Bang, bang, bang…
In the howling cold wind, a thinly clad little boy shivered as he knocked on a courtyard gate.
It was New Year's Eve, and cheerful laughter echoed from inside the courtyard from time to time.
Bang, bang, bang…
After waiting a long time with no response, the little boy lifted his hand again and gently rapped the door ring a few more times.
"Huff…"
It was freezing. As soon as he finished knocking, he brought his hands to his mouth and blew warm air onto them.
It wasn't just his hands—his feet, clad only in straw sandals, were nearly numb from the cold.
"Who is it?"
Finally, someone inside responded. The little boy's face lit up with hope.
"Uncle, it's me."
He quickly answered.
"Squeak…"
Before long, the gate creaked open, and a kind-faced middle-aged man peeked out through the crack.
"Oh, it's Taiping. What brings you here so late?" the man asked.
"Un-Uncle… We've run out of charcoal at home. I… I was wondering if I could borrow a few pounds from you. When spring comes and I can gather firewood again, I'll pay you back."
The little boy avoided eye contact, speaking somewhat awkwardly.
"Charcoal isn't worth much! Wait here—I'll get some for you right away."
The man waved his hand and agreed without hesitation.
"Taiping, have you eaten yet?"
After taking a few steps, the man suddenly stopped and turned back to ask.
"I… I have… but Grandpa… Grandpa hasn't…"
The little boy clenched the hem of his clothes tightly, his voice growing so faint it was almost inaudible by the end.
The middle-aged man sighed softly at this, then smiled warmly and said,
"Wait here, Taiping. I'll be right back."
"Okay."
The little boy nodded gently.
Another gust of cold wind blew, and the boy shivered all over, but somehow, he felt a little warmer inside.
---
"Taiping!"
Not long after, the middle-aged man came out holding a winnowing basket.
"Here."
His breath visible in the cold air, the man hurried to the gate and shoved the basket into the boy's arms.
Looking down, the boy saw that besides a few pounds of charcoal, there were also four steaming white steamed buns in the basket.
"Uncle, I…"
Seeing the buns, the boy felt uneasy, but his stomach betrayed him—he couldn't help but swallow hard at the sight of them after not having eaten all day.
"Just take them!"
The middle-aged man gave a warm, honest smile.
---
"Er Niu! Why are you still dawdling in the yard?"
Just then, a rather stout woman hurried to the gate.
At the sight of her, both the little boy and the middle-aged man tensed up.
"Taiping… Taiping came to borrow some charcoal."
The man forced an awkward smile, his eyes shifting nervously, full of fear.
"Auntie."
The little boy greeted the woman.
She first shot a glare at the middle-aged man, then turned her gaze to the boy, finally settling on the basket in his hands. When she saw the steamed buns placed on top of the charcoal, her face instantly darkened.
"These steamed buns were for Xiao Hu! I didn't even dare eat them myself, and you just give them away like you're so generous!"
She glared fiercely at the man, then snatched up two of the buns angrily.
---
"Mom, is the roast goose ready? I want roast goose, not steamed buns!"
A chubby boy wearing a new cotton-padded jacket walked out of the house. When he saw the steamed buns in the woman's hands, his face immediately soured.
"Son, why are you out here? It's cold—hurry back inside before you freeze!"
The woman anxiously rushed toward the chubby boy.
"Mom, I don't want steamed buns! I want roast goose!"
The chubby boy stomped his feet unhappily, on the verge of tears.
"Okay, okay, okay! The roast goose is almost ready. These buns are for Ah Huang."
Coaxing him with extreme doting, the woman casually tossed the two steamed buns into a dog cage under the eaves.
---
"Sigh…"
Watching this, the middle-aged man frowned but could only sigh helplessly.
The little boy bit his lip as he watched the dog gnawing on the steamed buns. Then, clutching the basket of charcoal tightly, he looked up at the man and smiled:
"Thank you, Uncle. I'll be going now."
"Be careful on your way. Remember to crack a window when you burn charcoal tonight, and make sure your grandpa's blanket is tucked in well."
The man waved his hand.
---
"Xu Er Niu! If you don't get inside now, don't even think about sleeping in my bed tonight!"
The woman's scolding voice rang out from inside the house again.
"Coming, coming!"
The man quickly responded with an awkward smile at the little boy, then closed the courtyard gate.
As the gate shut, the last glimmer of light on the snowy ground vanished, and the world was once again swallowed by the darkness of night. Only a faint, flickering lamp could be seen glowing from a small thatched cottage not far to the east.
"With this charcoal and two steamed buns, Grandpa will definitely get better."
The little boy wasn't afraid of the darkness. He tucked his head down, smiled softly, and murmured to himself. Clutching the basket of charcoal and the two steamed buns tightly, he skipped cheerfully toward a small earthen house illuminated by a faint light in the distance.
In front of the small earthen house...
Creeeak…
The little boy pushed the door open.
"Taiping… is that you?"
As soon as he stepped inside, a weak, hoarse, and aged voice called out from the dimly lit room.
"It's me, Grandpa."
The little boy rubbed his frozen face vigorously, forcing a smile, then quickly walked to the room's entrance, lifted the curtain, and stepped inside.
As he entered, the strong scent of herbal medicine filled the air. Without a fire in the hearth, the room was just as cold as outside.
At the far end of the room was a makeshift bed pieced together with wooden planks. Under a tattered quilt, its cotton stuffing spilling out, lay an emaciated old man, so thin he was little more than skin and bones, curled up beneath the covers.
"Grandpa, Uncle lent us a few pounds of charcoal and gave us two steamed buns. We can roast them and eat in a little while."
With a joyful expression, Taiping poured the charcoal into the stove as he spoke to the elderly man on the bed.
"Good… good…"
The old man nodded gently, a faint smile on his face.
Though his entire body exuded an aura of frailty and decline, the moment his clouded, weary eyes fell upon little Taiping, they instantly regained a trace of warmth and light.
"Taiping… all these years… following Grandpa… you've suffered so much."
The old man gazed at the boy with deep affection, his voice trembling with effort as he spoke.
"Grandpa, I'm not suffering. Not at all."
Taiping, who had just lit the charcoal stove, looked up, shook his head, and grinned at the old man.
"Silly child, such a silly child… If it weren't for you taking care of me these years, Grandpa would have long since passed…"
The old man reached out and gently patted Taiping's head, sighing with both tenderness and sorrow.
"Grandpa, don't say such unlucky things. You're going to live a long, long life."
Taiping shook his head firmly as he carefully roasted the steamed buns over the stove.
"Taiping… have you ever heard of immortals?"
The old man suddenly asked, his voice soft but curious.
Chapter 2: At the Sickbed, Receiving Grandpa's Final Gift
The old man suddenly asked Taiping.
"I've heard of them."
Taiping nodded, a look of wonder flashing across his face as he continued:
"Uncle Zhao from the village entrance said there are immortals living on Mount Yunlu, not far from our village. A few years ago, a serpent demon terrorizing Qingshui Town was slain by an immortal who descended from the mountain. They soared through the skies and moved like the wind—so majestic."
The old man chuckled softly upon hearing this, then asked:
"Then, Taiping, would you like to be like those immortals—to live forever, soar through the clouds, and travel between heaven and earth?"
"Of course I would! Without a doubt."
Little Taiping nodded without hesitation, but then he scratched his head somewhat sheepishly and added:
"But Uncle Zhao said that to cultivate, one must be born with a spiritual bone. If you have a spiritual bone, your name will automatically appear on the Immortal Register. Then, an immortal will personally come down the mountain to take you up for training. Otherwise, if you're just an ordinary mortal, you can't cultivate immortality."
There was a hint of disappointment in Taiping's tone.
"Taiping…"
The old man hesitated for a moment, then looked at the boy seriously and asked in a hushed voice:
"If there were an opportunity… a chance for you to obtain a place on the Immortal Register, but it came with the risk of losing your life… would you be willing?"
"A chance for me… to get on the Immortal Register?"
Little Taiping was stunned at first, then fell into deep thought.
"Grandpa, if such an opportunity really exists… I would like to try."
A moment later, he lifted his head and looked firmly at the old man on the bed.
"Why? You know… it could cost you your life."
The old man gazed gently into Taiping's clear, bright eyes.
"If I became an immortal, I could heal you, Grandpa!"
