Chapter 1: Disciples of the Immortal Gate

With countless ants gnawing at his body and the biting cold wind piercing through him, he sat in meditation amidst the endless sea of fire, expending countless efforts and enduring countless moments of gritted teeth and suffering, until he finally awaited this long-desired moment.

Who has ever seen a true immortal capable of flying through the heavens and burrowing into the earth?

Qin Yan, an obscure scion of a humble family, suddenly rose to prominence, capturing the attention of the masses and nearly causing everyone in the city to drop their jaws in astonishment

With the promotion of various immortal sects, the "Manual of Seeking Immortality" has long been disseminated to every corner of the world, and every year countless mortals dedicated to the path of immortality practice the techniques for cultivating vital energy recorded within it

Uh ... ...

Thus it is called rare; one must endure the hardships of life to become a person of distinction. As it is said, when heaven is about to bestow a great responsibility upon a person, it must first torment their will, labor their muscles and bones, starve their body, and deprive them of their possessions, causing them to be thwarted in their endeavors...

The fact that these two prominent figures have come to offer their congratulations clearly indicates how esteemed Qin Yan is for being accepted as a disciple by the Falling Snow Sect

The Qin couple was also taken aback and quickly pulled their younger brother, saying: "Let’s go, we should hurry to welcome the city lord and Lord Wei"

Qin stammered as he spoke, expressing that it was not a matter of unwillingness, but rather the significant disparity in social status between the two families. He was well aware of his own son, just an ordinary rural youth, while the granddaughter of Lord Wei was truly exceptional. From a young age, she had been renowned as a talented woman, not only intelligent and quick-witted but also possessing outstanding beauty. Even many young nobles in the capital were quite enamored with her. They could hardly have imagined that their son could marry such a remarkable bride

Qin Yan sighed, still adhering to the etiquette of a junior, and responded very appropriately

Wu Guo

Well, it is certainly not real, but while practicing, you will immerse yourself and gradually experience the kind of suffering that feels like being engulfed in a mountain of blades and a sea of flames

One does not receive rewards without merit, but Qin Yan is well aware of the hardships at home. His elder brother and sister-in-law treat him as if he were their own child. Given the opportunity to allow them to live a better life, Qin Yan naturally would not refuse.

"The lord of the city has overpraised me; I truly do not deserve such commendation"

The two most powerful figures in Weichi City are the city lord, whose surname is Xu and given name is Fengxian. He is over fifty years old, has three strands of long beard, and at first glance, he appears to be a well-educated scholar. However, his martial arts skills are also quite impressive

... ...

From a young age, he had a vision of achieving success when he grew up, so that his elder brother and sister-in-law could live a good life

Although one may not have the fortune to embark on the path of immortality, merely having the opportunity to meet a true immortal could potentially add a hundred or more years to one's lifespan. At the very least, it would provide enviable conversation material, sufficient for one to boast about for a lifetime in front of relatives and friends

To cultivate profound internal energy is certainly not an achievement that can be accomplished in a single day

"Lord Wei, I am merely a foolish young man, and I fear that I am unworthy of your esteemed granddaughter."

It is not that they are indifferent to the path of immortality, but rather that this "Manual of Seeking Immortality" is indeed exceedingly difficult to cultivate. On the surface, there are no barriers, and anyone can begin, yet if you follow the incantations recorded within, you will endure suffering akin to being devoured by a myriad of ants

Qin Yan's parents passed away early, and in his youth, he lived in poverty. It was his elder brother and sister-in-law who raised him. However, unlike the typical stories where elder siblings are cruel and abusive towards their younger brothers, these two relatives truly embodied the virtues of an elder brother as a father and an elder sister-in-law as a mother

Brother Qin is truly remarkable, pioneering a path that has not been seen in a hundred years. I have watched this child grow up, and I know he is certainly not an ordinary person.

Many people admire and envy, but who knows the efforts made behind the scenes

Qin Yan furrowed his brows; could it be that he was to be engaged? He was wholeheartedly seeking the path of immortality and had no inclination for romantic entanglements.

As for the other Lord Wei, he is seventy-five years old, yet he possesses profound knowledge of health preservation techniques, with a youthful appearance and white hair, his teeth intact, and his spirit remarkably vigorous

Qin Yan is very understanding. Although he is intelligent and enjoys reading, he also realizes that his family can no longer afford to support him. Therefore, he helps the landlord by herding cattle while reading some miscellaneous books.

