Where Did the Visitor Come From?

On the Cibi Lake, at the entrance to the Pear Garden, the two characters "Pear Garden" on the plaque are still missing.

Su Yao looked at the mountain gate ahead and said to the Human Dao around him:

"This villa has finally been completed after more than half a year of construction."

Liu Yunhe was about to reply when Li Siyi interrupted him, saying with a smile:

"It's because they sent quite a few Mystery Opening cultivators this time; if it were just ordinary laborers, it would probably be even slower. But... if there are a few Yellow Turban Strongman, it would probably be even faster."

Su Yao shook his head and said:

"The Yellow Turban Strongman are good, but they don't return with their Cloud Talisman, so this path is not viable. The Yellow Turban Strongman are too extravagant."

Just as Li Siyi was about to speak again, Liu Yunhe smiled and took over the conversation:

"It is all thanks to Daozi's strategic planning and decisive victory from a hundred miles away. He destroyed the Lu Household, beheaded the Prime Minister of Lake, and seized the Spirit Treasure, that the Pear Garden has achieved its current grandeur."

Su Yao burst into laughter upon hearing this, secretly thinking to himself:

No wonder those in positions of power love to hear flattery.

So he took out a pill and tossed it over along with the jade box:

"This is the Life-Blooming Pill, made from the remaining Subterranean Water material left over from refining a Purple Mansion Great Pill. Subterranean Water is groundwater, the most nourishing among Water Virtue cultivators. It is most beneficial to you, a cultivator of the Wood Virtue."

Liu Yunhe accepted the jade box, a smile immediately spreading across his face. He bowed respectfully, his tone sincere yet witty:

"Your Highness's generous gift has overwhelmed me! I will serve you faithfully from now on, risking my life to protect every blade of grass and tree in this Pear Garden, and I will never let Your Highness waste a single effort!"

Su Yao laughed and scolded:

"Alright, go back and refine it properly later. Don't just talk the talk but don't walk the walk."

Liu Yunhe quickly agreed, happily stepping aside with the jade box in his hands, still stealing glances at it, unable to suppress the smirk on his face.

Li Siyi remained silent, but inwardly she felt contempt.

Han Ziyi stood behind him with his hands behind his back, quietly watching Liu Yunhe's obsequious expression. A barely perceptible smirk appeared on his lips, but he remained silent. Only after Liu Yunhe happily withdrew, carrying the jade box, did he withdraw his gaze, step forward, and respectfully bow, saying:

"Daozi, now that the Pear Garden is complete and the mountain gate is erected, when will you open the mountain to accept disciples and announce this to the world?"

Su Yao waved his hand and smiled calmly:

"No rush. The year is almost over. Although we are cultivators, we are still human beings and need to steal a moment of leisure."

He paused, then his tone became serious:

"Opening the mountain gate requires welcoming outsiders. Currently, we only have the mountain Yunhe Heli. There are many True Person here, so we need Gui Hong to return and set up the Purple Mansion Formation to isolate the Great Void. Otherwise, if True Person stands there in the Great Void and looks around, he can see everything on the mountain, which would be too passive."

After speaking, he thought to himself:

I wonder how many months have passed since Gui Hong left, and why there's still no news.

Upon hearing Han Ziyi, as if he wanted to speak but then stopped. After a moment's pause, he finally cupped his hands and said:

"What Daozi said makes sense, but..."

Seeing this, Su Yao asked:

"Just what?"

Han Ziyi then continued speaking:

"Previously at Shika Mountain, True Person Gui Hong told me: 'Now everything is just waiting for Daozi to open the separate courtyard, and then many immortal sects will head south to Nanzhao.'"

Seeing this, Su Yao cursed Gui Hong inwardly for not speaking to him at this crucial moment. However, he didn't show it on his face.

"It's alright, we can talk about it after the New Year. My family doesn't need to go down the mountain to get involved in worldly affairs for the time being; we can just stay here and cultivate our spiritual arts in peace."

After hearing Han Ziyi lowered his head slightly and bowed, agreeing.

Seeing this, Su Yao said nothing more, only turning around and saying, "Let's go, let's go up and take a look."

Everyone nodded and followed Su Yao up the mountain.

