The Qin Kingdom's Imperial Family, Young Qin Yi

Chaotian City, Qin Kingdom

"Brother Gou, have you heard? In a few days, an immortal envoy is coming to our imperial city to take on disciples."

"So what if I have? We can't take part anyway. They only want ten-year-old children, not a year older or younger. You'd better think about what you're eating tonight instead!"

"Pfft, I was just saying."

"Hey, I say a couple of words to you and now you're puffing up, huh? Get back to work, or your wife might scratch you up if you get home late."

"You've got some nerve talking about me. Who was it that got kicked out last night, I wonder?"

"What are you barking at?"

The imperial palace

In Xuanzheng Hall, the Emperor of Qin, clad in a dragon robe, was reviewing memorials when a sturdy guard walked in with his head lowered and whispered a few words into the old eunuch's ear.

When the sun outside had slowly begun to set, the old eunuch beside the emperor finally bent down and said, "Your Majesty, a guard has just reported that the immortal envoy will arrive in the imperial city in three days."

Only then did the Emperor of Qin put down the memorial in his hand and rise to leave Xuanzheng Hall. The old eunuch behind him hurriedly called for attendants to follow. The emperor's expression was calm. When he reached the walls of the Forbidden City, he finally stopped and looked out at the bustling streets in the distance. With a soft sigh, he asked, "How many members of the imperial family are the right age?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, only three members of the imperial bloodline are currently ten years old: the Third Princess, the young heir of Prince Qing's residence, and the second young master of Prince Ping's residence."

The Emperor of Qin narrowed his eyes slightly and stood there in silence. As the sun set, his shadow stretched longer and longer. After a long while, he shook his head and murmured to himself, "If the crown prince weren't my only son, how could I..."

The old eunuch did not dare respond. He stood silently beside the Emperor of Qin until nightfall.

Prince Qing's residence

After receiving news from the palace, Prince Qing hurriedly summoned his son to the ancestral hall. Qin Yi, who had just turned ten, had a composure and calm in his eyes that belied his age.

Looking at his somewhat mature son, Prince Qing was silent for a long while before speaking. "Yi'er, I've taught you many things over the past few years, but I don't know how much you've truly learned."

"In three days, an immortal envoy will come to take on disciples. If no Spirit Root is found in you, you can inherit my vast fortune and live as a prince at leisure. But if you are found to have a Spirit Root, you will have to leave the mortal world and the Qin Kingdom behind and set foot on the immortal path."

Qin Yi stood quietly before Prince Qing without a word. Over the years, Prince Qing had told him about the wickedness of human hearts, the perils of the jianghu, and the cruelty of immortal cultivation.

Though Qin Yi was young, this had made him mature beyond his years and taught him many truths. Seeing that Prince Qing was somewhat worried about him, Qin Yi replied, "Don't worry, Father. I understand."

Prince Qing nodded, something indescribable appearing in his eyes as he looked at Qin Yi. "Yi'er, this is your only chance. Whether you go out into the vast world and roam between heaven and earth, or spend your whole life confined to the imperial city like me, depends on your fate."

Qin Yi clenched his fists and nodded firmly. "I understand."

"Remember, once you enter the immortal cultivation world, there is no fairness to speak of. The strong live, the weak die, and strength reigns supreme. If you don't become a wolf, others will treat you like a lamb."

Anyone who stands in my way has only one road: death, Qin Yi thought. Since ancient times, none had been more heartless than imperial families, and Qin Yi was no exception. This was the ruthlessness and heartlessness he had been born with.

After leaving the ancestral hall, Qin Yi raised his head to look at the night sky, where the stars twinkled. Outside Prince Qing's residence, voices clamored, the noise drifting faintly into his ears. "Mother, your spirit in heaven will surely watch over me, won't it?"

At the same time, Qin Peng, the second young master of Prince Ping's residence, was also summoned to the ancestral hall.

Three days later, a middle-aged man flew over the imperial city on a sword, heading straight for the palace. He made a great show of his arrival; before he even landed, his voice had already reached the ears of the assembled civil and military officials waiting below.

"Zhao Qian, recruiting envoy of the Eight Gods Pavilion, pays his respects to His Majesty, the Emperor of Qin."

A middle-aged man cupped his fists and slowly descended outside the entrance to Taiji Hall.

The Emperor of Qin's expression grew somewhat stiff. Zhao Qian was far too arrogant, but he represented the Eight Gods Pavilion, after all, so the emperor could only wave his hand helplessly. The old eunuch beside him understood and immediately called out, "Summon the recruiting envoy of the Eight Gods Pavilion to attend His Majesty!"

Zhao Qian strode into the hall and cupped his fists to the Emperor of Qin once more as a sign of respect. Then he said, "Your Majesty, I have come on the orders of the pavilion's elders to take on disciples."

Though he was not entirely pleased with Zhao Qian's attitude, the Emperor of Qin still said, "The children participating in the test are all ready. Please follow me to the martial training ground, Immortal Envoy."

The martial training ground

Qin Yi and the other children had gathered there early. Among them were the sons of many generals, ministers, and wealthy merchants. Qin Yi, Qin Peng, and the Third Princess, Qin Shiyu, stood together, a noticeable distance from the other children.

"Brother Yi, do you think we'll be selected? If we are, will Father be a little happier?" Qin Shiyu asked innocently.

"We definitely will." Qin Yi had heard Prince Qing say that the Qin Kingdom's strength had declined in recent years, and successive years of famine had left the surrounding countries itching to make a move. If one of the three of them proved exceptionally gifted at this disciple recruitment ceremony, it would certainly be good news for the Qin Kingdom.

Seeing this, Qin Peng smiled and said, "The first test will only check whether we have Spirit Roots. As for our talent, we won't know until we enter the Eight Gods Pavilion, so there's no need to worry too much right now."

Just as the children were chatting and playing, a shrill voice rang out.

"His Majesty has arrived!"