Youth Must Be Seized Early; How Could One Remain Young Forever Chapter 126: Sunlight on the Waterfall

"Wow! Are there really so many people here?" Meng Li couldn't help but exclaim as she looked out over the crowd that blanketed the mountainside.

Many figures stood on the peaks ahead. Numerous cultivators had already secured their spots; some sat in solitary meditation, while others gathered in groups, laughing and talking loudly. It was a lively, bustling scene. In the air, many more cultivators maneuvered their flying artifacts, striving to find the best vantage point.

"It is said that the Fire Waterfall is incredibly difficult to form. It requires abundant runoff from the mountain streams, saturated spiritual energy, and just the right angle of sunlight to create this once-in-a-century spectacle. People from all around come to witness it, so it's only natural that it's this crowded," Wei Jun explained from the side.

Bai Qingzhou looked up. About a mile away, a mountain over seven hundred zhang high stood tall. Its summit was covered in a pristine, white expanse of snow—a grand, snowy peak—but there was no sign of water anywhere.

"It seems there is no waterfall to be seen, though?" Bai Qingzhou asked aloud.

"Hahaha, take a look, Brother Bai," Wei Jun chuckled, pointing toward the mountain peak. "The source of the waterfall is at the summit. There is no waterfall right now because the snow hasn't melted yet. The waterfall needs the meltwater from the snowy peak to form, and it isn't quite time yet."

"I see," Bai Qingzhou nodded immediately. Retracting his gaze, he smiled and said, "Then let's find a spot and wait."

"Agreed."

The group began searching for a place to settle. It took about half a stick of incense's time before they found a decent viewing spot halfway up the mountain, where they could see the entire panorama of the snow-capped peak opposite them.

"This will do!" Bai Qingzhou decided.

The four of them descended on their flying artifacts, cleared the dirt from the ground with a simple wind spell, and sat down casually.

"Here, have something to eat!" Meng Li, in high spirits, opened her storage bag and produced an array of food. She had specifically bought various desserts and pastries from the market earlier.

"Fellow Daoist Meng is truly thoughtful!" Wei Jun said with a look of pleasant surprise, then added, "Whoever marries you would truly be blessed for a lifetime!"

"It's nothing really..." Meng Li replied modestly, lowering her head as she cast a sidelong glance at Bai Qingzhou beside her.

Bai Qingzhou laughed heartily and picked up a piece of pastry. "Indeed, I agree with Brother Wei."

Upon hearing this, Meng Li’s face turned crimson. She lowered her head even further, remaining silent. Seeing her reaction, a glint of mischief flashed in Wei Jun’s eyes, clearly pleased with his own wit.

"Brother Wei, would you like some wine?" Bai Qingzhou asked, taking a gourd from his storage bag.

Wei Jun waved his hand. "Thank you, Brother Bai, but unfortunately, I don't drink, so I won't waste your fine wine."

"Very well, then I shall drink it myself."

Bai Qingzhou didn't press the matter. He took a bite of pastry, then lifted the wine gourd and took a deep swig of the spiritual wine. The sharp, spicy taste made him frown slightly before his expression softened. A warmth spread through his belly, and a feeling of contentment surged in his chest.

Wei Jun laughed from the side, "A swordsman with wine—Brother Bai, you are truly peerless in your boldness!"

"Brother Wei, you flatter me," Bai Qingzhou said, wiping his mouth as he asked with a smile, "By the way, when does the Fire Waterfall actually appear?"

Meng Li, who had been looking down, suddenly raised her head. "I heard from other cultivators that the Fire Waterfall only appears at sunset. We should still have about two hours to wait."

"I see. Then we shall just have to wait patiently."

The group began to chat, eating and drinking as they waited for the wonder to appear. Time trickled by, and more people arrived from all directions. The crowd grew larger, and before long, every good viewing spot on the peaks was taken. Those who arrived late had no choice but to hover in the high air on their flying artifacts, waiting slowly.

With so many people, the air was filled with the chatter of various cultivators. Everyone had a relaxed expression, clearly here to enjoy the outing.

Before long.

"It’s starting! Everyone, look! The snow is melting!" someone suddenly shouted, pointing at the top of the mountain.

The shout immediately drew the attention of many cultivators, and everyone turned their eyes toward the summit. Bai Qingzhou and his companions were no exception.

They looked up to see snowmelt cascading down from the white peak. It drifted through the air, but because the volume was so small, it couldn't form a forceful current, and the water was scattered by the strong winds before it could reach the ground.

Seeing this, Meng Li asked in confusion, "Is that all the water there is? What kind of waterfall is this?"

Wei Jun smiled mysteriously. "Of course not. Just wait a little longer; the flow should pick up soon!"

The group waited in silence. Sure enough, not long after, the water flow began to increase just as Wei Jun had predicted.

"The water is getting stronger! Look!" exclamations rang out from the surrounding cultivators.

As the snow melted, the flow intensified. The meltwater rushed down, appearing like a thick thread against the sheer cliffs. The waterfall plunged straight down, as if slicing the seven-hundred-zhang mountain in two, a truly magnificent sight.

Seeing this, Bai Qingzhou’s eyes widened. "Even if this weren't the Fire Waterfall, this cascade alone is worth the trip!"

Before his words had even faded, a nearby cultivator shouted, "Look! Look! The sunlight is slanting across!"

The sun, which had been slowly descending in the west, began to cast its rays directly onto the scene. As soon as the sunlight touched the top of the snow-capped mountain, it seemed to ignite the waterfall, instantly imbuing it with dreamlike colors.

"The waterfall is changing color!"
"This is my first time seeing an orange-red waterfall!"
"Wow!"

The crowd was struck with awe. The melted snow surged from the summit of the Jade Peak, refracting the golden rays of the setting sun, cascading down the cliffside like a river of molten lava rolling from the heavens.

"Wow! It really is a Fire Waterfall!"
"This beauty makes the thousand-mile journey worth it!"
"Quick, use a Picture Talisman to capture the memory!"

The breathtaking scene sparked endless exclamations. Bai Qingzhou was also moved, murmuring to himself, "If someone didn't know better, they would truly be unable to tell whether it was lava or water..."

Meng Li stared intently at the Fire Waterfall, lost in thought. "From a distance, it looks like a fire dragon hanging between the mountains..."

"Hahaha, this is truly one of the wonders of the world!" Wei Jun laughed, holding his wife close.

As the sun sank lower, the waterfall radiated a soft red glow. The entire cascade was illuminated by the sunlight, and because the color of the snowy peak blended with the sky, the red waterfall looked as if it were pouring out from a tear in the heavens. It was mesmerizing, leaving everyone feeling refreshed and enchanted.

Seeing this, Bai Qingzhou raised his wine gourd, took a deep drink, and gazed at the distant Fire Waterfall. His eyes were bright.