As Chen Xiao's reputation continued to grow, he felt more concern than joy. If things progressed at this rate, he was bound to attract attention from higher circles. After all, there were countless intricate ties between cultivators and ordinary people. While his goal was to deal with cultivators, now was not the right time to reveal himself. Events were unfolding too quickly, and he wasn't prepared. His identity couldn't withstand scrutiny, and the temporary identification he used was a glaring flaw.
"It's time to cool things down," Chen Xiao said. "Getting too much attention can burn you to ashes if you're not careful."
Du Rong was already overwhelmed by the rapid and complex developments. He was ambitious, but he also knew his limits. Strategizing wasn't his strong suit; all he could do was charge ahead based on Chen Xiao's plans. Now, he humbly asked, "How do we cool it down?"
Chen Xiao let out a breath, looked up at Du Rong, and gave a wry smile. "We bring forward our next step. Let's take on a mission and head out for some training."
Though they were rising stars in the circle of wealthy merchants, in the vast world of cultivators, they were still insignificant nobodies. If they left under the guise of a training mission, even if people wanted to find them, they wouldn't have an easy way to track them down. After some time, once the situation had cooled, the only ones seeking them out would be those with genuine needs.
Thanks to his recent ventures, Chen Xiao's wealth had surged. He now had seven spirit pearls and eighty spirit coins. With a generous wave of his hand, he spent five spirit pearls to get Du Rong a slightly worn but still serviceable rune-engraved blade. He also shed his soft, luxurious silk garments in favor of the durable, practical attire worn by cultivators. Strapping Du Rong's old steel blade to his waist, aside from his overly fair complexion, he now looked no different from any fresh-faced cultivator heading out for training.
"Uncle Rong, stop looking at me like that," Chen Xiao said helplessly. "Right now, I'm just a disciple following you on a training mission. If you keep staring at me like I'm your precious treasure, people will start wondering."
Walking ahead, Du Rong unconsciously kept glancing back to ensure Chen Xiao's safety. Hearing this, he pulled the corners of his mouth into an awkward smile before turning his focus forward.
As they walked, Du Rong spoke in a low voice, "We don't have to go this far. Many noble disciples bring guards with them on training missions."
In training expeditions, those with lower status or no cultivation often faced oppression. Du Rong himself had clawed his way out of such struggles. He at least had some cultivation, but Chen Xiao was truly powerless. It was impossible for him not to worry.
"It doesn't matter whether I'm from a noble family or not, bringing a bodyguard makes us stand out," Chen Xiao replied. "This time, we need to keep a low profile. The less attention, the better." He paused before adding reassuringly, "Besides, you don't need to worry too much. We're taking on a mission by ourselves, so we won't have to deal with others trying to push me around."
They arrived at the Zhishi Hall and accepted a long-standing bounty to gather herbs in the mountains near Hanshan City. The region had already been surveyed and deemed free of dangerous beasts, so the reward wasn't high. The reason no one had claimed the task was that it was still winter, unlike summer or autumn, when herbs were easier to find. Spring might have been manageable since at least some sprouts would be emerging, but in winter, with the ground covered in dead leaves and dry grass, finding anything was nearly impossible.
But Chen Xiao and Du Rong didn't care. They only needed a cover, and this kind of mission suited them perfectly. Even if they failed to complete it, it wouldn't matter.
As they stepped out of Zhishi Hall, a cold wind hit them, making Chen Xiao instinctively hunch his shoulders. Realizing he was losing composure, he straightened his back, ignoring the chill as he marched forward with his head held high.
Spring arrived late in Hanshan City, and winters were especially long. Chen Xiao had been here for two months, and though the calendar now marked the third month of the year, the temperatures had only just begun to rise. To make things worse, a strong northwesterly wind was blowing, sending icy gusts through every gap in his clothing.
The cultivators in Hanshan City all seemed indifferent to the cold, and Chen Xiao refused to stand out. Only when he boarded the carriage did he finally rummage through his bag to pull out a cloak, by then, his hands were already ice-cold.
"Master, this won't do," Du Rong said with a frown. "You'll catch a cold at this rate."
Chen Xiao took a moment to recover before grinning and pulling out a palm-sized bronze hand warmer, hugging it to his chest. "Don't worry, I came prepared."
Seeing that Chen Xiao had thought ahead, Du Rong finally relaxed.
The carriage dropped them off at the nearest village before turning back. The remaining journey had to be completed on foot, as the narrow mountain paths were impassable for carriages.
The driver assumed they would immediately head into the mountains like other cultivators, never imagining that once he disappeared from sight, the two would find a well-situated farmhouse and ask to stay. This was Chen Xiao's first time on a training mission, and Du Rong wouldn't recklessly lead him straight into the wilderness. It was better to start near a village and gradually venture deeper into the mountains.
The farmer, both fearful and honored, quickly prepared a room for them in a side wing of his house. Du Rong handed him twenty silver coins, assuring him they would handle their own meals and requesting privacy.
