Chapter 1: Little Spirit Girl

Dong--

Dong--

Melodious bell chimes echoed through the clouds. As the center of the Three Thousand Worlds, the Five Continents of the Primordial World also welcomed the dawn. The sun star rose from the eastern sky, and the myriad stars receded into the heavens.

In an inconspicuous corner of the East Victory Divine Continent's northwest, near the Central Divine Continent, a vast, smooth, and translucent array stood, resembling an inverted glass bowl, encompassing dozens of emerald peaks. Under the sunlight, the array's walls refracted faint rainbow light, and visible currents of spiritual energy drifted back and forth within it.

Immortal birds and spiritual beasts frolicked among the mountains; occasionally, fleeting figures appeared amidst the clouds and mists. Wisps of light smoke rose, and faint strains of string music descended. On open spaces near some forest pavilions, many figures sat cross-legged, breathing, or soaring and dancing, completing a picturesque scene of an immortal mountain.

With the morning light, a white cloud drifted slowly from the East Sea, flying directly towards the array. On the cloud stood two figures, one tall and one short. The taller one was an old Daoist priest with white hair, accompanying a spirited girl who looked to be eight or nine years old.

As the white cloud drifted leisurely, so did their hearts. With the clear breeze by their side, what need was there for sorrow? The old Daoist priest began to sing with emotion:

"Since the beginning of chaos and the tribulations of dragons and phoenixes,Thousands of eons have passed in the blink of an eye.One sees no immortal platform or climbing pavilion,Only hears the Jiuhua song from the highest heavens.Crossing oneself and others across the dark river,Laughing at mortals and gods to dispel misfortune.Why does one long for their homeland,When ancestors broke bones to gain their destiny?"

"Ling'e, listen well! After the ancient war between the Witches and Demons, the Heavenly Dao greatly prospered humanity. Our human Qi Refiners gradually occupied most lands outside the North Kuru Continent, spreading throughout the Three Thousand Grand Worlds and countless Minor Worlds. However, the South Jambudvipa Continent is the origin of humanity's destiny, thus limiting our access. This place is the East Victory Divine Continent, a top-tier cultivation ground in the Three Realms. Ling'e, look at these immortal mountains before us. Aren't they wonderfully spiritual and magnificent?"

The girl nodded obediently, her spirited eyes blinking gently, and a look of expectant joy on her chubby, childlike face. She answered, her voice like a fledgling's first chirp—melodious and charming, yet with a hint of timidity, "Yes, it's very magnificent!"

"To be able to occupy a spiritual vein near the Central Divine Continent, our sect's strength is truly immense!" The old Daoist priest stroked his beard, smiling contentedly, and in his pride, he didn't forget to flick his whisk.

The girl, dressed in a small lotus-patterned skirt, quietly asked, "Then, Master, why don't we occupy a spiritual vein in the Central Divine Continent?"

The old Daoist priest was stumped by the question and chuckled awkwardly. "The Central Divine Continent has too many powerful figures. Occupying a spiritual vein there would mean constant unrest. It's better to be peaceful and free here... Ling'e."

The girl bowed her head and clasped her hands respectfully, "Disciple is here!"

"Today, I bring you into this immortal sect. From now on, you must cultivate diligently, without any slackness, and strive to achieve success in cultivation soon. Embark on the immortal path, seek longevity, and attain that blissful Dao fruit!"

The girl tilted her head, quietly asking, "But Master... have you become an immortal?"

"Cough!" The old Daoist priest covered his mouth and coughed. "This master made some mistakes in cultivation years ago, but becoming an immortal is just a matter of the next ten or twenty years. Come, follow me into the array. You must remember, our Dao lineage is called the 'Immortal-Slaying Gate.' Its founding patriarch is the famed True Immortal Du'e of West Kunlun, renowned on the current Immortal-God Register. The Dao he imparted is the 'One Qi True Heavenly Dao,' an extremely profound and wondrous method for longevity! Have you remembered all this? This will be your foundation for the future, so don't forget it."

"Yes! Disciple has remembered everything!" The girl nodded very seriously. The old Daoist priest flicked his whisk, guiding the white cloud slowly towards the array ahead, and took out a palm-sized jade talisman. The jade talisman shimmered with a soft green light, and the mountain-protecting array slowly parted, creating a slit wide enough for the old Daoist priest and the girl to fly through on their cloud.

As soon as the master and disciple entered the array, several white cranes swept down from among the clouds. On them stood several young people dressed in Daoist robes and colorful skirts, who were the disciples currently patrolling the mountains. They came forward to greet the old Daoist priest, addressing him as 'Martial Uncle Qiyuan.' After asking if the girl was his newly accepted disciple, they elegantly departed on their cranes.

The girl's large eyes sparkled, reflecting the graceful figures of the two female disciples. "Master, when can Ling'e fly on an immortal crane?"

