Reserve Immortal Seed

Ning Yutan was two months shy of seventeen and had reached Blood Transformation Perfection. In the entire history of Chong'an Prefecture, this achievement ranked within the top ten over the last hundred years.

Barring any accidents, she would very likely become an Immortal Seed at the Immortal Seed Ceremony three years from now.

As a result, Marquis Dingyuan was overjoyed and hosted a banquet for guests from all directions.

The teachers and students of the same cohort from the Immortal Seeking Academy were naturally invited to the Marquis's manor.

With its carved beams and painted rafters, winding paths leading to secluded spots, the manor exuded an air of opulence everywhere, drawing gasps of admiration and envy from everyone present.

In the Immortal Bestowed Dynasty, due to the relationship between the royal family and immortals, true martial arts were revered. Almost all power and glory were tied to martial arts and Immortal Seeds.

Marquis Dingyuan's ancestors were meritorious officials who founded the dynasty and were granted the title of Marquis. To maintain this title, or even advance further, was also linked to Immortal Seeds. If the Marquis's manor could produce a true Immortal Seed, there would be an opportunity to enter the imperial city and be promoted to Duke.

To cultivate an Immortal Seed, the Marquis's manor not only sought marriage alliances with meritorious nobles and Martial Families but also recruited numerous martial arts experts. Therefore, they had extensive dealings with the Immortal Seeking Academy.

They also paid close attention to the promising talents of the Immortal Seeking Academy.

"Father, Mother, this is Li Ji'an. His talent is excellent. Currently, in the Immortal Seeking Academy, he's only slightly inferior to me. He has a boundless future," Ning Yutan said, somewhat disregarding etiquette, as she introduced Li Ji'an separately while everyone else was offering congratulations.

This action instantly drew the frequent glances of the assembled officials and dignitaries.

A young girl's infatuation?

"Ah, Yutan, you must not be rude, nor should you be complacent. Young nephew Li has a handsome appearance like jade and an imposing demeanor. It's clear he's no ordinary person. You've just progressed a bit faster. You should know that many people accumulate strength quietly and surpass others later on," Marquis Dingyuan, with his considerable composure and profound foresight, defused the awkwardness with a casual remark.

He also took the opportunity to examine Li Ji'an more closely, finding him very satisfactory.

At seventeen, Li Ji'an was already over eight feet tall. Years of tempering his Vital Energy and Blood had resulted in strong bones and long sinews, with not a trace of excess fat. His physique was slender yet robust.

With sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes, a high-bridged nose, and a face as if carved by a knife with distinct features, his youthful immaturity was almost gone, presenting him as a handsome and elegant young gentleman.

Especially observing his peaceful countenance and gentle temperament, he did not seem like a rash and biased youth.

He then subconsciously glanced at his eldest daughter, Ning Sujin, who was reluctantly following behind. The Marquis felt they were increasingly well-matched the more he looked.

Although the offspring of martial arts experts did not necessarily have good Bone Structures, the probability was significantly higher. It was with this intention that he had painstakingly wooed Ning Sujin's mother, Su Susu, into the Marquis's manor back then.

Of course, what pleased him most was Li Ji'an's family background: an orphan!

As for Ning Yutan, the Immortal Seed, there was no need to worry about her marriage prospects. After all, she was destined to enter the immortal realm and become an ancestor.

After Ning Yutan's introduction, she smiled fawningly at Li Ji'an, then proudly glanced at Ning Sujin, who was serving as a foil.

Ning Sujin maintained a displeased expression throughout, only occasionally glancing in Li Ji'an's direction.

After three rounds of drinks, the hosts and guests were all in high spirits.

The Marquis and his first wife deliberately engaged Li Ji'an in conversation for a longer period, and before he left, they gifted him a thousand taels of silver.

From that point on, Ning Sujin endured hardships. On the surface, she worked as hard as Ning Yutan, but in secret, she cultivated almost frantically.

A year later, she reached Blood Transformation Perfection and began the Blood Transformation stage.

This made Ning Yutan, who had already achieved Minor Success in Blood Transformation, feel a sense of crisis. She redoubled her efforts in cultivation, attempting to widen the gap once more.

The two women's rivalry made Li Ji'an very envious. Under the same effort, their better Bone Structures meant they progressed faster, and there was nothing he could do about it. Moreover, not only did they have better Bone Structures, but they were also more competitive.

He did not panic, however. He proceeded step by step, and after another six months, he finally reached Blood Transformation Perfection and entered the Blood Transformation stage.

