Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

At several hundred zhang high, white mist permeates, and amidst the cliffs, ancient pines take root deeply. This is ultimately acquired by the Yao Clan, planted within the cliffs, named "Welcoming Talent Pine". Yao Yin’s expression turns to great joy, truly exhilarated. The Yao Clan has a saying: "Without seeing the Welcoming Talent Pine, one is not a worthy son of the Yao Family."

Passed down from generation to generation, the Welcoming Talent Pine is strong and graceful, with an imposing presence. Having seen it this time, it is indeed as described. At the foot of the mountain stands a stone monument, beside it is a temple, and behind it grows a lush, golden-leaved "Prosperous Flower Tree".

Yao Yin strides quickly forward; this is the Yao Clan Hero Monument. It’s used for venerating talented heroes of the Yao Clan, with inscription poetry from past family leaders, commenting on merits and faults. Yao Yin reads through carefully, sweeping dry leaves from the monument.

Li Xian accompanies as an observer, silently reading the inscriptions, thinking: "These figures are the trendsetters of Jade City, causing waves in the wind. To be commemorated by later generations, they must have made contributions, worthy of admiration and worship after death, enough to be satisfied."

After cleaning the monument, they proceed to the Yao Clan temple. Suspended high is the "Yao Ancestors’ Plaque", with a large incense burner standing in the center. The air is filled with incense smoke, where three "Long-lasting Incense Sticks" burn steadily. Yao Yin says, "You are fortunate indeed, if not for accompanying me, such a place, like you as a common lad, would be unlikely to see."

She turns her hand to take out an exquisitely made cylinder, inlaid with gold and jade, adorned with black paint. Inside it carries three "Long-lasting Incense Sticks". Yao Yin lights the incense for worship, to pay homage to the ancestors of the Yao Clan.

So it turns out...

The Yao Clan temple is situated in a remote area; short incense burns for three years, long incense for ten years. As long as the incense in the Yao temple remains unbroken, with Yao descendants offering incense regularly, it naturally indicates that talents emerge in great numbers, and the family thrives.

The Yao Clan has strong incense offerings, but mostly short incense, with few long ones. At first glance, the few long incense sticks seem to open a new world, standing tall and sheltering the short incense beneath them.

Having completed her worship at the temple, Yao Yin exits through the back door. The Prosperous Flower Tree looks as if molded from gold, yet is naturally grown. Golden leaves cover the ground, with countless red brocade bags hanging from the branches.

The gold and red contrast, the setting sun’s rays shining across, all very eye-catching.

Yao Yin waters the tree, taking out her life brocade bag. The brocade bags are woven by parents, each with different designs and intentions. The brocade bags for males contain jade, and those for females contain hair. Hung among the tree branches, one’s ancestors’ blessings can be enjoyed.

Li Xian rises from Qingning County and associate with places such as the "Prefecture City Lin Family," "Prefecture City Yuwen Family," "Prefecture City Cao Family," "Brocade City Luo Family,"... having shallow ties with these local noble families. Yet whenever he interacts with them, he is just a fleeting visitor, never delving deeply. His knowledge of noble families remains superficial.

Having now witnessed and understood, experienced the rituals and family teachings once through, he reflects deeply: "No wonder the descendants of noble families often take pride in their clan. Such family teachings, grand and profound, are hard for regular families to match. The Yao clan members take this step to understand the ancestors’ hardship, feel the generations’ efforts in upliftment, leading to today’s success. Naturally, they hold their family in higher regard. However, I, as a free spirit, ultimately do not favor such entrapment."

Having completed the rituals, they proceed to obtain "Mud Body Grass". The Mud Body Grass is vine-shaped, growing three hundred zhang high on the Yao Clan peak. The area is extremely steep, with fierce winds.

However, both are masters of martial arts, working cooperatively, making it not too difficult. They first climb to the peak’s summit. Li Xian holds a rope at the summit to assist. Yao Yin wraps the rope around her waist, leaping down the mountain wall to harvest it.

Her lightweight skill is exceptional, climbing walls and roofs effortlessly. Though the terrain is high and dangerous, she can easily navigate past it. She soon harvests the "Mud Body Grass" and descends the Yao Clan peak together.

Yao Yin achieves great success, not overly jubilant, cupping her hands to thank Li Xian. Although the journey’s obstacles weren’t significant, with her martial arts prowess, she could resolve them. Yet without Li Xian’s help, she imagines many issues could arise, leading to confusion and unpredictability, possibly getting lost in the deep hills.

Li Xian’s contributions are difficult to quantify, but cannot be overlooked. Accompanying Li Xian, chatting leisurely along the way, provides entertainment and interest, relieving monotony. Yet upon deeper thought, traveling with Li Xian has inconveniences. Sharing the wilderness between a man and a woman, differences arise; bathing and other matters become troublesome.

Fortunately, the journey is short, taking only two days. A bit of patience suffices to endure. If deepening further into the wilderness, the differences between genders may necessitate some relaxation, and sincere straightforwardness cannot be avoided.

After descending to the foot of the mountain, late night soon fell. Li Xian knows well the night hazards, deceitful beasts lurking, and though martial arts accompanies him, caution cannot be dismissed. He proposes staying in the temple for the night, setting off the next morning to quickly return to the city.

Yao Yin readily agrees, and with Li Xian, they lay down mats in the temple. Outside, the wind howls ominously, loudly disturbing. Yao Yin tidies her attire against a jade pillar, lightly rotating her ankles, wishing to free her boots for some relief. But casting a sidelong glance at Li Xian, she restrains herself anew.

Suppressing her impatience, she quickly lies down to sleep.

Li Xian gently wipes his wooden spear, vigilant of the surroundings beside the temple. Five strands of hair mark different spots, his attention focused, taking everything in.

During the dark night, Celestial Screen Mountain indeed stirs with many anomalies, containing plenty of dangers, as Li Xian gazes into the depths, faintly hearing waves of "laughter" echoing, with countless objects dancing in the air. Not birds or beasts... yet resembling moths.

Also observing, tree vines extend slowly and suddenly pierce through exotic beast flesh, draining them to death. Sensing through the ground, he understands that peculiar entities traverse the area intermittently.

Li Xian muses, "If we were to venture another dozen miles deeper, the hazards would certainly multiply several times! Fortunately, the Yao Clan peak is located here; although deep, it’s not at the heart. Otherwise, I would not accompany further."

Perhaps it’s due to good fortune, or the ancestors’ protection, the night remains calm and peaceful.

Li Xian solemnly states, "Celestial Screen Mountain is no joke, we must leave promptly today."

Yao Yin inquires, "What have you discovered?" Li Xian shakes his head, saying, "Although nothing specific, it’s better to be cautious." Yao Yin responds, "Alright! In this aspect, I will heed your advice!"