Chapter 1, The Immortal by the Riverbank of Guqu
How could a child of eight or nine understand this? Looking at such a small opening, it doesn't seem like it could fit an egg. Then, glancing at the old man's appearance, it is hard to associate him with the esteemed figures described by the storyteller. Feeling deceived, he couldn't help but become angry, pointing at the old man and shouting: "Fraud! Fraud!"
Moreover, if one is truly a genius, they might end up making garments for others in the end. It is better to seek someone like this, as the Golden Body Hall primarily focuses on physical training and self-cultivation, with the cultivation of celestial seedlings being merely an ancillary aspect.
An elderly man with a grizzled beard and a slightly stooped figure is sitting blankly on the bluestone slab by the lake, watching the children at play, lost in thought.
Who among the fishermen living beside this area does not know that at the other end of this region, amidst the green mountains, there lives a group of immortals, capable of summoning winds and rains, and possessing boundless powers? If any family's child is favored by them, it is truly a great fortune that elevates one to the heavens in a single step. Such a celestial connection, who would not desire it?
There are clouds again; the celestial embryo is easy to refine, but the celestial seedling is difficult to grow
The blows that had been raining down on him suddenly ceased, and Xiang Yang, feeling quite curious, peered through his fingers at an inexplicably appearing old man in green robes among the children.
Fortunately, this small fishing village has a simple and honest culture, and the nearby Juzhuze is rich in aquatic products. Although they cannot make much money, they do not lack for food. The fishermen are also indifferent to having an extra pair of chopsticks at home from time to time. This has continued for four years.
Just now, when Xiang Yang was playing by the shore, he picked up a pebble, about the size of half a palm, adorned with golden patterns that resembled a winding flying dragon, quite exquisite. He was sitting on the grass, playing with it, when Xiang Xian spotted him and directly attempted to snatch it away. Although Xiang Yang is an orphan, he has a naturally stubborn temperament and was unwilling to comply. As a result, he was surrounded and beaten by a group of children under Xiang Xian's command.
The individual did not realize that this immortal was utterly destitute, relying solely on his words to deceive others. Upon hearing him speak in such a manner, who would dare to express any dissent? Naturally, they could only respond in agreement.
However, as the saying goes, "When the mountains are exhausted and the waters are depleted, one doubts there is no way out; yet, amidst the dark willows and bright flowers, there lies another village." Just when Liu Gu was almost in despair, preparing to find a fisherman by the riverbank to take him across the water and return home, a glimmer of hope suddenly arose within him
The silhouettes of boats gently sway in that golden ocean, as the distant melodies of fishermen's songs drift closer, their originally rugged tones becoming particularly melodious and resonant against the backdrop of this sunset beauty
A few children, around seven or eight years old, are playing and laughing on a patch of grass by the lake. Most of them are dressed in the simplest linen garments, and a few of the younger ones are even bare-bottomed, clearly indicating that they are children from impoverished families
Since that time, it has been the third time that the sect has been established, and the Golden Body Hall has consistently gained nothing. If this time we do not bring a disciple back, when the elders' lifespans come to an end, I fear that this lineage will completely vanish into thin air.
"What? Does the immortal master mean to take my young son as a disciple?" At this moment, Xiang finally understood, and was instantly overjoyed, repeatedly bowing and saying: "I am willing, I am willing!"
Liu Gu has been out for over a month, and this is the first child with celestial roots he has encountered. However, it is less than an inch long, which is rather short; it is only slightly better than that of an ordinary person
Xiang Yang sat alone by a pile of bonfire, eagerly watching the fish roasting over the flames, his nostrils twitching incessantly. The fragrant aroma of fish oil mixed with resin wafted into his senses, and the surrounding commotion seemed to have no bearing on him whatsoever
After looking for a long time, the old man suddenly brightened his eyes, took out a dusty porcelain bottle from his bosom, and tightly grasped it with his withered palm, as if hesitating about something
It is said that since ancient times, the immortal families have stated: "The immortal seed is three inches and three tenths, cultivating the Dao to form the golden elixir. The immortal seed is three feet and three tenths, crossing the tribulation to ascend the immortal mountain"
In the muddy ground at the center of the village, a row of banquet tables was set up, with piles of bonfires burning in the middle. Over the bonfires, large fish measuring several feet long were being grilled, and the yellowish fish oil dripped onto the fire below, producing crackling sounds. A rich aroma wafted through the air. The entire village gathered around the banquet, even the infants still nursing were brought out, said to be wanting to share in the celestial atmosphere. The whole scene was filled with joy and laughter.
