Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

Xu Ming couldn't help but feel a little worried about not receiving birthday gifts from Qin Qingwan and Xu Xuenuo.

However, it wasn't because he feared they had forgotten him, but rather he worried something might have happened to them.

Fortunately, Madam Qin and Wang Feng assured him that Qin Qingwan was fine. She was simply in a critical period of her cultivation and could not have contact with the mortal world for the next nine years.

Xu Xuenuo was in a similar situation. After transforming her innate sword bone into her life-bound flying sword, she had to constantly temper it. Xu Xuenuo was now in a secret realm of the Wanjian Sect.

As for when she would emerge, it was uncertain.

Wang Feng had heard that it would take at least eight years.

Nine years for one, eight years for the other—Xu Ming figured that by the time they both came out, they would probably have forgotten him.

After all, not many people remember events from eight or nine years ago, especially those from childhood.

Still, as long as they were safe, that was enough.

Taking a deep breath, Xu Ming continued practicing his sword techniques in the courtyard.

No matter what, he couldn't let them widen the gap too much.

Unknowingly, another year passed through the changing seasons.

Xu Ming was now eight years old.

By this time, he could already lift the thousand-pound stone lion at the Xu family's entrance. He had also reached the third stage of Qi Cultivation—Furnace Ignition Stage.

Eagerly, Xu Ming revisited those "long-sealed" spell manuals.

These were the same books Madam Wang had given to Xu Pangda to deliver over a year ago.

[You have learned "Fire Control Technique": You can now simply control ordinary flames. Fire Affinity +10.]

[You have learned "Cloud Ladder": By stepping on your own feet fast enough, you can ascend to the sky. Agility +20.]

[You have learned "Spirit-Powered Body": You can now use spiritual energy to strengthen yourself. Spirit Control +10.]

[You have learned...]

In just a month, Xu Ming had finished all the simple spell manuals Xu Pangda had brought, mastering a total of eleven skills.

Every time Xu Ming learned a new spell, he felt the ancient spirit root tree in his dantian grow a bit taller, its leaves becoming lusher.

In addition, Xu Ming began visiting the Xu family's library to explore various boxing manuals.

When it came to boxing techniques, quality mattered more than quantity. Xu Ming decided to carefully choose one technique and master it properly.

When Wang Feng learned of Xu Ming's intention, she had Xu Pangda bring him a boxing manual.

"Heaven-Cleaving Fist?" Xu Ming looked at the worn boxing manual in his hands, stunned.

"What a domineering name."

"Uh-huh," Xu Pangda nodded, scratching the back of his head. "Mother said this boxing manual was practiced by my third uncle. It's incomplete, but she said not to underestimate it. Even as a fragment, it's far superior to the manuals collected by the Xu and Qin families."

"This is too precious; I can't accept it." Xu Ming shook his head.

Given what Pangda said, this was practically a Wang family heirloom.

Xu Pangda pushed the manual back toward him. "It's fine, Fifth Brother. Mother said it's not that precious. Everyone in our Wang family practices it. She also said that boxing techniques depend more on the person using them. Even the best boxing technique can't beat someone who works harder. If you have questions, Mother said you can ask her anytime."

Xu Ming smiled. "Did Auntie really say that?"

Pangda smiled awkwardly. "Mother said that becoming a martial artist is exhausting and thankless. But if you insist on practicing, she's willing to grudgingly give you a few pointers."

That bit of prideful reluctance—that's more like it.

"I understand. Please thank Auntie for me." Xu Ming accepted the Heaven-Cleaving Fist manual, quietly making a note to repay the favor.

Over the next month, Xu Ming devoted most of his time to practicing Heaven-Cleaving Fist.

[You practiced Heaven-Cleaving Fist for fifteen minutes: Vitality +50, Martial Energy +50, Full-Body Strength +20.]

Every time he practiced for a quarter of an hour, a string of words would flash through Xu Ming's mind.

The more he practiced the Heaven-Cleaving Fist, the more he felt the surging blood and qi within him. There was a force rampaging through his body, unrestrained.

"Ha!" Xu Ming shouted, forcefully executing the final move of the Heaven-Cleaving Fist.

A gust of wind burst out from his punch.

Not far away, a tree shivered as leaves fluttered to the ground.

[True Qi flows through your entire body. You have entered the Clay Embryo Realm.]

A prompt emerged in Xu Ming's mind.

Closing his eyes, Xu Ming could clearly sense the fusion of spiritual energy and martial True Qi within him.

"Does this mean I'm cultivating both body and magic?" Xu Ming exhaled deeply.

---

Three months later.

The Qingshui Academy term was ending, marking the beginning of the Tong Examination (Imperial Scholar Test). Qingshui Academy was set to be one of the examination venues.

Xu Pangda had been studying diligently for the past two years, and it turned out that the chubby boy had a natural talent for academics.

A talented and hardworking student had naturally become the favorite of the private tutor at Qingshui Academy.

In fact, since the Wu Kingdom had no age restrictions for the imperial examinations, the tutor at Qingshui Academy had high hopes for Xu Pangda, encouraging him to take this year's Tong Examination.

In the tutor's view, although Xu Pangda was only ten years old, becoming a Xiucai (Scholar) was practically guaranteed. He even believed Xu Pangda could aim for the top rank in the examination.

"Third Brother, only five days left until the exam—keep it up!" Xu Ming patted Xu Pangda, who was studying in the Xiaochun Courtyard.

"Fifth Brother clearly has greater talent than me. If you took the exam, the top spot would undoubtedly be yours," Xu Pangda said regretfully, looking at his younger brother. "If only you were born in the Qi Kingdom..."

At Qingshui Academy, Xu Ming was actually the brightest among the students, often praised by the teachers. But he was only a concubine-born son.

"Third Brother, you shouldn't say such things," Xu Ming said with a smile. "Besides, life isn't limited to the imperial examinations. If all goes well, I plan to attempt the Martial Examination in two years."

Hearing this, Xu Pangda felt even more despondent.

Fifth Brother could have been both a brilliant scholar and a skilled warrior, but because of ancestral laws, he could only tread the path of a martial artist.

"Fifth Brother, don't worry! I will work hard and become a high-ranking official!" Xu Pangda clenched his fists earnestly.

Xu Ming nodded. "Even if you become a high-ranking official, don't forget your original purpose. Always put the people first and care for the world."

Xu Pangda's cheeks flushed, and he replied sheepishly, "Serving the people and caring for the world is our duty as scholars, but that's not my true purpose."

"What is your true purpose then, Third Brother?" Xu Ming asked curiously.

Before Xu Pangda could answer, Xu Ming seemed to realize it on his own, laughing as he said, "Oh, right. Your true purpose is to be enfeoffed as a marquis and appointed prime minister."

"Not just that," Xu Pangda replied with a genuine grin.

"Then what else?" Xu Ming was puzzled.

Xu Pangda's smile grew even purer. "To become a high-ranking official, so that I can make you, Fifth Brother, an official too."