Li An’s choice to pass through the Spiritless Gate became a minor footnote in the third stage.
Soon, the third stage concluded.
The dozens of disciples who passed the selection gathered before the mountain gate.
Not everyone succeeded in conquering a Spirit Path. Nearly half, unable to endure, ultimately chose the same route as Li An, entering the sect through the Spiritless Gate.
After all, even serving as a menial servant in an immortal sect was a step above ordinary mortals, enough to spark envy in the secular world.
“The selection results will now be announced!”
“Outer Sect Official Disciples: Mu Qingwan, Wang Jian, Zhao Xianchuan… a total of five!”
“Outer Sect Registered Disciples: Luo Mu, Cao Qingming, Wang Dazhu… a total of twenty-one!”
…
Upon hearing their names, Mu Qingwan, Wang Jian, and others beamed with joy.
Registered disciples still under examination after entry, needing to meet conditions to become official disciples.
Official disciples enjoyed the best treatment, receiving several times more spirit stones, spirit rice, and pills each month than registered disciples.
Among a batch of disciples, only a rare few could become inner sect disciples.
“The rest are menials!”
Their names weren’t even worth reading out.
“Rest briefly, then we’ll escort you into the mountain gate.”
The crowd buzzed with voices, many brimming with excitement.
Wang Dazhu was especially thrilled. A mere farmer’s son, once unable to even eat his fill, he had now become a registered disciple of an immortal sect—a true leap from carp to dragon!
He turned, darting to the group of menial “reserves,” grabbed Li An’s hand, and exclaimed, “Brother An, I made it! I made it!”
Li An’s heart remained utterly calm, but he deliberately showed a trace of dejection, forcing a smile. “Dazhu, congratulations.”
His expression left Wang Dazhu flustered. “Brother An, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean… don’t take it to heart.”
“I know. Between you and me, how could I mind?”
Though Wang Dazhu wasn’t the sharpest, his heart was honest. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have run back earlier to try helping Li An pass the trial.
“Li An.”
At that moment, a few others approached, led by none other than Zhao Xianchuan.
A scion of a cultivation clan, raised with refinement, he carried an air of elegance and a gentle smile.
“I never expected you’d fall behind at the final stage… Truly regrettable.”
Li An sneered inwardly. Before this, despite their differing backgrounds, Zhao Xianchuan had been polite, addressing him as “Friend Li” due to Li An’s decent talent.
Now, calling him directly by name, his attitude had subtly shifted.
Moreover, had Li An not failed, Zhao Xianchuan would have dropped to fourth place.
Typically, the top three had the best shot at becoming inner sect disciples.
So, while it was a pity for Li An, for Zhao Xianchuan… it was a stroke of fortune. The glee in his eyes didn’t escape Li An.
“Brother Li, are your injuries alright?”
Mu Qingwan, with her Mid Grade Yellow Tier Wood Spirit Root, spoke up, her beautiful eyes tinged with concern.
Mu Qingwan also came from humble roots. On the way to the Clear Sun Sect, Li An had explained some basic knowledge to her, earning a bit of her favor. Being a year older, she called him “Brother.”
“My dantian is cracked, my spirit root is damaged, and my organs ache terribly, cough cough…”
Li An wasn’t lying. This body, malnourished and now wounded by thunder spirit qi, was in dire straits.
“Brother Li, don’t worry. Once I advances in my cultivation, I’ll find a way to heal you.”
Mu Qingwan’s words were earnest.
“Thank you.”
Li An offered a casual courtesy, not taking it to heart.
From now on, Mu Qingwan would be an outer sect official disciple, likely destined for the inner sect if all went well.
Li An, however… was a mere menial.
The gap between them was like heaven and earth. The faint bond from their journey meant little.
With his damaged spirit root, only a Foundation Establishment-stage elixir could repair it.
“No need for Miss Mu to trouble herself!”
