Chen Xiao was still puzzled when he heard Du Rong calling from below the mountain, "Master, come eat! The meat is ready."
He cast one last deep glance in that direction. Due to the shifting sun and changing light, the luminous energy he had seen earlier had now faded. Memorizing the location, he turned and made his way down via a more accessible path.
Du Rong had started a campfire, using branches to prop up a roasting spit with a whole rabbit skewered on it. By now, the rabbit had turned a golden brown, its rich aroma filling the air. Chen Xiao tore off a leg, blew on it briefly, and, unable to wait any longer, took a big bite.
Initially, he had thought that surviving in this world without alcohol stoves, portable gas burners, or military cookware would be incredibly difficult. While starvation wasn't likely, he had at least expected hardships comparable to those of crossing a barren wasteland. But to his surprise, although they lacked soups and soft foods, surviving on hard rations and dry biscuits most of the time, his meals hadn't been as miserable as he had imagined. Almost every day, he managed to eat some meat. Once again, he felt grateful for his decision to choose Du Rong as his bodyguard.
If it had been any other cultivator, they certainly wouldn't have been as skilled at wilderness survival as Du Rong. In this early spring season, where food sources were scarce, he could still effortlessly hunt and gather. Sometimes it was fish, other times wild rabbits, pheasants, large unidentified birds, or even terrifying-looking but surprisingly tasty grass snakes.
Chen Xiao himself had some grilling skills from his past life, but he never had the chance to use them. Firstly, he lacked Du Rong's hunting skills, and secondly, he wasn't familiar with the local seasonings.
What impressed him the most was that Du Rong wasn't just a skilled hunter—he also knew a great deal about the properties of wild plants. For instance, the fragrant spices sprinkled on the roasted meat had been gathered from the mountain along the way. It was a type of dry, brownish-yellow grass, completely dehydrated. Du Rong had plucked a handful, washed and dried it, then ground it into a fine powder using a clean rock. Chen Xiao had observed the entire process with great curiosity. Noticing his interest, Du Rong explained the herbs to him as they walked, making their journey far more engaging.
Their trip, though officially labeled as a training journey, was actually more like a leisurely excursion, meant to keep a low profile. Because of this, Du Rong had packed mostly travel essentials and carried only a few combat supplies. His belongings were meticulously arranged in a well-packed bundle that he carried on his back. His strength and stamina were remarkable, even with such a heavy load, he moved as effortlessly as Chen Xiao, climbing mountains and crossing valleys without even breaking a sweat.
Meanwhile, after scaling just one peak, Chen Xiao was already gasping for breath. Though his body had experience with martial arts and trade routes in his previous life, he had never pushed himself to such physical extremes. The first few days left him sore all over, but once he adapted, the slight roundness in his face, caused by eating too well, gradually disappeared, restoring his sharp, refined features. His body, which had been on the verge of turning soft due to a lack of exercise, snapped back into shape, averting a potential weight crisis.
Burning so many calories naturally increased his appetite. After finishing the rabbit meat, he ate two flatbreads before finally feeling full. Du Rong, however, devoured the rest of the rabbit without hesitation, his forty-year-old cultivator's stomach could outmatch that of an eighteen-year-old young man.
Wiping the grease from the corner of his mouth, Chen Xiao said, "Uncle Rong, let's change our route this afternoon and head north."
Du Rong had no objections. He nodded. "Alright." He was already used to Chen Xiao's habit of picking a new direction every time they crossed a mountain.
After resting for a while, Du Rong put out the campfire and buried the ashes. Chen Xiao stood up, and the two of them changed course, climbing over a mountain ridge.
However, as the saying goes, 'seeing a mountain from afar is different from climbing it.' What had appeared to be a straightforward route turned out to be far more challenging. They spent two days circling the base of the mountains before Chen Xiao finally found the right spot.
It was a canyon, split by a gurgling stream, with sheer cliffs on both sides. Even ordinary travelers would struggle to pass through, and even cultivators had to be careful with their footing to avoid missteps.
Du Rong felt that this was the roughest path they had taken so far. While previous routes had involved climbing hills and crossing ridges, they had at least followed the natural contours of the land.
But little did he know, Chen Xiao was even more perplexed. The mountains and waterways here didn't exhibit the characteristics of a true geomantic treasure trove. He began to doubt his own judgment. However, he wasn't one to give up easily. Unless he explored every inch of this place and confirmed its worthlessness, he wouldn't abandon it.
Chen Xiao remained silent, so Du Rong simply led the way forward. The two of them carefully made their way along the cliff face, treading precariously on a ledge barely the width of a hand.
At the end of the canyon, a massive rock wall blocked their path. A powerful waterfall cascaded down its surface, crashing into the pool below with a thunderous roar.
"There's no way forward," Du Rong finally said, turning to Chen Xiao for guidance. "If we want to keep heading in this direction, we'll have to climb. I can make it up, but for you, Master, it'll be much harder."
Chen Xiao gazed up at the waterfall and rock wall, unwilling to accept defeat. Did they really have to turn back and retrace their steps?
Just then, the mist rising from the waterfall suddenly rippled, forming familiar layers of distortion that expanded into a dazzling, majestic energy field.
Chen Xiao's eyes widened in shock, his heartbeat quickening. Before he could react, a soft sound of surprise came from behind him.
