Chapter Twelve: Mount Zhaoyao

Everyone traveled through the Sacred Tree to reach the Gate of Primordial Qi in the Spirit Realm. After meeting the nine elders of the Gate of Primordial Qi, the elders used spatial markers to directly teleport them to the outskirts of Mount Zhaoyao.

Emerging from a curtain of light, Wu Ming led the way, and the group found themselves in an osmanthus grove, fragrant and teeming. Within the grove, a number of female cultivators, their robes fluttering gracefully, were gathering osmanthus blossoms.

Passing through the grove, they encountered a group of ordinary civilians mining outdoors. Although mining was arduous, the faces of these laborers, dust-stained and weary, shone with happiness, each bearing a smile of contentment. Wu Ming, surprised, turned to Sister Lingmei beside him and asked, “Sister, they’re engaged in some of the most grueling work, yet there’s not a trace of resentment among them. Why do they all appear so joyful and fulfilled?”

Lingmei Sister actually revealed a look of nostalgic happiness. “I truly miss those days,” she said. “My father was once a miner—hard-working, yet full of hope—mining for the Gate of Primordial Qi. The miners were exhausted, but their safety was well-protected; before entering the mines, the sect would issue a triggered teleportation talisman. If any accidents occurred, it would automatically transport them to the surface.”

Everyone gazed at Sister Lingmei, seemingly doubting that her father had been a miner.

“But mining for the sect came with an exceptionally generous and enviable reward: regardless of one’s own or their children’s aptitude, anyone who managed to find a high-grade spirit ore could join the sect as an outer disciple without condition. This was the preferential policy for miners of the Gate of Primordial Qi—a genuine opportunity for immortal fate. And on the mountain veins recorded in the 'Classic of Mountains and Seas,' there were advantages not found in other veins. If one persevered for ten years or so, there was at least a fifty percent chance of success. Even if unsuccessful, the unique properties of these veins meant that miners, through long-term exposure to spiritual ores, could still meet the standard for disciple recruitment in lesser sects.” Gratefulness shone in Lingmei Sister’s eyes.

“My father was lucky then; in just three months, he obtained a high-grade spirit ore, the kind that most miners dream of—specifically, a high-grade spirit jade ore highly valued by the sect. But he was assaulted by a bully among the miners, who wounded him and tried to steal the ore. Fortunately, Senior Brother Qingfeng, who patrolled the mines, intervened and severely punished the bully. Only then did our family find happiness; my father was appointed as a mining inspector, and even someone as dull as me gained the opportunity to pursue cultivation and attain my current level.”

Sister Lingmei spoke with ease, but Wu Ming sensed there was more beneath the surface: her words seemed to skip over certain details, as if there were things she preferred not to mention.

“For ordinary people in the Spirit Realm, having enough to eat and wear, amassing wealth, or wielding power is not their ultimate pursuit. Here, joining the immortal sects and becoming a cultivator is the highest honor—the true goal of all people in the Spirit Realm!” Director Tyrannosaurus interjected.

“Director, you told me about divine possession before, so why are you talking about cultivators now?” Wu Ming was puzzled by the unclear theories Director Tyrannosaurus had shared in the office and the meeting with Old Daoist Qingfeng.

“In fact, there are many types of cultivators. But in the mundane world, where spiritual energy is so scarce as to be nearly invisible, people either suddenly awaken to special bloodline abilities, or are possessed by the remnants of a deity’s divine nature. When we last met, you showed no signs of bloodline awakening, so you must have been possessed by a deity. At that time, I was plagued by a peach blossom calamity and hoped to borrow your divine power to resolve my predicament. After all, gods excel at matters of fate. But to my surprise, you turned out to be someone chosen by destiny!” Director Tyrannosaurus wore a helpless expression.