Flute village

In the vast sky, a man who was walking among the stars, his silhouette looked desolate he had white hair with the appearance of a young man which seemed strange.

The man continued walking on the void like he was doing it on the land, each step he took looked like teleportation. After walking for a few steps, he reached a place that looked like a past battlefield.

In the center of the battlefield there existed a huge painting which depicted a very gorgeous woman, her shiny golden hair and eyes had a luster so brilliant that the sunlight dimmed in front of them, in the picture she had a smile, with a battle intent so intense, it was like she was looking at her most powerful rival.

The man took a gourd and started drinking from it, the gourd seemed to contain wine, but the man was unable to get drunk.

"How many years have passed since our last reunion; I've lost count, it seems like time is passing fast yet so slow." Said the man while looking at the picture.

"But I will never surrender I will continue this road till we meet again, I will never stop in the face of adversary, I will continue walking on this road, either I meet you or die trying." the man's eyes seemed to have light within them, he was determined to destroy whatever stood on his path.

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Mountain luminous lay in the extremity of Ice Hell Mountain Range. At its base was the Flute Village.

The villagers there lived off making flutes in a unique way passed down by their ancestors and didn't have much to do with the outside world. Only one time a year would a caravan pass by their village. 

Besides selling the flutes, the villagers would also hunt for food since what they got from the caravan couldn't last the whole year. Nonetheless, they were happy and enjoyed this lifestyle.

Today it's New Year's Eve and the village was bumming with activity, as the villagers gathered in its center, some were laughing and chatting while listening to music, while the children were playing and running everywhere and eating candies and so forth.

In a corner was a sitting young boy who looked around 13 to 14, the boy had a frail body and pale skin, silver and long hair, and deep black eyes full of hope for the future like a black sky full of stars.

His left hand was holding a painting while sitting on a chair, he was drawing an old man who stood in front of him, behind the old man was a line of villagers waiting for their turn to come.

Beside the boy stood another boy and a little girl, the boy's body was robust unlike the children of his age but his face was still young and full of immaturity as for the girl, she was petit and had her hair ponytailed.

"Wang Yu, you have to make the painting look as dashing and vigorous as me," said the old man.

"Dashing haha, all I see is an old man, Uncle Chu," said the little boy Lui Fu as he rolled his eyes at the old man

"Little Lui, you have become naughty these days, just wait when I finish, and you'll see"

The boy who wasn't afraid of the old man said "That's if you can catch me", his sister Lui Xui chuckled as she heard them while Wang Yu smiled and continued drawing.

After drawing a few paintings and making a promise to continue the next day, Wang Yu and the two siblings went to his house in the southwest corner of the village and started to chat.

After some time, Wang Yu looked at the sky which was filled with aurora, as he looked at the sky, he found himself remembering the night he came to the village with his grandfather it was ten years ago, the memory was blurry but according to the villagers, the pair of grandfather and grandchild had come at a night similar to this one.

His grandfather was an old gentleman, he was a very great artist who enjoyed traveling. So after staying in this village for some time and painting the villagers, they didn't want him to leave and asked him to stay.

Initially, he only wanted to stay for some time, but after the villagers insisted on him and seeing that his life was nearing its end and his little grandchild didn't have someone to take care of him after his death, he accepted the offer and continued living here.

Wang Yu has been staying in the village, happy with his grandfather who treated him so well and told him many stories, but two years ago his grandfather died of old age, which saddened Wang Yu so much, he liked his grandfather who was never so hard on him.

But with the help of the villagers who continued to encourage him, he started to accept reality and moved to the family of the two siblings, Lui Fu was his best friend, despite his naughtiness he was a gentle kid, as for the girl she was his fiancé, after reaching puberty Wang Yu was going to marry her and go to the imperial city to become an imperial artist, he was very talented at drawing, so he had very high hopes for the future, and so did the villagers think of him.

"Wang Yu what are you thinking about," asked Lui Xui

"Nothing, I was just thinking that the sky tonight is beautiful just like your eyes" Wang Yu who was interrupted replied while smiling and looking at Lui Xui, the girl blushed and looked away "Do you mean it," said the girl shyly.

"Hhhh, Wang Yu stop playing with my sister," said Lui Fu jokingly

"By the way Wang Yu have you heard what the village chief had said about immortals," said Lui Fu.

"Yes, I was there last time, but I don't quite believe the story, it's too good to be true," said Wang Yu.

"I also think the same way, he said that immortals can live forever and have the ability to fly and do whatever their heart desires," said Lui Xui.

"Whatever, you two are pessimists I believe in immortals existence, how do I wish to become one of them, fly in the sky, split mountains and traverse seas and see the true world," said Lui Fu, who truly wanted to become an immortal.

"Anyway," said Wang Yu who didn't seem to care so much about becoming an immortal.

