Xilan Continent.
Little Cang Mountain, Cyan Pine Daoist School.
A narrow stone path just wide enough for a person winds up from the foot of the mountain, where patches of green tiles and blue bricks peek through the verdant forest halfway up the mountain.
The noontime sun was scorching, and the cicadas were chirping listlessly.
In a secluded corner of the Daoist school, inside a low tile-roofed house, a young boy lay stiffly on the ground, using his trembling arms to prop himself up against the wall, gasping for breath.
"Huh..."
The boy suddenly clutched his head with both hands and let out a low, pained cry.
He felt as if a red-hot iron spike was drilling into his head, stirring endlessly; the excruciating pain forced him to clench his teeth, his hands gripping tightly, turning the knuckles faintly pale, cold sweat soaking his temples.
A strange memory was desperately forcing its way into his mind, and his body began to convulse violently, every pore screaming under the unbearable pressure.
He originally lived in a modern world of steel and concrete, working as an insurance agent for An Insurance. His greatest pastime outside of work was immersing himself in the worlds of novels, movies, and computer games at home.
The only hobby that took him outside was collecting stones by mountain streams, though the motivation was hardly lofty; he merely hoped to find a rare stone to sell for some money to improve his life.
In another memory, he lived in the cultivation world, where his ancestors belonged to a cultivation clan, which had since fallen on hard times and been reduced to a loose cultivator. Now it was just him and his father relying on each other for survival.
Understanding the difficulties faced by loose cultivators, his father wanted to pour everything into training him to become a sect cultivator, in hopes that he might someday rebuild the family.
The Daoist school was a branch of the Golden Spirit Sect, tasked with supplying new blood to the sect.
The once-in-three-years sect examination was approaching, and he was making his final efforts to become a true immortal cultivator.
The past spun like a carousel in his mind, scenes flashing by at high speed, and two entirely different sets of memories slowly began to merge like two drops of same-type blood...
He didn't know how much time had passed, but eventually, the pain began to subside. He glanced around the room, gradually piecing together his current situation.
He had crossed over; in the midst of a sweet dream, he vaguely sensed a flash of light inside the room, and upon opening his eyes again, he was here.
"Dong, dong, dong"
Just as he was lost in thought, the wooden door was pounded loudly, and a rough voice shouted:
"Ji An, something's happened to you! Open the door quickly."
The boy felt the tangled memories separate quickly, and the recollection of the cultivation world became clear.
The original owner of this body was called Ji An, seventeen years old. This was his last year in the Daoist school, as sects would not recruit Qi Refining Stage cultivators over eighteen.
Theoretically, anyone could cultivate, but some were born with their Dantian and Ancestral Acupoint open and immortal veins apparent, marked as natural seeds for cultivation and highly sought after by sects. They started at a point others could only aspire to reach.
The majority are born with their ancestral acupoints closed and immortal veins hidden.
These people could only embark on the immortal path through practicing Meridian Walking Technique to circulate their blood and polish their Spiritual Mechanism until the Qi Mechanism reached perfection and they could reopen their immortal veins with a Meridian Opening Pill.
"Open up, I know you're in there!"
The pounding on the door grew louder, dust cascading from the doorframe and walls, as if the door might be broken down.
Ji An gritted his teeth and staggered to open the door.
With a creak, the door swung open, revealing a broad-shouldered young man with a slightly immature face, lifting a fist as large as a clay pot.
He rolled up his sleeves, revealing strong, muscular arms, making his broad Profound Black Daoist Robe appear tightly fitted.
The young man's eyes shone brightly, and his exposed skin had a subtle jade-like sheen, a sign of having entered the Qi Refining Stage.
Looking past him, there stood a well-dressed, elegant young man in fine clothes, and a gracefully standing girl in a blue gauze skirt.
The information about these three flashed in Ji An's mind; they were the creditors of his predecessor, and now his creditors.
The cost of purchasing a Meridian Opening Pill was a huge sum for Ji An's family, which his father couldn't save enough for after many years.
Three months ago, his father came to see him and promised that, at the latest, within a month and a half, he would gather enough Spirit Stones.
