Jin Fu gave an awkward smile but nodded. " Well, I wouldn't say it like that. but your village is truly peculiar, it's like a place frozen in time. There are so few of you, and besides the Silverberies there isn't anything else. And, curiously, none of you seem to like traveling, and those who do never seem to return and..."
"Sir Jin Fu," Xue San interrupted gently, "could you tell me about the outside world and the immortals?" His eyes shone with curiosity, eager to shift the conversation.
"Certainly," Jin Fu agreed. "It would be best to teach you as we travel, so you don't inadvertently embarrass the young lady."
As the carriage rolled onward, Xue San felt a mix of anticipation and resolve. The world was vast and unknown, but he was ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.
"Certainly," Jin Fu agreed. "It would be best to teach you as we travel, so you don't inadvertently embarrass the young lady."
As the carriage rolled onward, Xue San felt a mix of anticipation and resolve. The world was vast and unknown, but he was ready to embrace whatever lay ahead.
"So, youngster, where should we start first?" asked Jin Fu with a smile.
"Immortals—tell me about the immortals and about the Soaring Sword Sect," Xue San said, full of excitement.
What Jin Fu said next shook Xue San to his very core.
"Hahaha... Well, actually, they aren't really immortals."
"What?!" Xue San's eyes widened so much they seemed about to pop out, and his jaw nearly hit the floor.
Seeing his reaction, Jin Fu's smile grew even wider. "Hahaha, well, I am sure that immortals do exist, but we as a kingdom don't have one. Even the three great sects don't have one. What you refer to as an immortal is actually called a cultivator."
"Cultivators?"
"Yes, cultivators. Cultivators are people who use the energy of heaven and earth—or, in other words, spiritual energy—to train and fight against the heavens to improve themselves and maybe one day succeed in becoming true immortal beings. They use this spiritual energy and convert it into power for themselves." Seeing the look on Xue San's face, Jin Fu continued.
"But not everyone can become a cultivator. One must be born with a certain talent for cultivation."
"Talent?" Xue San inquired.
"Yes. Think of it this way: if you had one gold coin to spend on water, would you buy a glass or a large basin?"
"The basin," Xue San answered without hesitation.
"Exactly. So why would someone invest resources, time, and energy to train someone with lesser talent when they could train someone with greater potential? That's why the selection criteria are so strict, and not many people can get into the sect to cultivate."
"I see," Xue San responded, a worried look crossing his face.
Jin Fu added, "Hahaha, you don't need to worry. With Miss Long Huo's status, she can definitely get you in as an outer sect disciple. Even if you come from a humble background, you could still cultivate and enjoy the benefits of being an outer sect disciple."
Xue San. He knew he could cultivate—the old man had said he could have good talent and he could also become an alchemist, so he must have the talent. He somehow felt that the outer sect was too low for someone like him
Noticing his look Jin Fu added, "Don't look down on the position of outer sect disciple, just by becoming one you are already ahead of thousands."
Xue San just nodded
"Then what about the three great sects?" he asked.
"Long ago, this land was considered a desolate wilderness with people scattered here and there, and sects both big and small everywhere. Then a struggle for supremacy broke out, and everyone united under one of three major forces: the Soaring Sword Sect, the War God Sect, and the Spirit Cauldron Sect. The Soul Saint King was once a disciple of the Soaring Sword Sect, but he eventually became so powerful that he decided to establish a kingdom that would last through the ages. With the assistance of the Soaring Sword Sect, he did just that. But to completely destroy the other two great sects required a great sacrifice, because the other two forces combined weren't easy to deal with. Over time, the conflict grew bloodier and bloodier, so eventually, the other two sects acknowledged the Soul Saint King as the ruler of the land. A balance was reached, with the royal family at the head."
"I see. Then how powerful is the king?" Xue San asked.
"His Majesty, the Soul Saint King, is a peak-level Nascent Soul cultivator," Jin Fu said proudly.
"Nascent Soul?" Xue San repeated, confusion evident in his eyes.
"Oh, right—I forgot how much you don't know," Jin Fu chuckled. "When a cultivator begins their journey, they start at the Qi Condensation stage, which is divided into three phases: the early stage—from the first to the third level; the middle stage—from the fourth to the sixth level; and the late stage—from the seventh to the ninth level. Next comes the Foundation Establishment stage, which is also divided into nine stages such as Qi Condensation. After that is the Core Formation stage, which is also split into three phases, though I don't know much about it. Finally, there's the legendary Nascent Soul stage. In our entire kingdom, the Soul Saint King is the most powerful expert, having reached the peak of the Nascent Soul realm."
