Chapter 1

The land of Cangxi is high and towering, with mountains stretching endlessly. However, if someone were to ask about the highest peak in this area, people would all point to one place without hesitation.

At the summit of a mountain that stands like a sword piercing through the clouds, there is a sect called the Spirit Sword Sect, a renowned and prestigious sect in the world of cultivation, monopolizing the resources of an entire region. This mountain is thus named Spirit Sword Mountain.

At the peak of Spirit Sword Mountain, in a delicate bamboo room, an elder with a sword-shaped hairpin gazed at the clear starry sky, holding a bright silver long sword. The sword reflected the starlight, with intricate patterns flowing like water waves from the hilt, but they abruptly stopped halfway.

The elder frowned, sensing an ominous omen.

"An interruption in the sword light, this is a sign of premature death. Brother Sect Leader, are you divining your own fate?" A woman in a white robe, barefoot, appeared behind the elder, holding a yellowish wine gourd in one hand and a green bamboo sword in the other, her body exuding the scent of alcohol and tobacco.

The elder's divination was interrupted, and he had to adjust his breathing, expelling a breath of turbid air.

"Little Sister Fifth, remember to knock next time."

"I did knock when I left."

"I mean my door, not yours."

The Sect Leader sighed again. "What do you want?"

"Money."

"…If I remember correctly, you still owe me twenty thousand spirit stones." The Sect Leader said, his gaze serious and earnest.

The woman replied with a deep grievance. "Sigh, it's not that our Spirit Sword Sect is too poor. As the fifth elder and the second strongest in the sect, my monthly stipend is only five hundred spirit stones. How many years will it take to pay off my debt? Why don't you step down and let me take over, so I can embezzle public funds to pay it off…"

"Little Sister, if you really want to be the Sect Leader, then…"

"Then you'll step down for me? Brother, you are truly righteous!"

"I was going to say, if you want to be the Sect Leader, you should first give up alcohol, women, wealth, and anger, and seclude yourself for three to five years. Only after achieving the stage of a Nascent Soul can we discuss it."

The woman immediately pretended nothing had happened. "Brother, lend me money."

"…"

"…Who were you divining for just now, with a sign of premature death?"

The Sect Leader said solemnly, "The Spirit Sword Sect."

The Fifth Sister's face changed, and she put aside her thoughts of alcohol and women. "No way! Is the Spirit Sword Sect about to be destroyed?!"

"Not just the Spirit Sword Sect. I fear this sword light points to the entire world of cultivation. Do you remember the legendary Age of Decline… Sigh, the sword light breaking at one-third means the peaceful days of the cultivation world will only last three to five years. Could it be that we need to contribute ten billion spirit stones to the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance to repair the five ancient divine ships?"

"The Starry Heaven Great Derivation Technique of the Spirit Sword Sect is one of the best divination methods in the cultivation world, and Brother is the best at it. However, the sword you used just now doesn't seem to be the Year Sword."

The Sect Leader was taken aback. "Not the Year Sword?" He quickly looked down and saw that the hilt was not inscribed with the character for 'Year,' but rather…

In the next moment, the elder, who had intimidated an entire region with his Core Formation cultivation, let out a terrified cry. "How can it be the Tea Sword!? Does this mean the Age of Decline is only three to five cups of tea away!?"

The Fifth Sister was also terrified. The wine gourd fell to the ground, spilling golden wine, but she paid no attention.

"Brother Sect Leader, I've told you countless times to wear glasses if you have myopia. How can you not tell the difference between 'Year' and 'Tea'… Forget it, with only a few cups of tea left before the Age of Decline, you should quickly pass the position to me, so I can die with dignity."

"…Even if I die, I will not let the Spirit Sword Sect be disgraced."

"I don't want to die with a monthly stipend of five hundred spirit stones! I'll die with regret!"

As they argued, time flew by, and the last few cups of tea quietly slipped away.

At the peak of Spirit Sword Mountain, the closest place to the starry sky, the stars shone brilliantly, and the celestial bodies slowly and steadily moved. Each star trembled frantically, like pollen grains observed under a microscope, a phenomenon unseen in the Nine Continents for thousands of years.

The brother and sister looked at each other, their hearts filled with the same shock.

