Chapter 39

Among the thirteen people who entered the central magic array, all except Li Fan were teenagers.

They were instructed not to speak lightly, and could only look around with excited and curious eyes.

The moment they stepped into the magic array, their surroundings had already changed completely from the Liuli Island.

It was as if they had instantly moved from a bustling market to a deep mountain. The trees around them were lush and green, with the sounds of birds and insects never ceasing.

Looking into the distance, the peaks were shrouded in mist, undulating continuously.

A gentle breeze blew by, and the rustling sound of the leaves echoed like waves.

Li Fan and the others were now standing at the foot of the mountain.

Looking up, the mountain top was hidden in thick clouds, out of sight.

The group climbed up the ancient stone steps without stopping for two hours.

These teenagers all had excellent physical constitutions, and despite the long climb, not one of them was even slightly out of breath.

Li Fan, on the other hand, being older and having not exercised for a long time, was already drenched in sweat, barely managing to keep up without falling behind.

After another hour, they finally reached the mountain top.

The mountain top was just a small open space, and the group was already feeling a bit crowded.

This peak was the highest in the mountain range, and looking around, all they could see was a vast sea of clouds.

The wind howled, and the sea of clouds rolled, occasionally revealing mountain peaks like islands.

These teenagers, who had all grown up by the sea, had never seen such a magnificent sight.

They were all entranced, staring in amazement.

For Li Fan, this scene was nothing out of the ordinary. Instead, he squinted and looked at the sun in the sky.

They had been in the magic array for half a day, but the position of the sun had not changed at all.

It seemed to be some kind of illusion.

"How do you find this scenery?" Suddenly, a voice sounded beside them.

The teenagers were startled, but quickly reacted.

"We greet the Immortal Master!" they bowed in greeting.

Li Fan also bowed.

The person who arrived was naturally He Xianshi, the guardian of Liuli Island.

He looked to be around thirty years old, wearing a green robe.

With a kind face and a smile, he appeared very amiable, like a good-natured old man.

Seeing that the Immortal Master was not as terrifying as rumored, one of the teenagers mustered the courage to reply, "The scenery here is truly magnificent, befitting a sacred place of the immortals."

"Never have I seen such a wondrous sight, it stirs the heart."

...

Mr. He nodded with a smile, but his words made the young people suddenly quiet: "When I first came to Liuli Island, this peak was the lowest among the mountains, far below the sea of clouds."

The teenagers were stunned by Mr. He's words and fell silent for a moment before someone finally praised, "The Immortal Master's powers are truly incredible, to be able to make a mountain grow."

Mr. He laughed, "I am just a lowly Foundation Establishment cultivator, how could I have such ability?"

The teenager who had flattered him immediately blushed and lowered his head in shame.

The others also looked at each other, unsure of the meaning behind Mr. He's words.

Li Fan, however, looked at the countless peaks in the sea of clouds, deep in thought.

"Do you know that the mountains and rivers in the world can grow taller, just like people?" Mr. He no longer kept them in suspense and slowly said.

Hearing this, the teenagers were all dumbfounded, their faces full of disbelief.

"This is truly incredible..."

"Is... is it really so? Could it be that these mountains and rivers are also living things?"

Although the idea of mountains and rivers growing taller was shocking, since it was said by a high-ranking Immortal Master, the teenagers naturally chose to believe it.

However, their faces turned pale, finding it hard to accept.

Mr. He continued, "Some peaks, though they appear tall, have already reached the end of their lifespan and can no longer grow. Some are just small hills now, but have boundless potential, who knows if they won't become pillars supporting the sky in the future?"

"Just like this Shaowei Mountain under our feet, which was once insignificant, has become a towering peak in just a few decades."

"Of course, more often, they are like the countless peaks below the sea of clouds, which can only serve as a backdrop, silently looking up at the peaks above the clouds."

"Mountains are like this, how much more so for people?"

"Today, you have the good fortune to enter the Spirit Pool and cleanse your bodies of miasma. Whether you can step onto the path of immortality, and what achievements you will have in the future, all depends on your own destiny."

Seeing the confused and dazed faces of the teenagers, Mr. He sighed.

"Whatever happens in the future, you must give it your all today. I have said all I can, go now!"

"Mr. He, where is the Spirit Pool for purification?" Some teenagers, though they didn't understand Mr. He's words, understood that they would finally enter the Spirit Pool.

Being young, they eagerly asked.

"There!" Mr. He said calmly.

The group looked in the direction he pointed, and to their shock, it was the edge of the mountain top, a sheer cliff thousands of feet high!

"Is the Immortal Master joking?" One teenager couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

Mr. He's face changed, and with a cold snort, without any visible movement, the teenager's head flew high, and his body fell to the ground with a thud.

Blood spurted out, splattering those around him.

This sudden scene stunned the teenagers.

Some were so frightened they wanted to scream but clamped their mouths shut, trembling and pale.

Some were so scared they went limp and fell to the ground.

Some immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Mr. He, begging for forgiveness.

"Let me give you one more lesson. In the future, when you step onto the path of cultivation, having a broad perspective is extremely important. Who you can bully, who you cannot offend, what you can say, and what you cannot say, you must weigh carefully. Don't regret it when you meet your end, blaming me for not warning you today." Mr. He, who had been amiable, now looked at the teenagers coldly.

Li Fan watched this drama unfold, seeing the varied reactions of the teenagers, knowing that Mr. He's lesson would leave a deep impression on them.

Not just the teenagers, even Li Fan, after hearing Mr. He's words, felt he had gained something.

He bowed deeply to Mr. He, sincerely saying, "Thank you for the lesson."

Then he turned and walked to the edge of the mountain.

In front of him was a sheer cliff thousands of feet high, and a misstep would mean certain death.

Li Fan, however, did not hesitate or waver, his face unchanged, and took a step forward.

He did not fall. The vast sea of clouds seemed to have a mind of its own, rolling and converging under Li Fan's feet, supporting him steadily.

He took another step, and after standing firm, Li Fan was enveloped by the rolling white clouds and carried deep into the sea of clouds.

Mr. He, watching Li Fan's back, couldn't help but mutter, "His character is excellent, but unfortunately, he is too old!"

"What a pity!"