Chapter 1: Su Shier

ou are so smart, maybe you can become the disciple of an immortal!"The twelve-year-old boy rolled his eyes and smiled, "Come on! You chubby little thing can't even count to three. What do you know Do...Cultivators seize the power of creation for immortality, plunder the energy of heaven and earth to prolong their lives, and refine the five elements to protect themselves.

In the north of Mu Yunzhou, there is a Tianjue Peak, which is a forbidden place in the eyes of countless cultivators.

And at the foot of Tianjue Peak, where the mountain path begins, there is a thousand-year-old ancient village called Xiaoshi Village.

Xiaoshi Village got its name because all the buildings are constructed with stones.

It is said that thousands of years ago, Xiao Shi Village was founded by descendants of immortals who lived there. However, as time passed, the truth behind this story has long been lost to history.

Now the village of Xiaoshi, life is nothing but an ordinary group of mortals.

The village had more than forty households, living on fertile land. They occasionally went to Huilong Town outside the mountains to buy some rare items. Life was pretty peaceful.

Evening.

In the woods east of Xiao Shi Village, five children around ten years old, their clothes made of hemp and their skin tanned by the sun, were crouching in the grass.

In the middle, a child holds one end of a rope. The other end of the rope is connected to a wooden pole, which supports a sieve. Beneath the sieve are scattered some grains of rice.

Beside it, a wild sparrow was poking its head in and out, trying to get at the rice grains inside. After a while, it couldn't resist any longer and finally hopped inside.

The child decisively pulled the hemp rope in their hand, and as the wooden plank fell, the gluttonous beast was trapped under the sieve.

Seeing this, several dolls excitedly jumped up and clapped their hands at the doll in the middle.

Wow, got it! I really got it! Twelve, you are so smart!

"Eldest Brother, you're so amazing! When I grow up, can I marry you"

"Twelve, listen to Mother say, tomorrow there will be a fairy in Huilong Town to accept apprentices. You are so smart, maybe you can become the disciple of an immortal!"

The twelve-year-old boy rolled his eyes and smiled, "Come on! You chubby little thing can't even count to three. What do you know Do you really think immortals are that easy to apprentice to Besides, what's the point of cultivating immortality It's better to stay in the village with grandpa, isn't it"

"Alright! You bunch of flatterers, I've already taught you the method! Go play by yourselves!"

The little boy, after finishing his words, walked to the sieve and knelt down behind it. He reached in and pulled out a wild boar caught inside, then turned and walked toward the riverbank not far away.

Su Shi's full name is Su Er. He grew up with his grandfather, relying on each other and eating meals from various households.

He was a bright child, learning things quickly. In the village, he was like the king of children.

Su Shi came to the riverbank, skillfully taking out a wild chrysanthemum from his bag. He then retrieved a fist-sized, worn and battered miniature alchemy furnace from his bosom.

The salt furnace was full. Su Twelve grabbed a handful and sprinkled it on the neatly arranged wilderness.

Then, a lotus leaf was torn off to wrap the wild herbs, and a layer of mud was applied on the outside.

The tripod furnace has a round belly. The furnace is carved with intricate patterns of flowers, birds, insects, and fish. It's unclear what material it's made of – not gold, wood, jade, or stone. It's impervious to water and fire and cannot be cut by a knife.

This was something he found in the rafters of his house. The brazier had been a treasured possession of his grandfather, who never let anyone use it. Before, Su Shier hadn't cared much about it; after all, to him it was just an odd old brazier.

But once, when he was making flowers, he happened to use this crucible to hold some salt.

It was discovered that the salt stored in this alchemy furnace became exceptionally crystalline. Flowers made with this salt were particularly crispy and after consuming them, one's mind felt clear and thoughts became remarkably sharp.

From then on, no matter where grandpa hid, he could find it! Of course, he didn't get beaten up for it.

This time, he's planning to make some for his grandfather to try too.

"Hehehe, the old man definitely hasn't had such tasty roast before. This time I'll surely surprise him! Once he tries it, he won't refuse me using this cauldron again in the future!"

