The Jade

"Immortality has always been an ancient, mystical, and imaginary concept. Legends say that in the distant primordial age, there was a world everyone longed for. In that world, people could soar through the skies like celestial beings, control objects with a mere thought, split mountains, part seas, and alter landscapes at will! Yet, in modern society, all of this is seen as mere folklore, reduced to fantasy within countless novels."

Wu Xing strolled through the bustling antique market, which was as lively as ever, filled with shouts from vendors and the laughter of customers, creating a bustling atmosphere. Without much thought, Wu Xing found himself standing at the entrance of an antique shop. Peering through the window, he saw a variety of ancient artifacts displayed inside, piquing his curiosity.

Wu Xing's attention was quickly captured by a yellowed book on a shelf, its cover inscribed with the words, "Ancient Secrets of Immortal Cultivation." Entranced, he opened the shop door, stepping into the dimly lit room filled with a faint, musty scent.

The shop owner was an elderly man with graying hair, his eyes twinkling with wisdom, as if he had a profound understanding of each artifact around him. He approached Wu Xing slowly, a faint smile on his face. "Young man, looking for something special?" he asked.

"This book… is it an antique?" Wu Xing asked, pointing to the "Ancient Secrets of Immortal Cultivation."

The old man chuckled, "An antique? Well, it does have some years on it."

A strange feeling stirred within Wu Xing as he casually flipped through the pages. The book was filled with ancient symbols and illustrations, and although aged, he felt as if he could somehow understand them. It was as if an unfamiliar power within it was calling out to him, evoking a peculiar sensation. Wu Xing scanned the pages and was taken aback. "Immortality? This is written just like a story. How much for this book?"

"Cheap. Three hundred yuan," the old man replied with a smile. "However, only someone with fate on their side can buy it. Immortality is a legend, whether true or false; you'll have to discover that for yourself."

Wu Xing was perplexed. Three hundred yuan for this old book? And fate? But he couldn't shake the odd feeling it gave him. He took out the money and bought the book. Even though he had little faith in its contents, a subtle intuition told him this book might change his ordinary life.

Back at home, Wu Xing sat at his desk, examining the ancient text with a sense of anticipation. As he turned a page, he saw depictions of immortals flying among the clouds, commanding the mountains and rivers with a wave of their hand, which stirred his soul. Could such beings truly exist?

"Perhaps it's just a story," he thought, though vivid images of himself as one of these floating immortals, lost in a mystical world, began to fill his mind.

Over time, Wu Xing found himself drawn to the book's teachings, attempting to grasp its mysteries. He began spending his weekends in quiet places, mimicking the cultivation methods it described. Though he saw little effect, he sensed a deep, awakening desire within himself.

"If I could really become immortal, how exciting my life would be." Wu Xing dreamed of the freedom of flight, the power to transcend the mundane, and the thrill of limitless adventure. In this dream, he even started crafting a story of his own path to immortality.

But just as he was becoming lost in the book's mysteries, he noticed that many of the chapters were missing. He checked the pages repeatedly, but they weren't there. Panic surged within him as he questioned whether the old man had swindled him. "Was I scammed? Just when I thought I might find something worthwhile," he grumbled to himself.

Overcome with unease, he returned to the antique shop, determined to confront the owner. Yet, when he opened the shop door, the elderly man was gone. The shop was empty, as if nothing had ever happened.

Just as Wu Xing was about to leave, his gaze fell upon a piece of luminous jade resting on a shelf. It lay there quietly, emitting a gentle, entrancing glow. Compelled by a strange urge, he moved closer and couldn't resist reaching out to touch it.

"This… is this an antique?" Wu Xing murmured to himself as he ran his fingers over the jade. Instantly, a warm sensation pulsed through it, wrapping around his body, as if it were conveying an indescribable energy.

At that moment, images appeared in Wu Xing's mind: visions of ancient immortals cultivating in the glow of the jade, their energy soaring like rainbows and their figures leaping across the heavens. His heart raced in astonishment—could the jade truly be linked to the path of immortality?

The jade's light grew stronger, seemingly in response to his touch. Wu Xing closed his eyes, savoring its power. In that instant, he realized this was no mere artifact. It was a bridge connecting him to the world of immortals.

"I don't want to be ordinary anymore," Wu Xing thought with newfound determination. Fueled by a desire for the unknown, he set out to unlock the jade's secrets and discover the true meaning of the immortal path. He knew that perhaps, just maybe, this fantastical world was waiting for him to unveil it.