Free Web NovelChapter 150: Chapter 150: Exploring the Mountains
Wei Xianxing’s immense enthusiasm ultimately failed to secure an answer from Bai Mo.
After they had toured the various training grounds and witnessed the prowess of the Broken Blade Peak disciples, Shui Ziming led Bai Mo away.
"Brother, after you’ve looked at the other peaks, remember to come back. I’ll be waiting for you here!"
"The scenery below Suspended Blade Cliff is fantastic—the perfect place to practice that Cultivation Technique of yours!"
Wei Xianxing failed to persuade them to stay, so he had no choice but to see them off down the mountain.
The Demon Bear, not daring to ascend the mountain, was still waiting at its base.
When Bai Mo came down, he saw a disciple from Broken Blade Peak teasing it with great interest.
Seeing the two of them approach, the disciple first bowed to Shui Ziming, then said with a chuckle:
"Haha, this one’s a real coward."
"It once carried someone up the mountain, but they jokingly threatened to butcher it and serve it with wine. The bear panicked and fled on the spot, and it hasn’t dared to set foot on the mountain since!"
Bai Mo, however, had grown quite fond of the docile and patient Demon Bear.
"Does that mean this beast’s intelligence is quite high?"
The Broken Blade Peak disciple paused, then chuckled as he understood. He patted the Demon Bear on the neck.
"That’s exactly right. An ordinary Spirit Beast wouldn’t have this kind of awareness."
"It’s quite a rarity."
Since it was just a fleeting visit, they didn’t talk for long. After exchanging a few pleasantries, they bid each other farewell.
The Demon Bear moved with a remarkably steady gait.
Aboard its back, Bai Mo was lost in thought.
"Brother Shui, you seem to think very highly of Broken Blade Peak?"
Shui Ziming nodded.
"There aren’t many peaks with an atmosphere as pure as Broken Blade Peak’s. On the others, you’re bound to be distracted by other matters."
"Brother, your heart is set on the Alchemy Dao, but you can’t just abandon your outside ventures. After all, that’s the source of your cultivation resources."
"So, how much energy would you have left to spare for anything else?"
Shui Ziming explained in a gentle tone:
"You may not know this, but Broken Blade Peak has many Inner Sect Disciples, and they carry a great deal of weight in the sect."
"It is, without a doubt, an excellent choice."
’This is what I think,’ he mused, ’but cultivation is a personal journey.’
Whether a berry is sweet or sour, only the one who eats it can know if it suits their taste.
Ultimately, the decision still rested on Bai Mo’s own feelings.
"I’ll take you to see Pill Peak. Let’s put your last bit of curiosity to rest."
Hearing this, a sense of gratitude welled up in Bai Mo’s heart.
For a senior brother to be this considerate was truly going above and beyond.
"Brother, I will never forget your kindness," Bai Mo said solemnly.
Shui Ziming shook his head.
"I’ll also take the opportunity to see the state of Pill Peak for myself. I heard a while back that it was supposed to be cleaned up, but judging from what Brother Wei said..."
They were headed for Pill Peak, but with the sky growing dark, it was clear they wouldn’t make it today.
The Demon Bear navigated the stone forest with practiced ease and, to their surprise, found an inn.
Bai Mo’s eyes widened as he took in the motley collection of birds and beasts resting around the inn.
They were all different kinds of mounts.
The Demon Bear let the two of them down and walked into the group of mounts.
He nudged his way left and right, carving out a space for himself. A nearby Spirit Beast growled in annoyance, but the bear paid it no mind, simply lying down to feign sleep.
"Is the inn run by the sect?" Bai Mo asked curiously.
"It was built by disciples," Shui Ziming replied, walking towards the inn with Bai Mo.
The inn’s main hall was no different from those in the outside world.
The staff bustled about. Despite being Cultivators at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer, they were all exceedingly humble and polite in their speech and mannerisms.
A quick glance around told Bai Mo that all the patrons were settling their bills with Spirit Stones.
"Tsk, tsk. I wonder who owns this inn. They must be making a fortune."
The two found an empty table and sat down, and a staff member approached them immediately.
Shui Ziming said casually, "Three times."
"As far as I know, this inn has been razed to the ground at least three times."
He picked up the cup of tea the staff member had poured, took a sip, and only then did he casually order a couple of small dishes.
Once the staff member acknowledged the order and withdrew, Shui Ziming continued:
"Everything but the foundation—all the wood, bricks, and stone—was completely obliterated."
"Running this inn has been anything but easy."
