Mortal To Immortal

Chapter 2 The Boy Leaves Home

"Big-Headed Kid, where did you find this broken jar? Don't go scavenging for junk, Uncle will make you a good one."

"Uncle Fei, this is my treasure!"

"Hey, this kid, looks pretty smart, but he's just like all the other silly kids, treating every broken bowl and plate he finds as a treasure."

Although Shu Han appeared calm on the surface, his heart was pounding.

Most of the children in Shu Village lacked toys, and many would scavenge for scraps around the village. Sometimes, finding a broken bowl would lead to a heated argument. Shu Han capitalized on this, openly holding his precious black jar in his arms without arousing suspicion.

In the impoverished mountains, someone had once killed for a bag of grain.

Master Zhang had also said, "Don't flaunt your wealth."

As for the saying "A common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime," Shu Han didn't quite understand.

The black jar was too valuable; he dared not let anyone else know.

Thinking of the pile of fragrant herbs he had abandoned, Shu Han couldn't help but feel a pang of heartache.

He dared not run back to the village with a bunch of fragrant herbs, for everyone in the village knew they were treasures for awakening children; a bunch of fragrant herbs was more dazzling than a pile of silver.

When Shu Han arrived home, it was almost dark, and his parents weren't home.

His father was the village carpenter, and these past few days he had gone to help out in a neighboring village; his mother had gone to the village's weaving workshop, doing needlework in the evenings to supplement the family income.

The adults in Shu Village were all very busy, and the children were used to running around on their own.

"Brother!"

As soon as Shu Han entered, his little sister with two pigtails stumbled up to him. She wasn't even half his height, her chubby little hands holding four jujubes, drool involuntarily dripping from her mouth. She hurriedly said, "Brother, these are jujubes Erdan brought. I've already eaten them; these are for you. Try them! They're so sweet!"

Shu Han smiled and ruffled her hair: "Ayun, you eat them yourself."

Shu Village was a poor, remote place, and a few jujubes were a rare treat for the children.

Ayun swallowed hard, her words mumbled, "Thank you, brother."

Just as the jujube was about to reach her lips, Shu Han snatched it away with lightning speed.

Ayun's face flushed red, and she stammered anxiously, "Bad brother, didn't you say you wouldn't eat it? You lied to Ayun!"

"Ayun, do you want to eat jujubes every day?"

"Yes!"

Ayun pouted, "But..."

"You wait here, close your eyes!"

Ayun obediently closed her eyes and stood motionless outside the door.

Shu Han went into his little room and threw four jujubes into a jar, quickly filling it with fresh jujubes.

After emptying the jar, Shu Han carefully hid the black jar under the bed. Then he grabbed a handful of jujubes and brought them to his little sister.

"Open your eyes and look."

Ayun opened her eyes and saw a handful of plump jujubes; her watery eyes sparkled with excitement.

"Brother, where did you get so many dates?"

Shu Han explained, "You behaved well in the ancestral hall today, and Zhang Xianchang rewarded you with these. Once you enter the Dragon Profound Sect, you'll get more than just dates; you'll send A-Yun delicious malt candy every day."

He thought A-Yun would be overjoyed, but instead, her little mouth twitched. She hugged Shu Han tightly, sobbing, "Waaah, I don't want dates, I don't want candy, I want brother!"

This gave Shu Han a complete headache. It took him a while to coax A-Yun to sleep.

After coaxing A-Yun, Shu Han made sure no one was around, closed the doors and windows, took out the black jar, and copied a whole jar of Fu Fang grass.

Looking at the jar of Fu Fang grass, he felt a little apprehensive. No matter how

painful it was, he had to absorb all of this Fu Fang grass!

Shu Han made up his mind and began a sleepless night of torment.

In a daze, not knowing which Fu Fang grass he had used, Shu Han suddenly felt the burning sensation throughout his body disappear. His forehead felt like it had been kicked open, and his mind instantly became clear and bright.

The burning medicinal effect of the Fu Fang grass began to gather at the top of his head. Miraculously, the burning sensation instantly turned into an incredibly cool feeling upon entering his brain.

Shu Han was excited; he finally understood why Er Dan and Gou Dan were so energetic after absorbing the Fu Fang grass.

This was the difference between awakened and unawakened spiritual roots!

He had finally succeeded! Shu

Han wanted to shout with excitement!

However, fearing he would disturb A Yun's sleep, he forcibly restrained himself.

The next day, inside the Shu Village ancestral hall.

Zhang Xianchang had just served freshly brewed tea when he almost choked after taking a small sip.

He saw a wisp of spiritual light emanating from Da Tou Wa's forehead.

He and the village chief exchanged glances, their eyes filled with joy.

The news that Shu Village had suddenly produced three talents with spiritual roots spread like wildfire.

The village chief was overjoyed and threw a grand banquet in Shu Village, serving up fine wine and meat, the atmosphere comparable to the New Year.

At the banquet, Master Zhang declared with great pride that because Shuzhuang had contributed three spirit-root children, the subsidies from the Dragon Profound Sect would increase by 50%!

Shu Han's father, upon hearing the news, rushed back from the neighboring village.

His parents stroked Shu Han's head, overjoyed; being chosen by the Dragon Profound Sect was even better than passing the imperial examination.

Everyone at the banquet was happy, except for two people who were sullen.

One was Gou Dan, who felt a burning shame as he recalled his mockery of Shu Han from a few days ago.

The other was his younger sister, A Yun, who held onto Shu Han's hand tightly.

That night, his sister insisted on sleeping with Shuzhuang, clinging to his neck. Although Shu Han was happy, he also felt a pang of reluctance. Touching his sister's head, he secretly vowed that he would achieve some success in his studies and return home, so that his parents and sister wouldn't have to worry about him.

With some cultivation and the Black Jar, their family's life would surely improve.

Having not slept a wink all night, at the crack of dawn, he gently released his little sister's hand, shouldered his prepared luggage, and headed out. He carefully placed the black jar in his bundle, padding it with thick cotton to prevent breakage.

His parents were already waiting outside.

Although they were happy, seeing their eldest son leaving home, tears welled in their eyes.

Shu Han was intelligent, but still a child, and he fought back the tears welling in his eyes.

The Celestial Master's carriage was waiting at the village entrance.

Erdan and Gou Dan were also brought along, both crying their eyes out, clinging tightly to their parents' hands.

The Celestial Master, Zhang, was used to such things; after all, they were just children, and he gave the three families ample time to say goodbye.

The three children followed the Celestial Master into the carriage.

As the carriage set off, Shu Han watched his parents disappear into the distance, biting his lip. Suddenly, he saw a small figure running towards him, and then he seemed to hear his little sister crying. The tears that had been held back for so long finally flowed uncontrollably, and the three children cried together on the carriage.

At this moment, the rice jar in Shu Han's house was quietly filled with rice, and the money jar buried in the ground was also stuffed with loose silver.

Shu Han naively thought that once the rice was finished and the silver coins were spent, she would return.