I Only Want to Cultivate

The giant white bird beat its enormous wings and flew onward, carrying Ye Han by the shoulders into the towering mountain ranges.

They passed strange peaks and peculiar forests, wreathed in drifting mist. Huge trees stood everywhere, and the cries of beasts and birds rang out in waves. There was simply no way to cross this terrain on foot.

Looking at the scenery, Ye Han marveled inwardly. Do all cultivation sects lie this deep in the mountains and forests? No wonder Teacher Lan Qing told me to use the Messaging Talisman. If I headed in on foot, I couldn't get through all these mountains and woods even after months of walking. I might even get eaten by wild beasts.

The farther they flew, the more precipitous the peaks became and the taller the trees grew. The scenery was like a painting, with all kinds of birds and beasts flying through it, people riding on their backs.

Occasionally, he also saw people flying while standing on swords, fans, gourds, and similar objects.

The sight set Ye Han's heart soaring with longing. One day, he too would fly on a sword like these people, roaming freely beneath the heavens.

I must become a cultivator and make everyone under heaven know the name Ye Han.

A bank of mist suddenly appeared ahead. The youth in green on the white bird's back took out a jade token and muttered an incantation. A wisp of green light swirled around the token, forming a fist-sized orb that flew forward.

As the green orb flew ahead, the mist parted as though swept aside by an invisible hand, opening a passage.

Ye Han watched with longing in his eyes. Cultivators' abilities are truly miraculous. Compared to these, the martial arts of those so-called warriors of the jianghu aren't even worth mentioning.

The great white bird carried Ye Han through the mist.

The view suddenly opened up, revealing a sight that stunned Ye Han: an immense expanse of towering mountains ahead.

The mountains were covered in enormous glazed buildings, resplendent in gold and jade, carved with dragons and painted with phoenixes, gleaming as though with golden light...

In the sky were people riding flying swords, gourds, lotuses, and all manner of other treasures, along with flying mounts such as great birds, eagles, and white cranes.

A country bumpkin like Ye Han had never seen such a spectacle of the cultivation world. His eyes were nearly dazzled by it all.

The youth in green directed White Snow toward an enormous peak, landing atop a palace.

Ye Han had never seen such a vast, magnificent building. It was even larger than the imperial palace Teacher Lan Qing had described.

With an arrogant air, White Snow simply dropped Ye Han onto the ground, sending sharp pain through both his feet.

One day, I'll pluck every last feather off you.

"Come with me!" The youth in green gave Ye Han a contemptuous glance and led him into the great hall.

Inside, the decorations and furnishings were lavish. To Ye Han, everything looked wonderful: golden vases carved with patterns, and screens covered in what looked like pearls, jade, and orchids.

Most importantly, the atmosphere here made him feel incredibly comfortable.

So this is where cultivators live.

Determination flashed in Ye Han's eyes. I must stay here and become a cultivator.

A middle-aged man emerged from within the great hall, dressed in blue robes and wearing a golden crown. His face was handsome and imposing.

Ye Han had no idea what material his clothes were made from, but they gave off a dazzling halo of light.

"Greetings, Sect Master. This is the person who burned the Messaging Talisman," the youth in green said with a respectful bow.

"You may go report back," the Azure Profound Sect Master said with a wave of his hand.

"Yes!"

The youth in green did not dare say another word. He bowed and withdrew at once.

"Ye Han pays his respects to the immortal!" Ye Han offered a deep, formal bow, then took out the envelope Teacher Lan Qing had given him and presented it to the Azure Profound Sect Master with both hands.

The Azure Profound Sect Master glanced at it and beckoned. The envelope flew into his hand.

Then his gaze swept over Ye Han.

Ye Han immediately felt a terrifying aura sweep across his body, as though the Azure Profound Sect Master had seen straight through his entire being.

"A mortal?" A trace of surprise crossed the Azure Profound Sect Master's face.

He asked mildly, "How did you come by this envelope?"

"My ancestors passed it down to me. They said that if I could no longer make a living, I should bring this envelope to the Azure Profound Sect," Ye Han answered, not daring to look the Azure Profound Sect Master in the eye.

Teacher Lan Qing had taught him to say this. If he honestly admitted that he had found it by chance, the Azure Profound Sect might not honor it, and he might even bring disaster upon himself...

"What do you wish to ask for?" the Azure Profound Sect Master asked unhurriedly.

Ye Han answered without hesitation, "I want to become a cultivator."

"You want to become a cultivator? Do you know whether you have a Spirit Root?" A flicker crossed the Azure Profound Sect Master's eyes as he spoke in an even tone.

Once these mortals learned of cultivators, every one of them wanted to become an immortal. But how could wishing alone make it happen?

"I don't know," Ye Han answered.

Teacher Lan Qing had told him that to cultivate, one needed a Spirit Root. Simply put, one needed a constitution capable of cultivation. Without it, nothing else mattered.

Teacher Lan Qing had also explicitly told him that he had a Spirit Root, though it did not seem particularly good.

As Ye Han understood it, "not particularly good" probably meant his talent was not particularly good.

The Azure Profound Sect Master looked him up and down and said, "Your aptitude is rather ordinary. If you insist on cultivating, even diligent practice will be wasted effort."

Then he changed tack and continued, "If you change your mind, I can grant you a lifetime of wealth and honor. Establishing a prominent household in the mortal world would be no difficult matter."

Hearing this, Ye Han replied firmly, without the slightest hesitation, "Immortal, I only want to cultivate."

After seeing the world of cultivators and witnessing that female immortal's abilities, wealth and honor, appealing though they were, seemed hardly worth mentioning in comparison.

The Azure Profound Sect Master frowned slightly and glanced at his hands and feet, already covered in wounds, then at the yearning and resolve in Ye Han's eyes.

In the end, he nodded. "Though your Spirit Root is poor, your character is steadfast, and your eyes hold great wisdom. Since you have brought this item, I cannot refuse your request."

That item was not something the sect handed out casually. Only those who had made outstanding contributions to the sect could receive one.

As far as he remembered, only three had been issued in the past hundred years. He had no idea when the one Ye Han brought had been given out.

Since someone had rendered outstanding service to the sect, the sect had to honor it. Otherwise, which disciples or affiliated Lineages would still risk their lives for it?

"Yes! Thank you, immortal!" Overjoyed at these words, Ye Han hurriedly bowed in thanks.

The Azure Profound Sect Master waved a hand. "Cultivating, attaining the Dao, and becoming immortal is the lifelong pursuit of all cultivators. You must not use the title 'immortal' carelessly. I am the Azure Profound Sect Master. You may simply address me as Sect Master."

"Yes, Sect Master!" Ye Han said.

With abilities like these, he still isn't an immortal?

"Go wait in the side hall for your arrangements!"

"Someone, attend me!"

At the Azure Profound Sect Master's summons, a disciple in green immediately came forward and led Ye Han to the side hall to wait.