Du Rong, slow to react at first, spun around abruptly, only to see a strikingly handsome immortal master in black robes standing by the stream.
This immortal master was unlike any they had encountered before. If the cultivators they had previously met could be broadly categorized as practitioners, then this man, whose robes fluttered as if untouched by the mundane world—was a true immortal.
The immortal's gaze lingered on them, revealing a hint of surprise. But it quickly faded, replaced by a faint smile as serene as the moon.
"I didn't expect to meet you here."
Chen Xiao took a deep breath to steady himself before bowing respectfully. "It's a pleasure to meet Immortal Immortal Master Xi again."
Xi Yunqing nodded slightly. "A surprising encounter indeed. I sensed someone nearby earlier and thought it might be a cultivator who had wandered here by mistake."
Since they were acquainted, Du Rong relaxed and stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting. "Rogue cultivator Du Rong greets the Immortal Master."
Xi Yunqing's gaze briefly swept over Du Rong, and even that momentary glance carried an inexplicable pressure. His voice was not loud, yet it was clear and unwavering. "No need for formalities, Daoist Du."
Chen Xiao couldn't help but ask, "Immortal Immortal Master Xi, why are you here? Did you travel to Hanshan City by land?"
Xi Yunqing looked at him in surprise. "What makes you think that?"
Chen Xiao bowed slightly again and said, "I hope Immortal Master won't take offense. Three months ago, I happened to overhear disciples from your sect talking at the outer port of Nian City. By coincidence, I also saw you there, bidding farewell. I noticed that you did not board the ship. Seeing you here after such a long time, I wondered if you had traveled overland instead."
That was his immediate thought upon encountering Xi Yunqing in this remote place. His sect members had all known that the ship kept returning because of him. With Xi Yunqing's intelligence, there was no way he wasn't aware of that fact. If not for the low-ranking disciples who had no choice but to take the sea route to Hanshan City, Chen Xiao guessed that Xi Yunqing would never have continued traveling by ship. Being seen as a burden even once was bad enough. enduring it repeatedly must have been unbearable. As the leader of the group, he couldn't simply abandon the younger disciples. But if an alternative was available, unless his juniors explicitly insisted otherwise, Xi Yunqing would likely have chosen to step aside.
Xi Yunqing's gaze deepened slightly, and he said in a low voice, "You are observant."
Du Rong was startled. "Wait, so Immortal Immortal Master Xi really did travel by land? But the route is filled with dangers; grasslands, plateaus, dense forests, snow-capped mountains, and even the Gobi Desert, all teeming with fierce beasts! And yet, you made it through alone in just three months? That's simply unbelievable."
Xi Yunqing lifted his chin slightly, his tone calm. "I have my ways."
When he was among people, he had to restrain his abilities. But when he traveled alone, there was no need for such restraint. Any beasts unfortunate enough to cross his path had only themselves to blame.
Du Rong, unaware of Xi Yunqing's special abilities, assumed it was simply the result of a highly skilled immortal sect disciple's strength. He sighed in admiration. "As expected of a master from a renowned sect."
Not wanting to continue the topic, Xi Yunqing turned to Chen Xiao. "And what brings the two of you to this canyon?"
This was a location he had chosen carefully, difficult to access, with no significant resources to attract travelers. By all accounts, no one should have come here.
Chen Xiao answered first. "I came along as an apprentice to gain experience under Uncle Rong's guidance."
Since Chen Xiao had framed it that way, Du Rong had no choice but to stick with their original cover story. "I accepted a task from Zhishi Hall to search for stone-thread grass in this area."
Xi Yunqing pondered for a moment before saying, "Finding stone-thread grass during this season is quite difficult. No wonder you've ventured this deep." He glanced up and noticed Chen Xiao looking directly at him. After a brief pause, he added, "It's getting late. If you set off now, it'll be dark before you make it out of the canyon. You might as well stay the night and decide your next steps tomorrow."
Chen Xiao and Du Rong exchanged glances. Du Rong naturally followed Chen Xiao's lead, so Chen Xiao politely said, "Then we'll take you up on your hospitality."
Xi Yunqing raised a hand and gestured toward the sheer rock face. A miraculous scene unfolded, the once impassable cliff now revealed a narrow fissure, just wide enough for a person to pass through.
He led the way. "Come with me."
Curious, Chen Xiao followed closely behind. As he reached the rock wall, he reached out to touch it.
Xi Yunqing noticed and explained, "The fissure has always been here. I merely used a magical artifact to create an illusion concealing it."
Chen Xiao sighed in amazement. "Immortal artifacts are truly remarkable."
One after another, the three passed through the crevice, and the view before them opened up. Inside was a small valley, completely enclosed by towering cliffs. If not for the hidden passage, once someone fell in, they would have no way out.
A section of the valley had been cleared, and there stood a wooden house. The structure was built from raw timber, its rustic simplicity blending seamlessly with nature.
Following Xi Yunqing inside, Chen Xiao was surprised by how spacious the interior was.
The house was divided into three sections—a bedroom, a living area, and a meditation chamber.
Chen Xiao glanced around and asked, "Where's the kitchen?"
Xi Yunqing blinked once before replying slowly, "I sustain myself on fasting pills. I have no need for a kitchen."