"Strive for thirty days, be happy for a lifetime!"
"Fight for the Immortal Exam, no regrets in this life; climb over the Immortal Exam, pursue excellence!"
"Roam the nine provinces and four seas at will, use the three methods and two techniques diligently, and your life's journey begins here!"
"..."
Slogans for the Immortal Exam were plastered in every corner of Nanshan No. 4 Middle School, and the tense atmosphere of the exam seemed to have affected everyone on campus.
Not only the students but even the homeroom teachers were no exception.
At this moment, Li Xiang, the homeroom teacher of Class 10 in the third year of high school, was earnestly lecturing the students: "There's less than a month left until the Immortal Exam, and look at yourselves. Do any of you look like Immortal Exam candidates?"
"Some of you, don't think you can just give up because you can't get into the Dao Academy!"
"Even if you only perform well in the written exam, you still have a chance to enter the Dao Academy."
"Do you really want to be eighty years old and see your classmates around you still looking eighteen, having attained immortality..."
Lin Mo, sitting in the first row, wiped the saliva off his face and then looked up at the increasingly excited homeroom teacher on the podium, hesitating to speak. He silently opened a book titled "Plum Blossom Numerology · Compulsory II" in front of him, stood it up to block Teacher Li's saliva attack, and then sighed inwardly.
Attaining immortality, staying forever young... These eight words would have been fatally attractive to him when he had just transmigrated.
Unfortunately, he had already lived in this world for almost eighteen years and no longer held much hope for such ethereal things as "seeking immortality." It's not that "seeking immortality" doesn't exist. On the contrary.
A thousand years ago, a xianxia game called "After Honghuang" merged with the reality of Planet Diyuan. In the Nine Provinces, immortals were no longer just legends in stories and novels but truly existed in the world.
In just a thousand years, Planet Diyuan became a world where science and cultivation coexisted. Here, seeking immortality and becoming an immortal was the ultimate pursuit of everyone. Lin Mo, a transmigrator from a parallel world, was no exception.
However, after mudding through eighteen years in this world, not only had he not gotten closer to his goal, but he had drifted further and further away from it.
All because of two words— Talent. Even though almost everyone had a cultivation system, those who could step onto the path of immortality were still as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns, one in ten thousand.
Obviously, Lin Mo hadn't become that one in ten thousand, but rather one of the ten thousand in the denominator. His attribute panel roughly looked like this: [Name: Lin Mo] [Dao Age: 18/108] [Realm: Qi Refining 2nd Layer (249/300)] [Spirit Root:
Gold (22%)
Wood (19%)
Water (20%)
Fire (20%)
Earth (19%)] [Physique: 15 (No special constitution)] [Comprehension: 20] [Appearance: 95 (As handsome as the esteemed readers)] [Cultivation Technique: 108th National Five Elements Qi Refining Technique · 2nd Layer] [Spells: Basic Sword Technique (Low-grade): 112/1000 Fire Control Technique (Low-grade): 110/1000 Rain Summoning Technique (Low-grade): 109/1000 Kuixing Stance (Low-grade): 320/1000]
[Evaluation: A slightly good-looking waste.]
This is his character panel.
None of his elemental affinities have a purity level above 60%, which means he has mixed elemental roots across the board.
He has all five elemental affinities, but is mediocre in each one. His comprehension and innate talent are also unremarkable.
After over a decade of cultivation, he has only reached the 2nd level of Qi Condensation.
With such qualifications, barring any unexpected developments, he likely won't be able to get into a Daoist academy...
Lin Mo's lips curled into a self-deprecating smile.
The good news: He had transmigrated.
The bad news: He wasn't the protagonist.
Who was the "protagonist" then?
At that moment, the homeroom teacher Li Xiang called out a name:
"You should all learn from Ye Chen. He transferred to Nanshan No. 4 Middle School three years ago as the lowest ranked student in the grade."
"But after three years of diligent cultivation, he's now at the 5th level of Qi Condensation, almost reaching the 6th. He's ranked in the top three of the grade!"
"With his current abilities, getting into a Daoist academy is practically guaranteed. Has he slacked off at all? No, he's still the first to arrive at the cultivation room and the last to return to the dorms every day..."
Just listen to that!
From dead last to top three in the grade.
From a talentless nobody to a shoo-in for a Daoist academy.
If this isn't the classic "protagonist template", what is?