"Wang Yu you don't understand, if you can become an immortal, you'll be able to fulfill your life wish by traveling the world and drawing its beauty, becoming an imperial artist is a great thing, but do you think that with a mortal body and lifespan, you'll be able to travel the vast world" Lui Fu who so excited about immortals continued to praise them.

Wang Yu who was listening to his friend was suddenly interested in the idea of becoming immortal, it's just that he didn't believe that it was possible.

The next day, he continued drawing the villagers until there was no one left, as for the third day he did the last painting which contained everyone except him.

Life continued, the village was bustling during the day and tranquil at night, but Wang Yu was unable from stopping himself from thinking about what Lui Fu had told him that night, it was always his dream to travel the world and draw whatever attracted him, he was charmed by art, he will always sit alone for hours painting whatever caught his attention, so the idea of being able to achieve his dream was irresistible.

"Wang Yu it's time for dinner" Wang Yu who was drawing a lizard was interrupted by the voice of a middle-aged woman she was Lui Xi the mother of the siblings she had the demeanor of a gentle and hardworking mother, she was the one who insisted the most about taking him to her home.

"Yes aunty, I'm coming." Said Wang Yu while finishing the last strokes.

Entering the hut, Wang Yu found to his surprise that the family had done a feast.

"Wang Yu, hurry up, we have been waiting for you, look today's hunt was excellent, so we're making a feast today," said Lui Chen the sibling's father who was also the best hunter in the village.

"That's good to hear uncle." Said Wang Yu, before sitting at the table.

"Little Wang, you have to eat well, look at your body, with this frail body you won't be able to protect my daughter," said Lu Chen jokingly.

"Father!" cried Lui Xui who seemed to be embarrassed.

"I'm just joking but little Wang you have to learn some martial arts with the other children, it's not good to spend all your time painting"

"Yes uncle," said Wang Yu with no change of expression.

"You always say yes, but you never train," said Lui Chen angrily.

"Don't be hard on him, a painter doesn't need to learn martial arts" said Lui Xi the sibling's mother.

"By the way, when will you let me go hunting with your father," said Lui Fu, who was eager to hunt with his father

Lui Chen sneered when he heard the question, "Stop dreaming, you're so young, do you think it's easy to become a hunter"

"Father look I've been training hard, I'm the best among my peers." Said Lui Fu with great conviction.

"Those are children, but if you're so insistent on hunting with me, why don't you beat me in arm wrestling." Said Lui Chen while grinning mischievously.

Lui Fu knew that his father was playing with him, but he didn't want to back down. "Do you think that I'm afraid, let's do it"

The little boy didn't last even for a second, against his father he was still very weak. After losing some other rounds the little boy finally accepted his defeat, after some laughs, they started eating, aunt Lui's food was delicious, so they ate as much as they could.

When he finished eating Wang Yu went to his hut to take a nap, it didn't take him long to fall asleep, but he was suddenly awakened by the shoots of the villagers, opening the door he saw the clouds in the sky split open, then a beam of light suddenly descended from the sky. After the light disappeared, there appeared two men, the man in the front had a young appearance and emitted cold energy, which made the village's temperature sharply decrease.

"Junior brother, your energy is harmful to mortals," said Mo Aly the other man who only moved his hand once for the temperature to return to normal.

"Yes, senior brother, it's just that I'm not used to controlling my energy," said Li Quan, the young man

"No problem junior brother, the sect expects much from you, it's normal to be unable to control yourself after isolation," said Mo Aly

After he finished talking with his junior brother Mo Aly looked at the villagers and said "Don't be afraid, we mean no harm to you, we have come to take those of you who have a talent for cultivation to enter our sect and become immortals."

The villagers who were initially petrified become so delighted that they forget what happened before.

"Immortals take me with you, I want to become immortal," said the old man Wang Yu was drawing the day before.

"Me too," said another one.

"Stop, we're only taking those who are under fifteen and have spiritual root" shouted the young man, who didn't like the noise.

The villagers who finally calmed down brought their children for the immortals to be inspected, and they started to line up with their children in front of the two cultivators.

Wang Yu and the two siblings were standing not far from them and heard what they had said.

"Wang Yu let's go we have to join the line before more guys come up. This is a chance for us to become immortals" said Lui Fu, Wang Yu was hesitating when Lui Xui held his hand as she said excitedly "Yes it'd be awesome if we can become immortals"

"Bro if we become immortals we can tour the world, and you would be able to draw the world's beauty."

Thinking about the possibility of realizing his dreams, determination filled his eyes and he soon joined the line with the siblings.

"So, let's begin, those with talent will come to my right, and others will go left," said the Mo Aly

Soon the first child approached him nervously "Give me your hand" said Mo Aly.

After the child gave him his hand, the immortal took his hand and sent some qi into his body and then said "Left", the boy's face turned pale he was about to say something when a trace of impatient appeared on the Li Quan's face and he said in a deep voice "Left" the boy trembled and went to the left without saying anything and the line continued.

