The First Lesson of Cultivation

The First Lesson of Cultivation

Of the thirteen who entered the Central Formation, everyone but Li Fan was a teenager in their mid-teens.

Having received their instructions, they did not dare speak carelessly. They merely looked around at everything with excitement and curiosity.

The instant they stepped into the formation, their surroundings had become utterly different from Liuli Island.

It was as though they had been transported from a bustling city into the depths of the mountains in an instant. Lush trees surrounded them, vibrant greenery filled their sight, and the calls of birds and insects rang out without end.

In the distance, peaks curled through the mist, mountain ridges rising and falling.

A breeze swept past, and the rustling echoed on and on like rolling waves.

Li Fan and the others were standing at the foot of a mountain.

Looking up, they saw that the summit was hidden within dense clouds and fog, nowhere to be seen.

The group climbed the ancient stone steps, not stopping for two full hours.

These youths were all in excellent physical condition. After climbing for so long, they were not even out of breath.

Li Fan, on the other hand, was no longer young and had not exercised in a long time. He was already drenched in sweat, barely managing to keep up without falling behind.

Another hour passed before they finally reached the summit.

The mountaintop was no more than a small open patch of ground. With everyone standing scattered about, it was already somewhat crowded.

This peak stood tallest among the mountains. Looking in every direction, they saw nothing but a boundless sea of white clouds.

The wind howled in gusts, the cloud sea churned, and now and then, mountain peaks like islands emerged from it.

These youths had all been born and raised upon the sea. How could they ever have seen such a magnificent sight?

They could only stare blankly, utterly absorbed.

To Li Fan, however, the scene was nothing out of the ordinary. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and studied the sun overhead.

They had been inside the formation for more than half a day, yet the sun had remained in the exact same position.

It seemed to be some sort of illusion.

"How is the scenery?" A voice suddenly sounded beside them.

The youths jumped in fright, then immediately came to their senses.

"Greetings, Immortal Master!" they said, bowing.

Li Fan followed suit and saluted.

The newcomer was naturally He Immortal Master, the Garrison Commander of Liuli Island.

He looked to be only around thirty, dressed in green robes.

With kind eyes, a benevolent face, and a warm smile, he seemed every bit the harmless good man.

Seeing that this Immortal Master was not as frightening as the legends claimed, one of the youths gathered his courage and answered, "The scenery here is peerless. It truly deserves to be called a sacred land of immortals."

"I have never seen such a wondrous sight. It sets the heart surging."

He Immortal Master nodded with a smile, but his words abruptly silenced the young people present. "When I first arrived on Liuli Island, this mountain was among the lowest of the range, far beneath the sea of clouds."

The youths were stunned by his words. After a long silence, someone finally praised him, "Immortal Master's divine abilities are truly unfathomable. You can even pull up mountains and make them grow."

He Immortal Master laughed. "I am merely a minor Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator. How could I possess such ability?"

The youth who had just flattered him immediately flushed red and lowered his head in shame.

The others looked at one another, unable to understand what He Immortal Master meant.

Li Fan, however, gazed at the countless peaks within the cloud sea, deep in thought.

"Do you know that the mountains and rivers of this world can gradually grow taller, just like people?" He Immortal Master stopped keeping them in suspense and spoke slowly.

The youths were dumbstruck, their faces filled with disbelief.

"That is simply too incredible..."

"Is... is that truly so? Could it be that these mountains and rivers are living things as well?"

The notion that mountains and rivers could grow taller was far too shocking, but since it had been spoken by an exalted Immortal Master, the youths naturally chose to believe it.

Still, their faces had turned pale, and they found it difficult to accept for the moment.

He Immortal Master continued, "Some peaks may seem lofty, yet their fate has already run its course, and they will never rise another step in their lives. Others may now be nothing more than small earthen mounds, yet their potential is boundless. Who is to say that, after enough years, they will not grow into pillars that hold up the sky?"

"Just like the Shaowei Mountain beneath our feet. Back then, it was utterly unremarkable. Yet in only a few decades, it has come to look down upon all the surrounding mountains."

"Of course, more are like the countless peaks beneath this sea of clouds. From beginning to end, they can only serve as foils, silently gazing up at the many peaks above the clouds."

"If mountains are thus, how much more so are people?"

"Today, you have the fortune to enter the Purification Spirit Pool and wash away the miasma covering your bodies. Whether you can set foot upon the immortal path, whether you may even hope to attain the Great Dao of Longevity, and what achievements you may attain in the future—all will depend upon your own fortune."

Seeing the bewildered, muddle-headed expressions of the youths, He Immortal Master sighed.

"No matter what the future brings, today you must give it your all. I have said all that needs to be said. Go."

"He Immortal Master, may I ask where the Purification Spirit Pool is?" Though some of the youths had not understood the meaning behind his words, they at least understood that they would finally be able to enter the Purification Spirit Pool.

Still possessed of youthful impatience, they eagerly asked.

"Right there," He Immortal Master said calmly.

Everyone looked in the direction he indicated. The place He Immortal Master pointed to was beyond the Square Inch of mountaintop ground—a sheer cliff ten thousand fathoms deep!

"Immortal Master, surely you are joking?" one youth could not help crying out.

He Immortal Master's expression changed. With a cold snort, and without anyone seeing him make a move, that youth's head flew high into the air while his body crashed to the ground.

Blood sprayed forth, splattering everyone nearby.

The sudden scene stunned all the youths.

Some were so terrified that they wanted to scream, but clamped their hands over their mouths, their entire bodies trembling and their faces deathly pale.

Some went limp with fright and collapsed to the ground.

Others immediately dropped to their knees, kowtowing to He Immortal Master and begging forgiveness.

"Let me teach you another lesson. Once you set foot upon the path of cultivation, your discernment will be of utmost importance. You must weigh carefully whom you can humiliate, whom you cannot offend, what words can be spoken, and what words cannot. Do not wait until your body dies and your Dao vanishes before blaming me for failing to warn you today." He Immortal Master had shed his former image as a harmless good man, staring coldly at the youths.

Li Fan watched this fine performance and the youths' varied reactions, knowing that this lesson from He Immortal Master would surely leave an extremely deep impression upon them.

Not only these youths—even Li Fan had gained something from He Immortal Master's words.

He gave He Immortal Master a deep bow and said sincerely, "I have learned much."

Then he turned and walked to the mountain's edge.

Ahead lay a ten-thousand-fathom cliff. One misstep would mean being smashed to pieces.

Yet Li Fan did not pause or hesitate in the slightest. Without changing expression, he stepped forward.

He did not fall. The boundless sea of clouds before him seemed to possess a will of its own, churning and gathering beneath Li Fan's feet to support him steadily.

He stepped out with his other foot as well. Once he had found his footing, Li Fan was swept up by the rolling white clouds and carried toward the depths of the cloud sea.

Watching Li Fan's retreating figure, He Immortal Master could not help muttering, "An excellent temperament, but alas, he is too old!"

"What a pity!"