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Among the thirteen people who entered the Central Array, all but Li Fan were teenagers.
They had been instructed not to speak easily, so they only observed their surroundings with excited and curious eyes.
The moment they stepped into the Array, their environment was completely different from Jade Island.
It was as if they had instantly moved from a bustling market to a deep mountain. The surrounding trees were lush and green, and the sounds of birds and insects were constant.
In the distance, the peaks were shrouded in mist, with undulating mountains.
A gentle breeze blew, and the rustling sound of the leaves echoed like waves.
Li Fan and the others were currently standing at the base of the mountain.
Looking up, the mountain top was hidden in thick clouds, out of sight.
The group climbed the ancient stone steps without stopping for two hours.
These teenagers all had exceptional physical constitutions, and after such a long climb, they weren't even out of breath.
Li Fan, on the other hand, being older and having not exercised for a long time, was already drenched in sweat and could barely keep up without falling behind.
After another hour, they finally reached the mountain top.
The mountain top was just a small open space, and with everyone standing there, it was already quite crowded.
This peak was the highest in the mountain range, and looking around, all they could see was a vast sea of white clouds.
The wind blew, and the clouds rolled, occasionally revealing mountain peaks like islands.
These teenagers, who had grown up by the sea, had never seen such a magnificent sight.
They were all mesmerized, staring in amazement.
To Li Fan, this scene was nothing out of the ordinary. Instead, he squinted and looked at the sun in the sky.
They had been in the Array for half a day, but the position of the sun hadn't changed.
It seemed to be some kind of illusion.
"What do you think of this view?" Suddenly, a voice rang out beside them.
The teenagers were startled but quickly reacted.
"We greet the immortal master!" They bowed in unison.
Li Fan also followed suit and bowed.
The newcomer was naturally Immortal Master He, who guarded Jade Island.
He appeared to be around thirty years old, wearing a green robe.
He had kind eyebrows and a benevolent smile, looking very approachable, like a good-natured old man.
Seeing that the immortal master wasn't as terrifying as they had heard, one of the teenagers mustered the courage to reply, "The scenery here is truly magnificent, befitting a sacred place of immortals."
"I have never seen such a wondrous sight; it makes my heart race with excitement."
...
Mr. He nodded with a smile, but his words made the young people suddenly quiet, "When I first came to Jade Island, this peak was the lowest among the mountains, far below the sea of clouds."
The teenagers were stunned by Mr. He's words and fell silent for a moment before someone finally praised, "The immortal master's powers are truly incredible, to be able to raise a mountain."
Mr. He chuckled, "I am just a small Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator; I don't have that kind of ability."
The teenager who had flattered him immediately blushed and lowered his head in shame.
The others looked at each other, unsure of the meaning behind Immortal Master He's words.
Li Fan, however, looked at the countless peaks in the sea of clouds, deep in thought.
"Do you know that the mountains and rivers in the world can also grow taller over time, just like people?" Immortal Master He no longer held back and slowly said.
The teenagers, upon hearing this, were all dumbfounded, their faces filled with disbelief.
"This is truly incredible..."
"Is... is it really true? Could these mountains and rivers be alive?"
Although the idea of mountains and rivers growing taller was shocking, the teenagers chose to believe it since it was said by a high-ranking immortal master.
However, their faces turned pale, and they found it hard to accept.
Immortal Master He continued, "Some peaks seem tall, but their fate is already sealed, and they can't grow any further. Some are just small hills now, but they have great potential and could become towering pillars in the future."
"Just like this Shaowei Mountain, which was insignificant at first, but within a few decades, it has become a towering peak."
"Of course, most are like the countless peaks below the sea of clouds, which can only serve as a backdrop, silently looking up at the peaks above the clouds."
"If mountains can do this, how much more so for people?"
"Today, you have the good fortune to enter the Spirit Pool and cleanse your bodies of miasma. Whether you can step onto the path of immortality, or even the path of eternal life, and what achievements you will have in the future, all depend on your own destiny."
Looking at the confused and dazed faces of the teenagers, Immortal Master He sighed.
"No matter what happens in the future, you must give it your all today. I have said all I can; you may go!"
"Immortal Master He, where is the Spirit Pool for purification?" Some teenagers, though they didn't understand the meaning of Immortal Master He's words, understood that they would finally enter the Spirit Pool for purification.
Being young, they were eager and asked excitedly.
"Right there!" Immortal Master He said calmly.
The group looked in the direction he pointed, and to their shock, it was the edge of the mountain top, a sheer cliff thousands of feet high!
"Is the immortal master joking?" One teenager couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
Immortal Master He's face darkened, and with a cold snort, the teenager's head flew high, and his body fell to the ground with a thud.
Blood splattered, covering the surrounding people.
This sudden scene stunned the teenagers.
Some were so frightened that they wanted to scream but covered their mouths tightly, trembling and pale.
Some were so scared that they collapsed on the ground.
Some immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Immortal Master He, begging for forgiveness.
"Let me give you another lesson. When you step onto the path of cultivation, having a broad perspective is very important. Who you can bully, who you can't offend, what you can say, and what you can't say, you must weigh carefully. Don't blame me for not warning you when you face the death of your Dao in the future." Immortal Master He, no longer the good-natured old man, looked at the teenagers coldly.
Li Fan watched this drama unfold, seeing the varied reactions of the teenagers, and knew that this lesson by Immortal Master He would leave a deep impression on them.
Not just the teenagers, even Li Fan gained some insights from Immortal Master He's words.
He bowed deeply to Immortal Master He, sincerely saying, "Thank you for the lesson."
Then he turned and walked to the edge of the mountain.
In front of him was a sheer cliff thousands of feet high. If he stepped off, he would surely be crushed to death.
Li Fan didn't hesitate or waver, his face unchanged, and took a step forward.
He didn't fall. The vast sea of clouds seemed to have a mind of its own, rolling and gathering under Li Fan's feet, supporting him steadily.
He took another step, stood firm, and was then enveloped by the rolling clouds, flying into the depths of the sea of clouds.
Immortal Master He watched Li Fan's back and muttered, "His temperament is excellent, but it's a pity he's too old!"
"What a pity!"
(End of Chapter)