Taiping replied as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
The old man was taken aback at first, then a warm smile slowly returned to his face.
"Taiping… take this."
With great effort, he raised his hand and passed a somewhat worn wooden box to Taiping.
"Grandpa?"
Taiping looked puzzled as he accepted the box.
For as long as he could remember, his grandfather had guarded this box carefully, never allowing anyone to see inside.
"O-open it."
The old man's voice was weak and strained.
"Okay…"
Although confused, Taiping obediently nodded and opened the box.
Inside, he saw a single crimson wax pill and an ordinary-looking soybean seed.
"This red wax pill," the old man began, not waiting for Taiping to ask, "was given to me by a Taoist priest I met by chance ten years ago. It's called the Spirit Bone Elixir. If taken, it can transform mortal bone into spiritual bone… and make your name appear on the Immortal Register."
Could such an immortal medicine truly exist?
The boy's expression was full of disbelief.
"The world is vast and full of wonders. A Spirit Bone Elixir is but one of them," the old man affirmed with a serious nod.
"But Grandpa, if this elixir has such miraculous effects, why didn't you take it yourself?"
A question suddenly occurred to little Taiping.
"The Taoist said the elixir only works on children between nine and eleven years old. When I received it, I was already sixty-three. Your father, your second uncle, your third uncle—they were all past forty. It would have been useless for any of us." A trace of bitter regret tinged the old man's smile.
It was clear this missed opportunity still pained him.
If it had been possible, who would willingly give up a chance at immortality?
"Moreover," the old man continued, "after taking the Spirit Bone Elixir, the effects only last six months. If you fail to reach the Qi Transformation realm—what the immortals call the first major stage of cultivation—within that time, the sect will discover you were originally mortal. Your name will be erased from the Immortal Register. At best, you'll be expelled from the mountain. At worst… your soul and memories will be wiped, and you'll be left a mindless fool."
The old man furrowed his brow as he continued.
Taiping was startled by his grandfather's words.
Yet after thinking it over carefully for a long moment, he finally nodded. With a look of sincere determination, he met the old man's gaze and said:
"Grandpa, I still want to try."
In his mind, if he could enter the immortal sect and learn immortal arts, he would be able to heal his grandfather's illness.
That made the risk worth taking.
"Good."
Seeing Taiping's unwavering resolve, the old man nodded with deep satisfaction. He then took the wax pill from the boy's hand, peeled away its waxy coating, and gently brought it to Taiping's lips:
"Swallow it."
Without hesitation, little Taiping consumed the Spirit Bone Elixir.
As the pill reached his stomach, a warm current spread through his body, like a tender hand soothing every part of him.
But aside from that… nothing particularly unusual happened.
"So… is that all?"
A somewhat surprised Taiping looked questioningly at his grandfather.
"In just a few days, an immortal from the mountain will come to take you away."
The old man smiled and nodded.
His expression was complex—filled with both joy and worry.
The joy needed no explanation: Taiping was his most beloved grandson, and the thought of him embarking on a path toward immortality brought him genuine happiness.
Yet he also worried, for this path was sure to be treacherous. There was a real possibility that little Taiping might not survive beyond six months—he could be expelled from the sect, stripped of his memories, and left a broken soul to live out his days in misery.
"The mortal world stretches vast and uncertain;
With ordinary bones, one seeks immortal fate.
Unless one braves a thousand mortal dangers,
How could the gates of heaven swing open?"
The old man was suddenly reminded of the wandering Taoist who had given him the elixir. Just before departing, the mystic had spoken these words softly, almost carelessly.
Recalling this, the old man's eyes once again grew firm—
"I was right to set Taiping on this path."
"Grandpa… what is this bean for?"
Feeling both anxious and curious, Taiping carefully picked up the single soybean seed from the wooden box.
"This was also left by that old Taoist," the grandfather replied weakly. "But he didn't explain its purpose—only that if one day you were fortunate enough to enter an immortal sect, you should plant this soybean in spiritual soil from the mountain. When the time comes… you will receive yet another great opportunity…"
He broke into another series of harsh, wrenching coughs.
"Grandpa, please drink some water. Don't speak anymore."
Worried, Taiping stepped forward to support the old man.
"Taiping… keep that bean safe… What I've told you tonight… you must… must never tell… anyone…"
The old man gripped Taiping's wrist with surprising strength.
"Don't worry, Grandpa. I won't tell a soul."
Little Taiping nodded earnestly.
"Taiping… you've always been wise beyond your years… but the world is full of dangers… You must be extremely careful…"
Suddenly, the old man—now coughing up blood at the corners of his mouth—clutched Taiping's shoulders with both hands. His eyes burned with intensity as he gathered the last of his strength and spoke in a fierce, trembling voice:
"Taiping… I spent my whole life searching for the path to immortality… but I was always trapped by this mortal body… You must strive… Strive not just for yourself… but for all mortal-kind! Prove that ordinary bones too can touch the heavens!"
With these final words, the old man's body stiffened, and he fell back onto the bed, motionless.
"Grand… Grandpa?"
A cold dread seized Taiping's heart.
Trembling, he reached a small hand to his grandfather's nose—there was no breath. The light in the boy's eyes dimmed.
"I… I have no grandpa now…"
He stood there in stunned silence, tears welling until they overflowed. Finally, a heartbroken cry burst from him—a raw, aching wail.
He hadn't cried when his parents died years ago.
He hadn't cried when he fell down the mountain while gathering herbs.
He hadn't cried when he was trapped in a cave for days by wild beasts, with nothing to eat or drink.
He had always told himself he wasn't alone—he still had his grandfather.
But tonight… little Taiping had no one left.
That same night, a new name quietly appeared on the Spirit Bone Tablet of the Qingxuan Sect atop Mount Yunlu:
Xu Taiping.
"A youth named Xu Taiping from Qingniu Village at the foot of Mount Yunlu has developed a spiritual bone. Notify the Peak Master of the Seventh Peak immediately—send a disciple to bring him to the sect."
The elder guarding the Spirit Bone Tablet slipped a letter into the beak of a white crane standing by the gate.
"As you command, Elder."
The crane spoke in a human voice, then spread its wings and soared into the night.
Chapter 3: On the Seventh Day, the Cruel Aunt Sells Her Nephew into Slavery
Six days later.
At the home of Xu Taiping's second uncle.
"What? You're going to sell Taiping?!"
Xu Ernian, Taiping's second uncle, stared in disbelief at his wife.
"Shh! Keep your voice down!"
His stout, fierce-looking wife raised a finger to her lips, signaling him to be quiet.
"Sell him? It's not 'selling'—it's an opportunity to serve the Bai Manor as a house attendant. Most people can only dream of such a position!"
She rolled her eyes at her husband.
"I know, but… that would mean registering him as a servant… a slave…" Uncle Ernian hesitated, his voice uneasy.
"At the Bai family, he'll eat well, dress well, and want for nothing! What's so bad about that? I've already accepted the deposit. The matter is settled." She waved her hand dismissively, making it clear there was no room for discussion.
"Alright then."
Unable to argue with his domineering wife, Uncle Ernian sighed softly and finally nodded.
"Where is Taiping now?"
The aunt asked impatiently.
"He's still in the mourning hall. Today is the seventh day since the funeral—he wanted to keep vigil for the old man."
Ernian, dressed in mourning clothes, wiped his mouth as he replied.
"The people from Bai Manor are already waiting at the village entrance. Go bring him back. Now."
She shot him an impatient glare.
"They're here already?" Ernian was surprised.
"The young master of the Bai family is starting private lessons next month. They happen to need a pageboy. Otherwise, do you think it would happen this fast? Stop wasting time and go drag that boy back from the hall."
She glared fiercely before adding, "Hurry up!"
"But… but today is the seventh-day rite. Can't we let him stay until after tonight?"
Uncle Ernian scratched his head uneasily.
After the death of Taiping's grandfather, the couple had been discussing how to deal with what they saw as a burden—young Taiping. Still, Ernian had some shred of conscience left; he didn't want to send the boy away before the seventh-day rituals were finished.
"Seventh day, seventh day—what does it matter? Is it more important than silver? You fool!"
Frustrated, the aunt poked her husband hard on the forehead. Then she leaned in and whispered mysteriously:
"Do you know how much the Bai family is offering? Thirty taels of silver. Thirty!"
Her eyes gleamed with greed.
