Chapter 75: Chapter 72: Journey to Hidden Spirit Mountain

Returning to the bamboo house, Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang each went back to their rooms.

Sitting down on the meditation cushion, he opened up the Character Panel.

“To level up, I need 4798 experience points, still quite a bit short.”

He still had one last bottle of Realm Enhancement Pill left and could get 2000 experience points from it by taking pills.

“The maximum experience points that can be gained in the First Realm through pill consumption is ten thousand.”

“But the most cost-effective option, the Realm Enhancement Pill, has a limit of only six thousand.”

“Buying other experience point pills would be a bit uneconomical, too expensive, not worth the price,” thought Chu Huaixu.

But it didn’t matter, he still had his tool man Liu Chenggong.

“Now is no longer the Acupoint Opening Stage, it’s the First Realm now, I can gain experience points through sparring again.”

Thinking of this, he remembered that Steward Liu had given him two bottles of Qi Gathering Pill.

Looking at the elixir, Chu Huaixu couldn’t help but sigh, “The Liu Family is really useful.”

At this time, along with the three Qi Gathering Pills given for free by the sect after promoting to Outer Sect Disciple, he had a total of 23 pills.

“However, the Qi Gathering Pill requires circulating energy while enhancing cultivation technique experience points,” Chu Huaixu squinted his eyes.

Simply put, he had to start “self-abusing” again.

“Forget it, let’s practice,” he gritted his teeth.

Anyway, he felt he had transcended the “enduring pain” realm and reached the “accustomed to pain” realm.

“Luckily, I fainted from pain last time, this time I can properly feel the Dao Scripture.”

Having made up his mind, he shifted his position on the meditation cushion to sit up straighter, then closed his eyes and began to circulate.

Spiritual Qi entered his body, passed through the Nine Acupoints, and split before entering the Spiritual Embryo Secret Collection.

The pain from inside out arose again.

Red swelling and strange bulges appeared on his body, but not to the extent of the skin cracking open like during a breakthrough.

After completing a circulation, he opened his eyes to check his condition.

“These injuries from cultivation are really healing quickly.”

Chu Huaixu had a bold idea in his mind.

He directly raised his right hand and started to slap his left forearm…

“Pa—!” He applied a heavy hand.

Because of body refining, his defense was also astonishing.

If this slap had landed on someone else, the consequences would be unimaginable, but he only managed to make himself swell up red.

“The self-healing speed is not as fast as those injuries caused by cultivation.”

“But it’s obviously recovering too.”

This made him realize once again the profoundness of the Dao Scripture.

“My self-healing ability seems to have been enhanced?” he thought to himself.

Many body refining cultivation techniques actually had a bit of this effect.

But none as obvious as the Dao Scripture.

Chu Huaixu calmed his heart and continued cultivating, becoming more and more numb as time went on.

Reaching his limit, he fell asleep immediately.

…

…

The next day, nearing noon, Han Shuangjiang was again disturbed by the noisy sounds outside.

She pushed open the door and looked out, finding that Liu Chenggong had come again, and the two were sparring again.

The only difference was that this time, Liu Chenggong used Spiritual Power.

The Big Ice Cube frowned slightly, muttering in her heart, “At this time, shouldn’t he be busy with a realm breakthrough, why are they still sparring, can’t tell the priorities.”

But after thinking about it, she still decided not to meddle.

What if, for them, breaking through in three days was no more than a simple matter?

By now, any strange happenings around Chu Huaixu no longer surprised Han Shuangjiang too much.

At that moment, Chu Huaixu had just finished a match with Liu Chenggong.

He turned his head towards Han Shuangjiang and asked, “Did we disturb you?”

The Big Ice Cube shook her head.

Indeed, it was noisy, but she could endure it, she could also remain calm and cultivate.

After all, Chu Huaixu was sparring, not fooling around, so she could accept it.

Since it was near noon, Han Shuangjiang simply started making lunch.

