Jade Wutong Immortal Realm

"In the seventh year of Tian Feng, the government halted the stipends for scholars. Last year, when His Majesty ascended the throne, he abolished the imperial examinations entirely. From that day on, the path of letters was severed; there was no longer a gate to climb to the heavens."

"Ha! To think that after ten years of bitter study by the window, we have ended up in a dead end. Never mind serving as an official or educating the people—we can barely even feed ourselves. It is truly laughable!"

"Useless, we are nothing but useless, book-eating maggots!"

"Cough! Brother Hong, watch your tongue, watch your tongue! Drink, just drink! Do not discuss state affairs!"

Bang!

"What kind of bird-brained drinking is this? My mind is filled with nothing but the desire to make money, do you understand?"

"Heh heh! If it is only a matter of scraping together some silver for expenses, I do happen to have a path, Brother Hong. Would you like to hear it?"

"I would!"

Buzz, buzz!

A chaotic, increasingly clear clamor drifted into his ears, as if a crowd had gathered to discuss something.

It was an unfamiliar language, yet he could understand it.

His body gradually detached from the state of being "possessed," and the first parts he could move were his fingers.

The surface beneath his fingertips felt cold, rough, and solid, letting him know it was a stone table.

His nostrils flared, and a thread of heavy, melancholic incense smoke collided with his senses.

Light and shadow flowed before his eyes, like a bolt of lightning tearing through a sky as black as ink.

"Hong Yuan" felt his eyelids flutter, and finally, he opened his eyes to look upon this world.

He had transmigrated!

The memories still churning like a tide in his mind allowed him to slowly comprehend everything.

It was not a coincidence of sharing the same name; the script and language had their differences, though as he sifted through his memories, this world and his previous one felt like two similar flowers blooming from the same root.

His past life, his name, and all his experiences were now meaningless and required no further elaboration.

In this body, his surname was Hong and his given name was Yuan, a native of Qingxu County, Linjiang Prefecture, in the Great Yin Dynasty.

He had once been an outstanding student at Qingxu Academy with a bright future, but the moment news arrived that Emperor Yongchang had ascended the throne and issued the "Stop Tribute Edict" to abolish the imperial examinations, Dean Chen Huanshan had packed his valuables the very next day and fled with his wife, two concubines, and his sister-in-law.

The students of the academy had cursed and sworn, carved stone tablets to denounce the injustice, and vented their grief, but in the end, they were helpless and scattered to seek their own futures.

Hong Yuan hadn't even had time to take off his scholar's robe before he was tossed into the marketplace to find "flexible employment."

A year had passed in the blink of an eye.

"Heh! You're awake!"

A soft chuckle reached his ears.

Hong Yuan jolted awake from his muddled dream, rubbing his brow as he looked up to meet a square, heroic face with a resolute jawline and a thick, bristly beard.

The man was smiling down at him, his gaze lingering on Hong Yuan's face for a moment before he chuckled again: "Among this batch of newcomers, little brother, you are the last one to wake up."

Newcomer?

Hong Yuan gripped the stone table and stood up: "What... what do you mean by that? And where is this place?"

He maintained his composure as he asked, his eyes instinctively beginning to observe his surroundings.

The man before him was around thirty years old, broad-shouldered and sturdy, dressed in a well-tailored black outfit. The man exuded a sharp, formidable aura that made him seem like someone not to be trifled with, though there were faint bloodshot veins in his eyes and dark circles beneath them.

Perhaps he hadn't slept well recently.

He was currently in an open courtyard by the water. The lake was small, an artificial landscape feature, and with this small lake as the center, pavilions stood on all four sides, connected by winding paths, occupying a vast expanse of land.

At the head of the garden sat a large incense burner, nearly half a person's height, with swirling smoke drifting from within.

Hong Yuan sniffed, confirming that the incense he had smelled while in his daze originated from here.

As a scholar, Hong Yuan was no stranger to burning incense; after all, the great masters of the past had left behind the famous line: "With no carriages or horses to visit, I burn incense and sit to read."

Burning incense, brewing tea, hanging paintings, and arranging flowers were all considered the refined pastimes of scholars, and burning incense was the first of these four elegant arts.

In the past, Hong Yuan would occasionally buy some incense recipes, and after bathing, he would light a burner and sit to read—it was the height of comfort and leisure.

However, the incense he bought was mostly of low quality, always leaving a lingering, fishy, herbal stench after burning. Even when he splurged on a box of medium-grade incense, it would make his heart ache for ten days or half a month, and he would even feel a subtle sense of guilt while using it.

But the incense in this burner was rich and fragrant, clear, sweet, and crisp. As it seeped into his nose, it felt as if a thread of pure energy rushed straight to his crown, instantly refreshing his spirit.

There was an old, established incense shop in Qingxu County called "Yun Jian Workshop," and its signature treasure was a high-grade incense recipe called "Ten Thousand Miles Cloud Travel." After Hong Yuan became familiar with the old shopkeeper, he had asked out of curiosity what was so miraculous about it. The old man hesitated repeatedly before finally wrapping up a fingernail-sized pinch of the incense to burn.

