Opening the Mountain, Guarding the Mountain, The Boy Ignored Under the Sun

To most cultivators in Lin'an Prefecture, the Sixth Mountain Lord selecting his mountain guardians was undoubtedly a major event. Although most cultivators found it difficult to grasp such a slim chance, at least having the opportunity presented meant there was hope.

The spring chill carried by the spring rain permeated the foothills. The mountain was covered in vegetation, making the cold even more pronounced, yet the atmosphere at the foot of the mountain was bustling. The cultivators' surging Blood Essence churned like a roaring furnace, dispelling the biting spring chill.

Luxurious carriages, one after another, stopped on the flat ground at the foot of the mountain. The drivers, wearing conical hats and straw capes, sat upright at the reins, not daring to glance around carelessly.

On the mountain path, some cultivators, their minds overflowing, used their movement techniques to swiftly traverse the spring rain, kicking up mud and water as they hurried to arrive.

While it couldn't be called a hundred ships racing against the current, it was certainly lively.

These cultivators came from various extraordinary backgrounds. Some were disciples from sects around Lin'an Prefecture, some were chivalrous martial artists who roamed the land, and some were talented young masters and ladies from aristocratic families within Lin'an Prefecture.

For example, young masters and ladies from martial nobility families like the Ye, Lin, and Zhong families, as well as children of high-ranking officials and nobles such as prime ministers, ministers, and dukes, all arrived braving the rain.

If one could gain the favor of the Sixth Mountain Lord and enter the Sacred Mountain, it would be like ascending to heaven in a single step, bringing considerable benefits to their entire family. Having a connection with the Sacred Mountain would elevate their status throughout Great Zhao.

This was the influence of the Sacred Mountain.

Even the royal family of Great Zhao had chosen to send their descendants. Some of the Great Zhao royal descendants also harbored hopes of entering the Sacred Mountain, even if it was just to become a mountain guardian.

Of course, even if they didn't get in, attending such a significant event as the Mountain Lord's opening of the mountain was also excellent.

Below the mountain.

Extremely luxurious carriages gathered together. The eaves and roofs of the carriages, at the foot of the misty and rainy mountain, resembled blooming winter jasmine flowers.

An extremely luxurious carriage stopped beside a peach tree. Peach blossoms, knocked down by the spring rain, clung to the top of the carriage, adding a touch of poetic beauty.

Inside the carriage, a charcoal stove was heating water, and on the table lay the finest West Lake Longjing tea. Young Master Qin, clad in exquisite brocade robes, sat within, facing Luo Qingchen, who had changed into a scholar's robe.

"I didn't expect Mr. Luo to intend to become a mountain guardian. I thought you would stick to your original plan until you met the Sacred Master."

Young Master Qin personally poured a cup of hot Longjing for Luo Qingchen, the emerald green tea leaves floating up and down in the blue and white teacup.

Luo Qingchen gazed at the tea leaves for a long time, then chuckled, "Becoming a mountain guardian doesn't preclude the opportunity to meet the Sacred Master. As long as the three conditions set by the First Mountain Lord are met, there's no conflict."

"It's just that one would lose the chance to become a Mountain Lord."

"That's true. Historically, there are indeed records of mountain guardians meeting the Sacred Master. Mr. Luo has great aspirations. I, Qin, offer this tea in place of wine, wishing Mr. Luo success in achieving his desires and soaring to great heights."

Young Master Qin clapped his hands and laughed, raising his teacup and taking a sip.

As a strategist for Prime Minister Qin's mansion, if Luo Qingchen could truly become a mountain guardian, it would bring immense benefits to Prime Minister Qin's mansion.

Originally, Qin Qianqiu was somewhat displeased that Luo Qingchen's Dao heart had been clouded again due to Hua Jiebing's sword intent. Now that Luo Qingchen was willing to humble himself and strive for the position of mountain guardian, Qin Qianqiu's attitude naturally became more enthusiastic.

