Chapter 24: This Is Immortality

Fortunately, both of them were already experts who had undergone blood refinement, so going three days and nights without eating, drinking, sleeping, or relieving themselves was effortless. Still, being forced to remain idle like this, unable to do anything, was rather torturous.

It wasn’t until noon on the ninth day that figures appeared in the center of the Immortal Hall. In addition to Ning Yutan and the eight candidates previously confirmed as immortals-in-training, there were two alternate candidates. One of them was participating in the Immortal Selection for the first time—eighteen years old, with minor completion of blood refinement, slightly below the usual requirement of full completion. The other was taking the exam for the second time, twenty-seven years old, with major completion of marrow cleansing.

Apart from these immortals-in-training, the Emperor himself—the apex of the food chain in the Heavenly Gift Dynasty—had arrived. He was dressed simply, with all ornaments removed, his hair loosely draped over his shoulders. Were it not for those around him addressing him as “Palace Master,” Li Ji’an would never have guessed he was royalty; there was no trace of the so-called kingly aura, none of the imposing presence of one long accustomed to power, and certainly nothing of a divinely ordained sovereign. Instead, his aged face was filled with expectation and trepidation, like an ordinary old farmer.

No wonder he was so anxious and expectant. According to the decree from the immortal master at the last Immortal Selection ten years prior, if the dynasty continued to select immortal seedlings for the celestial realm with diligence, he would be rewarded with an elixir for longevity. Yet, because two candidates who met the highest standards had been assassinated, he was forced to choose two alternates as replacements. Naturally, the quality was a notch lower, and he now feared not only losing the elixir but also incurring the immortal master’s wrath.

With a drama unfolding, time became less unbearable. Li Ji’an carefully observed everyone in the hall, extracting as much information as he could. Judging from Ning Yutan’s behavior—solemn yet still displaying a few mischievous gestures—it seemed the candidates hadn’t been subjected to any coercion or control. The Emperor’s attitude toward them was respectful and ingratiating, as if he believed these immortals-in-training might one day return as immortal masters themselves.

Yet Ning Yutan’s ominous sign had not manifested, which left Li Ji’an uneasy.

...

The following day, a sonic boom resounded high above, and the immortals-in-training and the Emperor below all stiffened, immediately prostrating themselves as instructed, foreheads to the floor, awaiting reverently. At this moment, apart from the core Immortal Hall being open, all other doors and windows of the Seeking Immortal Palace were sealed with talismans; no one was allowed to witness the celestial event.

Only Li Ji’an and Ning Sujin, concealed in a side chamber, stared wide-eyed in amazement at the mysterious airborne object resembling a small boat.

“A flying vessel?” Li Ji’an immediately thought of the flying artifacts from the xianxia novels he’d read before crossing over. But before he could ponder further, the scene above shifted again.

The flying vessel vanished abruptly, and a figure clothed in fluttering robes hung suspended in midair. Hurriedly, as he and Ning Sujin had agreed, Li Ji’an activated his blood energy to dissolve the feigned death pill under his tongue; his body went limp and collapsed alongside hers, only their eyes barely able to move.

A flash of light flickered under the figure’s feet, carrying him downward in a dive, straight toward the circular opening in the hall designed for celestial descent.

“A flying sword!” This time, Li Ji’an saw clearly—it was indeed a flying sword.

He also caught a glimpse of the immortal master’s face. There was none of the ethereal grace he’d imagined, nor any obvious malevolence—just an ordinary middle-aged man, scarcely different from a common martial artist at first glance. Only his gaze, cold and indifferent as he surveyed the immortals-in-training and the Emperor below, betrayed a trace of aloofness.

Upon landing in the hall, the flying sword shrank and slipped into the immortal master’s sleeve as he floated down gently.

“Rise and speak,” the immortal master said upon landing, his voice calm and indifferent.

“Your humble servant Zhao Hongsheng leads ten immortal seedlings in greeting the immortal master. May the immortal master’s life be as long as the heavens, and his fortune boundless!” The Emperor immediately led them in three bows and nine prostrations.

“These are the candidates for this cycle?” the immortal master asked, his expression unchanged as he swept his gaze over Ning Yutan and the others.

“Yes, immortal master, these ten are the ones chosen.”

“Hm? Not even completed blood refinement? Could you not find better candidates?” Suddenly, the immortal master’s eyes sharpened, fixing on one of the alternates.

At these words, the Emperor’s face changed instantly, sweat beading on his brow.

“Immortal master, please quell your anger! There were indeed unforeseen circumstances this cycle—it was those damned assassins, who intercepted and slew the candidates. Their crimes are unpardonable...”

“Hmph! Mundane affairs are none of my concern. If you are incompetent, you can be replaced. I care not who carries out my orders or who receives my reward; I care only for results.”

“Forgive me, immortal master, forgive me! Please, grant me one more chance. I will not let such mistakes happen again,” the Emperor pleaded, pale and desperate, kowtowing frantically.

“If the quality declines again next time, you will no longer be worthy to meet me,” the immortal master said coldly.

“Thank you, immortal master! I will do my utmost and never disappoint you again...” The Emperor breathed a sigh of relief, though disappointment filled him; the elixir of longevity promised ten years ago was now out of reach.

The immortal master paid him no further heed, lifting his gaze to the ten candidates. His tone softened considerably: “You are all gifted with immortal potential. Do not fail Heaven’s grace. Come with me at once to the celestial realm. In the future, when your cultivation bears fruit, do not forget this day.”

“We shall obey the immortal master’s decree!” the ten replied in unison.

“Do not resist!” With a nod, the immortal master waved his hand, and the ten candidates rose into the air, ascending slowly toward the sky.

Passing through the circular opening above the hall, the flying vessel reappeared at the immortal master’s command, expanding in the wind and welcoming them all aboard. Without pausing, it transformed into a stream of light and shot toward the northern horizon...

-------

The following dawn, the Immortal Hall—which had been heavily guarded in recent days—returned to its former emptiness after the immortal master’s departure. Only a few eunuchs and maids remained on duty; no soldiers were present.

“So that is an immortal!” As the effects of the fake death pill gradually faded, Li Ji’an and Ning Sujin could move their faces and finally communicate. Yet both were lost in thought and said nothing for a while.

“To be precise, a cultivator,” Li Ji’an reflected, finally forming a concept of immortals in this world—a result he found quite satisfactory.

There was no need to elaborate on the sinister path; compared to the divine or primordial realms, where the starting point was too high and the supernatural arts too unfathomable and unreasonable—his secret of “restoring youth” would be impossible to keep and far too dangerous.

But in a world of mortal cultivation, while dangers abounded, it was still the lesser of two evils. With caution and perseverance, as long as he survived, he could accumulate progress over lifetimes and eventually become immortal.

“Sister Jin, has Yutan’s ominous sign been dispelled?” This was his only remaining uncertainty.

Ning Sujin returned from her reverie, looking at Li Ji’an whose face was pressed so close to hers. Instinctively, she tried to move away. But her body was still limp, and only her face could move slightly. Straining with all her might, not only did she fail to pull away, but their faces, once merely touching, now pressed mouth to mouth.

Their eyes met. Overwhelmed with embarrassment and anger, Ning Sujin tried to turn her face aside, but she had no strength left.

Feeling the soft warmth of her lips against his own, Li Ji’an could only sigh inwardly. She was pressed atop him, squeezed into the corner, with a wall behind his head—there was little he could do to move.

“Can’t you budge even a little?” Seeing that Li Ji’an made no attempt to turn away, Ning Sujin, exasperated, finally spoke.