"Who’s there?"
"Who’s there?"
The two n turned to look simultaneously, but there was no one in the distance. Raising their heads, they saw an elderly man with a long white beard descending slowly on a white cloud from the heavens.
"An... an Immortal!" Qin Heng’s eyes widened as he watched the elder flick the horsetail whisk in his hand. Dazzling golden light erged behind him, like a Banished Immortal descending from the skies.
He didn’t possess a Spirit Root and was fated to be excluded from the Immortal Sect.
He had already given up hope.
Yet now, with a True Immortal descending right before him, his once lifeless heart now fluttered with renewed vigor.
Thud!
Without hesitation, Qin Heng dropped to his knees and prostrated himself, shouting fervently, "Qin Heng, a child of the Qin clan from Great Zhou City, humbly welcos the senior. Please, I beg you to take as your disciple! Qin Heng is willing to serve by your side and learn from your teachings."
A chance!
It was his only chance.
Even though he didn’t know who this elder was, appearing in such a manner was sothing no ordinary Martial Arts practitioner could achieve. He had to be from the Immortal Sect, likely soone of great standing.
Here, it was just him and Lin Fan, both of whom did not possess a Spirit Root. The esteed senior couldn’t possibly have co here without reason.
Surely, the senior saw sothing promising in them—maybe their character, or perhaps their aptitude for Martial Arts—and wanted to take them under his wing.
He would never go back.
Even if he had to play the role of a re Flute Boy by this senior’s side, it would be far better than returning to his family to face ridicule and scorn.
The elder remained expressionless, but internally, he was surprised.
I haven’t even spoken a word, and you’ve already knelt.
What haste!
Lin Fan, observing Qin Heng’s swift kowtow, was left speechless. Truly impressive—it seed Qin Heng was a master at seizing opportunities without even questioning the purpose of the visitor’s arrival.
Lin Fan took a mont to assess the situation.
Although he wasn’t well-versed in the realms of cultivation, the elder’s introduction did seem extraordinary.
"Fang Xiaoli: Fourth stage of the Golden Core Realm."
"Possible rewards upon defeat: Fire Spirit Root Fragnt, Golden Spirit Root Fragnt, 1,800 years of Mana, Geng tal Mysterious Sword Skill, Earth Fire Divine Thunder, Innate Golden Qi Protection, Demon Suppressing Hand..."
Lin Fan read through the elder’s description, feeling more and more overwheld until he beca thoroughly dazed.
Eighteen hundred years of Mana—how does one even cultivate such strength?
Compared to this, his current cultivation of just over a hundred years was insignificant. Moreover, his cultivation was based on Inner Strength, which was likely incomparable to Mana.
This powerhouse was soone he absolutely couldn’t afford to provoke.
He didn’t even dare entertain the thought of hostility, fearing the elder might sense it. If such a scenario occurred, there’d be no question—he’d be eradicated instantly. Best to play it safe.
Yet the current situation was a bit tricky.
Why had this powerhouse co here? To talk about how handso the three of them were and discuss their shared beauty?
Clearly not.
Considering the circumstances, one conclusion was evident.
This could spell trouble.
Perhaps he and Qin Heng possessed qualities that caught the elder’s eye, and now they were to be taken away and turned into cultivation tools.
Or perhaps...
The elder was cultivating so kind of demonic technique that required them.
"You’re quite the opportunist," the elder said, stroking his beard. "Failed the Immortal Sect assessnt due to your lack of a Spirit Root, and yet here you are hoping I’ll escort you back to the Immortal Sect. Quite the clever sche you’ve hatched." He then turned to Lin Fan, "Why don’t you, young man, follow his example and plead for to take you to the Immortal Sect?"
Unsure of the elder’s intentions, Lin Fan could only respond, "I’ve no interest in cultivating immortality, senior. The Immortal Sect assessnt ruled that I lack a Spirit Root. That’s that. I plan to pack my belongings and return to my family to farm."
"Senior, I see he has both filial piety and determination. Having him would not be bad. I’ll take my leave now and not disturb you further," Lin Fan added.
