After a while, they emerge onto a narrow path winding up a lone mountain. Li Wei has never seen this mountain before. It stands isolated, its peak shrouded in mist. The path is steep and uneven, the terrain rugged. The skeleton continues , leading him higher and higher.
The climb is arduous, but Li Wei maintains his pace, his eyes fixed on the skeleton ahead. They pass jagged rocks and twisted trees, the landscape becoming more desolate. The sky above is a muted grey, casting a sombre light over the scene.
Finally, they reach a cave entrance near the summit. The skeleton stops, turning to face Li Wei one last time. Its hollow eyes seem to bore into him before it turns and walks away, leaving him alone at the entrance.
Li Wei stands at the entrance of the cave. The dark opening looms before him, uninviting and cold. The air around him is still, the only sound being the faint rustle of leaves behind him. He watches the skeleton retreat into the distance, its purpose fulfilled, leaving him to face what lies ahead alone.
There's no point in panicking. Li Wei understands this. He knows that the unknown is intimidating, but losing his composure could lead to worse outcomes. Better to approach the situation with a clear mind. The cave entrance is narrow, the jagged rocks on either side closing in as if to deter intruders. The cold air seeping out from within is almost palpable, making the hairs on his neck stand on end.
"Come in, don't be a stranger," an old voice calls out. The tone is surprisingly warm, not what Li Wei expected.
Li Wei steps further into the cave, his eyes adjusting to the dim light within. The floor is smooth, worn down by countless footsteps over the years, leading to the centre where a large, intricately carved wooden chair dominates the space. The chair is not overly ostentatious, but its craftsmanship speaks of an era long past, it's dark wood polished to a deep sheen.
The air inside the cave carries a faint scent of incense, the kind used in rituals and meditation, lingering in the background like a subtle reminder of the cave's age and the wisdom contained within. The scent is calming, almost masking the underlying chill that seems to seep from the stone walls.
Elder Guo stands near the chair, his presence commanding but not overtly imposing. His eyes, sharp and assessing, scan Li Wei as he approaches. Despite the cave's richness, there is a sense of restraint in its decor, a balance between luxury and practicality.
"Sit," Elder Guo says, his voice steady and firm, with a tone that leaves no room for hesitation. He gestures to a cushioned seat nearby, positioned across from the large chair. The cushion, though simple, is plush and comfortable, clearly designed to put visitors at ease.
Elder Guo lets out a low chuckle, his tone mocking. "You're an ugly one, aren't you?" he remarks, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and mild disgust. "Not fated to have much success with women, I suppose."
Li Wei does as instructed, observing the old man. Elder Guo, with his long white beard and sharp eyes, exudes an air of both wisdom and power. He chuckles. "Heh, heh, so I've gained a new follower. I remember back in my day, disciples were biting at their teeth to follow me. Now they turn their noses up. You have second-grade aptitude?"
"Yes, master," Li Wei replies.
Elder Guo leans back slightly in his chair, his expression a blend of satisfaction and a subtle undercurrent of mockery. "Good, good," he says, his voice carrying a note of condescension. "Not the end of the world. At least I'm not like old man Chen, stuck with the shit at the bottom of the barrel." His eyes gleam with a faint light, a sign of his amusement at the expense of others, mingled with a hint of disdain for those he considers beneath him.
Li Wei sits quietly, his face a careful mask of neutrality. Internally, he can sense the layers to Elder Guo's personality—a man who wields both power and cruelty with ease. The elder's genial tone is nothing more than a façade, thinly veiling the ruthlessness that undoubtedly lies beneath. Li Wei's instincts scream at him to remain silent, to avoid any response that might provoke the elder's ire. Golden Core cultivators are not to be trifled with, and Li Wei knows that a single misstep could seal his fate.
Elder Guo's gaze lingers on Li Wei for a moment longer, as if searching for any hint of defiance or foolishness. Finding none, he seems satisfied, though the twinkle in his eyes doesn't fade.
