Among the thirteen who entered the central array, only Li Fan wasn’t a teenager. They had been instructed not to speak carelessly, so they simply looked around with excited, curious eyes.
The moment they had stepped into the array, their surroundings had shifted completely. It was as if they had instantly traveled from a bustling city to a deep mountain forest. Lush trees, vibrant greenery, and the constant chirping of birds and insects filled the air.
In the distance, mist-shrouded peaks rose and fell. A faint breeze blew past, and a rustling sound echoed incessantly like waves.
Li Fan and the others stood at the foot of the mountain. Looking up, the summit was completely hidden from view, vanishing into thick clouds.
They began climbing up the ancient stone steps.
These youths were all in remarkable physical condition, and even after four whole hours without rest, not one of them was out of breath.
Li Fan, however, was drenched in sweat. Older and long out of practice, he could barely keep up without falling behind.
After another two hours, they finally reached the mountaintop.
The summit was nothing more than a small clearing, making it somewhat crowded once the group spread out.
This peak was the tallest in the mountain range. When they looked around, all they saw was a vast, white sea of clouds. The wind howled, churning the clouds and occasionally revealing island-like mountain tops.
These youths had all been born and raised above the sea, but none had ever witnessed such a magnificent sight. They stood there, utterly captivated.
To Li Fan, however, the view was nothing out of the ordinary. Instead, he narrowed his eyes and studied the sun in the sky.
They had been inside the array for most of the day, yet the sun’s position hadn’t changed at all. It seemed to be some kind of illusion.
“What do you make of the scenery?” came a voice from right beside them.
The youths jumped in surprise, then quickly collected themselves.
“Greetings, Immortal Master!” they chorused, bowing respectfully.
Li Fan followed suit.
The speaker was none other than Immortal Master He, guardian of Liuli Island. He appeared to be around thirty years old, and was dressed in simple blue robes.
With kind eyes and a warm, smiling face, he radiated approachability and was the very image of a gentle soul.
Seeing that this Immortal Master wasn’t as intimidating as the legends made him out to be, one of the youths gathered his courage and replied, “The scenery is breathtaking, truly worthy of an immortal sacred land. I’ve never seen anything so wondrous and soul-stirring.”
Immortal Master He nodded with a smile, but his next words abruptly silenced the group: “When I first arrived at Liuli Island, this mountain was the shortest among the range, standing far below the sea of clouds.”
The youths were stunned by his words. After a long pause, someone finally spoke up in admiration, “To make a mountain grow taller, your power is truly incredible, Immortal Master.”
Immortal Master He chuckled. “I’m a lowly Foundation Establishment cultivator. How could I possess such an ability?”
The young man who had offered the flattery flushed bright red and lowered his head in embarrassment. The others exchanged puzzled glances, unsure what Immortal Master He meant by these words.
Only Li Fan gazed thoughtfully at the countless peaks emerging from the sea of clouds.
“Did you know,” Immortal Master He continued, no longer drawing out the mystery, “that the mountains and rivers of this world can gradually grow in size, just like people?”
The youths stared in stunned silence, their faces full of disbelief.
“How unbelievable...”
“R-really? Are these great mountains and rivers also living things?”
Though the idea of mountains growing was shocking, the words came from an exalted Immortal Master, so the youths naturally chose to believe it. Still, their faces paled as they struggled to accept it.
Immortal Master He continued, “Some peaks appear lofty, yet their potential is already spent, and they will never advance further. Others are mere hills now, but hold boundless potential. Who’s to say they won’t become pillars holding up the heavens in years to come?
“Take this Shaowei Mountain beneath our feet. It was once utterly insignificant, yet after just a few decades, it now overlooks all other peaks.
“Of course, most are like the countless mountains beneath this sea of clouds, destined from start to finish to remain as supporting roles, silently gazing up at those above the clouds.
“If mountains are like this, how much more so humans?
“Today, you have the fortune of entering the Body Purification Spirit Pool and washing away the miasma within your bodies. Whether you choose the path of cultivation, aspire to the Great Dao or eternal life, or pursue other achievements, it all comes down to your own destiny.”
Seeing the dazed and confused expressions of the youths, Immortal Master He sighed.
“Regardless of what comes after, today you must give your all. That is all I will say. Now go!”
“Immortal Master, where exactly is the Body Purification Spirit Pool?” one eager youth couldn’t help asking excitedly. Though he hadn’t fully grasped the meaning behind the Immortal Master’s words, he understood that they were finally entering the spirit pool.
“Right there!” Immortal Master He said indifferently.
Everyone followed his gaze—the spot he pointed to was beyond the mountain’s edge, over the precipice of a bottomless cliff!
“Immortal Master, you must be joking?” a youth blurted out in shock.
Immortal Master He’s expression darkened. With a cold snort, the boy’s head flew high into the air as his body crumpled to the ground. Throughout the process, the Immortal Master barely moved.
Blood sprayed, splattering those nearby.
The sudden violence stunned the youths. Some trembled as their faces turned deathly pale, clamping hands over their mouths to stifle screams. Others collapsed, their legs giving way. Still others dropped to their knees, kowtowing and begging for forgiveness.
“Let this be another lesson. On the path of cultivation, discernment is vital. Know who can be bullied, who must not be offended, what can be said, and what cannot. Weigh your actions carefully. Don’t come crying to me when your Dao disperses and your life ends, blaming me for not warning you today.” The Immortal Master’s formerly kind demeanor vanished, replaced by icy indifference as he scanned the terrified youths.
Li Fan watched the spectacle, observing the varied reactions. He knew that this lesson from Immortal Master He would leave a deep impression on them.
It was not just the youths; even Li Fan felt he had gained something from the Immortal Master’s words.
He bowed deeply to Immortal Master He, speaking sincerely. “Thank you for the lesson.”
Then he turned and walked toward the mountain’s edge.
Before him lay a bottomless cliff. A single misstep would mean certain death. Yet Li Fan didn’t hesitate. His expression remained unchanged as he took that first step forward.
He did not fall. The endless sea of clouds ahead seemed to stir with consciousness, churning and gathering beneath Li Fan’s feet to hold him steady.
His other foot followed. Once firmly planted, Li Fan was swept forward by rolling white clouds and carried deep into the sea of clouds.
As Immortal Master He watched his receding figure, he couldn’t help muttering, “What exceptional temperament... a pity that he’s already so old. What a waste!”