An Eventful Time

Phoenix Mountain, inside a room.

The mountain was quiet, the cottage was quiet, and the room was quieter—almost reaching the limit that any human being could stand. Incense was burning on the table and the smoke coiled up in the air. The contrast of light and darkness gave one an impression of another world.

It had been half a month since the wooden door was last opened. Before, meals had to be sent in regularly during the seclusion, but that was no longer necessary. He now could go without eating for half a year and his need for food had never been this little.

Gu Yu sat in the room without the slightest sound or movement of breathing; he could be mistaken for a clay figurine.

It seemed forever before his eyes shot open and he vanished into thin air. Moments later, he reappeared in the training court 50 minutes' walk away.