From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 241 A Family with a Ten-Thousand-Year History, A Prodigy

Three days later, the group arrived at the ancient southern city on time.

"The ancient city of Gu Nan is just ahead. Everyone must stay close to me and absolutely must not wander off."

Yan Zhenwu, who was leading the team, loudly reminded everyone.

In the distance, the majestic city shrouded in spiritual mist appeared on the horizon.

Xu Yiqing gazed at the ancient southern city perched on the horizon, as if he were seeing an ancient behemoth that devoured the sky and the earth, exuding a majestic aura.

"Dad, it's so magnificent!"

He sighed, his heart surging with emotion.

Xu Liyuan, standing beside him, was equally awestruck by the grandeur of the ancient southern city.

Yuanli City is incomparable to Ancient South City. They had traveled all the way here and passed through many large cities, but compared to Ancient South City, they were all insignificant.

As they got closer to the ancient city of Gu Nan, Yan Zhenwu led the group to lower their flight altitude.

It looked close, but it was actually quite far. It took them two more hours to fly to reach the ancient city of Gu Nan.

Entering the ancient southern city reveals a completely different scene.

They were about thirty feet above the ground.

Yan Zhenwu slowed down and explained the rules of Gu Nan City to everyone: "In Gu Nan City, Qi Refining cultivators can only fly at a height of 33 zhang or less, Foundation Establishment cultivators can only fly at a height of 100 zhang or less, and above that is the domain of Golden Core cultivators."

As they wrote down what he said, they looked around.

At roughly the same height as them, there were many Qi Refining cultivators coming and going, flying through the air.

This scene would be impossible to see in Yuanli City. There aren't that many cultivators in Yuanli City; the vast majority are ordinary people.

In the ancient southern city, Qi Refining cultivators are as common as ordinary people.

However, compared to the countless mortals on the ground, the number of Qi Refining cultivators in the air is not that many.

Looking down, Xu Yiqing saw wide, flat roads crisscrossing and leading in all directions, with carriages and pedestrians constantly traveling on them.

On both sides of the road, there are rows of buildings.

As far as the eye can see, there are endless rows of buildings, elegant structures of varying heights.

From Xu Yiqing's perspective, those ordinary people were tiny, like ants, countless and densely packed. He couldn't imagine how many people there must be in the vast ancient southern city.

call out--!
A wisp of energy flew past Xu Yiqing.

He looked up and saw in the distance the figure of a Foundation Establishment cultivator tracing a straight path through the spiritual mist.

The area above is where Foundation Establishment cultivators fly.

Compared to Qi Refining cultivators, Foundation Establishment cultivators are far fewer in number, and it is only occasionally that a Foundation Establishment cultivator can be seen flying.

Even in the ancient southern city, a Foundation Establishment cultivator is considered a respected powerhouse.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

"Everyone, stay close to me."

Yan Zhenwu led the group through the air for a while before arriving at a sacred mountain. On the sacred mountain, manors and residences were built.

Someone stepped forward; it was a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"Welcome, esteemed guests. What kind of manor would you like to stay at?"

This sacred mountain is similar to an inn run by mortals, but their customers are not mortals, but cultivators.

"We need a second-class residence, a larger one, big enough for the forty or so of us to live in."

Yan Zhenwu said.

"Alright, please come in, everyone."

The group was carried to a high point on Mount Ling.

"The houses in this area are all within the range of the Spirit Gathering Array, with a spiritual energy concentration reaching the second level. They range in size from half an acre to ten acres, and also have shielding array functions. What do you need?"

“A two-acre estate is needed, no extra features required.”

Yan Zhenwu said.

"Look at this manor, it's about two acres in size, and it only costs 20 spirit stones per day."

"Okay, I'll stay for one day."

This trip won't cost Yan Zhenwu anything; in fact, he'll earn a reward.

The selection of celestial officials by the government office will begin tomorrow, but they set off a day early because they were worried about unforeseen circumstances along the way.

Yan Zhenwu gave them spirit stones and led them into the manor.

"The selection of celestial officials at the government office will officially begin tomorrow. Those who wish to rest here may do so, or they may go out and explore the ancient southern city. Just be back on time."

However, it is important to note that you can only fly below 33 zhang above the ground, you cannot trespass on other people's sacred lands, and you can only fly in mortal areas.

Newcomers to the ancient city often get into trouble by accidentally trespassing on other people's territory. It's best to have someone guide you or a map.

A relatively simple way to tell is that there are paths for mortals on the ground below, and you can fly along those paths..."

Yan Zhenwu was worried that someone had caused trouble.

Ancient South City is not Yuanli City. There is no unclaimed land here. It is either a public area for people to pass through or land that has been claimed.

Qi Refining cultivators are not allowed to fly too high; flying over someone else's territory is considered extremely impolite.

Unfortunately, the ancient city of Gu Nan is home to many families, and one could easily trespass on someone else's territory if one is not careful.

