The Beginning of Mortal Destiny and the Beginning of Immortal Destiny

Dong Chiwu bowed respectfully to Lu Jinhan. “Young Master Lu,” he murmured, his voice soft, “I have made thorough inquiries. There are indeed very few individuals in this candidate hall confirmed to possess water-element spiritual roots. It seems your luck is quite favorable.”

A faint smile graced Lu Jinhan’s lips upon hearing this news. The fan in his hand, though still moving, now wielded an unconsciously greater force. He managed to suppress the thrill burgeoning within his heart. “Excellent, you’ve performed admirably,” he drawled. “Should they successfully gain entry this time, your reward will be substantial indeed.”

Dong Chiwu swiftly bowed, expressing his gratitude. “Thank you, Young Master Lu!”

Though a wide smile plastered itself across Dong Chiwu’s face, a deep sense of displeasure simmered within him.

As the only son, Dong Chiwu resided in Linfeng Town, north of Tianliu City, and possessed spiritual roots. His initial intention was to join a nearby cultivation sect, allowing him to regularly visit and care for his aging mother. However, fate intervened when Young Master Lu specifically requested him as a companion.

The Lu family was a renowned cultivation clan within Linfeng Town, boasting several Mahayana stage masters among their ancestors. It was even rumored that their inherited collection of cultivation methods could rival that of a mid-tier sect in Tianliu City.

Virtually every resident of Linfeng Town had, at some point, benefited from the Lu family’s benevolence. Consequently, any request from the Lus typically garnered the unanimous support of the entire community.

Dong Chiwu, by contrast, was celebrated throughout the town for his striking good looks and keen intellect. Numerous families in Linfeng Town, eager to marry off their eligible daughters, had fixed their sights firmly upon him.

Yet, Dong Chiwu remained oblivious as to how his name had reached Lu Jinhan’s ears. It was a simple matter: the Lu family’s head steward had merely paid a visit to his home, extended a greeting, and shortly thereafter, Dong Chiwu found himself ushered out by his own elderly mother.

“Dong Chiwu, there’s no need for such formality with me, hmph~ We aren’t master and servant, so there’s no need to be so overly deferential~” Lu Jinhan’s smile remained unwavering as he lightly tapped his palm with his fan before folding it away.

Dong Chiwu forced his expression to remain impassive. Yet, the moment Lu Jinhan folded his fan, he knew this young master held him in utter disdain.

His own family ran a steamed bun shop, and the ruffians who frequented it for protection money often feigned refinement, casually fanning themselves. But whenever they demanded payment, they would, much like Lu Jinhan, snap their fans shut and adopt a condescending tone.

“Young Master Lu, you jest,” Dong Chiwu replied, bowing respectfully once more. “The Lu family’s ancestors bestowed great kindness upon Linfeng Town, and my mother specifically instructed me to heed your commands.” There was truly nothing he could do. Though a thousand resentments festered in his heart, a debt of gratitude was a debt of gratitude, and whether convenient or not, it had to be honored.

Lu Jinhan concealed his lips behind his folding fan, emitting a delicate chuckle. This sound sent shivers down Dong Chiwu’s spine. Lu Jinhan’s handsome face, now radiating an even greater allure, clearly indicated his profound satisfaction with Dong Chiwu’s deference.

“Dong Chiwu,” Lu Jinhan began, “I just had a thorough look around the hall. While we lack a spirit-testing stone for precise verification, making it difficult to ascertain everyone’s spiritual root aptitude, observing their inherent aura allows one to make a fair guess or two~” He deliberately left his sentence unfinished, anticipating Dong Chiwu’s prompt. He reveled in the adoration of handsome men.

Having spent nearly three months in Lu Jinhan’s company, Dong Chiwu had naturally discerned some of his quirks. Despite his aversion, he feigned curiosity. “Oh, Young Master Lu possesses such discerning abilities!” he exclaimed.

As expected, Dong Chiwu’s look of astonishment only deepened Lu Jinhan’s smile. “Hehe,” he chuckled, “among those in this hall possessing a remarkable presence, that burly man at the front certainly stands out.”

