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

Li An’s choice to walk through the “Spiritless Gate” became a minor episode of the third trial.

Soon, the third trial concluded.

The several dozen disciples who passed the selection all gathered in front of the mountain gate.

Not everyone had succeeded in passing the elemental trial. Nearly half couldn’t endure it and chose, like Li An, to enter through the Spiritless Gate.

After all, even serving as a menial servant in an immortal sect was already being above others—a life ordinary mortals could only envy.

“Now announcing the list of those selected!”

“Outer Sect Full Disciples: Mu Qingwan, Wang Jian, Zhao Xianchuan… a total of five!”

“Outer Sect Registered Disciples: Luo Mu, Cao Qingming, Wang Dazhu… a total of twenty-one!”

…

Hearing their names, Mu Qingwan, Wang Jian, and the others revealed joyous expressions.

Registered disciples still needed to undergo evaluation after entry. Only upon meeting certain criteria could they become full disciples.

Full disciples enjoyed the best benefits—monthly allocations of spirit stones, spirit rice, and pills were several times that of registered disciples.

Among all candidates, only a rare few would become Inner Sect disciples.

“All others shall serve as menials!”

Their names didn’t even deserve to be announced.

“Take a short rest. You’ll be brought into the sect soon.”

Voices of excitement rose from the crowd, many overjoyed.

Wang Dazhu was especially thrilled. As a farmer’s son who once couldn’t even eat his fill, becoming a registered disciple of an immortal sect was truly a leap from carp to dragon.

He turned and ran toward the group of menial “reserves,” grabbing Li An’s hand with excitement and shouting:

“Brother An, I made it! I made it!”

Li An remained internally calm but purposefully wore a slightly dejected expression, forcing a smile as he replied, “Dazhu, congratulations.”

His expression immediately made Wang Dazhu a little flustered. “Brother An, I’m sorry—I didn’t mean anything by it… please don’t take it to heart.”

“I know. Between you and me, how could I hold a grudge?”

Though Wang Dazhu lacked social tact, his heart was pure. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have risked returning earlier to drag Li An through the trial.

“Li An.”

At this moment, several others approached. Leading them was none other than Zhao Xianchuan.

A young master of a cultivation family, Zhao Xianchuan had received a fine education from young and carried himself with poise, wearing a gentle smile.

“Didn’t expect you to fall behind at the final stage… what a pity.”

Li An sneered inwardly. Previously, though they came from different backgrounds, Zhao Xianchuan had treated him with respect because of his promising aptitude, even addressing him as “Fellow Daoist Li.”

Now, addressing him by name alone revealed a subtle shift in attitude.

After all, if Li An hadn’t failed, Zhao Xianchuan would’ve been pushed down to fourth place.

Typically, only the top three held the greatest hope of becoming Inner Sect disciples.

So, while it was a regret for Li An—it was a blessing for Zhao Xianchuan. The smugness in his eyes didn’t escape Li An’s notice.

“Brother Li, are your injuries serious?”

Mu Qingwan, possessing a Mid Grade Yellow Tier Wood Spirit Root, asked gently, a trace of concern in her bright eyes.

She too came from humble origins. During their journey to the Bright Sun Sect, Li An had explained some foundational knowledge to her, winning her slight favor. Since he was a year older, she addressed him as “Brother.”

“My dantian is cracked, my spirit root damaged, my internal organs all ache—cough cough…”

Li An wasn’t lying. This body was malnourished, and now injured by lightning spirit qi—he was on the verge of collapse.

“No need to worry, Brother Li. Once my cultivation improves, I’ll definitely help you heal your injuries.”

Mu Qingwan’s tone was earnest.

“Many thanks.”

Li An responded politely but didn’t take it to heart.

From this point on, Mu Qingwan was a Outer Sect disciple, and if there were not any accidents, she would very likely enter the Inner Sect.

Li An, on the other hand… was a mere menial servant.

The gap between them was vast. Whatever brief connection they had before meant little now.

His spirit root was damaged, and without Foundation Establishment-level pills, there was no way to repair it.

“No need to trouble yourself, Miss Mu.”

