Wen Xuan has reached the boundaries of yuan gathering once before. Even if he fell back down later, this experience was still imprinted in his body and soul. As for the setback of his cultivation, when he fell into foundation building, he kept most of his cultivation. At this time, his cultivation was enough. It was the right moment to attempt advancing into yuan gathering again. Wen Xuan thought this wouldn’t be too difficult.
However, things weren’t actually as easy as Wen Xuan had thought.
He remained in his cultivation state for several hours. When he opened his eyes again, he was full of sweat, however, there was no change in his cultivation level.
Wen Xuan thought this was because his mental state wasn’t calm enough. Therefore, he stood up, walked around for a while, then burned some concentration incense. Adjusting his breathing, he entered the cultivation state again.
Nevertheless, he remained unsuccessful.
When he opened his eyes again, it was already in the middle of the night. Wen Xuan wiped his face clean and exhaled deeply. He lifted his head to look at the full moon outside the window.
He didn’t know how to describe his frame of mind right now. If the issue was with his mental state, then his current state was definitely worse than before his first attempt.
But after careful examination, Wen Xuan found that this was not the case. Then what could it be? No matter how Wen Xuan pondered, he couldn’t figure it out. In the cultivation process, this kind of obscure issue was the most difficult. Even hard work wasn’t enough to find the answer.
When he first advanced from foundation building into yuan gathering, although he was stuck for 30 whole years, it was only because he didn’t find the cultivation method he needed. After he obtained the cultivation method from the Sect Leader, he was well prepared and practically succeeded overnight. Compared to the smooth process back then, the trouble he was having right now seemed quite unreasonable.
Oh right. Cultivation method.
Wen Xuan suddenly realized, as if struck by a sudden inspiration.
The cultivation method that he had back then was given by the Sect Leader. It had many defects. Meanwhile, the cultivation method he was using currently was given to him by his shifu, Chu Lian. The quality was just not the same. Since the cultivation method was different, using the previous experience to compare was rather pointless.
Nevertheless, his cultivation was currently ready, and the items were prepared. What exactly was he missing?
Wen Xuan took out the jade slip with his cultivation method and read it carefully, word by word, comparing it to his process just now. However, he didn’t discover any errors. This cultivation method has the same origin as the one he practiced in qi refining after all, so it wasn’t foreign to him.
Furrowing his brows, he calmed his thoughts again and tried one more time. This time, he placed his thoughts completely on the new cultivation method, carefully learning, carefully digesting the content, and carefully experiencing every little change of the spiritual energy in his body. Finally, he reached a result.
The only result he obtained was– he was certain that he couldn’t find any problems with his current preparation and process. Everything should have been perfect. Yet at the last juncture where he needed to merge with his spiritual energy, he couldn’t. As if mysteriously, he was blocked by something.
Wen Xuan sighed.
Looks like what he needed was one word ‘Enlightenment’.
Since youth, Wen Xuan has been praised for being exceptionally perceptive. Finally, it was his turn to fall short here as well.
‘Enlightenment’ can be considered the most mysterious and profound part of cultivation. It was also the hardest to circumvent. How many people become jammed on this one word. Where this word, generally speaking, indicated the single fortunate instance where the mind was clear and all thoughts were luminous.
It can’t be found. One can only pray.
After striving so hard only to obtain this kind of conclusion, it was hard for Wen Xuan not to feel somewhat depressed.
At this time, the sky was already bright. Jian Yi came over and saw him completely lacking in spirit, and had quite the scare. After hearing his explanation, Jian Yi couldn’t help but laugh and say: “I really got to congratulate you, Shixiong.”
Wen Xuan was stunned briefly. When he recovered, he also laughed.
That’s right. Although he’s been stopped here, looking at it from another perspective, there’s only a single issue blocking him right now. When he first left the Water Cloud sect with Jian Yi, did he even expect the journey to go this smoothly?
“It’s all thanks to Murong-xianzi’s generosity.” Wen Xuan said: “Since it’s like this, we really have to complete this task well.”
