Everyone ate their fill at noon.
After all, there would be no food in the evening.
After finishing the meal, we didn't linger or rest much. After buying a few bottles of water, we followed the boss's directions and started towards Xiao Han Mountain.
The Xiao Han Mountain here wasn't a single mountain.
It was a continuous stretch of several mountains.
The place we were going was deeper and farther.
We ascended the mountain from a quarry behind the town. Walking along the dirt path, we could reach Xiao Han Mountain.
Upon reaching the mountain, Master released Xiao Mei.
Once in the mountain, Xiao Mei leaped and bounded, acting as the vanguard scout.
After all, for a fox, mountain paths were completely unaffected.
But we were different.
The sections of the road near the town were decent.
There was regular foot traffic.
But after walking for half an hour, the road became difficult.
Not only were there multiple landslides, but it was also overgrown with weeds.
It felt like navigating through an old forest in the dark.
Many sections required detours.
Fortunately, the weather was no longer excessively hot. Otherwise, walking on such mountain paths would lead to being bitten to death by mosquitoes.
The originally estimated three-hour journey.
But when we actually walked it, it took a full four hours.
This was even with Xiao Mei scouting ahead.
Otherwise, relying solely on ourselves, who knew how much farther we would have traveled.
By now, it was already past six in the evening.
The sun had begun to set.
The few of us also arrived at our destination.
According to what the boss had said.
As long as we climbed this mountain in front of us, we would be able to find the long-abandoned Xiao Han Temple.
Upon arriving, Xiao Mei raised its head and gazed at the mountaintop.
"I smell snakes."
Xiao Mei suddenly spoke, pointing towards the mountain with its paw.
I looked up. The mountain was situated among a cluster of peaks.
It was as if five fingers were embracing it.
In terms of feng shui, it was considered a good location.
White mist swirled around the mountain, exuding an ethereal aura.
Master and Daoist Tang glanced at each other and nodded slightly.
Master spoke.
"Hmm, this should be the mountain. I can also feel a faint demonic energy."
"Everyone has walked for so long, let's all take a rest!"
Uncle Tang echoed the sentiment.
Hearing this, everyone sat down to rest.
But as soon as they sat down.
Daoist Yunxia addressed the three of us juniors.
"You three have been practicing for some time now. Take a look at this mountain's terrain and feng shui."
The three of us were taken aback by this.
Uncle Tang also chimed in.
"Xiao Mo, you first..."
Old Mo looked bewildered and embarrassed.
"Uh, Master, I've been focusing on the art of summoning spirits lately, and I really can't tell. Old Qin, you go ahead!"
Old Mo looked directly at me.
I smiled and shared my observations.
"There are five mountains surrounding this area, with varying heights. They resemble five fingers. The central Xiao Han Mountain is the lowest.
The peak is round and low, like a precious pearl.
In feng shui, it's called the 'Pearl in the Palm.'
The surrounding feng shui currents all converge upon this Xiao Han Mountain.
The swirling mist should be the gathered spiritual energy of the mountains and rivers.
Master, I wonder if I'm correct."
After speaking, I looked at Master.
After listening to me, my Master smiled and nodded.
He stroked his goatee.
"Not bad, this place is indeed a good location.
In feng shui, it is indeed called the Pearl in the Palm, capable of gathering the spiritual essence of heaven and earth."
Receiving Master's approval, I smiled happily.
The books I had read these past few days weren't in vain.
At least I could articulate some understanding.
However, Xia Qiu Xi beside me added.
"But I feel that the spiritual energy in this feng shui location is almost depleted.
Although Xiao Han Mountain is among the five mountains, gathering their spiritual energy.
Many of the trees on the mountain are withered and yellow.
This indicates that the feng shui trend is already declining.
The reason might be related to the mountain resembling a thumb in the distance."
Saying this, Xia Qiu Xi pointed towards the distant, lowest mountain.
That mountain had half of its summit shaved off.
It was precisely where the quarry behind Han Shan Town was located.
Old Mo glanced at it and asked with some confusion.
"That mountain is so far from here, why would it affect the feng shui trend here?"
Before Xia Qiu Xi could answer, Uncle Tang glared at Old Mo.
"Are you not ashamed? You should read more. You can't even understand such a simple feng shui trend.
If you chop off your thumb, can you still clench your fist?
If your fist can't be clenched, how can Xiao Han Mountain gather and retain the spiritual energy it converges?"
Xia Qiu Xi also nodded.
"Yes, the feng shui trend here. It has all been damaged due to the quarrying.
If the spiritual energy cannot be contained, the excessively dense vegetation here cannot grow naturally.
If the quarrying doesn't stop, the trees here will continue to wither and die.
Until the feng shui of the Pearl in the Palm completely disappears..."
Xia Qiu Xi calmly finished speaking.
Watching this, I couldn't help but be amazed.
Xia Qiu Xi's feng shui mastery was definitely above mine, and far surpassed me.
I could only observe the terrain and recite content from books.
But Xia Qiu Xi could make predictions and deductions based on the surrounding feng shui, mountain terrain, and formations.
My Master and Daoist Yunxia both nodded slightly.
They were very pleased with Xia Qiu Xi's performance.
Only Old Mo, having been scolded by Uncle Tang, couldn't lift his head.
I looked at Xia Qiu Xi and gave her a thumbs-up.
"Amazing!"
Xia Qiu Xi smiled faintly.
"I grew up on Mount Qingcheng, so it's nothing much.
On the other hand, you.
After only four months of practice, you can already discern the feng shui of the Pearl in the Palm..."