“Zhang Tieshan… Zhao Siyao… Ye Lei…”
The Golden Cloud Valley deacon recited dozens of names in one breath.
Those whose names were called were overjoyed, yearning for the future path of immortal longevity.
“My name isn’t on the list… Did they miss it?”
Lin Yi bit his lip, finding it hard to believe.
Seventeen years old, Qi Refining third layer, Low Grade Spiritual Root—he should have met the criteria.
In the first stage, “Spiritual Sense Pillar,” and the second stage, “Nine Bends Peak,” his results were both good.
Not only was Lin Yi’s name not called, Lu Chang’an and Li Ergou also failed the entrance examination.
“The rest of you, leave the Mountain Gate immediately!”
The Golden Cloud Valley deacon had a cold expression as he led the selected immortal seedlings away.
The remaining hundred-plus teenagers, including Lin Yi and Li Ergou, all looked disheartened and unwilling.
Lu Chang’an’s face was calm; he had anticipated this.
The age limit for Golden Cloud Valley’s entrance examination was not to exceed eighteen years old.
Lu Chang’an was just at the upper limit.
A few months later, he wouldn't even have been eligible for the examination.
Although his performance in the third stage was outstanding, his age and Cultivation were too poor.
With a bone age close to 18 and Qi Refining first layer Cultivation, his potential was truly too low for a Sect.
Even if his Spiritual Root barely reached Medium Grade, Golden Cloud Valley would not value it.
…
“Lu Dage, are we unable to Cultivate Immortals now?”
On the way down the mountain, Li Ergou cried, his face looking as if his dream had been shattered.
“Don’t be too disheartened; as long as you have a Spiritual Root, you can Cultivate. At worst, you can be a Loose Cultivator.”
Lu Chang’an comforted him.
In reality, he knew that given Li Ergou’s background and Aptitude, attempting the Loose Cultivator path would be incredibly difficult.
Lu Chang’an, however, was not worried. After all, he had the added benefit of two lifetimes of immortal Cultivation memories; it was just that his start wasn’t as smooth.
Led by two Golden Cloud Valley Disciples, everyone descended the mountain together.
They passed by a lake overflowing with Spiritual Qi.
Lu Chang’an took a deep breath, gazing at the reflection of the young man in the lake.
This life’s body displayed well-proportioned, strong muscles, and calluses on his palms.
His face was strong, with distinct features, and his eyes were as black as ink.
Strong and robust, skilled in martial arts.
He was not some frail, effeminate man.
Lu Chang’an nodded secretly, quite satisfied with his body in this life.
“Senior Brother Yu, given my performance in the examination, why was I eliminated?”
On the way down the mountain, Lin Yi spoke to a young Golden Cloud Valley Disciple, with a hint of complaint.
It turned out that before the entrance examination, Lin Yi had used connections from the Wanghou Manor to make arrangements at Golden Cloud Valley.
“Young Marquis, your result in the third stage, ‘Fantasy Heart Platform,’ was at the bottom. According to Sect regulations, unless one possesses a Spiritual Root of High Grade or above, they cannot be admitted into the Sect.”
Senior Brother Yu’s lips moved as he transmitted his voice.
He sneered inwardly, thinking, Golden Cloud Valley is, after all, one of the top five immortal Cultivation forces in Liang Country.
With ordinary Aptitude and such poor mental fortitude and will, how could Golden Cloud Valley possibly think highly of him?
“Fantasy Heart Platform, huh?”
Lin Yi felt indignant and subconsciously glanced at Lu Chang’an.
Lu Chang’an’s performance in the third stage was so good, yet wasn’t he also eliminated?
Thinking of this, he felt much better.
No matter what, he was a concubine’s son of a Marquis.
Backed by secular power, even without a Sect’s acceptance, he would still fare much better than an ordinary Loose Cultivator.
That being said,
As he walked out of Golden Cloud Valley’s Mountain Gate,
He gazed at the gradually obscured, ethereal peaks, with flying spiritual cranes and exotic beasts…
Lin Yi remained silent for a long time, then sighed:
“One Mountain Gate, from here on, immortals and mortals have different fates!”
He knew clearly that even with the Marquis’s power, his future destiny would be vastly different compared to the high and mighty Sect Disciples.
“Zhao Siyao…”
He recalled how he had tried to win over that beautiful and elegant young lady from a prominent Family earlier.
He even fantasized about standing side by side with her in the immortal Sect in the future, pursuing longevity.
However, upon stepping out of this Mountain Gate,
Zhao Siyao had become an unattainable prodigy.
In just a single day, the circumstances of their lives had created such a vast chasm.
…
“Brother Lu, Brother Li, my Guang’an Marquis Manor has some Cultivation resources. Why don’t you two come back with me to develop in the secular world?”
Stepping out of the Mountain Gate, Lin Yi’s mindset shifted, and most of his arrogance dissipated.
Lin Yi knew that Loose Cultivators had a tough time, and it was best to stick together. He tried to use his secular power to recruit Lu Chang’an and Li Ergou.
“I’ll listen to Lu Dage.” Li Ergou grinned foolishly, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.
He didn’t have much initiative but trusted Lu Chang’an.
Previously, Lin Yi had shown him no respect, subtly revealing disdain. Although he was an uneducated farmer, that didn’t mean he lacked thoughts.
In contrast, Lu Chang’an, a Jianghu person, was very down-to-earth, chatting idly along the way and showing some care for Li Ergou, easily earning his trust.
