[{"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-20":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},2272925,4440,"Chapter 20: Chapter Nineteen: Autumn Wind, Autumn Rain","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-20",20,"\u003Cp>The nine key acupoints of the Hand Jueyin Meridian were clearly much harder to open than the acupoints along the previous four meridians, requiring far more true qi; previously, on average, one spirit stone opened one acupoint, but at the Tianchi acupoint of the Hand Jueyin Meridian, two spirit stones were needed to break through, and the Tianquan acupoint currently being targeted also seemed to require about two spirit stones—how many would be needed for the seven subsequent acupoints—Quchi, Ximen, Jianshi, Neiguan, Dalin, Laogong, and Zhongchong—remained unknown.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The days of cultivation were simple and plain; the entire Gan Bamboo Ridge seemed to have fallen silent, each day repeating: sitting in meditation, eating, kicking Da Bai; sitting in meditation, eating, kicking Da Bai...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever it was time to cultivate, Da Bai the goose would transform into a role, forced by Liu Xiaolou’s fists and kicks to fulfill the duties of steward and servant of the Three Xuan Sect, catching insects and weeding in the courtyard, clearing vines that climbed the beams and pillars, and sometimes even hunting rats. The Three Xuan Sect’s meat supply relied largely on Da Bai’s contributions: plump fish from Wu Chao River were the main item, supplemented by mountain snakes, wild chickens, wild rabbits, and field mice from the bamboo groves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fellow had a vast range of movement; he scampered all over the mountain and occasionally followed Wu Chao River out beyond the hills, returning with chunks of cured meat stolen from some household, or shiny, glittering objects—such as a few copper coins, a sliver of silver, or a golden bean—so purely in terms of Liu Xiaolou’s standard of living, if merely maintaining daily household expenses, it was entirely sufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whenever money was needed, rummaging through Da Bai’s nest always yielded small surprises.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The harvest season for the E Yang Mountain spirit fields was already late autumn; just a few days after Liu Xiaolou returned to the mountain, rain began to drizzle down, fine as cowhair, and the mountain wind brushing through the rain was noticeably colder than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou sat cross-legged on the open terrace beneath the eaves, cultivating; occasionally breaking from his practice to listen to the rain, feel the chill, and clear his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At mealtime, Liu Xiaolou would pick bamboo mushrooms, wild greens, and tender bamboo shoots from the forest outside the courtyard, slice some cured meat brought back by Da Bai, or boil a pot of fish soup or roast a wild rabbit or wild chicken.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sometimes he would think of the female cultivator who harvested the spirit fields on E Yang Mountain—wondering whether she had taken seriously the things he had said; if she actually came looking for him to take on work, that would be perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, a Qi Refining tenth-layer peak cultivator—regardless of vision, foundation, or resources controlled—was far beyond the reach of a lowly cultivator like himself. Any task she entrusted to him was his opportunity. Even if it turned out to be a wasted effort, he could accept it; one chance would lead to another—could it really always be for nothing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The autumn rain had fallen for seven or eight days without stopping, and Da Bai returned once again from below the mountain; after burying his haul in his nest, he habitually climbed to the highest stone crevice atop Gan Bamboo Ridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spread his wings and looked down over the entire ridge, contentedly inspecting his domain, letting fine raindrops gather on his head and slowly slide off—the unique coolness of Wulong Mountain filled him with deep contentment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clusters of mist rose intermittently from various valleys, some swiftly, some slowly, spreading among the mountains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several times, Da Bai had unfurled his wings, eager to fly into the swirling mists—but after tumbling down several times, he was forced to abandon his fanciful dreams, crawling back in disgrace to the peak to do what he could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the misty autumn rain, he suddenly spotted someone slowly climbing the mountain, their figure flickering in and out of the clouds; he flapped his wings and leapt onto a nearby small tree, tugging on a thin vine hanging between its branches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Dingdong, dingdong...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The wind chime hanging beneath the eaves rang out clearly, deepening the mountain’s quiet serenity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou awoke from his cultivation, listening intently. His cultivation had reached a new level; his hearing was far sharper than six months prior. After listening a moment, he discerned faint footsteps approaching from the bamboo grove. He checked the Mili Incense Vein on his arm, placed the Three Xuan Sword within easy reach behind him, took a deep breath, and called out loudly: “Who is the esteemed guest entering my mountain?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The visitor wore green robes—but it was not the female cultivator he had hoped for; it was Dai Shenggao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou quickly rose to greet him: “Master Dai!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Shenggao pushed open the wooden gate and nodded: “Xiaolou, it’s been half a year—your cultivation has improved greatly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou felt a pang of shame and bowed deeply: “I owe you much, Elder... please take your seat, to avoid the wind and rain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ascending the terrace, Dai Shenggao glanced at the eaves shielding them from the rain, then at the misty mountain scenery all around, and smiled as he sat across from Liu Xiaolou: “The rain and wind here on Gan Bamboo Ridge are perfect—I’m truly fortunate to witness them today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sitting down, Dai Shenggao emitted a thick mist from his body; in moments, his clothes and shoes were completely dry.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a skill only possible for high-level Qi Refiners—at least eighth or ninth layer—and Liu Xiaolou felt deep envy, acutely aware of how long and distant his own path remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He went inside to fetch tea utensils, used rainwater dripping from the eaves to light a fire and brew tea.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your cultivation is profound, your prestige well-established; finding a perfect place to cultivate should be effortless.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m a laborer by nature—I never have time to rest. If I ever get the chance to achieve Foundation Establishment, then I’ll enjoy my old age. Heh.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My late master once said that among all his close friends, if anyone were to achieve Foundation Establishment, it would surely be you first.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! Then I accept your master’s auspicious words.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The water boiled; he added a handful of wild tea bought in Wu Chao Town. Soon the leaves unfurled. Liu Xiaolou raised his cup: “Elder, please.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sipping the tea, Dai Shenggao said: “The Hero Gathering is mostly settled now—the Dongyang Sect has withdrawn; you needn’t worry.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was good news. Liu Xiaolou nodded: “Yes.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Shenggao added: “So... there’s something you should consider yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as his spirit stones were nearly exhausted and the Tianquan acupoint still hadn’t opened, the prospect of a new opportunity made Liu Xiaolou eager to accept.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder, please speak!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Shenggao said: “Actually, I’m only delivering a message—I don’t know the details myself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A message? Whose message?” Liu Xiaolou asked, puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wei Hongqing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ah... Brother Wei? Do you have news of him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Shenggao explained: “A few days ago, I went to Tianmen Market. You know Tianmen Market, right?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Xiaolou nodded: “My master mentioned it—it’s the largest market in Xiangxi, even bigger than Tanzhou Market, but I’ve never had the chance to visit.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dai Shenggao said: “Tianmen Market is two hundred li east of Wulong Mountain—it’s not just the largest in Xiangxi, but in all of Jingxiang. I met Wei Hongqing there. He asked about my itinerary, learned I’d be returning these days, and asked me to deliver a message to you: he invites you to come to Tianmen Market as soon as possible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pulled out a sheet of yellow paper, on which was written a single line: “Urgent matter to discuss. Come at once upon receiving this message.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was unmistakably Wei Hongqing’s handwriting.\u003C\u002Fp>",1310,"2026-06-19T23:11:25.549Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","5430a89934bb0004445731bb7ff2923621e47be52657e2313474b0ae7b849be8","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-21","notes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-chapter-19",638,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fnotes-on-cultivation-at-wulong-mountain-cover.jpg"]