Chapter 8

The Zhongnan Mountains.

The terrain is perilous and the roads rugged, with five major valleys and over a hundred smaller ones, stretching for hundreds of miles.

It is also known as Mount Taiyi, and has long been called the "Heavenly Capital," the "Crown of the Caves," and the "First Blessed Land under Heaven."

On the mountain stands the largest sect in the martial world—the Quanzhen Sect.

At the foot of the mountain.

The path is rugged, and a small stone road, like a worm, winds its way through the mist, resembling the path to heaven in the eyes of ordinary people. The road is difficult to walk, as one can imagine. However, because the top of the mountain is home to the first Taoist sect, the Quanzhen, countless civilians climb the mountain to pray for blessings. Of course, it would be even better if they could join the sect.

Therefore, under these circumstances, the rugged small road is not desolate but rather bustling with people.

On the small road.

Yue Yuan and Yin Zhiping walked side by side. After resting for half the night, it was just dawn when Yue Yuan eagerly asked Yin Zhiping to take him up the mountain.

It must be admitted that the mountain road is indeed rugged and difficult to walk.

In less than an hour, Yue Yuan was already drenched in sweat. Under the sun, he felt so hot that he wished to take off his Taoist robe and climb the mountain bare-chested. Looking back at Yin Zhiping beside him,

Although Yin Zhiping was injured, he walked with a leisurely pace, his forehead smooth, showing no signs of sweating.

"Damn!"

Is it because I've been staying at home for too long in reality? I haven't walked on mountain paths for a long time, and this sudden trip makes me feel so tired.

"Hey, Brother Yin, how much further is it?"

Stopping, Yue Yuan took out a square-shaped acupuncture chart from his chest and used it as a fan, constantly fanning himself. Feeling the cool breeze, Yue Yuan felt much more comfortable.

"..."

Yin Zhiping looked at the Taoist in front of him, somewhat speechless. The sword on his back had long been given to Yin Zhiping to carry, and with his bare hands, he had already walked ten miles of mountain road and was as tired as a dog.

This appearance...

It looks like he has no martial skills at all!

Most importantly, at the beginning, he was dressed in luxurious Taoist robes and carried a sword, looking like a Taoist master.

But who would have thought...

This Chunyang Sect... would send such a disciple?

Full of doubts, but Yin Zhiping couldn't express them in front of the other person. Meeting Yue Yuan's gaze, the corners of his mouth twitched, and he looked up at the misty Zhongnan Mountain peak, pondering for a moment before saying, "Brother Yue, there are about ten more miles of mountain road to go before we can see the mountain gate!"

"Ten... ten more miles?"

Yue Yuan was stunned, his tongue tying up. Staring at Yin Zhiping for a long time, he finally said, "Half an hour ago, Brother Yin said the same thing!"

"Uh..."

Yue Yuan's words made Yin Zhiping's face turn red. Indeed, half an hour ago, Yin Zhiping had said the same thing, but it was to motivate Yue Yuan. He didn't expect Yue Yuan to be just an ordinary person with no martial skills at all.

Now, being complained to again by Yue Yuan, Yin Zhiping felt quite embarrassed.

"Alright, alright, let's treat it as a physical exercise!"

Seeing Yin Zhiping's red face, Yue Yuan sighed helplessly, waved his hand, and indicated that it didn't matter. He then found a relatively clean stone nearby, sat down, and said, "Let's rest for a moment, and then continue climbing the mountain!"

After saying that, Yue Yuan took the gourd hanging from his waist, opened the cap, took a sip, and then casually threw it to Yin Zhiping, saying, "This is good for quenching thirst, and it's quite nice!"

"Oh?"

Taking the gourd thrown by Yue Yuan, Yin Zhiping first wrinkled his nose, smelled the fragrance coming from the gourd's mouth, and then tilted his head to take a sip. This sip almost made him spit it out. After a long time, he finally swallowed it.

Smacking his lips, Yin Zhiping turned to Yue Yuan and said after a long time, "Brother Yue, this seems to be sour!"

Sour?

Yue Yuan was first stunned, then realized that the other person was not used to drinking beer. Taking back the gourd from Yin Zhiping, Yue Yuan plugged it and then said with a smile, "This isn't sour; it's just the taste! Hmm, it's the usual thirst-quencher for us in the great Chunyang Sect."

"…Is that so?"

Yin Zhiping smiled insincerely, meeting Yue Yuan's gaze, and sighed, "Then I guess I don't have the fortune to drink this sour... uh, thirst-quencher!"

Thus, the atmosphere became awkward.

"..." Yue Yuan stared at Yin Zhiping expressionlessly.

"..." Yin Zhiping looked around, suddenly lowered his head, and started observing the ants at his feet, as if he had seen something interesting.

Forget it, you don't have the fortune!

Withdrawing his gaze, Yue Yuan no longer cared about Yin Zhiping's inability to drink beer. Instead, he looked up at the distant mountain peak, where the mist was still thick even as noon approached.

Under the sunlight, it reflected a golden glow, giving it a heavenly appearance.

It must be admitted that, throughout history, the locations chosen by Taoist and Buddhist sects in the martial world are top-notch, especially for Taoist sects, such as the Wudang Sect on Wudang Mountain.

If not for my limited martial skills, I could have already reached the top of the Zhongnan Mountains with supreme lightness skills, without having to climb step by step and get as tired as a dog.

Thinking about his self-preservation abilities after crossing over, Yue Yuan couldn't help but sigh deeply.

Ten minutes later.

"Alright, let's continue climbing the mountain!"

Yue Yuan, who had been mentally calculating the time, stood up and said to Yin Zhiping, who was still watching the ants, "By the way, help me carry this; I need to travel light!" After saying that, Yue Yuan took off the gourd hanging from his waist and handed it to Yin Zhiping. This thing, when full of beer, is not light. Normally, it's fine, but when hanging from the waist, it becomes a burden after a long walk or climb.

Fortunately, there is someone to help.

"..."

In silence, Yin Zhiping took the gourd from Yue Yuan and hung it on his waist without expression. He didn't know what to say about this Yue Yuan from the Chunyang Sect. Since last night, Yue Yuan's image as a Taoist master had gradually declined.

First, he complained about the weight of the sword and gave it to him, and now he even complains about the thirst-quencher...

Shaking his head speechlessly, Yin Zhiping was very doubtful about how he was saved last night.

Standing up.

Yin Zhiping followed behind Yue Yuan, and the two continued up the mountain.

However, after a few steps, Yue Yuan had already rolled up his sleeves, exposing his arms, and was marching up the mountain with large strides. At this moment, a tinkling bell sound came from behind.

"Hmm?"

Turning around, both Yue Yuan and Yin Zhiping stopped and looked at the newcomer. They saw a young man from a wealthy family riding a small donkey, leisurely passing by them and slowly heading towards the top of the Zhongnan Mountains.

This...

He is much more fortunate than us!

With an envious look, Yue Yuan stared at the black little donkey, feeling as if his heart was being scratched by a cat. In the end, he could only sigh helplessly and walk forward without spirit.