Chapter 3: The Supreme Taichu Sect

At dawn the next day, Datian Town, which should have been asleep, was buzzing with activity. Every family with a 16-year-old eligible for selection had hung up lanterns and decorations. They slaughtered pigs and sheep to offer sacrifices to the heavens and their ancestors. Many parents had spent the entire night kneeling before their family altars, praying that their child would be chosen by the immortals and soar to new heights.

Qin Haoxuan bid farewell to his parents, who had been kneeling all night. Seeing their weary faces, he, who had slept soundly, felt a weight in his heart as he walked out the door.

Escorted by over 20 strong hunters who cleared the path, a group of 40 boys of the right age set off for Pozi Ridge.

Pozi Ridge was a flat, grassy area that marked the boundary between the inner and outer regions of Small Islet Mountain.

Not long after Qin Haoxuan and the others arrived, two streaks of white light broke through the morning mist from the east, arriving on flying swords. When they landed, Qin Haoxuan was stunned to see that they were the same two men who had tried to buy his Yellow Essence the day before.

Not only Qin Haoxuan but the other boys were also shocked to recognize the two men as the outsiders from yesterday.

A look of delight crossed Zhang Kuang’s face. He exchanged a knowing glance with his cousin and follower, Zhang Yang. After failing to buy the Yellow Essence from Qin Haoxuan, the two men had later purchased it from Old Man Chen for the exorbitant price of 500 taels. Perhaps they now held a grudge against Qin Haoxuan, which would diminish his chances even further.

After the two men landed, the swords at their feet circled the area once, dispersing the surrounding fog and creating a small, clear space. The swords then flew back into the sheaths on their backs automatically.

This display of skill with flying swords left the boys utterly mesmerized.

After the two immortals arrived, the town head was the first to kneel. “This year, Datian Town has 41 eligible boys. We ask the two immortal masters to make their selection.”

The 41 boys and the 20 hunters escorting them all knelt in devout reverence.

The immortals scanned the 41 candidates. They were a mixed bunch. Most kept their heads bowed in timid apprehension, while a few held their heads high with an air of confidence, though their eyes betrayed a complex mix of inferiority and self-assurance.

Only one boy, dressed in a simple grey linen shirt, stood out. His posture was proper, his expression composed, and his demeanor calm, carrying himself with a certain grace. Their eyes lit up—it was the same boy who had been selling the Yellow Essence at the pharmacy yesterday. They found themselves looking forward to his test results.

They had heard about Qin Haoxuan’s reputation in town and had seen him with the Yellow Essence firsthand. Finding a spiritual herb once or twice could be attributed to luck, but for him to consistently produce treasures of that quality was definitely not a matter of simple luck. If they could recruit this boy into the sect, it could be beneficial for them.

“I am Xu Tunhu, and this is my Senior Brother, Zhao Jialong,” the goateed man, Xu Tunhu, said by way of a brief introduction. He wasted no more time. “The selection is divided into two parts: aptitude and physique! The first is to examine the Dao Bones, and the second is to test the Immortal Seed. You must pass both to be selected.”

“First one.”

Following the order previously arranged by the town head, the first boy stepped forward for the test.

But before the test could begin, he had to go through a complex ritual of cleansing with incense and water.

The boy extended his left hand. Xu Tunhu took it and kneaded it for a moment, then frowned. “Mortal bones… next.”

The so-called examination of Dao Bones was a preliminary test of one’s skeletal structure and meridians. If one couldn’t even pass this, there was no need to proceed to the next stage.

Several more boys went up in succession, and all were labeled as failures by Xu Tunhu. Finally, one managed to pass the first test and moved on to the second, which was conducted by Zhao Jialong.

This was the test of the Immortal Seed. Almost everyone is born with an Immortal Seed, but for many, it withers and dies shortly after birth. Even for those whose seeds survive, it’s a waiting game until they turn 16 to see if the seed is still viable. Only at the age of 16 can one begin to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, which is why cultivation can only begin at this age. During those 16 years, many more Immortal Seeds dry up and die.

The boy who had passed the bone examination soon found out that his Immortal Seed was already dead.

Being chosen by the immortals from the mountain was a matter of great fortuitous opportunity, and not everyone was destined for it. It was common for them to come year after year with hope, only to return with disappointment.

The next few boys all passed the first test but were all eliminated at the Immortal Seed test.

Amidst the sighs of the town head and the others, Zhang Kuang stepped forward, reigniting their hopes.

Zhang Kuang’s arrogant personality wasn’t well-liked, but he had inherited his father’s excellent genes and had shown remarkable talent from a young age. His father himself had nearly been taken away by the immortals years ago and was now the foremost hunter in Datian Town.

Taking Zhang Kuang’s hand, Xu Tunhu kneaded it for a moment. The gloomy expression on his face vanished, replaced by a wide smile as he repeatedly praised him.

