Chapter 3: Drinking Companion_2
"Eh! Young friend, there's no need to be modest. The inherent Great Dao is obscure and difficult to comprehend, much harder than the acquired path of cultivating immortality post-birth. A slight misstep can result in a monster-like transformation and plunge one into the evil path from which there's no redemption.
"Hence, what may be a trivial matter for you, young friend, is actually an invaluable Dao opportunity for me that comes once in a thousand years. If you have any requests, feel free to speak your mind. As long as it is within my power, I will not refuse."
Oh, is this that 'I can grant you a wish' kind of scenario?
Li Fan set down his wine cup, rolled his eyes, and almost blurted out asking how those three beauties earlier were conjured, but he managed to restrain himself. Then he considered asking if the other party knew about 'the method of transmigration,' but then thought it unlikely that they could help with that.
Forget it, since I've already transmigrated to a world of cultivation, let's not bother with such trivialities. Let's keep it simple.
"The lad Li Fan sincerely seeks the Dao and wishes to take the mountain master as his mentor."
It's better to teach a man to fish than to give him a fish, right? To attain the Dao and become an immortal, with a wave of my hand, I could throw parties with a bunch of beauties, wouldn't that be delightful? Li Fan is no longer going to be human!
'Li Fan's mood decreased by 1 point'
System, go die in a corner...
The mountain master also had an expression that seemed to say, 'as expected,' yet shook his head, "Young friend, you are born with the seed of Dao and have dreamt of the virtual star. Hence, in this life, you are naturally destined to be disconnected from the earthly Dao.
"It's a pity that I myself have just now heard the Dao, a breakthrough is imminent, and I'm at risk of monster-like transformation at any moment. I must immediately retreat for cultivation and cannot delay your splendid talent.
"However, you need not worry. Since you, young friend, also have the wish to seek the Dao, it will be easy to manage."
The mountain master clapped his hands and, in no time at all, Li Fan heard a crane's call from the sky, and then a white figure descended into the courtyard, kneeling down, 'Master.'
Li Fan turned his head and saw a graceful female cultivator in a moon robe with a celestial crown, her body sheltered by a cloud sash, and her black hair twisted into a 'spirit snake bun,' secured by a large pearl jade hairpin that seemed to float above her head.
When she lifted her gaze, one could see her willow eyebrows and phoenix eyes, an apricot face with peach cheeks, lips like delicate embroidery, and skin like creamy jade, adorned with a golden flower at the center of her eyebrows. Indeed, she was one-third exquisite and transcendent, one-third gentle and amiable, one-third ethereal and divine, and also bore an additional hint of tender and charming grace.
Hisss...
'Li Fan's mood greatly increased by 1 point'
The mountain master glanced at Li Fan with an almost-smiling look and spoke to the female cultivator, "Wangshu, since the Jade Toad has consumed your boy, I'll compensate you with another.
"This child bears the seed of the Dao and was able to see the virtual star upon arrival. I see that his spiritual intelligence has awakened; he is an excellent seedling. Teach him well on my behalf, and bring honor to our Bamboo Mountain's reputation."
"I shall obey the decree," the female cultivator bowed deeply and, with a smile to Li Fan, extended her hand, "Come with me, Dao Child."
Her voice, like music from a deep valley, was clear and melodious to the ears, lingering like an echo, making one forget the taste of meat for three months.
'Li Fan's mood greatly increased by 1 point'
Li Fan instinctively felt a sense of closeness and approached, pretending to be naive so she would take his hand, feeling her warm and soft touch that seemed like touching white jade.
'Li Fan's mood greatly increased by 1 point'
The mountain master nodded with a smile, "Young friend, for now, follow Wangshu in your cultivation, and serve as a child attendant by her side.
"However, the Great Dao is extremely perilous, and since you intend to leave the secular world for cultivation, you should no longer use your mundane name.
"Your family name is Li, I believe, so I will bestow upon you a Daoist name—Qingyue, Li Qingyue.
"If you can form your Nascent Soul by the time I emerge from retreat, I shall take you as my true disciple."
Who wants to hang around an old man!
