Floating Hill Temple

"How many Taoist temples are there in this mountain?"

"Five or six, maybe more hidden ones. This mountain is vast, with peaks like a forest and strange, rugged rocks. I haven't explored it all. I mainly interact with two: Immortal Source Temple, which is part of the Spiritual Law School, and Nine Dragon Temple of the Pill Cauldron School. In recent years, a few more Buddhist temples have appeared."

"Are temples also built here?"

"This mountain is large and beautiful. Not only do we Taoists like it, but monks do too."

"That makes sense."

Lin Jue nodded, bowed, and asked, "Then what's the difference between the Pill Cauldron School, the Spiritual Law School, and the Talisman School?"

"No rush. There's a hot spring down the mountain, we can talk while soaking. The old Taoist smiled leisurely, utterly unconcerned. "After traveling for days, even with my cultivation, I'm about to get lice. The hot springs here are incredibly comfortable. I'll take you to enjoy them."

The group continued onward.

They soon reached a misty part of the forest.

Indeed, there was a hot spring, at just the right temperature.

The spiritual energy here was also very dense, quiet, and secluded.

Not long after—

An old man and a young man sat in the hot spring. Not far away, a young girl sat with her back to them, holding a twig and silently poking holes in the ground.

Few people came here. It was quiet and serene, with only the sound of flowing water and the old Taoist's voice.

"The Pill Cauldron School, as the name suggests, mainly focuses on alchemy. This is divided into external and internal alchemy. External alchemy uses a bronze furnace as the cauldron, with various rare treasures, gold, silver, dew, and rain as ingredients to refine elixirs, which can be said to have infinite wondrous uses. Internal alchemy uses oneself as the cauldron, with the spiritual charm and essence of heaven and earth as ingredients, cultivating a Golden Elixir within the body.

"In ancient times, cultivators in the world primarily practiced alchemy, referring to external alchemy. Cultivating elixirs refers to internal alchemy.

"Later, perhaps realizing the shortcomings of external alchemy, the methods of internal alchemy gradually emerged.

"There are countless magical techniques in the world, constantly changing, and they are actually somewhat related to the Pill Cauldron School. Later, the path of external alchemy gradually declined, while the path of internal alchemy became more secluded in the mountains. The newly emerging Spiritual Law School then took center stage.

"Even later, as more and more people achieved divinity and immortality..."

The old Taoist paused here, as if holding something back, then continued:

"The Talisman School came into being.

"'Lu' refers to a position or a registry. 'Fu' means to combine. The Talisman School requires talismans to be combined to take effect. At its core, it borrows the power of spirits, not one's own abilities."

Lin Jue listened attentively.

The hot spring was very warm and comfortable.

Being taught and enlightened in such a setting was a scene Lin Jue had never imagined before.

But it was exceptionally comfortable.

Hearing this, Lin Jue pondered, splashing water to scrub the dirt off his body. His peripheral vision caught sight of the girl sitting with her back to them scratching her head.

Clearly, she was listening too, but was confused.

It was quiet here, and one could hear clearly without being close.

Lin Jue thought for a moment and asked on her behalf:

"What does that mean?"

"Simply put, 'lu' represents your identity, perhaps an identity from a celestial god, or from an earthly god, or even a wild or evil god. It signifies their recognition of you. Some 'lu' also record your status and which spirits you can call upon, and what abilities you can use. With a 'lu', you can set up an altar and draw talismans. Talismans are like military tokens. With an identity and a military token, you can command troops and generals, display various divine abilities, and even invite spirits to descend."

The young girl continued to poke the ground with her twig.

But at this moment, a voice suddenly came from the forest.

It was a strange, unfamiliar voice, not like a human's.

"What you old Taoist said is incorrect. The reason ancient cultivators shifted from refining external elixirs to internal elixirs was because heavenly materials and earthly treasures became increasingly scarce. Many elixirs could no longer be refined, let alone Golden Elixirs."

"Who?"

Lin Jue immediately became alert and looked towards the source of the voice.

The young girl sitting by the bank was startled and turned her head, looking into the distance, then quietly turned back to look at the two in the hot spring.

But all she saw was rising steam, a dense forest, and the distant mountains blending with the clouds and mist. There was no figure to be seen.

She then looked at the old Taoist in front of her—

The old Taoist remained seated in the hot spring, smiling, showing no intention of pursuing who the voice belonged to.

