Hermit in the Mountains

The official media's attempts to refute the rumors had no effect; the topic of Reiki's revival remained highly popular among netizens, and as the popularity grew, more and more people uploaded their own observations of unusual events to the internet.

Before and after photos show a barren mountain that grew half a meter tall overnight;

There are videos showing pets shedding their fur and growing larger overnight;

Someone recounted that they had a dream last night in which they ate a red fruit and suddenly grew wings and could fly freely.

Someone recounted dreaming last night of an immortal flying on a sword;

Someone recounted that while practicing Baduanjin today, they felt a warm sensation within their body, which appeared briefly and then disappeared.

Some people said that last night many villagers heard terrifying screams coming from the mountains.

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Some small media outlets and livestreamers seem to have sensed a huge hot news event and have already rushed to the mountains with their livestream videos, ready to get first-hand information and capture the traffic.

At the foot of Changsheng Peak, Zhang Yuanfu looked up at the mountain that had undergone a dramatic transformation overnight, and he was stunned for a few seconds.

"You've arrived. Let's go up the mountain. We shouldn't keep the peak master waiting."

He only came to his senses when he heard Yang Dashan call his name.

When his gaze fell on Yang Dashan, he noticed a significant change in the man today. As if realizing something, he said, "Congratulations, Brother Dashan, on your great improvement in cultivation."

Yang Dashan nodded with a smile. He was indeed happy. He had mastered the hidden strength after waking up, and his cultivation had broken through from the visible strength to the hidden strength.

On their way up the mountain, the two exchanged information they knew, one explaining what was happening in the mountains and the other explaining the changes happening outside.

At the door of the wooden house halfway up the mountain, Zhang Yuanfu and Yang Dashan clasped their hands in greeting and bowed.

"Greetings, Peak Master..."

Inside the living room, Gu Changsheng sat cross-legged. Hearing the sound at the door, he pressed the power button on his phone to lock the screen, then looked up at the two people and said, "You're here. Come in and sit down."

"Thank you, Peak Master..." Yang Dashan and the other man replied, took off their shoes and went into the house, sitting on either side of the stove.

Once the two were seated, Gu Changsheng remained calm and asked softly, "You two have also noticed the changes in the mountains, haven't you?"

Yang Dashan and the other man nodded in agreement.

Gu Changsheng glanced at Zhang Yuanfu on his left and began assigning tasks, "Yuanfu, you will focus on collecting spiritual items, spiritual ores, and anomalies."

He turned his gaze to the right, "Dashan, your task is still cultivation, and guarding the mountain gate well."

"Tell Uncle Mancang to encourage the villagers to practice martial arts more often."

Xiahe Village is the most convenient entrance to Changsheng Peak. He only needs to offer a few suggestions to win people's hearts, so why not?

After saying that, he glanced at the two of them and said, "The outside world is about to descend into chaos. Call your relatives back to the village soon and don't go out for a while."

"Three days later, Yuanfu will bring your granddaughter up the mountain, and Dashan will bring your children as well."

Zhang Fuyuan was overjoyed to hear that the peak master wanted to see his granddaughter. He quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you so much, peak master! I will bring my granddaughter here promptly in three days to receive your instruction!"

Yang Dashan was a beat slow to react, but he smiled broadly and said, "Thank you, Peak Master. I will go back to the city to pick up Xiaoyu and Xiaoshan and bring them home. I will come to pay my respects to you in three days."

"From today onwards, Changsheng Peak will not receive any guests. We will refuse all visitors." Gu Changsheng added at the end, "Yuanfu, the transactions with the National Spirit Bureau are proceeding as normal."

After saying that, he handed the two prepared bottles to the two of them, "The Vajra Pill is for you, Dashan, and the Tranquilizing Pill is for you, Yuanfu."

The pills he gave to the two were the same two bottles that Shen Qingxu and Shi Yideng had given him. The only difference was that the two bottles of pills he had given out had been refined once, and their efficacy had doubled, so they were somewhat useful to the two of them.

He had no use for ordinary pills, and they would just take up space at home. It would be better to give them to his two subordinates as a reward for their conscientious work.

