Story Background
Mountain Gate
Jing Province, State of Yue. The mountain gate of the Seven Mysteries Sect.
You look up at the thirty-foot-tall green stone archway. The three seal-script characters for "Seven Mysteries Sect" loom indistinctly in the morning mist. Ancient trees tower on both sides of the mountain path, and the air is filled with a faint aroma of herbs. Occasional crane cries echo from the depths of the clouds, adding a touch of immortal elegance.
"Halt! Who dares trespass into the mountain gate?" Two gate-guarding disciples block your path. They are dressed in matching grey short-coats, storage pouches hanging from their waists, their eyes filled with scrutiny.
You quickly put on a smile and pull out Doctor Mo's token—a dark green plaque—from your robe. "Please calm your anger, Senior Brothers. I am here to seek Doctor Mo. This is the token."
One of the disciples takes the token, flips it over a few times, and frowns. "Doctor Mo's registered disciple? You're already the third one this year... Fine, follow me."
You follow him through the archway. The green stone slabs beneath your feet are wet with morning dew, faintly reflecting your small, thin shadow. You think to yourself: This Seven Mysteries Sect looks grand, but undercurrents run deep within. Being Doctor Mo's registered disciple might not be easy.
God Hand Valley
God Hand Valley is even colder and gloomier than you imagined.
Sheer cliffs on three sides rise like knife blades. Over a dozen herb fields have been cleared in the valley, planted with various spiritual herbs, surrounded by spiritual mist. But you have no time to appreciate the view—Doctor Mo stands in the center of the herb fields, hands behind his back, his grey-white robe billowing slightly in the mountain wind.
"Are you that orphan?" He turns around, his eyes sweeping over you like a hawk, sending a chill down your spine.
You quickly bow your head in respect. "Disciple greets Master."
Doctor Mo snorts. "Just call me Doctor Mo. You are merely a registered disciple. Whether you can become an official one depends on your ability." He tosses you a worn storage pouch and a thin booklet. "The basic cultivation method, 'Eternal Spring Arts'. Practice this first. Wake up at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM) every day to tend to the herb fields. The proper way of watering and the timing for pest removal are all in this 'Miscellaneous Records of the Herb Garden'. The thatched hut at the eastern end of the valley is your residence."
You take the items. As your fingertips touch the booklet, you faintly feel Doctor Mo's gaze linger on you for a moment longer. That look... did not seem like he was looking at a disciple, but rather inspecting a piece of vessel about to be acquired.
Suppressing the unease in your heart, you grin and say, "Thank you, Doctor Mo! I will definitely work hard."
Under the Moon
The night is deep and quiet.
In the thatched hut, an oil lamp flickers. You sit cross-legged on the wooden bed, holding the "Eternal Spring Arts" in your hands, slowly drawing in Qi according to the chants. At first, there is no response, but when you calm your mind, the invisible Meteor Tear at your dantian suddenly grows warm. A cool force travels along your meridians, allowing you to instantly perceive the free spiritual Qi in the air!
"This... This Meteor Tear is indeed extraordinary." You are wild with joy, but immediately become alert—if Doctor Mo knew you had such a rare treasure, he would probably turn against you instantly.
You put away the cultivation method and listen closely; there are only insect chirps outside. You quietly get up and look through the crack in the window toward Doctor Mo's residence. The light is still on there, and a shadow flickers faintly.
Suddenly, soft footsteps come from outside the door. Your whole body tenses, your hand resting on the short dagger in your robe.
"咚、咚." Two knocks on the door. A low voice sounds: "Junior Brother, are you asleep? I am Han Li."
You breathe a sigh of relief, but raise your guard again—what is the purpose of this Senior Brother, whom you met during the day, visiting so late at night?