Chapter 1103
Fate and Effort
Shi Ji turned around and saw an old man in a cloak standing not far away, his eyes deep and thoughtful. He nodded and replied, "Indeed, sir. Do you know anything?"
The old man smiled slightly and pointed into the distance, saying, "The clue to the immortal mountain is hidden deep in this desert. But to find it, you must endure the desert's trials."
After hearing this, Shi Ji said firmly, "No matter what kind of test I face, I will face it."
During their arduous journey through the desert, Shiji frequently interacted with the old man. The old man often told her legends about the sacred mountain and strange tales of the desert. Shiji not only learned many survival skills from the old man, but also became even more determined in her belief in finding the sacred mountain.
One evening, as the last rays of the setting sun bathed the desert, Shi Ji finally discovered the ancient stone tablet amidst the ruins. He excitedly stroked the inscription on the tablet and softly read aloud: "After crossing the desert, on the night of the full moon, follow the guidance of the North Star..."
"This is the secret path to the immortal mountain," the old man's voice rang in Shi Ji's ears once more.
Shi Ji turned around and saw the old man standing not far away, smiling at him. He said with emotion, "Thanks to the old man's guidance, I was able to find this clue."
The old man shook his head and said, "All of this is the result of your fate and hard work. Go, young man, go and pursue your dreams."
On a night of full moon, Shi Ji stood high in the desert, gazing at the North Star. As time passed, a faint path of light appeared in the desert. He followed the light, his heart filled with anticipation and excitement.
Finally, deep in the desert, he discovered the ancient teleportation array. Shi Ji stood in the center of the array, took a deep breath, and activated it according to the instructions on the stone tablet.
After a dazzling flash of light, he arrived at an unfamiliar valley. Here, lush greenery abounded, birds sang, and flowers bloomed—a stark contrast to the desert he had just left. Shi Ji looked around, overwhelmed with emotion: "I have finally found the entrance to the immortal mountain. It was all worth it."
Shi Ji was immersed in the joy of finding the entrance to the fairy mountain. He walked slowly along the valley path, admiring the beautiful scenery around him. Suddenly, he noticed a strangely shaped stone by the roadside. Upon closer inspection, he discovered that it was not a stone at all, but an ancient jade pendant.
He bent down and picked up the jade pendant. It was semi-circular, entirely emerald green, and carved with exquisite cloud patterns. It felt warm and smooth to the touch, clearly an extraordinary object. Shi Ji turned the jade pendant over and over, his heart filled with curiosity about its origin.
“This jade pendant appears to be an antique,” a gentle voice said.
Shi Ji looked up and recognized the old man as the one she had met in the desert. She exclaimed with delight, "Sir, you've come here too?"
The old man smiled and nodded: "I have been following your journey. This jade pendant is your destined treasure. It has extraordinary power and can protect you in this sacred mountain."
Upon hearing this, Shi Ji felt a sense of awe and respectfully asked, "May I ask, sir, what is the origin of this jade pendant?"
The old man slowly said, "This jade pendant is a relic of an ancient immortal from the sacred mountain. It contains a portion of the immortal's magical power, which can ward off evil and guide you onto the right path. Since you were able to find it, it means you are destined to have this jade pendant."
Shi Ji gripped the jade pendant tightly, feeling the mysterious power it contained, and her heart was filled with gratitude. However, at that moment, a dark shadow suddenly darted out from the woods and rushed towards Shi Ji with lightning speed.
"Boy, hand over the jade pendant!" the dark figure shouted, striking Shi Ji with a palm.
Shi Ji reacted quickly, dodging the palm strike and simultaneously recognizing the dark figure—a man dressed in black with a ferocious expression. He immediately realized that the jade pendant was clearly more important than he had imagined, having attracted a robber.
"You won't get the jade pendant!" Shi Ji gripped the jade pendant tightly, nimbly dodging the attacks of the man in black.
Seeing that his attack had missed, the man in black sneered, "Kid, it seems you have some skill. But do you think you can keep the jade pendant with just this?"
Shi Ji remained silent, secretly plotting his escape. He glanced at the jade pendant in his hand, feeling a warm power emanating from it. Just as the man in black lunged again, Shi Ji suddenly pressed the jade pendant to his chest, and it emitted a dazzling light that enveloped his entire body.
The man in black was blinded by the sudden bright light and roared, "What trick are you playing!"
