Qingshan Village.
“Brother Lin An, an immortal has come to the village to recruit disciples! Let’s go take a look. Maybe we’ll be chosen too and join an immortal sect, becoming legendary immortals ourselves!”
A boy dressed in hemp clothing grabbed Lin An and ran out of the thatched cottage.
“Zhang Fan, slow down. The immortal isn’t going anywhere, so there’s no need to hurry.”
Lin An tried helplessly to talk him down.
Half a year ago, he had transmigrated into this world in the flesh.
Fortunately, Zhang Fan’s family had taken him in. Otherwise, he would have starved to death in the mountains.
For the past six months, he had helped with the farm work and improved several tools, earning the approval of Zhang Fan’s family and the villagers.
At first, knowing that this was an ancient world, he had planned to make a name for himself. Perhaps he could even become emperor.
But after learning that cultivators existed in this world, he had abandoned that idea.
Even if he managed to invent pistols and cannons, they would be nothing more than chicken and tile dogs before cultivators.
His reason for staying in the village was also related to something else.
Every few years or every decade, disciples from the Qingxuan Sect would come to the village to recruit disciples and test their spiritual roots.
Rather than searching aimlessly for a chance at immortality, it was better to wait patiently here.
And now, his patience had finally paid off.
By the time he and Zhang Fan arrived, the village entrance was already surrounded by people.
At the very center stood a young man and woman dressed in elegant blue robes. They were most likely the Qingxuan Sect disciples who had come to recruit disciples this time.
“Anyone under the age of twenty-five may come forward and have their spiritual roots tested.”
After waiting a while, until nearly everyone had arrived, the male Qingxuan Sect disciple stepped forward and made the announcement.
“Let me go first!”
A sturdy young man who looked as strong as an ox stepped out of the crowd.
His name was Wang Daniu, the village bully. Among the younger generation, no one could beat him in a fight.
“Place your hand on the spirit-root testing stone.”
The male Qingxuan Sect disciple took a spirit-root testing stone out of his storage pouch.
Wang Daniu extended his hand nervously and pressed it against the stone.
Several seconds passed, but the stone showed no reaction.
“No spiritual root. Next.”
The Qingxuan Sect disciple spoke indifferently.
Wang Daniu’s face turned pale. Like a defeated rooster, he walked back dejectedly.
No matter how strong he was in a fight, it was useless. Without an immortal destiny, he had no immortal destiny.
One after another, more people stepped forward.
Yet the spirit-root testing stone remained completely unresponsive.
“Next.”
The Qingxuan Sect disciple was beginning to grow impatient. He had tested so many people, yet not one of them had a spiritual root.
“Zhang Fan, you should give it a try too.”
Lin An patted Zhang Fan on the shoulder.
Zhang Fan was somewhat nervous. So many people before him had failed, and he was afraid that he might not have a spiritual root either.
But regardless of whether he had one or not, he had to test it to find out.
He steadied himself and slowly walked forward.
“Begin.”
The Qingxuan Sect disciple pointed at the spirit-root testing stone. His tone was flat, and there was already no hope in his eyes.
Zhang Fan swallowed nervously, then extended his hand and pressed it against the stone.
The next moment, the spirit-root testing stone erupted with dazzling red light.
The eyes of both Qingxuan Sect disciples lit up at the same time.
“Middle-grade—and a single fire spiritual root at that.”
The male Qingxuan Sect disciple revealed a warm smile.
“Congratulations. With your aptitude, you can become an inner disciple.”
“Thank you! Thank you!”
Zhang Fan hurriedly expressed his gratitude before running back joyfully.
“Father, Mother, Brother Lin An, did you hear that? I can join an immortal sect, and I’ll even be an inner disciple!”
He cheered excitedly, while the people around him cast envious glances his way.
“Good, good! Our family has produced an immortal too.”
Zhang Fan’s father was filled with pride, while Zhang Fan’s mother was so excited that tears streamed down her face.
“Brother Lin An, you should go test yourself too. Maybe you have a spiritual root as well. Then we can join the immortal sect together.”
