“If you already knew everything, why would you need to ask any further questions?”
Li Jinzi’s exaggerated reaction made Shui Miao feel somewhat overwhelmed.
But upon reflection, Shui Miao thought this might not be a bad thing after all—at least it proved that this person, Li Muzi, was quite innocent, openly displaying all his emotions on his face rather than hiding them inside. This, in itself, proved that what he said was genuine.
Shui Miao adjusted his mindset and nodded, saying, “You’re right, Brother Li. I really don’t know anything. I hope you can guide me. If, as you say, I can really be accepted as a disciple by the Patriarch of the Jade Void Sect in the Ninth Heaven, I definitely won’t forget your kindness, Brother Jinzi. I’ll surely repay you in the future.”
“No problem, no problem. But this isn’t a place to chat. Let me take you to Lingyao Mountain first.” This place wasn’t suitable for lingering—if other welcoming immortals encountered them, it would be troublesome. Li Jinzi hurriedly grabbed Shui Miao’s hand and flew through the heavenly gate toward the left side. Li Jinzi was merely a low-level immortal with average cultivation, his flying speed barely faster than a normal human running. As they flew, he explained things to Shui Miao.
If I already knew everything, why would I need to keep asking?
Li Jinzi’s tendency to make a fuss was starting to get on Shui Miao’s nerves.
But then it occurred to Shui Miao that this might not be such a bad thing after all. At the very least, it proved that this Li Jinzi was quite simple-minded—someone who wore his emotions on his sleeve rather than hiding them in his heart. That meant everything he said was sincere.
Shui Miao took a moment to steady his thoughts, then nodded and said, “Yes, Brother Li, I really don’t know much. I’ll have to rely on your guidance. If things really turn out as you said—if I’m accepted as a disciple by the sect leader of the Jade Void Sect here in the Ninth Heaven—I certainly won’t forget your kindness, Brother Li Jinzi. I’ll find a way to repay you in the future.”
“Easy, easy. But this isn’t the place to talk. Let me take you to the Spirit Herb Mountain first.” This wasn’t a safe place to linger. If they ran into other Welcoming Immortals, things could get complicated. Li Jinzi quickly took Shui Miao’s hand and flew through the Heavenly Gate, heading toward the left. Li Jinzi was only a low-level immortal with mediocre cultivation. His flying speed was about the same as an ordinary person running. As he flew, he continued explaining things to Shui Miao.
From Li Jinzi’s words, Shui Miao learned that immortals in the celestial realm were also divided into many types. Those like Li Jinzi, who were born in the celestial realm and resided in the Ninth Heaven, generally had average strength due to the nature of the immortal energy here. On the other hand, most semi-immortals who ascended from the mortal world were exceptional talents. Since there was almost no immortal energy in the mortal realm and spiritual power was scarce, becoming an immortal was extremely difficult. Those who managed to achieve immortality under such extreme conditions were undoubtedly outstanding individuals.
As the saying goes, “The children of the poor learn responsibility early.” Mortals, deeply aware of how hard it is to cultivate immortality, knew how to cherish opportunities. Once they reached the celestial realm, with abundant immortal energy at their disposal, they would train even harder. That was why mortal cultivators were highly sought after by major sects in the celestial realm. However, most mortal cultivators—and even demons—only cultivated one or two types of spiritual energy, rarely exceeding three. Those like Shui Miao, who cultivated all five elemental energies of Yin and Yang and even transformed spiritual energy into immortal power, were truly exceptional among the exceptional—seed disciples that every major sect in the celestial realm would compete for. Some might even attract the attention of high-level immortals from the Fourth or Fifth Heaven, promising an immeasurably bright future.
In fact, Shui Miao had been discovered and favored by Marshal Ling.
Li Jinzi’s introduction made Shui Miao realize just how extraordinary he was.
No wonder Marshal Ling had taken notice of him!
This also proved that Marshal Ling was incredibly powerful. To sense Shui Miao’s presence from the Fifth Heaven was no small feat.
Shui Miao was deeply astonished. He never expected his luck to be this good. Now, being so highly valued in the celestial realm, he almost didn’t want to return to the mortal world. Although he had family and friends there, he also had to deal with a millennia-old female ghost who sought his soul. Returning would mean certain danger, while staying in the celestial realm offered freedom and peace.
But…
Shui Miao was also worried. Since Marshal Ling had already taken an interest in him, switching to another sect was out of the question.
Unless someone far more powerful than Marshal Ling came along.
Thinking of this, Shui Miao quickly asked, “Brother Li Jinzi, do you know Marshal Ling from the Fifth Heaven?”
“Marshal Ling!” How did he know about Marshal Ling? Li Jinzi was slightly taken aback. “Are you talking about the Demon-Subduing General of the Fifth Heaven, the commander of eight million celestial soldiers, Marshal Ling?”
“Yeah… Is he very powerful?”
Shui Miao swallowed hard, thinking that switching sects was now hopeless.
“Of course, Marshal Ling is incredibly powerful. He’s a high-level immortal, even stronger than some immortals from the Third Heaven. Why do you ask about him, fellow cultivator?” Li Jinzi was a bit curious, completely unaware that Marshal Ling had sent someone to give Shui Miao a jade pendant.
“Just… asking casually.”
Shui Miao smiled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. “Brother Li, could you help me find a powerful ally to deal with the millennia-old female ghost? As for apprenticeship, I’m not in a hurry right now.”
“Not in a hurry!?”
Li Jinzi immediately stopped and looked at Shui Miao in surprise. “Why aren’t you in a hurry? Once you become a disciple, your master will help you. There’s no need to find someone else! Besides, getting things done in the celestial realm usually requires spending money. You’re empty-handed—what are you going to use to hire help?”
“……”
Li Jinzi had a point. Shui Miao found himself in a dilemma.
If he tried to find help on his own, he had no money.
Becoming a disciple would solve the problem, but he already had a master.
He wanted to seek out his master, Marshal Ling, but Marshal Ling had told him to focus on cultivating in the mortal world.
Now, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. What should he do?
After a moment’s pause, Shui Miao mustered his last bit of hope and asked, “Brother Li, I’d like to visit the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Heavens…”
“Heh heh…”
Before Shui Miao could finish, Li Jinzi laughed. “Fellow cultivator, you’ve just arrived in the celestial realm and know nothing! Entering and leaving the celestial realms requires an Immortal Token. Among the Nine Heavens, only the Ninth Heaven doesn’t strictly require one. For the other eight, you need to spend money and use connections to obtain an Immortal Token—and it’s not a small amount of money. I’ve been in the Ninth Heaven for twenty celestial years and still can’t afford a token to the Eighth Heaven.”
“……”
With that, any hope of going to the Fifth Heaven to find Marshal Ling was completely dashed.
Shui Miao took a deep breath, his mind racing. Suddenly, he saw a massive floating mountain ahead. The mountain was rich with immortal energy, covered in lush greenery, and filled with countless celestial birds soaring through the air. Pointing at the mountain, Li Jinzi smiled and said, “We’re here. This is the Spirit Herb Mountain I told you about.”
What an enormous celestial mountain!
So majestic…
So many spirit herbs…
Huh… Is that a ginseng?
Li Jinzi suddenly sped up, and with a few swift movements, he brought Shui Miao into the Spirit Herb Mountain. Shui Miao was stunned by what he saw: ginseng plants as tall as humans, lingzhi mushrooms half a person’s height, and countless other celestial herbs he couldn’t even name. The Jade Void Sect must be massive! If a small Spirit Herb Mountain was this impressive, how magnificent must the main headquarters of the Jade Void Palace be?
Why not…
Shui Miao’s mind raced, and he suddenly thought of a contingency plan: find a way to blend into the Jade Void Sect without formally becoming a disciple. Even if it meant working here to earn immortal energy and cultivate, it would be better than nothing!
“Hehe, amazed, aren’t you? The mortal world doesn’t have spirit herbs like these. If it did, who knows how many semi-immortals would have ascended by now. But we can only look—these herbs can’t be touched. Even poor caretaking can lead to punishment. That said, the pay here is pretty good compared to other jobs.” Li Jinzi, true to his nature, spoke his mind without filter.
Hearing this, Shui Miao felt a spark of inspiration and quickly said, “Brother Li, I’d like to work here. Do you think you could help me?”
“Work!? Are you serious?” Li Jinzi looked at Shui Miao in confusion. “With your talent, you could become a disciple! Once you’re a disciple, your master will reward you with many things—maybe even a celestial artifact.”
“No, no, no…” Shui Miao waved his hand and cautiously said to Li Jinzi, “Brother Li, do you think the sects in the Seventh and Eighth Heavens are stronger than the ones here?”
