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Apart from Chao Kongtu, the other eleven priests had never been on the mountain before, but even Old Chao was seeing for the first time of this “Phoenix Mountain 2.0” after the formation was activated.

The sensation was exceptional. However pretty the landscapes of the mortal world could be, they were still too common. Here, on the other hand, from the verdant mountain and the clear water to the flowers and trees, everything looked so natural with a spiritual aura.

Long Qiu and Xiaojin led the way at a normal speed. The rest climbed the stairs unhurriedly, passing the talisman workshop, liquor workshop, tea workshop, etc., on their way; those did not surprise them at all.

A while later, the two girls suddenly turned towards the front mountain, and stopped at a peach grove somewhere between the front and the back mountain.

Among the sea of pink blossoms dangling from the branches was a clearing, where some stone tables and chairs had been set out. A man and a woman sat there waiting; they were none other than Gu Yu and XIaozhai themselves.

“Hello, Layman Gu!”

“Hello, Laywoman Jiang.”

The priests greeted the couple. Although the letter said “honorable Perfected Man Gu”, that was for diplomatic purposes—they could never address Gu Yu as “Perfect Man” in his presence, for they were all cultivators, and knew what that title represented.

“Priest Lu, it’s been a while.” While Long Qiu busied herself pouring tea for everyone, Gu Yu invited them to take their seats. First, he said to Lu Yuanqing, “I see that Priest Lu has made yet another achievement. You’re almost getting to the Great Dao of Dan method.”

“You flatter me! I am still four or five years away from obtaining the Golden Liquid.”

The state of Golden Liquid Huandan was equivalent to the Human Immortal state. Old Lu became an innate state cultivator four years ago, and was cultivating with the help of Dan pills as well. He was making pretty fast progress.

‘Four or five years…’

Xiaojin’s eyes darted around at those words, and she was at ease. ‘I see, he’s about at the same level as me, and there’s a fifty percent chance I can defeat him. He doesn’t scare me!’

“I have heard so much about your remarkable mountain, and I see that it is as beautiful as people claim it to be. This peach grove is excellent. May I ask what unusual species this is?” Lu Yuanqing was very good at making small talk.

“This is the culprit of that peach blossom miasma in Hekou Town. I cut a few branches and brought them back a few years ago. Somehow, they grew into a grove here.”

After exchanging some pleasantries with Lu Yuanqing, Gu Yu turned to Bai Yunsheng with a smile. “Priest Bai, congratulations on the achievement in your sword manual.”

“Thank you. You were the reason that I could have this opportunity,” replied Bai Yunsheng politely.

Gu Yu then greeted those that he had met before, such as Li Suchun and Wang Ruoxu, in turn. He then sipped his tea, and said, “I am honored to have everyone here today. Although I took the initiative in holding a lecture, I am actually feeling uneasy about it, fearing that I am reaching beyond my ability.

“We talk about lecturing the others with Taoist theories, but I’d rather think it an occasion to spread cultivation concepts and offer explanations. It is an opportunity to make the people understand. What do you think?”

“That’s right!” The priests nodded.

Teaching Taoist theories was not simply telling any random person about the real Taoist skills. That would be so foolish.

Since the beginning of everything until now, because of a certain reason, the authorities had been quite vague in this aspect, and never offered a specific system. Enthusiastic as the common people were, they had little idea of the thing they were so infatuated with—all they did was noisily coming along for the ride.

Hence, the purpose of this upcoming lecture was to educate the people, letting them know what this new world was like and the reason for the change, as well as the concepts of Qi, cultivation, talisman, Dan method…

Only by understanding these ideas could people gradually begin to adjust their mindset and switch their ideas from old to new. How would they ever be able to embrace a new world if they did not even know the basics of it.

“The preliminary plan is to hold lectures for seven days. The contents will depend on the audience—we will spend the daytime lecturing the outsiders and the nights communicating among ourselves.” Xiaozhai took over the conversation and went on, “Everyone here is a capable man: Priest Lu’s Dan method, Priest Bai’s sword skill, Priest Wang’s Fengshui practice, Priest Zhang’s talismans, just to name a few. Now, you’re all unchallenged masters in your respective areas.

