Chapter 4: Mount Tai Nan

The Tai’nan Mountains lay just west of Guanggui City, only a few dozen li away. Legend had it that immortals dwelled within those peaks. This reputation made Guanggui City a favored destination for nobles and officials seeking to leave their mark. Situated at the southernmost edge of Lan Prefecture in Yue Country, Guanggui City boasted a population of merely several hundred thousand—just one-fifth that of Jiayuan City.

Surrounded on three sides by mountains, the city’s environment was exceptionally beautiful. Tai’nan Mountain ranked as the fourth highest in Lan Prefecture, its summit perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist. The scenery was enchanting, and the mountain was a famed gathering place for cultivators, steeped in legend. Thanks to these tales, this sparsely populated and scenic region became a beloved retreat for wealthy merchants and officials, as well as a pilgrimage site for martial artists in search of enlightenment.

Atop Tai’nan Mountain stood the Tai’nan Temple. Rumor claimed that anyone who drew lots there would receive prophetic guidance. Lin Yang knew this was mere superstition, yet everyone clung to a hopeful heart, contributing to the mountain’s economic boom.

In the original story, Tai’nan Valley was nestled deep within the mountain, though whether it lay in the heart of the range or its remotest reaches, Lin Yang could not say.

“My word, climbing this mountain is exhausting,” Lin Yang muttered as he trudged alone through the woods, burdened by a heavy pack. Branches and shrubs snagged at his clothes, pulling out threads and leaving his once fine garments frayed. Dew clung to his body, leaving his clothing damp and uncomfortable.

He tried to use spiritual energy as a barrier, but his reserves were pitifully low. Within moments, all his energy was spent, forcing him to endure the stinging scratches from the branches as he pressed onward.

“The first stage of Qi Refining offers nothing but the ability to sense spiritual energy—otherwise, I’m no different from an ordinary person.” Lin Yang felt as weary as a dog, unused to such strenuous exertion.

“I’d better rest for a while. Shame I haven’t developed divine sense yet, so I can’t use my storage pouch,” he complained. His body, enhanced by spiritual energy, was now as robust as an adult, enabling him to reach the mountainside. With his original body, even reaching the base would have been a struggle.

Leaning against a towering tree, he set down his pack, resting his head back against the trunk and gazing at the sky, filtered through a canopy of leaves. Closing his eyes, he let his mind calm.

A squirrel perched in the branches above regarded Lin Yang with curiosity—it had never seen such a large, two-legged creature. It plucked a fruit from the tree and tossed it down, striking Lin Yang’s head.

“Hey, who’s there?” Startled, Lin Yang touched his head and found it sticky with juice. Glancing at the smashed fruit on the ground, he wondered aloud, “How did this berry fall?” The unexpected assault had unnerved him. Looking up, he saw the squirrel scampering away, frightened by his loud voice.

“So it was the squirrel’s doing,” he said, settling back down. “False alarm—I thought this place was haunted.” He sat cross-legged again, focusing on restoring his spiritual energy.

“I wonder where in Tai’nan Mountain spiritual energy is most abundant for cultivation. My first priority is to find a spot rich in energy and establish a cave dwelling. Only strength ensures safety.”

Once he gained sufficient power, he could venture into Tai’nan Valley: “I’ll need to reach the mid-stage of Qi Refining before I go there,” Lin Yang resolved.

“Open panel.”

Name: Lin Yang
Age: 8 (82)
Cultivation: Qi Refining, Stage One (21/100)

Main Occupation: None
Skills: Fireball (5/100) – Beginner
Light Wind Step (25/100) – Beginner
Basic Swordsmanship (252/1000) – Proficient
Technique: Evergreen Art (21/100) – Beginner
Available Attribute Points: 0

“Close panel,” Lin Yang thought silently.

He’d discovered this function during his time at home: simply thinking the command, and the system would respond automatically.

“Sigh, I spent a whole month preparing at home, but my experience grows far too slowly. If not for the system, my spiritual roots would never have allowed me to embark on the cultivation path.”

Lin Yang sat cross-legged, gradually calming his breath and circulating the Evergreen Art. After two hours, his body suddenly shuddered, and he slowly lifted his head.

“This time, it only took two hours,” he said joyfully, rising to his feet. “Seems the spiritual energy here is much richer than in the city.” He looked around, noting that the area was not suitable for living.

“I’ll try going further up.”

“For tonight, I’ll find somewhere to make do.”

Lin Yang continued upward, climbing for another two or three hours. He noticed a sudden depression in the opposite slope and, curious, walked toward it. Climbing to the top, he found himself facing a cliff. Below lay a valley, its sides flanked by cliffs about twenty meters high. The valley floor was covered in wild grasses, and at its deepest point was a cave.

Approaching the cave, he peered inside; it extended seven or eight meters, filled with weeds and numerous stalactites.

“This spot is quite suitable. Let’s tidy it up,” Lin Yang said, placing his pack in a dry corner.

“Fireball.” During his preparations at home, he’d practiced a few basic spells attached to the Evergreen Art. He could still cast them reliably.

A fireball, the size of a basketball, formed at his fingertips. Lin Yang hurled it forward.

With a bang, the fireball exploded, igniting the weeds inside the cave. Flames erupted, sending rats, spiders, and other creatures fleeing.

“Whoa—a snake!” Lin Yang recoiled as a small black snake slithered out.

“Good thing I didn’t go straight in.”

Once the flames died down, Lin Yang entered the cave. The entrance was wider inside, sloping downward. If he filled in the floor, it would make an excellent dwelling.

“Alright, time to get to work.”

Rolling up his sleeves, Lin Yang used fireball after fireball to burn away the remaining weeds, knocking down the stalactites and hauling them inside to fill the cave floor.

“Feels like something’s missing,” he mused as he surveyed the newly leveled cave. “Ah, furniture. Never mind, I’ll head down to buy some and have it delivered.”

“Today has been exhausting.” He stepped outside, retrieved his pack, and brought it in. Opening it, he took out two baked buns.

“This will have to do for now,” he said, eating his simple meal. Afterward, he stood, hid his pack behind a rock, drew his longsword, and fastened it at his waist. At the cave entrance, he amused himself by carving the words “Silken Cave” into the smooth stone wall. Then, without a backward glance, he began his descent.

Descending was far easier than climbing; it took only an hour to reach Guanggui City. The stamina of a cultivator far surpassed that of ordinary people. For most, the journey would have taken at least three hours.

Once spiritual energy entered the body, life itself underwent a transformation. Cultivators were fundamentally different from ordinary folk: one successful infusion could greatly extend the lifespan and enhance vitality.

By the time Lin Yang reached the city gates, night had fallen. Two rows of soldiers stood outside, leaning against the walls, chatting idly. One soldier stepped forward, hand outstretched in clear expectation.

Lin Yang, practiced in such dealings, took out his purse and paid ten coins for the entry fee. He walked straight to a tavern.

Above the door, the sign bore the characters “Lin’s Tavern”—his father’s establishment in Guanggui City. Lin Yang entered.

“Innkeeper, I’d like a superior room and a barrel of hot water, please.”

With that, he ascended the stairs.

“Certainly, young master.”

Lin Yang went to his room, opened the door, spread out his bedding, and soon fell into a deep sleep.

A while later, two attendants carried in a large barrel of hot water. Seeing Lin Yang asleep, they tiptoed out quietly.