Within an ancient mountain, clouds and mist drifted around. Drops of morning dew lay quietly upon the blades of grass. A ray of dawn shone down, turning each droplet crystal-clear and multicolored, radiating a beautiful rosy glow.
At the foot of this ancient mountain stood a small town. People came and went along its narrow streets paved with bluestone slabs; among them were cultivators and ordinary mortals, all dressed in ancient garb. The cultivators were merely in the Qi Refining Realm or Foundation Establishment Realm, nothing remarkable. The mortals set up stalls, and the local customs were simple and honest.
In a corner of the town stood a humble little house. Outside was a small garden planted with vegetables and melons. A weathered old man with white hair was watering the plants, while a youth sat nearby, staring absentmindedly at the sky with a miserable expression.
"Xiao Xuan, aren't you going to cultivate? Your sister will be back before long. If she sees that your cultivation hasn't progressed, she'll scold you again." The white-haired old man was an ordinary mortal, with a kindly, amiable face. He looked at the youth and smiled.
"Grandpa, stop talking about it. It's not like you don't know—I hate cultivation most of all. I really don't understand why Sister always forces me to cultivate." The youth puffed out his cheeks.
"If you want to live forever, you have to cultivate. Look at your grandfather—I want to cultivate, but I can't. I don't have the spiritual roots that you and your sister do. If you achieve success in cultivation one day, you can enter an immortal sect like your sister and set foot upon the immortal path." The white-haired old man shook his head.
"I don't want immortality at all. It's far too boring. I'm going