Chapter 67: How Can Sparrows Comprehend the Ambitions of Swans - I Forged Them in Darkness, and They Buried Me in It

Chapter 67: How Can Sparrows Comprehend the Ambitions of Swans Gao Qingyang slowed his pace and coughed lightly to attract the attention of the two people ahead. But he was bound for disappointment as Chen An and Lin Jingqiu continued their conversation, heads bowed, seemingly oblivious to his presence. Gao Qingyang's face flushed with an awkward expression, followed by a twinge of embarrassment. He convinced himself that they were deliberately ignoring him. Determined to make his presence known, he strode decisively in front of Chen An, blocking their way. Chen An halted, lifting his gaze to ask, "Is there something you want?" Lin Jingqiu paused as well, her eyes assessing the young man who had suddenly blocked their path. He seemed vaguely familiar to her, though she couldn't recall his name. Gao Qingyang didn’t see it that way. Tossing his center-parted hair and putting his hands in his pockets, he adopted a demeanor of brooding melancholy. He spoke slowly, "Chen An, you might not be aware yet, but I must tell you that we're people from two different worlds now." Gao Qingyang looked skyward, filled with a sense of poignance. “People are not all the same. Some are destined to shine like stars in the sky, while others lead lives of mediocrity.” He suddenly broke into a self-deprecating laugh. "Ha, you'll probably think I’m speaking nonsense now, but it doesn't matter. Oh, living in a fabricated world forever is pitiable…” After unloading everything in one breath, Gao Qingyang felt a cathartic release of his pent-up emotions, leaving him with an overwhelming desire to sing with abandon. He thought to himself that if cultivation involved inner demons, perhaps this was a form of exorcism. After all, the fact that Chen An and Lin Jingqiu knew each other was due to a letter he had written initially. How could he not feel aggrieved over this? Every time he thought about it, Gao Qingyang couldn’t help but feel a pang of frustration. However, to his surprise, Chen An had not interrupted his speech but had patiently waited for him to finish. This caused Gao Qingyang’s opinion of Chen An to improve slightly. At least you know your place… Just as Gao Qingyang was thinking this, Chen An spoke up. He asked, “Isn’t it alright to live for oneself, even if the life is uneventful?” Gao Qingyang snorted, his face full of disdain. "Alright? The worst thing is when people accomplish nothing and try to comfort themselves by saying being ordinary is precious!" He then turned his gaze toward Lin Jingqiu. The girl stood there, slender and tall, her long hair tied high, with a few strands falling over her delicate face. But at the moment, she had a peculiar expression, her lips quivering as if trying to suppress something. Facing his former crush, Gao Qingyang intended to throw in some harsh words, something like admitting she had a certain charm. But as he began to speak, his words faltered. “Lin, Lin Jingqiu, about last time, I was really too impulsive, I didn’t consider your feelings. After all, relationships should be…” He stopped mid-sentence. The girl in front of him wasn’t listening but was instead casually tossing her ponytail and heading towards the departing Chen An. He could still hear her mumbling complaints, “Hey, Chen An, sneaking away again without telling me!” Gao Qingyang didn’t stop her. He stood there, head lowered, his hands clenched tightly by his sides. After a long while, he released a breath and unexpectedly smiled. How can sparrows comprehend the ambitions of swans? ... ... "That guy just now was really weird. Do you know him?" Lin Jingqiu skipped to catch up with Chen An, her hands clasped behind her back, her curiosity evident. “When are you planning to leave?” Chen An answered with a non-answer. But Lin Jingqiu understood what he meant, so she thought for a moment and said, “Tomorrow, I suppose. Qing City is a bit of a distance from the capital. I'll wait for you at the school.” The site for the United Cultivation University was set at the capital's Dragon Tiger Mountain. Unlike Qingcheng Mountain, which focused on swordsmanship, Dragon Tiger Mountain was eclectic, with talismans and spells being its specialties. Students from Dragon Tiger Mountain commonly carried an array of talismans with them. In fights, they would stand at a distance, casting spells and throwing talismans to deal with their opponents. Originally, Chen An didn't plan to go, but over the past month, he had consistently failed to find the materials for the Tongmai Pill. Thus, he decided to seek help from official channels. With modern technology, they must possess extensive geographic information resources, and that was precisely what Chen An needed. Even though he had abilities and insights far beyond this world, he couldn't pull things out of thin air. Moreover, with spiritual energy just beginning to revive, spiritual herbs were rare and often hidden in obscure, unknown places. Without the help of official information channels, Chen An would have to traverse every corner of the land, not knowing how long it would take him to find what he was looking for. There was actually a simpler method. And that was to go directly to Luo Cong'an. However, for certain reasons, Chen An wasn't too keen on facing him at the moment. It wasn't exactly avoidance; he just didn't want to create more trouble for himself. Besides, he was patient, in every sense of the word. With an infinite lifespan, Chen An had the confidence to be infinitely calm. Encounter problems? Just leave them be. Time is an incompetent yet dutiful healer; the process may be lengthy, but ultimately, it resolves all things. As Chen An thought this, he noticed the tuft of hair atop Lin Jingqiu's head twitch. The next moment, Lin Jingqiu furrowed her brows. She said, "My master said that this time, the revival of spiritual energy involves more than just our country. Even abroad, arenas previously only found in mythologies have appeared." “They also mentioned there would be international exchange students coming to learn.” Upon hearing this, Chen An wasn't surprised. "That’s normal. The effects extend beyond just humans. Even those beasts living in the mountains will benefit." “It’s just that everything is still in its early stages and hasn’t stirred much yet.” He paused and stated, “In this matter, Heaven’s Will remains impartial.” Lin Jingqiu pouted, her curiosity deepening. “Chen An, how do you know so much? Ever since I first met you, you seem to know everything…” This question had been on Lin Jingqiu’s mind for a while, though she never voiced it. She always felt that prying into everything wasn’t a good habit; leaving some secrets to each side was nice. But finally, today she couldn’t hold back any longer. Lin Jingqiu mused, scratching her chin, humming the tune of a scheming frog from her mind. Suddenly inspired, she wondered aloud, “Could it be, that though you seem like an ordinary, albeit handsome high schooler, you’re actually an apprentice of some ancient sect sent down to hone your skills in the human world?” “I heard such sects have ancient legacies, passing knowledge from generation to generation, shrouded in mystery.” After finishing her conjecture, she saw that the youth beside her was still impassive, unmoved. Thus, Lin Jingqiu proposed another theory she thought highly plausible. “Or could it be that you’re actually an illegitimate child of a prominent family in the capital? Just unfortunately caught in schemes, you’ve lived in obscurity until now, waiting to reclaim and avenge…” The girl’s speculation was cut short. She received a sharp flick to the forehead from Chen An. Lin Jingqiu yelped in pain, holding her forehead, feeling wronged. “What was that for?” “Just say you don’t want to talk, no need to hit people…” (End of Chapter)