Chapter1：The Village by the Mountain

Lee lay with his eyes wide open, staring at the dark roof made of thatch and mud. The old cotton quilt covering him had turned a deep yellow, making it impossible to discern its original color, and it faintly emitted a mildewy odor. Next to him, his second brother, Jacob, was fast asleep, his gentle snoring rising and falling in varying degrees of intensity.

About five feet away from the bed was a mud-plastered earthen wall. Over time, several inconspicuous, thin cracks had formed on the surface. Through these fissures, one could faintly hear their mother's incessant complaints, occasionally interspersed with the “click-click” sounds of their father sucking on his clay pipe.

Lee slowly closed his eyes, which had grown somewhat sore, and forced himself to fall into a deep sleep as soon as possible. He was well aware that if he didn't fall asleep soon, he wouldn't be able to wake up early the next day to gather firewood in the mountains with his friends as planned.

Lee's full name was Han Li, but his parents had never come up with such a proper name themselves. It was his father who had exchanged two coarse grain buns for a name from Old Uncle Zhang in the village. In his youth, Uncle Zhang had served as a reading companion for a wealthy family in the city. He was the only literate person in the village and had named more than half of the village's children.

Lee was known as “Erlengzi” by the villagers, but he was far from being foolish or slow-witted. In fact, he was the smartest child in the village. Like the other children, however, he rarely heard anyone call him by his real name, “Han Li.” Instead, the nickname “Erlengzi” had stuck with him all along. The reason for this nickname was simply that there was already another child in the village named “Lengzi.”

It didn't matter much, though. The other children in the village were called names like “Doggy” and “Erdan,” which were no more pleasant than “Erlengzi.” So, although Lee didn't like the nickname, he had to console himself with this thought.

Lee was unremarkable in appearance, with dark skin and the typical look of a rural child. However, his inner self was much more mature than that of his peers. From a young age, he had longed for the prosperity and splendor of the outside world, dreaming that one day he would leave this tiny village to see the world that Old Uncle Zhang often spoke of.

Lee had never dared to share this thought with anyone. Otherwise, the villagers would have been astonished. A mere child, still wet behind the ears, would never be expected to have such an audacious idea. After all, the other children his age were still busy chasing chickens and playing around the village, let alone thinking of leaving their homeland.

Lee's family consisted of seven members, including two elder brothers, one elder sister, and a younger sister. He was the fourth child and had just turned ten. The family lived a very modest life, barely able to afford a few meals with meat or fish each year, always hovering just above the poverty line.

At that moment, Lee was in a drowsy state, half-asleep and half-awake, with the thought lingering in his mind that when he went to the mountains, he must gather plenty of the red berries his youngest sister loved the most.

The next day, at noon, as Lee was walking home from the mountains under the scorching sun, carrying a stack of firewood taller than himself and a cloth bag full of berries in his arms, he had no idea that a visitor had arrived at his home who would change the course of his life forever.

This distinguished guest was a close relative by blood—his own uncle.

It was said that this uncle worked as the head manager in a tavern in a nearby small city and was considered a capable person by his parents. In nearly a century, the Han family might have only produced one relative with some status, and that was this uncle.

Lee had only met this uncle a few times when he was very young. It was this uncle who had arranged for his eldest brother to apprentice under an old blacksmith in the city. He also often sent food and supplies to Lee's parents through others, showing great care for the family. Therefore, Lee had a good impression of this uncle and knew that although his parents never spoke of it, they were very grateful.

The eldest brother was the pride of the family. It was said that being a blacksmith's apprentice not only provided food and lodging but also a monthly wage of thirty copper coins. Once he became a full-fledged blacksmith, he would earn even more.

Whenever Lee's parents spoke of their eldest son, they became radiant, as if transformed into different people. Though Lee was still young, he was extremely envious and had long decided on his ideal occupation: to be apprenticed to a skilled craftsman in the small city and become a respectable person who earned a living by his craft.

Thus, when Lee saw his uncle, dressed in a brand-new silk robe, with a plump round face and a small mustache, he was extremely excited. After placing the firewood behind the house, he shyly greeted his uncle in the front room, respectfully calling out, “Uncle,” and then stood quietly to one side while his parents chatted with the uncle.

The uncle looked at Lee with a smile, appraised him for a moment, and complimented him with words like “obedient” and “thoughtful.” He then turned to discuss the purpose of his visit with Lee's parents.

Though Lee was still young and couldn't fully understand what his uncle was saying, he grasped the general idea.

