Green Elegance Peak was one of the Primordial Yang Sect's seven great Spirit Mountains. The spirit vein within it reached the third grade, sufficient to support the cultivation of Golden Core Stage cultivators.
Naturally, no one could march straight into any of the seven great Spirit Mountains. As soon as Liu Yu approached Green Elegance Peak, the mountain guards called out a warning.
Liu Yu dispelled his flight light and was stopped at the foot of the mountain.
"Halt! Unauthorized persons are forbidden from entering the mountain!"
Both mountain guards were at late Qi Refining. They were also Inner Disciples, and looked far more imposing than the two disciples guarding the Rectified Origin Hall.
With solemn expressions, they questioned Liu Yu about his identity and his reason for coming to Green Elegance Peak, conducting themselves strictly by the book.
"Greetings, senior brothers. I am Liu Yu. I once had the good fortune to receive guidance from Martial Aunt Yan Hongyu, and I have come specifically to pay her a visit!"
As he spoke, Liu Yu took his Inner Disciple identity jade token and the yellow token Yan Hongyu had given him from his Storage Bag, then handed both over.
One cultivator accepted the jade token, then took out a disc-shaped magical artifact two inches across. He cast a Hand Seal onto it, and the disc shone yellow light onto the jade token. He nodded to the other disciple, indicating that everything was in order.
"We must ask Martial Aunt's permission regarding your visit. You may enter the mountain only if Martial Aunt Yan agrees."
Once his identity was verified, their expressions softened slightly. Since they were all Inner Disciples, the two did not put on excessive airs. They explained the procedure to Liu Yu, then one went up the mountain to report to Yan Hongyu.
Liu Yu nodded, naturally raising no objection. Golden Core elders lived on the seven great Spirit Mountains, so not just anyone could enter. Although he felt anxious, he could only rein in his impatience and wait quietly.
With nothing else to do, he surveyed the scenery of Green Elegance Peak.
Looking up from the foot of the mountain, he saw clouds and mist winding above its waist, veiling it in a faint immortal aura and obscuring the summit. Countless exotic flowers and unusual plants bloomed in every color. The mountain paths were spotless, clearly swept and washed by dedicated attendants, and an exquisite pavilion stood at regular intervals for visitors to rest. From time to time, birdsong and the cries of cranes drifted from afar, their distant echoes lingering. It truly was a renowned mountain of splendid scenery.
About an hour later, the disciple reappeared at the foot of the mountain. He nodded to the other guard, signaling that Liu Yu could pass.
"Junior brother, you may go up now. Martial Aunt Yan has agreed to see you. Her cave abode is located at..."
The disciple who had delivered the message returned the jade token and yellow token to Liu Yu, speaking quite courteously. This fellow Inner Disciple also had some connection to a martial aunt on the mountain, and neither guard wanted to offend him. After explaining a few things he needed to keep in mind, they let him through.
Liu Yu accepted both items, cupped his hands in thanks, and headed up the mountain.
Yan Hongyu's cave abode lay slightly below the mountainside's midpoint. Although it was some distance from a spirit vein node, the spiritual energy there was still denser than in an ordinary Foundation Establishment Realm cave abode.
Qi Refining Period disciples were forbidden from flying on Green Elegance Peak. The mountain rose more than five thousand zhang high, and it took Liu Yu a quarter of an hour to walk from its foot to Yan Hongyu's cave abode.
When Liu Yu arrived outside Yan Hongyu's cave abode, a small opening had already been made in its protective restrictions, wide enough for one person to pass through.
Given her standing as a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, she naturally would not come out to greet him.
Liu Yu straightened his clothes and adjusted his appearance before stepping inside.
The cave abode was furnished quite simply. Aside from the various necessities of daily life, there were no extra decorations. It seems Martial Aunt Hongyu isn't one to care about outward appearances either, Liu Yu thought.
Yan Hongyu was still dressed as a Daoist nun. She sat on a stone stool in the cave abode's main hall, regulating her breathing with her eyes closed.
Seeing this, Liu Yu quickly approached and offered a proper, formal bow.
"Disciple Liu Yu pays his respects to Martial Aunt Hongyu!"
He stopped a short distance away and bowed at the waist, his voice fairly calm.
Yan Hongyu opened her eyes and gave him a faint glance, a hint of a smile hovering on her face.
She was somewhat surprised that this junior had broken through to late Qi Refining in the little over half a month since she had last seen him.
She already had some inkling of why he had come. Liu Yu was not the only person who had sought her help during this time.
This junior had reached late Qi Refining at such a young age, so he had some hope of attaining Foundation Establishment and a little value.
More importantly, he saved my Qun'er's life. Giving him a hand now and doing him a favor with the current would do no harm.
Such thoughts flashed through Yan Hongyu's mind, but her expression revealed nothing. With a playful, somewhat mocking tone, she said:
"Martial Nephew Liu, have you come to see me because you need to use that token so soon?"
At her words, Liu Yu could only smile bitterly, inwardly helpless. But this was a matter of life and death, and he could no longer worry about losing a little face.
"I had no wish to trouble you so soon, Martial Aunt, but the Spirit Stone Mine War is far too dangerous. I have only just reached late Qi Refining, and I do not even have more than a few magical artifacts suited to my needs. I have no means of protecting myself!"
"On the front lines, I would be utterly insignificant and unable to make any difference. Please understand, Martial Aunt Hongyu. I still wish to preserve this useful life so that I can serve the sect!"
Liu Yu steeled himself and finished everything in one breath, hoping that the favor he was owed would prove useful. Yet having his fate held in someone else's hands made him deeply uncomfortable.
"To think a junior like you is so well informed. You have only just returned to the sect, yet you already know so much. And you certainly move quickly, finding your way here so soon!"
In truth, Yan Hongyu rather appreciated Liu Yu. Not only had he dared to act and save her beloved niece, but he also knew how to adapt at a critical moment to preserve his own life, rather than stubbornly clinging to one course. Such a person was much better than certain old diehards in her lineage. At that thought, a shadow passed through her heart.
"Have you truly thought this through? You only have one chance. Are you sure you want to use that token for this?"
Yan Hongyu spoke mildly, giving no hint of pleasure or anger.
Liu Yu did not hesitate. No matter how valuable a favor was, it had to be used when it mattered. Right now, he only wanted an assignment guarding a safe location, avoiding the war for the time being while he improved his cultivation first.
"I have made up my mind. Please help arrange an assignment for me guarding a location in the rear, Martial Aunt Hongyu!"
"These are two well-aged spirit herbs I happened to obtain. Since I do not know their effects, I dare not use them recklessly. Please accept them for now, Martial Aunt Hongyu, and help me study what they do."
These were the two remaining herbs from the five rare, two-hundred-year-old spirit herbs Liu Yu had ripened last time. They were highly useful even to Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators.
Without hesitation, he took them out, opened the two jade boxes one after another, and placed them on the table before standing respectfully to one side.
Yan Hongyu's expression shifted. She instantly recognized the names and uses of the two rare, two-hundred-year-old spirit herbs. They were useful to her as well and could be refined into pills that improved cultivation.
She raised a hand and put the jade boxes into her Storage Bag, finding Liu Yu even more pleasing to the eye now.
He knows when to advance and retreat, and what to keep and what to relinquish.
This junior had left a very good impression on her. As for whether he had any other spirit herbs, Yan Hongyu did not give it much thought. A late Qi Refining cultivator was already lucky to happen upon two.
"Since you have made your choice, return that yellow token to me."
Having gained an unexpected windfall, Yan Hongyu was in excellent spirits, and her tone softened somewhat.
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