"Is this not Li Cheng?!"
The voice echoed through the bustling crowd , it was as if the person was practically announcing his presence to the crowd. People paused, heads turning in unison toward the source of the voice. Gasps followed. Then came the whispers, like wind sweeping through a field of dry leaves.
"Li Cheng?"
"That can't be…"
"Why would he be here?"
"Did he come to make a joke of himself?"
Murmurs turned to laughter. Disdain painted the air as dozens of onlookers began recognizing the figure in the worn robes and the bamboo straw hat standing near the edge of the crowd.
"He doesn't even have a spiritual root! What's the point?"
"He should be sweeping streets, not dreaming of becoming an immortal"
"I bet he came to admire the crowd. Poor thing probably thinks this is a festival."
But in the center of all the mockery Li Cheng stood motionless.
From within the crowd, a figure emerged, with a smirk tugging the corner of his lips. Fang Bin, dressed in rich indigo robes embroidered with golden lotus, folded his arms as he approached Li Cheng.
"Haiiiyaaa…" Fang Bin exhaled dramatically. "You're really something, aren't you?" he said, eyeing Li Cheng up and down. "I mean, what kind of madness drives a man with no spiritual root to show up here? Are you hoping to be laughed into the immortal peak?"
He chuckled and waved his hand as though dismissing the idea entirely.
At that moment, another familiar figure approached. Li Yuen, robes pristine white with a golden phoenix sewn across the back, stopped beside Fang Bin and blinked in mock surprise.
"Li Cheng… you're still alive?" he asked, tilting his head with theatrical disbelief. "What a surprise. I never would've guessed."
Fang Bin turned to him. "You didn't tell me your brother would be joining us today."
"How could I have known?", I thought he would have been dead by now"...Li Yuen shrugged, the corner of his lips twitching. Then he looked directly at Li Cheng. "Are you here to admire the scenery? Or do you really think you can climb to the immortal peak?" His voice was calm, but filled with mockery.
Fang Bin grinned. "Maybe he's here to cultivate his head. It's clearly lacking sense. Or maybe his legs, to flee better when danger comes."
Laughter erupted from the crowd.
Li Cheng didn't respond. He turned away, his face hidden under the brim of his straw hat. His shoulders tensed as he tried to move past.
But Li Yuen stepped in front of him, blocking his path. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked, his smile stretched unnaturally wide. "We're not done talking."
Li Cheng raised his head slightly, his eyes were fierce. "Get out of my way," he said flatly.
Li Yuen leaned in slightly, voice low and mocking. "And if I don't? What are you going to do, fight me?" He extended his arms mockingly, as if inviting a punch. "Come on, let's see it."
Li Cheng clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles turned white. His arms trembled with restraint. His heart pounded in his chest not from fear, but from anger. For a second, he nearly lost control. But then he exhaled slowly and stepped back. He knew better. A fight here would only humiliate him further.
In the distance, Wang Yue had been watching. Dressed in deep gray robes, he stood like a lone flame amidst the crowd. His brows furrowed when he saw the scene unfolding. He took a step forward, clearly intending to intervene.
Bang!!!
A bright light exploded onto the stage. A blinding radiance engulfed the front of the arena, and a gust of spiritual pressure rippled across the space, pulling everyone's attention.
Silence fell.
A moment later, an old man appeared atop the raised platform. His white hair in disarray, robes loosely tied.
Wrinkles carved his face like time-worn stone. A large wine jar rested in his right hand, He stroked his beard with drunken dignity, swaying slightly, He looked around lazily, unimpressed, then took a deep gulp from the jar.
suddenly his aura burst forth.
BOOM!
A crashing wave of an invisible force swept across the entire arena. Dozens of youths stumbled back. Some fell. A few screamed as their bodies were knocked off balance. others barely managing to stay on their feet.
Li Cheng shielded his face from the wind. His straw hat nearly flew off, and his clothes rippled violently. But his eyes… his eyes stayed fixed on the old man at the center.
"So… this is an immortal," he whispered and clenched his fist again, His eyes shon with a rare light....desire, envy and longing.
When the commotion calmed, the crowd bowed in unison.
"Greetings, Immortal Master!"