The voice continued to speak:

"You old Taoist, you're not like those Taoists of the Talisman School who worship gods, and you have no chance of becoming an immortal in the future. Why are you speaking so cautiously? Just say it directly: the ultimate goal of cultivators from the Pill Cauldron School and the Spiritual Law School is to achieve the ancient carefree immortals or to live comfortably in the world for a hundred years. And the Talisman School is merely an appendage of the current Incense Godhood Path, isn't it?"

"Hahaha..."

The old Taoist chuckled, amused, and remained silent.

"Who is speaking?"

Lin Jue couldn't help but ask him, thinking he knew.

"I don't know, I don't recognize them. But this is Mount Yi, rarely visited for thousands of years, so it's normal for there to be more spirits and monsters. Heh, this one has certainly lived longer than us, and what they say might have some truth to it."

The old Taoist just said with a chuckle.

"So that's how it is..." Lin Jue mused, "But I've encountered quite a few monsters and ghosts on my journey."

"No need to be surprised. People have their destinies. Besides, the world is in turmoil now, and there are naturally more Ghosts and Monsters than a few years ago. You've encountered Demonic Ghosts once before. Either your Yang Qi and blood are temporarily weak, or you've picked up the aura of Monsters. If you walk on mountain roads at night, and there are Demonic Ghosts along the way, they'll naturally be more inclined to find you."

"Is that so?"

"The old Daoist isn't entirely right," the voice from the dense forest spoke again. "For mortals to see mountain spirits and wild ghosts without reason is certainly not ordinary. But if you see them in their territory, isn't that like seeing someone in their own home? What's so strange about that?"

"That makes sense too," the old Daoist, soaking in the hot spring, nodded in agreement. He then looked at Lin Jue, "See? Encounters like this with spirits and monsters, happening once by chance, can actually be quite good."

"..."

Lin Jue looked at his expression, as if he had a sudden realization.

The voice did not sound again after that.

After the two finished their soak, they wanted to switch with the young girl. However, whether she was being shy or afraid of encountering spirits and monsters if she left their sight, she absolutely refused.

So, they continued on their way.

Gradually, they drew closer to the mountain that looked like scissors and the Floating Hill Peak beside it, so close that their complete shapes could no longer be discerned.

Pushing aside the tall grass, a narrow mountain path appeared.

The old Daoist walked ahead first.

The young girl walked in the middle.

Lin Jue followed behind.

After crossing a stream bridge made of a single log, they gradually ascended the small path.

As they walked, the old Daoist spoke to them leisurely, his voice as calm as if he were speaking indoors with a settled heart, completely unaffected by the steep mountain path:

"As the saying goes, 'The world under heaven is all the king's land,' but that's not quite right.

"In reality, only the areas with established paths are under the jurisdiction of the government, the king's land. The smaller the path, the weaker the jurisdiction of the mortal court. The vast expanses of deep mountains and wilderness outside are not considered 'king's land.'

"Similarly, only places with paths and houses belong to humans; only where people gather belongs to the human world. Other places belong to Ghosts and Monsters, and to local deities and spirits.

"Ghosts and Monsters generally do not harm people during the day. However, in deep mountains and old forests, especially in places where sunlight cannot reach, the daytime is also considered twilight, a boundary between yin and yang. It's best for ordinary people who wander in not to stray from the sunlight.

"Mount Yi is remote, with deep forests and heavy fog, often inhabited by spirits and Demonic Ghosts. But you don't need to worry. Mount Yi also has a Mountain God. The Mountain God of Mount Yi is extraordinary, much more powerful than the Mountain Lord you met the day before yesterday, and also more powerful than most Mountain Gods in the world. If you see him, you must show him sufficient respect.

"This mountain is under his jurisdiction, and with a Daoist temple here, our Floating Hill Temple is also famous among the spirits and monsters in the mountains. We are also known to the Mountain God of Mount Yi. As long as you do nothing to betray your conscience, the spirits and monsters of this mountain will not easily trouble you. Even if you encounter them, you only need to be respectful and polite, stating that you are disciples of the Floating Hill Temple, and most will let you pass."

Lin Jue silently made his way up the mountain, listening, feeling as if he were walking from the human world into a different realm.

Suddenly, he heard someone singing in the mountains:

"This mountain has hot springs, that can wash away worldly ties... This mountain has precious herbs, that can be eaten for eternal youth... This mountain has divine elixirs, that can grant transcendence from the mortal world..."

"It's a woodcutter."

The old Daoist informed them.