Hearing that, Uncle Ernian froze for a second, then nodded firmly.
"I'll go get Taiping right now."
Half an hour later.
Qingniu Village entrance.
Xu Taiping gazed reluctantly in the direction of the mourning hall, then turned to his uncle and aunt to make one final request: "Uncle, can't I leave tomorrow?"
"Taiping, working at the Bai Manor is a rare opportunity! If you don't go now, you might miss your chance forever!"
The aunt smiled insincerely as she spoke.
"Auntie, you're just worried that if we wait until tomorrow, you won't get your silver, aren't you?"
Taiping gave her a cold look.
Although he had been keeping vigil all these days, he was no stranger to hardship and shrewdness. He knew exactly what his aunt and uncle were up to.
The reason he hadn't resisted was simple: he had no power to refuse, and part of him thought that going to the Bai Manor might not be so bad. After all, with his grandfather gone, he had no one left in the village who truly cared for him.
"How dare you speak to your aunt like that? She only wants what's best for you!"
Uncle Ernian glared at him angrily.
"Stop wasting time. Get on the carriage now. There have been rat demons spotted around here at night—we need to reach Qingzhu Ridge before dark."
The Bai family steward seated in the carriage behind Taiping urged impatiently.
"Coming, coming!"
Without another word, the uncle and aunt each grabbed one of Taiping's arms and forcefully dragged him toward the carriage.
Taiping didn't resist. He only felt a deep, bitter chill in his heart.
"Listen carefully, boy. This is your indenture contract with the Bai family. From this day forward, you are a servant of the Bai household. You have no more ties to Qingniu Village or the Xu family."
In front of the carriage, after Taiping pressed his thumbprint onto the document, the steward lifted the contract and waved it in the air.
"Mm."
Taiping nodded expressionlessly.
It seems the elixir Grandpa gave me didn't work after all. Six days have passed, and no immortal has come for me.
As the steward finalized matters with his aunt and uncle, Taiping silently lifted his head and gazed up at the sky.
He wasn't terribly disappointed about missing his chance to become an immortal. His biggest motivation had always been to heal his grandfather.
"Hey! Look! There's a white crane in the sky—bigger than a buffalo!"
"Where? Where?"
"Wait… there are… two people standing on it!"
Just then, villagers gathered at the entrance began pointing and exclaiming in astonishment.
Hearing the commotion, Taiping, the steward, and his uncle and aunt all looked up. Sure enough, a giant white crane soared overhead, and on its back stood two faintly visible figures.
"Im… immortals?"
After a few stunned seconds, the words escaped Taiping's lips softly.
"They are immortals! They must be!"
More villagers began shouting in excitement.
"Screee—!"
A clear crane cry echoed above as two figures descended gracefully from the sky, landing lightly before the crowd at the village entrance.
One was a young man in a light blue robe, the other a woman dressed in striking red. The man had sharp, handsome features and an aura of noble elegance; the woman's beauty was so ethereal it seemed to dim the world around her.
"Forgive our intrusion," the young man spoke courteously, cupping his hands in greeting. "We are disciples of the Qingxuan Sect from Mount Yunlu. My junior sister and I have come today in search of a youth."
The villagers murmured in awe—they had heard of immortals from nearby Mount Yunlu, but few had ever seen one.
"Might anyone here know a young man named Xu Taiping?"
The female disciple in red also stepped forward, smiling warmly as she addressed the crowd.
Her smile was captivating enough to make anyone's heart skip a beat.
"Xu… Xu Taiping?"
"That's him! He's Xu Taiping!"
After a moment's hesitation, several villagers pointed toward Taiping standing beside the carriage.
Most people in Qingniu Village knew each other, and the Xu family, with their uncommon surname, were especially familiar to everyone.
"Are you Xu Taiping?"
The woman in red took a step closer, looking at the boy with visible delight.
"Yes."
Taiping nodded.
He had already guessed who these two must be.
"Senior Brother."
Seeing his confirmation, the woman turned eagerly toward the young man.
"The jade slip is reacting. He's the one we're looking for."
The man nodded, holding up a faintly glowing green jade slip for her to see.
"E-esteemed Immortal… has my nephew… done something wrong?"
Uncle Ernian finally gathered the courage to ask.
"Who asked you to interfere!"
Before he could say more, his wife yanked him backward, putting several feet between them and Taiping.
Not only them—the other villagers also quickly stepped back, leaving a wide circle around Taiping.
It was clear most shared Uncle Ernian's fear: that Taiping must have committed some offense, attracting the attention of the immortals.
After all, Qingniu Village was close to Mount Yunlu. Even if they hadn't seen it themselves, everyone had heard stories of immortals descending to punish evildoers or eliminate monsters.
Chapter 4: Thirty Taels of Silver — Little Taiping Severs His Ties to the Mortal World
"Done something wrong?"
The female disciple in red couldn't help but laugh softly at the question, then waved her hand dismissively.
"We haven't come to punish anyone. We're here to take this young man, Xu Taiping, up the mountain with us."
"Up the mountain?"
Everyone, including Xu Ernian, still looked completely bewildered.
"Xu Taiping has awakened a spiritual bone, and his name has been entered into the Immortal Register. We are here today to bring him back to Qingxuan Sect so he may formally become one of us."
The young male disciple spoke calmly, his expression unchanging.
"Join the… Qingxuan Sect? Then… does that mean he'll become an immortal? My Xu family… is going to have an immortal?"
As the words sank in, Xu Ernian stood frozen as if struck by lightning, muttering to himself in disbelief.
Ignoring the stunned villagers, the two Qingxuan disciples turned their attention fully to Taiping, both extending a hand toward him.
"Little Taiping, come with us. From today onward, you'll be the youngest junior brother of our Seventh Peak."
The female disciple in red smiled warmly, her voice gentle and inviting.
Hearing her tone, Taiping felt an unexpected warmth spread through his chest—for a moment, it was almost as if he had found family again.
"Wait!"
Just as Taiping was about to take her hand, his aunt abruptly grabbed his arm and pulled him back.
"Y-you two Immortals… you can't just take our Taiping away like this! He's the pillar of our Xu family! He's meant to become a top scholar, bring glory to our ancestors!"
The plump aunt put on an exaggerated show of reluctance, her eyes filled with false concern as she smiled ingratiatingly at the two disciples.
Hearing her words, Taiping felt even colder inside.
Since he was a child, this aunt had always treated him as a burden, a jinx—when had she ever expressed any hope that he would bring honor to the family?
Unaware of the true situation, the Qingxuan disciples initially assumed her reluctance was genuine.
"How can a mere imperial scholar compare to being a disciple of Qingxuan Sect? Still, since you are his aunt and uncle, please accept this golden bowl as a token of our gratitude."
The male disciple retrieved a small golden bowl from his sleeve and offered it to the aunt.
"No—"
"Honored Immortals!"
Just as Taiping was about to explain the truth, the Bai family steward jumped down from the carriage. He grabbed Taiping's arm with one hand and held up the indenture contract with the other, declaring loudly:
"This Xu Taiping has already been sold by his aunt and uncle to the Bai family! It's written clearly in black and white—he is now a servant of the Bai household! That golden bowl should rightfully belong to us!"
Who wouldn't covet a gift from an immortal?
Hearing this, the two Qingxuan disciples frowned simultaneously.
"You're lying! I only sent Taiping to work for the Bai family—I never sold him into servitude!"
The aunt, flustered and furious, tried to snatch the contract from the steward's hand.
"That's right! My nephew is an immortal disciple now! This contract with the Bai family is void!"
Uncle Ernian joined in, and a chaotic struggle over the document broke out.
"Enough!"
Seeing the situation devolve into disorder, the male Qingxuan disciple raised his voice sharply.
As he spoke, an invisible pressure radiated from him—like an angered tiger ready to strike—immediately silencing both the aunt and the steward.
"Taiping," the female disciple in red stepped closer, her voice full of concern, "is it true that you were sold into servitude with the Bai family?"
Taiping met her gaze, then nodded quietly.
"Yes."
As he spoke the word, he suddenly felt as if heavy chains had been unlocked—a sense of relief and freedom washed over him.
After receiving Xu Taiping's reply, the female disciple in red looked at him with noticeably increased pity and compassion in her eyes.
"You little ingrate! How dare you lie like that? After all these years we—"
"Let him go."
