Zhang Xiaohu was twenty-one years old this year.
It seemed that all the greatest misfortunes in the world had befallen him.
When he was eighteen, he had just been admitted to university, but his mother at home passed away due to illness. When he was nineteen, his father was working in a quarry and was crushed by a crane, resulting in a high amputation and has been paralyzed in bed ever since.
Subsequently, he dropped out of school and went back home to take care of his father, grandparents by himself.
His grandparents were also in their eighties and had no labor ability at all. Basically, Zhang Xiaohu alone shouldered the income of the whole family.
One day, when he came back from working outside, he saw that his father was about to drink pesticide to commit suicide. Zhang Xiaohu angrily beat his father and shouted at him, "Bastard! Do you want to make me an orphan?"
Father Zhang covered his face and wept, saying humbly, "You're still young. It's not worth it to be delayed by me for a lifetime..."
"Shut up! If I say it's worth it, it's worth it!"
The father and son quarreled for a whole night. Most of the time, Zhang Xiaohu was scolding and giving his father various ideological educations.
Since that day, Zhang Xiaohu didn't dare to go out to work anymore. He planted vegetables and various crops at home as his source of income.
Some time ago, Zhang Xiaohu saw Li Qingyun on the news.
According to the news report, more than half a month ago, Li Qingyun was still a cancer patient lying on the hospital bed waiting to die.
However, after cultivating a wood-attribute cultivation technique, the terminal cancer that was enough to sentence him to death was cured in just a few days.
This wasn't an ordinary news report. It was a special news interview organized by the Central Television Station.
Coupled with the recent discussions about cultivating immortals by so many people, Zhang Xiaohu finally determined that this cultivating immortals thing was definitely real.
"If it can even cure cancer? Can my father's legs grow back too?"
With this thought, Zhang Xiaohu couldn't suppress this impulse anymore.
He was going to Beijing, going to the [Cultivation Technique Pavilion] to obtain a cultivation technique, and then find a way to cure his father!
Fate had been really unfair to him. At his age, he should have been absorbing professional knowledge on campus, but now he was trapped in this small mountain village. He wasn't willing to accept it!
So he took out more than half of his savings and begged Aunt Wang next door to help him take care of his father and the elderly at home in the next few days.
After getting the money, Aunt Wang readily agreed.
So Zhang Xiaohu embarked on the journey to Beijing.
While scrolling through his phone, he saw the trial recruitment and the rewards of the trial posted by the Panda Live platform.
These rewards were enough to make his eyes red and his breathing rapid.
As long as he could get a Top-Grade Spirit Stone, he could get out of the 困境 (difficult situation) at home!
Even if there was a life-threatening danger, it was worth a try!
So when the registration link had just come out, when others were still hesitating because of the life-threatening danger, he resolutely registered to participate before even obtaining a cultivation technique.
However, it seemed that fate would not favor the courageous.
When he touched the much-desired [Qualification Identification Stone], he was told that he was only of inferior qualification.
Such cold words that others didn't even bother to laugh at him.
He didn't cry, but his eyes were empty.
Luo Xiaowei was directing this batch of people on the side: "Hurry up and go choose a cultivation technique. Don't block the way here!"
Zhang Xiaohu, with a pale face, walked to Luo Xiaowei's side, grabbed his hand with trembling lips and knelt down directly: "Help me..."
Luo Xiaowei was shocked and quickly pulled Zhang Xiaohu up: "What are you doing? If you have something to say, say it properly!"
Zhang Xiaohu said in a hoarse voice: "My father, due to high amputation, can only lie in bed for the rest of his life. You must know Li Qingyun, right? Can you ask him to help me? I can pay! I can even give you my life!"
Luo Xiaowei was streaming live at the moment. He quickly muted the microphone.
"No, I do know him, but he may not be able to help you. High amputation, to regenerate two legs, even if he is extremely talented, he can't do it at this level yet, right?"
"Could it be... that there's no way?"
Seeing the helpless look in his eyes, Luo Xiaowei also felt a bit soft-hearted, so he patiently said: "If you have registered for the trial, there might be a way..."
"I've registered!"
The corner of Luo Xiaowei's mouth twitched slightly. What a tough guy! He registered for the secret realm trial before even identifying his qualification and obtaining a cultivation technique.
Just looking at his appearance, it was highly likely that the qualification he had just identified was a bit disappointing.
"If you've registered, then there's a chance. If you can get into the top five hundred, you can enter the ruins of the [Lihuo Palace]. There might be various elixir and spirit herbs inside, and there might also be some high-level cultivation techniques. Maybe it will be useful for your father."
"But I'm only of inferior qualification..."
Luo Xiaowei patted him on the shoulder and said earnestly: "Don't deny yourself with your qualification. Not everyone is Li Qingyun. There were only a few students with good academic performance when we were at school, but those who succeeded were not only those with good grades! Moreover, qualification is not something unchangeable. Immortal Big Brother said that there are some rare treasures, or some special pills that can improve our qualifications."
"Also, how many days have everyone been cultivating now? Most of those participating in the trial are at the early stage of Qi Refining, all on the starting line. Even if it's a superior qualification, it doesn't have much advantage over you!"
Zhang Xiaohu was stunned for a moment. Although Luo Xiaowei seemed to be giving him some half-hearted encouragement, he did rekindle hope.
"You're right! Thank you! I'll get into the top five hundred in the trial. I definitely will!"
Luo Xiaowei showed a relieved smile and patted Zhang Xiaohu on the shoulder: "Good luck!"
Watching Zhang Xiaohu firmly walk into the Cultivation Technique Pavilion, Luo Xiaowei wiped the sweat off his face.
"Damn it! I'm even depressed for a few hours every night because of my own qualification. I actually gave someone this kind of pep talk!"
"Damn it! I won't sleep after work! I'll cultivate until dawn! Otherwise, I can't compete with these tough guys!"