Song Ciwan and the Big White Goose defeated the Snake Demon, after which she gathered more than a dozen Two-star Level Spirit Grasses one after another.
At this point, the group of Spiritual Objects displayed in the Spirit-Seeking Mirror had been almost completely collected, save for those that already had owners.
Song Ciwan also discovered that the Spirit-Seeking Mirror could locate Spiritual Objects roughly once a day.
In other words, after using it once, Song Ciwan would have to wait a full day before she could use the Spirit-Seeking Mirror to locate more Spiritual Objects.
The Spirit-Seeking Mirror contained a peculiar substance that was consumed with each search, and it needed time to replenish.
'It wasn't surprising. If the Spirit-Seeking Mirror could search for Spiritual Objects endlessly, it would be far too overpowered! How could its rating still be only Four-star Level?'
Even with the once-a-day limit, the Spirit-Seeking Mirror's ability was still remarkable.
After all, the Spirit-Seeking Mirror's search area was linked to Song Ciwan's Spiritual Sense. As her Spiritual Sense expanded, so too would the mirror's range. Even with just one search per day, the gains over time would be astronomical.
Song Ciwan put away the Spirit-Seeking Mirror and led the Big White Goose back toward the main road on Celestial Dragon Mountain.
The Big White Goose was overjoyed. They were traveling by starlight, but the sky was vast, the land was magnificent, and they had just had a great haul. Even the white frost glistening on blades of grass in the moonlight seemed lovely to the goose.
A honk from the goose: "GAK GAK!"
In the distance, the cries of what might have been the Demon Race or Mortal Beasts echoed alongside the chirping of insects. The sounds rose and fell among the dark silhouettes of the distant mountains, painting a uniquely tranquil scene.
It was the kind of tranquility described in the old saying, "A bird's song only deepens the mountain's silence." The harmony was perfect.
As for the legendary, lurking dangers of Celestial Dragon Mountain, Song Ciwan and the Big White Goose hadn't really felt them.
This wasn't because Celestial Dragon Mountain wasn't dangerous, but because the intimidation from Song Ciwan's fierce battle with the Fox Demon that afternoon still lingered. Unless a nearby Spirit Monster had extremely low intelligence, they generally wouldn't dare approach Song Ciwan.
The human and goose walked along the small mountain path, and Song Ciwan would occasionally respond to its honks.
"Big White, you find the night so beautiful because right now, you are free to be yourself."
"If we were struggling to survive, trekking over these mountains just to find enough food and clothing, you certainly wouldn't find this night so beautiful."
...
'But I have to admit, this feeling of not having to toil for a living, of single-mindedly pursuing the Dao... it's truly wonderful.'
'To be able to pursue one thing so purely in life is truly a great blessing.'
The Big White Goose: "HONK HONK HONK!"
'I'm carefree. As long as I'm by Wanwan's side, I'm a goose with a home.'
'What worries could a goose with a home possibly have? Besides, I got a lot stronger today, not just by a little! This is even better!'
The Big White Goose flapped its wings, leading the way for Song Ciwan. As they walked, they found themselves back on the main road. Ahead, the silhouette of a temple was clearly visible on the mountaintop.
It was the Mountain God Temple, perched on the summit.
A faint firelight spilled from the open doors of the Mountain God Temple. The orange-yellow light cast an exceptionally warm glow against the autumn night.
It looked like the warmest of harbors for a traveler, so gentle and inviting that it captured the gaze of every passerby and tugged at every wandering heart.
"GAK?" The Big White Goose flapped its wings, very happy.
It began to waddle, then charged toward the Mountain God Temple, not forgetting to look back and honk for Song Ciwan to hurry.
Song Ciwan raised her hand and made a pulling gesture. The happily charging Big White Goose froze mid-stride. An instant later, it flew backward and landed in her arms.
"GAK?" the Big White Goose squawked in alarm. "HONK HONK HONK! KRONK KRONK KRONK!"
Song Ciwan held the enormous white goose and stroked the feathers on its back until the bird was practically swooning. Then she smiled faintly. "Big White, let's not be in such a hurry, shall we?"
The Big White Goose was no longer in a hurry. It leaned into her, nuzzling its head against Song Ciwan's chest while letting out a few sheepish "HONK HONK HONK"s.
Song Ciwan and the Big White Goose approached the Mountain God Temple. Through the open doorway, they saw an orange-red bonfire lit in the center of the building. A dozen or so men were sitting in a circle around it.
These men were all travel-worn, sitting together around the fire, drinking from wine gourds and chatting.
From time to time, some would toast each other while others hooted and cheered.
A rabbit, so fat it dripped with grease, was roasting over the center of the fire. Its golden-brown meat carried a faint, charred aroma and glistened appetizingly in the firelight.
From time to time, fat would sizzle and pop on the rabbit's skin.
When the grease dripped into the fire, it would occasionally let out a SIZZLE, and the flames would suddenly leap higher.
This would immediately draw an exaggerated uproar from the men. They drooled at the smell of the meat, their idle chatter serving as an appetizer, making them all the more starved and thirsty.
The Big White Goose opened its beak and began to drool from its spot outside the temple gate.
Perhaps the sound of its drooling alerted the people inside, as the men by the fire suddenly turned in unison to look at the human and goose at the entrance.
Eleven pairs of eyes locked onto Song Ciwan and the Big White Goose. One of the men suddenly rose to his feet.
He appeared to be middle-aged, his face weathered by time, but his expression was exceedingly kind and approachable. He beckoned to Song Ciwan. "Young lady, the night is late and the dew is heavy. Why are you out here all alone? Hurry inside and warm yourself by the fire. You can pass the night here and set off tomorrow. It won't be too late."
Song Ciwan didn't enter, a slightly puzzled look on her face. "And you all are...?"
The middle-aged man chuckled. "My name is Guo Laojiang, and these are my brothers. This here is Luo Jing, that's Zhang Qing, this is Liao Xiu, and this is Chang Wei..."
He went on to introduce everyone around him, giving each name clearly.
He especially pointed out Luo Jing, saying, "This Brother Luo of mine is quite formidable. He's exceptionally talented and has already reached the Great Perfection of the Organ Refining Stage. He could break through to the Innate realm at any moment. The only reason we dare travel Celestial Dragon Mountain by night is because Brother Luo is with us."
"Don't you worry, young lady. Come on in. We're all men with families, not villains. And with Brother Luo here to protect us, you'll be even safer."
He was so sincere that if Song Ciwan still refused to enter, she would appear petty and overly suspicious.
But Song Ciwan was particularly thick-skinned. If she decided not to go in, she wouldn't go in. She simply stood at the temple entrance and declined, "Thank you all for your kind intentions, but men and women should keep a proper distance. It would be inconvenient. I'll be fine resting here under the eaves."
With that, she held the Big White Goose and actually sat down right there under the eaves.
Guo Laojiang immediately cried out, "Oh, come now, young lady! This is a Mountain God Temple! The Mountain God himself is watching over us inside. Surely you're not afraid we'd do you harm? The wind is cold out there. How can a young lady like you manage a whole night outside?"
"Come, come, hurry now! Brothers, squeeze in a bit and make some room for the young lady."
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