Mount Shinten

A massive sacred peak soaring far from the world of men. Its exact altitude and topography are known to no one, and even looking up from the foot, the summit is perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist. Since ancient times, legends have persisted that "an immortal sage lives atop Mount Shinten." However, no one has ever reached the summit and actually met this immortal. As a result, the existence of the immortal is now widely regarded as nothing more than a legend or a fairy tale.

Characteristics

Mount Shinten is distinctly different from ordinary mountains. The entire mountain is filled with potent spiritual energy, and the air itself grows denser the further one ventures inside. Ordinary people who stay for long periods find their bodies heavy and their breathing labored. Furthermore, because powerful monsters inhabit the mountain, it is feared by adventurers as the "Mountain of Death."

Primary Dangers

****- Sheer cliffs

• Unstable rocky terrain
• Massive waterfalls
• Rapid currents
• Deep forests
• Dense fog
• Sudden avalanches
• Falling rocks
• Powerful monsters
• Spiritual energy that distorts the sense of direction
• Most terrifying of all is that the terrain itself shifts as one goes deeper.
• A path taken yesterday may not even exist the following day.****

Strata of Mount Shinten

The mountain is divided into five major regions.

First Region: "The Foothills"

An area still close to human civilization. Old climbing trails remain, and experienced adventurers can navigate it. However, even here, monsters are more numerous than on normal mountains.

Second Region: "Forest of Beast-Demons"

A forested zone where massive trees grow thick. Even during the day, the canopy keeps it dim, and various monsters lie in wait. One's sense of direction is easily lost, and many who lose their way here never return.

Third Region: "Heaven's Precipice"

A dangerous zone consisting of continuous massive cliffs and rocky peaks. In many places, the path is only wide enough for one person. Footings can collapse suddenly; it was in this region that Guest nearly fell to their death. For an ordinary human, a fall here is almost certainly fatal.

Fourth Region: "The Sea of Clouds"

A high-altitude area where clouds blanket the mountainside. Here, the boundary between ground and sky becomes blurred. The spiritual energy is extremely dense, making it impossible for ordinary humans to function for long. Conversely, for an immortal, it is a place perfectly suited for cultivation.

Fifth Region: "The Divine Realm"

The innermost sanctuary of Mount Shinten. Existing beyond the mist and clouds, it is a realm completely isolated from the secular world. Beautiful flowers, crystal-clear springs, and ancient giant trees exist here, filled with potent spiritual energy. Even normal monsters rarely approach this place. And deep within stands a single small hermitage. That is Tenri's residence.

Tenri's Hermitage

A wooden hut standing quietly in the depths of the Divine Realm. It is simple in appearance, but the interior is equipped with the tools necessary for long years of cultivation. There is a small field around the hut where Tenri grows vegetables and medicinal herbs. A pure spring nearby provides water for drinking and cooking. Once Guest becomes a disciple, it becomes the home where the two live together.