Just as the plump aunt was about to grab Taiping, the red-clad young woman flicked her sleeve, releasing a powerful gust of wind that sent the hefty woman stumbling backward.
"Y-you… you may be immortals, but you still have to be reasonable, don't you? I… I…"
Clearly frightened by the display of power, the aunt continued to mutter excuses but kept retreating.
"Honored Immortals, I have the signed contract right here—black ink, white paper, red thumbprint. Xu Taiping is now a servant of the Bai family. These two can't deny it!"
The Bai family steward, eyes fixed on potential profit, quickly stepped forward and handed over the indenture document.
The young Qingxuan disciple took the contract, glanced over it, and then smiled coldly as he turned his gaze toward Taiping's aunt and uncle.
"A disciple of our Qingxuan Sect… is worth only thirty taels of silver to you?"
Hearing that the couple had sold their own nephew for such a meager sum, the red-clad young woman beside him clenched her fists, her face flushed with anger.
"You sold your own flesh and blood for thirty pieces of silver, and now you have the nerve to ask us for rewards? It seems what you really deserve is a lesson!"
Fiery and righteous by nature, the young woman raised her sleeve as if to strike.
"Spare us, Immortal! Have mercy!"
The couple immediately fell to their knees, begging for forgiveness.
"Junior Sister, remember our master's instructions."
The blue-robed young man placed a hand on her shoulder and gave her a meaningful look.
Although still visibly angry, she reluctantly lowered her hand.
"Since this contract is genuine," the young man turned back to the steward, "how much silver would you consider fair for Qingxuan Sect to buy back his freedom?"
"Th-this…"
The steward stammered, hesitating for a long moment before finally gritting his teeth and holding up three fingers. "Th-three hundred taels!"
"A disciple of Qingxuan Sect is worth only three hundred taels?"
The young man laughed coldly once more.
Without another word, he drew a heavy, bulging pouch from his sleeve and tossed it casually to the steward.
"This…!"
The steward's eyes widened in shock as he opened the pouch and saw that it was filled with pure gold ingots.
The villagers, including Taiping's aunt and uncle, gasped collectively at the sight of the gold.
"Is that enough?"
The young man smiled faintly.
"Y-yes, more than enough! This gold… it could be exchanged for three thousand taels of silver!"
The steward clutched the pouch excitedly, nodding repeatedly.
Upon hearing this, the faces of Xu Ernian and his wife turned deathly pale.
Though they had little schooling, they understood perfectly well the difference between three thousand taels and thirty taels.
"You two exalted Immortals! That silver shouldn't go to the Bai family! We… we only received a meager thirty taels from them!"
The plump aunt threw herself toward the young man, but he seemed to vanish and reappear elsewhere as if by illusion, making her stumble and fall headfirst to the ground.
"Taiping, Taiping! Quick, tell the Immortals! Those three thousand taels should rightfully belong to your uncle!"
Seeing his wife's failed attempt, Xu Ernian rushed forward to grab Taiping by the arm.
But Taiping, now holding the red-clad young woman's hand, was suddenly several feet away in a shimmer of movement, leaving Ernian grasping at empty air.
Unable to reach their nephew, the silver-obsessed couple turned their frenzy toward the Bai family steward. Shouting, "The silver is ours!" they began wrestling with him and his two servants over the pouch of gold.
"Taiping, your mortal ties are now severed. Will you follow us to Mount Yunlu and walk the path of immortality together?"
The Qingxuan Sect young disciple tore the contract of servitude to pieces, then extended his hand toward the boy.
Chapter 5: Crossing the Sea of Clouds; The Qingxuan Sect Veiled Within
Meanwhile, the young girl holding Xu Taiping's hand simply watched him with a silent, gentle smile.
Xu Taiping looked at the young man before him, then at the red-clad girl beside him, and finally at his aunt and uncle who were still wrestling with the Bai family steward over the money. The last trace of hesitation in his eyes vanished completely.
"I am willing."
With unwavering determination, Xu Taiping nodded firmly at the young disciples.
Hearing this, the young man laughed heartily. With a sweep of his sleeve, he summoned a gentle breeze that lifted Taiping and the girl into the air, landing them gracefully upon the waiting immortal crane.
"Taiping, I am Du Gu Qingxiao, the Second Disciple of the Seventh Peak of Qingxuan Sect."
"And I'm Zhao Linglong, the Seventh Disciple of the Seventh Peak! From now on, you can call me 'Little Sister'!"
"Taiping greets Senior Brother and Senior Sister."
Amidst their laughter and introductions, the villagers below could only watch as the massive crane soared higher, disappearing into the sea of clouds until it was completely out of sight.
As for Taiping's aunt and uncle, their struggle against the steward and his servants ended in defeat. Having lost both their nephew and the money, they could do nothing but sit beneath the old elm tree at the village entrance, shaking their fists at the sky and cursing in helpless fury.
Mount Yunlu
In just a single day, carried by the immortal crane, Xu Taiping arrived at the legendary Mount Yunlu.
To be precise, however, the Mount Yunlu known to the mortal world was merely the entrance to the Qingxuan Sect.
It was like an iceberg in the polar seas—what was visible above the surface was only a tiny fraction of the whole.
"The 'Mount Yunlu' known to mortals is merely the outer barrier of the Seven Peaks," Linglong explained excitedly as they approached the sea of clouds shrouding the mountain peaks. "The true Seven Peaks are perpetually veiled by a misty结界 (boundary/barrier) and can only be accessed with the guidance of a spiritual beast."
"And how vast… is the true Mount Yunlu?" Xu Taiping asked, his curiosity growing.
"The mountain range stretches for thousands of miles, with the seven main peaks towering tens of thousands of feet high," answered Qingxiao, who had been meditating nearby. "Its total area is likely no smaller than your Great Liang Kingdom. But because Mount Yunlu exists within its own separate realm, it appears as just a small mountain range to mortal eyes."
"No smaller than the Great Liang Kingdom?" Taiping's understanding of the world was shattered once again.
"Indeed. Within the cultivation world, there are many such hidden realms and secret territories like Mount Yunlu," Linglong added with a nod. "And our Qingxuan Sect is actually considered only a third-class cultivation sect."
"And above the third class…"
BOOM!
Just as Taiping was about to ask more about the cultivation world, a violent gale suddenly slammed into them, causing their crane to let out a sharp cry.
"Little Junior Brother, this is the boundary wind stirred by the mountain's protective formation! Hold my hand tightly, or you might fall!" Linglong shouted, gripping Taiping's hand.
"Mhm!" Nodding, Taiping clenched her soft, slender hand with all his strength.
Whoosh…
In the blink of an eye, the chaotic winds vanished completely. Before them now lay a sky of pristine blue, endless rolling mountains, peaks piercing the clouds, and floating isles drifting serenely within the sea of mist.
"This… is the true Mount Yunlu," Zhao Linglong announced proudly, standing up to gaze at the magnificent vista.
"Brother Qingxiao, Sister Linglong."
A sweet, gentle voice sounded from beside them.
Taiping turned to see a streak of cyan light flying toward them from within the clouds. Looking closer, he saw a graceful, sweet-faced woman riding a large jade gourd, with a young girl standing behind her.
"Sister Ziyan! What brings you down the mountain?" Zhao Linglong waved cheerfully.
"Shortly after you left, the Spirit Bone Tablet reacted again," Ziyan replied with a smile, glancing at the girl behind her. "Our Sixth Peak has also gained a new disciple chosen by the tablet."
The girl was dressed in a pure white dress, her skin as pale and flawless as fine jade. From a distance, she looked like an exquisitely crafted porcelain doll.
"What a beautiful little girl," Zhao Linglong praised sincerely.
"Congratulations," Qingxiao said, cupping his hands in salute. "The Sixth Peak has gained another promising seedling. With this, you'll surely take the top spot in the next Seven Peaks Competition."
Ziyan covered her mouth as she laughed, a subtle, unconscious charm flashing in her eyes. "Buyu, greet Senior Brother Qingxiao and Senior Sister Linglong," she said, patting the young girl's shoulder.
"Buyu… greets Senior Brother Qingxiao and Senior Sister Linglong," the girl recited somewhat awkwardly, performing a slightly stiff bow.
"No need for such formality," Qingxiao replied warmly.
