Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

At the entrance of the school, many servants had already arrived to pick up their young masters and mistresses. Some children had made new friends over the past two days and were walking out arm in arm.

Xu Pangda stepped out of the school, watching his classmates walk away in pairs, arms slung over each other's shoulders. Then he saw Xu Ming, Qin Qingwan, and the big white goose walking together. A small sense of loneliness welled up in his heart.

He wanted to join Xu Ming and the others to play, but after taking a few steps, he stopped, feeling too shy to catch up. Only when Xu Ming and Qin Qingwan had gone far ahead did Xu Pangda, carrying his small bookcase on his back, silently head in the direction of the Xu residence.

"Third Young Master."

"Third Young Master is back!"

When he arrived at the Xu residence, the servants and maids greeted Xu Pangda one after another. Xu Pangda responded with a bright, sunny smile unique to chubby kids, and then headed toward Qingxin Courtyard.

Once he had walked a bit further, the servants couldn't help but start whispering amongst themselves:

"I heard that the First Madam's father was dismissed from office."

"I heard it too. Meanwhile, the Second Madam's elder brother was appointed Minister of Personnel. One more step up, and he'll be the Grand Chancellor!"

"The eldest young master is said to have exceptional talent in talisman-making. He joined the Tianzhuan Sect last year, and even the sect leader has praised him."

"Honestly, the hereditary noble title should go to the eldest young master."

"But the eldest young master is already cultivating. What use would he have for the title?"

"You fool! The land and resources tied to a noble title greatly benefit a cultivator's progress! Why else would so many cultivators take up positions in the court?"

Walking in the distance, Xu Pangda's ears twitched. Others might think he couldn't hear them, but in truth, Xu Pangda's hearing was sharper than most.

He lowered his head even further and gripped the straps of his bookcase tightly, quickening his pace toward his courtyard.

When he finally reached his own residence, Xu Pangda stopped at the gate and saw his mother sitting on a stone bench in the yard, lost in thought.

Xu Pangda swallowed nervously. Though he felt a bit scared, he still walked in and softly called out, "M-Mother, I'm back from school."

Wang Feng turned her head to look at her son. Her once bright phoenix eyes, which had captivated all of the capital, were now dull and lifeless. "You're back."

"Yes, Mother, I'm back," Xu Pangda repeated, taking small steps with his chubby legs to approach her.

"Go play. Dinner will be a bit later today," Wang Feng said indifferently, withdrawing her gaze as if she had entirely let go of him.

"I'm not hungry," Xu Pangda replied. He was about to head into his room when he suddenly stopped. Biting his lip, he seemed to muster great courage before running back to his mother's side.

He tilted his head up nervously, looking at Wang Feng. "Mother, the teacher praised me today."

"Mm," Wang Feng responded with a slight nod, but she didn't even glance at her son.

"Then I'll go back to my room," Xu Pangda said, feeling a sour ache in his nose at the sight of his mother's demeanor.

"Mm," Wang Feng replied again.

Xu Pangda stood on tiptoes and poured a cup of water for his mother, placing it on the table. Then, with his head hung low, he went back to his room.

Sitting at his small desk, Xu Pangda took out his books.

He glanced out the window, longing to go out and play.

But with a heavy shake of his head, he slapped his chubby cheeks firmly and took a deep breath. Gathering his focus, he began reviewing the lessons the teacher had taught that day.

---

The Wanjian Sect.

It was one of the Four Sacred Grounds and Five Great Sects in the world of cultivators.

A dreamland for all sword cultivators.

The Sect Master of the Wanjian Sect—Jiang Luoyu—was renowned as the number one Sword Immortal in the world. She was also hailed as the strongest female Sword Immortal in history.

In her thousand years of cultivation, Jiang Luoyu had never taken a disciple.

This was despite countless sword prodigies with innate sword bones or Sword Intent physiques coming to seek her tutelage. Jiang Luoyu had rejected them all.

Yet, a year ago, Jiang Luoyu accepted a disciple—a mere four-year-old child.

The child's name quickly spread throughout the sect.

Her name was Xu Xue'nuo.

At just four years old, Xu Xue'nuo became one of the most senior figures in the Wanjian Sect. Even elders several centuries old had to address her as "Martial Uncle."

Strangely, no one cared that Xu Xue'nuo possessed innate sword bones. Such sacred physiques were not uncommon within the sect.

Instead, everyone was curious—what made this four-year-old Martial Uncle so special that she could become the Sect Master's first and perhaps only disciple?

Many sought to catch a glimpse of this mysterious child. However, since her initiation, Xu Xue'nuo had never left the Sect Master's Peak.

---

Within the forests of the Sect Master's Peak, a woman clad in the robes of the Wanjian Sect walked across fallen leaves.

Her complexion was as fair as snow, her delicate nose beneath crimson lips as though brushed with plum ink.

Perhaps due to years of sword training, her figure was tall and slender. Even in her robes, one could faintly discern her lean, toned, and powerful legs.

She was breathtakingly beautiful but as cold as ice, making others hesitant to approach.

The woman walked to a mountain stream, where a waterfall cascaded from a high cliff, crashing into a clear spring below.

At the center of the spring, a young girl with delicate, porcelain-like features sat cross-legged on a rock.

The girl shared a striking similarity with the woman—both had sword-shaped eyebrows exuding an aura of bravery and strength.

"Xue'nuo," Jiang Luoyu called softly to the little girl.

Xu Xue'nuo slowly opened her eyes, stood up, and performed the Wanjian Sect's sword salute. "Master."

Jiang Luoyu examined the sword energy surrounding Xu Xue'nuo, then nodded in approval. "It's about time. Come with me."

"Yes, Master," Xu Xue'nuo replied, following closely behind.

Though she didn't know where her master was taking her, Jiang Luoyu flicked her sleeve, and moments later, they were flying on a sword, soaring through the clouds.

Before a single cup of tea could be finished, Jiang Luoyu brought Xu Xue'nuo to a peculiar mountain peak.

What made the peak unusual was its lack of trees; instead, it was covered in countless long swords planted firmly in the ground.

The only other notable feature was a large stone stele inscribed with three words:

"Mingxin Sword Peak."

Xu Xue'nuo furrowed her brows.

She felt an overwhelming discomfort, as if the closer she got to this mountain, the more her body was being torn apart by the thousands of swords around her.

Yet, she pressed her lips tightly together, clenched her fists, and endured without making a sound.

When she finally landed, they stood before a mountain cave.

Another stone stele stood at the cave's entrance, carved with four characters:

"Jianxin Dao Ming"

("The Sword's Heart Reveals the Way").

"Next, you might die."

Jiang Luoyu withdrew her gaze from the stele and lowered her head to look at Xu Xue'nuo, speaking slowly but firmly.