Chapter 78: Entering the Dream

Five days had passed. As the sun set, Chen Pingan finally reached the summit of Crest Peak, marked on the newly-issued official map. This peak stood alone and exceptionally tall within a radius of dozens of miles. Chen Pingan gnawed on a hard, dry biscuit, perched on a branch of an old pine tree that jutted out over the cliff's edge. A gentle breeze rustled, causing the young man's hair to dance wildly.

The bamboo basket was placed at the foot of the tree. Chen Pingan wasn't yet bold enough to climb trees with the basket on his back. In the past, he'd seen mountain climbing as a laborious chore, always focused on keeping pace with Old Yao. Now, he stopped when tired, taking the time to admire the distant green mountains and clear waters. Many breathtaking landscapes that had previously amazed Chen Pingan were within the Great Li Dynasty's forbidden mountains. The boy had no choice but to follow the taciturn old man, taking detours. Crest Peak was one such place.

Having traversed mountains and rivers, Chen Pingan had witnessed many unfamiliar and magnificent scenes. There were cascading waterfalls, creating tiny rainbows in the aftermath of rain, which the boy felt he could simply reach out and collect to treasure at home. There were steep cliffs where millions of birds gathered, appearing like strings of white pearls hanging on the wall. There were treacherous peaks accessible only by narrow, perilous paths, finally leading to a vast stone platform that opened up the view, leaving one breathless. At night, the boy would drape a piece of clothing over himself, leaning against the basket and falling into a hazy sleep, as if hearing the murmuring whispers of immortals in the sky.

After another three days of arduous travel, Chen Pingan finally arrived at Divine Splendor Mountain, mentioned by Master Ruan. To the northwest and roughly ten miles away, stood Lantern Peak and Spear Ridge, forming a triangular formation with Divine Splendor Peak, resembling three colossal giants guarding their respective territories.

According to the map, within a hundred miles of these three peaks, there were five other mountains of varying sizes. Smaller ones included Colorful Cloud Peak and Immortal Herb Mountain, while the larger ones were Lantern Hearth Terrace, Yellow Lake Mountain, and Treasure Scroll Mountain. Before reaching Divine Splendor Mountain, Chen Pingan had visited Immortal Herb Mountain and Lantern Hearth Terrace. Immortal Herb Mountain was only slightly larger than Pearl Hill. Despite its small size, it was exceptionally lush with vegetation and towering trees. As for Yellow Lake Mountain, it was likely named after a small lake located halfway up the mountain. From a distance, the lake water appeared yellowish, but up close, it was remarkably clear. However, aside from the small lake, Chen Pingan felt that it was far inferior to Divine Splendor Mountain.

Over the next four days, Chen Pingan wandered around Divine Splendor Mountain and Spear Ridge, ultimately selecting three peaks.

Immortal Herb Mountain, Treasure Scroll Mountain, and Colorful Cloud Peak. Immortal Herb Mountain was small, Treasure Scroll Mountain was large, and Colorful Cloud Peak was tall.

Chen Pingan spent the most time exploring Treasure Scroll Mountain, which was truly vast with its hidden depths and long flowing streams. Among the many mountains Chen Pingan had visited, its scale was second only to Cloud Cloak Mountain and Divine Splendor Mountain. However, Chen Pingan was puzzled. With such a large area and its proximity to Spear Ridge, and even someone like Chen Pingan, who was an outsider to cultivation, could sense the beauty of this mountain, why would Master Ruan not abandon Lantern Peak and choose Treasure Scroll Mountain instead?

Chen Pingan estimated that the three mountains he had chosen would cost around forty-five gold essence coins. With the remaining thirty-five coins, Pearl Hill would inevitably consume one Welcoming Spring coin, leaving a substantial thirty-four coins, enough for Chen Pingan to generously purchase a truly significant mountain! After all, Master Ruan had said that even first-rate mountains like the Dry Spring Mountains, Fragrant Fire Mountain, and Divine Splendor Mountain only cost twenty-five to thirty gold essence coins.

Master Ruan had also divulged a secret, saying that within a thousand miles, the Great Li Dynasty would bestow titles upon a Mountain God, three Mountain Spirits, and a River God. Ruan Xiu had elaborated on this the next day. The so-called Mountain Spirit was someone selected by the Ministry of Rites, perhaps a famous historical figure from the region or a meritorious general who had died for the country. The Great Li Emperor would then acknowledge and appoint them as a Mountain Spirit, formally entering their name into the Mountain and River Register with a special vermillion brush. After a ritual of burning incense and making offerings, it would be considered complete, signifying that the Son of Heaven, acting as an agent of the heavens in the mortal world, had informed the higher deities.

Afterward, the Astronomical Bureau would produce golden decrees and jade tablets, which would be inscribed with imperial edicts by the National Preceptor and buried at the foot of the mountain. Finally, the local government would commission the creation of a golden clay statue, enshrined in a Mountain Spirit temple. The Mountain Spirit would then be entitled to enjoy the incense offerings of the people, protecting the living beings of the mountain and suppressing, subduing, or expelling any wandering ghosts and evil spirits.

Chen Pingan didn't expect that the three mountains he had chosen near Divine Splendor Mountain would have a Mountain Spirit to help guard the home. Instead, he placed his hopes on the large mountain that cost the most money. In this way, with Master Ruan's protection for the next three hundred years, the isolated mountain far away, if it could attract a Mountain Spirit, would undoubtedly put Chen Pingan's mind at ease.

As for the small mound of Pearl Hill, worth only one Welcoming Spring coin, no one but Chen Pingan would likely give it a second glance.

Chen Pingan was now sitting on a large rocky cliff at the summit of Colorful Cloud Peak, with the new Great Li Dragon Spring map spread out before him. The boy had memorized the names and locations of the mountains, yet he still couldn't make a decision about purchasing the final mountain.

The straw-sandaled boy propped his chin in his hands, his brow furrowed, swaying gently back and forth.

The boy's thoughts wandered far and wide.

What could he do with the mountain once he bought it? Chen Pingan was unsure.

But just the thought of being the nominal owner of those five mountains for three hundred years was already a very happy thing.

He could first marry a wife, start a family, and then pass it down to his children, who would in turn pass it down to their children.

So, marrying a wife, while not an immediate priority, also needed to be considered.

Thinking this, Chen Pingan, who was chuckling foolishly, suddenly snapped back to reality, feeling a bit embarrassed.

Chen Pingan leaned back, feeling sleepy, and wanted to doze off for a while. When he opened his eyes, Chen Pingan was immediately dumbfounded. Was he dreaming in broad daylight?

It turned out that this was the third time he had encountered the white-robed person.

Once on the covered bridge, once under the stone arch bridge, and now on the mountain peak.

The tall, white-robed figure, bathed in a snow-white light, was sitting cross-legged only a few yards away from Chen Pingan, yet Chen Pingan couldn't make out their features.

Chen Pingan felt that constantly being afraid was not the way to go. Gaining some courage, he cautiously opened his mouth and said, "Senior..."

The next moment, Chen Pingan felt as if he had been struck in the face by an ox's tail, a burning pain spreading across his cheek.

As if awakened from a dream, Chen Pingan suddenly sat up, realizing that he was still sitting in the same spot. Looking around, everything was normal. However, touching one side of his cheek, it was indeed still painful.

The boy racked his brains, unable to understand the reason, and could only scratch his head in bewilderment.