Zhao Xianchuan smiled and chimed in. “I have a Mixed Spirit Pill here for Li An. It should suffice for his injuries.”
He produced a dark, unremarkable pill.
The Mixed Spirit Pill, a byproduct of alchemical refinement, was ungraded, containing trace spiritual qi. Cultivators scorned it, but in the mortal world, it was prized by martial artists.
Li An quickly declined. “No need…”
His heart grew cold. Hah, this Zhao was using him to curry favor with Mu Qingwan.
On the journey, Zhao had already been displeased by Mu Qingwan’s closeness to Li An. Offering this pill now, his intentions were clear.
If Li An took the pill, Mu Qingwan would have no reason to heal him later.
“Li An, don’t stand on ceremony with me. In the sect, you’ll struggle to find pills for your injuries!”
Zhao Xianchuan’s tone carried a hint of displeasure, implying Li An was ungrateful.
Li An replied softly, “Exactly. I’d never be able to repay such a favor.”
He wasn’t concerned about pride. If Zhao had offered a First Grade Spiritual Qi Pill, Li An would have accepted with heartfelt thanks.
But a Mixed Spirit Pill…
That thing was laced with too much pill toxin.
It might provide a temporary boost, but it would sap his lifespan.
“Fine, if you don’t want it, forget it. I suppose Brother Li looks down on a mere Mixed Spirit Pill.”
A faint sneer crossed Zhao Xianchuan’s brow.
Li An said nothing, turning to Mu Qingwan. “Immortal Mu, congratulations on taking first place…”
Mu Qingwan’s lovely face flickered with a sigh.
Mortals addressed cultivators as “Immortal.”
Likewise, menials in the sect, barely above mortals, were expected to call registered and official disciples “Immortal.”
Li An was deliberately drawing a line, avoiding any entanglement with Mu Qingwan, who had a bright future ahead.
He knew well the dangers of a femme fatale.
In this life, he aimed only to pursue the immortal path!
Hearing this, a spark of amusement flashed in Zhao Xianchuan’s eyes.
This Li An knew his place!
The irritation from Li An’s earlier refusal faded.
“All disciples, assemble quickly and prepare to enter the mountain gate!”
An elder of the Clear Sun Sect’s voice rang out.
With no time for further talk, they turned to see two massive white cranes soaring from the majestic Clear Sun Sect mountain gate. Their wings spanned dozens of meters, landing before the crowd in a blink, kicking up clouds of dust.
“Official disciples and registered disciples, board the cranes!”
The new disciples, buzzing with excitement, hurriedly climbed onto the cranes’ backs.
“Brother Li… take care.”
Mu Qingwan gave Li An a faint farewell before leaving.
She understood his intentions and didn’t press.
“Brother An, I’m off. I’ll find you once we’re in the mountain gate—”
Wang Dazhu waved at Li An.
The cranes spread their wings, taking flight with the disciples, stirring up a swirl of dust.
The twenty-odd menials remained, standing in place.
“What about us?”
“Immortal, will other cranes come for us?”
The menials questioned a young Clear Sun Sect immortal nearby.
“Cranes for you? Who do you think you are?”
The youth’s face was full of impatience. “Walk up yourselves—”
With that, he turned and started up the mountain path, visibly annoyed.
He could have ridden a crane, but now, because of these useless menials, he had to climb too…
The menials stood stunned. Walk up?
Li An took a deep breath and followed calmly.
He didn’t care about such things. Right now… he just wanted to find a place to cultivate the Art of Nurturing Life and Forging Immortality!
He was still very weak, not yet formally on the path of cultivation.
For now, staying in the Clear Sun Sect was the best option.
…
In the sky.
On the cranes’ backs, Mu Qingwan, Zhao Xianchuan, and others glanced back, now and then, at the winding, rugged mountain path below…
They all knew.
From this day forward, their fates and Li An’s, like heaven and earth, would likely never intersect again!
…
(Chapter End)