Chapter 0003: The Supreme Immortal Zhenyi Taichu Teaches

Zhang Kuang and Zhang Yang watched as Qin Haoxuan faced a setback, secretly laughing to themselves while putting on a facade of innocence. Zhang Kuang pretended to be simple-minded and said, "To be valued by both senior brothers and to be accepted into the sect is a tremendous blessing for Zhang Kuang. I hope the senior brothers will continue to guide me in the future"

"You three should go back and make preparations, bid farewell to your parents and relatives. Tomorrow, follow us up the mountain," Zhao Jialong said, handing each of them a heavy bag of silver, and added, "This is your settlement fund. After you have arranged it properly, we will meet at the town entrance tomorrow morning"

According to the order previously arranged by the town mayor, the first youth stepped forward to undergo the test

Qin Haoxuan felt a gentle warm current surge into his meridians from his back, instantly spreading throughout his entire body, even temporarily blending with the spiritual energy in his blood

The people of Datian Town were once again stirred up. It is important to note that in such a barren place as Datian Town, it is quite normal for decades or even centuries to pass without a single election being successful. Zhao Jialong and Xu Tunhu were merely going through the motions with a sense of routine, yet they did not expect to achieve a double victory.

Subsequently, Zhao Jialong officially announced that Zhang Kuang had passed the assessment

Soon, all forty-one youths completed their tests, and this year, Datian Town produced three disciples of immortals, which can be considered a great joy for all

Among the forty-one individuals, Qin Haoxuan has the strongest support for being selected. Currently, the support for him is overshadowed by the fact that his arrogance has caught the attention of the immortal, placing immense pressure on Qin Haoxuan

The exuberant Zhang Kuang approached Zhao Jialong, replaced his expression with one of humility, and respectfully bowed.

Qin Haoxuan's remarks were neither servile nor arrogant, and were very appropriate. Zhao Jialong, who had a cold and proud demeanor, responded with a "hm" to indicate his agreement

However, before the test, a complete and complex procedure of incense burning and rinsing must be carried out

This time, although the fairy flower showed some activity, it was not as exuberant and immediate as before. The small flower bud gradually increased in size at a rather slow pace, taking quite a while to reach the normal size of a flower bud, after which a small gap opened between the petals

Zhao Jialong pondered for a while; the qualifications of Qin Haoxuan were such that he could either be accepted or rejected. Ultimately, the decision of whether to keep him or let him go rested in their hands.

Regarding the low-quality flattery from Zhang Kuang, both Xu Tunhu and Zhao Jialong showed little interest and chose to ignore it. Zhang Kuang felt quite unhappy inside, but maintained a smiling facade on the surface

Qin Haoxuan slightly furrowed his brows, feeling a bit worried in his heart. This arrogant individual has actually succeeded; judging by the expressions of the two immortals, he must possess exceptional talent. This truly is like stepping in dog feces before heading out to a banquet—an ominous sign

Under the escort of more than twenty robust hunters, a group of forty sixteen-year-old youths marched grandly towards Poziling

It is indeed a great celestial fate for the immortals on the mountain to select disciples, and not everyone is able to receive this blessing. It is common for many to come each year with hope, only to return empty-handed and filled with disappointment.

Immediately following, a large number were eliminated. Surprisingly, the arrogant younger brother Zhang Yang not only passed the assessment but also scored slightly better than Qin Haoxuan. The Immortal Spirit Flower opened a wider gap, proving that Zhang Yang's immortal seed was more vibrant than that of Qin Haoxuan

After a series of attempts, all were labeled as inferior by Xu Tunhu. Finally, one managed to pass the test of the Bone Touch and entered the Immortal Seed assessment overseen by Zhao Jialong

There was no time to wave goodbye, and when I turned back, all I could see were the tears glistening in my loved ones' eyes, filled with both happiness and sadness, gradually fading away.

Zhao Jialong smiled gently at him, releasing a breath of ethereal energy that entered Qin Haoxuan's body

Amid the regrets of the mayor and others, Zhang Kuang stepped forward and reignited their hopes.

Zhang Kuang successfully passed the first level of the Bone Touching Path. Although this was expected, judging from Xu Tunhu's performance, his aptitude is quite remarkable. He may very well become the first disciple of an immortal in Daitian Town in decades

Regarding the arrogant and provocative gaze, Qin Haoxuan chose to ignore it. So what if his aptitude is slightly better than mine and his innate vitality is stronger? What is so remarkable about that? The path of cultivation is fraught with countless variables; having good aptitude does not guarantee high achievements in the future. Otherwise, why would those immortals be searching everywhere? They could simply recruit some top-tier talented individuals.

