blade of grass and every tree had already been integrated into his heart in the past ten years.
However, he could only draw the shops on the long street of Bian Liang City. He could not draw the hustle and bustle of the city.
He could draw the water of the Bian River but he could not make the water flow.
He could draw the bare plum trees on both sides of the river but he could not make the plum blossoms on the trees bloom …
"Is it still not enough …?"
Ning Fan sighed softly. He put down the brush and looked at the river in silence.
He was still not satisfied with this painting. The reason for his dissatisfaction was that he could not merge the truth into the painting.
Zhao Die 'er's beautiful eyes sparkled with surprise as she looked at Ning Fan's painting.
Of course, she did not know anything about the truth of the Dao. In her opinion, Ning Fan's attainments in landscape painting had undoubtedly reached an extremely high level. Every blade of grass and every tree had its own meaning …
She did not understand why Ning Fan would sigh when he had clearly drawn a peerless painting …
"Uncle, are you not satisfied with this painting?" Zhao Die 'er did not address Ning Fan as' uncle '. Her tone seemed to have returned to the intimate manner when they were young.
"You noticed it again?" Ning Fan said with a smile.
"Hehe. Uncle's brows are almost knitting together. How can Die 'er not notice it?"
Zhao Die 'er smiled sweetly. Suddenly, a thought crossed her mind. Her face turned red and she lowered her head to beg Ning Fan.
"Uncle, can you teach Die 'er how to paint? Die' er wants to learn …"
"Isn't your ambition to be a barbarian monk? Why don't you learn the Barbarian Scripture instead of painting with me? Don't you want to be a barbarian monk anymore? "Ning Fan laughed.
"No. Die 'er's ambition is still to be a barbarian monk. Moreover, Die' er has already promised Man Chi …"
Zhao Die 'er sighed faintly halfway through her words and did not continue.
Ning Fan did not ask further. He just looked at Zhao Die 'er with interest. He untied the wine gourd on his waist and drank a mouthful of wine.
"Uncle, can you teach Die 'er how to paint? Five years. Die' er will only disturb Uncle for five years. After five years, Die 'er will leave …"
Zhao Die 'er's black eyes stared at Ning Fan with a hint of pleading. There was even a hint of muddled emotion in her expression.
"Alright."
Ning Fan nodded. His eyes swept across the plum blossom on Zhao Die 'er's temple and sighed.
After a few days, the plum blossom had already withered. However, Zhao Die 'er still wore it on her head.
Has she grown up …?
From that day onwards, Zhao Die 'er would look for Ning Fan to learn how to paint whenever she had free time.
Ning Fan would definitely be at the side of the bluestone beside the Bian River. Sometimes, he would splash ink and brush while other times, he would ponder in silence.
On the eleventh year, Ning Fan finally managed to draw a flowing river.
On the twelfth year, a few red plum blossoms bloomed on the bare plum branches under Ning Fan's brush.
On the thirteenth year, the market in Ning Fan's painting vaguely resounded with noises.
On the fourteenth year, Ning Fan began to draw flying dragons, strange beasts and some living beings in the mountains and seas.
On the fifteenth year, Ning Fan began to draw people.
There were many people under his brush. Some were his lovers, some were his close relatives and some were his enemies.
All of his memories were integrated into his Dao and drawn on the paper. He did not purposely seek for the truth but gradually, the Dao Charm of reality appeared in his paintings.
It had been fifteen years since he came to Bianliang. He had already refined two of the seven-colored arrow spirits.
The mist of the True Bridge could no longer obscure Ning Fan's eyes. For the first time in fifteen years, Ning Fan felt the call of the True Illusion River.
At night, Ning Fan sat cross-legged in meditation in his room.
His physical body was still at home, but his Primordial Spirit suddenly rolled up the storage bag and flew up to the night sky of Bianliang.
The primordial spirit swayed and tore a hole in the night sky. It stepped in and disappeared into the night sky of Bianliang.
Any cultivator who wanted to break through the bottleneck of the Crossing Truth Realm would need their primordial spirit to leave their body and enter the Heavenly Dao.
At this moment, Ning Fan's primordial spirit was inside the Heavenly Dao. What he saw was a long river that seemed both real and illusory.
Ning Fan stood at the southern bank of the river. It was a barren land. The northern shore was lush with green grass, if one reached the northern shore, one could successfully break through to the Du Zhen realm.
That long river was called the True Illusion River, and the river was filled with fog that seemed both real and illusory. The current Ning Fan could already see through part of the mist with his eyes.
