[The Three Truths Sect was deeply rooted in the Northern Region, its influence far-reaching.]
[Many sons of wealthy clans and noble families entered the Three Truths Sect. With chaos reigning across the land, they sought refuge from disaster.]
[Many disciples in the sect said that he was merely relying on having a good younger brother.]
[He was merely relying on currying favor with the patriarch.]
[Your state of mind was tranquil. Neither hurried nor impatient, you cultivated every day as you always had.]
[That day, your master brought you a letter. Lu Yu's name was written on the envelope, and the letter contained only a few brief words: "Father in danger. Come quickly."]
[Your heart tightened. You recognized the handwriting at a glance—it was a letter from Lu Yu.]
[Over the past month, news had continuously come from below the mountain. The two provinces north of the river had already fallen, and iron cavalry had begun crossing the river.]
[The defending generals of the Great Qing dynasty fled at the very sight of the enemy.]
[Given Father's temperament, he most likely would not flee. Was he fighting to the death? Since Lu Yu had sent the letter, the situation must have been dire.]
[You frowned and stared at the letter in your hand, lost in thought for a long while.]
Notice: Today's Celestial Reincarnation has ended. Please return tomorrow. Your progress has been saved. Friendly reminder: There is no special item reward. Please collect this reincarnation's reward after the reincarnation ends.
[One day in the mortal world, ten years within the cauldron.]
With the appearance of this notification, Yu Ke's simulation for the day came to an end.
This Celestial Reincarnation even had... "anti-addiction measures?"
His gaze fell on the final message that had appeared—the letter sent by Lu Yu, which mentioned that his father was trapped in danger.
The letter was like an unsolved riddle, once again placing him at a crossroads.
Should he go down the mountain, or continue cultivating in the mountains?
He possessed the [Late Bloomer] fate. It seemed he was meant to take the path of accumulating deeply before bursting forth late.
After ten years of simulation, his cultivation had progressed only so-so. Should he remain in the mountains to cultivate, or go down the mountain?
After all, if he could influence this Kun Void World, he could also obtain rewards.
It seemed this was another crucial choice, happening just as the simulation time ran out.
Yu Ke glanced out the window. The moonlight was still silent and still.
He yawned, and drowsiness surged over him like the tide.
He was not sure whether it was an illusion, but after this simulation ended, he truly felt more exhausted than ever before, his spirit greatly drained.
He was really sleepy!
He turned over and fell into a deep sleep.
Yet as Yu Ke slept, the ancient, unadorned great cauldron in his mind slowly began to turn, giving off a faint glow.
Tiny whirlwinds seemed to form around Yu Ke's body, drawing strands of spiritual energy into him.
As spiritual energy continued to pour in, the heavy patterns on the [Kun Void Cauldron] seemed to be granted life, growing vivid and alive.
Twentieth Year of Yongxiang, early spring.
Mount Zhongnan.
Spring rain was like silk.
Dense raindrops pattered against the eaves of a Daoist temple halfway up the mountain.
The rainwater gathered and ran along the tiles, thin rain forming threads as it fell through the air.
Under the eaves, a group of young Three Truths Sect Daoists stood with their sleeves tucked together, gazing comfortably into the distance, their eyes carrying the lazy ease of those admiring lakes and mountains.
Beyond the temple, green mountains lay dark as painted brows.
Today's spring rain lingered on and on, sparing the young Daoists the hardship of morning practice. They did not need to painstakingly climb up and down the mountain.
Most of them had only just come of age.
They were quite at leisure.
The rain gradually intensified. Raindrops the size of soybeans smashed against the bluestone steps, and the spray filled the air. They all hurried to avoid it, afraid of being dampened by the icy mist.
Though it was early spring, the mountains still carried winter's lingering chill. At night, thick quilts were still needed to ward off the cold.
Just then, an abrupt voice tore through the quiet rain curtain.
"Look, isn't that Martial Granduncle Lu Chen?"
Wind and rain lashed together, blurring the view, but one sharp-eyed young Daoist was the first to catch sight of that figure.
Everyone followed the voice and looked over.
On the mountain path, a figure was struggling downward through the wind and rain.
His clothes had been soaked through, clinging tightly to his body and making him look somewhat bedraggled.
Yet the sight stirred no sympathy from the others. Instead, it sparked whispers and mocking complaints.
"Tch! Training in rain this heavy? He's just asking for trouble. Is he not afraid of a mountain flood?"
"Tsk, tsk, he's just putting on a show." A young Daoist shook his head disdainfully, his eyes full of contempt.
"Exactly. Isn't he just good at sucking up to people? He has a rich father and a bit of family backing—what is there to be proud of?" someone muttered enviously.
After all, even their master had to respectfully address Lu Chen as Martial Uncle.
But now, with Lu Yu gone—
These young Daoists no longer bothered to hide their dissatisfaction and mockery toward Lu Chen.
"He has no talent at all. He's studied the Dao for five years now; he probably can't even beat me. Hahaha!"
"Speaking of Martial Granduncle Lu Yu, now that is a true hero among heroes. He led a group of senior brothers down the mountain and northward. If I had not been too young last year, I would certainly have gone with them."
"Exactly, exactly." The surrounding young Daoists all echoed him.
By the time Lu Chen drew near the temple—
The tallest Daoist among the group stepped forward. He swept his gaze over the others, his tone dripping with contempt.
"Look at this Martial Granduncle Lu Chen. His martial cultivation is mediocre, and he is a coward too. He does not even have the courage to go down the mountain for experience."
His voice was not loud, but it was loud enough for Lu Chen to hear.
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned in unison toward the figure on the mountain path again, waiting for him to react.
Yet the figure merely paused slightly before returning to normal and continuing alone through the wind and rain, as though none of it had anything to do with him.
Lu Chen's figure seemed increasingly lonely amid the wind and rain.
He went down the mountain beneath the endless storm.
"Tch, boring."
Watching Lu Chen's retreating back, the tall Daoist muttered to himself.
At that moment, a young Daoist with freckles scattered across his face approached. His frame was still boyish, and he was the youngest among them.
He would not come of age until next year, officially joining the ranks of adults.
With the world in turmoil, his family had arranged for him to enter these mountains early to avoid disaster.
He spoke softly, his tone carrying complicated emotions.
"That Martial Granduncle Lu Chen is truly diligent. All three hundred and sixty-five days of the year, rain or shine. Several times when I woke in the middle of the night to relieve myself, I saw him practicing his stance alone."
The tall Daoist gave a soft snort, unconcerned.
"So what if he is diligent? Without talent, no matter how hard he trains, it will be difficult for him to achieve anything. Do you know that in cultivation, the word talent outweighs Mount Tai?"
The young Daoist stared at Lu Chen's retreating back, ripples stirring in his heart.
Could someone like him truly be as worthless as everyone said?
Before long—
The dense rain had quietly turned into slanting wind and fine drizzle. Threads of chill seeped through their clothes and gently into their skin.
Inside the Daoist temple, the time for morning practice had already ended. The disciples tidied their clothes and prepared to attend morning lessons.
That figure who had once run up and down the mountain had gradually faded from everyone's notice after initially drawing so much attention.
Yet no matter how the outside world's gaze changed, that figure remained the same—firm and resolute.
He completed the mountain-climbing morning practice, his movements gradually slowing until he finally stood quietly beside a puddle of accumulated rainwater.
The water's surface trembled slightly, reflecting the composed face of a youth with bright eyes.
He entered a small, secluded hut halfway up the mountain.
A letter lay quietly atop the table and chairs within the hut.
The few words written on it tugged at the youth's heart.
"Father in danger. Return at once."
Before you continue