Chapter Thirty-Four Eighth Thousand Steps of Stone Stairs

  Meng Yuanhou was not a popular teacher among the children, and the thought of having to interact with him every day at Yangshen Peak in the future made many of them shudder. However, they had to admit that Meng was a dedicated and responsible teacher who was passionate about cultivating new disciples' physical abilities.

  The young people of the Ye Lin Town have been living in Jing Hu Village for more than three months, and there are only twenty days left until their official entry into the sect in November. Just when everyone thought they could relax a bit, Meng Dou suddenly became impatient and began to teach new skills - which, from the children's perspective, were just new forms of torture.

  "You've all been practicing Iron Bone Fist for a while, and your bodies are already stronger and more agile than ordinary people. You've also learned a set of staff techniques and a set of fist techniques, and your reaction ability is much stronger than before. Now, it's time to take it further."

  This year, the new disciples recruited by Master Pong Shan have almost all arrived. More than 130 children stood in the courtyard at dawn and heard the words of their master, all letting out disheartened sighs. Especially for some who had just entered the temple not long ago, they were still unaccustomed to the daily stick fights, and "furthermore" only made them even more fearful.

  "The path to enlightenment is not an easy one." Meng Yuanhou suppressed the crowd's discontent with a stern tone, "If you think that you can attain enlightenment just by sitting still and taking medicine, then you might as well go home now. Why bother suffering in vain?"

  No one wants to go home, they are all carefully selected children, with a natural talent for Taoism. Even if they knew nothing about the Taoist tradition before, after witnessing several miracles, they yearn to cultivate Taoism and clearly understand that their fate has undergone tremendous changes. Giving up such an opportunity will lead to lifelong regret.

  Meng Yuanhou's gaze swept across, continuing: "You must understand that all cultivation is against the heavens. The heavens want you to only live for a few decades, but you insist on living for hundreds or thousands of years; the heavens want you to eat and sleep every day, but you insist on abstaining from food and sleep; the heavens want you to be unable to jump over a few feet or lift more than a hundred pounds, but you insist on treading on air and clouds, with strength capable of toppling mountains; the heavens want you to be weaker than demons and monsters, but you insist on mastering the Great Way to slay demons and eliminate evil."

  Marquis Meng was somewhat agitated, his eyes glaring with anger, and the half-ruined face looked even more ferocious and frightening. The children in the courtyard didn't dare make a single sound.

  "It's really a pity that no one has climbed to the top of Laozu Peak so far." Meng Yuanhou calmed down, feeling slightly ashamed of his earlier outburst, and his voice became much more gentle. "Don't think it's impossible, for those who cultivate the Dao against heaven, they must constantly break through their limits. On average, every twenty or thirty years, there will be a new disciple who can climb to the top of Laozu Peak by their own strength. This person will also always be a leader in their future cultivation."

  "How long has it been since someone last climbed up?" asked Xin Youtao, who had never tried mountain climbing before but was now slightly interested.

  "Thirteen years."

  "Oh." Xīn Yòu Táo's interest dropped again, it seems that no one will succeed this year either.

  Marquis Mengyuan decided to add a bit more stimulation, "I said that whoever can climb up will be rewarded with a hundred Rundans. Hmm, it seems that's not enough. Alright, I'll add one Jinbiao and ten Yinbiaos. Anyone want them?"

  A small number of people were abnormally excited, their eyes shining like night pearls, while the majority had no idea what Jīn Pò and Yín Pò were.

  Marquis Meng stretched out his right hand, and in the palm of his hand lay something like a seed, smaller than a fingernail. At this time, only a thread of dawn was revealed on the horizon, and the courtyard was gray and hazy. However, the palm of his hand emitted a brilliant light that almost submerged his arm, but strangely, the core of the small seed remained clearly visible.

  Meng Yuanhou remained still, quietly waiting for the morning sun to rise. The light in his palm gradually faded away, leaving only a thin layer of halo.

  "This is Jīn Pò, who knows its origin and purpose?"

  Several young men seemed to understand, but no one had ever rushed to ask Xinyu Tao. As soon as the words fell, he opened his mouth and replied, "Jinpo is the essence of gold, and it takes a whole thousand taels of gold to refine one tael of Jinpo. Its uses... are too numerous."

  Meng Yuanhou nodded, "Yes, one thousand taels for a piece of Charred Jade, this thing is extremely rare and precious. When you have achieved success in your cultivation and can forge your own specialized magical tools, Golden Charred Jade and Silver Charred Jade are essential materials, that's why there's also the saying 'No Charred Jade, no treasure'. Even if you're reluctant to use it to forge magical tools, you can still exchange them for other things, like houses or land."

