Autumn Wind, Autumn Rain, Autumn Sky

The nine crucial acupoints of the Hand Jueyin Meridian were significantly harder to unblock than those on the previous four meridians, requiring much more true essence. While it took about one spirit stone per acupoint on average for the earlier meridians, reaching the Tianchi acupoint of the Hand Jueyin Meridian required two spirit stones to break through. The Tianquan acupoint, which he was currently attempting to open, also felt like it needed two spirit stones. As for how many the remaining seven acupoints—Quchi, Ximen, Jianshi, Neiguan, Daling, Laogong, and Zhongchong—would require, that remained unknown.

The days of cultivation were simple and straightforward. The entire Qianzhu Ridge seemed to have fallen silent. Every day was spent meditating, eating, and kicking Big White. Meditating, eating, and kicking Big White...

Whenever it was time for cultivation, the Big White Goose would transform. Under the pressure of Liu Xiaolou's fists and kicks, it would fulfill its duties as the Three Xuan Sect's steward and servant. It would catch insects and clear weeds in the courtyard, clean the vines climbing the beams and pillars, and sometimes catch mice. The sect's meat supply also largely depended on the Big White Goose's contributions. Fat fish from the Wu Chao River were the main staple, along with mountain snakes, pheasants, wild rabbits, and mountain rats from the bamboo forest.

This fellow's range of activity was vast. It not only roamed all over the mountain but occasionally followed the Wu Chao River out of the mountains. It would bring back cured meat from some household, or some shiny, eye-catching items like a few copper coins, a piece of silver, or a gold nugget. Therefore, for Liu Xiaolou's living expenses alone, if it was just to maintain the daily expenses of the household, it was more than enough.

If money was needed, digging around in the Big White Goose's nest would always yield some small surprises.

The harvest season for the spirit fields on Goose-Goat Mountain was in late autumn. A few days after Liu Xiaolou returned to the mountain, the mountain rain began to fall, fine as cow's hair. Accompanied by the mountain wind brushing past the rain, it was also much colder than before.

Liu Xiaolou sat cross-legged on the open-air terrace under the eaves, cultivating. Occasionally, he would break away from his cultivation technique to listen to the rain and feel the slight chill, clearing his mind.

When it was time to eat, Liu Xiaolou would pick some bamboo fungus, wild vegetables, and tender bamboo shoots from the forest outside the courtyard. He would slice some cured meat brought back by Big White Goose, or cook a pot of fish soup, or roast a wild rabbit or pheasant.

Sometimes, he would also think about the female cultivator he met at Goose-Goat Mountain while harvesting spirit fields. He wondered if she would take his words seriously. If she did and came to find him for work, that would be great.

Regardless, a cultivator at the Grand Perfection of Qi Refining tenth layer, in terms of vision, foundation, and resources, was something that he, a cultivator from the lower rungs, could only dream of reaching. Any task she assigned him would be his opportunity. Even if it was a wasted effort, it would be acceptable. If he had one opportunity, there would be a second; it was impossible for every effort to be in vain, right?

The autumn rain had been falling for seven or eight days without stopping. The Big White Goose returned from the foot of the mountain once again. After burying its haul for the trip in its nest, it habitually went to the top of the rock crevice at the highest point of Qianzhu Ridge.

It spread its wings and looked down upon the entire mountain ridge, surveying its territory with satisfaction. The fine rain gathered into drops on its head and slowly slid down. This unique coolness of Wulong Mountain made it feel extremely comfortable.

Clouds rose from various parts of the valleys, some fast, some slow, spreading among the mountains.

Several times, the Big White Goose spread its wings, wanting to fly over, to fly into the misty clouds. However, after several tumbles, it had to curb its wild ideas, scramble back to the peak in embarrassment, and continue doing what it could manage.

In the misty autumn rain, it suddenly saw someone slowly ascending the mountain, their figure appearing and disappearing in the clouds. So, it flapped its wings and hopped onto a small tree nearby, pulling a thin vine hanging between the branches.

