Original subtitles

PROLOGUE

I told you not to give free rein to that crazy woman.

She's an idiot!

Liu Xian, take a look around. I'm right here!

Besides, I did this to help Lu Li cut costs.

SIXTH ELDER OF LINGJIAN SECT, LU LI

There is no point in arguing over the original intention now.

Well said, Fang He.

We need to come up with a solution.

What will we do with these 15 candidates?

Let's accept them all!

Our sect has had scant membership for far too long.

Things will become more lively with 15 newcomers!

Based on our original plan,

having 15 people pass Bingfeng Valley would've been an excellent outcome.

In the following three challenges,

there would've been a maximum of three victors.

Based on sect resources alone,

we can't afford to support another 15 Inner Court disciples.

Our sect is fairly well off,

but we still shouldn't be wasteful.

Wang Wu, Lu Li who is in charge of finances has spoken.

I can't help you anymore.

Or else, I'm going to starve if he cuts the budget for Xiaoyao Peak.

When have I ever cut your budget? I've always granted you funding.

Nonsense!

You didn't grant me funding when I wanted to buy the Xingchen Aurora Diamond!

That's right! Same with my Moonlight Gem Box.

Sect funds can't be used to buy jewelry!

Nobody wanted this to happen.

Based on the rules, all 15 candidates passed the challenge.

Turning them away will harm our sect's reputation.

However, based on our sect's current circumstances,

accepting them all isn't too realistic.

Therefore, the simplest solution

would be for us to carefully review all candidates

and select the ones with the greatest aptitude.

Doesn't that solve the issue?

Sect Leader, do you mean we'll conduct an interview?

Yes to an interview! Clever idea! Excellent idea!

I'm sure you have each found a promising individual

as you watched through Spirit Lens.

Why not take this chance to recruit and groom them?

No need to thank me!

I agree.

Suck-ups!

Sect Leader, I'll go fetch the 15 candidates from Xuanyun Hall.

Wait.

I need to speak with you.

I'm back!

-Can the rest of you go on ahead? -All right.

-Okay. -Sure.

Come.

Is he the one you called The Chosen One?

Yes, you have to trust me on this!

Ever since he completed my chain of quests at Lingxi Town,

I was certain he was no ordinary mortal.

Ling'er has also mentioned him to me.

Since you're so certain, then he must be the one.

I will pay him special attention.

All right, let's head over to Xuanyun Hall.

XUANYUN HALL

Didn't they agree that those who pass the Immortality Path would be their disciple?

Why are they adding another challenge?

Lingjian Sect is so fussy.

We all passed, thanks to Wang Lu.

An extra challenge is to be expected.

Was I talking to you?

That elder said only three will remain.

Wang Lu, what are you thinking?

I'm thinking about which master I should choose later.

The interview is very simple.

Please pass through this Qiankun Mirror one by one.

Place your hand on top of it for a moment.

The Qiankun Mirror will determine your capability and Spiritual Root.

Let's start.

The mirror can really do that?

I'll go first!

Lingjian Sect places great importance on temperament.

The first to step forward will undoubtedly make a favorable impression.

This...

This Spiritual Root is really...

After hundreds of years of cultivation,

I finally see the real thing!

Make him a specimen! I want him for my collection!

The interview has concluded. Please wait outside.

The elders will now discuss the results.

Three qualifying candidates will be chosen in an hour.

Wang Lu, congratulations in advance for your acceptance into Lingjian Sect.

The results aren't out yet.

Don't get ahead of yourself.

The excitement you caused when you touched the Qiankun Mirror

was already a sufficient indication.

This is Lingjian Sect.

As the most ancient of the five great sects,

the elders have seen all types of Spiritual Root.

Yet, they lost their composure when they saw your Spiritual Root.

It goes to show how rare it is.

That's right!

Your performance has been exceptionally eye-catching the whole way.

You ended the challenge at Bingfeng Valley with a single strike.

Given your strengths, why wouldn't they accept you?

Nothing is certain until the results come out.

XUANYUN HALL

Those whose names I call out

may stay at Lingjian Sect and become Inner Court disciples.

"Wen Bao."

Me?

"Zhu Qin."

Me!

"Wang...

Zhong!"

Me?

Why him?

What did I say?

You are indeed the chosen one!

Thank you, Zhu Qin.

Let's look after each other from now on.

This can't be possible.

What is this turn of events?

