Su Mo originally wanted to spend more time with his mom, who was still hospitalized. But his impending breakthrough was too urgent, his energy sea churning violently, leaving him no choice but to enter seclusion.
The chosen location for seclusion was Guatai Mountain, west of Tianyu City’s urban area. This place was rich in spiritual energy and was traditionally said to be the site where the ancient Emperor Fu Xi created the Eight Trigrams.
Perhaps for this very reason, cultivation here was much faster than elsewhere.
It was said that there was a Taoist priest living in seclusion on the mountain, whose cultivation had already reached the Vast Realm, thanks largely to this blessed, paradise-like land.
The priest was skilled in divination, attracting famous figures from all directions seeking consultations. Unfortunately, he only performed divinations for those with a destined connection. Ordinary people found it difficult even to meet him, so no one really knew what he looked like.
That Su Mo could come here to cultivate was partly due to special permission from Beidou, and partly because the priest didn’t mind his presence. One could say he counted as someone with a destined connection.
Led by Ye Qingyu, Su Mo and Ye Qingyi arrived at the special cultivation spot known as the Spirit-Guiding Platform. Next to the platform was a QR code.
Yes, a payment QR code.
Everyone who wanted to use the platform had to conscientiously pay the fee.
Ye Qingyi’s eyes were full of astonishment. “Such a lofty place… a QR code kind of ruins the atmosphere, doesn’t it?”
Su Mo also found it novel. “It’s not a bad way to make money. After all, the resources are provided by heaven and earth. Being able to seize the opportunity shows he has a good business sense.”
Ye Qingyu laughed. “I found it strange the first time I came too. But I was lucky enough to meet the priest once. Guess what he said?”
Su Mo and Ye Qingyi shook their heads in unison.
“He said, ‘Taoist priests are people too, and we also like making money. I especially like it.'”
“This priest sounds really interesting. Very genuine,” Su Mo said, his eyes lighting up with sudden interest. He thought he might try his luck later to see if he was fated to meet him.
Ye Qingyi asked, “But there’s no one guarding this place. Isn’t he afraid someone might skip out on the bill?”
“Just think about what kind of place this is,” Ye Qingyu explained to them. “We Chinese people respect spirits and gods, but we respect our ancestors even more. No one would dare not pay. Besides, ordinary people generally can’t gain any significant insights on the Spirit-Guiding Platform. You need exceptionally high comprehension to benefit. So, not many people actually come here.”
Su Mo took out his phone to scan the code but suddenly realized there was no price listed. “Sis, the price…?”
“Since he didn’t specify, we can pay what we think is fair. And we can even pay after trying it out.”
Ye Qingyi blinked, picked up the QR code sign, and her expression froze when she flipped it over. On the back, it read: “Whoever doesn’t pay is a little dog…”
Ye Qingyu coughed awkwardly. “Don’t mind those useless details. I had the same expression when I came here years ago.”
Su Mo simply put his phone away, planning to try the platform first. He was caught between laughter and tears. “I’m growing more and more eager to befriend this priest. He seems really fun.”
There was only one Spirit-Guiding Platform, unsuitable for multiple people to cultivate on simultaneously, so Ye Qingyu and Ye Qingyi chose to stand guard nearby.
However, the spiritual energy here was so abundant that even without the platform’s assistance, cultivation was still twice as effective.
Su Mo sat down cross-legged, his consciousness gradually settling into tranquility.
Looking inward, his energy sea resembled boiling water in a pot, bubbling and churning vigorously. In contrast, the second energy sea, inverted above it, remained perfectly calm.
Su Mo took a deep breath. Guided by his will, an incredibly pure mass of energy suddenly shot up from the surface of the energy sea and instantly turned to ice.
Almost in that very instant, centered around the ice, vast quantities of liquid spiritual power began surging towards the middle. A towering, majestic snow mountain rose steadily above the sea’s surface.
At the same time, Ye Qingyu and Ye Qingyi could also perceive this phenomenon. While it couldn’t compare to the spectacle of Ye Qingyi’s four mountains rising simultaneously, it was still extremely rare.
For no other reason than its sheer size.
Generally, once the snow mountain solidified, the breakthrough could be considered complete. But Su Mo wasn’t finished. Instead, he entered an extremely special state.
It could be described in two words: “entering samadhi.”
Ye Qingyu’s eyes lit up with admiration. “Pretty impressive. I entered samadhi for three days back then, which is how I gained strength far surpassing most others at my level. I wonder how long Su Mo can maintain it.”
Ye Qingyi’s eyes sparkled, her heart filled with joy and immense pride.
“Look at you, completely smitten,” Ye Qingyu said with mock exasperation.
Ye Qingyi just grinned foolishly. “Well, he’s so outstanding. And he’s so good to me, and…”
“Alright, alright, I don’t need to hear your lovesick chatter,” Ye Qingyu cut her off decisively, minimizing her losses. Then her expression shifted. “But he might miss the selection for the Elite Camp.”
Ye Qingyi blurted out, “So what if he misses it? At worst, I’ll stay with him and not go either.”
Ye Qingyu glared at her sister with renewed exasperation. “I never pegged you for such a love-struck fool. Have you even considered what the purpose of the Elite Camp is? Stop messing around.”
“Who says I haven’t thought about it? I just want to be with him, hmph!” Ye Qingyi lifted her chin proudly, just like she did when she was little.
In the past, her sister would always hug and coax her at times like this. But now…
Ye Qingyu gently hugged her. “Really, you’ve turned into a boy now, yet you still act like a delicate young lady all the time. Aren’t you afraid people will laugh?”
She simply thought of herself as having gained a younger brother, so it no felt less awkward.
Ye Qingyi was taken aback for a moment, then her face broke into a happy smile.
“Why so happy?”
“It’s been a long time since you hugged me, Sis.” At this moment, Ye Qingyi seemed like a carefree little girl… or rather, a little boy, looking very content.
Her eyes darting mischievously, Ye Qingyu smirked. “In that case, it’s been ages since I kissed you. Come here, let your sister give you a kiss on the cheek.”
“No!” Ye Qingyi struggled to get away, a blush unconsciously spreading across her face. “That’s not allowed.”
“Why not? I’m your sister. It’s not like I haven’t kissed you before,” Ye Qingyu raised an eyebrow, continuing to tease her.
Ye Qingyi glanced at Su Mo, who was deep in samadhi, and said firmly, “It’s just not allowed…”
Ye Qingyu tutted a few times, her expression peculiar. “Well, well, our Qingyi is jealous. You’re refusing because you don’t want another girl kissing your boyfriend’s cheek, right?”
This top expert was quite skilled at sarcastic teasing when she wanted to be.
“So what if I am?” Ye Qingyi muttered under her breath.
Ye Qingyu burst out laughing, pulling out her phone which was recording. “Got it!”
Ye Qingyi: Σ(ﾟ∀ﾟﾉ)ﾉ
While the two were laughing and joking, Su Mo’s aura suddenly became unstable. A grimacing expression appeared on his face, though because of his delicate, pretty features, it didn’t look ugly but rather somewhat cute.
Ye Qingyi asked worriedly, “Sis, will Su Mo be okay?”
“Don’t worry. The only concern with entering samadhi is not waking up. The fact he can make such an expression means there probably isn’t any problem.”
“Okay.”
The two watched for a long time. Not only did Su Mo not wake up, he gradually grew calm again.
Ye Qingyu had initially thought Su Mo’s samadhi was about to end, but unexpectedly, he settled back into deep tranquility.
Strange.