Mountain's Riddle: The Eternity Candle

In the heart of the ancient land of Xia, there lay a mountain so steep and enigmatic that it was said to be the abode of the gods. Its name was Kunlun, and it was the very first mountain mentioned in the sacred texts known as the "Shan Hai Jing" or "Classic of Mountains and Seas." The peak of Kunlun was the highest point in the world, and from its summit, the clouds kissed the sky. It was said that the winds that swept from the summit were the whispers of the gods themselves.

Among the many tales of Kunlun was one that spoke of a riddle, a riddle so profound that it held the key to eternity. The riddle was whispered through the ages, passed down from generation to generation, but it was never fully understood. It was a riddle that only a chosen one could solve, and it was said that the one who did would live forever.

In the bustling city of Loyang, there lived a young scribe named Lin. Lin was not just any scribe; he was a man of great intellect and a soul that yearned for the mysteries of the world. He spent his days copying scrolls and his nights studying the ancient texts, hoping to uncover the secrets of the cosmos. It was during one such night, as he delved into the "Shan Hai Jing," that he stumbled upon the riddle of Kunlun.

Lin's heart raced as he read the words, "Who dares to ascend Kunlun, to face the Mountain's Riddle, and to hold the Candle of Eternity?" The question haunted him, and he knew that it was his destiny to seek out the answer. With the resolve of a man on a quest, he set out to find Kunlun, the mountain that held the key to eternity.

His journey was long and arduous. He traversed through treacherous deserts, crossed icy rivers, and climbed the steepest mountains. Along the way, he encountered creatures of myth and legend, from the Qilin, a benevolent beast of good fortune, to the Xiezhi, a creature that could change its form and was said to be a harbinger of great events.

As Lin neared the summit of Kunlun, he found himself in a valley shrouded in mist. The air was thick with the scent of ancient pines, and the silence was so profound that it seemed to echo the whispers of the gods. In the center of the valley stood a large, ancient tree, its bark etched with ancient symbols. It was here that Lin encountered the final challenge, the Mountain's Riddle itself.

The riddle was simple yet complex: "I am not a river, nor a sea, nor a mountain, nor a tree. I am the essence of life itself. I am the beginning and the end. I am the past, the present, and the future. What am I?"

Lin pondered the riddle for days, his mind racing with possibilities. It was during a moment of deep reflection that he realized the answer was not a thing, but a state of being. It was life itself. With this revelation, he felt the weight of the world lift from his shoulders, and he understood that the key to eternity was not to live forever, but to live fully.

As Lin looked up at the summit, he saw a flickering light. It was the Candle of Eternity, a single flame that burned with an ancient magic. He approached the candle, feeling a profound connection to the world and the universe. With a deep breath, he took the candle and felt a surge of energy course through his veins.

But just as he was about to take a step back, he felt a hand on his shoulder. It was the Qilin, the creature he had encountered earlier. "You have found the answer, young scribe," it said. "But remember, the true key to eternity lies not in the flame, but in the journey itself."

Lin looked at the Qilin, understanding the wisdom in its words. He turned back to the Candle of Eternity, but instead of taking it, he placed it gently on the ground. He turned and began his descent, knowing that the journey was his true reward.

As he walked away, the candle began to fade, its light extinguishing itself. Lin looked back once more, and in the distance, he saw the summit of Kunlun, now bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. He smiled, knowing that he had found the answer to the Mountain's Riddle, and that he had lived his life to the fullest.

The story of Lin and the Candle of Eternity spread far and wide, becoming a legend that would be told for generations. It was a tale of wisdom, of the journey, and of the true meaning of eternity. And so, the riddle of Kunlun continued to be whispered through the ages, a reminder that the key to life is not in the pursuit of immortality, but in the pursuit of living fully.