Lin Jue followed the sound and looked up. He saw deep clouds and mist, strange peaks and bizarre rocks beginning to appear, ancient pines bathed in mist. It truly looked like a dwelling of Immortals.

He couldn't help but stop and look back.

Unknowingly, they had climbed very high. The path they had taken was almost invisible between the dense forest and the clouds. Even the hot spring they had bathed in earlier could only be seen as a mass of steam rising from the ground, forming clouds, without revealing the appearance of the hot spring itself. As for the spirit that had interjected earlier, Lin Jue still didn't know what it was.

Until a corner of a palace and temple appeared in the mountain forest, its eaves tilting upwards, with Floating Hill Peak behind it.

"We're almost there."

Lin Jue followed him forward, hearing some flute music, ethereal and transcendent, coming from the treetops. He also smelled a faint aroma of incense, which was reassuring.

The main gate of the Daoist temple soon appeared before them.

It was a faded vermilion gate. A cat lay lazily by the entrance. A plaque above read "Floating Hill Temple," and the couplets on either side read:

Receiving the pure energy of mountains and waters; Gathering the Spiritual Charm of heaven and earth.

The old Daoist walked ahead, stepped over the cat, and pushed the gate open casually.

"Creak..."

The wooden door slowly opened, revealing a scent of incense.

The old Daoist had already entered first.

Lin Jue paused outside, looking to the left. Several plots of land had been cleared there, planted with vegetables. Further back were a donkey shed, a pigsty, and chicken coops, raising poultry and livestock. Roads on both sides led up the mountain, seemingly paved with bluestone slabs and steps.

His footsteps stopped ahead.

Lin Jue withdrew his gaze, seeing that the young girl had noticed he hadn't entered and had stopped to look at him. He smiled, carefully stepped over the cat by the gate, and followed her in.

The Daoist temple was not very large, but not small either. Including the ceremonial gate, it had three courtyards, with two palaces in the front and back: the Heavenly Elder Hall, which enshrined the Heavenly Elder, the Mother Goddess, and numerous celestial spirits; and the Mountain Moving Hall, which enshrined the Mountain Moving Ancestor and spirits found only in ancient myths and legends, indicating that this was a Daoist temple relatively more focused on personal cultivation.

On the sides were guest halls for pilgrims, monks' quarters, a dining hall, a kitchen, a pavilion for storing scriptures, and storage rooms, among other facilities.

Lin Jue had not walked far when he saw a middle-aged Daoist carrying a hoe coming out.

"Master, you're back? And who are these two?"

"They are my new disciples, your junior brother and junior sister. Stop working in the fields and first prepare rooms for them to stay in."

"I've already tidied up a room. But didn't you say you were only taking one disciple? Why did you take two?"

"It's all fate. Tidy up another room."

"Alright."

"This is my eldest disciple, your senior brother, named Lu Wu. Before you, I had seven disciples in total. I'll introduce them all to you tonight," the old Taoist said with a smile. "Don't worry, my disciples are all easy to get along with. The Taoist temple is usually quiet, and there's nothing much to do, so you can play with them."

"Hello, Senior Brother."

Lin Jue quickly bowed to the middle-aged Taoist.

"Hello, Senior Brother!"

The young girl also said.

"Hello."

The middle-aged Taoist carried a hoe, wore straw sandals, and had rolled-up pant legs. He looked to be in his thirties, but didn't look old at all. It was just that his expression was exceptionally gentle, and combined with his attire, it made people think he shouldn't be young.

After greeting the two, he walked back.

Lin Jue stared at him with wide eyes.

The old Taoist led the two further inside.

"When night comes, after we worship the patriarch and formally hold the disciple acceptance ceremony, you two will officially be my disciples, and their junior brother and sister."

"Aren't we choosing an auspicious day?"

"An auspicious day doesn't need to be chosen from the heavens. Today, I am accepting disciples. Your entering my tutelage makes it an auspicious day."

"Oh..."

Lin Jue couldn't help but turn his head and look around.

The sound of a flute from the pavilions in the temple grew clearer, seeming very close. Beyond the scent of incense in the air, there was also the aroma of medicine and wine, all of which were pleasant to smell. Cats and dogs lay sleeping in the courtyard, completely unfazed. There was even a clouded leopard sleeping soundly in the inner courtyard. Just standing on the ground in the courtyard, cats came to look at him, sniff him, or rub against him.

He didn't know what kind of place this was.