A sound of inhalation entered the ears, and everyone wore a complex expression, their gazes towards the Qin surname youth filled with increasing reverence. The identity of the city lord goes without saying, and the Wei family is the foremost noble clan in the city. The former top scholar was the third son of Lord Wei, who was greatly favored by the Emperor of the Wu Kingdom, and is now serving as the Left Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Qin Yan has become the center of attention, even among her brothers and sisters-in-law. Faced with the enthusiasm of the crowd, she is also weary from the demands placed upon her. Reflecting on the hardships of her past, the disdainful glances from neighbors, the coldness of society, and the warmth of human relationships, the young boy appears calm, with a hint of profound experience in his gaze that belies his age

Suddenly, the crowd stirred, and someone shouted: "The Lord of the City, and Lord Wei himself has come here."

"Haha, worthy, worthy indeed. After today, Qin Xiaoge will be a disciple of the immortals. How could his nephew possibly be unworthy of my granddaughter?" Old Master Wei said with a smile, stroking his beard.

Boom

They are not foolish, especially since Lord Qin has made his words so clear. The fact that Qin Xiaohai can marry the well-known talented daughter of the Wei family is not due to his own exceptional qualities, but rather because he has a good uncle

It is simply unbearable for an ordinary person; even if you are a person of strong will, enduring such pain with great difficulty, what awaits you next is a journey through a mountain of knives and a plunge into a cauldron of oil

Everyone was envious and rushed to congratulate the members of the Qin family. Perhaps this is what is known as one person attaining the Dao, leading to the rise of chickens and dogs.

The rest of the people turned their heads in unison, and for a moment, the young man in blue became the center of attention. However, his expression remained calm and undisturbed, displaying a composure and maturity not typical of someone his age. He did not show any reluctance and followed his brother and sister-in-law out with a demeanor that was neither arrogant nor servile.

This book is free of charge, allowing for free learning. Once mastered, if one is fortunate enough to be accepted into the immortal sect, one can soar to great heights, achieving fame and recognition. However, even the most extraordinary martial prowess cannot compare to the imposing presence of an immortal. It is said that those powerful immortal masters are treated with the utmost respect, even by the emperors of the martial realm.

However, self-study is unlikely to lead to a promising future, even if one aims to pass the examination for a scholar. To produce exquisite writings, guidance from others is essential. Until one day, he happened to overhear someone mention the Book of Seeking Immortality.

Subsequently, I paid my respects to that Lord Wei.

Until the miracle appears

Just as I was contemplating how to refuse without hurting the other person's feelings, unexpectedly, Lord Wei changed the subject: "If I remember correctly, Young Master Qin, you have a nephew who is just about the right age to get married."

Boom

The lord of the city spoke reasonably, and the old man had one more matter to discuss with his nephew. The elder of the Wei family, not wanting to be outdone, stroked his beard, his face full of amiable smiles

Once in power, a carp transforms into a dragon. In the past, the identities of both parties were as different as clouds and mud. Even passing by their residence would invite disdain and contempt. However, these two prominent figures now appear exceedingly amiable, subtly even revealing a hint of flattery.

Before there was time to pay respects, a hearty laugh reached the ears: "Since ancient times, heroes have emerged from youth. Young nephew, do not be modest. This time, your recognition by the immortal sect has greatly honored our city. As you go to the immortal mountain, it will be like a dragon swimming in the sea. In the future, you will laugh proudly in the nine heavens, and when true immortals descend to the mortal realm, how could an old man like me bear your bow?"

Hmph, do you even need to say that? Just by looking at Qin Ge'er’s appearance, one can tell he is a dragon among men. Indeed, he has soared to great heights and embarked on the path of immortality, which is truly enviable

For example, a certain prominent family in the city, with the surname Zhang, takes great pride in boasting that one hundred and fifty years ago, my grandfather's grandfather's grandfather once achieved this.

A scholar dressed in white and blue began to compose elegant prose, yet his face was filled with envy. It is said that the two greatest fortunes in life are the wedding night and the moment of being named on the gold list, but when it comes to a sense of achievement, how can it compare to obtaining the qualification for immortality?

