The Path to Immortality Begins as a Sect's Menial Servant

The Grand Dawn Dynasty. Clear Sun Sect.

Final phase of the entry examination — the Spirit Platform Trial.

At the bottom of a staircase crackling with blue arcs of lightning, a youth who seemed long dead suddenly twitched his arm.

He slowly woke, propped himself up, and leaned against the steps, eyes dazed as he surveyed his surroundings.

Didn’t I die? What is this place…?

Before Li An could ponder further, a torrent of information flooded his mind like a surging river, bringing with it waves of pain and dizziness.

Not far from him, several disciples of the Clear Sun Sect pointed and whispered.

“Huh? He didn’t die?”

“To force his way onto the Lightning Spirit Path and still survive… that’s a miracle in itself. Pity his spirit root’s been damaged by the lightning energy. His path to immortality is likely over.”

“Judging by the earlier heart-testing trial, his resolve seemed solid. But in the final stage, he got greedy—he actually tried to conquer the never-before-crossed Lightning Spirit Path…”

Atop the steps, the pain in Li An’s mind finally faded. His eyes carried a complicated expression.

Failed to reach the Nascent Soul stage… and yet, I’ve reincarnated!

In his previous life, he had transmigrated from Earth into a world of cultivation. Though he lacked any mythical cheat ability, he had some luck—he landed in a powerful cultivation clan.

Through relentless effort, he eventually formed a Core.

But to his dismay, that had been his ceiling. He lingered at the Core Formation stage for centuries, until his lifespan ran out.

Seeking further advancement, Li An entered a secret realm in pursuit of fortune, only to perish within.

Yet now… he had been reborn.

The Grand Dawn Dynasty… He wasn’t sure where exactly that was—some remote corner, perhaps. The cultivation world was simply too vast.

He inspected his current state and gave a bitter laugh.

“Low Grade Yellow Tier, Non Elemental Spirit Root… worse than my last life by far.”

In his previous life, Li An had at least possessed a High Grade Yellow Tier Spirit Root.

Even with that, his cultivation journey had been arduous, and forming a Core had been his limit.

He understood well—stronger spirit roots meant easier cultivation.

In the path of immortality, talent came first, followed by resources.

Talent was the foundation; resources, the support.

Alas, in both lives, he was no blessed prodigy.

This time, his aptitude was even more ordinary. No background. Even forming a Foundation seemed like a dream.

Luckily, the Life-Nurturing Immortal Forging Technique is still with me!

He swept through his memories and breathed a slight sigh of relief.

The Life-Nurturing Immortal Forging Technique—a secret art he had obtained in that secret realm just before his death.

This technique can extend a cultivator’s lifespan. With this advantage, maybe even someone as lowly as me can still glimpse the great path…

Li An murmured inwardly.

In his old age, he had once reflected on his life. Failing to reach the Nascent Soul stage had many reasons.

First, worldly desires—after succeeding somewhat in cultivation, he took countless wives and concubines, indulging in luxury and wasting time while accumulating mundane karma.

Second, reckless combat—too many battles left hidden injuries and damaged his spirit root.

But the third reason, and the most critical: not enough lifespan.

Had he possessed even three hundred more years when he formed his Core, his success would have been near guaranteed…

After all, for those without talent, time was the only substitute for genius.

This life, with even worse aptitude, I must cling to a resolute heart. No indulgence in mortal pleasures. No fighting unless absolutely necessary.

With steady cultivation using the Life-Nurturing Immortal Forging Technique, perhaps there remains hope for the grand path!

His resolve was firm.

“Li An, are you alright? Can you still stand?”

Just then, a worried voice called out.

He turned toward it. On another staircase alight with flames, a young man in plain clothes—a farmer’s son—looked at him with concern.

The youth was brawny, with a dark and honest face. Sweat poured down his forehead from the heat of the fire.

Wang Dazhu—he had entered the sect trials with Li An.

Their batch of candidates had all come from Tianyang County under the Grand Dawn Dynasty. Some were sons of noble families, some daughters of prestigious clans, and others like Li An and Wang Dazhu—ordinary folk from humble origins.

