The morning mist still blanketed Qingshan Village as Ye Lin stood in front of his home. A simple cloth bag hung over his back, carrying clothes, a little food, and a few small keepsakes from home.
"Father, Mother… I will come back one day," he said, hugging them tightly.
Lin Mei held back her tears, while Ye Chen simply patted his son's shoulder with a proud gaze.
"Remember, Lin-er. Wherever you go, never forget your roots."
Not far away, Zhang Wei stood waiting, hands clasped behind his back. Beside him, three other village children who had also passed the entrance examination stood ready with their belongings—though their status was only that of outer disciples.
"Ready?" Zhang Wei asked calmly.
Ye Lin nodded, glancing one last time at his house. His status panel still displayed a perfect luck value of 1000/1000, making him both nervous and curious.
[STATUS]
Name: Ye Lin
Cultivation: Mortal Level 1
Age: 12 years
Luck: 1000/1000
Life Potential: 67 years
They walked along a narrow path leading toward the foot of the mountain. This was the first time Ye Lin had ventured so far from the village. Along the way, he saw sights he had never imagined before: a wide river sparkling under the sunlight, herds of deer crossing in the distance, and towering trees with roots as thick as a man's body.
"The world outside the village is so big…" Ye Lin murmured in awe.
"That's only a glimpse," replied Zhang Wei. "The cultivation world is far larger than you can imagine. And far more dangerous."
One of the other children, named Xiao Ming, looked frightened.
"Dangerous how, Elder Zhang?"
Zhang Wei's gaze grew serious. "Out there, strength determines everything. Sects, clans, even spirit beasts—everything competes to survive. And the weak… are devoured by the strong."
His eyes lingered briefly on Ye Lin. "Especially those who possess something… special."
A chill crept up Ye Lin's spine. There was something in Zhang Wei's gaze—something that made him feel the man knew a secret even Ye Lin himself did not yet understand.
By late afternoon, they arrived at a broad road paved with smooth black stone. From a distance, Ye Lin saw something that made his eyes widen: a massive carriage floating in the air, pulled by two enormous golden-winged birds radiating a noble aura.
"That's…" Ye Lin pointed in disbelief.
"That is the flying carriage of the White Cloud Sect. We'll be riding it back to the sect," Zhang Wei explained, smiling at the children's astonishment.
As they approached, Ye Lin felt an invisible pressure prickle against his skin. The birds—high-ranked Golden Phoenixes—looked at them with eyes like molten gems. When one phoenix's gaze met his own, his status panel flickered and his luck dropped to 998/1000.
Why did it drop? Ye Lin wondered, but didn't dare to ask.
The phoenix let out a low, almost melodic hum. Zhang Wei raised an eyebrow.
"Interesting. Normally, Huo Feng and Jin Yu don't pay much attention to mortals."
"Is there a problem, Elder Zhang?" Ye Lin asked, worried.
"No. Quite the opposite," Zhang Wei said with a mysterious smile. "They recognize something within you."
Once aboard the luxurious carriage—its interior lined with silk-cushioned seats and golden ornaments—the phoenixes spread their wings. A fierce wind swirled around them before they shot into the sky at a speed that made Ye Lin's stomach lurch.
Qingshan Village shrank below, disappearing into the mountain mist. Ye Lin gripped the edge of his seat, eyes fixed on the breathtaking view: an endless sea of clouds stretching to the horizon, mountain peaks rising like colossal swords, and in the distance, streaks of light—cultivators flying upon their weapons.
"Now you see," said Zhang Wei, watching the children's awe-struck faces, "why people strive to become cultivators. With enough power, even the sky is no longer a limit."
"Elder, will we be able to fly like that someday?" Xiao Ming asked, his eyes sparkling.
"That depends on your effort, talent, and…" Zhang Wei glanced at Ye Lin again, "…your fate."
Unbeknownst to them, atop a mountain they passed, a man in a black cloak stood as still as a statue. In his hand was a small bone-framed mirror glowing with red light. In its reflection, Ye Lin's face appeared—golden numbers floating around his head.
"997… 998… back to 999…" the man rasped. "Pure luck, fluctuating. Rarely have I seen numbers so close to perfection."
With a flick of his finger, the image shifted to various angles of the phoenix carriage from afar. His crimson-glowing eyes fixed on Ye Lin.
"A village boy with near-absolute luck… If I could take it…" A cruel grin curved his lips. "Master would be very pleased with such a gift."
He pulled out a jade slip, channeling qi into it. A short message was sent: Target found. New disciple of the White Cloud Sect. Luck level: 999. Requesting instructions.
The reply came swiftly, carrying a terrifying aura: Observe. Do not act yet. Luck that high will surely be heavily guarded. Wait for an opportunity.
By the time the phoenix carriage began its descent, the sun had already set. Below stood a magnificent complex glowing with soft white light. The White Cloud Sect was built atop a series of mountain peaks connected by floating bridges. Towering spires rose among the clouds, and a shimmering protective formation wrapped around the entire sect like a giant bubble.
Ye Lin held his breath. "This… is the White Cloud Sect?"
"Welcome to your new home," Zhang Wei said with a smile. "From now on, you will learn what it truly means to be a cultivator."
As the phoenix carriage landed gracefully on the platform, Ye Lin's status panel flickered:
[STATUS]
Name: Ye Lin
Cultivation: Mortal Level 1
Age: 12 years
Luck: 999/1000
Life Potential: 67 years
Ye Lin noticed the small change. His life potential had increased by four years simply from being in such a spiritually rich place. And his luck had returned to 999—still extremely high, but no longer perfect.
Is this a good omen… or a bad one?
Zhang Wei stood and spread his arms. "Follow me. We will meet the Sect Master, and then you'll be assigned to your dormitories."
As they walked through the main gate guarded by two golden dragon statues, Ye Lin felt eyes watching from every direction. Senior and junior disciples alike observed the newcomers with curiosity.
"Look, the one in the middle," one whispered. "His aura is different."
"I heard Zhang-laoshi took him in as an inner disciple right away. Strange."
"There must be something special about him."
Ye Lin tried to ignore the whispers, but he couldn't shake the feeling that his journey had only just begun—and that great challenges awaited him here.
Far away, behind the window of a tall tower, a pair of sharp eyes watched their arrival with dangerous interest.
"So, he has arrived," the figure murmured. "The boy with extraordinary luck… Let's see how far that 'good fortune' will carry him when he faces a true trial.