Liu Chenggong watched from the side, feeling extremely envious.

Such a peerless beauty, actually cooking for Junior Brother Chu “from now on the long dress laughs at the counter, washing hands to make soup for you.”

His appetite stirred, and he was a bit curious about the taste of the food.

However, just as the meal was about to be ready, Chu Huaixu directly shooed him away.

Liu Chenggong: ???

As time passed, a day and a half went by just like that.

Chu Huaixu accelerated his cultivation by taking Qi Gathering Pills and sparring with Liu Chenggong, finally accumulating enough experience points.

However, this time, his cultivation progress was surpassed by the Big Ice Cube; she had successfully broken through to the First Heaven just an hour earlier.

The terrifying nature of the Profound Yin Body actually becomes more apparent later on.

Many cultivators are still stuck at bottlenecks, but she doesn’t seem to have any.

With a bit of competitive nature, Han Shuangjiang finally breathed a sigh of relief, and had a slight bit of youthful pride.

“How can a man willingly stay under someone for long!” Chu Huaixu’s heart burned with rage.

“System, upgrade me!”

Not long after, heart-wrenching screams began to echo above the bamboo house.

Xiaoxu wasn’t home, and he didn’t even bother to bear with it.

…

…

Book Mountain, Disciple Courtyard.

Outer Sect Steward Mo Qingmei looked at the young man and woman before her, clicking her tongue in wonder.

“Did you actually reach the First Heaven within three days?” She looked them up and down.

“It’s been many, many years since an Outer Sect Disciple with such talent appeared.”

“And now two have emerged at once?”

The thought of their seemingly special relationship with Niu Yuanshan made Mo Qingmei truly happy for Senior Brother Niu.

But after just a few seconds of happiness, she scolded herself in her heart: “Why am I happy for that foolish Ox?”

The thought of Niu Yuanshan irritated her.

She used to think he was honest, trustworthy, kind, and always willing to help others… his personality was very captivating.

Additionally, during one of her assignments, he had saved her, which secretly won her heart.

Finally, she mustered the courage to confess, only to be promptly and decisively rejected—it wasn’t even a polite refusal!

She could even see… fear in his eyes?

She had always felt that Senior Brother Niu must have sensed her affection for him long ago, and it was clear he had feelings for her too.

Who would have thought she’d end up being self-deceived!

“Hmm, I’m just happy for these two young talents, happy that our Daoist sect has produced such geniuses again!” Mo Qingmei thought.

With a smile, she retrieved two charred wooden tokens from her Storage Token and solemnly handed them to Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang.

The two of them accepted with both hands, their hearts stirred with emotion.

“Finally, we can ascend Hidden Spirit Mountain,” thought Han Shuangjiang.

“Finally, we can ascend Hidden Spirit Mountain twice,” thought Chu Huaixu.

Mo Qingmei continued looking at them as if they were her own juniors, saying, “If you’re ready, you should go now.”

“Oh, and,” she felt the need to remind them, “though you’ve earned the right to ascend to the summit, remember, the stone steps of Hidden Spirit Mountain are not easy to climb.”

“You’ll know the specifics once you’re on the mountain. Remember, steady your mind and press onward with determination!” she encouraged them.

“Yes, thank you, Steward Mo.”

After leaving the Disciple Courtyard, Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang made their way to the base of Hidden Spirit Mountain.

This mountain is located at the center of the “Beyond the Mountain” area, adjacent to the highest peak of the Daoist sect, Wenda Peak.

In the past, this mountain had no name.

Initially, there was a peculiar temple on Wenda Peak called Junzi Temple, where the Dao Ancestor was a Little Daoist. Hidden Spirit Mountain, adjacent and known for its excellent feng shui, became a burial place for those who passed away at the temple…

Nowadays, Hidden Spirit Mountain is somewhat like a cenotaph for the masters of the Daoist sect…

Many who pass leave their Spiritual Artifacts on Hidden Spirit Mountain, waiting for those fated to claim them.

