It is said that the immortals left treasures for the royal family that can transmit sound across thousands of miles.
Every ten years, as the Immortal Scripture Day approaches, the immortals send messages to the Emperor.
At this moment, the sound of the Golden Bell signifies that the immortals have communicated with the Emperor.
"Finally, I am going to meet an immortal!" Li Ji'an couldn't help but feel a stir of excitement in his heart.
Having traversed this world for three lifetimes, he still didn't know what kind of 'immortal' this world had?
Is it the kind of immortal from the mortal cultivation legends, or the kind like the Jade Emperor of the Celestial Court?
However, these don't matter as long as it's not the weird and deceptive kind of 'immortal'; he could accept it.
"The Golden Bell has sounded; the Immortal Master will descend in about ten days. Have you mastered the Floating Willow Step?" Interrupted by the nine rings of the Golden Bell, Ning Sujin no longer insisted on the previous topic, her tone carrying a vague worry.
Li Ji'an also felt a surge of doubts.
Because upon their meeting today, he asked Ning Sujin about the fortune of Ning Yutan, and the answer remained unchanged.
Originally, he thought the great misfortune should lie on the journey, but the crises were resolved along the way, and even up till now, it was still a great misfortune, which made Li Ji'an ponder.
Will there still be crises in the few days before the Immortal Master's arrival?
Or...
It can't happen after ascending to the Immortal Realm with the Immortal Master, can it?
"Already mastered!" Sensing Ning Sujin's slight worry, Ning Yutan restrained the pride that she was about to show and spoke truthfully.
Ning Sujin gave her a sidelong glance: "Whether you believe it or not, I still sense a great misfortune for you! Always be cautious, even when ascending with the Immortal Master..."
"..." Ning Yutan suddenly widened her eyes, staring at Ning Sujin in disbelief.
Following the Immortal Master would still lead to great misfortune?
Such words are too rebellious. If overheard by others, she'd be accused of defying the Immortal Master.
For a moment, she found it difficult to discern whether Ning Sujin's constant mention of "great misfortune" was a mere fantasy or something else.
Previously, when she was first chosen as an Immortal Seedling, Ning Sujin casually mentioned great misfortune, which she thought was a curse. Later, on the journey, she was solemnly reminded of the great misfortune and took it seriously. It was proven when she narrowly escaped a killing tribulation, believing it was because of an unseen reminder from the Su Family, she felt grateful to Ning Sujin.
But now, the other party even said that she would still face great misfortune while following the Immortal Master.
This made her reassess Ning Sujin's words.
"Could the rumors of this old woman's hysteria years ago be true?" Unintentionally, a strange look appeared in her gaze towards Ning Sujin.
Seeing the familiar untrusting stare, Ning Sujin's face darkened instantly: "It's hard to advise a ghost who's bound to die! Just pretend I didn't say anything."
"Yutan, don't you already know Sister Jin's character? Do you think she would waste words with you if she weren't sure? Better to believe than not, be cautious about everything," seeing the two sisters at odds again, Li Ji'an interjected.
Ning Yutan looked at Li Ji'an, and with the corner of her eye seeing Ning Sujin's sullen face, she obediently nodded: "Yes, Brother Li is right, I will be careful, thank you."
"You should thank your sister!" Li Ji'an shook his head with a smile.
"Who needs her thanks!" Ning Sujin snorted coldly and turned her back without hesitation.
Li Ji'an chuckled wryly, pondering, he eventually remained silent. After all, in ten days, the Immortal Master would take Ning Yutan away, so the parting of these adversaries would soon be revealed.
"Ning Xianmiao, the Palace Master's order, proceed to the Immortal Hall immediately!" At this time, a raspy voice came from outside the courtyard.
The so-called Palace Master refers to the current Holy Emperor.
Once one enters the Seeking Immortal Palace, they must refer to him as the Palace Master, not the Emperor.
Ning Yutan dared not delay and hurriedly opened the door to leave.
Seeing Ning Yutan leave, Ning Sujin immediately did not hesitate, seemingly deliberately avoiding being alone with Li Ji'an.
Li Ji'an raised his eyebrows slightly, somewhat amused: "Sister Jin..."
"As before, no sign of misfortune!" Ning Sujin directly interrupted him, providing an answer.
"Sister Jin, wait a moment! I'm not asking about fortunes." Li Ji'an hurriedly explained.
