Chapter 1: Climbing the Mountain to Seek a Master

Hailong's expression changed dramatically as he said: "What the hell are you talking about? Am I not as good as you? Aside from looks, what do you have that I don't? Hmph, what’s so great about that pretty boy face of yours? Isn’t it just about going to find a master? Fine, I’ll go with you. Who knows, maybe it will be you who gets sent back? Tomorrow morning, after I chop wood, we’ll go learn to write together. I am the smartest person in the whole village"

The golden light suddenly became so dazzling, and in an instant, countless rays of rosy light burst forth

Long Ge gave Zhang Hao a light tap on the head and jokingly scolded, "I knew you were like this. You claim you want to learn more, but it's clearly just an excuse to avoid doing farm work. I bet the number of characters you know isn't much more than mine. Together, I doubt we could fill a basket with characters the size of a watermelon."

The two individuals climbing the mountain are Hai Long and Zhang Hao from a small village in the western outskirts, four years ago. Over these four years, in pursuit of their ideals, Zhang Hao has been urging Hai Long to attend school every day. During this time, they have managed to learn quite a few characters. Initially, Hai Long was very reluctant to accompany Zhang Hao, and after four years, he had long since grown indifferent to Zhang Hao's tales of immortals. However, unable to resist Zhang Hao's persistent pleas, he agreed to go along. Their appetites are not large, and they brought along a fair amount of provisions, but unfortunately, they arrived too early, having reached the outskirts of the Lianyun Mountain Range a month ago. Given their frail condition, how could they possibly traverse the ancient immortal formation within the Lianyun Mountain Range? They spent a full month wandering outside, and just as they were about to lose all hope, they suddenly saw a golden light shining from within the Lianyun Mountain Range. Driven by curiosity, they ventured once more into the mountains. This time, the immortal formation had opened, and they gradually ascended the Earth Spirit Mountain along a winding path at the foot of the mountain. They had no idea that Lianyun referred to a mountain range, and upon finally entering, they believed that the towering peak before them was Lianyun Mountain.

There are a total of nine second-generation disciples of the Lianyun Sect, each responsible for one of the central peaks of the Lianyun Mountain Range: Jietian Peak, Zhiyun Peak, Piaomiao Peak, Dengxian Peak, Tianshi Peak, Wujife Peak, Shudi Peak, Mieyan Peak, and Zhishui Peak. Although they all practice the techniques passed down by the Lianyun Patriarch, their different understandings have led to varying levels of cultivation. Beneath the second-generation disciples, there are over forty third-generation disciples, who, in addition to seeking guidance from their masters, also live in isolation on their respective peaks. The number of fourth-generation disciples is significantly larger, exceeding four hundred. They reside with their masters on the corresponding peaks. On ordinary days, these twelve outer peaks are seldom visited, as they merely serve as the outer hubs of the restrictive immortal formation.

This cannot be blamed on me! Who knew the mountain path would be so difficult to traverse? We finally made it to the foot of Lianyun Mountain, yet we cannot get any further. A few days ago, we managed to get in, but the mountain is so high. My poor provisions! Those were hard-earned supplies. Sigh, if I could choose again, I would definitely stay at home with you and chop firewood every day. Climbing the mountain is simply exhausting. Sigh, if I could choose again, I would definitely stay at home with you and chop firewood every day. Climbing the mountain is simply exhausting.

Hailong blinked his eyes and murmured, "If I go there to apprentice, will they provide meals? As long as I can eat my fill, I will go with you." How could he not yearn for the legendary immortals

Zhang Hao looked at the half piece of dry food in his hand and murmured: "Xiao Chong, you have taken care of me since childhood, treating me as if I were your own brother. Whenever the other children in the village bullied me, it was always you who stood up for me. Two years ago, to help me take revenge, you fought with the strongest in the village, Da Xiong, who is three years older than you! Although you lost in the end, Da Xiong never dared to bully me again after that. You were seriously injured that time, and there is still a scar on your chest now. You kept it from me, but I knew! However, you have been so good to me, yet I have harmed you, Xiao Chong, I..." At this point, Zhang Hao was already in tears, unable to continue speaking. In the face of danger and despair, he no longer resembled the playful child he once was with Hai Long; all that remained in his young heart was deep remorse.

Although Zhang Hao was restrained, he refused to admit defeat, snorting and saying with reluctance, "The weather is too hot; I was worried you would be too hot, so I let you win. Can't you see that?"

