Who taught him to practice swordsmanship like this?

On the rugged, muddy path, an oxcart swayed and rocked.

It had just rained, and everything looked so clear and bright, with a peaceful fragrance in the air.

The oxcart was driven by an old man in his fifties, and sitting on the oxcart were six boys and girls aged 8 to 12.

"Once you arrive in town, don't wander off. Just follow me obediently to pay respects to the immortal master. Whether you succeed or not depends on this one visit."

"If any of you are taken back to cultivate by the immortal masters of Changchun Palace, that is your good fortune, and also the good fortune of our Su Family Village."

He spoke in an old-fashioned Chinese tone, with a hint of anticipation.

Su Baichen was one of the people sitting on the oxcart. He was only eight years old and was the youngest.

Although he looked as dark and dirty as the other children, the sparkle in his eyes was the brightest, and his expression was the most composed.

"Second Uncle, is the Changchun Palace you mentioned a legitimate Taoist temple?"

Second Uncle immediately said seriously, "Of course! Our nine townships and three towns in Xianyou County are only able to live peacefully under the protection of Changchun Palace. Otherwise, you little kids would have been carried away by monsters long ago and made into 'baby cabbage' to be eaten!"

Su Baichen said irritably, "Second Uncle, please don't tell us these kinds of stories to fool children at a time like this!"

Second Uncle was speaking enthusiastically when he heard this and couldn't help but purse his lips: "You're such a boring kid... But Second Uncle is telling you the real deal, the immortal master of Changchun Palace is truly capable."

"What exactly is it? Tell me."

Su Baichen pressed for more information.

His feelings are quite complicated right now.

Eight years have passed since he transmigrated to this world. At first, he thought he had been reborn into a certain dynasty, but it turned out to be an alternate world completely unrelated to his original history.

He was all prepared. He planned to show off his intelligence when he grew a little older so that his clan would send him to school and change his fate.

however……

Before he could put his plan into action, he was unexpectedly told about this opportunity to cultivate immortality...

He has a kind of unreal, dazed feeling about him right now.

"Chenwa'er, your second uncle doesn't have that much knowledge, so he can't explain it to you clearly. Children, all you need to know is that if the immortal master asks you a question later, answer it properly, understand?"

The second uncle, who was usually joking and disrespectful to the younger generation, suddenly became serious.

Su Baichen and the children from Sujia Village quickly agreed.

Everyone seemed preoccupied and didn't say much more along the way.

The oxcart moved slowly, taking two hours, and finally arrived at Hekou Town at noon.

The town was already bustling with activity, and the only street was filled with vendors hawking their wares.

The town of Hekou is located next to a waterway hub, attracting many merchants and travelers, making it quite prosperous.

The children of Sujia Village had never seen such a bustling market before, and they were all dazzled by the sight.

Su Baichen only glanced at it twice before turning his attention away, still pondering the so-called Immortal Master of Changchun Palace...

I had a chat with my second uncle earlier, and he already knew that this kind of thing actually happens once every ten years, and children aged 6 to 16 from all over the country can participate in this selection.

Of course, the second uncle had no idea what would happen.

As he himself admitted, he was ultimately just an old man from the countryside and didn't have much relevant information.

However, the oxcart continued to move slowly until it arrived at a Taoist temple in a corner of the town.

The plaque above the Taoist temple reads "Xuanmiao Temple," and a few people had already gathered in the open space in front of the gate, but the number was not as many as Su Baichen had guessed.

There were no wealthy families as he had imagined; they were mostly from poor backgrounds like his, and mostly girls.

He blinked in surprise, then realized: what normal family would be willing to send their child to some so-called spiritual practice?

For ordinary people, the most basic wish is, of course, for their children to stay with them. They would only send their children out if the family is struggling financially.

Meanwhile, there were also some orphans in the open space of the temple, who had come to try their luck.

The sound of sobbing could be heard from time to time in the open space, filling the place with sorrow and making the newly arrived children from Sujia Village feel uneasy.

Perhaps they finally remembered that if they were chosen, they might never be able to go home again... and so, their eyes reddened, and they began to cry.

"Oh, you children, why are you crying here? You were talking so well the whole way here!"

The second uncle said somewhat flusteredly.

He was worried that the Taoist priests in the temple would be displeased if they saw this.

Su Baichen comforted him, "Second Uncle, it's alright, everyone is crying."

The second uncle's face fell, and he could only take out the welding fumes, puff on them, and wait.

A moment later, the temple gate opened, and a middle-aged Taoist priest with sword-like eyebrows and bright eyes walked out.

He looked at the crowd gathered in the open space in front of the gate and said in a very friendly tone, "Have you all come to see your children off?"

The moment this man appeared, he became the center of attention. No one interrupted him when he spoke, and everyone subconsciously responded to his questions... The parents and elders who brought their children all nodded subconsciously.

Seeing this, he nodded and then introduced himself: "This humble Taoist is Feng Linzi, or you may call me by my secular name, Lin Zifeng... After all, forty years ago, I entered Changchun Palace right here. I wonder if any of you here remember me?"

He sounded somewhat disappointed, clearly not expecting a positive answer.

This Feng Linzi looks to be in his early thirties. It's hard to imagine that he left here forty years ago... If that's the case, he must be in his sixties or seventies, right?

Moreover, his words were highly infectious, immediately making everyone feel his melancholy.

Then, he said earnestly, "As you can see, this parting may be forever. After all, there is no time in spiritual practice. My fellow villagers, my children, are you really willing to part with your loved ones forever?"

As soon as the words were spoken, some of the more emotional children burst into tears.

"No, no, I don't want to be separated from my mom and dad..."

Such cries seemed to resonate with some parents, causing them to hesitate.

Maple Forest said, "Yes, how painful it is to part with loved ones forever. The path of cultivation is long and arduous. It's better to reunite with family and live a peaceful life. Don't you agree?"

"Go back now. I am only happy for your reunion."

Parents were reluctant to part with their children, and the children cried. After a short while, nearly half of the participants chose to withdraw.

Su Baichen stared in disbelief as many people left, before suddenly realizing: the selection process had already begun!

Moreover, he never expected that the selection and assessment process at Changchun Palace would be conducted in this way.