Volume One: The Awakening of All Things, Where Every Season is Spring Chapter Nine: Battle of Wits Amidst the Enshrouding Mist

The energy in Mo Wen's palm blazed fiercely, red light flickering as the mist sizzled with the sound of quenching steel. The old Daoist halted, his gaze sinister as he looked at Mo Wen. Beneath his black robe, his withered hand was little more than skin and bone. With a casual wave of his sleeve, a gust of cold wind swept forth, meeting Mo Wen's outward surge of inner strength.

"An ant shaking a tree!"

A mocking, chilling smile curled the old Daoist’s lips. At the level of Divine Pivot, he naturally dismissed those at the Immaculate stage; in his eyes, Mo Wen was courting death.

Yet Mo Wen's inner energy was like molten lava from the earth’s core, piercing through the black mist, dissolving the old Daoist's attack. The energy clung to the Daoist’s robe, spreading like wildfire. Inch by inch, the old Daoist’s hand turned to ash, and within moments, his entire right arm vanished.

A bloodcurdling scream tore from the old Daoist's throat. Seeing Mo Wen’s energy creeping up to his right shoulder, he gritted his teeth, gathered force in his left hand, and chopped off the remaining stump like a blade.

A warrior’s resolute sacrifice!

"Buddhist inner cultivation techniques! How do they still exist in this world?" the old Daoist rasped, his hollow eyes filled with dread. Before Mo Wen could react, his entire form melted into mist and vanished.

"I was born in the mist, and within it I am utterly free! Boy, I’ll let you live a few days longer!" The old Daoist's hoarse voice echoed from afar. In the blink of an eye, he had used the mist to escape. Mo Wen had no way to pursue him.

"Little brother!"

Lin Xi and Mi Lu hurried over just then. Lin Xi had feared for Mo Wen, facing the Divine Pivot Daoist alone, and was somewhat relieved to see him unharmed. She glanced around and whispered, "Little brother, where’s that old Daoist?"

"He got away," Mo Wen sighed, a little regretful. If he had first used the small orb to absorb the mist, his own energy could have suppressed these evil forces. Caught off guard, he could have burned the old Daoist to ashes in one blow.

Mi Lu found it hard to believe. She had seen battles between Immaculate and Divine Pivot cultivators—those at the Immaculate stage stood no chance. That Mo Wen could fight across realms and prevail was truly incredible!

Radiance shone in Lin Xi’s beautiful eyes; her smile curved with delight, as if she herself had defeated a Divine Pivot cultivator. Excited, she put her hands on Mo Wen’s shoulders and, while he was off guard, stole a quick kiss.

"Little brother, you’re amazing!"

Caught off guard, Mo Wen instinctively licked his lips. Hmm, fruity lip gloss. He had already learned the trick to dealing with a lady rogue—just be even more shameless!

"Lin, I can be even more impressive. Want to try?"

Lin Xi giggled, declaring that Mo Wen had become a bad influence, no longer as cute as before.

Mo Wen motioned for Lin Xi to come closer. Mi Lu, thinking they were sharing secrets, turned away with a pout.

"Hurry up, you two! Too bad there’s no bed here!"

Lin Xi nervously leaned in, yet felt no resistance to Mo Wen’s playful teasing—it was like sweet nothings between lovers. Mo Wen murmured a few words.

"Here? Isn’t that a bit much? I’m not that kind of person!" Lin Xi, rarely bashful, protested. But Mo Wen clearly saw the excitement and anticipation in her eyes!

"You faithless lot! Fake friends! If you’re going to get it on, hurry up—I’ll look away," Mi Lu grumbled, thinking the two were about to lose themselves and do something outrageous in the mist.

Lin Xi quickly grabbed Mi Lu, pretending to massage her shoulders. When Mi Lu relaxed, Lin Xi struck her neck with a hand chop. Caught unawares, Mi Lu fainted, her body going limp in Lin Xi’s arms.

Lin Xi carefully checked Mi Lu’s breathing, then patted her chest in relief. "She’s alive—just right! She should be fine. Not much experience the first time, but I’ll be more skilled next time!"