Zhang Haoyang proudly said: "Of course it's true. Those two outsiders also mentioned that this sect recruits disciples once every five years, and it seems there are no particularly special requirements, as long as one can read. There are no age restrictions either. How wonderful it would be to become an immortal! Whatever I want to eat or drink, I could have it with just a thought. Hehe, that kind of life is perfect for someone like me who is lazy and loves to eat. Little Bug, now you understand why I went to learn calligraphy from the old scholar, right?"

Brother Long, let's go back. I, I can't take it anymore. When will we reach the top of the mountain!

Zhang Hao secretly chuckled to himself. Having grown up together, he certainly understood that Hai Long, with his competitive temperament, could not tolerate being provoked. Putting his arm around Hai Long's shoulder, he shook the cloth in his hand, which was covered in dirt, and said with a grin: "Alright, the smartest person in the village, come to my house. Uncle Li brought some sweet potatoes yesterday, and today there will be some for you to eat."

A flash of blue light appeared, and the four members of the Ling Tong Zi suddenly appeared before Hai Long and his companion. Hai Long was initially startled and stepped forward to shield Zhang Hao behind him, cautiously gazing at the four middle-aged men in front of him. Zhang Hao, with a sharper mind than Hai Long, tentatively asked, "Are you, are you immortals?"

Ling Tongzi nodded and sighed, "Indeed! They not only possess unwavering beliefs and resolute will, but most importantly, the mutual friendship among them is invaluable. Those who can reach such a state are most aligned with the heart of our Lianyun Sect. Let us go and bring them up. Aurora Sword, draw!" With a wave of his right hand, a light sound rang out as the long sword behind him was drawn from its sheath, hovering in mid-air. Ling Tongzi formed a hand seal and floated upwards, landing steadily on his flying sword. Under the shimmering blue light, he was the first to fly towards the base of the Earth Spirit Peak. With another light sound, the long sword behind him was drawn from its sheath, hovering in mid-air. Ling Tongzi formed a hand seal and floated upwards, landing steadily on his flying sword. Under the shimmering blue light, he was the first to fly towards the base of the Earth Spirit Peak. Ling Zhizi, Ling Yanzi, and Ling Yuzi also took to their flying swords and followed. Four beams of blue light swiftly descended towards the waist of the peak.

Zhang Hao looked at Hai Long's astonished expression and felt even more pleased. He patted his shoulder and said, "Little Bug, this is my secret, you know. If it weren't for the fact that you are my best brother, I wouldn't tell you. So, how about it? From now on, let's learn to recognize characters together. In four years, when you are thirteen and I am twelve, we can go to that sect to become disciples. Who knows, after a few years of learning, we might be able to return home in glory. When we go back to the village, I will turn into a mountain of gold for my parents, allowing them to enjoy a life of comfort." Thinking of this, Zhang Hao couldn't help but laugh heartily.

Zhang Haowei angrily said: "If you hit my head again, I will get angry with you. I have grand ambitions, although being lazy is a major goal."

Although separated by thousands of meters, their voices cannot be hindered in the slightest.

Ling Yuzi said: "Sixth Senior Brother, you have the highest cultivation here. Please use the Heavenly Vision technique to see if there are any people coming to pay their respects at the foot of the Earth Spirit Peak. It is already getting late, and if no one ascends the mountain soon, we might be in trouble again."

"Tsk." Hai Long pouted and pushed Zhang Hao aside, wiping the sweat from his forehead. He sat down under the big tree and said, "You always have something to say, it's too hot, I'm not going to mess with you anymore. By the way, you just mentioned that you have grand ambitions, what are they? Tell me, let me hear how grand your ambitions really are—"

Ah! Impossible, how could you, could it be that the Nine Heavens' great tribulation, you have already...

The golden light and the black-red blood light shone simultaneously, while the seven-colored auspicious clouds and dark clouds approached like lightning

The other three individuals turned their attention entirely to Ling Tongzi, simultaneously nodding their heads, clearly indicating that they had long grown weary of those menial workers

Hailong was stunned by Zhang Hao's words, even failing to notice the nickname he hated most that Zhang Hao called him. He had never imagined that Zhang Hao's aspirations were so grand.

Seeing Zhang Hao's heartfelt expression, Hai Long's eyes also became moist. He sat beside Zhang Hao, patted his shoulder, and said: "We are brothers for life, so why say so much? Let's eat quickly; after we finish, we will set off. Although the road ahead is uncertain, didn't you say that immortals possess great abilities? You are not trying to harm me! If you truly want to do something for me, then quickly pull yourself together, eat this piece of dry food, and only by reaching the peak can we have a glimmer of hope."

