In the early morning of Wuyi Mountain, a thin mist enveloped the undulating peaks, while the dawn sunlight pierced through the clouds, painting the entire valley in a golden hue. The cheerful chirping of birds filled the air, mingling with the fresh fragrance of earth and foliage, creating an atmosphere of serene delight.
Alex, Peter, and Samuel awoke beside a small stream in the valley, where they had set up a makeshift camp the previous night, lulled to sleep by the gentle murmur of the water. At this moment, a crystal lay quietly in Alex's hand, emitting a soft glow, as if it were merging with the surrounding natural world.
The Call of Tianyou Peak
Among the many remarkable peaks of Wuyi Mountain, Tianyou Peak is hailed as "the most beautiful scene of Wuyi." It is said that ascending Tianyou Peak offers a panoramic view of the majestic landscape of Wuyi, allowing one to truly feel the harmony and grandeur of heaven and earth.
On this day, the three friends decided to venture to Tianyou Peak, continuing their pursuit of the secrets indicated by the crystal. As they climbed along the mountain path, the scenery gradually opened up around them. Various exotic flowers and grasses flourished along the trail, and the distant sound of melodious birdsong added an infinite joy to their ascent.
Along the way, they encountered an elderly tea farmer, who was descending the mountain with a basket of freshly picked tea leaves. Upon seeing them, the farmer greeted them warmly, "Are you here to visit Tianyou Peak? This is the most beautiful spot in all of Wuyi!"
Alex smiled and replied, "Yes, we have heard that the scenery from Tianyou Peak is exceptional, and we came specifically to see it for ourselves."
The farmer's face lit up with joy. "You've made the right choice! Once you reach the summit, don't forget to taste our Wuyi rock tea; it is truly unparalleled."
Peter, intrigued, asked, "Rock tea? Could you tell us more about it?"
The farmer chuckled, "Wuyi rock tea comes from tea trees that grow in the crevices of our rocky terrain, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth, resulting in a unique flavor. The most famous variety is 'Da Hong Pao'; legend has it that even the emperor praised it highly!"
After bidding farewell to the friendly tea farmer, the three continued on their way. As they ascended, the air grew fresher, and the vistas expanded further. Finally, they reached the summit of Tianyou Peak, and the sight before them took their breath away.
Surrounded by towering mountains, lush green hills, the Nine-Bend Stream wound through the valley like a silver ribbon. In the distance, a sea of clouds surged, with peaks appearing and disappearing like a scene from a fairyland. A gentle breeze carried the faint fragrance of flowers and the earthy scent of soil, allowing them to feel the infinite beauty of nature.
Samuel exclaimed, "This is simply breathtaking; no wonder it's called 'a fairyland on earth.'"
Alex took out the crystal, and as sunlight spilled over it, it reflected a kaleidoscope of colors. In this magnificent setting, the crystal's glow appeared particularly brilliant.
Suddenly, the crystal began to vibrate slightly, its internal light intensifying, casting a slender beam toward a nearby boulder.
Peter noticed this change and exclaimed excitedly, "Look! There seems to be something over there!"
Following the beam of light, the three approached the boulder. Upon it were ancient symbols and inscriptions, seemingly recording some form of ancient knowledge. Alex examined them closely, noting that these symbols bore a resemblance to those they had seen previously in Zhongnan Mountain, yet they possessed a distinct southern charm.
At that moment, a middle-aged man dressed in a simple Daoist robe emerged from behind the boulder, smiling at them. "It seems you have been drawn to this place."
The three were somewhat startled but quickly regained their composure. Alex politely inquired, "Hello, we are intrigued by this stone. Do you know the meaning of these symbols?"
The man smiled gently and replied, "I am a Daoist priest from a nearby temple, named Qingfeng. These symbols were left by our ancestors, recording the flow of the spiritual veins and the essence of heaven and earth in Wuyi Mountain."
Samuel asked curiously, "It seems that the crystal we hold is connected to this place. Could you help us decipher its mysteries?"
Qingfeng carefully examined the crystal, a glimmer of surprise and delight flashing in his eyes. "This is indeed a rare treasure, imbued with the essence of heaven and earth, closely linked to the veins of Wuyi Mountain. I would be willing to take you to the temple; perhaps we can uncover the answers you seek."
The Hidden Daoist Temple in the Mountains
Under Qingfeng's guidance, the three followed a hidden path that led them to an ancient Daoist temple nestled deep within the dense forest of the mountains. Though modest in size, the temple was elegantly arranged, exuding an air of tranquility and serenity. The courtyard was filled with a variety of flowers and plants, and a small stream flowed gently through the yard, creating an otherworldly atmosphere.