Having finished explaining what needed to be explained, giving instructions, and rewarding those who deserved it, Gu Changsheng waved his hand, signaling the two to descend the mountain.

Upon seeing the peak master's signal, Yang Dashan and Zhang Yuanfu quietly rose and left the room. Standing at the door, they clasped their hands in a fist salute, bowed deeply, took three steps back, and turned to leave.

Gu Changsheng closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and continued to sense the changes brought about by the breakthrough in his cultivation, further mastering his own power.

After descending the mountain, Yang Dashan bid farewell to Zhang Yuanfu and drove his Wuling Hongguang directly to Chang'an City to pick up his daughter, who had just started school, and then returned to the county to pick up his son. He planned to have his children drop out of school this time.

The peak master has spoken out, saying that the outside world is about to descend into chaos. How can he feel at ease letting his children continue their schooling?

Yang Dashan understood what the peak master meant by "chaos," and he also learned from Zhang Yuanfu about the online discussions about the revival of spiritual energy.

The more people who know about the revival of spiritual energy and can absorb it for cultivation, the more things might happen in order to obtain cultivation techniques and resources.

Because of the peak master, Xiahe Village's status has risen accordingly.

Yang Dashan learned from Zhang Yuanfu that Xiahe Village had been targeted by many people, but the National Spirit Bureau was keeping things under control, so not many people had entered the village. However, things were different today, and the village was likely to become lively.

Upon returning to the Zhang family compound, Zhang Yuanfu immediately called his granddaughter, who was working away from home, and ordered her to quit her job and return home that very day.

Zhang Family Courtyard was built by Zhang Yuanfu after he saw Shen Qingxu and Shi Yideng move. He rented a piece of land from the village and built a courtyard, which was then approved under the guise of operating a homestay.

This small courtyard was not only the Zhang family's new residence, but also a place where Zhang Yuanfu held meetings.

After arranging things for his family, Zhang Yuanfu notified Li Jianguo and others to come over for a meeting. This time, he chose his own courtyard as the meeting venue.

A dozen minutes later, people began to enter Zhang's courtyard one after another.

As soon as Li Jianguo entered, he took the initiative, his face beaming with a smile and a respectful expression, "Old Zhang, is it alright if I bring Lan'er here to serve tea and water?"

They're all old foxes; who wouldn't understand Li Jianguo's meaning? Li Jianguo just wants to bring his granddaughter into the circle, even if it's just to be a waitress or someone who serves tea and water.

They actually admired Li Jianguo's decisiveness; they never thought of bringing people along to show their faces today.

The first time they went to Zhang Yuanfu's territory for a meeting, as long as they brought people under the pretext of congratulating Zhang Yuanfu on moving into his new house, the other party wouldn't say anything.

Thinking about it this way, Shi Yideng, Fang Shouchang, and the others regretted wasting the opportunity.

They had all heard about the Reiki revival online, and they all knew that a new era was about to begin, and at the same time, chaos would also arrive.

Murder for treasure, scrambling for opportunities, cultivation resources, and techniques are already underway.

None of them had ever seen the Peak Master's true face, nor did they know his true cultivation level, but that did not stop them from admiring him.

They had also heard the secret that the National Spirit Bureau had designated the Peak Master as the first person to embark on cultivation after the spiritual energy revival.

The saying "There are no secrets in the world" is not just a saying; as long as you are willing to investigate, you will always find something.

Zhang Yuanfu nodded. "Let's all go inside and chat."

He did not show any displeasure; he also had a granddaughter, who would be meeting the peak master in a few days.

His plan was to first take his granddaughter to meet the peak master. If his granddaughter caught the peak master's eye and could stay on the mountain, it would be a stroke of good fortune.

The granddaughter cannot stay on the mountain, and receiving a few words of guidance from the peak master is a rare opportunity.

Once we get down the mountain, we can arrange for my granddaughter to be in charge of liaison work within the circle.

Zhang Yunfu's top priority for his granddaughter's future was to live on the mountain, followed by joining their circle, and lastly, sending her to Qingxu Temple to become an apprentice.