In the end, none of the eleven youths passed the test. Only one young girl had managed to get as far as Su Zhenghao. That day, all the failed aspirants were sent back down the mountain. Disciples of the Cangfeng Sect escorted them home one by one. The disciple assigned to Su Zhenghao was the same young man who had first brought him to the sect. Trailing behind him were Su Feiyu and Su Hao. The disciple clasped his hands toward Su Feiyu. “Brother Su Feiyu, congratulations on becoming the Uncle-Master’s disciple. A bright future awaits you.” An arrogant expression bloomed on Su Feiyu’s face. “It’s only natural,” he said proudly. “My master said that once I’ve settled my mundane affairs at home, he will begin teaching me cultivation techniques.” Su Hao lifted his chin. “I’ve always despised your arrogance. So what if you have a master? I’ll be learning how to produce immortal pills.” Su Feiyu shot Su Hao a hard stare before his gaze shifted to the silent Su Zhenghao. He smiled. “Well, Shi Tou? I told you that you didn't have what it takes, but you and your father refused to believe it. Now we see the truth.” Shi Tou raised his head, sparing Su Feiyu a brief glance. “Sir, my parents are waiting. Please take me home as soon as possible.” Seeing that Su Zhenghao dared to ignore him, Su Feiyu sneered. “You little bumpkin. You’re better off spending the rest of your life as a village carpenter, just like your father.” The young immortal looked on with a faint smile, listening to the three boys but saying nothing. With a wave of his sleeve, he swept them up, and together they disappeared from the mountain of the Cangfeng Sect. The flight home was a world away from the journey there. Where before Su Zhenghao’s heart had been full of hope, now there was only despair. After a short while, the Su Clan’s house came into view. Su Zhenghao opened his eyes and saw it from afar, lit up for a celebration, the atmosphere loud and lively. Banquet tables, far more numerous than at the feast his father had hosted, covered nearly the entire yard. Every member of the Su family was present, even those who had been away buying lumber. The celebration was in full swing, a cacophony of drinking and chatter. At the head of the banquet sat Su Jiancheng’s older brother, Su Jiancheng, and Su Jiancheng’s third brother. Relatives swarmed the three of them, offering congratulations. The scene was a festive spectacle. Envy glittered in their eyes, but only honeyed words of flattery passed their lips. This was especially true for Su Zhenghao’s father, who couldn't help but feel the sting of past sorrows amidst the praise. Su Zhenghao’s sixth uncle exclaimed, “Su Jiancheng, your son is sure to be chosen this time! You won’t have to be a carpenter anymore. Everyone who sees you will have no choice but to call you an elder.” Su Jiancheng’s fifth uncle chimed in, “Lao Er, I always knew you were destined for more than a normal life. You devoted everything to Shi Tou. Now that he’s to become an immortal, you, his father, must be extraordinary as well.” “Su Jiancheng, this time your Shi Tou and my son will both be selected! We brothers haven’t seen each other in ten years. Tonight, we must drink together, no matter what!” said Su Hao’s father, Su Jiancheng’s third brother, as he brought over glasses of wine. Shi Tou’s father looked at all the relatives who had once looked down on him, and the bitterness of the past was swept away. Still, a great stone of anxiety weighed heavy in his heart. Shi Tou, you must be chosen! “Second sister-in-law, your marriage to second brother has truly brought you good fortune. With a son like Shi Tou, who in the entire region won’t know your name?” “Second sister-in-law, your Shi Tou has always had more ability than my child. He was so clever, even from a young age.” “Shi Tou’s mother, even though we are of the same family, plenty of cousins marry these days. My daughter is unwed and about the same age as Shi Tou. Your son is handsome and I’ve taken a liking to him. Why don’t we tie the knot between our families?” Like her husband, Shi Tou’s mother was surrounded by a flock of female relatives, all chattering with enthusiastic praise. Throughout all this, Su Jianxiong’s father maintained an indifferent expression. He secretly hoped for the immortal to arrive with news of Shi Tou’s failure, just so he could see the look on his second brother’s face. At that thought, he let out a laugh and raised his cup to a relative who was praising his own child. The scene was bustling with spirit. At that moment, a streak of light descended from the sky, landing softly in the courtyard. Four figures appeared within it. The yard fell instantly silent. Not a single member of the Su family dared to utter a word. The Cangfeng Sect disciple’s gaze swept across the crowd, and he sighed to himself. He remembered when he had been selected; his own hometown had celebrated just like this. A look of pity flickered in his eyes as he glanced at Su Zhenghao. He knew the trial this boy was about to face was more than any youth should have to bear. He has a ruthless path ahead of him… The disciple shook his head and, turning, ascended back into the sky on his sword of light. “Cultivators must not be bound by earthly desires. Settle your affairs. I will return to pick you up in three days.” His voice echoed from the distance. Once the immortal was gone, Su Feiyu’s father rushed to his son. “Did Immortal Hui Bing take you as his disciple?” he asked urgently. Su Feiyu’s face was a mask of pride and arrogance. “Naturally. Master said that in ten years, I could become the head of the Cangfeng Sect disciples.” Su Feiyu’s father was overjoyed. He clapped his son heavily on the shoulders and laughed. “Good! Su Feiyu, you will be an immortal! Our Su family will finally have an immortal!” Su Hao’s father also wore an anxious expression as he stared at his son. Before he could even ask, Su Hao sighed. “Dad, you don’t have to ask. Your son is now a disciple of the Cangfeng Sect.” Ecstatic, Su Hao’s father snatched up his cup and drained it in one fierce gulp. Su Feiyu watched him with a look of disgust. “Third Zhenghao,” he said contemptuously, “you’ve raised a fine son. He’s brought great shame upon the Su family. He flattered the immortal in front of everyone and only managed to become a helper by relying on a bribe.” Su Hao’s brows shot up. “I’m happy with it, so what? In the future, we’ll see whose cultivation is stronger. Then we’ll know who truly brought shame to this family.” Seeing the depressed expression on his own son’s face, Shi Tou’s father felt his body shudder. A terrible feeling washed over him. “Shi Tou… what about you?” Shi Tou’s mother asked, her voice trembling with expectation.

Chapter 5: The price of failure