Mo Wen was speechless. When it came to being shameless, he was no match. Lin Xi could switch gears in a heartbeat, and if anyone overheard, they’d assume something indecent was going on. In truth, he’d asked Lin Xi to knock Mi Lu out so he could absorb the mist, but she’d made it sound so ambiguous.

Lin Xi squatted down, laying Mi Lu’s head on her lap. Mo Wen stepped away a few meters, took a deep breath, and summoned the black orb, commanding it to absorb the mist.

The orb vibrated joyfully in Mo Wen’s palm, emitting a humming sound. Its black sheen glowed as the mist rushed in, forming a fierce vortex. The cold wind made Lin Xi shiver, her body almost knocked over. Seeing this, Mo Wen steadied the orb with his right hand and placed his left hand on Lin Xi’s shoulder, channeling his warm energy into her. Instantly, Lin Xi felt a soothing comfort, unable to stifle a soft moan.

The mist rushed ravenously into the orb, which seemed insatiable. After two hours, Mo Wen was drenched in sweat, drained from protecting Lin Xi and Mi Lu with his energy. He was nearly exhausted.

Clenching his teeth, Mo Wen let the orb continue absorbing. Finally, after another hour, the mist began to clear. The sunset’s afterglow shone on Mo Wen’s face.

It was done.

Putting away the orb, Mo Wen looked around. He realized they were in a valley. At the turn of winter and spring, there was no sign of greenery—earlier, under the suffocating mist, Putuo Mountain had been shrouded in darkness and decay.

Barely able to stand, Mo Wen collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath. Lin Xi, too, sat down without a care for her image, Mi Lu’s head tumbling from her lap.

"Ouch!" Mi Lu groaned in pain as she woke. Seeing Lin Xi and Mo Wen’s disheveled clothes, she immediately felt aggrieved.

"Great! You two thought I was in the way and knocked me out—so much for friendship!"

As Mi Lu spoke, she realized the mist was gone. Puzzled, she glanced at Lin Xi, who laughed so hard she nearly doubled over. "Do you know how long you slept? Over three hours—ha!"

Mi Lu shot Lin Xi a suggestive look and teased, "Little wolf, you’re something else. Lin, could you handle him?"

Mo Wen, seeing them getting off track again, coughed lightly. "Rest up, both of you. Once it’s dark, it’ll be harder to find Uncle Wang!"

Lin Xi and Mi Lu sobered, following Mo Wen’s example and sitting cross-legged to recover their energy.

Twenty minutes later, Mo Wen was the first to finish, his vitality surging anew. Soon after, Lin Xi and Mi Lu stood up as well.

Mi Lu glanced around, her expression changing with shock. Her voice trembled: "This—this isn’t Putuo Mountain. I know that mountain inside out—there’s no valley like this!"

Mo Wen frowned, thinking for a moment. The valley was surrounded by cliffs on three sides, open only to the west. Peering into the distance, he saw shimmering light and faintly heard running water. They were on high ground, and the earth was parched and cracked.

"Let’s get out and take a look," Mo Wen said, taking the hand of each young woman and leading them westward. Unnoticed, Lin Xi and Mi Lu had already come to rely on him completely.

Dusk was falling, and their pace was slow. The sound of water grew louder as the sun disappeared. Steeling himself, Mo Wen scooped up both women and dashed forward.

The women squealed in surprise, Lin Xi half-scolding, half-laughing as she pounded his chest with her fists. Mo Wen ignored her and sprinted faster.

A small creek appeared ahead. Amidst the sound of water, faint voices of angry shouting could be heard. Mo Wen abruptly stopped and signaled the others to keep silent.

"Murong Hong, you despicable scoundrel—when we get out, I’ll make sure you die with no grave to rest in!"

Mo Wen gently set the two women down. The three hid behind a large rock, peering at the scene.

On a shallow bank downstream, hundreds of people sat in neat rows. Murong Hong and a few others were arguing with a middle-aged man.

"My dad!"

"It’s Uncle Wang!"