Chapter Seventy-One: The Eastern Training Grounds

As the sun rose above the sea, Immortal Island began to stir with activity. The disciples each busied themselves with their morning tasks. The door to Ye Sansi's room was knocked upon while a few inside were still groggy from sleep. Xiong Gang, rubbing his eyes, opened the door.

Standing outside was Fang Yuan. Xiong Gang hurriedly clasped his hands in greeting. Fang Yuan called into the room, "Everyone, get up quickly and meet at the barrier along the stairway. In an hour we shall all enter the Inner Island together."

With that, Fang Yuan departed. The news that they could enter the Inner Island filled everyone with excitement. They sprang from their beds, washed, dressed, and hurried out the door.

On the way, Ye Sansi could hardly contain his excitement. Smiling, he said, "At last, we can enter the Inner Island. Lingshuang says the scenery is breathtaking, but I doubt it. I must see for myself whether it truly lives up to her words."

Liu Lingshuang, hands clasped behind her back, twisted playfully and laughed. "Just wait until you're inside, wild boy. Your eyes are in for a feast."

As they chatted, they passed many residents heading toward the barrier. Lin Nian'er asked, "Young Master Xiong, are all these people here for the disciple selection?"

Xiong Gang replied, "Exactly so."

"But why are so many of them elderly? When I first arrived, I saw them fishing at sea and thought they were local fishermen."

Xiong Gang chuckled. "This is Immortal Island—how could there be fishermen here? These are people seeking the Way, hoping to become immortals. Since they were not accepted into the sect, they wait for the next chance, and the next, some for decades..."

Ye Sansi sighed, his tone heavy. "What a shame. Uncle Shu once said, 'A man's life rarely exceeds a hundred years.' These elders have spent the prime of their lives waiting for entry into the immortal sect. I, for one, could never bear to do so."

Li Taiyi added, "Some people's hearts are different from ours. In a world so vast, surely we can find our place and roam freely. But for them, dedicating a lifetime to joining Fangcun Sect and becoming cultivators is their sole dream."

A laugh came from behind. The group turned to see an elderly man approaching and stopped in their tracks.

As the old man drew near, Xiong Gang introduced him. "This is Grandpa Cheng, an elder of the island who has lived here for nearly sixty years, and the best fisherman among us. Grandpa Cheng, these are my friends—Liu Lingshuang, Lin Nian'er, my eldest brother Ye Sansi, and my second brother Li Taiyi."

The old man tapped Xiong Gang on the head. "Nonsense, rascal! Who told you to call me Grandpa? I'm still young! Friends, my name is Cheng Xuyuan. Call me Brother Xuyuan, or just Brother Cheng if you like."

Liu Lingshuang covered her mouth, laughing. "Brother? Such a title hardly seems proper. It would be disrespectful to you."

Cheng Xuyuan waved his hand, smiling. "No need to worry. Being called brother makes me happy—how could it be disrespectful?"

Ye Sansi grinned. "Very well, Brother Cheng. Let's enter the Inner Island together and look out for one another."

Cheng Xuyuan nodded. "Young Hero Li spoke well just now. It is my lifelong wish to join Fangcun Sect. I wonder if I shall pass today's trial."

Though Cheng Xuyuan refused to admit his age and clung to his hopes, deep down he knew his strength and reflexes could not match the young. Living on the island was all for this dream.

Lingshuang said, "Brother Cheng, you can do it. Let's all do our best together."

As they spoke, the group arrived at the barrier. There were more than thirty people gathered, each visibly tense. Many had participated in selection more than once, meticulously prepared, yet there was no guarantee of success. Such was the strictness of Immortal Island’s disciple selection.

Once Ye Sansi and his companions arrived, it seemed all the residents of the stairway were present. Soon Fang Yuan soared on his sword above the barrier and addressed the crowd. "The time has come. I will open the barrier. Follow me into the Inner Island, but do not wander. Entering forbidden places will result in your permanent disqualification. Do you all understand?"

The group replied with practiced familiarity, "We understand."

With a wave of Fang Yuan’s hand, the barrier dissolved. The one hundred and eight stairway residents were each led inside by a disciple.

As the barrier lifted, the Inner Island’s landscape came into view. The first steps seemed unremarkable, but after climbing a hundred more, a wondrous scene unfolded. Disciples soared on swords above, busy with their tasks. At the top, temple towers stretched as far as the eye could see.

Cheng Xuyuan whispered to Ye Sansi and the others, "We skipped breakfast and the journey is long. If anyone falls behind, they lose their chance. This is the first trial."

The group nodded their thanks.

From afar, the island looked ordinary, but standing within, its vastness became clear. Temples and pavilions were arranged with perfect symmetry, shrouded at times in drifting mists. It was a sight of rare beauty.

