Putting down the files in front of him, the man breathed a sigh of relief, looking at his empty cup of coffee. He rubbed his eyes, now filled with dark circles, and looked at the night sky through the window.
Not even having the ability to stand, he just rested his head on the desk and closed his eyes, his mind sinking into darkness as he lost his life.
His now dead body leaned against the desk, appearing as if asleep, as the soul housed in it had already departed.
"Hm?"
He muttered as he rubbed his eyes, and he opened his eyes and, feeling the cold ground, looked down.
Seeing the stone floor and his tender but dirty hands, he couldn't help but stop; he didn't understand what was going on.
Just last moment, he was in his office, and now on the floor of some deserted alley, just as he was thinking the memories of this life's ten odd years appeared.
He closed his eyes, and after going through his memories, he released a sigh. He couldn't help but look at the blue sky above with complicated eyes.
His last life had ended, mostly spent doing an office job, he had been working for more than fifteen years, and would have gotten a promotion soon.
That's why he had put so many hours into the last project, but now that he had died, it was all for nothing.
Now reborn as an orphaned boy who wanders around the alley for food, most likely in an ancient age.
He, for a while, couldn't understand what to do with his life. Lost in thought, he saw a streak of light flying in the sky.
Following it were ten giant boats floating in the sky, carved with the image of a majestic dragon and releasing a sense of awe that made him want to worship it.
"Immortals."
That was the only thought that came to his mind as a goal was born in his heart; he wanted to become an immortal.
He had spent his last life always under the order of someone, but in this life, he wants to travel freely between the mountains and the rivers.
So with that goal in mind, he stood up and walked outside the alley, looking at his dirty clothes and body, he couldn't help but lament at his body's misfortune.
"System."
He muttered, but there was no response; it seemed he wasn't one of those protagonists that he read in novels.
He looked at the crowd of people moving through the market from the entrance of the alley, and it seemed today there were more people than normal.
"Hey, have you heard about the immortal selection on the peak of Sword Mountain?"
"Of course, the immoral sects are recruiting disciples under the age of fifteen today."
"Truly, enviable. Last selection was more than ten years ago, and I wasn't able to participate in that, and I won't be able to participate in this either."
"Hee~, Too bad, my son is just the right age. If he has an immortal fate, my family may rise to the sky in one day."
"Haha, if that happens, don't forget me."
Listening to the conversation, he understood the situation; it seemed today really was his lucky day. Just the day he transmigrated the sect was hold a disciple selection.
Looking at the giant mountain in the distance, he was lost in thought. People were gathered at the foot of the mountain waiting for to rush of the ten thousand step stairs.
Looking at his dirty body, he quickly rushed toward the well near the poorer area of the city, exiting the marketplace near the foot of the mountain, he walked east.
The houses here seem to be older and made of cheaper quality materials. Normally, he could see people walking through the streets, but today it was deserted.
Reaching the well, he took out a bucket of water. In the clear water, he finally saw his reflection, a malnourished boy with messy black hair and an ordinary face, but with blue eyes filled with hope for the future.
"I don't have a name if I remember correctly.."
"Although I can take the name of my last life... I shouldn't."
"This is a new beginning for me.. a life whose path will be different from my last life.."
"So, I shall be called Lixin He.."
Having decided on his name, he quickly poured the water over his body, and he didn't even remove the clothes in his clothes.
He washed away the dirt and waste attached to his body and put the now-empty bucket down. Looking at his wet figure, he bathed in sunlight.
Taking out what remained of his little savings, he walked toward a bread shop and bought two meat buns.
The shopkeeper looked at him with disgust, but since he was paying money, he didn't curse him. Lixin didn't get angry at this, as he knew that orphans like him didn't deserve much respect in a world like this.
Eating the hot buns in three bites, he quickly finished them as he walked toward the foot of the mountain.
Looking at the majestic mountain piercing through the clouds like an unsheathed sword, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe.
He waited in a silent corner on the back of the crowd as he looked at the snake-like stairs that went up the mountain.
After a while, two figures riding swords descended from the top of the mountain. They were wearing blue Taoist robes made with high-quality fabric as they looked down on all the mortals.
Even without the wind, their robes were fluttering, making them look like celestial beings. Looking at the two figures, Neo felt his heart burn with passion.