Taking advantage of the moment, Shi Ji used the power of the jade pendant to swiftly retreat, increasing the distance between herself and the man in black. She felt the power emanating from the jade pendant not only protecting her but also enhancing her speed and reaction time. Shi Ji was overjoyed, knowing that the jade pendant was helping her.
But the man in black quickly adapted to the light and pounced again, faster than before. Shi Ji knew she could no longer run away; she had to face him head-on. She concentrated all her strength, her eyes flashing with unwavering resolve.
"Drink!" Shi Ji shouted, leaping up and using the power of the jade pendant to strike the man in black with a palm. The palm wind howled, carrying a strong spiritual force, heading straight for the man in black's chest.
The man in black was taken aback, never expecting Shi Ji to unleash such power. He hurriedly dodged to the side, but was still struck by Shi Ji's palm strike, losing his balance and staggering backward.
Pressing her advantage, Shi Ji launched another fierce attack. The man in black knew he had underestimated his opponent. Gritting his teeth, he suddenly produced a black dagger, its blade flashing coldly, and thrust it straight at Shi Ji.
Shi Ji's eyes narrowed, and she swiftly dodged, but the blade still grazed her arm, drawing blood. She dared not be careless, keeping a close watch on the black-clad man's every move.
The two exchanged blows, their battle growing increasingly fierce. Trees around them fell under the influence of their spiritual energy fluctuations, and the ground was riddled with craters. Although injured, Shi Ji's fighting prowess, aided by the power of the jade pendant, far surpassed his usual strength, and he gradually gained the upper hand.
Seeing that his attack was unsuccessful, the man in black decided to retreat. He snorted coldly, swung his sword, used the force to back away, and turned to flee. Shi Ji dared not give chase, knowing that protecting the jade pendant was the most important thing at this moment. "Consider yourself lucky today, but we'll meet again!" The man in black's voice drifted back from afar, filled with resentment and hatred.
Shi Ji continued onward, the scenery in the valley becoming increasingly mysterious. The surrounding vegetation grew more lush, a faint floral fragrance filled the air, and the chirping of unknown birds filled the air, making it feel like a paradise on earth. Shi Ji walked cautiously along the valley path, her eyes scanning her surroundings warily, in case she encountered another sudden attack.
Suddenly, he saw an ancient stone bridge not far ahead, with a clear stream flowing beneath it. The bridge was covered with ancient runes, shimmering with a faint golden light, as if it contained some kind of mysterious power. Intrigued, Shi Ji slowly stepped onto the bridge, feeling it tremble slightly beneath his feet, as if welcoming his arrival.
As he reached the center of the bridge, the runes suddenly shone brightly, and a dazzling beam of light shot straight into the sky. Shi Ji felt a powerful spiritual force emanating from the bridge, and his own spiritual energy surged accordingly. He felt a chill run down his spine, knowing that this stone bridge was no ordinary object and was likely the key to the immortal mountain.
Suddenly, an aged voice rang in his ears: "Young cultivator, welcome to the Guardian Bridge of the Immortal Mountain. Only those with sincere hearts and unwavering resolve can cross this bridge and enter the core area of the Immortal Mountain. Are you ready?"
Shi Ji nodded firmly and replied, "Senior, I am ready. No matter how great the challenge, I am willing to face it."
The voice chuckled slightly: "Very well, then accept my test."
Before he finished speaking, the runes on the stone bridge began to rotate, forming a huge halo that enveloped Shi Ji. He felt an immense pressure coming from all directions, almost suffocating him. But he did not back down. He stood firmly on the bridge, silently reciting his cultivation techniques, trying his best to resist the pressure.
Within the halo, Shi Ji saw a series of illusions. He saw his journey on the path of cultivation, from his initial ignorance upon entering the cultivation world to his courage and fearlessness in the face of powerful enemies time and time again. Every bit of perseverance and effort transformed into boundless power at this moment, supporting him through the trials.
"Only with sincerity and unwavering resolve can one achieve success." The aged voice rang out again, tinged with a hint of relief.
Shi Ji felt the pressure gradually lessen, and the runic aura slowly dissipated. He gasped for breath, but his heart was filled with immense sense of accomplishment. He knew that this trial was not only a test of his body, but also a tempering of his soul.
Shi Ji walked step by step toward the immortal mountain, his heart filled with anticipation and hope. However, he did not notice the faint, exotic fragrance that permeated the surrounding air. As he ventured deeper into the immortal mountain, the fragrance grew stronger and stronger.
