Teacher Liu stroked his snow-white goatee with a sigh. After watching the rise and fall of the grand examinations for so many years, he had long since seen through it all. Which year was it not those prefectural "great clans" with immortals in their ancestry who made the list? In all these years, among children from ordinary families, only Mo Xuan had ever made it into Tai Academy!
What Mo Xuan said made perfect sense. Even if one couldn't get into Tai Academy, becoming a tongsheng was still a very respectable path—securing a good post could help the entire family. If someone could rise to become a county magistrate or prefectural head, the family would soar with them. Truthfully, an official post could sometimes bring even more immediate, practical benefit to a household than having an immortal.
In fact, Teacher Liu had already shifted his teaching approach long ago—this was exactly how he guided his students. It was just that young people couldn't see through reality yet: full of drive and fantasy, they wouldn't understand until they smashed their heads bloody. Some tongsheng stayed stubborn all the way to age twenty-five, doing nothing but rote study, learning no usable craft. Only then did they wake up—realizing they were worse off than certain barely-literate clan members—and finally put their heads down to learn skills. Even then, it wasn't "too late," but it was certainly a hard lesson.
Teacher Liu cleared his throat lightly and said to Mo Xuan, "Xuan'er, what you said is absolutely right—it matches the teacher's thoughts perfectly. Why don't you tell everyone about Tai Academy?"
Mo Xuan nodded, understanding at once, and began to speak. The atmosphere immediately heated up.
The students and tongsheng listened as if spellbound, utterly intoxicated. So Tai Academy was that wondrous? It wasn't only cultivation—one could also learn to pilot immortal ships, understand void beasts, study all kinds of miraculous immortal arts, raise spirit beasts, join student societies, explore a library vast beyond imagination, exchange points for treasures, visit and learn from immortals' gardens and realms, work in an immortal heaven, conduct real field drills in the void…
Not only the students and tongsheng—even Teacher Liu listened with mouth agape, heart surging with longing. If only back then he could have entered the top three…
Mo Que'er, arguably the tongsheng closest to Tai Academy in her whole life, also found her mind drifting far away as she listened to Mo Xuan's stories. The way they cultivated here was completely different from cultivation in her mother domain. Most importantly: becoming an immortal here involved no heavenly tribulation at all—it was unbelievable.
Without realizing it, the light of the three little suns dimmed: evening had arrived.
Everyone was so focused on Mo Xuan's stories that they even forgot to eat lunch. To them, everything about Tai Academy was fresh and fascinating—no matter how much they heard, they never tired of it.
"All right," Mo Xuan said as he stood. "That's it for today's lesson. Everyone go back early and rest."
He greeted Teacher Liu, then led Mo Que'er out of the beginner academy.
Only after a long while did the students and tongsheng snap out of their daze and chase after them. By the time they reached the gate, Mo Xuan and Mo Que'er's ox cart was already nearing the city entrance.
The students and tongsheng watched the cart roll away into the distance. They bowed farewell to Teacher Liu and went home in a daze. In every heart, a single belief burned stronger than ever:
Work hard. Strive. Get into Tai Academy.
If Mo Xuan knew his talk had produced the opposite effect, he'd probably laugh and cry at the same time.
Leisure Days in the County
For the next few days, Mo Xuan had nothing urgent to do. He strolled around the county city, shopped, and bought hundreds of roast chickens, stuffing them into the storage pearl. Fine wine and delicacies were purchased in abundance. He lived freely—like an immortal.
Well… he was an immortal.
The county city was prosperous and lively, home to many wealthy families.
Public security was excellent. There were no idiots shouting things like "My dad is so-and-so." Ultimately, this was a world where Dao law manifested openly. A rich mortal family—what were they, really? If you dared bully women or oppress the weak, how would you know whether that woman's great-aunt's second aunt's third cousin's seventh grand-uncle wasn't an immortal?
An immortal could crush an ordinary mortal like dust—who would dare say a word?
Even if you had an immortal backing you, you still had to keep your tail tucked and behave. Immortals didn't tolerate filth in their sight—and when it came to "cleaning house," they showed no mercy.