Because of their similar backgrounds, Wang Dazhu and Li An had formed a bond.

Besides Wang Dazhu, a few others from the same batch also glanced toward Li An amid their trials.

“He really didn’t die…”

Zhao Xianchuan, a disciple of the powerful Zhao clan of Tianyang County, frowned slightly. Dressed in luxurious robes, he had a Low Grade Yellow Tier Water Spirit Root—same grade as Li An.

But Li An’s root was non-elemental—able to cultivate any type of technique—slightly more versatile than his own.

In the heart trial earlier, they had been evenly matched. If Li An passed the lightning path, Zhao would fall behind.

Instinctively, Zhao Xianchuan glanced in two other directions.

On the wood path, a green-robed girl was nearing completion—Mu Qingwan, with a Mid Grade Yellow Tier Wood Spirit Root.

On the fire path ahead of Wang Dazhu, the lead candidate was another youth—Wang Jian. Also a Low Grade Yellow Tier Root, but he had ranked first in the heart trial.

Zhao couldn’t beat Mu Qingwan or Wang Jian.

If he wanted good placement in the sect, he had to hold on to third place—which meant beating Li An.

Now that Li An survived, a sense of unease stirred in his heart.

…

The Clear Sun Sect’s three-part examination consisted of testing spirit root, testing heart, and then the final trial.

Only those with at least a Low Grade Yellow Tier Root could pass the first trial.

The heart trial required candidates to climb a mountain under intense pressure, revealing the firmness of their resolve.

Li An had performed well in the first two trials, ranking within the top ten.

The third trial required candidates to tame various types of Immortal Spirit Qi. The stronger the Qi they could tame, the greater their future prospects within the sect.

Thus, Li An, with his non-elemental root, ambitiously attempted to tame the most difficult—lightning.

But his body was frail, malnourished since childhood. Under the violent lightning assault, it had perished…

“Li An, are you crazy? Get up! If you don’t go now, you’ll lose your chance!”

Wang Dazhu ran over and yanked Li An up. “Come! I’ll take you to the fire path!”

Li An was stunned. Wang Dazhu was nearly through the trial—yet he came back for him?

“Dazhu, I don’t want to go…”

“Cut the crap! We promised to cultivate and become immortals together! I know your body’s weak—I’ll carry you!”

With that, he hoisted the frail Li An onto his shoulder, wiped the sweat from his brow, and charged toward the fire path.

“No…”

Li An panicked. “Dazhu, this isn’t helping me—it’s killing me!”

Already halfway there, Wang Dazhu halted, confused. “Huh?”

“Put me down.”

Reluctantly, Wang Dazhu set him down.

“Dazhu, to be honest… my spirit root is damaged. Even with your help, if I try the fire path again, I won’t survive. Thank you.”

In truth, even with his injuries, drawing on past life experience gave Li An a seventy percent chance of success.

But… only seventy percent.

Ordinary people couldn’t afford to fail.

And now, with the Life-Nurturing Immortal Forging Technique, Li An had no reason to gamble.

Finishing his words, he turned and ran toward the door with no spirit energy.

“Brother An!”

Wang Dazhu shouted, stunned.

Others nearby sighed in regret.

“He actually chose that path…”

“All the results of the first two trials, wasted!”

“Going through the spiritless gate means he can still join the sect—but only as… a menial servant.”

Many voices rose.

Clearly, this was the worst possible outcome for Li An.

In the crowd, a bright young woman in a pale yellow robe frowned slightly and cast a glance at his retreating figure.

Li An had ranked in the top ten in the first two stages. His rare non-elemental root had even caught her eye—she’d already been considering which elder might suit him best…

But now, failing the lightning path had broken his courage? He didn’t even dare try another?

Forget it.

The path of immortality is unpredictable. This kind of person is not uncommon.

She no longer paid him any mind.

Back in the field, Wang Dazhu watched Li An pass through the door with no Spirit Qi. Gritting his teeth, he declared:

“Li An, I’ll watch your back from now on!”

With that, he plunged headfirst into the fire path!

…

(End of Chapter)