The group entered the Pear Garden through the mountain gate. It was the dead of winter, and the pear blossoms had long since fallen. A few withered fruits hung on the branches, swaying gently in the Nanzhao breeze. The bluestone path meandered through the pear grove, and in the distance, the pines and cypresses on Golden Ao Mountain were intertwined with red, yellow, orange, and green fir trees, which looked particularly bright under the clear winter sky.

Liu Yunhe casually remarked, "The pear trees didn't produce many fruit this year; we'll need to have them pruned in the spring."

Li Siyi chimed in, "Why bother fixing it? We're not counting on it for food anyway."

Su Yao smiled but didn't reply. After passing through the Pear Garden, they arrived at the foot of Golden Ao Mountain. The stone pillars on both sides of the mountain gate were empty, without any inscriptions.

Han Ziyi glanced at it, said nothing, and followed them inside.

After entering, the main bluestone path ascends along the mountainside, with stone lanterns burning eternally on both sides. After walking up for about a hundred steps, there is a three-bay guest hall on the left, with the lintel hanging empty.

Liu Yunhe said, "This guest hall is finally finished. Before, there wasn't even a place for guests to sit."

Seeing this, Su Yao laughed and said, "Yunhe is quick-witted and has an exceptional talent for speaking. He will be in charge of management and diplomatic affairs in the future. He is perfect for speaking to people in a way that suits them perfectly.

Liu Yunhe was taken aback at first, then his face fell. "Is Daozi praising me or scolding me?" He then smiled and cupped his hands. "But since Daozi has spoken, how dare I refuse? I guarantee I'll keep those immortal sects, Aristocratic Clan, and Rogue Cultivator outside completely obedient and won't let Daozi down."

Su Yao chuckled but didn't reply. Instead, he continued upwards, where the stone path forked. Su Yao gestured to the right with his chin. "Siyi is calm and meticulous. The Cultivation Method manuals from the Lu Household in the Scripture Pavilion haven't been sorted out yet, so I'll leave that to you."

Li Siyi was slightly taken aback, then nodded and replied, "Rest assured, Daozi, I will organize it properly, categorize it, and register it to ensure nothing is missed."

The group turned onto the main path on the left and passed through a bamboo grove. Hidden among the bamboo were several elegant houses with green tiles and white walls, and plum trees in front of the doors were already budding.

The plaques were all blank, and everyone was already used to it, so no one asked any questions.

After passing through the bamboo grove, the main hall came into view. In front of the hall, a bronze incense burner emitted wisps of smoke.

Su Yao casually said:

"The main hall is still missing a few chairs. Yunhe and I will go and order some more."

Liu Yunhe responded, "What style?"

Su Yao thought for a moment:

Keep it simple, nothing too flashy.

Han Ziyi felt nervous upon seeing this: there were only these tasks on the mountain, so why was he the only one left unattended?

So he asked:

"Daozi..."

Su Yao chuckled:

"No rush, you'll have your own tasks to complete, it's just that the time isn't right yet."

Su Yao had long planned to deal with Han Ziyi. The paths of water and fire have always been prominent in the world. Moreover, Han Ziyi's sixth-grade Cultivation Method, "Scripture of Responding to Waiting and Gathering Mysteries," has the Immortal Foundation "Waiting for the Awaiting Your Arrival," which is the core Immortal Foundation of the Kan Water path.

The most powerful aspect of this method is. "Like a fish biting the hook, it enters my trap." This is called "using waiting as the fishing line and life as the bait."

It would be a waste to keep it inside the mountain gate.

The group continued walking uphill.

Inside the octagonal pavilion halfway up the mountain, several people were resting by the railing.

The Cibi Lake is spread out before your eyes, dotted with the last traces of red petals.

Han Ziyi then asked the question:

"Daozi, why are there no plaques or couplets on the mountain gate or in the main halls?"

Su Yao smiled and said:

"I consulted the oracle a while ago, but the time is not yet ripe."

As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Yunhe suddenly spoke up:

"Someone's here."

Upon hearing the sound, Su Yao looked at Liu Yunhe, and then followed the direction he pointed, where he saw a tender green light flying towards them.

Su Yao had a guess in his mind:

"Yunhe, go down the mountain and fetch the guests."

Liu Yunhe and transformed into a stream of emerald light, flying away.