Inside the temple, several young Daoist priests were tending to the grounds. Upon seeing Qingfeng return with guests, they hurried to greet him and prepared tea and snacks to welcome their visitors from afar.
Qingfeng invited them to sit in the main hall and personally poured them steaming cups of Wuyi rock tea. The aroma was rich, and the taste was smooth, leaving a lingering aftertaste.
Peter took a sip and exclaimed, "This tea is truly unforgettable; it feels as though I can sense the spirit of this mountain."
Qingfeng nodded with a smile. "Wuyi rock tea absorbs the essence of heaven and earth, naturally possessing a unique flavor."
After some pleasantries, Qingfeng produced an ancient booklet and opened it for them to see. The pages contained records of Wuyi Mountain's history, legends, and the paths and nodes of its spiritual veins.
He pointed to one page and said, "This records the nine major spiritual veins of Wuyi Mountain, each corresponding to a unique natural energy. The crystal you hold seems capable of resonating with these veins, potentially unleashing greater power."
Alex asked, "So how can we use this crystal to sense and activate the power of these veins?"
Qingfeng pondered for a moment before responding, "Each vein has its corresponding sound and frequency. If you can find the right melody, you will resonate with the vein, awakening its latent energy. And this may be your area of expertise."
Samuel's eyes lit up. "So, we need to compose a piece of music for each vein, playing it to activate their power?"
Qingfeng nodded approvingly. "Precisely. However, this requires a profound understanding of the veins and a delicate mastery of music. I can take you to experience the locations of these veins, helping you better comprehend their mysteries."
The three eagerly agreed to this proposal, deciding to follow Qingfeng on a new journey that intertwined music and nature.
The Melody of the Nine-Bend Stream
The next morning, Qingfeng led them to one of Wuyi Mountain's most famous attractions—the Nine-Bend Stream. The stream twisted and turned, its waters crystal clear, flanked by uniquely shaped peaks and beautiful scenery.
They boarded a small bamboo raft and drifted downstream. The water flowed gently, and the surrounding landscape changed constantly, at times steep and perilous, at others gentle and serene, each scene resembling a beautiful landscape painting.
Qingfeng pointed to the water and said, "The Nine-Bend Stream is the most important spiritual vein of Wuyi Mountain, gathering the essence of water from heaven and earth. Each bend possesses its unique energy and rhythm."
As the raft reached the first bend, Qingfeng instructed the boatman to stop. He asked the three to close their eyes and quietly feel the environment around them. A gentle breeze caressed their faces, the sound of water murmured, and birds sang sweetly; everything felt so harmonious.
Alex, attuning himself to the atmosphere, seemed to hear the heartbeat of the earth. He took out his flute and softly played a melodious tune. The music blended with the surrounding natural sounds, creating a unique harmony.
Peter and Samuel joined in, picking up the erhu and guqin, respectively, following Alex's melody to weave a harmonious composition. The music echoed through the valley, awakening the dormant power of the spiritual veins.
At that moment, the crystal began to emit a soft glow once more, its internal light shifting in rhythm with the music, as if resonating with their performance. The stream appeared even clearer, and the surrounding plants radiated a more vibrant energy.
Qingfeng nodded in satisfaction. "It seems you have found the melody that resonates with the first bend's spiritual vein. Next, we can continue forward to experience the different rhythms of the others."
Thus, they drifted downstream, pausing at each bend to feel the distinct natural energies and compose unique music for each one. With each performance, the crystal reacted differently, emitting corresponding light, as if recording and storing the power of these veins.
By the time they reached the ninth bend, dusk was approaching. The setting sun cast its golden rays upon the stream and peaks, bathing the entire scene in a warm glow. The three performed a magnificent and profound piece, infused with the insights and emotions they had gathered along the way.
This time, the crystal's light reached an unprecedented brightness, its internal glow coalescing into a dazzling beam that shot up into the sky. It seemed as if some energy in the heavens responded, and the distant clouds transformed into a riot of colors, merging the entire world into one.
Qingfeng remarked with emotion, "Your music has perfectly harmonized with the spiritual veins of Wuyi Mountain, awakening the power of harmony between heaven and earth. This will have a profound impact on the mountains and all living things."
Alex, Peter, and Samuel deeply felt this power, realizing that this was not just a musical creation but a profound elevation of their spirits.