The carriage jolted and swayed as it rolled down the uneven road, bouncing Su Zhenghao with every rut and stone. He clutched a small package to his chest, one that held not just his meager belongings, but the full weight of his parents' hopes. He was leaving the village he had called home for fifteen years. The journey would be a long one. Su Zhenghao settled into the corner of the carriage and eventually drifted off to sleep. He wasn't sure how much time had passed when a gentle nudge woke him. He opened his eyes to find his Su Zhenghao smiling down at him. "Shi Tou," he asked gently, "how are you feeling, leaving home for the first time?" Su Zhenghao saw that the carriage had stopped. He managed a small smile. "Not much to say, really. Just a little anxious. I don't know if the immortals will select me." Su Zhenghao laughed and clapped him on the shoulder. "Alright, don't overthink it. We're at my house. You go get some rest. I'll take you to the main family household tomorrow morning." Climbing down from the carriage, Su Zhenghao found himself standing before a handsome tile-roofed house. He followed his Su Zhenghao inside to a guest room. Su Zhenghao sat on the edge of the bed, sleep now a distant possibility. The words of his parents, the faces of the villagers, the expectations of his relatives—they all echoed in his mind. He sighed inwardly. The thought of becoming an immortal's disciple felt heavier than ever. The night passed slowly. By the time the sun began to rise, Su Zhenghao hadn't rested at all, yet he felt a strange, nervous energy coursing through him. A knot of fear tightened in his stomach as he followed Su Zhenghao to the main house of the Su family. The sheer size of the house left Su Zhenghao in a daze; he had never seen a dwelling so grand. As they walked, Su Zhenghao spoke in a low, urgent voice. "Shi Tou, you have to make your father proud. Don't give our relatives a reason to ridicule you." Tension coiled in Su Zhenghao's gut. He bit his lip and nodded wordlessly. Soon, his Su Zhenghao led him into the center of the main courtyard. A stern-faced old man—his father's eldest brother—was waiting there. He looked Shi Tou up and down before giving a curt nod. "Shi Tou, when the immortal arrives, do not panic. Follow your older cousin Su Feiyu. Do exactly as he does." The old man's tone sharpened, his last few words a stern command. Su Zhenghao remained silent. His gaze swept across the courtyard, noting that another youth stood beside the arrogant-looking Su Feiyu. This boy had dark skin and a powerful build, but his eyes held a glint of shrewd intelligence. A conspicuous bulge beneath his shirt suggested he was hiding something. The boy caught his eye, pulled a funny face, and trotted over. "So you're Su Zhenghao's son? My name is Su Hao." Su Zhenghao chuckled and nodded in return. Seeing that Su Zhenghao had ignored him, the old man's face darkened with annoyance, and he opened his mouth to scold him. At that very moment, a rift tore through the clouds above. A sword of pure light descended like a lightning bolt, striking the courtyard. The light faded to reveal a young man dressed in white. His eyes were as sharp and bright as polished steel, and he carried an air of otherworldly elegance. His cold gaze swept across the three youths, lingering for a moment on the boy with the bulge in his shirt. "Are these the three recommended by the Su family?" he asked, his voice cool. This is an immortal? A chill crept into Su Zhenghao’s bones under that piercing gaze. His heart hammered against his ribs, and the blood drained from his face as he stared, utterly intimidated. The dark-skinned youth, Su Hao, saw the immortal and immediately adopted a respectful posture, his hands hovering near his pockets. A fanatical gleam lit up his eyes. Only Su Feiyu seemed unimpressed, casting a disdainful glance at the others before snorting softly. Su Feiyu's father hurried forward, bowing deeply. "Revered Immortal, these three are indeed the Su family's recommendations." The youth in white nodded impatiently. "Who is Su Feiyu?" A flicker of triumph crossed the old man’s face. He quickly pulled Su Feiyu forward. "Immortal, this is my son, Su Feiyu." The immortal youth studied Su Hao for a long moment. His expression brightened, and he nodded in approval. "Su Hao is indeed talented. No wonder Martial Teacher Zhenghao took a liking to him." Su Feiyu shot a proud look at Su Zhenghao and the intelligent-looking youth. "That's only natural," he boasted. "To become an immortal, one must possess a strong spirit." A brief frown creased the immortal's brow, but it vanished as quickly as it came. He gave Su Feiyu a faint smile, then waved his sleeve. A ribbon of rainbow light enveloped the three boys, pulling them into the sky and vanishing from sight. Su Zhenghao stared up at the empty sky and muttered, "Shi Tou, you must be chosen!" Su Zhenghao felt his body become weightless. The rushing wind stung his face, sharp and painful. Looking down, he realized he was tucked under the immortal's arm as they soared through the sky at an incredible speed. Below, his village shrank until it was nothing more than a collection of black specks on the vast earth. Before long, the wind forced tears from his eyes, leaving them red and burning. "Close your eyes, unless you three wish to go blind," the youth said coldly. Su Zhenghao's heart seized, and he quickly squeezed his eyes shut, not daring to peek again. After some time, Su Zhenghao could feel the immortal's breathing grow labored, his speed decreasing. Then, with a sudden rush, they descended. Just before they reached the ground, the immortal simply released his hold, and the three boys tumbled onto the soft ground. Thankfully, the fall was gentle enough, and they scrambled back to their feet. What stood before Su Zhenghao was a paradise pulled from a painted scroll, a landscape of lush mountains, vibrant flowers, and a crystal-clear river. It was an idyllic, breathtaking scene. A colossal mountain loomed directly ahead, its peak shrouded in clouds that concealed its true height. From its depths echoed the distant cries of unknown beasts. A path of twisting stone steps snaked up its side like a brushstroke on a painting, solidifying the feeling that they had stepped into another world. Far in the distance, perched at the top of the mountain, was a grand hall. Though it was partially obscured by the clouds, it glowed with a soft, brilliant light that inspired an instinct to bow one's head in worship. Next to the hall, a silver bridge shaped like a crescent moon arced gracefully through the air, connecting that peak to another. With such natural beauty, this was truly worthy of being the home of the Cangfeng Sect. The Cangfeng Sect was one of the few cultivation sects in the Jian Kingdom. Five hundred years ago, it had been the leading power among cultivators in the nation, boasting several Nascent Soul stage masters. However, with the passage of time, it had shrunk to its current size and was only able to barely maintain a foothold in the cultivation world. For the mortals living in its shadow, however, the Cangfeng Sect was a power as distant and unknowable as the heavens themselves. "Little Brother Jianxiong, are these the three candidates recommended by the Su family?" A middle-aged man dressed in black, possessing an air of immortal grace, floated down from the mountain peak. Respect immediately filled the young immortal's features. "Third Brother, these are the three youths recommended by the Su family." The middle-aged man's gaze swept across them, his eyes lingering on Su Hao for a few moments. Smiling, he said, "I know you are on the verge of a breakthrough. I will handle the test. You should go cultivate." The youth agreed, then his body shot toward the mountain, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye. Su Zhenghao stared after him, his mind buzzing with excitement. He was startled by a tug on his clothes and turned to see Su Hao beside him, eyes wide with wonder. "This is where immortals live," he breathed, his voice thick with awe. "Damn it. No matter what, I, Su Hao, must be selected." As he spoke, his hand instinctively went to the bulging object hidden beneath his shirt.

Chapter 2: He Carried Their Hopes