Chapter 2: Only Climbing Upward

After comforting the group of children, Master Houde led Li Ji’an and Qingyun to the burial grounds at the back of the mountain.

“This is your grandmaster’s grave, and also your father’s… your uncle’s most revered master’s resting place. Pay your respects,” Master Houde said, his expression momentarily dazed.

He remembered vividly, ten years ago, when their master was laid to rest here—his junior brother had fainted from grief on the spot. The anguished, hoarse cries, the wailing as if the heavens themselves were collapsing, the swollen eyes from relentless weeping… Only then did he realize just how deep his junior’s feelings for their master truly ran.

Li Ji’an solemnly knelt and bowed three times.

This time, he did not cry.

On his youthful face, there was only remembrance and blessing.

When his master died ten years ago, he was thirty. The ambition he had as a transmigrator, once extinguished, flared to life again with his master’s passing—especially since his age then matched the age at which he first experienced rejuvenation, reminding him that he, too, possessed a golden finger.

The goodness of Master Shangshan had taken root in Li Ji’an’s heart, making him willing to lend a hand to the suffering without entangling karma, but only when he was absolutely certain of his own position.

But the evil of those who preyed on the living had also taught Li Ji’an to be ever-vigilant, and to judge others with the utmost suspicion.

So, after his master’s death, he used the savings of more than a decade to secularize himself, purchasing an expensive little courtyard near the county yamen of Shangyi County. Uncertain when he might be rejuvenated again, he made thorough preparations for the next time.

Beyond arranging for his livelihood and safety after rejuvenation, he, already thirty and frail, endured mockery and cold stares, but with sincerity—several hundred taels of silver—he managed to persuade the county martial academy to admit him, patiently accumulating experience for his next return to youth.

He also worked as a helper in the academy’s exclusive pharmacy, learning pharmacology while gradually experimenting with various medicinal baths and supplements.

He waited ten years like this.

Until he turned forty—just five days ago—he was rejuvenated once more.

The last time, he was only thirty when it happened.

This time, he had reached forty.

Fortunately, he was prepared, his life was stable, and he looked forward with hope.

It was only five nights ago that he finally noticed the detail he’d missed during his first rejuvenation: his return to youth was not triggered by age, but rather by his physical condition and vitality. When his body began to decline, when his life force weakened, only then did rejuvenation occur.

In other words, his body only ever climbed upward.

The first rejuvenation happened at thirty because his first thirty years had been so bitter—especially after he returned home in disgrace, day after day draining his vitality to the point that, under normal circumstances, he might have lived only to forty. By thirty, his body was already deteriorating.

After the second time, he lived in relative comfort for twenty-seven years, especially the last ten, filled with hope and anticipation. Even with five years of hellish experience, he would have lived to fifty in normal times; so it was not until forty that his body began to decline.

However, this “return to youth” only worked when his bodily functions waned; if he were killed, he would die outright. Sickness or injury would sap his vitality, potentially triggering an early return to youth.

After his most recent rejuvenation five days ago, he followed his plan, carrying his tokens and letter back to Purple Cloud Monastery—only here could he safely pass through the vulnerable early years of childhood.

“This time, my body has reverted to age eight, all negative effects purged, but my thoughts and memories remain intact. With the money I prepared in advance and the medicinal supplements I used since childhood, everything is filled with hope…”

Having paid respects to his ancestor, Li Ji’an followed Master Houde back to the Hall of Pure Mind.

“Chang’an, you asked a question about joining the monastery, and I haven’t answered yet. Ask it again.”

“Master, do immortals truly exist in this world?”

“Of course they do!” Master Houde replied with conviction.

Li Ji’an paused, looking at him with a trace of doubt.

He still remembered how Liu Deshan had scoffed at the idea of immortals when they were young, saying, “If there were immortals, why did you suffer so much without one coming to save you? It was our master who rescued you. If you ask me, if there are immortals, our master is one.”

