Time within the mountains knows no years; half a year had already passed since Song Yin had dedicated himself to refining pills and cultivating the bodies of his junior disciples.
At dawn, the small village at the foot of Mount Pingding was veiled in cooking smoke, as every household opened their doors, beginning another day of hard work.
Steam billowed from large pots stewing food, oil in iron woks hissed and crackled, and bamboo steamers perched over boiling water puffed out white Qi.
"Quick, quick, quick!"
Village Chief Su Yougen called out energetically, "Everyone, get ready quickly, don't delay the Great Immortal's meal!"
Mortals prepared wooden food boxes and carriers, loaded freshly cooked food into plates, neatly arranged them in the boxes, then shouldered the carriers. Led by Su Yougen, ten men headed towards the mountain path.