“Of course! Much stronger,” Li Jinzi replied without hesitation.
Shui Miao nodded and continued, “So, I’d like to earn some money here, then get an Immortal Token to go to the Seventh or Eighth Heaven and join a more powerful sect. Wouldn’t that be better?”
“Uh…”
Li Jinzi was stunned for a moment. He scratched his head, then suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “You’re right! Why didn’t I think of that? Ah, mortal cultivators are so clever. I’m no match for you, truly no match!”
Shui Miao pressed on, “Brother Li, think about it. If I achieve greater success, I’ll come back to repay you. Wouldn’t the benefits for you be even greater then?”
“Yes! In that case, even if you just gave me a celestial artifact you didn’t need, I’d be set for life!” Li Jinzi finally had an epiphany. He grabbed Shui Miao’s hand and flew toward the south. “Brother, let me take you to my uncle. He’s the captain of the guards for the chief steward of the Jade Void Palace in the Ninth Heaven. My job here was arranged by my uncle through the steward.”
“Uh…”
Shui Miao found it strange—the celestial realm was just like the mortal world! Getting things done still relied on connections. He just hoped the chief steward wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed. If he could get Shui Miao a decent celestial position, Shui Miao could gather enough immortal energy to bring everyone from the mortal world to immortality. Then they could buy a celestial mountain, establish a sect, and so much more!
The more Shui Miao thought about it, the more excited he became, almost drooling at the prospect.
If I knew everything, would I still need to keep asking?
Li Jinzi’s exaggerated reactions were a bit too much for Shui Miao to handle.
But then it occurred to Shui Miao that this might not be a bad thing. At the very least, it proved that this Li Jinzi was quite simple-minded—someone who wore his emotions on his sleeve rather than hiding them in his heart. This meant he was undoubtedly speaking the truth.
Shui Miao steadied his thoughts and nodded. “Yes, Brother Li, I know nothing. I’ll have to rely on your guidance. If it really turns out as you said—that I can be taken as a disciple by the Sect Leader of the Jade Void Sect here in the Ninth Heaven—I will certainly not forget your kindness, Brother Li Jinzi. I will repay you in the future.”
“Easy, easy. But this isn’t the place to talk. Let me take you to the Spirit Herb Mountain first.” This wasn’t a safe place to linger. If they were spotted by other Immortal Greeters, trouble would surely follow. Li Jinzi quickly took Shui Miao’s hand and flew through the Heavenly Gate, heading toward the left. Li Jinzi was only a low-level immortal with mediocre cultivation. His flying speed was about the same as an ordinary person running. As he flew, he explained things to Shui Miao.
From Li Jinzi’s words, Shui Miao learned that immortals in the celestial realm were also divided into many types. Those like Li Jinzi, who were born in the celestial realm and resided in the Ninth Heaven, had rather ordinary strength due to the nature of the immortal energy here. On the other hand, most ascended immortals from the mortal world were exceptional talents. Since immortal energy was almost nonexistent in the mortal realm and spiritual power was scarce, becoming an immortal was extremely difficult. Those who could achieve immortality under such extreme conditions were undoubtedly outstanding individuals.
As the saying goes, “The children of the poor take on responsibilities early.” Mortals, deeply aware of the difficulties of cultivation, knew how to cherish opportunities. Once they reached the celestial realm, with abundant immortal energy at their disposal, they would train even harder. This was why mortal cultivators were highly sought after by major sects in the celestial realm. However, most mortal cultivators—and even demons—only cultivated one or two types of spiritual energy, rarely exceeding three. Someone like Shui Miao, who had cultivated all five elemental energies and transformed them into immortal power, was a true prodigy among prodigies—a seed disciple that every major sect in the celestial realm would fight over. He might even attract the attention of high-level immortals from the Fourth or Fifth Heaven, with a future prospects beyond measure.
In fact, Shui Miao had been discovered and favored by Marshal Ling.
Li Jinzi’s introduction made Shui Miao realize just how exceptional he was.
No wonder Marshal Ling had taken notice of him!
This also proved that Marshal Ling’s strength was extraordinary. Being able to sense Shui Miao from the Fifth Heaven was no small feat.
Shui Miao was deeply astonished. He never expected his luck to be this good. Now, being so highly regarded in the celestial realm, he almost didn’t want to return to the mortal world. Although he had family and friends there, he also had to deal with a soul-snatching thousand-year-old female ghost. Returning would mean certain doom, while staying in the celestial realm promised freedom and ease.
But…
Shui Miao was also worried. Since he had already been chosen by Marshal Ling, switching to another sect was likely impossible.
Unless someone far more powerful than Marshal Ling came along.
Thinking of this, Shui Miao quickly asked, “Brother Li Jinzi, do you know Marshal Ling from the Fifth Heaven?”
“Marshal Ling!” How did he know about Marshal Ling? Li Jinzi was slightly taken aback. “You mean the Demon-Subduing General of the Fifth Heaven, the commander of eight million celestial soldiers, Marshal Ling?”
“Yeah… Is he very powerful?”
Shui Miao swallowed hard, thinking that switching sects was now hopeless.
“Of course, Marshal Ling is incredibly powerful. He’s a high-level immortal, even stronger than some immortals from the Third Heaven. Why do you ask about him, fellow cultivator?” Li Jinzi was a bit curious, completely unaware that Marshal Ling had sent someone to give Shui Miao a jade pendant.
“Just… asking casually.”
Shui Miao smiled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. “Brother Li, could you help me find a powerful ally to deal with the thousand-year-old female ghost? As for apprenticeship, I’m not in a hurry right now.”
“Not in a hurry!?”
Li Jinzi immediately stopped and looked at Shui Miao in surprise. “Why aren’t you in a hurry? Once you become a disciple, your master will help you. Why would you need to find someone else? Besides, getting things done in the celestial realm usually requires spending money. Empty-handed, what could you use to hire help?”
“……”
Li Jinzi had a point. Shui Miao found himself in a dilemma.
If he tried to find help on his own, he had no money.
Becoming a disciple would solve the problem, but he already had a master.
He wanted to seek out his master, Marshal Ling, but Marshal Ling had told him to focus on cultivating in the mortal world.
Now, stuck between a rock and a hard place, what should he do?
After a moment’s pause, Shui Miao mustered his last bit of hope and asked, “Brother Li, I’d like to visit the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Heavens…”
“Heh heh…”
Before Shui Miao could finish, Li Jinzi laughed. “Fellow cultivator, you’ve just arrived in the celestial realm and know nothing! Entering and exiting the celestial realms requires an Immortal Token. Only the Ninth Heaven doesn’t strictly require one. The other eight heavens all require spending money and connections to obtain an Immortal Token—and it’s not a small amount. I’ve been in the Ninth Heaven for twenty celestial years and still don’t have enough to get a token for the Eighth Heaven.”
“……”
With that, any hope of going to the Fifth Heaven to find Marshal Ling was completely dashed.
Shui Miao took a deep breath, his mind racing. Suddenly, he saw a massive floating mountain ahead, brimming with immortal energy, covered in lush greenery, and filled with countless celestial birds soaring about. Pointing at the floating mountain, Li Jinzi smiled and said, “We’re here. This is the Spirit Herb Mountain I told you about.”
What an enormous celestial mountain!
So majestic…
So many spirit herbs…
Huh… Is that a ginseng?
Li Jinzi suddenly sped up, darting forward a few times and bringing Shui Miao into the Spirit Herb Mountain. Shui Miao was stunned by what he saw: ginseng plants as tall as humans, lingzhi mushrooms half a person’s height, and countless other celestial herbs he couldn’t name. The Jade Void Sect must be massive! If a small Spirit Herb Mountain was this impressive, how magnificent must the main headquarters of the Jade Void Palace be?
What if…
Shui Miao’s mind raced, and he suddenly thought of a contingency plan: find a way to blend into the Jade Void Sect without formally becoming a disciple. Even if it meant working here to earn immortal energy and cultivate, that would be fine!
“Heh heh, amazed, aren’t you? The mortal world doesn’t have spirit herbs like these. If it did, who knows how many ascended immortals would have made their way up here. But we can only look—these spirit herbs can’t be touched. Even poor caretaking can lead to punishment. That said, the pay here is pretty good compared to other jobs.” Li Jinzi, true to his nature, spoke his mind without reservation.
Hearing this, Shui Miao felt a spark of inspiration and quickly said, “Brother Li, I’d like to work here. Do you think you could help me?”