"So, does one become an immortal after the Nascent Soul realm?" Xue San inquired.
"Well... I actually don't know what comes after," Jin Fu admitted with an awkward smile. "I'm a mortal merchant, after all."
"Mr. Jin Fu, you also mentioned that my family was well off now. What did you mean by that?" Xue San asked, recalling the conversation Jin Fu had with his father before departing.
"Ah, that. Well, it's actually quite simple. In Dragon Fort City, the average annual income of a family is about 50 silver coins. Mind you, those 50 silver coins are enough for an average family to pay rent, clothe themselves, feed their household, and even have some spare change to enjoy a few luxuries. Now, I know you've only dealt with copper coins, but do you know how much a silver coin is worth compared to a copper one?" Jin Fu asked with a teasing smile.
"How much?" Xue San asked, anticipation evident in his voice.
"One silver coin is equal to 10 copper coins!"
When Xue San heard this, his eyebrows nearly leaped off his face. "Then how much is a gold coin?"
"One gold coin is worth... 10 silver coins," Jin Fu replied.
"Oh my god!" Xue San exclaimed inwardly. They were rich—truly rich! An average household would have to work for 200 years without spending a single coin just to save this much, and they already owned a house in the city.
Jin Fu continued, "When we get to the city, you can stay with me or at your own house, but I believe you won't be able to rest long. If I am not mistaken, after we get to the city, you'll have at most two days to rest. So during our travel, I will teach you whatever I can so that you don't embarrass yourself in front of the young lady. Because if you upset her, not only you but your entire family might suffer because of your actions."
Hearing this, Xue San's heart stiffened, how can a person hurt an entire family just because os the mistake of one individual? "I will do my best, Mr. Jin Fu," he said, clasping his hands in salute and bowing deeply.
The road to Dragon Fort City was a long one, but Jin Fu told him that it had taken them almost three months to reach his village. However, because they were rushing back, they wouldn't be making any stops along the way, so they should be able to return in at most three weeks.
Even though they were hurrying, Xue San saw a multitude of people coming and going, one day he even witnessed an incident where the guards had to intervene because of a group of a group of bandits.
It was his first time seeing cultivators in action, not counting the old man and the young woman from all those years ago.
He watched as the guards swung their swords, and the heads of the bandits flew—their foes cut down as effortlessly as harvesting wheat. But the most astonishing sight was the captain of the guards—a big, burly man with a beard so thick you couldn't even see his lips—who, with a single swing of his sword, struck down a man twenty feet away. Xue San vividly remembered how a bright beam of blue light shot from the sword and struck the man.
Although what he saw was fascinating in a way, he had never witnessed such violence growing up in his village, and frankly, he was frightened by the gruesome sight. For the next few days of the journey, a knot tightened in his stomach. He was afraid of the outside world; he questioned the choice he had made. This was the first time he wavered in his determination to become a cultivator.
Noticing his distress, Jin Fu decided to speak with him, explaining that the outside world was indeed harsh and that the hearts of men were hard to fathom. "If you don't have the stomach for it," Jin Fu advised, "it might be better to stay with your family and enjoy life in the city."
"Xue San, to become a cultivator means to go against the heavens," Jin Fu continued solemnly. "You are literally robbing the fortune and power of the heavens, defying the natural order when you try to become an Immortal. The things you have seen here are nothing compared to the competition in the world of cultivators."
These words weren't meant to encourage but to convey the stark reality of the path ahead. Yet deep within, a feeling urged Xue San not to give up, to take that final step and enter the grand world of cultivation.
"No, Xue San, you can't go on like this," he told himself. "I need to overcome this fear of the unknown. Remember what the elder once said: 'Conquering fear doesn't mean never being afraid; it means refusing to let fear control your destiny.' Yes, I won't let this fear of the unknown take control of me."
With newfound resolve, Xue San sought out Jin Fu and asked to resume their daily lessons on etiquette, language, mathematics, and more.
Jin Fu was astonished at the rapid pace at which Xue San absorbed information and grasped new concepts. "Ah... why can't my own children be like this?" he lamented to Xue San.
And just like that, almost a month went by.
"I can see it!" shouted one of the guards.