The Proposal Arrives
One day, Mo Xuan was thinking of visiting Ding Yu in the prefecture.
Unexpectedly, Ding Yu came knocking himself—bringing along a handsome young man.
Ding Yu introduced him with a cheerful grin. "Junior Brother Mo, this is my family's Ding Xinjie. This year's prefectural exam champion."
Mo Xuan nodded and offered a few words of praise, though inwardly he wasn't impressed.
Our Mo Que'er is the true number one.
Ding Yu's family really was deep-rooted. An old earth-immortal ancestor, and including Ding Yu, four immortals in the clan. Now they'd seized yet another cultivation slot so quickly—rolling bigger and bigger like a snowball.
Mo Xuan's thick brows suddenly tightened. He glanced at Ding Yu and Ding Xinjie.
Don't tell me…
Sure enough, after a few pleasantries, Ding Yu smoothly turned the conversation to Mo Que'er, asking to meet her.
Mo Xuan couldn't refuse Ding Yu outright, so he sent someone to call Mo Que'er.
Mo Que'er entered the hall, poised and graceful. One sweep of her eyes and she understood:
Another matchmaker.
Ding Xinjie stared at her with burning fervor. He had seen her once in the exam hall and been struck as if by thunder—an absolute heavenly beauty. He had tried countless matchmakers and failed every time. Now that the immortal great-ancestor had returned, he begged and begged until he finally convinced his own immortal elder to come personally.
At first, Ding Yu had been dismissive. A child with no experience. Tai Academy is filled with beauties—how pretty could a girl from some backwater be? But now, seeing Mo Que'er in person, Ding Yu realized he had been utterly wrong. Such beauty at such a young age—when she matured, she would be the kind of stunning grace that could topple cities. His nephew's eye truly wasn't bad.
Ding Yu laughed heartily and said to Mo Xuan, "Junior Brother Mo, your family has produced a phoenix!"
Mo Que'er heard Ding Yu calling her Great-Grandfather "junior brother," and her heart sank.
Ordinary matchmakers could be brushed off easily. But when an immortal lowered himself to propose in person… that was not something you could reject casually.
As for "phoenix"—I am a phoenix by blood, pure and true! If not for… hmph. I'd breathe one mouthful of fire and turn you to ash!
Mo Xuan couldn't quite force a smile. He glanced at Mo Que'er and only gave an ambiguous "Mm," as if handling it.
Ding Yu didn't seem to notice. He praised Mo Que'er without end, then turned sharp into the heart of the matter: Mo Que'er and Ding Xinjie were a perfect match—talented man, beautiful woman, a union made in heaven. On the spot, he wanted to deliver the betrothal gifts and finalize the engagement.
The gifts were extremely lavish—immortal pills and spirit medicines, enough to win even the daughter of a state governor.
Mo Xuan quickly raised a hand to stop him.
"Wait! I haven't agreed to anything!"
Ding Yu looked at him, puzzled. "Junior Brother Mo, what's the issue?"
Mo Xuan chose his words carefully. "Senior Brother Ding, children's matters shouldn't be forced by us elders. Besides, Que'er must focus on her studies now. Once they're at Tai Academy, the two kids can spend time together and see how it goes."
Ding Yu frowned slightly, tasting the meaning beneath Mo Xuan's words. As immortals, they both understood exactly how cultivation slots worked.
Is Mo Xuan asking my Ding family to provide another cultivation slot?
That was no small number. And this year they had already secured Xinjie's slot—finances were near red. Still… Mo Que'er had taken fourth place. Her talent was unquestionable. If she entered Tai Academy and then became Xinjie's cultivation partner, that would indeed be ideal.
But…
One hundred thousand? No. One million points.
Mo Xuan gave a light cough. "Senior Brother Ding, Que'er's talent is too good not to cultivate—that would be wasting a rare seedling. I will certainly find a way to get her into Tai Academy. As for the children, they also have their own thoughts. If they get along, I won't oppose it."
Mo Que'er blinked.
Was her Great-Grandfather merely pushing the proposal away politely… or did he truly mean it?
