Amidst the drifting clouds and mist, a thousand-foot-tall mountain gradually reveals its true form from a thousand miles away.
Unlike ordinary mountains, it's inverted.
As if someone had uprooted the mountain and planted it head down.
"Remember, the sect's flying ship will only stay for an hour. Quickly bid farewell to your families, we won't wait beyond the time!" On the Golden Sun Sect's flying ship speeding toward Inverted Mountain, Elder Jia gazed ahead at Inverted Mountain which he had seen countless times before, and spoke calmly.
"Disciple obeys Elder's decree!"
On the flying ship's deck, there were twenty-nine youths sitting cross-legged, but only four of them responded with clasped fists.
Among the remaining twenty-five, some instinctively wanted to clasp their fists in reply, but suddenly realized and helplessly lowered their hands,
most wore expressions of dejection, uncertain of the path ahead.
They had all been identified as suitable young talents for cultivation by the Golden Sun Sect during preliminary tests at Inverted Mountain three days ago.
After three days of detailed assessments, only four were honored to become disciples of the Golden Sun Sect, their path paved, the Immortal Dao flourishing.
"Do not despair, the Dao has fifty paths, heaven evolves forty-nine, leaving a way out for one; there's always a glimmer of hope,
if not admitted to our Golden Sun Sect, you can still cultivate. Whether it's as a Loose Cultivator or joining a cultivation family, the Immortal Path can still be pursued." Elder Jia sensed the shaky emotions of the youths who hadn't passed the assessment and casually comforted them.
Then, as he looked again at the increasingly close Inverted Mountain, he added: "Just like... Daoist Venerable Mo Li two thousand years ago..."
The name of the Venerable reached their ears, and the group of youths awoke, sweeping away gloom, and their eyes gleamed brightly.
Only Li Jizhou, with outstanding looks and temperament among them, lightly shook his head with a smile.
Among millions, one self-made success is bound to become the idol and hope for countless commoners.
This aligns with the higher purpose, preventing despair from breeding overwhelming malicious intent.
In his previous life before and after transmigration, he forged ahead because of this sliver of hope, persevering without cease.
In this life, just moments ago during the Golden Sun Sect's third round of core nature testing, he awakened past Innate Wisdom and finally understood.
A skyscraper is built on the ground and rises.
No foundation laid by predecessors, no exceptional talent, yet unable to face oneself, unaware of steady accumulation, aiming too high and far,
those who wish for overnight success entrap themselves!
"Brother Li, Elder Jia speaks truly, don't be discouraged, the loss of a horse may just be a blessing in disguise; perhaps it's fortunate you didn't enter the Golden Sun Sect,
the Inverted Mountain's Tier Three Spirit Vein isn't inferior to our sect, you're smart and wise since childhood, although... at the very least you can cultivate,
perhaps next time we meet, we'll address each other as Daoists." Sitting at the front of the group, a woman turned back to look at Li Jizhou, her voice gentle.
This woman was named Lin Caiwei, with a lovely appearance and serene temperament. She's one of the four who entered the Golden Sun Sect, and also Li Jizhou's childhood sweetheart.
Li Jizhou smiled and nodded: "Thank you."
Blossoms may fade, and the steed distances.
With a word of sincerity, parting in peace.
Although Lin Caiwei possessed remarkable beauty, one of the most outstanding in the vicinity, and nearly set a lifelong bond with Li Jizhou, yet, upon awakening his Innate Wisdom, the past love entanglements with immortals and their breathtaking beauty resurfaced, skeletal beauty and fading youth still before his eyes.
Before proving the Great Dao, matters of love are destined never to be touched this life.
Naturally, he wouldn't be swayed by the slight attitude shift before and after her entry into the sect.
"Ji Zhou, don't give up on yourself, Caiwei and I might come back to see you sometime, if I find you gave yourself up, don't blame me for disregarding your dignity."
Seeing Lin Caiwei and Li Jizhou conversing, a young man beside Lin Caiwei also turned his head, earnestly advising him.
"Brother Zhao's words are etched in my heart, thank you!" Without the burden of being an idol, Li Jizhou bowed in thanks to his former brother Zhao.
