Chapter 1: Today Is A Suitable Day For Traveling, Not For Cheating
It was the second day of the second month of the lunar calendar—a suitable day for traveling out.
The rain pelted down relentlessly. As it struck the ground, it released the crisp scent from the damp earth; as it entered the lakes, it sent ripples pulsating across the water surface; as it drenched the heads of passers-by, it incited them to cuss under their breaths.
“Who said that today is a suitable day for traveling out? The rain started pouring right as I stepped out of the door.” Lu Yang grumbled, regretting not preparing a straw raincoat beforehand.[1]
It was Lu Yang’s first time setting off on a faraway journey. The rain had sprung a surprise attack on him, soaking him from head to toe. He felt like the earth was playing a cruel joke on him. Every step he took with his mud-caked shoes, he had to pull his feet out from the soggy morass.
Just then, the clip-clop sound of hooves from behind caught Lu Yang’s attention. Turning his head around, he noticed a horse-drawn carriage approaching. There was no coachman, yet the old horse seemed to know the way.
“What a remarkable horse,” Lu Yang marveled. The few snake-like scales on the old horse’s forehead showed that it was a demon beast of an aberrant breed.
He couldn’t tell the price of such a horse, but however much it was, he knew he couldn’t afford it.
“Hey, brother, enjoying a stroll in the rain? How refined of you,” a man inside the carriage teased light-heartedly. “Would you like to take a seat inside the carriage?”
Accepting the man’s timely invitation, Lu Yang dragged his legs from the mire once more and hoisted himself into the refuge of the carriage.
“Sorry to intrude, my name is Lu Yang.” Lu Yang gingerly found a place to sit, afraid that the rainwater and mud clinging to him would soil the interior of the carriage.
“The name’s Meng Jingzhou.” The man’s voice betrayed a carefree and personable demeanor, as if he could strike up a conversation with anyone.
“Brother Lu, are you also here to participate in the Dao-Seeking Sect’s selection trials?”
“Just trying my luck.”
Meng Jingzhou laughed heartily. “Brother Lu, there’s no harm in being more candid. If you were really just trying your luck, you wouldn’t be trudging through the rain to get there.”
Lu Yang abashedly admitted, “Who doesn’t want to join the Dao-Seeking Sect?”
The Dao-Seeking Sect was one of the Central Continent’s Five Great Immortal Sects, which were renowned for their countless formidable cultivators. As the Dao-Seeking Sect was recruiting disciples today, Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou were merely two of the numerous aspiring candidates that flocked to the venue for a chance to be recruited.
Lu Yang had transmigrated to the Central Continent, and his parents in this world had passed away at an early age. It was only with the remaining morsel of their inheritance and the assistance from the neighborhood that he managed to scrape by.
During the decade he spent in his small town, he had heard the storyteller narrate tales of immortals with swords ascending to the heavens, disastrous floods caused by river demons turning around from five hundred li away, as well as accounts of immortal sect disciples exterminating demons and devils, upholding justice with their flying swords. He had also witnessed unkempt Daoist priest scammers leaping into the sky and breaking out of prison, only to be captured again by officials who could similarly fly into the air.
It thus dawned upon Lu Yang that this was no longer the world he was familiar with nor any of the historic dynasties he had recollection of. This was a world where people could cultivate and individuals could amass immense power.
Since he wanted to seek the Dao and master the immortal arts of longevity, the Dao-Seeking Sect was his first choice.
There was one reason for selecting it—the Dao-Seeking Sect was the only sect in the vicinity.
With the Dao-Seeking Sect established here, other cultivators wouldn’t sabotage themselves by deciding to set up a sect nearby.
Through his conversation with Meng Jingzhou, Lu Yang learned that Meng Jingzhou hailed from an ancestral cultivation clan and was much more knowledgeable in the subject of cultivation.
“The disciples that the Dao-Seeking Sect is seeking are mortals not older than sixteen, and most other sects have a similar requirement.”
“The journey of cultivation is not only fraught with obstacles but also arduous and unending. Between every stage from Qi Training, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Divine Transfiguration, Void Refinement, Fusion to Transcendent Tribulation, lies a watershed that thwarts innumerable people. Only one in ten advances, then one in twenty, until perhaps only one in a hundred can make any headway.”