“Work!? Are you serious?” Li Jinzi looked at Shui Miao in confusion. “With your talent, you could become a disciple! Once you’re a disciple, your master will reward you with many things—maybe even a celestial artifact.”
“No, no, no…” Shui Miao waved his hand and cautiously said to Li Jinzi, “Brother Li, do you think the sects in the Seventh and Eighth Heavens are stronger than the ones here?”
“Of course, much stronger,” Li Jinzi replied without hesitation.
Shui Miao nodded and continued, “So, I’d like to earn some money here, then get an Immortal Token to go to the Seventh or Eighth Heaven and join a more powerful sect. Wouldn’t that be better?”
“Uh…”
Li Jinzi was stunned for a moment. He scratched his head and suddenly exclaimed, “You’re right! Why didn’t I think of that? Ah, mortal cultivators are so clever. I’m no match for you, no match at all!”
Shui Miao followed up, “Brother Li, think about it. If I achieve greater success, I’ll come back to repay you. Wouldn’t the benefits for you be even greater then?”
“Exactly! In that case, even if you just gave me a celestial artifact you didn’t need, I’d be set for life!” Li Jinzi finally saw the light. He grabbed Shui Miao’s hand and flew toward the south. “Brother, let me take you to my uncle. He’s the captain of the guards for the steward of the Jade Void Palace here in the Ninth Heaven. My good job was arranged by my uncle through the steward.”
“Uh…”
Shui Miao found it strange—the celestial realm was just like the mortal world! Getting things done still relied on connections. He just hoped the steward wasn’t the brightest tool in the shed. If he was also a bit slow-witted, that would be perfect! Shui Miao could get a decent celestial position, earn plenty of immortal energy, return to the mortal world to help everyone become immortals, and then together they could buy a celestial mountain and establish their own sect!!
The more Shui Miao thought about it, the more excited he became, almost drooling with anticipation.
In fact, Shui Miao had already been discovered and appreciated by Ling Shuai.
Li Jinzi’s explanation made Shui Miao realize how exceptional he truly was.
No wonder he had caught Ling Shuai’s attention!
This also proved that Ling Shuai himself was extremely powerful, able to sense him from the Fifth Heaven—an extraordinary figure indeed.
If I knew everything, why would I need to keep asking?
Li Jinzi’s exaggerated fuss was a bit too much for Shui Miao to handle.
But then it occurred to Shui Miao that this might not be a bad thing. At the very least, it proved that this Li Jinzi was quite simple-minded—someone who wore his emotions on his sleeve rather than hiding them in his heart. That meant everything he said was sincere.
Shui Miao steadied his thoughts, then nodded and said, “Yes, Brother Li, I know nothing at all. I’ll have to rely on your guidance. If things really turn out as you said—if I’m accepted as a disciple by the sect leader of the Jade Void Sect here in the Ninth Heaven—I certainly won’t forget your kindness, Brother Li Jinzi. I’ll find a way to repay you in the future.”
“Easy, easy. But this isn’t the place to talk. Let me take you to the Herb Mountain first.” This wasn’t a safe place to linger. If they ran into other Welcoming Immortals, it could mean trouble. Li Jinzi quickly took Shui Miao’s hand and flew through the Heavenly Gate, heading toward the left. Li Jinzi was just an ordinary low-level immortal with mediocre cultivation. His flying speed was about the same as an average person’s running pace. As he flew, he explained things to Shui Miao.
From Li Jinzi’s words, Shui Miao learned that immortals in the celestial realm were also divided into many types. Those like Li Jinzi, who were born in the celestial realm and resided in the Ninth Heaven, had fairly ordinary strength due to the nature of the immortal energy here. Most half-immortals from the mortal world, on the other hand, were outstanding talents. Since there was almost no immortal energy in the mortal realm and spiritual power was scarce, becoming an immortal as a mortal was extremely difficult. Therefore, those who could achieve immortality under such extreme conditions were undoubtedly exceptional individuals.
As the saying goes, “The children of the poor learn responsibility early.” Mortals, deeply aware of how hard it is to cultivate immortality, knew how to cherish it all the more. Once they reached the celestial realm, with abundant immortal power at their disposal, they would train even harder. That was why mortal cultivators were highly sought after by major sects in the celestial realm. However, most mortal cultivators—and even demons—only cultivated one or two types of spiritual energy, rarely exceeding three. Those like Shui Miao, who had cultivated all five elemental energies of Yin and Yang and transformed them into immortal power, were truly exceptional among the exceptional—seed disciples fiercely competed for by major sects in the celestial realm. Some might even attract the attention of high-ranking immortals from the Fourth or Fifth Heaven, promising an immeasurably bright future.
In fact, Shui Miao had been discovered and favored by General Ling.
Li Jinzi’s introduction made Shui Miao realize just how extraordinary he was.
No wonder General Ling had taken notice of him!
This also proved that General Ling’s strength was immense. To sense Shui Miao’s presence from the Fifth Heaven was no small feat.
Shui Miao was deeply astonished. He never expected his luck to be this good. Now, being so highly regarded in the celestial realm, he almost didn’t want to return to the mortal world. Although he had family and friends there, he also had to contend with a millennia-old female ghost who sought to claim his soul. Returning would mean certain doom, while staying in the celestial realm promised freedom and ease.
But…
Shui Miao was also worried. Since he had already been chosen by General Ling, switching to another sect was out of the question.
Unless someone far more powerful than General Ling came along.
Thinking of this, Shui Miao quickly asked, “Brother Li Jinzi, do you know General Ling from the Fifth Heaven?”
“General Ling!” How did he know about General Ling? Li Jinzi was slightly taken aback. “You mean the Demon-Subduing General of the Fifth Heaven, the commander of eight hundred thousand celestial soldiers, General Ling?”
“Um… is he very powerful?”
Shui Miao swallowed hard, thinking that switching sects was now hopeless.
“Of course, General Ling is incredibly powerful. He’s a high-ranking immortal, stronger than some immortals from the Third Heaven. Why do you ask about him, fellow cultivator?” Li Jinzi was a bit curious, completely unaware that General Ling had sent someone to give Shui Miao a jade pendant.
“Just… asking casually.”
Shui Miao smiled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. “Brother Li, could you help me find a powerful ally to deal with the millennia-old female ghost? As for apprenticeship, I’m not in a hurry right now.”
“Not in a hurry!?”
Li Jinzi immediately stopped and looked at Shui Miao in surprise. “Why aren’t you in a hurry? Once you become a disciple, your master will help you. There’s no need to find someone else! Besides, getting things done in the celestial realm usually requires spending money. With empty hands, what will you use to hire help?”
“…”
Li Jinzi had a point. Shui Miao found himself in a dilemma.
If he tried to find help on his own, he had no money.
Becoming a disciple would solve the problem, but he already had a master.
He wanted to seek out his master, General Ling, but General Ling had told him to focus on cultivating in the mortal world.
Now, he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. What should he do?
After a moment’s pause, Shui Miao mustered his last bit of hope and asked, “Brother Li, I’d like to visit the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Heavens…”
“Heh heh…”
Before Shui Miao could finish, Li Jinzi laughed. “Fellow cultivator, you’ve just arrived in the celestial realm and know nothing about it! Entering and exiting the celestial realms requires an Immortal Token. Among the Nine Heavens, only the Ninth Heaven doesn’t strictly require one. The other eight all demand spending money and pulling strings to obtain an Immortal Token—and it’s not a small amount of money, either. I’ve been in the Ninth Heaven for twenty celestial years and still can’t afford a token to the Eighth Heaven.”
“…”
With that, any hope of going to the Fifth Heaven to find General Ling was completely dashed.
Shui Miao took a deep breath, his mind racing. Suddenly, he saw a massive floating mountain ahead, brimming with immortal energy. The mountain was lush and green, with countless celestial birds soaring around it. Pointing at the floating mountain, Li Jinzi smiled and said, “We’re here. This is the Herb Mountain I told you about.”
What an enormous celestial mountain!
So majestic…
So many spiritual herbs…
Huh… is that a ginseng plant?
Li Jinzi suddenly sped up, darting forward and pulling Shui Miao into the Herb Mountain. Shui Miao was stunned by what he saw: ginseng plants as tall as humans, lingzhi mushrooms half a person’s height, and countless other celestial herbs he couldn’t even name. The Jade Void Sect must be massive! If a small Herb Mountain was this impressive, how magnificent must the main headquarters of the Jade Void Palace be?
Why not…
Shui Miao’s mind whirred, and he suddenly thought of a contingency plan: find a way to blend into the Jade Void Sect without formally becoming a disciple. Even if it meant working here to earn immortal power and cultivate, it would be better than nothing!
