The sun dipped behind the mountainside, casting slanted golden rays over the backs of passing geese.
On the back mountain of Houdao Village, two figures sat facing each other on the ground...
"What did you just ask me?"
"Cultivation is a bitter path. Are you afraid?"
"And before that?"
"...Do you want to cultivate?"
"No!"
Li Qingshan froze, completely dazed...
Xu Xian turned and walked away, looking as though he had reached a final decision. He didn't spare the immortal another glance.
Suffer?
He couldn't take even a bit of it!
Xu Xian had calculated his own destiny: he was fated for a life of wealth and honor, and he was strictly forbidden from enduring hardship.
In his previous life, in order to get ahead, he had spent sixteen years of bitter study, fighting his way from a remote rural village to a first-tier metropolis. In the end, he ended up tightening screws in a factory, dying young from overwork on the assembly line.
It was truly bitter!
In this life, although he had transmigrated to ancient times and was still born in the countryside, his home, Houdao Village, was isolated from the world. They paid no tribute, no taxes, hunted, farmed, and lived without worries. Most importantly, getting a wife didn't require a bride price.
He felt very happy.
In short, cultivation was fine, but suffering was absolutely out of the question.
"Cultivation? Not even a dog would do it..."
As the words reached Li Qingshan's ears, the corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably. With a flick of his sleeve, a wind rose...
The wind swept up Xu Xian just as he was preparing to head down the mountain, lifting him into mid-air.
"What are you doing?"
Li Qingshan stepped forward, crossing a hundred meters in an instant to float beside Xu Xian. His cold eyes looked deep into the boy's, and he said warmly, "You want to cultivate."
"I don't."
"You're lying."
"Are you sick in the head...?"
The immortal said no more, carrying him away on the wind. Only cries for help echoed across the back mountain of Houdao Village.
"Let me go!"
"I'm afraid of heights!"
"Someone, help!"
——————
Fanzhou, Wendao Sword Sect.
Beneath the rolling green mountains stood a crowd stretching for ten miles. Chanted announcements rose and fell in a rhythmic cadence, standing out sharply against the noisy bustle.
"Bone age thirteen, mixed water and fire spirit root. Pass! Next!"
"Bone age sixteen, too old. Come back earlier in your next life. Go home! Next!"
"No spirit root. Hope for a better rebirth next time. Next!"
"Variety ice, fire, and earth spirit root. Turn left and walk five thousand miles. There's a Falling Immortal Sword Academy there. Next..."
Some were overjoyed, dancing with delight and riding high on their success.
Some were sorrowful, beating their chests and lamenting their misfortune.
Today was the once-every-five-years disciple recruitment assembly of Wendao Sword Sect.
Any youth between the ages of ten and fifteen could participate.
Those selected could enter Wendao Sword Sect to practice, rising to greatness from then on...
However, the path of cultivation and the struggle for the Great Dao was naturally a process of one in ten, or one in a hundred.
As the number one sect in Fanzhou, Wendao Sword Sect was extremely strict in its selection of disciples.
A spirit root was the foundation.
The first stage of the assessment currently in full swing was the Spirit Inquiry.
Over a dozen Spirit Inquiry Formations were active simultaneously, flickering with spiritual resonance. Youths stood in long lines, entering them one by one.
The disciples responsible for registration called out in clear voices, announcing the results to everyone...
"Bone age twelve, single-attribute ice spirit root!!"
A particularly loud announcement caused a stir of discussion in the surroundings.
A single-attribute spirit root?
In the world of cultivation, having four or more attributes was called a waste spirit root, three attributes was a variety spirit root, two was a mixed spirit root, and one was a single spirit root.
The fewer attributes a spirit root had, the purer and better it was.
A single-attribute spirit root meant that the path of cultivation would be much smoother than for others—whether it was comprehending techniques or breaking through bottlenecks in the future, it would all be far easier.
They were extremely rare and possessed limitless potential.
On the distant viewing platform, the previously drowsy elders instantly snapped awake, their eyes burning with fervor.
This was the first single-attribute spirit root of the day.
"This young girl is not bad!"
"She seems to be a descendant of the Lin family."
"No wonder, haha!"
The little old man in charge of registration asked with a kind face, "Little girl, what is your name?"