“There are many factors that affect one’s achievements in cultivation, such as their luck, wisdom, and type of spirit root. Although the Dao-Seeking Sect doesn’t hold high requirements for one’s spirit root, they wouldn’t want to accept a spirit root that is overly abysmal. By the way, Brother Lu, do you know what kind of spirit root you have?”
Lu Yang furrowed his brow. He had only come to know of the term “spirit root” from the storyteller, and he was unaware of which spirit root he had.
“I don’t know. What about you, Brother Meng?”
Meng Jingzhou’s visage grew visibly perplexed as he shook his head. “I once tested for my spirit root in the clan, but the clan elders had worry scribbled all across their faces. They were unwilling to tell me the results, only claiming that my talent was astoundingly exceptional. They assured me that there would be no problems joining any of the Five Great Sects, and they added that I would naturally find out when I become a disciple in the future. I secretly asked my parents, but their reactions were even more extreme than the clan elders.”
Lu Yang deduced, “Could it be that your spirit root is too out of this world and may bring disaster to the Meng Family? Only a prodigious organization such as the Dao-Seeking Sect can protect you.”
“My thoughts exactly!” Meng Jingzhou clapped Lu Yang on the shoulders, as if he had met his kindred spirit. The more he gazed at Lu Yang, the more he felt that Lu Yang was an innately brilliant soul destined for cultivation, just like himself.
Outside, the sound of the torrential rain only grew harsher, so Lu Yang was thankful that Meng Jingzhou had lent him a seat aboard the carriage.
“Stop!” Meng Jingzhou suddenly called out.
The old horse continued on for a few more steps before gradually coming to a halt. As a magical treasure, the horse carriage allowed Meng Jingzhou to catch sight of a woman walking in the rain outside, much like Lu Yang had just a while ago.
“Hello, Miss! Judging by the direction you're walking in, I assume that you are also heading to the Dao-Seeking Sect to participate in the selection trials? Since it’s raining, would you like to join us in the carriage?”
The woman seemed slightly surprised by Meng Jingzhou’s suggestion, but she agreed after giving it a brief thought. The moment she got on the carriage, however, Meng Jingzhou and Lu Yang were left dumbfounded.
Despite priding himself on his extensive life experience, even Meng Jingzhou found the woman before him to be the most beautiful he had ever laid eyes upon, not to mention Lu Yang; the most attractive woman the latter had ever seen was the tofu-selling young widow next door.
Naturally, Lu Yang was a proper gentleman and bore no indecorous thoughts toward her.
Amidst the muck and rain, the slender white-robed woman bloomed like a captivating yet unsullied lotus flower. Her scintillating eyes and pearly teeth radiated an energy that could almost draw people into another world, and a bracelet strung with golden bells adorned her right wrist.
“Thank you, both. My name is Yun Zhi.” Her soothing voice flowed like a spring.
Suddenly, Lu Yang noticed something amiss and whispered, “Brother Meng, why is she dry? Could she actually be a demon?!”
The stories recounted by the storytellers often weaved in cases of demons transforming into beautiful women to lure in young, sturdy men like them.
In contrast to the soaking-wet and wretched Lu Yang, there was not a single drop of water on Yun Zhi, the last thing one would expect from a person who had just walked through the rain.
Brushing it off, Meng Jingzhou quickly found an explanation. “Perhaps she is carrying a magical treasure that can repel the rain. Those are fairly common in ancestral clans.”
The possibility that Yun Zhi might be a demon or monster was not on Meng Jingzhou’s list of concerns. After all, this is the Dao-Seeking Sect’s territory; which demon is out of their mind to stir up a ruckus here?
“Miss Yun Zhi, are you here to participate in the Dao-Seeking Sect’s Selection Trials?”
“That’s right.”
Meng Jingzhou eagerly pressed on. “I happen to have the contents of the Dao-Seeking Sect’s exam with me. This was bought from a Dao-Seeking Sect elder at an exorbitant price. Miss Yun Zhi, would you like to hear it?"
