Chapter One: An Immortal from the Heavens Descends to the Mortal World

Jiuzhou, the Kingdom of Qi.

Under the broad daylight, the sky was clear and cloudless, the world vast and shining. Suddenly, from the farthest reaches of the heavens, a streak of light flashed by, plunging straight down.

If someone could gaze through the distant vault of the sky, they would see that it was a pillar. Its substance was neither gold nor jade, neither iron nor stone, but such details were insignificant. What mattered was that, as the pillar fell, it expanded with astonishing speed!

In the blink of an eye, the once tiny pillar swelled to dozens, then hundreds of yards, until it was like a mountain descending from the heavens. The fierce wind at the edge of the sky could not move it; the pillar remained unshaken.

Moments later, the pillar, now grown to thousands of yards, was finally noticed by those below. Its grand appearance was etched in the minds of all who saw it. It was indeed a pillar, upon which flames flowed, and carved upon it were exquisitely detailed phoenixes and dragons—both real and mythical. Even from thousands of miles away, a single glance could imprint its spirit forever into one’s memory.

Astrological Bureau.

“The sky… the sky! Something else is falling from above!”

“A pillar? And dragons? Phoenixes?”

“Hurry, report to the Emperor! Another celestial omen has appeared! This is urgent, of grave importance!”

The uproar among mortals was futile; an even more incomprehensible scene unfolded before their eyes. The phoenix and dragon carved beside the pillar, vivid and lifelike, seemed to come alive as the pillar descended!

The true dragon whipped its tail, the mythical phoenix spread its wings!

Their roars and cries echoed throughout the heavens. Yet no matter how they struggled, as the pillar fell, their bodies faded quickly, and even the pillar was covered in cracks.

At last, when it reached its limit, there was a thunderous crash!

The true dragon vanished, the mythical phoenix perished, and the pillar that bore them disintegrated into ashes—like a fleeting dream.

As the dragon and phoenix disappeared, sounds of destruction and furious, hysterical shouting echoed from the royal palace of Qi.

Upon the highest peak of the kingdom, an elder, his hair and beard white, stood proudly in the simplest coarse linen. Beneath him, clouds surged and snow lay thick and pure.

His complexion was rosy, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on where the pillar had faded, unaffected by the extreme cold and thin air swirling around him.

“At last, I have witnessed it with my own eyes.”

There was no one nearby. The elder muttered to himself, his breath turning instantly to shards of ice as it left his lips.

His breathing was imperceptible, his chest barely moved. If he did not speak, he would seem as a statue atop the peak, nearly devoid of life.

“But this is already the highest mountain in Qi. Above this mountain, there is only me…”

His eyes remained fixed, as if speaking to the heavens.

“How far is it from mountain to sky? What lies above the Grandmaster? Where is the Immortal Sect hidden?”

There was no answer.

Only the unchanging chill and snow, silently enfolding the summit.

But he now knew: atop the highest mountain, one still could not touch the sky.

……

Within a dilapidated monastery, a monk walked toward the rear hills, where a grand Buddha statue, built against the mountain, stood in solemn majesty.

Once, countless worshippers came here, but now the Buddha's head was lost, incense gone, halls empty, few ever visited.

The monk strode to the decapitated statue, then leaped through the air, landing atop its broken neck, standing tall.

“Among all Buddhas in the world, none surpass me—why can I not ascend?”

……

Sword Pavilion.

Within the Sword Tomb, the sound of sword-song vibrated in all directions.

Deep within the North Sea, a dragon danced wildly.

At the Academy, the bell tolled nine times.

All corners of Jiuzhou stirred at once.

……

Xu Yuan stared blankly as the majestic scene in the sky abruptly faded, a trace of disappointment on his face. “Even pillars are starting to fall now.”

Though magnified many times, with phoenixes and dragons crying and roaring atop the pillar, marvelously strange, Xu Yuan had grown immune to such sights.

No wonder, he had watched from above for so long, he was nearly sick of it.

In truth, he was not from here—strictly speaking, not even from the sky.

By some accident, he had been struck by “Great Fortune.”

When he awoke, he was no longer among mortals.

It was not a major problem.

The only issue was, there was absolutely no one in the heavens!

Luckily, the heavens never sever the path of man; each year in the sky, he could “descend” for a single day.

He arrived at sunrise, departed at sunset.

Each year, one day to live.

He shook his head, casting aside all thoughts stirred by witnessing the anomaly.

His time was precious; he didn’t wish to waste a moment, for he had plenty up in the heavens to ponder. Why squander the fleeting time left in the mortal world on reflection?

Xu Yuan lifted his gaze, then looked about.

A gentle mist curled, morning light faintly glowed.

It was early spring, the air still carried a chill; through the mist, everything seemed frosted and snowy, blurred as if in a dream.

Yet beneath the mist, a peach grove bloomed brilliantly, like clouds and fire.

A breeze stirred, carrying the mist, causing branches to sway, petals to dance, and dewdrops to sparkle—a scene of beauty.

“Ah, still the familiar place.”

Seeing this, Xu Yuan felt a quiet joy.

From its general appearance, little had changed; even finding change was difficult.

