White clouds drift gently, the world vast and boundless.
The clear surface of the lake spans thousands of miles, resembling a vast ocean, with surging waves and misty vapor, connecting heaven and earth.
This is an unimaginably enormous lake; if one were to stand on its surface, all that would meet the eye is endless water.
And at the center of the boundless lake rises an enormous mountain.
This mountain has a peculiar shape, resembling a scabbard piercing the sky, lush with verdant vegetation, with spiritual qi like smoke, the water vapor at its base swirling like clouds and mist, reflecting the mountain as if it were an immortal realm.
The mountain stands tall, clearly visible above the lake, and to its left and right, there are countless scattered islands, spread sparsely like stars surrounding the moon, guarding the mountain.
"Is this Cyan Peak Mountain?"
Gazing at the incredibly awe-inspiring scene before him, Gu Yuan couldn't help but sigh.
Though the previous life held countless beautiful sceneries and vast landscapes, they paled in comparison to the scenery of this cultivation realm.
The great lake joins the sky, the peak touches the clouds, spiritual qi like mist rolls endlessly, the world pure and bright, truly a magnificent vista.
Most importantly, on shear cliffs and precipitous ridges, where human effort seems unattainable, lie clusters of exquisite palaces, blue halls and jade tiles, carved railings and jade steps, eaves piercing the sky, sprawling across large areas, chimes lightly ringing, spiritual birds taking flight, amidst layers of clouds and mist, a sense of life emerges.
Human and mountain as one, this is immortality!
This place truly has a touch of immortal qi!
Gu Yuan was momentarily dazzled, overwhelmed with admiration.
After a long time, he finally came to his senses, urging the Jade Flood Dragon beneath him to fly toward the towering Cyan Peak Mountain.
This was already the third day.
In the past three days, he almost never stopped, flying straight according to the map, crossing countless mountains and great rivers to finally arrive here.
And along the way, he encountered almost no danger.
This was partly due to the power of the map, but most importantly, it was because of that token.
Although the power belonging to a Golden Core within the token had been completely extracted, the aura of the Golden Core remained, and Gu Yuan held the token, crossing thousands of miles unscathed as if a Golden Core were passing by.
"The might of the Golden Core is terrifyingly great; no wonder just a wordless token is enough to make me pay respects at the mountain!"
Gu Yuan caressed the token in his hand, looking at the increasingly close Cyan Peak Mountain, unable to resist sighing again.
...
"Grandpa, look, there's a dragon flying up there!"
As Gu Yuan approached Cyan Peak Mountain, he then discovered that amidst the surrounding scattered islands, boats of varying sizes were navigating the currents toward Cyan Peak Mountain.
On the boats, apart from a few elders, most were young children with small topknots, each wide-eyed, staring intently at the distant Cyan Peak Mountain and Gu Yuan in the sky.
"Look, look, there are people on the clouds over there too!"
A child pointed at the sky.
In the distant sky, white clouds gently carried several youths in Taoist robes, leisurely returning.
"Pop!"
Around Cyan Peak Mountain, seemingly empty, a ripple appeared as the clouds approached, shimmering like water, the air slightly quivering, and then they seemed to pass through a membrane, entering the depths of Cyan Peak Mountain, disappearing amongst it.
"Quickly put your hands down, those are Immortal Masters of Cyan Peak Mountain, if you offend them, you may never be able to pay respects at the mountain gate!"
On the boat, an elder quickly slapped down a child's hand to prevent insulting the Immortal Masters.
"Ah, is that really an Immortal Master?"
"But why does it seem less impressive than riding a dragon, Grandpa? I want to ride a dragon too! Is the one riding a dragon an Immortal Master?"
"Shut up! Shut up! Keep talking and I'll throw you into the lake!"
The elder quickly covered the child's mouth, loudly reprimanding him.
In this world, dragons are taboo, never to be lightly spoken of, or lightning may truly strike down!
And the one riding a flood dragon must surely be a cultivator, but likely not an Immortal Master of Cyan Peak Mountain, otherwise, the Mountain Protection Array would have automatically activated, welcoming them in.
Yet, if not an Immortal Master of Cyan Peak Mountain, coming here at this time must mean they're a loose cultivator hoping to join the sect.
But according to Cyan Peak Daoist School's rules, loose cultivators wishing to join the school must undergo a similar examination as the children.
Yet often, the success rate of loose cultivators joining the school is not even as high as a boatful of children, with most leaving in disappointment.
At this moment, the child actually questioned whether the other was an "Immortal Master of Cyan Peak Daoist School," blatantly embarrassing the other.
It's like pointing out at a civil service exam interview whether someone has a government position.
If they pass, it's fine, but if they don't, it's not just shameful but utterly humiliating.
"Be quiet! From now on, nobody is allowed to speak, or you'll never get to eat sugar people again!"
The elder quickly scolded, fearing that these children might say something outrageous again.
Facing the threat of no more sugar people, though full of questions, these children, after swallowing a gulp, managed to hold back.
...
At this moment, Gu Yuan in the sky also noticed something unusual.
Cyan Peak Mountain seemed within reach, yet the closer he got, the farther it seemed, as if forever untouchable.
That imposing and magnificent mountain appeared not to exist in this realm.
The token in his arms seemed without effect.
"Haha, Fellow Daoist, have you also come to join the Daoist School?"
As Gu Yuan was pondering, laughter suddenly came to his ear.
He turned his head to see a youth in white, riding a green Immortal Crane, leisurely approaching, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.
Behind the youth riding the crane were dozens of Qi Refining cultivators, dressed in various attires, standing on various dharma artifacts, approaching together.