Su Erh was preparing while grinning.

Suddenly, a voice came from behind, "Old man Which old man!"

An old man with snow-white hair, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, a wooden staff concealed. He was walking toward the riverbank from behind.

The visitor was Su Twelve's grandfather, Su Mingren. Su Mingren was the only person in the village who had studied, and he held a great deal of authority there.

“Of course it’s my grandfather… Old man, how did you get here!” Su Shier replied without thinking. He turned his head and saw his grandfather walking over with a child in his arms. He was startled and the wild boar he had just straightened dropped from his hands.

"One bite at a time, you old geezer, reading all those holy scriptures until they're lodged in your dog's belly"

"I've told you many times, you absolutely can't take this stove out! You little brat, you've messed with it again! Today, I'm going to beat you to death!"

Su Mingren glared at Su Twelve's hand holding the alchemy furnace, he puffed up his cheeks and narrowed his eyes, then drew out his wooden sword, making a menacing strike.

Su Er had been paying close attention to his grandfather's every move. Before his grandfather could even react, he snatched the alchemy furnace and tucked it into his bosom. With a swift flick of his wrist, he darted out, running towards the village.

While running, Su Shier shouted back at the old man, "Old man, I was doing this for you! You... you actually want to hit me! You're not kind!"

"Am I not good enough You little brat, don't you even think about who raised you this big!"

Su Mingren, carrying a wooden staff, puffed and panted as he chased after him.

"You're tearing up the roof of my house every day! Fine, the dog I can understand, but this stove! Where do you think I'm going to hide it You keep turning things over like you have a problem with them!"

Su Er, despite being young, ran very fast. As he ran, he turned and made faces at his grandfather, saying, "Old man, this alchemy furnace is a family heirloom, so it will eventually be mine anyway. What difference does it make if I get it sooner or later"

Su Mingren chased after him relentlessly, his face turning blue with anger. "You little brat, if I don't give you a lesson today, you'll never know the difference between right and wrong."

This earthen furnace has been passed down for generations, but no one knows what it was used for.

Su Mingren only knew that his father had told him before he died to take good care of it and never let anyone know, otherwise, it would bring disaster.

He didn't intend to let Su Shier know about this until the very last moment.

At times, Su Er returned his gaze to the old man. Seeing that he was truly angry, a shiver of fear ran down her spine.

Taking advantage of his youth and agility, he circled the village a few times. When no one was looking, he found a haystack and dove into it.

After all, Su Mingren is getting up there in years. After circling a few times, his face was red and he was panting, unable to run any further.

But after all, he is his own grandson, raised by his own hands, so he knows his temper best of all.

After walking around, Su Mingren fixed his gaze on a haystack not far away.

With a piece of wood in hand, Su Mingren walked lightly to the haystack. He grabbed Su Shier who was hiding inside, peeking out nervously.

"Hmph! You little runt, you're still hiding! I bet you can't run anywhere today..."

Su Mingren was scolding someone, when suddenly there were cries of surprise in his ear.

"Hey, everyone, look! There's someone flying in the sky!"

"My goodness, can people actually fly in the sky"

"What kind of person is that That's a fairy master! It seems like the fairy master has come to our village!"

……

In the village, one by one figures looked up. For a moment, exclamations rose one after another.

Su Mingren also raised his head.

In the air, a shadow completely enveloped in darkness, dragging an arc, was flying towards Xiaoshi Village.

Seeing the shadow, Su Mingren's pupils dilated suddenly, his face changed drastically, and he immediately shoved Su Shier back into the haystack, saying solemnly, "Shier, listen to grandpa, from now on you must hide inside and never come out!"

Whatever happens later, absolutely do not come out! Do you hear me!

In the haystack, Su Shi was annoyed that he was bound to be beaten today. Suddenly, seeing his grandfather's unprecedented seriousness, he froze and instinctively nodded.

Su Mingren quickly hid Su Twelve and hurried away.find it! Of course, he didn't get beaten up for it.This time, he's planning to make some for his grandfather to try too."Hehehe, the old man definitely hasn't had such tasty roast before. This time I'...