Chapter 140: First Stirrings of Love

"Indeed!" Pine Pagoda chimed in, looking quite depressed as well. "Brother Yan, just like Little Meng, I don't have a gift for you either... What should we do about this?"

"Hehe..." Yan Chixia laughed heartily. "Little Meng, Pine Pagoda, it's the thought that counts! I lack nothing... Therefore, you don't need to give me any gifts at all. Today is my eighteenth birthday, and for this, I have already prepared the most sumptuous breakfast, which I will enjoy together with you both."

"Ah, that's wonderful!" Rabbit Little Meng and Pine Pagoda beamed with smiles once again. "Brother Yan is the best!"

"Indeed!" Bai Xiaoyue gazed up at Yan Chixia's face with deep affection in her autumn-water-bright eyes. "Little brother is the best!"

In the past, when Yan Chixia and Bai Xiaoyue stood side by side, Bai Xiaoyue would look down at Yan Chixia's face because back then, Yan Chixia was not as tall as her. Now, when they stood together, Bai Xiaoyue had to look up at his face, for Yan Chixia had grown very tall, standing half a head taller than her, truly a stalwart man of seven feet.

At this moment, as Bai Xiaoyue stood before Yan Chixia, her bright, autumn-water-like eyes filled with infinite tenderness as she looked upon his heroic, peerlessly handsome visage. As she told him, "Little brother is the best," a strange and tender emotion suddenly welled up within her heart—a tenderness like spring rain nourishing her soul, causing the seed of romantic longing that had long been buried deep within her heart to suddenly sprout!

Bai Xiaoyue's heart had just awakened to love. Confronting Yan Chixia's exceptionally handsome face, her heart fluttered wildly and her cheeks flushed crimson!

Seeing this, Yan Chixia asked with a hint of puzzlement:

"Elder sister, you... what is the matter?"

"Ah?" Hearing the question, Bai Xiaoyue grew even more red-faced, not knowing how to reply, when Rabbit Little Meng suddenly giggled and said:

"Hee hee hee, Elder Sister Bai's heart has just awakened to love!"

Hearing this, Bai Xiaoyue was overcome with shyness and embarrassment:

"Little Meng, stop talking nonsense! I... I..."

Yan Chixia suddenly realized what was happening. His heart warmed, and he hastily smiled to rescue Bai Xiaoyue from her predicament:

"Hehe, Little Meng, don't talk rubbish! Alright, let's all enjoy the food together now."

"Okay!" Rabbit Little Meng immediately cheered and laughed. "Hee hee, Elder Sister Bai, don't be embarrassed. If your heart has awakened to love, then so be it! I won't say another word, I'll just pretend I saw nothing!"

Originally, the blush on Bai Xiaoyue's face had not yet faded, but upon hearing Rabbit Little Meng's words, she grew even more flushed. Her blushing countenance was as vibrant and tempting as a fully ripened cherry...

Seeing this, Pine Pagoda let out a good-natured chuckle and said:

"Hehe, Elder Sister Bai looks really pretty when her ‘heart awakens to love’! Little Meng, how come your heart hasn't awakened to love yet?"

Hearing this question, Rabbit Little Meng was both exasperated and amused, and she couldn't help but retort:

"I am so young, what heart awakening to love is there for me? Tell me, Pine Pagoda, can you use your brain for once?"

"I..." Pine Pagoda was left speechless by the snappy retort, and Yan Chixia hurriedly smoothed things over for him:

"Little Meng, your tongue is truly too sharp; you really never forgive anyone when you have the upper hand. Hehe... Alright! Little Meng, Pine Pagoda, I am extremely happy today! Now, I will present my gifts to you first... and then we can all share the feast together!"

"Really?" Rabbit Little Meng cried out in pleasant surprise. "Brother Yan, today is your birthday, and not only do we have no gifts for you, but you are giving us gifts instead. This truly moves me deeply!"

"Hehe..." Pine Pagoda laughed good-naturedly. "Brother Yan is the best!"

"Indeed!" Bai Xiaoyue also said with a radiant smile. "Little brother is the best!"

"Elder sister is even better!" Yan Chixia said with great joy. "Elder sister, Little Meng, Pine Pagoda, I will now give each of you a gift, and I hope you will all like them!"

With that, he silently recited an incantation, summoning one of the "paper talisman paintings" stored within his "storage ring." Catching a corner of the talisman paper, he flicked his wrist with a wave of his hand. A flash of golden light later, three crystal-clear jade pendants were instantly activated...

