Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Five: Mount Baikan, White Emperor Cave

People in this world hold their ancestors in the highest regard. Whether it is the place where the living reside or the tombs of the deceased, these places are of the utmost importance and do not brook the slightest violation.

Since ancient times, whenever conflicts arose over such matters, even due to the slightest obstruction or separation, it would lead to strife. There was no lack of fights breaking out over graves and tombs, resulting in bloodshed and death.

Qingyuan naturally would not engage in such conduct.

Huamei knew he would not, so her seemingly serious words just now were actually spoken mostly in jest.

"Alright, don't be angry," Huamei changed her tone slightly and said. "Here in Baishi Town, there are no truly exceptional locations, and cultivators rarely visit. However, on the outskirts of Baishi Town, bordering Kanling Town, there is a mountain named Baikan Mountain. That mountain boasts clear waters and lush greenery, and the terrain is quite good. It has even begun to nurture spirits and demonic entities. Because of this, the people of the two towns view it as a perilous place teeming with fierce birds and ferocious beasts, and few human footprints are found there. Later on, a cultivator came here, vanquished the spirits, claimed a plot of land, and carved out a cave to serve as a dwelling... It seems to be called the White Emperor Cave. That cultivator also seemed to be a venerable master named Meng something..."

Qingyuan frowned slightly and asked, "Has someone already established a dwelling there?"

Huamei laughed and said, "A venerable master of the Fourth Realm, what kind of dwelling is that to speak of?"

Qingyuan hesitated slightly and said, "Since someone is already living there, it wouldn't be right to encroach upon their territory."

Huamei replied, "Why don't you just avoid his vicinity? Besides, he has merely decorated the cave a little. Moreover, the mountain has a circumference of nearly a hundred li; it is not something a solitary itinerant like him can monopolize—he has merely occupied a few earthen peaks. If you are unsatisfied, we can look for another place."

Qingyuan pondered and asked, "What other places are there?"

Huamei said, "In the world today, most of the fine mountains and pristine waters are occupied by cultivators who use them to live in seclusion and escape the turmoil of the Conferment of Gods. Among the Seven Towns of Lingxi, places favorable for cultivation are few and far between, and all have already been claimed. There are some vacant plots, but none of these places are conducive to nurturing souls."

Recalling He Qing's current condition, Qingyuan could not help asking, "What about elsewhere?"

Huamei answered, "I am familiar with most of the terrain within two thousand li around Fuzhong Mountain. Originally, there was no shortage of places thick with Yin Qi, but ever since the Conferment of Gods, endless wars have raged. Furthermore, immortals descended from the heavens prior to the Conferment to sweep away the baleful aura of various demons and specters. Consequently, no such places exist within a radius of two thousand li. As for locations beyond two thousand li, your sister here is unaware."

Qingyuan pondered in silence.

Actually, he was in no urgent need himself, and He Qing was not strictly pressed for time either. As long as there was a direction, even if a journey of ten thousand li was required, he could travel leisurely. However, since no other suitable place was available, He Qing's matter could not be delayed any further.

"Let it be Baikan Mountain."

...

Following Huamei's suggestion and guidance, Qingyuan arrived at Baikan Mountain.

The area around Baikan Mountain was sparsely populated.

At a single glance, the mountains were verdant with clear streams, lush vegetation, and thriving populations of birds and beasts. Consequently, fierce beasts were abundant, among which some had gained sentience over time and transformed into spirits. It was precisely for this reason that few people ever visited Baikan Mountain.

Qingyuan was naturally no ordinary person. As he stepped into the mountain, he merely had to project his aura, and ordinary wild beasts would flee in terror. Even predators like tigers and leopards, while he was in his peak, undamaged state, could be frightened away.

"The White Emperor Cave?"

After walking through the mountains for half a day, Qingyuan finally caught sight of the White Emperor Cave in the distance.

The White Emperor Cave was located in the northern part of Baikan Mountain, situated on a mountain peak connected with several surrounding ridges. The chosen location possessed remarkably fine terrain.

