The morning sun brushed over the mountain peak, tearing through the thick clouds.
The first ray of sunlight slipped through the wooden cabin, landing softly on Li Muqun’s cheek.
He stirred slightly, opening his eyes, and a bright light suddenly burst forth from his deep black pupils.
“Ha!”
The man let out a light breath, exhaling a long stream of murky air that shot like a sharp sword straight at the tightly closed wooden window.
The force was so great it blew the window open.
A cool morning breeze drifted in, and the fresh air filled him with a deep sense of comfort.
He inhaled deeply again, then stood up with satisfaction and stretched lazily.
By now, the sun had fully risen, flooding the cabin with increasing light that revealed every detail of his tall, upright figure.
He wore a rough hemp Daoist Robe, the blue-gray fabric unable to hide his excellent physique—broad shoulders, straight back, long limbs—standing firm like a sturdy pine bathed in the morning light.
His short black hair fluttered in the breeze, and beneath it, his handsome face was unmistakable: sharp sword-like eyebrows lifted proudly, a bright and spirited gaze, starry eyes shimmering with profound depths.
Such a visage, set among the world below the mountain, could truly be called a rare beauty, a peerless young master.
But he seemed indifferent to this. After a simple wash and tidy, he knocked on the door and stepped out.
For a cultivator, the body is but fleeting smoke and clouds.
Only cultivation matters above all else.
And today would be a landmark day in his cultivation journey.
Li Muqun left the cabin and began climbing slowly along the footpath.
He had walked this path before, but never with the feelings he had today.
It was a new kind of experience.
Finally, he began the ascent.
The mountain trail was narrow at first, just wide enough for a person, but after several dozen steps, it opened up suddenly.
The land was flat and spacious, trees lush, with fertile fields, beautiful ponds, mulberry, and bamboo groves.
As he took in the scenery, his mood grew lighter.
He quickened his pace, and soon the Daoist Temple at the summit was within reach. Suddenly, before him, Dan Mist appeared.
The Dan Mist was intangible and formless, floating with the morning breeze, yet lingering on the dewdrops of tender leaves.
As it rose and fell, forming shape and color—mist as the body, rosy light as eyes, dew as skin, wind as the voice—a young girl in a flowing silk skirt, exquisitely carved like jade, and very beautiful, emerged upright from the Dan Mist and stood directly before Li Muqun.
She was none other than Luo Dan’er, who had been waiting here since early morning.
She had been ordered by Mother Luo to greet Li Muqun, the Disciple who opened Congealed Fat Peak, as he came to cultivate on the mountain.
Naturally, Luo Dan’er was reluctant, but last night Luo ZhiLan had overexerted herself in her elixirs and had fainted multiple times.
Weak and unable to summon her Golden Core cultivation, she couldn’t even stand, so she forcefully ordered Luo Dan’er to take on the task.
Well, Mother Luo’s orders cannot be disobeyed—after all, Dan’er cared deeply for her.
So, Luo Dan’er descended the mountain early and waited at the summit, ready to give this newcomer a proper challenge.
Though she had glimpsed Li Muqun from afar at the Daoist Temple and heard some descriptions from Mother Luo—that he was a reasonable and prudent person—this was Luo Dan’er’s first time to interact with a man alone.
Having been taught since childhood by Mother Luo that men were all filthy fools, she couldn’t help but feel fear and unease.
No, Luo Dan’er, you must be strong! Don’t lose face in front of this stinky man!
From afar, she saw a figure approaching and immediately lifted her chin, hands on hips, her bright eyes trying to mimic Mother Luo’s expression—a blend of cold distance, aloofness, and a touch of disgust.
But as the figure neared and she clearly saw Li Muqun’s appearance, all the countless plans she’d run through in her mind vanished in an instant, replaced by a single thought that kept circling in her head:
What a handsome man!
Even through the tinted glasses she wore, Luo Dan’er had to admit this man was ridiculously handsome.
Sword-like brows, starry eyes, upright posture, clean and refined—an extraordinary aura.
Was this really the same man she had glimpsed only a few times from afar?
No wonder Mother Luo didn’t want to send him away.
A man this handsome, if he ended up among the demonic sects, wouldn’t he be devoured completely?
Oh no, no, Mother Luo hates men the most, it can’t be for that…
Right! Mother Luo’s concern was for teacher-disciple ties, sect rules, righteous principles, and proper conduct.
Not because he’s good-looking!
But he really is very handsome.
Thinking this back and forth, Luo Dan’er’s once sharp and cool tone softened into a clear voice tinged with excitement: “But, Daoist Li? Mother Luo is in seclusion and specially sent me to welcome you.”
Seeing this, Li Muqun hurriedly bowed deeply and said respectfully, “Disciple Li Muqun pays respects to Miss Dan’er.”
Though he had never met Luo Dan’er, he had long heard of her—the strange spirit born from innate spiritual energy and the Dan Mist constantly refined by Luo ZhiLan, favored by the Pill Fragrance Immortal Fairy, addressed as mother and daughter, always at her side.
Now seeing this girl emerge from the Dan Mist, he knew immediately who she was.
“D-Dan’er Miss?”
