Chapter 39: The First Lesson of Cultivation

Among the thirteen people who entered the central formation, besides Li Fan, they were all teenagers.

Having received instructions, they dared not speak casually, only observing everything around them with excited and curious gazes.

The moment they stepped into the formation, the environment they found themselves in was completely different from Liuli Island.

It was as if they had instantly traveled from a bustling city to deep mountains; the surrounding trees were lush, green, and the chirping of birds and insects was Never Ending.

Looking into the distance, peaks were shrouded in mist, and mountains rolled endlessly.

A breeze blew past, and the rustling sound echoed continuously like waves.

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

Looking up, the summit was hidden in thick clouds and mist, nowhere to be seen.

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

These teenagers all possessed extraordinary Physique; after climbing for so long, they didn't even pant for breath.

Li Fan, however, was older after all and hadn't exercised in a long time, so he was already covered in sweat, barely managing to keep up without falling behind.

Another hour passed before they finally reached the summit.

The summit was just a small open space; as everyone stood scattered about, it was already somewhat crowded.

This peak was the highest among the mountains; looking around, there was nothing but a vast expanse of white sea of clouds.

The wind howled, the sea of clouds rolled, occasionally revealing island-like mountaintops.

These teenagers had all been born and raised on the ocean; how could they have ever seen such a magnificent sight?

At this moment, they were all staring in a daze, completely mesmerized.

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

They had been in the formation for more than half a day, yet the position of the sun had never changed.

It seemed to be some kind of illusion.

"How is the scenery?" Suddenly, a voice sounded beside them.

The teenagers were startled, then immediately reacted.

"Greetings, Immortal Master!" they bowed and greeted.

Li Fan also followed suit and bowed.

The person who arrived was naturally Immortal Master He, the Guardian of Liuli Island.

This person looked to be about thirty years old, wearing green robes.

With kind eyebrows and pleasant eyes, a face full of smiles, and a very amiable demeanor, he looked exactly like a kindly old man.

Seeing that this Immortal Master was not as scary as legends claimed, one of the teenagers gathered the courage to reply: "The scenery here is superb, truly worthy of an Immortal Holy Land."

"I have never seen such a wondrous sight; it is truly stirring."

…

Immortal Master He nodded with a smile, but his next words made the young people present suddenly quiet down: "When I first arrived at Liuli Island, the height of this peak was merely at the end of the mountain range, far below the sea of clouds."

The teenagers were stunned by Immortal Master He's words. After a long silence, someone finally spoke up in praise: "Immortal Master's Divine Ability is truly inconceivable, to actually be able to make mountains grow."

Immortal Master He laughed dumbfoundedly: "I am merely a small Cultivator at the Foundation Establishment Stage; how could I have such ability?"

The teenager who had been flattering him suddenly flushed red, lowering his head in shame.

The rest of the group looked at each other, not understanding what Immortal Master He meant by these 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 of the world, just like people, can gradually grow taller?" Immortal Master He stopped playing games and said slowly.

Upon hearing this, the teenagers were all dumbfounded, their faces filled with disbelief.

"This is truly inconceivable…"

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

Although the fact that mountains could grow taller was too shocking, since it was said by the high and mighty Immortal Master, the teenagers naturally chose to believe it.

It was just that their faces turned pale one after another, finding it hard to accept for the moment.

Immortal Master He continued: "Some peaks appear towering, but in reality, their fate is exhausted, and they can never advance further in their lifetime. Some are currently just small mounds, but possess infinite potential; who is to say that in many years, they won't grow into pillars supporting the heavens?"

"Just like this Shaowei Mountain beneath our feet; in the past, it was completely unremarkable, but in just a few decades, it can now overlook all other mountains."

"Of course, most are just like the countless peaks beneath this sea of clouds, from beginning to end, they can only serve as foils, silently looking up at the peaks above the sea of clouds."

"If mountains are like this, what of people?"

"Today, you are fortunate enough to step into the Net Body Spiritual Pool and wash away the miasma from your bodies. Whether you can embark on the path of immortality, or even hope for the Great Dao of Longevity, and what achievements you will have in the future, all depends on your own fortune."

Looking at the group of confused and bewildered teenagers, Immortal Master He sighed.

"Regardless of what happens in the future, today you must give it your all. That is all I will say, go!"

"Immortal Master He, may I ask where this Net Body Spiritual Pool is?" Some teenagers, although they didn't understand the meaning behind Immortal Master He's words, at least understood that they would finally be able to enter the Net Body Spiritual Pool.

Still having a youthful nature, they asked eagerly.

"It is right there!" Immortal Master He said indifferently.

Everyone looked in the direction he pointed, and the place Immortal Master He indicated was shockingly beyond the Square Inch of the summit, at the edge of a ten-thousand-foot cliff!

"Immortal Master, surely you are joking?" One teenager couldn't help but exclaim.

Immortal Master He's expression changed, he snorted coldly, and without even seeing how he moved, the teenager's head flew high into the air, and his body collapsed with a bang.

Blood sprayed out, splattering everyone around.

This sudden scene stunned the teenagers.

Some were so scared they wanted to scream, but they tightly covered their mouths, only trembling all over, their faces turning deathly pale.

Others were so frightened that their bodies went limp, and they fell to the ground.

Others immediately knelt down, kowtowing to Immortal Master He to beg for forgiveness.

"Let me teach you another lesson. One day when you embark on the path of cultivation, having good judgment is also extremely important. Who can be bullied, who cannot be offended, what can be said, and what cannot be said—you must weigh these things clearly. Don't wait until the day you die and your Dao dissipates to blame me for not reminding you today." Immortal Master He shed his previous kindly image, looking coldly at the teenagers.

Li Fan watched this show, observing the teenagers with their varied reactions, knowing that this lesson from Immortal Master He would surely leave a deep impression on them.

Not to mention these teenagers, even Li Fan, after hearing Immortal Master He's words, felt he had gained something as well.

He bowed deeply to Immortal Master He, saying sincerely: "I have been taught."

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

In front was a ten-thousand-foot cliff; if one stepped into empty air, they would surely fall and be smashed to pieces.

Li Fan, however, did not hesitate or pause in the slightest; his expression unchanged, he took a step out.

He did not fall; the ten-thousand-foot sea of clouds in front seemed to have consciousness, rolling and gathering to come beneath Li Fan's feet, holding him steadily.

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

Immortal Master He watched Li Fan's retreating figure, and couldn't help but mutter: "Excellent Heart-Nature, it's just a pity, he is too old!"

"What a pity!"