Mountain Venerable and Sea Immortal

Night fell over Laoshan Mountain, moonlight shone through the forest, and all was quiet.

Lin Yan sat alone in the Xuan Shui Cave, first using the Laoshan Foundation Mental Cultivation Technique, "Laoshan Guanhai Jue," to stabilize the spiritual energy channels throughout his body, and then switching to the ancient inheritance, "Canglan Haidi Jue," to concentrate his mind, regulate his breath, and refine his cultivation. He was about to travel to Qufu, and given that his cultivation had reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, he needed to solidify his foundation, regulate his spiritual energy, and eliminate all distracting thoughts before his departure to ensure he was in perfect condition for the trip. His soul unconsciously drifted away with the spiritual energy, and he found himself in a mysterious state that was neither dream nor waking.

Before them lay a celestial garden shrouded in spiritual energy, where spiritual herbs blossomed everywhere and petals danced in the air. A gentle breeze swept by, scattering fallen petals in a colorful display, exuding a warm and peaceful atmosphere—a world entirely different from the tense and treacherous world of everyday life.

Deep within the garden stood a graceful figure. The woman possessed an alluring figure with exquisite curves, a flowing, soft dress trailing on the ground, and her dark hair cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall, leaving Lin Yan with a captivatingly elegant silhouette.

She stood quietly amidst the falling blossoms, surrounded by a faint, gentle, and mysterious aura, creating a breathtaking scene.

Lin Yan stood still, gazing into the distance. He had no distracting thoughts or evil intentions; he only wanted to quietly observe. He felt his mind clear and his heart beholden to the beautiful sight. The tension and fatigue of the past few days dissipated in that moment, largely thanks to the scenery before him. A strange, pure, and clean stirring rose within him—the instinctive emotion and longing a young cultivator feels upon first witnessing something of ultimate beauty.

Before he could discern the surrounding atmosphere, the spiritual energy within the Xuan Shui Cave suddenly surged, and Lin Yan's soul abruptly returned to its place, causing him to abruptly open his eyes.

The illusion vanished instantly, and it was still the Xuan Shui Cave at midnight, with candlelight flickering.

His gaze sharpened, and the lingering sense of disorientation slowly dissipated. But then, a thousand emotions surged within him: since childhood, his master had rescued him from a shipwrecked beach and brought him to a fishing village in Qingdao Bay… He entered the mountain at sixteen, and now, in a daze, he was twenty-two. Six years had passed in the blink of an eye. From a naive and ignorant outer sect youth to a Foundation Establishment Great Perfection Guardian Disciple, his journey had been anything but leisurely. Upon entering the inner sect, he encountered the chaos of the Burning Heaven Sect and the encirclement of the Blood Fiend Sect. The three sects were locked in endless conflict over their spiritual veins and magical treasures, constantly surrounded by battles between good and evil, and the perilous state of his sect. He cultivated day and night, repeatedly venturing into dangerous situations, shedding his naiveté through life-and-death trials, tempering his character under the weight of responsibility, and firmly establishing his foundation with his inherited skills and magical treasures, ultimately transforming into a composed and self-possessed young cultivator. He thought to himself that the illusion he had just experienced was merely a primal yearning for peace and tranquility born from years of tension.

A hint of bewilderment flashed in his eyes. Everything that had just happened was real and tangible, yet also ethereal and unreal. It was neither a demon in his heart nor an illusion, but rather a mental image created by the intertwining of his own emotions and soul.

In an instant, Lin Yan returned to a state of calm, concealing the subtle ripples in his eyes, and closed his eyes again to regulate his breathing. However, in his heart, the faint imprint of that spiritual herb and that proud figure remained, like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating barely perceptible ripples, quietly hidden deep within his heart.

That night, the young cultivator's Dao heart, because of this bewildering illusion, gained a touch of tenderness unique to youth, subtle yet pure.

The next day, the spring sunshine was bright, and the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and the songs of birds. The white jade square in front of the Taiqing Hall was already crowded with people who had come to see him off.

The spring breeze swept through the mountains, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees, yet it could not dispel the heavy feeling of parting. After six years of trials, the boys and girls who entered the mountains together back then had long since shed their naivety and grown into outstanding young talents with remarkable features and resilient character.

Lin Yan was dressed in a plain-colored Taoist robe with cloud patterns from Laoshan Mountain. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, his face was handsome and calm, his eyes were deep and reserved, and his aura was far-reaching. Although his heart was slightly disturbed by the illusion he had experienced the night before, his face remained peaceful and steadfast.