About a mile ahead, Xue San spotted something that looked like a small black mountain. But as they drew closer, he realized it was a massive wall made of some kind of black rock. These walls towered into the sky, their surfaces smooth yet imposing, etched with ancient runes that glowed faintly with mystical energy.
Towering buildings soared upward as if striving to pierce the very heavens, their spires and pagodas adorned with gilded edges and intricate carvings depicting dragons, phoenixes, and celestial beings. Crafted from a blend of stone and enchanted materials, the structures shimmered subtly under the sunlight.
The road they traveled was teeming with people coming and going; he had never seen so many in his life. Everything was new and exhilarating.
As they approached the main gate, people began to step aside upon seeing the Long Clan insignia on one of the carriages. A guard at the gate stepped forward and saluted the carriage where Long Huo was seated.
"Young Miss, welcome back! I will immediately clear the road for you!"
With that, he proceeded ahead, making everyone waiting in line move aside so they could pass.
Inside the city, the streets bustled with life. Market stalls overflowed with exotic goods: herbs emitting fragrant aromas, vendors claiming to have the best meat in the entire city, and shops selling swords, shields, whips, armor—everything one could imagine was available.
Xue San was awestruck; everyone looked so clean and pristine, a stark contrast to the people in his village.
"Xue San, I know this is overwhelming, but now that we're here, we need to get you out of those clothes after all you can't be seen near the young lady like this" Jin Fu said. "Remember, she is a hard woman to please and doesn't tolerate mistakes. You need to make a good impression on her."
Hearing that he was about to meet Young Lady Long Huo, he felt a surge of nervousness. After all, she was only fourteen years old, just like him, but people were saying that she was a once-in-a-millennium genius. Coming from the prestigious Long Clan, she was already at the eight stage of Qi Condensation and was more powerful than many of the guards who escorted them here.
Among the younger generation of Dragon Fort City, she was known as the Bluegreen Dragon because of her peculiar eye color.
"Let's go; I'll take you to one of my stores. We'll find something suitable for you to wear, and after that, we can go to my house and..."
But before he could finish, Xue San interrupted. "No, thank you very much for your hospitality, Mr. Jin Fu, but if you don't mind, I would like to stay in the house where my family will be living. If I won't be able to see them, I'd at least like to be there, even if only for a little while."
Jin Fu smiled and nodded. "Very well, then."
After walking for a while, they arrived at a grand store with a large sign that read "The God's Silk Palace." Gazing up at the three-story edifice adorned with ornate carvings and shimmering silk banners, Xue San was astonished.
Inside, the store housed no more than a few dozen customers, yet each exuded an air of importance and refinement. As they stepped in, a well-dressed man spotted Jin Fu and hurried over, his face lighting up with a broad smile.
"Hahaha, Mr. Jin Fu! We weren't expecting you back so early from your travels."
"Hahaha, my friend, it's good to see you. Actually, this time I had to return earlier because of this young friend here," Jin Fu replied, nodding toward Xue San.
The man glanced at Xue San, his eyes flickering with a hint of disdain thinly veiled behind his courteous facade. "Oh, and who might this young friend be?" he inquired politely.
"My name is Xue San," replied Xue San, his tone neither rude nor submissive.
The man seemed slightly taken aback by Xue San's straightforwardness, but with Jin Fu present, he chose to let it pass.
At that moment, Jin Fu added, "He is the one who received the reward from young Miss Long Huo."
A sudden hush fell over the store; it was so quiet that one could hear the soft rustle of silk garments. The man's eyes widened almost imperceptibly. Recovering quickly, he turned to Xue San with newfound interest.
"Ah, my young friend, you must have had a challenging life. You've already been greatly rewarded by the young miss. Why not pass the spot of outer sect disciple to me? In exchange, I'll offer you another hundred gold coins."
"Humph! Another hundred? In your dreams!" interjected a middle-aged woman, her eyes gleaming with ambition. "Boy, don't listen to him. Sell it to me, and I'll give you an additional five hundred gold coins."
"No, sell it to me! I'll pay one thousand gold coins!" shouted another customer, his voice rising above the murmurs.
Xue San stood there, utterly bewildered by the sudden clamor and the avarice displayed before him.
"Hahaha, now you see just how great an opportunity this is," Jin Fu remarked with a knowing smile. "Well, just ignore them. Let's proceed to the third floor. And if you truly wish to sell the position, consider selling it to me. I'll offer you one thousand extra gold coins above the highest bid."
With those words, a profound silence enveloped the first floor of the shop, the patrons left speechless by Jin Fu's declaration.