Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan, at this moment, admired Qi Heng not only because he was a peerless prodigy but also because they strongly approved of his character.
Although immortals advocated for detachment from desires and emotions during their cultivation, they were, after all, still imbued with humanity.
The character "immortal" (仙) consists of the radicals for "mountain" (山) and "person" (人). An immortal is a person who lives by the mountain.
No one, regardless of who they were, would like an immortal who was devoid of affection and righteousness.
Such an immortal would be untrustworthy, and at a critical juncture, betraying friends, fellow disciples, or even their master would be no significant matter.
Moreover, even a despicable and shameless scoundrel wishes to be the only bad person in this world, with everyone else being good.
Qi Heng, possessing the talent of a peerless prodigy and valuing friendship so highly, was naturally worthy of admiration. In fact, given his current circumstances, the four elders felt a degree of reverence for him.
As for the request he had made, there was nothing to object to.
...
"I thought it was some grand request. Such a simple one, I can agree to it right now."
"Kid, you're something else. I thought it was some big deal. Entrusting such a trivial matter to me, there will be absolutely no problem. I will handle it perfectly for you."
"Heh heh heh, don't worry. As long as you become my disciple, something this simple can be easily managed by just a small attendant. I can handle it with ease."
"For such a simple request, don't be so serious. Just leave it to this elder."
Upon hearing that the request was so simple, Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan breathed a sigh of relief and unanimously agreed.
"Thank you, Four Elders."
Upon hearing the replies from Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan, Qi Heng, with palpable excitement, bowed again.
With this issue resolved, the gazes of Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan remained fixed on Qi Heng.
...
Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan simultaneously asked again, "Your request has been granted. Now, young one, can you tell us which of us four you will choose as your master?"
Hearing Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan steer the conversation back to him choosing a master,
Qi Heng, in his nervousness, couldn't help but wipe the cold sweat from his forehead. Whichever of the four elders he chose, he would offend the other three.
Seeing Qi Heng hesitating and refusing to speak, the four cunning immortals, Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan, exchanged glances and burst into laughter.
Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan said reassuringly, "Kid, don't be so nervous. None of us will eat you."
"Don't worry. No matter which of us four you ultimately choose, we won't have any objections. Choose with confidence."
Qi Heng looked at one, then at another, finding it difficult to decide. Any one of the four was a Golden Immortal, capable of protecting him.
Qi Heng looked at one, then at the other, in great distress. Even with his precocious intelligence, he couldn't easily make a decision.
If there were only one elder, or if they decided among themselves, how wonderful that would be.
Fortunately, Zhang Jingzhong, Liang Jingru, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan were all very patient. Despite Qi Heng's apparent struggle.
The four, thinking from his perspective, believed that even they, in their youth, would find it difficult to make such a choice when faced with such a situation.
Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself.
Therefore, the four did not urge Qi Heng. Time trickled by, and Qi Heng remained troubled, still unable to make up his mind.
After contemplating for a moment, Qi Heng first excluded Liang Jingru. It was inconvenient for a male disciple to have a female master, both for cultivation and other aspects.
His gaze began to wander between Zhang Jingzhong, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan, never lingering on Liang Jingru for more than a few seconds.
Liang Jingru was not foolish. Having lived for hundreds of years, she knew that this young lad, who hadn't even fully grown, had excluded her solely based on her gender.
Sensing trouble, she revealed her trump card.
"Old Zhang, Junior Brother Yang, Zhou the Blacksmith, stop arguing. For the future of the Yin-Yang Immortal Palace, and for this boy's future, you should let him be mine."
"I have the Heaven-Mending Immortal Pill in my possession. Even if you wish to contend, you probably cannot win."
Having said this, Liang Jingru glanced at the other three, who were clearly astonished, paused, and then extended her palm.
Within her palm, a multicolored immortal pill appeared out of thin air, its radiance shimmering.
"Heaven-Mending Immortal Pill!"
Upon seeing the multicolored immortal pill in Liang Jingru's hand, Zhang Jingzhong, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan collectively gasped.
The gazes of the three were fixed on Liang Jingru's palm.
The pill was about the size of a fist, entirely multicolored, thumb-sized, with purple patterns flowing within, exuding an aura as profound and inscrutable as the Great Dao.
