After five consecutive days of travel, Yang Yi and his companions finally arrived at a place called 'Taihou Mountain.' It was obvious that the scenery was breathtakingly beautiful. However, since dusk was already setting in, Yang Yi and the others could only rest at the foot of the mountain for the night, intending to climb up and seek tutelage the next day.

"Old man, are you absolutely sure Zhuge Wuming is living in seclusion in the temple on the mountain?" Yang Yi asked again, confirming the details.

"Absolutely certain. He is definitely here. But he enjoys wandering the mountains and touring famous scenic spots, adhering only to ancestral customs, completely unlike modern people," Mu Qingfeng stated with unwavering conviction.

In truth, his primary concern wasn't these habits, but rather whether Yang Yi could actually be accepted as a disciple by Zhuge Wuming, and who was the mastermind behind sending Yang Yi on such a quest.

"En, let's rest well tonight. We climb at first light tomorrow!" Yang Yi looked towards the peaks ahead and said.

"Good!"

And so, Yang Yi and his group found a simple inn near the base of Taihou Mountain and spent the night there.

Taihou Mountain is a renowned tourist attraction in Shandong Province, also designated as a national AAAA-rated protected area. However, during the height of summer, very few people choose to vacation in such a location. Most opt for overseas travel, or perhaps directly for Hawaii.

At dawn, a wispy layer of mist drifted dreamily, enveloping the peak of Taihou Mountain, making it appear like a woman being carefully shielded, an utterly captivating sight. Moreover, being nestled in the wild peaks, the air was significantly fresher than in ordinary places. Nevertheless, because the locals customarily make pilgrimages to the Taihou Temple on the first and fifteenth of every lunar month, one rarely encountered many climbers going up at other times.

The path from the base to the Taihou Temple spanned a full three kilometers. To test the sincerity of the pilgrims, the entire route, starting from the foot of the mountain up to the temple, was composed entirely of stone steps. Unquestionably, Yang Yi and his companions faced a three-kilometer trek on foot to reach the temple. While an average person might take over two hours, they were likely to be quicker.

"Let's go!" Yang Yi glanced at the road before them, a relaxed smile playing on his lips.

His mood today was unusually light. For some unknown reason, he felt none of the typical tension associated with seeking apprenticeship, nor the anxiety of worrying about numerous matters. Instead, he appeared perfectly composed and unhurried, walking among the stone steps with immense ease, as if merely touring scenic spots. He could hear the faint whispers of birdsong and the constant murmur of flowing water. Though passersby were sparse, they were not entirely absent.

Murong Lianxue and Mu Qingfeng exchanged deeply surprised glances at Yang Yi's demeanor. Though unaware of the source of his calm, they were determined not to let this effort end in failure. Thus, they both inwardly began planning how they would handle the impending encounter.

After walking for a little over two hours, the trio finally stood before a grand gate imbued with ancient character. Three golden characters were inscribed on the lintel plaque, the style clearly identifiable as Huali Script. It exuded an aura of being detached from the mundane world, captivating anyone who saw it at first glance.

"Taihou Temple!" Yang Yi waved his hand. "Let's go in."

"En!"

The three entered the temple. After inquiring with the monks who were sweeping, it seemed none of them knew where Zhuge Wuming was residing. However, just then, a monk with a simple appearance, clearly advanced in years, emerged. He performed a Buddhist salute towards the three of them. "Three benefactors, may I inquire the purpose of your visit?"

"Oh, Master, greetings!" Yang Yi clasped his hands together in return. "To answer the Master, we are here seeking a person named Zhuge Wuming!"

"Zhuge Wuming?" The elder monk blinked, then smiled faintly. "Benefactors, may I ask the reason for seeking Benefactor Zhuge?"

"Old man, if you know, then tell us quickly."

"Lianxue, no impoliteness!" Yang Yi noticed Murong Lianxue’s uncharacteristic behavior and instantly understood she intended to play the antagonist. Given that the monk’s previous response implied he knew Zhuge Wuming’s whereabouts, Yang Yi interjected appropriately, "Master, we have come to seek Elder Zhuge because we have a favor to ask!"

"A favor to ask?" The elder monk's brow furrowed for a moment. "Three benefactors, please follow this old monk!"

Yang Yi and the other two exchanged glances, then suspiciously followed the monk toward another section of the temple. In less than a minute, they arrived at a small, secluded hillock. The elder monk said, "Benefactor Zhuge has been hidden here for many years and rarely receives guests. However, since you know of his presence here, you must not be ordinary. For this reason, I can only lead you this far."

"Thank you, Master!" Yang Yi cupped his fists in gratitude, nodded to Mu Qingfeng and the others, and then headed toward a peach grove situated below the hill.

Watching Yang Yi's retreating figure, the Master couldn't help but smile faintly. "This child bears a striking resemblance to Ling Feng. It seems they come from the same lineage. Furthermore, the only ones who know that Zhuge's descendants still exist in the world are Ling Feng's immediate family. Brother Zhuge, it seems the promise made by your family is about to be fulfilled. A joyful thing, a joyful thing!"

"In ancient times, Liu Bei, Guan Yu, and Zhang Fei swore brotherhood in the Peach Garden; today, I, Yang Yi, seek tutelage in a peach garden. It truly carries a unique flavor," Yang Yi murmured to himself.

