Another month slowly passed in the new world, and during this time Jian had mostly healed from his wounds. His broken ribs had fused together nicely, and his flesh wounds had only slight scabs that were beginning to fall, all thanks to some healing pills he had been fed by the nun.
Those were some miraculous pills as he had been quickly healed physically, but mentally he was not calm, insecurity filled him. He had accepted Cui Suyin's offer and had travelled more than five hundred Li in the last month, and only now had he had finally arrived at the Three Peaks monastery.
The both of them slowly traveled on foot on a clean earthen trail surrounded by some dead bushes "It's not going to be long, only two hours away? The 'Three Peaks' monastery is right there." Cui Suyin pointed at the three most prominent mountains far in the distance. The three mountains were very tall and wide. How wide, he didn't know for sure as he was still a long way from them, but he could easily see that all three peaks pierced the layer of clouds surrounding them. In his past life he hadn't been much of a traveller so he didn't know how the mountain compared to the ones back in his old world, but he speculated these peaks would be considered some of the tallest.
"They are so damn tall, even from here. Hey, don't tell me we have to go up that? "
"What do you think? "
"....so it seems. "Jian wasn't pleased at Cui Suyin's answer, but didn't say anything as he just continued to move forward. He had spent much time with her on the road during the last month, and he had found out the she didn't like talking that much. This wasn't really a problem for Jian peculiarly, but it left most of their conversations on a standstill. Like now for example.
Some time passed again, and Jian couldn't contain himself anymore. He was a lazy soul after all." Hey, Suyin, can't we at least tag along on a chariot like before? There are many of them going on the same direction as us, they won't mind taking us with them."
"I know."
"You know? Then why are we traveling on foot? My wounds aren't even completely healed yet, so wouldn't the wise choice be to ride on a cart? We still have to climb the mountain after all, don't we?"
"Exactly...." calmly answered Suyin without even turning her head , and clasped her handsin prayer" Amitabha Buddha, you haven't even started on the journey of cultivation , and you are complaining about walking? You understand that the sooner you accept that the road ahead has hardships and get used to it, the smother your cultivation journey is going to be.
You want to see your sister as fast as you can, don't you?"
Those words werea low blow to his ego, but Jian couldn't refute them as he knew deep down she was right. "Hmph...I get it. Less complaining and more walking is it?"
Suyin didn't turn her head , but Jian was sure she was smiling. "At least you aren't dumb like some. Strength isn't the answer to all life's problems....after all. No matter what, you can't go against the will of the heavens."
"But I thought that was what cultivators did?"
"Haha...they try to do that of course, but it's mostly borrowing it's power. The exception of course are deities, heavenly beast, and abysmal ghosts and devil's who directly siphon the power from the Dao. Most cultivators are just scrambling around for scraps, waiting for their opportunity. "
"........
Hearing those words made Jian smile, in defeat that is. He suddenly felt belittled as in his old world, as a human , he was considered the top of the food chain, and now he was told he was less than an ant. Of course he didn't feel well at this sudden revelation, but what could he do at the moment? He was but a mortal in a world where gods and devil's existed .
'No , I can't get discouraged so quickly! This is justthe beginning. ' Jian shook those thoughts away as he focused on the road once again. They were getting closer and closer to the mountains, and Jian started to prepare himself mentally for his new environment. Suyin on the other hand saw far into the distance, her eyesight much better than Jian's saw a white bird with golden claws and red eyes traveling swiftly towards the Triple Peak's.
' It seems that some important news is beeing sent. If not, why would a messenger bird be flying so low?
I just hope it's a good news.'
........