“We might seem to have quite a few people here, but today is only the beginning. In a few days, priests and pupils of local temples will be arriving, as well as various foreign delegations. Hence, please don’t be shy to show off your skills.”

“…”

The priests of the monastery exchanged looks in silence, all taken by surprise. They did not expect to see an event of such a scale!

That being said, they were very excited to take part in it. However the times changed, education was always a great contribution to the world. Since the tone had been set, they then moved onto discussing the agenda.

Agewise, Gu Yu was among the youngest. However, as the only Human Immortal and the host of the event, his opinion was valued the most. As for Xiaozhai, well, no one could overlook her relationship with Old Gu.

After a half-day-long discussion, they finally came up with an agenda. Starting from June 8th, the lecture would be running for seven days.

Gu Yu would give the opening lecture on the first day.

Lu Yuanqing and Shi Yunlai would talk about Dan methods on the second day.

Zhang Shouyang and Chao Kongtu would talk about talismans on the third day.

Wang Ruoxu would introduce Fengshui and Li Suchun would talk about evil energy and lands with Yin attribute on the fourth day.

On the fifth day, Bai Yunsheng would talk about sword skills, and Mo Haofeng about the categorization and identification of spiritual beasts.

The sixth day was when Xiaozhai talked about Thunder Technique and Long Qiu about the Undead Insects.

On the seventh day, Phoenix Mountain would be officially taking in pupils.

Lectures during the daytime for the outsiders were all on general concepts, and did not involve specific cultivation methods. The internal discussion during the evenings would be all about the useful stuff.

***

Bai Town, Baoshan.

Baoshan was 23 km from the city, and had a population of a little over 20 000 and an economy on the less developed side. Most of the town were mountainous areas, and only about one tenth was arable lands. However, the town had suddenly become a popular spot thanks to its proximity to the city.

Those that had arrived late and could not find a place to live in the downtown area had all flooded the surrounding villages and towns, among which was Baoshan.

You Yu had arrived early enough, but he could not afford the surging price of the hotels in the city. Hence, he had to stay at the home of some farmer of Baoshan, sharing a big kang with several men during the night.

The rent was paid by days, and meals were not included… even such a place was not easy to get.

Today was June 3rd already. As the date approached, people were becoming more agitated. With the abominable heat, everyone was pushing towards their limits both psychologically and physically.

The police force was working around the clock, but there was simply not enough of them. Fights were breaking out every day; the most severe one took place yesterday, when two groups of people fought with weapons—a quarrel between the two groups somehow escalated, and they threw down the gauntlet.

Over a dozen people suffered from minor injuries, and two people were severely wounded. Luckily, they were already out of immediate danger.

Had this happened anywhere else, the place would have been cleared out for inspection. However, this was Phoenix Mountain’s business. Even the one million people in Bai Town now felt like inferior insects shut up in a jar under the blazing sun, let alone these people living in the villages. Life was so miserable, and they had no control over their fate.

Slurp!

Right now, in the central room of a farmhouse, a small table was set on the ground, and two boys were having their breakfast while sitting on stools. One was You Yu, and the other was Wang Jingxin, You Yu’s roommate.

Wang Jingxin was from Longxi, and very teenagery. He had travelled halfway across the country to become a pupil of the mountain.

Wang Jingxin was a lively character. Chewing the noodles made from potato flour, he shouted at someone in the yard, “Uncle, we’re eating this every single day. Can’t we have something else for a change?”

“What do you want to eat? Steamed buns and millet congee? Where am I supposed to find any of that?”

“Then how about something different for dinner? Anything but rat meat with cabbage! I’m gonna be sick if I eat any more of that!”

“Like I care? Go live somewhere else, then!” Their elderly landlord was shirtless and covered by sweat. He bundled up some very green cabbages and put them into the cellar, then cursed, “Jesus f**king Christ! It’s hot as hell again this year. We don’t have any crops in the first place, and if it goes on like this, we’ll all starve to death!”

He had to complain.

Nowadays, one would be daydreaming if they wanted soybean milk, deep-fried dough sticks, and salty tender bean curd for breakfast. Even the officials could not have those.

Seven people used to live in this farmhouse, but for one reason or another—economic pressure, being maimed in fights, or being unable to bear the hardships, for example—most of them had gone back home.

