Chapter 334: Taihua Mountain

The Zilan Mountain Range is located in the southeastern part of Korea, stretching for thousands of miles and abundant in spiritual energy.

Deep within the mountain range lies a spiritual mountain named Taihua. This spiritual mountain is covered with rare flowers and exotic plants, and one can occasionally spot spiritual birds and unusual beasts. Taihua Mountain serves as the family residence of the Song clan.

Legends of immortals have long circulated in the local area. Some brave outsiders once formed teams to venture into the mountains in search of these immortals. However, each time they were blocked by a thick white fog. No matter how they tried to navigate, they couldn't find their way out, eventually fainting from hunger. Upon waking, they would find themselves on the outskirts of the Zilan Mountain Range.

Since then, outsiders no longer dared to trespass recklessly. During festivals and holidays, many common people would go to the outskirts of the Zilan Mountain Range to offer sacrifices and pray for favorable weather and bountiful harvests. Outside of these special occasions, the Zilan Mountain Range remained very quiet, with few visitors.

On this day, twelve azure steeds galloped from afar, rapidly charging into the Zilan Mountain Range.

The azure steeds had some azure scales on their bodies. The twelve young men and women, with the men dressed in long robes and the women in long dresses, each had an azure lotus embroidered on their left chest. They were Wang Ruyan and her companions.

By now, they had been away from Wangjiabao for over three months.

At Wang Qingyuan's suggestion, the Wang clan had adopted a unified attire as a mark of their identity.

Not long after the group entered the Zilan Mountain Range, more than a dozen gigantic white cranes flew from afar. Each crane carried a cultivator on its back. The leader was a simple-looking middle-aged man at the third level of Foundation Establishment.

"Fellow Daoists," the man called out, "ahead is Taihua Mountain, the residence of our Song clan. Unauthorized personnel are not permitted to approach."

The middle-aged man landed in front of Wang Ruyan and her companions and spoke sternly.

"I am Wang Ruyan from Qinglian Mountain, Wei State, representing the Wang clan," she replied. "I have come to offer birthday greetings to Senior Song. This is the invitation."

Wang Ruyan and her companions quickly reined in their horses. She took out an invitation and handed it to the middle-aged man.

The middle-aged man carefully examined the invitation. After confirming its authenticity, he returned it to Wang Ruyan and said courteously, "Ah, it's Madam Wang. I am Song Qingxian. There have been many guests arriving for the birthday celebration recently, so please forgive any inadvertent slights."

"You are too kind, Fellow Daoist Song," Wang Ruyan replied with a slight smile. "Our Wang clan is merely a small clan. If we have caused any offense, please do not take it to heart."

"All fellow Daoists who come to celebrate the birthday of our fifth uncle are honored guests of our Song clan," Song Qingxian said. "Madam Wang, please follow me."

Song Qingxian put away his giant white crane, then released a unicorn spirit horse whose body was as pure white as jade. He swiftly mounted it and galloped towards the distance.

Witnessing this, Wang Ruyan and her companions quickly urged their horses forward with their whips and followed.

After a short while, Song Qingxian stopped outside a dense forest, most of which was obscured by a thick white fog.

Song Qingxian took out a white square token adorned with flower and grass patterns. He waved it towards the dense forest ahead, and a white light shot out from it, instantly vanishing into the foliage.

The thick white fog in the forest churned violently and soon dispersed, revealing a spacious passage.

"Madam Wang, follow me closely and do not stray," Song Qingxian instructed. "If you accidentally trigger the formation, the trouble would be significant."

With his instruction given, Song Qingxian cracked his whip on his spirit horse. Startled by the pain, the horse quickly galloped forward.

The twelve members of Wang Ruyan's group followed closely behind Song Qingxian, careful not to trigger any restrictions.

After passing through the dense forest, they entered a valley filled with the chirping of birds and the fragrance of flowers, where a swarm of spirit butterflies danced gracefully.

On both sides of the valley were large patches of blue spirit flowers, their buds shaped like crescent moons. A strong floral scent permeated the air.