“Heh heh, amazed, aren’t you? The mortal world doesn’t have spiritual herbs like these. If it did, who knows how many half-immortals would ascend to the celestial realm? But we can only look—these herbs are off-limits. Even poor caretaking can lead to punishment. That said, the pay here is pretty good compared to other jobs.” Li Jinzi, true to his nature, spoke his mind without filter.
Hearing this, Shui Miao’s heart stirred, and he quickly said, “Brother Li, I’d like to work here. Do you think you could help me?”
“Work!? Are you serious?” Li Jinzi looked at Shui Miao in confusion. “With your talent, you could become a disciple! Once you’re a disciple, your master will reward you with many things—maybe even a celestial artifact.”
“No, no, no…” Shui Miao waved his hand and cautiously said to Li Jinzi, “Brother Li, do you think the sects in the Seventh and Eighth Heavens are stronger than the ones here?”
“Of course! They’re much stronger,” Li Jinzi replied without hesitation.
Shui Miao nodded and continued, “So, I’d like to earn some money here, then get an Immortal Token to go to the Seventh or Eighth Heaven and join a more powerful sect. Wouldn’t that be better?”
“Uh…”
Li Jinzi was stunned. He scratched his head, then suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “You’re right! Why didn’t I think of that? Ah, mortal cultivators are so clever. I’m no match for you, no match at all!”
Shui Miao pressed on, “Brother Li, think about it. If I achieve greater success, I’ll come back to repay you. Wouldn’t the benefits for you be even greater then?”
“Exactly! In that case, even if you just gave me a celestial artifact you don’t need, I’d be set for life!” Li Jinzi finally saw the light. He grabbed Shui Miao’s hand and flew toward the south. “Brother, let me take you to my uncle. He’s the captain of the guards for the chief steward of the Jade Void Palace in the Ninth Heaven. My job here was arranged by my uncle through the steward.”
“Uh…”
Shui Miao found it strange—the celestial realm was just like the mortal world! Getting things done still relied on connections. He just wondered how intelligent the chief steward was. If he was also a bit slow-witted, that would be perfect. He could assign Shui Miao a decent celestial position, allowing him to gather plenty of immortal energy to bring back to the mortal world and transform everyone into immortals. Then they could buy a celestial mountain, establish a sect, and so on!
The more Shui Miao thought about it, the more excited he became, almost drooling with anticipation.
But…
Shui Miao was also worried—he had already been noticed by Ling Shuai, so changing sects was definitely out of the question.
Unless someone far more powerful than Ling Shuai appeared.
Thinking this, Shui Miao quickly asked, “Brother Jinzi, have you heard of Ling Shuai from the Fifth Heaven?”
“Ling Shuai! How would you know about Ling Shuai?” Li Jinzi was slightly taken aback. “You mean Ling Shuai, the Great Demon Subduing General of the Fifth Heaven and commander of eight million celestial soldiers?”
“Yeah… he seems really powerful?”
Shui Miao swallowed hard, thinking that switching sects was now hopeless.
“Of course he’s powerful! Ling Shuai is a High Immortal, his strength even surpassing some immortals in the Third Heaven. Why are you asking about Ling Shuai?” Li Jinzi was slightly curious, completely unaware of the jade pendant Ling Shuai had sent to Shui Miao.
“Just… asking around.”
If I already knew everything, why would I need to keep asking?
Li Jinzi’s tendency to make a fuss was a bit overwhelming for Shui Miao.
But in a moment of reflection, Shui Miao thought it might not be such a bad thing. At the very least, it proved that this Li Jinzi was quite simple-minded—someone who wore his emotions on his sleeve rather than hiding them in his heart. This meant he was undoubtedly speaking the truth.
Shui Miao steadied his mindset and nodded, saying, “Yes, Brother Li, I know nothing and would greatly appreciate your guidance. If it really turns out as you said—that I can be taken as a disciple by the sect leader of the Jade Void Sect in the Ninth Heaven—I will certainly not forget your kindness, Brother Li Jinzi. I will repay you in the future.”
“Easy, easy. But this isn’t the place to talk. Let me take you to the Spirit Herb Mountain first.” This wasn’t a safe place to linger. If they were spotted by other Immortal Greeters, trouble would surely follow. Li Jinzi quickly grabbed Shui Miao’s hand and flew through the Heavenly Gate, heading toward the left. Li Jinzi was only a low-level immortal with mediocre cultivation. His flying speed was about the same as an ordinary person running. As he flew, he explained things to Shui Miao.
From Li Jinzi’s words, Shui Miao learned that immortals in the celestial realm were also divided into many types. Those like Li Jinzi, who were born in the celestial realm and resided in the Ninth Heaven, had rather ordinary strength due to the nature of the immortal spiritual energy here. On the other hand, most ascended immortals from the mortal world were exceptional talents. Since there was almost no immortal energy in the mortal realm and spiritual power was scarce, becoming an immortal was extremely difficult. Therefore, those who managed to ascend under such extreme conditions were undoubtedly outstanding individuals.
As the saying goes, “The children of the poor take on responsibilities early.” Mortals, deeply aware of the difficulties of cultivation, knew how to cherish opportunities all the more. Once they reached the celestial realm, with abundant immortal energy at their disposal, they would train even harder. This was why mortal cultivators were highly sought after by major sects in the celestial realm. However, most mortal cultivators specialized in only one or two types of spiritual energy—the same went for demons. In any case, very few mastered more than two of the Yin-Yang Five Elements energies. Someone like Shui Miao, who had cultivated all five elemental energies and transformed them into immortal power, was a rare talent among talents—a seed disciple that major sects in the celestial realm would compete for. He might even attract the attention of high-level immortals from the Fourth or Fifth Heaven, with prospects beyond measure.
In fact, Shui Miao had been discovered and favored by Marshal Ling.
Li Jinzi’s introduction made Shui Miao realize just how exceptional he was.
No wonder Marshal Ling had taken notice of him!
This also proved that Marshal Ling’s strength was extraordinary. Being able to sense Shui Miao from the Fifth Heaven was no small feat.
Shui Miao was deeply astonished. He never expected his luck to be this good. Now, being so welcomed in the celestial realm, he almost didn’t want to return to the mortal world. Although he had family and friends there, he also had to deal with a soul-snatching thousand-year female ghost. Returning would mean certain disaster, while staying in the celestial realm promised freedom and ease.
But…
Shui Miao was also worried. Since Marshal Ling had already taken notice of him, switching to another sect was out of the question.
Unless someone far stronger than Marshal Ling came along.
Thinking of this, Shui Miao quickly asked, “Brother Li Jinzi, do you know Marshal Ling from the Fifth Heaven?”
“Marshal Ling!” How did he know about Marshal Ling? Li Jinzi was slightly taken aback. “Are you talking about the Demon-Subduing General of the Fifth Heaven, the commander of eight hundred thousand celestial soldiers, Marshal Ling?”
“Yeah… Is he very powerful?”
Shui Miao swallowed hard, thinking that switching sects was now hopeless.
“Of course, Marshal Ling is incredibly powerful. He’s a high-level immortal, even stronger than some immortals in the Third Heaven. Why do you ask about him, fellow cultivator?” Li Jinzi was a bit curious, completely unaware that Marshal Ling had sent someone to give Shui Miao a jade pendant.
“Just… asking casually.”
Shui Miao smiled awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. “Brother Li, could you help me find a powerful ally to deal with the thousand-year female ghost? As for apprenticeship, I’m not in a hurry right now.”
“Not in a hurry!?”
Li Jinzi immediately stopped and looked at Shui Miao in surprise. “Why aren’t you in a hurry? Once you become a disciple, your master will help you. There’s no need to find someone else! Besides, getting things done in the celestial realm usually requires spending money. Empty-handed, what would you use to hire help?”
“…”
Li Jinzi had a point. Shui Miao found himself in a dilemma.
If he tried to find help on his own, he had no money.
Apprenticeship could solve the problem, but he already had a master.
He wanted to seek out his master, Marshal Ling, but Marshal Ling had told him to focus on cultivating in the mortal world.
Now, stuck between a rock and a hard place, what should he do?
After a moment’s pause, Shui Miao mustered his last bit of hope and asked, “Brother Li, I’d like to visit the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Heavens…”
“Heh heh…”
Before Shui Miao could finish, Li Jinzi laughed. “Fellow cultivator, you’ve just arrived in the celestial realm and know nothing! Entering and leaving the celestial realms requires an Immortal Token. Only the Ninth Heaven doesn’t strictly enforce this rule. The other eight heavens require spending money and connections to obtain an Immortal Token—and it’s not a small amount. I’ve been in the Ninth Heaven for twenty celestial years and still can’t afford a token to the Eighth Heaven.”