While shocked, Zhang Jingzhong, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan understood why Liang Jingru dared to speak so confidently and why they were unable to utter a word in response.
It was because this was no ordinary immortal pill; it was a legendary immortal pill capable of transforming an immortal's aptitude and purifying their bones.
Throughout history, the number of immortals born was as countless as the stars in the sky or grains of sand in the desert, and prodigies among them were equally innumerable.
Even someone with Qi Heng's aptitude was not uncommon in the entire immortal world.
However, reaching the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm remained an extreme rarity.
The Heaven-Mending Immortal Pill in Liang Jingru's palm, though only one, contained the principles of the Great Dao and was intertwined with immortal energy.
For immortals, especially disciples just embarking on the path of cultivation, they knew all too well what this Heaven-Mending Immortal Pill signified.
Qi Heng might not fully comprehend the significance of this Heaven-Mending Immortal Pill, but as elders of the Yin-Yang Immortal Palace, Zhang Jingzhong, Yang Kun, and Zhou Zihan understood it perfectly.
Especially since the target of this Heaven-Mending Immortal Pill was a young man possessing a congenital Dao body, which greatly amplified its allure.
After consuming this Heaven-Mending Immortal Pill, Qi Heng would genuinely have the potential to reach the Great Luo Golden Immortal realm.
This Heaven-Mending Immortal Pill seemed tailor-made for Qi Heng.
If it were any other benefit, the three of them might have contended for it, but Liang Jingru, in her desire to retain this peerless prodigy, had even brought out such an supreme immortal pill as the Heaven-Mending Immortal Pill. It could be said that Qi Heng, this peerless prodigy with a congenital Dao body, now had no connection with the three of them.
"Hmph, what a wasted trip. Senior Sister Liang, you should have said so earlier. You made me waste so many words."
With a cold snort, Zhou Zihan lost all interest in looking at Qi Heng and Liang Jingru. He withdrew his gaze from the Heaven-Mending Immortal Pill and turned to leave, disappearing in an instant.
After Zhou Zihan left, Zhang Jingzhong and Yang Kun exchanged glances. They then looked at the Heaven-Mending Immortal Pill in Liang Jingru's palm, shook their heads, and sighed with regret.
All their efforts today had been in vain.
...
The Heaven-Mending Immortal Pill in Liang Jingru's palm was so perfectly suited for Qi Heng's congenital Dao body that anyone but a fool would refuse it.
"Heh heh, Senior Sister Liang truly has great courage. To possess such a treasure as the Heaven-Mending Immortal Pill, no wonder she was not anxious, having already planned everything but kept it hidden."
After uttering a few envious words, Zhang Jingzhong and Yang Kun, with great reluctance, transformed into two streaks of light and vanished.
...
On the other side.
The multi-day testing competition was still ongoing.
However, with Qi Heng's overwhelming performance previously, the subsequent testing competition held little interest for the other immortals.
It was akin to food that was neither savory nor worth discarding, a mere chicken's rib.
But there was nothing that could be done.
When one moon shines brightly, it eclipses all other stars. Even if later talents emerge, they will be overshadowed by its brilliance.
Moreover, despite the countless testers, very few showed exceptional ability.
Throughout the entire day, aside from Qi Heng, the best performers among the rest barely passed the thirty-ninth heavenly ladder.
Not a single person had even passed the fortieth heavenly ladder.
How could such performances be compared to Qi Heng's?
The testing competition was a rare grand event in the Yin-Yang Immortal Palace, not only for outsiders but also for the palace itself.
Many well-informed immortals, upon learning of Qi Heng's performance, began to take action. They started making connections, preparing lavish gifts, and intending to present them.
...
Within the numerous cave dwellings of the Yin-Yang Immortal Palace, the same command echoed simultaneously.
"Within one month, investigate and provide me with all intelligence on Qi Heng!"
"Personal preferences, family background, temperament. Investigate in the mortal realm. I want to know everything."
There was no other way; this was the era.
To trample on the fallen and exalt the successful, to add splendor to splendor, and to pour water on those who are already in dire straits – most people were like this.
This was because in this world, the winners always took all, and the losers had no claim.
When one family ate meat, another might not even get soup, but had their entire pot taken away without any recourse.
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