It turned out that the tavern where his uncle worked was owned by a martial arts sect called the “Seven Mysteries Sect.” This sect had both outer and inner disciples. Recently, Lee's uncle had officially become an outer disciple of the sect and was now able to recommend children aged seven to twelve to participate in the sect's inner disciple recruitment test.

The Seven Mysteries Sect's inner disciple recruitment test took place once every five years, and the next one was scheduled to begin next month. This shrewd uncle, who had no children of his own, naturally thought of Lee, who was of the right age.

Lee's father, who was usually honest and simple-minded, felt hesitant and indecisive upon hearing unfamiliar terms like “martial world” and “sect.” He picked up his clay pipe, took a few forceful puffs, and then sat in silence.

In his uncle's description, the “Seven Mysteries Sect” was undoubtedly the most remarkable and top-tier sect within hundreds of miles. Becoming an inner disciple would not only provide free martial arts training and a worry-free life with food and lodging but also a monthly allowance of over one tael of silver. Even those who failed the test would have the opportunity to become outer disciples like his uncle, managing the sect's external affairs.

Upon hearing about the possibility of earning one tael of silver a month and becoming a respectable person like his uncle, Lee's father finally made up his mind and agreed.

Seeing that Lee's father had consented, the uncle was very pleased. He left a few taels of silver, saying that he would come to take Lee away in a month. He advised Lee's parents to prepare some nutritious meals for Lee in the meantime to strengthen him for the test. After saying his goodbyes to Lee's father and patting Lee on the head, the uncle left for the city.

Though Lee didn't fully understand everything his uncle had said, he grasped the idea of going to the city and earning a lot of money. His long-held wish seemed within reach, and he was so excited that he couldn't sleep for several nights in a row.

A month later, as promised, the uncle arrived in the village to take Lee away. Before leaving, Lee's father repeatedly instructed him to be honest, to endure hardships without quarreling with others, while his mother urged him to take care of his health and eat and sleep well.

On the carriage, watching his parents' receding figures, Lee bit his lip, trying hard to hold back the tears in his eyes. Though he had been more mature than other children since childhood, he was still only ten years old, and this was his first time traveling far from home. He felt a bit sad and lost. In his young heart, he made a silent vow that once he earned a lot of money, he would return immediately and never part from his parents again.

Lee never imagined that after this departure, the amount of money he would earn would lose its significance to him. Instead, he would embark on a path different from that of ordinary people—a path of cultivation and immortality.Chapter One: The Village by the Mountain**

Lee lay with his eyes wide open, staring at the dark roof made of thatch and mud. The old cotton quilt covering him had turned a deep yellow, making it impossible to discern its original color, and it faintly emitted a mildewy odor. Next to him, his second brother, Jacob, was fast asleep, his gentle snoring rising and falling in varying degrees of intensity.

About five feet away from the bed was a mud-plastered earthen wall. Over time, several inconspicuous, thin cracks had formed on the surface. Through these fissures, one could faintly hear their mother's incessant complaints, occasionally interspersed with the “click-click” sounds of their father sucking on his clay pipe.

Lee slowly closed his eyes, which had grown somewhat sore, and forced himself to fall into a deep sleep as soon as possible. He was well aware that if he didn't fall asleep soon, he wouldn't be able to wake up early the next day to gather firewood in the mountains with his friends as planned.

Lee's full name was Han Li, but his parents had never come up with such a proper name themselves. It was his father who had exchanged two coarse grain buns for a name from Old Uncle Zhang in the village. In his youth, Uncle Zhang had served as a reading companion for a wealthy family in the city. He was the only literate person in the village and had named more than half of the village's children.

Lee was known as “Erlengzi” by the villagers, but he was far from being foolish or slow-witted. In fact, he was the smartest child in the village. Like the other children, however, he rarely heard anyone call him by his real name, “Han Li.” Instead, the nickname “Erlengzi” had stuck with him all along. The reason for this nickname was simply that there was already another child in the village named “Lengzi.”

It didn't matter much, though. The other children in the village were called names like “Doggy” and “Erdan,” which were no more pleasant than “Erlengzi.” So, although Lee didn't like the nickname, he had to console himself with this thought.

Lee was unremarkable in appearance, with dark skin and the typical look of a rural child. However, his inner self was much more mature than that of his peers. From a young age, he had longed for the prosperity and splendor of the outside world, dreaming that one day he would leave this tiny village to see the world that Old Uncle Zhang often spoke of.

Lee had never dared to share this thought with anyone. Otherwise, the villagers would have been astonished. A mere child, still wet behind the ears, would never be expected to have such an audacious idea. After all, the other children his age were still busy chasing chickens and playing around the village, let alone thinking of leaving their homeland.

