The five most formidable Immortal Sects in the Great Jin Dynasty were, naturally, the Mount Hua Immortal Sect, the Wudang Immortal Sect, the Kunlun Immortal Sect, the Qingcheng Immortal Sect, and the South Sea Immortal Sect.

Beyond these five apex factions, there were ten Mid-Tier Immortal Sects. While they could not compare to the Five Great Sects, they still possessed considerable might. The strength of a single Mid-Tier Immortal Sect naturally fell short of Mount Hua, but it would never be weaker than the North Peak Sect alone; they were essentially equal.

For example, the Wuling Immortal Sect, from which Meng Bai hailed, was one of the Ten Mid-Tier Immortal Sects, and particularly renowned for its excellence in Qi Condensation cultivation. Coupled with the fact that he was the personal true disciple of that sect's Master, and the beneficiary of a rare fortuitous encounter, this accounted for his cultivation reaching the Seventh Level of Qi Condensation at such a young age.

Naturally, for a Mid-Tier Sect, aspiring to the Upper-Tier Sects was practically instinctive.

For a true disciple of a Mid-Tier Sect, envying the true disciples of Upper-Tier Sects was equally innate.

Meng Bai had always assumed Lu Yuan was merely an ordinary disciple. If he had truly known Lu Yuan was a true disciple, it would have driven Meng Bai to fits of jealousy.

Two childhood best friends, both heading to the Five Immortal Alliance, ended up traveling together.

As these two childhood companions departed Donglin Town, the townsfolk could only sigh in wistful observation: Indeed, those two troublemaking kings of mischief from their youth—one now a handsome youth in white, the other a transcendent youth in green—it was hard to reconcile those images with their current appearances.

What a difference.

Amidst the murmurs of the aunties and matrons of Donglin Town, Lu Yuan and Meng Bai pressed onward toward the location of the Fifth Immortal Alliance's Tenth Branch Hall.

“Little Lu Zi, just wait and see when we get there. I’ve picked up quite a few spells during my time at Wuling Immortal Sect. I specialize in fire techniques,” Meng Bai declared with utter confidence. Back in their childhood, Meng Bai had called Lu Yuan "Little Lu Zi," while Lu Yuan called Meng Bai "Little Meng Zi"—a habit they had both fallen into.

Lu Yuan couldn't help but shake his head, wondering why he hadn't noticed Meng Bai was such a chatterbox back then.

On the road to the Tenth Branch Hall of the Five Immortal Alliance, the incessant talking continued.

Lu Yuan simply endured Meng Bai’s incessant flow of words. Life, ah, what a sigh of melancholy it inspired.

A brief explanation is necessary here: their destination was the Tenth Branch Hall of the Five Immortal Alliance. This specific hall was known as the 'Newcomer Hall,' dedicated solely to recruiting and training new initiates. Once trained, they were dispatched to the nine superior branch halls. This was the Tenth Branch Hall’s designated duty.

The Great Jin Dynasty was vast, encompassing two hundred and seventy provinces and three thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven prefectures.

The Tenth Branch Hall of the Five Immortal Alliance was one of the rare branches not situated underground; it was located on the surface, specifically within the Hundred Mines Province, one of the Great Jin's two hundred and seventy provinces. This province had gained renown many years ago for its abundant mineral resources, and even now, it yielded a great deal. However, the terrain was too low, too closely connected to the subterranean world, and riddled with countless abandoned mine shafts. Consequently, demonic assaults were frequent, resulting in few ordinary folk residing there—mostly merchants risking their lives for wealth, or those desperate enough to seek quick fortune through a few ventures into the Hundred Mines Province, or cultivators.

This province could be described as typically sparsely populated.

When Lu Yuan arrived in the Hundred Mines Province, he was indeed struck by how drastically different the scenery was compared to what he had just passed through. Most preceding provinces exhibited the climate and scenery of the southern regions—southern courtyards and southern landscapes. But upon entering the Hundred Mines Province, a wave of arid, desert ambiance washed over him. Everywhere he looked, it was yellow sand interspersed with meager patches of green.

Once inside the Hundred Mines Province, Lu Yuan truly had his eyes opened.

The earth here was incredibly barren and yellowed; the ground was so dry it seemed ready to crack. The mountain ranges they passed were not lush green but tawny and desolate, with only occasional flecks of green. Moreover, it was common to see depressions or sinkholes where the ground simply dropped several hundred meters. Often, there was a vertical tunnel leading down to an unknown depth beneath the earth.

The gaping, dark apertures seemed ready to swallow everything, as if monstrous beasts could emerge at any moment.

This was the Hundred Mines Province, a complete antithesis to his home province of Dongping.

People were scarce here too, with virtually no villages—only small, scattered towns where one could purchase food and water, and sell various ores. It was certain that if the Hundred Mines Province did not harbor such rich mineral deposits, the entire province would likely have fallen into complete abandonment, with no one daring to venture here anymore.

What astonished Lu Yuan was that even in this obviously water-starved, arid region of the Hundred Mines Province, Meng Bai’s monologue never ceased. He was an absolute, incorrigible chatterbox.

Finally, a massive complex of buildings appeared in the distance.

Towering spires shot toward the sky, interconnected by rows of dwelling houses.

This was the Tenth Branch Hall of the Five Immortal Alliance, constructed deep within the desert of the Hundred Mines Province.

After a brief registration, Lu Yuan, as an ordinary newcomer, was assigned to the Tenth Sub-Hall within the Tenth Branch Hall of the Five Immortal Alliance.