Hong Yuan had been greatly amazed when he smelled it back then, but compared to the fragrance filling this entire garden, he suddenly felt that "Ten Thousand Miles Cloud Travel" was nothing special.

And this incense burner is so large—how much must it cost to keep it burning? Not to mention leaving it out in the open like this, letting the fragrance fill the entire garden... it's extravagant, truly too extravagant! If that old shopkeeper knew, he would likely beat his chest and stomp his feet, wailing at such a waste of precious materials.

Hong Yuan's mind raced with thoughts.

The man in black with the bristly beard raised an eyebrow and answered with a smile: "Oh? That's an interesting question, little brother. Did they not tell you?"

"They?"

Hong Yuan's face showed surprise, then he shook his head: "I'm really clueless. I only remember drinking with a friend that day, got completely hammered, and woke up here. Please enlighten me, brother."

"My name is Yang Lie!"

The black-clothed man with a full beard first pointed to himself and chuckled: "Friend? Heh heh! It seems that for you to arrive here, little brother, you must have followed your friend's path! But since you're here, even if I don't say it, you'll find out soon enough..."

He turned around, facing the small lake in the garden, and spread his palms: "This place is called the Jade Wutong Immortal Realm, the dojo of the Seven Immortal Maidens."

Jade Wutong Immortal Realm?

Seven Immortal Maidens?

Immortals?!

Hong Yuan was startled. Were there really immortals in this world?

No one had told him this!

In his free time, "he" had secretly browsed through historical anecdotes, strange tales, and other miscellaneous books, which included accounts of gods, ghosts, sword heroes, and even demons that preyed on humans. But he had always treated such gossip as mere entertainment; who would take it seriously?

Seeing the shock on Hong Yuan's face, Yang Lie nodded slightly: "The Seven Immortal Maidens are Niang Niang Si Yan, Hehe Immortal Maiden, Lady Yu Po, and..."

Yang Lie paused, his expression becoming somewhat unnatural, a forced smile on his face.

"Heh heh, as for the remaining Immortal Maidens, it's best for little brother to discover them himself! In short, those chosen to enter this Jade Wutong Immortal Realm are all individuals of extraordinary talent. However, whether they can truly stay depends on the Immortals Maidens testing their aptitude, but..."

He scrutinized Hong Yuan again, more carefully this time, and said meaningfully: "With your talent and demeanor, little brother, it's unlike anything I've ever seen in my life. Even if your aptitude is lacking, I believe you'll still be able to stay."

"What are the benefits of staying?" Hong Yuan became even more confused. And the names of those few Immortal Maidens sounded a bit improper. Could this Jade Wutong Immortal Realm be some kind of evil cultivation sect?

He felt uneasy, and numerous dark cultivation novels he had read in his past life flashed through his mind. Just as he was about to ask for a detailed explanation, a scoff came from not far away: "Benefits? Naturally, it's the immortal destiny bestowed by the Immortal Maidens."

A youth with a hooked nose stood leaning against a pillar a few yards away, arms crossed, his face stern. His slightly narrowed eyes swept over Hong Yuan like a hunting dog.

Hong Yuan frowned slightly, sensing a hint of hostility from the other party.

However, he didn't retort. He simply smiled and replied: "May I ask your name, brother? And what is the meaning of this 'immortal destiny'?"

"No need to try and get friendly. I don't have the task of answering your questions."

The hooked-nosed youth glanced at Yang Lie and then closed his eyes, pretending to sleep.

"Immortal destiny..." Yang Lie sighed, and then said no more.

Hong Yuan didn't press further and looked around at the people in the garden.

Compared to the vast garden, the number of people was not large. A quick glance revealed about twenty or so individuals, scattered into many groups.

Some were in twos and threes, discussing in hushed tones. More people were like the hooked-nosed youth, staying alone in a corner, either sitting or standing, with varied expressions.

Some looked indifferent, others were excited with a hint of anticipation, yearning... some appeared apprehensive, with a touch of hesitation, and still others looked around, bewildered and lost.

And all these twenty or so people were men. The younger ones appeared to be mere youths, while the older ones were burly men around thirty or forty years old.

As Hong Yuan watched, a strange expression appeared on his face.

This was because, regardless of age, all these people could be described as having well-defined features and dignified appearances. The seventeen or eighteen-year-old youths and twenty-something young men were naturally handsome and refined. The men in their thirties each had their own charm, some were robust and imposing, others were gentle and elegant, and dashing...

As for the man who looked over forty, although his temples were slightly streaked with white, his demeanor was elegant and refined. His eyes were still as bright as polished lacquer. With a slight smile, his handsome face, despite a few wrinkles, was not at all off-putting; instead, it added a touch of mature, weathered charm!

Hong Yuan suddenly looked at the hooked-nosed youth.