“…”
With that, any hope of going to the Fifth Heaven to find Marshal Ling was completely dashed.
Shui Miao took a deep breath, his mind racing. Suddenly, he saw a massive floating mountain ahead, brimming with immortal spiritual energy. The mountain was lush and green, with countless immortal birds soaring around it. Pointing at the floating mountain, Li Jinzi smiled and said, “We’re here. This is the Spirit Herb Mountain I told you about.”
What an enormous immortal mountain!
So majestic…
So many spirit herbs…
Huh… Is that a ginseng?
Li Jinzi suddenly sped up, and with a few quick teleportations, he brought Shui Miao into the Spirit Herb Mountain. Shui Miao was stunned by what he saw: ginseng plants as tall as humans, lingzhi mushrooms half a person’s height, and many other immortal herbs he couldn’t even name. The Jade Void Sect seemed incredibly impressive! If a small Spirit Herb Mountain was this majestic, how astounding must the main headquarters of the Jade Void Palace be?
What if…
Shui Miao’s mind raced, and he suddenly thought of a contingency plan: find a way to blend into the Jade Void Sect without formally becoming a disciple. Even if it meant working here to earn immortal power and cultivate, it would be better than nothing!
“Heh heh, amazed, aren’t you? The mortal world doesn’t have spirit herbs like these. If it did, who knows how many ascended immortals would have made their way here. But we can only look—these herbs are off-limits. Even poor caretaking can lead to punishment. That said, the pay here is pretty good compared to other jobs.” Li Jinzi, true to his nature, spoke his mind without reservation.
Hearing this, Shui Miao felt a spark of inspiration and quickly said, “Brother Li, I’d like to work here. Do you think you could help me?”
“Work!? Are you serious?” Li Jinzi looked at Shui Miao in confusion. “With your talent, you could become a disciple! Once you’re apprenticed, your master might reward you with many things, maybe even an immortal artifact.”
“No, no, no…” Shui Miao waved his hand and cautiously said to Li Jinzi, “Brother Li, do you think the sects in the Seventh and Eighth Heavens are stronger than the ones here?”
“Of course, much stronger,” Li Jinzi replied without hesitation.
Shui Miao nodded and continued, “So, I’d like to earn some money here, then get an Immortal Token to go to the Seventh or Eighth Heaven and join a more powerful sect. Wouldn’t that be better?”
“Uh…”
Li Jinzi paused, scratched his head, and suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “Right! Why didn’t I think of that? Ah, mortal cultivators are so clever. I’m no match for you, no match at all!”
Shui Miao followed up, “Brother Li, think about it. If I achieve greater success, I’ll come back to repay you. Wouldn’t the benefits for you be even greater then?”
“Yes! In that case, even if you just gave me an immortal artifact you no longer need, I’d be set for life!” Li Jinzi finally saw the light. He grabbed Shui Miao’s hand and flew toward the south. “Brother, I’ll take you to my uncle. He’s the captain of the guards for the chief steward of the Jade Void Palace in the Ninth Heaven. My job here was arranged by my uncle through the steward.”
“Uh…”
Shui Miao found it strange—the celestial realm was just like the mortal world! Getting things done still relied on connections. He just wondered how intelligent the chief steward was. If he was also a bit slow-witted, that would be perfect. If Shui Miao could land a decent immortal job, he could gather enough immortal energy to return to the mortal world, transform everyone into immortals, and then buy an immortal mountain to establish his own sect!!
The more Shui Miao thought about it, the more excited he became, almost drooling with anticipation.
“Not in a rush!?”
Li Jinzi immediately stopped, looking at Shui Miao in surprise. “Why not? Once you become a disciple, your master will help you. Why would you need to go around looking for help? Besides, everything in the Immortal Realm costs money. With empty hands, how can you hire anyone to help you?”
“…”
Li Jinzi had a point, and Shui Miao immediately found himself in a dilemma.
Wanting to find help himself but having no money.
Becoming a disciple could solve the problem, but he already had a master.
Wanting to seek help from his master Ling Shuai, but Ling Shuai had told him to focus on cultivation in the mortal world.
Now he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. What should he do?
After a pause, Shui Miao asked hopefully, “Brother Li, I want to go check out the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Heavens…”
“Hehehe…”
Before Shui Miao could finish, Li Jinzi laughed. “Fellow Daoist, you’ve just arrived in the Immortal Realm and don’t know much! To enter and leave the Immortal Realm, you need an Immortal Pass. Among the Nine Heavens, only the Ninth Heaven is somewhat lenient about the pass. The other eight require money and connections to obtain one, and not just a little money either. I’ve been in the Ninth Heaven for twenty days and still can’t afford the pass to the Eighth Heaven.”
“…”
This completely dashed any hope of going to the Fifth Heaven to find Ling Shuai.
If I knew everything, would I still need to keep asking?
Li Jinzi’s exaggerated reactions were a bit overwhelming for Shui Miao.
But then again, Shui Miao thought it might not be a bad thing. At the very least, it proved that this Li Jinzi was quite simple-minded—someone who wore his emotions on his sleeve rather than hiding them in his heart. This meant he was surely speaking the truth.
Shui Miao steadied his mindset and nodded, saying, “Yes, Brother Li, I know nothing. I’ll need your guidance. If it really turns out as you said—that I can be taken as a disciple by the sect leader of the Jade Void Sect in the Ninth Heaven—I will certainly not forget your kindness, Brother Li Jinzi. I will repay you in the future.”
“Easy, easy. But this isn’t the place to talk. Let me take you to the Spirit Herb Mountain first.” This wasn’t a safe place to linger. If they encountered other Immortal Greeters, it would be troublesome. Li Jinzi quickly grabbed Shui Miao’s hand and flew through the Heavenly Gate, heading toward the left. Li Jinzi was just an ordinary low-level immortal with mediocre cultivation. His flying speed was about the same as a normal person running. As he flew, he explained things to Shui Miao.
From Li Jinzi’s words, Shui Miao learned that immortals in the celestial realm were also divided into many types. Those like Li Jinzi, who were born in the celestial realm and resided in the Ninth Heaven, had fairly ordinary strength due to the nature of the immortal spiritual energy here. On the other hand, most semi-immortals from the mortal world were outstanding talents. Since there was almost no immortal energy in the mortal realm and spiritual power was scarce, becoming an immortal was extremely difficult for mortals. Therefore, those who managed to ascend under such extreme conditions were undoubtedly exceptional talents.
As the saying goes, “The children of the poor take on responsibilities early.” Mortals, deeply aware of the difficulties of cultivation, knew how to cherish opportunities all the more. Once they reached the celestial realm, with abundant immortal energy at their disposal, they would train even harder. This was why mortal cultivators were highly sought after by major sects in the celestial realm. However, among mortal cultivators, most cultivated only one or two types of spiritual energy—the same went for demons and spirits. In short, they typically focused on one or two of the Yin-Yang Five Elements. It was extremely rare to find someone who cultivated more than three types. Someone like Shui Miao, who cultivated all five elements of Yin-Yang spiritual energy and had even transformed spiritual energy into immortal energy, was truly a talent among talents—a seed disciple that major sects in the celestial realm would compete for. He might even attract the attention of high-level immortals from the Fourth or Fifth Heaven, with prospects beyond measure.
In fact, Shui Miao had been discovered and favored by General Ling.
Li Jinzi’s introduction made Shui Miao realize just how exceptional he was.
No wonder General Ling had taken notice of him!
This also proved that General Ling’s strength was extraordinary. To sense Shui Miao from the Fifth Heaven—he was definitely no ordinary figure.
Shui Miao was deeply astonished. He never expected his luck to be this good. Now, being so welcomed in the celestial realm, he almost didn’t want to return to the mortal world. Although he had family and friends there, he also faced a millennia-old female ghost who sought his soul. Returning would mean certain doom, while staying in the celestial realm offered freedom and ease.
But…
Shui Miao was also worried. Since he had already been chosen by General Ling, switching to another sect was surely impossible.
Unless someone many times stronger than General Ling came along.
Thinking of this, Shui Miao quickly asked, “Brother Li Jinzi, do you know General Ling from the Fifth Heaven?”
“General Ling!” How did he know about General Ling? Li Jinzi was slightly taken aback. “You mean the Demon-Subduing General of the Fifth Heaven, the commander of eight million celestial soldiers, General Ling?”
“Yeah… Is he very powerful?”
Shui Miao swallowed hard, thinking that switching sects was now hopeless.
