Chapter 623: Chapter 623

“According to past experience,” the elder said, “if a true dragon hasn’t appeared several days after the start of spring, then it definitely won’t show up at all. Most of the recluses on the mountain have already left. Why do you still refuse to go?”

He looked at Song You, puzzled.

“I’m not like those mountain recluses,” Song You replied honestly. “They live here and can return every year. I, on the other hand, have come from thousands of li away, and this may be the only time in my life that I can come to this place. If I leave without seeing the true dragon, I may never have another chance to witness its majesty. Naturally, I’m not willing to leave so easily.”

“That’s true,” the old man nodded, then smiled. “You certainly have a strong attachment to this.”

“We roaming Daoists travel the world,” Song You said, “and we love seeing the wonders and marvels of heaven and earth. If true dragons really exist in this world, of course I want to witness one with my own eyes.”

He paused briefly, then added, “Besides, many years ago, my sect’s founder claimed that true dragons had already vanished from the world. I want to find out whether that’s really the case. If not, I’ll need to revise the texts once I return.”

“What’s more,” Song You continued, “there have been rumors of a true dragon in the south of Yunzhou for more than a decade, and we’ve heard about them since back then. I’ve thought about this day for over ten years. How could I give up so easily now?”

He looked at the old man. “And besides, haven’t you also stayed?”

“This place, whether there’s a true dragon or not, is rich in spiritual energy and mystical resonance, and the scenery is absolutely beautiful. Cultivating while facing the sea of clouds is a blessing in itself.”

“That’s exactly how I see it.”

“Haha! Then allow me to offer you a toast, Daoist!”

The bowls clinked lightly, and they each drank. The roast chicken left their mouths covered in grease.

Then, the two continued chatting. Meanwhile, the cat lay beside them, hugging a chicken leg and gnawing at it seriously, slurping the oil from the bone while lost in her own thoughts. Mr. Liu also sat nearby. Though not a cultivator, he certainly wasn’t out of place in their conversation; it was quite the opposite. Whether they discussed local matters, cultivation, or legends, he was well-versed enough to join in naturally.

“How long have you been living on this mountain, fellow Daoist?” Song You asked the elder.

“Let me think...” The old man looked up at the sky, thinking for a moment before replying, “I came to this mountain in the second year of the Puyuan era. I witnessed a true dragon soaring into the sky, and it was a sight unlike anything else. The next year, I resolved to stay and cultivate here. Since then, I’ve lived on that nearby Mount Mao'er[1], and I haven’t gone down the mountain since. It’s been... about fifty or sixty years now.”

“Fifty or sixty years?” The middle-aged Mr. Liu raised his eyebrows in surprise.

Even the cat’s ears twitched at those words she found interesting. She glanced at the old man, then looked around in confusion before lowering her head to continue chewing on her chicken leg.

“Hahaha, I built a few bamboo huts up on the mountain, cleared a few plots of land. Other than buying salt and paying a little tax, no one comes up the mountain to bother me. I spend my days either meditating, gathering chrysanthemums to brew, or making pine-leaf tea. I farm what I eat and live self-sufficiently. When I have free time, other recluses come to visit, or I go visit them. Life is free and easy, why would I want to go down the mountain?”

“Then sir, how old were you when you came up?”

“I was forty at the time.”

“Whoa!” The middle-aged Mr. Liu gasped in shock, furrowing his brow in thought and sucking in a breath. Then he asked, “Mount Mao'er... that’s...”

“Just south of Bada, those two mountain peaks close together that look like cat ears.”

“That one?” Mr. Liu exclaimed. “I’ve heard a few recluses mention it before. They said there was an old immortal who lived there, deeply cultivated and skilled in many arts. Many recluses considered him a senior worthy of great respect. Whenever they had questions about cultivation or Daoist techniques, they’d seek him out. Even recluses who don’t cultivate would go pay respects just from reputation alone. I even heard someone say that old immortal once conversed with a true dragon in the mountains. Don’t tell me, that was you, sir?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t dare claim such a thing...”

Though he said he didn’t dare claim the title, it was in fact a roundabout admission that he was indeed the old Daoist the others spoke of.

“I’ve truly heard much about you.” Mr. Liu was both shocked and delighted. “I’ve long wanted to pay my respects, sir, but I’d heard that you’d grown old and weary of disturbances, that even other recluses who came to visit were often turned away. So I never dared come. I never expected to meet you here.”

“It’s not as mystical as everyone makes it sound...”

The old man actually looked a little embarrassed. He set down his wine bowl and cupped his hands repeatedly. “The one sitting here now is just an old man freeloading off your food and drink.”

“Since you’ve stayed on the mountain for fifty or sixty years,” Song You asked, “you must have seen many appearances of the true dragon?”

“But of course,” the old man nodded. “Not only have I seen the true dragon several times, but due to a particular fated encounter, I’ve also conversed with the dragon below, and I’ve even dreamed of it.”

“What sort of fated encounter, if I may ask?”

“That... is hard to explain.”

“I was presumptuous,” Song You said with a nod and bowed his head. “Then, may I ask, do you know when the true dragon is likely to appear?”

“There’s no pattern to it. The true dragon usually slumbers below, and only around the beginning of spring does it emerge, to stretch and take a breath of fresh air. Sometimes it chooses to rise and is seen by the world. Sometimes it prefers to remain dormant in the Dragon Pool. As for when it wants to appear and when it doesn’t, not even the immortals can predict.”

“I see...” Song You looked slightly disappointed.

Half a roast chicken was originally enough to feed Song You and the cat. With an extra guest, it was a bit tight, but Song You still had some dry rations, and the old man had brought along some pine nuts. It was more than enough to fill their stomachs.