A hint of joy suddenly appeared on Ling Tongzi's face, as if he had made a discovery, and the blue light in his eyes flickered and vanished. "Great! We have hope now."

Ling Tongzi slightly frowned and said: "Junior brother, although we will be accommodating this time, we must also maintain the demeanor of our elders. Do not forget, they will become our disciples in the future"

Ling Yuzi let out a breath and said excitedly, "My suffering has finally come to an end." As he ranked last among his peers, he had to do the most menial tasks, so hearing that someone was coming to join them filled him with joy. "Sixth Senior Brother, how about I go and bring them up? I really can’t wait any longer"

At the summit of Diling Peak, four beams of blue light vanished simultaneously. The four brothers of Ling Tongzi exchanged glances, their eyes slightly moist. Ling Yanzi said: "Sixth Brother, bring them up. It seems we do not need to test them or make any exceptions; these two children have fully met the requirements set by our ancestor."

Zhang Hao said dejectedly: "If you let me waste so much saliva for nothing, it shows that you have no great ambitions. Even if you went with me, I fear that they would only accept me and not pay any attention to you."

Zhang Hao said: "Of course there will be meals provided, and they should be quite good. Didn't Grandpa Sun say that immortals eat celestial fruits and drink divine nectar? Come, let's learn characters together with the old scholar. Once we both become immortals, it won't be impossible to even become emperors!"

The requirements for accepting disciples at Lianyun Sect are much stricter than those of the other six major sects. Each time they recruit disciples, there are numerous applicants, but very few manage to pass the tests. Originally, this place was already sparsely populated by people from the Central Plains, and with the stringent conditions, the number of applicants has been decreasing. The peak period, when over ten thousand people applied thousands of years ago, is long gone. Five years ago, the number of applicants was less than one hundred, and ultimately, not a single one passed.

Ling Tongzi smiled and said: "I can clearly see that two people have already entered the Earth Spirit Mountain, and they are currently halfway up the mountain. Although there are only two of them, it should be sufficient for the chores."

Ling Tongzi, Ling Zhizi, and Ling Yanzi all sat cross-legged, similarly employing the technique of celestial observation to scrutinize the two individuals who had come to seek apprenticeship.

Hailong was evidently more interested in the sweet potatoes than in the immortals, and his small eyes suddenly sparkled with excitement. "Wow, there are sweet potatoes to eat, that's great! I've been eating chaff these days to the point where I can hardly even relieve myself. Finally, I can improve my life. Come on, let's hurry and go to your house to eat sweet potatoes." The two laughed and chatted as they headed towards the nearby village.

Do not—

Ling Yuzi helplessly nodded, raised his right hand to cast a spiritual technique, and gracefully landed on a large rock to sit down. With his eyes slightly closed, he said, "Then I will use the Heavenly Vision technique to take a look at them, that should be acceptable."

The Lianyun Sect, located within the Lianyun Mountain Range, is one of the seven major cultivation sects in the world. However, due to its remote location, its influence is far less than that of the other six sects in the Central Plains. Nevertheless, its history is the most ancient among all major cultivation sects. It is said that ten thousand years ago, the Lianyun Patriarch attained enlightenment at the peak of the Lianyun Mountain Range, known as the Jietian Peak, and achieved ascension, leaving behind a wealth of cultivation scriptures. A thousand years later, several fated individuals inadvertently arrived there and obtained the Lianyun Patriarch's writings. In gratitude to the Lianyun Patriarch, they established the Lianyun Sect in that place. On ordinary days, the seventy-two peaks of Lianyun are completely surrounded by the immortal formations left by the Lianyun Patriarch, making it impossible for outsiders to penetrate deeply into the area.

Four years later. Lianyungang Mountain Range

The Lianyun Mountain Range is located in the western frontier, nearly ten thousand miles away from the Central Plains. The range consists of a continuous series of seventy-two peaks, each towering into the clouds. Among them, one can find peculiar peaks and strange rocks, as well as flowing springs throughout the mountains. The ever-changing sea of clouds seems to serve as a bridge between them, winding around the midsections of the peaks. Thus, the name Lianyun Mountain Range is derived.