Lee's family consisted of seven members, including two elder brothers, one elder sister, and a younger sister. He was the fourth child and had just turned ten. The family lived a very modest life, barely able to afford a few meals with meat or fish each year, always hovering just above the poverty line.

At that moment, Lee was in a drowsy state, half-asleep and half-awake, with the thought lingering in his mind that when he went to the mountains, he must gather plenty of the red berries his youngest sister loved the most.

The next day, at noon, as Lee was walking home from the mountains under the scorching sun, carrying a stack of firewood taller than himself and a cloth bag full of berries in his arms, he had no idea that a visitor had arrived at his home who would change the course of his life forever.

This distinguished guest was a close relative by blood—his own uncle.

It was said that this uncle worked as the head manager in a tavern in a nearby small city and was considered a capable person by his parents. In nearly a century, the Han family might have only produced one relative with some status, and that was this uncle.

Lee had only met this uncle a few times when he was very young. It was this uncle who had arranged for his eldest brother to apprentice under an old blacksmith in the city. He also often sent food and supplies to Lee's parents through others, showing great care for the family. Therefore, Lee had a good impression of this uncle and knew that although his parents never spoke of it, they were very grateful.

The eldest brother was the pride of the family. It was said that being a blacksmith's apprentice not only provided food and lodging but also a monthly wage of thirty copper coins. Once he became a full-fledged blacksmith, he would earn even more.

Whenever Lee's parents spoke of their eldest son, they became radiant, as if transformed into different people. Though Lee was still young, he was extremely envious and had long decided on his ideal occupation: to be apprenticed to a skilled craftsman in the small city and become a respectable person who earned a living by his craft.

Thus, when Lee saw his uncle, dressed in a brand-new silk robe, with a plump round face and a small mustache, he was extremely excited. After placing the firewood behind the house, he shyly greeted his uncle in the front room, respectfully calling out, “Uncle,” and then stood quietly to one side while his parents chatted with the uncle.

The uncle looked at Lee with a smile, appraised him for a moment, and complimented him with words like “obedient” and “thoughtful.” He then turned to discuss the purpose of his visit with Lee's parents.

Though Lee was still young and couldn't fully understand what his uncle was saying, he grasped the general idea.

It turned out that the tavern where his uncle worked was owned by a martial arts sect called the “Seven Mysteries Sect.” This sect had both outer and inner disciples. Recently, Lee's uncle had officially become an outer disciple of the sect and was now able to recommend children aged seven to twelve to participate in the sect's inner disciple recruitment test.

The Seven Mysteries Sect's inner disciple recruitment test took place once every five years, and the next one was scheduled to begin next month. This shrewd uncle, who had no children of his own, naturally thought of Lee, who was of the right age.

Lee's father, who was usually honest and simple-minded, felt hesitant and indecisive upon hearing unfamiliar terms like “martial world” and “sect.” He picked up his clay pipe, took a few forceful puffs, and then sat in silence.

In his uncle's description, the “Seven Mysteries Sect” was undoubtedly the most remarkable and top-tier sect within hundreds of miles. Becoming an inner disciple would not only provide free martial arts training and a worry-free life with food and lodging but also a monthly allowance of over one tael of silver. Even those who failed the test would have the opportunity to become outer disciples like his uncle, managing the sect's external affairs.

Upon hearing about the possibility of earning one tael of silver a month and becoming a respectable person like his uncle, Lee's father finally made up his mind and agreed.

Seeing that Lee's father had consented, the uncle was very pleased. He left a few taels of silver, saying that he would come to take Lee away in a month. He advised Lee's parents to prepare some nutritious meals for Lee in the meantime to strengthen him for the test. After saying his goodbyes to Lee's father and patting Lee on the head, the uncle left for the city.

Though Lee didn't fully understand everything his uncle had said, he grasped the idea of going to the city and earning a lot of money. His long-held wish seemed within reach, and he was so excited that he couldn't sleep for several nights in a row.

A month later, as promised, the uncle arrived in the village to take Lee away. Before leaving, Lee's father repeatedly instructed him to be honest, to endure hardships without quarreling with others, while his mother urged him to take care of his health and eat and sleep well.

On the carriage, watching his parents' receding figures, Lee bit his lip, trying hard to hold back the tears in his eyes. Though he had been more mature than other children since childhood, he was still only ten years old, and this was his first time traveling far from home. He felt a bit sad and lost. In his young heart, he made a silent vow that once he earned a lot of money, he would return immediately and never part from his parents again.

Lee never imagined that after this departure, the amount of money he would earn would lose its significance to him. Instead, he would embark on a path different from that of ordinary people—a path of cultivation and immortality.