C3 This is the Ancient Text!.

Under Lin Xiaodie's watchful eye, Zhong Wen meticulously copied the script of the Great Qian, stroke by stroke. Lin Xiaodie intermittently offered guidance, despite often struggling to articulate her instructions clearly.

Before Zhong Wen lay the "Enlightenment" and "Introduction to Words," texts the Great Qian Empire had crafted specifically for teaching children literacy.

For Zhong Wen, a man in his thirties who had lived through the era of internet technology, relearning to read was nothing short of mental anguish.

Lin Xiaodie was a bundle of energy. She interspersed her lessons with casual conversation, unintentionally boosting Zhong Wen's learning efficiency.

"Xiaodie, don't the disciples of the Floating Flower Palace usually dine together?" Zhong Wen inquired, having noticed that for the past couple of days, Lin Xiaodie was his sole dining companion, with Yin Ninger and the others nowhere in sight.

Zhong Wen had grown more informal in his address to Lin Xiaodie, who seemed unfazed by the change.

The palace's fare was bland, leaving Zhong Wen yearning for more flavor.

"The Floating Flower Palace is sparsely populated. Including our Master and Mrs. Wang, we number only six. The Eldest Senior Sister rarely returns, the Second Senior Sister is preoccupied with her cultivation, and the Third Senior Sister dedicates herself to alchemy. It's rare for us all to share a meal," explained the little loli, referring to Mrs. Wang, a widow from the village below, whom the Palace Lord had hired for housekeeping and cooking duties.

"Don't you get lonely being on your own so much?"

"My senior sisters visit to play when they're free, and whenever Master returns, we all come together," the little loli replied, her words belying the hint of solitude in her eyes.

Zhong Wen began to grasp her eagerness to keep him around; a child of eight or nine truly craves companionship.

He couldn't help but feel a twinge of disapproval towards Xiaodie's master.

"Xiaodie!"

A crisp, melodious voice echoed from outside.

"Second Senior Sister has arrived!" exclaimed the little loli, dashing out with joy.

Moments later, she returned, ushering in a strikingly attractive girl of about seventeen or eighteen. Her light brown hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and her eyes sparkled with a valiant spirit. She was dressed in a red bodysuit, a white miniskirt, and black shorts that accentuated her long, fair legs.

As the young woman entered, Zhong Wen felt as though she brought light into the entire room.

Could this sect have a beauty standard for its disciples?

Both Yin Ninger and the girl before him were striking. Even the young Lin Xiaodie was a beauty. It made Zhong Wen question the Floating Flower Palace's criteria for selecting disciples.

Regrettably, the girl was still developing in certain areas. His eyes briefly lingered on her chest, and he couldn't help feeling a bit wistful.

"Are you awake?" The girl seemed blissfully unaware of Zhong Wen's inappropriate musings.

"Zhong Wen, meet my Second Senior Sister, Lau Qiqi. She's the one who carried you back here," Lin Xiaodie said with a smile.

"Miss Lau, I'm deeply grateful for your help," Zhong Wen expressed his gratitude once more. He felt indebted to everyone in this place.

"It was nothing," Lau Qiqi replied with a cheerful shrug. "What are you two up to?"

"I'm teaching Zhong Wen to read," Xiaodie said, beaming with pride.

Lau Qiqi glanced at Zhong Wen. "You don't know how to read?"

Zhong Wen was taken aback by her blunt question and felt a twinge of embarrassment.

"He's been through a lot with his injuries and has forgotten many things, including how to read," Xiaodie quickly came to his defense.

Understanding dawned on Lau Qiqi's face, followed by a sympathetic look towards Zhong Wen.

"Indeed, I lack cultivation and literacy. Xiaodie is concerned about my ability to get by once I leave the mountain, so she's teaching me to read," Zhong Wen admitted, feeling somewhat downcast. Despite the abundance of beauties here, he couldn't win their affection. Instead, they seemed to look down on him.

He consoled himself with the thought that just being around such beauties was a joy in itself.

"What a good kid," Lau Qiqi said, affectionately ruffling Xiaodie's hair.

"Second Senior Sister, how's your Light Dividing Sword technique coming along?"

"I can now handle six Sword Puppets at once."

The two girls chatted away about their training, leaving Zhong Wen feeling out of his depth. He resigned himself to sitting quietly at the table, diligently copying from the Enlightenment text.