Bai Mo understood.
’The repair costs for the inn, compensation for the guests... the miscellaneous expenses would be astronomical.’
’Just one incident would mean paying out an untold number of Spirit Stones.’
"What caused these disasters?"
Shui Ziming said nonchalantly:
"Fights between the mounts of sect elders, a great bird from Beast Taming Peak crashing down, some Cultivators losing their temper in a fight and being unable to pull their punches..."
The stone forest is an untamed area where creatures and Demon Beasts roam free, with no one to govern them.
So, it’s not hard to imagine what this inn has had to endure.
"I hope we have a quiet night."
Whether it was a stroke of good luck or something else, Bai Mo’s words proved prophetic.
They passed the night in peace, a clear sign that such calamities were not a daily occurrence.
「The next day.」
Early in the morning, Bai Mo heard a sound from the next room. His eyes snapped open, and he hurriedly jumped out of bed.
’Brother Shui wasn’t a lazy person.’
’He couldn’t afford to dally.’
And so, while most of the inn’s other guests were still asleep, the two had already checked out and departed.
The Demon Bear shook the morning dew from its fur and eagerly led them on their way.
Pill Peak was located in a desolate region of stone pillars.
But the peak itself, shrouded in mist and lush with greenery, stood out in stark contrast.
A spring flowed from its summit, winding down around the mountain. The rising mist made for a beautiful sight.
Pill Peak was not as vast as Beast Taming Peak, nor as towering as Broken Blade Peak, but it possessed a unique, ethereal beauty.
"A place where the Alchemy Dao flourishes is usually overflowing with fire energy. For Pill Peak to be so rich in water vapor is truly a strange thing," Bai Mo marveled.
Shui Ziming’s face was devoid of expression.
"When I joined the sect, Pill Peak didn’t look like this."
"They hired someone to remodel it later, all in pursuit of some so-called ’grandeur.’"
Bai Mo snuck a glance at his brother’s expression.
’It seems the Pill Peak Cultivators really are unpopular.’
’Ever since he arrived at the sect, both Brother Liu from Beast Taming Peak and Wei Xianxing had expressed their dissatisfaction with Pill Peak.’
...
"Brother, from whom did you learn your skills?"
Bai Mo wasn’t able to ascend Pill Peak.
He was stopped at the foot of the mountain.
The Cultivator guarding the mountain was a scrawny man. With his hands tucked in his sleeves, he didn’t dare to look directly at Shui Ziming. Instead, he addressed Bai Mo with downcast eyes.
Bai Mo clasped his hands in greeting.
"I have no master. My Alchemy Skill is self-taught."
"Oh, is that right."
The Cultivator’s brows furrowed visibly.
"Brother, you’re a Pill Master. To have reached your current level of Alchemy Skill, you must have had significant backing from your family or a guild, I presume?"
"After all, practicing the Alchemy Skill requires a considerable amount of resources."
Seeing his attitude, Bai Mo couldn’t help but sigh.
"I was a Loose Cultivator before this. How could I have been so fortunate?"
"Are you a Pill Peak Cultivator?"
"What are the requirements to join Pill Peak?"
The guard scratched his ear in annoyance.
"Of course I’m a Pill Peak Cultivator! Don’t judge me just because I’ve been assigned to guard the mountain. My Alchemy Skill is not to be underestimated!"
His gaze darted between Bai Mo and Shui Ziming, as if trying to size up their relationship.
Whatever conclusion he came to, his posture suddenly relaxed, and he said in a casual tone:
"Someone with your background... well, whether you can join the peak depends on the whims of the deacon."
"But it’s not like you’ll ever get to meet him, anyway..."
Before Bai Mo could even react, Shui Ziming’s gaze sharpened.
The guard sensed an aura that made his heart pound. His breath hitched, and after a moment of subconscious panic, he blurted out:
"Brother, are you here to request pills?"
"I can lead you up the mountain!"
Bai Mo shook his head, his interest completely gone.
"Forget it."
"I’ll be heading back now."
Seeing Bai Mo give up, the guard faltered for a second, a hint of delight on his face.
"In that case, I won’t see you out."
Bai Mo gave a casual salute and followed Shui Ziming towards the Demon Bear waiting not far away.
Shui Ziming walked a few steps, then suddenly flicked his sleeve and snorted coldly.
"Utterly absurd!"
Bai Mo had rarely seen him act this way, and couldn’t help but feel a wave of emotion himself.
"Brother Shui, Pill Peak’s standards are too high. It seems I won’t be able to meet them."
