Huawen Grotto-Heaven.
"That's far enough, Xiaobai." On the mountain path, Jiang Xiansheng reined in his horse and spoke to Li Xiaobai beside him.
A look of sorrow crossed Li Xiaobai's face, thick with reluctance to part. "It was all thanks to my teacher's guidance and support that I was able to survive in the capital. I will engrave this kindness deep in my heart and never forget it. But now that we part, who knows when I shall see you again!"
"You." Jiang Xiansheng let out a soft sigh and, in a rare gesture, reached out to pat Li Xiaobai on the shoulder, encouraging him. "Although you were eliminated from the All-Heavens Poetry Assembly, your reputation as a poet has already spread. The world now knows that your talent truly merits the title of one of the Ten Great Literary Prodigies. Besides, Su Qihan has returned — the capital will be a stage for you to showcase your abilities. Go back. I look forward to seeing what you accomplish."
Only then did Li Xiaobai bid farewell to Jiang Xiansheng through his tears.
Riding his horse along the shaded mountain trail, Li Xiaobai began to ponder his future.
He had failed to qualify at the All-Heavens Poetry Assembly, despite his outstanding performance in the early rounds.
But, just as he had foreseen, he had run into Jiang Xiansheng in the later stages. This had placed Li Xiaobai in an exceedingly awkward position — if he defeated his own teacher, he would be condemned for his morals and character, and a wave of criticism would inevitably follow.
Li Xiaobai had originally intended to press forward through the remaining rounds. Yet again and again, he had been matched against his teacher.
Jiang Xiansheng had been put in a difficult position as well. In truth, he didn't particularly want to keep advancing at the expense of his own student. But he had no choice but to seize every opportunity, because he too had learned of the immense significance of the All-Heavens Poetry Assembly.
Li Xiaobai's repeated encounters with Jiang Xiansheng had hamstrung him, ultimately leading to his elimination.
Though he harbored regrets, Li Xiaobai also felt a measure of relief: "My earlier performance was already too brilliant — I had gone too far. If I had actually succeeded in breaking through all the way, it would certainly have triggered a thorough investigation. Even if I passed the investigation, having no roots or backing, not being someone of long-standing fame, I would most likely become a target of sabotage. This opportunity to achieve immortality — so many people are watching it with envy. How could it possibly fall into the hands of a nobody?"
The selection process of the All-Heavens Poetry Assembly appeared perfectly fair on the surface, but wherever there were people, there were hidden machinations and backroom deals.
One need only look at the list of those who had been selected — every one of them was either a person of power and status or a renowned figure. Even the so-called dark horses possessed extraordinary foundations and backgrounds.
"I wasn't chosen at this All-Heavens Poetry Assembly, but that's all right. There will very likely be a second selection in the future."
"And even if there is no second Assembly, can't I rely on myself to work my way up? Can't I achieve immortality on my own?"
"Hm? What's that smell? It's wonderful!"
Lost in thought, Li Xiaobai was suddenly interrupted by a delicate fragrance that assailed his nostrils.
The scent was remarkably pleasant — it smelled of ink, of books.
Curiosity immediately stirred in Li Xiaobai's heart. How could such a fragrance exist in these mountain forests?
He urged his horse into a light trot, following the scent to trace its source.
After traveling some distance, dense shrubbery blocked the path ahead, forcing Li Xiaobai to dismount and proceed on foot.
Winding through the forest, Li Xiaobai found the fragrance growing ever stronger, knowing he was heading in the right direction, drawing ever closer to its origin.
Finally, he parted a curtain of leaves and discovered a pine tree.
The pine was laden with cones, and it was from these cones that the rich, bookish fragrance emanated. Perched among the branches of the pine was a small, elegantly crafted brown treehouse.
"Could someone be living here? A hermit of the mountains?" Li Xiaobai approached cautiously and called out. "This student, Li Xiaobai, has happened upon this sacred place by chance and presumes to visit. I humbly ask the worthy sage of the mountains to forgive my intrusion."
But no sound came from within the treehouse.
Li Xiaobai called out several more times, and finding no one apparently inside, he walked toward the pine tree.
When he reached the base of the tree, he made another discovery. The treehouse had not been built upon the pine — it was one with the tree, as though it had simply grown out of it.
Li Xiaobai wished to enter the treehouse and investigate, but after circling the trunk, he found that the structure was entirely seamless. There were windows, but no door.
"What am I to do?" Li Xiaobai muttered to himself, absently resting his hand against the trunk.
Suddenly, the bark emitted a series of soft popping sounds and began to shift and change. In the blink of an eye, a spiral staircase wound around the trunk, extending upward and ultimately leading into the treehouse.
A doorway had also appeared on the treehouse.
Li Xiaobai hesitated for only a moment before raising his foot, stepping onto the stairs, and entering the treehouse.
Inside were three rows of bookshelves, standing against three walls. Arranged on the shelves were a great many Gu Insects.
" fragrance of books fills the air, only the talented may perceive it. The Book House inheritance awaits one destined to receive it." At that moment, a stream of information was transmitted directly into Li Xiaobai's mind.
After examining it, Li Xiaobai could not help but break into delight.
"So this is a Letter Path inheritance."
"It's only a Gu Master-level inheritance — there are no Immortal Gu — but it contains a great number of Fourth Transformation and Fifth Transformation Gu Insects, along with detailed cultivation content that forms a complete system. It's perfectly suited for me!"