They were the only two left now. You Yu felt like a student of ancient times, going on a ten-thousand-mile journey towards the capital city to take civil examinations. Once there, he was to experience how difficult it was to live in big cities, and had to fight madly for a place to stay in.

They soon finished breakfast, and Wang Jingxin wiped his mouth with his hand. “I’m heading out to the town center. Wanna come?”

“Nope. I don’t want to be a third wheel.”

“Tsk, you don’t have to say that aloud!” The fellow blushed, and hurried out of the courtyard. He was going to see a certain southern girl he’d just met.

Having nothing better to do, You Yu stayed in the shade under the eaves, holding a fan while looking around in boredom.

Beep! Beep!

Moments later, a vehicle suddenly stopped outside. Tao Yu rolled down the window, calling out, “We’re heading for the city. Wanna come?”

“Um, sure!” You Yu hesitated a little, but nodded in the end.

It was quite a coincidence. Tao Yu had brought Tao Tong and Tao Yi here himself. He did not like the crowded city, so he rented an entire farmhouse in Baoshan right next door to where You Yu stayed.

They struck up a conversation the other day and were surprised to find out that they had all met Perfected Man Gu, which naturally brought them closer. Tao Yu even asked You Yu to move into their place, though the latter refused politely.

They followed the traffic and drove into Bai Town at a crawling speed.

Tao Yu was going to the patriarch to talk about the development of the mine, while You Yu wanted to walk around on his own. Hence, they set a time to meet, and each went about their own business.

You Yu hopped onto a bus and arrived in the square at the foot of the mountain.

Houses were being built in the square—one row on both the left and the right side—and were apparently to be used for reception in the future. A lot of people was here. For one, it was close to the mountain, and in case there were some new developments, they could learn of them first. For another, it was nice and cool here.

With the temperature of Phoenix Mountain, this place was far cooler than the surrounding area; it was as if a central air-conditioning was blowing here.

The kid had little money, but was still having a good time walking around while window-shopping. He had finished one round around the market and was about to take another round when someone cried out somewhere ahead of him. “My bag!”

‘!!!’

The crowd turned their heads as a boy with a brush cut ran this way holding a bag. A small girl was yelling at the top of her voice behind him.

‘Tsk!’

You Yu hesitated a little, but still decided to step out and stop the boy. However, before he could take any action, a man jumped out with a kick. The fellow fell to the ground with a thud.

While he wailed holding his stomach, the leather bag was tossed away and landed right at You Yu’s feet.

“…”

You Yu winced a little, then picked up the bag and went up to the fellow, only to find another group of people there. They were two boys and a girl similar to himself in age, with a few vigorous bodyguards, one of which stopped that man.

“Thank you! Thank you so much!”

The little girl ran up to them, panting heavily.

She was about seven or eight, and had lusterless hair. Despite her tiny frame, she had very large eyes, which looked somewhat disproportionate on her. She also wore very plain clothes, and had a darker complexion. She looked a little timid.

“Where are you from? Why are you all by yourself? Where’re your parents?” Of the two boys and a girl, the girl was the first to speak.

“I was here with my uncle, and we got separated…”

“Do you know his number?”

“I do, but I don’t have a cellphone.”

The little girl spoke sensibly, only that she appeared to have a feeling of inferiority. Seeing the demeanor and the clothes of the three teenagers, she was a little afraid to look up.

“Call your uncle with my phone, then. Here’s your bag.” You Yu handed her back her bag.

“Thank you! Thank you!” The little girl made her phone call. Then, pursing her lips, she summoned up her courage, and said, “May I know our names? I promise I will repay your kindness.”

“Why, are you living in the ancient times? How are you going to repay me? Are you going to marry me?” the teenage girl teased her. “I suppose there’s no harm in telling you our names—we might be classmates someday. I’m Zeng Ke, he’s Lei Xiao, and that’s Yuan Lingshan. We’re all from Shengtian.”

That was right. These three were the youngsters of the Zeng, the Lei, and the Yuan Families.

“I’m You Yu. I’m from Zhijin, Guizhou Province,” said You Yu.

“…”

The little girl blinked, feeling that this brother was the kinder one. “I, I’m An Susu, and I’m from Xiaoheyan Village, Sanping.”