Zhao Xianchuan interjected with a smile. “I happen to have a Miscellaneous Spirit Pill. I’ll give it to Li An—it should be enough to help him recover.”

He took out a dark, lumpy pill as he spoke.

The Miscellaneous Spirit Pill was a byproduct of failed alchemy attempts—impure, ungraded, containing only trace amounts of spirit energy. Cultivators disdained it, but in the mundane world, it was considered quite valuable by martial experts.

Li An quickly declined. “That won’t be necessary…”

His heart chilled slightly. Heh. This Zhao Xianchuan guy is using me to curry favor with Mu Qingwan.

Since the journey here, Zhao Xianchuan had clearly been unhappy about how close Li An and Mu Qingwan had become. Offering this pill now made his intentions obvious.

Once Li An accepted the pill, Mu Qingwan would no longer need to bother herself with him.

“No need to be polite, Li An. Once you're in the sect, getting medicine will be near impossible for someone like you!”

Zhao Xianchuan’s tone turned impatient, hinting that Li An didn’t know how to appreciate kindness.

Li An replied softly, “Precisely because of that—I won’t be able to repay this favor.”

He wasn’t concerned about appearances. If Zhao Xianchuan had offered him a Grade-One Spirit Qi Pill, Li An would have accepted it with a smile and thanked him sincerely.

But a Miscellaneous Spirit Pill?

That stuff had heavy pill toxins.

It might boost his energy temporarily—but at the cost of his life.

“Well, if you don’t want it, so be it. I suppose Brother Li looks down on such a lowly pill.”

A hint of mockery flickered in Zhao’s eyes.

Li An said nothing and instead turned to Mu Qingwan, saying, “Fairy Mu, congratulations on ranking first…”

At his words, a trace of sigh passed across Mu Qingwan’s delicate features.

Mortals addressed all cultivators as “Immortal Masters.”

Similarly, the identity of a menial servant was not much better than that of a commoner, so even registered and full disciples were addressed the same way.

By calling her “Fairy Mu,” Li An was intentionally drawing a clear line between them—he didn’t want any further entanglement with someone who had a bright future.

After all, Li An understood the danger of beauty.

In this life, he wanted only one thing: to ascend the path of immortality!

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xianchuan smiled.

This Li An knows his place.

The irritation from Li An’s earlier rejection dissipated.

“All disciples, gather immediately and prepare to enter the sect!”

A voice from a Bright Sun Sect elder rang out.

The group had no time to speak further. As they turned to look, two enormous white eagles flew out from the towering sect gate. Their wings spanned dozens of meters, and in a blink, they landed before the crowd, stirring clouds of dust.

“Full and registered disciples—onto the white eagles!”

The new disciples were ecstatic, scrambling up onto the eagles’ backs.

“Take care, Brother Li.”

Mu Qingwan gave a light parting glance and farewell.

She understood Li An’s feelings, so she didn’t push him.

“Brother An, I’m off now! Once I get to the sect, I’ll come find you—!”

Wang Dazhu also waved at him.

The white eagles spread their wings, lifting the disciples into the air amid a flurry of dust.

Around twenty menials remained behind.

“What about us?”

“Immortal Master, will other white eagles come for us?”

The menial servants asked a young Bright Sun Sect disciple standing nearby.

“White eagles? You think you’re worthy?”

The youth’s face showed clear irritation. “Walk up yourselves—”

With that, he turned and stepped onto the mountain path, visibly annoyed.

He himself could’ve ridden a white eagle, but now, because of these useless menial servants, he had to climb on foot…

The group of menials froze. Walk up… ourselves?

Li An, however, took a deep breath and calmly followed along.

Such things didn’t matter to him. Right now… he only wanted to find a place to cultivate the Life-Nurturing Immortal Forging Technique!

At present, he was still far too weak—he hadn’t even stepped onto the path of cultivation yet.

Staying in the Bright Sun Sect was the best start.

…

In the Sky.

On the backs of the white eagles, Mu Qingwan, Zhao Xianchuan, and the others looked down at the winding, rugged mountain path far below…

They all understood.

From now on, their fates and Li An’s would be just like this moment—Heaven and Earth apart, likely never to intersect again.

(End of Chapter)