"Ding-dong, ding-dong..."

The wind chimes hanging from the eaves made clear ringing sounds, making the mountain ridge even more serene.

Liu Xiaolou awoke from his cultivation and listened. Having reached a new level in his cultivation, his hearing was much better than six months ago. After listening for a moment, he distinguished the faint sound of footsteps coming from the bamboo forest. He then checked the Misty Incense Tendon on his arm, placed the Three Xuan Sword behind him within easy reach, took a deep breath, and said loudly, "Which esteemed guest enters my mountain?"

The person approaching was dressed in green, but it was not the female cultivator he had hoped for, but Dai Shenggao.

Liu Xiaolou quickly got up to greet him, "Hermit Dai!"

Dai Shenggao pushed open the wooden gate, nodded, and said, "Xiaolou, it's been half a year. Your cultivation has progressed greatly."

Liu Xiaolou felt a little ashamed, bowed, and said, "Thank you for your guidance, senior... Please, take a seat to avoid the wind and rain."

Upon reaching the terrace, he looked at the eaves sheltering them from the wind and rain, then gazed at the rainy mountain scenery around them. Dai Shenggao and Liu Xiaolou sat opposite each other, and Dai Shenggao smiled, "Qianzhu Ridge is excellent in wind and rain. Today, I have been blessed with a beautiful view."

After sitting down, a thick mist emanated from Dai Shenggao's body, and in an instant, his clothes and shoes were dry.

This was a skill possessed only by those in the advanced stages of Qi Refining, at least the eighth or ninth layer. Liu Xiaolou was very envious, feeling the long road ahead and the arduous journey.

He went into the house to get the tea set and, using the drizzling rain falling from the eaves, started a fire to brew tea.

"Senior's cultivation is profound and his prestige is well-established. Finding a place with excellent scenery for cultivation would be as easy as turning over his hand."

"I'm a hardworking person and rarely have free time. If I have the chance to reach Foundation Establishment, then I'll enjoy my later years, hehe."

"My master once said that among his lifelong friends, if anyone could achieve Foundation Establishment, senior would surely be the first."

"Haha, then I'll take your master's good wishes."

The water boiled, and Liu Xiaolou put in some wild tea bought from Wu Chao Town. After a moment, the tea leaves dissolved. Liu Xiaolou raised his cup and invited, "Please, senior."

Sipping the tea, Dai Shenggao said, "The matter of the Hero Assembly has almost settled down. The Dongyang Sect has ceased its actions, so you need not worry."

This was good news. Liu Xiaolou nodded, "Yes."

Dai Shenggao then added, "So... there's something, you should consider it yourself."

Just as his spirit stones were running out, and the Tianquan acupoint still hadn't been opened, Liu Xiaolou was naturally willing to seize a new opportunity.

"Please speak, senior!"

Dai Shenggao said, "Actually, I'm just delivering a message for you. I don't know the specifics of how it will unfold."

"A message? Whose message?" Liu Xiaolou asked, confused.

"Wei Hongqing."

"Ah... Brother Wei? Do you have news of him, senior?"

Dai Shenggao explained, "A few days ago, I went to Tianmen Market. Do you know Tianmen Market?"

Liu Xiaolou nodded, "My master mentioned it. It's the largest market in Xiangxi, even bigger than Tanzhou Market, but I haven't had the chance to visit it yet."

Dai Shenggao said, "Tianmen Market is two hundred li east of Wulong Mountain. It's not only the largest market in Xiangxi but also in the entire Jingxiang region. I met Wei Hongqing there. He asked about my itinerary and knew I'd be back these days, so he asked me to bring you a message, inviting you to come to Tianmen Market to see him as soon as possible."

As he spoke, he took out a page of yellow paper, on which was written a sentence: "Urgent matter to discuss, come quickly upon receiving this."

It was indeed Wei Hongqing's handwriting.