Immortal Father

The lone youth in brocade standing among several rows of children certainly stood out like a crane among chickens; faint whispers from the surrounding crowd could be heard, pointing and making snide remarks about the only adult present.

That was none other than Li Ping'an.

Li Dazhi's face broke into a wide smile.

What he took the most pride in was indeed his son's good looks, which were no less impressive than his own in his youth.

...

'Still, I can't help feeling a bit nervous.'

Li Ping'an watched the stage ahead, clicking his tongue quietly in his heart.

He didn't fancy the idea of leaving his fate in someone else's hands.

But under the current circumstances, this was his only pathway to ascension, and he had to seize the opportunity.

There were always some busybodies who, with affected airs, deliberately made disparaging comments about others' dreams:

"Mr. Li! Aren't you a bit too old for a constitution test? Are you so shameless as to daydream and try to sneak in for another try?"

"Haven't you heard? Cultivation must begin before the age of twelve, while one still possesses the breath of Innate energy. Once a person grows up, that Innate energy disperses."

A burly man in a short robe chuckled and called out, "Brother! Do you still possess the innocence of a child? Cultivation begins with the purity of boys and girls; we don't take kindly to fakes here!"

A burst of laughter arose from the crowd.

Li Ping'an stood calmly, turning a deaf ear and blind eye to it all.

He had asked Master Chen to check for him and was assured that he had the opportunity to cultivate, but his talents weren't particularly outstanding. Moreover, he had a late start, and the gate to his Innate essence was already closed. He had lost his youthful essence years ago, which meant his future achievements wouldn't be very high.

But an opportunity was all he needed.

As long as he could set foot on the threshold of the path to immortality, he was resolved to double his efforts in the future to have no regrets about this journey.

The aggressive force of these murmurs was nothing compared to the 'Zuan Grand Stage' where he used to mingle in his past life.

As Li Ping'an was thinking this to himself, he heard a call from behind him:

"Yo! Mr. Li the shopkeeper, what brings you to join in this excitement?"

What followed was the loud voice that Li Ping'an recognized best:

"Don't be offended, everyone! My son and I live off the wilderness, ignorant of the chance for immortal fate, lacking in enlightenment. That's how we missed the opportunity for cultivation, and it's truly the regret of my life!"

Li Ping'an turned his head and couldn't help but smile slightly.

He listened as his father continued to chuckle heartily:

"Not only is my son here for the test today, but I'm also going to give it a shot!

"Who says you can't pursue a chance at immortality when you're older?

"Everyone present! After the event disperses, each of you should come to my Drunken Immortal Inn. I'll treat every single one of you to a pot of fine bamboo tea, plus two liang of good wine and two plates of hearty dishes!"

"Good!"

The men and women around made a ruckus.

Father Li Dazhi, with his hands tucked into his sleeves, walked up to Li Ping'an with a beaming smile and raised his short thick eyebrows at him.

Li Ping'an muttered under his breath, "Dad, I could have done this on my own. What are you doing here?"

His father, stroking his belly and squinting his eyes, whispered, "I've registered too."

Li Ping'an laughed, "You also want to cultivate? Well, that's great! We might even become fellow disciples."

His father 'heh'ed softly, speaking slowly:

"Me, cultivate? I'm almost ready for the grave.

"This way, you won't be the oldest one here.

"I have thick skin; I'm not afraid of losing face... Look up front, keep smiling. Make a good impression on the Immortals on stage; who knows, one of them might be your future master."

Li Ping'an sighed softly inside. After asking his father to stand in front of him, he held his head high and puffed out his chest, settling his state of mind into indifference.

Clouds float past my ears, unaffected by the common din.

Clang!

On the stage ahead, a young boy struck a gong and called out with a youthful, clear voice:

"Those who hear their name, step forward onto the stage.

"If you lack the fate for Immortality, do not linger needlessly.

"Step onto the stage without a word and reach out to touch the Inquiry Heavenly Stone. Your destiny and talents will become clear at a glance."

Clang!

The gong sounded twice.

The boy sang out a name, and the child at the very front from Wan'an City lowered his head and walked forward.