Over time, it became a tradition to ascend Hidden Spirit Mountain, undergo trials, and obtain Spiritual Artifacts.

As centuries passed, newly refined Artifacts from the Daoist sect would also be placed on the mountain as part of the rewards.

By its very name, “Hidden Spirit Mountain” implies a mountain concealing Artifacts.

Yet, the word “Hidden” also means “Buried,” linking it to a connotation of burial.

However, in keeping with the auspicious nature of the Daoist sect, the burial aspect is simply another interpretation.

For those talented Daoist disciples, many obtain their first Spiritual Artifact—even their Lifebound Magical Treasure—on Hidden Spirit Mountain.

After walking for quite some time, the two finally reached the base of Hidden Spirit Mountain.

At the base is a small courtyard called Hidden Spirit Hall.

There, all the Daoist disciples have their Inner Sect Disciple badges, each one of considerable strength.

Despite the many Restrictions on the mountain, it’s a critical place for the Daoist sect and must not be taken lightly.

Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang found a senior responsible for registration. Upon seeing the charred tokens in their hands, he was immediately shocked.

“Charred? And two of you at once?”

“In all my years on duty, I’ve never seen this before!”

“Junior Sister Chen, quickly go get Elder Nangong,” the senior immediately instructed a nearby woman.

After he spoke, he turned to explain, “Junior Brother Chu, Junior Sister Han, you may not know, but these tokens come in light black, dark black, and charred.”

“These tokens, like those made of Thunderstruck Wood, grant access to the summit area.”

“All matters concerning Hidden Spirit Mountain are directly overseen by Elder Nangong.”

“She is also the only Artifact Refining Grandmaster in our Daoist sect; many of the Spiritual Artifacts on the mountain are her creations.”

“Elder Nangong has instructed us that if anyone possesses a charred token, she must be notified immediately, and she’ll come personally.”

“So, please make yourselves comfortable in the courtyard while you wait.” He gestured invitingly.

“Thank you, Senior Brother.” The two of them entered the courtyard.

The sudden appearance of two charred tokens shook the entire Hidden Spirit Hall. Many whispered, and some specifically came over to look at them.

A few warm-hearted senior brothers were already sending their blessings: “It seems, Junior Brother, Junior Sister, that you’ll at least obtain an Upper Grade Spiritual Artifact. Let me congratulate you in advance.”

Chu Huaixu thanked them with a smile, then quickly engaged in lively conversation, swiftly understanding all the rules of Hidden Spirit Mountain, missing no details.

Big Ice Cube listened silently nearby, remembering everything.

It wasn’t long before Elder Nangong arrived, traveling through the air.

She wore a narrow-sleeved azure robe, the sheer fabric revealing some fair skin underneath.

The snug round collar exposed a snowy white neck and a hint of clavicle.

Below were two astonishingly large mounds, pushing against the fabric, making it hard to ignore their magnificent grandeur.

A yellow shawl, embroidered with tangled peonies, loosely wrapped around her arm, trailing elegantly on the ground, exuding an otherworldly air.

The layered skirt beneath seemed to have hidden pants, facilitating her airborne travel…

Of course, the most striking aspect was the rich aura of a mature woman.

A woman like this always made men want to take her home to raise their kids.

At this moment, Nangong Yue wasn’t alone; she was accompanied by someone.

Li Chunsong, brief description omitted.

For some reason, as soon as he landed at Hidden Spirit Hall, he couldn’t stop wringing his hands.

The urge for the Charitable Gambling King had kicked in!

Moments ago, they had already communicated with the Sect Leader and several Elders.

Besides Shen Man, they would gather in the main hall on Wenda Peak shortly, casting Magic together to observe Chu Huaixu and Han Shuangjiang’s climb.

Li Chunsong had only one thought now.

“Brothers and Sisters, shall we have a little gamble?”

He kept rubbing his hands: “Bets open~~~”

…

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