Zhang Kuang’s successful passing of the first test was expected, but from Xu Tunhu’s reaction, it was clear his aptitude was extraordinary. He might just become the first immortal disciple from Datian Town in decades.

Under the envious gazes of the crowd, Zhang Kuang walked over to Zhao Jialong.

His face beaming with pride, Zhang Kuang approached Zhao Jialong and put on a humble smile, bowing respectfully.

Zhao Jialong’s eyes lit up upon seeing Zhang Kuang, but the unconcealable arrogance in the boy’s brow made him frown slightly. Regardless of his personal feelings, however, the test had to continue.

Zhao Jialong exhaled a breath of immortal spiritual energy into Zhang Kuang’s body. He then pricked Zhang Kuang’s index finger, letting a drop of blood infused with the immortal energy fall onto an Immortal Spirit Flower. If the flower showed no reaction, it meant the Immortal Seed was dead. The more luxuriantly the flower bloomed, the fuller and more vigorous the Immortal Seed.

As the drop of blood was absorbed by the Immortal Spirit Flower, the small, withered bud rapidly swelled and plumped up. Then, its petals slowly unfurled, and it burst into full bloom.

In the end, the Immortal Spirit Flower’s brilliant display demonstrated the fullness and vitality of Zhang Kuang’s Immortal Seed.

The people of Datian Town erupted in cheers and screams. After decades, their town had produced another immortal disciple, a future immortal.

Those who had previously disliked Zhang Kuang now looked at him with complex expressions filled with envy, jealousy, and a hint of a desire to curry favor.

Qin Haoxuan’s brows furrowed slightly, a sense of unease in his heart. Zhang Kuang had actually succeeded. Judging by the expressions of the two immortals, his talent must be exceptional. This felt like stepping in dog droppings on the way to a feast—not a good omen.

Following this, Zhao Jialong formally announced that Zhang Kuang had passed the assessment.

After Zhang Kuang, several more boys failed the test. Soon, it was Qin Haoxuan’s turn.

Qin Haoxuan had always been the benchmark among the youths of Datian Town. Not only was he an agile and skilled hunter, but he could also find rare and precious herbs that even Old Man Chen couldn’t procure, consistently outshining Zhang Kuang. The two had always been rivals.

Among the 41 boys, Qin Haoxuan had been considered the most likely to be chosen. Now that Zhang Kuang, whose chances were thought to be lower, had been selected, the pressure on Qin Haoxuan was immense.

Taking Qin Haoxuan’s offered left hand, Xu Tunhu greeted him, a rare occurrence. “You’re here. Don’t disappoint us!”

Qin Haoxuan smiled faintly and allowed Xu Tunhu to examine his hand. “The bones are slender but long, though the life bone is a bit short. The structure is marvelous, but the meridians are slightly obstructed! A pity, a pity, what a pity!”

Xu Tunhu said “a pity” three times, his eyes filled with regret as he looked at Qin Haoxuan. “Although you can be considered to have passed, your aptitude is quite average.”

Qin Haoxuan bowed in response. “Thank you, Immortal Master Xu.”

Walking over to Zhao Jialong, Qin Haoxuan’s natural, humble yet confident demeanor earned him a nod of silent approval from the immortal.

Zhao Jialong smiled at him slightly and exhaled a breath of immortal spiritual energy into Qin Haoxuan’s body.

Qin Haoxuan felt a gentle, warm current enter his meridians from his back, instantly spreading throughout his entire body, even temporarily infusing his blood.

A small, grayish-green seed that wasn’t there before appeared in his dantian, shrouded in mist and indistinct. Before formally beginning cultivation, he couldn’t perform internal inspection, even with this temporary infusion of immortal energy.

He pricked his index finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the Immortal Spirit Flower, which had reverted to a small bud.

This time, although the flower reacted, it wasn’t as immediate as with Zhang Kuang. The small bud enlarged at a very slow pace. After a long while, it reached the size of a normal flower bud, and then a tiny slit appeared between its petals.

They waited and waited, but the flower showed no further signs of movement. This meant that although Qin Haoxuan’s Immortal Seed was not dead, it was severely withered. In a few more months, it might have died completely.

Zhao Jialong pondered for a long moment. Qin Haoxuan’s aptitude was on the borderline between acceptable and unacceptable. The decision to keep or reject him rested with the two of them.

Looking at Qin Haoxuan with a regretful expression, Zhao Jialong found it hard to believe that someone who could frequently find precious herbs like Yellow Essence could have such ordinary aptitude—so ordinary that it put him in a difficult position.

At that moment, Xu Tunhu leaned in and whispered a few words in Zhao Jialong’s ear. Zhao Jialong’s eyes flickered as he seemed to weigh the pros and cons.