Elder Guo's command is direct, leaving no room for hesitation. "Come, boy, let me feel you," he says, his voice calm but with an edge of authority that Li Wei cannot ignore. The words send a jolt of fear through Li Wei, but he knows there's no choice but to obey. Heart pounding, he steps forward, closing the distance between himself and the elder.
Elder Guo's hand lands on his shoulder, heavy and cold. Immediately, Li Wei feels an intrusive energy flow from the elder's hand, spreading through his body like an icy current. The sensation is profoundly invasive, like tendrils of qi worming their way into every crevice of his being. It is a nauseating feeling, making Li Wei want to recoil, but he forces himself to stay still. The elder's probing continues, his presence seeping into Li Wei's core, assessing and examining him with unnerving precision.
A frown creases Elder Guo's brow as his hand remains firmly on Li Wei's shoulder. "Huh," he mutters, his voice laced with irritation. "What is this? Your foundation is very unstable." The elder's eyes narrow, scrutinising Li Wei even more closely. "Did you overly consume pills?" The question is sharp, almost accusatory.
Li Wei's mind races. He's stunned by the elder's ability to discern so much with just a touch. "Errr, yes, master," he stammers, feeling a mix of fear and awe. The fact that Elder Guo can read his condition so accurately with a simple contact is terrifying. What else can the elder detect? What other secrets could be exposed with such ease?
Elder Guo's sigh is heavy with disappointment, his hand withdrawing as if disgusted by what he has found. "Why didn't you rely on your meditation techniques?" he asks, his tone now tinged with condescension. "Do you have a brain deficiency?" The elder's words cut through the air, laced with mockery and frustration.
"Meditation techniques, master?" Li Wei echoes, his voice barely above a whisper. The bewilderment in his tone is genuine; no one had ever emphasised meditation to him in such a way before.
Elder Guo's laughter echoes through the cave, his amusement clear, but it carries a note of condescension. His eyes, half-lidded with indifference, sweep over Li Wei as if assessing his worth for the first time. The laughter subsides, and a smirk tugs at the corner of his lips.
"You didn't have any help when you were an outer disciple?" Elder Guo asks, his tone suggesting he already knows the answer.
Li Wei shifts slightly, the memory of his struggles as an outer disciple flashing through his mind. "Err, not really, Lord Guo. There was one senior, but he's the one who took my ear."
Elder Guo's smirk widens into a chuckle, a sound more entertained than concerned. "Either you'll go very far in cultivation or not at all. I can't tell which yet," he remarks, his voice laced with a kind of detached curiosity, as if Li Wei were a puzzle to be solved later.
Li Wei bows slightly, not daring to say more. The elder's gaze seems to penetrate deeper than just the surface, as if weighing the potential within him. The air in the cave, heavy with the scent of incense, seems to press down on Li Wei as he waits for Elder Guo's next words. The elder's demeanour is a mix of casual dismissal and underlying menace, leaving Li Wei uncertain of his standing.
Elder Guo's attention appears to drift, his gaze turning inward as if contemplating something far removed from the conversation.
Elder Guo leans forward slightly, an amused glint in his eyes. "I'll answer one cultivation question for free. If you have any more, it'll cost you a Grade Three pill."
Li Wei keeps his expression guarded, feeling a sense of trepidation. "Thank you, Lord Guo. I understand." He knows better than to show any weakness or eagerness, aware that Elder Guo's offer is not entirely generous.
The mention of a Grade Three pill makes Li Wei uneasy. He has never even seen one and understands they are rare and valuable. Speaking up might reveal his lack of knowledge, so he remains silent, nodding respectfully.
Li Wei stands before Elder Guo, his thoughts racing as he weighs his options carefully. "Should I ask about the dangers of attempting Golden Core? No, that could get me killed," he thinks, fearfully. "Maybe I should ask about meditation techniques?"