Hearing her shout her name calmed all the turmoil in Lixin's heart, and everybody else in the courtyard was confused by her behavior of shouting her name.
Only those who understood the significance of her name knew what it meant for her to say it out loud. That name that was only known to three before has now become truly hers, a name known to all.
It is also a mark, a mark of Lixin, the relation between a mortal and an immortal. This name alone signifies their friendship.
Although it was a friendship that hadn't even been formed for a day, through her action, this friendship's bond has transcended the grasp of time.
Although Lixin felt happy for her, happy at her behavior, he knew that he needed to distance himself from her.
The life span of a mortal is counted in mere decades, whereas a talented person like her could live for tens of millennia.
A gap has already been established, a gap created by heaven, and if he continues to linger on her heart in the future after his death, he may become a demon that stops her path forward.
"Lixin, Lixin!!"
Xia's shout woke him from his thoughts as she appeared before him, her eyes staring at him with worry. Feeling a little sorry, he smiled at her to alleviate her worry.
This seems to deepen her worry, but she didn't say anything and just smiled at him. Elder Lin watched from the side with a hint of sadness in his eyes as he looked at the forced smile of this child.
"Good luck on your cultivation journey, Immortal Xia."
"May your journey last forever."
After a while of thought, Lixin looked at her with complicated eyes and said, he needs to distance himself from her no matter what.
"Call me Xia."
Hearing his words, she shouted. From his tone, it sounded like he was talking to a respectable stranger and not a friend. This filled her heart with the fear of separation as she couldn't help but get agitated.
"Immortal Xia.."
Lixin still didn't change the way he called her as seeing her frozen look, he slowly backed down, blending in with the crowd, disappearing from her eyes.
Elder Lin watched it all unfold as he looked at the child with a deep look. He understood that he wanted to distance himself from her. Seeing such a mature child not being born with a spirit root, he couldn't help but lament at the cruelty of heaven.
He put his hands on her small shoulder, and his voice became more majestic as he asked in a slow pace.
"Disciple Xia, are you sure you want to continue this relationship?"
"Yes!"
Xia answered without hesitation as she looked at her master, her eyes blazing with the sun of determination.
"Even if it may become a heart demon for you in the future after his death."
"Yes.. The name I bear is given to me by him. I, who was born and lived without care, was the first person to look and me and care for me."
"He is my first friend, and for him, even if I have to end my journey short, I won't mind."
Hearing Xia's answer, Elder Lin became silent for a while, thinking about his second disciple who died due to a woman, he couldn't help but gulp down the wine from the jar.
"Such is fate... such is fate."
"Don't worry, child, I won't stop your relation, but for now, you follow me to the inner mountains."
Saying that they both disappeared from their place, appearing on the throne atop the clouds. While all this was going on, the testing continued as some had smiles on their face and some despaired.
"The Ceremony has ended."
"Today, 454 children failed to awaken a spirit root, and their immortal fate was cut short."
"300 children awakened a Five Elemental Spirit root, gaining a sliver of chance at an immortal fate."
"200 children awakened a Four Elemental Spirit root, and the path to longevity has been laid before them."
"50 children awakened a Three Elemental Spirit root, if heaven doesn't envy, they can live as long as the mountains and seas."
"1 child awakened a Two Elemental Spirit root, gaining a sliver of chance of being a ruler in the sky, living as long as heaven and earth."
The voice spoke once more as the inner sect elder and all the disciples they had selected slowly disappeared with the golden clouds.
Those taken as Outer Sect disciples were taken by Outer Sect Elders as they walked toward the inner mountains.
Those with Five Elemental Spirit roots and those with none waited on the side as an Outer Sect Elder appeared before them.
"Those who wish to remain as servants stay, and those who don't wish to be servants can descend down the mountain."
The Outer Elder said in a cold and uncaring voice, he didn't have much to say to these mortals, and a hint of disdain for them could be seen in his eyes.
After his words were heard, about ten or so people walked toward the mountain gate and started this descent; there was also that rich and arrogant boy among them.
Lixin stayed as there was nothing for him to return to, so he may as well spend his small life atop this beautiful mountain.
"Child."
Elder Han's voice was heard behind him as he quickly looked back and gave a deep bow. With a voice filled with melancholy, he said.