Another figure stood in stark contrast; he stood upon dark clouds, clad in a black robe, with a crimson cloak billowing slightly behind him. He appeared to be in his thirties or forties, his face marked by a fierce and menacing expression

Long Ge cast a glance at the talkative boy and snorted, saying: "Alright, Douya, could you please not speak so pretentiously? It sounds awkward. Your family's situation isn't great, yet you insist on crying your way to school every day. What’s the point of going to school in this godforsaken place? I think you might as well come chop firewood with me; that way, you can contribute a bit to the household expenses." These two children are from nearby villages. Long Ge's name is Hailong. His parents passed away when he was very young, leaving him with a thatched hut that cannot shield him from the rain in summer or the wind in winter. He has survived thanks to the kindness of some villagers who have supported him. Now, he makes a living by chopping firewood, using the wood he collects to exchange for food from the villagers. The boy he calls Douya is from the same village, named Zhang Hao. They grew up together and are the best of playmates. Zhang Hao's family situation is not much better than Hailong's; his parents barely make a living by farming a small plot of land next to the village. Children from poor families like theirs mature early. Although they are not yet ten years old, they often see themselves as adults, even trying to mimic the tone of adult speech.

The sun hung high in the sky, radiating its scorching light. The midday heat of summer was unbearable; the dry earth had lost its moisture, and even a gentle breeze would stir up clouds of dust, making it even harder to breathe. "Damn it, this weather is killing me; if it continues like this, I might just pass out," a childish voice exclaimed indignantly. Under a large tree by the dirt road sat two bare-chested boys, leaning against the tree, dozing off in its shade. The older boy, who spoke, appeared to be around eight or nine years old, with a slender build and sallow skin. He had a high nose, small eyes, and a head of messy short hair that resembled dry grass. A few beads of sweat trickled down his forehead and temples, and his expression seemed quite impatient.

With a slight smile, Ling Tongzi said: "There is no need for the two young brothers to be nervous. I assume that your purpose in climbing the mountain today is to seek a master and learn the art."

You rascal, dragging me along in such a desperate manner, and now after so many days, you want to back out again. Hmph, you have no perseverance at all. It's no longer an option to turn back; our provisions are all gone. If we don't find those deities you mentioned, we might just starve to death here. This time, you've truly led us to ruin.

Ling Tongzi nodded slightly, performed a hand gesture, and shouted: "All-seeing Eye, heed my command, open the heavenly vision." A beam of blue light shot out from Ling Tongzi's gesture, completely dyeing his eyes blue. His head swayed slightly, and the blue eyes emitted a profound gaze, resembling two pools of cold water that continuously flowed. A faint circle of azure energy gently swirled around his body, exuding a subtle fragrance.

Lingzhi Zi exclaimed: "Sixth Senior Brother's cultivation has improved again! It seems he has reached the later stage of Dao Gu, and the fragrance of Dao Tai has already emerged from Tianxin Jue, indicating he is about to enter the stage of Tai Cheng. Alas, we are still stuck in the Tengyun realm"

Ling Yanzi hurriedly asked, "How is it, Sixth Senior Brother? How many people have come to seek apprenticeship?"

Gazing deeply at Hai Long's yellow and black face, Zhang Hao gritted his teeth. For the first time in his life, a strong obsession arose in his heart. He took a hearty bite of his rations and said firmly: "Brother, we will definitely succeed. Let's rest for a short while, and then we will continue on our journey. If heaven truly intends to cut us off, we will at least die standing at the top of Lianyun Peak. At the very least, we brothers have made an effort."

... ... ... ...

Today marks the five-yearly disciple recruitment day of the Lianyun Sect. Rays of light shoot from the peak of the Connecting Heaven Mountain, and the mist-shrouded seventy-two peaks seem to undergo a transformation. As the fog gradually dissipates, winding paths appear at the periphery of the mountain range. By traversing these paths, one can directly reach the twelve outer peaks of the Lianyun Mountain Range, where the disciple assessment will take place.

In the sky, two figures gazed at each other from a distance of a thousand meters. One of the figures stood on a rainbow-colored cloud, emanating a soft golden light. He appeared to be in his twenties, with a serious expression, a tall stature, and was enveloped in a faint aura of immortality.

Hailong chuckled as he leaned closer to Zhang Hao. Under Zhang Hao's vigilant gaze, he delivered another blow to his head, noticeably harder than the previous one. Zhang Hao let out a yelp and lunged at him, and the two began to grapple amidst their crude exchanges of insults. Hailong's strength was evidently greater than Zhang Hao's, and within a short while, he had pinned him to the ground, grinning as he said, "Are you convinced now?"

Ling Yanzi said softly: "It is indeed quite abnormal. The fact that we were able to pass the test back then was purely due to luck, with a probability of even less than one percent."

