Chapter 13: Reserve Immortal Seedling

Page (1/3)

Ning Yutan was just two months shy of her seventeenth birthday when she achieved perfection in bone tempering—a feat that, in the hundred-year history of Chong’an Prefecture, ranked among the top ten. If all went well, in three years, at the Grand Ceremony of Celestial Seedlings, she would likely become a Celestial Seedling in one fell swoop.

Thus, the Marquis of Dingyuan was overjoyed and hosted a banquet for guests from all directions. The teachers and students of the Seeking Immortals Academy, being contemporaries, were naturally invited into the marquis’s residence.

The mansion, with its carved beams and painted pillars, winding paths and secluded corners, exuded opulence and grandeur at every turn, leaving everyone astonished and envious.

In the Celestial Dynasty, due to the close ties between the imperial family and the immortals, true martial prowess was revered above all; nearly every privilege and honor was tied to martial cultivation and the status of Celestial Seedling. The ancestors of the Marquis of Dingyuan were founding heroes, granted a marquisate. To preserve or elevate this title, it was similarly linked to Celestial Seedlings—if the marquis’s family produced a true Celestial Seedling, they could enter the imperial city and be promoted to duke.

To foster such talent, the marquis’s household not only allied with distinguished military families but also recruited martial experts, forging many connections with the Seeking Immortals Academy.

They kept a keen eye on promising students from the academy.

“Father, Mother, this is Li Ji’an. His talent is exceptional; in the academy, he’s just a little behind me, with boundless prospects,” Ning Yutan introduced Li Ji’an alone, somewhat lacking in decorum, as the others offered their congratulations.

This act instantly drew the attention of all the nobles present.

Youthful infatuation?

“Ah, Yutan, mind your manners; never be arrogant. Nephew Li is graceful as jade, dignified and poised—clearly destined for greatness. You have simply progressed faster for now, but remember: many in this world rise late, their foundations deep and their ascent swift.” The Marquis of Dingyuan, steadfast and shrewd, eased the awkwardness with a casual remark.

He seized the opportunity to scrutinize Li Ji’an, his satisfaction deepening. At seventeen, Li Ji’an stood over eight feet tall, his body tempered through years of rigorous training. His physique was lean and powerful, with not an ounce of excess flesh. Sword-like brows, starry eyes, a prominent nose, and a face chiseled like a blade—his features were striking, his youthful innocence nearly vanished, presenting the image of a noble gentleman.

Most notably, his countenance was calm, his temperament gentle and refined, unlike the rash or unbalanced youth.

The marquis glanced, almost unconsciously, at his eldest daughter Ning Sujin, who unwillingly trailed behind. The more he looked, the more he felt they were well matched.

Though the offspring of martial experts were not guaranteed to inherit excellent roots, the odds were far higher. He had painstakingly coaxed Su Susu, Ning Sujin’s mother, into the marquis’s residence with precisely this in mind.

Of course, what pleased him most was Li Ji’an’s family background—an orphan!

As for Ning Yutan, the Celestial Seedling, there was no need to worry about her marriage; after all, she was destined for the immortal realm, to become an ancestor.

Having finished her introduction, Ning Yutan smiled at Li Ji’an, seeking his favor, then turned with pride to glance at Ning Sujin, who served as her foil.

Page (2/3)

Ning Sujin maintained a cold demeanor throughout, only occasionally casting glances toward Li Ji’an.

After several rounds of wine, hosts and guests were thoroughly delighted.

The marquis and his lady deliberately lingered in conversation with Li Ji’an, rewarding him with a thousand taels of silver upon departure.

From then on, Ning Sujin endured hardship, appearing to work as hard as Ning Yutan, but secretly driven to near madness.

A year later, having perfected bone tempering, she began the blood-changing process.

This alarmed Ning Yutan, who had already achieved moderate success in blood-changing, and made her feel threatened once again, prompting her to redouble her cultivation, striving to widen the gap.

The two girls spurred each other on, leaving Li Ji’an both envious and admiring. With equivalent effort, their superior roots meant faster progress—there was nothing he could do. Worse yet, they worked harder despite their innate advantage.