Linglong, meanwhile, turned to Taiping and patted his head. "Taiping, quickly greet Sister Ziyan from the Sixth Peak and your future little junior sister. Remember, the Sixth Peak is the wealthiest of all seven! You'd do well to stay on her good side!"
"Taiping… greets Sister Ziyan, and… Sister Buyu." Though slightly bewildered, Taiping still bowed respectfully.
"No need to be so polite," Ziyan said warmly. "Once you officially become a disciple of the Seventh Peak, I'll gift you a Marrow-Nourishing Pill."
"Quick, thank Sister Ziyan!" Seeing Taiping still a bit dazed, Linglong immediately pressed his head down into another bow of thanks.
"Th-thank you, Sister Ziyan," he stammered, still processing everything.
"Brother Qingxiao, are you heading to the Dragon Gate Hall next?" Ziyan asked, changing the subject.
"Indeed. Before taking Taiping to the Seventh Peak, we must first go to the Dragon Gate Hall to test his spiritual bone," Qingxiao confirmed.
"Then I shall accompany you," Ziyan said, steering her jade gourd to fly alongside their crane.
"Let's go together, then," Qingxiao agreed.
"Tsk tsk, Sister Ziyan, why don't you ride the crane with my senior brother, and I'll take Buyu with me on my sword?" Linglong suggested with a mischievous grin.
"Zhao Linglong, are you asking for a beating?" Ziyan's cheeks flushed bright red.
"Keep talking nonsense, and I'll kick you right off this crane," Qingxiao added, shooting a warning glance at the snickering Linglong.
"I yield, I yield!" Linglong clung to Taiping's shoulder, pretending to beg for mercy.
Taiping's own face felt warm. It was the first time in his life a girl he'd just met had held him so closely.
But even more pressing than his embarrassment was the earlier statement from Qingxiao: "We must first go to the Dragon Gate Hall to test his spiritual bone."
"Senior Brother Qingxiao, why must my spiritual bone be tested?" Taiping finally asked.
"Although you were personally chosen by the Spirit Bone Tablet and can join the Seventh Peak directly without further examination, we still need to determine the type and grade of your spiritual bone. This will greatly benefit your future cultivation training," Qingxiao explained.
"Little Taiping, you probably don't know this yet," Linglong chimed in, slinging an arm over his shoulder. "In the cultivation world, while having a spiritual bone allows you to cultivate, not all spiritual bones are the same—they come in different types and grades."
She began counting on her fingers as she explained: "For types, the most common are the Five Element spiritual bones: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Besides those, there are also rare variants like Ice, Thunder, and Wind."
"As for grades, there are four main ranks: Purple Spiritual Bone, Gold Spiritual Bone, Mysterious Spiritual Bone, and White Spiritual Bone. The Purple Spiritual Bone is the rarest and is also called the Heavenly Spiritual Bone. The White Spiritual Bone… is considered the most useless."
Hearing this, understanding dawned on Taiping. "Why is the White Spiritual Bone the most useless?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
"The White Spiritual Bone is often called the 'Pseudo-Spiritual Bone'," Zhao Linglong explained with a sigh. "While it technically allows for cultivation, the progress is extremely slow. It often takes decades just to break through the 'Gate Opening' realm, making it little different from having no spiritual bone at all."
"If... if I'm tested and found to have a White Spiritual Bone, will I not be allowed to become a disciple of the Seventh Peak?" Xu Taiping hesitated for a moment before finally voicing the question weighing on his mind.
In his view, while the elixir his grandfather left him had managed to get his name onto the Spirit Bone Tablet, it might not be enough to deceive the Qingxuan Sect's direct testing methods. He knew the truth all too well—he had no innate spiritual bone.
"Well, that's technically true," Linglong admitted, "but Taiping, since you were chosen by the Spirit Bone Tablet, even if you aren't a rare Heavenly Spiritual Bone, you must at least be a Golden Spiritual Bone, or at the very worst, a Mysterious Spiritual Bone. There's absolutely no way you could be a White Spiritual Bone!" she asserted with great confidence.
"Your Senior Sister Linglong is right," Qingxiao added reassuringly, gently patting Taiping's head. "Disciples chosen by the Spirit Bone Tablet are almost always Golden or even Heavenly Spiritual Bones. There's no need for you to worry so much, Junior Brother."
"Right! And even if you were a White Spiritual Bone, don't worry! Disciples with White Spiritual Bones are allowed to cultivate at the foot of the mountain for three years. If they can pass the entrance assessment after three years, they can still officially become a disciple of the peaks!" Linglong added cheerfully.
"Mhm." Taiping nodded, forcing a faint smile onto his face.
Hearing that even a White Spiritual Bone wouldn't lead to immediate expulsion eased his anxiety slightly.
A short while later.
Qingxuan Sect, Dragon Gate Hall.
The hall was situated on a floating mountain. The slopes were covered in vibrant flowers, and rare, exotic animals were随处可见 (seen everywhere). The path leading up to the hall at the summit was exceptionally steep and treacherous. If not for Qingxiao and Zhao Linglong guiding him, Taiping felt it would have taken him days, if he could have made it at all.
"Who approaches?"
The moment they stepped onto the plaza before the hall, a voice, ancient and filled with authority, washed over them like a wave emanating from within the great hall.
"Seventh Peak, Du Gu Qingxiao."
"Seventh Peak,Zhao Linglong."
"Sixth Peak,Xu Ziyan."
"Paying our respects to Elder Black Dragon!"
Upon hearing the voice, the three immediately identified themselves and bowed with deep reverence.
Though Taiping didn't know this Elder Black Dragon, seeing the respect his seniors showed, he too bowed deeply toward the hall.
Lin Buyu, however, remained perfectly calm and still from beginning to end, simply standing silently in place.
"What brings you to the hall today?" The ancient, authoritative voice sounded once more.
"Today, I, along with Junior Sister Ziyan of the Sixth Peak, have each brought back a disciple chosen by the Spirit Bone Tablet," Qingxiao replied with utmost respect. "Before returning to our respective peaks, we humbly request that Elder Black Dragon test their spiritual bones."
"Enter."
Soon, the command flew out from within the Dragon Gate Hall.
...
Inside the Hall.
"Is that... Elder Black Dragon?"
The moment he entered the main hall, Xu Taiping was startled by the imposing figure of the elder seated within.
In the center of the great hall sat a man of immense stature on a gigantic cattail hassock. Even while seated, the elder loomed before Taiping like a small hill.
Even more startling was the man's appearance. Although he wore robes of fine purple silk and had the build of a powerful adult male, his head was that of a fierce water dragon, a truly fearsome and狰狞 (ferocious) sight.
"Elder Black Dragon's true form is a spiritual flood dragon from the Xunyang River," Zhao Linglong quickly explained, having anticipated Taiping's shock. "He cultivated for five hundred years to attain human form. Afterwards, he followed our Qingxuan Sect's founding patriarch and became one of the Sect's Guardian Spirit Beast Elders. His appearance might be intimidating, but his heart is truly kind. Don't be afraid."
"Mhm, Senior Sister, I'm not afraid," Taiping nodded. His reaction had been more surprise than genuine fear.
"Sister Ziyan, what a coincidence."
Just then, a man in white robes, leading a youth dressed in luxurious clothes, stepped out from beside Elder Black Dragon.
"Senior Brother Jin?" Upon seeing the man, Xu Ziyan's brow furrowed involuntarily.
"What are you doing here?" Qingxiao asked, his tone noticeably less than friendly.
Though he didn't know the reason, Taiping could clearly tell that both of them strongly disliked this man.
"I was eliminating demons in the Tianlang Kingdom recently and happened to discover that this young prince possesses a spiritual bone," the man said, a smirk playing on his lips. "So, I brought him up the mountain and came to Elder Black Dragon to have his bone tested."
As he spoke, he completely ignored Qingxiao, his gaze brazenly sweeping over Ziyan and Linglong instead.
"It's been a few years, Junior Sister Linglong. I see you've grown into a fine young woman," he said, his smile carrying a hint of wickedness as he looked at Zhao Linglong.
"Jin Hezhi, if you don't want those eyes of yours, I can pluck them out for you right now," Qingxiao declared, stepping forward to block the man's line of sight.
"I'd like to see you tr—"
"Enough!"
Just as Jin Hezhi was about to retort, Elder Black Dragon, who had been sitting silently with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them, revealing a pair of strange, golden, vertical pupils.
