Dong—

Dong—

The melodious tolling of bells rippled through the clouds, heralding the dawn of a new day in the primordial Five Continents, the heart of the three thousand realms. The sun star ascended from the eastern sky as the myriad stars faded into the heavens.

In an unremarkable corner of the East Victory Divine Continent, near the border of the Central Divine Continent, a vast, silken formation shimmered like an inverted glass bowl, enveloping dozens of emerald peaks.

Beneath the sunlight, the barrier of the formation refracted a soft, iridescent glow, while currents of visible spiritual energy drifted lazily within.

Amidst the mountains, celestial birds and divine beasts frolicked freely. Within the misty clouds, fleeting silhouettes occasionally darted past like flashes of light.

Tendrils of delicate smoke rose, accompanied by the faint strains of ethereal music.

In clearings beside forested pavilions, numerous figures sat cross-legged in meditation or soared gracefully through the air, weaving together a scene straight out of an immortal’s paradise.

As morning light bathed the land, a lone white cloud drifted leisurely from the shores of the Eastern Sea, making its way toward the great formation.

Upon the cloud stood two figures—one tall, one short. The elder was a white-haired Taoist priest, accompanied by a bright-eyed girl no older than eight or nine.

With the unhurried pace of the cloud and the gentle breeze at their side, what sorrow could trouble them?

The old Taoist suddenly raised his voice in song, his tone rich with emotion:

"From chaos emerged the dragon and phoenix calamity,

A thousand epochs passed in the blink of an eye.

No immortal towers greet the weary eye,

Only celestial hymns from the heavens high.

To ferry others, oneself, across the darkened tide,

To laugh at gods and men—let all misfortunes subside."

"Why do we cherish our homeland so? Our ancestors shed blood to secure this fortune for us.

Listen well, Ling’e!

Since the ancient war between the witches and demons, the Heavenly Dao has favored humanity. Our human Qi cultivators have gradually claimed most lands beyond the Northern Kuruland, spreading across three thousand major realms and countless minor worlds. Yet, the Southern Continent remains the heart of human destiny, restricting our comings and goings.

This place is the Eastern Victory Divine Continent—the foremost cultivation ground in all three realms.

Ling’e, look at those immortal mountains ahead. Aren’t they majestic, brimming with spiritual energy?"

The little girl nodded obediently, her bright eyes blinking softly. Her still-chubby cheeks dimpled with an eager smile.

Her voice, delicate as a fledgling bird’s first chirp, carried a hint of timidity as she replied, "Mm, very majestic!"

"To claim a spiritual vein so close to the Central Divine Continent—our sect’s strength is truly unmatched!"

The old Daoist stroked his beard with satisfaction, flicking his horsetail whisk in a flourish of pride.

The girl, dressed in a lotus-patterned skirt, asked softly, "Then, Master, why don’t we claim a spiritual vein in the Central Divine Continent instead?"

Caught off guard, the old man chuckled awkwardly. "The Central Divine Continent is crawling with formidable figures. Securing a vein there would invite endless trouble. It’s far more peaceful here…

Ling’e."

The girl clasped her hands and bowed like a proper disciple. "Your disciple listens!"

"Today, I bring you into this immortal sect. From now on, you must cultivate diligently—without a moment’s slack. Strive to master the Dao swiftly, ascend the immortal path, seek eternal life, and attain the freedom of enlightenment!"

Tilting her head, the girl whispered, "But Master… have you become an immortal yourself?"

*Ahem!* The old Taoist covered his mouth with a cough. "Your master had a minor setback in cultivation years ago, but I'll ascend to immortality within the next decade or two. Come, follow me into the formation."

"Remember this well—our sect is called the Transcendence Gate. Our founding patriarch is the illustrious Western Kunlun's Salvationist, a renowned figure on the Celestial Rankings. The lineage he passed down is the Supreme Unity Righteous Path, an incredibly profound method for attaining longevity! Have you got all that? This is your foundation from now on—don't you forget it."

"Yes! Your disciple remembers everything!" The little girl nodded earnestly.

With a flick of his horsetail whisk, the old Taoist guided the white cloud forward toward the grand formation, producing a palm-sized jade talisman in his hand. As the talisman shimmered with an emerald glow, the mountain-protecting formation slowly parted, creating a gap just wide enough for the old Taoist and the girl to pass through on their cloud.

No sooner had the master and disciple entered than several white cranes swooped down from the misty heights. Riding atop them were young men and women clad in colorful Taoist robes—disciples currently assigned to patrol the mountains. They greeted the elder respectfully, addressing him as "Uncle-Master Qiyuan." After learning that the girl was his newly accepted disciple, they soared away gracefully on their cranes.

The little girl's wide, sparkling eyes lingered on the retreating figures of the two graceful female disciples.

"Master, when will Ling'e be able to ride a crane through the skies like them?"

"Once you've refined the Five Qi within your chest, you'll naturally be able to ride objects through the air," Elder Qiyuan chuckled, stroking his beard. "What you see as immortal cranes are actually magical artifacts in disguise. No need to rush—cultivation must be taken step by step."

