Chapter 47: The Sect

Rows of teenage boys and girls stood quietly in place, eagerly peeking around with excitement. However, they were all softly hushed by the elders standing beside them.

In the front row, Liu An and a few of his sycophantic friends were chatting rather uninhibitedly.

"Your Highness, do you think that immortal will choose us? I also want to soar through the skies and burrow into the earth. It would be best if I could learn transformation magic so I could become a bit more handsome," said the plump young master closest to Liu An's left with a silly smile.

"Fatty Xu, stop daydreaming in broad daylight. Become a bit more handsome? Just look at your belly and your face—how fat are you and you're still eating."

"Alright, alright, Zhang Xuanyi, say a little less. What Fatty calls it is being well-fed and wealthy. Don't say otherwise; fools sometimes have all the luck, and today that might very well apply to Fatty," Liu An joked.

Led by Liu Xiong's father, the old man in white arrived at the gathering place of the youths. His gaze was piercing, sweeping across the boys and girls present one by one, as if capable of insight into human hearts and seeing through their innate aptitudes.

When his gaze landed on Fatty Xu, the corners of his previously teasing mouth actually curled into an imperceptible smile.

Fatty Xu's round body trembled slightly, his gaze shining with a mixture of nervousness and anticipation, as if the wheel of fate was about to sweep him into a completely new world at any second.

At the same time, Liu An also felt that gaze coming from the immortal. He straightened his back, an inexplicable wave of confidence welling up in his heart.

Not far from them, a young girl dressed in a light blue dress stood quietly, her brows and eyes exuding a refined and otherworldly temperament. The immortal's gaze lingered on her for a moment, a trace of approval flashing in his eyes.

The girl being evaluated by the white-robed immortal was Lin Luomei, the only daughter of the largest chamber of commerce in North Han City.

Subsequently, the white-robed immortal slowly extended his hand, palm upward, and a stone radiating a soft glow materialized out of thin air like the brightest star in the night sky, capturing everyone's gaze. He said softly, "This is the Spirit-Testing Stone, which can glimpse your innate cultivation aptitudes."

Fatty Xu stepped forward first, his hands trembling as he gently touched the stone. The light flashed slightly, then returned to calm, revealing his ordinary aptitude. Fatty Xu's face fell, but he had no choice but to accept it with resignation.

One after another, the youths stepped forward to be tested, but the Spirit-Testing Stone showed no reaction for any of them.

When it was Liu An's turn...

Liu An stepped forward immediately. The moment his finger touched the Spirit-Testing Stone, it suddenly erupted with a dazzling golden light that shot straight into the clouds, drawing gasps of amazement from all around. The corners of his mouth hooked into a smug smile, and he puffed out his chest even further.

After Liu An, silence fell once again, until the white-robed immortal caught a final glimpse of the young girl, Lin Luomei.

Lin Luomei's hand touched the Spirit-Testing Stone, and this time white light emerged, a layer of chill blanketing the surrounding space.

The white-robed immortal looked quite satisfied as he stroked his beard.

"This year's tests conclude here. The three of you little ones may stay."

The ones whose names were called...

The white-robed immortal swept his gaze gently over Fatty Xu, Liu An, and Lin Luomei, and slowly spoke, "Would the three of you be willing to follow me onto the path of immortals and cultivate the method of longevity?"

Upon hearing this, Fatty Xu's chubby face instantly turned flushed red, his eyes gleaming with ecstatic joy. He nodded repeatedly, as if afraid the immortal would go back on his word, while muttering, "I'm willing! I'm willing!"

Liu An cast a complex gaze toward his parents, whose eyes were filled with a intertwined mix of reluctance to part and hopeful expectation. Liu An gritted his teeth, the balance in his heart ultimately tipping toward the yearning for an unknown world, and he nodded gently.

Lin Luomei smiled calmly, without the slightest hesitation. Her clear eyes seemed to have already perceived the mysteries of the immortal path as she softly said, "Your disciple Lin Luomei is willing to follow by the immortal's side."

"Very good, very good. The three of you go bid your final farewells to your families first," the white-robed immortal said.

Liu An tightly embraced his parents, tears flashing in his eyes. "Father, Mother, Sister, I don't know whether this is fortune or misfortune, but I will no longer be able to fulfill my filial duties. Sister, I hope you can take good care of Father and Mother. Once my cultivation achieves success, I will definitely come back to see you all, and I'll bring back immortal pills for you so that you can..."

Liu An seemed to have endless words to say, but he was stopped by his father.

"Alright, what does a grown man look like blubbering and crying? We'll be waiting for you to come home."

Fatty Xu was saying goodbye to his family through a flood of tears and snot, his round body trembling incessantly with excitement. This left his parents wrapped in a hug that nearly choked them for breath.

"Alright, Son, let go quickly. If you don't let go, your parents' bones are going to break."

Fatty Xu hurriedly let go, grinning foolishly.

"My son, once you go to the immortal sect, listen well to the Crown Prince. Follow him closely just like you usually do, understand?"

Lin Luomei lightly lifted the hem of her skirt and bowed slightly to her parents, a sense of resolute determination adding to her refined and otherworldly demeanor.

The three of them followed the footsteps of the white-robed immortal, stepping onto a stone-paved path shrouded in clouds and mist. Ancient trees towered on both sides of the path, as if every step was taking them into another dimension. Sunlight filtered through the treetops, casting mottled patterns...

Liu An, Fatty Xu, and Lin Luomei followed the white-robed immortal into the Azure Cloud Sect, and the view before them suddenly broadened.

The sect was nestled against the mountains and embraced by rivers. Amidst swirling clouds and mist, magnificent pavilions and palaces loomed faintly, resembling a fairyland. Cascading waterfalls and flowing streams intertwined with babbling water sounds and crisp birdsong to form a melody that refreshed the mind and delighted the spirit.

They were guided to a secluded courtyard, which was living quarters specially prepared for new disciples.

Inside the courtyard, the ground was paved with blue flagstones, surrounded by green bamboo. Several peach trees were in full bloom, petals dancing lightly in the wind, and the air was filled with a faint floral fragrance.

The furnishings in the room were simple yet elegant, complete with a wooden bed, a study desk, and a tea set. Outside the window lay the verdant mountain scenery, resembling an exquisite painting that stirred yearnings, filling them with anticipation to begin their immortal cultivation journey here.

"Next, you should familiarize yourselves with the sect."

The three stepped into the Azure Cloud Sect, where everything was both novel and solemn.

Before long, a senior brother dressed in a cyan robe walked up with a smile. His brows and eyes exuded a sense of detachment and transcendence, as if he had long been accustomed to the quiet tranquility here.

"Will the three newly entered disciples follow me on a tour of the sect?"

Liu An, Fatty Xu, and Lin Luomei all agreed.

The senior brother led them weaving through the sect, explaining along the way the glorious history of the Azure Cloud Sect and its precepts and rules. His voice was gentle yet powerful, seeming to pierce straight into the heart.

They passed by pavilion after magnificent pavilion, each building exuding an ancient and mysterious aura that naturally evoked a sense of awe.

Arriving at a plaza, the senior brother stopped and pointed forward, "This is the assembly place of the sect, and also the place where you will cultivate and spar in the future. Remember to strictly abide by the sect rules and practice diligently."

Looking at the scenery of the Azure Cloud Sect, the three of them were deeply shocked.

"Senior Brother, can I learn all the magic arts used by these fellow apprentices?" Fatty Xu asked excitedly.

The senior brother replied with a smile, "Of course."