The only notable difference was the peach trees—there were far more now, their fragrance naturally filling the air.

The transformation of mountains and rivers takes centuries to show; descending once a year, he could see no difference, but the years needed for trees to grow were already apparent.

Where once stood two or three peach trees, now a whole grove flourished.

After a glance, Xu Yuan prepared to leave, but faint voices reached his ears, halting his steps. He listened intently.

“Brother… why are we still coming here?”

A sleepy, childish voice, tinged with impatience and timidity.

“Do you think I’d ever harm you? Just follow me! There’s definitely something good here! Besides, didn’t you see the celestial omen just now?

I’ve heard that those destined for greatness always have omens appear! It means we’re sure to find something this time!”

Another, sturdier voice full of conviction rang out.

“This is just the peach grove behind the hill. What could be here? Apart from peach trees and rocks, there aren’t even any peaches.

Besides, omens basically happen every year—what’s so special? Brother, you were hung up and beaten by mother till midnight yesterday, aren’t you tired now?”

Rubbing his eyes, Ji Wen grumbled sleepily.

“You don’t understand anything!”

Ji Wu stomped his foot. “You only know mother beat me, but do you know why?”

“Because you skipped private school all day.”

Ji Wen replied confidently.

“Nonsense! Let me tell you, I secretly followed mother all day yesterday! Do you know what she was doing?”

“What?”

“She spent the whole day wandering in the peach grove, like she was searching for something! She’s been doing this for days—there must be something good here!”

Ji Wu insisted.

“Maybe she wants to do what scholars do—go on a spring outing and admire the blossoms? Brother, aren’t you overthinking?”

Ji Wen sighed helplessly.

“Useless blockhead!”

Ji Wu shot him a glare, utterly certain: “Mother has never been one for idle amusements…”

“Useless wood that can’t be carved? Leisure and refinement?”

Ji Wen guessed.

“Yes, yes, you get it.” Ji Wu was delighted. “Hurry up! In half an hour, mother will come—if she catches us, we’ll both be strung up on the rafters and whipped.”

Hearing this, Ji Wen jolted awake, his sleepiness fading. He obediently followed Ji Wu to the peach grove.

As soon as they arrived, Ji Wu pulled out a shovel, handed it over, and spoke as if entrusted with a divine mission: “Start digging!”

“Huh?!”

Ji Wen was stunned. “Brother, you hid two shovels and brought them—are you trying to dig something up?”

“Of course! Mother’s been searching for days and hasn’t found it, so it must still be in the grove, right? We’ve looked for days and found nothing; if we can’t see it, it must be underground, not in the sky! Stop talking and dig—mother will be here soon!”

As he spoke, Ji Wu energetically attacked the base of a peach tree with his shovel, full of vigor.

Ji Wen, holding his shovel, felt something was off but couldn’t say what. He picked a tree and started digging like Ji Wu.

After a while, aside from soil and some roots, only a few bits of stone appeared.

Panting, Ji Wen tossed his shovel aside, scanned the grove, then kicked the shovel even farther.

“I’m done! With so many trees, how long would it take to dig them all?”

Ji Wen was disgruntled.

“You never act like this when you study! You won’t even put in a bit of effort—if we find something good, you won’t get any!”

Ji Wu eagerly moved on to a second tree.

“There’s nothing here, brother. You’re definitely overthinking this time.”

Ji Wen sat down on the ground, giving up.

“You know nothing. Remember three years ago, at New Year? Mother said we couldn’t go to the kitchen, but I snuck you in—there was so much delicious food!

Two years ago, father said we couldn’t go to the weapons room—I found several fun throwing weapons, didn’t I give you some?

Last year, mother said if I dared mess with the guest arriving tomorrow, she’d beat me hard. I found out she wanted to arrange a betrothal for us, so I secretly swapped the tea with bitter water and avoided disaster.”

His confidence growing, Ji Wu declared, “This time is even bigger—mother said if I dared run wild behind the hill, she’d break my legs. Could there not be something good here? I refuse to believe it! Just keep digging!”

Ji Wen fell into thought.

Something felt wrong, but he couldn’t say what.

“There’s food in the kitchen, weapons in the armory, guests might bring good or bad news…”

Ji Wen looked at the grove, muttering gloomily, “But there aren’t even peaches here; are we digging up roots?”

“Fool!”

Ji Wu, sweating profusely, swung his shovel with gusto. “Haven’t you heard those storytellers? I say, father must have hidden a huge stash of money in the grove, mother found out, and that’s why she’s been searching every day.

If I dig it up, I can secretly buy myself a sword and become a hero! Maybe even seek the immortal path. If you dig it up, you could buy lots of tasty food and nice clothes…”

An epic blueprint seemed to unfold before them, awaiting only the shovel to uncover the treasure.

As they spoke, the shovel struck something hard, ringing with the sound of metal and stone.

Ji Wu shouted excitedly, “Found it!”

“Hm?”

Ji Wen, previously doubtful, sprang up and rushed over in three quick steps. “What did you find? Let me see!”

At that moment, another voice, gentle as a breeze, echoed alongside them.

“Yes, what did you find?”