Father was always very happy to teach him. There had even been a big conversation about what food he would bring and how he would enter the village. Xian thought it was a bit dumb, but Chun Ke and the sleigh were fun. You’re gonna do great,” he whispered and clapped Xian on the shoulder. He smiled warmly, and there was absolute confidence in his voice. At least Tigu was quiet now. For the first time in Bi De’s life, he had known annoyance at his Great Master for teaching her that song. The Connected One toiled every day, healing its wounds, and disregarding the connection. He gave and gave. He did not force the plants to grow beyond their abilities. He expected nothing, beyond their nourishment later.

After the revelations of Rou Jin's heritage at the end of book #1 we start book #2 with Jin sitting comfortably at home thinking about expanding the planting of the farm. Hermit -> fully engaged in a community as well as a family man and teacher to his disciples (Volume 1) Summer’s Sky thanks Eighth Master ,’ the sword, a jian blade, intoned, speaking directly into his mind. It was a little weird and it tingled sometimes, but it wasn’t unpleasant. The sword rattled. ‘ Another new blend? Approval. ’

It surrounded the little ball of Qi, stopping most of its hungry growth. It was partially suppressed, and stored to be examined later.

They’re pretty great, aren’t they?” Yun Ren asked, tapping at the wonderful leather pouch that held the flat pane of crystal Yun Ren cherished. “But they’re pretty pricey too, yanno? And the ones that can record more than just static images are way more expensive.” Afterwards, they all had gathered around the hearth with warm spice bark tea in hand, listening to Disciple Gou Ren and the Healing Sage regaling them all with stories of their childhood. Tigu and Wa Shi had slid in attempting to hide their rushed search for the gifts they discreetly added upon the great pile.. Those would be exchanged tomorrow, this time, after the solstice festival.Bi De prayed that the basis for this dance was not sinister, that the history within the crystal would not tarnish this beautiful image before him. Instead of a lifetime of battle, my biggest concerns are building a house, the size of my harvest, and the way the girl from the nearby village glares at me when I tease her.

Yun Ren nodded politely and took the tea from her as Gou Ren spoke with Bowu, the younger man looking with interest at the deer meat. It’ll be a short lesson,” Yun Ren snarked. His brother reached over and punched him in the shoulder, Yun Ren laughing it off. Gou Ren had been using Jin’s recording crystal more, especially when they had carved all the gourds. From Tigu’s unsettlingly lifelike one, to Chun Ke’s gourd with a crooked smile. But mostly, he seemed to be sneaking recordings of Xianghua and Bowu. Yun Ren’s eyes widened. “You’re looking to buy one?” His brother had been a little interested before, but outright asking Yun Ren for one? They lapsed into silence working on the carcass. Both of them lost in thought. It didn’t take that long. After they got the skin off they started butchering in earnest.I didn't like the humor. Or rather, whatever humor I did like was not enough to make me like the book as a whole. At first, there was bare existence. A mass of conflicting feelings and instinctual reactions. Thought, without thought. Feeling without feeling.