The group that came with Yan Zhenwu were all visiting Gu Nan City for the first time. They had originally planned to tour the city, but after hearing him talk about so many rules, they all stopped worrying.

Tomorrow is the selection of celestial officials by the government office; let's not cause any further trouble.

Xu Yiqing shared the same thought: "Father, let's wait until the selection of immortal officials is over before we talk about it."

"Yeah, that's what I thought too."

Xu Liyuan accompanied Xu Yiqing to the ancient city of Gu Nan. He had prepared spirit stones in advance, intending to buy some rare items or local specialties to bring back to the Xu family.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

The next morning.

Yan Zhenwu led the group to the selection venue at the government office.

"what is that?"

Xu Yiqing saw a thick "pillar" in the distance.

Upon closer inspection, it turned out to be a giant tree that was at least thirty feet tall.

Yan Zhenwu explained to everyone at the right time: "This is the territory of the Xiang family, a Golden Core family. That giant tree is said to be a third-order spiritual plant, a thousand-year-old evergreen pine, which has stood for eight hundred years."

This selection process for the government office is taking place within the Xiang family's ancestral burial ground.

Soon after, the group landed on the summit of a mountain.

The summit of this mountain peak appears to have been flattened, forming a vast, flat area of ​​about eight li in circumference, paved with slabs of green rock.

As soon as the group landed, someone came to check their identities.

After verifying their identities as prospective immortal officials from Yuanli County, they were allowed to enter.

Those who appear here are all people who have come to participate in the selection of celestial officials for the government office.

The number of participants from each prefecture varied, ranging from a dozen to over twenty. In total, nearly a thousand people from fifty-four prefectures came!
Among them, there are only ninety-two geniuses with the Earth Spirit Root.

Xu Yiqing looked around curiously. There were many Qi Refining cultivators and Foundation Establishment cultivators, and he couldn't tell who were participating in the selection of immortal officials and who were accompanying parents.

Another half a while passed.

A Golden Core cultivator at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm arrived. He hovered diagonally above the crowd, radiating a dazzling aura like a sun, attracting the attention of everyone present.

He was a celestial official under Prefect Lin Shengping, and was in charge of this selection of celestial officials.

After he arrived, the scene fell silent.

"Gentlemen, the selection of celestial officials for the Zhennan Prefecture government office has officially begun. According to the rules, those with dual earth spirit roots are exempt from the selection. A total of ninety-two people will become celestial officials of the government office from this moment on."

After the selection process, you will be given celestial official tokens and assigned positions.

"The others with true spiritual roots are not without a chance. Those with exceptional talent and comprehension, and outstanding combat aptitude, can be selected as celestial officials in the government office." "As before, to ensure fairness, the most outstanding among them will be determined through a combat contest."

There were approximately nine hundred people with true spiritual roots who participated in the selection of celestial officials.

Among them, there were eighteen people at the Foundation Establishment stage, and the three strongest among them were selected to become celestial officials of the government office.

The Qi Refining stage is divided into three levels: early, middle, and late. Those in the early stage of Qi Refining are entitled to a position as a Celestial Official in the Imperial Household Department.

At the mid-stage of Qi Refining, there are three slots for celestial officials in the government offices.

In the late stage of Qi Refining, there are five slots for celestial officials in government offices.

There are four levels in total. Based on your own cultivation level, you will draw lots and compete in battles within your respective levels to compete for those spots..."

After hearing what this person said, Xu Yiqing understood the rules.

He is at the ninth level of Qi Refining, which is the late stage of Qi Refining, so he has to compete with all the other late-stage Qi Refining candidates for the only five Immortal Official positions.

He was glad that his cultivation level had increased from the seventh level of Qi Refining to the ninth level before he came.

Both the ninth and seventh levels of Qi Refining are late-stage Qi Refining stages.

"No wonder it is said that the number of positions for the celestial officials in the government office is one in a hundred, and ordinary people have no chance at all."

Xu Yiqing understood why some people gave up the selection of immortal officials in the government office.

Throughout Zhennan Prefecture, there were nine hundred geniuses with true spiritual roots vying for the position of Immortal Official in the Prefecture, while there were only twelve available spots.

At the same time, he was shocked by the number of candidates at the Foundation Establishment stage: eighteen!
The Foundation Establishment Realm and the Qi Refining Realm are worlds apart.

Reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm before the selection of immortal officials is enough to show that those people come from extraordinary families and have exceptional talent.

Xu Yiqing is currently at the ninth level of Qi Refining, but he is still far from the completion of Qi Refining. If he cultivates step by step, it will take him at least three or four years to reach the completion of Qi Refining.

As for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm, he's still a long way off.

Even those with true spiritual roots need the assistance of Foundation Establishment Pills or Three-in-One Pills to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Of all the immortal officials with true spiritual roots, only two or three out of ten can eventually establish their foundation.

"This kind of contest is not fair."

Xu Yiqing thought to himself.

Dividing people solely by their level of attainment, while ignoring other factors, is unfair.

