Gazing Dragon Mountain Rampart

Gazing Dragon Mountain Rampart...

As the first rays of dawn painted the sky with hues of orange and pink, Shu Ruanyu sat in the cave dwelling, her legs crossed, leaning against the rough wall. Her eyes were gently closed, arms wrapped around herself as if to shield from the world. Despite her attempt to rest, her senses remained alert, her mind in a constant state of watchfulness.

Qin Wentian, having lifted the formation he had imposed on her the previous day, had granted her the ability to absorb Astral Energy again. Yet, the cave still held her captive, its restrictions a stubborn chain.

The silence was shattered by a sudden, crisp sound— "Pitter, patter!" Shu Ruanyu's eyes fluttered open, weariness evident. To her astonishment, the cave was void of any other presence.

"Huh?" She rose to her feet with swift uncertainty. Stealthily, she moved towards the cave's entrance, gazing out. Beyond the misty haze created by the night's rain, there was nothing but emptiness.

"Freedom at last." A sigh of relief escaped Shu Ruanyu's lips. At long last, that infuriating pudgy fellow wouldn't be her concern anymore. Then again, she admitted that Qin Wentian had upheld his promise during her days of captivity. Beyond the confining formation, he had remained passive.

"Qin Wentian, remember this," Shu Ruanyu declared with a frigid tone. Uttering her words, she blurred into motion, rising into the sky.

As the sun continued its ascent, Qin Wentian and his companions had left the vicinity earlier that morning. Adhering to his word, Shu Ruanyu had been set free. Her release, though, had inadvertently dragged Bailu Jing and Bailu Yi into the tangle. Although they were innocent, their involvement had become a consequence of Qin Wentian's actions. Knowing that Shu Ruanyu was safe, Yang Fan had no reason to harm the Bailu siblings. The White Deer Institute held its place as a prominent force on the Moon Continent, although it fell short in comparison to transcendent powers. Therefore, the Star-Seizing Manor would tread cautiously to avoid triggering a war, refraining from allowing Yang Fan to execute the Bailu siblings.

Due to the urgency of maintaining his location's secrecy, Qin Wentian had to exit the mountain range, lest Shu Ruanyu sought reinforcements to hunt him down.

...........

Qiyun Country stood adjacent to the Azure Continent's borders, its governance under the mantle of the transcendent power—the Ouyang Aristocratic Clan.

The Ouyang Aristocratic Clan, distinguished as a clan rather than a sect, exercised cautious expansion, mindful to infuse fresh blood and new talents. Even beyond their own lineage, the chosen recruits were nurtured to prevent decline.

Gazing-Dragon Mountain, a prominent peak, resided just beyond Qiyun Country's borders, gaining repute far and wide.

This mountain boasted a reputation for its stone walls adorned with diverse innate techniques, a treasure trove open to all for study and contemplation. Legend had it that Qiyun's past generations of Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns invested time and sweat to etch their insights onto the mountain's face, a legacy bestowed upon the Stellar Martial Cultivators of Qiyun Country.

For a small nation, ascending to the Heavenly Dipper Realm marked the zenith. To avoid stagnation, many chose to explore the vast expanse of the Grand Xia. But some of these Heavenly Dipper Sovereigns, fueled by love for their homelands, planted a legacy for posterity, sparking the present fervor for Gazing-Dragon Mountain.

Adjacent to the rampart, stone platforms littered the surroundings. Each day, several cultivators flocked to the mountains, striving to glean insights from the depicted innate techniques.

In the current moment, a strapping young man stood atop a stone platform, his brawny physique relentless in wielding a colossal axe. His motions lacked the infusion of Astral Energy, yet their might generated gusts that stirred the air.

Bronze-hued skin clad his herculean frame, every sinew rippling with explosive force. Despite his relatively young age, perhaps 24 or 25, the most intriguing aspect was his ceaseless axe-wielding for seven consecutive days. Even the curious gazes of onlookers failed to disturb him.

"Feel that breeze? How hefty do you reckon his axe is?" a spectator quipped with a chuckle.

"Guessing around 500 jin. This guy exudes raw power like a barbarian warrior," another responded.

"Why isn't he wearied by the deepening complexity of his axe technique? Odd."

"Well, oddities abound in this world. Look yonder, someone's been napping for days," a spectator gestured to a stone platform nearby the brawny youth. A slumbering youth rested there, seemingly lost in tranquil dreams, impervious to the world beyond.

"Two oddballs."

In yesterday's rain-laden thunderstorm, the brawny youth's axe practice persisted as the other dozed. Their actions defied all logic.

Adding to the oddity, a snow-white puppy frolicked by the slumbering young man, its cuteness drawing collective attention.

"Come here, little one!" A young lady of pure countenance called out to the endearing puppy.

The little snowy puppy let out a bark that echoed like laughter, briefly springing onto the young lady's chest. Her giggle of delight harmonized with the rhythmic strokes of her hand on its fur.

Evidently, this pup was having the time of its life, an emotion that stoked annoyance and jealousy among several onlookers.

"Your owner must be the laziest," the young lady remarked, her gaze pointed at Qin Wentian. She had formed a bond with the puppy, fondly known as Little Rascal, over the past days. Her visits consistently culminated in hugs and cuddles. In stark contrast, the figure on the stone platform, Little Rascal's owner, always remained ensnared by slumber.

