Hermit in the Mountains

On Changsheng Peak, in the living room of the wooden house, Gu Changsheng was asking Yang Dashan and Zhang Yuanfu about what had happened in the outside world during his seclusion. He didn't have time to look at the news online for the time being.

"Yuanfu, has there been any major disturbance outside while I was in seclusion?"

Zhang Yuanfu, sitting cross-legged to the left of the stove, nodded. "Reporting to the Peak Master, news of the revival of spiritual energy, spiritual energy itself, and cultivation has already spread among the upper echelons of society."

"The existence of spiritual energy solely within mountain ranges has been discovered, prompting numerous top-tier or first-class corporations, institutions, and family funds to flood into rural areas across the country, actively contracting idle courtyards, farmland, and mountain land."

"They mostly acquire land under the guise of developing rural tourism and helping farmers, but secretly they are hoarding land to occupy the locations closest to the spiritual energy source."

"The rural areas near the major mountains and rivers in China are the most popular, but the National Forestry Bureau has taken over the approval authority for rural land leasing and released a small number of slots every day to appease the various forces."

"Rental slots are even scarcer in famous mountains and rivers, Taoist temples, Buddhist temples, or near places where practitioners live. Only one slot is released every three or four days."

Gu Changsheng smiled knowingly upon hearing the National Spirit Bureau's plan, his methods remaining as steady as ever. "Who are the people around Changsheng Peak and Xiahe Village?"

Zhang Yuanfu clearly explained the relationship, "Reporting to Peak Master, the National Spirit Bureau has not released any quotas for Changsheng Peak or the area near Xiahe Village;"

"After receiving Director Zhang's message, I asked Brother Dashan to instruct Chief Yang not to contract out the village's land. With everyone working together, no new forces entered the village."

"But there is one exception. After you went into seclusion for three days, Director Zhang drew a plot of land by the river and built a courtyard house covering ten acres."

"The courtyard was completed last week, but no one has moved in yet. There is only a plaque that reads 'Courtyard of Time'."

Gu Changsheng nodded and pushed the two wooden boxes in front of him to Zhang Yuanfu. "Nine pills each of the Nourishing Essence Pill and the Yang-Boosting Pill, both of grade two. Give them to Zhang Tianhu."

He then handed over a folded piece of paper and instructed, "Collect the Chinese herbs, jade, and minerals listed on it, as quickly as possible."

He suddenly asked, "Have you used up the little elixir I gave you?"

"Reporting to the Peak Master, I only gave out nine pills on the surface, but secretly gave out eighteen pills to my partners, leaving me with nine Lesser Yang Elixir Pills."

To get Zhang Yuanfu to collect the raw materials as soon as possible, Gu Changsheng added, "If the raw materials are hard to find, use Lesser Spirit Pills to exchange for them. You can decide the exchange ratio yourself. Send me the raw materials mentioned above as soon as possible."

"Yes, Peak Master." Zhang Yuanfu took the folded paper from Gu Changsheng with both hands, carefully folded it, put it in the pocket in front of his chest, and buttoned it up.

Having gathered the necessary information and assigned the necessary tasks, Gu Changsheng asked, "Have you two been experiencing any problems with your cultivation lately?"

Seeing Yang Dashan's signaling look, Zhang Yuanfu asked first, "Peak Master, is it true that the closer one gets to the mountains, the faster the cultivation progresses, the better the results, and the more spiritual energy one encounters?"

He already had the answer in his heart, but he still wanted to confirm it with Gu Changsheng one more time.

Gu Changsheng was prepared to reveal some secrets to the two of them. Since they were helping him with his business, they should know more secrets than outsiders, so as to avoid them having a narrow perspective.

"Cultivation is not only related to the density of spiritual energy, but also to external resources such as cultivation techniques and other resources."

"You have all read ancient books and learned about cultivation to some extent."

"In Taoism, wealth, companionship, methods, and location are the external factors for cultivation."

"At the same time, there are also internal cultivation factors, such as innate spiritual roots, comprehension, and Dao heart."

"External and internal factors constitute the conditions for cultivation."

"Among them, the innate spiritual root is the bridge connecting the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Without this bridge, it is difficult to sense the existence of spiritual energy, let alone draw it into the body."

After explaining the basic requirements for cultivation, Gu Changsheng observed the changes in their expressions and knew what they were thinking.

"Neither of you has spiritual roots; you are currently standing at the threshold of cultivation."

"I chose Taoist internal alchemy and traditional martial arts for the two of you, just to see if you can cross that threshold."

The cultivation conditions explained by Gu Changsheng had a huge impact on Zhang Yuanfu and the other person, and their minds began to be in turmoil.