Mentioning proper business, Jian Yi also became serious.
“Hopefully we won’t return empty handed this time.” Wen Xuan tidied up the last of the things he was bringing and led Jian Yi outside.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
When they walked outside, they discovered there was someone currently waiting for them at the door. After asking, they found out that this person was sent by Murong Feng.
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Wen Xuan understood the reason internally and asked the maid beside him to pass along a word of thanks.
The two person journey abruptly changed into a three person journey. However, that Cultivator Sun didn’t like interacting much with the two of them. He just walked with his head raised and looking forward the entire time. Because his cultivation was one level higher, this person viewed himself as above them. He emitted a ‘you two are trash so just follow behind me quietly’ kind of aura all over.
“Just look at him, thinking he’s all great and everything.” Jian Yi naturally disdained this type of person and couldn’t help but grumble quietly.
Meanwhile, Wen Xuan didn’t really care. He was only worried about whether or not Jian Yi and this person would start a dispute.
However, in the end, Jian Yi only grumbled a little. In reality, he didn’t bother with that person at all and spent his time thinking about something else. He was also trying his hardest to hide his preoccupied state, but he really lacked that talent. Wen Xuan didn’t even know what to say while watching him.
Like this, the three people traveled for about half a month and finally reached that mountain area that separated North Ning and West Ming. The little town that they were searching for that bordered the two continents was at the bottom of this mountain range.
Without getting close, they already saw the area of blue and white amongst this green mountain range. It was really a rather strange sight.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you guys.” That Cultivator Sun gave them a sideways glance: “This place isn’t some place mere foundation building cultivators like you guys can barge in randomly. It’s better to head back before it’s too late. Don’t die and not even know what killed you.”
Wen Xuan and Jian Yi naturally didn’t listen to him. In one ear and out the other, they walked directly past him.
Cultivator Sun was pissed, but he can only follow them.
This person still counted as a rather adequate guide. Not long after, he led them into that small town. The first thing that they saw were the scattered, little grass houses outside of the town. Several peasants were taking naps under the big tree outside of their houses. After they walked past these scattered little houses, the building before their eyes became numerous. There was even a stone road constructed by the town’s people. Some kids were currently playing by the side of the street.
Wen Xuan couldn’t help but feel surprised. He imagined how this town would look many times, but he never thought it’d be so peaceful. It didn’t seem any different from other mortal residences. It didn’t look like it was once destroyed by a demonic beast at all.
That’s right. The demonic beast’s destruction, when carefully calculated, was something that happened over 50 years ago.
The three people looked extremely noticeable in this kind of little town. The mortals laying under the tree for shade kept examining them frequently.
Very quickly, someone recognized that Cultivator Sun and explained to his companions: “Oh, it’s that group of people again.”
They didn’t know that Cultivators had developed senses and started whispering and discussing amongst themselves, unaware that their words were heard clearly by the three people.
The middle aged person who recognized Cultivator Sun extended a finger and pointed to the snow white mountain range: “They came for that.”
“So strange.” Another person said: “That kind of place where even birds won’t shit there, there’s actually people who’d come seeking it specifically?”
“There’s plenty of bizarre things outside. Who knows what they’re for?” That middle aged man laughed: “It’s not bad anyways. They’re pretty generous.”
Hearing this, Wen Xuan walked towards those people.
He greeted them courteously and said: “I have something to ask for you guys.”
That middle aged man gave the others a few eye gestures, indicating ‘see, what did I say,’ then said slowly: “If you want to ask about that mountain, I don’t really know much. Ever since my youth, that mountain has been somewhat strange. No matter what, it snows all year round. That’s why it looks the way it is right now. Even farm crops can’t survive there. Very few people in town travel there.” He answered very smoothly. Clearly this wasn’t the first time he answered this question.
Done speaking, he then added: “Occasionally someone tries to approach there, but they can’t even enter the mountain. That mountain and what’s inside it……” He dragged his tone and made it sound rather mysterious: “isn’t clean.”
Saying this, he closed his mouth, revealing a faint enigmatic smile.
