I served as Li Bai's page.

After bidding farewell to Longxi Academy, the three of us headed towards Xiaokuang Mountain along the Pingtong River, a tributary of the Fujiang River.

As I stepped onto the bank of the Pingtong River, I asked curiously, "Young Master, did you meet the old woman who ground an iron pestle into a needle on this riverbank?"

Li Bai laughed heartily: "As long as you're willing to do it, you'll find old women everywhere grinding iron pestles into needles."

Li Yangbing asked curiously, "Yuehua, why did you ask such a question?"

"Young master, this is a legend that has been passed down for thousands of years. It tells of a young man who, when he was very young, only knew how to play all day and didn't study properly. One day, while playing by the river, he saw an old woman sharpening a very thick iron pestle on a whetstone. The young man went up to her and asked, 'Grandma, what are you sharpening this iron pestle for?' The old woman replied, 'I'm going to grind this iron pestle into a needle.' The young man didn't believe her, but after some time, he came to the river again and saw that the old woman had indeed ground the iron pestle into a needle. From then on, the young man worked hard and studied diligently, eventually becoming a great man in history."

"Is there such a legend? How come I didn't know about it?" Li Bai and Li Yangbing asked at the same time.

"This is what I calculated. Things that will happen a thousand years from now are hard to explain in a short time." Unable to explain, I had no choice but to spur my horse forward.

As we approached Xiaokuang Mountain, we saw Wu Zhinan waiting there in the distance. After we met up, Li Bai said, "Let's go up to the Reading Terrace and take a look."

Reading Platform, also known as Little Kuang Mountain, boasts a beautiful mountain shape, resembling a writing brush pointing towards the blue sky. The mountain is covered with lush pine and cypress trees, while the Pingtong River flows below, its waters crystal clear.

The four of us climbed the Reading Platform. Li Bai walked around it once, gently stroking the Book Box Rock and the Word Library. How many beautiful memories this place held for him!

"Back then, the area around Longxi Academy was bustling with merchants and travelers. I had no choice but to find this quiet and beautiful place to study. I was as diligent as the old woman who grinds the pestle. I often studied day and night, burning the lamp. The books I read piled up like mountains, and over time they weathered into rocks, which is now the Reading Rock. The ink and brushes I used and the characters I wrote are countless. I had to make a fire pit to burn the characters I practiced. That is now the Character Library. I put in so much effort to achieve my small success today," Li Bai said with emotion.

I also sincerely exclaimed: "The reading platform still stands in the mountains, the wind sweeps away the mist and the painted screen opens. The bright moon and the clear ice vessel remain as before, when will the recluse of Qinglian come again?"

Li Bai, Li Yangbing, and Wu Zhinan all looked at me simultaneously: "What a fine poem! What a fine poem! Yuehua, we never knew you were so talented."

"It wasn't written by me; it was written by Du Guangting of the Former Shu during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms period when he ascended the Reading Terrace."

The three of them said in unison, "Never heard of it."

After lingering on the reading platform for a long time, it was nearly noon when we came down the mountain. The four of us then hurried on our horses towards the depths of Da Kuang Mountain.

Da Kuang Mountain was where Li Bai studied as a child, spending more than a decade of his academic life there.

Da Kuo Mountain is named for its basket-like shape. It is characterized by its steep terrain, deep forests and valleys, and beautiful scenery.

The four of us arrived at Daming Temple, where the monks recognized Li Bai and spread the news to each other: "The Hermit of Qinglian has returned!" The abbot of Daming Temple came out of the temple to greet him.

"Qinglian, you've arrived! Please come in." Led by the abbot, we arrived at the backyard of Daming Temple.

"Who are these two?" the host asked.

"This is my uncle, Li Yangbing, a famous calligrapher of small seal script. This is my brother-in-law, and also my good friend, Wu Zhinan," Li Bai introduced.

"A pleasure to meet you." The abbot clasped his hands together and said, "Welcome to Daming Temple."

Li Yangbing and Wu Zhinan returned the greetings one by one.

After everyone exchanged pleasantries, the temple bell rang for mealtime.