"Once you have refined the Five Qi in your chest, you'll be able to control objects and travel," old Daoist Qiyuan said, stroking his beard and smiling. "What you saw as immortal cranes are actually transformed magical artifacts. Don't rush; cultivation must be done slowly. I'll take you back to our peak first, and then handle your various entry procedures. Although our lineage currently only consists of the three of us—you, me, and your senior brother—we still occupy a whole mountain peak within the sect, which is truly a great honor." As Qiyuan spoke of these things, a hint of pride appeared on his weathered old face.

However, the girl's attention wasn't on 'occupying the mountain peak.' She counted on her fingers. "Three people?"

"Master, but there are only two of us."

"Oh? Didn't I tell you on the way? Look at my memory." Old Daoist Qiyuan looked up at the few white clouds drifting across the sky and said airily, "You have a senior brother. I took him as a disciple a hundred years ago. Nowadays, he's... well, a talented individual who can stand on his own. It's just, hehehe..."

The girl tiptopped, "Master, you're laughing very strangely."

"Ling'e, you must remember this," Qiyuan said, looking down at his precious new disciple, whom he had just picked up from a Grand World. His expression was stern, his eyes shone, and the wrinkles on his face seemed to form two large characters—'Serious'. The girl was exceptionally talented and quite intelligent. Since childhood, she had known etiquette and was well-versed in knowledge. Seeing her master so serious, she immediately focused, paying close attention to his instructions.

The old Daoist priest suddenly sighed softly, as if deflated, and whispered, "Your senior brother, in his cultivation... well, he encountered some problems. He often speaks nonsense and sometimes spouts heretical views. In the future, you can seek his advice on cultivation, but whatever you do, *never* listen to his life philosophies! Regarding how to conduct yourself in the world, I will focus on teaching you that."

The girl blinked, somewhat bewildered, but still nodded obediently, "Yes! Disciple understands!"

Only then did the old Daoist priest relax slightly. He gently waved the whisk in his hand towards the front. "Look, this is our Little Qiong Peak."

Following the whisk's tip, one could see a somewhat 'stunted' low mountain peak nestled among several towering ones. Unlike the ornate 'carved beams and painted rafters hidden in the woods, flying eaves and precious pagodas atop pointed peaks' seen elsewhere within the sect, this mountain peak was simpler and more rustic, resembling a place rarely visited by people on ordinary days. Many rare birds and beasts could be seen in the dense jungle. The only few buildings were two thatched cottages by a small lake halfway up the mountain, and several herb gardens beside them.

The old Daoist priest was content, guiding the white cloud and the girl directly down to the mountainside, passing through a simple array. This array only served to block external detection. Due to the rules of the Immortal-Slaying Gate, within the main mountain-protecting array, only the forbidden area in the back mountains had a defensive array.

Upon landing before the thatched cottage, the white cloud dissipated on its own. The girl's cloth boots stepped onto the dew-laden short grass, soft and gentle. The fragrance of plants accompanied the gentle breeze, making her unconsciously revel in the beautiful lakeside scenery, her delicate pink lips unable to help but utter soft exclamations of admiration. The sunlight had just touched the mountain, and the small lake shimmered. Several spiritual fish leaped out of the water, carrying glistening droplets, as if greeting the new little Qi Refiner.

The old Daoist priest watched his young disciple's reaction with a smile, and called out loudly, "Changshou, aren't you coming out to meet your junior sister?"

The girl subconsciously looked at the thatched cottage with its doors shut, a slight anticipation bubbling in her heart. A senior brother who cultivates in an immortal sect must surely be a wise, mighty, and graceful immortal, just like the heroic figures who vanquish demons and monsters in the legendary tales she had heard since childhood...

However, the thatched cottage remained perfectly still, with no movement from within. The old Daoist priest called out again, "Changshou? What are you hiding for in there? Are you shy or something? Strange, I can clearly sense your aura inside." Murmuring, the old Daoist priest led the girl towards the thatched cottage. He raised his hand and pushed open the two wooden doors. A strange medicinal fragrance wafted out, and the old Daoist priest's eyes widened as he saw the source of the aura he had sensed—it was a small paper figure placed on the wooden bed!

"Oh?"

Suddenly, both the old Daoist priest and the girl began to sway back and forth. The old Daoist priest's expression changed, and he quickly pulled the girl, retreating rapidly outwards, unable to help but curse loudly: "Damn it, it's Changshou's Soft Immortal Incense!"

The girl immediately felt the world spin. Although her master was holding her, she instantly began to topple sideways. *Splash!* Water sound? Just as she was about to fall, the girl couldn't help but look towards the sound of the water. On the lake, a tall, slender figure was rising skyward. He wore only a pair of black trousers, his strong and well-proportioned muscles shimmering faintly in the sunlight, and his wet, long hair fanned out two glistening curtains of water...

The sunlight was just right, and the young man's rather handsome face was reflected in the girl's eyes, making her small face instantly flush crimson. However, she had not yet cultivated, so how could she withstand the strong effects of the medicine? Before she could even fully fall, she completely lost consciousness, her small face still flushed red.

Indeed, he was exactly as she had imagined... The heroic senior brother!