The setting sun gradually sank behind the hills, and wisps of cooking smoke rose at the village entrance. Qin Yu's mother, Qin Yu, led him home by the hand, carrying the scrolls the teacher had given them, her steps heavier than usual.
Back in the courtyard, she made dinner and filled a bowl with hot soup for Qin Yu as she always did. Watching the boy eat with relish and satisfaction, she still could not find peace in her heart.
Night deepened, leaving only an oil lamp flickering in the courtyard. Qin Yu had fallen fast asleep against his straw bedding, a book clasped in his arms. His breathing was light and even, his features peaceful with a trace of lingering childishness.
Yet Qin Yu's mother could not close her eyes for a long time.
She sat beside the bed, watching that small figure beneath the lamplight, waves of aching sorrow rising in her heart.
This child should have been an ordinary boy, learning to read and write, growing up to marry and have children, and spending his life in peace.
But his aptitude destined him for an extraordinary path. If she confined him to this village, his talent would be buried. Yet if she sent him to Cloud-Leveling Hall... what kind of world was it? There were masters of the immortal Dao there, and countless remarkable talents. How far could he go? Could he remain safe? Would she see him again?
Conflict and reluctance to part gradually reddened her eyes.
Suddenly, Qin Yu turned over in his sleep and murmured drowsily, "Mother..."
His mother's heart trembled, and her tears nearly fell. She gently bent down, tucked the blanket around the boy, and stroked his tender face, whispering to herself, "Yu'er, I can't bear to have you leave my side. But if I really keep you here, I'll be harming you. I'd rather endure hardship, rather bear the pain of parting, than let you remain trapped in the mortal dust."
The oil lamp flickered in the wind, its light stretching her shadow long.
At last, she drew a deep breath, and her gaze grew resolute.
"All right. Tomorrow morning, I'll take you to Cloud-Leveling Hall."
At that moment, the breeze brushed softly past the fence, as though answering for her.
The boy's breathing remained peaceful. He had no idea that his life was about to take its most crucial step.
Early the next morning, before the sky had fully brightened, the mist at the village entrance lay thick as white gauze. His mother packed a few belongings, taking some changes of clothing and dry provisions, then shouldered a bamboo basket holding a waterskin and several copybooks.
Qin Yu wore that gray cloth robe and carried a small cloth bundle on his back. Though his steps were somewhat awkward, his eyes were bright as he looked around, filled with curiosity.
As they left the village, the villagers stood in twos and threes beside the road. Some sighed; others whispered:
"Ah, she's taking the child to Cloud-Leveling Hall already?"
"It's a long journey. Who knows whether it'll go smoothly?"
"That child certainly has good aptitude, but an immortal sect isn't something just anyone can enter."
His mother merely nodded slightly without another word, taking Qin Yu by the hand and stepping firmly onto the stony path.
The journey to Cloud-Leveling Hall was long. To reach Central State from their little village, they had to cross rolling mountain ridges, pass through wilderness and dense forests, and ferry across a great river.
Just beyond the village lay a stretch of hills. The stony path was uneven and full of ruts, and his mother panted as she walked with the bamboo basket on her back. Young as Qin Yu was, he stubbornly refused to complain of being tired and even volunteered to carry a small waterskin.
"Mother, this... let me." As he spoke, his little hands tightly gripped the bamboo cord, afraid he might drop it.
The sight pained her, yet she could not help smiling. "Good boy. But remember to tell me when you're tired. Don't push yourself."
Only after two days of walking did they pass through the hills. Along the way, they stayed at small post stations, and sometimes could only build a grass shelter on a barren slope. Insects chirped ceaselessly at night, and cold wind poured straight into their clothes. Qin Yu huddled in his mother's arms, shivering from the cold, yet still whispered, "Mother... I'm not afraid."
On the third day, they entered a great forest. The trees were lush, the mountain path steep, and the occasional low growl of a wild beast reached them. His mother held Qin Yu with one hand and a billhook with the other, taking every step cautiously.