Wang Lu, what are your plans now?

I'm wondering whether I should order my army of followers

to drown Lingjian Sect with negative comments.

I get it, Xiaohai!

This is a deliberate plot device.

The story is being unfolded by using an unreasonable plot.

The further we fall,

the higher we'll soar later on.

Xiaohai.

We'll become immortal kings of the free world.

I don't understand.

Hai Yunfan, Wang Lu, don't despair...

I mean, it's a blessing in disguise!

The two of you are so intelligent.

There are bound to be opportunities.

Perhaps...

Perhaps...

Perhaps what?

I'll say it.

Some people are just overconfident.

Yes, he may be smart,

but does that mean he is the chosen one?

Wang Lu, we did start out on this path together.

If I succeed at cultivation,

I'll need an attendant by my side.

You?

-I'm not interested in you. -I'm not interested in you either!

Sect Leader gave me special instructions to explain why you two were not selected.

Your circumstances are quite unusual.

First, Mr. Hai.

You were outstanding throughout the entire challenge,

so the elders suspect there may have been a mistake with the assessment.

Would you like to try again?

That's not necessary.

I accept this result.

Are you sure?

-You will only be an Outer Court disciple. -I accept that.

Are you certain?

I think this is a wonderful outcome.

Then, you may report to Xiaoyao Peak.

As for the other candidate,

your temperament and perception are impeccable.

You are even more outstanding than Mr. Hai.

In terms of Spiritual Root,

as you've guessed, you have a type of Heavenly Spiritual Root

and more specifically, the rarest type, Void Spiritual Root.

-"Void Spiritual Root"? -What is that?

"Void Spiritual Root"?

What is that?

"Void Spiritual Root"?

What does that mean?

This Spiritual Root was possessed by the most powerful cultivator,

Great Ancestor Desheng, the First Emperor of Immortals.

Since this Spiritual Root is so rare,

why wasn't Wang Lu accepted?

Rare and powerful Spiritual Root is not better.

On the contrary, the greater the Spiritual Root is,

the more demanding the cultivation methods would be.

Even before the Degenerate Age,

no cultivation methods were compatible with Void Spiritual Root.

This doesn't just apply to Lingjian Sect.

No sect has been able to train

a cultivator with Void Spiritual Root.

Ever since the Degenerate Age,

Void Spiritual Root has merely served as an ornamental purpose

and only has value as a collectible.

Isn't that as useful as the stone lions at the entrance?

Yes, Elder Hua Yun said

you could only be a mascot at Lingjian Sect.

-Mascot? -Mascot?

Mascot?

Mascot?

After all, you have the ancient Spiritual Root.

That alone will give us enough grandeur to overpower the Shengjing Sect.

You have a deal!

I shall thank the Sect Leader and elders.

Does your sect provide board and lodging for a mascot?

An ample salary?

Paid annual leave?

No, I said it as an offhand comment.

Don't take it seriously.

Offhand comment?

You are all respected elders.

You should honor every word you say.

You said you would make me the mascot.

Don't tell me you're denying that now.

If you are,

others will say your sect has no credibility

and reneges on promises.

That would be regrettable.

Sect Leader, we really shouldn't go back on our words.

You're the one who made the comment.

Wang Lu, why do you insist on joining our sect even as a mascot?

That's because I made a bet with someone.

It will be embarrassing if I lose the bet.

Sect Leader, he's just like Wang Wu!

Is he?

Having her in our sect is more than enough!

I'm standing right here.

So what?

Over the past few days,

the stupidity of the other candidates nearly brought me to tears.

I just want to show them that knowledge is power!

There are many benefits as Lingjian Sect's mascot.

You will have a license to commit all sorts of outrages in the outside world

if you're under our protection.

Such benefits cost a lot of resources.

You are neither handsome nor have the ability to cultivate.

What do we need you for?

Could you pay me?

Money?

People have been after my ancient coin since the very first day.

This is certainly not an ordinary ancient coin.

I got it!

An entrance fee! Is that it?

Will this be sufficient?

That is...

Our sect's Xiaoyun Ancient Coin?

How come he has it?

Sect Leader,

is he your bastard child?

Wang Wu, you don't seem surprised that the ancient coin I gave Ling'er is--

I find it strange too,

but Ling'er seems to have given it to him on her own.

He helped her win that radish bet.

Bet?

Come with me.

Come.

