Hermit in the Mountains

After finishing processing the documents, Gu Changsheng exited the Virtual Myriad Paths Realm, opened his eyes, and softly called out.

"Lingxuzi, come to the Hall of Longevity."

A short while later, an announcement was made outside the main gate of the rear hall.

"Disciple Lingxuzi requests an audience with Master."

"Enter--"

As the word "enter" sounded, the jade gate slowly opened.

After Lingxuzi stepped in, the jade gate closed automatically.

He walked to the edge of the spirit pool, bowed deeply, and said, "Master!"

Gu Changsheng, sitting on the jade stool, raised his right hand and waved it in front of him.

A projection of a celestial paradise appeared.

With a thought, Gu Changsheng conjured a jade ladder that stretched from the teleportation island all the way to Changsheng Island.

A huge jade bracelet-shaped platform surrounds the four islands of Ziyang, Yinyue, Xinghe, and Lingyao.

Jade steps connect to jade platforms for entering and exiting the island.

The jade platform is connected to the Jade Ladder to Heaven.

Outside the four islands of Jinlei, Qingmu, Xuanbing, and Lihuo, there is also a huge jade bracelet-shaped platform surrounding them.

Changsheng Island stands in the sky and is the first layer.

The four islands of Ziyang, Yinyue, Xinghe, and Lingyao constitute the second layer.

The four islands of Jinlei, Qingmu, Xuanbing, and Lihuo form the third layer.

The Mortal Island and the God of Wealth Island stand on either side of the Jade Platform to Heaven, forming the fourth level.

The teleportation island is on the fifth floor.

If new island tiers are added in the future, the teleportation islands will be moved down accordingly.

The main island is surrounded by numerous jade-like upside-down hills, some of which have flowing waterfalls.

A brand-new pyramid-shaped floating island group has appeared.

"Xiao Wu, complete the layout of the Longevity Cave Heaven according to this design."

"Each layer and each island has its own independent barrier, which cannot be entered without permission, thus obscuring the view inside the island."

"You have crafted the Longevity Jade Token for entering and exiting the Cave Heaven. This jade token is also the identity token of a disciple of the Longevity Sect."

"You imprinted the Cave Heaven Mark into the Longevity Jade Token. When disciples encounter life-or-death crises while traveling, it can be triggered as their hidden life-saving trump card within the teleportation range."

"Is there a problem?"

Ling Xuzi confidently replied, "Master, this disciple has no problem and will implement it upon returning."

"You can go discuss it with your senior brother and the others to make it perfect." With that, Gu Changsheng waved his hand. "Go!"

"This disciple takes his leave!" Ling Xuzi bowed and left the Hall of Longevity.

Over the next few days, jade ladders, jade platforms, waterfall islets, barriers, and new islands rose up one after another within the Longevity Cave.

February 20, 2029

Before embarking on his travels, Gu Changsheng summoned his direct disciples and registered disciples within the sect in the virtual world of myriad paths.

Inside the spacious virtual Hall of Immortality, virtual figures coalesced.

"master........"

Two figures, one in yellow and one in green, appeared, bowed, and then knelt or prostrated themselves on either side of Gu Changsheng.

The five direct disciples appeared, bowing and greeting in unison, "Disciples pay respects to Master..."

Nine disciples, who had been formally registered in the imperial court, stood in the second row, bowed deeply, and said, "Disciples pay respects to our teacher..."

The Yang family father and son and daughter, the Zhang family grandfather and granddaughter, and the Jin family three siblings stood quietly at the back.

Jin Yubao looked around at the people with curious little eyes.

With all the disciples present, Gu Changsheng, seated cross-legged in the void, slowly spoke, "From this day forward, you are all disciples of the Changsheng Sect."

"I hope you will abide by the rules and remember the doctrines."

"Among disciples of the same sect, none shall scheme against, attack, or plot against each other; those who violate this rule shall be executed without mercy."

"I hope you will concentrate on your practice within the temple and refrain from going out unnecessarily, creating karma of killing, and getting tainted by worldly causes and effects."

"The Cult of Immortality, the Cult of Immortality, should take immortality as its goal."

"Although our sect does not provoke trouble, if anyone provokes you, you must retaliate decisively and not disgrace our sect."

