Building a Bridge Across the Ravine, Longevity Dao Rhyme Traverses a Perilous Path

After leaving Apricot Blossom Village, Shen Hao and his group traveled east along Thoroughfare Dao. After roughly three days, they arrived at a place called Black Stone Ravine. Steep cliffs rose on both sides of the ravine, while raging waters churned below, their depths unfathomable. Only an old, dilapidated wooden bridge connected the two shores. Its planks had long since rotted away, and its ropes hung loose and slack. Whenever the wind blew, the bridge swayed and trembled, enough to make anyone's heart pound with fear.

Shen Hao stood at the bank, gazing at the tottering wooden bridge with a slight frown. Several villagers preparing to cross stood nearby, their faces drawn with worry, not daring to step forward. One old man sighed. "This bridge should have been repaired long ago! The last time my boy crossed it, he nearly fell in. Who would dare use it now?"

A woman beside him echoed, "Exactly! Our village is on the other side. Every time we go to market, we have to take a detour through more than ten li of mountain roads. It's exhausting!"

Shen Hao stepped forward and asked, "Fellow villagers, how long has this bridge been broken?"

The old man replied, "More than half a year, I reckon! It was barely usable before, but after that heavy rain last month, it got even worse. It can't be crossed at all now."

Shen Hao nodded and turned to the two disciples accompanying him. "Hurry to Qingshi Town. Inform the Stone Race disciples and have them bring stone and tools. Gather some strong young villagers as well. We will repair the bridge here today."

"This disciple obeys!" the two disciples answered together, then turned and ran toward Qingshi Town.

Zi Xuan walked to Shen Hao's side. Looking at the rushing waters