This was asking for a price. Wen Xuan understood internally.
But he didn’t have a chance to pull out anything yet when Cultivator Sun walked over with an impatient face: “What clean and not clean. Speaking honestly, that place only has a female ghost.”
“Female ghost?” Wen Xuan felt it was a bit strange.
“Don’t know where she came from, but her cultivation isn’t high. If it was a normal place, she’d only be able to scare away some mortals.” Cultivator Sun said: “However, since she’s here, it’s a bit troublesome. That place isn’t easy to travel through already. That female ghost knows illusion magic on top of it. Who knows where she’d lead us.”
The middle aged man got interrupted and knew it was hard for him to fish up some money this time, so he indignantly walked off.
However, Wen Xuan very happily cupped his hands: “Cultivator Sun, this journey definitely can’t be without you. Please continue to guide us.”
Cultivator Sun only felt like he picked up a stone and dropped it on his own foot. His face instantly turned green. But since he was sent here by Murong Fen, he can’t ignore her orders. After a moment, he cursed silently and walked down a small path to the east side of the little town.
Wen Xuan hastily followed him, not forgetting to turn around to call to Jian Yi.
“Since you guys want me to lead the way, then I’ll lead the way for your guys.” Cultivator Sun grumbled and complained ahead of them: “Even if I lead the way, with you two’s skills, there’s no way you’d be able to walk into that place anyways. By that time, you’d still have to return obediently anyway. Hmph. Waste of energy.”
Wen Xuan had a good temperament so he didn’t argue with him. He only asked sincerely: “What do you mean by that?”
Cultivator Sun scoffed coldly: “You’ll know when you get there.”
This small road extended all the way to the portion of the mountain that was covered by ice and snow. Because people have not walked on it for many years, about midway, the little path started to become hard to discern.
The three people gathered their energy and followed this little path upwards. Moments later, the surrounding temperature decreased, making them feel the winter cold. They used their spiritual energy to surround themselves and block this cold air outside.
After a while later, the three people completely entered this completely frozen mountain range. The view was a field of white in all directions. Nothing living could be found. In the silence, they could only hear the sound of snow falling.
Wen Xuan puffed out a breath of cold air. The cold air here was extremely ferocious. Even with spiritual energy for protection, it still permeated into their bodies little by little, sinking into their bones, a rather uncomfortable feeling.
Cultivator Sun turned around and gave them a look. His expression carried a hint of smugness, as if he felt like they’re about to decide to turn back.
Wen Xuan looked over with a smile and said to himself ‘aren’t you underestimating us too much?’. Although the cold air was bone-chilling, it wasn’t enough to stop their travels.
“Do you guys think it’d be this simple?” That Cultivator Sun added.
Wen Xuan was surprised.
Cultivator Sun already turned to look ahead. His voice floated over with the wind and snow: “Three years ago, three yuan gathering cultivators along with five foundation building cultivators came here. In the end, we left empty handed without even being able to prove our exploration.. Do you think we were all useless?”
Wen Xuan fell silent.
With that kind of experience, no wonder this person would look at them with displeasure all this time. These words were said with anger and indignance. The people of the Thousand Sunshine Trading Company indeed can’t be counted as useless. Wen Xuan and Jian Yi wanted to challenge something that these people couldn’t do before. It really did seem like they were too arrogant of their own abilities.
But Wen Xuan couldn’t give up just because of this. No matter how difficult the problem was, it’s still worth trying first. What if they could find the way?
With this kind of mentality, Wen Xuan became vigilant and gathered 120% of his energy to deal with anything that could possibly happen.
However, nothing actually happened. Other than the bone-chilling cold air, there was nothing else. The female ghost of legends didn’t even show up. What’s more strange was that the further they traveled, the bone-chilling cold air lessened.
“Shixiong.” Jian Yi’s voice came from behind, sounding a bit disjointed in the wind and snow.
Wen Xuan was currently puzzling away. When he heard this voice, he quickly turned around.