Not long after Qin Haoxuan and the others arrived, two beams of white light broke through the mist and clouds from the eastern horizon, approaching on flying swords. Upon landing, Qin Haoxuan was astonished to discover that they were the same two individuals who had sought to purchase his Huangjing at a high price yesterday

The first

I am Xu Tunhu, and this is my senior brother Zhao Jialong. After a brief introduction, Xu Tunhu, who has a goatee, did not waste any words and said: "There are two criteria for selecting seedlings: the first is to assess the bone structure, and the second is to test the celestial seed. Only those who pass both criteria will be selected"

Qin Haoxuan bid farewell to his parents, who had knelt before the altar for an entire night. Observing their haggard faces, he, who had slept soundly the previous night, stepped out of the house with a heavy heart

Senior Brother Zhao, Senior Brother Xu, the three of us come from a remote and small place, with limited knowledge. We only know that every year, there are celestial beings like you who come to select disciples, but we are unaware of the more detailed circumstances. In order to avoid making a fool of ourselves when we arrive at the sect and to spare the two of you, who are our guides, from embarrassment, could you please offer us a few words of advice

After the arrival of the two immortals, the town mayor was the first to kneel on the ground: "There are forty-one eligible young men in Datian Town this year, please select from among them, esteemed immortals."

The news that a celestial being had selected three young men in Datian Town spread, shocking everyone within a hundred miles. Many distant relatives, with whom contact had been severed for generations, rushed to visit, bringing gifts and speaking flattering words, trying every possible means to establish a good relationship with the future celestial beings. The threshold of the Zhang family, known for their exceptional talent, was crossed by both familiar and unfamiliar gift-givers, and the other two families experienced a similar influx.

The blood dripped onto the fairy flower and was immediately absorbed, after which a withered little bud rapidly swelled and became plump, and then the petals slowly opened, blooming.

Zhao Jialong infused a breath of celestial spirit into Zhang Kuang's body, then immediately cut open Zhang Kuang's index finger, allowing a drop of blood containing celestial spirit to fall onto the celestial flower. If the celestial flower showed no reaction, it would indicate that the celestial seed was dead; the denser the bloom of the celestial flower, the more robust the celestial seed.

Ultimately, the fairy flower, in full bloom, showcased the richness and vitality of the exuberant celestial species

Upon seeing Zhang Kuang, Zhao Jialong's eyes lit up, but the undeniable arrogance reflected in Zhang Kuang's brow caused him to furrow his own slightly. However, regardless of his personal likes or dislikes, the test must continue.

Not only Qin Haoxuan, but other youths were also astonished by these two outsiders who appeared in Datian Town yesterday

A drop of fresh blood dripped from the cut index finger, nourishing the fairy flower that had regained the appearance of a small bud

Qin Haoxuan has always been a benchmark figure among the youth in Datian Town. Not only is he agile and skilled in hunting, but he can also gather many rare and precious herbs that even Old Chen cannot find. His prominence consistently overshadows that of Zhang Kuang, and the two have always had a mutual disdain for each other

The five individuals mounted their horses, and Xu Tunhu flicked his hand, attaching five yellow talismans to the hindquarters of the five horses. As if invigorated, the horses neighed and swiftly charged forward.

Xu Tunhu repeatedly expressed his regret three times, and his gaze towards Qin Haoxuan was filled with pity: "Although you have managed to pass, your aptitude is truly mediocre"

Due to the long journey, the town mayor purchased five fine horses in the county town overnight for their travel and transportation

Immediately following, several individuals passed the first bone-testing assessment, yet they all met with failure in the celestial seed examination

A gray-green seed, which did not previously exist, has appeared in the dantian, shrouded in layers of mist, making it difficult to discern its appearance. Even with this breath of celestial spiritual energy before formally embarking on the path of cultivation, one is unable to perceive it internally.

Qin Haoxuan smiled faintly, allowing Xu Tuntiger to feel the bones of his hand: "Long and slender, yet the life bone is slightly short; the skeleton is exquisite, but the meridians are somewhat obstructed! What a pity, what a pity, what a pity!"

Taking over the wild hand, Xu Tunhu kneaded it for a while, transforming the gloom on his face into a bright smile, repeatedly expressing his approval

Taking the left hand extended by Qin Haoxuan, Xu Tunhu for the first time greeted him: "You have arrived, do not let us down"

After the arrogance, several more youths failed the test, and soon it was Qin Haoxuan's turn

Our sect is the Guardian Deity Sect of the Xianglong Kingdom. Heaven once bestowed the Immortal Class and the Immortal Register, granting the name 'Supreme Immortal Venerable Zhenyi Taichu Sect', commonly referred to as the Taichu Sect. It has been passed down for thousands of years, with the sect located on Huangdi Peak of Lantau Island, boasting over ten thousand disciples and students, making it the only immortal sect in the Xianglong Kingdom! The headmaster is the Guardian Immortal Master of the Xianglong Kingdom, and every emperor throughout history has had to report to the headmaster for approval upon ascending the throne! Speaking of the Taichu Sect, even the proud Zhao Jialong displays a dignified demeanor filled with longing, while Qin Haoxuan and the other three listen with rapt attention, their spirits soaring with excitement.

The face filled with the pride of a young man who has achieved success looked at Qin Haoxuan with eyes full of disdain, and in his heart, he felt exceedingly pleased. Just wait until I master the spiritual arts and become an immortal; then you will see how I deal with you!

Amidst the many envious gazes, Zhang Kuang approached Zhao Jialong.