There was not just one True Bridge on the True Illusion River, but countless of them. With his current Zhenxing, he could see three thousand True Bridges in the mist of the True River.
None of the three thousand True Bridges were suitable for the Dao Wielder to cross the True Illusion River …
"The True Bridges on the True Illusion River have existed since the formation of the Heavenly Dao … The True Illusion River is not even a goose feather's surface. You can't fly across it, swim across it or use a boat. You can only cross the river by stepping on the bridge … If you reach the northern shore, you will successfully cross the True Illusion River. You have to cross the bridge according to the Great Dao that you cultivate … "
"Now, I can see three thousand True Bridges on the True Illusion River. These three thousand True Bridges almost include most of the Great Dao in the Four Heavens. Unfortunately, there are no True Bridges of Dao Wielder …"
"Any cultivator who enters the True Illusion River won't be disturbed by the outside world, but it's extremely difficult to enter the inner part of the Heavenly Dao. I've only entered it once in fifteen years of my life …"
"Any cultivator only has nine chances to cross the bridge … Now, I can't see the existence of the True Bridges of Dao Wielder. I'm afraid that I won't be able to cross the True Illusion River …"
"What a pity …"
After a night, Ning Fan's primordial spirit withdrew from the inner part of the Heavenly Dao and returned to his body. It was impossible for him to enter the inner part of the Heavenly Dao again.
The next morning, Zhao Die 'er came to visit Ning Fan to learn painting. She was already fifteen years old and her hairpin ceremony would be held three days later.
Other than learning painting, there was another reason why she came today. It was to inform Ning Fan that she was about to reach the age of 15.
To ordinary girls, reaching the age of 15 meant that they had grown up and would soon get married.
But to Zhao Die 'er, reaching the age of 15 meant that she would be accompanied by a green lamp forever and leave Bianliang City forever.
She didn't want to get married. Her dream was to become a barbarian monk and protect the weak barbarians who were hurt by wild beasts.
In Bianliang City, there were many aristocratic families who proposed marriage to her, but all of them were rejected by Zhao Boyang.
Zhao Boyang wasn't an ordinary person. He knew that his daughter had great ambitions, so he naturally gave her his full support.
The only problem was that in order to become a barbarian monk, one must go to a big city with a flourishing barbarian temple to learn barbarian techniques. There was only one barbarian monk in Bianliang City and his barbarian technique cultivation base was very weak. It was impossible for him to help his disciples sense the incense of the barbarian technique …
"Uncle, Die 'er is about to reach the age of 15 and leave Bianliang soon … Will you miss me …?"
Zhao Die 'er stood beside Ning Fan and looked at the snowy scenery in front of her.
On the fifteenth year, it was snowing lightly in Bianliang City. Red plum blossoms bloomed in the snow.
Ning Fan was drinking wine and painting in the snow. As he had deliberately changed his appearance, his sideburns were already covered with frost.
Zhao Die 'er looked at his familiar back and the familiar scenery of the Bian River. Her heart felt a little sour and reluctant to part with him.
She had grown up but her uncle was starting to grow old …
She had finally reached the age of 15. She was finally going to leave her hometown and work hard to become a barbarian monk. However, why did she feel a little reluctant …?
"I won't. Die 'er, just leave with peace of mind. I won't miss you. "Ning Fan said with a smile.
"Liar! I don't believe it! "
Zhao Die 'er stuck out her tongue. She didn't believe that Ning Fan wouldn't miss her.
"… Uncle, if I become a barbarian monk, I won't be able to marry anyone for the rest of my life. Uncle, can you help me fulfill a small wish …? "Zhao Die 'er asked carefully.
"What wish?"
"Uncle, can you accompany me to wear wedding clothes, eat wedding cakes, ride on the wedding boat and light the wedding lanterns once … Consider it as fulfilling my small wish before I leave …?"
"No."
"Why … Uncle has never rejected my request before. Why did you reject me this time …?" Zhao Die 'er sighed in disappointment.
Ning Fan did not answer her. He just drank a mouthful of spiritual wine and put down the brush. His eyes were fixed on the red plum tree.
"Stingy …" Zhao Die 'er murmured softly. Suddenly, her cheeks turned red and her face turned red.
Ning Fan plucked a red plum flower and gently inserted it into her temple. Then, he said with a smile, "This plum flower will be your hairpin ceremony gift. I have some matters to attend to these few days. I'm afraid I won't be able to make it in time for your hairpin ceremony … "
"Uncle isn't going to attend my hairpin ceremony …?" After hearing Ning Fan's words, Zhao Die 'er who was a little shy immediately became disappointed.
