"Crossing the sea within one’s own heart is the true trial..."
Among the cultivators present who heard Qin Tang's words, some seemed mesmerized, as if they had grasped some insight. Others paid no attention, looking completely indifferent.
Just like that, the second day quickly passed.
Early on the third morning, Qin Tang appeared in everyone's view as usual. This time, however, he wasn't drinking, and looked much more clear-headed.
"Today is the final trial," Qin Tang said, surveying the cultivators present with a serious expression.
"On the path of cultivation, you will inevitably encounter countless hardships and temptations. Can you persevere through them all, never altering your original intentions?
"Let’s see."
As Qin Tang's words faded, everyone felt their vision go black as they lost consciousness.
***
In a small mountain village, Li Fan lay on a rooftop, watching the setting sun. He felt like he was forgetting something.
Having grown up in this village, he lived a life of working at sunrise and resting at sunset. This had gone on for a full fifteen years.
Such days were peaceful and happy. It didn't seem so bad to continue living like this forever.
But deep in his heart, there was always a faint stirring, a feeling that his life shouldn't end in such mediocrity.
"Fan'er, Fan'er, where are you? Come home for dinner!"
Li Fan remained unmoved by his mother's call. He looked up at the sky, watching the birds soaring freely, gazing at the sun and moon that existed regardless of human will, lost in thought.
He stayed like that until night fell and the stars filled the sky.
Beneath the vast starry expanse, he felt his own insignificance even more keenly.
He stayed like this the entire night.
Just before dawn, clarity struck him. He flipped over and jumped down from the roof.
Rushing into the house, he announced loudly to his mother, who was still asleep, "Mother, call off the marriage arrangement with Er Niu's family next door.
"I'm not getting married. I'm going to cultivate immortality!"
His sleepy mother was jolted awake. Thinking her child had lost his mind, she quickly got up and grabbed Li Fan's hand. "Cultivate what immortality? There's no such thing! Child, wake up!"
Li Fan pulled his hand free. His young face was full of determination. "I don't know where the immortals are, but I will find them."
With that, he packed a few belongings and strode out the door, leaving his weeping mother behind.
Six months later, while exploring deep in the mountains, Li Fan met his unfortunate end in the jaws of a tiger.
***
Before a dilapidated Taoist temple, amidst flickering firelight and soft sobbing, Li Fan's mind was filled with confusion.
"Great Senior Brother, Master is dead. What will become of our Cloud Soaring Temple from now on?" a timid voice asked beside him.
Just as Li Fan was about to speak, he heard angry voices rising from all around.
"What else can we do? Obviously, we divide the temple's belongings and go down the mountain!"
"We only went through all that hardship to come up here and pay our respects because we thought there was a true immortal on this mountain. Who knew the old Taoist was nothing but a complete fraud!"
"Right! Would a true immortal just suddenly get sick and die like that?"
The more everyone spoke, the more agitated they became. Li Fan could only watch helplessly as they ransacked the Cloud Soaring Temple, taking everything of value.
A short time later, Li Fan remained alone on the mountain.
After gathering and burying his master's ashes, Li Fan recalled the look in his master's eyes just before he died.
Reluctance, regret, melancholy, hope...
Was his master a fraud?
Was the Cloud Soaring Ascension Chapter his master taught him also fabricated nonsense?
Li Fan felt that things might not be the way they seemed.
Immortals... perhaps they truly did exist.
In the end, Li Fan did not descend the mountain.
He spent the remainder of his life alone in the deserted temple, watching the clouds gather and scatter, and the sun and moon trade places in the sky.
Day after day, he meditated on the Cloud Soaring Ascension Chapter.
He passed fifty years of age, yet his cultivation had not advanced a single step.
He died with regrets.
***
The Imperial Palace.
Li Fan looked at the wooden plaques arranged on the golden tray before him. Each one was inscribed with a name.
A trace of impatience flashed in his eyes.
"Take it away. I will be cultivating tonight."