79 A Little Dance, Entering the World of Cultivation 3 (1/2)

A young girl was in the midst of a dream. Her body gently quivered underneath a warm blanket, and her soul traveled through the folds of time.

She saw a picturesque garden. Countless flowers thrived in numerous, clay pots, and an array of medicinal herbs decorated the ground in neat rows.

At the fringe of the scenery rested an elegant rocking chair, the insides padded with a comfortable fabric that was soft to the touch. Upon the surface of the priceless wood spanned several engravings of phoenixes, willow trees, and the tranquil waves of an ocean.

An old man sat in the rocking chair, his feet gently swinging to adjust the speed of the gyration.

Dressed in a clean, white robe and clasping a book against his chest, the old man's eyes were closed in a mixture of comfort and peace.

The tranquil smile of the old man, and the peaceful swaying of the flowers and herbs established a serene and quiet atmosphere, the epitome of paradise.

However, if one were to take a step back, perhaps the scene constituted one of utter laziness obtained after attaining seclusion. The old man had not moved from the rocking chair for quite some time, his body swaying back and forth with a similar rhythm as that of the herbs and flowers.

The smallest speck of dust was instantly obliterated by the gentle movement of the medicinal herbs, causing the scene to appear unspeakably clean and tidy despite the lack of care or management. The old man reclined in the rocking chair, the plants swayed, and time stilled.

Only to be broken by the next moment.

”Grandfather, grandfather!”

A childish voice rang out as a young girl rushed into the garden. The child appearing no more than six years old sprinted with her short legs, excitedly calling with unrestrained joy and excitement.

”Grandfather, wake up!”

The young girl spoke with her bottom lip curled into a pout. Seeing that the elderly man gave no response, nor had the herbs displayed any change, the child puffed her cheeks before reaching out with both arms.

”Grandfather!” the girl shouted, shaking the rocking chair with all of her might. Her small frame surprisingly possessed great strength and control as the entire chair was roughly shaken, yet there wasn't any incurred damage.

”Grandfather, wake up already! Grandmother's getting quite annoyed, Grandfather has been sleeping for a few years!!”

”..ah?”

The old man cracked open an eyelid, the grey-blue iris gazing deeply at the young girl disrupting his peaceful sleep. The elderly's white eyebrows scrunched for a moment, the confusion gradually disappeared from his gaze.

”Oh…” the old man murmured, his right hand sneakily darting forth to gently poke the young girl's forehead, before patting her head the next instant.

”So this time it's been for a few years?”

The girl nodded vivaciously, her adorable cheeks puffed in anger. She was not ignorant of the elderly man's schemes, but couldn't care less as she indulged in her grandfather's doting and affection.

”Hah….”

A long sigh erupted from the old man's mouth as his limbs shot out into a massive stretch, followed by a series of muffled curses and groans. All inclinations of a serene resting garden were stripped by the elder's comical stance, and the child couldn't help but burst into a peal of giggles.

”Grandfather, you look too funny!” the girl cried, pointing at the old man's frowning complexion. ”If Grandfather displayed that appearance to his friends, they would be in for a massive scare!”

”How funny,” the old man scowled, his fingers lightly pinching the child's nose. After venting his indignation by tweaking the soft nose between his fingers for a breath, the elder clamored out of the rocking chair, sitting on the ground next to the girl.

”Here!” the old man spoke in a gentle voice, extending both arms towards the girl.

”Come, let your grandfather give you a hug.”

The girl cheerfully nodded, the tiny figure springing into the elder's embrace. Cradling the delicate frame against his bosom, the old man watched the medicinal herbs and flowers gracefully dance in their positions.

The elder and child stared at the garden in silence, the tranquil atmosphere returning as the pair resonated with the quiet and lazy scenery. It was only after a long time that the old man opened his mouth to speak.

”Well?” he patted the girl in his embrace awake, before continuing in a soft tone.