C9 Sundering Vale

Upon hearing the old Taoist's inquiry, Lin Yu was momentarily taken aback before he dropped to his knees, saying, "Though I may not grasp the reasons, once one is a master, they are forever a father. Having never met my parents, I've come to see my master as family. Master, you've said that I have a destiny with the Tao and that my talents are passable, yet I've struggled to gather spiritual energy lately. But I promise to redouble my efforts. If you don't find me too inept, I hope you'll keep me by your side..." His voice wavered, betraying a hint of tears.

The old Taoist looked down at the young man, now kneeling and sniffling slightly, and felt a complex mix of emotions but also a sense of relief. He stepped forward to lift Lin Yu to his feet, "I have never thought you clumsy. It's just that I am soon to face a calamity and I wished to spare you from it."

"I may not understand the nature of this calamity, but I do know that without Master Lin Yu, I would have perished in the cold of the forest long ago. Please, abandon such thoughts," Lin Yu implored earnestly.

"Very well, very well, very well... I have not misjudged you. Since you have made your decision, we shall depart from here today. I must prepare for the impending deadly calamity."

"Deadly calamity?"

The old Taoist cast a glance at the bewildered Lin Yu and explained, "The journey of cultivation is one of defying the heavens and transcending the mundane, seeking eternal existence between heaven and earth. When the elixir field within one's being nurtures a core, one truly embarks on the path of cultivation, and their lifespan increases significantly. However, the path is fraught with peril. Every seventy years, a deadly calamity occurs, and every four hundred and ninety years, a heavenly calamity. Failure to overcome these can lead to a decline in one's cultivation or, at worst, a complete destruction of one's foundation, making recovery nigh impossible..."

Lin Yu recalled the old Taoist's previous teachings about the stages of cultivation, which were divided into three phases and nine realms. The Qi Activation, Spiral of Souls, and Spirit Condensation stages constituted the Foundation Establishment phase. The Golden Core, Nascent Infant, and Deification stages were part of the Immortal Ascension phase. Finally, the Soul Refining, Return to Void, and Soulforge stages marked the Divine Refining phase. Being new to the path of Taoism, Lin Yu's understanding was shallow, and the old Taoist had not delved deeply into these matters. Lin Yu had not anticipated the path to be so fraught with danger and stood there, momentarily stunned.

"Why? Are you scared?" The old Taoist looked at Lin Yu, who seemed to be lost in thought, and teased him with a cold smile.

"No, I was just wondering if there's any way I could help shoulder some of the burden for you, Master," Lin Yu replied earnestly, his eyes shining with sincerity.

"Hahaha... The deadly calamity is something one must endure alone. What could a youngster like you, who hasn't even reached the Qi Activation stage, possibly do for me? But I appreciate your concern, and don't worry, I've made my preparations..." The old Taoist reassured him with a chuckle.

"Master, are you talking about these materials you've purchased?" Lin Yu asked, pulling a bag of holding from his clothing.

"These are merely auxiliary materials. I've already secured the main ingredients. Once we find a secluded spot, the pill should prove effective when facing the calamity," the old Taoist explained, glancing at the bag of holding with a nonchalant air.

Recalling how the old Taoist effortlessly produced Spiritgrass of Five Spirits at Spirit Haven, Lin Yu knew his master had even more precious items at hand. Comforted by this knowledge, he smiled and said, "With Master's prowess, I'm sure there won't be any issues."

"Hehe..." The old Taoist, smiling, affectionately patted Lin Yu's head and remarked, "Let's have another drink. The wine here is truly excellent."

"Haha, sure thing! The wine here is indeed good, and I'm quite fond of it," Lin Yu said, his spirits lifted, as he eagerly made his way to the door.

"Hey! You little rascal, just the mention of wine and you're this excited. If you end up drinking me into poverty, we might just have to sleep on the streets," the old Taoist jested, watching Lin Yu who couldn't wait to get going.

"How could that happen, Master? Once I reach your level, I'll buy you wine every day," Lin Yu promised with a grin.

The old Taoist slapped his forehead and shook his head, saying, "You're quite the clever one, aren't you? You'll only buy wine when you reach my level. Until then, you'll just live off my generosity. I seem to have drawn the short straw with this disciple."

Lin Yu lowered his voice and said with mock solemnity, "The path of cultivation can be a solitary and lonely one, Master. But with me by your side, even if it comes at a cost, it's well worth it."

After living together for a while, Lin Yu initially felt a bit constrained, but he gradually warmed up and became more outgoing. He shed his initial timidity and, despite sometimes being mischievous, he seemed to resonate well with the old Taoist's preferences.

Watching Lin Yu's antics, the old Taoist's face flushed with irritation. Pointing at Lin Yu, he exclaimed, "You rascal, you're getting naughtier by the day!" With that, he strode towards Lin Yu.

"Oh my god..." Seeing the elder's growing anger, Lin Yu turned on his heel and bolted for the door.

The Taoist watched Lin Yu flee and then stood still, his expression easing back into calmness. Sensing the heat of the Qi and blood stirring within him, he subtly furrowed his brow and mused, "Deadly calamity... Last time, my heart nearly faltered due to the full force of the calamity, and I was almost seduced by a Walk In. Though I managed to resist, some of my Qi still leaked out, leading to a relentless pursuit that nearly cost me my life. I wonder if I can withstand it this time. Since Lin Yu has chosen to follow me, I'd rather not involve him unless absolutely necessary.

"It's time to prepare. My cultivation has improved, but the deadly calamity remains a formidable challenge. I hope the materials I've gathered will produce a pill that lives up to my expectations and justifies the decades of effort I've put into my pursuit.

I wonder what has become of Sundering Vale. It's been ages since I've been back. Perhaps it's now blanketed in red leaves..." His gaze grew distant as he murmured to himself. Then, with a flick of his sleeves, he turned and walked outside.

......

The mountains stood silent under the deep blue sky, a long ribbon of gold and crimson light slicing through the horizon.

The crisp autumn breeze rustled the maple leaves. As the first light of dawn bathed the valley, it seemed as though a sea of fire engulfed the land. In the distance, the continuous mountain ranges glowed golden.

Sundering Vale lay nestled within a mountain range five hundred kilometers southwest of Sylvantide, bordered by the Twilight Forest to the west. The twin peaks stood opposite each other like opposing armies, the surrounding maple leaves ablaze with color. The waterfall cascading from above added to the majesty, while clouds and mist wreathed the mountaintops, creating an otherworldly scene.

This place appeared to be the former abode of the Taoist, strikingly familiar yet somehow distant, prompting him to sigh wistfully several times.

Eventually, the two halted at a cliff on a mountain peak, where a hidden cave lay concealed by a magic circle, imperceptible to outsiders. Inside, the temperature was pleasant, and the dimness was only broken by the stillness of the air, creating a sense of isolation from the world outside. On either side, auxiliary caves had been hewn from the rock with precision, their wooden beds and meditation cushions now cloaked in a thick layer of dust. Though spartan, the space provided a refuge from the cold.

The Taoist wandered the space, his gaze distant as he was lost in memories. Lin Yu, sensing that the Taoist might have once called this place home, refrained from interrupting and began to tidy up.

Before long, the Taoist snapped out of his reverie and moved towards one of the side caves. With a flash of light from his hand, a dark green furnace materialized out of nowhere.

The dark green furnace was robust and imposing, exuding an air of simplicity and majesty. Lifelike flame totems adorned its circumference, each one unique, and upon closer inspection, they seemed to pulse with energy, radiating an intense heat.