He also wanted to be like them, free from the mortal bounds and able to move through the sky with their will alone.
"The Disciples Selection will happen atop the Sword Mountain."
"Those who aren't able to reach their destination before four hours will have their immortal journey cut short."
"Only those under the age of fifteen are allowed to climb the mountain stairs."
The two spoke in succession, their voice booming, even in this large crowd, everyone heard it clearly as if by magic.
Lixin, in the back, also heard it as he looked at the small children crying and parents having dark faces.
After all, without enough will, there is no way that children under fifteen will be able to climb a ten-thousand-step staircase.
But none here dared complain as the two cultivators were emitting pressure that suppressed all mortals.
"You have four hours from now, your journey starts."
The male cultivator spoke as they both floated in the sky, using their sword, looking down on all mortals from above.
Parents quickly forced the children to rush as they followed their parents' order and started to climb the unending stairs.
Lixin also walked from the back and squeezed through the crowd; he also appeared in front of the stairs.
He looked up and only saw a staircase that didn't seem to end. He took a deep breath and hardened his will.
He took his first step and started his steady climb. Time started to pass as he saw many children panting and resting on the ground on his way up.
He looked at them and continued to move; they were more physically fit compared to this frail body, but their will couldn't compare.
Hours started to pass as his body was covered in sweat, his bare feet had become red due to all the climbing, and his lips were dry due to the sunlight.
He saw many resting in the shade of the tree, washing their feet from a nearby well, and he looked at them and his will wavered.
But thinking about becoming immortal, he continued to move, each step heavier than the last, as he even started to bleed.
Leaving a trail of blood, bearing the pain from the feet, he continued to move. His body continued to move, but his thoughts were lost in his memories.
He could hear a whisper, a whisper telling him to give up, if he gave up with his knowledge of his last life, he could create a great business.
He can live a fulfilling life; he doesn't need to go through such hardship. He can just give up and rest like many others before him.
No one will laugh at him if he gives up now, perhaps he may not even have any talent, so why does he go through such a challenge?
Such thoughts plagued his mind, but thinking about the hardships he suffered in his last life, thinking about his hopeful future, he continued to climb.
High above the mountain, a massive courtyard surrounded by beautiful pavilions and tall trees rested.
From the entrance connected to the stairs, many youths covered in sweat with their breath uneven entered.
A group of elders dressed in orange Taoist clothes with sword patterns watched these youth as if watching a fun show.
"Hey, Elder Han, how many do you think will be able to make it here?"
A youthful elder asked in a joking tone as Elder Han stroked his long beard while looking at the gate. Unlike the young man, his face was filled with wrinkles, and his hair was completely white.
Even so, he had an air of solemnity and majesty about him, as if his age had never hindered his ability.
"I have been an outer elder for five hundred years. In my career, the highest number of people I have seen is 1004."
Elder Han spoke as if telling a story as he took a sip of wine, enjoying its taste, having lived for so long, there were only so many things he could enjoy.
"Oh~, do you think that record will be broken today?"
The young man said with a laugh as he gulped down a bottle of wine in one gulp, the other elders just watched from the side, not disturbing the two.
Unlike the young man who has been an outer elder for just nine years, each of them has been an elder for at least two hundred years.
"Perhaps, it's all up to fate."
Elder Han muttered, he quite liked this youth who was optimistic about the future, unlike old bones like them.
"Then let's count."
"If you wish, Elder Li."
With that, their conversation ended as Elder Li started counting; the other elder also joined in the fun, making the situation here more festive.
"300.."
"569"
"969"
"1001"
"1003"
"1004"
The number reached 1004, the highest seen by Elder Han to date. Looking at the time with a single minute remaining, Elder Li couldn't help but mutter.
"It seems the record won't be broken.."
Hearing Elder Li's mutter, Elder Han just smiled as he stroked his beard, putting down the cup of wine, he said.
"Such is fate, though it's quite wonderful to witness such a large number."
Just as they were about to stop their small game, in their surprised eyes, just before the time ended, a youth walked through the gate.
His feet were red and bleeding, his body covered in sweat, his eyes barely focused, and his body barely functioning.
"1005"
Elder Li muttered as he laughed, putting down the bottle of wine in his hands.