C5 The Heavens Cannot be Defied!

As two disciples approached, Han Binn paused momentarily before turning his attention to the elder meditating in the courtyard's center. Amidst the astonished stares of onlookers, he boldly declared, "Is this truly the comportment of an Immortal?"

The elder remained still, eyes closed, seemingly oblivious to Han Binn's challenge.

The younger children snickered, some pointing fingers at Han Binn.

A white-clad disciple on the left scoffed contemptuously, "Does a beggar even have the right to question matters of the Immortal? Leave at once, or I shall not be so accommodating."

Approaching Han Binn, one disciple grasped his shoulder, hoisting him up and hastening towards the gate.

With a serene demeanor, Han Binn proclaimed, "What if I am a beggar? A beggar is a person too. Does an Immortal not regard a beggar as a person? If so, I'd prefer not to be such an Immortal." His voice, though not loud, echoed through the hushed courtyard, resonating deeply with all who heard it. Many children bowed their heads in reflection.

As the disciples reached the door, about to exit, the elder's eyes snapped open, his voice cutting through the air, "Put him down."

The previously assertive white-clad disciple hesitated, bowing respectfully, "Uncle-Master, he has shown disrespect..."

With a snort and a dismissive wave of his sleeve, the elder left a crimson imprint on the disciple's cheek. Addressing him, he said, "Zhang Yuan, it's no surprise your cultivation has stagnated. How can you hope to master the Immortal Arts with such a mindset? What's wrong with being a beggar? A beggar is a person, just as our ancestor was once a beggar." His tone softened as he turned to Han Binn, "For one so young to speak such truth, you've earned your place here."

Dumbfounded, the two disciples only released Han Binn when the elder gestured for them to do so.

Han Binn was the type of person who believed in repaying kindness. Mimicking the storyteller of old, he bowed respectfully to the elder before making his way toward the group of children.

The elder nodded with approval and then closed his eyes.

Zhang Yuan shot Han Binn a resentful glance, then pulled a green Jade Plate from his pocket. Pointing casually at one of the children, he commanded, "You, come here."

The chosen child's face lit up with delight as he dashed over, exclaiming, "Immortal!"

Zhang Yuan handed the Jade Plate to the child, instructing, "Hold this Jade Plate. If it emits a white light, move to the left. If it remains dark, stand to the right."

The Jade Plate was a palm-sized disc, its green surface etched with nine thumb-sized stars.

The child clutched the Jade Plate eagerly, eyes fixed on it, unblinking. Time ticked by slowly, yet the pendant remained unchanged.

Zhang Yuan retrieved the pendant from the child's grasp and stated flatly, "Your Spiritual Root is too weak; you're not qualified."

The boy stood there, stunned, seemingly unable to grasp the reality of his rejection.

Without a second glance, Zhang Yuan pointed to another child, about ten years old, and repeated, "You, come over."

"Spiritual Root is too weak; you're unqualified."

"Spiritual Root is too weak; you're unqualified."

"Spiritual Root is too weak; you're disqualified."

After three children in a row were deemed unqualified, Zhang Yuan's expression remained unchanged, as if this was routine for him. Then, he turned to Han Fei and beckoned, "You, come."

Han Fei approached swiftly and took the pendant, which instantly burst into a brilliant white light.

Within the glow, the nine stars were faintly visible, all shining brightly.

The white-clothed youth nodded and declared, "Nine-star Spiritual Root, qualified. Stand to the left."

He continued to assess the other children, and out of the dozen or so, only two managed to elicit a single star's light from the Jade Plate—the rest were not qualified. As the children dispersed, the yard grew emptier, and Han Binn remained standing in place, seemingly overlooked by the white-clothed youth as if there were some vendetta between them. At last, after the final child was dismissed as unqualified, the white-clothed youth at last turned to Han Binn and said, "You, come over."

In the courtyard, there were initially over three hundred children. Aside from two radiating nine-star brilliance, the majority were ranked between one and three stars. Yet, there were scarcely more than a dozen children within this range. Han Binn knew all too well that the odds of possessing a Spiritual Root, as mentioned by the Immortal, were exceedingly slim—less than one percent. When Zhang Yuan called out to him, Han Binn inhaled deeply and strode forward.

Clutching the Jade Plate, Han Binn shut his eyes and silently urged himself, "I have to make it, I just have to."

The young man in white took a brief look at Han Binn's Jade Plate and scoffed, "Disqualified."

Those words hit Han Binn like a ton of bricks, crushing him, leaving him gasping for air. He was here for one reason: to pursue the path of cultivation. But now, he was being denied even the chance to begin. With a jolt, Han Binn's eyes snapped open, his gaze fixed on the Jade Plate, eyes so wide that tears began to spill.

The white-clothed youth sneered at Han Binn's reaction, "Stop looking; no amount of staring will make it glow." He reached out to take the Jade Plate from Han Binn's grasp.

Somehow finding the courage, Han Binn stepped back and clutched the Jade Plate even more firmly.

Zhang Yuan couldn't help but laugh at the sight, mocking, "I've seen my share of kids at the entrance exams, but you're the first I've seen cling on like this. Do you think holding onto it longer will somehow reveal a Spiritual Root?"

Biting back his frustration, Han Binn slipped the Jade Plate into his sleeve and peered inside once more. In the darkness of his sleeve, a faint white light emanated from the plate. His voice trembled with excitement, "There's light, there is light!"