  Meng Yuanhou's tone revealed a hint of disdain, apparently thinking that the only correct use for gold and silver was to forge ritual vessels.

  The children held their breath and suddenly turned their eyes to the northeast, where the old ancestor peak was located. From a distance, it seemed not so high after all.

  "A thousand taels yield one tael? My heavens!" exclaimed Shen Hsiu-ming, the great judge, in a low voice. "If we were to exchange it for gold, we would be set for life."

  The other boys all laughed when they heard this, Shen Hao didn't know much about Jin Bo, but he also knew that this exchange was a losing deal. "Refining gold and silver souls must be very difficult, you actually want to exchange it for yellow gold? Haha."

  Da Liang Shen Xiū Míng hehe silly smile, as soon as he thought of the piles of gold and silver, his whole body felt hot.

  Marquis Meng put away the golden scale and did not show the other ten silver scales. "One grain of Baoyuan Dan, one golden scale, and ten silver scales. I hope someone can get them this year. In the past, those who climbed the mountain successfully didn't have such rewards."

  At this time, a hesitant voice came from the edge of the courtyard, "Can I also participate in mountain climbing?"

  Under the eaves, Zhang Lingsheng poked his head out, his voice slightly trembling, and his eyes seemed to still retain the lingering light of Jin Gu's soul.

  Meng Yuanhou's intention was to encourage the new disciple to make progress, and after thinking for a moment, he said: "Well, it's okay, anyway you've only opened seven apertures, being able to climb up Laozu Peak is also an achievement."

  The fighting afterwards was not as intense as usual, and the new disciples finished their breakfast quickly. Several village women were almost overwhelmed with work.

  Shen Hao scooped up two mouthfuls of rice and asked, "Little Autumn, why don't you seem very interested? Right now, you're the one who's climbed the highest, with almost seven thousand levels of stairs. Even I've been left behind by you. If anyone is going to get a reward this year, it's definitely you."

  "Why aren't you interested?" Xia Qiu put down his rice bowl, still eating one mouthful at a time as usual. "But I've only climbed halfway so far, and besides, it's not just us who are interested."

  Many people have already left the dining hall, and the remaining children are all excitedly whispering to each other.

  "It's only now that I think they're not working hard enough, they can't compare to you." Er Liang said with disdain, then shifted his gaze to the table, "The Pei brothers are somewhat capable though."

  The fact that the Pei family from Furong Mountain was born into a demon clan was no longer a secret. Pei Zihan and Pei Ziqi couldn't get along with any friends, so they could only sit at one table alone, but they were very strong-willed, not only were their staff skills exquisite, but also every day in their spare time they would try to climb mountains, making rapid progress, now only a hundred or more levels away from Xia Qiu.

  Their cousin, Xiao Qingtiao Pei Shurong's situation was much better. She is now Fangfang's best friend. Fangfang has taught many students to read and write, and she has a very good relationship with everyone. With her help, Xiao Qingtiao was also accepted. At this time, seven or eight little girls were gathered together, chattering excitedly about the new reward.

  Shen Hao furrowed his brow and lowered his voice: "Xiao Qiuge, are you really going to let Fangfang be friends with Xiaoyao? Fangfang is from the Wild Forest Town, and...and...you know."

  A young man who eats with them lets out a stifled laugh, Xia Qiu's elopement is no secret either, Fang Fang no longer eats at the same table as the young men from the same town, and this is also related.

  Xiao Qiu had already gotten used to her companions' teasing and knew the best way to respond was to accept it calmly, "Fang Fang's friendships are her own business, no one else has a say in it. Xiao Qingtao is a good person, and the Pangshan Taoist believes that the Pei family is not evil, that's enough."

  After breakfast, the young men from Yelin Town and Fangfang's group gathered together to head northeast to Laozu Peak. The villagers they met along the way still maintained their initial enthusiasm and courtesy, no matter how many Pangs Mountain disciples passed by, they would put down their work and nod in greeting.

  Xiao Qingtao seemed to have received a reminder, and in recent days, she no longer pestered Xiao Qiu with questions, instead closely following Fangfang's side, speaking in a voice that was still sweet to the point of being cloying. Er Liang Shen Xiu had once whispered that she was like a kitten that never left its master's side.

  At the foot of the mountain, a large group of children had already gathered there. A small number of impatient people had set off early to climb to the middle of the mountain and thus missed Meng Yuanhou's personal guidance.