"Maybe I will come. Maybe I won't. After all, the remains of the Thought Shredding Savage Beast aren't that easy to find …" Ning Fan smiled helplessly.
"Thought Shredding Savage Beast … What kind of savage beast is that …?" Zhao Die 'er's beautiful eyes were filled with confusion.
"I'll tell you in the future …"
During these three days, Ning Fan was not at home. He had left the city. Zhao Die 'er came to look for Ning Fan but she could not find him. When she heard that Ning Fan had left the city, she could not help but feel worried.
The barbarian monks of Bianliang knew how to make the Barbarian God Jade Pendant. As long as one wears the pendant, the chances of being attacked by the savage beasts would be reduced. However, it did not mean that one would be safe after sleeping.
Zhao Die 'er did not know what Ning Fan was going to do outside the city. She did not know if Ning Fan had brought the Barbarian God Jade Pendant with him. She was very worried …
Three days had passed and Ning Fan had yet to return. Today was Zhao Die 'er's hairpin ceremony.
As the daughter of Great Scholar Zhao, Zhao Die 'er's hairpin ceremony was naturally very grand. There were countless famous sects in Bianliang who came to attend the ceremony.
Not only that, even the only barbarian monk in Bianliang, Great Master Man Chi, had made an exception to attend Zhao Die 'er's hairpin ceremony.
Man Chi naturally would not attend the ceremony when the daughter of an ordinary family reached a marriageable age. However, Zhao Die 'er was different. She had looked for Man Chi before. According to Man Chi's evaluation, this female cultivator had an extremely high talent in barbarian cultivation. If she is taught by a famous monk, she would certainly become a famous monk in her lifetime and bring prosperity to the Wilderness.
Man Chi knew that he was not good enough to become Zhao Die 'er's master. Thus, he recommended Zhao Die' er to go to the Heavenly Barbarian City to learn barbarian techniques.
The Heaven Barbarian City was one of the top ten great barbarian cities in the entire Wild Ancient Region!
There were a lot of barbarian monks there. The strength of their barbarian statues was enough to withstand the attacks of any savage beasts.
I have already used my barbarian technique to inform a few friends in the Heaven Barbarian City that the Barbarian Temple there is also very interested in Zhao Die 'er's talent … It is said that this time, the Barbarian Temple of the Heaven Barbarian Temple will even send someone to Bianliang to bring this girl to the Heaven Barbarian City. It is enough to show that the Barbarian Temple of the Heaven Barbarian Temple values this girl … Man Chi thought to himself.
Zhao Die 'er's hairpin ceremony was supposed to be happy but she could not. She was still worried about Ning Fan's safety.
She stared blankly at the guests who came to congratulate her. Even though there were many of them, the person she wanted to see the most was not there …
"Uncle, where did you go … Is what you are going to do more important than Die 'er's hairpin ceremony? Is Die' er not important in your eyes …?"
Zhao Die 'er sighed softly. Suddenly, she raised her head in disbelief as if she had sensed something.
After her, Man Chi also raised his head. He had sensed something and looked towards the outside of the Zhao Mansion. There was a trace of fear on his face.
Outside the Zhao Mansion, twelve black horses were galloping in the wind and snow. On each of the horses sat a black-robed monk.
"Hand over Zhao Die 'er. Otherwise, no one in this mansion will live!"
The guests who came to congratulate them sent their servants to find out who was so daring to make a ruckus outside the Zhao Mansion.
However, all the servants who were sent to investigate were killed by the twelve black monks without exception. Their blood splattered on the snowy ground!
"It's the Black Barbarian Monks! The Black Barbarian Monks who kill without blinking an eye! Why are they here?! "
Some of the knowledgeable guests immediately revealed a look of fear.
Among the barbarians, there was a special kind of barbarian who could invoke the power of incense to protect all living beings. They were called the Barbarian Monks.
Most of the Barbarian Monks took the responsibility of protecting the common people. However, there were also a few Barbarian Monks who killed for the sake of their own lives!
They were the Black Barbarian Monks!
No one knew where they heard about Zhao Die 'er's extraordinary innate talent. Today, they came here to kidnap her and force her to join the Black Barbarian Monks!
"I'll count to ten. If the Zhao Mansion doesn't hand over Zhao Die 'er, I'll bring my men and kill my way into the Zhao Mansion!"
The leader of the twelve black monks, an evil old man, laughed evilly.
However, he did not notice that there was a silver-haired little loli in the dark who was also laughing evilly.
The immortal loli was very happy. It seemed like there was going to be another fight! (To be continued.)
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