Chapter Eleven: An Excursion

When their master was present, the discipline at North Terrace was strict, and none dared overstep their bounds except to cultivate their arts. But whenever the master left, it became a time of unwinding for the disciples. Behind North Terrace, the mountains stretched unbroken, shrouded in secluded valleys teeming with insects and serpents, where human footsteps were rare. Many places were enveloped in mists and poisonous vapors all year long, making them nearly inaccessible to ordinary people.

Each time their master departed, the disciples would band together to explore the mountains in the rear. This time, the master had gone to Grand Fu Lingsparrow Temple; his return would not be for several days. Though Mount Wutai was a sacred Buddhist site with its one hundred and twenty-two temples mostly nestled within the terraces, the wild hills and hidden caves beyond were the haunts of solitary cultivators who kept to themselves. Thus, there was seldom any conflict.

“Senior Brother, last time we explored that hidden cave in Outer Ridge’s Fallen Phoenix Mountain. Such a pity about those ice stones!” Qingxia and Qingyu remarked.

“What do you think, Sister Yun?” Bai Shisong looked at Ling Xueyun.

“Senior Brother, let’s go. We didn’t get to the end of the cave last time, and I want to see those stalactites again—they were truly beautiful. I wonder if Junior Brother Ye would like to come?” Ling Xueyun smiled at Ye Hua.

“I’d like that. I too am curious about that cave,” Ye Hua replied.

“Then let’s go. We can set out at once,” Bai Shisong decided.

No sooner had he spoken than he formed a hand sign, and before him appeared an ancient pine-patterned sword—the very same Clear Pine Immortal Sword—which transformed into a blazing arc of light. The others each summoned their own treasures, preparing to soar into the sky. Ye Hua noticed the second senior brother wielded a dark staff, the Third Brother a hooked blade, and the sixth and seventh brothers long swords as well.

“Junior Brother, be careful,” Qingxia said with a sly wink.

“About what?” Ye Hua asked, puzzled.

“You’ll see!” The two sisters laughed and rose into the air on their swords.

Ye Hua, still bewildered, heard Sister Yun’s voice: “Junior Brother, let me take you this time, all right?”

“Thank you, Sister,” Ye Hua answered.

“It’s my pleasure,” Ling Yun’er said as she summoned her Crimson Cloud Ribbon, seizing Ye Hua and lifting them both into the sky.

The group soared westward. Soon, a flock of immortal cranes—two or three dozen—appeared, the leader of impressive size. Most avoided them, but Ling Yun’er flew straight ahead as if oblivious.

“Senior Sister, ahead—your ribbon—wait!” Ye Hua tried to warn her, but before he finished, he felt the ground vanish beneath his feet and his body lurching out of control. He tumbled headlong toward the earth, terror freezing his voice as the ground rushed up.

“Senior Sister! Senior Sister!” he cried, shutting his eyes in fright. Suddenly, something tightened around his legs, arresting his fall just a foot above the ground. Peeking upward, he saw a scarlet ribbon coiled about his leg, hanging from midair.

A burst of silvery laughter rang out. “Let’s see if you’ll keep staring at me like a fool, you rascal!” Ling Yun’er called down, and with a flick, the crimson ribbon whisked Ye Hua back to her side.

Ye Hua, still shaken, could only stammer, “Sister, you—”

“Sorry, Junior Brother, did I frighten you?” she giggled.

Their senior brothers laughed heartily. “Sister, the new junior has just joined us, and already you’re playing tricks on him!”

Ye Hua now understood that Qingxia and Qingyu’s earlier warning had been about this very prank. Embarrassed, he found himself lost for words.

“Junior Brother, don’t mind her—she’s always this mischievous,” Bai Shisong said, suddenly appearing by his side with a smile.

“Hmph! I was simply showing my authority as a senior sister. One must learn to respect one’s elders. Well, Junior Brother, do you understand?” Ling Yun’er asked, her playful anger barely masking her smile.

Ye Hua’s face flushed again, and he could only mumble incoherently.

Seeing this, Ling Yun’er burst into laughter. “Come on, let’s go!” With a shimmer, her ribbon bore them both a hundred yards forward. Ye Hua, off balance, was about to call out when she steadied him with a gentle touch.

He felt the warmth of her grip, her hand as soft as cotton, and as he gazed at her radiant face, his heart pounded so fiercely he could hardly hear her words—only the sound of her endless laughter.

Bai Shisong shook his head, following on his sword, while the others sped after, laughter still echoing. In another half hour, several great mountains loomed ahead.

“Senior Brother, let’s land. We’re here!” Ling Yun’er called.

Below lay two verdant peaks, a deep gorge between them. They descended into a forest where ancient trees crowded together, blocking out the sky so completely that the ground was shrouded in gloom. The group followed the valley.

“Up ahead is that stream. Last time, following it led us to the secret cave. Let’s do the same,” Bai Shisong said. All agreed, and they advanced along the stream. The path was steep and treacherous, but as cultivators, such terrain posed no challenge. They did, however, keep an eye on Ye Hua, who moved with surprising agility, soon putting their worries to rest.

After about two hours, the distant roar of water became audible. “We’re almost there,” Bai Shisong announced. Another mile, and the thunder of water grew deafening, the air thick with mist.

Ye Hua gasped as the forest opened up before a towering cliff where a waterfall plunged from halfway up the mountain, pearls of water sparkling as they crashed into a pool below, sending spray in all directions and filling the air with a sound like thunder.

“There—up above is the cave. Let’s go,” Bai Shisong said, seizing Ye Hua and leaping upward. The others followed. At the entrance, Ye Hua saw a dark cavern, its depths hidden in shadow. From its position, recessed into the cliff face, it would be all but invisible from above or below—how, he wondered, had his brothers discovered it in the first place?

Second Brother now spat a gleaming pearl into the air, which hovered overhead and bathed the space in brilliant light. Ling Yun’er smiled, “With Second Brother’s Luminous Water Pearl, everything is easier.”

“This is a panther-deer core I refined into a Luminous Water Pearl. It’s rarely of use, but it makes a fine lantern. Let’s go,” Second Brother replied.

They ventured deeper into the cave, marveling as water seeped from the walls, forming streams that ran out to the entrance, with hidden currents beneath their feet. Stalactites above and stalagmites below shimmered with color under the pearl’s light, forming a fantastical landscape. As they pressed on, the air grew colder, until their very breath frosted in the air.

“How can it be so cold? Even without sunlight, it shouldn’t be like this,” Ye Hua wondered aloud.

“You’ll see soon enough,” Bai Shisong replied with a mysterious smile. A little further, the walls themselves began to emit a faint glow.

“What’s this?” Ye Hua asked in wonder.

“Touch it and see,” Bai Shisong encouraged.

Ye Hua pressed his hand to the wall and immediately recoiled. “It’s scorching—what—?”

Third Brother laughed. “Not hot, but so cold it burns like fire!”

The others burst into laughter.

Ling Yun’er teased, “Junior Brother, you really are inexperienced. Someday I’ll take you to the library to read and broaden your horizons.”

Ye Hua grinned, “Thank you, Sister. But what is this stone?”

“That’s ice stone, an excellent material for cultivating earth-based arts. Unfortunately, it’s rare here, and the quality is poor—hardly worth collecting. What a shame,” Third Brother sighed, regretful.