With his interest piqued, Lu Jinhan unfurled his fan and began to wave it languidly. “Do you spot that youth on the right, cracking melon seeds?” he inquired. “Despite his constant scurrying about the hall, darting around like a thief, his innate talent is undoubtedly formidable.”

“Oh?” Dong Chiwu cast a glance toward the boy. However, his limited perception allowed him to discern nothing of note.

“Only these two, it seems~” Lu Jinhan leaned back, a sense of relief finally washing over him after such a prolonged observation of the hall.

“There are three hundred people in this hall, yet only two possess spiritual roots?” Dong Chiwu voiced his surprise, though he found this particular claim utterly unbelievable.

“Ehh~ I didn’t say that,” Lu Jinhan retorted, tapping the table before him lightly with his fan for emphasis. “I merely stated that only these two are worthy of competing with me to some extent.”

“So that’s it. My apologies, I was foolish,” Dong Chiwu quickly conceded.

Lu Jinhan’s spirits were soaring, his smile still radiant. “No matter,” he said dismissively. “Your family lacks any profound heritage, so it’s only natural you wouldn’t discern such things. I don’t blame you, hah~”

As Lu Jinhan’s subtly barbed remarks continued, Dong Chiwu could only surreptitiously roll his eyes, sighing inwardly, ‘Here we go again…’

“Oh, Dong Chiwu, look quickly in that left corner,” Lu Jinhan exclaimed with a mixture of surprise and amusement. “Hehe, there’s actually a little brat sitting there, fast asleep! Could it be some unlucky child who wandered off and got lost? Haha, did you see his nose? It’s bubbling! Oh, and the drool! Ugh, it’s absolutely revolting~”

‘You’re disgusting me too…’ Dong Chiwu thought to himself, a sentiment he dared not voice aloud.

Just then, a resonant shout echoed from beyond the hall doors. “The selection has begun! Everyone, exit the hall!”

The words had barely faded when every person within the candidate hall surged out like a tidal wave, each fearing to be left behind.

Outside the hall, Zhu Manzhi, having somehow procured a new grand armchair identical in form to the one previously shattered, now reclined beneath a makeshift sunshade. Beside him, a small side table held a brazier, atop which immortal tea simmered and boiled.

In the scorching heat of early summer, such a setup exuded an indescribable oddness. However, none of the candidates gathered in the square were so foolish as to comment aloud.

The elderly man in the grand armchair, despite his head of white hair, possessed a complexion like polished jade, with only a few faint wrinkles etched across his brow. Anyone capable of such unbridled indulgence within the Skill Transmission Pavilion was undoubtedly beyond their ability to provoke.

Indeed, the old man merely gestured, and the young man who had been standing with his hands clasped behind his back, a short distance away, instantly ascended on his sword. With a swift hand seal, five stone tables materialized, flying forth to settle uniformly upon the square.

To command a sword and manipulate objects in such a manner, it was clear this individual had attained at least the Golden Core stage.

A Golden Core cultivator of such youth! The Saint Water Palace truly lived up to its reputation, teeming with exceptional talent.

Given that a Golden Core cultivator displayed such subservience to the elder, the latter’s identity became immediately apparent: an Elder of the Skill Transmission Pavilion, beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Instantly, the crowd fell into a hushed silence, like cicadas in winter, not a single murmur daring to escape their lips.

Zhu Youji slowly descended upon his sword. Seeing that his recent display had achieved its desired effect, he offered a faint smile. “Senior Sister Ning Jing’s method is truly excellent,” he mused. “A single, effective trick, and it works wonders every time.”

Previously, silencing these individuals, who believed themselves to be favored children of heaven, required considerable effort.

However, ever since this method was implemented, he rarely needed to raise his voice; the crowd below would become as docile as lambs.

With a casual sweep of his hand, five ‘spirit-testing stones’ of varying colors settled gracefully upon the stone tables, each roughly the size of an adult’s fist.

The onlookers gasped in silent awe once more. Truly befitting the Saint Water Palace, even their spirit-testing stones were several times larger than those found elsewhere.

Spirit-testing stones were wondrous artifacts, at least one set of which was kept by every cultivation sect across the continent. Legend claimed that ancient immortals used them to mend the heavens, making them incredibly precious.