The Starry Heaven Great Derivation Technique was indeed accurate. The Age of Decline had arrived in the Nine Continents, ready to mercilessly erase everything in the cultivation world.

In the final moment, the Sect Leader spoke with a strange expression.

"Little Sister, there's something I've wanted to say for a hundred years but never had the chance. Since the Age of Decline is imminent…"

With his aged but magnetic voice, he spoke heartfelt words into her ear. The stars trembled even more violently.

"I think it's time to tell you my true feelings."

In the last moment, the stars shifted, and the starlight bloomed like flowers, illuminating the night sky like daylight. A broom-like meteor streaked across the sky.

It was the legendary harbinger of the end, Halley's Comet. When the comet landed, the world's primordial energy would wither, and the Age of Decline would begin… The great array on Spirit Sword Mountain, which protected against the Nine Heavens' Wind, trembled violently, as if the sky was about to collapse.

The white-robed woman's eyes sparkled, reflecting the image of a golden core spinning wildly. She casually dragged the bamboo sword, lazily drawing a sky-blocking light curtain, as if trying to prop up the collapsing sky.

But the sky did not change. The meteor passed by the Nine Continents, and after the stars shifted, everything returned to silence.

The Fifth Sister, uncertain and alarmed, made the bamboo sword sway like tentacles, sensing the changes in the world's primordial energy.

"Seems… it's over?"

She turned to the Sect Leader for confirmation. His cultivation was two realms higher than hers—though in a real fight, she wouldn't fear him—and he was more authoritative in sensing the changes in the world.

The Sect Leader looked dejected. "At least it's not the Age of Decline."

"Oh, the Great Derivation Technique can be wrong? But it's good that nothing happened. Why do you look so disappointed, Brother?"

"Nothing."

"Since we've avoided the end, how about we celebrate by forgiving debts?"

"…"

The crisis of the end had passed, and the Sect Leader thought of the passion that had almost burst forth. Besides a long sigh, he was filled with more doubts.

The Great Derivation Technique was not absolute, but the premonition of the end was not wrong. Just now, the Nine Continents had narrowly escaped destruction.

The Sect Leader was bewildered by this sudden crisis that came and went so quickly.

But one thing was certain: its impact was gradually seeping into the Nine Continents.

The elder looked up at the vast starry sky, sighed, and once again manipulated the starlight sword, pondering for a long time. "Those who survive a great calamity will surely have good fortune. After this crisis, we might enter a golden age of cultivation… By the way, when was the last time we held the Ascension Ceremony?"

The Fifth Sister's eyes widened. "A… Ascension Ceremony?" She was already drooling.

The elder ignored her and calculated with his fingers. "It's been at least a hundred years. The next one will be in twelve years. By then, the changes in the world should be evident. We don't expect too much, but if we can recreate the prosperity of a hundred years ago, the revival of the Spirit Sword Sect is hopeful."

Mentioning the revival of the sect, the Fifth Sister's smile faded, and she yawned. The elder could only laugh bitterly.

"A hundred years ago, we missed the peak of prosperity. Now, only ten of us from the golden generation remain. This time, no matter what…"

The Fifth Sister couldn't even yawn. She let out a cold snort and turned to leave.

At the same time, in a corner of Cangxi, unknown to the world, a baby was born with a loud cry.

——

Time flew by, and the news of Halley's Comet passing the Nine Continents had become a legend. Few knew that the world they lived in had once been on the brink of destruction.

The people of Cangxi were only concerned with one thing: the Spirit Sword Sect's Ascension Ceremony, which had been interrupted for nearly a hundred years, was to be held next month. No one knew which talented individuals would stand out.

The Ascension Ceremony, in essence, was a grand event for cultivation sects to recruit new members. Joining a sect, starting the path of cultivation, and striving for immortality—this was the path to ascension. However, in the current era, only the grand events of the five top sects in the cultivation world were called Ascension Ceremonies.

The first and largest sect, the Shengjing Immortal Sect, which dominated the Central Region; the Kunlun Immortal Mountain, the birthplace of cultivation; the Ten Thousand Methods Gate, the first in the world for immortal records and known as the Museum of Cultivation; the Military Emperor Mountain, occupied by the strongest army in the Nine Continents; and the Spirit Sword Sect, which, despite having no prominent figures, wealth, or heritage, was mysteriously listed as one of the five major sects by the Ten Thousand Immortal Alliance!