Ning Sujin was slightly surprised and stopped instinctively: "You actually don't worry about fortunes anymore?"
"Not totally, just that there are two things," Li Ji'an grinned unabashedly.
"Ha, I knew it. What else?"
"Where did you see the immortal ten years ago? Did the Immortal Master notice you?" Li Ji'an asked bluntly because, according to the information he had gathered in recent months, when the Immortal Master descends, mortals must avoid, and peeking is not allowed.
Of course, it was the Emperor who set these rules, and at least once someone accidentally saw the Linchun Immortal Master, there was no reaction from the Immortal Master. Instead, it was the Emperor who came forth with harsh penalties.
"Do you also want to see the immortal?"
"If I go to see the immortal, how about the fortune?"
"Just follow me then," Ning Sujin smiled confidently.
"Thank you, Sister Jin!"
With Ning Sujin's promise, Li Ji'an felt reassured.
No matter the case, as long as there was hope for ascension, he definitely wouldn't give up. But toward the unknown Immortal Realm, he still harbored concerns and could only do his utmost to avoid risks, see the 'immortal' first, and eliminate the kind of fake 'immortal' before anything else.
After seeing Ning Sujin off, just as he was about to close the door, a small figure timidly approached.
Li Ji'an frowned slightly, looking at Zhao Yunsheng, who wasn't even ten years old, a bit helplessly.
Zhao Yunsheng, the grandson of King Yun by the main family, should have been enjoying luxuries in Yun Province. However, due to the interception incident of an Immortal Seedling three months ago, he was sent to Seeking Immortal Palace a few days ago by King Yun.
The main reason is that his talent is not outstanding, and he originally had no qualification to enter the Immortal Palace. This time he was brought in exceptionally, evidently as a hostage.
By pure coincidence, this kid's quarters were assigned next to Li Ji'an's.
Perhaps because of this, upon hearing Li Ji'an was from Chong'an Prefecture, he became even more close.
"Brother Li, the two sisters just now are from Duke Dingguo's Mansion, right?"
"Indeed, you even know Duke Dingguo?" Li Ji'an suddenly realized something, asking back.
Zhao Yunsheng blinked his eyes: "I... I heard grandpa mention it."
"Did your grandpa ask you to interact more with the young ladies from the Duke's Mansion?"
"Yes... oh, no, no..."
Li Ji'an wanted to ask more, but eventually shook his head and said nothing more, having no interest in meddling in these affairs.
"You came to me for something?"
"I'm still scared alone and want to sleep with you," Zhao Yunsheng said timidly.
Li Ji'an chuckled: "Didn't we agree yesterday, the last night.
Besides, this is the Seeking Immortal Palace, the safest place in the world is here, and the Immortal Master will descend here, you can rest assured.
Furthermore, your cousin is an Immortal Seedling this term, and you can ask him for anything you need."
"My grandpa won't let me!"
"Brother Li... my dear brother..."
"Fine, fine, the old rule, if there's a bedwetting incident, you take the quilt outside yourself to dry it," seeing the little guy's timid appearance, Li Ji'an finally relented and agreed.
As the day of the Immortal Master's descent approached, the entire Immortal Palace became bustling.
All eight Immortal Seedlings were arranged to stay in the core Immortal Hall, completely away from outsiders.
Until the dawn of the eighth day, Li Ji'an finally received a summon from Ning Sujin.
"I've repeatedly deduced, and now is the time to hide in the side room of the Immortal Hall without any ominous signs! This is also the closest place to see the immortal."
Until they approached the side room of the Immortal Hall, after Li Ji'an received another passive sensing of no ominous signs, the two of them managed to perfectly avoid the patrolling Golden Saber Guard and the Shadow Guard distracted by a bird on the west side, smoothly sneaking into the narrow side room.
The side room was the main hall's air vent, with honeycomb vents inside and outside, not only allowing a view of the scene above the main hall but also glimpses of some scenes inside the main hall.
The only unforeseen issue was that the room was extremely small. Once they were inside, there was hardly any extra space, forcing them to press closely against each other, even cheek to cheek.
And right after they squeezed inside, the sound of patrolling guards was heard outside.
This meant they would have to remain crammed together in the side room until the Immortal Master led the Immortal Seedlings to ascend before they could leave.
At least three days and nights!