He did not lose his composure, but proceeded methodically. After another half year, he finally perfected bone tempering and began blood-changing.

At that moment, only a year and a half remained until the once-in-a-decade Grand Ceremony of Celestial Seedlings.

He knew he could not reach full mastery of blood-changing for this cycle, but he did not slacken, for he would have another chance at age thirty.

As expected, as the day of the ceremony approached, the Seeking Immortals Academy in Chong’an Prefecture reached the final deadline for its Celestial Seedling candidates.

“Ning Yutan, bone age nineteen years and nine months, blood-changing perfected. She has fulfilled the imperial favor and is honored as a Celestial Seedling. In three days, she will depart for the imperial city to meet the emperor and await ascension!”

“Ning Sujin, bone age twenty years and eight months, advanced in blood-changing, with remarkable talent. Designated as a reserve; she may enter the immortal palace in the capital, with a chance to be honored as a Celestial Seedling ten years hence.”

“Li Ji’an, bone age nineteen years and eleven months, moderate blood-changing, with notable talent. Designated as a reserve; he may enter the immortal palace in the capital, with a chance to be honored as a Celestial Seedling ten years hence.”

…

To Li Ji’an’s surprise, even his moderate progress in blood-changing qualified him as a reserve candidate for early entry into the immortal palace.

“Seems the Seeking Immortals Palace is under considerable pressure—short of Celestial Seedlings?”

In the end, three people from Chong’an Prefecture entered the imperial city’s immortal palace this cycle. The entire academy celebrated, the headmaster’s worries dispelled—not only did he avoid punishment, but he also received rewards.

The Marquis of Dingyuan’s residence was festooned with lanterns and drums, and along with the results from the imperial city’s immortal palace came the edict for promotion to duke and ten thousand taels of gold.

Entry to the imperial city, the title of Duke of Dingguo!

While the entire prefecture rejoiced, Li Ji’an stood quietly beneath the peach tree in the courtyard, his brows furrowed.

Before crossing over, he had studied a classic masterpiece and encountered a phrase: In a feudal society ruled by emperors, unless the consequences are objectively understood, all prohibitions exist to keep benefits from you, while all encouragements and grand promotions are traps for you to fill.

Page (3/3)

By the same logic:

If worshipping Buddha truly worked, you wouldn’t even get through the temple gates.

If farming really brought wealth, peasants would have no land to till.

If hard work truly led to prosperity, street sweeping would require connections.

If donating blood was so good for you, would your turn ever come?

Therefore… is this so-called Celestial Seedling truly a blessing?

On the surface, it seemed fine, but in essence, why did the immortals go to such lengths to select Celestial Seedlings nationwide? What benefit did ten Celestial Seedlings every decade bring the immortals?

Were the immortal masters truly saints, simply giving mortals a chance to cultivate?

Li Ji’an grew ever more cautious.

He promptly revised his goals for this world.

Fortunately, he was not a Celestial Seedling this time—only a reserve, and it was unlikely he would become one ten years later. To go to the imperial city and investigate the authenticity of “immortality” would be a success.

“Brother Li, my father asked me to invite you to join us on the journey to the imperial city. Will you come?” Ning Yutan invited him immediately.

“Certainly. Please thank the Duke of Dingguo for me!” The road to the capital was long and fraught with unknown dangers; with the duke’s protection, it would be far safer.

“That’s wonderful! With Brother Li accompanying me, the journey won’t be lonely at all.” Ning Yutan cheered in delight.

Observing how Ning Yutan’s nature had hardly changed in five years, Li Ji’an felt a certain approval of her character.

Aside from her petty rivalry with Ning Sujin, she was a pure-hearted, beautiful, and kind young girl.

“Brother Li, that old woman is utterly rotten! She cursed me to face great misfortune on this trip to the capital—she’s clearly jealous. Let’s never speak to her again.”

Li Ji’an couldn’t help but laugh. He was about to ignore such talk as usual, but suddenly paused.

“Hmm? She said you’d face great misfortune on your way to the capital? Did she give a reason?”