"What is… cultivation?" Zixiao asked, tilting his head curiously.
"Ahhh—let me stop you there, hero," Mu Feng interrupted with a knowing smile. "Because I've got a question for you later that's related to that." He chuckled softly, then added, "Besides, don't space out now—the big guy's still waiting for his name." He pointed his thumb toward the massive ape behind him.
"Oh! I nearly forgot!" Zixiao gently smacked his forehead and rolled his eyes. "Hmm…" He began pacing back and forth, rubbing his chin. "You're as white as snow, and as big as an unshakable mountain…" His eyes suddenly lit up. "What about Bai Zun?"
"Bai Zun means… White Sovereign, hmm…" Mu Feng rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "That's a fine name, hero. I like it—but what about the big guy? After all, it's his name."
Both Mu Feng and Zixiao turned their eyes toward the massive ape.
"So," Mu Feng said softly, looking up at the towering creature, "what do you think of the little hero's choice?"
"Mnnn…" The ape nodded eagerly, its snowy fur rippling with each motion. Then, with a grin spreading across its huge face, it began to clap its hands together like an excited child—showing clearly that it approved of the name.
"Ahh… now that's settled," Mu Feng said, rubbing his hands together with excitement. "Big guy—oh, I mean, Bai Zun," he corrected himself with a grin, "I need you to take us to that place." He gave the ape a playful wink.
Zixiao looked at both of them curiously, his head tilting slightly. "That place?" he thought, unsure what they were planning.
"Ohh…" The ape blinked, confused for a moment, scratching the side of its head. But then its eyes lit up in realization, and a wide smile spread across its face, revealing its gleaming white teeth. With a low rumble, Bai Zun lowered its massive arm and placed its enormous palm flat on the sand in front of Mu Feng and Zixiao.
Mu Feng stepped confidently onto the ape's palm, then extended a hand toward Zixiao. "Come on, hero," he said with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry—it's completely safe."
Zixiao hesitated for a moment, but finally took Mu Feng's hand and leapt onto the ape's palm. The sudden movement made him lose his footing—his body swayed dangerously—but Mu Feng caught him just in time, pulling him close before he could fall.
With a deep rumble, Bai Zun slowly raised his palm. The ground grew smaller and smaller beneath them until they were high above the forest canopy. A flock of yellow-and-blue-feathered birds burst from the nearby trees, their wings cutting gracefully through the air between Zixiao and Mu Feng.
At first, Zixiao trembled uncontrollably. His breath came in short, uneven bursts, and his legs felt weak. But then he saw it—the breathtaking world spread out before him. The golden sun gleamed above, casting a warm glow across the endless green sea of trees. Birds soared in flocks across the sky, and to the left of the lagoon, a mighty waterfall cascaded down the mountainside, feeding the crystal-blue waters below.
For a brief moment, Zixiao forgot his fear. All he could do was stare, wide-eyed, at the beauty that unfolded before him.
"Are you sure this is—" Zixiao's words were cut short as he was still mesmerized by the view. "—safe… aaaaahhhh!" Before he could finish, Bai Zun leaped sky-high, sending Zixiao screaming into the wind.
on a small grassy hill, serene at first—a single blue butterfly hovered delicately over a pink flower. The moment felt almost magical… until Bai Zun's massive legs crashed down, crushing both the flower and the butterfly in an instant.
Zixiao clung desperately to Bai Zun's palm, belly-down, his hands gripping with all his strength. Bai Zun slowly lowered his hand, giving Zixiao a chance to hold on. Mu Feng acted quickly—he scooped Zixiao up like a newborn and leapt down to the grassy hill with precision.
As soon as Mu Feng landed safely, Bai Zun bounded back into the sky, retreating gracefully into the air above.
"Cough… cough… uhh, we're here, hero," Mu Feng said, brushing dust off his robe.
Hearing that, Zixiao slowly opened his eyes. It was true—they had arrived. He immediately slipped out of Mu Feng's hold, still catching his breath.
Mu Feng began climbing the grassy slope, letting out small grunts with each step. Zixiao followed close behind, his curiosity growing stronger with every move. Before he could even ask where they were, they reached the top—an open mountain peak that soared thousands of meters above the forest below.
From there, Zixiao could see everything—the vast sea of green stretching endlessly, the faint shimmer of the lagoon they'd left behind, and even the massive gates they had passed earlier, now only a tiny blur in the distance.
It was already evening. The entire sky had turned into a canvas of orange and gold, the clouds glowing like molten light. Zixiao thought nothing could surprise him anymore after everything he'd witnessed that day… but the breathtaking scene before him completely changed his mind.
Mu Feng sat down on a smooth rock nearby, letting out a long, tired sigh. The fading sunlight painted his face in gold as he spoke softly, his eyes fixed on the sunset.
"Do you know why I brought you here, hero?"
Zixiao blinked, caught off guard. "Uhh… no," he answered gently.
Mu Feng chuckled under his breath, the sound carrying a hint of melancholy. "I'm old, hero—far too old. My bones ache, my beard's turned white, and soon… I'll need someone to take care of the big guy—and to carry on what I've learned." His voice grew quiet, weighted with emotion. "And I want that someone to be you."
Zixiao froze. "M–me?" he stammered, pointing at himself. "But I can't even use magic like you do!"
"Hahahaha…" Mu Feng laughed heartily, shaking his head. "It's not about magic, hero. It's about being the right person—someone who listens, who learns, who protects." He turned to face Zixiao, his eyes kind but firm. "Someday, you might pass down both my knowledge and your own… to your own disciple."
He smiled softly. "So… what do you say, hero?"
I… I am willing to be your disciple," Zixiao said, his voice trembling at first but soon steady. His face glowed with determination.
"Hahahaha!" Mu Feng's laughter boomed across the mountaintop, echoing into the sunset. There was joy hidden in that laugh—deep, genuine joy. "Alright then, hero," he said with a proud grin. "But if you're going to be my disciple, you'll have to remember my three most important rules for the future."
He raised three fingers dramatically.
"The third rule—never kneel to anyone except for those you truly love.
The second rule—retreat to advance; never fight with raw power alone, always fight with strategy.
And the most important rule in your entire life…"
Mu Feng leaned closer, his face almost touching Zixiao's, his expression deadly serious for a moment before turning playful.
"Always… show… off… to the ladies."
Each word came with exaggerated emphasis, and by the end, he was grinning ear to ear.
Zixiao blinked, utterly confused by the last rule, but he could feel the old man's sincerity behind the teasing tone. He nodded firmly.
"Ahh… yes! I'll remember, Master!" he said, his voice bold and filled with resolve.
Mu Feng smiled softly, stroking his long beard as the evening wind swept past them. "Good," he said warmly. "Then from today onward—you are my disciple."
Well… aren't you going to kowtow to me?" Mu Feng asked, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Why would I do that?" Zixiao replied, tilting his head in confusion.
"Ah… well, I mean—" Mu Feng paused, trying to find the right words, then sighed and shook his head with a small smile. "Never mind."
He leaned back slightly, brushing some dirt off his robes. "But… do you have any questions for me? Like the ones you were trying to ask when we first got here?"
Zixiao swallowed, hesitated for a moment, then straightened his back. "Well… then, can you tell me… what is cultivation?" he asked, his voice shaking slightly but laced with determination—after all, he was now Mu Feng's disciple.