Rocky Mountain

Mao Nianzu and Tian Shen arrived at two doors at the end of the stairs. Ten meters tall, brown arch doors.

They waited in line. Some youths in brown uniforms were stationed next to the door.

"Fill your name and place it here!"

One youth shouted into the queue. Pointing at one grey wall full of papers that had the name of the visitors.

Mao Nianzu took one brush and stroked it casually on one paper. The black ink reflected a faint glossy glow because of the scorching sun.

He put down the brush and placed the paper in a vacant space on the wall.

Deep inside, this event was not bad. As though he had a small trip, doing calligraphy with a peaceful mind.

No responsibility in his mind, no burden in his stroke.

After that, he nodded to the youths and entered the summit behind the doors. As he took one step inside, a fresh breeze greeted him. He lifted one arm and covered himself from the flying leaves that passed by. His hair and robe couldn't help but flutter.

When he lowered the arm, he saw a magnificent view and had to suck in a cold breath.

A grey grand palace with an enormous building and a high ceiling. Exquisite marble embellished the floor. The wall was decorated with beautiful carvings.

The palace doors opened, revealing two lines of people with different robes. All of them were chattering here and there.

In the middle of the lines was a red carpet that led to a majestic chair bathed in sunlight from a crystal-clear wall behind it.

Mao Nianzu had an awful premonition that these people in line would greet him. Thus, he composed himself and strolled casually.

Tian Shen formed a faint smile. Then, he followed Mao Nianzu from behind.

As they moved closer toward the entrance, four guards next to the door noticed them. One of them smacked the blunt tip of his spear. Immediately after, all noises vanished.

Mao Nianzu caught a glimpse of a lady peeking through the entrance. As soon as their gaze linked, this lady was startled and stared dagger at a woman next to her who pinched her waist.

However, this lady's face flustered out of nowhere. Mao Nianzu could have cared less and enjoyed his trip on this mountain.

Truth be told, if he had known this place sooner, he'd definitely visited it every year.

The air was fresh, and nature was well-preserved. As though he touched upon a small sacred corner of this tainted world that was full of mundane life.

So far, he saw no one seemed to displease with anything.

'I thought they'll be excessively greeting me whatsoever. Why do they become silent? It's so awkward.'

Dead silence filled the atmosphere of the hall.

Mao Nianzu stepped on the red carpet. He continued his steps to the end of this carpet, the seemingly 'a throne'.

Tian Shen stopped at the right side of this throne. Standing behind Mao Nianzu.

The crowd never looked at him even once except for that lady.

"What makes you quiet and stand like a statue?"

Looking at the crowd, Mao Nianzu stood in front of the throne, just one foot away from it. He asked, but no one answered.

"You," he pointed at one man in crimson plate armor, "speak."

Then, the man lowered his head, saying: "Yes, young master. I'll be impudent and ask you to sit on the throne."

Mao Nianzu took a glance at the said throne. He said: "Only if all consent."

"This..." The man stuttered. He then let a scoff at the crowd.

Soon, people seemed to melt. They were no longer stiff and awkward.

The crimson plate armor man then approached Mao Nianzu, cupping his fist, and said: "Forgive for my ignorance. I am the patriarch of this Rocky Mountain, Jing Yidao."

With a sigh, he continued: "I admire your decision, young master. Rightfully, the throne already belongs to you, but you won't sit before everyone approves it. If it's other people..."

He glanced at the crowd. Mao Nianzu didn't know what did he see.

"If it's other people, they'll sit on it right away when they know it's theirs. Please, let me give you my sincere greeting."

Saying so, the crimson-armored man kneeled on one knee and solemnly said: "Jing Yidao greets the Young Master!"

The crowd had various reactions. Some gasped, some frowned, some observed silently. All this time, Mao Nianzu paid attention to the crowd instead of this man.

Jing Yidao stood and turned his back to the crowd. With a bright complexion and visible excitement, he spoke. "Everyone, we are honored to have the True Sage coming to our humble abode. As you heard just now, the True Sage will only sit once we all consent. Now, is there any objection?"

Mao Nianzu found it funny and enjoyable. He only spoke a few words, and this man named Jing Yidao extended it to something amazing.

'So, am I a real True Sage?' Glancing at Tian Shen, Mao Nianzu saw him giving a slight nod.

This feeling was not bad. He also didn't know that his few words had a big impact on Jing Yidao.