The snowflakes were huge and covered Jian Yi’s figure so he looked somewhat fuzzy. When Jian Yi walked a bit closer, Wen Xuan could see his cheeks were slightly purple from the freezing cold. He was generally well, but his expression seemed conflicted, clearly still bothered by those heavy thoughts preoccupying him.
“Shixiong, actually……”
Finally planning to talk? Wen Xuan quickly gathered his attention.
“I don’t know if I should tell you.” Jian Yi grinded his teeth harshly: “Actually this place, this……”
He was just about to get to the point, but the words stopped as soon as they started. Just like he was suddenly grabbed by the throat by something. Jian Yi’s face turned white. He tried to open his mouth again and again, but in the end, he wasn’t able to say anything. Only his face turned paler.
After a moment, he lowered his head: “Sorry. Looks like I can’t talk about this.”
“You……” Wen Xuan didn’t know if he should laugh or cry.
However, looking at Jian Yi’s exceptionally sulky expression, Wen Xuan didn’t feel like he should demand answers. Instead, he can only shake his head and continue to walk forward.
Just at this time, Cultivator Sun abruptly stopped walking ahead of them. He stood there, looking left and right. Then he turned back to look at the two with an odd expression.
This expression had a bit of the smugness before like he was confident these two people would turn back. But even more so, it had a sense of exasperation as well a certain kind of indignance.
Wen Xuan stepped forth: “What’s the matter?”
Cultivator Sun pointed at a rock to the side. This rock was covered by ice and snow all year long so it has a shell of ice encasing it. On the ice shell, there was an X mark drawn by someone.
“I left this mark.” He said.
Before the two people reacted, he added: “About an hour ago when we came up here.”
Wen Xuan froze. His first response was ‘that’s impossible,’ because they’ve been walking completely straight this entire time. They weren’t mortals so they wouldn’t easily get their directions confused. There’s no reason for them to see this rock again.
He stared at this strange view for a while, then abruptly turned around and looked behind him.
The view here was also unfamiliar, but when they came, they came from below the mountain. When looking at the same road from two different directions, even at the same location, it’d still look somewhat different. At this time, when he looked behind him and searched for what he saw an hour ago in his memories, after making careful comparisons, he couldn’t help but discover– what he saw behind him was the road that he came up from.
Wen Xuan felt cold sweats and goosebumps all over: “We’re back.”
“That’s right.” Cultivator Sun nodded, revealing that odd expression again: “We’re back.”
No reason in particular, but they were back.
So it’s like this. Wen Xuan finally realized what was the hindrance that caused that group of people to return empty handed all those years ago. But he didn’t have any ideas about how to get over this hindrance and could only take in a cold breath.
“What do you want to do?” Cultivator Sun asked: “Head back?”
“No. Let’s try again.” Wen Xuan bit his lips: “Perhaps it’s just a coincidence, or maybe we really did take the wrong path.”
Cultivator Sun shrugged: “Whatever.”
No matter how many times they try, it’d be the same result anyways. He already tried plenty of times three years ago.
This time, Wen Xuan also left his mark on that rock. Then, the three people turned around and headed into the mountain again. They were even more focused than before, afraid of even a slight bit of distraction.
Despite being extremely careful, an hour later, that rock appeared before their eyes again. The mark that Wen Xuan left remained there as well, side by side with the mark that Cultivator Sun left before.
“See.” Cultivator Sun turned his head, tone full of exasperation.
Jian Yi, however, let out a breath of relief. Although it was regrettable that they failed this task. However, in comparison, this result wasn’t that bad. He lifted his head in the wind and snow and said while rubbing his face: “Shixiong, we should just head back.”
No one replied.
Jian Yi froze and then looked around in all directions. The wind and snow was falling heavily. His vision was slightly blurry. Jian Yi looked earnestly for quite awhile but only saw Cultivator Sun who was frozen where he stood.
“Where’s shixiong?”
Thank You for the chapter (｡･ω･｡)ﾉ♡
😳😵💫 Shixiong was whisked away
waving my flag 🚩* 🫣