The old man grinned, took a swig from his jar, then wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.
"I," he said, swaying a bit, "am Wu Ming… Envoy of the Immortal Peak. You are all here today to begin your cultivation journey. But only those who pass the trial and reach the peak will be chosen."
And those with strong spiritual roots will be chosen as the inner disciples, while does with weak spiritual root can only be outer disciples.
He paused to drink again, burped louder than before, and continued as though nothing had happened.
"There are seven sects on the immortal peak:
He pointed a finger skyward as he named them.
"Baihe Sect – The White Crane"
"Lingyun Sect – Spirit Clouds"
"Shuiyun Sect – Water and Clouds"
"Fengming Sect – Wind's Call"
"Xianzhou Sect – Immortal Isle"
"Zhenling Sect – True Spirit"
"Qinyun Sect – Azure Cloud."
He nodded to himself and took another drink.....longer this time. Then he burped. Loudly and swayed even harder,
The smell of alcohol rolled across the platform like a toxic fog.
The crowd were really surprised.
"…Is he really an immortal?"
"More like a drunk…"
"If immortals are all drunkards, I'd rather continue as a labourer."
Suddenly In a blur of light, Wu Ming vanished from the stage and appeared in front of the boy who had spoken. His eyes were narrow, deadly serious.
"Kid, what did you just say?"
The boy yelped and fell on his butt, cold sweat rolling down his face.
But Wu Ming only smirked and vanished again, appearing back on the stage in a single blink.
Then, something tugged at his senses. Someone was watching him. Not with fear, nor contempt, but with hunger and yearning.
He turned his head and his eyes mate with Li Cheng steady gaze.
For a second, they simply stared at each other.
Suddenly a voice echoed in Li Cheng's mind
"Boy… do I look that handsome to you?"
Li Cheng's eyes widened, he blinking rapidly, then looked away.
Wu Ming chuckled. "Hahahaha… Interesting."
Then, without warning, he raised his hand. "It's time."
And with a wave of his hand everyone vanished.
Silence fell on the empty arena.
In an instant, they appeared on a high cliff far from the city.
The air was thin, the sky vast and blue. Mist rose from the deep canyons below, and in the distance, ancient mountains floated in the distance like islands in the sea. Beneath them, a bottomless abyss.
The scenery was breathtaking.
Ahead of them, a single stone bridge stretched out from the cliff's edge. It was old, carved from ancient rock, and it extended far into the mist until it disappeared.
Spiritual energy filled the air. dense, vibrant and alive.
"This is…" someone whispered, stunned.
"We're not in Yuefeng anymore…"
"Such power… we really were transported in a blink…"
Excitement bubbled up among the younger ones, especially the commoners. They whispered in amazement.
Li Yuen sneered. "Fools. They think this is a game."
Fang Bin chuckled beside him. "Let them enjoy it. The trial will show them the truth soon enough."
The nobles were calm. They have studied right from childhood, they new that trials weren't a joke and they have been briefed by their elders who have once faced the test.
Wu Ming took another drink, then finally spoke.
"Listen carefully" he called out.
Once you set foot on this bridge, your trial begins.
His expression turned serious for the first time.
"If you are too weak, too afraid, better go back now. If at any moment you feel danger, or that you cannot go on, call forfeit and you'll be pulled out of the trial. But remember: only those who reach the peak shall be worthy to cultivate. But if you choose to continue, understand this: what lies ahead may threaten your life. Only those with resolve, strength, and the will to walk the path of cultivation will make it to the Immortal Peak."
He finished, took a final sip, and vanished, leaving only the scent of wine and a trace of spiritual energy in the air.
The moment he disappeared, dozens of youths surged forward.
"I'm going first!"
"Out of the way!"
They scrambled on who is going to be the first to reach the immortal peak.
Li Cheng stayed where he was. He watched them race ahead, unaware of what awaited them.
Then he looked at the bridge. It was narrow, floating over nothing but clouds. The wind blew with a soft whisper.
"I was born without a spiritual root. I don't have talent. But I've got one thing .
His eyes narrowed with determination....
When he finally stepped on the bridge, he felt his body being pulled into an unknown space