Lingze Mountain, Ascension Platform.
"Swish!"
A streak of fiery red sword light descended from the sky. Lin Zhao landed gracefully on the Ascension Platform. The platform beneath his feet felt like an ancient, spiritless boulder. He stood there, his sword brows furrowed. Not a trace of the Fan God Li Liuying could be found on the entire Lingze Mountain, nor was Wu Yuanzi present. He surmised that Wu Yuanzi didn't intend to make a move so soon, still focusing on his scheme for the Grand Competition for the Ten Greats on the Ascension Platform two days later.
He soared into the air once more, overlooking the entire Ascension Platform. The platform's shape strongly resembled an arch bridge spanning between the immortal mountain and the celestial realm. However, this arch bridge currently lacked any spiritual energy, likely because the Ascension Platform had not yet been activated. As Lin Zhao studied it carefully, he discovered that the construction of the Ascension Platform was truly a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship. Not only was its external appearance magnificent, but its internal design was also meticulously considered, with countless ancient and elegant patterns carved along its edges. The creator of this Ascension Platform must have been extraordinary, perhaps even having some unseen connection with Wu Yuanzi.
After studying it for a long while without any breakthrough, he had no choice but to leave the Ascension Platform and travel through the mountains on his donkey.
...
Deep in the mountains, where bamboo forests carpeted the land, the wild donkey snorted, diligently making its way forward.
Lin Zhao had changed into a plain blue robe and donned a straw hat, appearing as a wandering swordsman. As noon approached, a distant mountain song drifted towards him. He saw an old woodcutter in a blue tunic, tying up the firewood he had chopped. The old man looked up, seeing Lin Zhao approaching on his donkey, and showed no sign of alarm. He placed one hand on his hip and used the other to fan himself, saying with a smile, "Young sir, where are you coming from?"
Lin Zhao narrowed his eyes and smiled. With his Nascent Soul realm vision, he saw a radiant cypress tree Dharma image emerge behind the old woodcutter. This was a mountain spirit, its true form being a cypress tree. However, the spirits of Baihua Tianxia were not malevolent. Thus, Lin Zhao smiled and replied, "I come from afar. Are you a local, elder?"
"Indeed I am."
The old woodcutter plopped down on a stone and said with a grin, "Young sir, do you have any water on you? This old man could use a drink."
"No water, but how about some wine?"
"Even better!"
Lin Zhao then took out a pot of Qingzhu wine and tossed it over. He then produced a bag of spiced beef from his robes and laid it on the stone, saying with a smile, "Please, elder. Don't be shy."
The old woodcutter nodded with a smile, taking a piece of beef into his mouth. He ate with great relish, and as he drank, white beard hairs even became stained with wine. Despite being a mere woodcutter from the mountains, he possessed an air of transcendence. This cypress spirit was at the Golden Core realm, likely considered a senior expert on Lingze Mountain.
Lin Zhao held the Liquan Sword close, leaning against a stone pillar, and gazed at the Ascension Platform, which was faintly visible amidst the swirling clouds in the distance.
"Young man."
The old woodcutter chuckled, "Are you perhaps one of the immortals from the mountain, here for the Ascension Platform?"
"Something like that."
Lin Zhao scratched his head and said, "I am a stranger here, and I know almost nothing about this Ascension Platform. If you know any old secrets, elder, perhaps you could tell me?"
"This Ascension Platform is for the immortals on the mountain; it's very powerful," the old woodcutter said, taking a swig of wine and wiping his mouth. He looked towards the Ascension Platform with a hint of reverence in his eyes. "Legend has it that the person who built this Ascension Platform back then was a renowned divine craftsman from the ancient Shu kingdom, named Li Chun. Li Chun's craftsmanship was so exquisite that it could evoke celestial resonance. It is said that after completing the Ascension Platform, Li Chun received imperial decree from heaven and earth, becoming a true divine craftsman and ascending to the immortal realm."
"Is that so..."
Lin Zhao frowned. "Did he leave nothing behind for Baihua Tianxia?"
"No."
The old woodcutter shook his head, grabbed a piece of beef, and threw it into his mouth. After chewing heartily for a moment, he suddenly slapped his thigh, as if remembering something, and said with a smile, "I almost forgot! To build the Ascension Platform, Li Chun lived in a hut in the valley ten miles from the platform. He also left behind descendants, who passed down his legacy through generations, eventually forming a village called Lijia Village. It is said that some of Li Chun's descendants still live there today."
"Oh?"
Lin Zhao's heart stirred, and he smiled, "Really?"
The old woodcutter chuckled, "Young sir, we met by chance, yet you so generously offered me wine and meat. Why would this old man lie to you? If you wish to seek the immortals, perhaps you should pay a visit to Lijia Village. You might find some clues."
"Thank you!"
Lin Zhao cupped his fists lightly, turned, and mounted his donkey to continue on his way. The old woodcutter squinted, watching Lin Zhao depart before transforming back into an old cypress tree in the mountains. This appearance was not in vain. For the sake of that plate of beef and pot of Qingzhu wine, it was worthwhile. He had never tasted such mellow and delicious wine in his life!
...
In the afternoon.