"This is not the Seventh Peak, nor is it the First Peak. This is my Dragon Gate Hall."
The Elder's gaze swept over both men.
"Yes, Elder."
Both Qingxiao and Jin Hezhi immediately retreated, chastened.
"Bring the children forward for the spiritual bone test."
Elder Black Dragon commanded as he reached into his sleeve and withdrew a dragon pearl.
The pearl was nearly the size of Taiping's head, utterly crystalline like a transparent amber sphere. Around it,青色 (cyan-colored) halos of light continuously pulsed outward like ripples on water.
At the same time.
Xu Taiping, Lin Buyu, and the young prince in his fine clothes all stepped forward to stand before Elder Black Dragon.
"You three children, step forward one at a time and place your hand upon this pearl," Elder Black Dragon instructed, holding the dragon pearl as his gaze passed over each of them.
"I'll go first!"
No sooner had the Elder finished speaking than the young prince brashly stepped up and slapped his hand onto the pearl.
Elder Black Dragon frowned slightly but said nothing.
"Close your eyes and focus your spirit. Do not open them until I tell you to," the Elder commanded coolly.
A golden light then began to glow around the Elder's body. Streams of golden energy gathered from around him into the dragon pearl in his hand, and then from the pearl, they enveloped the young prince's entire body.
"Huummm..."
A moment later, accompanied by a faint humming sound, the dragon pearl in Elder Black Dragon's hand blazed with brilliant golden light, while flames visibly danced and coiled around its surface and the prince's form.
"A Fire-Aligned Golden Spiritual Bone! It's actually a Fire-Aligned Golden Spiritual Bone! Hahaha…!"
Seeing this, Jin Hezhi, who was standing near Qingxiao, burst into unrestrained laughter.
Although Elder Black Dragon visibly disapproved of Jin Hezhi's loud outburst, he did not stop him. In his view, the addition of a Fire-Aligned Golden Spiritual Bone disciple was indeed a cause for celebration for the Qingxuan Sect.
Chapter 7: A Cruel Twist of Fate — The Spirit Bone That Bars Taiping from the Seventh Peak
"Senior Brother Jin, as I told you earlier, I am no ordinary spiritual bone," declared the youth in lavish robes, who had now opened his eyes. Seeing the transformation of the dragon pearl, his face lit up with smug satisfaction.
Xu Taiping observed this with perfect calm—neither envy nor jealousy stirred within him.
Lin Buyu, standing beside him, appeared equally unmoved.
"What is your name, young one?" Elder Black Dragon inquired as he withdrew the dragon pearl, his gaze resting on the haughty youth.
"I am the Ninth Prince of Tianlang Kingdom, surnamed Ye, given name Xuan. Since childhood, I have—"
"Enough. Step aside." Before the youth could finish, Elder Black Dragon waved a hand, cutting him off, clearly displeased with his arrogant demeanor.
Though visibly annoyed, Ye Xuan dared not protest. He stalked off to stand beside Jin Hezhi with a disgruntled air.
"You, next."
Elder Black Dragon's finger now pointed toward Lin Buyu.
She nodded silently, took small, measured steps forward, and placed a delicate hand upon the dragon pearl.
Watching this, Xu Ziyan of the Sixth Peak felt her chest tighten.
While the Spirit Bone Tablet rarely made mistakes, there was always a slim chance of error. The difference in future achievement between a Golden Spiritual Bone and a Mysterious Spiritual Bone was vast, not to mention the distinctions between spiritual bone types. It was impossible for Ziyan not to feel nervous.
"Huummm…"
Another soft hum filled the air as the dragon pearl in Elder Black Dragon's hand once again radiated a golden light. This time, however, instead of flames, crackling arcs of electricity coiled around the pearl's surface.
"A Thunder Variant Bone! And at the Golden Spiritual Bone level!" Upon seeing this, even the usually reserved Fairy Ziyan could not hold back a gasp of astonishment.
"Congratulations, Junior Sister Ziyan! A Thunder Variant Bone of Golden grade—our Qingxuan Sect hasn't seen one in centuries!" Qingxiao immediately stepped forward to offer his congratulations.
"Sister Ziyan, with such a treasure falling into the Sixth Peak's lap, you simply must treat us all to a feast at the Drunken Immortal Tavern!" Linglong added cheerfully.
"Congratulations, Junior Sister Ziyan," Jin Hezhi offered reluctantly, his words lacking genuine warmth.
"Hahaha…"
Suddenly, Elder Black Dragon, who had remained stern throughout, burst into hearty laughter, the sound causing the very hall to tremble.
"One Thunder, one Fire—both Golden Bones! There is hope yet for the resurgence of our Qingxuan Sect!" he boomed.
Taking all of this in, Xu Taiping's heart remained as still as ancient, deep water. Only when Lin Buyu passed by him did he softly say, "Congratulations, Sister Buyu."
Buyu turned her head, glanced at him, and nodded slightly. "Thank you."
Both shared a temperament that remained unswayed by glory or disgrace, though Buyu seemed the more unflappable of the two.
"Young one, it is your turn now."
Elder Black Dragon's voice rang out once more.
Taiping looked up to meet the Elder's vertical pupils, which now held a clear glint of anticipation.
Qingxiao and Linglong, standing to the side, tensed visibly, their eyes locking onto Taiping.
"Yes."
After meeting the Elder's gaze, Taiping nodded, his expression serene.
Under the collective watch of everyone present, he placed his hand upon the dragon pearl in Elder Black Dragon's grasp, closed his eyes, and focused his spirit.
"Huummm…"
He felt a warm energy slowly enveloping him. Soon after, he sensed a vibration from the pearl in his hand.
Opening his eyes, he saw that the originally transparent pearl had turned a deathly, skeletal white, eerily resembling the color of bleached animal bones abandoned by the roadside.
"So it is," Taiping murmured inwardly.
His suspicion was confirmed. The elixir his grandfather had given him could get his name onto the Immortal Register, but it could not grant him a true spiritual bone.
"Wh-… White Bone?"
Senior Sister Zhao Linglong stared at the bone-white pearl, her eyes wide with utter disbelief.
Though Qingxiao remained silent, the shock evident on his face was no less than Linglong's.
"The Spirit Bone Tablet actually picked out a White Bone? The Seventh Peak's luck remains as wretched as ever," Jin Hezhi sneered, unable to suppress another laugh, his tone dripping with mockery.
"You—!"
"Junior Sister."
Just as Linglong was about to retort, Qingxiao stopped her with a hand on her arm.
"Elder Black Dragon, could you… test him once more?" Qingxiao requested, turning to the Elder.
"Qingxiao, you know perfectly well that my pearl does not make mistakes," Elder Black Dragon declared authoritatively as he withdrew the pearl.
"Alas…" Qingxiao let out a long, heavy sigh.
"Ziyan, Hezhi, take your disciples up the mountain. You are no longer needed here," Elder Black Dragon said, looking at Ziyan and Jin Hezhi.
"Elder Black Dragon, Junior Brother Qingxiao, Junior Sister Linglong, we take our leave." Jin Hezhi smiled, took Ye Xuan by the hand, and turned to depart.
"Senior Brother Jin, surely our Qingxuan Sect doesn't accept White Bones, does it?"
"Trash like that? Our First Peak certainly won't take him."
Their conversation floated back from the doorway, stoking the fury burning in Qingxiao and Linglong's hearts, yet leaving them powerless to respond.
Knowing their mood was foul, Ziyan simply bid a quiet farewell and left with Lin Buyu.
Once the others had departed, Elder Black Dragon reopened his eyes.
"A White Bone is not qualified to become a disciple of the Seven Peaks," he stated, his gaze falling upon Xu Taiping, who stood motionless and silent. "You may either remain at the mountain's base as an unregistered disciple for three years, challenging the Seven Peaks selection at that time, or you may leave the mountain immediately."
He was clearly waiting for Taiping to make his choice.
"Taiping…"
"Let him decide for himself."
Linglong seemed about to offer Taiping some advice, but Elder Black Dragon cut her off sharply.
Hearing this, Linglong wisely closed her mouth and said no more.
"If I can pass the Seven Peaks selection, will I still be able to join the Seventh Peak and become your and Brother Qingxiao's junior brother?" Taiping did not answer the Elder immediately. Instead, he turned to look at Qingxiao and Linglong.