The Spirit Sword Sect was small in numbers and low-key in actions. In terms of sect power, it couldn't compare to the four top sects, and even to ordinary first-rate sects. However, the golden reputation of the five major sects was dazzling, and the cultivation world hadn't held an Ascension Ceremony for a very long time.

The news of the Spirit Sword Sect's Ascension Ceremony had spread across the Nine Continents three years ago. For those under twelve years old, with no other conditions, it was far more lenient than other sects, which scrutinized family backgrounds for generations. Thus, ambitious young people from remote villages, wealthy families, and even princes… The allure of immortality was too strong, making everything in the mortal world seem dull in comparison.

With just over a week left until the ceremony, the town of Lingxi at the foot of Spirit Sword Mountain was already overcrowded. Lingxi, as the transit point between the sect and the mortal world, usually had only a few hundred permanent residents, but now the number of visitors was approaching ten thousand. Even the few inns were full, and tents were set up next to public restrooms.

With so many people in a small area, conflicts were inevitable, especially at the only decent inn in town, the Home Inn.

Bang!

At the inn's entrance, three figures flew out, rolling on the ground in a sorry state. Two of them, tall and muscular, were cursing with bloody noses.

"Little wench, my master is the Grand Master of Canglan! How dare you be so disrespectful to us!?"

The young man, with short brown curly hair, clearly the young master, was being supported by two others. He was bleeding from the nose, looking at the innkeeper with a dazed, incredulous gaze.

Wen Bao had never been hit by his father, and he never imagined he would be slapped so hard by an innkeeper!

The innkeeper wasn't old, looking only fourteen or fifteen, wearing a rough robe and an oily apron, but her proud demeanor was like a princess.

"Is the Grand Master so great? Even your emperor would be treated the same! I said the inn is full, can't you understand simple words!? Now, the prince of Daming is squatting in the shed, and you, from a small country, want to stay in the best room!? What else but a beating do you deserve!? Is Canglan so lacking in manners?"

Wen Bao, a man of great national pride, his hair standing on end, shouted, "How dare you insult our Canglan!? Don't think we're afraid of you just because you live in Lingxi! You…"

"Stop making a fuss at my inn's entrance!"

Before Wen Bao could finish, the innkeeper's brows furrowed, and she kicked out with the speed of the wind. The two bodyguards, despite their high martial skills, had no time to react, watching helplessly as their young master was kicked like a sandbag, rolling down the slope.

The innkeeper, a businesswoman, didn't want to hurt anyone, so the kick, though impressive, was gentle. Wen Bao wasn't in much pain but was numb and couldn't move, rolling down the narrow slope outside the inn.

——

With the help of his bodyguards, Wen Bao, with a bruised face, returned to the inn's entrance. Though he wanted to tear the innkeeper to pieces, he remained silent, acknowledging his defeat.

He couldn't help it.

Lingxi, as the transit point between the Spirit Sword Sect and the mortal world, was protected by the sect, and not even a blade of grass could be damaged by outsiders, let alone the innkeeper. In the past few days, some people had tried to challenge this, but the bodyguard of the Crown Prince of Yan was beheaded by a passing Spirit Sword cultivator, and the prince himself was kicked back to his country, never to be allowed to return. Compared to the powerful Yan, Canglan was a small country, and the son of a Grand Master was far less important than a prince.

Wen Bao was both angry and regretful. He knew the rules of Lingxi before coming: gather in Lingxi before the ceremony, no family members allowed, a maximum of two bodyguards, and… follow all the rules of the town.

If they hadn't been exhausted from the long journey and the innkeeper hadn't looked like a rough village girl, they wouldn't have caused a commotion in the inn. Now, they didn't know if the Spirit Sword Sect had been informed, but his future was certainly clouded.

The bodyguards hesitated, and Wen Bao sighed. They wanted to advise him to apologize, but as the son of a Grand Master, more prestigious than a prince in Canglan, he found it hard to lower himself to a village girl.

Standing at the entrance, Wen Bao took several deep breaths, calming down. He tried not to think about the humiliation and the malicious gazes of the surrounding noble youths. In their homes, they usually had good composure, but without their elders and with so many rivals, they were ruthless in competing.

