How did a bastard like him become an immortal?

"The Great Dao has three thousand paths, creating the world; comprehending the Dao of the Saints, Hongjun becomes an immortal."

These four verses of Heavenly Dao echoed in Li Muyun's mind like sacred chants. At the same time, the three thousand Xuan Tian Jade Pillars in the endless star field burst forth with brilliant light, pouring into Li Muyun's body like the Milky Way in the heavens.

"hiss--"

In an instant, Li Muyun's face contorted in pain.

Every cell in his body seemed to be destroyed and then reassembled. A fan-shaped jade piece appeared in Li Muyun's dantian, transforming into a shining spiritual root.

Li Muyun roared, and the power of the Great Dao seemed to hear his unwilling cry, instantly enveloping and merging with him...

The long-eared immortal tilted his ears forward slightly, a hint of appreciation flashing in his eyes. This young man's temperament had already surpassed that of ordinary people after years of forbearance. From today onwards, it would be the day of his transformation.

Half an hour later, Li Muyun opened his eyes, a beam of light shot out, and his originally weak body was filled with power, he had been completely transformed.

"Is this the power of immortals?"

The long-eared immortal said calmly, "Now that you have spiritual roots and have sensed true essence, you have entered the Qi Refining stage. Qi Refining is divided into nine stages, followed by Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, and Deity Transformation. Cultivating immortality allows one to transcend the mortal realm and become a carefree immortal in the nine heavens."

Feeling the true energy within his body, Li Muyun asked, "I wonder how my Qi Refining stage compares to the first level of Martial Apprentice?"

The long-eared immortal scoffed, "Cultivating immortality is the supreme path, how can it be compared to martial arts? Although you have only just entered the first stage of Qi Refining, once you possess a magical artifact and can control objects with your true essence, you will be fearless against any martial artist before your true essence is exhausted. Remember, you are now an immortal!"

"Fairy!"

These two words were slowly uttered by Li Muyun, and a resolute light shone on his young face.

Fifteen years of suppression have finally given way to a triumphant transformation!

He finally had the power to clear his mother's name!

The Tang Dynasty had a rule that immortals could be exempted from the preliminary examinations in the martial arts examinations and directly participate in the provincial examinations. Once Li Muyun passed the martial arts examination, he would become a successful candidate in the provincial examinations. His mother could also rise in status through her son, escaping her lowly status as a concubine and being granted the title of Lady.

If I can shine brightly in next year's imperial examination and pass with flying colors, thus securing a title for my mother, I wonder how pleased the other ladies in the Marquis's mansion will be!

The next moment, Li Muyun opened his eyes and found himself in his own room. He subconsciously touched his forehead, and the forehead that Li Tianci had injured had miraculously healed. He then wandered through his body and found that the power of the immortal was indeed flowing within him.

It wasn't a dream; Li Muyun had become an immortal!

Li Muyun sat up. His mother's memorial tablet was placed on the table, with clear cracks on it, obviously having been carefully pieced together again.

"Young Master Yun, you've finally woken up!"

A well-behaved girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old quickly entered carrying a bowl of herbal medicine. Her delicate face was fair and bright, and her eyes were gentle and tender. She was a real little beauty in the making.

"Xiao Rou? You brought me back? They didn't give you any trouble, did they?"

Li Muyun's gaze softened considerably as he looked at the girl. In this cold and aloof mansion, only his personal maid, Xiao Rou, was truly kind to him. They appeared to be master and servant, but were as close as siblings, relying on each other for survival.

Xiao Rou's eyes reddened, but she forced a smile and said, "It's good that you're alright, young master."

Bang bang bang!

Just then, a knocking sound came from outside the courtyard.

Xiao Rou trembled slightly. "Young Master, you are not well yet. Please rest here. I will go open the door."

Li Muyun frowned and quietly followed.

At the entrance of the courtyard, two rolls of low-grade coarse cloth were thrown in front of Xiaorou.

"This is the betrothal gift. In three days, Young Master Tianci will come to take a concubine! Tell your good-for-nothing son to decorate with lanterns and kneel down to welcome him!" a wrinkled old woman shouted at the top of her lungs.

This person was none other than Rong Momo, the wet nurse of Li Tianci and a favorite of the second wife.

Xiao Rou angrily said, "Young Master Tianci promised me that as long as I am willing to become his concubine, he will no longer make things difficult for Young Master Yun. Young Master Yun is a descendant of the Marquis, how can he be humiliated by kneeling down to greet him?"

Rong Momo sneered, "The Marquis's bloodline? Why hasn't the Marquis visited your young master for over ten years? Maybe it's that slut's bastard child. And you, you little hussy, protecting that pretty boy so much, could it be that you two are having an affair?"