Of course, if it was just this, Lin Mo wouldn't call him the "protagonist".
The real reason was that Ye Chen was certified by the system as a "Child of Destiny" - a title even rarer than cultivation genius.
Born for a purpose, defying fate to forge a new destiny.
These were the characteristics of a Child of Destiny.
It explained how someone with "average talent" could rise up so dramatically.
From last place to top three, becoming one of the most dazzling exam candidates of Nanshan No. 4 Middle School this year.
Lin Mo turned his head to look at Ye Chen, who was sitting by the window in the second to last row.
Despite the envious gazes from classmates and praise from the teacher, Ye Chen remained calm and composed.
However, Lin Mo, with the experience of two lifetimes, still caught a hint of pride on Ye Chen's face.
He didn't think much of it - even if Ye Chen was openly smug, so what? He had earned that right!
Lin Mo could only feel envy, nothing but envy.
Cultivation aptitude was completely out of one's control, and Lin Mo's aptitude wasn't just slightly lacking - it was abysmal.
He let out a silent sigh.
The homeroom teacher Li Xiang's earnest lecture came to an abrupt end as the late-night self-study dismissal bell rang. He left the classroom with his teaching materials, tossing out a final "Some people better shape up" as he departed.
The students left behind exchanged bitter looks and complaints: "Teacher Li is so annoying, always saying the same useless things. It's not like I don't want to get into a Daoist academy!"
"Exactly, if hard work was all it took, what would be the point of natural talent?"
"I'm so jealous of Ye Chen. As a Child of Destiny, his future achievements will probably leave us in the dust."
"Forget dust - by the time you die of old age, he'll still be enjoying his youth!"
"Damn, that hits too close to home. Stop, I can't take it!"
"..."
In reality, very few students could actually get into Daoist academies.
Lin Mo's aptitude was poor, but the other students in the class weren't much better.
Most had mixed elemental roots like him, with cultivation speeds comparable to a snail's pace.
Among the exam candidates in Class 10 of the senior year:
About 50% were only at Qi Condensation level 1
About 30% were at Qi Condensation level 2
Less than 20% were at Qi Condensation level 3
Fewer than 5 students in the whole class were above Qi Condensation level 3
Ye Chen, at Qi Condensation level 6, was the only one in the class at that level.
Even the most ordinary Daoist academies required at least mid-stage Qi Condensation (level 4) for admission.
Those students at the peak of Qi Condensation level 3 might have a chance if they worked hard enough to reach the minimum requirement.
Anyone below that could forget about it.
That's why everyone envied Ye Chen so much - they all knew the gap between them would become unimaginably wide once they left school.
As the crowd dispersed, surrounding Ye Chen as they left the classroom, Lin Mo's deskmate Zhang Dahai pouted and couldn't help saying: "That Ye Chen really lucked out, awakening the 'Child of Destiny' title. He's truly become a phoenix rising from a chicken coop now!"
Suddenly remembering something, Zhang Dahai continued: "Oh right, Mozi, I made plans with some guys from my dorm to visit Longtan Temple this weekend to pray. Want to come along?"
Lin Mo shook his head: "I'm only at Qi Condensation level 2. What's the point of praying to gods and Buddhas? It's not like that will get me into a Daoist academy."
Zhang Dahai's cultivation level was the same as Lin Mo's, both stuck at Qi Condensation level 2.
However, Zhang Dahai shrugged nonchalantly: "What if it works? Maybe an elder from a Daoist academy will see that I'm extraordinary, incredibly talented, stunningly handsome... and make an exception to admit me?"
Lin Mo glanced at Zhang Dahai's utterly ordinary appearance and quipped: "I can understand 'extraordinary' and 'incredibly talented', but isn't 'stunningly handsome' more fitting for me?"
Zhang Dahai scoffed: "You don't understand my charm at all!"
"So are you coming this weekend or not?"
Lin Mo shook his head: "No, I'd rather spend that time in the cultivation room."
Seeing that Lin Mo really didn't want to go, Zhang Dahai didn't push it, but said: "Alright then, I'll pray for you while I'm there. No need to thank me, it's what a father should do for his son."
Before Lin Mo could "retaliate", Zhang Dahai had already dashed out of the classroom.
Lin Mo chuckled. Just you wait, I'll get you back tomorrow!
Unlike Zhang Dahai who lived in the school dorms, Lin Mo was a day student.