When his father left, he entrusted everything he had to him. As the sect examination date approached, there was still no word from his father, and Ji An knew that something must have happened to him.
After much deliberation, his predecessor made a bold decision.
He lied that a Spirit-Seeking Rat raised by his father was carrying demon beast cubs and promised to sell them to the three wealthiest students in the Daoist school, borrowing a total of nine Spirit Stones.
Including those left by his father, he had thirty-six, just enough to buy a Meridian Opening Pill from the Daoist school.
Ji An forced a bitter smile but maintained a calm demeanor and cupped his hands in respect, saying:
"Senior Brother Chu, Senior Brother Zhang, Senior Sister Zhao, what brings you to me?"
These people were younger than him, but in the world of cultivation, seniority was not determined by age but by cultivation level.
All three were already Qi Refining Stage cultivators, so he naturally addressed them as senior brother and sister.
"Stop pretending with us!"
Chu River lowered his fist. Though he appeared robust, he was actually only fifteen years old.
"Your father went deep into the mountains for herbs and hasn't returned for three months. Most likely, he's no longer alive. I don't believe you didn't know. Return the Spirit Stones to us!"
"Or else..."
As Chu River spoke, he raised his fist as large as a clay pot again.
Ji An felt even more bitterness in his heart. His predecessor had expected that he wouldn't be able to keep this situation hidden.
After borrowing the Spirit Stones, he immediately exchanged them for a Meridian Opening Pill, which he consumed that very night.
His predecessor knew that if he missed this chance to enter the immortal path, he wouldn't know how many years it would take to save enough Spirit Stones to buy a Meridian Opening Pill on his own.
Moreover, he couldn't be sure of keeping the Spirit Stones safe, as leaving the Daoist school would likely attract the attention of loose cultivators eager to advance.
It was fate, and his predecessor was doomed to fail and die in deviation. Now, a new soul occupied Ji An's body.
"Wait," the girl spoke with lively, peach blossom-like eyes.
"I noticed Junior Brother Ji's Qi Mechanism is chaotic, and his steps are unsteady. Could it be he's already exchanged for a Meridian Opening Pill and taken it?"
"What, you took a Meridian Opening Pill and still failed to open your veins?"
Chu River widened his eyes. Indeed, a Meridian Opening Pill couldn't guarantee a 100% success rate in opening the immortal veins, but it did have a success rate of over 70%.
In his eyes, Ji An might be dull, but he was very diligent in his cultivation. Being able to practice in the Daoist school for years without being expelled surely indicated he had something commendable in the eyes of the Upper Master.
Ji An managed a smile and cupped his hands again:
"There's been a slight mishap, but please rest assured, fellow Daoists, I will definitely repay the spirit stones."
"How will you repay?"
The young man in brocade spoke softly, continuing:
"You must be aware that the reason we were willing to lend you spirit stones was entirely due to your father's regard.
Even if we can't obtain the demon beast cub, for a Qi Refining cultivator possessing a Spirit-Seeking Rat, obtaining spirit stones is not particularly difficult; if needed, just halt cultivation entirely to repay the debt."
He stepped forward, his gaze aggressive:
"Right now, you haven't even entered the Qi Refining Stage, how can you repay?"
Ji An remained silent, acknowledging the truth in his opponent's words.
Even if he stepped onto the immortal path, it wouldn't necessarily mean passing the sect examination;
Even if he miraculously entered the sect, nine spirit stones wouldn't be obtained in several years.
The primary currency for Qi Refining cultivators is spirit crystals, which are coins cut from spirit stones, roughly the size of a Yuan coin, with a hundred spirit crystals needed to exchange for one lower grade spirit stone.
In the early stage of Qi Refining, cultivators have scarce means to earn spirit stones, perhaps not even amassing half a spirit stone in a year, unless they abandon cultivation.
He knew he must say something, or he would surely die horrifically; after this year's sect examination, he could no longer remain in the Daoist school due to his age.
At that time, those people would have numerous ways to deal with him.