Xiao Rou's face flushed red with anger. "Young Master Yun is a noble young master, you must not speak nonsense!"

Rong Momo walked up to Xiao Rou and sneered, "Hmph! What a worthless young master. Only you dare to protect him? Don't forget, you'll be Young Master Tianci's woman from now on. You lowly servant!"

As she spoke, Rong Momo raised her hand and slapped Xiao Rou across the face.

"Snapped!"

A crisp slap rang out, and Xiaorou's face instantly swelled up.

Rong Momo grabbed Xiao Rou's arm and said aggressively, "This slap is to teach you to recognize your master, remember that? You little slut, hmph!"

"stop!"

Just then, Li Muyun walked out of the courtyard with an icy gaze, stood in front of Xiaorou, and asked, "Does it hurt?"

"Xiao Rou, it doesn't hurt, it's alright, young master." Xiao Rou hurriedly pulled Li Muyun away and walked back, as she couldn't afford to offend Rong Mama and the others.

Li Muyun looked at Rong Momo; these old women were the most cowardly and bullying, utterly repulsive. Now that he was an immortal, he wouldn't allow Xiao Rou to be bullied anymore.

Li Muyun said in a deep voice, "Apologize to those who hit me without cause."

"Hehe, do I need a reason to hit a servant? If Young Master Yun also feels that his handsome face is too tight, this old servant doesn't mind helping to relax it."

Rong Momo sneered repeatedly. She was just a useless person who dared not utter a sound in normal times, yet she actually wanted her to apologize.

Li Muyun said, "Granny Rong, don't forget you're a servant too, a pig or a dog. You dare hit me?"

"You little bastard, this old servant will teach you a lesson on behalf of the Second Madam today!"

Rong Momo's old face instantly turned red with anger. She was now the Second Madam's favorite. When had anyone ever dared to humiliate her like this?

He raised his hand and slapped Li Muyun across the face.

Rong Momo put all her strength into it, even using her true energy, this slap was meant to teach this little bastard a lesson!

Li Muyun stood upright, his gaze stern and fearless, and shouted: "Hit me? You dare to challenge me? I am the son of a marquis, and you are nothing but a lowly servant. According to the laws of the Tang Dynasty, a wicked servant who assaults his master shall be exiled a thousand miles away!"

Li Tianci can hit Li Muyun because they share the same surname, but Rong Momo, a lowly servant, would be courting death if she dared to hit her master and break the law!

Startled by Li Muyun's sudden shout and imposing aura, Rong Momo's expression changed, and she quickly withdrew her hand, saying with a forced smile, "This old servant wouldn't dare; my hand just slipped. The Second Madam has sent word that this little wretched maid will marry Young Master Tianci as a concubine in three days—"

Snapped!

Li Muyun's slap landed mercilessly on Rong Momo's face, like a whip. However, her thick skin was clearly resilient, and she only blushed slightly.

The old woman never expected Li Muyun's hand to be so fast, so fast that she didn't even have time to react.

Rong Momo covered her burning, old face and looked at Li Muyun in disbelief: "I am the Second Madam's person, how dare you hit me?"

Li Muyun's lips curled into a smile: "Sorry, my hand slipped too. Also, Xiaorou is mine, Li Tianci shouldn't even think about it."

"Young Master Yun, you're doing very well! Young Master Tianci will be holding a grand wedding in three days and has come to bring his men. I hope you'll still have the same confidence then. I've delivered the message; you'd better take care of yourself."

With gritted teeth, Rong Momo uttered a sentence and walked out.

Li Muyun's eyes were bright as he said calmly, "Xiaorou, fetch some water so I can wash my hands. This old man's face is so stinky and stubborn, it's making my hands hurt."

Rong Momo staggered, then quickened her pace and left.

Xiao Rou nodded blankly. Young Master Yun was different today; he seemed to have something more to offer than before.

When she saw Li Muyun's bright eyes, she suddenly understood... it was confidence!

Li Muyun closed the courtyard gate, thinking about how to deal with the situation three days from now.

Li Tianci's so-called grand celebration was nothing more than an attempt to embarrass Li Muyun. Since Li Tianci wanted to show off, then let him show off!

Long-Eared Immortal once said that as long as he possessed a magical artifact, he would be fearless against any martial arts apprentice, including Li Tianci, who was at the seventh level of martial arts. Therefore, the most urgent task was to purchase a magical artifact.

Li Muyun had accumulated some savings over the years, and there was only one place in the capital city where he wanted to buy magical artifacts—the Xuantian Treasure Pavilion.