Hearing Li Muqun’s voice, Luo Dan’er snapped out of her daydreams only to tumble headfirst into another train of thought.
“Dan’er Miss”… Hey, that title sounds quite nice.
No, no, no! How can a stinky man call me Dan’er Miss? That’s way too intimate—even Mother Luo hasn’t called me that.
Right from the start, he wants to take advantage of me—a hypocrite in handsome guise!
Of course, Li Muqun couldn’t hear the swirling thoughts in Luo Dan’er’s mind. All he saw was the girl blush and giggle shyly, then quickly feign anger, puffing her lips and saying, “N-no, don’t call me that!”
Um… what should I call you then? Dan’er little loli?
Li Muqun lowered his head, feeling completely baffled by Luo Dan’er’s moods.
No wonder people from Congealed Fat Peak are all odd—old ones are odd, and the young ones are even odder.
No, Li Muqun, you can’t think like this! From today on, you’re the loyal Disciple of Congealed Fat Peak, remember?
Right, maybe you just called her by the wrong title. Don’t look outside; look to yourself.
His eyes spun as he suddenly recalled something he had learned.
All spirits are long-lived, and any spark of sentience they develop takes thousands of years of refinement. Therefore, spirits take great pride in their age.
This little loli, though looking young and delicate with a lifelike form and clever consciousness, must be at least millions of years old.
Got it! Li Muqun nodded inwardly. She must be annoyed that he addressed her with too low a generation.
Cultivation world is full of traps!
Thinking he had cracked the code, Li Muqun quickly changed his tone:
“Disciple Li Muqun pays respects to Sister Dan’er, Aunt, uh, Elder, uh—respects to Ancestress Dan’er!”
After some thought, he decided to call her Ancestress.
You like seniority, so I’ll give you the highest one!
Luo Dan’er was dumbfounded.
???
What do you mean, Ancestress Dan’er?
Do I look that old?
A burst of nameless anger flared up instantly.
Sure enough, men are all big pigs.
The faint warmth she felt vanished immediately. She suppressed her anger and forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes: “Alright, alright!”
“Daoist Li, you’re newly arrived at Congealed Fat Peak. Mother Luo is in seclusion today and specifically asked me to convey some instructions and precautions to you.”
Now that was the right address.
Seeing Luo Dan’er no longer troubled by the form of address, Li Muqun felt his brilliance was working and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
“Disciple listens attentively.”
Still smiling? I’ll wipe that smile off your face soon enough!
Luo Dan’er gritted her teeth and said, “Mother Luo instructed that you find a place near the Daoist Temple to set up a hut and cultivate. She prefers quiet cultivation, with few rules—just remember not to make loud noises, not to disturb others, and not to do anything filthy.”
“Master’s orders will be remembered by Muqun, never to be broken.”
“Mm.” Luo Dan’er nodded, then suddenly changed tone: “There’s more.”
“To let Daoist Li know, the peak is home to some Spirit Plants and Spirit Beasts. Usually, I handle it alone, but now that you’re here, you can help with some.”
Ah? I have to do manual labor too?
But knowing there’s no free lunch in the world, Li Muqun nodded: “Of course, Ancestress Dan’er says and I obey.”
Ancestress, huh? Fine, fine!
A cruel smile flickered at Luo Dan’er’s lips as she continued:
“The good fields halfway up the mountain are where Mother Luo plants Spirit Plants. Remember to collect dew every morning first, then water and fertilize by type, and remove the spirit insects growing on them.”
“Behind the mountain is an animal pen where Mother Luo raises Spirit Beasts. Every morning clean the pen, then add feed to the trough.”
“Lastly, chores inside the Daoist Temple—every evening, the waste from Mother Luo’s pill refining is brought to the temple entrance. You need to clean it up and take it to the mid-mountain to make feed for the Spirit Beasts the next day.”
“That’s all for now. Don’t tire yourself.”
Luo Dan’er clapped her hands as if assigning simple tasks.
But Li Muqun was already stunned.
What do you mean ‘that’s all’?
Watering in the morning, shoveling dung in the afternoon, cleaning in the evening—
When do I cultivate?!
He leaned closer to Luo Dan’er and whispered, “Ancestress Dan’er, isn’t this a bit inappropriate?”
“A whole day spent on chores, where’s the time to cultivate?”
“If I can’t cultivate, won’t it be a disgrace to Congealed Fat Peak?”
Luo Dan’er glanced at him carelessly: “Your cultivation isn’t bad now. What you lack is the honing of diverse skills. The tasks I’ve arranged will teach you things.”
“New cultivators just starting out can’t expect to leap to the top. I know you’re eager, but everything requires a process. Settle your mind and work steadily. Don’t aim too high too soon. When I first trained under Mother Luo, I did the same chores. Trust me, work well, and Congealed Fat Peak will benefit from you.”
With that, she gave no chance for refusal and dissolved into Dan Mist, drifting back into the Daoist Temple.
Why does this sound so familiar?!
Isn’t this the same empty promise those deadbeat leaders in my previous life liked to give?!
At the mountain peak, Li Muqun stood shivering in the cold wind.
The first day of an immortal cultivator’s journey seemed destined to begin as a beast of burden.
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