Exhaling lightly, Ji An's mind raced for words, urgently inside but calm in appearance, the qualities of an insurance agent still intact.
He gave a slight cough, clasped his hands respectfully, and said:
"Senior Brother Chu, Senior Brother Yuan, Senior Sister Zhao.
Though I lack a Meridian Opening Pill, if I can grasp the Divine Intent within the Meridian Walking Technique, I can naturally open the Immortal Acupoint and then the Immortal Vein.
Despite being untalented, when taking the Meridian Opening Pill, Ji An's mind was chaotic, nearly losing control, yet it allowed me a glimpse into the Divine Intent of the Meridian Walking Technique amidst despair.
Certainly, before the sect's Upper Master arrives for evaluation, I can step into the Qi Refining Stage."
Ji An's face was filled with confidence, betraying no hint of his earlier despondency.
He had no real assurance, yet without overcoming the current obstacle, there would be no future, thus internally anxious but externally calm.
"The sect examination is imminent, and I hope you, fellow Daoists, consider the years we've spent studying together, granting me a chance.
If Ji An fails to embark on the immortal path, I will definitely provide you with a satisfactory explanation."
"We've studied together for years, isn't there some sentiment involved?
Since Brother Ji is so sincere, let's wait a while longer."
Zhao Mengyao spoke, glancing at the other two:
"The examination is coming the day after tomorrow, just waiting two more nights.
Senior Brother Zhang, Junior Brother Chu, what do you say?"
Just as Chu River was about to speak, Zhang Yuanshan subtly shook his head, then turned and said:
"Let's wait until after the sect examination; if Junior Brother fails to enter the sect, we'll settle the account!"
Ji An nodded calmly: "It's a deal."
Zhang Yuanshan gave him a deep look, and slowly said:
"I believe Junior Brother will keep his promise, let's go!"
"Take care of yourself," Chu River snorted coldly and followed to leave.
"Then I wish Junior Brother Ji success in opening the vein, may your immortal path forever flourish!"
Zhao Mengyao nodded kindly, also turning to leave.
The figures of the three disappeared down the path, the calm in Ji An's eyes vanished, and he returned to his room, heartbroken.
...
When they had walked far enough, Chu River lowered his voice and said:
"Senior Brother, Senior Sister, why didn't we directly demand the Beast Taming Technique? Ji An's father surely has a secret technique."
"Ha," Zhang Yuanshan laughed lightly,
"Do you think a Beast Taming Secret Technique can be bought for a few spirit stones? What a hopeless dream!
My uncle once saw Ji An's father's Spirit-Seeking Rat, confirming it indeed has some skill.
If it wasn't cultivated by sheer luck, then the opponent's beast-taming secret technique surely has unique aspects; if the Dharma Gate is complete, it could even be used as a heritage.
Let's exert a bit of pressure on him first, when he reaches a desperate point, then we'll slowly negotiate. Asking for the secret technique upfront makes us appear too greedy."
Chu River scratched his head: "But, what if Ji An truly succeeds in opening the vein and enters the sect, then we can't hold him to it."
"You really believe that?" Zhang Yuanshan slightly frowned.
Zhao Mengyao laughed softly, her tone gentle:
"Junior Brother, anyone who can independently comprehend the Divine Intent of the Meridian Walking Technique before eighteen is certainly someone with astonishing comprehension.
If Ji An possessed such comprehension, he wouldn't have languished in the Daoist school for five years without opening the vein."
The Divine Intent within the Meridian Walking Technique relies on comprehension; listening to others would only create mental limitations.
Cultivation is inherently a struggle against destiny, without enough sedimentation, how can one realize the Divine Intent?
Yet wasting too much time to comprehend the Spell's Divine Intent might miss the prime age to enter the path, which leads most people to rely on the Meridian Opening Pill for the immortal path.
"What if that kid suddenly achieves an enlightenment..."
Chu River muttered softly, then added:
"We must prevent that kid from escaping."
"You think he can escape from our grip?
But to avoid unnecessary trouble, head down the mountain now, and station people to guard all entrances and secret paths of the Daoist school."