"Have you finished eating? If so, let's depart."
After breakfast, Wan Yunting glanced at his watch; it was already eight in the morning.
"I'm done eating..."
Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao, Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong, Duan Yingying and Chen Qiuyun had all finished their meals. Wan Yunting then stood up and said to Yang Jingyi and Master Wuwei, "Stepmother, Uncle Wuwei, we'll be heading down the mountain now."
"Alright, be extra careful. If anything happens, call us immediately. I'll arrange for a rescue team to come into the mountains," Master Wuwei nodded, instructing them.
Yang Jingyi looked at them and also said, "Have you all brought thick clothes? The weather in the mountains is like winter, very cold."
"Mom, we all have them, don't worry," Duan Yingying said impatiently.
Yang Jingyi glanced at her, then her gaze fell on Wan Yunting. Feeling his stepmother's gaze, Wan Yunting gave an awkward smile and said, "Don't worry, Stepmother, I'll take good care of Yingying."
Hearing his words, Yang Jingyi nodded expressionlessly, asking Master Wuwei to escort Wan Yunting and the others down the mountain...
Soon, Wan Yunting, Gu Luotang, Duan Yingying and Lu Xiaodie, Qi Miaomiao and Zheng Rong, along with Chen Qiuyun, seven people in total, laden with bags, were sent off by Master Wuwei, Li Zihang, Qi Wu, and other disciples towards the outside of the Taoist temple.
At the same time, Han Shumei and Lin Xinlan, along with four assistants, were also heading down the mountain. Today, they would be led by Li Zihang and Qi Wu to conduct research in surrounding remote and impoverished areas, so they descended the mountain together with Wan Yunting and the others...
The group reached the foot of Mount Wuliang around nine in the morning. Three vehicles were already parked nearby: two SUVs, a seven-seater large SUV, and a small truck. These were all rented from the county town.
"Yunting, Luotang, you need to be careful," Han Shumei and Lin Xinlan both cautioned Wan Yunting and Gu Luotang's group.
Wan Yunting first asked Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong to get into the cars. He also said to Han Shumei and Lin Xinlan, "Don't worry, Sister Shumei. You too. If you encounter any problems you can't solve, we'll discuss it when I get back."
"Okay..."
Han Shumei and Lin Xinlan nodded. Wan Yunting then said to Li Zihang and Qi Wu, "Protect them."
"Don't worry, Senior Brother Abbot, Qi Shixiong and I will ensure everyone's safety," Li Zihang promised with a smile.
"Alright, then everyone sets off separately."
Wan Yunting nodded, waved goodbye to Han Shumei and Lin Xinlan with a smile, and then boarded the seven-seater SUV with Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao. The small truck was responsible for carrying their luggage. Lin Dachun was driving, and upon seeing Wan Yunting in the front passenger seat, asked, "Abbot, which way should we go?"
"Westward, that road..."
Wan Yunting held the map and directed Lin Dachun, who was driving. Zhao Xuewu was driving the small truck behind them.
"Alright, let's go..."
Lin Dachun stepped on the accelerator and drove west, heading towards Kunlun Mountain. Zhao Xuewu followed closely in the small truck...
Han Shumei and Lin Xinlan's group, led by Li Zihang and Qi Wu, began their research work in the remote and impoverished areas.
The six women in the back of the car chatted animatedly, except for Chen Qiuyun, who sat at the very back with her eyes closed, maintaining a quiet demeanor. She didn't say much to Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong, or even greet them. In fact, since descending the mountain, she had only greeted Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao, ignoring everyone else.
However, seeing Chen Qiuyun's stunning beauty and the aura of charm she exuded, Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong felt inferior. Even Gu Luotang, who was naturally beautiful and as gentle as a fairy descended to earth, believed her own beauty was no match for Chen Qiuyun's.
Her assessment was correct. When Chen Qiuyun was at the same age as Gu Luotang, her beauty could truly be described as captivating, outshining all others. She was also known as the most beautiful woman in the capital's elite circles at the time.
It was a pity that Chen Qiuyun's life had been extremely difficult and turbulent, leading to her current predicament. Anyone who knew her would surely sigh with regret if they saw her now.
Regardless of how the outside world judged her, Chen Qiuyun now only wished to live her own life quietly and peacefully for the rest of her days...
Perhaps with Lin Dachun, an outsider, present, Lu Xiaodie and Gu Luotang chatted amongst themselves. In the front passenger seat, Wan Yunting was chatting with Lin Dachun, asking him about his past experiences with martial arts and what boxing competitions he had participated in.
As it turned out, Lin Dachun was a provincial boxing champion and had also placed second in a national boxing competition, losing only to the top contender.
After recognizing his own shortcomings, Lin Dachun began to seek traditional martial arts, hoping to break through his current limitations through them.
"Then why do you believe traditional martial arts can help you break through?" Wan Yunting asked him.
Lin Dachun, driving, turned to look at him and smiled, "Because he met a master when he was young, who introduced him to the world of martial arts. And I have always firmly believed that traditional martial arts are not just about physical fitness as it's often portrayed online nowadays."
"I firmly believe that the mysteries within traditional martial arts can only be understood by those who truly comprehend them, which is why I specifically came to Wuliang Taoist Temple."