"Ye Xi, you're here again." A slightly plump form approached, and the young lady offered a smile. "What brings you back?"

"Well, I'm the partner in crime of that little troublemaker's owner," Fan Le said with a grin. Ye Xi snorted and looked at Little Rascal, nestled in her arms. "Is that so?"

"Little Rascal, come here!" Fatty beckoned the pup, only to be met with a puzzled gaze. The snowy puppy stared as if Fan Le were a stranger. After a while, it shifted its attention back to Ye Xi, curling up against her chest.

"See? It doesn't recognize you," Ye Xi taunted. Fan Le rolled his eyes, cursing the little Casanova of a pup beneath his breath.

With an air of boredom, Fan Le took a seat. His gaze alternated between the dozing young man and the brawny figure diligently wielding his axe. They had stationed themselves in Qiyun country to power up before heading into the Azure Continent.

In an unexpected turn, Qin Wentian, who had been sleeping, abruptly sat up. Little Rascal transformed into a white streak, bounding toward Qin Wentian. Yelps of joy accompanied its repeated attempts to shower him with affection.

"Boss, you're finally up!" Fan Le beamed. "This lady is Ye Xi, a close friend. She knows Little Rascal well, but the scamp ignored me every time she's around, like he's never seen me before. Infuriating, isn't it?"

"Hmm, who are you talking about?" Qin Wentian acted oblivious, meeting Ye Xi's gaze as he silently scolded Fatty for his behavior.

Indeed, this fatty was the embodiment of the term 'unconditional affection'.

"No worries, you win," Fan Le surrendered, totally exasperated.

"Wow, hold the press, the Sleeping God is awake!" A voice erupted in surprise.

"He's got a real knack for napping."

"Sleeping God, are you here for beauty sleep or cultivation?"

"Snoozing Savior?" Qin Wentian chuckled at the moniker bestowed upon him. The truth was, he had been cultivating tirelessly ever since his arrival.

After the arduous battle in the Moon Continent, his three Yuanfu were entirely drained of Astral Energy, coupled with grave injuries. When recovery came and his Yuanfu were recharged, he made an astonishing discovery: they had expanded, propelling him to the fifth-level of Yuanfu.

"Fatty, this wall's wisdom is something else. You should really delve into it when you can," Qin Wentian urged, attempting to motivate Fatty.

"No worries, Boss. My unparalleled intellect will crack the codes of those engravings with ease. Look at Chu Mang, if he can grasp it, a genius of my caliber will breeze through."

Qin Wentian observed Chu Mang's axe-play, deceptively ordinary yet profoundly intricate upon scrutiny. "It's that technique!" he realized. On the wall was a set of intricate axe-based innate techniques. The seemingly chaotic strikes masked a hidden pattern—one that enabled the practitioner to channel their qi in a precise trajectory, aligning with the axe's rhythm, fusing qi and technique.

"Is he part of your oddball crew too?" Ye Xi mused. Qin Wentian nodded.

"A merry band of eccentricities," Ye Xi quipped with good-natured teasing. Laughter rippled through the spectators. "Hey, Snooze Guru, are you suggesting we all nap our way to enlightenment? Are you secretly deciphering these profound techniques in your dreams?"

Qin Wentian met the crowd's gaze. Most were at the Yuanfu Realm, with the occasional presence of Arterial Circulation Realm cultivators.

Ignoring the jests, Qin Wentian resumed his cultivation in silence.

Time flew, and winter descended. The frosty chill and the snowy blanket thinned the crowds at Gazing-Dragon Mountain.

Amid the snowflakes, Qin Wentian extended his hand, catching a fragile snowflake. His gaze drifted toward the Moon Continent.

Another year had slipped by. Was Qingcheng thriving at the Pill Emperor Hall? His father, Qin Chuan, Sister Qin Yao, Teacher Mustang, Senior Luo Huan—they all remained in Chu. Were they well?

Nineteen now, he felt the weight of those three years, laden with experiences.

"Hey, have these warm pastries, they'll chase away the cold." A basket-carrying young woman approached. The assortment inside bore a tempting aroma. Seeing his distant look, she grinned, "Thinking of someone special, Brother Wentian?"

In response, Qin Wentian ruffled her hair affectionately. Their daily interactions made him quite familiar with Ye Xi.

"Hold on, what's this scrumptious scent?" Fatty sidled in, snatching a few piping hot buns from the basket, promptly devouring them. Even though Stellar Martial Cultivators didn't require sustenance, eating was an indulgence that hit the spot.

The trio settled upon the stone platform, an ambiance of camaraderie and joy enveloping them, as laughter and jests flowed, creating an image of perfect harmony.

In the midst of this idyllic tableau, a streak of white brilliance darted across the sky. Turning their attention to the luminescent trail, their gazes locked onto Chu Mang. His colossal axe cleaved the air, directing the snowflakes with his qi's guidance. These crystalline specks coalesced into a majestic snow dragon, soaring in elegant synchronization with Chu Mang's intricate movements.

"Enchanting," Ye Xi mused, her own beautiful eyes aglow with admiration.

Qin Wentian's expression mirrored his excitement. A grin spread across his face—Chu Mang had achieved a breakthrough!

"Bravo!" Qin Wentian cheered, exhilaration infusing his voice. In this moment, the tapestries of their individual strengths had all taken a resounding leap forward!