The Legend of the Netherworld

Lin Xiao returned home, feeling uneasy. For the past ten years, he had imagined countless times the day of his cultivation, and now it was finally coming true.

His heart was filled with excitement, but also with a bit of reluctance. He knew that leaving meant a new beginning, but also a separation from his grandparents.

He walked into the house and said to his grandparents who were preparing dinner, "Grandpa, Grandma, I have something to tell you. This time I can go to the Feng Shui Academy to practice, so I may have to be away for a while."

Upon hearing this news, Grandpa and Grandma's expressions instantly grew serious. Grandma gently put down the kitchen knife in her hand and looked up at Lin Xiao, her eyes filled with reluctance: "Xiao'er, are you really leaving? We had hoped that you would always be by our side, but you have such a great fortune, and we can't delay you."

Grandpa was silent for a while, then finally sighed and said, "Go, child. You've been different from other children since you were young. It's time for you to leave. You've wasted all these years in this small village. Cultivation is a serious matter. We are old, and we only hope that you can take good care of yourself and always remember that we two old bones are still at home."

Lin Xiao felt a pang of sadness. Although he longed to cultivate, he knew full well that after this separation, he would never see his grandparents again. Perhaps by the time they did, they would be much older. He walked up to the two elderly people, pulled out ten taels of silver from his pocket, and placed them on the table. "Grandpa and grandma, this is the money I've saved over the years. Take it for future use."

Grandpa declined, "We don't need this money. You can use it for yourself. Training outside also costs money."

Lin Xiao insisted: "You don't have to worry about me. These are what I left for you. Just accept them." Seeing the reluctance in his grandparents' eyes, he also felt a little reluctant to let go.

After packing his belongings, Lin Xiao realized he didn't have much to take with him. A few worn-out clothes and two books, all he had accumulated over the years, were his belongings.

He took a last look at the little house that had been with him for sixteen years, and silently vowed in his heart that he must make a name for himself and let his grandparents live a better life.

Before leaving, Lin Xiao quietly walked outside the yard and took a deep breath. Grandpa and grandma didn't come to see him off. They said they couldn't bear to see him go, and they were afraid they would force him to stay. Lin Xiao understood their feelings and didn't force them.

Arriving at the village entrance, quite a few people had already gathered. The villagers were discussing the news that Lin Xiao was about to go to the Feng Shui Academy for training, and most of them were looking at him with envy and anticipation.

Lin Xiao immediately spotted Lin Jiao and the four children who had passed the bone-touching test. They had all gotten into the carriage. Lin Jiao looked at Lin Xiao, her eyes full of encouragement and concern.

Taoist Priest Daoxian and Senior Brother Lin Qing were already waiting in another carriage. Although Taoist Priest Daoxian said that Lin Xiao's acceptance into the academy was still uncertain, his actions clearly showed that he already considered Lin Xiao a prospective student of the Feng Shui Academy.

Lin Xiao walked towards the carriages and boarded the front one with the Taoist priest and Senior Brother Lin Qing. Lin Jiao and the other four children boarded the rear carriage. With a shout from the coachman, the wheels began to turn slowly, and the sound of horse hooves echoed at the village entrance in the early morning.

This was Lin Xiao's first real journey. For sixteen years, he had never left the village, and the farthest he had ever been was the town market. Now, he was heading to the Feng Shui Academy, a sacred place of cultivation he had heard of countless times but had never seen in person.

As the carriage moved forward, passing through the familiar town, Lin Xiao looked at the bustling crowds on the streets, feeling a surge of emotion. He knew that this departure would be a brand new beginning, and that the day he returned, he would no longer be that ordinary boy.

Taoist Master Daoxian and Senior Brother Lin Qing had closed their eyes and meditated since boarding the carriage, concentrating on their cultivation. Lin Xiao had many questions in mind, but seeing their focused expressions, he stopped interrupting them. He tried to find a comfortable position in the carriage, but felt extremely bored.

So, Lin Xiao simply walked to the front of the carriage, sat next to the driver, and stared at the scenery outside. The carriage sped along the smooth official road, and the oncoming wind made him feel a little relieved. The mountains, rivers, and fields on both sides of the road unfolded before his eyes like a picture scroll.

Along the way, the carriage did not encounter any obstacles, which was obviously due to the reputation of the Feng Shui Academy.

The carriage stopped for several rest stops along the way. Although Lin Xiao had always felt that the journey was long, the two days and nights of hard work passed quickly. When he saw the majestic mountain gate in the distance, his mood was suddenly replaced by excitement.

The carriage slowly stopped in front of the Feng Shui Academy. Lin Xiao and the others disembarked, stunned by the sight before him. Across a vast square stood a majestic mountain gate, with four powerful characters—"Feng Shui Academy"—emerging prominently. The imposing presence was awe-inspiring.

"Wow--" Lin Xiao couldn't help but exclaim in admiration. Although he was a worldly-wise man, he was still shocked by this magnificent building.

Yuan Hong, Wang Yiming, Wang Hao, and Liu Yi behind him exclaimed in unison: "Wow!" Yuan Hong asked excitedly: "Lin Xiao, have you ever seen a gate more magnificent than this before?"

Lin Xiao said confidently: "Of course I have seen it. I have seen ones twice as big as this."

Liu Yi, who was standing nearby, chuckled and joked, "Just brag, we know you."

In fact, Lin Xiao was not bragging. The gate of Xianyun Sect was indeed much more spectacular than this, but he had no interest in arguing with them and was too lazy to pay attention to the teasing of these children.

Taoist Priest Daoxian looked at the crowd who were shocked by the scene before them, smiled and shook his head: "Stop looking, go in quickly, if you stay here for too long, you might even complain that this gate is too much of an eyesore."

Lin Jiao couldn't help but laugh when she heard this, and the others followed suit. Then, led by Taoist Priest Daoxian, the group passed through the mountain gate and continued walking into the academy.

After walking for a while, Lin Xiao's gaze was drawn to the vast lake before him. The lake shimmered, lotus flowers bloomed, and the air was filled with a faint fragrance. In the center of the lake, a massive lotus leaf towered above the others. The green lotus on the leaf was particularly eye-catching, standing much taller than any other flower.

Lin Jiao pointed at the lotus and softly introduced it to Lin Xiao, "Do you see the tallest lotus? That's our academy's magical medicine, called the Green Lotus, and it's almost two hundred years old. The other small lotuses are its seeds and grandchildren. This Green Lotus was planted by the founder when he founded the Feng Shui Academy."

Lin Xiao looked at the ancient green lotus with awe. He imagined how these spiritual objects, symbols of the academy's history, had witnessed countless trials and tribulations, carrying the heritage and dreams of countless cultivators.

They continued walking until they reached a set of stairs deep within the academy. It was remarkably peaceful, as if filled with a subtle mystical atmosphere. Taoist Priest Daoxian turned to Taoist Priest Lin Qing and instructed, "Lin Qing, take them to the academy's Lin House and settle them down. Lin Jiao, come with me to see the headmaster."

Taoist Priest Lin Qing nodded slightly: "Okay, Taoist Priest."

Lin Jiao took the opportunity to get closer to Lin Xiao and whispered, "Brother Lin Xiao, I'll come to see you later." There was a hint of concern and expectation in her eyes.

Lin Xiao nodded and watched Lin Jiao and Taoist Master Daoxian leave.