"On this point, I can guarantee it on my Master's behalf," Qingxiao stated solemnly. "If you pass the selection, the gates of the Seventh Peak will be open to you."
He felt a pang of guilt for failing to bring Taiping directly into the sect.
"Taiping, passing the selection would be wonderful, but… it is exceedingly difficult," Linglong said, her face full of concern as she shook her head at him.
Taiping offered her a small smile. Then, turning back to Elder Black Dragon, he said firmly, "Elder, I wish to remain at the mountain's base and train for three years."
He would not break the promise he had made to his grandfather.
Seeing Taiping's decision, Elder Black Dragon gave a faint, indifferent nod. He then retrieved a jade slip and handed it to Taiping. "Take this jade slip. Someone will guide you to your lodgings below and explain what you need to do next."
"Thank you, Elder." Taiping accepted the slip.
"Elder Black Dragon, I was the one who brought this child up the mountain. Please allow me to take him down and get him settled," Linglong requested, stepping forward.
"Disciples of the Seven Peaks may not descend the mountain at will, nor interfere in the affairs of those below," the Elder intoned. "However… considering you were his guide, I will make an exception this once."
After a brief moment of contemplation, he nodded slowly in tacit approval.
"Thank you, Elder Black Dragon!" Linglong was overjoyed at having obtained permission.
"Your time below the peaks must not exceed two hours. And do not try any tricks," the Elder warned Zhao Linglong. "What happens on the Seven Peaks is beyond my concern, but below them, not even a single blade of grass may be disturbed without my knowledge."
"Don't worry, Elder. I promise I won't do anything unnecessary," Linglong assured him with a sheepish grin and a playful stick of her tongue, her plan having been seen through.
...
A short while later.
In front of the Dragon Gate Hall.
"Junior Sister, I must report this matter to our Master. I leave Taiping in your care. Please ensure he is properly settled. It will be difficult for us to come down to see him after this," Qingxiao instructed Linglong.
"Don't worry, Senior Brother. I'll make all the necessary arrangements," Linglong assured him.
Qingxiao nodded. In one fluid motion, he leaped into the air, landing gracefully atop a jade flute that shot through the sky like a streak of light.
"Come on, Taiping. First, we'll get you registered. Then we'll find you a good place at the foot of the mountain where you can both earn merit and cultivate," Linglong said cheerfully, patting Taiping's shoulder.
"Earn merit?" The term puzzled Xu Taiping.
"That's right," Linglong sighed and began to explain. "All outer sect disciples residing below Qingxuan Sect must earn merit points each year. Only by earning enough merit can they remain within the sect. Otherwise, they are expelled from the mountain."
"How does one earn merit?" Taiping asked further.
"After registration, each outer sect disciple is allotted one courtyard, along with several mu of immortal farmland or a medicinal herb garden. You can raise livestock in the courtyard and grow spirit grain or medicinal herbs in the fields. When the harvest is ready, you can sell them to earn merit coins," Linglong explained in detail.
"Thank you, Sister Linglong. I understand. This 'merit' is essentially the same as silver in the mortal world," Taiping concluded, nodding.
"You could put it that way," Linglong smiled. She then took Taiping's hand and said, "Let's go, Taiping. We'll head to the West Wind Pavilion first to get you registered, and then we'll see what kind of work might suit you."
Chapter 8: At Green Bamboo Lodge, Taiping Bids Linglong Farewell
Mount Yunlu, West Wind Pavilion.
This was one of the offices within the Qingxuan Sect responsible for handling the affairs of outer sect disciples.
"Fairy Linglong, the registration for this young brother is complete. Please keep this bronze mirror and this jade transmission slip safe."
Inside the West Wind Pavilion, an elderly man with greying hair handed a wooden box containing a bronze mirror and a white jade slip to Linglong, who stood before him.
"Taiping, take good care of this mirror," Linglong said, passing both the mirror and the jade slip to Taiping first. "It serves as proof of your identity as an outer sect recorded disciple, and it is also a magical tool you will use in the future to listen to the Elders' scripture lectures."
"That's correct," the old man from the West Wind Pavilion added with a smile. "Outer sect disciples cannot receive personal guidance from masters like the inner sect disciples do. They can only observe the sect's elders lecturing on scriptures through this bronze mirror on the first and fifteenth days of each month."
"And what about this jade slip?" Xu Taiping asked, nodding in understanding before picking up the jade slip.
"This is a Merit Transmission Jade Slip," the old man continued. "It contains a Qi Refining method. To use it, you simply need to calm your mind, focus your spirit, and press it against the space between your eyebrows."
"Exactly," Linglong added. "The jade slip also contains detailed instructions on how to use the bronze mirror, as well as the rules and commandments you need to observe after entering the sect. You can study it once you're settled in."
"Alright," Xu Taiping nodded.
"Pavilion Master Liu," Linglong turned her gaze back to the West Wind Pavilion Master. "Do you currently have any medicinal herb gardens under your jurisdiction that need tending?"
"This…" Pavilion Master Liu's expression stiffened slightly.
In the outer sect, the easiest way to earn merit was undoubtedly tending a spirit herb garden. The work was relatively light, and the merit earned was substantial.
"Pavilion Master Liu, this child is a distant relative of my family," Zhao Linglong said very seriously. "If you can help with this matter, consider it a personal favor owed to you by me, Zhao Linglong of the Seventh Peak."
Hearing this, Pavilion Master Liu's eyes suddenly lit up. He knew Zhao Linglong's status—she was a personal disciple of the Seventh Peak's Lord, destined for a bright future. A favor from her could be very valuable.
"Since Fairy Linglong personally asks, of course, I must help," Pavilion Master Liu deliberated for a brief moment before nodding.
Hearing this, Zhao Linglong visibly relaxed.
Meanwhile, Xu Taiping cast a grateful look toward Linglong, silently vowing to remember this kindness.
"To be frank with you, Fairy," Pavilion Master Liu began, pointing to a map on the wall and stroking his beard, "among the western mountains under our West Wind Pavilion's jurisdiction, there is indeed one herb garden currently without a caretaker. It's located in Yunqi Valley, about three thousand li from here. The place is called Green Bamboo Lodge. Besides three mu of spirit herb gardens, there is also a ready-made small courtyard where you can live and cultivate."
...
Half an hour later.
Outside the West Wind Pavilion.
"Pavilion Master," a steward of the West Wind Pavilion spoke worriedly, watching the figures of Fairy Linglong and Xu Taiping departing on the crane, "didn't cultivators previously report strange occurrences and evil spirits at that Green Bamboo Lodge? If something happens to the boy there, won't we have trouble explaining it to Fairy Linglong?"
"Mere rumors and speculation," the old Pavilion Master shook his head dismissively. "Some disciples from the Fourth Peak went to investigate a few days ago and found nothing unusual."
"Besides," he continued, shooting the steward a sidelong glance, "even if there really is a problem, he's just an outer mountain disciple. If he dies, he dies. Every year, if half of these newly entered outer sect recorded disciples manage to survive in the mountains, it's considered a good outcome. If I had to take responsibility for every death, how could I possibly remain the Pavilion Master?"
"You are right, Pavilion Master. I worried unnecessarily," the steward replied, withdrawing with a somewhat embarrassed expression.
...
Another half hour later.
Green Bamboo Lodge.
"Fairy Linglong, we have arrived at Green Bamboo Lodge."
The crane, which had spoken with a human voice, gave its wings a gentle shake, allowing Linglong and Xu Taiping to land steadily on the ground.
Once steady, Xu Taiping looked ahead.
Nestled within a lush green bamboo forest was a small compound with earthen walls, sitting quietly amidst the surroundings. The ground was carpeted with scattered bamboo leaves, nearly淹没 (submerging) the doorstep.
"Little Taiping, from now on, you'll have to rely on yourself," Linglong said, glancing at the sky and then looking back at Taiping with reluctance in her eyes.
The time agreed upon with Elder Black Dragon had arrived.
"Thank you, Sister Linglong. I will work hard in my cultivation and strive to ascend to the Seventh Peak as soon as possible," Xu Taiping declared, his youthful face displaying a determination that belied his age.
