Chapter 31: Exchanging with You

Lin Jue withdrew his gaze and looked to the side.

The old Daoist sat cross-legged beneath a pine, the girl beside him quietly chewing her biscuit; seeing Lin Jue awake, she lifted her head and stared at him.

“Young lay disciple, you’re awake?”

The old Daoist opened his eyes and said to him: “Your ‘Thousand-Day Wine’ was simply too much—you drank too much. The Mountain Lord and his guests left long ago; they tried to wake you at dawn, but you didn’t stir. Forcing you awake would’ve been unwise. The sun has risen higher, and the higher it climbs, the harder it becomes to travel, so they bowed to you and departed, saying that if they meet you again, they’ll surely thank you.”

At these words, Lin Jue’s mind conjured again the images of the myriad spirits bidding him farewell.

Truly dreamlike…

He groped beside him—the Thousand-Day Wine was still there, nestled in the grass, suggesting last night had all been real; the book satchel lay on the ground beside him, and the banquet itself had been utterly casual.

“Master, are you waiting for me?”

“How dare you call me ‘Master’? Just call me Daoist.” The old man corrected his phrasing, then added, “I’ve only just woken too, and I’ve already eaten breakfast. Shall we descend the mountain together?”

“That would be best.”

These two were the only ones from last night’s banquet who had stayed by his side; apart from any deeper connection, Lin Jue wanted to walk with them—as if holding onto them meant holding onto last night’s events, and if they left too, he might descend the mountain, walk a while, and begin doubting whether any of it had been real.

“No rush, no rush—first, young lay disciple, eat something.”

“We can eat while walking.”

“Better to eat first.”

“Very well.”

Lin Jue took a rice cake from his book satchel, asked if they wanted some, then lifted his water flask, biting and tearing at the cake, alternating bites of biscuit with sips of water, finishing one cake in just a few mouthfuls.

He slung the book satchel onto his back and descended the mountain.

Not long after, movement stirred below.

Tall grasses swayed violently, clearly parted by something moving swiftly through them.

Suddenly, the grass stilled—and a man in gray-white robes rose from within.

“Sniff… sniff…”

The man studied them, his nose twitching constantly.

He then clumsily bowed and asked: “You two… fellow cultivators—did you attend the Mountain Lord’s banquet?”

Lin Jue knew he wasn’t human, but he also knew this was the Mountain Lord’s domain, where no ordinary spirit would dare cause trouble; seeing the old Daoist remain silent, he replied:

“Yes.”

“Is the Mountain Lord’s banquet still ongoing?”

“You’re too late—it ended last night. All guests departed by morning; we’re the last to descend.”

“This…”

The man froze, eyes wide.

Then his face twisted with profound regret.

Clearly, the Thousand-Day Wine infused with the essence of sun and moon held immense allure for all spirits. Lin Jue could only feel pity for him.

“May I ask—is the Mountain Lord still here?”

The man pressed on, unwilling to give up.

“He’s not on the summit anymore. When we woke, he was already gone.”

“Do you know where he is?”

“I don’t know.”

“Thank you! I must find the Mountain Lord!”

“Why cling so desperately? The banquet is over, the wine is gone—even if you find the Mountain Lord, there’ll be no more Thousand-Day Wine infused with sun and moon.” Lin Jue couldn’t help offering a kind warning.

“Don’t concern yourself, fellow cultivator! I seek the Mountain Lord’s spirit wine to save a life!”

“Hmm?”

Lin Jue was puzzled. His mood, however, was strangely beautiful, so he asked: “What do you mean?”

“No time for explanations! I’m going to find the Mountain Lord!”

The man hurriedly dropped to the ground—a puff of black smoke burst open, his body visibly reshaping into a massive wolf.

Lin Jue instinctively stepped back, yet still said: “Why not tell me?”

“Huh?”

The wolf paused, puzzled, sniffed again—then his eyes suddenly brightened:

“You still have spirit wine on you?”

“Tell me first.”

“Puff…”

The wolf transformed back into a man, his expression excited but tightly controlled; he bowed to Lin Jue:

“You don’t know—many years ago, I was merely a wild wolf, once leader of a pack. Later, I lost a fight to a younger wolf and was driven out; I nearly died. In despair, I was fortunate to meet a crow-brother. Under his guidance, I found prey. From then on, we worked together—he flew above, spotting prey, while I chased it down. We depended on each other, gradually becoming old friends.”

“But two years later, I accidentally attained enlightenment and became a spirit. My crow-brother was wiser than I, yet for some reason, he could never attain it. I sought countless rare treasures to extend his lifespan, hoping he might awaken and continue roaming the mountains with me, hunting and cultivating side by side—but I never succeeded. I once heard that the Mountain Lord here held a banquet, with spirit wine and immortal brews—any ordinary beast who drank it could awaken and become a spirit.”

“But the Mountain Lord’s banquet required a gift. I lived far away, and spent much time searching for a suitable offering. By the time I arrived, it was already over.”

