Comprehending Myriad Techniques as Woodcutter

Chapter 242: Chapter 194: First Stop

Above Cloud Mountain, ethereal mist lingered year-round, never dispersing. Only the Sword Peaks pierced through the clouds, standing alone against the azure heavens.

"What a magnificent immortal mountain!"

At the entrance to Luo Family Town, a tea shop attendant, bored out of his mind, gazed at the towering green mountains in the distance, his eyes filled with awe and admiration.

Luo Family Town, which neighbored Cloud Mountain Town, could also be considered at the foot of Cloud Mountain. It was a necessary stop for anyone around Cloud Mountain traveling north.

The attendant propped one leg up on a stool and said lazily:

"Say, why is Cloud Mountain always covered in clouds? Could it be that legendary immortal energy? Are all immortal places like this? What’s it called... an ’immortal atmosphere’!"

"Are you an idiot? Why do you think Cloud Mountain is called Cloud Mountain? The county annals state that it was named for its clouds and mist."

The Tea Master beside him said with disdain:

"But later, the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect established itself here and produced countless Cultivators, which shows that Cloud Mountain is brimming with Spiritual Qi. Those clouds and mist... they might just be condensed Spiritual Qi."

The Tea Master clearly only had a partial understanding. While Cloud Mountain was indeed rich in Spiritual Qi, if the clouds were made entirely of it, the place wouldn’t just be a spiritual land—it would have to be called a Pocket World or a blessed land.

"Spiritual Qi... It doesn’t sound as impressive as ’immortal energy.’"

The attendant pouted.

He leaned back against a table, his eyes narrowed. When he saw several people rounding a bend on the main road ahead, his spirits lifted:

"Customers!"

Five young people dressed in white robes approached. The attendant’s eyes widened, and a reverent, fawning smile immediately spread across his face.

"So it’s the masters from the Sword Sect! Please, have a seat! Quickly, have a seat!"

The tea shop was right at the entrance to Luo Family Town, so the attendant was used to seeing all sorts of people and had a sharp eye. There was no way he would mistake the white robes of the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect disciples.

Xie Yuan’s group of five had descended Cloud Mountain and reached the entrance of Luo Family Town. Seeing the shop, they hadn’t particularly cared whether they stopped for a rest or not.

Given that the weakest among them was at the Third Training, they weren’t tired from the journey. However, seeing the attendant’s enthusiastic welcome, they figured there was no harm in stopping for a cup of tea.

"A pot of hot tea, please, and fill up my waterskin."

The young man in the lead spoke, his tone slightly cold.

The youth was dressed in white robes, with two cloud patterns embroidered on his cuffs and lapels. He carried a Long Sword on his back. His expression was calm, yet held a hint of underlying arrogance that wasn’t overly conspicuous. He was none other than Huang Zifeng, a Direct Disciple of Lu Pei, the Peak Master of Bamboo Sword Peak—and an old acquaintance of Xie Yuan.

The Cloud Mountain Sword Sect wouldn’t let a bunch of rookies descend the mountain by themselves. As was customary, an Inner Sect senior brother would be assigned as team leader and judge, responsible for recording their performance during the trial and lending a hand at critical moments.

Therefore, aside from Xie Yuan’s group of four, there was one Inner Sect Disciple. It wasn’t much of a coincidence that Huang Zifeng was the one to come along.

’This guy probably volunteered for this,’

Xie Yuan secretly guessed.

Huang Zifeng wasn’t as stuck-up as the last time Xie Yuan had seen him. Though still a bit arrogant, he had reined it in considerably and no longer acted willfully in his dealings with others. It seemed he had grown quite a bit after the blow Xie Yuan had dealt him.

However, his cold and proud nature was something that couldn’t be changed. He was taciturn with Xie Yuan and the other two, perfectly embodying the role of a detached observer as the judge and team leader. But when it came to Lin Zhen...

"Junior Sister Lin, although Luo Family Town isn’t far from Cloud Mountain, and I’ve had tea at this shop a few times before, we can’t skip the necessary precautions. Like this."

Huang Zifeng took out a silver needle, dipped it into the teapot, then pulled it out and held it up to the sun for a moment. Seeing that it hadn’t changed color, he said:

"See? It’s not poisoned. It’s safe to drink."

Lin Zhen gave a slightly shy smile.

"Senior Brother Huang, you’re so patient."

"Not at all. This is your first trial off the mountain. Guiding you... guiding all of you is my duty as the team leader."

Halfway through his sentence, Huang Zifeng finally remembered his other junior brothers and slightly amended his words.

’Since when is it the team leader’s duty to teach? This kind of common worldly knowledge is taught in the Outer Sect. The team leader is supposed to stay out of things and just evaluate our results. Who teaches with such tireless, meticulous detail? He might as well just hold her hand at this point...’

Xie Yuan mused in amusement.

He glanced over and saw that Lin Cheng and Pei Yu both had similar expressions, knowing they were complaining inwardly as well.

’If guiding us is your duty, then why don’t you talk to us too? Your eyes are practically glued to Lin Zhen’s face.’

Although Lin Cheng was her older brother, he didn’t take a stance on the matter, neither supporting nor opposing it. After all, Huang Zifeng was a Direct Disciple of Bamboo Sword Peak, a status higher than even an ordinary Inner Courtyard disciple, and he was merely being a bit enthusiastic. Nothing had even started between them yet.

As for the other outstanding Outer Sect disciple, Pei Yu, he was said to be from a prominent family down the mountain. He was a rich young master—so rich that even the Cloud Mountain Sword Sect couldn’t ignore it. His talent for cultivation was considerable, and his cold, arrogant personality was no less than Huang Zifeng’s. He didn’t meddle in other people’s business.

Xie Yuan, on the other hand, was just enjoying the show. ’Didn’t Huang Zifeng’s admiration for Lin Zhen start after I beat him up? The whole conflict started because he was unhappy with me for casually bringing someone along, yet this is how it turned out. He probably has me to thank for this now. Fate truly works in mysterious ways.’

Lin Zhen politely thanked Huang Zifeng, then asked:

"Senior Brother Huang, where should we go for this trial?"

Huang Zifeng pondered for a moment.

"I haven’t heard of any bandits around here lately; the foot of Cloud Mountain has always been peaceful. If we want to vanquish evil, we could either wander around the northern lands of Yunzhou, or we could head west out of Gourd Pass. The West Desert is full of villains. We can find a few to practice on and complete the trial quickly."

"I see..."

Lin Zhen paused to think. Seeing that none of the male disciples were speaking and were all silently looking at her, her pretty face flushed slightly.

However, she also realized that she had somehow become the decision-maker. Without trying to pass the responsibility, she turned and asked Xie Yuan:

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