Chapter 2 : Kunlun Mountain

Bai Letian jolted upright, his chest still aching faintly. He scanned his surroundings and found Xu Yuhao standing nearby, holding a small vial of shimmering liquid that emitted a faint glow.

"This is a rapid recovery potion," Xu Yuhao said as he put the bottle away. "I just saved your life. Aren't you going to thank me, kid?"

Bai Letian blinked in confusion before quickly apologizing. "Sorry, sorry! Thank you, Brother Hao!"

Despite his gratitude, the scolding still came as expected, leaving Bai Letian nodding obediently. Meanwhile, their opponent looked as if he had seen a ghost, too frightened to make a sound.

Xu Yuhao led Bai Letian through a bustling garden where dappled sunlight filtered through the trees, casting flickering shadows on the stone paths. The interplay of light and shadow created the illusion of a living painting. In the distance, towering pagodas loomed, enshrouded in mist, the air carrying an indescribable aura of mysticism.

Everything felt dreamlike to Bai Letian, yet each step beneath his feet was undeniably real.

"Brother Hao, can you tell me about Kunlun Mountain again? I'd like to refresh my memory," Bai Letian asked, curiosity and a hint of eagerness in his voice.

"Kunlun Mountain isn't just an ordinary mountain range," Xu Yuhao turned to him, eyes gleaming with a deep fervor. "It's not only a place of cultivation but also a nexus where heaven and earth converge. Countless secret realms and opportunities exist here, but only the most outstanding disciples can seize the best chances for advancement."

"Opportunities?" Bai Letian frowned slightly. "That sounds like something straight out of a xianxia novel."

"Xianxia novel? What's that?" Xu Yuhao asked, visibly puzzled.

"Uh, nothing!" Bai Letian quickly waved his hand, cutting the conversation short.

"Opportunities guide people to comprehend the essence of this world. They may seem simple, but their true meaning must be uncovered by oneself," Xu Yuhao patiently explained.

They crossed a stone bridge over a crystal-clear stream, where golden fish swam lazily beneath the surface. Bai Letian had the strange sensation that the entire scene was enticing him to immerse himself within it.

"Where is our master?" Bai Letian asked, shifting to a question that weighed more heavily on his mind.

Xu Yuhao smiled. "Master is up there. We need to ascend to meet him."

He pointed toward a grand structure at the mountain's peak, shrouded in mist. Through the fog, the faint silhouette of an ancient tower emerged—its layers stacked upon one another, as if capable of piercing through time itself, an unattainable monument standing against eternity.

"Up there? So how do we get there?" Bai Letian felt a twinge of anxiety as he stared at the lofty tower.

"Don't worry, we're not climbing on foot. Watch this." Xu Yuhao suddenly produced a slender jade flute and brought it to his lips. As he played, a melodious tune filled the air.

With the first note, a radiant beam of light shot down from the tower's peak, spreading outward like a beacon calling to them.

"This is 'Cloud Ascent,'" Xu Yuhao explained. "If your cultivation is strong enough, you can ride the light straight to the tower."

Bai Letian's eyes widened. "What... what is this?"

"A celestial technique that allows us to reach the tower swiftly. Of course, you'll need time to get used to it," Xu Yuhao said with a chuckle.

Bai Letian hesitated. "I... I think I'll just walk."

"Don't be afraid," Xu Yuhao patted his shoulder. "This is just the beginning. The path of cultivation won't always be easy, but it also won't be impossible."

The mountain breeze carried their words away as Bai Letian's mind swirled with uncertainty. A strange sensation began to spread within him—a warmth rising from deep inside, as if something powerful was about to awaken.

Closing his eyes, he sensed the air growing heavy around him. It was as though the fundamental laws of the universe were intertwining within his very being, disrupting the calm he had always known.

"Why does this feel so familiar?" he murmured to himself.

When he opened his eyes again, the world around him blurred. The radiant beam expanded like a tidal wave, engulfing him entirely.

Bai Letian's body shuddered violently. His mind went blank as a searing light flooded his vision. An invisible force seized him, pulling him into an endless void. There was no sound, no sense of time—only an infinite expanse of emptiness, wrapping around him like an eternal abyss.

"Where... where is this place?" His heartbeat quickened, his voice trembling.

Yet within the brilliant radiance, he felt an irresistible pull, as if something was guiding him toward an unknown destiny.

Just as he prepared to delve deeper, a familiar voice suddenly echoed in his ear: "Xiao Bai, what are you still doing here?"

Bai Letian snapped back to reality, finding himself still standing on the stone bridge. Xu Yuhao's figure appeared before him.

"You just experienced 'Cloud Ascent.' Some people struggle to resist its power, but you'll need more training to fully control it," Xu Yuhao said, a hint of admiration in his tone.

Bai Letian stared at him, his emotions a chaotic mix. So this was real. He was stepping into an entirely new world—one filled with mysteries and miracles. The cliché of getting trapped inside his own story had actually happened to him. He could only laugh bitterly at the irony.

"What should I do now?" Bai Letian took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

Xu Yuhao smiled. "Train. Learn to master your abilities. This is your true path of cultivation."

"Are there defined cultivation stages here?" Bai Letian couldn't help but ask, recalling countless xianxia tropes.

"Cultivation stages?" Xu Yuhao blinked before shaking his head. "What's that?"

"You know, like Qi Refining, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core—advancing step by step as you get stronger," Bai Letian explained, cautiously testing the waters.

"There are no such stages here," Xu Yuhao said lightly. "But we have titles. For instance, our master is called the 'Revered Traveler.'"

"Revered Traveler?" Bai Letian's curiosity was piqued. "Where does that title come from?"

"It relates to his weapon. He wields a staff, which symbolizes guidance and wisdom, hence the title."

As they spoke, they arrived at a grand hall bathed in golden sunlight streaming through carved windows, casting intricate patterns on the polished floor.

Inside, a middle-aged man sat upon the main seat. Under the soft glow of the light, Bai Letian took a closer look—his breath hitched in shock. The man bore an uncanny resemblance to his own character, He Shengnan—down to his appearance, build, and even the composed yet commanding aura surrounding him.

"Master, we have come to pay our respects," Xu Yuhao bowed deeply.

"Ah, you're here!" He Shengnan smiled, his gaze sweeping over them. A teasing glint flickered in his eyes. "Who got into trouble this time?"

"Xiao Bai was injured during a sparring match," Xu Yuhao said seriously.

"Looks like you still have a lot to learn," He Shengnan turned his attention to Bai Letian, pointing at him. "How's your 'Serene Mirror' technique coming along?"

"Ah!" Bai Letian hesitated, then stammered, "Still... working on it."

Such a pretentious name, but I love it! he thought to himself, barely maintaining a composed expression.

"You'd better get back to training. No more slacking off!" He Shengnan waved him away.

After bidding farewell to their master, Bai Letian returned to his quarters, lying on his bed. The events of the day replayed in his mind, each moment more surreal than the last.

"How did I end up in my own story?" he murmured, furrowing his brows. "And the main plot isn't even fully written yet... How do I even go back?"

The more he pondered, the more chaotic his thoughts became. Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm himself, but a tide of uncertainty surged within him, refusing to be quelled.