Volume One, Chapter Seven: The Initiation Gift!
Inside the Purple Bamboo Forest.
The cold dampness seeps into the bones; especially for weak spiritual roots, the malevolent aura can easily engulf them.
Because of this inferiority, they are prone to being targeted by the various poisons lurking everywhere!
Those two mountain-guarding senior brothers were indeed not lying.
If one’s spiritual root is not at least a superior yellow grade, forget about trekking all the way to the peak; even venturing slightly deeper could cost one their life!
However, Zhao Fusheng was not afraid this time.
His grandfather had given him a book, a compilation of his lifetime’s knowledge and insights.
Among its volumes was one titled “The Pathways.”
It contained detailed maps and descriptions of all the mountain terrains of Qingyun Mountain.
Interestingly, when his grandfather was young, he too once harbored dreams of immortality and had sought to come here to apprentice and learn.
But because his spiritual root was only a lower yellow grade, he was turned away at the mountain gate for several consecutive years.
Yet, his grandfather was resourceful; since he could not learn through conventional means, he applied the topographical surveying techniques taught by their ancestor, a hunter, to find an alternate route up the mountain.
He even managed to reach the summit and secretly learned some skills unavailable to novices at the mountain’s base.
“An ancestor once said, ‘Where there is poison, a remedy can be found within seven steps.’”
“Therefore, all things embrace yin and hold yang; nothing is absolute.”
“Though the mountain terrain is chaotic and perilous, there remains a ‘Way’ left for mortals to dispel and overcome!”
The book began with these words.
Flipping ahead six pages revealed the chapter titled “Six Peaks: Purple Bamboo Forest,” complete with a detailed route map.
“Grandfather’s words can’t be wrong!”
Zhao Fusheng muttered, then set off.
Most travelers barge straight through, relying on instinct and brute force.
But his grandfather was adaptable, knowing how to seek advantage and avoid harm!
He had said, “The poisonous miasma arises mostly from decaying tree roots, and decay accumulates where yin energy gathers.”
“Therefore, moving towards the sunny side gradually refreshes the air, no longer impairing the lungs’ ability to inhale.”
Zhao Fusheng obeyed, avoiding the forest’s deeper interior and instead veering left and forward.
Soon, he emerged beyond the miasma zone.
Suddenly, his mind was clear, the air crisp, and his vision unclouded!
His grandfather also mentioned, “Poisonous insects and ferocious beasts each have natural enemies. If one’s strength is insufficient, use their power against them!”
So Zhao Fusheng kept an eye on the venomous insects coveting him, luring them to the sunny heights.
Soon, a resplendent, rainbow-colored auspicious bird flapped down, pecking and swallowing them in an instant, scattering the rest.
Many other such guidance instructions were real and effective.
Though Zhao Fusheng took a longer path, losing time, he still saw the peak looming close before him.
The western entrance to the peak.
“If that kid can reach the summit, it’ll be within the time of two incense sticks at most.”
“Two incense sticks? That’s long gone—more like almost two hours!”
Ren Xuemin and Shi Changkong exchanged words, feigning urgency.
Ren Xuemin coughed toward Song Ningxia.
“What a pity, senior sister; our senior brothers are immature.”
“The rules are strict; our mistakes were unintentional!”
“But as the ancient saying goes, no rules means no order—you should understand that, senior sister.”
Song Ningxia said nothing, her gaze fixed tightly inside the gate.
This private vow made out of gratitude—could it be that helping someone only harmed them?
“I…”
“Senior sister!”
Before Song Ningxia could speak, Zhao Fusheng’s voice echoed from the forest below the slope.
Ren Xuemin and Shi Changkong exchanged uneasy glances.
“This isn’t right!”
“He’s clearly a lower yellow grade!”
Ren Xuemin panicked.
Shi Changkong froze, especially glancing at his own waist.
From the nearby Baopu Hall, a voice transmitted.
“Master has an appointment. Please enter the hall.”
The hall doors opened.
Two black dragons slipped out from the door crack, hovering near the eaves.
Song Ningxia followed Zhao Fusheng, disbelief etched on her face.
She wanted to ask more but restrained herself.
“Hurry, don’t let anything go wrong.”
The matter at hand was important.
“Understood!”
Hearing this, Zhao Fusheng obeyed and prepared to go.
Passing by the two seniors, he paused deliberately.
Since the senior sister had helped him so much, he had to speak up for himself!
He fixed his gaze on the ornaments at their waists.
“Senior brother, senior sister, thank you for your kindness!”
He even extended his hand.
Shi Changkong could not hold back his temper, stepping forward and grabbing Zhao Fusheng’s collar.
“Kid, don’t get cocky!”
“See those two black dragons? They are the Disciplinary Orators. If you really were a superior yellow grade, you’d be unharmed.”
“If not, they would have devoured you! Even the master cannot control them!”
“And if you were a superior grade, why would the mountain gate overlook such information?”
“Someone should have been waiting for you…”
The two black dragons locked eyes on Zhao Fusheng, their demeanor visibly agitated.