Along the way, a wild deer darted out of the forest, frightening Qin Yu so much that he went rigid. But once the deer vanished, he could not help exclaiming, "Mother, so... so fast." Curiosity shone in his eyes.
His mother smiled and shook her head, both anxious and moved: even on this difficult road, the child still retained an innocent wonder toward the world.
Seven days later, they reached the ferry crossing on the great river. The river was wide, its waves beating against the banks, and the river wind struck their faces with a fishy smell. The ferry was old and unsteady, and its ferryman, his hair and beard entirely white, demanded ten copper spirit coins. It was a heavy expense for his mother, but she did not hesitate and promptly took out the coins.
Once they boarded, the river wind made their clothes snap and flutter. Qin Yu clutched his mother's sleeve, yet kept his eyes on the surging waves, unable to resist asking softly, "Mother, is this... the great water?"
She nodded, her heart aching, though she smiled. "It's a great river. Once we cross it, we'll be on the road to Central State."
The journey was arduous, every stretch seeming to test their resolve. Yet whether faced with hunger, cold, exhaustion, or unfamiliar surroundings, Qin Yu always stayed close behind his mother without a single complaint.
Beneath the night sky, mother and son nestled beside a campfire. Gazing at the river of stars on the horizon, she murmured, "Yu'er, once we reach Cloud-Leveling Hall, you'll see the true world of immortals. I... ask for nothing else. I only hope you can have a bright future in this life."
Though sleepy, Qin Yu nodded, his eyes shining. "Yes, Mother. I'll study hard."
The river of stars spread like a curtain, and the campfire flickered. Seen from behind on the mountain path, mother and son looked especially resolute.
Step by step, they were approaching that immortal sect amid the clouds-Cloud-Leveling Hall.
After dozens of days of arduous travel, mother and son finally reached the border of Central State. At the far end of mountains and sea, amid billowing clouds and mist, an immortal palace of indescribable grandeur came into view.
The first thing they saw was a colossal domed palace, as though left behind when heaven and earth first opened. It stood between the coast and the mountains, its outer walls seemingly cast from gold and divine iron, reflecting endless starlight. Beneath the great dome, dozens of domed halls joined together in golden splendor, like a divine kingdom descending into the mortal world. Palaces stretched on and on, their stairways like enormous white jade dragons coiled between mountains and sea, their magnificence taking one's breath away.
As they continued forward and looked up, they saw an enormous ring-shaped celestial city actually floating in midair, like a divine ring fallen into the human world from beyond the heavens. Palaces crowded atop the great ring, towers soaring high. A golden skybridge spanned the void at its center, leading to the immortal palace's main tower embedded in the heart of the ring, so lofty one could not look straight at it. Clouds and mist swirled beneath it, lightning flashing as though marking the boundary between mortals and immortals.
Rounding a mountain ridge, they saw another enormous temple shaped like a pyramid, its body thrusting straight into the clouds, its four walls engraved with ancient immortal patterns. Below the pyramid lay a ring of water, its emerald waves rippling like a celestial pool. Halls stood along the water, golden domes interwoven with white jade covered bridges, like the utmost beauty of order between heaven and earth.
Farther away, an enormous crescent-shaped golden screen stretched across the horizon, shining upon a vast expanse of water. Its surface was clear as a mirror, reflecting pyramid peaks. Boats dotted it like stars, with immortal children steering among them, like a dream. Beneath the enormous crescent screen, halls stood at varying heights, like an immortal kingdom encircling the edge of a celestial pool.
Farther ahead, a palace with an azure dome towered among the mountains, tier upon tier of white jade stairs leading from the clouds straight down to the earth. Nine tall towers surrounded the central main hall, the domes' golden radiance interlacing with blue-green shadows, eclipsing the daylight. Waterways crisscrossed its surroundings, like rivers of an immortal realm winding between the halls.
