Early Spring on Mount Zhongnan, Deep Sleep

Early Spring on Mount Zhongnan, Deep Sleep

[The Three Truths Sect was deeply rooted in the Northern Region, its influence far-reaching.]

[Many sons of prominent clans entered the Three Truths Sect. With the realm now in chaos, 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 calm and steady, neither hasty nor impatient. As always, you cultivated every day.]

[That day, Master brought you a letter. Lu Yu's name was written on the envelope, while the letter itself contained only a few brief words: "Father in danger. Come quickly."]

[Your heart clenched. You recognized the handwriting at a glance—it was a letter from Lu Yu.]

[Over the past month, news had constantly arrived from the foot of the mountain. The two provinces north of the river had fallen, and the iron cavalry had begun crossing the river.]

[The generals defending the Great Qing dynasty fled at the mere scent of danger.]

[Given Father's temperament, he would most likely not flee. Had he fought to the death? Since Lu Yu had sent this letter, the situation must be extremely dangerous.]

[You frowned, staring at the letter in your hand as you pondered for a long while.]

[Prompt: Today's Celestial Reincarnation has ended. Please return tomorrow. Progress has been saved.]

[Kind 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 prompt, Yu Ke's simulation for the day came to an end.

This Celestial Reincarnation even had... "anti-addiction measures?"

His gaze settled on the final message that had appeared—the letter from Lu Yu, which mentioned that his father was in grave danger.

The letter was like an unsolved riddle, placing him once again at the crossroads of a choice.

Should he descend the mountain, or continue cultivating in the mountains?

He possessed the [Late Bloomer] fate. It seemed he was meant to take the path of building up strength before making a late surge.

After ten years of simulation, his cultivation had progressed only modestly. Should he remain in the mountains to cultivate, or descend?

After all, if he could influence this Kun Void World, he could also obtain rewards.

It seemed another crucial choice had arrived, perfectly timed with the end of the session.

Yu Ke glanced out the window. The moonlight was still quiet and still.

He yawned, and drowsiness surged over him like a tide.

He was not sure whether it was an illusion, but after this simulation ended, he truly felt more exhausted than ever before, as though his spirit had been drained.

He was really sleepy!

He turned over and fell into a deep sleep.

Yet while Yu Ke slept, the ancient cauldron in his mind slowly began to turn, radiating a faint glow.

Tiny whirlwinds formed around Yu Ke's body, drawing threads of spiritual energy into him.

As the spiritual energy continuously poured in, the heavy patterns on the [Kun Void Cauldron] seemed to be granted life, growing vivid and alive.

The twentieth year of Yongxiang, early spring.

Mount Zhongnan.

Spring rain fell like silk.

Dense curtains of rain pattered softly against the eaves of a Taoist temple halfway up the mountain.

After gathering together, the rainwater streamed along the tiles, turning into slender threads that fell through the air.

Under the eaves stood a group of young Taoists from the Three Truths Sect with their hands tucked into their sleeves. Their relaxed gazes rested on the distance, their eyes carrying the idle leisure of those admiring lakes and mountains.

Beyond the temple, green mountains lay like darkened brows.

The spring rain lingered today, sparing the young Taoists the hardship of their morning exercises. They did not need to painstakingly climb up and down the mountain.

Most of them had only recently come of age.

They were quite at ease.

The rain grew heavier. Drops as large as soybeans hammered the bluestone steps, and the splashing mist spread through the air. They all stepped back, afraid of being dampened by that icy spray.

Though it was early spring, the mountains still carried winter's lingering chill. Thick quilts were still needed at night to ward off the cold.

Then, an abrupt voice tore through the rain curtain's silence.

"Look, isn't that Martial Granduncle Lu Chen?"

Wind and rain blurred the view, yet one sharp-eyed young Taoist was the first to catch sight of that figure.

Everyone followed the voice and looked over.

On the mountain path, a figure was laboriously making his way 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 did not stir anyone's sympathy. Instead, it sparked whispers and mocking complaints.

"Pah! Training in rain this heavy? He's asking for trouble. Isn't he afraid of a flash flood?"

"Tsk, tsk, he's just putting on a show." One young Taoist shook his head disdainfully, his eyes full of contempt.

"Exactly. Isn't he just good at flattering people? His father has money and his family has a little influence—what is there for him to be proud of?" someone muttered jealously.

After all, even their master had to respectfully call Lu Chen Martial Uncle.

But now, with Lu Yu gone,

these young Taoists did not conceal their dissatisfaction and mockery toward Lu Chen in the slightest.

"He has no talent at all. He's studied the Dao for five years already—he probably couldn't even beat me, hahaha."

"Speaking of Martial Granduncle Lu Yu, now that is a true hero, leading a group of senior brothers down the mountain and northward. If I had not been too young last year, I would surely have gone with them."

"Exactly, exactly." The surrounding young Taoists all chimed in.

When Lu Chen drew near the temple,

the tallest Taoist among the group stepped forward. He swept a glance over the others, his tone brimming with contempt.

"Look at this Martial Granduncle Lu Chen. His martial arts cultivation is mediocre, and he's cowardly too. He does not even have the courage to descend the mountain for experience."

His voice was not loud, but it was loud enough for Lu Chen to hear.

The moment he finished speaking, everyone's eyes turned in unison toward the figure on the mountain path, waiting for him to react.

Yet the figure merely paused slightly, then returned to normal and continued walking alone through the wind and rain, as though none of it had anything to do with him.

Lu Chen's figure appeared ever more lonely amid the wind and rain.

He descended the mountain through the storm.

"Pah, boring."

Watching Lu Chen's departing back, the tall Taoist muttered.

At that moment, a young Taoist with scattered freckles across his face approached. He had an immature build and was the youngest among them.

He would not come of age until next year, formally entering the ranks of adulthood.

With the world in chaos, his family had arranged early on to send him into these mountains to escape disaster.

He spoke softly, his tone carrying a trace of complicated emotion.

"That Martial Granduncle Lu Chen is truly diligent. Three hundred and sixty-five days a year, come rain or shine. Several times when I woke up in the middle of the night to relieve myself, I saw him practicing his stances alone."

The tall Taoist gave a cold snort, unconcerned.

"What good is diligence? Without talent, no matter how much one trains, it is difficult to achieve anything. Do you know that in cultivation, the word talent outweighs Mount Tai?"

The young Taoist stared at Lu Chen's retreating figure, but ripples rose in his heart.

Could such a person truly be as useless as everyone said?

Not long after,

the dense rain quietly turned into a slanting drizzle. Threads of chill seeped through their clothes and gently sank into their skin.

Inside the Taoist temple, the time for morning exercises 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 attention.

Yet no matter how the gazes of the outside world changed, that figure remained the same—firm and resolute.

He completed the mountain-climbing morning exercise. His movements gradually slowed, until he finally stood quietly beside a puddle of collected rainwater.

The water's surface trembled slightly, reflecting the composed face of a young man with bright eyes.

He entered a solitary hut halfway up the mountain.

A letter lay quietly atop the table and chairs within the hut.

The few words upon it tugged at the young man's heart.

"Father in danger. Return at once."