Exchanging with You, My Lord

Lin Jue withdrew his gaze and looked to the side.

The old Daoist was seated cross-legged beneath a pine tree, and the young girl sat beside him, honestly nibbling on a cake. Seeing Lin Jue wake up, she raised her head and stared at him.

"Little benefactor, you're awake?"

The old Daoist also opened his eyes and said to him, "You drank a bit too much of your 'Thousand Day Wine' after all. The Mountain Lord and his guests left long ago. They wanted to wake you this morning, but you wouldn't stir. Forcing you awake wouldn't have been good, and the sun was getting higher. If it got any higher, it would be difficult to travel, so we could only bow to you and leave. They said that if they meet you again, they will definitely thank you."

Hearing this, Lin Jue's mind conjured images of the many spirits and monsters bidding him farewell as they departed.

It was truly dreamlike...

He fumbled around beside him. The Thousand Day Wine was still there, placed in the grass, seemingly proving that everything last night was real. The book basket was also on the ground next to him; the banquet itself had been very casual.

"Is the immortal master waiting for me?"

"How dare I accept the title of 'immortal master'? Just call me Daoist," the old Daoist first corrected his wording, then continued, "I also just woke up not long ago and have already eaten breakfast. Shall we descend the mountain together?"

"That would be best."

These two were the only ones who had participated in last night's banquet and stayed by his side. Regardless of any other connection, Lin Jue wanted to walk with them. It felt as though as long as he held onto them, he was holding onto last night's events. If they also left, perhaps as he descended the mountain and walked on, even he himself would start to doubt the truth of last night.

"No rush, no rush. Little benefactor, please eat something first."

"We can eat while walking."

"It's better to eat first."

"Alright."

Lin Jue took out a tart cake from his book basket. After asking if they wanted any, he took his water flask in hand. With bites and tears, alternating between cake and water, he finished a tart cake in a few mouthfuls.

Then, he slung his book basket over his shoulder and headed down the mountain.

They hadn't walked far when there was suddenly movement below.

The grass, half a person's height, rustled as if being pushed aside, revealing a path as if some animal was moving rapidly through it.

Suddenly, the rustling stopped, and a man in greyish-white clothing stood up from within.

"Sniff... sniff..."

The man sized them up, his nose constantly twitching.

Then, the man awkwardly bowed and asked, "Two... fellow Daoists, did you come for the Mountain Lord's banquet?"

Lin Jue knew he wasn't human, but he also knew this was the Mountain Lord's territory, and spirits and monsters wouldn't cause trouble here lightly. Seeing that the old Daoist hadn't spoken, he replied:

"Indeed."

"Is the Mountain Lord's banquet still ongoing?"

"You're late. It was last night. All the guests left this morning. We are the last to descend."

"This..."

The man froze on the spot, his eyes wide open.

Then, an expression of immense regret appeared on his face.

It seemed the Thousand Day Wine, infused with the essence of the sun and moon, was indeed a great temptation for many spirits and monsters. Lin Jue could only feel sorry for him.

"May I ask if the Mountain Lord is still here?"

The man still asked persistently, unwilling to give up.

"Not on this mountaintop, at least. When we woke up, the Mountain Lord was nowhere to be seen."

"Do you know where the Mountain Lord is?"

"I do not."

"Thank you! I must go find the Mountain Lord!"

"Why must you be so persistent? The banquet is over, and the wine is all drunk. Even if you find the Mountain Lord, there will be no Thousand Day Wine infused with the essence of the sun and moon to drink," Lin Jue couldn't help but kindly remind him.

"Fellow Daoist, please don't concern yourself with these matters! I am seeking the Mountain Lord for a spiritual wine that is for saving my life!"

"Hm?"

Lin Jue was naturally confused. Coincidentally, his mood at the moment was exceptionally wonderful, so he asked, "What do you mean by that?"

"It's useless to say more! I'm going to find the Mountain Lord!"

The man's demeanor was hurried. After speaking, he lowered himself, and with a poof, a cloud of black smoke exploded. His body visibly transformed, turning into a large wolf.

Lin Jue couldn't help but take a step back at the sight, yet he still said, "Why don't you tell me about it?"

"Woof?"

The large wolf paused, looking at him quizzically. It sniffed the air, and suddenly its eyes lit up:

"You still have spiritual wine on you?"

"Tell me first."

"Poof..."

The large wolf transformed back into a human, its expression agitated, but it forced itself to calm down and bowed to him:

"Fellow Daoist, you don't know this, but many years ago, I was just a wild wolf in the mountains. I was originally the leader of a wolf pack, but after losing a fight with a new wolf, I was expelled from the pack and almost didn't survive. Just as I was in despair, I was fortunate enough to meet Brother Crow, and under his guidance, I found prey. From then on, we cooperated. He would fly in the sky to find prey, and I would hunt them. We depended on each other and gradually became old friends.

"However, less than two years later, I accidentally attained sentience and became a spirit. Brother Crow himself is more intelligent than me, but for some reason, he has been unable to attain sentience for a long time. I sought many rare treasures to extend his lifespan, hoping he would attain sentience so we could continue to roam the mountains freely and hunt and cultivate together, but I was never successful. I happened to hear that the Mountain Lord here was holding a banquet with spiritual wine and immortal brews. Ordinary animals would attain sentience if they drank it.

"But the Mountain Lord's banquet requires a gift. I was also very far away, and it took me a lot of time to find a gift that could be presented at the banquet. I didn't expect to arrive only to find that I had already missed it.

