Baiyun Temple on Baiyun Mountain

Chapter 2

Baiyun Mountain, home to Baiyun Temple—this was where the old immortal cultivated.

The old immortal called himself Baiyun Daoist. According to him, he was no true immortal, merely a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Li Changmeng had been at Baiyun Temple for seven days now. Neither he nor his fellow disciple, Cui Niu, had been literate before their arrival. But with a simple incantation and a touch on their foreheads, Baiyun Daoist granted them the ability to read. Without further explanation, he handed them several books and left them to study on their own.

Cultivation—immortal cultivation—followed a grand path. It began with Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment, progressing to Core Formation, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and even Spirit Transformation.

This path now lay before Li Changmeng. Simply reaching Foundation Establishment would extend his lifespan by three hundred years, preserving his youth almost until death. But before they could take the first step, they had to finish reading the books assigned by Baiyun Daoist.

The texts introduced them to a vast array of knowledge—spiritual energy classifications, minerals and herbs, heavenly treasures, and crafting techniques. Though only brief overviews, they opened an entirely new world to the two cultivation novices.

"Brother Changmeng, I miss my father..."

Cui Niu—or rather, Lin Xiaocui—put down her book and leaned toward her only companion.

Like Changmeng, Xiaocui was just eight years old. For seven days, Baiyun Daoist had only appeared to deliver meals, offering no further guidance. In this unfamiliar environment, sharing daily routines of eating, sleeping, and reading together had made the girl naturally dependent on Changmeng.

"Read more if you miss him. Only by cultivating successfully can you return home one day."

Changmeng remained focused on his book, unwilling to offer comfort.

Seeing his indifference, Xiaocui pouted, her eyes welling with tears. But she dared not cry aloud—she had learned her lesson when Baiyun Daoist locked her outside the temple for making a fuss.

Changmeng, however, was fully absorbed in his studies. He could tell that these books contained fundamental yet profound knowledge, proving Baiyun Daoist had a legitimate cultivation inheritance.

By the time he finished the last book, dusk had already settled over the temple.

Footsteps approached, and Baiyun Daoist entered carrying a food box.

"Changmeng, Cui Niu—dinner."

Xiaocui rushed forward and opened the box, revealing meager portions: a few vegetable leaves and a small rice ball.

It was barely enough to sustain a child, yet she had already grown accustomed to hunger and devoured her share without complaint.

Changmeng ate more slowly, finishing his portion in just two bites before standing.

"Master, I've finished all the books."

Baiyun Daoist glanced at him. "Oh? Then tell me, why do I provide only one small meal a day?"

"Because mortal food pollutes the spiritual body and hinders cultivation."

Changmeng answered without hesitation. Perhaps due to his reincarnated soul, his memory was far sharper than in his previous life—not photographic, but his retention was exceptional with focused reading.

The Daoist nodded in approval. "What is the most important aspect of cultivation?"

Changmeng paused to think. No book had given a direct answer to this.

A strong inheritance? Ample resources? Talented companions? A noble background?

Cultivation revolved around four pillars: wealth, companions, methods, and location. But which was the most crucial?

After careful thought, he answered, "Essence and Lifespan."

Baiyun Daoist froze for a brief moment, seemingly surprised.

Through his Spirit Sight, he had already noticed Changmeng's unusually strong soul—an indication of extraordinary comprehension. Such a talent was perfectly suited for the peculiar cultivation method he had come across.

On the other hand, Xiaocui was better suited for inheriting Baiyun Temple's main legacy.

"Correct. You've absorbed the texts well. Come with me."

For the first time, Baiyun Daoist led Changmeng to his private courtyard.

As soon as they stepped inside, Changmeng felt an immediate change—the air was rich with spiritual energy, and glowing spirit plants adorned the garden, radiating an ethereal light.

They sat at a stone table, where Baiyun Daoist unrolled a jade slip with the title: "Spirit-Building Fetus-Exchange Mystic Method."

The tiny inscriptions shimmered faintly. Though barely legible, Changmeng felt his heart race.

A cultivation method!

Orthodox or not, it didn't matter—what he needed most was a path forward.

Besides, Baiyun Daoist's own cultivation technique only reached Golden Core stage. That meant this method, though unorthodox, was no worse than Baiyun Temple's main legacy.

"Let me be clear," Baiyun Daoist said, his voice calm yet firm. "You need not call me Master. Xiaocui will inherit my legacy, but you… I can only offer this method and minimal resources."

"As for cultivation guidance—I have never practiced this method myself. Whether you succeed or fail depends entirely on you."

"If you succeed, I only ask for one thing—share your insights with me, so that I may break through my bottleneck and reach Core Formation."

The true motive became clear. Baiyun Daoist was using Changmeng as an experiment. With his lifespan nearing its end, he had no choice but to take risks—staying at the peak of Foundation Establishment meant inevitable death.

Changmeng, however, had no complaints.

He was receiving an actual cultivation technique. Even if he was being used as a test subject, it was a fair exchange.

Bowing deeply, he said, "I understand, Master. Merely gaining access to cultivation is a blessing. I will devote myself fully."

Baiyun Daoist nodded. "Good. Take the method. That side chamber will be yours, away from Xiaocui."

The jade slip floated into Changmeng's hands. He carefully rolled it up and pressed it against his chest, his grip tight.

"This disciple takes his leave."

Night had fully fallen. His heart burned with anticipation—finally, he could take his first step on the path of cultivation.

"Go. Seek me if you encounter difficulties."

"Understood."

Without another word, Changmeng turned and hurried away, eager to delve into his long-awaited cultivation path.