Volume One: The Revival of All Things, Where Every Season Is Spring Chapter Seventeen: Mount Emei’s Golden Summit, Divine Treasures Illuminate the World

Music drifted from the distant mountain peak. After a moment’s hesitation, Mo Wen surmised that Zhou Sheng might be seeking advice from the Panda King on how to recover, and so he decided to go and see for himself.

It is said that climbing a mountain is easy, but descending is hard—beneath towering heights, there must always be a deep abyss. Mo Wen descended with utmost caution, for there was barely a path to follow. With much difficulty, he finally reached the base of the mountain, then followed a brook that wound at its foot, until at last he arrived at the base of Mount Emei’s main peak, the Summit of Ten Thousand Buddhas.

Stone steps soared toward the heavens, and though it was night, the place bustled with life. The steps were thronged with people, their voices rising in laughter and conversation.

“My spirit core has reached its limit. I don’t know how to break through to the Flawless Realm—I’ve come to seek the Panda King’s wisdom for a path forward!”

“A few days ago, I achieved perfection in the Flawless Realm, but I cannot grasp the way to the Divine Hub. I’m here to ask the Panda King for guidance!”

Such words reached his ears again and again. Those coming to the Summit of Ten Thousand Buddhas were mostly evolvers. Step by step, Mo Wen mounted the stone stairs, unhurried, until he reached the peak. The summit was broad and magnificent, a grand palace towering above. On its golden plaque, four characters danced in a dragon-and-phoenix script: Summit of Ten Thousand Buddhas!

Inside and outside the hall, dozens sat cross-legged on the ground. At the center, upon a meditation cushion, an elderly Daoist with kindly features answered the seekers’ questions.

“When the heart arrives, all thoughts become clear. Do not be confined by form, but return to the essence. Your Divine Hub is not far—empty your mind and let things flow naturally!”

The Daoist’s hair and beard were snowy white, his presence restrained, yet he wore a gentle smile as he enlightened the evolvers. Those who benefited would kowtow in gratitude before departing, their hearts satisfied.

Mo Wen found a place to sit. More evolvers came and went in turn, until at last it was Mo Wen’s opportunity. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward.

“I am Mo Wen, a junior. Greetings, elder!”

The Daoist nodded slightly, inviting Mo Wen to come closer and sit. After a careful scrutiny, he could not help but praise him: “Young man, your talent is extraordinary, and you have also cultivated inner Buddhist arts. Though your fate is unusual, your path ahead is boundless. I belong to the Daoist sect and cannot answer your questions.”

Mo Wen countered, “I believe all methods spring from the same source—Buddhism and Daoism are one in essence. Moreover, I am not here to seek guidance for myself, but to understand the truth behind beastification.”

The Daoist was slightly taken aback, then nodded and pondered for a moment before speaking slowly.

“I am, in truth, a panda in my original form. My transformation into a human is the result of breaking the veil of delusion. Likewise, when humans become beasts, it is because they fall into delusion. Once the delusion is shattered, one is no longer bound to a mortal body.”

The meaning was clear: the key was to break through delusion; after that, the body could be changed at will. Yet, among untold numbers of evolvers, how many could truly break their delusions? Must those like Zhou Sheng, transformed into beasts, abandon family and kin to hide deep in the mountains and forests, and only emerge after shattering their delusions?

Mo Wen asked if there were other ways, but the Daoist shook his head. Mo Wen then recounted Zhou Sheng’s situation, earnestly requesting that, should Zhou Sheng come for guidance, the Daoist would not hesitate to help enlighten him.

The Daoist agreed with a nod. Just as Mo Wen was about to leave, the Daoist suddenly fixed his gaze upon Mo Wen’s heart and asked gravely, “What dwells within your heart? When I first broke through delusion and dispelled the mountain’s mists, I sensed a similar aura!”

Mo Wen was startled—the black sphere had not escaped the notice of one who had broken through delusion. He immediately revealed it. With a sweep of his sleeve, the Daoist shifted the world itself, and suddenly they stood in an inner hall, apart from all others.

With his whisk, the Daoist drew the black sphere to him and examined it for a long while. At length, he sighed. “This object can devour the mist; it rivals the power of breaking delusion. But whether it is a blessing or a curse, I cannot say. Young man, act with caution.”

Mo Wen promised at once, and, before leaving, expressed his gratitude many times over.