"But if I cannot obtain the Mountain Lord's spiritual wine, my old friend...

"...will die."

The man spoke with deep emotion and loyalty. His feelings changed with every sentence, and by the end, he was overcome with grief.

Lin Jue made no comment and merely asked, "What gift did you prepare for the Mountain Lord?"

"A piece of Earth Wood Essence."

The wolf demon, with a flick of his wrist, took out a green object from his body.

"What is this?"

"It's a natural essence of heaven and earth nurtured in the mountains and forests. It seems like an inanimate object, but it flows naturally within the mountains. I spent a lot of effort to 'capture' it."

"What is its use?"

"Earth Wood Essence, a spiritual charm of the Five Elements, helps in comprehending the earth and wood elements. I heard that although the Mountain Lord absorbs Yin Yang Qi, his specialty lies in earth element divine abilities. That's why I brought it here, hoping to impress the Mountain Lord."

"Give it to me."

Upon hearing this, the wolf demon's eyes widened abruptly.

"A gentleman helps others achieve their desires. I dare not claim to be a gentleman, but I happened to receive an extra cup of 'Thousand Day Wine' from the Mountain Lord. This wine's effect is best the first time it's drunk; the second time, it's much less potent. If you go to find the Mountain Lord now, it might be difficult to achieve your wish. How about we exchange it?"

"Really?"

"How could I dare to deceive you?"

Lin Jue took off his book basket and took out a small porcelain bottle.

He reached out, took the piece of Earth Wood Essence, and handed over the porcelain bottle. While the wolf demon was still in a daze, the exchange was complete.

"Hiss! What a fragrant smell! That Daoist friend didn't lie to me! Thank you, Daoist friend!"

"You're welcome."

This was perfect.

Lin Jue said nothing, accepted it, and then said to the wolf demon, "I've heard that although Spirits and Monsters in the world walk the Great Way of Yin Yang, they mostly absorb Yin Qi and are not good at acting during the day. You should hurry back."

"Alright! I live on Mount Zhou. If you ever come to Mount Zhou, you can look for me! Farewell!"

"Farewell..."

The demon was quite straightforward. He swallowed the porcelain bottle, reverted to his original form, turned, and left, disappearing into the wind and grass sea in the blink of an eye.

Seeing this, Lin Jue also relaxed his guard, put his book basket back on, turned to look at the old Daoist, and continued to walk forward.

"Little lay disciple has a kind heart."

"It was just a fair exchange."

The old Daoist, still walking behind him, merely smiled at this and then asked, "I observe that your Qi Nourishing Method is quite authentic, surpassing many sorcerers and performers in the world. Where did you learn it?"

"By chance."

"What a coincidence."

"May I ask where you cultivate on which Immortal Mountain or cave dwelling, Daoist priest?"

"My Daoist temple is on Floating Hill Peak."

"Floating Hill Peak..."

"And you, little lay disciple? Where are you going next?"

"Originally, I planned to go take a look at Mount Qi Yun, and then go see Mount Yi." Lin Jue was unsure for a moment and could only speak truthfully.

"Mount Qi Yun is a famous Daoist mountain, while Mount Yi is very remote. You are a scholar, why are you going to such places instead of seeking out renowned scholars at famous academies?"

"To tell you the truth..."

This old Daoist was not only not an ordinary person, but he was also very likely the high-level cultivator Lin Jue was looking for. Since they were both going to the Mountain Lord's banquet and had drunk Thousand Day Wine, Lin Jue had nothing to hide. He spoke truthfully: "By chance, I encountered a demon in a village shrine and witnessed the wonders of the world and the magic of spells. My mind was no longer on fame and fortune, but only on seeking immortality and learning spells. Furthermore, that spirit told me that my celestial soul was a bit unstable and I needed to find a method of calming the soul. My Uncle and Aunt could no longer afford to support my studies, so I no longer hesitated and left home to seek immortality and learn spells."

"But why are you, little lay disciple, seeking immortality and learning spells?"

"Naturally, for freedom and longevity."

This was Lin Jue's sincere inner thought, and he had sufficient reason for it, so there was nothing to conceal.

Whatever it is, it is what it is. Say what you have.

The old Daoist nodded upon hearing this, made no comment, and simply said, "Most people who seek immortality and enlightenment in the world cannot escape the words 'freedom and longevity.' However, the vast majority of people, whether they are princes and nobles, emperors and generals, or those destined to be remembered through the ages as literary scholars, do not have the affinity for immortality. Even if they ascend famous mountains to seek it, they merely climb a mountain and leave behind a few poems."

Who could say otherwise?

This made Lin Jue fall into thought. This was a question he had been pondering since yesterday--

Although he had ancient books and could learn spells, spells could not be learned just by looking at them. It seemed now that the opponent's magic must be cast upon him, meaning he had to be the recipient, or he had to clearly see the operation of the opponent's magic. Both of these brought limitations.

At the same time, the ancient books only contained spells, but no cultivation system beyond spells, no accompanying knowledge, and could not help him understand the cultivation system of this world, truly entering this world.

Therefore, he might still need a master.

At least to help him complete the initial stage of this journey.

This was not a rash decision.

Should he continue as he had planned, going to Mount Qi Yun and Mount Yi first? Or should he ask this Daoist here if he could take him as a disciple? Would he find the immortal path he sought by going to Mount Qi Yun and Mount Yi? If he didn't go to Mount Qi Yun and Mount Yi, would this Daoist be willing to take him in?