Lin Zhao circled for a considerable distance and finally arrived at a village nestled in a mountain valley – Lijia Village. However, the dwellings in the village were not densely packed; houses were scattered relatively far apart, inhabited by common folk like hunters and farmers. Lin Zhao inquired along the way and discovered that Lijia Village was no longer the original Lijia Village but had become a "Hundred Families Village." Outsiders had continuously flooded in, while the Li family's population had dwindled, with people leaving and dispersing. Now, only a single impoverished scholar remained in the village from the Li lineage. Everyone had forgotten his name, only knowing him as Scholar Li, who failed his examinations year after year. His ancestral property had long been sold off, leaving him with nothing but an empty house.
When Lin Zhao arrived at Scholar Li's home, he found that the villagers' descriptions were not exaggerated. It was truly an empty house, with even the walls partially collapsed. Half of the earthen wall in front of the thatched cottage had caved in, leaving only two wooden pillars standing forlornly. Inside, there was nothing: a pot, a bundle of firewood, and a small amount of rice and flour – this was likely all he possessed. In addition, there was a stack of neatly organized bamboo slips of the sages. Despite his poverty, the scholar did not neglect his books.
At this moment, behind the stove, a scholar clad in patched clothes was tending the fire. Two eggs were boiling in the pot – this was presumably Scholar Li's dinner for the day.
"Excuse me."
Lin Zhao stood outside. Although he could see the scene inside at a glance, he still dared not intrude. He cupped his fists respectfully from outside and asked, "Is this Scholar Li's home?"
Scholar Li was startled. He quickly brushed the dust off his clothes, stood up, and came outside. "I am Scholar Li. And who might you be, young sir?"
"Oh, I am a traveler from afar."
Lin Zhao smiled. "I just passed by the Ascension Platform and greatly admire the immortal Li Chun who built it. Therefore, I came to Lijia Village to see the descendants of the immortal Li Chun."
"I am ashamed, ashamed..."
Scholar Li's face turned red. "I, a degenerate descendant of the Li family, have brought shame upon our ancestors..."
"Not at all."
Lin Zhao smiled. "Studying and pursuing knowledge is by no means shameful."
"You seem like a refined gentleman, young sir. Are you also a scholar?"
"Yes, I attended school when I was young, so I've read a little. But the knowledge I possess is just a drop in the ocean, not worth mentioning."
"Is that so..."
Scholar Li glanced at the sky; dusk was beginning to descend. He quickly wiped the outdoor stool and the old, mottled table with his sleeve and said with a smile, "You have traveled a long way, young sir, and must be tired. Please, rest here for a while."
"Thank you."
Lin Zhao did not stand on ceremony. He turned and sat down. Scholar Li then turned and retrieved the two boiled eggs from the pot. After briefly cooling them in cold water, he took them out with his bare hands and placed them in a chipped bowl, presenting them to Lin Zhao with a smile. "My house is as bare as a wall, and I have nothing good to offer."
This was his only meal for the day!
Lin Zhao frowned. This Scholar Li's heart was surely not bad, but he had read himself foolish by focusing solely on books. After handing the eggs to Lin Zhao, Scholar Li slapped his forehead. "Ah, I almost forgot!"
He hurried back into the house and retrieved a worn notebook. After dipping a small amount of ink, he wrote a line on the notebook: "Owe Aunt Wang two eggs." He then put the notebook away and returned outside, only to find that the eggs in the bowl had not been touched. He felt even more ashamed. "Why aren't you eating them, young sir? It's alright, I'm not hungry. I ate too much at noon."
He rubbed his stomach, but it rumbled unmistakably.
Lin Zhao's expression was calm. He did not mock. In terms of poverty, who could be poorer than Lin Zhao back then? That was true destitution. Therefore, no matter when or where, Lin Zhao would never laugh at someone's poverty, as he had experienced it himself. He smiled and began to pull things from his robes, saying, "I am seeking immortals in the mountains, and I actually brought some food with me. If you don't mind, Mr. Li, please sit down and share some with me."
With that, a bag of roast chicken, a bag of pork belly, and a bag of salted peanuts were laid out on the table. He then took out two pots of wine and two wine cups. After pouring a cup of wine for himself and Scholar Li, he began to peel an egg and drink, while eating. The taste... was a bit strange. Scholar Li gulped down a mouthful of saliva. Lin Zhao's intention was clear: he had eaten his eggs, so he could also eat his food. Otherwise, he was afraid Scholar Li would be too embarrassed.
For a moment, Scholar Li's face turned red again, filled with shame, but the delicious food before him was irresistible. He could only pick up his chopsticks.
Lin Zhao was also forthright. He raised a cup of wine and said, "Cheers?"
"Alright, cheers!"
Scholar Li clinked glasses with Lin Zhao, then downed a cup of fine wine. Biting into a piece of roast chicken leg, Scholar Li's eyes instantly welled up with tears. In all these years, this was perhaps the best thing he had ever eaten. As for the young swordsman before him, he was clearly learned and possessed an air of a gentleman. Could he be his destined benefactor?
...
After a few cups of wine, Scholar Li became slightly tipsy, and his worries seemed to deepen. He gently placed his wine cup on the table and said softly, "I am ashamed... I have studied for so many years, yet I have not achieved even a single scholarly title. I have truly shamed my ancestors. The imperial examinations are almost here again. I have borrowed travel expenses from the villagers. If I fail again, I do not intend to return."