Lu Yang’s flabbergasted eyes were glued to Meng Jingzhou. Why didn’t you tell me?
Yun Zhi was even more stupefied. “This is cheating; if the Dao-Seeking Sect finds out…”
Brimming with confidence, Meng Jingzhou dismissed it with a wave of his hand. “This carriage of mine is a magical treasure. Even those formidable cultivators and old fogies living remotely wouldn’t be able to detect this place with their spiritual consciousness.”
“I see, please share the details of the exam then, Sir Meng.”
Lu Yang’s ears pricked up at that.
Clearing his throat, Meng Jingzhou began. “There are altogether three rounds to the Dao-Seeking Sect’s tests. The first round is a spirit root test, which is highly inflexible, eliminating all possibilities of taking shortcuts. The second and third rounds are where there is some room for manipulation.”
“The second round tests one’s character. A carriage has lost control, and it is speeding straight at five people lying beside the road. If a collision occurs, it will result in the certain demise of these five people. However, another person is lying nearby as well. As an outsider, we can control the direction of the carriage. You can either choose to not interfere and doom five people or alter the direction and kill the other person. What would you do?”
Lu Yang didn’t even pause. “Kill the other person.”
Meng Jingzhou was extremely astonished. Ever since he discovered the second round’s topic, he had yet to come up with a solution. How did Lu Yang make his decision right away?
If we choose to ignore the situation, we have to watch on as five people get killed. That is a hurdle our conscience must overcome. On the other hand, if we choose to switch direction and crash into the other person, not only is that person unlucky, but their death is also a result of our own actions.
When Meng Jingzhou voiced his doubts, Lu Yang expounded, “How can there be so much time for you to philosophize? By the time you reach a conclusion, the five people would have long been crushed. I am guessing that Dao-Seeking Sect’s goal is not to force us to make a choice between saving five people or one person, but to see whether we can make a decision rapidly.
“I heard from the storytellers that even the most minuscule discrepancy can make a difference between life and death during battles among cultivators. The second round assesses our character, whether we are indecisive or firm; settling on a decision in the shortest time possible is a pivotal quality for cultivators.”
Meng Jingzhou felt as if he had seen the light. “The third round is putting one’s honesty to the test. There is a mirror in the Dao-Seeking Sect that can ascertain whether your words are true or false. If it detects that you are lying, you will be disqualified immediately.”
Lu Yang pondered for a bit. “This round is simple. Without a reminder beforehand, it could be easy to fall into the trap of lying to cover ourselves up. Now that we have been warned, we just have to speak the truth.”
Meng Jingzhou nodded in agreement. The two continued their fervent discussion for a while longer, proposing various hypotheticals and their respective mitigation measures. They finally surmised that their overall plan was flawless.
Miss Yun Zhi revealed a hint of a smile, as if acknowledging that the two young men’s plan was sublime.
“Much thanks for sharing, Young Hero Lu.”
Lu Yang peeked his head out of the window. “Oh, the rain has stopped?”
The pitter-patter sound of the rain had vanished. In the area they had just passed by, it was still raining cats and dogs, but where they were now, it was all sunshine and rainbows. It felt like an unparalleled sword qi had cleanly cleaved the world into eternal halves.
Lifting his head, Lu Yang saw a multitude of mystical beasts and immortal magic devices heading straight for the towering mountain that seemed to pierce the sky. The lofty mountain was glazed with a layer of golden sunlight. What looked like elegant decorative patterns enveloped the mountain, shielding it from the downpour.
That was the Dao-Seeking Sect’s mountain gateway, and looming over it was the impenetrable Great Sect Defense Array.
Out of respect to the Dao-Seeking Sect, cultivation prospects landed at the bottom of the mountain under the guidance of their family elders and waited for the trials to commence.
The old horse was a rather rare aberrant demon beast, but it still paled in comparison to the other magnificent beasts stopping at the foot of the mountain.
Meng Jingzhou rubbed his hands nervously. “Dang, this is so much more grand than our Meng Family’s estate.”
Nonetheless, the thought of soon passing the examinations and becoming a member of the Dao-Seeking Sect was sufficient to pump adrenaline through his veins.