After walking for some time and joining with others from different stairways, they all ate in the East Dining Hall before heading to the East Training Ground.

There were five training grounds on Immortal Island, one in each direction. According to Cheng Xuyuan, the selection tournament took place in four locations. Those who triumphed on the East Training Ground could proceed to the final round in front of the Grand Hall of Heaven and Earth.

Regrettably, Cheng Xuyuan, despite living on the island for decades, had never seen the Grand Training Ground himself—a lasting regret.

The East Training Ground soon filled with nearly five hundred contestants, with more arriving from prominent families. Around the field, platforms had been set up early for participants. Fang Yuan seated Ye Sansi and his group, who thought such a platform would be cramped, but the vast training ground and half-circle seating allowed everyone ample space.

Ye Sansi, his five companions, and Cheng Xuyuan sat at the highest level, a splendid spot with a clear view of the field below.

Half an hour later, as more scions of noble families arrived, each escorted by renowned elders, Liu Lingshuang asked Xiong Gang, "Your Manzhang Sect is also a reputable school. Why didn’t your sect leader bring you? Wouldn’t that have spared you these years of hardship?"

Xiong Gang laughed. "Our sect values hard work and self-reliance. Every disciple must train alone in the world. Only through hardship can one grow. Besides, we’re just a minor sect. My father didn’t want outsiders to gossip, so I came early to get acquainted and prepare myself."

A whistling wind signaled the arrival of the island master, Fang Jian, who descended to the center of the training ground and spoke in a resonant voice, "On this island, for centuries, we have upheld righteousness and virtue. Though we cultivate the path to immortality, how many in a thousand years attain true immortality? If your only wish is to become an immortal and live forever, I must say, Fangcun cannot promise that..."

To the familiar, the opening remarks were routine, but the young heirs, restless and eager, found their enthusiasm dampened as if cold water had been thrown on their hopes.

A young man could not contain himself and cried out, "You all call Fangcun Immortal Island a great sect, but now you say that few have ever achieved immortality. Then what is the point of our coming here?"

Fang Jian smiled. "I have spoken plainly. If anyone wishes to leave, stand up, and I will have a disciple escort you."

The young man, pampered and inexperienced, had been loath to leave home. Now, hearing he might never reach immortality, he was furious. He stood up and shouted, "I’m done! I came early, wasn’t given breakfast, and only after those country bumpkins arrived was food served. To be treated like this—I won’t stay on this island another moment!"

With a wave of Fang Jian’s hand, the young man was lifted into the air, and two disciples were summoned to send him home.

Cheng Xuyuan shook his head and sighed. "How foolish. With such good fortune, and coming from a noble family, his talent must be strong, yet he gives up the opportunity himself. Truly, he does not know his own blessings."

Ye Sansi asked Cheng Xuyuan, "Have you seen this sort of thing happen before?"

Cheng Xuyuan laughed. "Many times over the decades—some can’t endure hardship and quit halfway. Some refuse to obey rules and confront the island master. And some, at the martial trials, burst into tears before their opponent even draws a sword..."

Liu Lingshuang asked, "So, does that mean we have a chance?"

Cheng Xuyuan chuckled. "Miss Lingshuang, your chances are greater than you think. But don’t be careless. Many sent by noble sects are not as spoiled as that youth—some are truly formidable, skilled in both martial arts and strategy."

Li Taiyi grinned. "Brother Xuyuan, rest assured—in martial prowess and cunning, none of our peers can match my eldest brother."

Ye Sansi, embarrassed by the praise, scratched his head and smiled. "Taiyi is just teasing. There’s a saying, 'There is always someone better.' How could I claim to be the best? Besides, in terms of martial skill and wit, how could I surpass you?"

Li Taiyi laughed. "Brother Sansi, don’t forget at Liu Fort, you defeated me in a single move. How can you say your martial skill is inferior? Right, sister-in-law?"

At this, Liu Lingshuang’s face turned crimson and she lowered her head, murmuring, "Just as Sansi says, Taiyi is the mischievous one. Sister-in-law? What nonsense."

Xiong Gang, hearing this, could not resist teasing. "So Miss Lingshuang is our sister-in-law? I never knew. If I have offended, I hope you’ll forgive me, sister-in-law."

Xiong Gang’s odd tone made everyone laugh. He looked so serious that, except for Lingshuang, the others all tried to stifle their laughter. Lingshuang’s face remained flushed.

Nian’er gently touched Lingshuang’s cheek, finding it still warm. Ye Sansi, seeing her bashful and adorable, looked at her with tender affection. For all Taiyi and Xiong Gang’s teasing, he found it pleasant to hear.

The six of them sat together on the East Training Ground, happily chatting. It was a scene of perfect contentment.