"Don't worry, Big Head," Erdan chuckled heartily before Shu Han, "The Third Elder said I have great talent and the Great Elder will give me plenty of resources for cultivation. Whatever I get, you'll get a share too!"

Goudan, on seeing this, thumped his chest and said, "Same goes for me! We came out together, my mother said we should always look out for each other!"

Li Heng couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this.

"Let's forget about it, kiddos," he said, patting Shu Han's head, "Don't be disheartened by what I'm about to say. Having five spiritual roots isn't much different from being an ordinary mortal. Pouring elixirs into you would be pointless. Instead, you two should focus on your own cultivation. As you progress, you can cover for Big Head. That's more practical than sharing elixirs with him. Besides, you won't get many elixirs anyway. In our Mystical Dragon Sect, elixirs that can aid in cultivation are rare."

Shu Han tilted his head back, asking, "Brother Li, when can I go home?"

"Are you missing home?"

"Uh-huh..."

Li Heng comforted him, "I understand. After all, you're young and have been through so much. But let me tell you this, once you enter our Mystical Dragon Sect, you can't go home for ten years! When you step into the path of immortality, a gap is created between the immortal and the mortal. The sect leader made this rule, fearing that young ones like you would be distracted by familial love and neglect of cultivation. But don't worry, your family will receive gifts from the Mystical Dragon Sect every year. They won't lead a difficult life."

The group continued their ascent along the stone steps until they were suddenly obstructed by a colossal round stone that stood three people high.

Li Heng slapped the stone and said, "This is the Heaven-reaching Stone! From now on, you two will test yourselves here every year. If you can reach the sixth level of Qi Refining and cause this stone to glow before you turn twenty, you will be eligible to cultivate in the Heaven Mystical Sect."

"Senior Brother Li, what is the Heaven Mystical Sect?"

Upon the mention of the Heaven Mystical Sect, Li Heng grew excited.

"The Heaven Mystical Sect! Now that's truly exceptional! Your country bumpkins joining the Mystical Dragon Sect is like a carp leaping over the dragon's gate. But compared to the Heaven Mystical Sect, we are mere carps, while they are the true dragon's gate. Our sect leader is merely at the Foundation Establishment stage, but in the Heaven Mystical Sect, he would only be considered an ordinary disciple."

The three youngsters immediately began to fantasize.

"Senior Brother Li, what is the Foundation Establishment stage?"

Li Heng explained, "Qi transforms into energy, which represents the Qi Refining stage, a realm where the majority of cultivators are at. The Foundation Establishment stage is above that, it is the stage where one lays the foundation for their path, rising to the heavens in a single leap! Foundation Establishment cultivators can cultivate their life's magic treasure, and move mountains and seas, possessing limitless powers! You guys should not be so idealistic! Foundation Establishment cultivators are one in ten thousand! Look at our Great Elder, after cultivating for over one hundred and sixty years, he is still at the twelfth level of Qi Refining, unable to reach Foundation Establishment. For youngsters like you two, reaching above the ninth level of Qi Refining would be a cause for celebration."

Stolen story; please report.

"What about Brother Big Head?"

Erdan did not forget to ask for Shu Han.

As for Big Head...

Li Heng reluctantly replied, "Didn't the Third Elder already say it? He'll peak at the third level. However, living a life of luxury isn't out of the question. Alright, no more questions. Ahead are the lodges, one room per person. Get some sleep early and don't wet the bed!"

This was the first time the three youngsters had stayed in such large rooms. Goudan and Erdan were too excited to fall asleep, only succumbing to their exhaustion and falling into a deep sleep after much frolicking. Only Shu Han sat alone on the bed, burdened with worry.

Five Spiritual Roots!

An unprecedented waste!

A succession of denials dealt a significant blow to his young heart. Back in the village, he was always praised by the adults. But upon leaving the village, he encountered a series of harsh realities.

After a moment of confusion, Big Head's mind began to turn. He carefully took out the black jar from his package and replicated a pile of Enlightenment Herbs. Shu Han didn't know the specific effects of the Enlightenment Herb, but every time he took one, he felt that the small flame in his body grew slightly. He was certain that the Enlightenment Herb was originally for the immortals to cultivate. If he took it regularly, his cultivation level would definitely increase. If his talent wasn't enough, he would make up for it with effort.

...

At the main hall in the Sky-aspiring Sect, Mu Waner stood next to her father, the Sect Leader of the Sky-aspiring Sect, her gaze sweeping over a group of mountain forest heroes in the hall. The leaders of famous martial arts factions in Northern Yan, such as the Hungry Wolf Gang, the Eagle Sect, and the Voidless Pavilion, were all gathered in the main hall of the Sky-aspiring Sect.

The leader of the Sky-aspiring Sect stood up. His body was old, but still imposing.

"I am fortunate to invite all of you heroes to my Sky-aspiring Sect, and I am grateful to everyone here!" he started. "Everyone here knows why you were invited. Twenty years ago, that old, undying Mystical Dragon claimed the mountain as his kingdom, oppressing us martial artists and making life difficult for all factions. Now, the Mystical Dragon has been missing for seven years and is probably dead. It's time for us to fight back against the Mystical Dragon Sect!"

The leader of the Eagle Sect snorted, "How can you be so sure that the old immortal is dead?"

Mu Waner intervened, "Twenty years ago, my father invited a famous Qi viewer to observe that old man's life Qi, and that old man has long since run out of Qi. Moreover, we killed a disciple of the Mystical Dragon Sect halfway through, and the Mystical Dragon Sect didn't react at all. The Mystical Dragon must be dead!"

"Killed a disciple of the Mystical Dragon Sect?! That's an immortal!"

At this statement, the hall erupted into chaos.

The leader of the Hungry Wolf Gang threw a severed head into the middle of the hall.

"Pah! What immortal? Just a bunch of charlatans pretending to be gods! Chop off his head, and he dies just like any ordinary man."

Mu Waner said, "You're right, they are just mortals and they will die. Our seven major factions combined have thousands of people. Do we really need to be afraid of the Mystical Dragon Sect which has less than a hundred?"

Someone whispered, "Their spells aren't to be trifled with..."

Mu Waner nodded and agreed, "Yes, the spells of the Mystical Dragon Sect are indeed difficult to resist, but we have already figured out countermeasures! Bring it up!" On command, a stone garment was brought forward, "The most troublesome thing is their Fireball Spell. With this fire and water-proof asbestos garment, there's nothing to fear!"

Still, there were murmurs of hesitation in the hall.

The old sect leader continued, "Thanks to Heaven's blessings, my second son has become the commander of Northern Yan in the court. Soon, dozens of crossbows and catapults will be sent to support us. Along with our thousands of men from the seven major factions, do we need to be afraid of the Mystical Dragon Sect? Are we, the martial artists, as incapable and cowardly as they say!"

The words of the old sect leader gave everyone reassurance. The crowd was immediately roused.

"Damn it, I'm all in! I've long been fed up with those charlatans!"

"Yes, what do they count as!"