“Is it because he’s now in a position of authority that his views changed? Or has his status exposed him to knowledge inaccessible to ordinary folk?” Li Ji’an thought, bowing respectfully.

Master Houde turned to little Qingyun. “Qingyun, you and your brother must practice martial arts diligently. I’ll help you get into the county martial academy. If you excel in the martial examinations, you’ll draw the attention of the Immortal Envoy in the provincial capital. Once you’re recognized as a Seed of Immortality, you’ll have the chance to meet an immortal master and seek the Way.”

Little Qingyun, head down and pouting, clearly didn’t believe his father’s words; he secretly tickled Li Ji’an’s foot instead.

“Of course, only ten Seeds of Immortality are chosen nationwide every ten years. Don’t be stubborn or forceful. As long as you master your martial arts, you can always return to the monastery and defend this place,” Liu Deshan continued.

“Yes, Master.” Li Ji’an took the opportunity of bowing again to reveal little Qingyun’s mischievous deed.

“You rascal… always up to mischief!” Liu Deshan snapped, grabbing his ruler and heading over.

As little Qingyun cried out for mercy, Li Ji’an felt a quiet satisfaction.

The Celestial Dynasty was said to have been founded when an immortal bestowed divine power upon the founding emperor, uniting the entire land.

Seeds of Immortality—every ten years, ten prodigies under thirty were selected through martial examinations from county to province to the imperial capital, to be presented for immortal masters to take to the celestial realm.

Why martial prowess was the criterion rather than spiritual roots, as in stories from his previous life, Li Ji’an did not know.

He wasn’t entirely sure if these so-called Seeds of Immortality were real.

In a feudal society, the notion of a mandate from heaven was a common tool for keeping the people docile and consolidating power.

But… at least it was hope.

If true immortality could be attained, there would be the hope of eternal life—no more fear of suffering the hellish torment that might come with each return to youth.

In this society, a rootless eight-year-old had little chance of surviving to adulthood unscathed.

This time, after rejuvenation, he returned because his senior brother was someone he could trust, and his body, damaged by evil rituals in his previous life, developed differently. At thirteen, he looked quite different from when he was eight, so he could return without being recognized.

But this could only be done once. Next time, his senior would surely be gone, and his current features were now known—if he returned again, he could not guarantee he wouldn’t be imprisoned and tortured for the secret of his rejuvenation, or worse, eaten alive.

Moreover, even if he never became immortal, martial arts were still his hope for gaining the strength to eradicate such evils from the world.

Child traffickers, those who preyed on the young—they all deserved to die, to suffer in the deepest hell, never to be forgiven.

Once Liu Deshan and his son had settled down, Li Ji’an took out an envelope from his robe.

“Master, this is from my uncle. He asked me to give it to you.”

Hearing it was from his junior, Liu Deshan accepted it eagerly, full of anticipation.

Though his junior brother was crippled, he was steadfast, clever, and meticulous, always coming up with ingenious ideas.

Sure enough, upon opening the envelope, he found a prescription for a medicinal bath that would cleanse and strengthen the tendons—a rare formula for children under thirteen, whose bones and sinews were still developing.

Such formulas were closely guarded secrets in every martial academy—real money-makers, never shared lightly.

If Purple Cloud Monastery possessed this, its sources of income would greatly expand.

There was also a formula for nourishing bones, allowing children to develop a stronger foundation—another recipe worth its weight in gold.

These two prescriptions were the fruit of ten years’ painstaking research and effort by Li Ji’an, and while they differed somewhat from the county martial academy’s formulas, they incorporated the strengths of several major schools.

“Excellent! Excellent! My junior brother…hahaha…” Liu Deshan laughed heartily, unable to wait as he dashed toward the Jade Emperor Hall.

Little Qingyun watched his father lose composure yet again and sighed, “It seems my dad isn’t as impressive as my uncle’s dad.”

“Your dad is amazing. From now on, I’ll stick with you!”