Ning Yutan, just two months shy of turning seventeen, has already achieved Bone Forging Perfection, ranking her among the top ten in the hundred-year history of Chong'an Prefecture.
If nothing unexpected occurs, in three years' time at the Immortal Seedling Grand Ceremony, it's highly likely she will become an Immortal Seedling in one fell swoop.
Thus, Marquis Dingyuan was overjoyed and invited guests from all directions for a feast.
The teachers and students of the Seeking Immortal Institute were naturally also invited into the Marquis Mansion.
With carved beams and painted rafters, winding paths leading to seclusion, the splendid and luxurious Marquis Mansion left everyone in awe and envy.
The Immortal Dynasty, due to the ties between the imperial family and immortals, truly revered Martial Dao, with almost all power and wealth linked to Martial Dao and Immortal Seedlings.
The ancestral Marquis of Dingyuan was a founding hero, bestowed with the title of marquis, and to maintain or even advance this title, it was closely tied to Immortal Seedlings. If the Marquis Mansion could produce a true Immortal Seedling, there was a chance to enter the Imperial City and be elevated to a duke.
In order to cultivate an Immortal Seedling, the Marquis Mansion not only forged marriages with noble families and martial arts families but also recruited martial arts experts, hence their close interactions with the Seeking Immortal Institute.
They were always attentive to good seedlings from the Seeking Immortal Institute.
"Father, Mother, this is Li Ji'an, very talented, currently only slightly behind me in the Seeking Immortal Institute, with boundless prospects." As everyone from the Seeking Immortal Institute congratulated, Ning Yutan somewhat impolitely introduced Li Ji'an individually.
This action instantly drew sideways glances from the assembled dignitaries.
Is this young admiration?
"Ah, Yutan, do not be rude, nor should you be arrogant. Nephew Li is graceful and dignified, obvious to see he's extraordinary. You've just advanced a bit faster now; remember, there are many who grow slowly and achieve later successes." Marquis Dingyuan pacified the situation effortlessly with deep wisdom, casually dissolving the awkwardness.
He also took the opportunity to discreetly assess Li Ji'an, feeling quite satisfied in his heart.
Now at seventeen, Li Ji'an stood over eight feet tall, his blood and energy honed for years, with sturdy bones and long tendons, no excess fat, lean and robust.
His eyes were like stars, with a high nose bridge, a face like sculpted from knives, features angular and prominent, almost rid of youthful innocence, making him look like an elegant young nobleman.
Especially noteworthy was his kind demeanor, gentle and refined temperament, quite unlike the impulsive and biased youth.
He subconsciously glanced at his eldest daughter Ning Sujin, who reluctantly followed behind, thinking they made quite a suitable pair.
Though the offsprings of martial arts experts don't necessarily have good roots, the odds are significantly higher. Back in the day, he had worked hard to bring Su Susu, Ning Sujin's birth mother, into the Marquis Mansion for this reason.
Of course, what satisfied him most was Li Ji'an's background, an orphan!
As for Ning Yutan, being an Immortal Seedling, worrying about her marriage was unnecessary, since she was destined for the Immortal Realm, to ascend and establish a legacy.
After introducing, Ning Yutan gave a flattering smile to Li Ji'an and then smugly glanced at Ning Sujin, who was there as her foil.
Ning Sujin maintained a sour expression throughout, only occasionally glancing over at Li Ji'an's location.
After rounds of drinks, hosts and guests were all merry.
The Marquis and the first lady deliberately engaged Li Ji'an in more conversation, and not without reward, gifting him a thousand taels of silver upon his departure.
From then on, Ning Sujin secretly endured hardship, appearing to work as hard as Ning Yutan, but behind the scenes, she was almost obsessed.
A year later, at Bone Forging Perfection, she began the Blood Exchange.
This renewed a sense of crisis in Ning Yutan, who had already achieved Blood Exchange Minor Achievement, prompting her to train even harder, attempting to widen the gap again.