The Five Immortal Alliance had been proposed nearly five millennia ago by the leaders of the Five Great Immortal Sects, structured with the Five Great Sects as the core and the other sects as affiliates. However, at the time of its formation, fearing disputes arising from status differences concerning the deployment against subterranean demons, they enacted a strict decree: upon joining the Five Immortal Alliance, no one was permitted to investigate one’s prior affiliations.

After all, if the backgrounds of everyone entering the new coalition were scrutinized, directing forces might lead to accusations that one faction was deliberately sending members of another faction to die to preserve their own strength. Thus, the rule was established: individuals could use any name they wished, real or fabricated; the Five Immortal Alliance would not investigate.

Therefore, although Lu Yuan was a true disciple of the Mount Hua Immortal Sect, upon reaching the Five Immortal Alliance, he casually registered as Lu Liu, blending in perfectly with the other newcomers, unremarkable in every way.

Meng Bai registered as Meng Wu. The reason for this choice was simple: Meng Bai was the Fifth true disciple of the Wuling Immortal Sect, and Lu Yuan was the Sixth true disciple of the North Peak. Thus, one became Meng Wu and the other Lu Liu.

Following this, they were naturally assigned to a newcomer dormitory. Training would not commence until all the newly recruited members had gathered in a few days. The newcomer dormitories housed four people per room.

Besides Lu Yuan and Meng Bai, there were two others. One, named Huang Yun, had a sallow complexion and only provided a single name—it was unknown if it was real or fake—and his origin was a mystery.

The other, a man around twenty years old, was exceptionally garrulous. This man claimed to be a true disciple of the Kunlun Immortal Sect named Zhao Han, and he boasted of having a good relationship with Zhao Qiankun, the First True Disciple of Kunlun. The Five Immortal Alliance prohibited investigating the backgrounds of newcomers, but the self-disclosure of one’s background was something the Alliance certainly didn't interfere with.

At this point, about half the newcomers joining the Five Immortal Alliance were using false names, and the other half were openly declaring their true identities, entirely based on personal preference.

“This time, I came along with our Senior Martial Brother Zhao Qiankun. Our Senior Brother Zhao Qiankun is incredible…” Zhao Han had the smug look of a petty person who benefited from association: “Our Senior Brother Zhao Qiankun is the only one in the Body Tempering Stage among the Tenth Generation true disciples of Kunlun. That’s the Body Tempering Stage! Senior Brother Zhao’s future is boundless. I have quite a good relationship with him, haha!”

This individual was clearly borrowing prestige.

Hearing this, Huang Yun was visibly shaken, his face breaking into a subservient smile: “Is that so? Then we must ask Senior Brother Zhao for extra guidance in the future. If there’s an opportunity, please introduce us to Senior Brother Zhao. Being able to meet Senior Brother Zhao would be the honor of my lifetime.” He too wanted to latch onto someone like Zhao Qiankun, who, as the First True Disciple of Kunlun, was certain to become a key figure in the sect, perhaps even a candidate for the sect leader generation after the next.

Seeing Huang Yun’s reaction, Zhao Han, who claimed Kunlun lineage, was quite pleased. He was adept at flattering his Kunlun Senior Martial Brother Zhao Qiankun and equally enjoyed receiving praise from others. Thus, Huang Yun’s deference brought him great satisfaction. However, noticing that neither Meng Bai nor Lu Yuan showed any reaction at all, Zhao Han grew secretly enraged.

These damnable nobodies, Zhao Han fumed internally. Are they rogue cultivators or from some minor sect? How dare they ignore me? I have a good relationship with my Senior Brother, and my standing in the Kunlun Immortal Sect is extremely high.

Once they realize my Senior Brother’s might and how formidable he is, they will certainly come to flatter me, Zhao Han schemed inwardly.

Lu Yuan, listening from the side, couldn't help but suppress a smile.

Of the four people currently in the newcomer dormitory:

Zhao Han was relying on his supposed good relationship with his Senior Martial Brother Zhao Qiankun, acting like a pretentious bully—a true petty man. Huang Yun’s origins were unknown, but he was clearly skilled at obsequious flattery; this was not a person to make friends with.

As for Meng Bai, he was naturally his childhood best friend. Observing him now, while he was overly talkative, he remained a good friend.

A moment later, Zhao Han’s superior, the Senior Martial Brother of the Kunlun Immortal Sect, Zhao Qiankun, indeed arrived. This man was around forty, with a broad face and large ears, appearing quite dignified. As he walked, a crowd gathered around him, incessantly showering him with compliments. Zhao Qiankun’s eyes seemed half-closed, it was hard to tell if he was listening, but Lu Yuan believed the Senior Martial Brother of Kunlun must have been quite pleased; otherwise, he wouldn't have allowed so many people to flatter him. When Zhao Qiankun noticed that neither Lu Yuan nor Meng Bai looked at him with any measure of awe, a sharp glint flashed across his eyes.

Lu Yuan inwardly mocked the situation. The Kunlun Immortal Sect's current strength was weaker than that of Mount Hua. Yet, their Senior Martial Brother attracted such a throng of flatterers. Lu Yuan, being arguably the foremost among the Tenth Generation true disciples of Mount Hua, stood without a single attendant nearby. Truly, a disparity, a massive disparity.

Of course, Lu Yuan was certain that if so many people actually crowded around him praising him, he would vomit.

That was simply his nature; he couldn't stand such things.

For Zhao Qiankun, who could remain composed while receiving such widespread adoration, Lu Yuan could only offer a degree of admiration.

And so ended the very first day inside the Tenth Sub-Hall of the Fifth Immortal Alliance's Tenth Branch Hall.

It was a simple day.