Suddenly, Shi Ji felt dizzy and his body began to feel heavy. He struggled to support himself, leaning against a large tree, trying to use his spiritual power to dispel the strange sensations within him. However, the strange fragrance seemed to possess some peculiar power, rapidly eroding his mind and spiritual energy.
"What's going on?" Shi Ji was startled. He suppressed his discomfort and looked around, trying to find the source of the fragrance. Just then, he heard light footsteps coming from not far away.
Shi Ji turned his head alertly and saw a woman in a magnificent robe slowly walking towards him. She had exquisite features and an elegant demeanor, and was holding a delicate jade fan in her hand, smiling at him.
"Who are you?" Shi Ji asked, fighting off her dizziness, looking at the woman warily.
The woman smiled slightly, her voice as melodious as a clear spring: "Young brother, there's no need to be so nervous. My name is Qingyao, and I am one of the guardians of this immortal mountain. You have been poisoned by 'Bewitching Incense,' and if you don't get an antidote in time, it may seriously affect your cultivation."
Upon hearing this, Shi Ji's heart skipped a beat: "Why would you poison me?"
Qingyao gently shook her head, her smile still on her face, but a hint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes: "It's not specifically targeting you. This bewitching incense is a defense mechanism I set up to prevent unauthorized people from entering the immortal mountain. You went deep into this place without notification, so it was naturally triggered."
Shi Ji's heart sank. He hadn't informed anyone or sought permission beforehand; his actions stemmed solely from curiosity and a desire for adventure regarding the sacred mountain. He tried to remain calm, his voice slightly hoarse as he asked, "Then... how can I detoxify?"
Qingyao slowly approached, gently waving her jade fan, and a faint fragrance wafted out: "The method to detoxify is very simple, but it requires your complete trust in me."
Along the way, Shi Ji traversed vast forests and treacherous mountains. He encountered various strange creatures and cultivators, and experienced some minor adventures, but none of these shook his determination to pursue a higher realm. Finally, one morning, he stood at the foot of Lingyin Mountain.
Lingyin Mountain was shrouded in layers of mist, with birds singing and flowers blooming, resembling a paradise on earth. Shi Ji took a deep breath, feeling the rich spiritual energy in the air, and his spirits immediately lifted. He climbed up the winding mountain path and came to a secluded valley.
In the valley stood an ancient Taoist temple, with a stone tablet at the entrance inscribed with the three large characters "Lingyin Temple." Shi Ji stepped forward to greet the old Taoist priest guarding the temple and explained his purpose. The old Taoist priest smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "Young man, you have a resolute heart; this is the perfect place for you to cultivate."
During his time at Lingyin Temple, Shiji meditated and cultivated in the mountains every day, feeling the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. His cultivation level continued to improve, not only breaking through his previous bottleneck, but also comprehending many mysteries of cultivation under the guidance of the old Taoist priest.
One day, the old Taoist priest said to Shiji, "Your cultivation here has come to an end. It's time to go out into the world and experience life. Cultivation is not just about staying behind closed doors and practicing asceticism; it also requires tempering your character in the mortal world."
Shi Ji nodded respectfully, deciding to continue his cultivation journey. He bid farewell to the old Taoist priest and left Lingyin Mountain with a resolute heart.
In the days that followed, Shiji traveled to many famous mountains and rivers, visiting renowned cultivators and learning their unique skills and cultivation insights. He encountered powerful demonic beasts and also made some like-minded friends. Each battle and adventure made him more resilient and stronger.
One day, Shi Ji heard a mysterious legend in an ancient town. It was said that in the far west, there was a mysterious immortal mountain, containing endless treasures and secret methods of cultivation. However, that immortal mountain was sealed by a powerful barrier, and only the wisest and most courageous cultivators could break through it.
Shi Ji embarked on a journey to the mysterious immortal mountain, traversing countless mountains and rivers along the way, each step filled with challenges and trials. His heart remained steadfast, knowing that every experience was for greater achievements in the future.
The sun hung high in the sky as Shi Ji stood in the vast, boundless desert. The earth, baked by the scorching sun, resembled a golden furnace, the heat waves rolling in, suffocating him. He wiped the sweat from his brow and muttered to himself, "This desert is truly like a furnace." (End of Chapter)