"Brother Yi, this place is so beautiful!" Murong Lianxue gazed at the vibrantly blooming peach blossoms. "I don't know why, but I feel a sense of disharmony!"

"Indeed, I feel the same!" Mu Qingfeng added. "Logically, the peak blooming season for peach blossoms is March to April. It is now the scorching summer month of August. Why are these blossoms opening so brilliantly?"

"Heh heh!" Yang Yi remained silent. He didn't know either, but the only explanation he could conceive involved the techniques of Terrestrial Meridian theory. Observing the orientation of the peach trees, he sensed he was standing on an Yin-Yang Bagua diagram—perhaps this was the so-called 'Art.'

Long ago I wandered the Wuling estates, the bright moon overhead filled the tower with midnight songs. Before the silver candle trees, it was always like day; beneath the dew-covered peach blossoms, I knew not of autumn. The young master of the Western Garden was named Wuji; the beauty of the Southern Kingdom was called Mochou. Today, all that turmoil and separation are but dreams; at sunset, only the water flows eastward.

"To welcome guests arriving from afar with the poetry of Wei Zhuang today is not an improper gesture! Hahahaha!" A voice resonated throughout the entire peach grove. The tone was incredibly rich, the sound carrying with it a sudden gust of wind that stirred the fallen peach blossoms on the ground into a cascade, like descending wild geese.

Yang Yi and the other two stopped instantly. Mu Qingfeng and Murong Lianxue, unable to see the path clearly through the swirling petals, grew tense. However, Yang Yi spoke up at this moment, "Since the Senior possesses such refined taste, this junior offers a clumsy attempt in return, as a gesture of presenting flowers to the Buddha!"

"Oh? Good, good, good, hahahaha!" The voice sounded again.

In the Peach Blossom Dock is the Peach Blossom Hermitage; beneath the hermitage lives the Peach Blossom Immortal. The Peach Blossom Immortal planted peach trees, and picked blossoms to sell for wine money.

"This junior responds with a few lines from the poetry of Tang Bohu!" Yang Yi smiled faintly.

The voice questioned, "May I ask why the young brother chose these specific lines?"

"The Senior offered poetry featuring peaches first, followed by respect for flowers. And in these few lines of this junior's poetry, there are also peach blossoms, and further, there is respect for the flowers. Moreover, fine wine accompanies them. It can be considered presenting flowers to the Buddha, and toasting the wine as well!"

"Good, good, good! Young brother, your words are wonderfully profound. It has been a long time since this old man enjoyed such a spirited exchange. Come, come, let us talk properly!" The voice was filled with palpable joy.

As the voice faded, Murong Lianxue stared in astonishment, thinking Yang Yi was incredibly lucky; merely exchanging a few lines of poetry managed to dismantle all previous difficulties and grant direct audience with Zhuge Wuming. It was truly somewhat unbelievable.

When the wind subsided, the three saw the path clearly and continued walking. After about two minutes, a rather large thatched hut came into view. It was surrounded by a low fence made of wooden planks, forming a courtyard rich with classical charm.

Upon reaching the courtyard gate, Yang Yi gently knocked: "Dang, dang, dang."

"Xiu'er, receive our guests!"

"Yes, Grandfather!" A girl who looked about fifteen or sixteen years old walked to the gate. After opening it and seeing Yang Yi and the others, she immediately invited them in: "Please come inside!"

"Uh!" Yang Yi was visibly stunned. It was the first time he had been so momentarily speechless upon seeing a woman, especially one of such striking beauty.

The young woman standing there, dressed in purple cloth and wearing two small braids, appeared to be about fifteen or sixteen, yet Yang Yi guessed she was closer to nineteen or twenty. Standing at about one meter seventy, her figure was captivating, drawing his attention entirely. Xiu'er, standing at the threshold, noticed the guests hadn't entered but were staring intently at her. She smiled faintly. "Grandfather does not like to keep people waiting. Please, come in!"

"Oh, my apologies. I was rude." Yang Yi quickly recovered, smiled slightly, and stepped inside.

Murong Lianxue and Mu Qingfeng following behind certainly understood Yang Yi’s momentary awkwardness. Indeed, the purple-clad girl possessed a beauty that could indeed overthrow kingdoms; even they were nearly mesmerized.

Walking past the bead curtain, Yang Yi surveyed the thatched hut. Everything inside seemed reminiscent of ancient times. He found it incredible that such things existed in the modern, twenty-first-century society. Pushing these thoughts aside, he followed Xiu'er deeper inside.

"Grandfather, I have brought them," Xiu'er said, bowing slightly to the elder inside the hut.

"En."

The white-haired elder sitting on a meditation cushion possessed an air of utter tranquility. Beneath his ethereal, immortal-like bearing, his slender figure appeared remarkably sharp. He opened his eyes, saw Yang Yi, and a hint of a smile spread across his face. "You are all guests, please sit."

"Yes, Elder Zhuge!" Yang Yi also offered a faint smile. From the moment he first laid eyes on him, Yang Yi was certain this was Zhuge Wuming.

"No matter, no matter!" Zhuge Wuming waved his hand toward Xiu'er. "Xiu'er, go prepare some wine and dishes. I shall speak with this young master first!"

"Yes, Grandfather!" Xiu'er understood perfectly. While her expression wasn't deliberately cheerful, she exuded a feeling of gentle warmth.