Chapter 3: The Immortality Promotion Ceremony

The Wutan State is located in the northwestern corner of the East Divine Land and has been established for nearly a century as a mortal state. In the vast East Divine Land, it is quite commonplace and holds no particular distinction except for its slightly peculiar name. However, Bai Lian knows that this will change in a few years.

Since the Holy Spirit Goddess is destined to enter the Yunshan Mountain in Yingzhou and defeat all the sects of Yunshan with a heavy sword, the ordinary Wutan State will soon transform into a realm of legends.

However, the storyteller seems to have gone a bit overboard. According to his tales, when The Ancient God "hoed" the land, it resulted in prosperity. After a thousand years of nurturing, the Holy Spirit Goddess was born into the world. She coincidentally became the adopted daughter of the insomniac eldest son of the Xiao Family.

Upon reading this passage on her computer screen, Bai Lian almost spat out her tea onto the keyboard. The idea of the land being "pregnant" is quite amusing, to say the least. The Holy Spirit Goddess would likely be appalled if she were to hear these rumors.

Even worse, some NPCs appear to have taken these tales seriously. In one "good ending," where Bai Lian was arrested for illegal mining, she encountered an NPC named Zhao Ritan who was digging a hole in the ground and pouring warm water into it while muttering to himself.

Initially puzzled by his actions, Bai Lian eventually realized what he was attempting: to emulate the idea of "hoing the land" for cultivation purposes. Although Bai Lian found his behavior rather odd, after three years of being immersed in the world of the Battle of the Gods, she had gained some insight into the motivations of people like Zhao Ritan.

While Bai Lian possesses a Heavenly Spiritual Root and is considered quite talented by average standards, she can't help but feel inadequate compared to the protagonists with their extraordinary templates.

"Unfortunately, these main characters aren't exactly the most understanding and magnanimous bunch."

Bai Lian sighed as she contemplated the challenges ahead. The Battle of the Gods is a blend of various elements, featuring mindless villains who seem hell-bent on creating trouble for the protagonists and those around them.

These mindless villains, she knows, will persist until they're vanquished. Unfortunately, as someone lacking the "protagonist's aura," Bai Lian can't afford to die, which makes her susceptible to their schemes.

"Could someone be plotting against me in secret right now?" Bai Lian mused. She quickly dismissed the thought, realizing she might be overthinking things.

Adjusting her gaze upwards, she observed the majestic blue mountains in the distance, and soon, the city of Castle Peak emerged into view.

Castle Peak City of the Wutan State!

Bai Lian folded the map and shifted her focus to her second martial sister's information.

Xiao Jinse, the daughter of the former head of the Xiao Family, is 16 years old. Though she's destined to become the Holy Spirit Goddess, for now, she's just an ordinary girl.

Personality: Inferiority complex.

There's also a hidden message that will be unlocked after completing an ending related to An Lan. It turns out that Xiao Jinse had discovered a bracelet in the mountains as a child. Inside the bracelet was a white-bearded old man in a state of slumber, a cultivator at the Spirit Change Stage. Unfortunately, before he could awaken by absorbing Xiao Jinse's spiritual energy, he was easily dispatched by An Lan.

"Spirit Change Stage? What garbage!"

"How dare you be interested in the woman I like? Die!!!"

The old man's soul was extinguished.

This incident further heightened Bai Lian's respect for her master.

...

The Immortality Promotion Ceremony was on the verge of commencing, and Castle Peak City buzzed with activity, resembling a bustling market. Countless people converged upon the square for various reasons, be it to witness the spectacle or seek the path of immortality.

At the center of the square stood a temporary elevated platform, where cultivators from neighboring sects exuded an air of arrogance. While the square teemed with life, the number of individuals truly eligible to be selected as disciples by these sects was likely no more than ten. Many individuals gained entry through bribery.

Examples include:

"My father is the wealthiest man in Castle Peak City!"

"You're accepted."

After all, even cultivation sects require funds, especially when their sect leaders are only at the Golden Core Stage. It takes significant financial resources to support such leaders.