Zhang Yuan, hardly surprised, chuckled, "Of course, there's light. What did you expect?" Seeing Han Binn's unwavering determination, he added with a cold huff, "I'll give it to you straight—everyone is born with a Spiritual Root to some degree. It's just that for some, it's too faint for the Jade Plate to detect."

Han Binn seized upon the statement, fixing his gaze on the white-clothed young man. "If I possess a Spiritual Root within me, why am I unable to pursue cultivation?"

Zhang Yuan, growing increasingly impatient and momentarily forgetting the vivid handprint on his face, retorted sharply, "Kid, don't push your luck. I've explained myself clearly. What more do you need to ask?" As a disciple of the State Sect, he was regarded as an immortal by common folk, and here he was, engaging in pointless chatter with a child. The thought of his peers mocking him for this exchange was unbearable.

With a chill in his expression, Han Binn tossed the jade plate to Zhang Yuan, then turned to face the elder with a respectful tone. "Grandfather, is it truly impossible for me to cultivate?" Despite his youth and familiarity with tales of immortals, he didn't grasp the proper titles. To him, the elder's age alone warranted the respectful address of 'grandfather.'

A barely noticeable smile flickered across the old man's lips upon hearing Han Binn's question. "What's your name?" he inquired.

"I'm Han Binn." He felt a genuine fondness for the old man who had assisted him and addressed him with utmost courtesy.

Rising to his feet, the elder approached Han Binn and, standing before him, explained, "Cultivation isn't for everyone. Your Spiritual Root is exceedingly weak; even if you were to cultivate, it would yield no significant results and only waste your time."

Clutching onto that idea, Han Binn persisted, "Grandfather, even if I might not achieve much, I can still practice cultivation, can't I?"

His question hung in the air, drawing the attention of every child in the courtyard who had failed the test. They all turned their expectant gazes toward the elder, awaiting his verdict.

The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully, his gaze turning solemn. After a brief pause, he spoke with gravity, "In theory, yes. However, the State Sect won't take on a disciple who is nearly incapable of cultivating. The right to cultivate is a destiny ordained by the heavens at birth. Without a Spiritual Root, you cannot embark on the path of cultivation; the laws of Heaven are absolute." Those final words resonated with the children like a clap of thunder.

Han Binn was at a loss for how to leave the State Sect's branch, just as he was unsure of the way back to Han Mansion. It was as though that segment of memory had been excised from his mind. Once he returned to Han Mansion, Han Binn sequestered himself in his room, shunning all contact except for meals. He remained in solitude, refusing even to see his uncle when he came by.

The following morning, Han Fei burst into his room with a forceful kick to the door, demanding in a raised voice, "When did you get back?"

Han Binn sat motionless in his chair, his gaze empty, looking every bit the fool.

Seeing his cousin's state only fueled Han Fei's rage. He barked at him, "Han Binn, get out now! The whole town is talking about how Han Mansion has taken in a beggar."

At that, Han Binn lifted his head, offering Han Fei a chilling smile. "Do you really want me gone that badly?"

"I don't want anything. But tell me, does a mountain man like you deserve to live in such a fine house?" Han Fei's youth was evident in his lack of tact.

"Fine, I'll go!" Without another word, Han Binn bolted for the door.

Watching Han Binn's retreating figure, Han Fei let out a scornful snort. "Thinking you can practice the Immortal Arts? If I were you, I'd have died of shame by now."

The taunt made Han Binn shudder, and for a fleeting moment, he contemplated death. But the thought of his parents' anguish crushed that impulse. Han Binn, a precocious reader since childhood, was more mature than his peers. He understood what actions were necessary and which were not.

As he walked away from Han Mansion, Han Binn gazed skyward, a determined glint passing through his eyes. With conviction, he declared, "Cultivating immortality—I refuse to believe it's beyond my reach."

An hour later, Han Binn was back at the bustling plaza, where a sea of parents awaited their children's return. With a firm resolve and under the curious stares of the crowd, he made his way to the gates of the State Sect's branch. The disciples from the Ming State Sect at the entrance recognized him immediately and exclaimed in surprise, "Why have you come back?"

Han Binn remained silent and knelt before the gate.

The two disciples had never witnessed such a spectacle and were utterly bewildered, uncertain of what act Han Binn was playing out.

One of them commanded sharply, "This is sacred ground of the State Sect. Leave at once."

Yet the other, discerning Han Binn's purpose, offered counsel, "Young man, no amount of kneeling will earn you a place as a disciple of the State Sect. It's best you leave now."

Gratitude flashed in Han Binn's eyes as he regarded the sympathetic disciple and declared with unwavering conviction, "I will not leave. I may not understand the ways of Immortal Arts, but I know that whatever I pursue requires steadfast determination." With those words, he bowed his head forcefully against the gate three times. Despite the fresh crimson mark on his forehead, he clenched his teeth, remaining stoically silent.

The human heart is tender, and even the disciple who had earlier reprimanded Han Binn was touched by his resolve. He gestured towards a nearby side door, suggesting, "The main entrance is too busy for this. You'd be better off over there." The other disciple held back further attempts to dissuade him, seeing in Han Binn's gaze the extraordinary resolve of a fifteen-year-old.