Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

“Group A, Xu Ming wins.”

“Group B, Wu Yanhan wins.”

“Group A, Xu Ming wins.”

Across the hundred arenas in the military camp, the voices of the officials of the Wu Kingdom echoed continuously.

As the matches went on, whenever Xu Ming or Wu Yanhan’s names appeared, the officiating officials barely paid attention anymore. Many times, they simply wrote down their names in advance.

They didn’t even need to watch—the top scholar and the princess were bound to win.

Xu Ming and Wu Yanhan had each fought ten matches, and not a single opponent lasted more than ten rounds against them.

To those in the same realm, the twin stars of the Wu Kingdom were an overwhelming force, a crushing suppression.@@novelbin@@

Even if their opponents were a whole realm above them, it made no difference—it was as if everyone else’s cultivation was nothing more than paper.

The selection matches lasted for three full days.

For every participant, there was nothing but continuous battles from dawn until dusk, with no time to rest except at night.

If someone faced a particularly strong opponent and was drained too much, causing them to lose a match later to someone actually weaker than them, it was simply a matter of bad luck.

And luck was a part of strength.

When they entered the Rootless Secret Realm, if they were on the brink of death, could they tell their enemy it was just bad luck?

Even if they begged the King of Hell himself, he might not care.

After three days, Xu Ming and Wu Yanhan successfully secured their places in the Rootless Secret Realm selection, relying purely on their own strength. No one dared to question their abilities.

Just four days after the selection ended, the Rootless Secret Realm was set to open—everything was on a tight schedule.

As for the top-ranked woman on the Beauty List, the monk, she was still fifteen days away from reaching Wu Capital.

Time flowed differently in the Rootless Secret Realm.

One day outside equaled ten days inside.

According to Tianji City’s calculations, this cycle of the Rootless Secret Realm would last a maximum of fifty days—only five days in the outside world.

When Xu Ming emerged from the secret realm, he would still have to wait for Shi Xin.

On the morning of the secret realm’s opening, Xu Ming woke up early.

“Mother.”

Xu Ming arrived at his mother’s courtyard. The sky had only just begun to brighten, yet she was already waiting for him.

He bowed deeply to his mother.

Chen Suya turned around, looking at her son. She picked up a package from the table and said, “These are some pastries I made for you, and this is a protective talisman I got from the temple. There are two of them—if Her Highness the Princess doesn’t mind, you can share one with her.” 𝖗âꞐОBËꞩ

Xu Ming took the package and said, “Yes, Mother. Please don’t worry too much. I will return in no more than five days—it’s only a matter of a few days.”

“I know.”

Chen Suya’s eyes wavered as if she wanted to say more, but in the end, she simply smiled and gently stroked her son’s face.

“Be careful on your journey.”

“Mother, please take care of yourself in these coming days. The moment I return, I will come see you.”

Xu Ming bowed deeply once more, slung the package over his back, and turned to leave.

Watching her son’s figure gradually disappear, Chen Suya knew—he was drifting further and further away from her.

And that was a good thing.

She wanted him to walk his own path.

But as a mother, all she could do was watch. She couldn’t help him in the slightest.

Just as Xu Ming was leaving, Shengsheng was still fast asleep in bed, snoring away.

Naturally, there was no way Shengsheng could follow Xu Ming. In fact, she still thought he was leaving tomorrow.

Xu Ming had lied to her on purpose—he didn’t want to make her sad.

Otherwise, every time he left her behind, she would end up crying her heart out.

“Hehe, Ming’er, I thought I woke up early today, but it turns out I’m just in time.”

Just as Xu Ming was about to step out of the courtyard, his so-called father, Xu Zheng, appeared at the gate. It seemed like he had been waiting for him.

“Father.”

Though Xu Ming was reluctant to acknowledge this “cheap father” of his—and wasn’t even sure if the man was truly his father—he still had to show some respect.

“Ming’er, you’re heading to the Rootless Secret Realm this time, and I don’t have much to give you. Take this bracelet.”

Xu Zheng grinned as he removed a beaded bracelet from his wrist and handed it to Xu Ming.

“This was a gift from your great-grandfather to me when I was born. It’s been blessed by a master.”

Xu Ming glanced at the bracelet and didn’t refuse.

“Then, thank you, Father.”

“No need to thank me, no need to thank me!” Xu Zheng kept grinning.

“Do your best in there! Bring back lots of treasures! Your father heard that the Rootless Secret Realm has a kind of fruit called the Golden Horn Fruit. If you can, bring one back for me to try.”

Xu Ming couldn’t help but laugh inwardly.

He knew it—this father of his never did anything without expecting something in return.

The Golden Horn Fruit was a known specialty of the Rootless Secret Realm.

It was said to enhance a man’s… capabilities in certain areas.

Considering how often his father frequented brothels—his pale complexion and unsteady gait were proof enough—he could definitely use something like that.

“If I come across one, I’ll bring it back for you.” Xu Ming replied casually.

The Golden Horn Fruit wasn’t exactly rare in the secret realm. It was like any ordinary wild fruit in the mountains.

Most cultivators who entered the realm didn’t care about such low-grade items. They’d rather spend their time gathering spirit fruits, which could be sold for a higher price. That was why the Golden Horn Fruit wasn’t commonly found in markets.

“Good, good!” Xu Zheng nodded eagerly.

Xu Ming said, “Then I’ll be on my way.”

“Be careful, Ming’er. If you can’t win, just run. Your life is the most important thing.”

Xu Zheng’s words sounded hollow, more like a perfunctory farewell than genuine concern.

Xu Ming didn’t say much. He simply bowed and walked out of the courtyard.

As he watched Xu Ming leave, Xu Zheng’s usual playful expression faded. His brows furrowed slightly.

He sighed.

“Sigh… poor child.”