With quick eyes and swift hands, Yan Chixia reached out and grabbed the three jade pendants, then smiled at Bai Xiaoyue, Rabbit Little Meng, and Pine Pagoda:

"Elder sister, Little Meng, Pine Pagoda, these three jade pendants are the gifts I want to give you today. What do you think, do you like them?"

"Ah!" Bai Xiaoyue, Rabbit Little Meng, and Pine Pagoda all gasped in admiration. "We like them, we love them too much!"

"Good!" Yan Chixia smiled. "Then accept them."

With that, he handed the three jade pendants to Bai Xiaoyue, Rabbit Little Meng, and Pine Pagoda respectively. Overjoyed, the three of them took the pendants and began admiring them affectionately, unable to put them down.

The three pendants were all circular and of the same size. The patterns on the pendants held by Bai Xiaoyue and Rabbit Little Meng were each a vividly lifelike white rabbit, while the pattern on the pendant held by Pine Pagoda was a lively and adorable squirrel. All three pendants were exquisitely carved and flawless.

"Ah!" Bai Xiaoyue exclaimed in praise. "It's so beautiful! Truly crafted by the gods, wondrous beyond compare!"

"Indeed, indeed!" Rabbit Little Meng and Pine Pagoda echoed in agreement. "So beautiful! Brother Yan's [Paper Talismans and Daoist Magics] are truly getting more and more powerful!"

"Hehe..." Yan Chixia laughed. "Elder sister, Little Meng, Pine Pagoda, you flatter me!"

"Hee hee, no flattery at all, we speak from the heart!" Rabbit Little Meng beamed. "Brother Yan, how long can we wear the jade pendants you gave us?"

"At least a year!" Yan Chixia replied. "Elder sister, Little Meng, Pine Pagoda, put on your jade pendants now. Now I invite you all to partake in the feast!"

Upon hearing this, Bai Xiaoyue, Rabbit Little Meng, and Pine Pagoda immediately hung the jade pendants around their necks. Then, after Yan Chixia used the [Paper Talismans and Daoist Magics] to summon a sumptuous array of fine wines and delicacies, arranging them with all their colors, aromas, and flavors upon the grassy meadow, they all sat down together in a joyful circle, eating, drinking, and making merry amidst laughter and cheer.

At this moment, the morning sun was rising steadily, its brilliant rosy clouds tinging not only the overlapping peaks of Mount Zhongnan with the glow of dawn, but also illuminating the faces of Yan Chixia, Bai Xiaoyue, Rabbit Little Meng, and Pine Pagoda as they drank heartily on the grass, making them glow with radiant splendor. In the distance, white clouds like jade belts coiled among the towering peaks, while wisps of auspicious purple vapor drifted leisurely from the east... The scenery was like a celestial realm, exceptionally magnificent and beautiful.

"Ah, how truly beautiful!" Bai Xiaoyue couldn't help exclaiming. "Little brother, today is your birthday, and since elder sister has no gift for you, elder sister will now dance for you!"

Hearing this, Yan Chixia was overjoyed:

"Splendid! Elder sister dancing for me is the best birthday gift I could possibly receive!"

"Wonderful!" Rabbit Little Meng immediately clapped and cheered. "Elder Sister Bai, I love watching you dance the most!"

"Hehe heh," Pine Pagoda also chuckled good-naturedly. "Elder Sister Bai, dance quickly! I love watching you dance too..."

"Alright!" Bai Xiaoyue readily agreed, springing up with a light heart. Walking with nimble steps to a spot a dozen paces away, she stood there, her long sleeves unfurling and her garments fluttering as she began to dance.

As she danced gracefully, she raised her sweet voice and sang softly in a tender tune:

"The morning sun rises in the east,
Rosy clouds illuminate our faces.
Layered peaks wreathed in celestial mist,
Auspicious purple vapors drift.
Toiling and cultivating along the mortal dao,
Sweat waters the blooming flowers.
Flying on spiritual swords to tour the five sacred mountains,
Demons and ghosts crushed beneath our feet.
The invisible sword,
Resides within the heart,
Walking the path of chivalry with a heart full of passion,
Our original aspiration never changes.
Refining the golden elixir,
Forging magical treasures,
A hundred trials to become immortals to fulfill our grand ambitions,
Our heroic spirit soaring to shake the four seas.
Venturing upon the heavenly dao,
Free to roam as I please,
Galloping unrestrained across the nine heavens,
Radiating brilliant splendor..."