We arrived at the restaurant, where monks were performing pre-meal prayers. Li Bai then pulled us into their ranks. This must be what they mean by "when in Rome, do as the Romans do."

After the meal, the monks surrounded Li Bai, asking him all sorts of questions. Everyone was filled with curiosity and longing for the world outside the mountains. Li Bai exaggeratedly described the prosperity of the outside world, which probably made the monks lose their focus on their spiritual practice.

"Qinglian, you must not lie. Everyone has their own pursuits in life. Take good care of yourself on your journey ahead!" the abbot said.

"Thank you for your guidance, Master." Li Bai smiled shyly, knowing he was exaggerating.

On Mount Da Kuang, Li Bai led us to visit the school where he had studied diligently for ten years. Since it was lunch break, the classroom was empty. Li Bai went to the seat he used to sit in and kept stroking it with his hand, his eyes full of reluctance.

Seeing that it was getting late, we should set off. Arriving outside the school, Li Bai couldn't help but pick up his brush and write the poem "Farewell to Kuangshan": "The morning peaks are like a painting, their green peaks jagged and uneven; the shadows of vines sway in the wind, brushing against the balustrade. Many come to the wild path accompanied by dogs; those returning home at dusk are accompanied by woodcutters. A traveler watching the clouds leans against a tree where monkeys cry; a monk washing his bowl stands by the pond where cranes have vanished. Don't be surprised that I have no heart to linger in this tranquil place; I have already pledged my books and sword to the bright future."

I took out a pen from my bag and wrote this poem down. The green hills are fortunate; from now on, their fame will last for eternity.

The four of us bid farewell to Da Kuang Mountain and soon arrived at the back of Wu Family Mountain. Looking up at the highest peak, Daitian Mountain, I was filled with emotion. I couldn't help but recite Li Bai's poem, "Visiting the Taoist Priest of Daitian Mountain, but Not Finding Him": "Dogs bark amidst the sound of water, peach blossoms heavy with dew. Deer are sometimes seen deep in the woods, no bell is heard at midday by the stream. Wild bamboo parts the green mist, a flying spring hangs from the azure peak. No one knows where he has gone, I lean sadly against two or three pine trees."

Li Bai replied, "This time we won't be disappointed; our master has been waiting for us at the Taoist temple for quite some time."

When the master saw that we had arrived, he came out of the Taoist temple and led us to the backyard.

Li Bai introduced Li Yangbing and Wu Zhinan to his master, saying that the two of them would be going to Chengdu with them. His master was delighted and said, "That's good. Let's all act according to the circumstances."

After dinner, our master led us to our lodgings. Li Bai couldn't hold back any longer and asked, "Master, why didn't my junior sister come with you?"

"Master Kongming is teaching her a new sword technique; she cannot leave at this crucial moment."

"That's right, after we return to Qingcheng Mountain, I want to have a match with my junior sister."

"Alright, after all these days, let's see who has improved more."

After the master finished speaking, the two masters and disciples suddenly fell into deep thought.

"Young master, I have copied two copies of 'Ode to the Great Roc,' which will be ready to be used when we visit Lord Li in Chengdu." I entered the room, interrupting the master and apprentice's contemplation.

Li Yangbing and Wu Zhinan also came into the room and asked me in unison, "What 'Ode to the Great Roc'? Let us take a look."

I went into my room and presented the copy of "Ode to the Roc" that I had just transcribed. The three of them read it and marveled at it, exclaiming that there was such a wonderful article in the world.

"Twelve, truly a divine stroke of genius," the master exclaimed.

"My nephew Taibai, you truly are worthy of being a descendant of the Li dynasty," Li Yangbing exclaimed.

"Brother Li Bai is unrestrained and bold, and his writing is like a divine stroke. We can only look up to him in awe," Wu Zhinan sighed.

Upon hearing this, Li Bai's pride was evident in his words: "Thank you all for your praise; I will strive even harder. Do you think it would be appropriate for me to present this poem to Lord Li?"

"Of course, this is the best choice," the three said in unison.