After hearing Hai Long's words, the previously refined Zhang Hao immediately revealed his true nature and chuckled, saying: "Brother Long, I have studied with that old scholar for a few days, so what's wrong with me showing off a bit of my literary flair? This is how I can demonstrate my level! I have no intention of chopping wood; you know I'm the laziest person around. Aside from eating and sleeping, I don't want to do anything else"

Hailong scratched his head and said, "Isn't it four years later? Let's talk about it then. I don't believe in such vague matters." He said this because he felt irritated seeing Zhang Hao's smug expression, but in reality, he had already begun to believe it to some extent

"Not bad, you guessed correctly. In heaven and on earth, I alone am the immortal. Go to hell." Countless rays of rosy light merged with golden light, transforming into a sudden surge of overwhelming power that rushed away...

After a brief rest of over ten minutes, Hailong and Zhang Hao finally regained some strength. Just as they were about to rise and continue their ascent, they suddenly felt the mountain wind grow fierce, causing their bodies to sway. Both were startled; looking down the mountain, all they could see was swirling mist. If they fell, survival would be nearly impossible. In their panic, Hailong quickly pulled Zhang Hao against the rock behind them and crouched down. This sudden change stirred their young hearts, and a sense of fear surged within them.

Hailong's body trembled slightly; he had already discerned something from Zhang Hao's dejected expression. He did not mind being called "little bug" and resolutely said, "Bean Sprout, I will not let you stay here alone. Although we are not blood brothers, you will always be my best brother. Now we have no way back; do not think that going down the mountain is easy. Have you forgotten how difficult it was for us to ascend the mountain in the first place? The only path before us now is to climb up. Even if we must die, we will die at the mountain's peak." He broke the rations in half and threw one portion to Zhang Hao, then continued, "Hurry and eat. After we finish, we will rest for a while before climbing up again." After saying this, he took a hearty bite of the ration in his hand.

Upon hearing Zhang Hao's words, Hai Long immediately became spirited, his eyes widening as he exclaimed, "Is it true? Are there really immortals?"

Although Diling Mountain is merely a small peak on the outskirts of the Lianyuan Mountain Range, it still rises over 4,000 meters above sea level. Hailong, aged 13, and Zhang Hao, aged 12, are not in particularly good physical condition. They have spent four full days climbing and have only covered a little more than half the distance. Looking up, they can barely see a faint shadow of the peak. Zhang Hao, who is usually quite lazy, is naturally not as fit as Hailong, who chops wood every day. Although he is very determined in his desire to take a celestial being as his master, he finally could not hold on any longer upon reaching this point. He sat down heavily on the ground and refused to get up no matter what.

At this moment, Hailong also understood, and exchanged a glance with Zhang Hao. The two clever young brothers simultaneously knelt on the ground, respectfully saying: "We earnestly request the immortal to take us in"

On the summit of Diling Peak, these four individuals, disciples of the third apprentice of the second-generation master of Lianyun Sect, Master Tianshi, are Ling Tongzi, ranked sixth; Ling Zhizi, ranked eighth; Ling Yanzi, ranked ninth; and Ling Yuzi, ranked eleventh. Their task today is to recruit disciples. The Lianyun Sect's formation of the Seventy-Two Peaks, which opens once every five years, lasts only five days, and today is the final day. However, not a single person has come to take the test, leading the four to engage in idle conversation.

The middle-aged man, known as the Sixth Senior Brother, sighed softly and said, "Ninth Junior Brother, you need to be mindful of your words. What ghostly shadows? If Master hears this, you might find it hard to escape the consequences. Sigh, it's worth mentioning that we have not taken in more than ten disciples in the past twenty years at the Earth Spirit Peak. The number of those who can pass the tests is simply too few. As a result, even the Yun Sect has no fifth-generation disciples now."

Boom

Hai Long was taken aback, sitting up straight. The "Grandpa Sun" mentioned by Zhang Hao was the storyteller of the village, often entertaining the children with strange and bizarre tales. Among them, one about immortals was particularly captivating. Hai Long looked at Zhang Hao with a strange expression and said, "You little rascal, are you out of your mind? That can't possibly be true! Who could actually fly?"