After Mo Wen departed, the Daoist did not resume advising evolvers, but sat quietly within the hall, consulting his fingers before shaking his head.

“Calamity... calamity!”

With a long sigh, the Daoist extended his right hand. A hundred spirit birds flew in and perched on his finger, chirping. After a moment, they took flight, vanishing into the night.

Mo Wen descended the mountain, his thoughts in turmoil, uncertain where to go next. Return to Shanghai? Even if he could remain by Lin Xi’s side, the Murong family’s pursuit would never cease. Would he always rely on Lin Xi’s protection?

He sent Lin Xi a message, telling her he was only out for a walk and would return at an undetermined time. Turning off his phone, he sat on a stone platform, took some biscuits and water from the sphere, and ate where he was.

Suddenly, in the southeast sky, a rainbow burst forth—brilliant hues dazzling in the starlit night. A thunderous boom followed, shaking the trees and sending rocks tumbling down the mountain.

The ever-shifting light drew the attention of the evolvers who had come seeking guidance. Someone shouted, “It’s the Elephant-Washing Pool! A divine treasure must have emerged—let’s go!”

The crowd echoed in agreement and rushed toward the Elephant-Washing Pool. Mo Wen had intended to find a quiet place to cultivate, but the sphere inside him suddenly became agitated, expressing a strong desire and urging him to go.

After some thought, Mo Wen decided to follow the sphere’s wish—after all, he would need its power in the future—and so joined the throng.

Though called a pool, the Elephant-Washing Pool was, in fact, a temple, located above the Immortal Peak Monastery among the Emei mountains. From the foot of the mountain, the pool soared into the clouds. Fortunately, the Panda King had cleared away all the mountain’s mist, making the ascent unhindered.

Evolvers surged forward like waves, flooding the stone steps to Immortal Peak. Mo Wen walked without haste, unconcerned about others seizing the divine treasure first.

If it truly was a divine trove, could it be seized so easily? It was all a matter of fate—and besides, such treasures were always attended by grave dangers.

The Elephant-Washing Pool was situated at the peak of the Sky-Piercing Break. At the back of the break, a group of people surrounded a spot from which the seven-colored light shone. Studying it closely, Mo Wen saw a stone gate half open in the cliff, the rainbow radiance spilling out into the night.

“I’ve been to Immortal Peak many times, but never knew there was a stone door here!”

Beside Mo Wen, a handsome youth spoke with excitement. The boy was only fourteen or fifteen, yet already of the Flawless Realm. Such talent was rare indeed, unless he hailed from a noble family.

Seeing others hesitate, the youth was first to step through the stone gate and vanished from sight.

Once someone took the lead, the rest surged inside, and soon only four remained atop the Sky-Piercing Break.

Mo Wen, an old man leaning on a cane, a burly middle-aged man with a thick beard, and a white-haired old woman.

All four had reached the Divine Hub. Once the others had entered, the mountaintop fell eerily silent. The bearded man broke the silence first, voice hearty and open: “Greetings, everyone. My name is Liu Buhu, from Neijiang in Sichuan. May I ask your names and origins?”

His cheerful manner put all at ease. Mo Wen cupped his fists and replied politely, “Mo Wen, from Shanghai.”

The old man and the old woman remained silent. The old woman, apparently ill, coughed incessantly.

Liu Buhu did not mind their silence. Smiling, he turned to Mo Wen. “Young friend, you’re so young yet already at the Divine Hub—quite remarkable. Who is your master?”

Not wishing to reveal much, Mo Wen replied vaguely, “Just a commoner—no distinguished teacher.”

Liu Buhu, seeing Mo Wen’s reticence, laughed awkwardly. They lapsed into silence once more, waiting quietly. An hour passed; the rainbow light persisted, but none of the dozens who had entered the stone gate returned.

The old man with the cane grew solemn, deep in thought. At last, hesitating, he tottered into the stone gate.

The white-haired old woman, coughing, sneered, “That old fool’s gone to his death.”

Nearly another hour passed. The burly man could wait no longer and entered the stone gate directly. Yet Mo Wen’s instincts warned him that grave danger lay within, so he did not move rashly.

Soon after Liu Buhu entered, the rainbow glow abruptly vanished. The stone gate grated and began to close, and soon after, a trickle of crimson blood seeped through the gap, spreading until it pooled at Mo Wen’s feet.

Were these... the blood of those who had gone inside?

Mo Wen was chilled, but the white-haired old woman seemed to have expected it and remained unmoved.