"You're absolutely right."
Lu Xiaodie couldn't help but interject, supporting Lin Dachun's statement. "Those who speak ill of traditional martial arts are just keyboard warriors online. They don't understand anything and only know how to type."
"Yes, Shi..."
Lin Dachun nodded excitedly, wanting to thank Lu Xiaodie, but hesitated, unsure what to call her.
"Shijie," Lu Xiaodie quickly said, glancing at Wan Yunting in the passenger seat with her bright eyes, unable to suppress a smile in her heart...
The group chatted lively in the car. As someone from the north, Lin Dachun was more adept at witty banter than Wan Yunting. The topic of martial arts sparked a heated discussion among the women in the car...
Only Chen Qiuyun sat quietly in the back. Not using her phone, she held a book and read silently, as if in her own world, oblivious to the surrounding noise, undisturbed by anyone...
The car traveled westward for about three hours on mountain roads. Gradually, the road ahead disappeared. Wan Yunting said, "Dachun, stop the car."
"Okay..."
Lin Dachun honked the horn and slowly brought the car to a halt. Zhao Xuewu, following behind, also stopped his vehicle. Wan Yunting beckoned Gu Luotang and Lu Xiaodie to get out of the car. As the doors opened, the biting cold wind caused everyone to tighten their coats. "It's so cold! It looks like there's still snow in the mountains..."
"It seems very cold here. Have you all brought thick clothes?"
"Yes, we did. Brother Yunting specifically told us to bring them..."
Qi Miaomiao said, and then went to the small truck in the back to help Wan Yunting with his things, saying, "Everyone should put on your backpacks first. Give the two heavy boxes to me, and you all carry the lighter items..."
Lu Xiaodie put on her large backpack and said to Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao, "Luotang and Miaomiao, you carry the lighter things. Sister Zheng and I can handle the heavier items."
"Okay, thank you..."
Gu Luotang and Qi Miaomiao didn't argue, as Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong were quite skilled in martial arts and possessed considerable strength.
Only Qi Miaomiao and Chen Qiuyun, who had never practiced martial arts, struggled to carry heavy items.
Meanwhile, Wan Yunting, taking advantage of the mobile signal, called his parents and Fang Yanxi and Su Ke'er at home to inform them that he might be out of contact for over a month and that they shouldn't worry, promising to contact them upon his return.
"Brother Wan, are you ready?"
Lu Xiaodie and Gu Luotang, who had already shouldered their respective items, called out.
"All set..."
Hanging up the phone, Wan Yunting pocketed his phone and returned, carrying a large backpack and two heavy boxes in his hands. He also had a bundle of professional climbing ropes wrapped around him. Not only that, Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong also carried ropes, which were intended for descending into the valley.
"Dachun, Xuewu, you can head back the way you came," Wan Yunting called back to Lin Dachun and Zhao Xuewu.
"Okay, Abbot. Be careful!"
Lin Dachun waved and shouted. Wan Yunting and Lu Xiaodie and the others acknowledged them. Led by the men, they officially entered the mountain forest of Kunlun Mountain with the six women...
Lin Dachun and Zhao Xuewu watched from the outside as Wan Yunting's group entered the forest and couldn't help but say, "What exactly is the Abbot taking them into the mountains to do?"
Zhao Xuewu shrugged his shoulders and said, "You ask me, who am I going to ask?"
"Envious..."
Lin Dachun smiled and stopped discussing his idol. He and Zhao Xuewu got into their respective cars and returned the way they came...
Two hours later, in the forests of the Kunlun Mountain range to the northwest, the deep mountain air was cold, and there was still snow on the ground. It was said that it would snow again at night, almost like the time Wan Yunting and the others entered Kunlun Mountain before. However, it wasn't as cold this time.
"Phew, I'm so tired. Brother Yunting, can we rest for a bit?" After walking for a full two hours, Qi Miaomiao, carrying a large backpack, was so tired that she was gasping for breath and could no longer walk.
Wan Yunting walked behind her, with Chen Qiuyun in front of him. She, too, was delicate and had never carried so much or walked so long on a mountain path. She was now as tired as Miaomiao, panting for breath, her forehead covered in sweat. However, she gritted her teeth and persevered, unlike Miaomiao who complained.
Gu Luotang and Duan Yingying were doing better. Although their martial arts weren't as high as Lu Xiaodie and Zheng Rong's, walking for two hours in the mountains didn't exhaust them to this extent...
"Then let's rest here for a while. Everyone, have something to eat and drink."
Wan Yunting, familiar with the terrain, naturally took the lead. He put down the large boxes he was carrying and sat down on the snowy grass. Lu Xiaodie and Gu Luotang also took a rest. Seeing Chen Qiuyun struggling to take off her backpack, Wan Yunting quickly stepped forward, "Let me..."
Chen Qiuyun looked at him, said nothing, and only sat down after he helped her with her backpack.
However, this scene was observed by Duan Yingying and Qi Miaomiao. Gu Luotang and Lu Xiaodie said nothing, because they knew that ever since the man decided to bring Chen Qiuyun along, they had guessed that their relationship was unusual.
Those who could enter the mountains with Wan Yunting to train in seclusion in the valley were all people he trusted...