“But if I cannot obtain the Mountain Lord’s spirit wine, my old friend…”

“Will die.”

The man’s emotion ran deep; each word shifted his expression, and by the end, he was utterly heartbroken.

Lin Jue made no comment, only asked: “What gift did you prepare for the Mountain Lord?”

“A piece of earth-wood essence.”

The wolf spirit flipped his hand and pulled out a green object.

“What is this?”

“Natural essence of earth and wood, nurtured by heaven and earth. It looks lifeless, yet flows freely through the mountains. I spent great effort to capture it.”

“What use is it?”

“Earth-wood essence holds the five-element spiritual essence—it aids in comprehending the spiritual rhythms of earth and wood. I heard the Mountain Lord draws in yin-yang qi, but specializes in earth-elemental arts. That’s why I brought it—hoping to move him.”

“Give it to me.”

At these words, the wolf spirit’s eyes widened sharply.

“A gentleman helps others achieve beauty. I dare not call myself a gentleman, but I happened to receive one extra cup of ‘Thousand-Day Wine’ from the Mountain Lord. And this wine’s effect is strongest the first time you drink it—the second time, it’s far weaker. If you go now seeking the Mountain Lord, you’ll likely fail. Let us exchange instead.”

“Really?”

“How would I dare deceive you?”

Lin Jue set down his book satchel and took out a small porcelain bottle.

He reached out, took the earth-wood essence, and handed over the bottle. Before the wolf spirit could even react, the exchange was complete.

“Sss! Such a fragrant scent—the Daoist truly didn’t lie! Thank you, fellow cultivator!”

“No need for thanks.”

This was perfect.

Lin Jue said nothing, accepted the essence, and told the wolf spirit: “I’ve heard that though spirits walk the path of yin and yang, most absorb yin qi and dare not move in daylight. You’d best return quickly.”

“Good! I dwell on Zhou Mountain—if you ever come there, find me! Farewell!”

“Farewell…”

The spirit was straightforward—he swallowed the bottle, reverted to his wolf form, turned, and vanished into the wind-tossed grasses in an instant.

Lin Jue lowered his guard, slung his book satchel back on, turned to the old Daoist, and continued walking.

“Young lay disciple, you have a kind heart.”

“It was simply an exchange.”

The old Daoist still walked behind him. Hearing this, he merely smiled and asked: “I’ve noticed your qi-nourishing method is highly orthodox—far superior to the tricks of many so-called sorcerers. Where did you learn it?”

“I came upon it by chance.”

“How fortunate.”

“Where do you cultivate, Daoist? On which immortal mountain or cave?”

“My temple is on Fuqiu Peak.”

“Fuqiu Peak…”

“And you? Where will you go next?”

“Originally, I planned to visit Qiyun Mountain, then Yishan.” Lin Jue hesitated, then spoke honestly.

“Qiyun Mountain is a famed Daoist peak. Yishan is remote. Why, as a scholar, would you forsake renowned academies and great masters to go to such places?”

“To be honest…”

This old Daoist was no ordinary man—he was likely the high cultivator Lin Jue sought, had attended the Mountain Lord’s banquet, drunk the Thousand-Day Wine. There was no reason to hide anything from him. He spoke plainly: “I once saw a spirit in a village shrine. I witnessed the wonders of the world, the marvels of arts and spells—and my heart turned from official ambition. I now seek only immortals, the Dao, and magical arts. That spirit also told me my heavenly soul is unstable, and I must find a method to stabilize it. My uncle and aunt can no longer support my studies, so I made no further hesitation—I left home to seek the Dao.”

“But young lay disciple, why seek immortals and magical arts?”

“For freedom and eternal life.”

This was Lin Jue’s truest thought, backed by his own firm reasons—he had no need to conceal it.

What it was, it was. What he had, he said.

The old Daoist nodded, offered no judgment, only said: “Those who seek immortality and the Dao in this world almost all cling to the words ‘freedom and eternal life.’ Yet the vast majority—nobles, emperors, generals, even the most celebrated scholars—lack the celestial connection. Even if they climb sacred peaks, they merely climb a mountain and leave behind a few poems.”

Isn’t that true?

This plunged Lin Jue into thought—the very question he’d been pondering since yesterday:

He had the ancient book, and could learn magical arts—but magic isn’t learned by merely reading. It seems one must either be the recipient of the spell, or clearly observe its flow—both impose severe limits.

Moreover, the ancient book contained only spells, not the broader cultivation system, no accompanying knowledge, no way to understand this world’s true path of cultivation—to truly enter it.

Therefore, it may still be necessary to have a master.

At least to help oneself through this initial stretch of the path.

This is not a reckless matter.

Should he continue as he had planned, first going to Yunshan and Yishan? Or should he simply ask this Daoist here whether he might take him as a disciple? Would he find the Immortal Dao he seeks at Yunshan and Yishan? If he does not go to Yunshan and Yishan, would this Daoist be willing to accept him?