“You’re not afraid, huh?”
“Then I’ll accompany you on your way!”
As he spoke, Shi Changkong grabbed Zhao Fusheng and soared into the air, heading straight for the hall!
Song Ningxia narrowed her eyes, wanting to follow, but Ren Xuemin raised a hand to stop her.
“Senior sister, when men get intimate, they have matters to discuss. We women should not interfere.”
“Besides, performing spells in front of the sect’s main hall is highly disrespectful!”
Alas.
Unlike Ren Xuemin’s thoughts, Song Ningxia only sighed.
“Precisely because I know that, I wanted to advise.”
Suddenly, the former felt something was amiss and just as she turned…
Ah!!
“Master, I dare not!”
A black dragon descended from the eaves, wrapping around Shi Changkong, squeezing until his body turned purple!
Its steel claws stomped down on his head, pressing his face dangerously close to the ground!
A roar!
The dragon’s cry was so close it caused Shi Changkong to suffer deafness for three months!
As for Zhao Fusheng?
He was unscathed, casually taking the sword at Shi Changkong’s waist and weighing it in his hand.
He then beckoned to Song Ningxia, who responded with a shout, “Go quickly!”
He entered the hall directly.
“He—he’s clearly a lower yellow grade!”
Ren Xuemin knelt on the ground.
Song Ningxia scoffed coldly and reached out.
The “Mysterious Feminine Refining Furnace” at her waist instantly appeared in her hand.
“I accept the bet. I’ll take charge of the junior brother.”
In truth, the junior sister’s assessment was correct; Song Ningxia had already measured Zhao Fusheng’s spiritual root.
It was the lowest lower-grade, not even reaching middle grade.
Therefore, when bringing him into the mountain, she had to explain the situation in advance.
But she had promised him to make the outcome satisfactory, not to betray her private vow.
Hence, in that soup, she infused her own qi cultivated over many years.
The black dragon, sensing and judging, detected the root qi of the visitor. Though Zhao Fusheng’s root was poor, the dragon recognized the familiar root qi.
It would be suspicious but would not obstruct him!
Inside Baopu Hall.
The hall was simple, with only some large calligraphy reading “Calm the Mind.”
Inside, no exalted figure was seen; only a hunched old man claiming to assist the peak master busied himself.
Around him were about a dozen children, all roughly the same age as Zhao Fusheng.
“What’s your name? Who is your master? What grade and rank?”
The old man asked while jotting notes.
“Reporting, Elder, my name is Mi Nian. My master is Elder Nangong of the Virtue Cultivation Pavilion.”
“My spiritual root is the lowest black grade.”
The girl named Mi Nian at the front answered timidly, precisely and carefully.
“Lowest black grade…”
Zhao Fusheng, trailing at the back, muttered dismissively.
If they already had such spiritual root talent, why be so cautious?
The elder looked up, disdainful.
“Report to the Alchemy Hall. The alchemy steward will send you to the Essence Forest to gather herbs, for fifteen years of training.”
Though Mi Nian frowned and bit her lip, she obediently replied, “Yes, thank you, Elder!”
But before leaving, she couldn’t help but glance at Zhao Fusheng, her eyes showing some surprise.
A boy behind, before being asked, answered irritably.
“Li Changle, middle black grade.”
“Don’t even mention my master, okay?”
His gaze fixed on the back of the hall.
Mi Nian paused, staring admiringly.
The elder squinted his eyes, his attitude instantly softening.
“So Brother Li has arrived…”
Before he could finish, the boy interrupted rudely.
“Hey, Uncle Gou.”
“I can smell it.”
“There’s a foul, low-grade stench back there. Maybe you should ask him first.”
Li Changle pointed behind.
Seeing this, Zhao Fusheng cupped his hands.
“Reporting, Grandfather, I have not apprenticed yet. My grade is yellow…”
Before he finished, a surprised sound came from inside the hall.
Everyone exclaimed, “Yellow grade!”
The elder’s eyes darkened as he muttered to himself.
“That’s that private vow trash, isn’t it?”
“All messes left behind by the junior sister and master!”
He wore a strange smile and stood up.
“I know who you are. Your master told me to take good care of you.”
“You don’t need to report anywhere.”
“In a while, Song Ningxia will send you to a hut in the Broken Ditch Forest to act as a mountain watcher.”
“Training time? Start with twenty years.”
“Go, go!”
He waved his hand forcefully.
Grandfather’s notes did mention that area.
The Sixth Peak was the last peak, with the Broken Ditch Forest on the west side, bordering a nearby demon mountain.
As for the mountain watcher role,
it was essentially a sentry, alerting to dangers.
One was not guaranteed to survive; even if dead, it served as a warning!
Nothing but cannon fodder…
But Zhao Fusheng was unbothered, having seen much worse.
He bowed politely, “Thank you, Grandfather!”
The children inside the hall all snickered.
Li Changle crossed his arms, shooting a cold look.
Mi Nian furrowed her brows tightly, wanting to say something but held back…