So instead of immediately chasing after his "unfilial son" to teach him a lesson, he simply tidied up his desk and left the classroom, heading towards the school gates.
Just as he exited the school, Lin Mo's spirit communication device in his bag began to vibrate. He knew without looking that it was a message from his mother.
He took it out and glanced at it - sure enough, he was right.
Clicking on the message, the interface opened: [Queen Mother]: "Little one, are you done with evening self-study?
The peaches in the orchard have ripened these past two days.
I picked a basket and mailed them to you. Remember to sign for them tomorrow."
[Queen Mother]: "I spent a pseudo-spirit stone last year to buy these spirit seeds. I heard they're a newly cultivated variety that's beneficial for cultivation if you eat them. Have a few, and don't let them go bad."
[Queen Mother]: "Oh, and if they really work, let me know. I'll save two more baskets for you..." Long messages kept coming through until Lin Mo replied with a single word: "Okay".
Only then did his mother belatedly pause. After a while, she couldn't help but send another message: "If you're tired, go back and rest early. Take care of yourself."
Lin Mo looked at the messages on the screen and let out a helpless sigh. He recalled how full of promise he had been in the past.
With his precocious intelligence, he had gotten into Nanshan No. 4 Middle School - one of the top five schools in Sichuan Province - purely on merit, without paying the expensive school selection fee. His father had even hosted a three-day banquet in their hometown, believing that he would surely become the first person from their village to get into a Daoist academy as a cultivator student.
At that time, Lin Mo's status in the village had even surpassed that of the village chief's 200-year-old goose that was on the verge of becoming a spirit beast.
Unfortunately, the good times didn't last. His initial promise was eventually brutally crushed by cruel reality! Every time his father came home and saw him, he would sigh heavily, only to be glared at by Lin Mo's mother, forcing him to retreat to the courtyard to continue sighing... Thinking of this, Lin Mo couldn't help but hum to himself: "The fortunes of men are as changeable as the tides of the Yangtze River... Nevermind, ahem." Not being the "protagonist", it was easy to get slapped in the face for saying such things.
Lin Mo shook his head and walked towards the school gate while skillfully opening a short video app on his phone, intending to watch some human artistic performances.
However, as soon as he opened the app, he was immediately captivated by the first video on the interface: Like for blessings, Buddha will bless you... Damn! Monitored by the smart device again! Lin Mo inwardly complained as his finger quickly scrolled through the screen.
"You've found the right video, in May you will..." "Fated one, you didn't come across this book by chance..." "Leave your name, and fortune will come to you within three days..."
"..."
It's all the same! Lin Mo was speechless, not expecting to still be unable to escape the great art of monitoring even after transmigrating. He had clicked "like" on countless such blessing-giving videos.
He had typed "receiving good luck" no less than a thousand times. And what was the result? No overnight wealth or instant ascension to immortality.
Even the number of times he got "try again" on drink bottle caps was countable on one hand. The highest prize he ever won on scratch cards was no more than five yuan.
The only thing he consistently won first prize in were scams... He sighed, just about to close the screen when his finger suddenly slipped, accidentally clicking on an ad next to the video.
A pop-up immediately appeared: [Ding! Do you want to install the "Press 1 to Add Merit" mini-game?] Press 1 to add merit? Isn't liking supposed to add luck?
Lin Mo pursed his lips, inwardly mocking such unscrupulous mini-games. He was about to click the close button when he suddenly recalled what his deskmate Zhang Dahai had said earlier.
If he wasn't going to pray to Buddha offline, why not arrange a quick prayer online? Lin Mo originally didn't believe in such things. He had liked so many posts and sent so many "receiving good luck" messages before, but had never seen any change in his cultivation or wallet.
However, with the immortal examination looming, his long-dead heart began to stir once again.
Oh well, a mini-game won't use up much data... Thinking this, his finger moved from the close button to the [Yes] install button. As soon as his finger pressed down, a burst of electricity suddenly flashed across the phone screen.
Then with a "pop", the phone went black. Lin Mo was stunned for a moment before his face twisted in anger. "Damn! It actually had a virus..." Before he could finish speaking, a bolt of lightning suddenly shot out from the black screen towards his face. It was so fast that he had no time to dodge.
Lin Mo instinctively closed his eyes, but the expected pain didn't come.
Instead, an electronic voice sounded in his ear: [Ding! Congratulations, player. You have successfully installed and bound the "Merit Wooden Fish" system.]