Master of Origin: Path to Eternity

Chapter 06: Journey to Tai Shan Mountain (1)

As dawn broke, Ye Tian stood at the gates of the sect, having just secured a three-day leave to venture into the wilderness. His goal was clear: to find the herbs he urgently needed to progress in his cultivation. With a pack slung over his shoulder, he made his way towards the wilderness, his thoughts focused on the task ahead.

The wilderness was vast, a realm of danger and opportunity for cultivators. Powerful beasts roamed the land, and countless spiritual plants grew in secluded areas. Ye Tian knew the risks, but his determination to grow stronger outweighed his caution. He had his destination in mind: Tai Shan Mountain, a place known for its abundant resources and perilous cliffs.

After half a day of walking, he reached the base of Tai Shan. The mountain loomed before him, its towering peaks disappearing into the clouds. The air was crisp, and a cool breeze swept through the trees. For a moment, Ye Tian stood in awe of the beauty around him—the deep green of the forest, the distant sound of running water, and the stillness that seemed to encompass the mountain.

“This place... it's peaceful,” he murmured to himself. For all the dangers, the wilderness had a serenity that the sect lacked.

But he couldn't afford to admire the scenery for too long. Time was precious, and the White Spirit Grass wasn't going to find itself. Ye Tian began his search, moving through the dense undergrowth with practiced ease. Along the way, he came across several other herbs: Silverleaf Ginseng, Blue Spirit Moss, and Crimson Orchid, each valuable in its own right. He carefully harvested them, placing them into his satchel as he moved further up the mountain.

Despite his early success, hours passed and Ye Tian found it increasingly difficult to locate the specific herb he sought. The deeper he ventured into the wilderness, the fewer signs of life there seemed to be. The forest grew denser, the sounds of wildlife fading into the distance. By the time he realized how far he had wandered, he was already at the halfway point of Tai Shan, in an isolated and eerie part of the mountain.

And then, he saw it.

Growing in a small, secluded clearing, surrounded by jagged rocks, was the herb he had been searching for: White Spirit Grass. Its pale green leaves shimmered faintly under the dim light of the setting sun. Ye Tian's eyes lit up with relief as he approached the plant, carefully digging it out of the ground and placing it in his herb pouch.

“I finally found it,” he sighed, though the satisfaction was short-lived. The sun had already dipped below the horizon, and the shadows of the mountain lengthened ominously. He was far from the safety of the sect, and traveling back in the dark wasn’t an option.

His stomach growled. Realizing he hadn't eaten since early morning, Ye Tian pulled out some dried rations from his bag and ate in silence, sitting under a large tree. As the night deepened, the temperature dropped, and a cold wind swept through the mountain. He decided to rest for the night, knowing that traveling in darkness would only invite trouble.

Settling himself in the crook of the tree, he leaned back and closed his eyes. Exhaustion overtook him, and despite the discomfort, Ye Tian soon drifted off into a light sleep.

---

At dawn, Ye Tian woke to the sound of birds chirping in the trees above him. The night had passed uneventfully, much to his relief. He stretched and immediately began practicing his cultivation, drawing in the qi from the surrounding area. The qi on the mountain was pure and abundant, and he could feel it flowing smoothly into his dantian.

Once he finished his morning cultivation, Ye Tian packed up and resumed his search for more herbs. But as the hours dragged on, hunger gnawed at him. He hadn’t been able to find any edible plants or game, and his stomach rumbled in protest. Just when he began to consider returning to the sect early, he noticed a thin trail of smoke rising in the distance.

Curious—and hopeful for food—Ye Tian made his way toward the smoke. As he got closer, the smell of roasting meat filled the air, causing his mouth to water. Peering through the trees, he saw a small campfire surrounded by a group of two people, possibly father and son. They were roasting some meat over the fire.

The son noticed Ye Tian first and stood up, on guard. The father, older and more experienced, held up a hand to stop him.

"Who are you?" the father asked, his voice calm but firm.

"I’m just a traveler passing through, searching for herbs," Ye Tian replied, keeping his voice steady. "I haven’t eaten in a while. I saw the smoke and thought to check."

The father studied Ye Tian for a moment, then nodded. "We’re from a nearby village, came up to hunt. You’re welcome to join us, though we don’t have much."

Grateful, Ye Tian accepted the offer. The father and son were kind, and though their lives were simple, they knew the land well. Over the fire, they talked about the mountain, the herbs, and the challenges of living in the wilderness.

For the first time in a while, Ye Tian felt a strange sense of peace as he listened to their stories. It was a moment of quiet amid his ever-growing ambition for power and survival. He thanked them for the food and decided to stay with them for a while before heading deeper into the wilderness for his herbs.