Volume One, Chapter Six: Taking the Road Less Traveled
The wind beneath their feet gradually softened.
Before them, the bustling smoke and fire of human habitation faded away, leaving only a misty haze mingled with mountain birds and dense forest.
At the edge of their sight stood a towering mountain range, stretching hundreds of miles in both directions.
Its deep indigo peaks soared to meet the clouds, six summits crowned with wisps of golden light flickering like charcoal stars.
Within the veil of mist and light, an ethereal presence coiled like a hidden dragon.
Though distant, that immense and tranquil aura silently permeated the air, quietly gripping the hearts and thoughts of those who approached.
Could this be the revered Azure Cloud Mountain, home to immortals?
Zhao Fusheng’s eyes widened as he gazed upon it, his heart swelling with reverence.
No wonder his grandfather had spent his entire life striving to break through his limitations and cultivate here.
Now, he understood that feeling all too well.
A soft breath escaped him.
As the coolness beneath their feet halted, the two found themselves standing before an ordinary dwelling at the mountain’s base.
“To prevent accidental harm from the realm’s laws, only the peak master may ascend by other means; all disciples must climb on foot,” Song Ningxia explained gently.
“Mm.”
At that moment, two figures clad in white dashed toward them, bowing deeply in unison.
“Awaiting your arrival, senior sister!”
Their voices rang clear, but Song Ningxia’s expression quickly hardened to a frost-like severity.
After a brief nod, she grasped Zhao Fusheng’s hand and pressed onward.
Yet a woman stepped forward, raising her hand to block their path.
“Apologies, this violates the rules.”
She glanced at Zhao Fusheng, frowning at his disheveled appearance.
“Senior sister, I heard you flew into a rage for this child, destroying an entire village of our sect’s followers?”
“Is that true?”
Though her voice was proper, the tone carried a hint of insolence.
“If you have such energy to meddle in affairs, why not devote it to cultivation instead?”
“After all, you’ve lived at the mountain’s base for decades, far inferior to me.”
Song Ningxia’s reply was blunt and uncompromising.
Ren Xuemin sneered but was pulled back by a man behind her.
“Younger brother Shi, do not act rashly.”
The man’s gaze lingered on Zhao Fusheng for a moment before he bowed slightly to Song Ningxia.
“Senior sister, we are ordered to guard the mountain gate.”
“Mortals, commoners—without the master’s special permission, none may ascend.”
A cold laugh escaped Song Ningxia.
“Brother Shi Changkong, between us, who truly bears the title of the master’s direct disciple?”
“How do you know this isn’t the master’s will?”
Shi Changkong paused.
His eyes narrowed as if a sore spot had been struck.
Song Ningxia was the eldest senior sister of the Sixth Peak; everyone knew well who the true direct disciple was.
Ren Xuemin chuckled, tugged Shi Changkong aside, and then stepped forward a few paces.
“That’s simple.”
“Whether permission is granted or not, let him try the Purple Bamboo Forest behind the mountain; then we’ll know.”
Song Ningxia’s pupils contracted sharply.
Though unaware of the details, Zhao Fusheng, whose worldly savvy was keen beyond his years, sensed that Song Ningxia was being put in a difficult position because of him.
“Senior sister, I’ll go.”
“I’ve been to many wild forests for survival before!”
He stepped forward willingly.
Song Ningxia was shocked and hurried to cover his mouth but was too late.
“Once agreed, one must not go back on their word!”
“Sect disciples must not deceive those in white, but commoners in white must not be insulted by our sect either.”
“Is that right, senior sister?”
Ren Xuemin stepped forward and deliberately cupped her fist in salute to Song Ningxia.
As she spoke, Shi Changkong’s hand rested on his sword sheath, his gaze fixed fiercely on Zhao Fusheng.
The mountain gate had its own rules.
They, as guardians, had the right to uphold the sect’s order.
Besides, though not as strong as the senior sister, if they were in the right, his sword could gain some advantage.
Song Ningxia sighed deeply.
She had privately obtained a contract for the pond-side village in the name of a direct disciple—but this was by her master’s secret consent, not officially recognized by the sect.
Now, Zhao Fusheng’s rash acceptance had laid everything bare.
The bamboo forest was harmless to disciples, but for mortals with spiritual roots below the yellow rank, it was a one-way journey.
If the master did not come to rescue, Zhao Fusheng would surely perish.
If Zhao Fusheng died, Song Ningxia would have deceived the sect and risked losing her status as direct disciple.
If the master came to save him, permitting a mortal with inferior roots to ascend, the sect’s rules would be broken, and both she and the master would be punished.