They felt good about their cultivation this month, but it turns out that cultivation requires meeting so many conditions. Especially after hearing that they didn't have "spiritual roots," their hearts sank.

"Peak...Peak Master, is it impossible to cross that threshold without an innate spiritual root?" Zhang Yuanfu asked tremblingly, his eyes filled with expectation.

"The Great Dao is fifty, Heaven evolves into forty-nine, and man escapes to one."

"Perhaps there are other ways to enter the path of cultivation. You don't need to worry too much about whether you have spiritual roots or not. Just follow the path I've chosen for you."

"And I'm saying you don't have spiritual roots, not that you don't have innate spiritual roots;"

"Spiritual roots are different from innate spiritual roots. Innate spiritual roots include those with affinity for spiritual energy, which determines whether one can sense the existence of spiritual energy and absorb it."

"Innate spiritual roots also include special physical constitutions or special abilities derived from certain gene mutations."

"Peak Master, even without innate spiritual roots, I will still strive to cultivate Bajiquan." Yang Dashan was already very satisfied that he had met Gu Changsheng and was fortunate enough to cultivate Bajiquan to improve his physical fitness.

Why think too far ahead? Just focus on taking each step well in the present.

"Peak Master, I will also continue to cultivate the Nourishing Life Technique." Zhang Yuanfu put aside his obsession with not having spiritual roots, and would be content if he could live a few more years at his age.

Instead of being fixated on whether he himself possessed spiritual roots and whether he could enter the path of cultivation, he should consider whether his children and grandchildren possessed spiritual roots. If any of his children or grandchildren possessed spiritual roots, he could die in peace after his death.

"Master, I have a granddaughter who just graduated from university this year. I would like her to come up the mountain to take care of you."

After speaking, Zhang Yuanfu felt uneasy and dared not meet Gu Changsheng's gaze.

"You're willing to let your granddaughter, a grown woman, suffer alone on the mountain?" Gu Changsheng joked, then declined the other's offer, saying, "Let's not talk about this anymore."

"If you're willing to give up the century-old Fushoutang brand, then have your family move to Xiahe Village."

He offered a suggestion, without explicitly stating that living in an area covered by spiritual energy is beneficial for stimulating the recovery of one's "innate spiritual root."

Hearing Zhang Yuanfu across the way say he was sending his granddaughter up the mountain, Yang Dashan's expression changed. He thought to himself, "Is this even possible? Does that mean my daughter can do it too?"

Then, upon hearing the peak master refuse Zhang Yuanfu's request, he gave up the idea of ​​sending his daughter up the mountain. However, he sensed something different in the peak master's next suggestion.

The peak master wouldn't suggest Zhang Yuanfu give up his family business in the city and move to the countryside without a reason.

Yang Dashan wondered if spiritual energy had other uses, but the peak master couldn't say it outright, so he could only remind them of it in this way.

The peak master had specifically asked him to bring his son up the mountain before, so perhaps his son possessed spiritual roots.

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that his guess was correct, and he began to consider whether or not to persuade his children to give up their studies and return to the village.

My son will need about seven years from his first year of high school to graduate from university, and my daughter will need about three years from her first year of university to graduation.

During this period, the children need to study in the city, but as Zhang Yuanfu just said, there is no spiritual energy in the city. Only near the mountains is there spiritual energy. If the children stay in the city for a long time, will they be unable to enjoy the unknown effects brought by spiritual energy?

If Yang Dashan hadn't known about the revival of spiritual energy and the possibility of absorbing it for cultivation, he would have undoubtedly chosen to have his children study hard so that they could rise above others.

He is now torn between letting his children continue their studies or giving up their education and returning home.

Upon hearing Gu Changsheng's suggestion, Zhang Yuanfu made his decision. He knew very well that behind every suggestion from the Peak Master lay some kind of opportunity, and he could simply follow it.

Moreover, after this seclusion, the peak master's temperament and appearance have undergone new changes, making him even more otherworldly, like an immortal.

He guessed that the peak master's cultivation level had probably reached a higher level, and any suggestion he made would be a rare and precious opportunity.

"Thank you, Peak Master."

"I need to meditate for a while longer, so don't disturb me unless I give specific instructions," Gu Changsheng instructed, then gestured for the two to leave.

At the same time, many celebrities who were invited to participate in the variety show "The Courtyard of Time" saw the trailer released by Huaying and received a notification from their agents at the same time. No matter where they were or what work they had on hand, they immediately booked tickets to fly directly to Chang'an City.

Suddenly, many celebrities who participated in the variety show gathered in Xiahe Village with doubts.

The guests participating in the variety show only knew that they would be filming one episode in Xiahe Village; there was no script, no recording duration, and no other information.