Once the door was closed, Du Rong turned around to find Chen Xiao leaning back in a chair, eyes shut. Assuming he was simply resting, he didn't think much of it and sat quietly to the side.
In truth, within the darkness of his consciousness, Chen Xiao was summoning his compass. Over the past weeks, he had performed numerous feng shui adjustments. Though he hadn't gained much fortune, he had at least replenished the energy he had spent back on the ship.
The Luo Pan's Yangtian Pool section now shone far brighter than the rest, which still remained dim. As Chen Xiao focused, the compass drew closer, slowly rotating once. After confirming that everything was in working order, he finally opened his eyes.
Seeing Chen Xiao open his eyes, Du Rong asked with concern, "Master, are you exhausted? Do you want to lie down for a bit?"
Chen Xiao stood up and stretched his body. "No need. While it's still early, let's go out for a walk."
For nearly ten months, he had spent his days in the city. As a feng shui master, his instincts for searching dragon veins and reading the land had long been itching for action.
As the saying goes, "Three years to seek the dragon, ten years to pinpoint the acupoint." It meant that learning to find dragon veins took three years, but mastering the precise placement of acupoints could take ten or more. A truly skilled feng shui master had traversed mountains and valleys, not just observed city dwellings. Reading the landscape, identifying auspicious locations, this was the true essence of the craft.
Du Rong didn't quite understand where Chen Xiao's excitement came from, but seeing him pull open the door and step out, he quickly grabbed the cloak that had been left behind and followed. The two left the village and took the mountain path uphill. Midway up, however, Chen Xiao veered off the trail and began climbing along the ridge instead.
Watching him eagerly ascend ahead, Du Rong couldn't help but break into a sweat. Winter had only just passed, and the slopes were littered with brittle branches and dry grass. A single misstep could send someone tumbling down. But Chen Xiao moved swiftly, using both hands and feet to climb upward. Not wanting to dampen his employer's enthusiasm, Du Rong simply stayed below, ready to assist if needed.
Once they reached the peak and looked out, they saw mountains stretching endlessly into the distance, each peak taller than the last. Compared to the surrounding ranges, the hill near the village was merely a foothill, one of the lowest in the chain.
Ordinary people climb heights to take in the view. If they discover that the mountain they've conquered isn't the tallest, disappointment is inevitable.
But Chen Xiao didn't mind. In fact, he was quite familiar with this pattern. A mountain range always extends outward from its highest point, cascading downward. The peaks closest to the highest summit are often steep and inhospitable to human settlement. Only along the fringes, where the slopes are gentler and the elevations lower, do villages appear.
This distinct pattern had been observed and summarized by generations before him, forming a set of principles. In feng shui, the highest peak of a mountain range is called the Taizu Mountain (Grand Ancestor Mountain), while the slightly lower peaks extending outward are called Shaozu Mountains (Lesser Ancestor Mountains). The outermost hills, which are lower and more suitable for habitation, are called Fumu Mountains (Parent Mountains). Viewed from the side, the undulating ridges resemble the winding body of a great dragon. The land embraced by the Parent Mountains is known as the Dragon Acupoint—an auspicious site in feng shui.
Even if a village isn't located on a Dragon Acupoint, it is still situated on blessed land. Never underestimate human intuition, people, even without knowledge of feng shui, have an instinctive ability to seek fortune and avoid misfortune, naturally choosing places suited for settlement.
Take the village Chen Xiao was staying in, for example. Its location was carefully chosen: backed by a mountain, facing open plains. The mountain at its rear blocked the harsh winter winds, shielding the villagers from raging blizzards. In spring, the same mountain retained warmth, allowing the sunlit fields below to be cultivated earlier than others.
Thus began Chen Xiao's daily ventures into the mountains. He traced the mountain range deeper and deeper, heading toward the highest peaks. Only by standing atop the highest point could he trace the mountain's meridians. Of course, given that this world lacked modern outdoor gear, he couldn't afford to act recklessly. Instead, he had Du Rong lead the way. Sometimes, even when the peak was right in front of them, they couldn't ascend directly and had to take a detour. Though Chen Xiao didn't fully understand why, he respected Du Rong's experience and followed his lead.
Du Rong had no idea what he was searching for. He simply assumed that Chen Xiao, standing at the peak with his eyes closed as if sensing the heavens and earth, longed for the life of a cultivator. Determined to turn this trip, originally meant to lay low, into a true journey of growth, he diligently led the way each day. No matter how treacherous the terrain, the young master never complained, which made Du Rong rather impressed.
Chen Xiao, unaware of Du Rong's thoughts, closed his eyes at the mountain summits only to secretly take readings with his compass. What seemed like a casual exploration was gradually turning into an extreme survival challenge as they ventured deeper into the mountains. Yet instead of tiring, he grew even more energized the closer he got to his goal.
One day, after scaling another ridge, Chen Xiao lifted his head to scan the horizon, only to freeze in astonishment. Beyond several peaks, bathed in sunlight, was a large and powerful energy field, radiating a brilliant glow.
His heart pounded. They hadn't even reached their destination yet, so why had such a majestic feng shui site appeared right here?