Wen Bao entered the inn with a smile, but it lasted only a moment.

The innkeeper at the counter was also smiling, a much more sincere smile, directed at a young man who looked to be about twelve or thirteen, dressed plainly.

"Alright, one best room. Please wait a moment, we'll have it ready for you."

Wen Bao felt a sense of betrayal. A best room!? She had just said the inn was full, even the prince of Daming was in the shed. What was going on with this room?

But before Wen Bao could speak, others in the hall were also outraged. "Innkeeper! What do you mean!?"

"You said there were no best rooms! I paid a thousand taels of silver and couldn't even get a shed! What right does he have to stay in a best room!?"

"Even the Spirit Sword Sect should be reasonable, right?"

"Innkeeper, give us an explanation!"

The innkeeper's professional smile turned cold. "What's the fuss? If you don't want to stay, leave! Do you think I enjoy serving you losers?"

The innkeeper's attitude immediately sparked public anger, and a group incident seemed imminent. A kind local pointed to the sign outside. "You outsiders, if you can see, look carefully."

Someone ran out to look, and saw the signature next to the name "Home Inn" was Feng Yin.

Feng Yin, on its own, was just a slightly literary name, but with "True Person" added, it was a famous and powerful cultivator in the cultivation world.

How powerful? As high as Spirit Sword Mountain, living at the summit, and the leader of a sect, this was Feng Yin True Person.

With the protection of the Spirit Sword Sect leader, the princes were reduced to commoners, and the group left in disgrace, no longer daring to complain.

But their anger shifted to the young man, the focus of their resentment. The young man, registering at the counter, turned around, revealing a clear and refined face, with a clean and neat silk robe, though not luxurious, complementing his appearance.

But in terms of demeanor, the princes were no less impressive. After a brief shock, their resentment boiled over again.

The young man raised an eyebrow, sensing the tension, and coughed.

"The situation isn't what you think."

He paused and continued.

"I don't have a romantic relationship with the innkeeper."

At this, almost everyone thought: Could this person have a romantic relationship with the young innkeeper!?

This time, the princes' anger subsided a bit because, if there was a romantic relationship, there was nothing they could do.

But the innkeeper behind the counter blushed, her face turning red with anger.

Fortunately, the young man quickly changed the subject.

"Lingxi is holding a promotional event for the Ascension Ceremony, and one of the rewards is a stay at the Home Inn."

The innkeeper confirmed, "That's right. He came with a valid voucher, so you losers should shut up."

The hall was silent for a moment, then someone stood up to challenge.

"The promotional flyer at the town entrance clearly states the rewards, and I've read it carefully. It never mentioned a stay at the Home Inn."

Another person chimed in, "The rewards we received were just wooden carvings, talismans, and other souvenirs. We've never heard of a stay voucher. Why is he the only one to get it?"

The innkeeper didn't bother to answer, tilting her head with a disdainful smile.

But the young man patiently explained, "Because this reward is hidden and not given on the spot."

The challenging prince sneered, "Then how do we get it?"

"Oh, the process is like this. First, talk to the old man at the town entrance. He will tell you the story of the town and provide information about the facilities, including hotels, inns, and shops… You need to listen patiently to trigger the next step."

At this, the princes in the hall were stunned. The old man at the town entrance spoke vaguely and endlessly, spending half an hour just on the town gate. Who had the patience to listen to the entire story of the town!?

But in a large forest, there are all kinds of birds.

"I listened to the whole story."

The princes turned to see many people gasp in surprise, recognizing the Second Prince of Yun State, Hai Yunfan.

Yun State was one of the strongest countries in the Nine Continents, and Hai Yunfan was the most outstanding among the emperor's many children. At ten, people believed he would one day replace his older brother as the Crown Prince.

Who knew, the Second Prince had left his empire to seek immortality here!

Hai Yunfan's gaze was stern. "I listened to the old man's story, but there was no next step."

The young man laughed. "How could he tell you the next step clearly? You need to figure it out yourself. After the story, the old man will cough a few times and say he's thirsty. At this point, you need to give him water."

Hai Yunfan shook his head. "I did give him water."

The young man continued, "Then the old man will say that after drinking water, he feels hungry."

Hai Yunfan: "That's right, so I had my servant give him some of my snacks."

The