The people of Datian Town erupted in waves of cheers and screams; after several decades, a disciple of an immortal has emerged in Datian Town, a future figure of divinity

Zhao Jialong looked at Qin Haoxuan with a sense of regret, unable to believe that someone with such ordinary qualifications as Qin Haoxuan could occasionally gather precious medicinal materials like Huangjing, to the point that it posed a dilemma for him

Zhang Kuang is a headstrong child with an unlikable temperament, yet he has inherited his father's excellent genes and has shown remarkable talent since childhood. His father was almost taken away by the mountain deities back in the day, and even now he is one of the top hunters in Daitian Town.

As Qin Haoxuan approached Zhao Jialong, his unpretentious and humble demeanor, neither servile nor arrogant, earned Zhao Jialong's silent admiration.

The so-called "touching the bone" refers to a preliminary exploration of the bones and meridians. If this step does not pass, there is no need to proceed to the next one

After the two individuals landed, the flying swords beneath their feet circled the area, dispersing the surrounding mist and creating a small vacuum zone. The flying swords then automatically returned to the scabbards on their backs

In Datian Town, they have also heard of the great name of Qin Haoxuan, and they have even witnessed him selling Huangjing. To gather spiritual herbs once or twice can be considered good luck, but Qin Haoxuan often produces items that are no less impressive than Huangjing, which certainly cannot be attributed to mere luck. If this young man could be brought into the sect, it would indeed be beneficial for oneself

Scanning the forty-one eligible youths who came for the test, they were a mixed bag; most of them lowered their heads, appearing timid, while a few held their heads high, exuding an air of confidence. However, their expressions were a complex blend of both insecurity and self-assurance.

Only a young man dressed in a gray cloth shirt stood out, his demeanor composed, his expression dignified, and his temperament steady, exuding a certain elegance that caught their attention. Wasn't he the same young man who sold huangjing at the Chen family's pharmacy yesterday? They felt a sense of anticipation regarding this young man's test results.

The boy who passed the bone-touching test discovered during the assessment of his celestial root that his celestial seed was already dead

The testing of the immortal seed is known as the measurement of the immortal seed. Almost everyone possesses an immortal seed, but many people's immortal seeds die shortly after their birth. Even for those whose immortal seeds remain alive, they must wait until the age of sixteen to determine if the immortal seed is still viable, as one must be sixteen years old to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Therefore, one must reach the age of sixteen to cultivate immortality, and during these sixteen years, many people's immortal seeds wither and die.

Moments later, Zhao Jialong announced that Qin Haoxuan had also been included

Zhang Kuang displayed a joyful expression, exchanging a smile with his cousin and younger brother Zhang Yang. It is worth noting that after their unsuccessful attempt to purchase the Huangjing from Qin Haoxuan yesterday, they later bought that piece of Huangjing from Old Chen for the exorbitant price of 500 taels. Perhaps they harbored resentment towards Qin Haoxuan, which would further diminish his chances.

Senior Brother! Zhao Jialong said coldly, his expression devoid of emotion as he uttered these two words

The path of cultivation is long and arduous, once embarked upon, there is no turning back

This technique of using a flying sword to disperse the mist left the young people present utterly astonished

Qin Haoxuan bowed in return: "Thank you, Elder Xu."

The young man extended his left hand, and Xu Tunhu took it, kneading it for a moment. He frowned and said, "Any bone... next."

Pozi Ling is the boundary point between the inner and outer areas of Xiaoyu Mountain, characterized by a flat grassy field

Having completed their tasks, Zhao Jialong and Xu Tunhu soared into the sky with their celestial swords. The young men who were not selected turned their envy towards the three who passed the test, especially Zhang Kuang, who achieved the most outstanding results. In the near future, they too would be able to ascend to great heights like the immortals.

At dawn on the following day, the originally quiet Datian Town was bustling with activity. Families of the sixteen-year-old candidates were adorned with festive decorations, slaughtering pigs and sheep to pay homage to the heavens and ancestors. Many parents spent the night kneeling before their family altars, praying for their children to be chosen by the deities, hoping for their future success and prosperity

After waiting left and right, there was still no sign of the Immortal Spirit Flower. This indicates that although Qin Haoxuan's immortal seed is not dead, it has severely dried up. If this continues for a few more months, it is not impossible for the immortal seed to dry up and die.

"Esteemed immortals, how should I address the two of you to avoid any breach of etiquette?" Qin Haoxuan urged his horse forward, catching up with Xu Tunhu and Zhao Jialong, and inquired with neither servility nor arrogance.

At this moment, Xu Tunhu leaned close to Zhao Jialong's ear and whispered a few words. Zhao Jialong's eyes flickered, as if weighing the pros and cons

Forty-one young men, along with the twenty hunters escorting them, knelt down in reverent salute.

After a night of festivities, three young men arrived at the town entrance amidst the throngs of countless hometown elders, where Xu Tunhu and Zhao Jialong were already waiting.

Those who originally had a negative impression of Zhang Kuang now look at him with an exceptionally complex gaze, filled with envy, jealousy, and a hint of flattery.