Myriad Rivers to the Sea

Chapter 1085: Planning For the River

The environment slowly shifted from dense silver groves to open rolling hills covered in vibrant green grass. The air carried a crisp and refreshing chill that made the journey feel like a simple stroll through a private garden rather than a survival expedition in a training realm. Li Yu continued to enjoy the tranquility settling over the landscape and had been doing so ever since that encounter with the perverse Elder Jin.He had seen enough battles and dealt with enough sudden surprises during this training trip to last him a good while. There were only seven days left before the designated training period concluded and those that came here to train would return to the clan base and be brought back to the clan. Li Yu decided a few weeks ago, after reading through what the others had done, that his active participation in this training exercise was officially over. He did not want to engage in any more conflicts here; he just wanted to relax and enjoy himself for the remainder of the time.

Li Yu and the group eventually stopped near the crest of a gentle hill and looked around the serene environment. A clear stream babbled near the base of the incline while a few wild birds chirped from the branches of a lone oak tree. Li Yu felt it was the perfect spot to rest and let the final week fade away in peace and tranquility.

"We will set up camp here and we will not be moving for a while," Li Yu announced while turning to face his three companions. "The active portion of our journey is over. I want to spend these final days enjoying the quiet and doing absolutely nothing of importance."

Faen stopped walking and raised an eyebrow but she was not surprised given Li Yu’s character so far. She did not even think to question the order as he always seemed to do mundane things. Borum and Garren simply nodded their rocky heads in unison and waited for further instructions.

Li Yu reached into his spatial ring and retrieved several storage pouches he had prepared ahead of time. He tossed the first pouch to Faen and inside it was high grade cultivation pills and refined elemental crystals.

"Take this and find a quiet spot to cultivate," Li Yu instructed with a warm tone. "You have fought hard and guarded me without fail. Use these resources to cultivate and get stronger. Or you can do whatever you wish with your time for the next week as you are now off duty."

Faen thought a bit and then gave a respectful bow. "Thank you, Li Yu. I will not waste this gift."

He then tossed two sacks filled with dense earth ores and mineral clusters to Borum and Garren. The rock elementals caught the bags and their gemstone eyes glowed with excitement at the rich harvest.

"The same goes for the two of you," Li Yu said while gesturing toward the rolling hills. "Find a patch of rich soil or a sturdy rock face and absorb those ores. Garren needs to push toward the Half King realm and Borum can use the extra energy to refine his outer shell. Go and cultivate in peace while I take some time for myself as well."

‘Take some time for yourself? Aren’t you always doing that?’ The three of them thought but did not voice it. Li Yu was one of the most carefree people they have ever met.

Borum thumped his broad chest in gratitude while Garren voiced his thanks before the two elementals marched down the hill to find a suitable place to dig into the earth and cultivate. Faen offered one last nod before vanishing into the shadows of the lone oak tree to begin her deep meditation as well.

The two Domain Kings have been happy with their role and duties ever since being forced to follow Li Yu. They had doubts at first but those doubts were long gone now. While there have been a few dangerous times, more often than not Li Yu is at the head of battle and is fighting first or taking on the stronger enemy. They couldn’t even remember when was the last time they had gotten to relax as much as they did during these past few months.

Li Yu was now left alone on the grassy crest as he let out a long breath and laid down on the soft ground. He crossed his arms behind his head and stared up at the vast blue sky in thought. Fluffy white clouds drifted slowly across the expanse and the warm sunlight bathed his face as he laid there. The peaceful atmosphere was a stark contrast to the survival of the martial path and he loved every single second of it.

‘This is what it’s all about. To obtain power so I can just enjoy moments like these in peace.’ Li Yu thought quietly to himself.

Instead of meditating or pushing his techniques further, Li Yu let his mind wander toward a much more personal subject. His thoughts drifted away from the cultivation world and focused entirely on Gongsun Lian. The Supreme General of The Veiled Lotus held a very special place in his heart and he missed her presence in these peaceful moments.

The formal hundred year agreement arranged by his grandfather Zhan Tian gave them time to naturally develop their relationship but Li Yu wanted to take active steps to close the distance between them. In his mind, he was him chasing after her, even if reality was actually her waiting on him.

Li Yu pictured her striking features and the cascading black hair that framed her cute face. She was a supreme powerhouse whose strength vastly exceeded his own and she commanded an entire legion.

Yet beneath that terrifying aura and the polished black dragon scale armor, Li Yu knew there was a human being with emotions and feelings like everyone else. Li Yu harbored strong feelings for her and he wanted to show her how much he cared. He often felt unworthy of standing beside such a figure but he refused to let those insecurities stop him from treating her right. The last thing they talked about was having a romantic evening together and setting up the correct mood to have their first kiss but that duty fell on his shoulders.

'She spends all her time managing the legion and carrying the weight of duty on her shoulders,' Li Yu thought while watching a cloud shaped like a fish drift by. 'She needs a real break from all those responsibilities and just be free if only for a brief period. She needs a day where she does not have to be the commander but as a woman who is being spoiled and treated caringly.'

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He began to ponder plans for a romantic day together once he returned from this training expedition. He wanted to take her away from the grand halls and the heavy expectations of anything and everything. A private setting was required to ensure she could let her guard down and relax without worrying about anything else besides the two of them.

He’s never done such a thing before but he’s heard stories from his parents, grandfather, story tellers, cousins and more. He’s seen some two people in love interact with one another even though he’s never experienced it himself. Li Yu began to think of different things that are thought of to be romantic or fun that dao companions do together.