"I am sorry I have failed you, Elder Han."
"It's ok, child, such is the fate written by the heavens."
Elder Han said as he gave a nod to the Outer Elder, the Outer Elder, seeing this scene, gave a respectful bow to Elder Han and took the other children away.
He also pasted Lixin's face on his head. After all, this child seems to have a connection with the esteemed Elder Han.
"Although I would have liked to take you as my successor."
"Without spirit root, doing so will hurt you more than anything else."
"Thus, would you like to work as a servant in my branch?"
"If you want, I can even make you a director?"
Elder Han asked as he looked at Lixin with a deep gaze, hearing his words, Lixin gave a respectful bow and said.
"Thank you for your care, although the position of direction is high, I do not have the ability to fulfill the task of such a role."
"It would be more than enough for me to be a servant."
"Hmm."
"Little Yin!!"
After hearing Lixin's answer, he shouted as a middle-aged man with a flattering face walked out from one of the pavilions. He was wearing a brown Taoist robe with the left side of his hands covered in orange colored robe.
"Little Lixin here will now work under the Spirit Animal Raising Department on Farm No. 105."
Elder Han spoke as Director Yin nodded his head, hearing the farm number, a glint flashed through his eyes, and the look he gave Lixin became more respectful.
"Understood, Elder Han, this little Yin will fulfill your task."
After hearing his words, Elder Han nodded his head as he disappeared like a cloud. Director Yin and Lixin looked at such a magic with varying expressions.
"Master Lixin, please follow me."
Director Yin said in a flattering tone, he seems to be trying to suck up to Lixin. Lixin just felt weird about this and quickly commented.
"Just called me Lixin."
"And you are.."
"My position is that of a Director."
"You can just call me Old Yin or even Little Yin if you like."
"Director Yin, then."
As they talked, Director Yin started to descend toward the inner area of the mountain, and Lixin followed him.
A servant wearing a full brown Taoist robe came rushing and handed Director Yin a bag. After giving Director Yin a bow, he rushed out as Director Yin handed him the bag with a smile.
Walking down the mountain, filled with birds chirping and the shade of majestic trees, Lixin felt his heart relax, and after a while, they finally reached the inner area.
It was a large basin surrounded by mountain peaks on all sides, aside was built here stretching to the far side before disappearing into the mountains ahead.
From here, he could see the bustling marketplace where thousands of people walked through the streets every moment.
"This is the mortal city, built outside the outer gate."
"Here, the relatives of all Outer Sect Disciples and Outer Sect Elders live; this is also a marketplace for the servants and mortals."
"Here you can find every mortal good and even some immortal items on rare occasions."
Director Yin explained, seeing Lixin's confused expression, hearing his words, Lixin nodded his head as he felt a little enlightened.
"Follow me, your workplace is on one of the inner mountains on the left side."
"If you continue to go straight, you will reach the Outer Gate, and further behind that is the Inner Gate."
Director Yin said as he started to walk through one of the many roads outside the city, with a curious expression. Lixin looked around as he followed him.
After a while, they reached a forest path, and he could see servants moving on the road; carts containing animal feces or fodder were also moving along the road.
They continued to move as they took a turn on the road, surrounded by forest, a fenced area appeared before their eyes.
Through the fence, he could see large blue feathered chickens moving through the field, half a car-sized fat pigs bathing in the sun atop mud, and a lake at the far side.
There was a wooden cottage three stories tall in the middle of the field, and a warehouse was attached to the cottage as a few feet next to the next to entrance, feces of animals were collected.
An old man with a wrinkled face was resting on a lawn chair, watching the field in a leisurely manner.
His body seemed completely relaxed as if he didn't have a care in the world.
"Hey, Old Shu, Slacking off again."
Director Yin shouted as he walked into the field. Hearing his shout, the old man looked at the entrance.
"Well, slacking off is the only thing an old bone like me can do."
He said, not caring for the fact that the person who was shouting was a director and he a mere servant.
"So is this the new brat joining here?"
Old Shu said disdainfully as he looked at the frail body of Lixin. He shook his head and looked at Director Yin with a look of wonder and questioning.
"Yes, Lixin will be posted here from now on."
Getting his response, Old Shu looked at Lixin as if he were looking at a rare animal.