Ding Yu finally grasped the full meaning, and his brows furrowed deeper.
He wanted to say: Junior Brother Mo, you only went into the void for a year. You were lucky once or twice. Do you think luck will always come? One million points isn't something you gather easily. And Mo Que'er can't cultivate after she turns twenty-five—how can you possibly make it in time?
But he didn't say it aloud.
Instead, he thought: When the time comes, perhaps we can maneuver. If both families pool resources, it might barely be enough. And once that happens, the matter between Xinjie and Mo Que'er will naturally be settled…
Having decided this, Ding Yu stopped pressing. He offered Mo Que'er a few encouraging words, then rose and took his leave.
Mo Xuan escorted Ding Yu outside, then returned indoors with a deep frown.
Mo Que'er looked at Mo Xuan eagerly, waiting for him to speak.
Mo Xuan waved his hand. "Que'er, go handle your tasks."
Mo Que'er felt suddenly hollow. She answered softly and left at a trot, biting her lip.
Mo Xuan sat in the grand chair. After a long while, he let out a quiet sigh and shook his head.
Time is still too tight.
Departure
Mo Xuan stayed a few more days, helping elders who had taken the Rejuvenation Pill to dissolve and absorb the medicine's power. Then he prepared to leave—half the meteor belt was still waiting for him.
Before departing, he instructed the family's core members. "This time I may be away about half a year. The household affairs will be in your hands."
Mo Shi said solemnly, "Xuan'er, rest easy. Your father and I are here. The auspicious hour has come—go."
Mo Xuan nodded. At the last moment, he added one more line to Mo Que'er:
"Study well at home. When I return, I'll test you."
Mo Que'er blinked and watched him fly into the transport ship. The ship rose straight into the sky and soon vanished from sight.
Mo Que'er returned home and turned those two sentences over and over in her mind. Suddenly, her heart lit up with understanding, and she smiled.
Mo Xuan wasn't going to test her on scholarship at all.
He had already given her a problem—a comprehensive exam spanning half a year.
It could be summarized in one word:
Home.
Mo Que'er blinked slowly.
Home?
Until now, she had always viewed this world as an outsider. Though she couldn't cultivate here, she had still lived fairly well. But she had never truly融入 the Mo family, never truly融入 this world. Her heart always clung to her former world, to her mother who sacrificed herself to save her.
"Que'er, come eat!" her mother called from the kitchen.
Mo Que'er went to eat.
"Here, eat more." Her mother kept putting food into her bowl.
Now that the Mo family's courtyards had all received their share of gold and silver, many things hadn't changed much—but food had changed drastically. People lived for meals. Before, it was feast one day, hunger the next—rarely did they eat well more than a few times a year. Now they lacked nothing. Everyone was making up for lost time: meat and fish at every meal, buying whatever they craved, sipping ginseng wine…
This is living.
But to Mo Que'er, even this simple act—her mother placing food in her bowl—felt completely different.
Back when the family was poor, her parents always refused to eat much themselves. The best was saved for her. They quietly endured hunger. At the time, Mo Que'er had never thought much of it. Now, looking back, warmth spread through her chest.
Her biological mother had loved her fiercely, indulgently—so fiercely that in the final moment she burned her own life away to save her child. Mo Que'er thought of her every hour. Yet she had neglected the mother in this world.
Her biological mother's love was blazing and overwhelming.
This world's mother was like a gentle river—quiet, continuous, and just as warm.
Mo Que'er gave a soft "Mm," and also reached out to place food into her parents' bowls.
"Our girl has really grown up!" her parents were overjoyed.
Her father laughed. "Que'er, eat up. Our family's good life is all thanks to Great-Grandfather Xuan. With an immortal protecting the Mo family, we're secure. You study hard—next year aim to enter Tai Academy. Then our Mo family will have two immortals. Sooner or later we'll become a great clan."
Mo Que'er nodded again and again.
After lunch, she saw her mother carrying bowls to the well to wash them and went to help.
"Que'er, go rest. Mother can do it alone."
"Mother, I'll help pump the water." Mo Que'er worked the handle, creak-creak, drawing well water up.