Liu Littlefish

“Gentlemen, were you satisfied with the banquet just now?”

“Very satisfied, especially that dish of white meat—it had everything: color, fragrance, and flavor. Honestly, it might be the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”

“Haha, that white meat is the signature dish of our Li Manor, famous far and wide.”

After the lavish hospitality, Steward Cui again led Chu Liang and Lin Bei on a leisurely stroll through Li Manor. The scenery here was exquisite; the gardens elegant, rocks and trees scattered with tasteful refinement, pavilions and towers hidden among them.

Lin Bei turned back and whispered to Chu Liang, “You know, if I leave Mount Shu one day, opening a manor like this below the mountain wouldn’t be bad—free and easy.”

Chu Liang smiled, “I’d prefer to stay on the mountain.”

“That’s so dull.” Lin Bei replied, “If my cultivation journey ever comes to a halt, I’ll go down the mountain and open a brothel. I won’t even run it as a business—just amuse myself inside every day.”

“How is that any different from just marrying several wives?” Chu Liang half scorned, half puzzled.

Lin Bei replied righteously, “Being with your own wife and with someone else’s wife—it’s a completely different feeling!”

Chu Liang: “?”

Their banter revealed a truth.

Each generation of Mount Shu disciples numbers from hundreds to even thousands in their youth. After years of growth, aside from the thirty-six peak lords and some core members, most disciples eventually leave Mount Shu.

Cultivation is an endless journey; even though Mount Shu only admits the talented, everyone eventually reaches their limit. Some cannot break through at the Divine Intention stage; some stop at the Golden Core stage; some give up entirely at the Five Elements stage…

Those whose cultivation stalls often seek new lives. Chu Liang thinks of this as “graduation.”

Those with lesser cultivation might run small businesses or serve as retainers for wealthy families, living well on Mount Shu’s reputation. Those with greater cultivation can establish their own sects and develop minor schools.

By now, the myriad small sects born from the Nine Heavens and Ten Lands are too numerous to count. The mainstream cultivation world is made up of these great sects and their offshoots. Outside this circle, practitioners are often called non-mainstream.

Chu Liang himself is not eager to leave Mount Shu. Ideally, he’d break through to the Seeking Dao stage, become a true powerhouse, and achieve “cultivation freedom.” Then he could run for a peak lord position, take on a couple of talented disciples, and live a stable life.

As Steward Cui led them past a high corridor, they happened upon a courtyard below where a group of young women had gathered, seemingly for some sort of selection.

Several organizers sat at the front, while the young girls took turns performing dances. Most were slender, graceful, and delightful to watch.

“It’s much better down here. Where would you ever see a scene like this on Mount Shu?” Lin Bei couldn’t help but laugh.

Chu Liang asked, “What are they doing?”

“Oh,” Steward Cui replied, “they’re selecting dancers to accompany Lady Xue’s performance. When the musicians play different pieces, singers or dancers will assist on stage. We don’t have regular performers at Li Manor, so we have to select them temporarily.”

“No wonder there are so many beautiful girls. The chance to dance alongside Xue Lingxue isn’t just given to anyone—probably every talented dancer in town has come.” Lin Bei remarked, suddenly his eyes lit up, “That little girl is truly beautiful.”

He didn’t need to point her out; Chu Liang had noticed the girl as soon as she stepped onto the stage.

The previous dancer had just been criticized harshly by the judges and left in tears. As she exited, something bright and colorful entered their view.

The little girl wore a radiant, multicolored dress, dazzling to look at. Her skin was as white as mutton-fat jade. Her hair was loosely gathered, a bit messy, her brows delicate, her eyes large and blinking with innocence.

Her gaze seemed vacant, but her aura was irresistibly full of spirit. Evening had already fallen, the surroundings dim, but with her arrival it felt as though sunlight had returned.

“My name is Liu Xiaoyu…”

Her voice was timid, as if scared, which made her seem all the more pitiable.

The chief judge, a woman of forty or fifty, was the most authoritative dance master in South Gate City and had once studied at the Southern Music House. Her expression had been stern and her tone severe, but upon seeing Liu Xiaoyu, she unconsciously softened. “Little girl, what dances can you perform?”

“I… I don’t really know how to dance…” Liu Xiaoyu blinked her big eyes.

“That’s alright. Just show us the dance steps you’ve learned.” The judge spoke gently.

“Okay…” Liu Xiaoyu nodded softly.

She crossed her fingers, reversed her hands, and then began swaying her hips, left and right, wiggling each way.

Then she stood still.

“Alright, now that you’re warmed up, go ahead and start dancing.” Another judge encouraged.

Liu Xiaoyu stared blankly and replied, “I’m finished.”

“… Silence.”

The chief dance master was quiet for a long moment before speaking, “Little girl, I like you very much, but we are selecting dancers… You really won’t do.”

“What should I do…” Liu Xiaoyu’s mouth curled down, tears threatening to fall.

“Mastery of dance isn’t achieved overnight. But… your voice sounds pleasant—why not try singing instead? Choose to be a singer.” The chief judge even offered advice.

“That’s fine.” Liu Xiaoyu nodded softly.

The song judge spoke up, “Come here, learn this line from me: ‘Candlelight flickers red, flames pierce the window, after the rain comes cold—’”

“Mm…” The little girl listened once, then sang, “Candlelight, flickering red flames pierce the window, after the rain comes—”

“Stop!” The song judge immediately interrupted.

“Mm…” The little girl instantly fell silent.

“Sorry…” The judge apologized, “It’s just that none of your notes were on pitch—I couldn’t help myself…”

“It’s alright—even if you held back, I couldn’t.” The chief dance master sighed, “Little girl, you’re really not suited for this. Go find something else to do.”

“Huh?” Liu Xiaoyu’s mouth curled again, “Is there really no chance for me to stay? I can learn if I don’t know…”

The chief judge turned away, her expression full of regret, “Guards, escort her out.”

The little girl cried as several guards hustled her away.

Watching the spectacle, Lin Bei shook his head in sympathy.

“What a pity,” he said, “If she could sing or dance even halfway decently, she’d probably have been chosen.”

“Yes, that little girl would surely be a crowd favorite if she could take the stage.” Steward Cui, drawing on years of experience as a fan, made a precise judgment.

Chu Liang, watching the two engrossed in the selection scene, looked up at the sky and murmured quietly, “Am I the only one concerned about when the monster will appear?”