Yunxi stood beside him. As his childhood friend, she had grown into a beautiful and spirited young woman. Dressed in a smart and practical outfit, her eyes, which had lost their former coldness, now held a touch of tenderness. Her gaze towards Lin Yan was full of familiar concern as she spoke softly, "The journey to Qufu is long and arduous, with various forces gathering there. Be careful in everything you do, and never act rashly."

Yi Azhu held onto Yun Xi's sleeve, her pretty face filled with reluctance. She had shed her childhood naiveté and gained a more composed demeanor. She tilted her head back, bit her lip, and softly instructed, "Brother, take care on your journey. The sect and I will be waiting for your safe return in Laoshan."

Ye Qing, dressed in a blue robe, was gentle and handsome, with a calm and reserved demeanor. He cupped his hands and gave his advice, his words full of practical concern: "The Qufu Alliance meeting is rife with undercurrents. All the forces from Qi and Lu will be there. You will be traveling with the sect leader. Think carefully before you act. If you encounter any danger, you can send a message to the sect."

Chen Dagang, a burly and robust man, had lost his former recklessness and gained a more righteous and composed demeanor. Scratching his head, he said in a gruff voice, "Brother Lin Yan, we'll leave things here at the sect. You can go ahead with peace of mind and just be safe!"

The five stood side by side, devoid of romantic moments under the moon or the coyness of young lovers. Instead, they shared the deep bond of camaraderie forged through life and death, the familiarity and appreciation of childhood friends, and the pure concern of family. Six years had passed; they had grown amidst war and conflict, accustomed to separation and responsibility. All their words of advice were simple and straightforward, yet every word was heartfelt.

Lin Yan's gaze swept over the crowd, a warm feeling welling up in his heart. He cupped his hands in a solemn salute, his voice steady and powerful: "Take care, everyone. I will certainly live up to the sect's expectations and return to the mountain safely."

The crowd bowed respectfully, their expressions solemn, awaiting the appearance of their sect leader.

A moment later, the gates of the Taiqing Hall slowly opened, and the head of Laoshan Sect, dressed in a black Daoist robe with cloud patterns, walked out with a steady and composed gait. His spiritual energy was as vast as the ocean, and his gaze swept over all the disciples present. His voice was deep and clear, resounding throughout the square:

"Disciples, this time I have brought Lin Yan to Qufu for the Dongyi Mountain and Sea Alliance Meeting, solely to investigate the unusual movements of the Qilu ley lines and guard against the clandestine machinations of evil cultivators. This matter concerns the survival of our sect, and we cannot afford to be careless. You who remain at the mountain gate must strictly obey the elders' orders, diligently guard the Laoshan ley lines, cultivate diligently, be vigilant against any unusual activity in the surrounding area, and not leave the mountain without orders. You must protect the foundation of our sect!"

After speaking, the sect leader turned to look at Lin Yan beside him, his gaze serious, and solemnly instructed him: "Lin Yan, as the guardian disciple of Laoshan, you bear the sect's legacy. You will accompany me on this journey. You must be careful in your words and actions, remain calm in all situations, and guard your integrity. Do not tarnish the reputation of Laoshan. Always prioritize the safety of the sect and never act rashly. If you encounter danger, remember to protect yourself. As long as I am here, no one can harm you."

Beside him, Master Guanhai stood quietly at the front of the crowd, his face gentle and solemn. His eyes, which looked at Lin Yan, held an undisguised expectation and worry. His brows were slightly furrowed, but he only nodded gently. His eyes were full of unspoken instructions, showing the master's concern and trust for his disciple.

Beside him stood Master Yulan, dressed in an elegant Taoist robe. Her expression was cool yet gentle. Her gaze fell softly on Lin Yan. Though she spoke little, her calm and resolute demeanor offered him silent comfort and support.

Lin Yan bowed respectfully to the sect leader, his two masters, and all the elders present, his voice steady and powerful: "This disciple will humbly obey the sect leader's decree and will certainly live up to the sect's expectations and the teachings of my masters!"

All the disciples and elders bowed in unison and said loudly, "We respectfully bid farewell to our sect leader and Senior Brother Lin Yan. May his journey be smooth and his return to the mountain safe!"

The sound echoed through the mountains, lingering for a long time.

Lin Yan said no more, following closely behind the sect leader as they stepped onto the cloud path, their gazes fixed firmly on Qufu in Shandong. Behind them, all the fellow disciples solemnly watched them go; before them, the winds and clouds rolled across the sky; and on their shoulders lay the heavy responsibility entrusted to them by the sect.