"Left"

"Left"

.

.

.

.

Until an adorable 10 years old girl came, Mo Aly took her hand in a bad mood as he couldn't find any talent in this village which would make this trip wasted, he was about to say "L..." when a trace of surprise and then delight appeared in his eyes then he smiled and said, "What is your name?" "Yu Hui," said the girl with a low voice she didn't understand anything and only wanted to stand with the other children. "Okay you go right," said Mo Aly.

Soon Mo Aly resumed the test, it passed the same way as in the beginning as a bunch of talentless youths were rejected. What was worth noting was that they have found another boy who was fourteen years old named Lu Fu who stood with Yu Hui with a proud face as a talented individual.

After waiting for some time, it was finally Wang Yu and the two sibling's turn. Lui Fu was the first to extend his cheeky hand nervously to the immortal as he kept praying in his heart, he was too obsessed with the idea of becoming immortal from the time when he heard the old man's stories about them. As the senior took his hand and sent Qi in him without much care, the boy held his breath for one second, this second felt like an eternity then the immortal said "Right".

Lui boy almost jumping from excitement went to the right and waited for his sister and his best friend to pass the test.

Lui Xui and Wang Yu were both happy for Lui Fu, but it wasn't time for celebration. They were now in front of the immortals and it was Lui Xui's turn, after inspecting her the immortal's eyes flashed with surprise as he said "Right" because he didn't expect two talents in a row.

Soon it was Wang Yu's turn, he stood in front of the Mo Aly, and for the first time he understood why all those who came before him were nervous, the hope of becoming an immortal was too alluring, and thinking about the possibility of being denied the opportunity was too terrifying, the pressure was high but Wang Yu managed to finally control himself, he looked at Mo Aly who seemed so grand and majestic, he then extended his hand to the Mo Aly who took it without much thought and injected some of his qi within Wang Yu who felt that something within his body was trying to absorb the energy, the sensation was somewhat pleasant yet painful.

"Right" Wang Yu who was experiencing a bizarre thing was extremely pleasant about getting chosen it was like a new door was opening for him.

There weren't many people after the three and they were all rejected so the immortal was finally done with the inspection.

"Alright those who are on the right side will come with us to the sect, we don't have much time so hurry up and finish packing, remember to bring only the necessary," said Li Quan who seemed to be in a hurry to return to the sect.

The trio who was still shocked by the entire event had to pack up their baggage quickly.

"Senior brother, I don't understand why we've come to this rural place to recruit disciples. Few have spiritual roots, and I bet even those chosen have mediocre talent. They are few, unlike the people from the cities, don't you think that coming here is wasting time" said Li Quan after dismissing the mortals who tried to coax them.

"Junior brother, this is exactly why the sect leader has sent you, she wants you to never underestimate anybody if you're going to become the sect master then you'll have to do anything that benefits the sect even if the benefit is small," said Mo Aly, then he continued and said, "You said that their talents are mediocre, on which basis did you say it, we haven't done the true test yet?"

Li Quan didn't speak, he was contemplating what his senior brother had said. 

Wang Yu rushed to his hut. Entering the hut he started to remember his memory with his grandfather, it was here that he lived with his grandfather for years, the period was short but the memories were the best in his life.

"Hurry up Wang Yu we're going to be late" Wang Yu finally got out of his trance and started to pack up his things, he didn't have any valuable things on him only the brush given to him by his grandfather could be considered precious, so he finished packing quickly and went outside the hut, the siblings were waiting for him outside the hut with their parent.

"You have to take care of each other, remember to always stay together, and if you got the opportunity to visit us do it, "said the man who, unlike his wife, was capable enough of keeping his composure, as for the woman she was still crying even if she knows that her kids were going to become immortal it didn't ease her pain of parting with them.

"Lui Chen, hurry up the immortals are going," said Lu Tang, Lu Fu's father.

"Yes brother Lu, we will come right now"

After rushing to the immortals, the trio stood together with the other children, "good, since everyone is here, we'll be going" said Mo Aly who then took a small boat, which seemed to come from nowhere, and threw it high in the sky, the boat started to get bigger and soon it was enough to accommodate more than ten people.

"Come," said Mo Aly after jumping on the boat with the other immortal.

The kids still amazed by the immortals' abilities started to climb on the boat, after their climb, the boat started to elevate.

Wang Yu looked downstairs, he was stunned by how things can change, some time ago his only hope was to go to the imperial city and become an imperial artist, and now he was going to become an immortal who can fly in the sky, looking down he saw many familiar faces that he will miss.

"Don't be amazed, this is just the beginning if you enter the world of cultivation you'll see many wonders, but it is not easy to become immortal" said Li QUan who didn't speak much since the beginning.

The boat started to drift to the north its destination was the immortal sect.