The ascent of Mount Tai was unlike anything Lin Feng had ever experienced. With each step, he felt the qi grow thicker, more potent. It swirled around him in visible eddies, responding to his newly awakened Divine Sense. The very air seemed charged with possibility, and Lin Feng found himself drinking it in, his cultivation base humming with excitement.
As he climbed higher, the lush forests of the lower slopes gave way to craggy outcroppings and mist-shrouded peaks. Ancient stone stairways, worn smooth by countless pilgrims over the millennia, wound their way up the mountainside. Lin Feng marveled at the craftsmanship, sensing traces of qi infused into the very stone.
It was on one of these stairways, as the sun began to dip towards the horizon, that Lin Feng encountered his first trial.
A figure stood motionless on the path ahead, blocking the way. As Lin Feng approached, he saw that it was a statue—a warrior carved from the living rock of the mountain, its features worn by time but still radiating an aura of ancient power.
Lin Feng's Divine Sense prickled as he drew closer. There was something off about the statue, a hidden menace that set his nerves on edge. He was about to step around it when suddenly, with a grating of stone on stone, the figure's head turned to face him.
"Halt, aspirant," the statue's mouth moved, its voice like gravel shifting. "None may pass this point without proving their worth. Answer my question, and the path shall open. Fail, and be cast from the mountain."
Lin Feng's heart raced, but he steadied himself, drawing on the quiet confidence he had gained from his encounters with the river dragon and the Guardian of the Celestial Peach Grove.
"I am ready," he said, meeting the statue's blank stone eyes. "Ask your question."
The statue's voice rumbled forth: "In cultivation, what is stronger: the body or the mind?"
Lin Feng paused, considering. It was not a simple question of physical versus mental strength. He thought back to everything he had experienced since beginning his journey—the awakening of his qi, the challenges he had faced, the choices he had made.
"Neither is stronger," Lin Feng answered carefully. "True cultivation requires balance. The body is the vessel that contains one's qi, the foundation upon which all cultivation is built. But it is the mind that directs the qi, that shapes one's path and determines the heights one can reach. A strong body with a weak mind will falter, just as a brilliant mind in a frail body will be limited. Only when body and mind are in harmony can a cultivator truly advance."
For a long moment, the statue was silent. Then, with a sound like a mountain sighing, it stepped aside. "Well reasoned, young cultivator. You may pass. But be warned—the trials of Mount Tai grow more challenging with each step. Steel your body and sharpen your mind, for you will need both in the trials to come."
With a nod of thanks, Lin Feng continued his ascent. As he climbed higher, the air grew thin, and each breath became a struggle. But with every gasping inhalation, he felt his qi grow stronger, as if the very act of climbing was tempering his cultivation.
Night fell, and still Lin Feng climbed. The stars above seemed close enough to touch, their light mixing with the swirling qi to create a tapestry of celestial energy. It was beautiful, awe-inspiring—and increasingly dangerous.
As he rounded a sharp bend in the path, Lin Feng found himself face to face with his second trial. A chasm stretched before him, so deep that its bottom was lost in shadow. Spanning the gap was a bridge unlike any he had ever seen—a ribbon of pure qi, shimmering and insubstantial in the starlight.
On the far side of the chasm stood another figure, this one clearly not a statue. It was an old man, his long white beard fluttering in the high-altitude winds, his eyes glowing with inner power.
"So, another seeker of wisdom dares to climb the sacred mount," the old man called out, his voice carrying easily across the gap. "Tell me, young one, do you think yourself worthy of the secrets Mount Tai holds?"
Lin Feng bowed respectfully. "Honored elder, I do not know if I am worthy. I seek not power for its own sake, but knowledge to help those I care about and to understand the path of cultivation."
The old man's eyes narrowed. "Pretty words, but words are wind. If you truly seek wisdom, then cross the Bridge of Crucible. It will test not just your cultivation, but the very foundations of your being."
Lin Feng eyed the bridge of qi warily. Even from where he stood, he could feel the immense energy radiating from it. "What must I do?"
"Simple," the old man smiled, though there was no warmth in the expression. "Walk across. The bridge will respond to your qi, your intent. If you are true in your purpose, it will solidify beneath your feet. If not..." He gestured to the yawning chasm below.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Feng stepped onto the bridge. Immediately, he felt the qi respond, swirling around him, probing at his cultivation base. He took another step, and another, focusing on his purpose, on the promises he had made.
With each step, memories flashed through his mind. He saw Mei Ling's face, felt the weight of her trust in him. He remembered the village of Willow Creek, the simple life he had left behind. He recalled the words of the river dragon, the temptation he had resisted in the Celestial Peach Grove.
Halfway across, the bridge began to flicker beneath his feet. Doubt crept in—was he truly worthy of the power he sought? Was he strong enough to face the challenges ahead?
In that moment of weakness, Lin Feng's foot slipped through the insubstantial qi. He teetered on the edge of the chasm, heart pounding, one foot finding purchase while the other dangled in empty air.
"No!" Lin Feng gritted his teeth, pushing back against the doubt. He thought of Old Man Chen, of the backbreaking labor in the fields. He had come too far, endured too much to falter now.
With a surge of determination, Lin Feng pulled himself back onto the bridge. This time, as he walked, his steps were sure. The qi beneath his feet solidified, responding to the strength of his resolve.
