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墨書 Inktalez
Looking down at the surging river below, Elder Chang couldn't help but sigh. He had thought everything would come together smoothly, but who knew that a calamity would arise instead?
"Master Qingxu, this matter cannot be delayed any longer. That cursed dragon is determined to take action; we can no longer let this go unchecked. We must return immediately to inform the other three major sects, as well as those smaller sects scattered around, and gather as many people as we can. If we wait any longer, it will truly lead to disaster."
Just moments ago, he had been focused on Master Qingxu, but now his demeanor was remarkably calm. He gently pressed a hand on Elder Chang's shoulder and said, "There's no rush; let’s observe for now."
"No rush? Master Qingxu, have you been frightened into a stupor by that dragon? Although its strength is indeed formidable, if we gather our forces, we still have a fighting chance!"
Master Qingxu recalled the sound that had reached his ears after Qi Xiao fell into the water—a voice that resonated within his very soul. His expression grew complex.
"Fortune and misfortune are intertwined; until the end, one cannot make judgments."
"Hey, you fool! Wake up! It's your turn today; don’t even think about slacking off!" A chubby boy kicked the small boy who was dozing on the stone table.
The boy was only five or six years old, with a tender face and a frail body that resembled a scrawny chicken. If one were to grab him, they would find nothing but bones—he hardly had any flesh on him at all. He was the only son of Widow Zhou from Qing Shui Alley in the west of the city. Due to his natural foolishness, people referred to him as "the fool."
Not long ago, Widow Zhou heard that a cultivator had come to town and opened a martial arts school to impart teachings and take on disciples. Eagerly, she used her connections to send her son there.
Having a celestial being teach one's child was a significant event that stirred the entire city. Even the wealthiest families in town sent several carts of gold and silver to gather outside the school, wearing eager smiles and hoping not to be dismissed by the celestial being for their vulgarity.
If her son became a disciple of the celestial being, wouldn't they also be half-celestial themselves? This was an opportunity for glory that could be recorded in their family lineage. If luck were on their side and he truly achieved enlightenment, transcending into immortality was not out of reach.
It is said that when one person achieves enlightenment, even their chickens and dogs ascend with them. If their child were favored by the celestial being, wouldn’t they also receive some blessings? In this world of mortals, who wouldn’t want more fortune, prosperity, and longevity?
"Celestial being," they would plead, "look at my child—he's clever and well-behaved!"
"Immortal, my son is wise and surely has the potential to become an immortal himself. Perhaps you are destined to be his master," a woman implored.
"Look at his physique; he is born to cultivate," another added. "Even the head of the Qingyuan Escort Agency in the city said this child is like a star descended from the heavens, a promising talent for martial arts. Isn’t cultivating and practicing martial arts quite similar?"
The immortal squinted, examining them with growing annoyance. Finally, he waved his hand dismissively, sending them all away. "What kind of oddities dare to present themselves before me?"
The widow Zhou tightly clutched her son, unsure whether to stay or leave. She shivered slightly but finally mustered the courage to speak. "Immortal, my son does not seek longevity or freedom in the world; he only asks for your kindness to allow him to enter your courtyard as a servant. If he could hear your teachings for even a day or two, it would be the greatest fortune."
The immortal narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Zhou's son for a moment. Then he stepped forward, feeling the boy's bones and expressing mild surprise. "You have some talent on the path of cultivation."
The immortal had come to this nameless small town not by chance; he had long predicted that his destined disciple would be found here.
Upon hearing this, Widow Zhou's eyes filled with tears of joy as she pressed her son's head down and bowed three times. "Silly child, why aren’t you thanking the immortal for his grace?"
The boy stood there dazed, seemingly a bit slow-witted. "Thank you, Immortal."
Unable to hold back, Widow Zhou lightly tapped his head. "Silly child, hurry and call him Master."
Before the boy could utter the word "Master," the immortal raised his hand to silence him. "Though this child has some talent, he lacks wisdom. I will let him be a cleaning boy."
Laughter erupted around them, causing Widow Zhou's face to flush with embarrassment. Yet she still pressed her son’s head down and quietly expressed her gratitude.
Even if he was just a cleaning boy, he was still the first child to receive the immortal's approval to enter his courtyard.
News spread quickly; before Widow Zhou and Qi Xiao could return home, their neighbors were already aware of it. They looked at her son with more complex expressions, some even stepping forward to congratulate her.
"Sister Zhou, congratulations! Your son has caught the eye of an immortal; he will surely achieve great things in the future."
"What are you saying? He’s just a cleaning boy; receiving a few pointers is already an extraordinary event."
Widow Zhou’s face turned crimson with embarrassment as she avoided the crowd of neighbors and pulled Qi Xiao into their home, giving him a few instructions. "Learn more and observe closely, but don’t ask too many questions."
"Why, Mother?"
Zhou, the widow, glanced at him and sighed softly. Her son was simple-minded, inherently more clumsy than other children. Although the doctor had said that there might be a chance for improvement as he grew older, Zhou understood that this was essentially just a comforting statement. Qi Xiao's condition could either improve or remain the same for his entire life.
"Xiao'er, you learn slower than other children, so you need to be more patient. As for things you don't understand or can't do, just practice a few more times, and you'll eventually grasp their deeper meanings. Take your time to learn, don't ask too many questions, and you'll be able to stay in the Immortal Academy a bit longer."
Qi Xiao slowly came to understand. His mother was saying he was foolish; foolish people who asked too many questions would be disliked. So he took note of her words: learn more, observe more, but ask less. As more and more children came to the Immortal Academy to study, he became one of the most easily overlooked.
The immortals had a carefree disposition but were extremely strict about academics. In the academy's spiritual pond, several plum blossom stakes were erected. The immortals often had them practice stances on these stakes and would catch some birds for them to try and catch while balancing on the stakes, honing their skills.
Over time, feathers would float on the pond's surface. The immortals disapproved of this and ordered them to clean the spiritual pond every day. Thus, several children took turns on cleaning duty.
Qi Xiao stood up, rubbed his eyes, and walked toward the pond. After he left, several figures suddenly appeared beside the chubby boy.
"Did you say it was his turn? The fool really believes it."
"He’s gone four times in seven days; why not just finish it all off?"
"Hey, I say, Fatty, isn’t that a bit unkind? Bullying a fool like this? Aren't you afraid the immortal will find out and punish you?"
The chubby boy shot him a glance and scoffed, "You’re so kind-hearted; why don’t you go clean the pond yourself? Today it's little fool's turn."
The other boy flinched and waved his hands repeatedly.
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