The two-foot-long fish was already golden on one side. Xiang Yang reached out to turn the fish on the skewer, flipping it over, and continued to wait.
Currently, there are only about ten people in the entire hall, most of whom are elderly individuals from Liu Gu's generation. Only during that recruitment twenty years ago did we manage to bring in two children with two-inch celestial roots. Although their celestial potential was somewhat lacking, it was still considered a gain. Unfortunately, it wasn't long before they were absorbed by the neighboring Yushan Hall.
... ...
As for that exceptional child of the celestial embryo, it actually aligns very well with the earlier body refining and self-cultivation techniques of the Golden Body Hall. It is not entirely out of consideration; however, according to the current requirements of the Floating Jade Sect for accepting disciples, it is likely that they would not even pass the sect evaluation to become formal disciples. Nonetheless, it would not be impossible to accept them under the title of a miscellaneous disciple.
Among those children, there was surprisingly one who appeared to possess considerable spirit
It is to be expected that this place is near the sect; if there are any promising talents, how could it possibly fall to him?
Liu Gu sat at the main table, smiling with his beard stroked, beside him were Xiang Xian, his parents, and a boy of about ten years old, who was Xiang Xian's older brother. Even the village chief did not dare to sit at the same table.
After hesitating for a long time, Liu Gu finally made up his mind; having something is better than having nothing, even if it is just a single sprout of immortality to bring back, it is still better than returning empty-handed
Sighing, he turned his gaze towards several other children, thinking that it was better to treat a dead horse as if it were alive, and to take advantage of the lingering effects of the Qiuxian ointment to observe a few more. Unfortunately, after observing each one, he still found nothing, until his eyes slightly brightened when he saw the child squatting on the ground, but he quickly shook his head again.
Liu Gu stroked his beard and said, "Are you willing to let him accompany me up the mountain?"
Xiang Qu and Cheng Yuan are the best people for him in this village. After the passing of the elderly man, Xiang Yang spent half of his time seeking food at their home, and Cheng Yuan treated him as her own child. The linen garment that Xiang Yang wears was personally sewn by her.
The old man has a horse-like face, marked with gray spots that time has brought. At first glance, he may seem quite ugly and fierce, but upon closer inspection, one can discover that his eyes are clear and gentle, albeit tinged with a hint of loneliness and helplessness
The outfit is indeed clean from washing, but it has clearly faded, indicating that life has not been particularly good.
What is it?" Xiang Yang looked up at her with some confusion, then nodded towards a tall man sitting at the banquet. In front of the man, at the corner of the table, sat a little girl who was clapping her hands and pointing at him.
Liu Gufu smiled and said: "Good! Having such a fine child is indeed a blessing from your past life. Now, your child will accompany me, and I will not let you down. However, I came here in haste this time and did not bring the celestial gift with me. Since your home is not far from my sect, how about we wait until your child has made progress in his cultivation, and then he can deliver it to you?"
Hundreds of miles away, isn't Qufu City just a small village that developed after a celestial being emerged from Qujia Village a thousand years ago
On the day his sister got married, he also went to Qufu City. He had seen this mark from a distance outside the ancestral hall of the Qu family and knew what it represented. He was immediately taken aback and hurriedly prostrated himself on the ground, calling out to the immortal master.
Both of them are not young by the standards of the fishing village, yet they only had a daughter a year ago. The delicate and exquisite child sitting at the corner of the table is she.