An idea sparked in his mind and a wide grin spread across his face. He decided he would find a quiet and scenic river located on the home realm of the Zhan Clan. The realm possessed countless beautiful landscapes that remained untouched and offered privacy. He would rent, build or buy a sturdy wooden boat and they would spend the day riding down a peaceful river. The gentle flow of the water and the vibrant nature along the banks would provide the perfect escape from her daily burdens.

He planned to decorate the boat in a romantic way to set the proper mood. He would get help to have intricate array formations into the wooden hull to generate a soft and warm light when evening approached. He could arrange plush cushions woven from cloud spider silk and hang delicate paper lanterns from the canopy to create a cozy and intimate space just for the two of them. They would travel down the water and see the sights at their own pace. If they saw a beautiful meadow or a striking waterfall, they could simply dock the boat and stop wherever they wanted.

The setting was only one part of the equation. Li Yu knew the fastest way to a person's heart was often through their stomach and he took great pride in his culinary skills. He was the creator of delicious food and he intended to spoil her with a carefully curated menu. Li Yu began to outline all three meals in his mind while calculating the perfect balance of flavors and spiritual nourishment.

'Breakfast should be light and refreshing to start the morning off right,' Li Yu plotted while tapping his finger against his chin. 'I will prepare a delicate congee using Silver Moon Rice cultivated in nutrient dense spiritual waters. I can simmer the rice with sweet lotus seeds and pair it with steamed buns filled with minced bamboo shoots and wild mushrooms. A pot of fragrant jasmine tea will wash it down and warm the stomach as the morning mist clears off the river.'

The thought of sharing a quiet sunrise over a hot cup of tea made his heart flutter slightly. He moved on to plan the midday meal since lunch required a bit more substance to fuel their journey but still needed to feel elegant and effortless.

'For lunch we will likely be drifting past the deeper sections of the forest,' Li Yu reasoned to himself. 'I will catch some fresh river trout the day before and prepare a vibrant citrus glaze. I can pan sear the fish until the skin is perfectly crisp and serve it alongside a crisp salad made from sweet watercress and sliced sun berries. It will be colorful and refreshing under the midday sun. I can even chill a bottle of sweet plum wine using a minor frost array to accompany the meal.'

He pictured Gongsun Lian sitting across from him on the plush cushions while enjoying the bright flavors of the fish and the sweet tang of the wine. He hoped the pleasant food and the scenic views would allow her true smile to shine through.

The final meal of the day held the most importance in his grand plan. Dinner would take place as the sun dipped below the horizon and the lanterns on the boat flickered to life. The atmosphere would shift from a bright and cheerful afternoon into a deeply romantic evening. This was the moment Li Yu intended to make his move because he desperately wanted to get his first kiss at some point during the evening and he needed the setting to be flawless.

'Dinner must be rich and comforting,' Li Yu decided while staring intently at the blue sky above. 'I will prepare a slow roasted tenderloin from a high tier beast, I must find the very best tasting. I will marinate the meat in a dark savory sauce infused with star anise and wild garlic for two days before the date. I can serve it over a bed of roasted root vegetables and drizzle a rich reduction glaze on top. It will be a heavy and satisfying meal that pairs beautifully with a robust aged spirit wine and some light teas.'

He imagined the soft glow of the lanterns reflecting off the dark water while they ate. The night air would grow cool and he could offer her a warm blanket to drape over her shoulders even if she wouldn’t need it. The quiet isolation of the river would leave them alone with only the sound of the crickets and the gentle lapping of the water against the wooden hull.

'After we finish eating and the wine warms our blood, I will sit closer to her,' Li Yu thought while a faint blush crept onto his own cheeks as he thought through his next set of moves. 'We can talk about whatever we fancy but I’ll try to focus it on her. I will ask her more about the things she enjoys doing when she is not commanding an army and when the moment feels right and the conversation lulls into a comfortable silence, I will lean in and kiss her.'

The mere thought of pressing his lips against hers sent a jolt of nervous excitement through his chest. He wanted to show her that she was cherished as a partner rather than a supreme general tasked with fighting.

Li Yu continued to plot various conversation topics and contingency plans in case the boat hit a hidden rock or it began to rain. His mind spun with endless possibilities and grand gestures until he suddenly stopped himself and let out a soft laugh.

'I am overthinking this,' Li Yu realized while shaking his head against the grass. 'A date is not a military campaign and she is not an enemy fortress that requires a detailed siege plan. If I script every single interaction and plan every single word, the day will feel rigid and artificial. I want her to feel relaxed and an overbearing itinerary will only cause more stress.'

He decided that outlining the three meals and securing the decorated boat was plenty of preparation. The rest of the date should be spontaneous and natural instead of all of his wild ideas.

He would see where the flow of the conversation goes and follow her lead. If she wanted to dock the boat and walk through a forest, they would walk. If she wanted to lay back and watch the clouds just like he was doing right now, they would do exactly that. The goal was to enjoy each other's company and let their connection deepen without forcing the issue. If the kiss happened, it would happen because the moment was right and not because it was scheduled on a mental checklist.

A sense of calm then settled over Li Yu as he finalized the loose blueprint for his romantic day and began to look forward to it immensely. He spent the next several hours simply laying on the grass and listening to the ambient sounds of the wilderness while also thinking through the meals once again. He watched the shadows stretch across the rolling hills as the sun slowly began its descent toward the western horizon as the vibrant blue sky melted into deep shades of orange and purple while the day drew to a close.

The quiet evening wrapped around the camp like a warm embrace as Faen remained deep in her meditation under the oak tree while the faint hum of earth Qi indicated Borum and Garren were diligently absorbing their ores nearby. The group was safe and continued what they were doing as the stars began to peek through the darkening sky. Li Yu closed his eyes and let a peaceful smile grace his features.

There was less than a week now of time remaining on this realm for their training and the young cultivator could not wait to return home to see the woman he missed so much.