"Reporting to the senior, my name is Lin Qianqian."
"The Lin family of Yunze?"
"Exactly."
"Mhm, not bad. Go rest over there. If you need anything, find me at any time."
"Thank you, Elder."
A single spirit root, twelve years old, and a member of the Lin family—she was essentially already guaranteed a spot.
Her future achievements would be immeasurable. It didn't hurt to curry a little favor...
The Spirit Inquiry continued from early morning until noon.
Only a few people remained in front of the Spirit Inquiry Formations that had once hosted long queues. The elders in charge of the assessment were chatting and laughing.
"More people came this time than last time."
"Yes, there are a few decent sprouts..."
The black-robed old man with the highest prestige among them said, "It seems no one else is left. Get ready to start the second stage..."
Suddenly, at that moment.
A streak of light cut across the sky. An immortal came riding the wind, closing the distance in the blink of an eye and landing before the crowd, drawing frequent side-glances from everyone.
It was a man with an upright aura, a cold face, and brows like swords. He looked like a celestial being descended to earth, and in his hand, he dangled a young boy of about twelve or thirteen.
"Wow—it's an immortal."
"So handsome!"
"Hm... why is he back?"
Discussions broke out, filled mostly with tones of wonder.
The disciple at the Spirit Inquiry Formation recognized the newcomer and hurried forward, saying fearfully, "Greetings, Peak Master Li!"
Li Qingshan, the Peak Master of Zhijian Peak.
Li Qingshan set Xu Xian down and said calmly, "Test his spirit."
"Yes."
Xu Xian's legs were weak as he hit the ground, and his stomach was in total turmoil. He pushed aside the disciple blocking his path, leaned against a nearby stone pillar, and began to retch.
"Blegh—"
It was like a dam breaking, a thousand miles of release.
The surrounding disciples reflexively backed away, pinching their noses with looks of utter disgust.
"Peak Master Li, he is..."
Li Qingshan knit his brows slightly but said nothing. He flicked his sleeve and departed, landing on the high platform with a slight bow to the other elders.
"Qingshan greets my senior brothers."
The others hurriedly returned the salute, maintaining their immortal poise.
"Qingshan, that child is?"
Li Qingshan stood straight, his expression as calm as still water. "Someone I picked up along the way."
Everyone looked at each other...
After he finished vomiting, Xu Xian sat slumped on the ground, his face pale. He wiped his mouth, his eyes downcast as he cursed in his heart, 'What a beast! Is there no justice? Is there no law?'
The disciple from before stepped forward and said, "Young man, please enter the formation."
Xu Xian first glanced at the disciple. Average looks, slightly large nose.
Then he slowly scanned his surroundings: mountains shrouded in floating clouds, magnificent buildings, and people flying to and fro...
A celestial blessed land.
Truly grand.
'Where on earth did he bring me?'
Finally, he looked at the Spirit Inquiry Formation. On his bitter face, half was disdain, and half was resignation.
He was already here; what else could he do? Fly back?
The mere thought of it made him shudder.
"Help me up."
The disciple frowned. What an attitude.
"What are you looking at?"
The disciple had no choice but to pull him up with extreme reluctance. After all, this was someone Li Qingshan had brought back; he couldn't afford to offend him.
Just like that, Xu Xian was supported like a pampered lord as he walked into the Spirit Inquiry Formation. Then, under the gaze of the multitude, the formation activated, and spiritual light began to pulse.
The Spirit Inquiry began.
The disciple responsible for reporting saw the result before him. His throat bobbed, and he said in a trembling voice, "Bone age twelve, mutated..."
He slowly turned his head toward the high platform where the elders sat, emphasizing each word. "Sword spirit root!"
Hearing the word 'mutated' had already been a shock, but at the mention of a 'sword spirit root,' even the elders couldn't stay seated. Their bodies jolted in amazement.
"What... a sword spirit root!"
A collective gasp rose from the surroundings. The looks directed at the youth were now completely different; mouths hung open and eyes went wide.
Xu Xian instinctively straightened his back and strode out of the Spirit Inquiry Formation, letting out a soft huff.
"Tsk tsk, what a bunch of country bumpkins making a fuss over nothing!!"
Rate on N.U.
