Within the Serpent Mountain Cave, though it was daytime, the profound depths of the cavern were illuminated sufficiently for the sight of Mu Wang and the Cloud Dream War God.

"Senior, Brother Mu, look here." Teng Qingshan walked to a corner, removed two layers of rough stones, revealing the obscured Cloud Dream Fruit tree beneath. The small tree seemed carved from jade, emitting a faint green aura throughout its body, and the hanging fruits were perfectly shaped like infants.

The eyes of the Cloud Dream War God and Mu Wang lit up!

This green-skinned fruit was precisely one of the three supreme treasures of the Duanmu Continent—the Cloud Dream White Fruit!

"It truly is it!" Joy blossomed on the Cloud Dream War God's face.

Mu Wang also exclaimed in awe, "Legend says the Cloud Dream White Fruit resembles an infant. I’ve lived this long, and this is my first time seeing one—it's truly miraculous!"

"Indeed," the Cloud Dream War God smiled. "Judging by its size, this Cloud Dream White Fruit will take anywhere from two or three months to mature, perhaps a year or so at most. Tsk, tsk... remarkable, growing in this fissure in the rock. And that Purple Ring Snake even used stones to conceal it; it hid it quite thoroughly."

The Cloud Dream War God turned to Teng Qingshan. "Qingshan, your luck is truly immense. Late at night, this cave must have been pitch black, and with the fruit completely hidden, even I would struggle to discover it under those conditions."

"Luck," Teng Qingshan replied with a slight smile.

"Hahaha," the Cloud Dream War God laughed heartily. "Qingshan, I keep my word. You found the Cloud Dream White Fruit for me... well, once that little fellow Yun Ji is healed, I will give you the remaining Cloud Dream White Fruit so you can treat your father's legs. For now... Mu Wang, you will stay here and guard it for one day. After that, you won't need to remain; I will be here maintaining a long vigil."

"Master, please allow me to remain and guard it for the entire duration," Mu Wang pleaded.

"I have other tasks arranged for you in a few days."

The Cloud Dream War God turned back to Teng Qingshan. "Qingshan, let’s go. Back to the Ancient City."

Teng Qingshan couldn't conceal his delight. Thinking of the six stone carvings soon to be in his possession, even his practiced composure couldn't suppress a wave of elation. Six carvings... enough to propel his strength forward significantly! Perhaps he could even step into the Void Realm! In the distant Nine Provinces lay the parents and relatives he held dear.

Teng Qingshan dreamed of reaching the Void Realm just so he could return to the Nine Provinces!

Only by achieving the Void Realm could he be of any use upon returning home.

Teng Qingshan and the Cloud Dream War God returned to the Cloud Dream Ancient City, riding the Gale Eagle.

In a tranquil parlor within the Cloud Dream Ancient City, a table groaned under the weight of various delicacies and fine dishes, accompanied by massive platters of roasted meat.

"Qingshan, wait here for a moment. I'll fetch those stone carvings. By the time you’ve eaten your fill, I should have them ready," the Cloud Dream War God said with a smile, his Wolf Head Great Saber strapped to his back as he left the parlor, leaving Teng Qingshan and the Gale Eagle behind.

For the nineteen days spent in the Cloud Dream Marsh, Teng Qingshan and the Gale Eagle had subsisted on simple roasted fare.

"Tsk, tsk."

Teng Qingshan sipped his wine and sampled the dishes. Beside him, the Gale Eagle devoured one piece of roasted meat after another. These meats had been prepared by the master chefs of Sun City, tasting infinitely better than what Teng Qingshan managed to roast himself.

Nearly half an hour passed before Teng Qingshan heard footsteps approaching.

The Cloud Dream War God entered, carrying a large, dark iron chest single-handedly. He glanced at the table, where most of the serving plates were nearly empty, and couldn't help but chuckle. "Hahaha, Qingshan, you truly have an appetite. And this monstrous bird of yours is the same; all ten-plus platters of roast meat are gone."

"Senior," Teng Qingshan rose, but his gaze was fixed on the dark iron chest.

The chest surface bore faint patterns and was secured with a large, reddish-brown lock, showing subtle signs of grime—clearly, this chest had been stored away for a very long time.

"These are the carvings for the Thirty-Six Forms of Mountain Splitting. There are six pieces in total," the Cloud Dream War God announced, casually tossing the chest onto the floor.

Clang!

The iron chest struck the parlor floor, vibrating slightly, the sounds of internal collision echoing within.

"Crack!" The Cloud Dream War God gripped the heavy lock, and with a surge of force, the lock shattered. He then lifted the lid, revealing the contents of the chest.

Teng Qingshan’s eyes shone as he looked closely.

Inside, the stone carvings were stacked—each piece rectangular. The left side depicted axe forms, and the right side displayed the character 'Dao'. These Thirty-Six Forms of Mountain Splitting carvings were crystalline, resembling fine jade, circulating a faint bluish-green aura, clearly no ordinary objects.

"With these six, I can advance another massive step!" Teng Qingshan felt a surge of heat in his chest.

The Cloud Dream War God watched Teng Qingshan, observing his current expression.

"Qingshan... you practice spear techniques, so why do you place such importance on these Thirty-Six Forms of Mountain Splitting carvings? While these carvings were personally inscribed by the Divine Axe God 'Yu the Great,' attaining enlightenment and reaching the Void Realm from them is no simple feat." The Cloud Dream War God remarked.

Throughout history, many people had obtained carvings, yet extremely few achieved the Void Realm through them.

Back then, Divine Axe Mountain possessed all thirty-six engravings, but what became of them? They were ultimately scattered, and the carvings plundered by people across the land.