“Of course, General Ling is incredibly powerful. He’s a high-level immortal, even stronger than some immortals from the Third Heaven. Why do you ask about him, fellow cultivator?” Li Jinzi was somewhat curious, completely unaware that General Ling had sent someone to give Shui Miao a jade pendant.
“Just… asking casually.”
Shui Miao laughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. “Brother Li, could you help me find a powerful ally to deal with the millennia-old female ghost? As for apprenticeship, I’m not in a hurry right now.”
“Not in a hurry!?”
Li Jinzi immediately stopped and looked at Shui Miao in surprise. “Why aren’t you in a hurry? Once you become a disciple, your master will help you. There’s no need to find someone else! Besides, in the celestial realm, most things require spending money. You’re empty-handed—what would you use to hire help?”
“…”
Li Jinzi had a point. Shui Miao found himself in a dilemma.
If he wanted to find help himself, he had no money.
Apprenticeship could solve the problem, but he already had a master.
He wanted to seek out his master, General Ling, but General Ling had told him to focus on cultivating in the mortal world.
Now, he was caught between a rock and a hard place. What should he do?
After a pause, Shui Miao grasped at his last hope and asked, “Brother Li, I’d like to visit the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Heavens…”
“Heh heh…”
Before Shui Miao could finish, Li Jinzi laughed. “Fellow cultivator, you’ve just arrived in the celestial realm and know nothing! Entering and exiting the celestial realms requires an Immortal Token. Among the Nine Heavens, only the Ninth Heaven doesn’t strictly require one. The other eight all demand spending money and connections to obtain an Immortal Token—and it’s not a small amount of money. I’ve been in the Ninth Heaven for twenty celestial years and still don’t have enough to get a token for the Eighth Heaven.”
“…”
With that, any hope of going to the Fifth Heaven to find General Ling was completely dashed.
Shui Miao took a deep breath, his thoughts racing. Suddenly, he saw a massive floating mountain ahead, brimming with immortal spiritual energy. The mountain was lush and green, with countless celestial birds flying about. Pointing at the floating mountain, Li Jinzi smiled and said, “We’re here. This is the Spirit Herb Mountain I mentioned.”
What a enormous celestial mountain!
So majestic…
So many spirit herbs…
Huh… Is that a ginseng?
Li Jinzi suddenly sped up, darting forward a few times and bringing Shui Miao into the Spirit Herb Mountain. Shui Miao was stunned by what he saw: ginseng plants as tall as humans, lingzhi mushrooms half a person’s height, and many other celestial herbs he couldn’t name. The Jade Void Sect must be huge! If a small Spirit Herb Mountain was this impressive, how magnificent must the main headquarters of the Jade Void Palace be?
What if…
Shui Miao’s mind raced, and he suddenly thought of a contingency plan: find a way to blend into the Jade Void Sect without formally becoming a disciple. Even if it meant working here to earn immortal energy and cultivate, it would be better than nothing!
“Hehe, amazed, aren’t you? The mortal world doesn’t have this many good spirit herbs. If it did, who knows how many semi-immortals would ascend from there. But we can only look—these spirit herbs can’t be touched. Even poor caretaking can lead to punishment. However, the pay here is pretty good compared to other jobs.” Li Jinzi, true to his nature, spoke his mind without filter.
Hearing this, Shui Miao had an idea and quickly said, “Brother Li, I’d like to work here. Do you think you could help me?”
“Work!? Are you serious?” Li Jinzi looked at Shui Miao in confusion. “With your talent, you can become a disciple! Once you’re apprenticed, your master will reward you with many things—maybe even a celestial artifact.”
“No, no, no…” Shui Miao waved his hand and cautiously said to Li Jinzi, “Brother Li, do you think sects in the Seventh or Eighth Heaven might be stronger than those here?”
“Of course, much stronger,” Li Jinzi replied without hesitation.
Shui Miao nodded and continued, “So, I’d like to earn some money here, then get an Immortal Token to go to the Seventh or Eighth Heaven and join a more powerful sect. Wouldn’t that be better?”
“Uh…”
Li Jinzi paused, scratched his head, and suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “Right! Why didn’t I think of that? Ah, mortal cultivators are so clever. I’m no match for you, no match at all!”
Shui Miao followed up, “Brother Li, think about it—if I achieve greater success, I’ll come back to repay you. Wouldn’t the benefits for you be even greater then?”
“Yes! In that case, if you just give me a celestial artifact you don’t need, I’d be set for life!” Li Jinzi finally had an epiphany. He grabbed Shui Miao’s hand and flew toward the south. “Brother, let me take you to my uncle. He’s the captain of the guards for the chief steward of the Jade Void Palace in the Ninth Heaven. My good job was arranged by my uncle through the steward.”
“Uh…”
Shui Miao found it strange—the celestial realm was just like the mortal world! Getting things done still relied on connections. He just wondered how intelligent the chief steward was. If he was also a bit slow-witted, that would be perfect. He could assign Shui Miao a decent celestial position, allowing him to gather more immortal energy, return to the mortal world, transform everyone into immortals, and then together they could buy a celestial mountain and establish a celestial sect!!
The more Shui Miao thought about it, the more excited he became, almost drooling.
What a grand immortal mountain!
So magnificent…
So many spiritual herbs…
Wait… those are ginseng…
Suddenly accelerating, Li Jinzi quickly brought Shui Miao into Lingyao Mountain. Shui Miao saw rows of ginseng nearly as tall as people, lingzhi mushrooms almost half a person high, and many other rare celestial herbs he couldn’t recognize. He was stunned. If this small medicinal herb mountain was already this grand, how magnificent must the main hall of the Jade Void Sect be?
What if…
If I knew everything, why would I need to keep asking?
Li Jinzi’s tendency to make a fuss was a bit overwhelming for Shui Miao.
But then again, Shui Miao thought it might not be a bad thing. At the very least, it proved that this Li Jinzi was simple-minded, wearing all his attitudes on his sleeve rather than hiding them in his heart. This meant everything he said was honest.
Shui Miao steadied his mindset and nodded, saying, “Yes, Brother Li, I know nothing. I’ll need your guidance. If it really turns out as you said—that I can be taken as a disciple by the sect leader of the Jade Void Sect in the Ninth Heaven—I will certainly not forget your kindness, Brother Li Jinzi. I will repay you in the future.”
“Easy, easy. But this isn’t the place to talk. Let me take you to the Spirit Herb Mountain first.” This wasn’t a safe place to linger. If they encountered other Welcoming Immortal Daoists, it would be troublesome. Li Jinzi quickly grabbed Shui Miao’s hand and flew through the Heavenly Gate, heading toward the left. Li Jinzi was just an ordinary low-level immortal with mediocre cultivation. His flying speed was about the same as a normal person’s running pace. As he flew, he explained things to Shui Miao.
From Li Jinzi’s words, Shui Miao learned that immortals in the celestial realm were also divided into many types. Those like Li Jinzi, who were born in the celestial realm and resided in the Ninth Heaven, had rather ordinary strength due to the nature of the immortal spiritual energy here. On the other hand, most semi-immortals from the mortal world were outstanding talents. Since there was almost no immortal energy in the mortal realm and spiritual power was scarce, it was extremely difficult for mortals to become immortals. Therefore, those who could achieve immortality under such extreme conditions were undoubtedly exceptional talents.
As the saying goes, “The children of the poor take on responsibilities early.” Mortals, deeply aware of the difficulty of cultivating immortality, knew how to cherish opportunities all the more. Once they reached the celestial realm, with abundant immortal energy at their disposal, they would train even harder. This was why mortal cultivators were highly sought after by major sects in the celestial realm. However, among mortal cultivators, the vast majority cultivated only one or two types of spiritual energy. The same went for demons—most focused on one or two elements from the Yin-Yang and Five Phases. Those who cultivated more than three types of spiritual energy were extremely rare. Someone like Shui Miao, who cultivated all five phases of Yin-Yang spiritual energy and transformed it into immortal power, was truly a talent among talents—a seed disciple fiercely contested by major sects in the celestial realm. He might even attract the attention of high-level immortals from the Fourth or Fifth Heaven, with an immeasurably bright future ahead.
In fact, Shui Miao had been discovered and favored by Marshal Ling.
Li Jinzi’s introduction made Shui Miao realize just how exceptional he was.
No wonder Marshal Ling had taken notice of him!
This also proved that Marshal Ling’s strength was extraordinary. To sense Shui Miao from the Fifth Heaven was no small feat.