  Everyone has arrived, even Zhang Ling Sheng is dressed in a tight outfit and eager to try. Meng Yuan Hou was delighted: "Don't underestimate mountain climbing. From the foot of the mountain to the peak, there are 11,111 stone steps, no more or less. The first 4,000 steps have no obstacles, as long as you have enough physical strength, you can climb up. The middle 4,000 steps are slightly difficult, with a few spells cast on them. Those with strong willpower can grit their teeth and pass through. The last 3,000+ steps have even greater resistance, relying solely on physical strength and willpower is not enough. The more difficulties you face, the harder it is to take a step forward. You must learn some breathing techniques, meditation, and wu-wei methods."

  "After climbing for so long, you're saying these things now?" Shen Hao expressed his discontent in a low voice.

  Meng Yuanhou heard the complaints and smiled slightly, his ruined half-face becoming even more terrifying. "As far as I know, none of you have passed the intermediate 4,000 levels yet, so it's not too late."

  Xiao Qiu felt a deep sense of shame in her heart, realizing that after many days of hard work, she was still struggling in the middle stage, far from the final stretch. His temperament was one of becoming more courageous with each setback, and though he didn't say anything out loud, he secretly made up his mind to make a breakthrough today, at least to experience for himself just how difficult the last three thousand plus levels were.

  Marquis Meng Yuan taught some simple methods of circulating energy on the spot. The young men had not yet started practicing Taoist skills, and what was called "circulating energy" was only adjusting the internal breath and stimulating the potential within the body, which was far from absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

  "I'll be waiting for you at the summit, be careful, the last three thousand steps are heavily restricted, even a master's gaze can't penetrate through, so I won't be able to take care of you, don't be too arrogant, when you feel uncomfortable it's up to you to decide whether to advance or retreat - you need to have your own judgment." Meng Yuanhou waved his hand, "Let's head up the mountain."

  Over a hundred children set off in a flurry, but Xia Qiu and the others, with their rich experience, were not in a hurry. Instead, they proceeded at a steady pace, one level at a time, and began to overtake those hasty frontrunners after more than 500 levels. After more than 1,000 levels, there were hardly any children left ahead of them.

  Stimulated by the generous rewards, everyone's energy was more abundant than usual. Normally, people would start to turn back and descend after reaching 2,000 levels, but today no one gave up, and with a burst of energy, they all completed the 4,000-level stone steps.

  According to Meng Yuanhou, the next four thousand levels of testing are willpower. However, this thing called willpower is invisible and intangible, it can't be borrowed from even the best of friends. More and more people drop out, but just a few hundred stone steps ahead, half of them have already stopped in their tracks. Even the dazzling brilliance of gold and silver cannot stir up their fighting spirit.

  Xiao Qiu and Shen Hao walked in the front, "It's almost 7,000 meters!" Shen Hao said breathlessly, this was his first time climbing to such a height.

  It's not just him who broke the limit, behind him on the stone steps of over a dozen levels, Pei Zihang and Pei Ziqi were sweating profusely as they climbed with all their might. Further down the mountain bend was Fangfang and Xiaocitao, and even further back were the Shen brothers. Dalang had far exceeded his usual standard, with one hand on his younger brother's shoulder, muttering to himself "one in a thousand, two in a thousand".

  Xiao Qiu held back his strength until the 7,000th stone step, when he finally began to exert himself. This was his usual standard, but today he wanted to thoroughly surpass it.

  Shen Hao was no longer able to continue, he waved his hand to signal Xiao Qiu to proceed, he had to rest for a while no matter what, although he knew that once he sat down, he would not want to move forward again, but he could not control his tired legs.

  Xiao Qiu climbed alone, perhaps because there was a higher goal, the next thousand or so stone steps were not as difficult as imagined, he took a deep breath and finished climbing, finally seeing a small stone monument standing by the road, with the two words "Eight Thousand" simply engraved on it.

  Xiao Qiu stopped in his tracks, operating his inner breath according to the method taught by Meng Yuanhou. He completed the test of willpower and from then on was able to combine his will with technique to go even further.

  Just as Xiao Qiu was about to take a step, a shadow flashed by beside him. This person walked so lightly that the 8,000-step stone staircase seemed like just a warm-up for him.

  Xin Yutao turned around and glanced at Xiao Qiu, "Don't force it, some abilities are innate, I have them, you don't, that's just how it is."

  (Collection needed, recommendation needed)