A moment later, Zhao Jialong announced that Qin Haoxuan was also accepted.

The people of Datian Town erupted in celebration once again. It was normal for a barren place like theirs to go decades, or even a century, without a single candidate being selected. Zhao Jialong and Xu Tunhu had only come to perform a routine task, not expecting to recruit two disciples at once.

Following this, a large number of candidates were rejected. Surprisingly, Zhang Kuang’s cousin and follower, Zhang Yang, also passed the assessment. His results were even slightly better than Qin Haoxuan’s; his Immortal Spirit Flower managed to open a second slit, proving his Immortal Seed was more vigorous.

Zhang Kuang’s face was filled with the pride of a young man who has achieved success. He looked at Qin Haoxuan with disdain, his heart swelling with smug satisfaction. Just you wait. You relied on your physical strength and meddlesome nature. Once I learn spiritual techniques and become an immortal, I’ll show you how I’ll deal with you!

Qin Haoxuan ignored Zhang Kuang’s provocative gaze. So what if your aptitude is a bit better and your Immortal Seed is a bit stronger? The path of cultivation is long and full of variables. Good aptitude doesn’t guarantee future success. Otherwise, why would those immortals bother searching high and low? They could just recruit people with top-tier aptitude.

Soon, all 41 boys had been tested. This year, Datian Town had produced three immortal disciples, a joyous occasion for everyone.

“The three of you, go back and prepare. Bid farewell to your parents and relatives. Tomorrow, you will follow us up the mountain,” Zhao Jialong announced. He then handed three heavy bags of silver to them. “This is your family stipend. Settle your affairs, and we will meet at the town entrance tomorrow morning!”

After giving his instructions, Zhao Jialong and Xu Tunhu summoned their immortal swords and flew away. The rejected boys turned their envious gazes from the two immortals to the three who had passed. Soon, they too would be able to soar through the skies like immortals.

News that three boys from Datian Town had been chosen spread like wildfire, shocking everyone within a hundred miles. Distant relatives who hadn’t been in contact for generations suddenly appeared at their doors, bearing gifts and showering them with praise, trying every means possible to establish a good relationship with the future immortals. The doorstep of Zhang Kuang, who had the best aptitude, was worn down by gift-bearers, both known and unknown. The other two families also received many visitors.

After a night of festivities, the three boys, surrounded by countless villagers, arrived at the town entrance. Xu Tunhu and Zhao Jialong were already waiting.

As the journey was long, the town head had purchased five fine horses from the county seat overnight for their use.

The five of them mounted their horses. With a flick of his wrist, Xu Tunhu slapped a yellow paper talisman onto the flank of each horse. As if injected with a stimulant, the horses neighed loudly and galloped forward at incredible speed.

There was no time to wave goodbye. Looking back, they could only see the tears in their relatives’ eyes, a mixture of happiness and sorrow, as they grew smaller in the distance.

The path of cultivation is long, a journey of no return.

“Immortal masters, how should we address you so as not to be impolite?” Qin Haoxuan urged his horse forward, catching up to Xu Tunhu and Zhao Jialong, and asked in a manner that was neither servile nor overbearing.

“Senior Brother!” Zhao Jialong replied coldly, his face expressionless, spitting out the two words.

Seeing Qin Haoxuan get the cold shoulder, Zhang Kuang and Zhang Yang smirked inwardly but maintained an honest and simple appearance. Zhang Kuang put on a naive act and said, “To be chosen by you two senior brothers and accepted into the sect is the greatest fortune of my life. I hope you will guide and support me in the future!”

Neither Xu Tunhu nor Zhao Jialong showed any interest in Zhang Kuang’s clumsy flattery, simply ignoring him. Zhang Kuang was displeased but kept a smile on his face.

“Senior Brother Zhao, Senior Brother Xu, the three of us come from a remote place and are ignorant of the world. We only know that immortals like you come to select disciples every year, but we know nothing more. To avoid embarrassing ourselves and dishonoring you, our guides, when we arrive at the sect, could you please enlighten us a little?”

Qin Haoxuan’s words were respectful and well-phrased. The aloof Zhao Jialong grunted in agreement.

“Our sect is the Guardian Sect of the Soaring Dragon Nation. The heavens themselves bestowed upon us a celestial register and the name ‘The Supreme Immortal Venerable True One Taichu Sect,’ commonly known as the Taichu Sect. It has a history of several thousand years. The sect is located on Emperor Peak of Great Islet Mountain and has over 10,000 disciples. It is the sole immortal sect in the Soaring Dragon Nation! The Sect Master is the Immortal Guardian of the Nation. Every emperor’s ascension to the throne must be approved by him!” Speaking of his sect, even the cold and aloof Zhao Jialong’s face was filled with reverence and longing. His words left Qin Haoxuan and the other two boys utterly captivated and filled with wonder.