He wanted to flee—this mysterious elder might have unknown purposes, and Lin Fan would rather steer clear.
After all, with his little aiding system, he preferred to develop at his own pace.
Qin Heng looked gratefully at Lin Fan, nearly bursting into tears. He hadn’t expected to find such a kind person in this world—soone willing not only to help him alleviate his despair but also to actively recomnd him.
"Senior, please allow to serve by your side sincerely. Take in, I implore you," Qin Heng begged, practically clutching at the elder’s leg while tearfully pleading. He just wanted entry into the Immortal Sect—even if he were tasked with stoking fires, it would still be better than facing mockery from his clan back ho.
The elder hesitated for a mont, as though moved by Qin Heng’s determination. Finally, he said, "Very well. Seeing your resolve, I cannot refuse. I will accept you. Prepare to leave for the Immortal Sect with shortly."
Hearing these words, Qin Heng froze montarily before breaking into cheers, "Disciple Qin Heng greets Master and wishes Master boundless longevity."
"Hmm, not bad. I am Fang Jiuzhen, also known as Master Fang," the elder said, evidently pleased. Suddenly, his gaze shifted to Lin Fan, who was sneaking away, and he called out, "Young man, where do you think you’re going?"
Lin Fan, caught trying to flee, laughed awkwardly, "Senior, truly, I have no interest in cultivating immortality. I do not wish to disturb your joyous mont of accepting a fine disciple."
Fang Jiuzhen had long been observing these two individuals.
Upon closer inspection, they appeared normal at first glance but were anything but ordinary.
Being unusual, of course, was a good thing.
Unusual people were less likely to run away.
"I see extraordinary potential in your bone structure. Though you lack Spirit Roots, by my judgnt, you are unparalleled geniuses in this world," Fang Jiuzhen said with a smile. "Normally, talents like you would need to undergo trials in the mortal world. But you two are fated to et , so I wish to guide you on the path of cultivation and spare you the hardships of mortal tempering."
"How can you give up so easily?"
Lin Fan rolled his eyes. Who would believe this nonsense? Even a three-year-old wouldn’t fall for such a story. Did he think they were fools?
However...
Qin Heng, upon hearing these words, could no longer keep his composure. Tears stread down his face as he exclaid, "I knew I was a genius! How could I have no Spirit Root? Now that I’ve heard Master’s wisdom, I finally understand—that legends are true, that real talent must first shed its earthly impurities and endure mortal trials before erging triumphant to achieve greatness."
"Now that I’ve been blessed by Master’s guidance, I will serve at his side for the rest of my life."
Lin Fan glanced at Qin Heng.
This guy was a lost cause.
He even believed such blatantly fabricated statents.
But maybe Qin Heng, with no Spirit Root, was rely pretending to believe the elder’s words to gain entry into the Immortal Sect, so he could return to his family with dignity and silence their ridicule.
Whatever the truth was...
Only Qin Heng truly knew.
"Senior, I really just want to go back and farm. Cultivating immortality doesn’t suit ," Lin Fan said, continuing to refuse. He wouldn’t go, no matter what. Who could say what the elder had planned? Though Lin Fan’s Inner Strength had surpassed a century’s worth, it was laughable against a thousand-year Mana cultivator.
Fang Jiuzhen narrowed his eyes, pondering. This young man was proving difficult.
Could it be that he knew about the elder’s identity and was steadfastly unwilling?
That wouldn’t do.
Having encountered them by chance, Fang Jiuzhen wouldn’t let them slip away so easily.
If persuasion didn’t work, force would.
"Enough talk. Follow . You two are fated to accompany , and missing this opportunity would be a loss for you and for ," Fang Jiuzhen declared.
As his words fell, Lin Fan felt his body lose autonomy, as though a mysterious force were pulling him along with Fang Jiuzhen into the skies.
Qin Heng, on the other hand, was visibly flushed with excitent.
"Immortal cultivation! I can truly cultivate immortality now!"
Lin Fan shouted angrily, "Senior, a forced lon doesn’t taste sweet!"
Fang Jiuzhen replied calmly, "I prefer bitter ones."
...
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