From the family treasure tree to build an eternal family

Chapter 242 What is desperately sought is discarded like worn-out shoes.

There is no rule that the two people who enter the battle must announce their origins to each other.

Zhao Zuolie loudly introduced himself, simply wanting to leave his name on the stage for selecting immortal officials in the government office.

As the only person in the family with a true spiritual root in the past hundred years, he is the pride of the family. He was loved by his family members since childhood. At the age of only twenty-five, he reached the seventh level of Qi Refining and became the second strongest person in the family.

After successfully passing the selection of immortal officials in Qinghe County, he came to the ancient southern city and realized how "ordinary" he was.

His prized talent is insignificant here.

His first opponent in the duel was a Qi Refining Stage 9 opponent. He estimated that he would likely be eliminated in the first round.

Upon hearing him introduce himself, Xu Yiqing, who was sitting opposite him, politely replied, "I am Xu Yiqing, a member of the Xu family of Baihe Mountain in Yuanli County."

After exchanging greetings, the two began their magical duel.

Xu Yiqing did not let his guard down at all just because his opponent's cultivation level was lower than his own. Even a lion uses its full strength to hunt a rabbit, and his opponent was by no means a weak "rabbit."

The selection of celestial officials in the government office brings together the most talented young geniuses among millions of people, and each one is not to be underestimated.

With a wave of his hand, several water arrows appeared out of thin air and flew towards Zhao Zuolie.

His cultivation technique, "Water Control and Ice Refining Technique," allows him to manipulate water and melt it into ice at will, producing unexpected and miraculous effects. Furthermore, he had long cultivated the "Meditation and Soul Refining Technique." Although his cultivation level was only at the ninth level of Qi Refining, his spiritual power had already reached the limit of Qi Refining, and his control over spells surpassed that of his peers.

"The Soul Refining Meditation Technique" is a required cultivation method for all members of the Xu family. After embarking on the path of cultivation, in addition to basic cultivation techniques, the most important thing for everyone is to practice this soul refining technique.

Zhao Zuolie and Xu Yiqing, separated by several dozen feet, saw the streaks of water arrows flying towards them and were secretly delighted.

He practices the "Azure Rock Earth Spirit Technique," making him immune to common water-based spells like water arrows. Judging solely from his technique, he seems to have the advantage.

"Azure Rock Shield!"

Four square rock shields flew out of his storage pouch and hovered around him.

These Azure Rock Shields are not magical artifacts, but rather shields he created himself by refining ordinary rock into stone shields using his own cultivation techniques over a considerable period of time. These four shields took him eight years to refine.

Its defensive capabilities are comparable to those of a high-grade defensive magic weapon.

Because they were crafted using his own cultivation techniques and nurtured with his own spiritual energy for many years, he could wield these Azure Rock Shields with ease, even more so than he could wield magical artifacts.

The Azure Rock Shield blocked his way, easily deflecting all the water arrows.

"Pfft! Pfft! Thump! Thump!~~"

All the water arrows struck the hard blue rock shield with a "thud" and shattered into water droplets that splashed everywhere.

However, before Zhao Zuolie could feel secretly pleased, he saw the water droplets suddenly freeze into ice shards and sweep towards him.

"This is?!"

The water arrow just now was a feint; this ice is the real magic!
The raindrops turned into ice crystals, forming a misty fog that enveloped Zhao Zuolie.

The biting cold enveloped it from all sides.

Zhao Zuolie's Azure Rock Shield was completely ineffective against this type of magical attack. A thick layer of frost had formed on all four sides of the Azure Rock Shield.

He used his divine soul power to control the Azure Rock Shield, but he felt as if his divine soul power was being frozen, and his brain throbbed with pain from the cold.

His vision was obscured by the icy fog, and he couldn't see Xu Yiqing anywhere, even though he wanted to fight back. He tried to break out of the fog, but his body stiffened in the cold. The spiritual energy in his dantian was rapidly being depleted as he resisted the cold.

"Stop! I... I give up!"