Shui Miao was deeply astonished. He never expected his luck to be so good. Now, being so highly regarded in the celestial realm, he almost didn’t want to return to the mortal world. Although he had family and friends there, he also faced a millennia-old female ghost who sought to claim his soul. Returning would mean certain doom, while staying in the celestial realm offered freedom and ease.
But…
Shui Miao was also worried. Since Marshal Ling had already taken notice of him, switching to another sect would be impossible.
Unless someone many times stronger than Marshal Ling came along.
Thinking of this, Shui Miao quickly asked, “Brother Li Jinzi, do you know Marshal Ling from the Fifth Heaven?”
“Marshal Ling!” How did he know about Marshal Ling? Li Jinzi was slightly taken aback. “Are you talking about the Demon-Subduing General of the Fifth Heaven, the commander of eight million celestial soldiers, Marshal Ling?”
“Um… is he very powerful?”
Shui Miao swallowed hard, thinking that switching sects was now hopeless.
“Of course, Marshal Ling is incredibly powerful. He’s a high-level immortal, even stronger than some immortals in the Third Heaven. Why do you ask about him, fellow Daoist?” Li Jinzi was somewhat curious, completely unaware that Marshal Ling had sent someone to give Shui Miao a jade pendant.
“Just… asking casually.”
Shui Miao laughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. “Brother Li, could you help me find a powerful ally to deal with the millennia-old female ghost? As for apprenticeship, I’m not in a hurry right now.”
“Not in a hurry!?”
Li Jinzi immediately stopped and looked at Shui Miao in surprise. “Why aren’t you in a hurry? Once you become a disciple, your master will help you. Why would you need to find someone else? Besides, doing anything in the celestial realm basically requires spending money. You’re empty-handed—what are you going to use to hire help?”
“…”
What Li Jinzi said made sense. Shui Miao found himself in a dilemma.
If he wanted to find help on his own, he had no money.
Becoming a disciple could solve the problem, but he already had a master.
He wanted to seek out his master, Marshal Ling, but Marshal Ling had told him to focus on cultivating in the mortal world.
Now, he was caught between a rock and a hard place. What should he do?
After a moment’s pause, Shui Miao mustered his last hope and asked, “Brother Li, I’d like to visit the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Heavens…”
“Heh heh…”
Before Shui Miao could finish, Li Jinzi laughed. “Fellow Daoist, you’ve just arrived in the celestial realm and know nothing! Entering and exiting the celestial realms requires an Immortal Token. Among the Nine Heavens, only the Ninth Heaven doesn’t strictly require one. The other eight all require spending money and connections to obtain an Immortal Token, and it’s not a small amount. I’ve been in the Ninth Heaven for twenty celestial years and still don’t have enough to get a token for the Eighth Heaven.”
“…”
With this, any hope of going to the Fifth Heaven to find Marshal Ling was completely dashed.
Shui Miao took a deep breath, his mind racing. Suddenly, he saw a massive floating mountain ahead, brimming with immortal spiritual energy. The mountain was lush and green, with countless immortal birds soaring around it. Pointing at the floating mountain, Li Jinzi smiled and said, “We’re here. This is the Spirit Herb Mountain I mentioned.”
What a colossal immortal mountain!
So majestic…
So many spirit herbs…
Huh… that thing is a ginseng…
Li Jinzi suddenly sped up, darting forward and bringing Shui Miao into the Spirit Herb Mountain in a few flashes. Shui Miao was stunned by what he saw: ginseng plants as tall as humans, lingzhi mushrooms half a person’s height, and countless other immortal herbs he couldn’t even name. The Jade Void Sect seemed incredibly impressive! If a small Spirit Herb Mountain was this majestic, how astounding must the main headquarters of the Jade Void Palace be?
Why not…
Shui Miao’s mind whirred, and he suddenly thought of a contingency plan: find a way to infiltrate the Jade Void Sect without formally becoming a disciple. Even if it meant working here to earn immortal energy and cultivate, it would be better than nothing!
“Heh heh, amazed, aren’t you? The mortal world doesn’t have such fine spirit herbs. If it did, who knows how many semi-immortals would have ascended by now. But we can only look—these spirit herbs are off-limits. Even poor care can lead to punishment. That said, the pay here is pretty good compared to other jobs.” Li Jinzi, true to his nature, spoke his mind without filter.
Hearing this, Shui Miao’s heart stirred, and he quickly said, “Brother Li, I’d like to work here. Do you think you could help me?”
“Work!? Are you serious?” Li Jinzi looked at Shui Miao in confusion. “With your talents, you could become a disciple! Once you’re a disciple, your master will reward you with many things—maybe even an immortal artifact.”
“No, no, no…” Shui Miao waved his hand and cautiously said to Li Jinzi, “Brother Li, do you think the sects in the Seventh and Eighth Heavens are stronger than the ones here?”
“Of course! Much stronger,” Li Jinzi replied without hesitation.
Shui Miao nodded and continued, “So, I’d like to earn some money here, then get an Immortal Token to go to the Seventh or Eighth Heaven and join a more powerful sect. Wouldn’t that be better?”
“Uh…”
Li Jinzi was stunned. He scratched his head and suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “Right! Why didn’t I think of that? Ah, mortal cultivators are so clever. I’m no match for you, no match at all!”
Shui Miao followed up, “Brother Li, think about it. If I achieve greater success, I’ll come back to repay you. Wouldn’t the benefits for you be even greater then?”
“Yes! In that case, even if you just gave me an immortal artifact you don’t need, I’d be set for life!” Li Jinzi finally saw the light. He grabbed Shui Miao’s hand and flew toward the south. “Brother, let me take you to my uncle. He’s the captain of the guards for the chief steward of the Jade Void Palace in the Ninth Heaven. My good job here was arranged by my uncle through the steward.”
“Uh…”
Shui Miao found it strange—the celestial realm was just like the mortal world! Getting things done still relied on connections. He just wondered how intelligent the chief steward was. If he was also a bit slow-witted, that would be perfect. He could assign Shui Miao a decent immortal position, allowing him to gather plenty of immortal energy to bring back to the mortal world and transform everyone into immortals. Then, they could buy an immortal mountain and establish their own sect!
The more Shui Miao thought about it, the more excited he became, almost drooling with anticipation.
“Hehe, amazed, aren’t you? You mortals sure don’t have so many great herbs. If you did, how many more semi-immortals would ascend to the Immortal Realm? But we can only look. These herbs are strictly off-limits—even if you don’t take care of them properly, you’ll be punished. However, compared to other jobs, the pay here is quite good,” Li Jinzi said candidly, without any hidden intentions.
Hearing this, Shui Miao’s heart stirred, and he quickly said, “Brother Li, I want to work here. Can you help me?”
“Work here! Are you sure?” Li Jinzi looked puzzled. “With your great potential, you could become a disciple! Once you do, your master might reward you with many things, maybe even an immortal artifact.”
“No, no, no…” Shui Miao waved his hand and carefully said to Li Jinzi, “Brother Li, do you think sects in the Seventh and Eighth Heavens might be stronger than those here?”
“Of course! Much stronger!” Li Jinzi immediately replied.
Shui Miao nodded and continued, “So, I want to earn some money here, get an Immortal Pass, and go to the Seventh and Eighth Heavens to find a stronger sect. Wouldn’t that be better?”
“Uh…”
Li Jinzi hesitated, scratching his head. Suddenly, he exclaimed, “Right! How come I didn’t think of that! Oh, mortal cultivators are so smart. I’m really not as clever as you!”
Shui Miao quickly added, “Brother Li, think about it: if I achieve greater success in the future and come back to repay you, won’t the benefits you receive be even greater?”
“Exactly! If you just gave me an unused immortal artifact, I’d be set for life!” Li Jinzi finally understood. Suddenly, he grabbed Shui Miao’s hand and flew southward. “Bro, let me take you to meet my uncle. He’s the head steward’s chief guard in the Ninth Heaven’s Jade Void Palace. I got this good job thanks to my uncle’s recommendation to the steward.”
“Uh…”
If I already knew everything, why would I need to keep asking?
Li Jinzi’s tendency to make a fuss was starting to get on Shui Miao’s nerves.
But then it occurred to Shui Miao that this might not be a bad thing after all. At the very least, it proved that this Li Jinzi was quite simple-minded—someone who wore his heart on his sleeve rather than hiding his true feelings. That meant everything he said was sincere.
Shui Miao took a moment to steady his thoughts, then nodded and said, “Yes, Brother Li, I really don’t know much. I’ll have to rely on your guidance. If things really turn out as you said—if I’m accepted as a disciple by the sect leader of the Jade Void Sect here in the Ninth Heaven—I certainly won’t forget your kindness, Brother Li Jinzi. I’ll find a way to repay you in the future.”
