The mountains grew steeper as dusk settled in. The last sliver of daylight was swallowed by the endless ridgelines, and a few cold stars winked into view across the inky blue sky. The chill wind swept over the bare branches, making them moan and wail and deepening the wilderness's desolation.
A ruined Mountain God Temple stood beside the road ahead. Most of its walls had collapsed, and several gaping holes pierced the roof. The doors were long gone, leaving only a pitch-black entrance like the gaping maw of some beast ready to devour whoever came near.
Li Yuan stopped and glanced at the Desolate Temple. With his current physique and vital energy, he could spend the night in the wilderness without trouble, but the temple would at least shelter him from the cold wind. He sensed the interior briefly. There were no living creatures inside, only the musty smell of age-old dust and mold.
He stepped inside.
The temple was small, filled with cobwebs and fallen rubble. Half the clay statue of the mountain god had collapsed, revealing dry stalks of grass within. Its one remaining eye stared indifferently at the intruder through the gloom.
Li Yuan found a relatively clean, sheltered corner beside the statue's pedestal. He brushed away the dust and sat cross-legged. He didn't light a fire. In these desolate mountains, a fire's glow might draw trouble instead of warmth.
He closed his eyes and sank his awareness into his body, beginning to circulate the foundational method of the Crimson Sun True Scripture. He guided his Dark Crimson Gold vital energy in a slow, steady flow, nourishing the tendons and bones that had grown slightly restless during the day's journey, while delving deeper into the meaning of "smelting."
Night deepened, and the wind outside the temple grew