Fortunately, both are already masters of Blood Exchange, going three days and nights without eating, drinking, defecating, or sleeping is very easy.
However, just sitting there doing nothing is really a bit torturous.
Until noon on the ninth day, a figure appeared at the center of the Immortal Hall.
Besides Ning Yutan, who was already confirmed as one of the eight Immortal Seedlings, there were two other provisional Immortal Seedlings.
Among them, one was participating in the Immortal Scripture for the first time, eighteen years old with Blood Exchange Minor Achievement, slightly inferior to the original standard of Blood Exchange Perfection.
The other was taking the second test, twenty-seven years old, Bone Marrow Forging Great Success.
Apart from them, the Emperor His Majesty, who was at the top of the Immortal Dynasty's food chain, also appeared.
He wore simple clothes, free from all decorations, hair casually let loose. If not for someone beside him addressing him as Palace Master, Li Ji'an wouldn't have noticed any so-called kingly aura or the slightest of long-standing authority, let alone any sense of supreme imperial majesty lent by heaven; rather, there was much anxiety and anticipation on his elderly face, looking just like a common old farmer.
It's no wonder he was so expectant and anxious, as per the decrees from the Immortal Masters ten years ago during the last Immortal Scripture, if this gathering still devoted itself wholly to selecting Immortal Seedlings for the Immortal Realm, he would be granted a Life-extending Immortal Pill.
Yet due to the assault on two Immortal Seedlings who met the high standards, he had to select two provisional Immortal Seedlings as replacements.
Such quality naturally fell short, not only risking the loss of the Life-extending Immortal Pill but also stirring concerns over the Immortal Master's wrath.
With some spectacle to watch, the waiting became less unbearable as Li Ji'an vigilantly observed and scrutinized every person within the hall, striving to extract various bits of information.
From Ning Yutan, whose demeanor was much more solemn yet still showed some mischievous nuances, it seemed the Immortal Seedlings weren't subjected to any coercion or control.
Judging from the Emperor's attitude towards them, there was a certain amount of respect and goodwill, suggesting he might believe these Immortal Seedlings could become Immortal Masters and return someday.
Moreover, Ning Yutan's ominous sign had not yet manifested, causing Li Ji'an some doubt.
...
"Buzz~" Another day passed, following a sound akin to an explosive blast from high above, everyone in the hall, including the Immortal Seedlings and the Emperor, shivered instantly, all according to prior training, crouched down, foreheads touching the ground, respectfully waiting.
At this moment, besides this core Immortal Hall being opened in the Seeking Immortal Palace, all other doors and windows were sealed with barriers, forbidding anyone from peeping at the celestial phenomena.
Only Li Ji'an and Ning Sujin in the side tower room stared wide-eyed, remarkably astonished at the unidentified flying object in the sky resembling a small boat.
"Flying Boat?" Li Ji'an's mind immediately recalled flying spiritual artifacts from the Xianxia novels he read before crossing over.
However, before more contemplation, the scene in the sky changed again.
The Flying Boat abruptly vanished, and a figure floated suspended in mid-air.
He hurriedly, as agreed upon with Ning Sujin beforehand, circulated his breath and blood to dissolve the Fake Death Pill held under his tongue, his body suddenly softened, and both bodies collapsed together, with only their eyes barely able to move.
Subsequently, a flash of flowing light beneath the figure's feet carried him downward, directly aiming for the Immortal Landing Round Mouth left above the Immortal Hall.
"Flying Sword!" This time, Li Ji'an saw clearly; it was indeed a Flying Sword.
Similarly, the other's visage also entered his view.
Not possessing the previously imagined celestial elegance and immortal aura, nor showing obvious devilish or demonic traits, an ordinary middle-aged man, at first glance indistinguishable from the common martial artists of the Mortal Realm, yet his gaze sweeping over the Immortal Seedlings and the Emperor below carried a hint of indifference and arrogance.
After descending into the Immortal Hall, the Flying Sword beneath the Immortal Master's feet suddenly shrank and darted back into his sleeve, the Immortal Master landed gracefully.
"Stand and respond." Upon landing, the Immortal Master spoke, his tone calm and indifferent.