Upon closer inspection, although this person's facial contours were a bit sinister, his appearance was also top-notch, worthy of the word "handsome." In the short dramas of his previous life, he would have been outstanding playing roles like "Demon Emperor" or "Devil Master."

Huh?!

Does the Jade Wutong Immortal Realm only recruit good-looking people?

It made sense, after all, it was an immortal realm; wouldn't too-ugly people tarnish its reputation? Even the Free and Unfettered Sect originally only accepted handsome and elegant male and female disciples!

Xu Zhuzi? That was cheating!

With this thought, Hong Yuan perhaps understood why the hooked-nosed youth harbored inexplicable hostility towards him.

In fact, it wasn't just the hooked-nosed youth; among the gazes cast his way from time to time by the people in the garden, there were always a few that were unfriendly.

Hong Yuan sighed.

He didn't blame these people, nor did he complain to heaven or earth. This was all his "own" fault, his cause, his effect. He would bear it all himself, without shirking!

It wasn't that these people were narrow-minded, thus becoming envious and resentful. What fault could they have? It was only because Hong Yuan was born with an exceptionally handsome appearance!

Even now, despite wearing a simple blue robe, the hardship of a year in the marketplace had not diminished his handsome and refined looks, his naturally ethereal demeanor.

Currently, among this group of handsome young and middle-aged men, to say he was "a crane standing among chickens" would be too arrogant, but he could humbly consider himself the leader!

Amidst the clamor, lights suddenly lit up within the four-sided pavilions and corridors, instantly forming a dazzling fire dragon.

A few exclamations came from the crowd. At the same time, a clear chime broke through the air, like a babbling spring leaping over rocks, resounding throughout the garden.

As if a signal, the hooked-nosed youth leaning against the pillar twitched his ears, suddenly opened his eyes, and strode towards the lakeside.

Yang Lie, standing beside him, no longer paid attention to Hong Yuan and also hurried forward, craning his neck to look at the center of the lake.

Several others acted the same as Yang Lie. Hong Yuan recalled Yang Lie's earlier words and guessed that these people were likely "veterans" of the immortal realm, while most of the rest, like him, were newcomers visiting for the first time.

Naturally, a newcomer with a delicate appearance asked with confusion: "Brothers, what are you doing?"

"Heh heh! Miaoyun Immortal Maiden has arrived. Even though I've been to the immortal realm several times, I don't always get the chance to listen to Miaoyun Immortal Maiden's immortal music. This time, we're fortunate."

Among the "elders," a man of about thirty with thick brows, large eyes, and a stern, heroic bearing sighed.

"Quiet!" the hook-nosed youth barked, his sharp gaze sweeping across the crowd as he snorted, "Stop your bickering! Whoever disturbs the Immortal Maiden's mood will not be spared by me!"

Miaoyun Immortal Maiden!

Was he about to see a cultivator?

Hong Yuan could not help but feel a mix of trepidation and anticipation, his complex emotions swirling as he looked toward the scenic lake.

It was nearing dusk, and the sky was dimming. The sparse, pale glow of the sunset filtered through the clouds, yet it brought little warmth or light. As it was an autumn evening, a cool breeze brushed across the small lake, sending ripples spreading outward and bringing a sudden, chilling sensation.

Suddenly, layers of thin mist drifted in, perhaps carried by the wind, and began to diffuse over the lake, as if the water were donning a light, milky-white gauze garment.

Amidst the swirling mist, an ethereal, haunting voice seemed to drift over, singing softly, while the waves surged and churned, moistening the swaying flowers and trees along the shore.

On the hazy, mist-covered water, a serene and elegant stone pavilion suddenly appeared in the center of the lake, some twenty to thirty meters away, as if it had manifested out of thin air, descending from a celestial realm into the mortal world.

"Ah!" This miraculous sight once again drew gasps of shock from the crowd.

Hm?

Hong Yuan's eyes flickered as he glanced at the people around him, seeing that most wore expressions of awe and shock. He turned his gaze back to the stone pavilion that had abruptly appeared in the center of the lake, his brows furrowing slightly.

The mist originated from the center of the lake, pouring out and dispersing in an instant to obscure everyone's vision. Yet, Hong Yuan saw it clearly; his gaze pierced through the gauze-like fog, catching the stone pavilion as it rapidly surged up from the bottom of the lake within a mere breath or two!

He even heard a crisp "click-clack" sound emanating from the lakebed, surmising it to be the noise of some mechanical gear grinding.

A celestial realm? An Immortal Maiden? Hong Yuan felt a flicker of doubt.

Moreover, at a distance of over twenty meters, with the mist acting as a barrier, it would be one thing if I could see clearly, but to actually hear sounds from beneath the lakebed? That is truly astonishing! When did my vision and hearing become so sharp?

A perk of transmigrating? Has my physical fitness been enhanced, or perhaps my senses sharpened?

In his memories, "he" had suffered from "nearsightedness" due to years of burying himself in books and drowning in a sea of studies. Although it wasn't severe, how could he possess such powerful eyesight?

Regardless, it is a good thing.

Hong Yuan mused to himself.