Zhao Zuolie's cultivation level was lower than Xu Yiqing's, and his cultivation technique was precisely countered. He was almost frozen into an ice block and his spiritual energy was exhausted before he finally admitted defeat.

Upon hearing him admit defeat, Xu Yiqing promptly withdrew his spell.

Xu Yiqing also consumed a lot of spiritual energy, which is a characteristic of his technique: it does not have particularly strong explosive power.

The Golden Core Immortal Official announced: "Xu Yiqing has won this battle and advances. The two combatants for the next match, please come to the stage."

The contest of skills is in full swing.

Xu Yiqing flew out of the magic array and said to Zhao Zuolie, "Fellow Daoist, you flatter me."

Zhao Zuolie was quite frank. He said it was his own fault for being less skilled than others, and he didn't blame anyone else. He said cheerfully, "This selection of immortal officials in the government office is truly a gathering of extraordinary talents. It's enough for me to come here and broaden my horizons."

Just then, Xu Liyuan drifted over from afar: "Yiqing, you won?"

“Father, I have a slight advantage.”

After saying this, Xu Yiqing scolded, "Father, where were you when I was having my magical duel?"

Xu Liyuan laughed and said, "Your opponent's cultivation level is low, and his technique is countered by yours. I guessed the outcome from the beginning and went over there to watch the show. Come on, let's go take a look."

After saying that, he pulled Xu Yiqing to look at the "Foundation Building Battle" in the distance.

Among those with true spiritual roots, eighteen Foundation Establishment stage cultivators participated in the selection of celestial officials for the government office. Eighteen people competed for three spots.

Because of the smaller number of participants, their competition was more formal.

After a day of fierce competition, the final three spots will be selected from the eighteen participants.

Battles between Foundation Establishment cultivators are far more exciting than those between Qi Refining cultivators, which is why many people gather to watch.

Xu Yiqing followed Xu Liyuan to watch the battle.

The formation used for this battle is much larger than those used in the Qi Refining stage, measuring two hundred zhang in diameter and one hundred zhang in height. Two Foundation Establishment stage cultivators are engaged in a fierce battle in the air, their swords flashing and dazzling, a spectacle that is hard to keep up with.

"That swordsman wielding the longsword is from the Mu family, a Golden Core clan."

Xu Liyuan pointed to the female cultivator wielding the rapier and said. He had observed the battle for a while and learned about the two women's family backgrounds from the crowd.

"The one on the other side is a member of the Wuma family, a Golden Core clan. The winner of this battle will receive a spot as a Celestial Official in the Prefecture, while the loser will have to compete with the loser of another battle for a third spot."

"Wasn't that amazing?"

After listening to his father's explanation, Xu Yiqing stared intently at the two fighting in the air, trying to keep up with their movements.

Is this what foundation building is?

He sighed inwardly, realizing just how vast the gap in their strength was. He could barely keep up with the moves of either of them.

The sword in the female swordsman's hand moved so fast that it became a phantom, enveloping her entire body.

The opposing Wuma family members were sword-wielding cultivators who controlled two flying swords, so fast they disappeared from sight.

"Hey~~!"

One of the flying swords happened to fly past Xu Yiqing; he only saw a faint glimmer of light.

The two flying swords sometimes crossed paths, and sometimes flew towards the female sword cultivator one after the other.

The female swordsman's slender sword always managed to precisely deflect the two flying swords. Her eyes were fixed on the direction of the sword-controlling cultivator, relentlessly pursuing him.

She was a sword cultivator specializing in close combat; to defeat a ranged sword-controlling cultivator, she had to get close to have any hope of victory. It was as if she had eyes in the back of her head, or rather, she could easily block flying swords without even looking.

Meanwhile, the sword-wielding cultivators of the Wuma family maneuvered and dodged in the air, manipulating their flying swords to find all sorts of tricky angles and weaknesses in their opponents, attempting to kill them with a single blow.