But the wine and meat were quickly finished.

The sun had long since risen, casting its light for ten thousand li. The sea of clouds had lowered slightly, but still stretched boundlessly in all directions.

The old man wiped his mouth, stood, and took his leave. “It’s already broad daylight. I still have a few people to visit on the mountain, so I won’t wait here any longer. Thank you both for the wine and meat, I’ll be going now.”

The middle-aged Mr. Liu quickly stood and cupped his hands respectfully. “To finally meet you today after hearing so much, what an honor! In the future, I must visit you at Mount Mao'er. I only ask that you not turn me away at the gate.”

“Hahaha! You merchant, how short-sighted you are. If you truly wish to befriend a cultivated immortal, just cherish the one beside you. Why bother with others?” The old man threw his head back and laughed. He neither accepted nor rejected Mr. Liu’s request. Then he turned and began walking up the mountain.

After only a few steps along the narrow path between the fields, he suddenly paused. He turned his head and looked back at Song You.

“Daoist Master Song,” he asked, “with your level of cultivation, to wait here so bitterly, and with a trace of worry still visible between your brows... I suspect your purpose isn’t just to catch a glimpse of the true dragon, is it?”

Song You lifted his gaze to meet the elder’s.

But before he could respond, the old man chuckled twice and waved as he continued up the mountain trail.

His steps were sure and steady, as if walking on level ground, despite the rugged terrain.

Mr. Liu still stood respectfully with hands cupped and body bent, clearly deep in thought. After a moment, he turned to Song You and said, “That old gentleman must be nearly a hundred years old by now, but he only looks fifty or sixty at most. In fact, he looks younger than many common folk in their forties and fifties. Truly, the Dao brings longevity and preserves youth.”

“Indeed...” Song You nodded in agreement, still watching the fading figure ahead.

He had a vague feeling that they would meet again someday. So he withdrew his gaze, resumed his seated position, and continued cultivating and waiting, while his mind remained full of thoughts.

Another day passed. That night, he did not venture out to explore. As expected, the next morning, the old man returned.

That morning, Mr. Liu once again brought wine and meat, while the old man brought some dried fruits. Both of them had a jug of wine. As before, they drank together amidst the white clouds.

The three chatted idly, just like the day before.

But today, the old man didn’t leave in a hurry; instead, it was the middle-aged Mr. Liu who left first.

After Mr. Liu had gone, the old man turned to Song You and said, “Daoist Master Song, may I ask if my guess yesterday was correct?”

Song You met his gaze. After a moment of silence, he finally said, “You were right. I do have something else I’m searching for.”

“A spiritual resonance.”

“For what purpose? Seeking a treasure?”

“To form the Underworld.”

“The Underworld? The Five-Directions Five-Elements Spiritual Resonance?”

“I’ve heard of that as well,” the old man nodded, then asked, “But the Underworld, like the former Heavenly Palace, is a manifestation of the world's greater destiny. Even if no one manages it, won’t it naturally come into being after some years? Why are you in such a hurry, and why must it be within these ten or so years?”

This old man clearly wasn’t simple; his question was sharp and to the point. Song You’s face remained calm as he pondered his answer.

“You are indeed correct,” he said at last. “Even without intervention, the Underworld would eventually take form, but it would just take longer. However, the world has already changed drastically. You may not know this from deep within the mountains, but down below, the chances of a soul becoming a ghost after death are rising rapidly. For now, the Ghost City in Fengzhou is barely managing to contain them. If we don’t establish the Underworld soon, it will become overwhelmed, and the world will fall into deeper chaos.”

“I see,” the old man nodded in understanding. “But to get the Five-Directions Five-Elements Spiritual Resonance, surely you need the spiritual resonance from all five directions?”

“I have already obtained the other four.”

“You truly are remarkable,” the old man praised. “Then it seems this final one is something you are determined to acquire.”

“But this final one... may be the hardest of them all.”

“None of them were easy to obtain.”

“This one might be harder than the rest,” the old man said with a faint smile. “Even great powers of ancient times, should they carelessly enter the depths of the Dragon Pool, would not be assured of survival.”

“Even if I don’t retrieve it,” Song You said, turning his gaze toward the old man, “this spiritual resonance won’t stay here for much longer. Its very purpose is to help form the Underworld. When the time comes, and the Underworld is ready to take shape, it will naturally go where it must.”

“But even a decade or so... is still time.” The old man narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice tinged with emotion.

“Indeed,” the Daoist agreed sincerely.

The old man understood his meaning, smiled, and asked, “For the sake of the Underworld, you're willing to take such a risk?”

“Not just for that...”

“Oh? There’s another reason?”

“It’s not something easy to put into words.”

“Do you have anyone more suitable than me to confide in?”

“You don’t want to leap down into the Dragon Pool to seize the spiritual resonance, yet you also won’t open your heart to me. Do you plan to sit here and wait in vain until next year?”

The Daoist nodded with a faint smile, then no longer hesitated and spoke frankly, “The Heavenly Palace of the past was formed in much the same way. I want to take advantage of my youth to personally assist in the formation of the Underworld, and through that process, glimpse how the Heavenly Palace once came into being, and what mysteries lie within.”

“Nowadays, there are many gods without virtue. Not only do they fail to help the living, but they bring chaos to the world. Such beings should never have walked the path to ascension.”

After hearing this, the old man fell silent.

He glanced at the Daoist, unsure whether he should be more surprised by his ambition, or more moved by his honesty.

1. 猫耳 Mao’er means ‘cat’s ear.’ ☜