The Towering Shadow of the Mountain

Mount Wan Zhang.

A towering peak, majestic as if piercing the heavens, flickered between illusion and reality, carrying an ethereal, mirage-like quality.

Yuan Kong stared gloomily at the illusory shadow of Mount Wan Zhang before him.

As matters gradually settled into order, Chu Xingchen delegated authority to the Village Chief, treating this affair as little more than a side quest.

With established rules now in place, Chu Xingchen no longer needed to involve himself too deeply.

After all, his true objective lay in the treasure hidden within Mount Wan Zhang.

Li Yingling reached out to touch the shadow, only to grasp empty air. She then turned her gaze to Yuan Kong, voicing a sincere accusation:

"Are you even a real Buddha’s Chosen One? You can’t do this, you can’t do that."

Yuan Kong’s face fell at her words, and he began to wonder if his senior brother had deceived him—perhaps he wasn’t the Buddha’s Chosen One after all.

Mount Wan Zhang wasn’t exactly far, but the problem lay in the fact that it wasn’t a physical entity.

It was merely a towering illusion. Chu Xingchen had attempted to fly into the mountain, only to pass through its shadow.

Even the supposed problem-solving Buddha’s Chosen One could do nothing but touch empty air.

Having long accepted that Yuan Kong was useless, Li Yingling turned to her master and said:

"Master, I think the Village Chief is hiding something. How could he know nothing? That Buddha’s Heart is in his possession."

Chu Xingchen offered no immediate opinion. Instead, he patted Yuan Kong’s shoulder lightly and said:

"Yuan Kong, surely you have some untapped method? Surely a person can’t be completely useless?"

"I… I…"

Yuan Kong opened his mouth to retort, but no words came out.

His expression grew even more dejected.

At this point, even Yuan Kong was starting to believe he truly was worthless.

Right now, he really had no means to contribute.

A faint smile tugged at Chu Xingchen’s lips as he comforted him:

"It’s fine. At least you’re diligent when it comes to eating. That’s already commendable."

This wasn’t baseless mockery—after all, Yuan Kong had yet to reach Foundation Establishment and couldn’t abstain from food.

Had Chu Xingchen not left a large portion of his spatial ring empty, he wouldn’t have bothered filling it with anything.

But since empty space was better utilized with practical items, he had stuffed it full of Chen Baiqing’s favorite snacks and treats.

After all, Chen Baiqing’s innate talent remained unclear. The sole golden-tier trait she possessed didn’t seem to aid cultivation.

Her progress would undoubtedly lag behind Li Yingling and Li Xingtian’s, meaning she’d remain in Qi Refining for much longer.

To prepare for contingencies, Chu Xingchen had packed plenty of food.

Yuan Kong, who had likely never tasted delicacies like candied fruits or sugar paintings before, became the fastest and most voracious eater whenever meals were served.

He’d even sneak a few extra into his sleeves afterward.

Thus, he had no rebuttal.

Yuan Kong silently raised his head.

Thanks. That wasn’t comforting at all.

Before setting out, Chu Xingchen had already questioned the Village Chief thoroughly.

Taking advantage of the Village Chief’s burning curiosity about Chu Xingchen’s management methods, he had dangled answers in exchange for more information.

The results were remarkable.

The Village Chief, scratching his head in frustration, had eagerly sought Chu Xingchen’s insights and, in doing so, revealed many previously undisclosed details.

But regarding Mount Wan Zhang, the Village Chief could only repeat that the treasure lay within the mountain and that only the Buddha’s Chosen One could retrieve it.

Through his divine sense, Chu Xingchen perceived the mountain as a void—though not entirely. Occasionally, faint traces of existence flickered.

Illusory yet intentional…

Interesting. If the Village Chief wasn’t lying, how exactly was the Buddha’s Chosen One supposed to ascend this intangible Mount Wan Zhang?

Chu Xingchen reached out again, brushing his fingers through the mountain’s shadow as if sweeping through empty air.

His gaze returned to the despondent Yuan Kong, and he asked once more:

"That Buddhist scripture documenting this place—are you sure you haven’t missed anything?"

Yuan Kong racked his brain yet again but could only shake his head helplessly. There truly was nothing else.

Li Yingling’s gaze drifted thoughtfully between Mount Wan Zhang and Yuan Kong.

Suddenly, inspiration struck.

"Master, I have a suggestion," she declared.

"Wait—" Yuan Kong’s eyes widened, and he frantically raised a hand to stop her.

After spending these past few days with Li Yingling, Yuan Kong had developed a healthy fear of her. This woman was ruthless, and her schemes always left him trembling.

Just from the look in her eyes, Yuan Kong could tell her idea wouldn’t bode well for him.

But as the utterly useless one, he had no say in the matter.

Chu Xingchen turned to Li Yingling, waiting for her explanation.

"Mount Wan Zhang is formless, but we are tangible. Perhaps that’s the root of the problem. If we make Yuan Kong formless, wouldn’t he be able to ascend the mountain then?"

A chill ran down Yuan Kong’s spine.

Becoming formless? That meant soul separation!

As a mere Qi Refining cultivator, the only way his soul could leave his body was through death.

Yuan Kong shot a pleading look at Chu Xingchen, hoping to awaken his conscience.

But Chu Xingchen ignored him entirely, his gaze fixed on Yuan Kong as he pondered the plan’s feasibility.

Admittedly, Li Yingling’s suggestion had given him an idea.

The Village Chief had already admitted that this world operated on the principle of "mind over matter."

Thus, Mount Wan Zhang, existing within this realm, followed the same rule.

Chu Xingchen reached out and placed a hand on Yuan Kong’s head.

Normally, Yuan Kong hated having his head touched—even his senior brother wasn’t allowed. But now, rendered useless, he had no energy left to protest.

He allowed the hand to ruffle his hair as Chu Xingchen’s voice sounded beside his ear:

"Yuan Kong, are you tired?"

"I just woke up, so… no?"

"That’s fine. I’ll help you."

Yuan Kong lifted his head in confusion, wanting to ask what Chu Xingchen meant—

But a surge of spiritual energy from the hand on his head sent him tumbling into unconsciousness.

In his fading awareness, he faintly heard Chu Xingchen’s murmuring voice:

"Mount Wan Zhang is an illusion. Dreams are illusions. So seek the real Mount Wan Zhang within the dream."

"This is called ‘negative times negative equals positive’!"

At that moment, only one thought filled Yuan Kong’s mind—

What the hell does that even mean?!

Amid the heavy fog of unconsciousness, a faint pulse of spiritual energy jolted him awake.

Yuan Kong’s eyes snapped open.

Before him still loomed the towering Mount Wan Zhang. He scrambled to his feet, intending to demand an explanation from Chu Xingchen—

Only to realize he was completely alone.

The faint silhouette of Peach Blossom Village, barely visible before he passed out, had vanished without a trace.

Yuan Kong took a deep breath, understanding dawning upon him. He reached out to touch the mountain again, hoping for solidity this time—

But his small hand passed through empty air once more.

His vision darkened.

This didn’t work either! He still couldn’t touch it!

Yet, there was no doubt that progress had been made.

Yuan Kong quickly steadied himself, sitting cross-legged on the ground as he calmly observed the majestic mountain.

After a long silence, he lightly knocked his own head.

He had been too fixated on the wrong thing.