Lu Yang made no comment. The mountain was visible from his home, but he didn’t think much of it because it was simply too far away. Now that he was standing right at the foot of the mountain, its sheer scale finally registered in his brain.
It was becoming slightly nerve-wracking for him. Although he had ideas in mind for the second and third rounds, he was still clueless about his spirit root. What if I can’t even pass the first round?
Dozens of cultivators stood in midair to guard the mountain, emanating powerful aura waves. Lu Yang suspected that if they released their full-blown aura waves, hardly anyone would be left standing. As the cultivators did not utter a single word, their presence only exerted a mounting pressure on those present.
Lu Yang could hear a senior clan member providing a cursory orientation to a junior member of the same clan. “Judging by the style of the Daoist robes, you can tell that they are core disciples—those who are under the tutelage of the various elders—and also your future fellow brothers and sisters.”
“You don’t have to be nervous; they are not deliberately trying to intimidate you. It seems like they are waiting for the person leading this exam. The trials will begin once the host arrives.”
Lu Yang turned around, wanting to check if Yun Zhi was excited or anxious. There’s no way she doesn’t care, right?
“Miss Yun Zhi, you…”
Before Lu Yang could finish his sentence, Yun Zhi had already ambled away. A white lotus flower appeared beneath her feet in sync with every step through the air, accentuating her delicate frame.
An uproar erupted among the crowd, prompting the senior clan members to shush their juniors as beads of cold sweat broke out on their foreheads.
The suspended trail of white lotus flowers ended right in the middle of Dao-Seeking Sect’s core disciples, who bowed deferentially at Yun Zhi. Turning toward the crowd, Yun Zhi’s lips curved into a smile.
“Apologies for the long wait, everyone. I am the Dao-Seeking Sect’s Big Senior Sister, the host of today’s selection trials. I hereby announce the commencement of the trials.”
Yun Zhi didn’t forget to sneak a knowing smile at the gaping Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou.
I am indeed here to participate in the Dao-Seeking Sect’s Selection Trials, but I never said I was a candidate.
I’m an examiner.
Rakumon's ThoughtsRakumon says hello :3
It is the first day of the twelfth month of the year—a suitable day for the launch of this novel (I hope… :3) I am Rakumon, the translator of Who Let Him Cultivate?! This novel is known for its refreshing humor and imaginative ideas in the Chinese community. If you like a witty protagonist, interesting side characters, a mystery plot in the background, and plenty of comedy, do read on and be a part of Lu Yang’s journey!
I have previously worked on Consort of a Thousand Faces and Transmigration: Of Mysteries And Songs on Volare. It will be my first time translating a novel from this genre, and it definitely doesn’t help that this novel is heavy with jokes, puns, wordplay, memes, poems, cultural references—you name it. Nonetheless, I will try my best to bring them across to all of you, and please also feel free to share your comments!
The translator’s thought section will be where I’ll share interesting stuff regarding mentions in the novel as well as some thoughts of my own. To find out more, you may also check out my Twitter and Instagram accounts! Lastly, I look forward to seeing you on Discord :D
Rakumon's Corner
Ever wondered why Chinese New Year or Lunar New Year doesn't fall on the same day every year?
I bet you already know, but that's because this festival follows the traditional Chinese lunar calendar rather than the solar Gregorian. It is also known as the "farmer's calendar" or "agriculture calendar." However, nowadays, the Chinese have largely adopted the Gregorian calendar like the rest of the world for practical purposes. That said, Chinese New Year is still based on the lunar calendar and a very very very big event!!
By the way, regarding which of the 12 Zodiac animals you are, if you were born in January or February, you can't just look up your birth date in the lunar calendar and say "Ah, I'm xyz." You gotta check whether your birthday came before or after the Lunar New Year in your birth year! xD
For those interested in a bit of fortune-telling or just curious about astrology-related stuff, you can check out this website (https://www.yourchineseastrology.com/calendar/2024). You can convert your Gregorian birth date to convert to your traditional Chinese birth date and also read up on how auspicious that day was :3
[P.S. Why are all the dates I'm checking inauspicious... :/]
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