"Among the many cultivators who have come to the Sixth Mountain this time, Mr. Luo's cultivation can be considered the foremost. Ye Wenxi and Ye Yinping from the Ye family have also arrived. Although their cultivation is not as high as Mr. Luo's, their talent is extraordinary, so it's unlikely they will contend for the mountain guardian position; they are likely just here to watch the excitement."

"Mr. Luo only needs to worry about two people in terms of cultivation level."

Qin Qianqiu said while drinking tea and looking at Luo Qingchen, who was gently stroking a palm-sized short sword.

Luo Qingchen slightly raised his eyelids, and Qin Qianqiu continued speaking on his own: "One is Zhong Shun Chao from the Zhong family. Although his mind has not reached the fifth realm, his Body Forging has surpassed the fifth realm, and his archery is superb, ranking tenth on the Temple of Martial Arts' Fierce Generals list."

Luo Qingchen's lips curled slightly, unconcerned.

Qin Qianqiu tapped his fingers on the table: "The second is Ye Chong from the Ye family. His cultivation is similar to Wang Shun Chao's, and he is also ranked on the Temple of Martial Arts' Fierce Generals list, at ninth place."

"The Zhong and Ye families are also concerned about the Lin family's situation, so they wish to have a mountain guardian to provide a fallback."

Qin Qianqiu chuckled: "The Lin family is in decline now. In terms of talent, the only one who can compete is that maid holding the fire poker. She is not to be feared."

"Therefore, Mr. Luo has a great chance."

Qin Qianqiu's eyes shone with great hope for Luo Qingchen.

Luo Qingchen smiled and drank his tea.

Suddenly, the two turned their heads and looked out the carriage window.

"Opening the mountain!"

A calm voice echoed from the majestic Green Mountain, like lightning flashing behind clouds.

The lingering sound of thunder was faint, the wind whispered softly!

The entire mountainside seemed to have sword energy rising from the ground!

The misty rain covering the mountains, the twilight clouds obscuring the sky, were split in the middle by a single line, turning into a curtain that was gently lifted to the sides by a hand.

Brilliant sunlight illuminated the sparkling spring raindrops, casting them onto the foothills, forming a sunlit path adorned with new grass, tender flowers, and fallen peach blossoms, a golden radiance that stretched directly into the distant mountain path and a luxurious carriage speeding towards them.

The cultivators at the foot of the mountain, bathed in the spring rain, stared in an uproar at the luxurious carriage in the distance.

"The Lin family's carriage!"

Someone recognized the carriage; the carriages of the major noble families all had corresponding insignia.

The Mountain Lord opened the mountain, tearing through the misty rain, and a sunlit path descended from the heavens, directly paving the way for the approaching carriage…

A coincidence?

Many people couldn't help but speculate.

Upon seeing the Lin family's carriage, Young Master Qin's expression immediately turned cold.

"Unless the Lin family's son, who is the son-in-law of Yuan Meng and is exceptionally talented, returns from the Yuan Meng Empire, no one from the Lin family can compete for the position of mountain guardian. Therefore, this golden path is merely a coincidence, happening to align with the carriage's path during the mountain opening." Qin Qianqiu said coldly.

Luo Qingchen gazed at the carriage, his brow furrowed slightly.

The carriage, bathed in sunlight, moved slowly towards the foot of the mountain, passing by newly golden grass, tender flowers, and peach petals crushed into dust on the road.

As gazes burned, the curtain was lifted.

Lin Zhuifeng, a fire poker tucked at his waist, emerged and leaped down.

Countless eyes naturally fell upon him. Most nobles recognized Lin Zhuifeng of the Lin family, and many couldn't help but exhale.

Qin Qianqiu let out a cold laugh, drank his warm West Lake Longjing, and paid it no mind.

Then, another person alighted from the carriage.

Lin Qingyin, gentle and serene, lifted her skirt and slowly stepped down. Her picturesque eyebrows and eyes drew the attention of many young cultivators.