The White Emperor Cave was the sole dwelling on Baikan Mountain, and its master was the only cultivator residing there, making him the undisputed master of this domain.

If Qingyuan wished to settle on Baikan Mountain, it was only proper that he give notice to the other party.

As for whether the other party would consent to his settling on Baikan Mountain, that was an entirely different matter.

Generally speaking, no one tolerates others sleeping soundly beside their bed. Such a request would most likely be rejected.

However, failing to give notice would be akin to sneaking into someone else's home. Once discovered, the consequences would be unimaginable, and it would not be strange for it to escalate into a life-or-death battle.

"This junior, Qingyuan, seeks an audience with the Master of the White Emperor Cave!"

Qingyuan's voice echoed through the mountains.

There was no response from within the White Emperor Cave.

Qingyuan felt a slight trace of doubt and was about to speak again when he paused.

Could the master of the White Emperor Cave be away? Or perhaps he was in secluded meditation?

The former would be fine, but if the latter were disturbed, the consequences could be major or minor, light or heavy.

After thinking for a moment, he ultimately decided not to speak again. With a flip of his hand, a sheet of paper appeared. He quickly wrote upon it to form a formal visiting card and tossed it forward.

The area outside the White Emperor Cave was warded by protective formations. A gentle breeze immediately swept up, intercepting the visiting card, yet blew it aside to hang upon a nearby tall tree, where it appeared quite conspicuous.

Should the Master of the White Emperor Cave return or emerge from seclusion, he would surely see this visiting card.

Yet Qingyuan still felt a lingering sense of unease. He narrowed his gaze and looked toward the White Emperor Cave, but ultimately could not pierce through the array formations.

Qingyuan possessed considerable mastery over array patterns. To shatter or pass through this formation, though not easy, could hardly be called extremely difficult.

...

Leaving the White Emperor Cave, Qingyuan came to the western side.

The western side of Baikan Mountain was not the location with the best Feng Shui, but by comparison, it felt somewhat chilly and cold.

With a casual wave of his hand, he compacted the earth, then snapped off tree branches and thrust them into the ground. Another wave of his hand summoned a source of water into the earth, accompanied by the illumination of firelight. Finally, he oriented the Condensation Law Tower toward the eastern Zhen-wood Azure Dragon, infusing the trees with vitality.

In just a brief moment, the trees grew, their roots digging into the earth while their trunks thickened and branches spread outward.

Qingyuan pressed his hand against a tree, continuously circulating his true qi, and after nearly half an hour, he finally brought the tree to full growth.

At the center of the tree trunk, a hollow space had formed, resembling a house complete with a doorway, windows, and even a newly formed wooden bed.

Instead of choosing a cave to establish a dwelling, he had formed a treehouse amidst the mountains.

This was relatively conspicuous and could be easily seen by the Master of the White Emperor Cave. Qingyuan's action served as a subtle declaration that he was not carving out a cave dwelling here, nor did he intend to secretly lurk and settle quietly on Baikan Mountain.

"The place is quite good indeed."

Qingyuan reached into his robe, retrieved an ancient mirror, and hung it above the treehouse, allowing its light to shine down.

Within the beam of light, a faint, dim radiance quietly emerged, suspended motionless beneath the mirror's surface.

The ancient mirror protected the soul and true spirit from perishing, while this location possessed extraordinary qualities that could faintly gather Yin Qi to provide minor nourishment.

"With the soul damaged, recovering completely is no easy task. With such minor nourishment, it will take about a year or a half to recover partially, but the soul remains fundamentally injured."

Qingyuan thought to himself, "If I can attain the Realm of the Venerable Master, transforming my true qi into magic power and condensing my soul into a Yin Spirit, I will be able to use the power of the Yin Spirit to help her fully recover."

He walked out of the treehouse and looked up.

The sky was clear and azure blue.

For the very first time, he felt a sense of complete relaxation throughout his entire body.

If he could remain like this for long, living in seclusion, concentrating on cultivation, and peacefully seeking the Dao fruit of the immortals, how carefree and untrammeled would that be?

(To be continued.)