Zhang Hao said: "How could there be none? There must be some. My ideal is to be able to learn the skill of flying like those immortals. At that time, wouldn't the heavens and the earth be ours to roam freely? About a year ago, two elegantly dressed individuals came to our village, both riding horses. They seemed to have come from afar and happened to stop by our house to ask for water. You know my father is very hospitable, and he warmly welcomed those two outsiders. I was sleeping at home that day, but when I heard that there were visitors, I ran out to see what was happening. I happened to overhear their conversation. I used to not believe in the existence of immortals, but after listening to their words, I realized that it is indeed true! They said that there is a certain sect in the Lianyungang Mountains, about a hundred miles from here, where some immortals live. They came this time to seek a master, and many immortals in that sect can fly. From the tone of those two individuals, it must be true." They said that there is a certain sect in the Lianyungang Mountains, about a hundred miles from here, where some immortals live. They came this time to seek a master, and many immortals in that sect can fly. From the tone of those two individuals, it must be true.

Ling Tongzi smiled wryly and said: "Neither the Master nor the Grandmaster has ever forced us to take on disciples, but without five generations of disciples, those miscellaneous tasks will still fall upon us. Regardless, as long as someone can come here today, we must accept them no matter what; this way, we can also find our own liberation in the future"

Zhang Hao took out the last piece of dry food from his pocket and threw it to Hailong, saying: "Little bug, you should eat this. I won't be leaving anymore; I suspect I was deceived back then. Those two people I met five years ago probably had some issues. If this were really the time for those immortals to take on disciples, why is there not a single person around? Alas, it's all my fault for dragging you into this. Don't worry about me; eat this piece of dry food and hurry down the mountain. It should be easier to go down, and if you're lucky, you might even make it back to the village."

Diling Peak, one of the twelve peaks on the outskirts of the Lianyun Mountain Range, is home to four middle-aged men dressed in simple attire standing atop the peak. Their appearances are quite ordinary, clad in the most basic of cloth garments, each carrying a long sword on their back.

Four beams of blue light fell upon the summit of the Earth Spirit Peak, where Ling Tongzi and Ling Yanzi placed Hai Long and Zhang Hao on the ground. Ling Yuzi smiled and said, "Seeing their appearance reminds me of the scene when I first entered the sect. At that time, when the senior brother was flying with me, I was even more inept than they are now; I was so scared that I wet my pants."

The middle-aged man snorted and said, "Since you wish to die, then this sect shall fulfill your wish"

The young man said softly: "Since today has allowed me to see you, we should come to a conclusion between us."

Zhang Hao proudly said: "My ideals are certainly very far—great—indeed." Mysteriously leaning close to Hai Long, he whispered: "Boss, do you still remember the story about the immortals that Grandpa Sun in the village told? I have accurate information, you know."

"Sixth Senior Brother, the Mountain Spirit Array has been open for four days now, yet our Earth Spirit Peak has not seen a single ghostly figure. Could it be that this time not a single person has registered? I remember five years ago there were nearly a hundred applicants. If this continues, it is likely that our Yun Sect will face a shortage of successors."

The four disciples of Ling Tong retrieved their flying swords, which floated down before the two individuals. Although they were dressed simply, the sight of the swords flying through the air and the poised stance of the disciples deeply shocked Hai Long and Zhang Hao.

The four brothers of Ling Tongzi all laughed, finding everything simpler than they had imagined; these two youngsters were indeed clever. Ling Yanzi said, "You all get up. Let's go to the peak first and talk later." Before the Hai Long brothers could respond, the flying sword was summoned. Amidst the flickering sword light, Hai Long and Zhang Hao felt themselves completely enveloped by an inexplicable energy. The scenery before their eyes changed, and the peaks beside them rapidly slid downward. They were just ordinary children from a small village in the western outskirts; how could they have experienced such a grand scene? Zhang Hao exclaimed in surprise and immediately fainted. Hai Long was not much better off; he barely managed to glance downward before being frightened into unconsciousness by the swirling clouds and mist beneath his feet.

"Long Ge, you should stop complaining; the weather is not something we can control. As the saying goes, a calm heart naturally brings coolness. However, I truly hope it rains heavily now to wash away some of this restlessness." The speaker was a slightly younger boy beside the unruly-haired rascal, who was referred to as Long Ge. Compared to Long Ge, this boy was much more handsome, draped in a clean cloth garment, with fair skin, large eyes, double eyelids, and slightly long black hair neatly combed back. He appeared to be around seven or eight years old, somewhat shorter than the earlier rascal.

"Sixth Senior Brother, Ninth Junior Brother, you should stop complaining. It's not our fault; after all, the rules set by our ancestors are so strict. Those requirements are simply... simply..." The four of them exchanged glances and simultaneously whispered: "perverse."