This was a carefully calculated dead end.
Only now did Song Ningxia understand the true purpose of their watchfulness.
“If I truly am the master’s direct disciple, Brother Shi, Sister Ren, what then?”
Zhao Fusheng imitated their gesture and asked.
His move caught them off guard.
Though Song Ningxia wanted to warn him, doing so now would only raise suspicion against herself and the master.
She was still somewhat impressed by Zhao Fusheng’s boldness—he showed no fear.
His spirit was admirable.
Ren Xuemin laughed shortly and, after a quick hand seal and a few whispered words, a white light shimmered at her fingertips.
“Take care of yourself first, yet you still speak so boldly?”
“Whether or not you are one, there’s a simpler way to know.”
“Our sect values spiritual roots above all. If yours is not even yellow rank or above—”
“Then you must be lying!”
She glanced at Song Ningxia meaningfully.
“Isn’t that right, senior sister?”
Then she stepped closer to Zhao Fusheng, the light between her fingers drawing near.
As it approached, its hue shifted.
“Heaven is white, earth is red, mystery is blue, yellow is dark.”
“No need to remind you: if your root is of a lower or inferior dark tone, the master would never grant permission!”
“This is sect law! The master would never break it!”
Ren Xuemin advanced while Shi Changkong squinted, his sword intent growing sharper.
The color darkened, the white dimmed, neither red nor blue, but soaked in gray, increasingly mixed and impure...
Thud!
At the crucial moment, Song Ningxia kicked Ren Xuemin aside and said coldly,
“I have already tested. Are you more skilled than I am?”
“Otherwise, shall we compete?”
Ren Xuemin stepped back two paces but still cupped her fists.
“Senior sister, your reprimand is justified.”
“I only wish to protect this child. If his spiritual root is not yellow rank or above, he will never pass the Purple Bamboo Forest.”
“After all, all living beings matter; all life is precious.”
Zhao Fusheng’s gaze sharpened.
“On the contrary!”
“If I ascend, it will prove that I am indeed yellow rank or higher.”
Ren Xuemin was stunned—could there really be such a foolhardy person willing to court death?
She sneered.
“Yes, but on one condition—the master’s rescue doesn’t count!”
Zhao Fusheng was unafraid and turned to Song Ningxia.
“Please speak for me, senior sister. I wish to ascend alone.”
Song Ningxia frowned, realizing that this child seemed to be orchestrating the situation.
Though unsure of his confidence, she could only trust him now to avoid sullying the master’s reputation.
After a moment of silence, she sighed.
“Very well. I will wait for you on the mountain and inform the master as well.”
“I’ll also mention that some people today abuse their power for personal gain, even distrusting the master himself.”
Ren Xuemin’s expression stiffened.
Zhao Fusheng’s eyes narrowed as he watched her.
“By the way, you two have yet to answer my question—if you lose, what then?”
Ren Xuemin didn’t reply immediately but whispered to Shi Changkong.
“I’ve detected a lower yellow rank root just now.”
“But senior sister intends to protect him, and the master may deny it, claiming my skill is lacking or the test inaccurate.”
“But now I have cut off the master’s chance to come down and save him, closing his escape route.”
“This time, we will force him into the forest—there can be no deception!”
Shi Changkong nodded sharply.
He drew his sword from his waist and said gravely,
“If we rebel against the master or bully guests entering the mountain, we are unworthy as guardians.”
“This sword is forged from cold stone, slicing iron like mud, decisive as a razor—my only trusted companion for a hundred years!”
“If you reach the summit, this blade is yours, as an apology.”
A sword in exchange for the position of direct disciple—far better than being a mere gatekeeper.
Well worth it.
Ren Xuemin produced a small furnace from her pocket.
“This is my usual alchemy furnace, condensed with spiritual energy for a thousand years. Its refining power is several times better than ordinary ones.”
“If you can pass through the bamboo forest, I will gift it to you as well, as an apology.”
Zhao Fusheng bowed and cupped his fists.
“Please lead the way.”
Song Ningxia wanted to say more but knew it was too late.
She blamed herself for her century of secluded practice, unaware that even within the sect, the hearts of men could be so corrupt and treacherous.
No wonder the world beyond the mountain had grown so unruly.
In the end, she could only say to Zhao Fusheng,
“Be careful.”
Zhao Fusheng wanted to reassure her, but Ren Xuemin cut him off, seizing his arm.
“Please come with me.”
Soon, Song Ningxia disappeared into the distance.
The winding mountain path vanished.
Before them lay a bamboo forest thick with miasma, its depths shimmering with eerie light.
“After you.”