As he reached the other side, the old man nodded approvingly. "Well done, young cultivator. You have faced your doubts and overcome them. But tell me—what did you see as you crossed? What truths did the Bridge of Crucible reveal to you?"
Lin Feng considered for a moment before answering. "I saw the path that led me here, honored elder. The people and choices that shaped me. I realized that my strength comes not just from my cultivation, but from the connections I've made and the promises I've kept."
The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully. "A wise observation. Remember it well, for it is all too easy to lose oneself in the pursuit of power." He gestured towards a path leading further up the mountain. "Go now. The final trial awaits you at the summit."
Bowing once more, Lin Feng continued his ascent. The path grew steeper, the air thinner. Several times he was forced to stop, gasping for breath, his muscles screaming in protest. But each time he paused, he felt his qi grow stronger, adapting to the harsh conditions.
As he neared the summit, the swirling mists parted, revealing a sight that took Lin Feng's breath away. A vast plateau stretched out before him, dotted with ancient ruins and ghostly pavilions. At its center stood a massive stone dais, upon which sat a woman in meditation.
Even from a distance, Lin Feng could sense the immense power radiating from her. Her qi was like a sun, so bright it almost hurt to look at with his Divine Sense. This, he realized with a mixture of awe and trepidation, must be Mei Ling's grandmother—a cultivator of truly profound ability.
As Lin Feng approached the dais, the woman's eyes opened. They were like pools of liquid starlight, ancient and knowing. When she spoke, her voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once.
"Welcome, Lin Feng of Willow Creek," she said, a hint of amusement in her tone. "I have been expecting you."
Lin Feng dropped to one knee, overwhelmed by her presence. "Honored Immortal, I have come seeking—"
"I know why you have come," she interrupted, rising to her feet with fluid grace. "The question is, do you? You have faced trials of body and mind on your journey here. Now you face the most important trial of all—the trial of purpose."
With a wave of her hand, the air before Lin Feng shimmered. Three objects appeared, hovering in the space between them: a sword that crackled with barely contained energy, a scroll that radiated ancient wisdom, and a simple wooden cup filled with clear liquid.
"Choose," the Immortal said. "The sword will grant you unmatched power in battle. The scroll contains cultivation techniques that can propel you to the highest realms of existence. The cup... well, its contents may surprise you."
Lin Feng's mind raced. The sword called to the part of him that longed for strength to protect those he cared about. The scroll beckoned with the promise of unraveling the mysteries of cultivation. But something about the simple cup drew his attention.
Taking a deep breath, Lin Feng reached out and grasped the wooden cup. As his fingers closed around it, he felt a jolt of... something. Not power, exactly, but a sense of rightness, of coming home.
The Immortal's eyes crinkled with approval. "An interesting choice. Tell me, why did you choose as you did?"
Lin Feng looked down at the cup in his hands. "The sword and the scroll... they offer power and knowledge, but at what cost? My journey has taught me that true strength comes from within, from staying true to oneself and one's purpose. This cup... I sense that its contents will help me grow in a way that aligns with who I am, not who I think I should be."
The Immortal's laugh was like wind chimes in a summer breeze. "Well reasoned, young cultivator. You show wisdom beyond your years." Her expression grew serious. "The path you have chosen is not an easy one. It will not grant you supreme power overnight, nor unlock all the secrets of the universe. But it will allow you to grow steadily, to cultivate in harmony with the world around you and the principles you hold dear."
She gestured to the cup. "Drink, and receive the blessing of Mount Tai."
Lin Feng raised the cup to his lips and drank deeply. The liquid was cool and clear, with a taste that reminded him of spring mornings in Willow Creek. As it flowed down his throat, he felt a profound change beginning within him.
His qi, which had been a swirling, sometimes chaotic force, began to settle into a steady rhythm. He felt more centered, more in tune with the natural world around him. And deep within his dantian, he sensed the formation of something new—the beginnings of a spiritual core, the foundation upon which true immortal cultivation was built.
When the sensation faded, Lin Feng opened eyes he hadn't realized he'd closed. The Immortal was watching him with a mixture of approval and something that might have been pride.
"You have taken the first step on a long journey, Lin Feng," she said. "The blessing of Mount Tai will guide your cultivation, helping you to grow in accordance with the natural laws of the universe. But remember—true advancement comes not just from cultivation techniques, but from the choices you make and the way you live your life."
She placed a hand on his shoulder, and Lin Feng felt a surge of warm energy flow into him. "I sense great potential in you, young one. You may yet play a significant role in the events to come. But for now, rest. You have earned it."
With a wave of her hand, a simple pavilion shimmered into existence nearby. "Sleep, and in the morning, we will speak more of cultivation, of the Azure Cloud Sect, and of the path that lies before you."
As Lin Feng made his way to the pavilion, his mind whirling with all that had happened, he paused and turned back. "Honored Immortal," he said hesitantly, "may I ask... are you truly Mei Ling's grandmother?"
The woman's laughter echoed across the summit. "In a manner of speaking, young Lin Feng. In a manner of speaking. Now rest—you have a long journey ahead of you, and many questions yet to be answered."
As Lin Feng drifted off to sleep, the events of his journey replaying in his mind, he felt a profound sense of peace settle over him. He had taken the first steps on the path of true cultivation, had faced trials and emerged stronger. And tomorrow... tomorrow, a new chapter of his journey would begin.
High above, the stars of the celestial realm twinkled, bearing silent witness to the growth of a young cultivator who might, in time, join their ranks among the immortals.