Recalling the disdainful glances he received in the sect's internal affairs hall, Liu Gu couldn't help but sigh again. By seniority, those juniors should at least address him as "Shishu" (Master Uncle), yet who among them truly regards him with any respect
Xiang Xian's son followed in his father's footsteps, displaying intelligence and cleverness from a young age. By the age of five or six, he was already adept at using rice cakes and similar treats to win people's favor. He was often accompanied by several children and had an older brother who was five years his senior to assist him, making him a little tyrant among the village children. In contrast, Xiang Yang, being an orphan without parents, naturally became the target of his bullying.
The best fish in the region is undoubtedly the black mullet, with its thick and firm flesh. Even the fish skin, when grilled, becomes a rare delicacy. Usually, it is sold to fish vendors. Xiang Yang, who grew up in this small fishing village, has only had the chance to eat it once, but the delicious taste remains unforgettable to this day
In the depths of the green mountains, a snow-white divine mountain can be faintly seen standing tall. At the summit, wisps of smoke rise gracefully, ascending straight up until they reach the unknown heights of the sky. Bathed in the glow of the rosy clouds, it resembles a fairy dancing, ethereal and dreamlike
Liu Gu felt somewhat embarrassed; this bottle did not contain any foundation-building elixir. He had merely poured a little of the contents from the gourd into it. But how could a child of this age know that he was being deceived? Could it be that this child was truly a genius with keen perception?
It is indeed my youngest child!
His grayish-white hair was held up in a casual bun with a stick-like object used as a hairpin. He wore a blue robe, and at his waist hung a gourd. On his back, he carried a weapon wrapped in burlap, but judging by its broad shape, it was likely not a precious sword, but rather a blade.
The elder is named Liu Gu and is the current hall master of a branch of the Floating Jade Sect.
The old man took out a porcelain bottle from his bosom, opened the cork, and held it in front of Xiang Xian, smiling kindly: "My dear child, would you be willing to take me as your master? This foundation-building pill is a gift to celebrate our meeting!"
The Floating Jade Sect emphasizes two key concepts when accepting disciples: the notion of fate and the sentiment of affection. Often, after receiving a promising disciple, they would provide some benefits to the disciple's parents, typically in the form of longevity elixirs, which can be considered gifts to help the disciple resolve their earthly ties. However, in the present circumstances, how could Liu Gu possibly afford to offer such things?
It is indeed frustrating that someone who bullies him all day long could actually become a disciple of an immortal. Xiang Yang is too troubled to feel any joy.
That night, the entire fishing village became a lively paradise
Xiang Yang squatted on the ground, one hand holding his head and the other tucked into his chest, indifferent to the kicks and blows from the children nearby. He was resolute in his decision not to hand over the item in his possession to that little tyrant, Xiang Xian.
This child's celestial embryo is golden and resplendent, with only a few mixed colors around the edges, yet there is absolutely no confusion, as the distinction is very clear. It is evidently a top-quality gold type, but the upper part of the celestial embryo is empty, with not a trace of celestial sprouts to be seen.
"Xian Yuan?" The middle-aged man was Xiang Xian's father, Xiang You. At this moment, he had rushed closer and, upon observing this person's appearance, had just frowned slightly at the horse-like face. However, his eyes were drawn to a small round badge at the corner of the blue robe.
For a moment, he did not know whether his feelings should be of joy or sorrow
Liu Gu descended the mountain this time to recruit disciples, but the area designated by the sect was only a radius of 200 li, and it was located around the vicinity of Juquze. In this limited space, he had already traversed it in just two months, yet he had not even encountered a single child worthy of using the Xuanxian ointment. Where then could he find disciples to recruit
Several fishing boats rowed from a distance and stopped by the shore. A middle-aged man with dark skin and a slightly plump figure heard the children's shouting and hurriedly jumped off the boat to come over. From afar, he shouted, "What do you want to do to my child, you old man?"
It is indeed a remarkable event for a child in a village to be favored by the Immortal Gate. The Xiang family village has migrated from the distant Great Marsh and has settled by this marshland for over a thousand years, yet they have never encountered such good fortune. If that Xiang child truly becomes an immortal in the future, the entire village will benefit from it.
