“It can only be this way!”

Although deceiving others isn’t good, given the current situation of the sect, there’s no other way.

“Since we’re all in agreement, let’s invite him out of seclusion now!”

Seeing that no one objected, Elder William Grant said no more. With a call, two disciples in their twenties entered. After receiving the order, they hurriedly rushed toward the back mountain.

……

The back mountain of Zhenxian Sect.

Rather than calling it a forbidden ground, it’s more like the ancestral graveyard—tombs and gravestones everywhere.

The Painting Sage Walter Grant, the Chess Sage Henry King, the Calligraphy Sage Charles Baker, the Zither Sage John Thompson…

Each gravestone records the name of a great figure. Of course, that’s just what’s written—whether it’s true or not, no one knows.

“You’ve completed the trials of the Zither Sage, Chess Sage, Calligraphy Sage, Culinary Sage, Agricultural Sage, and 36 ancient sages in total. This final test, you’ve also passed perfectly. From now on, you are free!”

In a small thatched hut in a corner of the forbidden ground, an old man’s faint remnant soul looked at the young man before him and smiled.

“I passed?” Eyes reddening, the youth could hardly believe it. “So I can cultivate now?”

This was none other than the “Little Martial Uncle” everyone spoke of—Samuel Clark!

Ten years. A full ten years!

Everyone in Zhenxian Sect thought he was diligently cultivating, but only he knew that he hadn’t touched a single cultivation technique. Every day, upon waking, it was endless study…

Zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, blacksmithing, cooking, carving…

For each skill, a remnant soul personally taught and supervised him. Only after passing the test could he move on…

Do you know what I’ve been through these ten years?

If I’d studied this hard for the college entrance exam, I’d have gotten into Shuimu University by now…

That’s right, Samuel Clark is a transmigrator. Ten years ago, he crossed into this world, becoming an eight-year-old super genius with an innate Dao body and immortal spirit bloodline!

He thought he’d learn cultivation techniques and become famous overnight… Who would have thought he’d end up learning mundane skills like zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting instead!

And even chores like chopping wood, gardening, and feeding pigs.

Who wouldn’t want to soar to the top, become invincible, and achieve immortality in a world where cultivation is possible?

Yet, at the prime age for cultivation, he was locked up here to learn these things… The more he thought about it, the more stifled he felt.

“You can cultivate, but our cultivation techniques aren’t suitable for you,” the remnant soul said calmly.

Speechless, Samuel Clark was about to speak when a loud voice reached his ears.

“Seventy-ninth generation disciples of Zhenxian Sect, Ethan Brooks and Robert Scott, respectfully invite Martial Uncle Ancestor to come forth!”

Tears streamed down his face.

They finally remembered me!

Ten years ago, after that “senior brother” accepted him as a disciple on behalf of the master, he was made to swear not to leave until he’d mastered everything. Thus, he was trapped here, like a prisoner.

Now, at last, he could leave.

He wanted to see what the sect was really like, to learn true cultivation techniques, and soar to the skies!

Full of excitement, Samuel Clark bid farewell to the many remnant souls.

Though it had felt like a cage and ten years had been spent, he still felt a bit reluctant to part.

He put away the wooden carvings, puppets, calligraphy and paintings, flowers and plants he’d made and grown for study into his storage ring, closed the hut, and came to a small courtyard surrounded by a fence.

“Ee-aw! Ee-aw! Ee-aw!”

As soon as he entered, a donkey brayed. Then, a turtle slowly raised its head.

“Hungry…”

Next, a parrot flew over and spoke.

When he first arrived, the sect sent people to deliver food and drink. Later, after he learned the Agricultural Sage’s skills and could be self-sufficient, contact ceased.

The donkey was sent by his “senior brother” for plowing when he first started farming. The turtle and parrot were caught by the sect leader’s disciple for him to practice bird-keeping and beast-taming.

Later, even after passing the tests, he’d grown attached to them. Since they were just ordinary animals, letting them go would only get them caught and eaten. After much thought, he decided to keep and care for them. In a flash, many years had passed.

“I don’t know what it’s like outside. Once I’ve settled in, I’ll come back for you.” Seeing their hopeful faces, Samuel Clark smiled.

He’d been here since his rebirth, never having visited the sect, and didn’t know the rules. Bringing a donkey, turtle, and parrot along might not be appropriate.

After handling everything, Samuel Clark left the forbidden ground.

Just as he left, the many remnant souls beneath the graves reappeared, each with a complicated expression.

“As expected of an innate Dao body. Even in the Immortal Realm, such a talent is seen only once in ten thousand years!”

“Any one of our saintly skills could shake the world and drive countless immortals mad with desire, yet he alone has mastered them all. It’s simply unbelievable!”

“It’s a pity we didn’t pass on cultivation techniques to him. With such talent, he’d surely be unmatched!”

“In this lower realm, where spiritual energy is so turbid, directly teaching him Immortal Realm cultivation methods would do more harm than good. Besides, with 36 saintly paths united in one, unseen in all eternity, we have no suitable techniques for him.”