Li Fan, imitating the manners of those Daoists, bowed, "Thank you for your teaching, Mountain Master. Qingyue will remember."
"Disciple takes her leave," the female cultivator Wangshu also bowed respectfully, then led Li Fan as they flew up into the clouds, landing steadily on the back of an immortal crane with a wingspan of two zhang.
"Qingyue, that loud noise outside the mountain earlier, that must have been you watching the moon and entering a meditative state," the female cultivator asked warmly.
At this time, as the immortal crane rose into the air, the wind was considerably stronger than when he was flying on the sword earlier. It fluttered the hem of the female cultivator's light gauzy robe. Li Fan had not noticed before, but her moon robe was also loosely draped, showing her chest, just like the mountain master, unfettered and carefree. She wore no belt around her waist, only a short-sleeved undershirt made of silk beneath her robe. The strong wind made it all but impossible to cover up, revealing her white jade-like legs...
'Li Fan's mood greatly increased by 1 point'
'Li Fan's mood greatly increased by 1 point'
'Li Fan's mood greatly increased by 1 point'
"Ah, ah, regarding what Master said, it was me... Qingyue... just now watching that virtual moon, seeing some illusions," Li Fan said with thirst and stumbling.
The female cultivator Wangshu laughed lightly, "You don't need to call me Master. I am a woman who cultivates with her hair bound, a true disciple under the mountain master of Mo Zhu Mountain, Jiang Wangshu. I am just here to guide you in foundation building for cultivation. If you later achieve your Nascent Soul and become a disciple of Master, then we will be senior and junior disciples. For now, just call me Master Wangshu."
"Yes, Master Wangshu."
The female cultivator then squatted down, leaned forward toward Li Fan, and asked, "What did you see?"
Don't turn your face, don't turn your face...
By now, Li Fan had somewhat understood that these cultivators seemed to be very interested in anything concerning Taishu and the six great Dao ancestors. Almost any hint could trigger an epiphany in them, but there was also a huge risk that it could drive them insane.
"Um, Master Wangshu, I can tell you, but there was an old Daoist, Qin Jian master? He listened and sprouted a bunch of arms, speaking of Xian Hua, monster-like transformation. The mountain master closed himself in enlightenment after hearing it. Are you really sure, you want to hear what I actually saw?"
"The Upper Master couldn't withstand it?" Master Wangshu widened her eyes in surprise, "You truly saw a Dao ancestor? No wonder the mountain master invited you to have a drink... What exactly did you eat just now?"
"...Two dumplings and a cup of wine. Quite sweet."
What kind of nonsensical questions are these...
Jiang Wangshu exclaimed in shock, "You ate dumplings!"
Li Fan was equally shocked!
'Li Fan's mood greatly increased by 1 point'
No, it's a shock! System, don't make it seem like I'm some kind of pervert!
But Jiang Wangshu seemed completely unfazed by her seemingly overstepping demeanor, perhaps because Li Fan was still young, or perhaps she, like the mountain master, was unconcerned with formalities. Anyway, she paid no mind to the red-faced boy in front of her and said thoughtfully to herself, "So the mountain master holds you in such high regard. He fed you the immortal spiritual marrow right off the bat and let you consume the Pill of Nascent Infant Divine Womb? Hiss! Could it be!"
'Li Fan's mood greatly increased by 1 point'
Hey system, enough already!
"Indeed, you have just started cultivating in meditation for a short while and you have already created a sea of qi in your inner view!
"That you, a child from the mortal realm, could possess such a seedling of the Dao is truly unheard of!"
Then, Master Wangshu showed a sudden realization, smiled at Li Fan and patted his head,
"No wonder the mountain master is concerned about you. Qingyue, you must work hard in your cultivation to ascend to Nascent Soul soon.
"With such astonishing and extraordinary talent, as soon as you nurture the demon seed and slip into madness, transforming into something non-human, you will become a supreme tonic for us cultivators!"
'Li Fan's mood greatly decreased by 1 point'
"I can hardly wait, and want to taste your flavor already!"
'Li Fan's mood slightly increased by 1 point'