Chapter Five: First Hearing of Cultivation

When the family gathered together for dinner, Gu Weiyu mentioned that she would be going to the prefectural city the next day.

“What? Ah Yu, you’re going to the prefectural city tomorrow?” Qin was stunned at the news. She was over twenty years old herself, and could count on one hand the times she had been to the prefectural city.

“Yes, Sister Mu said she’ll take me with her.” Gu Weiyu swallowed the food in her mouth and looked up in reply.

Sister Mu? Qin and Gu Yun exchanged glances—when had Ah Yu become so close to the tribal healer?

Thinking of her daughter’s recent changes, Qin fell silent, realizing it was her own narrow-mindedness at fault. Her daughter was not who she used to be; Ah Yu had truly grown!

“Ah Yu, when you arrive in the prefectural city, be obedient. Don’t cause trouble!” Qin instructed her carefully, while Gu Yun looked at his daughter with pride. Little Shitou chimed in from the side, “Big Sister, remember to bring back candied hawthorn!”

Gu Weiyu agreed to everything. After dinner, she retired early—having been tired all day and needing to rise early the next morning, she wanted a good night’s rest.

Perhaps she was truly exhausted, for as soon as her head touched the pillow, she drifted into sleep. By the time she awoke, it was already dawn the following day.

“Ah Yu, it’s six quarters past the hour of the tiger…” Qin had risen early and gently called to her at the bedside.

Remembering that she needed to be at the clan leader’s place by dawn, Gu Weiyu’s sleepiness instantly vanished. She sat up, rubbed her eyes, and groggily washed her face, finally waking up completely.

She dressed swiftly, ate half a cake in haste, and rushed toward the clan leader’s courtyard while the sky was still dim.

“You’re quite punctual, little girl.” As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, Mu teased her lightly.

Gu Weiyu looked up and saw that many people had already gathered in the courtyard. She obediently walked to Mu’s side and stood.

“This little girl is going as well?” someone questioned. “Clan leader, we’re going to the prefectural city for official business, not for amusement!”

As the man spoke, everyone’s gaze fell upon the little girl standing beside Mu.

“Ah Yu, don’t be afraid! I’m the one taking Ah Yu; do you have a problem with that?” Mu, ever protective, immediately stepped forward to defend her, fearing that Gu Weiyu might be intimidated.

Gu Weiyu herself felt quite indignant—Grandpa Clan Leader hadn’t said anything, so why shouldn’t she be allowed to go? She smiled at Mu and looked at the doubter, “Clan uncle, don’t bully me just because I’m young. If you can go, why can’t Ah Yu?”

Seeing how composed and formidable Gu Weiyu was at such a young age, everyone thought to themselves that this girl would surely be remarkable when she grew up! Comparing her to their own children, who only knew how to play all day, they sighed—how could other people’s children be so outstanding?

Mu praised her inwardly and echoed in support, “Exactly. Most of our clan’s recent gains are thanks to Ah Yu!”

Only then did everyone’s expressions change to understanding. So this little girl was the one who had discovered the giant snake and the toad!

The matter of Gu Weiyu finding the spiritual herbs had not been disclosed by Mu or the clan leader, or else the people in the courtyard would have been even more amazed.

The man who had raised the objection looked awkward—he hadn’t meant to make things difficult, just thought bringing a child along would be troublesome.

After a few more people arrived, the clan leader finally stepped forward, “Since everyone is here, you may set out now.”

Gu Weiyu looked around curiously. She’d heard the prefectural city was far from their mountain village—were they really going to walk all the way?

Just as she wondered, she saw Mu take out a stack of paper talismans—some shaped like cranes, others like boats. Mu kept the boat-shaped talisman for herself and handed the five crane-shaped ones to five others.

Mu tossed her talisman into the air, and it caught the wind and rapidly grew from palm-sized to as large as a stone house.

“Come aboard!” Mu took Gu Weiyu’s hand and led her onto the paper boat. The other five people followed suit, and the corpses of the giant snake and toad were also brought onto the boat.

The paper boat could carry up to a thousand pounds; adding a little girl was already over the limit. As for the paper cranes, they were usually meant for carrying one person, though a child could ride as well if necessary—though it would be unstable, and no one would do so unless forced.

Standing on the paper boat, Gu Weiyu felt the softness beneath her feet, as if stepping on clouds. She looked around in fascination. Once everyone was ready, Mu called out loudly, “Let’s depart!”

As her words ended, the paper boat soared skyward under her control. Gu Weiyu’s eyes widened as she watched the mountain village shrink rapidly below.

“Ah Hao, how many times have I told you to eat less? You never listen, and now look what’s happened!”

A boisterous voice sounded beside the paper boat. Gu Weiyu turned to look and couldn’t help but cover her mouth, stifling a laugh.

On four paper cranes, the clan members sat or stood, but on the last crane, Uncle Hao was sprawled out, his burly figure overwhelming the crane. The crane couldn’t bear the weight and wobbled precariously in midair, forcing Ah Hao to cling tightly to it—a sight both comical and absurd.

They set out while the sky was still pale, mist swirling around them. Soon, the eastern clouds blazed, and a red sun rose slowly above the horizon.

Gu Weiyu lay on the paper boat, nervous yet dazzled. In all her lives, she had never witnessed such a magnificent sunrise.

Mu saw Gu Weiyu entranced by the view and couldn’t help but shake her head with a smile.

“Ah Yu, do you want to become an immortal cultivator?” Mu sat beside her and asked softly.

“Sister Mu, what is an immortal cultivator?” Gu Weiyu asked, half understanding.

“An immortal cultivator is someone who can ascend to the heavens and traverse the earth—capable of anything, truly powerful!” Mu gazed at the world with yearning.

“Sister Mu, are you an immortal cultivator?” Gu Weiyu’s voice was soft and gentle, but her question struck deep.

Mu shook her head with a hint of disappointment. “To become an immortal cultivator, you need not only a spiritual root, but also the right potential. My spiritual roots are too mixed; I’m destined never to walk the path of cultivation… You’ll understand in time.”

With that, she fell silent, her gaze drifting into the distance. Gu Weiyu, understanding, asked no more and looked ahead with her.

The sun rose in the east, the mist between heaven and earth gradually dissipating, revealing the peaks below. Qin Prefecture was mountainous, and around the prefectural city were many villages like Green Mountain Village. Amid the embrace of the mountains, a grand, majestic city appeared below.

In comparison, Green Mountain Village was like a child beside a giant. The city was vast, its walls towering, leaving all who saw it awestruck.

“Is that the prefectural city?” Gu Weiyu’s eyes fell on the city gates, upon which two ancient characters were inscribed—Qin Prefecture. An aura of ancient strength washed over her.