"Since you've made your decision, I'll have someone record it right away."
True Person Yuyang said no more. He called over a young Daoist attendant, who entered the details in the register.
Finally, after the Celestial Master's Mansion's official clay seal was stamped on it, Carefree Residence officially belonged to Lu Yuan for the next ten years.
Lu Yuan, however, didn't care.
Ten years?
It was already well into August. In less than a month, the world would undergo a cataclysmic change.
By then, whether this contract would still be valid was anyone's guess.
Still, as long as he got the Wordless Stone Tablet, that was all that mattered.
Once Lu Yuan had settled on the Lay Disciple Dojo, everyone immediately headed for the Celestial Master's Mansion.
As for the Wordless Stone Tablet, he wasn't in a hurry to get it just yet. After all, a stone like that wouldn't attract anyone's attention.
On the way back, though, Mr. Liu and the others came over to talk him out of his choice, saying he'd been too impulsive to pick Carefree Residence.
The place was desolate and untended. More importantly, it was a long way from the Celestial Master's Mansion. It was a terrible deal.
Lu Yuan merely smiled at their concerns without explaining.
The Wordless Stone Tablet.
It contained an unrivaled Daoist Supernatural Power. How could they possibly understand its value?
Not long afterward, everyone entered the Celestial Master's Mansion.
The vegetarian meal had already been prepared.
After leading Lu Yuan and the others to the dining hall, True Person Yuyang took his leave.
It was mealtime, and many Daoists were in the dining hall, eating silently with their heads bowed in groups of two or three.
Most Daoist schools had precepts, but the Celestial Master's Mansion belonged to the Zhengyi Dao, which did not abstain from meat. So their bowls held meat, too.
Lu Yuan and the others joined the line, took their meals one by one, then found seats.
After being on their feet for most of the day, they could finally sit down and rest.
But everyone there was in business.
And after getting to know each other along the way, they had some sense of one another. Before long, they started chatting.
"Mr. Wang, how many days are you planning to stay on Longhu Mountain?"
"Probably two or three. I have a deal to discuss in a few days, and I might take a trip to Mount Tai."
"Mount Tai? That's a wonderful place, the foremost of the Five Great Mountains. Shall we go together?"
"Sure, you're welcome to join me."
"Mr. Wang, didn't you know? Mount Tai is closed right now. They're not letting anyone in." Mr. Liu joined in, lowering his voice. "I heard that a couple of days ago, another tourist saw the Heavenly Palace on Mount Tai. And that's not all. Supposedly, someone saw a group of people from ancient times appear there at night, standing atop the mountain as if they were making offerings to something."
"Making offerings? That really happened? How come I haven't heard about it? Could it be fake?" someone asked curiously.
"Hadn't they already debunked that story and said it was just a mirage?"
"Why would I lie to you? I have a video."
Hearing this, Mr. Liu took out his phone to show everyone.
But soon, he furrowed his brow and said, "Huh? That's strange. It was on my phone this morning. How did it disappear?"
"It must be fake. I've climbed Mount Tai several times, and I've never seen any Heavenly Palace or ancient people."
"Not necessarily. I've heard all sorts of strange things have been happening lately, both in China and abroad."
"Right, you know Jiuhua Mountain? Someone posted online that every day at sunrise, you can hear the sound of sutras being chanted."
"That's bizarre. How come I haven't seen any news about it?"
"No idea."
The wealthy men were intrigued by the topic and began sharing what they'd heard.
Taihang, the Hengduan Mountains, the Qinling Mountains, even the Kunlun Mountains—strange things had happened at many famous mountains. Some had been hit by earthquakes, some had been wreathed in rosy light, and others had been snowing since last month without stopping.
Even the villagers living at the foot of the Qinling Mountains could hear beasts howling through the night, night after night.
In short, all kinds of strange things were happening everywhere, but no one knew why.
There was one thing they did know.
The stories hadn't made much of a splash online. It seemed someone was deliberately keeping them under control.
So they guessed that Mr. Liu's video had probably been taken down, too.
Lu Yuan sat nearby, listening quietly.
He knew these were the first signs of the cataclysm.
People in cities might not notice anything, but many famous mountains and rivers—especially those steeped in myths and legends—were all changing in secret.
Of course, it was only the beginning.
When September 1 arrived, a cataclysmic change would sweep across the entire world, affecting everyone.
Fortunately, he had prepared for everything. He wouldn't be caught flat-footed.
"Excuse me, may I sit here?"
Just then, a warm voice reached Lu Yuan's ears. He looked up and saw a young Daoist.
He looked about seventeen or eighteen, his hair tied in a Daoist topknot and his expression gentle. He was holding a plate of food.
"Of course."
Lu Yuan nodded.
"Thank you." The young Daoist bowed and sat down across from him. But instead of eating, he continued, "I heard you chose Carefree Residence as your Lay Disciple Dojo?"
Longhu Mountain had been closed to visitors today specifically to receive several honored guests who had made donations.
It was only natural that the Daoists at the Celestial Master's Mansion had heard Lu Yuan had chosen Carefree Residence.
"That's right," Lu Yuan replied, waiting for him to continue.
"That isn't a good dojo."
The young Daoist smiled. "I stayed there a few years ago. The roof leaked, and at night there were beasts howling outside. Aren't you afraid?"
"Daoists cultivate their hearts. Though I'm a layman, I know that the harsher the place, the better it is for cultivating one's heart." Lu Yuan casually offered an excuse. He wasn't going to live there long-term, so he had nothing to worry about. Besides, with his physique as it was, tigers, leopards, and wolves couldn't get near him.
"You speak wisely."
The young Daoist nodded, seemingly in full agreement.
But he said nothing else. Only after finishing his meal did he speak again. "I'm Chunyang. I hope we'll have the chance to discuss the Dao with you at length someday."
He bowed slightly, then turned and left.
Chunyang?
Lu Yuan couldn't help but feel a jolt of surprise. His expression shifted, too.
That name would become enormously famous after the cataclysm swept across the world.
It belonged to the Young Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, one of the strongest Awakened of the younger generation in the years to come.
"I didn't expect to meet someone like him."
Lu Yuan quickly composed himself and gave a soft laugh.
In his previous life, he'd been a nobody. The Young Celestial Master of Longhu Mountain, on the other hand, had been one of the most famous young powerhouses in China, with astonishing strength. He was an unimaginable figure, someone Lu Yuan could only aspire to reach.
But in this life, everything would be different.
He said nothing more and ate in silence.
When he was nearly finished, he went with the others to stay at the Celestial Master's Mansion.
But at his insistence, he would spend the night at Carefree Residence.
Only that way would Lu Yuan have enough time and opportunity to get the Wordless Stone Tablet completely into his hands.
Before you continue