"Senior, these Thirty-Six Forms of Mountain Splitting carvings are indeed very beneficial to me," Teng Qingshan offered no further explanation.

"Very well. Starting today, these six carvings are lent to you, Teng Qingshan," the Cloud Dream War God said, looking directly at him. "Qingshan, there’s no need to elaborate on the preciousness of these six carvings. Lending them to you to study for a few years is fine. However, after a few years, you must return these six carvings in good condition to my Mu family. If they are lost..."

"Senior, please rest assured."

Teng Qingshan met the gaze of the Cloud Dream War God. "As long as these six carvings are in my hands, not a single mishap will occur."

"Good, that’s what I wanted to hear." The Cloud Dream War God nodded and joked, "If they are truly lost, I’ll have you fight your way into every major family and forcefully seize their carvings. If you refuse to fight, you can use yourself to settle the debt. Hahaha... our Mu family would certainly profit."

Teng Qingshan smiled, closed the chest lid, and pressed the latch, securing it shut.

"Senior, the matter is settled, so I will not linger any longer." Teng Qingshan hoisted the chest onto his shoulder.

"Yes, once that Cloud Dream White Fruit matures, I will send someone to summon you. At that time, when treating that little fellow Yun Ji, I will let you observe closely," the Cloud Dream War God stated.

Teng Qingshan inwardly admired the Cloud Dream War God.

By allowing him to watch, the Cloud Dream War God guaranteed he couldn't keep the Cloud Dream White Fruit for himself.

"Then I shall await your summons," Teng Qingshan replied with a smile.

After bidding farewell to the Cloud Dream War God, Teng Qingshan boarded the Gale Eagle and departed the Cloud Dream Ancient City, flying towards Divine Axe Mountain in the South Mountain Domain.

When the Gale Eagle reached the mountain range of Divine Axe Mountain, the sun was already sinking in the west, painting the western horizon a deep crimson.

Sitting atop the Gale Eagle, high in the air, Teng Qingshan kept the iron chest before him.

Stroking the iron chest, Teng Qingshan’s thoughts drifted far away.

"Six carvings!"

"With these six, reaching the Void Realm within two or three years, or maybe four or five at most, is absolutely certain." Teng Qingshan felt confident. Indeed, as he cultivated, his comprehension of the 'Dao' deepened, and he vaguely felt that—to communicate with heaven and earth, drawing upon endless True Essence—was not far off.

"Father, Mother, wait for me."

Teng Qingshan was filled with joy.

The Gale Eagle soared over the northern forest of Divine Axe Mountain. At a glance, Teng Qingshan spotted a frail figure squatting by the crescent-shaped lake.

...

"It's the nineteenth day. Brother Teng has been in the West Tang Domain for nineteen days now." Li Jun squatted by the lake shore. The thick ice on the water surface before her had been broken through, revealing the icy water beneath.

"I wonder when Brother Teng will finally return."

Li Jun worried deeply.

Although on Bright Moon Island, Teng Qingshan had once entered seclusion for months on end, at that time, she had been right beside him.

But now... Teng Qingshan had gone to the West Tang Domain without setting an exact return date. This caused Li Jun to wait by the lakeside every single day, occasionally gazing up at the sky, anticipating the sight of the Gale Eagle carrying Teng Qingshan back.

Waiting day after day without a fixed schedule...

Day after day, she would quietly return to her room.

...

Teng Qingshan gently grasped the Gale Eagle's neck, applying slight pressure. The eagle immediately understood his intention—not to dive down yet. After spending this time together, the eagle had grasped the simple meanings behind Teng Qingshan’s gestures.

"Xiao Jun..."

Watching the delicate figure below from the high altitude caused ripples of emotion to stir within Teng Qingshan.

"Am I being cruel to her like this?" Teng Qingshan silently observed the figure below.

Teng Qingshan was not a rash youth, nor was he ignorant of human sentiments. Based on both his past life and his current experiences, he was quite accurate in discerning others' thoughts. Ever since the first time he saved Li Jun, Teng Qingshan had sensed this delicate girl's reliance on him.

Especially this time, when Li Jun followed him without hesitation across the North Sea to this Duanmu Continent—her feelings were unmistakable.

The human heart changes slowly.

For over a year, Li Jun had accompanied him, preparing meals and taking care of him on the sea. Occasionally sharing jokes with him, making the voyage less lonely.

A goddess from the Heavenly God Mountain, once attended by a host of maidservants, now willingly washed his clothes and cooked for him.

If he wished to enter solitary cultivation, Li Jun held no complaints.

If he wished to reside by Crescent Lake, Li Jun deferred to his wishes.

If he went to the West Tang Domain, Li Jun waited silently...

"Xiao Jun..." Teng Qingshan felt the depth of her care, partly because Li Jun’s appearance and temperament were strikingly similar to his wife, Little Cat, from his past life, causing Teng Qingshan to feel moments of attraction and unique affection towards her. After more than a year together, their closeness had become second nature.

"If I continue this way, it is too cruel to her."

"In my parents' minds, the concept of 'Of the three unfilial acts, having no heir is the greatest' is deeply ingrained. They wanted me to marry long ago."

"When I reach the Void Realm and return, if she still persists, I will marry her," Teng Qingshan made his decision.

Immediately, Teng Qingshan lightly patted the Gale Eagle's neck.

"Yoo~~" The Gale Eagle let out a sharp cry and plummeted downward.

Below, Li Jun, lost in thought by the lakeside, heard the sound and looked up sharply in surprise.

"Brother Teng!"