"Little man Zhao Hongsheng leads the ten Immortal Seedlings to greet the Immortal Master, may the Immortal Master's life be as enduring as heaven, fortunate as the heavens!" The Emperor immediately led the way, kowtowing deeply.
"So these are the Immortal Seedlings of this gathering?" The Immortal Master, expressionless, glanced over Ning Yutan and the ten others.
"Reporting to the Immortal Master, these ten are indeed."
"Hmm? Blood Exchange still not perfect? Can't you find better Immortal Seedlings?" Suddenly, the Immortal Master's gaze turned piercingly towards the provisional Immortal Seedling.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor's complexion changed drastically, sweat unconsciously beaded on his forehead.
"Immortal Master, please quell your anger, please quell your anger. This gathering indeed encountered unforeseen events; blame those damnable bandits who attacked and killed Immortal Seedlings—they truly deserve death…"
"Hmph! Mortal matters do not concern me; if you are incompetent, replace yourself. I care not who works for me, nor who receives rewards; I only care for results."
"Immortal Master, spare me, Immortal Master, spare me, please grant me another chance; I will ensure no blemish again." The Emperor, pale and bloodless, began frantic kowtowing.
"If next gathering's quality declines further, you won't have the privilege to meet me." The Immortal Master coldly snorted.
"Thank you, Immortal Master, thank you, Immortal Master; I will exert myself fully and not let the Immortal Master down…" The Emperor exhaled a long sigh, simultaneously feeling disappointed; the Life-extending Immortal Pill promised ten years ago naturally slipped away.
The Immortal Master, however, no longer regarded him, raising his eyes towards the ten Immortal Seedlings, his demeanor much more cordial: "You all bear celestial grace, so do not betray heaven's grace; follow me now to the Immortal Realm, should your cultivation succeed in the future, do not forget today's camaraderie."
"We obey the Immortal Master's decree!" Ning Yutan and the ten others replied in unison.
"Do not resist!" The Immortal Master nodded, waved his hand, and the ten Immortal Seedlings followed him, all ascending into the sky.
Upon passing through the round mouth above the hall, the aforementioned Flying Boat was released by the Immortal Master, it expanded with the wind and soon carried the group within.
Without delay, transforming into a streak of light, it shot towards the northern skies…
-------
Early next morning,
The Immortal Hall, previously under tight security due to the Immortal Master's presence, now returned to its usual emptiness as he left, with only a few eunuchs and palace maids on guard, devoid of any Armored Guards.
"So this is Immortality!" As the drug effects began to slowly dissipate, Li Ji'an and Ning Sujin's facial muscles became movable, and they could converse.
Yet both were lost in their myriad thoughts with no words spoken for the moment.
"Strictly speaking, it's Cultivation!" Li Ji'an conceived an understanding of this world's Immortals.
This outcome satisfied him greatly.
The Deceit Dao needs no elaboration; compared to the Divine Dao, Primordial Chaos, and such in the Immortal Realm, starting points are too high, with all manners of mysterious and unreasonable Divine and Immortal Techniques, it's highly probable his "Rejuvenation" secret couldn't be safeguarded, posing enormous risk.
Whereas in this mortal Cultivation world, although full of perils, when choosing between two evils, choose the lesser.
By being cautious and steady, as long as he doesn't die, accumulating through lifetimes, there's bound to be a day he Ascends to Immortality.
"Sister Jin, has Yutan's ominous sign been dispelled?" This remains his only doubt now.
Ning Sujin snapped out of her thoughts, saw Li Ji'an's face close to hers, instinctively wanting to pull away.
Yet her body remained weak and soft, with only minor facial movements possible.
Exerting much effort, she inadvertently moved closer, initially face-to-face, transforming into mouth-to-mouth.
Eyes met, Ning Sujin was utterly embarrassed and furious, wanting to turn away yet lacked the strength.
Feeling the soft warmth of her lips pressed against his own, Li Ji'an was helpless too, pinned under Ning Sujin against the corner, his head up against the wall, barely able to move.
"Can't you move a bit?" Seeing Li Ji'an didn't actively turn his head, Ning Sujin fretfully remarked.