Autumn Spirit Cave Heaven, Dao Discussion Peak.
Dao Discussion Peak had not originally been called that. It had been the most unremarkable mountain in Autumn Spirit Cave Heaven. At most, the old pine on its summit had lived long enough to grow a lush crown of branches.
Yet all things under heaven had their own fated encounters. Jiang Sheng had taken a liking to this ordinary hilltop and made it a temporary place for his teachings. The mountain had thus absorbed Penglai's immortal aura and Jiang Sheng's spiritual energy, gaining a stroke of fortune.
The old pine had benefited most of all. Over the years, it had often joined the Penglai disciples in drinking Jiang Sheng's immortal tea. It had now gained awareness, and a face had grown on its aged bark. Whenever Jiang Sheng taught the Dao or demonstrated a technique, it bobbed its head along.
In those years, the plant spirits and nature spirits of stone and metal in the Cave Heaven had also come to listen. Whether they understood a word or not, they never missed a day. Jiang Sheng did not mind. He had occupied Ling Qiu's Cave Heaven, so he ought to offer her some compensation. Letting its inhabitants gain a little fortune was only right.
In the Cave Heaven, the years slipped by unnoticed. Before anyone knew it, six years had passed.
It was time for the monthly teaching again. Jiang Sheng did not need to summon anyone; the disciples had arrived early to wait on the hilltop. Dawn was approaching, the morning mist still hung among the mountains, and dew still clung to the ground. A hundred disciples sat cross-legged on the summit, surrounded by plant spirits, nature spirits of stone and metal, birds, and beasts.
Creatures of every kind gathered together. Even