Chapter 642: Master Uncle Xu Xiaoshou

Cranes cry in the firmament, majestic peaks emerge from the clouds.

The scenery of Four Mausoleums Mountain, from its lower slopes to its upper peaks, is a magnificent spectacle. Below, white snow blankets the ground, the bitter cold not yet receded; above, flowers and grasses flourish, imbued with perpetual divine radiance.

Ethereal mists drift over the land, enveloping the hazy Immortal Palace. Despite the challenging environment, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is abundant; and though scaling its peaks is arduous, merely gazing upon them is a sacred experience.

Consequently, major spiritual cultivation powers continue to gather at the foot of Four Mausoleums Mountain. For one reason only:

Here, a glance upward reveals the Sacred Palace!

The Sacred Palace is regarded by spiritual cultivators from all five regions of the continent as the highest institution, a blessed land of grotto-heavens comparable to the Sacred Mount Guizhe, and the very place where sages achieved enlightenment.

It is said: "From the genesis of profound mysteries, the foot of Four Mausoleums Mountain was called a distinct heaven. The Old Sage journeyed through the mortal world's ebb and flow, and with a blend of azure and gold, became an immortal sage."

At the foot of Four Mausoleums Mountain, countless individuals have witnessed the continent's living legend: Semi-Sages descending into the mortal world.

Semi-Sages indeed exist in this world. However, unlike the Path-Wielding Semi-Sages of Sacred Mount Guizhe, who transcend the human pinnacle, the Sages of Four Mausoleums Mountain are most intimately connected to the world of spiritual cultivation.

They ascended from the lowest ranks of spiritual cultivators, much like climbing the cloud-piercing Four Mausoleums Mountain, step by step, until they reached the pinnacle. Merely hearing of these sacred miracles is enough to inspire endless motivation for cultivation. Moreover, at the foot of Four Mausoleums Mountain, countless individuals have genuinely witnessed Semi-Sages descend and receive their direct guidance.

This is precisely why the Sacred Palace holds its revered status!

On Four Mausoleums Mountain lies Thunderous Peak.

A seven-colored divine light shot up abruptly from Thunderous Peak, amidst the floating clouds and mist, disappearing into the heavens, and then...

"Boom!"

The firmament trembled, and a deafening roar shook the heavens. Not only could the exceptional individuals on Four Mausoleums Mountain's various peaks glimpse it, but even the spiritual cultivation powers and traveling individuals at its base could clearly hear and see it.

"A sacred miracle!"

"This is a sacred miracle!"

Newcomers to the area gazed at the sacred miracle in spellbound awe. Anyone capable of setting foot here knew that Four Mausoleums Mountain thundered day and night; that sound was both divine retribution and the Sages' ongoing experiments. As for the nature of these experiments, likely no one knew. After all, how could ordinary people secretly observe the actions of Sages?

Yet, merely witnessing that world-ending thunder calamity, only for it to be quelled by sacred power halfway up the peak, such a magnificent spectacle could inspire profound insights in people. The power of these calamities held immense attraction for those at the pinnacle of Path-Cutting, who still dared not invite the "Nine Deaths Thunder Tribulation." Consequently, hidden in various places at the foot of Four Mausoleums Mountain, one could casually find at least one cultivator of the Path-Cutting level, seeking enlightenment.

These individuals came, drawn by the mountain's reputation, merely hoping to achieve a breakthrough through observation. Some succeeded, while others failed. Even if the number of those who failed and perished was immense, for those pursuing the supreme path, it was still worthwhile. At least, here, one could observe the manifestation of calamity's power several times a day. Elsewhere, however, Path-Cutting was already considered the pinnacle. Besides life-and-death battles, who else would be so benevolent as to allow outsiders to observe and comprehend their own abilities?

The world-shaking thunder finally vanished into nothingness. Birds and beasts resumed their normal activities, flying calmly. After a crane's cry, the seekers of the Dao on Four Mausoleums Mountain, having looked up, returned to their cultivation, as if such scenes were utterly commonplace.

Thunderous Peak, the main mountain.

This mountain was supremely high and majestic, yet subtly ethereal and empty, as if it were a place untouched by human foot. Yet, on its back mountain, nestled among spiritual flowers and rare herbs dozens of feet high, and peerless ancient trees hundreds of feet tall, sat a remarkably unique thatched cottage.

The cottage was tiny, with only clean white walls and no roof.

—The White Thatched Cottage!

The brilliant light of the startling thunder emerged from this place, dazzling the world, and then also extinguished here. The legends of Four Mausoleums Mountain originated from this place, and the sacred miracles of the White Thatched Cottage likewise spread endlessly throughout the human world. This was simply because a Semi-Sage, revered as "Jinzhao," truly resided here. No one dared to utter his true name, but it was forever known throughout the world: Long Rongzhi!

"Creak."

The white wooden door of the thatched cottage was suddenly pushed open, producing a grating sound. The door had only moved halfway, as if stuck. After being pushed twice more, with a "bang," the entire door panel crashed heavily onto the ground.

"Huh?"

A voice of astonishment came from within. Immediately, the hand that pushed the door was withdrawn, and an old man with greying black hair walked out. From his disheveled hair, grimy clothes, and the subtle specks of white hidden among his charred and burnt hands, one could tell that this old man should have originally been white-haired, dressed in white with the demeanor of an immortal, possessing a youthful complexion and smooth skin...

But now, everything was the exact opposite.

"Failed again... Ugh!"

Long Rongzhi sighed, but was suddenly choked. His Adam's apple bobbed, and his mouth pursed.

"Cough, cough..."

He spat out a mouthful of sticky, black, unidentifiable substance, then felt a bit better and waved a hand. Sacred power drew forth essence, spiritual energy transformed into a spring. After drinking several mouthfuls, he finally breathed a little easier and declared with emotion: "As expected, these elixirs that haven't undergone the power of thunder tribulation, even if I blast them open with the 'Jinzhao Elixir Condensation Art' and swallow them