At this point, only a year and a half remained until the once-a-decade Immortal Seed Ceremony.

He knew he couldn't reach Blood Transformation Perfection for this year's Immortal Seed Ceremony, but he didn't slacken his efforts at all. After all, he still had the opportunity at age thirty.

As expected, a year and a half later, with the Immortal Seed Ceremony drawing closer, the selection of Immortal Seeds from the Chong'an Prefecture's Immortal Seeking Academy reached its final deadline.

"Ning Yutan, Bone Age nineteen years and nine months, Blood Transformation Perfection. She has not failed the imperial grace and has been honored as an Immortal Seed. She will depart for the imperial city in three days to meet the Emperor and await further instructions!"

"Ning Sujin, Bone Age twenty years and eight months, Great Success in Blood Transformation. Her talent is extraordinary, ranking as a reserve. She may accompany the delegation to the imperial city and enter the Immortal Palace. In ten years, she may have a chance to become an Immortal Seed."

"Li Ji'an, Bone Age nineteen years and eleven months, Minor Success in Blood Transformation. His talent is extraordinary, ranking as a reserve. He may accompany the delegation to the imperial city and enter the Immortal Palace. In ten years, he may have a chance to become an Immortal Seed."

To Li Ji'an's surprise, he, with his Minor Success in Blood Transformation, was also granted the qualification to enter the Immortal Palace as a reserve.

The Immortal Seeking Palace seems to be under considerable pressure? Are they that short of Immortal Seeds?

Ultimately, three people from Chong'an Prefecture were selected to enter the imperial city's Immortal Seeking Palace. The entire Immortal Seeking Academy celebrated. The Dean's worried heart finally settled; not only did he avoid punishment, but he also received a reward.

The Marquis Dingyuan's manor was even more festive, with lanterns and celebratory banners, drums, and gongs. Along with the selection results for the imperial city's Immortal Seeking Palace came an imperial edict promoting him to Duke and a reward of ten thousand taels of gold.

He would reside in the imperial city and be enfeoffed as Duke Dingguo!

While the entire manor rejoiced, Li Ji'an stood quietly beneath a peach tree in the courtyard, his brow furrowed.

Before his transmigration, while studying a classical masterpiece, he had read a sentence: In a society ruled by feudal emperors, anything forbidden, unless the objective consequences are known, is either beneficial but not shared with you, or it is promoted and publicized because it has a pit that needs you to fill.

Similarly:

If worshipping Buddha were truly effective, you wouldn't even be able to enter the temple gates.

If farming could truly make one rich, farmers would have no land to till.

If diligence could truly lead to wealth, finding a job sweeping streets would require connections.

If donating blood were extremely beneficial to the body, would it be your turn!

So... is this so-called Immortal Seed real? Is it a good thing?

On the surface, it seemed fine, but looking beyond the phenomena to the essence, why would the Immortals go to such great lengths to select Immortal Seeds nationwide? What benefit could ten Immortal Seeds every ten years bring to the Immortals?

Could it be that the Immortal Masters were all saints, and truly just wanted to give mortals like them a chance to cultivate?

Li Ji'an grew even more cautious.

He also temporarily changed his goal for this life.

Fortunately, he wasn't an Immortal Seed this time, just a reserve, and it was highly unlikely he'd become an Immortal Seed in ten years anyway. Being able to go to the Imperial City to verify the authenticity of "immortality" would be a success.

"Brother Li, my father wants me to invite you to the Imperial City with us, okay?" Ning Yutan invited Li Ji'an immediately.

"Alright, please thank Duke Dingguo for me!" The journey to the Imperial City was long, and the road was fraught with unknown risks. With Duke Dingguo's protection, it would be much safer.

"That's great! With Brother Li accompanying me, I won't be bored on the road," Ning Yutan cheered.

Seeing that Ning Yutan's nature had barely changed in the past five years, Li Ji'an had a certain level of approval for her character.

Aside from her bitchy attitude when dealing with Ning Sujin, she was a pure-hearted, beautiful, and kind young girl.

"Brother Li, that old woman is absolutely wicked. She actually cursed me, saying my trip to the Imperial City would bring great misfortune. She's clearly just jealous. Let's not talk to her anymore."

Li Ji'an chuckled. He had originally planned to ignore such topics as always, but then a thought suddenly struck him.

"Hmm? She said your trip to the Imperial City would bring great misfortune? Did she say why?"