Thank you very much, City Lord

North of the city, Qin residence

Yet, for mortals whose lifespan is merely a few decades, the passage of time is indeed too distant

The path to immortality is fraught with difficulties, and the hardships endured to qualify for this journey are beyond what ordinary people can bear. As the majority of sentient beings are mere mortals, for them, cultivating the "Immortal Seeking Manual" to the point of gaining recognition from the Immortal Gate is nothing more than a distant legend

Time is merciless; fame and beauty will ultimately return to dust. Only by embarking on the path of immortality can one have the opportunity to seek the road to eternal life

Therefore, although everyone yearns for immortality and aspires to soar through the clouds, very few have possessed the immense willpower to cultivate the "Immortal Seeking Manual" to meet the requirements of the immortal sects throughout history

Old Master Wei was very pleased with Qin Yan's attitude: "As you know, I have three sons, and one of them holds the position of Left Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Personnel. However, he has only one daughter, who is clever and bright, and she has now reached the age for marriage..."

The onlookers below were all in an uproar

An ancient saying goes, "In a bustling city, the poor are overlooked, while the rich in the deep mountains have distant relatives." In the past, the Qin family, even when the elder brother went to borrow two taels of rice, would face all kinds of difficulties. Yet in these past few days, the wealthy families in the city have nearly trampled their doorstep.

Not long ago, during the celestial examination by the Immortal Gate, the immortal envoy of the Falling Snow Sect descended from the valley and traversed the three prefectures and eighty-one cities in the northern part of the Martial Kingdom. When the immortal envoy arrived at this place, although the city lord led the heads of various prominent families in offering incense and paying their respects, it was merely a formality. Weichi City, being somewhat isolated, had produced a top scholar fifteen years ago, which was regarded as a sign that heaven had taken notice, exhausting the city's fortune for a century. No one had anticipated that this city could have a youth recognized by the Immortal Gate.

And today is the day when the celestial envoy comes to guide Qin Yan, and early in the morning, countless onlookers flocked to the Qin family to witness the spectacle

Gifts, proposals, and various other matters abound, as people's expressions towards Qin Yan are filled with envy, and there is a hint of reverence in their demeanor. The once imperious patriarchs of noble families now display a humble and ingratiating attitude when facing Qin Yan.

Only he knows what he has sacrificed for this day. In ancient times, scholars would hang their heads from beams, prick their thighs with awls, and bore holes in walls to borrow light for studying. However, compared to what he has experienced, what do those sacrifices amount to?

Qinghe County, Weichi City

What is the use of envy? When we were young, we also tried the "Book of Seeking Immortality," but with just a bit of luck, it was like the pain of being devoured by thousands of ants. This is something that ordinary people cannot endure.

It has been ten years since the third son of the Wei family in the city, who was the top scholar in the high school entrance examination, experienced such a lively occasion. The city lord personally issued a decree to lift the curfew, hosting a grand banquet and even setting up a flowing feast in the square of the city.

It is often said that the poor are cultured while the rich are martial, but education also requires money. When he was young, his brother gritted his teeth and sent him to a private school for two years, after which the family could no longer make ends meet

It is no wonder that the two small dilapidated houses of the Qin family attract a constant stream of visitors

Thus, although he grew up in a family with nothing and lacked food and clothing, Qin Yan lived a warm and happy life.

The government merely reflects that Qin Yan has changed significantly and has now obtained the qualification to enter the immortal sect for cultivation; people are simply flattering him.

However, let alone cultivating profound internal energy, ninety percent of ordinary people give up as soon as they begin. Among the remaining, those who are good can persist for three to five days, while those who are less capable may only last for one or two hours before putting it aside.

The Qin couple was utterly astonished, never expecting that such a tremendous stroke of good fortune would fall upon them. They were significantly older than Qin Yan, and even their son's age was comparable to that of this younger brother.

Upon reaching this point, what comes into view are merely two low earthen houses

Nephew, as you go forth to become a disciple of the immortal sect, you must strive diligently in your cultivation. Do not worry about home; your elder brother and sister-in-law will be taken care of by me.

Elder, please speak

People often say that entering the gates of nobility is as deep as the sea, but how can worldly power compare to that of immortals? Once one becomes a disciple of the immortal sect, the elevation of status is beyond imagination

Thus, the young heart of Qin Yan set a goal for itself: in this life and the next, I must enter the immortal gate and learn the art of longevity

This is not the New Year, yet the city of Weichi is adorned with lanterns and festive decorations. People are bustling about, sharing the news, and everyone is dressed in new clothes, filling the city with a strong atmosphere of joy

Weichi City has not appeared for one hundred years