Wasn't the one who won the bet,

the young man who stayed in the superior room at Rujia Inn?

Wasn't that Wang Zhong?

I was just wondering why Ling'er thought so highly

of someone possessing the third-rank Spiritual Root.

That nonsensical Wang Zhong?

No wonder you were staring at him like a love-struck fool!

You thought he was The Chosen One?

Did you forget your glasses again?

It's quite embarrassing.

I was using my Great Xingchen Power on him

and didn't have time to use Great Spirit Vision.

By the way, are you hungry? I'll make some noodles for you.

I'm already fed up!

All the challenges I set up at Taoyuan Village

were to help you steal the Xiaoyun Ancient Coin from Wang Lu.

You repaid my efforts by withholding my salary!

It never crossed my mind that you would do what needs to be done.

Besides, you just wanted the ancient coin for yourself.

Why are you helping Wang Lu now?

I just want to boost our sect's membership.

Don't try to change the subject. It was clearly your mistake.

I...

I use the Great Xingchen Technique to monitor many things.

It's understandable that I would miss out on little details sometimes.

Let's head back.

The elders must be growing impatient.

The coin you showed us is the Xiaoyun Ancient Coin

left behind by Master Xiaoyun, the grandmaster of our sect.

The one who holds this ancient coin

can make any single request to Lingjian Sect.

Any single request?

I want to be the sect leader!

You...

Darn brat, you want to steal the position from me?

You won't be able to maintain your position as an elder,

let alone as a sect leader.

The other elders will immediately oust you.

I suggest you think carefully and make a more realistic request.

Then, I...

-I want an ultra-tier immortality tool. -I want one too!

All right.

If we can refine such an impossible item one day,

we'll give it to you.

That will take around 5,000 years or so.

Are you serious? I can't have this or that.

Do you have any sincerity?

Who is the one being insincere?

Let this be a warning.

If you keep making ridiculous wishes,

I'll take back your right to a request!

Nobody wanted this to happen.

Since we're all interested in the same thing,

we can discuss this.

I have no idea what you're getting at.

I guess I'll have to scale back my demands.

I want to be a Successor Disciple of Lingjian Sect!

Successor Disciple?

That is a serious matter.

We need to discuss this first.

All right. You can wait outside for our answer.

Very well.

Everybody, I'm sure you are well aware.

A Successor Disciple is ranked higher than an Inner Court disciple

and is someone to whom an elder can one day

pass the mantle to.

Therefore, there are very limited spots.

Since Wang Lu has made his request,

we need to give him an answer.

Liu Xian?

Feng Yin, you know me.

I am awfully busy overseeing the Inner Court disciples.

I don't have time to groom a Successor Disciple!

Fang He?

Feng Yin, you know me.

I'm not good at training disciples.

If my disciple was still alive...

Let's not talk about that.

Feng Yin, you know me. I'm in charge of Outer Court disciples.

Feng Yin, you know me. I'm in charge of finances.

Feng Yin, you know me. I--

-You have the most free time! -You have the most free time!

I'm sure they know you better than I do.

Feng Yin.

XUANYUN HALL

I now declare

Lingjian Sect's Immortality Conference has concluded.

Those whose names were not called earlier need not be discouraged.

You passed all our challenges,

so you are qualified to be Outer Court disciples.

Outer Court disciples?

You are Hai Yunfan, right?

I am Hua Yun, the elder in charge of Outer Court disciples.

Come with me.

Elder Hua Yun, what decision was made regarding Wang Lu's situation?

Please trust that we have made the best arrangements.

Let's hurry on, now.

Everybody, please follow me.

All right.

-Let's go. -Wang Lu?

I am sure Lingjian Sect will keep their promise.

So was Wang Lu accepted or not?

Of course, he wasn't accepted.

Look at him.

He is just like a stray.

Nobody is paying him any attention.

Right, Wang Zhong?

You are right.

Wang Zhong, Zhu Qin, Wen Bao.

You are Inner Court disciples. Come with me.

Come on.

You two are worlds apart now.

XUANYUN HALL

Rare and powerful Spiritual Root is not better.

This doesn't just apply to Lingjian Sect.

No sect has been able to train

a cultivator with Void Spiritual Root.

Ever since the Degenerate Age,

Void Spiritual Root has merely served as an ornamental purpose

and only has value as a collectible.

You only had a one in a million chance,

but you still persevered.

Why do you doubt yourself now?

