Chapter 79: Su Chichi's Journey Down the Mountain - I Forged Them in Darkness, and They Buried Me in It

### Chapter 79: Su Chichi's Journey Down the Mountain In the mountains, time fades to nothing, with the cold passing by unnoticed year after year. For cultivators who often retreat into meditation for long stretches, the passage of time becomes even more elusive. Only the gradual growth of a young girl serves as a reminder to Chen An. Su Chichi is growing rapidly—she reached the Qi Condensation stage at nine, established her Foundation at eleven, and now, having just come of age, she stands at the late stage of Foundation Establishment. Chen An estimates that, barring unexpected events, Su Chichi might form her Core before turning twenty. A Core Formation cultivator is a formidable presence, even across the vast expanse of the land. With such prowess, one could easily establish a sect in a quiet corner of the world. It was during this year that Su Chichi found Chen An in his abode. "Master, I want to go down the mountain." The girl clung to Chen An's arm, her eyes bright, and her appearance had grown ever more striking. The roundness on her youthful cheeks had slowly faded. While her spirit remained lively, she no longer darted around the valley like a mischievous monkey. She now stood tall and graceful at a glance. Chen An slowly opened his eyes, slightly surprised. "I didn't expect you to hold out for so long." For someone as naturally lively as Su Chichi, being content in the mountains for this long far exceeded Chen An's expectations. But Chen An shook his head. This marked the first time he refused a request from Su Chichi. The girl pursed her lips in confusion but still wished to bargain. "Master~ Are you worried something might happen to me if I go down the mountain? Why don't you come with me, just like in the beginning?" Chen An looked at her and softly said, "Wait a bit longer." Wait for what? How long? Chen An didn’t say, because he didn’t know either. The thought of going down the mountain, like the weeds outside the valley, grew in her heart day by day. She often gazed towards the horizon, with a hint of an indescribable longing in her eyes. What once seemed an immensely vast lake to young Su Chichi now appeared much smaller. Of course, the lake hadn't changed; it was her heart yearning for the world beyond the mountains that had. Chen An knew he couldn't confine her any longer. Fortunately, in this last lifetime, he had learned to collect his emotions, maintaining a heart as still as water. Without fostering any hope, he would likewise avoid disappointment. Upon reaching the age of twenty, Su Chichi naturally broke through to the next realm. A twenty-year-old Core Formation cultivator would be enough to stun the entire land. Yet, due to living in seclusion with her master for so long, Su Chichi remained unaware of her own strength. Her only comparison was the fact that the tiger spirit couldn't defeat her anymore. With no worthy opponent, life in the mountains grew increasingly tedious for Su Chichi. She couldn’t possibly take her master as a sparring partner, could she? Though she considered herself extraordinarily gifted and unlike ordinary people since she was young, she wasn't foolish enough to invite her own embarrassment. She once curiously asked her master about his cultivation level and received a somewhat indifferent reply. "Possibly, probably, it's the Great Accomplishment stage." When her master said this, his tone was slightly uncertain. Su Chichi's eyes widened. Although she had never left the mountains, her master had taught her the basics. The Great Accomplishment stage is the pinnacle of a cultivator's lifelong pursuit. Beyond it, there might or might not be more. For in the history extending over billions of years, none have surpassed the Great Accomplishment stage. Su Chichi marveled internally, "Master, you are amazing. Doesn’t that mean no one can defeat you or kill you?" The question was somewhat impertinent. But Chen An was not angry. After a brief silence, he smiled, "People, no matter how mighty, are still mortal." At the time, Su Chichi couldn't comprehend this. Who could possibly harm her incredibly powerful master? By June of the same year, Su Chichi finally realized her desire, obtaining her master's permission to journey down the mountain alone. Initially, she planned out ways to convince Chen An to accompany her down the mountain. However, Chen An refused, simply saying, "You will grow up eventually; I can accompany you for a while, but not for a lifetime." "Besides, isn't that how it always goes in novels? The protagonist hones unparalleled skills in the mountains, then descends to astonish the world, dominating effortlessly." Su Chichi pursed her lips, looked at him pitiably, and said, "I don’t want to be a protagonist. Master, why don't you just come with me for some fun?" "And you're so powerful, exceedingly skilled. Surely you could accompany me for a lifetime?" Her pleading manner as she tugged at his arm left Chen An momentarily dazed. For it seemed that in some distant memory, there was another girl who had done the same to him, right at the perfect moment. But Chen An shook his head again, refusing once more. Su Chichi was deeply puzzled why her ever-indulgent master stood so firmly on this matter. She recalled her younger days when no matter how absurd or excessive her demands, her master never refused. For example, playing with mud together, climbing trees, and countless other foolish and unreliable activities. Yet her master never placed himself on a celestial pedestal nor asked her to be more obedient. But when it came to leaving the mountain, he refused her outright—twice. However, nothing could possibly quell her intrigue for the bustling world below. Her years of secluded cultivation in the valley had grown too long, so much so that she had become tired of everything except her master. Sometimes she wondered if perhaps she had not tired of her master not because there was some profound bond between them, but simply because he was easy on the eyes. Su Chichi was keenly aware of this. That evening, with her skirts fluttering, she left, looking back every few steps. Chen An stood at the mouth of the valley, watching her departing figure with a calm demeanor. A little later, a massive tiger head peeked out from the woods. Upon seeing the girl disappear into the distance, it joyfully started bouncing in place. It pranced around Chen An, rubbing against his hands and pant legs now and then. Acting more like an affectionate house cat than a formidable mountain creature. The orange sunset cast a golden hue on Chen An's figure. He stood quietly, gazing in a certain direction, unsure whether he was watching someone or something beyond the sky. The girl did not look back. Chen An knew why she didn't. Because if she stopped, she might never leave. Dusk deepens into nightfall. Chen An gently patted the tiger head at his side, softly saying, "Let's go." As his hand grazed the tiger, its body began to glow faintly. ... ... It was just a brief separation, and she would soon return. The girl reassured herself as she playfully waved a small fist at the sky, her heart lightening. From then on, the valley had one less charming young girl. And the vast world of cultivation below gained a heroine known for walking the path of justice, deeply predisposed to slay demons and eradicate evil. Rumor had it this heroine especially despised those of the demonic path. (Chapter end)