But Mao Nianzu was struggling to keep his expression in check. Because of this ridiculous event, he wanted to let a loose smile badly!

After a few breaths, no one objected. Jing Yidao stretched his arm with a broad smile and straightened his back.

Mao Nianzu slightly nodded then he indifferently sat on the throne.

A soft pad and comfortable grip. This chair was the best he had ever sat on so far in his life. Even more so, the throne was decorated with priceless materials.

'Wasteful!' Seeing the materials, a faint ache struck his heart.

Tian Shen walked upfront. He waved his sleeves, then most of the present crowd lowered their head and left. Only ten people remained besides Mao Nianzu and him.

Jing Yidao hesitantly said: "Young Master, I-I have a question."

"Speak," said Mao Nianzu.

"Did you watch the performance of Supreme Elder? It said he successfully repairs a fire-water halo without causing any damage to his cultivation base."

Jing Yidao and nine people with different robes looked at Mao Nianzu in anticipation.

However, Mao Nianzu was not interested in a person who had kneeled before him. The image of a mighty figure immediately shattered into pieces once Supreme Elder kneeled, and all respects had gone.

"No," replied him.

"This trivial news may not be your cup of tea, but major forces are in an uproar. Some are willing to squeeze their wealth only to get the knowledge of fire-water halo that day," said Jing Yidao.

"I like a straightforward person," said Mao Nianzu with an indifferent attitude.

The uninterested expression gave chills down to Jing Yidao's spines. He hurriedly apologized and shamelessly asked: "I wonder if I can have a pointer from Young Master."

Listening to the request, Mao Nianzu couldn't help but sigh helplessly. It was their first meeting and Jing Yidao already asked for a pointer.

In the palanquin, Tian Shen explained that 'pointer' means advice regarding their cultivation. Whether technique, method, or mindset. Even Dao.

Most likely, people would ask a pointer to Mao Nianzu because of his title as a True Sage, said Tian Shen. After all, a pointer from such a figure was a lifetime fortune.

Put aside Mao Nianzu's comprehension of cultivation. He already felt lazy if a stranger was trying to take advantage of him.

Besides, a pointer was usually asked to one's master, prominent figures, or a close person because it would expose one's cultivation skills which couldn't be easily reveal to outsiders.

But Mao Nianzu and Jing Yidao were considered strangers. Moreover, Jing Yidao asked this right after his few words that amount to nothing.

As though a pointer was the only thing in Jing Yidao's mind all the time. Presumably, he only respected Mao Nianzu because of this!

"If you can't understand your difficulty, don't dare to ask for a pointer."

These words slipped from Mao Nianzu's mouth without any meticulous consideration.

Mao Nianzu was very disappointed with Jing Yidao. As a patriarch from a seemingly powerful group, Mao Nianzu expected him to be wise and composed.

Alas! It seemed like this was the greed of a cultivator. To be stronger and soar against the heaven. Exploiting any opportunity to the fullest.

Thus, Mao Nianzu wouldn't give any pointer, albeit his zero comprehension.

It was no different from mortals. He encountered similar characters that shamelessly take advantage of things. Some naïve people fell into the trap and helped these species that appeared to be warm.

After that, Mao Nianzu didn't bat an eye at Jing Yidao. Instead, he looked at Tian Shen and asked: "Shall we take a stroll?"

Tian Shen gave a slight nod as both of them walked away, leaving the ten people in a daze.

After they left, one man behind Jing Yidao spoke out: "Patriarch! Did we go too far? Young Master leaves immediately after we ask a pointer..."

Jing Yidao, however, solemnly stared at the throne. He touched his crimson armor, then looked above at the crystal-clear wall.

"Young Master already gives us one pointer. He truly lives up to his title."

Saying that, Jing Yidao shook his head helplessly. He had gone too far, asking for a pointer when he had no close tie to the young master.

Moreover, he asked randomly, hoping that Young Master would share his wisdom. But he forgot that a pointer would become a pointer when he knew his difficulty.

If one is lost, one knows where he comes from and where he wants to go.

It would not be a pointer if he didn't state what troubled him. How would Young Master give him a direction?

'A True Sage... With a few words, he gives me a life lesson. I'm too full of myself. I'm too full.' Just now, Jing Yidao foolishly exposed his greed.

After that, Jing Yidao commanded the nine people to give the best service to the Young Master. Then, all of them exited.

And the palace was closed.