Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

Another cycle of seasons passed.

Unknowingly, Xu Ming was already five years old.

Xu Ming didn't know how much strength he had now since there wasn't a suitable point of reference in the Xu household.

He had tried to move the thousand-pound stone lion at the Xu Manor's entrance but couldn't budge it.

In his dantian, the little sapling had grown another two centimeters taller compared to a year ago.

As for the level of his spiritual root, Xu Ming had no idea either.

However, he felt his aptitude was still poor.

But that didn't bother him much; he figured he had time to grow since he was only five years old.

After Xu Xue Nuo left, Xu Ming never saw the Xu Manor's First Madam, Wang Feng, again.

But Xu Ming heard from Chun Yan that during a family banquet, the concubine, Lady Qian, had sat in the seat meant for the First Madam.

When Wang Feng arrived, Lady Qian let out a surprised "Oh my, how careless of me to have taken Sister's seat" as she stood up.

Though a minor incident, it was clear to anyone with insight that the two concubines, emboldened by their children's status, were beginning to challenge the First Wife's authority.

As for whether they feared Xu Xue Nuo returning after mastering her skills, they were entirely unbothered.

Xu Xue Nuo had already been removed from the family registry and had no ties with the Xu Manor, dedicating herself solely to the way of the sword.

Even if she did return, what could she possibly do?

Would she really draw her sword just because someone "accidentally" sat in her mother's seat?

Still, Lady Qian and Lady Lin could only resort to these petty tricks to annoy Wang Feng. They wouldn't dare take things too far.

Honestly, Xu Ming found the system in Wu Country rather bizarre.

The children of concubines had the same status as those of the main wife, while the children of mistresses were only slightly above servants.

Xu Ming had heard that this wasn't the case when Wu Country was first established. It had only been this way for the past 150 years, ever since the late emperor implemented this etiquette system, which had continued to this day.

As for what happened 150 years ago and why the late emperor established such a system, Xu Ming had no clue.

And he didn't care to find out.

Every day, Xu Ming focused on improving himself through both physical and spiritual cultivation.

Qin Qing Wan came daily to read half an hour of the Heavenly Mystic Mind Technique with him, and Xu Ming spent the rest of his time training whenever he was free.

When his mother was around, Xu Ming would walk and jump about.

When she wasn't, he would do push-ups, sit-ups, and lift rocks around the courtyard.

Chen Suya suspected her son might have a hyperactivity disorder and even called for a doctor. The doctor concluded that Xu Ming had abundant energy with nowhere to vent it and prescribed a herbal tea to drink daily.

It didn't help at all.

Chen Suya figured her child was healthy and never got sick, so she decided to let him be. If he liked being active, so be it.

---

"Ming-gege, let's go to school!"

One day, Qin Qing Wan ran into the room excitedly and stopped abruptly in front of Xu Ming, looking at him with bright, sparkling eyes.

"School?"

Xu Ming, who was doing push-ups, stood up and clapped the dust off his hands, plucking a small leaf from Qin Qing Wan's hair.

Although she was only five, her jawline was already starting to show, and her almond-shaped eyes were growing more and more like her mother's, albeit clearer and purer. She was undoubtedly a beauty in the making, one destined to be stunning no matter what.

"Yes, yes!" Qin Qing Wan nodded vigorously. "Yesterday, Mother told me that I'm old enough to start school. And it just so happens that His Majesty has established a new academy for the children of nobles in the capital. I heard the teacher there is supposed to be really amazing!"

"Oh, this matter..."

Xu Ming had also overheard his mother and some of the concubines discussing this matter.

It seemed that a scholar from the renowned White Deer Academy had returned.

White Deer Academy was a highly prestigious institution. Over the 200 years since the founding of Wu Country, only five individuals had ever been admitted, all of whom later became high-ranking officials. This scholar was the sixth.

Emperor Wu jokingly asked him what position he wanted.

The scholar simply replied, "A school, some children, and the role of a teacher."

To everyone's surprise, the emperor actually agreed and established the Zhixing Academy.

The emperor then allocated a total of 45 spots for the children of court officials aged five to seven to attend the school.

As for teaching the children of nobles and high-ranking officials, the scholar neither commented nor questioned it. It seemed he truly saw himself as just a teacher and didn't care who his students were.

---

"Ming-gege, let's go to school together! I'm sure it'll be so much fun!"

Qin Qingwan tugged Xu Ming's hand eagerly. For the little girl, "going to school" was a novel and exciting experience.

If she could try it out with Ming-gege, it would be even more fun!

Xu Ming smiled and shook his head. "I probably can't go."

Among the court officials, there were many children. The 45 spots weren't nearly enough, and quite a few officials had been pulling strings to secure a spot for their children, many without success.

As a mere concubine-born child, Xu Ming didn't have the qualifications to attend.

"You can, you can! I told my mother, and she said she's already spoken with the Preceptor. Ming-gege can definitely go!" Qin Qingwan held Xu Ming's hand tightly and said, "Ming-gege, come to school with me, please."

Looking at Qin Qingwan's expectant little face and those almond-shaped eyes that seemed to say, "If you refuse, I'll cry right here and now," Xu Ming didn't know how to respond.

"If my mother says I should go, then I'll go," Xu Ming finally said, tossing the decision to his mother.

Whether or not he ended up attending Zhixing Academy, he wouldn't forget the effort Lady Qin and Qingwan had made for him.

"Yay!" Qin Qingwan cheered, jumping up in delight. "I'll go tell Mother now!"

Not long after, Qin Qingwan dragged her mother to Xiaochun Courtyard to discuss the matter of letting Xu Ming attend Zhixing Academy with her.

After much back-and-forth between Lady Qin and Chen Suya, Chen Suya finally gave in, and it was decided that Xu Ming would accompany Qin Qingwan to school three days later.

Hearing that Ming-gege would go to school with her, Qin Qingwan was overjoyed. She grabbed Xu Ming's hand and began spinning in circles around the courtyard, laughing happily. Even the Tianxuan Goose joined in the playful chaos.

Watching the two children and the Goose frolicking so cheerfully in the courtyard, Lady Qin's face softened into a gentle smile.

But slowly, her expression grew troubled, and her brows furrowed with worry.

"Madam, I observed the stars last night and noted that a fortuitous opportunity will soon arise in the Tianxuan Sect's territory. It could greatly benefit Qingwan's cultivation. We might not be able to wait until she turns nine; I'll likely need to take her away next year," the National Preceptor had told her recently.

Thinking of the Grandmaster's words, Lady Qin's gaze softened with sorrow as she looked at her daughter.

It wasn't just herself—how heartbroken would Qingwan be when the time came for her to part with Xu Ming?