Beside him stood the boy dressed in cotton clothes, who had a domineering expression, and he was Xiang Xian
At the scenic area of Quze, during the time of the setting sun, the evening glow spread across the entire surface of the lake
Although Xiang Xian's family originally consisted of fishermen, his aunt married into a wealthy family in Qufu City, and the bride price given by her in-laws was quite substantial. Xiang Xian's father was astute and capable, and he built his fortune from this foundation. Now, the family owns several fishing boats and has hired many fishermen. They also run an inn at the east end of the village. Although they cannot be compared to the wealthy individuals in the city, they are still considered one of the more prosperous families in this small fishing village, holding a relatively high status.
A woman in her twenties, dressed in a blue cloth garment, playfully tugged at his ear and cheerfully walked towards a nearby table of drinks, saying: "Yangzi, your aunt usually cares for you quite a bit, why didn't you share such good news with me?"
... ...
Ah? Xiang Yang was truly taken aback; could such good fortune really come to him? He looked up at the main table and happened to see the old immortal smiling and nodding at him, which filled his heart with great joy
What is it? The village chief has said that the old immortal wants to take you to the mountains to serve as a laborer! Weren't you with Xiang Xian this afternoon? Do you not know?
He stood at the edge of the lawn, his eyes, coated with a mystical ointment, emanating a faint glow rarely seen by ordinary people. He looked at one of the children, first with joy, then followed by a wave of disappointment
In the distance, at the end of the lake, there are lush green mountains standing side by side, stretching endlessly and boundlessly
After hesitating for a long time, he carefully looked at the children a few more times, and finally, tremblingly opened the porcelain bottle. He extended his little finger and scraped off a piece of ointment the size of a fingernail from the wall of the bottle, applying it to his eyelid. Then he stood up and, filled with anticipation, walked towards the children.
This esteemed one is from the Floating Jade Sect, and I have come down the mountain this time to take on disciples. I observe that this young child possesses a certain affinity for the celestial, and I am just about to enlighten him to enter the fold
He is an orphan, a child picked up by a lonely elderly man in the village. A few years ago, when the old man passed away, Xiang Yang was only five years old, and since then he has been relying on the charity of others to get by.
He stared longingly at the fish skin gradually turning yellow, saliva almost dripping down with the fish oil. Just as he reached out his hand, someone tugged at his ear and lifted him up. Without needing to turn around, he could tell who it was just by the faint scent of soapwort coming from the delicate hands beside his ear. With a mournful expression, he said: "Aunt Wan, can't you wait for this fish to be fully cooked..."
In that very moment, his previously disheveled appearance suddenly vanished, and he seemed to grow taller, with even the wrinkles on his face disappearing without a trace. His countenance transformed dramatically, his skin taking on a subtle bronze sheen. Coupled with a strand of long beard beneath his chin, if it were not for his tattered blue robe, which was exceedingly worn, and the rather unappealing horse-like features of his face, he would indeed possess a somewhat ethereal and transcendent demeanor.
That boy indeed possesses a celestial seed, but it is less than one inch in size, and the celestial embryo is of a mixed and chaotic variety, the lowest grade of its kind
Once one attains the Dao, even the chickens and dogs rise to the heavens. From today onwards, the status of the Xiang family in the village will soar, to the extent that even the village chief will have to walk with his head bowed when he sees them
A gentle breeze arrived, and the originally smooth and mirror-like surface of the lake began to ripple with fine waves, shimmering like scattered golden scales under the sunlight, spreading layer upon layer across the lake's surface
Liu Gu furrowed his brow, sealed the porcelain bottle, and turned to look.
The Floating Jade Sect is the foremost immortal sect within a radius of ten thousand miles, with countless branches under its umbrella, each named after a hall. Liu Gu's location is the most inconspicuous and the most dilapidated among these branches
Boiled eggs? Xiang first smacked his lips, with one finger in his mouth, stretching his neck to stare at the gourd's opening. A faint, ethereal fragrance wafted out, and just one whiff made him feel considerably more at ease, clearly indicating that there was indeed something good inside.
Liu Gu finally breathed a sigh of relief and pointed behind him at the child, asking, "Who is this little one to you?"