Chapter 5: Return Trip

Out of the eleven people, ultimately none qualified. Besides Wang Lin, there was also a young girl who similarly stepped two zhang away, but the result was the same.

After the test concluded that day, the young men were sent down the mountain, escorted away one by one by the Heng Yue School Disciples. The one who brought Wang Lin back to his Family was still the young man surnamed Zhang who had brought them there. Wang Zhuo and Wang Hao followed beside him.

"Junior Brother Wang Zhuo, congratulations on becoming Junior Martial Uncle Dao Xu's Disciple. Your future prospects are limitless," the young man said with a smile, cupping his fists.

Wang Zhuo wore an arrogant expression, saying proudly, "That is only natural. Master has already said that once I return home and finish handling my secular affairs, he will impart the Immortal cultivation Spell to me."

Wang Hao curled his lip from the side and said, "I've disliked that smug, small-minded look on your face ever since I was little. So what if you have a Master? It's no big deal. This young Master knows Alchemy too."

Wang Zhuo glanced at Wang Hao scornfully and ignored him. Instead, he turned his gaze to Wang Lin, who remained silent, and chuckled, "Tiezhu, how about that? I told you before that you didn't have what it takes, but you and your dad didn't believe me. Now you know the result, right?"

Wang Lin looked up, glanced indifferently at Wang Zhuo, and said to the Heng Yue School young man, "Immortal Senior, my parents are waiting for me. Please take me back quickly."

Seeing that Wang Lin actually ignored him, Wang Zhuo sneered again, "Bumpkin, just stay in the village and be a carpenter like your dad for the rest of your life."

The young man showed a half-smile on his face, looked at the three youths before him, and without speaking, he swept his sleeve, taking the three of them away, disappearing from the Mountain Gate of the Heng Yue School.

On the way back, the fierce wind remained, but Wang Lin's mood was worlds apart—hope when coming, despair when returning.

Before long, the Wang Family's large manor came into sight. Wang Lin opened his eyes and looked into the distance, seeing crowds of people inside the manor, bustling like a tapestry of celebration. Tables, far exceeding the quality of the banquet his father hosted for relatives a few days ago, filled the entire large courtyard.

Everyone in the Wang Family, even the clansmen who were purchasing lumber in other places, had returned, gathering together to celebrate, clinking cups and bustling about.

The main figures of this banquet were three people: Wang Tianshui's eldest brother, Wang Tianshui himself, and his third younger brother. All the relatives gathered around these three, offering congratulations, making the scene exceptionally lively.

Without exception, their eyes revealed envy, and their mouths were full of flattery, choosing only the best words. They sighed endlessly, especially toward Wang Lin's father, lamenting past events.

"Second Brother, your boy will definitely be selected this time. You won't have to do carpentry work anymore. Who in the Family wouldn't call you Second Master when they see you?" Wang Lin's father's sixth younger brother, a pot-bellied middle-aged man, praised loudly.

"Second Brother, I saw back then that your life would definitely be extraordinary. How about it, was I right? Your destiny rests on Tiezhu. If Tiezhu becomes an Immortal, you, as his father, will be remarkable." Wang Tianshui's Fifth Paternal Uncle, squinting his small eyes, sat beside Wang Lin's father and flattered him while raising his cup.

"Second Brother, your Tiezhu and my kid will both be selected this time. We haven't seen each other for more than ten years, so we must drink until we drop this time." Wang Hao's father, Wang Tianshui's third younger brother, came forward holding a wine cup, smiling widely, and said loudly.

Tiezhu's father looked at the relatives who had previously looked down on him, feeling greatly exhilarated and glorious. Years of gloom were swept away, yet a large stone still weighed on his heart.

"Tiezhu, you must be selected!"

"Second Sister-in-law, following my Second Brother this lifetime means you'll enjoy good fortune. With Tiezhu as your child, who in the surrounding villages won't recognize you in the future?"

"Exactly, Second Sister-in-law, your child is much more capable than mine. Tiezhu has been intelligent since he was little. He truly is a good child."

"Tiezhu's Mother, although we are of the same clan, there are many cases of inter-clan marriage nowadays. My daughter is also of age. Tiezhu is handsome and dignified; I've liked him since he was small. How about our two Families become in-laws?" Just like Tiezhu's father, Tiezhu's Mother was surrounded by a group of female relatives, warmly chatting about village gossip.

Tiezhu's eldest brother watched all of this with cold eyes, thinking internally, *Just wait. Once the Immortal sends the children back, we'll know the result. If Tiezhu isn't selected, let's see how you, Second Brother, handle the aftermath.*

Thinking this, he laughed heartily on the surface, raised his wine cup, and exchanged a few words with the relatives who were praising his child beside him.

The scene was loud and bustling. Just then, a Long Arc of Light suddenly streaked across the sky and landed in the large courtyard, revealing four people.

The surroundings instantly quieted down. All the Wang clansmen were trembling with fear, daring not to speak.

The Heng Yue School young man swept his gaze around and sighed inwardly, recalling how his own hometown celebrated when he was accepted as a Disciple by the Heng Yue School. He felt deeply emotional for a moment. He looked back and gave Wang Lin a deep glance, knowing that what this young man was about to face was something even adults could not bear.

"The Great Dao is ruthless…" The young man shook his head, moved his body, and flew away from the place on a Sword Light.

"Cultivators must not have secular attachments. Handle your affairs accordingly. I will return to pick you up in three days." His voice drifted from afar.

Tiezhu's father's eldest brother immediately stepped forward, watching his son excitedly the moment the Immortal left, and asked, "Did Immortal Senior Dao Xu accept you as a Disciple?"

Wang Zhuo looked smug and said proudly, "That is only natural. Master said that within ten years, I will become a standout among the Heng Yue School Disciples."

Wang Zhuo's father was overjoyed. He heavily patted his son's shoulder and laughed heartily, "Good! Wang Zhuo, you are an Immortal now! Our Wang Family has an Immortal! Haha."

Wang Hao's father also looked anxious at this moment, staring at Wang Hao. Just as he was about to ask, Wang Hao yawned and said proudly, "Dad, no need to ask. Your son is already a Heng Yue School Disciple."

Wang Zhuo looked scornful and said in a sarcastic tone, "Third Paternal Uncle, you raised a fine son. He completely disgraced our Wang Family by shamelessly flattering the Immortal in front of everyone and then offering gifts, barely managing to secure the qualification of an Herb Boy."

Wang Hao raised an eyebrow and retorted mockingly, "I wanted to, so what? When the time comes, we'll see whose Immortal Spell is stronger, and then we'll know who disgraced the Wang Family."

Tiezhu's father had been watching his own child. He saw a trace of dejection on Tiezhu's face, and his heart trembled, giving rise to a bad premonition.

"Tiezhu, how… how did it go for you?" Tiezhu's Mother asked, full of hope.