Many magical artifacts with special functions also required their use; a mere speck of their dust could enhance an artifact’s power.

However, ordinary sects were reluctant to expend them for this purpose. The reason was simple: these spirit stones could detect the grade of spiritual roots and the strength of one’s innate talent.

And the larger the ‘spirit-testing stone’, the more accurate the reading!

Zhu Youji turned to glance at his master, Zhu Manzhi, only to find him once again lost in meditation. He shook his head, letting out a soft sigh. “It seems I’ll be presiding over this after all…”

“The selection begins! When your name is called, step forward and touch a stone. If the stone glows, you may stand behind me. If it does not, you are to leave the island immediately. During this time, any who rush ahead, cause a disturbance, or express defiance shall be met with my immortal sword!”

Zhu Youji’s voice was not loud, but as one from the Enforcement Hall, his killing intent radiated outwards. The group of individuals in the square, none of whom had even begun their cultivation journey, were naturally unable to withstand it.

Some, with weaker psychological fortitude, began to kneel and vomit. Even those who managed to endure wore sickly expressions, clearly struggling.

Zhu Youji smiled with satisfaction, then opened the selection roster in his hand.

“Zhang Youde!”

At Zhu Youji’s soft call, someone immediately stepped forward. It was no jest; after experiencing such overwhelming killing intent, no one dared to be negligent before this Golden Core powerhouse.

Zhang Youde touched the gold-element stone, but it remained inert, causing his heart to sink. This gold element was what he had most expected to possess, yet there was no reaction whatsoever.

Panic began to seize him.

He glanced at the adjacent ‘wood-element stone,’ steeled himself, and touched it. Still, nothing happened.

‘This, this shouldn’t be… That blind fortune-teller said I had spiritual roots…’

Zhang Youde gritted his teeth.

“Water stone.” No reaction.

“Fire stone.” No reaction.

“This…”

For a moment, Zhang Youde found himself afraid to touch any more.

“Hurry up, don’t waste time!” Zhu Youji cast a fleeting glance at him.

Innumerable people like this appeared every year. Zhu Youji had long grown numb to it, and he understood why his master, Zhu Manzhi, disliked such tasks. Witnessing people’s hopes shatter so heartbreakingly was indeed no pleasant job.

Zhang Youde, with a sense of resignation, reached for the ‘earth-element stone.’ Unexpectedly, it glowed.

Zhu Youji’s drooping eyelids lifted slightly in surprise, but quickly fell again. The stone had glowed, but not brightly enough to qualify.

Zhang Youde, however, believed that because the spirit-testing stone had lit up, he would be allowed to stay. His hands trembled slightly, and tears welled in his eyes, on the verge of crying tears of joy.

“Zhang Youde, thirty-five years old, unqualified. Depart the island!”

Zhang Youde’s eyes widened. Just as he was about to erupt in anger, he saw that Zhu Youji had already unsheathed his flying sword. From its stance, it seemed he was quite proficient in its use.

“Immortal, please don’t rush, I’ll leave now, I’ll leave now…” Zhang Youde’s voice grew fainter and fainter, the light in his eyes dimming, already embracing the thought of death.

“Wait!” Zhu Youji called out.

Zhang Youde turned around to find a small, golden-covered booklet flying into his hand.

“This?”

“This is the Fundamental Body Tempering Art. Though your spiritual roots are insufficient for immortal cultivation, you possess enough talent to cultivate this body tempering art. You yourself may have no opportunity in this life, but if you diligently practice this art, your descendants might just have a glimmer of hope.” Zhu Youji said no more, no longer sparing Zhang Youde another glance.

“Li Mingliao!” Zhu Youji continued to call.

“I am here!”

Zhang Youde clutched the ‘small yellow booklet’ in his hand, as if he had found a life raft, determined to hold onto it tightly. He carefully tucked the ‘small yellow booklet’ into his bosom, then knelt directly, respectfully kowtowing three times to Zhu Youji. After that, he left with his head held high…

“Hmph! That brat, the same every year, every month…” Zhu Manzhi squinted, a smile gracing his face.

“Hua Youdie!”