After passing through the valley, a spiritual mountain, five to six hundred zhang tall, appeared before Wang Ruyan and her companions.

The spiritual mountain was densely vegetated, with buildings extending from its summit to its base. Numerous figures could be seen moving about.

At the foot of the mountain stood a colossal stone tablet over ten zhang tall. On it were carved three large golden characters: "Taihua Mountain," glowing with spiritual light.

"Madam Wang," Song Qingxian introduced enthusiastically, "this is Taihua Mountain, the family residence of our Song clan."

"Indeed, it is rich in spiritual energy," Wang Ruyan praised politely.

Song Qingxian put away his spirit horse and led Wang Ruyan and her companions up the mountain.

The entire Taihua Mountain resembled a massive castle, inhabited by a large number of cultivators. On its wide and clean streets, people bustled about, and there were restaurants, inns, elixir shops, and weapon stores — everything one could need.

After another short while, Song Qingxian stopped outside a small courtyard. Pointing to the courtyard, he said, "Madam Wang, you will be staying here. It is not yet the birthday of our fifth uncle, but many guests have already arrived. You are free to explore, but you cannot go to the mountain peak; that is the core area of our Song clan."

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Song," Wang Ruyan replied.

Song Qingxian gave some instructions regarding things to note, then turned and left.

Inside the courtyard stood a four-story azure pavilion, with five or six rooms on each floor.

"This is the Song clan's residence, not our Qinglian Mountain," Wang Ruyan stated sternly. "No mischief is allowed. You can explore in pairs, but remember, we represent the Wang clan of Qinglian Mountain, so do not bring shame upon our clan."

"Yes, Deputy Clan Head!" Wang Qingshan and the others replied in unison.

Wang Qingshan, being a Foundation Establishment cultivator, set out alone.

Leaving the courtyard, he strolled along the street.

The shops offered a wide variety of goods of excellent quality, but nothing particularly caught his eye.

Wang Qingshan had visited the two major markets in Wei State, Qingyue Market and Bailong Valley. While the Song clan was indeed a large cultivation clan, there was still a noticeable gap between them and major cultivation sects.

"Azure Jade Spirit Rice, Golden Wind Spirit Rice, Snow Mulberry Beans, White Jade Lotus Root!" a shop assistant loudly called out from a storefront. "All kinds of spirit grains and spirit vegetables available! Don't miss out!"

Wang Qingshan's expression changed, and he walked inside.

"Senior, what would you like to buy?" the shop assistant asked enthusiastically. "Would you like me to introduce some of our products? These are all cultivated and sold directly by our Song clan."

"Do you have any higher-grade spirit grains?" Wang Qingshan asked calmly, surveying the goods in the shop. "Preferably something unique to your Song clan. I'd like to buy some to give as gifts."

The shopkeeper personally came forward, his face beaming with smiles. "Yes, yes, we have Purple Moon Spirit Rice," he said. "It matures every thirty years and costs ten spirit stones per jin. Even Foundation Establishment cultivators benefit from consuming it in large quantities, and for Qi Refining cultivators, it's quite beneficial for their cultivation. This is a rice cake made from Purple Moon Spirit Rice; Senior, please have a taste."

He took out a crystal-clear piece of purple rice cake from a ceramic jar. It carried a floral fragrance as he handed it to Wang Qingshan.

Wang Qingshan didn't stand on ceremony and took a small bite.

The shopkeeper immediately weighed out ten jin of Purple Moon Spirit Rice and placed it into a white rice sack.

"Good, I'll take ten jin," Wang Qingshan said as he paid the spirit stones and took the rice sack from the shopkeeper. "Shopkeeper, do you know where the birthday guests like to frequent?"

"Yes, I do," the shopkeeper replied. "First, there's Sanyuan Residence, which is a teahouse. Turn right when you exit, walk three hundred paces, then turn left and walk thirty paces, and you'll be there. Second, there's the Training Ground. Most outsiders set up stalls there to trade, and if you're lucky, you might even see cultivators sparring! For the Training Ground, turn right when you exit and go straight."

Wang Qingshan thanked him and headed straight for the Training Ground.