NOVEL NEXT Chapter 1: There is an Immortal on Baiyun Mountain
Chapter 1
All villagers of Xihe Village share one belief: there exists an immortal on Baiyun Mountain.
This is not an ancient legend passed through generations, but a fact—the old immortal periodically visits the village stream to fish.
Yet today, the old immortal's purpose was different.
"What? The old immortal is accepting disciples?"
The village chief's announcement spread rapidly through the small village.
On the field ridge, eight-year-old Li Changmeng pulled weeds for amusement, brought here by his father in this lifetime.
His father Li Manqiu and elder brother Li Changxing labored in the fields nearby.
A woman carrying a basket approached—their neighboring family's vegetable plot was situated here.
"Old Li, cease working! The Baiyun Mountain immortal seeks disciples. Will you not bring Changmeng?"
"What?!"
Li Manqiu abandoned his tools and rushed over urgently.
"Sister Wang, does the old immortal truly seek disciples? Do not deceive me."
Wang Sanchun rolled her eyes. "Who would deceive you? My own children are too old. The chief states only children under twelve may be taken up the mountain by the old immortal."
"Enough—I must harvest vegetables. No more talk."
Departing with her basket, she left the Li family in the fields.
"Father, bring Changmeng to see. I alone can manage the fieldwork."
Li Changxing gazed fondly at his brother. Though merely eight, the boy had always shown remarkable wit.
Were the family not impoverished, he might have attended school and earned scholarly distinction. But apprenticeship to the immortal seemed superior.
Yet Li Manqiu frowned. His son's intelligence pleased him, but he preferred waiting until Changxing married before sending Changmeng to study for official examinations.
Immortals—do mortal kin remain significant after ascension?
"Father, let me go. If chosen, I shall still care for our family."
Having lived two lives, Changmeng perceived his father's concerns. But abandoning this opportunity was unthinkable.
Originally, he planned to explore Baiyun Mountain himself when older.
The old immortal had been known to Xihe Village for generations—his age of two to three centuries proved authentic capability.
Li Changmeng had perished from endless overtime in his previous life.
Reborn into this ancient-seeming world, he initially intended to revolutionize it with modern knowledge. But upon hearing of the immortal, his plans transformed.
He would cultivate immortality, attain freedom, achieve longevity, and wield supreme power!
This was existence worth pursuing.
"Hmm..."
His son's speech bore no resemblance to an eight-year-old's, giving Li Manqiu pause.
The child's precocity delighted him, yet a father cannot yield all decisions to youth. Often, he treated this son as adult equal.
"Very well. I shall take you now."
Wiping sweat, Li Manqiu lifted Changmeng—field paths proved treacherous for children.
"Father, I shall continue working. No time will be lost."
As his father acquiesced, Li Changxing smiled warmly and resumed hoeing.
"Delay your labor. Changxing, accompany us. Should Changmeng be chosen, meetings may grow rare."
Summoning his eldest, Li Manqiu led toward the village.
The village chief's residence overflowed with spectators when they arrived.
Though only under-twelves qualified, onlookers crowded eagerly.
"Make way! My Changmeng is eight! Let the immortal see him!"
Li Manqiu's field-hardened physique carved through the throng.
Within, a dozen eligible children stood anxiously with guardians. The cacophony frightened most—all except Changmeng, who calmly scanned the room for the immortal.
Two elders emerged from inner chambers: one cane-supported and stooped, the other whisk-bearing with radiant vigor.
The true immortal required no identification.
His appearance silenced the crowd.
Past bullies had accosted the fishing immortal—those men now wandered mad. Observe they might, but none dared offend.
"Gratitude for your presence. Having obtained a damaged cultivation manual unsuitable for myself, and lacking disciples, I seek candidates here—Xihe Village shares destiny with me."
The immortal passed two fingers before his eyes, releasing golden light.
Witnessing true magic, Changmeng's pulse quickened. Immortality's path lay open!
The golden beam examined each child sequentially.
Pausing at Changmeng, the light lingered.
"Hmm?" The immortal's expression clouded with perplexity.
Changmeng stiffened. Has my transmigration been detected?
Should this light unveil souls, his secret stood exposed. If the immortal discovered his rebirth...
Regret flashed—had immortality's allure blinded him to peril?
"You, and you—state your names. Henceforth, you shall cultivate with me."
After protracted scrutiny, the light continued, selecting two.
"I am Li Changmeng—'Long Dream' as in endless dreams."
"She is Cui Niu, my youngest daughter."
Changmeng answered swiftly, suspecting exposure. Resistance proved futile—he would gamble on the immortal's intent.
"Good. Strong spiritual roots."
The immortal produced silver ingots that flew to Li Manqiu and Cui Niu's father.
"Accept this compensation. Teaching disciples may occupy me for ten years. My task here concludes."
White mist enshrouded Changmeng and Cui Niu. Upon its dispersal, all three had vanished.