Immortals are the most powerful beings among the human race, the guardian deities of humanity. They patrol the world, slaying any monsters that dare to invade human cities and villages, even forcing mighty demon kings to keep their heads down.

Henry Young watched as the dead flood dragon was dragged away, feeling a surge of excitement in his heart as he imagined the battle that might have taken place during the day.

A powerful martial immortal had entered the great river and lakes, wielding a long spear, hunting down monsters, and finally, with one thrust, pierced the head of a nearly twenty-meter-long flood dragon.

“Immortals.”

“They are completely above martial artists. No matter how strong a martial artist is, it’s impossible to kill a powerful flood dragon with a single spear.”

“Only at the pinnacle of martial arts can one become an immortal.”

“I, Henry Young, have already reached the peak of the sixth level of body tempering, just one step away from becoming a martial artist. My chances of becoming one in the future are very high... But immortals—that is my true goal.” Henry Young felt a faint stirring in his heart.

A martial artist? That was only his first goal. He had never doubted that he could become a powerful martial artist.

What he truly longed for was to become an immortal.

A powerful immortal.

But Henry Young never dared to tell anyone about this goal.

Because it was simply too difficult.

In all of Donghe County, only one martial immortal had been born in hundreds of years, and that martial immortal had long since died in battle against a demon king.

Whoosh~

The soldiers pressed the convoy onward, gradually moving away.

“Brother Yun, you really know a lot.” Quentin York sighed.

He admired Henry Young for two reasons: first, Henry Young came from an ordinary background but had achieved remarkable martial prowess; second, Henry Young had an exceptionally deep understanding of monsters and demon clans. In this regard, even many instructors at the martial academy probably couldn’t compare to Henry Young.

Suddenly, Quentin York said, “Brother Yun, does that mean an immortal has come to our Donghe County?”

Donghe County had produced immortals in its history.

But now, there were none.

“There should be an immortal here.” Paul Henry collected himself and raised the wrapped book in his hand, saying, “Last issue of ‘Immortals and Demons of the Nine Provinces’ mentioned that since August, the court has dispatched immortals to patrol several counties in Ningyang Prefecture. During the floods, they even slew two demon kings.”

“But judging from today, the immortal hasn’t left yet. The source of this flood probably hasn’t been resolved. Maybe there will be more battles between immortals and demon kings in Black Dragon Lake or the Ning River.”

...

The crowd dispersed.

Quentin York and Henry Young quickly crossed Yong’an Avenue and soon entered another bustling street, arriving beside a five-story-tall restaurant. The signboard read “Drunken Moon Pavilion” in large characters.

Drunken Moon Pavilion was a restaurant run by Quentin York’s father.

“Brother Yun, I’m heading back now. See you at the martial academy tomorrow.” Quentin York waved goodbye to Henry Young and then entered a large mansion behind the Drunken Moon Pavilion, where the steward welcomed him inside.

Henry Young turned and left.

He didn’t linger, instead using the footwork he had trained in. Though his movements were a bit awkward, his speed was extremely fast.

As he continued forward, the streets on either side grew increasingly dilapidated, with fewer and fewer pedestrians. The surroundings gradually quieted down, until finally, Henry Young stopped in front of a row of old, single-story courtyard houses.

Home at last.

Chapter 7: One Step Away

This was the northeast part of Donghe County.

One of the main residential areas for commoners in the city.

Courtyard houses were the most common type of dwelling for ordinary people in the county town. They saved space, and more importantly, each courtyard had only one or two entrances, making it easier to defend against monster attacks in critical moments and convenient for the county office to keep track of households.

“Xiao Hong is back.”

A burly man greeted Henry Young with a smile. He was carrying four large bundles of firewood, struggling a bit as he walked into the alley.

Henry Young smiled, “Brother Lewis, you’re back. Here, let me help you.”

As he spoke, Henry Young reached out and grabbed two bundles of firewood from Brother Lewis’s shoulder, one in each hand. Each bundle weighed over a hundred jin, but for Henry Young, whose physical strength was already on par with a Vein-Condensing martial artist, it was quite easy.

Brother Lewis didn’t refuse and laughed, “Xiao Hong, you really are strong.”

“Of course Xiao Hong is much stronger than us. Among the dozens of courtyards in our area, only Xiao Hong made it into the martial academy. He’ll definitely surpass his brother in the future.” Another burly man came up from behind.

“Brother Young.” Henry Young greeted with a smile.

Brother Young nodded with a smile in response and called out, “Old Liu, hurry up, we still have to get through.”

“Alright.” Although Brother Lewis was nowhere near as strong as Henry Young, he actually had the strength of the fourth level of body tempering. Carrying two or three hundred jin was easy for him, and he strode forward.

Brother Lewis’s physical strength was above average among ordinary adults.

Youngsters were generally weak, and those who could reach the fourth level of body tempering by the age of twelve or thirteen were one in a hundred. That’s why getting into the martial academy was extremely difficult. In fact, by graduation, half the students would still be stuck at the fourth level, and only a handful could reach the sixth level.

At this age, they were all still growing.

In the years after turning sixteen, their physical abilities would improve rapidly. Many students who were mediocre at the martial academy would, after leaving, naturally grow stronger and eventually reach the fifth or even sixth level of body tempering, and some might even have a slim chance of becoming martial artists.