You were able to complete the hidden quest in Taoyuan Village.

Why do you doubt yourself now?

So you were that river deity.

Hello.

From this moment on, I am your master.

When it comes to leading disciples...

I am inexperienced.

So...

Please behave!

Well, let's make the best of it.

Did Lingjian Sect send her to mess with my head?

What's the matter?

It's astonishing to see someone as arrogant as you

look so depressed.

What are you talking about?

I'm trying to cheer you up!

It was made very clear to me.

Can I really cultivate with my type of Spiritual Root?

What can I learn?

Don't you worry.

Since that old grouch entrusted you to me,

I will lead you onto the path of cultivation.

The Void Spiritual Root is no challenge for me.

Really?

Have faith in me.

I will not give up until the very end.

My name is Wang Lu. From now on, I will follow your lead.

My name is Wang Wu. Keep up with me.

Master!

Spiritual energy converges at Lingjian Mountain of Cangxi Continent.

From the outside, it looks like a single mountain,

but it is actually comprised of 12 peaks.

Every peak contains the ideal conditions for cultivators.

Piaomiao Peak and Xingchen Peak are ranked the best.

Our Wuxiang Peak is the next best.

Moreover, it is just the two of us.

There is plenty of spiritual energy for us.

That's Wuxiang Peak.

Why is it so barren?

That is because I fell into debt a few years ago.

I cut down and sold all the spiritual plants.

The buyer negotiated the offer down to a wholesale price!

I had no money left to buy seeds.

Don't worry though.

They'll grow back in 500 years or so.

How can I not worry?

You let your own territory sink to this shoddy state.

It's no wonder you live all by yourself!

A dignified elder turned spinster!

Did you say something?

No!

We've arrived.

Here we are.

This is where we'll be living.

So spartan!

But even if there was a small town here,

she would end up squandering it all.

We can skip the formalities. I don't deserve such an honor.

I'll introduce myself first.

Lingjian Sect currently has seven elders.

I am the fifth. You could say I'm ranked among the best.

I practice the Wuxiang Technique that I invented.

You invented it?

May I ask which stage are you at cultivation?

The Golden Core Stage.

Are you shocked?

Yes, shocking.

What about the other elders?

The Nascent Soul Stage.

Other than the Sect Leader,

nobody else has reached the Semi-Deity Stage.

Disgraceful.

IMMORTAL CULTIVATION STAGE

KINESTHETIC, QI REFINING, FOUNDATION ESTABLISHMENT,

GOLDEN CORE, NASCENT SOUL, SEMI-DEITY, TRIBULATION

How can you criticize others when you're at such a low stage yourself?

No wonder you have no friends!

GOLDEN CORE

From now on, this is your mansion.

Is this considered a mansion?

It just needs a little tidying up.

A little tidying up?

Let's have dinner. It'll be my treat today.

Your treat today?

What about tomorrow? Will I be on my own?

Yes.

"Yes."

LINGJIAN SECT, OUTER COURT DINING HALL

-Have you heard? -What?

The Immortality Conference ended today.

There is an exceptional genius among the newcomers

who was directly made a Successor Disciple!

I already heard.

I really want to see who it is.

Do you think he'll eat here?

This dining hall provides free food for Outer Court disciples.

As a Successor Disciple,

there is no way he would come here to eat with the likes of us.

What a lazy setup!

Just by sticking a mole on our faces,

nobody can recognize us!

She swindled me of my dark iron.

Next was my ancient coin at Taoyuan Village.

Now she has fooled me into coming here!

I'll teach you a lesson.

Welcome to my small theater.

This is a mole, but it's no ordinary mole.

It is a hairless black mole.

Just stick this mole onto your face and others won't be able to recognize you.

You look entirely the same,

but to other people, you are now an entirely different person.

Simply speaking, it is photo retouching.

It's fine to be naughty once in a while, but don't take it too far.

I don't know when I'll be found out.

Master, there's a mole covering your face.

Fifth Elder!

Fifth Elder?

-Fifth Elder! -Why is she here?

Why have you come to the Outer Court Dining Hall?

I ordered a total of 28 dishes.

You gave me exactly what I wanted with perfect proportions.

Well done!

As for you...

Every dish of double-cooked pork slices contained exactly 49 carrot slivers.

Every slice was uniform and cut as thin as silk.

There was a bit too much corn starch,

but it is still worth praising.

