Xiao Guangnian recognized He Kao, but did not ask about his relationship with Jiang Daozhen. After all, he's a secret disciple, he knows the rules, even if asked, he wouldn't admit it.

He misunderstood a bit, thinking He Kao came specifically to pay respect to him, an elder of the sect.

The Lingxi Sect doesn't have many disciples, the fewest among the Seven Great Magic Sects. Apart from Jiang Daozhen, the elder who is closest to He Kao in the sect is his second uncle.

It's still the first month of the lunar year, not even the Lantern Festival yet. He Kao must have come specifically to wish him a happy new year!

Since the elder was so happy, He Kao didn't deny it, because strictly speaking, it was indeed Jiang Daozhen who had told him, using the Divine Thought Heart Seal, that Xiao Guangnian was staying in Xiaohe Town.

But He Kao was still a bit embarrassed and explained, "I actually took leave during the spring to see the world. On my way north, I happened to arrive at your home in Xiaohe Town, and unexpectedly met you on the way.

My car is left at the hotel in Crane Ridge. I set off with empty hands and didn't manage to bring a gift for second uncle..."

Xiao Guangnian laughed heartily, "In winter in Da'anling, except for local drivers and local cars, others don't do very well. The fact that you found this place shows a rare intention!

Even my family members who go to other places have never come to see me during this season, you're the first.

Since you've come all this way, it's my turn to give you a gift... Later I'll drag that dirt mound from the yard, let it thaw, and you can take that old ginseng, eat it yourself or give it to your elders!"

Second uncle, in his happiness, offered to give He Kao the recently dug wild ginseng. He Kao couldn't accept it; if anyone was to be honored, Xiao Guangnian was the elder!

Yet Xiao Guangnian insisted on giving a gift, so He Kao had to change his approach, saying there was no need for ginseng, he preferred some local mountain products.

The west room on the first floor of the Xiao family was large, with many racks and spread-out sheets inside. The sheets in the south are mostly made of bamboo, while the ones here were made of straw, with various local mountain products and medicinal herbs dried on them.

Xiao Guangnian enthusiastically led him inside to take a look, explaining in detail and picking out the best and most expensive for him, packing a big bag.

Dinner was cooked at home, with He Kao helping Xiao Guangnian. The dishes were local specialty mushrooms with wild game... He Kao continuously toasted, sharing stories about second uncle's amusing tales, making the elder quite happy.

The Tier Four Lingxi Skill is jokingly called a Divine Stick. This self-mockery is both a reminder to be mindful of the power of techniques.

Some Divine Sticks really engage in this profession, setting up stalls for fortune telling or acting as shamans. They should be careful not to use techniques, yet accomplish the goal.

There's a saying, "The secrets of heaven must not be revealed." It's an old favorite of Divine Sticks. But if they mustn't be revealed, why choose this profession? Perhaps the rationale lies in this contradiction.

Divine Sticks aren't absolutely forbidden from using techniques, but in such circumstances, they can't say it overtly. They must express it in a different way, indirectly or equivalently.

"Useless use, mind has a Lingxi," is the core and most mysterious pursuit of the Lingxi Skill.

Xiao Guangnian is a Divine Stick, known locally as an "immortal." He does it part-time, not relying on it to make a living. The traditional culture and customs here are also the most comfortable environment for his cultivation.

If he doesn't use Divine Techniques, how can he "see things" for others? It's actually simple, as most things don't require divination, just rephrasing them in a mystical way.

Doesn't He Kao see what troubles his eldest aunt might have, or what difficulties his cousin He Shan is facing? Even Gao Xue'e, who isn't familiar with his aunt's family, can see that He Shan should find a proper job.

But if He Kao directly mentions it, would his aunt think he makes sense?

However, if in another scenario, a master who can predict fortunes tells his aunt, Xiaoshan's fate brings "travel fortune," staying home is "waste on resources," always causing issues, only finding a job outside can resolve them...

Whether the person believes or listens, this is roughly the pattern for how Great Divine Stick Xiao "sees things" for others.

Xiao Guangnian was truly in high spirits, sharing many stories of his experiences as a Divine Stick in these parts. He Kao toasted frequently, expressing his deep enlightenment and expanded horizons.