The disciples clasped their hands and responded in unison, "We will respectfully obey our Master's teachings!!!!!"

Gu Changsheng looked at the fourteen disciples in the hall. Their backgrounds, fortunes, and comprehension varied, but their karma was as pure as jade, and they had not committed too many acts of killing.

"From today onwards, once you have received the Longevity Jade Token, you may begin the process of moving into the Longevity Cave Heaven to cultivate."

"The Longevity Jade Token will be distributed by your fifth senior brother, Lingxuzi."

As soon as he finished speaking, Ling Xuzi turned to the crowd behind him, cupped his hands slightly, and said, "Ling Xuzi greets all my fellow disciples."

Di Yuanzi, Zi Yangzi, Yin Yue, and Su Xinghe turned slightly to the side and looked back without saying a word, indicating that everyone recognized their faces.

Zhang Yuanfu and the other nine bowed respectfully, "Greetings, Fifth Senior Brother..."

After exchanging greetings, the five members of Di Yuanzi straightened up and stood facing Gu Changsheng.

Gu Changsheng's gaze fell on Yang Dashan, "Dashan—"

"Gold ingots, gold and silver ingots, gold and jade ingots."

"Disciple is here.............+4" The four people who were called out responded, and stepped forward one by one to bow their hands in respect.

"Yang Dashan is the head of the prefecture."

"Jin Yuanbao, the positions you three siblings hold are those listed in the project plan;"

"In official matters, liaise with the outside world, report to your prefect, and have him handle the communication."

"You three siblings just need to focus on doing your jobs well."

"If you develop the God of Wealth's Palace well, your parents will also be able to enter the Longevity Cave Heaven to live in the future."

The three siblings, Jin Yuanbao, had tears in their eyes. They choked back sobs and exclaimed with joy, "Thank you for your kindness, Teacher... +3!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Dashan's eyes lit up. As long as the God of Wealth's Mansion was well managed, his wife would also have the opportunity to move to the Longevity Cave.

Having figured everything out, he bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, teacher!!!"

Gu Changsheng looked at Yu Xiaoyu and Yang Xiaoshan, "Xiaoyu, Xiaoshan, you two go to Xinghe Island to cultivate and help your fourth senior brother manage the miscellaneous affairs on the island."

Yu Xiaoyu and Yang Xiaoshan stepped forward, bowed, and replied, "Yes, teacher... +2"

Yang Xiaoshan suddenly spoke up, asking in a low voice, "Teacher, may I bring Xiaojin into the dojo to cultivate?"

He introduced Xiao Jin's identity: "Teacher, Xiao Jin is a golden monkey, and has been by my side for a long time."

"Xiao Jin is kind-hearted and has never killed anyone. He is currently at the first stage of the Dao Seed Realm."

Zhang Yuanfu, Zhang Yufu, Yang Xiaoyu, and Yu Xiaoyu's lips twitched; they were still stuck at the Dao Root Realm.

Yang Xiaoshan and his spirit pet, who had been enjoying themselves, had both reached the Miao realm. They felt both sad and envious.

If they deliberately act cute or silly to greet others, the seniors won't appreciate it, and they'll lose points, which is counterproductive.

Only Yang Xiaoshan's true nature could win everyone's favor and avoid arousing the dislike of his seniors.

That's how Yang Xiaoshan got to know the seniors who guarded the formation on the mountain.

Those treasures casually bestowed by the seniors are all cultivation essentials with various effects.

Some can be used for crafting weapons, some for alchemy, some for body tempering, and some for increasing magical power...

Yang Xiaoshan isn't the group's darling; he's the lively character who brings joy to everyone.

With his pet golden monkey, they're definitely two lovable creatures.

The cute and docile golden monkey was turned into a lively character by Yang Xiaoshan, who would often act silly, spout childish nonsense, and behave like a childish teenager.

"Alright!" Gu Changsheng gave everyone a perk, "The spirit pets you've tamed can all be brought into the Longevity Cave Heaven for cultivation, as long as you sign a soul contract with them."

After saying this, he cautioned, "Remember, never casually acquire spirit pets or form soul contracts with them;"

"If your spirit pet harbors malice and accumulates a lot of killing karma, you, as its owners, will suffer the consequences of karma."

Yang Xiaoshan was overjoyed and bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you, teacher. I will remember this."