Chapter 67: How Can a Sparrow Know the Ambition of a Swan?
Gao Qingyang slowed his footsteps and coughed lightly to get their attention.
However, he was clearly disappointed. Chen An and Lin Jingq were still chatting animatedly, not looking up, and paid no mind to his presence.
Gao Qingyang’s expression faltered, followed by a surge of indignation. He felt they were deliberately putting on an act.
He then strode forward and blocked Chen An’s path.
Chen An stopped and looked up, asking, “Is there something you need?”
Lin Jingq also stopped, looking at the young man who had suddenly appeared and blocked their way. She found him somewhat familiar but couldn’t recall his name.
Gao Qingyang, however, saw things differently. He shook his parted hair, shoved his hands into his pockets, and assumed a melancholic, profound air.
He said slowly, “Chen An, though you probably don’t know it yet, I have to say, we are people from two different worlds now.”
Gao Qingyang tilted his head back and gazed at the sky, sighing with emotion.
“It can’t be helped. People cannot be generalized. Some are born destined to be shining stars in the night sky, while others can only live a life of mediocrity.”
He then chuckled self-mockingly. “Heh, right, you probably think I’m being ridiculous saying this now, but it doesn’t matter. Alas, it’s truly pitiable to live forever in a fabricated world…”
Having finished speaking in one breath, Gao Qingyang felt a sense of release from his pent-up emotions. He was filled with an exhilarating joy, wishing he could burst into song.
He thought that if cultivation had inner demons, this would count as him overcoming one.
After all, Chen An’s acquaintance with Lin Jingq was entirely thanks to a letter he had written.
How could this not make him feel stifled?
Every time he thought about it, Gao Qingyang couldn’t help but thump his chest and stamp his feet.
However, to Gao Qingyang’s surprise, Chen An had not interrupted him at all while he was speaking. He had waited patiently for him to finish.
This slightly improved his impression of Chen An.
*You know when to behave, kid…*
As Gao Qingyang was thinking this, Chen An suddenly spoke.
He asked, “As long as one lives for oneself, isn’t it good enough, even if it’s ordinary?”
Upon hearing this, Gao Qingyang scoffed dismissively. “What’s good about it? The worst is when some people live a lifetime of mediocrity and then try to console themselves that mediocrity is precious!”
He then looked at Lin Jingq beside him.
The girl was slender and tall, her long hair tied up high. A few stray strands in front of her framed her beautiful face.
However, at this moment, her expression was a little strange, her lips twitching as if she were trying hard to suppress something.
Gao Qingyang looked directly at his former “white moonlight,” wanting to say something harsh, like, “I admit you do have a certain beauty.”
But the words, upon reaching his lips, faltered involuntarily.
“Lin, classmate Lin, about a while ago, I was indeed too rash. I didn’t consider your feelings. After all, relationships should develop slowly…”
His words abruptly stopped.
Because the girl before him was not listening at all. Instead, she lightly flicked her ponytail and chased after the departing Chen An.
Her muffled complaint could still be heard, “Hey, Chen An, are you running off alone again without calling me!”
Gao Qingyang didn’t try to stop her. He stood frozen in place, head down, his hand hanging by his side clenched tightly.
After a long while, he loosened his grip, chuckled, and then smiled.
*How can a sparrow know the ambition of a swan?*
…
…
“That person just now was so strange. Do you know him?”
Lin Jingq skipped along, catching up to Chen An, her hands clasped behind her back, looking curious.
“When are you planning to leave?”
Chen An didn’t answer her question directly.
But Lin Jingq knew what he was asking and thought for a moment. “Tomorrow, I guess. Qing City is still a bit of a distance from the capital. I’ll wait for you at school then.”
The location for the United University of Cultivation had been set at Mount Longhu in the capital.
Unlike Mount Qingcheng, which primarily focused on swordsmanship, Mount Longhu was all-encompassing, with talismans and spells being its most renowned disciplines.
Disciples from Mount Longhu generally carried a bundle of talismans with them at all times. When they fought, they would stay at a distance, casting spells and throwing talismans to settle the matter.
Chen An had not initially planned to go. However, in the past month, he had repeatedly failed to find the herbs for the Meridian-Opening Pill, so he had set his sights on the authorities.
With modern technology at their disposal, they surely possessed vast map data resources, and that was exactly what Chen An needed.
His abilities and knowledge far surpassed this world, but he couldn’t create something out of nothing.
Furthermore, with the recent resurgence of spiritual energy, spiritual herbs were already scarce, often hidden in unknown corners.
Without the assistance of official information channels, Chen An would have to painstakingly traverse the land himself, and he didn’t know how long that would take.
Actually, there was a simpler method.
He could directly approach Luo Cong’an.
But for some special reasons, Chen An was reluctant to face her now.
It wasn’t exactly avoidance, but he simply didn’t want to add extra troubles to himself.
Besides, he possessed immense patience, in every aspect.
Chen An’s lifespan was infinite, giving him an unassailable sense of calm.
When faced with a problem, just ignore it.
Time was a competent doctor, albeit a slow one. The healing process might be lengthy, but it would eventually mend.
As Chen An was thinking, he saw the stray hair on the girl’s head twitch.
The next moment, Lin Jingq frowned and said, “My Master said that this resurgence of spiritual energy isn’t just affecting our country; many scenes that were once only found in myths have appeared abroad.”
“He also said there would be international exchange students coming to study.”
Chen An showed no surprise at this. “That’s normal. In fact, it’s not just humans that are being affected. The wild beasts living in the mountains will also benefit.”
“It’s just that everything is still early, and the impact isn’t significant yet.”
He paused for a moment. “Heaven’s Dao is quite fair in this regard.”
Lin Jingq pouted, her curiosity deepening. “Chen An, how do you know so much? Ever since I met you on the first day, I felt like you knew everything…”
Lin Jingq had actually wondered about this question before but had never dared to ask.
She felt that prying too deeply wasn’t a good habit, and it was nice to leave some secrets between them.
But today, she finally couldn’t help herself.
Lin Jingq stroked her chin, and a certain background music about a cunning frog touching your stomach echoed in her mind.
An idea struck her. “Could it be that despite appearing as an ordinary, albeit good-looking, high school student, you’re actually the contemporary disciple of some reclusive ancient sect, sent down to experience the mortal world?”
“I’ve heard that such sects possess ancient inheritances, passing them down to only one person per generation, making them extremely mysterious.”
After she spoke, she saw the young man beside her remained expressionless and unmoved.
So, Lin Jingq proposed another theory, which she considered highly plausible.
“Or perhaps, you are actually the illegitimate son of a prominent family in the capital, but were unfortunately framed by villains and have been living in obscurity. Now, with your wings fully grown, you’re preparing to make a comeback for revenge…”
The girl didn’t finish her sentence.
Because Chen An flicked her forehead with a loud *pong*.
Lin Jingq clutched her forehead, crying out in pain. She looked very wronged.
“What are you doing!”
“If you didn’t want me to talk, you didn’t have to hit me…”
