Chapter 9: Journey to the Capital

“Aunt?”

“Yes, you might not know this, but your second aunt used to come from a family of cultivators. Later, she seemed to have violated some laws and was expelled from her ancestral home, cast out of her clan.”

“She then encountered old enemies who sought to eliminate her. By sheer luck, she escaped and was saved by your second uncle.”

“These matters really shouldn’t be told to you, but since you’ve stepped onto the path of cultivation, there’s no harm in sharing.”

Damn.

His father’s words galloped through Cao Chengyu’s mind like a herd of wild horses, and suddenly, it all made sense!

No wonder in the whole vast Immortal Palace City, only Lin Jiaoyun’s name appeared on the ranking. There were others as beautiful as her, but, regrettably, they were mere mortals and thus excluded.

This explained everything—the special ranking was reserved only for cultivators.

Upon learning this, a thought unexpectedly took root in Cao Chengyu’s mind.

If his aunt was a cultivator, then surely she wouldn’t have…

The two had no children; it was quite possible. After all, dragons do not dwell with snakes, immortals do not walk with mortals. He’d never heard of a protagonist in the popular tales who started out as a cuckold.

A thousand thoughts fluttered through his mind, but in the end, he shook his head, casting off such idle speculation.

“I understand. Before I leave, I’ll go to Aunt and ask about her situation.”

“By the way, Father, could you prepare these items for me? Five of each, please. I’ll be off now.”

Cao Chengyu handed his father the list of medicinal herbs needed for the Qi Nourishing Pill, then darted away. As he left, lingering echoes reached his ears.

“Dad, keep practicing your alt account—I’ll be gone for quite a while.”

Tang Shiwan’s pretty face flushed.

“Hmph! That rascal!” Cao Di, a little embarrassed himself, could only curse and send someone to prepare the herbs for his son.

Elsewhere—

Leaving the study, Cao Chengyu walked along the path toward the Rose Garden.

Lin Jiaoyun was a cultivator; many mysteries were suddenly resolved.

No wonder she looked like a twenty-year-old maiden at thirty-five. It wasn’t mere good maintenance—she simply hadn’t even reached the age of decline.

For those who cultivate, the difference between them and mortals becomes pronounced the moment they embark on the immortal path. The Qi Nourishing Stage involves absorbing spiritual energy from the world and nurturing an innate source of qi within the body.

This absorbed spiritual energy doesn’t linger, merely circulating before leaking away elsewhere.

Hence the name Qi Nourishing Stage.

During this process, the cultivator’s innate qi gradually strengthens, cleansing blood, flesh, and bones, removing impurities, and fortifying the physique.

Only when the body is refined to the utmost—spotless and immaculate—is the Qi Nourishing Stage complete.

At its peak, one could easily live for a hundred and twenty years.

Throughout this stage, one must abstain from heavy foods; a light diet aids cultivation, and minimizing mundane intake quickens progress.

The children recruited at age six begin learning the basics of cultivation while completing the Qi Nourishing Stage; by age ten, most finish the process and step into the second stage: the Spirit Refining Stage.

The Spirit Refining Stage itself is divided into three sub-stages: Channel Opening, Qi Intake, and Qi Manipulation.

Those who start at age ten do so from this point. Cao Chengyu, who received the “Song of the Yellow Court,” began cultivation a bit late, but it compensated for his lack of innate talent.

Gains and losses—hard to weigh.

He was certainly behind.

He understood this well, and it made him anxious.

Upon arriving at the Rose Garden, he found his aunt still reclined beside the pavilion, looking languid.

Cao Chengyu hurried forward, sat beside her, and without revealing that he knew her true identity, spoke calmly:

“Aunt, soon I’ll depart for the capital to join the Skywatch Tower. Would you be willing to accompany me?”

“Skywatch Tower?”

“That’s right.”

Lin Jiaoyun immediately sat upright, her eyes gleaming with spiritual light. Had Cao Chengyu not been watching closely, he might never have noticed.

They exchanged glances, silent for a moment.

“I hadn’t expected Chengyu to possess such immortal fate. Your aunt misjudged.”

“Then, will you…”

“No need, Chengyu. You go ahead; I won’t follow. Here’s a travel journal I acquired in my early years in business. Use it for reference, lest you fall victim to poison on the road.”

“I…”

Lin Jiaoyun suddenly reached out and pressed his lips, arching her brow.

“Aunt cannot set foot in the capital. There are reasons—perhaps you’ll know them someday, but not now.”

“If you heed my words, perhaps fate will favor us yet.”

Staring into Lin Jiaoyun’s watery eyes, Cao Chengyu, almost possessed, pried her hand away and kissed her.

After a long moment, he released her.

He spoke, almost domineeringly:

“I know Aunt is extraordinary. Having embarked on the immortal path, we need not fret over mortal ethics. In a hundred years, all who know us will be long buried. That shall be the day I marry you, Lin Jiaoyun!”

“You…”

Her cheeks blushed, radiant as dawn, and the feelings between them warmed swiftly.

With this, Cao Chengyu set a tone and made his promise.

The notification for increased affection was automatically ignored.

After a bout of lingering intimacy, their relationship drew even closer.

Before leaving, Cao Chengyu presented the jewelry he’d bought earlier to Lin Jiaoyun, saying,

“One day, I will descend from the heavens upon a rainbow cloud to marry you.”

He left Lin Jiaoyun alone in the pavilion, her gaze lingering and deep.

For her, all she could do was hope.

After leaving the Rose Garden, Cao Chengyu returned to his own villa to cultivate.

His affection with Lin Jiaoyun had reached ninety-nine points, unmoving.

To claim the advanced treasure chest, only one step remained.

Hand on his heart, he admitted—he wanted both the chest and Lin Jiaoyun, but lacked the courage.

He’d leave it for another day.

The day passed swiftly. By evening, the herbs he’d asked his father for were delivered by the servants.

Seizing the night, he decided to depart immediately.

The journey to the capital was long—at least three months by land. Master Yang had advised him: the Skywatch Tower’s entrance exam was held each spring.

It was now late autumn; arriving in the capital would be just right.

He could also search along the way for a fire vein, testing the basics of alchemy.

Qi Nourishing Pills could speed the cleansing of the body and nurture innate qi, and could be refined from ten-year-old herbs—quite convenient.

Thus, bidding farewell to his parents, strapping two large medicine chests onto his mount, Little Wind, Cao Chengyu set off.

Only his parents, aunt, and Master Yang knew of his journey; he didn’t even bring along his long-trained “right-hand man.”

He traveled alone, unbound and free.

Sword at his waist, clad in sturdy attire.

With this, he stepped fully onto the path of seeking immortality and pursuing the Way.