I came in disguise to inspect the quality of the dining hall.

All rise!

-I see. -Fifth Elder is amazing.

Incredible!

-As expected from Fifth Elder. -She is full of wisdom.

Don't rush to bed.

We have important matters to attend to.

I'm not that kind of person.

You don't want to?

That's not it. Actually...

Have you even had puberty yet?

Come and take this aptitude challenge.

Is there night self-learning in our sect?

COMPREHENSIVE EXAM

"How many red peppers were put in the sauteed shredded pork

with green pepper that you ate at the dining hall?"

-Are you serious? -You're in the cultivation realm.

I wouldn't ask you the outdated questions of the mortal realm.

I put my blood, sweat, and tears into making this exam.

Go ahead and answer the questions.

His speed and accuracy far exceed that of a normal person.

Even if he is familiar with mortal realm scriptures

that knowledge wouldn't be useful in this exam.

He possesses innate knowledge.

He is indeed The Chosen One with Void Spiritual Root.

That's enough.

You have a poor aptitude.

You will barely be able to succeed me.

There is one thing I must ask you before you begin cultivation.

What is the purpose of cultivation to you?

-To show off how cool I am! -After my own heart!

It is even shameless.

Try again.

Ascension to immortality?

That's what people say, but how many actually succeed?

Longevity?

The oldest living being of the cultivation realm

is Kunlun Sect's Old Man of the South Pole at 3,900 years old.

His only purpose is science and research.

Is that what you want?

-Just tell me. -There's no right answer.

Are you messing with me?

Regardless of what your motives are,

you need to fulfill one basic requirement.

-Be handsome? -Be beautiful!

Don't interrupt me.

What matters most for cultivation are

endurance, persistence, and shamelessness!

Master, you're so naughty.

Those are the secrets to scoring a partner.

I meant endurance during cultivation and persistence in overcoming setbacks.

Many cultivators have been annihilated

by heavenly tribulations alone,

not to mention mortal tribulations.

Even with oversight by the Nine Continents' Office of Cultivation,

the crime rate in the cultivation realm remains shockingly high.

Crime is expected among dishonorable sects,

but there are immoral characters even in righteous sects!

Therefore, if you want to cultivate, you must be tough

and have thick...

Thick skin.

So?

Aren't you excited

that the most beautiful woman of the Nine Continents

is your master?

It sounds as if she made that up on the spot.

I have such an unreliable master.

Can she really teach me cultivation?

SUMMON

What do you think?

Are you happy that you have become an Inner Court disciple?

Thank you for your assistance.

It is a mutually-beneficial collaboration.

As long as you do as I say,

you will be rewarded.

Everything I have was bestowed by you.

I am at your command.

I will risk life and limb for you.

Then, do as I say

and keep track of his whereabouts.

Yes.

Don't try to play any tricks.

Remember this.

I was able to give you everything you have.

I can also take it all away.

Zhu Qin, where are you?

Elder Liu Xian is summoning us to the Inner Court for training.

I know!

I'm coming!

HEAD DISCIPLE OF LINGJIAN SECT, OUYANG SHANG

Is that for me?

I really like it.

Wang Wu.

I knew you would be here.

All Lingjian Sect elders know

the night of a full moon is when I drink and make merry.

Why did you come?

You can fool others, but you can't fool yourself.

I know you are sad about Head Disciple.

You've been searching for his whereabouts all across the Nine Continents.

It has been more than a century.

It's time to let go.

I am sure he would want you to live a happy life.

I am very happy.

Did you accept Wang Lu

because he has Void Spiritual Root, just like Head Disciple did?

Of course not.

I'm in my prime

and wanted a young and vigorous male to warm my bed.

Do you remember

that great apocalyptic calamity 18 years ago?

The Nine Continents were saved because of the sudden appearance of a comet.

It ushered in the Golden Age of Cultivation.

Among the glittering stars in this generation,

Wang Lu is clearly the brightest one of all.

I hope you will teach him well.

I'm not interested in destiny, nor do I understand it.

But since he was placed under my care,

I will take responsibility for him.

Did the fellow eavesdropping over there hear what I said?

Sect Leader. Master.

I know what you're thinking.

Since I have taken you under my wing,

I will teach you properly.

Lingjian Sect members keep their word.

Tomorrow...

Your training will begin.

I will do my best.

TWO YEARS LATER

Subtitle translation by Renee Luk