There is a Taoist temple on Panlong Mountain called Qingfeng Temple, which is said to have a history of three hundred years. It used to be bustling with people, but now it is deserted.

However, there is a group of Taoist priests inside who live far away from the world and are still maintaining the incense offerings.

In early July, the area down the mountain became lively as three people dressed as Taoist priests came down the mountain.

They set up an altar at the foot of the mountain to recruit disciples.

Villagers from nearby areas rushed over upon hearing the news. Qingfeng Temple was famous far and wide, and it was said that they had a method for cultivating immortality, and entering the temple was a great opportunity.

Not only the villagers came, but even the beggars from the neighborhood came.

"Ah Li, hurry up, we're going to miss it."

A seven or eight-year-old boy was pulling a five or six-year-old girl along as they ran very fast. Their patched clothes fluttered in the wind like butterflies.

"I...I can't run anymore, Brother Sheng, slow down..."

Ali coughed twice, the wind choking her throat and making her feel a little uncomfortable.

Ah Sheng then stopped and patted Ah Li's back, trying to make her feel more comfortable.

"How about I carry you on my back?"

Ali shook her head. Although she was very thin, her brother Sheng was also very thin, not much stronger than her. He couldn't carry her at all.

"You go first, otherwise neither of us will make it."

"No, we'll go together. If we don't get selected, we'll beg for food together. In short, I won't abandon you."

Ali nodded, took a few breaths, and the two started running again.

We rushed as fast as we could and finally reached the foot of the mountain before dark.

At the foot of the mountain, the Taoist priest Yuhe was packing up his stall; today was the last day for them to accept disciples.

Seeing that no one else was coming, they were about to return to the mountain.

"Wait, we...we also need to...test..."

When Yuhe saw the two children, she paused in packing her things and stopped.

"Come here, how old are you? What are your names?"

“My name is Asheng, and I am eight years old. Her name is Ali, and she is six years old.”

Yuhe nodded, patted and pinched the two of them, and after a while, registered them.

"Alright, you guys go to that tent now, and you'll come up the mountain with us later."

Ah Sheng smiled, and he happily ran towards the tent, holding Ah Li's hand.

When the two entered the tent, they found that there were already more than a dozen children inside, mostly between five and ten years old, both boys and girls.

The two went inside but didn't join the crowd. Instead, they chose a relatively empty corner and waited quietly.

Ali tugged at Ah Sheng's sleeve and asked in a low voice.

"Brother Sheng, do you think we can get a full meal if we go up the mountain?"

Ah Sheng was taken aback; Ah Li must be hungry.

He took a paper package from his pocket, slowly opened it, and found a small, hardened piece of biscuit.

He swallowed hard and handed it to Ali.

"Ah Li, eat this first to fill your stomach, and I'll see if I can find anything else to eat later."

Ali took it and took a small bite. She was used to Ah Sheng's care and didn't stand on ceremony.

"Brother Asheng, you should eat too."

Ah Sheng leaned over and took a small bite as well. The two of them ate the pancake together, as if they were enjoying some kind of delicious food.

"Tch~ What's so great about a lousy pancake?"

A little girl appeared beside them at some point. She was dressed in silk and adorned with pearls and jade in her hair, clearly a child from a wealthy family.

Ali shrank back behind Ah Sheng; she was a little shy.

The little girl took out a small paper packet from the pouch at her waist, inside which was a piece of osmanthus pastry.

As soon as the paper package was opened, a fragrance wafted out. Ali sniffed; the smell was wonderful.

The little girl glanced at Ali out of the corner of her eye, squeezed the osmanthus pastry with her hand, and finally started eating it by herself.

Ah Sheng turned around, blocking her view and protecting Ah Li behind him.

The doorway darkened, and a Taoist priest entered.

"Fellow Daoists, please follow me."

Everyone walked outside, following the Taoist priest up the mountain.

Everyone remained silent, not daring to speak. After walking for an hour, some children couldn't take it anymore.

"I...I can't walk anymore."

"Waaah...I want my mom..."

"I don't want to go up the mountain, I want to go home."

Yuhe secretly observed that these observations would serve as the basis for evaluating these children in the future.

When he saw Ah Sheng and Ah Li, he nodded. These two children are quite good.

Ali was also very tired, but she couldn't let Ah Sheng down. She knew that Ah Sheng really wanted to go to the Taoist temple.

Brother Asheng said that the Taoist temple can shelter you from the wind and rain, and you can also eat your fill. There is nothing more comfortable than a full meal.

Ah Sheng held Ah Li's hand, trying to make her feel more relaxed.

The girl with the osmanthus pastry looked at the two holding hands tightly and snorted disdainfully.

What's so great about it? I can climb the mountain by myself.

After finally reaching the top of the mountain, everyone was too exhausted to climb any further.

"You all need to wash up first, and the test will be conducted tomorrow morning."

Yuhe gave the instructions, and immediately disciples brought up food. Everyone shared the food, and then went to a special room to wash up before going to their assigned rooms to sleep.

Ah Sheng had to separate from Ah Li because men and women cannot share a room.

"Don't be afraid, Ali. I'm in that house. If you need anything, just come find me."

Ali nodded obediently, "I understand, Brother Asheng."

The girl with the osmanthus pastry is named Xin Huantong. She shares a room with Ali. Seeing the interaction between the two, she felt a moment of envy and disappointment, but quickly composed herself.

Ah Sheng thought for a moment, then gave Xin Huantong a fawning smile.

"Little sister, could you please look after my little sister? She's only six years old and very shy. I'm worried she'll be scared."

Xin Huantong turned her head and said, "What are you afraid of? Everyone's here."

Ah Sheng calling her "little sister" made her a little shy, but out of respect for him, she reluctantly agreed to take a look.

Ah Sheng gave Ah Li a few more instructions before leaving.

Ali lay down on her bed and quickly fell asleep.

Xin Huantong looked at Ali's small body and smiled. She was so cute, which reminded her of her own sister. It was a pity that they could never be together again.

?

Inside the main building of Qingfeng Temple, Yuhe was reporting to Daoist Mingyun.

“Master, among this batch of young disciples, there are two children with exceptionally good aptitude. They are also resilient and didn’t complain once when they went up the mountain. Moreover, they help each other and are very loyal.”

Master Mingyun stroked his beard and nodded.

"You've worked hard, go and rest. I have plans for tomorrow."

"yes."

A girl peeked out from behind a tree. Yulan wanted to come and play with her senior brother, but he had already come to their master's place, so she waited outside.

But then I heard my senior brother praising the other junior disciples.

I heard that the master is planning to take on a final disciple, and it seems very likely that it will be that little girl.

Thinking of this, Yulan inexplicably felt hostility towards the little girl named Ali.