Dragon Canon

The rules numbered several hundred, but as complicated as they looked, they were basically all about respecting one’s seniors, cherishing the Dao, and protecting the mortals. As for the admission guidelines, the most important thing to note was the map of the Green Cliffs that Hang Over an Empty Valley. Unfortunately, less than one-tenth of the places listed on the map were accessible to new disciples. The rest were forbidden to them.

There was a kitchen and a menial hall in the valley. They were responsible for the daily needs of all disciples. Wei Yuan was getting hungry after exerting himself for a whole day, and his appetite was bigger than most. Children of his age were particularly prone to hunger pangs as well.

Wei Yuan was curious about something, however. He picked up the bottle of Qi-drinking Pills and uncorked it. A faint but sweet aroma immediately hit his nostrils. When he tipped the bottle upside down, a creamy yellow pill with a light blue-colored line running along the center of its surface fell onto his palm. It was only the size of a human fingernail, but the admission guidelines claimed that consuming it would sate him for three days straight. He still needed to drink some water, but that was it. It didn’t just sate one’s hunger either. It could also enhance one’s bodily functions like a fortune technique—though, the effects were not as potent.

Wei Yuan lifted his head and swallowed the Qi-drinking Pill. Moments later, he felt a warmth rising inside his stomach and wiping away his hunger completely. Not only was his mind clearer than before, his thoughts felt as swift as lightning as well.

Evening arrived, and Zhang Sheng showed up in a hurry. The master and disciple began their evening lessons.

It wasn’t an unfamiliar routine. In fact, the duo had undergone a two-hour lesson after dinner each day. It primarily consisted of the scholar addressing questions and clarifying doubts. Today’s lesson was different, however. It marked Wei Yuan’s first formal lesson in cultivation.

Zhang Sheng lit an incense stick after the master and disciple took their seats in the cultivation chamber. As a faint scent slowly spread inside the room, Wei Yuan noticed that his mind was working much more swiftly than usual. His thoughts were unusually lively and active as if he had just gotten a good night’s sleep.

Zhang Sheng said, “Everyone thinks that becoming an immortal is good, but few understand how long and arduous the path to immortality really is, or how many aspirants have fallen in the process. Today, I will teach you a little about the affairs of immortals.”

“The path to immortality has never been singular. Over ten thousand years, countless generations have constantly innovated the methods and increased the number of paths. Our Palace alone boasts six Immortal Ascension Paths and three thousand Gates of Wonder. The Confucian and Buddhists have less, but they are by no means scarce. Of course, the arts of the miscellaneous schools of thoughts are positively innumerable.”