[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain":3,"chapter-notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-12":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Notes on Cultivation at Wulong Mountain",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2272917,4440,"Chapter 12","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-12",12,"\u003Cp>Pushing the bamboo raft into the water and holding a bamboo pole, Liu Xiaolou leapt onto it; the raft spun once in the current, then drifted swiftly downstream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After drifting no more than a dozen zhang, a waterfall ten feet high loomed ahead, and the raft plunged from above into empty air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou tapped his toes, lifting his body slightly; sensing the raft’s tendency to flip, he sank his true qi downward, pushed off with his rear foot, preserving its forward momentum, and landed steadily on the water beneath the waterfall. He leaned his waist leftward, guiding the raft smoothly around the submerged rocks, continuing its drift—all in one seamless motion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hoho—” Liu Xiaolou was thoroughly enjoying himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The upper reaches of the Wuchao River were perilous; in the past, Liu Xiaolou could never have navigated it alone. Now, with his cultivation level elevated, his body techniques, perception, balance, and transformation of true qi had all improved dramatically—gliding through waterfalls, rapids, and hidden reefs, he felt utterly exhilarated!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In less than half an hour, he descended the mountain and merged into the lower river, where the current grew calm. Boats for fishing and crossing appeared on the water. Along the banks, lush green rice fields stretched out, heavy with ripened ears bowing low under their weight—harvest would come in just a few more days.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Houses along the riverbank grew denser, pedestrians more numerous. After rounding a bend, a bustling little town emerged—Wuchao Town.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou leapt ashore as the raft neared the bank; where it drifted next didn’t matter—he’d build another when he came down again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wuchao Town was pierced by a single main street lined with shops, eateries, taverns, and tea stalls, indistinguishable from any other village—yet its branching alleys held hidden significance. Not only did they serve as trading grounds for Wulong Mountain cultivators, but many wandering cultivators from Jingxiang came here specifically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The materials and goods traded here could not compare to those in Tanzhou, sixty li away, yet they were the most secure place for Wulong Mountain wanderers to trade. Though Su the Shopkeeper of Zhongyi Alley had received generous gifts from him, he had failed to deliver. Naturally, selling fine goods there would fetch a high price—but the spirit herb had been taken from Jinping Manor, and Jinping Manor, like Zhongyi Alley, was an outer branch of the Dongyang Sect. Trading there was no different from turning himself in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou had come here many times with his master, Master Sanxuan, and knew Wuchao Town inside out; he understood all its customs. Along the main street eastward, at the first alley entrance, two women stood guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The older one, Zhang Ma, was the former madam of the previous generation—once famed, now worn thin by time. The younger one, Qing Jie, was under thirty and strikingly beautiful; she had once been the most renowned courtesan within dozens of li of Wuchao Town. Though she no longer received clients herself, she remained a goddess in the hearts of many Wulong Mountain wanderers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outsiders new to Wuchao Town, unaware of the truth, often followed Qing Jie inside, for she was indeed beautiful—truly the flower of Wulong Mountain. Yet locals almost always chose Zhang Ma.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though old, Zhang Ma’s girls were superior in overall appearance, surpassing Qing Jie’s companions. Only if Qing Jie herself took the field was it worth the effort—otherwise, you’d regret it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The path of cultivation included regulating yin and yang—otherwise, the concept of dual cultivation wouldn’t exist. When Liu Xiaolou was young and his cultivation shallow, his master had not taught him the Sanxuan Sect’s methods for balancing yin and yang, only had him memorize and study them, saying he must wait until after turning eighteen and advancing further before practicing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his master himself faced no such restrictions—he often visited this alley, usually buying a pear for Liu Xiaolou to hold while he waited by the alley’s outer wall, then strolling in leisurely, enjoying himself, and emerging again. Zhang Ma and Qing Jie’s ways were lessons his master had imparted over the past two years—unfortunately, Liu Xiaolou had turned eighteen, and his master had since passed away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, passing the alley entrance, he remembered his master’s teachings and paused involuntarily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That pause drew Qing Jie to him: “Oh? Isn’t this Master Xiao Lou? What? Has Master Xiao Lou turned eighteen?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou blinked in surprise, startled that she knew him so well—clearly his master had spoken of him. He cleared his throat: “Ahem… yes…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Jie instantly brightened: “That’s wonderful! Stuck in your cultivation? Sent down by your master? Come, to my room—I’ll take your pulse…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, she reached out to grab him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qing Jie had once been a martial artist—she had real skill, or she couldn’t have controlled her girls—but before Liu Xiaolou, she was nothing. He lightly twisted free, shaking off her grip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she had long coveted this handsome young Sanxuan Sect cultivator. Now, she wouldn’t let him escape—she wrapped herself around him entirely, pressing her chest against his and giggling: “First time? Don’t worry—I won’t charge you. I’ll take your pulse myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou didn’t know how to respond when Zhang Ma, leaning against the wall nearby, suddenly spoke: “Where’s your master?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou replied: “My master passed away. Half a year ago.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere instantly cooled. Zhang Ma froze. Qing Jie stared at Liu Xiaolou, reached up, touched his head gently, and sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou nodded to them, slipped from Qing Jie’s embrace, and walked toward the next alley entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This alley featured a row of open wooden pavilions. Dozens of cultivators sat apart, spaced several zhang apart, facing each other, whispering quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wealth must not be displayed openly—true treasures were never laid out for sale. One had to approach each person individually to inquire. Liu Xiaolou could join them, find a spot, sit down, and someone would inevitably come to speak. Buying and selling were mutual—he came to buy spirit stones, but his only payment was the spirit herb.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou walked slowly along the pavilions, glancing at each cultivator. None were familiar. He found an empty spot, sat cross-legged, and observed quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had barely sat down when someone approached: “Young brother, got something to sell?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was Liu Xiaolou’s first time coming alone. His master’s warnings echoed in his mind: “When you come by yourself, be extremely cautious. Watch more, speak less—don’t let anyone trick you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The words still rang in his ears. He dared not speak much: “Just looking. Will see.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man chuckled: “Caution is wise, but goods must be shown to be sold. If my offer displeases you, refuse it. Do you think I’ll steal it? Everyone in Wuchao Town knows the rules.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In Wuchao Town’s market, open theft was forbidden—anyone could rise against the thief. The rule was real. Liu Xiaolou thought a moment, then pulled out the spirit herb: “Found it outside the mountains. Take a look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man studied it a moment: “What herb is this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly didn’t recognize it. Liu Xiaolou retracted it: “Goods find their match. If you don’t know it, we’re not destined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The man nodded and wandered off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou exhaled in relief, waiting. Soon, two more approached, both unfamiliar with the herb. One shook his head and left. The other offered: a hundred taels of silver or fifty sheng of spirit rice—both rejected by Liu Xiaolou.\u003C\u002Fp>",1234,"2026-06-19T23:11:25.549Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","a5250320afbd0fd600ce8183a2bed5e51788662f18eb7bfa8711ad0d917c1943","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-13","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-11",638,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fnotes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-cover.jpg"]