“Don’t mention it, don’t mention it. But this isn’t the place to talk. Let me take you to the Spirit Herb Mountain first.” This wasn’t a safe place to linger. If they ran into other Welcome Immortal guides, it could spell trouble. Li Jinzi quickly took Shui Miao’s hand and flew through the Heavenly Gate, heading toward the left. Li Jinzi was just an ordinary low-level immortal with fairly mediocre cultivation. His flying speed was about the same as an average person’s running pace. As they flew, he continued explaining things to Shui Miao.
From Li Jinzi’s words, Shui Miao learned that immortals in the celestial realm were also divided into many types. Those like Li Jinzi, who were born in the celestial realm and resided in the Ninth Heaven, generally had rather ordinary strength due to the nature of the immortal energy here. On the other hand, most ascended immortals from the mortal world were exceptional talents. Since there was almost no immortal energy in the mortal realm and spiritual power was scarce, becoming an immortal as a mortal was incredibly difficult. Therefore, those who managed to ascend under such extreme conditions were undoubtedly outstanding individuals.
As the saying goes, “The children of the poor learn to shoulder responsibilities early.” Mortals, deeply aware of how difficult cultivating immortality was, knew how to cherish opportunities all the more. Once they reached the celestial realm, with abundant immortal power at their disposal, they would train even harder. This was why mortal cultivators were highly sought after by major sects in the celestial realm. However, among mortal cultivators, the vast majority only cultivated one or two types of spiritual energy—the same went for demons and spirits. In short, they typically focused on one or two of the Yin-Yang Five Elements energies. Those who cultivated more than three were extremely rare. Someone like Shui Miao, who had cultivated all five elemental energies and even transformed spiritual power into immortal energy, was truly a talent among talents—a seedling disciple that every major sect in the celestial realm would compete for. He might even attract the attention of high-level immortals from the Fourth or Fifth Heaven, making his future prospects immeasurable.
In fact, Shui Miao had been discovered and favored by Marshal Ling.
Li Jinzi’s introduction made Shui Miao realize just how exceptional he was.
No wonder Marshal Ling had taken notice of him!
This also proved that Marshal Ling was incredibly powerful. Being able to sense Shui Miao’s presence from the Fifth Heaven was no small feat.
Shui Miao was deeply astonished. He never expected his luck to be this good. Now, being so highly sought after in the celestial realm, he almost didn’t want to return to the mortal world. Although he had family and friends there, he also had to deal with a millennia-old female ghost who sought his soul. Returning would mean certain doom, while staying in the celestial realm promised freedom and ease.
But…
Shui Miao was also worried. Since he had already been chosen by Marshal Ling, switching to another sect was out of the question.
Unless someone far more powerful than Marshal Ling came along.
Thinking of this, Shui Miao quickly asked, “Brother Li Jinzi, do you know Marshal Ling from the Fifth Heaven?”
“Marshal Ling!” How did he know about Marshal Ling? Li Jinzi was slightly taken aback. “Are you talking about the Demon-Subduing General of the Fifth Heaven, the commander of eight million celestial soldiers, Marshal Ling?”
“Yeah… Is he very powerful?”
Shui Miao swallowed hard, thinking that there was no hope of switching sects now.
“Of course, Marshal Ling is incredibly powerful. He’s a high-level immortal, even stronger than some immortals from the Third Heaven. Why do you ask about him, fellow cultivator?” Li Jinzi was a bit curious, completely unaware that Marshal Ling had sent someone to give Shui Miao a jade pendant.
“Just… asking casually.”
Shui Miao laughed awkwardly and quickly changed the subject. “Brother Li, could you help me find a powerful ally to deal with the millennia-old female ghost? As for apprenticeship, I’m really not in a hurry right now.”
“Not in a hurry!?”
Li Jinzi immediately stopped in his tracks and looked at Shui Miao in surprise. “Why aren’t you in a hurry? Once you become a disciple, your master will help you. There’s no need for you to find someone else! Besides, getting things done in the celestial realm usually requires spending money. With empty hands, what are you going to use to hire help?”
“…”
What Li Jinzi said made sense. Shui Miao found himself in a dilemma.
If he tried to find help on his own, he had no money.
Becoming a disciple would solve the problem, but he already had a master.
He wanted to seek out his master, Marshal Ling, but Marshal Ling had told him to focus on cultivating in the mortal world.
Now, he was caught between a rock and a hard place. What should he do?
After a moment’s pause, Shui Miao mustered his last bit of hope and asked, “Brother Li, I’d like to visit the Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Heavens…”
“Heh heh…”
Before Shui Miao could finish, Li Jinzi laughed. “Fellow cultivator, you’ve just arrived in the celestial realm and know nothing about it! Entering and exiting the different heavens requires an Immortal Token. Among the Nine Heavens, only the Ninth Heaven doesn’t strictly require one. For the other eight, you need to spend money and pull strings to get an Immortal Token—and it’s not a small amount of money. I’ve been in the Ninth Heaven for twenty celestial years and still can’t afford a token to the Eighth Heaven.”
“…”
With that, any hope of going to the Fifth Heaven to find Marshal Ling was completely dashed.
Shui Miao took a deep breath, his mind racing. Suddenly, he saw a massive floating mountain ahead. The mountain was rich with immortal energy, covered in lush greenery, and filled with countless celestial birds soaring through the air. Spotting the mountain, Li Jinzi pointed at it and said with a smile, “We’re here. This is the Spirit Herb Mountain I told you about.”
What an enormous celestial mountain!
So majestic…
So many spirit herbs…
Huh… Is that a ginseng plant?
Li Jinzi suddenly picked up speed, and with a few quick teleportations, he brought Shui Miao into the Spirit Herb Mountain. Shui Miao was stunned by what he saw: ginseng plants as tall as humans, lingzhi mushrooms half a person’s height, and countless other celestial herbs he couldn’t even name. The Jade Void Sect must be massive! If a small Spirit Herb Mountain was this impressive, how magnificent must the main headquarters of the Jade Void Palace be?
What if…
Shui Miao’s mind whirred, and he suddenly came up with a contingency plan: find a way to blend into the Jade Void Sect without formally becoming a disciple. Even if it was just to earn some immortal power and cultivate here, it would be better than nothing!
“Heh heh, amazed, aren’t you? The mortal world doesn’t have spirit herbs like these. If it did, who knows how many ascended immortals would be flying up here. But we can only look—these herbs can’t be touched. Even poor care-taking can lead to punishment. That said, the pay here is pretty good compared to other jobs.” Li Jinzi, true to his nature, spoke his mind without holding back.
Hearing this, Shui Miao felt a spark of inspiration and quickly said, “Brother Li, I’d like to work here. Do you think you could help me?”
“Work!? Are you serious?” Li Jinzi looked at Shui Miao in confusion. “With your talent, you could become a disciple! Once you’re apprenticed, your master will reward you with many things—maybe even a celestial artifact.”
“No, no, no…” Shui Miao waved his hand and cautiously said to Li Jinzi, “Brother Li, do you think the sects in the Seventh and Eighth Heavens are stronger than the ones here?”
“Of course, much stronger,” Li Jinzi replied without hesitation.
Shui Miao nodded and continued, “So, I’d like to earn some money here, then get an Immortal Token to go to the Seventh or Eighth Heaven and join a more powerful sect there. Wouldn’t that be better?”
“Uh…”
Li Jinzi was taken aback. He scratched his head, then suddenly exclaimed in surprise, “You’re right! Why didn’t I think of that? Ah, mortal cultivators are so clever. I’m no match for you, no match at all!”
Shui Miao pressed on, “Brother Li, think about it—if I achieve greater success in the future and come back to repay you, wouldn’t the benefits for you be even greater?”
“Exactly! In that case, if you just gave me a celestial artifact you didn’t need, I’d be set for life!” Li Jinzi finally had an epiphany. He grabbed Shui Miao’s hand and flew toward the south. “Brother, let me take you to my uncle. He’s the captain of the guards for the chief steward of the Jade Void Palace here in the Ninth Heaven. My good job was arranged by my uncle through the steward.”
“Uh…”
Shui Miao found it strange—the celestial realm was just like the mortal world! Getting things done still relied on connections. He just wondered how intelligent the chief steward was. If he was also a bit slow-witted, that would be perfect! If Shui Miao could land a decent celestial position, he could gather plenty of immortal energy, return to the mortal world, turn everyone into immortals, and then buy a celestial mountain to establish his own sect!!
The more Shui Miao thought about it, the more excited he became, almost drooling at the prospect.
The more he thought, the more excited he became, almost drooling.
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