After calming down from his excitement, Zhang Fan looked at Lin An, his eyes filled with anticipation.
After half a year together, he had long since come to regard Lin An as his own elder brother.
“All right.”
Lin An nodded, forcing down his nervousness as he slowly walked forward.
“Begin.”
The male Qingxuan Sect disciple’s eyes held a little more anticipation.
He didn’t ask for much. Having one more promising inner disciple would be enough.
But when Lin An placed his hand on the spirit-root testing stone, it showed no reaction whatsoever.
Several seconds passed, yet the stone did not emit even the slightest glimmer of light.
“No spiritual root. Next.”
A flicker of disappointment crossed the male Qingxuan Sect disciple’s eyes, and his tone became particularly indifferent.
Lin An stared at his hand in disbelief.
He was a transmigrator! Weren’t transmigrators supposed to be amazing?
Even if he followed the useless-protagonist route, he should at least have a mixed spiritual root and be able to rise from an outer disciple step by step.
But what did having no spiritual root mean? Was he not even qualified to cultivate?
“Move aside. You’re in the way.”
Seeing that Lin An had not moved, the male Qingxuan Sect disciple’s tone turned cold.
If not for Lin An’s relationship with Zhang Fan, he would have knocked Lin An away directly.
Lin An returned dejectedly.
“Brother Lin An, once I become an immortal, I’ll find a way to help you. Then we can cultivate together and become immortals.”
Seeing Lin An’s disappointment, Zhang Fan patted his chest as he offered reassurance.
“I’m fine.”
Lin An smiled.
“If you don’t have an immortal destiny, then you don’t have one. There’s no need to force it.”
That was what he said aloud, but the disappointment in his heart refused to fade.
He had transmigrated into a world of cultivation. It was impossible for him not to dream of becoming an immortal.
But without a spiritual root, it was useless no matter how badly he wanted it.
Zhang Fan didn’t know how to comfort him, so he could only pat Lin An silently on the shoulder.
The testing continued. In the end, two more boys and girls were found to possess spiritual roots, but their aptitudes were relatively poor. They could only begin as outer disciples or servants.
“You have half an hour to prepare. Once that time is up, we will depart for the sect.”
After everyone had been tested, the male Qingxuan Sect disciple made the announcement.
Lin An followed Zhang Fan’s family back to the thatched cottage.
As Zhang Fan’s parents gave him instructions, they packed his luggage.
Lin An watched the three of them, all brimming with excitement, and felt somewhat envious.
But more than anything, he felt bitter.
He was a transmigrator, yet he wasn’t really going to grow old and die in this little mountain village, was he?
[Ding! The Longevity Investment System has been activated.]
[The host has obtained a passive ability: Immortality.]
[The host has unlocked the investment function. Invest in people with potential, and after the invested individual dies, the host will receive corresponding returns according to the investment ratio. (Note: The cultivation level of the invested individual cannot exceed that of the host.)]
[The host’s first system activation has been detected. The beginner’s gift pack has been issued.]
[Gift pack contents: 10 low-grade spirit stones and 3 bottles of low-grade Qi-gathering pills.]
The gloom in Lin An’s heart vanished instantly.
He knew it! As a transmigrator, how could he possibly be without a cheat?
It turned out that it hadn’t been absent—it had merely arrived late.
“Zhang Fan, come with me for a moment.”
Lin An looked at Zhang Fan and beckoned to him mysteriously.
“Brother Lin An, what is it?”
Zhang Fan was somewhat puzzled. However, he keenly noticed that the disappointment and gloom had disappeared from Lin An’s face, replaced by a hint of amusement in his eyes.
“Wait here.”
Lin An pretended to go inside and rummage around, then took all the items from the beginner’s gift pack out of his system storage.
“I happened to obtain these things from an immortal’s corpse while fleeing from disaster. I didn’t dare take them out before, but now that you’re about to become an immortal, these things may be able to help you.”
[Ding! The host is currently making an investment. The investment target has been bound.]