For example, if two people are at the late stage of Qi Refining, one is fifteen years old and the other is thirty years old, who has better talent?

Alternatively, they may be the same age and level of cultivation, but one is of mortal origin with no magical artifacts or good cultivation techniques, while the other comes from a prominent family, possesses a full set of magical artifacts, and cultivates superior cultivation techniques.

These are the selection rules of the government office. Even if he feels they are unfair, there's nothing he can do but comply.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

After everyone learned the rules, the selection process began.

"Participants in the late stage of Qi Refining, assemble here!"

A celestial official in the early stage of the Golden Core realm is summoning candidates in the late stage of the Qi Refining realm.

With a large number of participants, the contests were divided into four levels and started simultaneously to save time.

Xu Yiqing went to the assembly point.

There were nearly 900 participants, with the majority being those in the mid-stage of Qi Refining, accounting for more than half.

The number of people in the early and late stages of Qi Refining is about the same, around two hundred each.

"Start the draw."

More than two hundred Qi Refining Stage 2 cultivators stepped forward to draw lots in turn.

The jade slip that Xu Yiqing received had "103" written on it.

"Come forward in order, number one against number two, number three against number four. The winners advance, and the losers are eliminated."

Furthermore, deliberately killing opponents is strictly prohibited; violators will be disqualified from the selection process.

If a kill is accidentally committed while exerting all one's strength, it does not count as a "deliberate killing." Whether it is "deliberate" or not depends entirely on the subjective judgment of the Golden Core Immortal Official.

Upon hearing this rule, Xu Yiqing sighed again: "It's unfair."

Eliminated after just one loss?
If someone is unlucky and encounters the strongest opponent, wouldn't they be eliminated?

The hasty selection process for the celestial officials in the government office has begun.

A celestial official in the early stage of the Golden Core realm activates a battle formation, limiting its range to a radius of one hundred feet and a height of thirty feet.

"If one side concedes or goes out of bounds, they lose. Number one and number two, enter the formation. Begin!"

Under the judgment of the Golden Core Immortal Official, the battle of magic began.

Xu Yiqing watched attentively from the side, assessing the approximate strength of the candidates.

The first duel ended quickly.

Just as Xu Yiqing had predicted, such a battle could easily result in a situation where the two sides have vastly different strengths.

The two were fighting, one at the eighth level of Qi Refining and the other at the peak of Qi Refining.

Those who have reached the peak of Qi cultivation also have magical artifacts in hand, making it easy for them to defeat their opponents.

The winners begin to recover their spiritual energy, adjust their state, and prepare for the next battle. The losers are dejected, eliminated, and no longer eligible to compete for a spot.

"Numbers three and four, enter the formation! Begin!"

The next pair of candidates stepped forward to begin their contest.

……

As time passed, battles of magic and strategy continued one after another.

Some duels are very quick, ending in just a dozen or so breaths.

There are also rare battles where evenly matched opponents fight until their spiritual energy is almost depleted before a winner is decided.

Two hundred people, a full hundred rounds of magical duels.

Time passed from day to night.

Fortunately, they were all cultivators, so they could go without sleep for several days without any problems.

As night fell, the sky was dark, but a large number of lights illuminated the scene.

It was Xu Yiqing's turn to go on stage.

"Yiqing, don't worry about winning or losing, just do your best."

Xu Liyuan said this before his son went on stage.

Xu Liyuan had already discerned from the many contestants competing that many of them were geniuses from prominent families.

Even if someone has a true spiritual root, the fact that they can cultivate to the late stage of Qi Refining in their teens or twenties indicates that they have the support of a powerful family and are not born into an ordinary family without any resources.

However, there are differences in the power of different families.

Qi Refining Clan, Foundation Establishment Clan, Golden Core Clan—these are all clans.

The Xu family is a newly established Foundation Establishment family with shallow foundations. Xu Yiqing has the true spiritual roots of metal, wood, and water, and cultivates the water-based technique "Water Control and Profound Ice Technique," which the Xu family obtained from a certain Tribulation Cultivator.

In terms of quality, the "Water Control and Ice Technique" is considered mid-level among Qi cultivation techniques, which is not bad.

If one's family has a strong foundation, one can cultivate foundation-building techniques, or even golden core techniques, or rare dual-attribute techniques during the Qi Refining stage.

Through the previous battles, Xu Liyuan had seen several opponents stronger than himself, even though he was already over fifty years old and at the peak of Qi Refining. Therefore, it was impossible for his son to become a celestial official in the government office.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Xu Yiqing stepped into the magic array and saw that the other party's aura was at the seventh level of Qi Refining, which relieved him.

Although he didn't have high hopes, he still hoped to go far and win a couple more games.

The two clasped their hands in greeting, and the other party spoke up: "I am Zhao Zuolie, a member of the Zhao clan from Qinghe County and Bailan County."

This is a Qi Refining family, and he is the first member of the family to have a true spiritual root in the past hundred years.

(End of this chapter)