Finally, a white-clothed youth emerged from the carriage, a tattered bamboo sword at his waist.

The youth was exceptionally handsome and elegant, but at this moment, no one recognized him, so no one paid him any mind, their gazes shifting away.

But one person was different.

From the Qin family's carriage.

Luo Qingchen's eyes narrowed slightly. He took a deep look at the youth's figure before lowering his gaze and looking away.

"Just a weakling who has opened their Qi and Blood and established Fetal Respiration through their mind and spirit. They also want to enter the Sacred Mountain? If I ascend, they will be crushed into dust."

Luo Qingchen murmured.

He looked down at the hand holding the teacup.

Unbeknownst to him, ripples began to tremble in the green tea within the cup.

An Le stepped out of the carriage and stood silently beside Lin Zhuifeng and Lin Qingyin.

The brilliant sunlight tore through the clouds and mist, falling precisely on his face, causing him to squint slightly.

Surveying his surroundings, the sheer number of cultivators made him feel both exhilarated and joyful.

In his eyes, the Time Qi around each cultivator swayed and coiled like seaweed, as if beckoning to him.

The Mountain Lord's opening words still echoed like thunder at the foot of the mountain.

The sunlit path was like a passage leading up to the majestic Green Mountain. Many cultivators felt their hearts surge with emotion, yet they hesitated to take the first step.

For a moment, the atmosphere at the foot of the mountain became somewhat quiet and strange.

The sound of the spring rain was like the flowing sand in an hourglass.

After a long while, someone moved.

A surge of scorching Qi and Blood coiled like a dragon, scattering the spring rain at the foot of the mountain. A youth clad in armor, carrying a black iron great bow on his back, stepped forward one by one, breaking through the rain curtain and entering the sunlit path.

Following the golden avenue, he reached the foot of the mountain, where clouds and mist swirled.

The youth raised his head, cupped his fists in a salute, and spoke. His voice, like an ancient bell, echoed through the mountains.

"Zhong family's Zhong Shun Chao, willing to be a Mountain Guard."

His majestic Qi and Blood, like a dragon on flat ground, instantly overwhelmed the mountain wind and rain.

The cultivators gathered at the foot of the mountain all looked up. Some were shocked, some focused intently, and some looked resigned.

An Le's eyes sparkled. Such imposing presence was indeed terrifying. Unfortunately, his opportunity to absorb Time Qi for today was already used up. Otherwise, he would definitely absorb it.

After Zhong Shun Chao, the calm was broken. Another person stepped out, also clad in armor, his cloak fluttering behind him. He held a golden-adorned tiger-head spear diagonally. With one step, he shot forward, his Qi and Blood like spear light in the air, actually suppressing Zhong Shun Chao's pressure and standing with him on the sunlit path at the foot of the mountain.

"Ye family's Ye Chong, willing to be a Mountain Guard."

The same voice, covering the spring breeze and light rain, like a tiger's roar in a valley, echoed endlessly.

The two stood at the foot of the mountain, making countless cultivators feel as if two mountains were lodged in their hearts. They wanted to contend for the position of Mountain Guard, but lacked even the courage to step forward.

These were two powerful individuals ranked on the Temple of Martial Arts' Fierce Generals List, their sharpness fully displayed!

From the Qin family's carriage.

Luo Qingchen no longer sat still. The tea in his cup was still warm.

He lifted the curtain and stepped out. His scholar's robe fluttered, and a silver sword light coiled around him, carrying his body as he floated down from the foot of the mountain.

His majestic spirit, like a torrential downpour, actually suppressed the surging Qi and Blood of the Fierce Generals List powerhouses.

Luo Qingchen, surrounded by sword light, looked up at the pavilion halfway up the mountain, cupped his fists in a salute, and a confident smile curved his lips.

"Qingzhou's Luo Qingchen, willing to be a Mountain Guard."