Starting From A Fisherman To Cultivate Immortality And Live Forever

Chapter 24: Ascension Ceremony, Second to Last!

Reaching the third level of body tempering in physical cultivation is already considered a small achievement in the Ten Realms' Strong Body Technique.

Although Su Ping is not proficient in techniques, he can easily perform most martial arts techniques once he reaches the appropriate level. Except for the special talents required for certain techniques, he can easily execute most martial skills.

After coming out of seclusion, Su Ping went to the study. The Lin Yue Manor already had a collection of books, and after Su Ping's body tempering, various prestigious families voluntarily sent him corresponding books.

Among the hundreds of various mortal martial arts books, Su Ping found suitable punching and kicking techniques for his own cultivation. He then spent more time reading combat experience notes written by renowned masters.

"Wow, even master warriors rely heavily on sneak attacks and ambushes!"

"Hmm... there are also methods for dealing with multiple opponents while running and fighting."

"Although I can't fully incorporate them into my body tempering combat style, they are still worth referencing."

Su Ping quickly read through two books of combat experience in less than half an hour.

As he reached for the third book, he realized that it seemed to be a record of a master warrior's journey, painstakingly visiting various cities and scenic places under the jurisdiction of the Chi Yan Immortal Sect for appraisal.

Su Ping became interested and was about to critically analyze whether there were any exaggerations when he heard the voice of his maid, Ping'er, from outside the door.

It turned out that someone from the Lord's Mansion in Jin Que City had come to inform him that the Ascension Ceremony had been arranged and that people from the surrounding towns and villages were already arriving in the city.

"For those who come to participate in Jin Que City, it doesn't matter to the prestigious families in the city, but for those who have traveled from afar... staying one less day means saving on expenses."

"And for me, completing the mission earlier also means less risk."

"After all, there are bad people among the wandering cultivators in the mortal world!"

Su Ping silently put the unfinished books into his storage bag.

Then he boarded a carriage with his servants and headed to Jin Que City.

Soon, the streets and alleys of Jin Que City were filled with the sound of gongs and drums.

"The Ascension Ceremony begins today!"

"From the hour of the Dragon to the hour of the Rat!"

"It lasts for three days, and anyone who has not participated before is welcome to join!"

"Hurry up and get in line, participants can drink porridge with their vouchers!"

"Those who are chosen by the Immortal Sect can become immortal masters!"

Night watchmen, constables, and the idle hangers-on all started spreading the news.

The two outer disciples whose morale had been boosted by Su Ping each stood on the roofs of the Lord's Mansion and the Book Pavilion, their eyes sharp as they surveyed their surroundings to prevent any evil cultivators from taking advantage of the situation.

Although they were only at the Qi Refining first or second level, they had received systematic training from the Immortal Sect and were equipped with magic robes, swords, and talismans.

They could easily handle two cultivators of the same level in the mortal world!

After entering the city, Su Ping felt the changes in the city.

It seemed to have become more vibrant?

And the pedestrians on the streets... their eyes seemed brighter!

"Is there a glimmer of hope that I or my relatives and friends will be chosen and have a chance to turn our lives around?"

"This Ascension Ceremony is more stable than the imperial examination system."

"But while the imperial examination system focuses on knowledge, the Ascension Ceremony focuses more on talent!"

"Compared to that, it seems that this Ascension Ceremony, which purely looks at talent, is fairer for the lower and middle classes?"

After Su Ping entered the venue, he took out the set of magical tools that the inspector had given him from his storage bag to test his spiritual roots.

It included a set of sixteen twenty-millimeter-long flags and a palm-sized bronze mirror.

"Begin!"

Since Su Ping had already reached the fourth level of Qi Refining, it was effortless for him to use these Immortal Sect magical tools that were designed for the third level of Qi Refining.

The formation flags flew around the training ground in the blink of an eye, and after being inserted into the ground in the shape of an outer eight and an inner eight, the formation was complete.

"Phew!"

Su Ping took a slow breath. Setting up the formation still consumed a little bit of energy.

At least let him lose one-tenth of his mana and one-hundredth of his physical strength!

After the formation was set up, Su Ping sat on a tall wooden chair, with the lord of the city and the defense officer sitting to Su Ping's lower left and lower right, respectively.

Dong!

As the large bronze gong on the tall building was struck.

The Ascension Ceremony officially began in the Golden Sparrow City!

The first to be tested, needless to say, were the children of the local aristocratic families in Golden Sparrow City.

The first one was a child from the lord's family.

Around twelve or thirteen years old, with a blushing face and white teeth, he respectfully bowed towards Su Ping's direction, then walked to the center of the inner circle of the eight banners.

As the flags trembled slightly, Su Ping looked at the bronze mirror in his hand.

"Inferior spiritual root, qualified!"

Su Ping announced the result in a calm tone, while activating the formation to leave a very faint reddish mark on the inner side of the participant's wrist to indicate their passing.

The whole process had no room for personal feelings, nor did it require on-site demonstrations or exams.

Only talent mattered, and in just a dozen seconds, the person's fate for the future was decided.

Those who passed were elated, while those who failed were dejected.

There were also a few carefree individuals who happily raised their wrists with the faint black dots that indicated their failure and went elsewhere to enjoy free meals.

On the first day, Su Ping also saw the daughter of the Ji family, Ji Hu.

Su Ping had an average education, but he thought the girl, who was in her twenties, was quite attractive.

And with Su Ping already having one-tenth of a holy body, he vaguely felt that this girl might have a slightly enchanting-related special physique.

This made Su Ping somewhat alert.

A femme fatale in the cultivation world was not just a saying.

Cultivators wouldn't fight to the death just for beauty.

But for a high-quality Dao companion, a good cauldron... they would fight even more fiercely.

Especially if this enchanting physique happened to be suitable for certain special longevity-enhancing cauldron techniques, even the Gold Core ancestors above the Foundation Building stage would be tempted!

"I just want to be a peaceful fishing immortal. I absolutely cannot accept this troublesome physique!"

Su Ping, who could obtain a holy body through fishing, had no interest in this kind of cauldron.

Su Ping silently recited the Clear Mind Mantra in his heart and looked at the bronze mirror just like before.

"Inferior spiritual root, qualified!"

The formation couldn't detect any special physique.

But having a spiritual root was enough. Even if the Ji family held onto his thigh, they couldn't stop their daughter from entering the immortal sect!

And once she entered the immortal sect, it would have nothing to do with Su Ping, the inspector.

Su Ping recalled the name that was just reported.

Ji Yufeng!

Su Ping secretly remembered it, and in the future, if he accidentally came into contact with her, he had to run as far as possible!

The Ji family's daughter left happily.

In her eyes, entering the immortal sect meant she could free herself from the control of her family and gain most of her freedom!

The Ascension Ceremony continued.

Su Ping quickly noticed that the number of qualified individuals was not many.

After the initial Qi Refining seedlings from various families passed the test.

From noon to midnight, there was only one peasant child with an inferior spiritual root who passed.

And after that, no one else passed the Ascension Ceremony's formation test.

"It's a bit abnormal to have so few."

Su Ping frowned slightly.

After today's Ascension Ceremony ended, he immediately asked the lord for the records of the previous Ascension Ceremonies.

Based on the records he could access.

The number of people who passed the Ascension Ceremony on his first day... was ranked second to last!

And the last time, Golden Sparrow City had just experienced a major chaos, and now only half of the population remained!

(End of this chapter)