The two girls chased each other, making Li Ji'an quite envious. Despite working equally hard, their natural talents were superior, progressing faster, and there was nothing he could do, especially when their talents surpassed his and they worked harder than him.
Yet, he did not lose his composure, progressing steadily. Half a year later, he finally achieved Bone Forging Perfection, stepping into Blood Exchange.
By then, there remained only a year and a half until the once-in-a-decade Immortal Seedling Grand Ceremony.
He knew that achieving Blood Exchange Perfection for this ceremony was out of reach, but he wasn't lax in the slightest as there would be another opportunity at thirty.
As expected, a year and a half later, with the day of the Immortal Seedling Grand Ceremony drawing nearer, the final deadline for the Immortal Seedlings of the Chong'an Prefecture Seeking Immortal Institute arrived.
"Ning Yutan, bone age of nineteen years and nine months, Blood Exchange Perfection, upholds the imperial favor, honored as an Immortal Seedling, departs for the Imperial City to pay respect to the emperor and await immortal guidance in three days!"
"Ning Sujin, bone age of twenty years and eight months, Blood Exchange Great Success, exceptional talent, ranked as a reserve, invited to accompany to the capital and enter the Immortal Palace, with a chance of being honored as an Immortal Seedling in ten years."
"Li Ji'an, bone age of nineteen years and eleven months, Blood Exchange Minor Achievement, exceptional talent, ranked as a reserve, invited to accompany to the capital and enter the Immortal Palace, with a chance of being honored as an Immortal Seedling in ten years."
...
Unexpectedly for Li Ji'an, achieving Blood Exchange Minor Achievement granted him the qualification for the Immortal Palace reserve path.
"Seems like the Seeking Immortal Palace is under pressure too? So lacking in Immortal Seedlings?"
Ultimately, three people from the current generation of the Chong'an Prefecture entered the Seeking Immortal Palace in the Imperial City, prompting celebrations across the Seeking Immortal Institute. The headmaster's worries were eased, for not only avoiding punishment but also receiving commendation.
The Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion was even more ablaze with lights and drums as news arrived from the Selecting Immortal Palace, along with the decree of elevation to duke and the reward of ten thousand taels of gold.
Entering the Imperial City, bestowed with the title of Duke Dingguo!
In the midst of the entire Mansion's jubilation, Li Ji'an stood quietly under the peach tree in the courtyard, frowning slightly.
Are these so-called Immortal Seedlings truly so? Is this fortune?
On the surface, it seems flawless, but looking beyond appearances to the essence, why would immortals go to such great lengths to select Immortal Seedlings nationwide? What's the benefit to the immortals of selecting ten Immortal Seedlings every ten years?
Could it be that Immortal Masters are saints, truly just offering these mortals a chance to cultivate immortality?
Li Ji'an grew increasingly cautious.
He temporarily adjusted his life's objectives.
Fortunately, he was not an Immortal Seedling this time, only a reserve, and likely would not become an Immortal Seedling in ten years either. The chance to verify the authenticity of "immortality" in the Imperial City was success enough.
"Brother Li, my father asked me to invite you to join us on our trip to the Imperial City, would you come?" Ning Yutan was the first to invite Li Ji'an.
"Sure, convey my gratitude to Duke Dingguo!" The journey to the Imperial City was long, with unknown risks on the road, but with Duke Dingguo's protection, it would be much safer.
"Great, with Brother Li accompanying, the journey won't be boring for me." Ning Yutan cheered joyfully.
Seeing Ning Yutan's unchanged nature over the past five years, Li Ji'an held a degree of respect for her character.
Apart from her catty behavior towards Ning Sujin, she was a simple-minded, beautiful, and kind-hearted little girl.
"Brother Li, that old woman is simply wicked, cursing me with ominous signs on my journey to the Imperial City, clearly out of jealousy. Let's not talk to her anymore, okay?"
Li Ji'an chuckled, originally intending to ignore such topics as always, but suddenly felt a twinge in his heart.
"Hmm? She said you would face ominous signs on your journey to the Imperial City? Did she mention any reason?"