Another example:

"I might lack other qualities, but I excel in 'special skills,' such as..."

"Fine."

Cultivators are also drawn to beauty, particularly in special sects that study "the art of the human body," and even some evil cultivators.

Some people might perceive this as a shortcut and eagerly boast:

"Master, master, my rear end is large!"

"Immortal Master, my stamina is exceptional. I can endure even after a night of whipping."

"Get lost! The Immortal Master won't accept a male disciple like you."

"Chik— Who do you think you are, deserving to be my master?"

Amidst the clamor, a young girl with a lily bun and a light-colored skirt descended from the platform. Her face bore a pallid complexion, and her ears still echoed with the remarks of the evaluators.

"Obsolete Spiritual Root!"

Yet again, the verdict echoed: Obsolete Spiritual Root.

Although Xiao Jinse believed the initial assessment to be an error, this subsequent confirmation extinguished her last glimmer of hope.

ε=(´ο｀*)))

She would have preferred not to possess a Spiritual Root at all, avoiding the agony of plummeting from hope to despair.

Due to her childhood talent, she was initially designated as the Sword Bearer of the Yunshan Sword Washing Pavilion, earning the admiration of all of Castle Peak City. However, this future of grandeur was shattered when her useless Obsolete Spiritual Root was revealed.

Xiao Jinse was merely 10 years old at the time.

At such a tender age, she had already experienced the vicissitudes of life.

Fortunately, her father, the then-head of the Xiao Family, shielded her from the worst of it. However, the nightmare persisted. Her father succumbed to illness, leaving Xiao Jinse to become a marginalized figure within the Xiao Family.

Individuals who once sought her favor now hurled insults, venting their jealousy-fueled malice without reservation.

Had the Xiao Family not been concerned about their reputation, Xiao Jinse's situation would have been even direr.

Xiao Jinse lightly traced the scars on her wrist, inflicted by bamboo strips. Her only recourse was to endure the suffering in silence.

"I warned you that The Immortal Master of the Sword Washing Pavilion never makes mistakes. You foolishly doubted it."

"Come back with me. Don't make a spectacle of yourself."

"Are you worthy of seeking immortality? Just find a husband and forget about all this!"

Having barely emerged from the crowd, the girl was met with harsh words. She was accustomed to such treatment.

She knew that someone would soon bar her path.

True to her expectations, another obstacle appeared before her.

Lifting her gaze, she locked eyes with a stranger—a man with a mustache whose smiling eyes resembled crescent moons.

"Little girl, are you interested in pursuing longevity? Do you truly wish to... live?"

Xiao Jinse's eyes flickered, and she listened intently.

The man's excitement was palpable as he continued, "It's possible to restore the Obsolete Spiritual Root, you know."

Xiao Jinse's body trembled, her eyes widening.

"Immortal Master, you..."

The man's voice brimmed with enthusiasm. "As long as you're willing to become my 'cauldron,' I can restore your Spiritual Root."

Cauldron?

The girl's eyes clouded over once more. She knew precisely what that meant.

Ah, she understood now.

His intent was merely to exploit her body for his own gain.

Aware that even her own cousins had regarded her with such malicious intentions, she refused to succumb to such degradation.

If this was the sole path to embark on the journey of immortality, she'd rather not cultivate at all.

If they continued to torment her, she could still choose death.

Clutching her teeth in determination, Bai Lian arrived at the square, her timing seemingly impeccable.

"It appears I've arrived just in time."

A sense of excitement surged within Bai Lian.

This was her opportunity to win over her second martial sister's favor.

And then, Bai Lian noticed four options before her.

[Task 1: Step forward and confront the evil cultivator bullying Xiao Jinse (Reward: Five Spirits Immortal Book)]

[Task 2: Stealthily strike the evil cultivator's rear with your sword Qi (Reward: Top-grade magic tool, Dragon Fog Bracelet)]

[Task 3: Approach the evil cultivator and inquire, "Senior, may I also participate?" (Reward: Design drawing for a Spirit Qi Gathering Circle)]

[Task 4: Do nothing (Reward: Soft Skill +1)]

Hmm, what to choose?