That boy is from a small cultivation family east of Inverted Mountain, sent here three years ago waiting for the Golden Sun Sect's disciple recruitment.
Li Jizhou, as the local leader of Inverted Mountain's children, received quite a bit of respect from him.
However, that's all in the past now. With Zhao Qian entering the Golden Sun Sect, his Middle Grade Spirit Root, supported by his family, Foundation Establishment is within reach, Core Formation also in view.
"Li Jizhou, what are your plans?" Suddenly, someone behind gave Li Jizhou's shoulder a hard slap.
"Going home." Without looking at the boy behind him, Li Jizhou answered calmly.
"Pfft, Li Jizhou? Are you wilting like this? With that attitude, you think you're worthy to be my lifelong rival, the Overlord?" Zhou Cang cursed.
This was another faction's local leader at odds with Li Jizhou since childhood, bold and aspirational.
"Zhou Cang, mind your manners, this is our sect's flying ship!" Zhao Qian glanced at Elder Jia upfront on the flying ship, taught sternly.
"I..." Zhou Cang was about to burst into cursing but suddenly held his breath, then softened his tone: "I know."
"Everyone, get ready." At this moment, Elder Jia's calm voice came through.
Soon, the flying ship stopped at the city gate eight hundred miles before the inverted mountain,
looking up, they could see the inverted mountain's peak piercing the city center, forming a vast Jade Moon Lake there!
On the inverted mountain's wall, four large characters were shining ---- This Place Has No Master!
But none dared to stare directly, even Elder Jia had to avert his gaze after three breaths to look towards the city gate.
The city gate reads three characters ---- Inverted Mountain.
However, beneath these three characters, the words "Thunder Flame Sect" are faintly visible.
"One hour later, gather here!"
As they disembarked the flying ship, Elder Jia reminded once more.
"Brother Li, time is tight, I need to return home and bid farewell to my parents..." Lin Caiwei said somewhat apologetically.
"Yes, don't keep the Immortal Master waiting, you should go back first." Li Jizhou nodded in agreement.
Watching the four enter the city gates, Zhou Cang finally spat heavily.
"Ptooey!" Yet he didn't say much.
Instead, he walked again to Li Jizhou's side, reaching to drape his arm over Li Jizhou's shoulders.
Li Jizhou naturally turned aside, letting Zhou Cang's hand grasp the air.
"Hey, you're not seriously going back, are you?" Zhou Cang wasn't upset.
"My talents are lacking, with no support, naturally going home is better. Brother Zhou, what are your intentions?" Li Jizhou laughed and countered.
Zhou Cang stared hard at Li Jizhou, then bit his lip and said: "I control my destiny, not the heavens. He says my talents are lacking, then they are?
Ha~ I refuse to believe!"
"Then you can also cultivate at Inverted Mountain, its Tier Three Spirit Vein indeed is not inferior to the three major sects!" Li Jizhou smiled and said.
"Pfft! Li Jizhou, I speak from the heart, and you pretend to be foolish?
Who doesn't know the Spirit Vein at Inverted Mountain diminishes annually, it might become a Tier Two Spirit Vein next year.
What's more, even if it remains a Tier Three Spirit Vein, this place is inhabited by tens of thousands of Loose Cultivators. We can't even access those core areas; so many people sharing that bit of Spirit Vein is worse than some Tier One Spirit Vein small families!" Zhou Cang scolded, his face darkening.
"At least it's safe!" Li Jizhou genuinely replied.
"You..." Zhou Cang was angry enough to point at Li Jizhou, ultimately snorted coldly: "You're unworthy to be Zhou's lifelong rival!"
With that, Zhou Cang strode toward the town's outskirts.
"Boss, where are you going?" Several youths who were close to Zhou Cang shouted.
Zhou Cang didn't turn back, didn't stop, while walking he raised his right hand, curled into a fist raised high above his head: "A man sets his ambition beyond his home, won't return without fame!"
Li Jizhou watched Zhou Cang's dramatic silhouette, wanting to laugh, but unable to.
A man's great ambition cannot be laughed at.
Outsiders have no right to laugh,
after all, whatever happens is self-inflicted, what concern is it of others!