He Kao took a moment to ask, "Second uncle, do you live alone here?"

Xiao Guangnian replied, "My daughter is on winter break with her mother on Qiong Nan Island. I just returned on the third day of the Lunar New Year. You came at the right time; otherwise, you'd have missed me, as I must go to Acheng tomorrow.

They prefer to winter on Qiong Nan Island, usually living in ACheng City, while I like staying here and return to Xiaohe Town whenever possible..."

He Kao was surprised and said, "Winter break? Your daughter is still in school?"

Xiao Guangnian: "She's sixteen, in her second year of high school, studying in Acheng."

At eighty-three years old, with such a young daughter at sixteen, one cannot but admire him for his vigor even in old age!

However, He Kao didn't know that Xiao Guangnian had pulled some strings locally to change his age twice. His current wife and daughter still believe he's fifty-three, just a bit prematurely aged.

Some changes happen so subtly and unconsciously that He Kao might not even realize.

Initially, he was full of awe for magical techniques but held a poor view of the Magic Sect and Sorcerers, because most Sorcerers he encountered at that time left him with a terrible impression.

Thus, while he respected Magic Sect elders like Lin Qingshuang, he didn't want to get entwined with the Magic Sect and was subconsciously repelled, unwilling to engage much with Magic Sect disciples.

Unpleasant experiences contributed to this, as well as not wanting to expose his Hidden Moth identity.

When did this mindset begin to change? Perhaps many people and events influenced him, but the turning point might have been when Jiang Daozhen and Li Xiuyuan came to his house specifically to dine and give gifts.

Now, he no longer instantly rejects Magic Sect disciples and is even willing to assist with some matters related to the sect.

Otherwise, when he met Xiao Guangnian on the road today, he wouldn't have gone sledding to the latter's home. Due to the Old Man Jiang's influence, he genuinely viewed Xiao Guangnian as a family elder.

If his attitude was otherwise, Xiao Guangnian wouldn't be so pleased. Could he not discern whether the delight of the over-eighty divine stick was genuine or fake?

He Kao spent the night at Xiao Guangnian's home and found the frozen clump in the yard missing the next day.

Xiao Guangnian was leaving for Acheng that day, and since He Kao was there to "visit" him, he accompanied his second uncle for the return trip. They took a horse-drawn sleigh driven by Xiao Guangnian, arriving in Crane Ridge by noon.

A few days before, He Kao had taken a large roundabout through deep mountains. If taking the nearest highway, the distance from Xiaohe Town to Crane Ridge was only a few tens of miles, passing several villages.

Xiao Guangnian left the horse with an acquaintance. During this time, He Kao went back to the hotel where he parked his car and brought a large assortment of expensive Qi Yuan local specialties for his second uncle.

This solidified the idea that he came to visit Xiao Guangnian but was unable to bring the gifts since the car couldn't reach Xiaohe Town... Xiao Guangnian accepted them cheerfully.

Xiao Guangnian still had things to do, so the duo parted ways in Crane Ridge, exchanged contacts, and added each other as friends.

He Kao stored the large package of mountain goods from Xiao Guangnian's house in his car. Scanning it unconsciously with his divine sense revealed an unexpected item inside.

It was a piece of dried wild ginseng in a long wooden box, a gift from second uncle after all!

Moreover, He Kao didn't know that Xiao Guangnian had already contacted Jiang Daozhen the previous day, leaving a message about He Kao's visit.

Jiang Daozhen might not have seen it yet, responding to his junior only this morning — since the young one traveled from afar through snow and ice to visit, Xiao Guangnian, as an elder, must adequately express his gratitude; a light greeting gift would be embarrassing!

In fact, without Jiang's nudge, Xiao Guangnian had already intended to do so.

Unforeseen journeys are always full of surprises, but this chance encounter brought He Kao great joy. After bidding farewell to second uncle and seeing he had time, he left his car at the Crane Ridge hotel and continued on foot.

He Kao appeared directly at the location in the northern deep mountains of Da'anling where he had reached days before, then proceeded northward. As the terrain lowered, he was able to ski, arriving at the still-frozen bank of the Wulong River before dark.

At night, amidst swirling wind and snow, he traversed the frozen surface of the Wulong River stealthily, leaving the borders of the Eastern Country.

**

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