“Does Guang’an Marquis Manor have a first-order Spiritual Vein?”
Lu Chang’an merely asked faintly.
“That… no, it doesn’t.”
Lin Yi’s expression changed.
He immediately knew that Lu Chang’an was not easy to fool!
A first-order Spiritual Vein could be used for Qi Refining stage Cultivation, accelerating the Cultivation speed.
Compared to the “Spirit-poor Lands” of the secular world, it was a world apart.
“Then forget it.”
Lu Chang’an was very practical.
He waved his hand directly, interrupting Lin Yi’s attempts to recruit them.
Without a first-order Spiritual Vein, Guang’an Marquis Manor could at most provide some incomplete immortal Cultivation Secret Manuals, or mundane gold, silver, and precious medicinal herbs.
These were meaningless to Lu Chang’an.
“Haha! Little Friend Lu wants a first-order Spiritual Vein? My Mu Family has a second-order Spiritual Vein. I wonder if we can recruit you all?”
A hearty male voice came from the foot of the mountain.
The newcomer was a middle-aged man in a green robe, with a fair complexion and a dignified, leisurely demeanor.
“Qi Refining eighth layer?”
Lu Chang’an’s Soul was powerful, and he sensed the other party’s magical power fluctuations, becoming wary.
However, at the foot of Golden Cloud Valley’s Mountain Gate, outsiders dared not act presumptuously.
Second-order Spiritual Vein, Mu Family?
Lu Chang’an’s eyes flickered, guessing the identity of the newcomer.
“Senior, how should I address you?”
“This humble one is Mu Maode, the Mu Family Head of the ‘Immortal Cultivation Mu Family’ of Emerald Moon Lake. I am preparing to recruit a batch of young Cultivators.”
The green-robed middle-aged man had a kind expression and explained his purpose.
“So it’s Senior Mu.”
Lu Chang’an cupped his hands, but he noticed that Mu Family Head’s gaze towards him subtly gleamed.
“As far as I know, immortal Cultivation Families generally don’t Cultivate outsiders’ Bloodline, do they?”
Someone in the crowd raised a question.
Few of the teenagers participating in the Sect examination came from the lower strata of society. Most were from powerful nobles and wealthy merchants, descendants of Loose Cultivators, and even children from immortal Cultivation Families.
“In recent years, my Mu Family has suffered significant losses among our clansmen, and we urgently need to replenish new blood, which is why we are making this special exception. Of course, the children of those Marquises and immortal Cultivation Families are not our recruitment targets.”
The Mu Family Head, who had been waiting here, had investigated the backgrounds of the teenagers participating in the examination.
He looked at Lu Chang’an, who had the only Medium Grade Spiritual Root, and then swept his gaze over the other teenagers.
He said loudly: “My Mu Family has ten spots! We are recruiting young Cultivators, providing Spiritual Vein Dao fields, immortal Cultivation Secret Manuals…”
Hearing this, those teenagers without backgrounds couldn’t help but be moved.
Cultivating in a Family was still much better than being a Loose Cultivator.
“No reward without merit. Senior Mu, why don’t you explain clearly what we need to give in return for your Family’s resources?”
Lu Chang’an spoke frankly.
Mu Family Head looked at him with a slight surprise, then chuckled softly:
“I didn’t expect Little Friend to be so insightful at such a young age. Then I, Mu, will speak plainly.”
“I see that Little Friend Lu is a talented individual, destined for greatness. Our Family has many well-educated and beautiful young women whom you can choose one or several to take as wives or concubines.”
Upon hearing this, Li Ergou’s eyes widened, and he licked his chapped lips.
“There’s such a good thing??”
Born a farmer, he was often hungry and poorly clothed; in this life, even marrying an ordinary-looking woman was a luxury.
Let alone marrying a well-educated beauty.
Facing Mu Family Head’s enthusiastic recruitment,
Lu Chang’an, with memories from two lives, remained calm, but a cold sneer formed in his heart.
You think the Mu Family values Spiritual Root Aptitude?
No!
They are merely eyeing your kidneys.
…
As expected, Mu Family Head revealed his true intentions.
“Our requirement is: The children born to young Cultivators who join the Mu Family and women of our Family, their ownership must bear the surname Mu, especially children with Spiritual Roots!”
“This… isn’t this marrying into the wife’s Family?”
Li Ergou was stunned and blurted out.
Mu Family Head didn’t mind and said with a smile:
“Those who join need to leave behind ten children. If they can leave one Medium Grade Spiritual Root or two Low Grade Spiritual Root children for our Family, it will also be considered fulfilling the condition. In return, the Mu Family will provide you with Cultivation Dao fields, immortal Cultivation Techniques, and a certain amount of spirit rice and Medicinal Pills annually.”
After hearing the conditions, Lu Chang’an secretly shook his head.
What kind of marrying into the wife’s Family was this?
Even using “matrilocal marriage” to describe it would be flattering.
It was clearly a tool for breeding.
“Lu Dage, do you think this is reliable?”
Li Ergou looked at Lu Chang’an eagerly, clearly very tempted.
“Marrying into the wife’s Family, you don’t mind?”
“Anyway, I have a few brothers at home.”
Li Ergou scratched his head, looking embarrassed.
He then lowered his voice, slightly excited:
“Lu Dage! There’s a place to Cultivate Immortals, and I can even marry a wife and have children… This deal is worth it!”