China, Jiangxi Province, Lushan City
"Viewed head-on, a mountain range; viewed sideways, a peak—"
"Near or far, high or low, its aspects never repeat."
"The true face of Mount Lu remains unknown—"
"Only because I stand amidst its slopes!"
The name "Lushan" was legendary among the people of China. Many ancient poets and scholars had praised this mountain, immortalizing its breathtaking beauty in timeless verses.
In Roy's original world, he had never visited Lushan. Yet in this world, despite its fame, the mountain stood desolate and forgotten. Even in Lushan City, few tourists could be seen.
The reason was simple—over a century ago, a Demon King had taken residence here. To prevent unwary visitors from accidentally trespassing and angering the sect leader, Luo Hao, the Five Mountains Holy Sect had laid down a grand formation deep within the mountain, barring entry. The government had further cooperated by establishing a military perimeter, cutting off access to ordinary people.
Roy could only sigh inwardly at this. While this approach preserved all the natural features of Mount Lu, maintaining its wild pastoral beauty and untainted atmosphere free from human pollution, it also meant humanity lost the chance to appreciate one of nature's masterpieces. Whether this trade-off was worthwhile remained debatable.
"Uncle! Yinghua has been waiting here for you!"
At Mount Lu Airport, as Roy's private jet touched down, he was greeted by a delegation from the Five Mountains Holy Sect led by Lu Yinghua. The young man stepped forward with a cheerful grin, cupping his hands in salute.
"You've gone to trouble, Ying'er! Since I've arrived in Mount Lu territory, let's proceed directly to where the sect leader resides."
Roy wasted no time with pleasantries. Turning to Erica and Liliana, he instructed, "...Erica, Lily, you two stay in the city proper and await my return."
The two Italian girls nodded in understanding, standing proudly on either side of Roy. As representatives of the King of Europe here, they couldn't afford to appear anything less than dignified.
Lu Yinghua exhaled quietly in relief at Roy's arrangement. He'd genuinely worried Roy might bring these young women deep into Mount Lu's heartland. After all, Sect Leader Luo Hao hadn't extended invitations to Liliana or Erica. Discovering their unauthorized presence in her domain would certainly provoke her wrath.
'People say Uncle is stubborn and acts arbitrarily, but compared to Master, he's practically the embodiment of reason and principle!'
The young disciple marveled inwardly. Having witnessed Roy's conduct and comparing it to Luo Hao's, the difference between them was like heaven and earth. As Luo Hao's student, he knew better than anyone how difficult his master could be.
"Don't worry, Uncle! Our Five Mountains Holy Sect will ensure these two elder sisters are treated as honored guests!" Lu Yinghua said with an ingratiating smile.
"Who are you calling 'elder sister'?" Erica glared. The implication that she and Liliana were somehow older clearly rankled—even sixteen-year-old girls cared about such things.
Pretending not to hear, Lu Yinghua bowed slightly and gestured respectfully, "...This way please, Uncle."
...
Within Mount Lu's boundaries, both Roy and Lu Yinghua traversed the peaks without touching ground. The young disciple moved with exceptional grace, his toes barely brushing flower stamens and grass tips as he flitted butterfly-like through the landscape, expertly guiding the way.
Roy followed effortlessly, each step spanning impossible distances as he walked upon empty air. This technique was known in China as "Divine Foot Travel," while Western magic had similar methods. Most Campiones considered magic useless after obtaining authorities, abandoning its study—except Luo Hao, who had perfected both taoist arts and martial techniques.
Roy wasn't so narrow-minded. Authorities were merely advanced magic after all. A magus's arts weren't worthless—even his secret method against the Last King was essentially a grand ritual, an immense working of magic...
Naturally, as a seeker of wisdom and knowledge, Roy's mastery of magic surpassed imagination.
"How thoughtful of you, Uncle, to change into these robes."
Lu Yinghua glanced back at Roy, who was following closely behind, and couldn't help but voice his admiration.
Roy had now changed into a set of Hanfu attire, his silver hair fluttering halfway in the wind with an untamed wildness reminiscent of Chu. His double pupils exuded an overwhelming majesty and dominance—just meeting his gaze sent chills down one's spine. His radiant aura resembled that of a king, or perhaps a conqueror, perfectly embodying the world's perception of a Campione.
Roy smiled faintly without speaking. Truthfully, he had always been fond of ancient Chinese attire. However, his current power system was diametrically opposed to the Chinese tradition, so he usually wore lavish European-style garments, often even clerical robes.
But today, since he was coming to meet Luo Hao, Roy had taken the opportunity to indulge in a bit of cosplay, dressing as an ancient Chinese noble.
Seeing Roy remain silent, Lu Yinghua dared not speak further. Every time he caught sight of Roy's eerie double pupils, he felt a shiver of awe. In China, double pupils were considered the mark of a sage, and Lu Yinghua sometimes found himself thinking, "No wonder Uncle Roy is a Campione."
Mount Lu boasted 171 peaks, but Roy and Lu Yinghua moved swiftly. Before long, they arrived at the most famous landmark—the Three-Step Waterfall.
Amid the cascading waters of the hundred-meter-high waterfall stood a small, elegant bamboo hut, pristine and refined, embodying the noble spirit of bamboo.
"Flying waters descend straight three thousand feet,"
"Like the Silver River plunging from the ninth heaven!"
This was the very waterfall immortalized by Li Bai's poetry—the celestial Silver River.
"Ying'er, now that you've escorted our esteemed guest, you may leave."
A voice as melodious as a celestial oriole drifted from the bamboo hut.
Lu Yinghua immediately knelt and paid his respects to Luo Hao before swiftly departing without a backward glance. He knew that if he dared to hesitate even a moment, he wouldn't be leaving on his own two feet—Luo Hao's Lion's Roar would send him flying.
As soon as Lu Yinghua vanished, the sound of a zither arose. The melody flowed like a gentle breeze through a forest spring, delicate and enchanting amidst the roaring waterfall, as graceful and noble as a vibrant butterfly.
The bamboo door swung open without a breeze, and the voice of the sect master rang out once more:
"...Dear brother, please come in! Your sister has prepared fine wine and delicacies for you."
Through the faint mist of the waterfall, Roy caught sight of a woman in palace robes seated inside the hut, playing the zither. No wonder Luo Hao had hurried Lu Yinghua away—she didn't want him to see her in this softer, more feminine guise.
***
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