After a bit, he overheard Lau Qiqi say, "I'm feeling a bit weary after eating. Xiaodie, I'm going to lie down for a bit. Make sure to wake me in an hour, okay?"

Without further attention to the man present, she stretched out on the bed. As soon as her head hit the pillow, the steady rhythm of her breathing filled the room.

Lin Xiaodie sidled up to Zhong Wen and observed as he meticulously copied characters. She offered some guidance for a time but soon grew listless. Sitting silently at the table, her head cradled in her hands, her thoughts remained her own mystery.

Zhong Wen paused his studies to stretch and noticed Lin Xiaodie's ennui. It tugged at his heartstrings. "Xiaodie, feeling tired? Maybe you'd like to rest a bit, too?" he suggested.

She shook her head in response.

"I've been practicing my writing these past couple of days. My memory isn't all back, but I recall some stories I've heard before. Would you like me to share one with you?" Zhong Wen hoped to cheer Xiaodie up.

Her eyes sparkled with interest. "Yes, please!"

"Alright, let me tell you about an incredibly powerful monkey."

He pondered for a moment, realizing that in his mind's library, only the four great classics remained. In this realm of cultivators, it was a challenge to convey the nuances of 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' and 'All Men Are Brothers' to her. 'Dream of the Red Chamber' was beyond a child's grasp, leaving 'Journey to the West' as the fitting choice.

"In a land far away, there's a mystical continent, and beyond the sea lies Aolai Country. Atop its mountain, an immortal stone transformed into a stone monkey," Zhong Wen began. He adapted the complex poetry and narratives into straightforward sentences, making them accessible to a child's understanding.

Lin Xiaodie was captivated, her posture straightening from a slouch to attentive as she listened.

"Henceforth, the Stone Monkey ascended to the throne, known as the Monkey King," Zhong Wen narrated with ease.

Meanwhile, Lau Qiqi, who had been reclining on the bed, had quietly opened her eyes. She remained still, silently absorbing the tale.

The tale of "Journey to the West" had always captivated children, and for Lau Qiqi, who had spent her youth in the Floating Flower Palace without ever encountering such enthralling stories, it was a delight to hear.

As she lay in bed, Lau Qiqi listened to the stone monkey's adventures with eyes that shimmered like jewels. She wondered if reaching the Saint Stage in her cultivation would grant her powers akin to those of the Stone Monkey, and her face lit up with longing.

Time slipped away unnoticed, and before they knew it, two hours had flown by.

"We'll stop here for today and pick up the story tomorrow," Zhong Wen announced, feeling a bit parched. He reached for the cup on the table and took a sip of water.

"What?" Two voices exclaimed in unison.

"Miss Lau, you're awake," Zhong Wen said, turning to see Lau Qiqi sitting up attentively.

"Zhong Wen, please continue," the little loli implored, tugging at his sleeve with a playful pout.

Lau Qiqi remained silent, but her eyes echoed the same yearning.

"The story is quite lengthy," Zhong Wen explained with a smile, patting Lin Xiaodie's head. "Even if I kept going today, we wouldn't finish. Besides, I shouldn't interfere with your training. If your master returns and finds me still here, she'll surely send me away, and then you'll miss the conclusion."

"Okay," Lin Xiaodie conceded, her insistence waning at the thought of Zhong Wen being sent away. "But you have to continue tomorrow."

"It's a promise," Zhong Wen replied, giving her head another gentle pat.

"What's the name of the story?" Lau Qiqi inquired suddenly.

"Journey to the West!" Zhong Wen responded. As he uttered the title, a wave of profound nostalgia for the world he once knew washed over him.

Reluctantly leaving Zhong Wen's room, Lau Qiqi resolved to concoct an excuse to return for more of the story the next day.

"Second Miss!" She was just reaching the doorway when she encountered Mrs. Wang, who was hurrying toward her in haste.

Standing half a head taller, Zhong Wen could see over Lau Qiqi and take in Mrs. Wang's visage. Contrary to his expectations of a rural woman, Widow Wang retained an alluring presence, her figure curvaceous and exuding the allure of a mature woman.

This only reinforced Zhong Wen's assessment of the Floating Flower Palace Lord – they must have a particular fondness for beautiful people.