Life on East Creek Mountain was peaceful and dull.
To avoid exposing his cultivation, Song Wen did not cultivate. He rose at dawn each day, washed up, cooked, ate, and then went to the Buddhist hall to begin the morning service.
After that, Qu Xin assigned everyone various tasks, such as chopping firewood, tending the fields, and so on.
Once the day's tasks were finished, the rest of the time was theirs to arrange as they pleased, whether for recreation or attending to their own chores.
However, most of the young people used that time to chant sutras and worship Buddha.
At dusk came the daily evening service.
Since everyone wished to be chosen and taken up the mountain as soon as possible, although several thousand young people had gathered together, scarcely any disputes arose. They were remarkably harmonious with one another.
Even those young masters and young ladies who had never done any labor before voiced not a single complaint.
Amid such a harmonious atmosphere, a month passed in the blink of an eye.
During that time, Qu Xin finally got his wish. All the "old-timers," himself included, were chosen and taken up the mountain.
That day.
At dusk.
The evening service ended.
Xu Yan rubbed his legs, which had gone somewhat numb from sitting cross-legged for so long, and asked, "Brother Fang, when do you think we'll be chosen? Reading these sutras every day, I feel like I'm about to rust. It was more interesting outside, practicing martial arts every day."
Song Wen said, "Are you really that anxious?"
"How could I not be anxious?" Xu Yan pointed at the people in the Buddhist hall. "Look at them. Which one of them doesn't want to see Buddhist Master Dingguang as soon as possible? Don't you?"
"I... naturally do,"