Finally, when they drew close, they discovered that an enormous spirit lake encircled the outskirts of Cloud-Leveling Hall. Its waters were clear emerald green, islands dotted its center, and golden-roofed halls stood in orderly succession. Immortal cranes danced above the lake, spirit boats glided slowly across it, and shimmering water intertwined with golden radiance to form a painting that did not belong to the mortal world.
His mother held her breath, her eyes filled with awe.
Qin Yu stared blankly at it all, his eyes wide and round, his little hands clutching his mother's sleeve as he murmured, "Mother... is this... where immortals live?"
She stroked his hair, both excited and reluctant to part, and answered softly, "Yes, Yu'er... this is Cloud-Leveling Hall. The path of immortal cultivation you're about to step onto begins here."
Only when mother and son reached the magnificent mountain gate did they discover that they were far from the only ones who had come to Cloud-Leveling Hall.
Streams of people converged from every direction, numbering in the thousands upon thousands. Some were raggedly dressed mortal children upon whom their Lineages had placed great hopes; some were young heaven's chosen in sumptuous robes, attendants following them like shadows; there were even cultivators in flowing Daoist robes arriving by boat with their disciples. Boys and girls from Central State, the Southern Wasteland, the Northern Cold, and even the islands of the East Sea had all gathered before these immortal halls, which resembled a celestial river hanging upside down.
The din of voices seethed, yet seemed especially insignificant beneath that towering golden gate. The gate stood a hundred zhang tall, its frame inscribed with ancient runes that flickered with faint golden radiance, as though merely approaching would let one feel the oppressive might of heaven and earth.
"Halt."
Two gatekeeping disciples stood before the golden gate, dressed in white with golden patterns, longswords at their waists and a sharp, formidable presence. Even without making a move, they could chill ordinary mortals to the core.
Holding Qin Yu in her arms, his mother approached apprehensively and bowed. "I am Qin Yu, a mortal. I've brought my child, Qin Yu, to seek the Dao. This child has exceptional aptitude and was recommended by our village teacher. He wishes to enter the immortal sect."
A gatekeeping disciple swept a cold glance over her before settling his gaze on Qin Yu. The boy looked up timidly, but his clear eyes neither wavered nor avoided the disciple's gaze, making the disciple raise his brows slightly instead.
The other disciple spoke in a ringing voice. "Cloud-Leveling Hall opens its mountain gate once each year to accept those under heaven with the requisite fate. Everyone who enters must undergo an entrance test. Stay in the outer halls for now and wait for the assessment in three days."
With that, he waved a hand, and a young menial disciple stepped forward to guide mother and son.
They followed the crowd through the golden gate and saw boundless golden radiance, with white jade steps beneath their feet stretching to the horizon. On either side stood towering golden pillars and bronze statues, carved with ancient immortal birds and divine beasts. The throng climbed in orderly ranks, yet could not conceal the excitement and nervousness in every heart.
When they reached the outer hall district, they saw the vast square filled with people who had come seeking admission. Tents stood in clusters, divided into categories, with mortals and cultivators alike accommodated among them.
The young menial disciple brought mother and son to a small courtyard, simple but clean. "Stay here for now. In three days, a bell will ring outside the main hall. Go there yourselves when the time comes."
His mother thanked him repeatedly, some of her unease finally subsiding.
When night fell, standing outside the small courtyard and looking out, they saw brilliant lights in every direction. Thousands upon thousands of people gathered in the square; some silently recited scriptures, some sat in meditation, and others talked excitedly.
This was no longer the little market at the village entrance, but a gathering place for youths and heaven's chosen from across the world.
Qin Yu clutched his copybook tightly, gazing with shining eyes at the halls towering into the clouds, and said softly to his mother, "Mother... I... have to get in."
She bent down and hugged him gently, her voice tender but firm. "Yu'er, I believe in you."
In this immortal sect square where multitudes gathered, their figures were small, yet destined to become the beginning of countless legends to come.