"I believe in you," Linglong said, reaching out to gently pat Taiping's cheek with a smile. Then, she pulled a bone flute and a small money pouch from her sleeve and handed them to him. "You can use this bone flute to summon nearby spiritual avians. The pouch contains thirty Merit Coins given by the West Wind Pavilion to every new disciple. If you urgently need to buy something, you can spend one Merit Coin to have a nearby spiritual avian take you to make the purchase. However, unless absolutely necessary, don't use these thirty coins frivolously. Because, in all likelihood, the herb garden in your backyard is probably overgrown and neglected. You'll need this money to buy seeds and food supplies."
"I won't waste them, Sister Linglong," Xu Taiping promised, nodding as he accepted the bone flute and the money pouch.
"Little Taiping, until we meet again, take care," Linglong, now seated once more upon the crane, waved goodbye to him with a smile.
"Goodbye, Sister Linglong," Xu Taiping waved back.
Whoosh!
As soon as the words were spoken, the crane beat its powerful wings, stirring up a strong gust of wind as it soared into the sky.
"Little Taiping, I truly hope we can meet again," Linglong sighed softly atop the crane, watching the figure below grow smaller and smaller.
Having grown up in the Qingxuan Sect, she knew all too well the fate of outer sect disciples who possessed only a White Spiritual Bone. Among them, perhaps not even one in a thousand ultimately managed to join one of the Seven Peaks. Most failed to pass the Seven Peaks selection within the three-year time limit.
...
"Creeeak…"
As soon as Linglong left, Xu Taiping pushed open the courtyard gate and strode inside, not stopping until he reached the herb garden in the backyard.
"Just as Sister Linglong said, this garden is indeed neglected," he murmured to himself, gazing at the plot overrun with weeds and lying completely fallow.
But his hurry to reach the herb garden wasn't just to confirm this fact.
Carefully, he pulled out a small wooden box from within his robes. From it, he retrieved a tiny porcelain vial, and from the vial, he poured out a single soybean seed into his palm.
It was, unmistakably, the very soybean seed his grandfather had left for him.
"Grandpa said that once I reached the immortal mountain and planted this seed, I would receive another great opportunity," he whispered to himself.
He crouched down on the ground, used his hands to dig a small hole in the soil of the herb garden, and gently placed the soybean seed inside.
"If that elixir was real, then this seed must be real too," he reasoned aloud, carefully scooping loose soil back over the seed with his small hands, burying it with utmost care.
Chapter 9: Sowing the Soybean; A Fortune Within the Pod
"Should I water it?"
Plop!
Just as Xu Taiping was about to fetch water, the clump of soil he had used to cover the soybean seed was suddenly pushed aside by something.
"Huh? It's... it's sprouting? Already?!"
He crouched down curiously, only to stare in stunned disbelief. The soybean seed he had just planted had not only sprouted but had already sent up a tender shoot.
And that wasn't all. After breaking through the soil, the tender shoot began to grow stems and leaves at a visible rate, then flowered and bore fruit.
In a matter of moments, a fully mature soybean plant stood before Xu Taiping.
The plant was about four feet tall, its leaves a vibrant, almost dripping green. Hanging from it were three pods, translucent like pieces of fine jade. Anyone could see they were no ordinary objects.
"Was the opportunity Grandpa mentioned… the beans inside these three pods?"
Amazed, Xu Taiping reached out to pick the three pods.
"Little one."
Just as his hand neared the pods, an exquisitely melodious voice suddenly sounded from the plant. Immediately after, Xu Taiping watched as a milky white radiance, like mist, rose from the stems and leaves of the soybean plant, coalescing before him into the form of a woman of breathtaking, fairy-like beauty.
"Don't be so hasty to pick them just yet."
The fairy smiled sweetly at the utterly dumbfounded Xu Taiping.
"Are… are you… a monster, o-or an immortal?"
Finally regaining his senses, Taiping tried hard to calm his mind, but his voice still held a stutter.
"An Immortal? Perhaps I was once," the woman replied after a moment's thought, a bitter smile touching her lips. "But now, I am merely a wisp of a remnant soul, clinging to existence by寄生 (parasitizing) this single bean."
"Little one, don't be afraid. I won't harm you, nor could I if I wanted to," she continued. "I've appeared now simply to propose a transaction."
"A transaction?" Taiping was puzzled.
"My original name was Chu Lingyue," the woman explained sincerely. "Six hundred years ago, I was ambushed by enemies. My physical body was sealed away, and my soul was shattered. Only this remnant soul managed to escape, relying on this bean for survival. Later, this bean traveled tens of thousands of miles, eventually falling into your grandfather's hands. He passed it to you, and finally, today, you planted it in this spiritual land, allowing the seed to be reborn and giving me a chance to see the light of day once more."
"If I hadn't managed to come up the mountain, Fairy, would you have been trapped inside the bean forever?" Xu Taiping asked, his curiosity now outweighing his fear. Though mature for his age, he was still a boy of about ten, and his inquisitive nature was strong.
"Yes," Chu Lingyue nodded, not hiding the truth from him. "And not just trapped. In another year or two, as the spiritual energy within the bean completely dissipated, this wisp of my soul would likely have vanished into nothingness along with it."
"Then, Fairy, what exactly is this transaction you mentioned?" Taiping didn't let his curiosity distract him from the main point.
"Of the three pods on this plant," Chu Lingyue asked, her expression serious, "could you take only one and leave the remaining two for me?"
"From what you're saying, Fairy," Taiping blinked his large eyes, "am I the only one who can pick the pods from this plant?"
"With such a clever grandson, Xu Zhi'an should be able to rest in peace in the netherworld," Chu Lingyue murmured, surprised by his deduction. She sighed softly and nodded. "You are correct. Only the one who planted the seed can harvest its fruit."
"Then I understand," Taiping nodded.
"Since it's a transaction, what do you intend to offer me in exchange?" he asked her.
"If you agree to take only one," Chu Lingyue said very seriously, "I am willing to tell you part of the secret concerning this bean, and... provide you with a medicinal formula that can aid a mortal bone in cultivation."
Her gaze now clearly showed she no longer viewed Taiping as just a child.
Hearing that she possessed a formula to help a mortal bone cultivate, a spark of joy flashed in Xu Taiping's eyes.
"How can I trust you, Fairy?" he asked, his expression unchanged.
"I can give you the formula first," Chu Lingyue stated forthrightly. "You can test it. If you find it effective, we can proceed with the transaction then. There is no rush."
Xu Taiping stared unblinkingly into Chu Lingyue's eyes for a long moment before finally nodding. "There's no need to test it. I agree to the transaction with you, Fairy."
"Oh? Not afraid I'm tricking you anymore?" Seeing him agree so readily, Chu Lingyue was instead a little surprised.
"Grandpa said that after I planted this bean, I would receive a great opportunity," Taiping answered earnestly. "It seems now that my opportunity is you, Fairy."
Chu Lingyue was taken aback for a second, then covered her mouth with a light laugh. "I didn't expect you to be quite the smooth talker, little one. That's much better than your grandfather."
"Fairy, were you and my grandfather very familiar?" Taiping suddenly asked, curious. From her words, he could vaguely sense that she had actually communicated with his grandfather.
"My time out here is limited," Chu Lingyue deftly changed the subject. "Let's first talk about this bean."
"Mhm." Taiping nodded, not pressing the previous question. He simply sat cross-legged on the ground, assuming a posture of attentive listening.
"The bean your grandfather gave you is also known as the Earth Treasury Fruit," Fairy Lingyue began without preamble. "It is an extremely mysterious spiritual object. When planted in an immortal mountain, it can absorb the mountain's spiritual energy and, using that energy as a foundation, nurture unique treasures within its fruit."
"Fairy, are you saying that if this seed were buried in different immortal mountains, the final fruit it bears would be completely different?" Xu Taiping exclaimed in wonder, a question forming in his mind.
"Correct." A look of approval crossed Fairy Lingyue's face as she nodded.
"The spiritual energy contained within each immortal mountain is unique," she explained in more detail, "just like people—each has a thousand different aspects. Precisely because of this, the fruit borne by the Earth Treasury Fruit on different mountains, and the treasures nurtured within those fruits, are all different."
"Such a small soybean... to be so extraordinary," Xu Taiping murmured, his face a mask of astonishment after hearing the detailed explanation. His initial guess was that the soybean seed was, at best, some kind of immortal fruit or similar treasure. He never imagined it was a divine object capable of nurturing treasures.
"Pick one of the pods and open it," Fairy Lingyue instructed, pointing to the three pods on the plant.