"First, I'll take you back to our peak, then we'll handle all the formalities for your initiation. Though our lineage now consists of just three—you, me, and your senior brother—we still occupy an entire mountain within the sect. That, my child, is no small honor."

As he spoke, a touch of pride flickered across the old man's weathered face.

The little girl, however, wasn't the least bit interested in "claiming the mountain." She counted on her fingers.

Three people?

"Master, but there are only two of us."

"Oh? Didn't I mention it along the way? My memory must be slipping."

Old Daoist Qiyuan glanced up at the few wisps of white clouds drifting across the sky and said airily, "You have an elder brother—a disciple I took in a hundred years ago. By now, he’s... well, let’s say he’s quite capable of holding his own.

It’s just... heh heh..."

The girl stood on tiptoe, peering at him. "Master, your laugh sounds strange."

"Ling’e, you must remember this," Qiyuan said, looking down at his precious new disciple—rescued from one of the great worlds—his expression solemn, his eyes gleaming. The wrinkles on his face seemed to form two unmistakable words:

**Serious.**

The girl was exceptionally gifted, sharp and quick-witted. Even as a child, she understood propriety and learning. Seeing her master so grave, she straightened up at once, focusing intently on his words.

The old Daoist suddenly sighed softly, as if deflating, and murmured, "Your elder brother... well, let’s just say his cultivation has had some... complications. He often spouts nonsense and has picked up some rather unorthodox ideas.

You may seek his guidance in cultivation, but whatever you do—**never** listen to his so-called 'wisdom' about life!

When it comes to how to conduct yourself, **I** will be the one to teach you."

The girl blinked, not entirely understanding but obediently nodding all the same.

"Mm! I’ll remember, Master!"

The old Taoist finally let out a slight sigh of relief, gently waving his horsetail whisk forward.

"Look, this is our Little Qiong Peak."

Following the swaying tip of the whisk, the girl's gaze landed on a rather "stunted" small mountain nestled among several towering peaks.

Unlike the other scenic spots within the mountain gate—where "carved beams and painted rafters hid among the woods, and upturned eaves adorned the pagoda spires"—this peak was far more rustic and simple, like a place rarely visited.

Dense forests teemed with rare birds and exotic beasts, while the only structures in sight were two thatched cottages by a small lake halfway up the mountain, alongside a few medicinal herb gardens.

The old Taoist, thoroughly pleased with himself, rode a wisp of white cloud and descended directly to the mountainside with the girl in tow, passing through a simple barrier array along the way.

This array served only to block external detection, as the rules of the Duxian Sect forbade setting up protective formations within the mountain's grand defensive array—except in the forbidden back hills.

As they landed before the thatched cottages, the white cloud dissipated on its own.

The girl's cloth boots sank into the dewy grass, soft and springy beneath her feet. The fragrance of plants and trees wafted over on a gentle breeze, and she found herself enchanted by the shimmering lake and the surrounding beauty. Her rosy lips parted slightly in quiet awe.

The mountain sunlight had just begun to fade, casting rippling reflections across the lake.

A few spirit fish leaped from the water, droplets glistening like crystals in the air, as if greeting the new little Qi cultivator.

The old Taoist watched his young disciple's reaction with amusement before calling out cheerfully, "Changshou! Come out and meet your junior sister!"

The girl instinctively turned her gaze toward the tightly shut cottage door, a flicker of anticipation rising in her heart.

Her senior brother, a cultivator in this immortal sect, must surely be a dashing and heroic figure—just like the legendary demon-slaying champions from the stories she'd grown up hearing...

Yet, the cottage remained silent. There was no response.

The old Taoist called out again, "Changshou? What are you hiding in there for? Don't tell me you're feeling shy now?"

Strange. He could clearly sense the presence inside.

Muttering to himself, the old man led the little girl toward the thatched hut and pushed open the wooden doors. A peculiar medicinal fragrance wafted out, making his eyes widen as he spotted the source of the aura he had detected—

A tiny paper figurine, neatly placed on the wooden bed.

"Oh?"

Suddenly, the old man and the child began swaying unsteadily. His expression darkened as he yanked the girl backward, cursing under his breath,

"Damn it! It's Changshou's Soft Immortal Incense!"

The girl's head spun violently. Though her master held her firmly, her legs gave way, and she crumpled sideways.

Splash!

The sound of water?

Just before hitting the ground, she instinctively turned toward the noise.

On the lake's surface, a tall, lean figure shot upward like an arrow. Clad only in black trousers, his toned muscles glistened faintly under the sunlight as droplets flew from his long, wet hair, scattering like crystal curtains...

The sunlight was just right—illuminating the young man's rather handsome face, which burned itself into the girl's vision. Her cheeks flushed instantly.

But she had yet to begin her cultivation. How could she resist the potent effects of the incense? Before she even fully collapsed, darkness swallowed her consciousness—though her face remained rosy.

Just as she had imagined...

Her dashing senior brother!