Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

Looking at the dazed goose before him, Xu Ming couldn't help but massage his temples.

How did this silly goose get here? You didn't come along with me this morning, did you? Or could it be you followed my scent all the way here? And wandering around like this… if someone finds out you're special and decides to cook you, what then? Even though I still don't know what kind of breed this Tianxuan Goose is, rare beasts like you must be considered a great delicacy. People would definitely think you're a powerful tonic!

"Is this goose yours?"

Xiao Mo Chi walked over to Xu Ming and Qin Qingwan, smiling warmly.

"Yes, sir! She's our Xiao Bai. Isn't she pretty?" Qin Qingwan said proudly.

When Qin Qingwan first saw Xu Ming raising a goose, she had thought about getting one herself. But none of the other geese she saw were as beautiful as Xiao Bai, so she gave up in the end. After all, her Ming-gege's big white goose was as good as her own big white goose.

"She is very pretty," Xiao Mo Chi nodded.

"Sir, I must apologize. Xiao Bai must have been too bored at home alone and somehow managed to find her way here. Please forgive her," Xu Ming leapt from his seat and gave Xiao Mo Chi a respectful bow.

Xiao Mo Chi studied Xu Ming and couldn't shake the impression that he exuded a refreshing grace. Every movement of his seemed to carry a scholarly air.

"No need to apologize, Ming'er. In fact, Brother Goose's presence has brought life to our study hall. He has added quite a bit of color," Xiao Mo Chi said with a smile.

"Goose! Goose! Goose!!!" The Tianxuan Goose flapped its wings outside the window in protest.

Qin Qingwan pouted, "Sir, you're wrong about one thing—Xiao Bai is a girl!"

"Goose!" The Tianxuan Goose nodded emphatically.

"My apologies, I misspoke. Allow me to formally apologize to Miss Xiao Bai," Xiao Mo Chi said, bowing solemnly toward the goose.

"Goose~ (I forgive you)," the Tianxuan Goose spread its wings akimbo and raised her long neck proudly.

Xu Ming, however, felt both surprised and puzzled.

What surprised him was that this gentleman actually knew his name. But what puzzled him was...

As a cultivator, surely Xiao Mo Chi, regardless of his level, should be able to discern a goose's gender, right?

"Dear students, since Miss Xiao Bai has graced us with her presence today, how about we compose a poem in her honor?" Xiao Mo Chi suggested, turning to the group.

A little girl with twin braids stood up and said, "But sir, isn't writing poetry something only adults do? We don't know how to make poems."

Xiao Mo Chi shook his head. "The kind of poetry I speak of doesn't need to follow rhyme or meter. Just say what's in your heart—every person has their own poetry.

'Fair lady, a gentleman yearns.' That's a poem.

'The blazing sun above, my sweat flows endlessly.' That's also a poem.

Adults have their poetry, and children have theirs. Everyone has their own poetry in their heart."

Xiao Mo Chi glanced around the room. "Would anyone like to give it a try?"

His words hung in the air, but no one dared to lift their head.

Some students looked eager but hesitated to raise their hands.

"Why don't you give it a try, Pangda?" Xiao Mo Chi suggested, his eyes landing on Xu Pangda.

"Huh?" The chubby boy shot to his feet, his jiggling flesh drawing a wave of laughter from the others.

Blushing furiously, Xu Pangda scratched the back of his head. He wanted to refuse but didn't have the courage to do so. Finally, he looked at the big white goose, then at Xiao Mo Chi, thought for a moment, and recited:

"Big white goose, white as snow,

One pot won't hold you,

With chili, you'll taste great though!"

"Hahaha…"

Xu Pangda's poem successfully broke the tension, filling the study hall with cheerful laughter.

"Goose! Goose! Goose!!!"

The Tianxuan Goose flapped her wings furiously in protest.

The Tianxuan Goose flapped its wings furiously, as if preparing to duel the chubby boy to the death.

Xu Pangda hung his head low, his cheeks flushed bright red.

Xiao Mo Chi chuckled, "Not bad, Pangda. The fact that you spoke up at all is already quite impressive. Sit down."

Xu Pangda timidly took his seat.

"Does anyone else want to try composing a poem?" Xiao Mo Chi asked again, scanning the room.

But no one responded.

"How about…" Xiao Mo Chi's gaze shifted in Xu Ming's direction.

Qin Qingwan, thinking the teacher was looking at her, quickly darted behind Xu Ming.

"Xu Ming, why don't you give it a try?" Xiao Mo Chi said, addressing him directly.

Xu Ming stood up.

The Tianxuan Goose let out a few cries of "Goose, goose, goose!" as if saying, "Little one, you'd better compose something good. Don't let me down!"

Qin Qingwan's eyes sparkled with expectation as she looked at Xu Ming, eager to see what kind of poem he would create. Whatever it was, it was bound to be better than Xu Pangda's.

Xu Ming thought for a moment, then recited:

"Goose, goose, goose,

Curved neck singing to the skies.

White feathers floating on green waters,

Red feet paddling through clear waves."

"Goose? (Oh?) Goose, goose, goose! (Well done, little one. That's a fine poem!)"

The Tianxuan Goose cried out in delight, clearly pleased.

Xiao Mo Chi looked at Xu Ming with a hint of surprise in his eyes.

Though the poem was simple and straightforward, it was still remarkable, especially coming from a five-year-old child.

As Xu Ming finished reciting, a line of text suddenly appeared in his mind:

[You have composed a poem. Haoran Qi +100, Charisma +10.]

Xu Ming froze for a moment, stunned that writing a poem could increase his Haoran Qi. Although he still had no idea what Haoran Qi was for, it seemed significant.

Meanwhile, the children in the study hall, despite their limited appreciation for poetry, instinctively knew this poem was excellent. A vivid image of a swan on the water surfaced in their minds.

Beside Xu Ming, Qin Qingwan looked at him with admiration in her eyes, while even Xu Pangda's face reflected awe.

We're all kids here, and I'm even two years older than you. So why is your poem so much better than mine?

"A very fine poem," Xiao Mo Chi praised.

He then asked a few more children if they wanted to try composing, calling on several by name. Afterward, he resumed teaching The Analects.

Interestingly, Xiao Mo Chi didn't ask the Tianxuan Goose to leave but allowed it to stay outside the study hall, listening in on the lesson.

When class finally ended at noon, the children spilled out of the study hall like a flood, relieved to be free.

Xiao Mo Chi watched as Xu Ming and Qin Qingwan left together, the Tianxuan Goose waddling behind them.

Rubbing his fingers thoughtfully, Xiao Mo Chi murmured to himself, "Who would have thought? The Xu family has produced such a talented child. And that goose… it actually ended up at the Xu household. Could it be that the Xu family is destined for a resurgence?"

Gazing at their departing figures, Xiao Mo Chi quietly wrote down the name Xu Ming on a piece of paper.