The Golden Core Immortal Official in charge of this battleground was the mid-stage Golden Core Immortal Official sent by Lin Shengping. He was completely focused, constantly monitoring the situation on the battlefield so that he could intervene in time to stop either side.

This battle was too dangerous, the flying swords were too fast, and the female sword cultivator could have her forehead pierced by a flying sword if she was not careful.

The Golden Core Immortal Officials should try their best to avoid casualties in the combat. Besides, that female sword cultivator is from a Golden Core family; if she dies here, they will have a hard time explaining themselves.

Currently, the female swordsman has the upper hand in the battle.

The sword-wielding cultivators of the Wuma family could not harm her, while she was getting closer and closer to them.

After all, the arena for the duel is located within a fixed array, and the space is limited, leaving little room for the sword-controlling cultivator to maneuver.

Even though he kept using his flying sword to stop the other party from getting closer, he couldn't stop them from getting closer and closer.

"you lose!"

The female sword cultivator was only a few dozen feet away from the sword-controlling cultivator, a distance that would be just a moment's distance for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.

She leaped forward, the tip of her slender sword unleashing a barrage of ten-zhang-long sword beams. The sword beams blanketed the sky, attempting to engulf the sword-wielding cultivator. This was the power of a sword cultivator; though close combat was necessary, their destructive force was immense.

"Ah."

The sword-wielding cultivator from the Wuma family sneered, flicked his wrist, and another flying sword flew out.

This is the third flying sword!
The other two flying swords were beside the female swordsman, and she was already prepared. However, the sudden appearance of a third flying sword broke her formation.

At the first level of Foundation Establishment, can one simultaneously control three flying swords?

The female swordsman was taken aback.

Being able to control two flying swords simultaneously at the first level of Foundation Establishment is already a genius, but the person in front of her was hiding his strength; he could control three!

The third flying sword shot straight towards the female swordsman's lower abdomen, startling her so much that she frantically tried to defend herself.

Victory or defeat can be decided in an instant.

The female swordsman's swordplay became chaotic. She managed to block this flying sword, but she couldn't defend against the other two.

A flying sword aimed at her throat veered off course at the crucial moment and pierced her shoulder.

She wore only a defensive robe, without any shield-like defensive magical artifacts. As a sword cultivator, her longsword was both offensive and defensive; using a shield-like defensive artifact would hinder her performance, hence the light defensive robe.

Such a robe could not protect against a flying sword aimed at the throat.

"I lost."

The female swordsman simply conceded defeat, knowing that her opponent had shown mercy. Controlling the bleeding from her shoulder wound, she flew out of the magic circle and took a healing elixir.

It's not unfair that he lost to a sword-controlling cultivator who could wield three flying swords.

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 and Xu Liyuan were dumbfounded when the sword-controlling cultivator used his third flying sword.

"Father, my sixth great-grandfather also used a flying sword, didn't he?"

The "Sixth Grandfather" that Xu Yiqing mentioned is Xu Xiaohou.

"That's right.

Xu Liyuan nodded; he often saw Xu Xiaohou practicing flying swordsmanship at Baihe Mountain.

"It seems that even Sixth Master is not as capable as him."

Although Xu Yiqing didn't want to admit it, it was indeed the case.

"Sigh, these are the members of the Golden Core family. Sixth Master is currently at the third level of Foundation Establishment and can only control two flying swords. This sword-controlling cultivator from the Wuma family, in his twenties and at the first level of Foundation Establishment, can already control three flying swords."

It's true... comparing yourself to others is just awful.

Xu Liyuan sighed helplessly.

His sixth grandfather, Xu Xiaohou, might not have been lacking in flying swordsmanship, but the foundation of a Golden Core family was unimaginable to them. They didn't lose because of talent or aptitude, but because of their family's resources. Those participating in the duel were only those with true spiritual roots from Golden Core families.

Many officials with true spiritual roots in the county government have a lifelong goal: to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

For example, Zhao Zuolie from Qinghe County.

Among these officials of the county government, those of ordinary background dare not aspire to too much; reaching the Foundation Establishment stage would be considered quite good.

The goal they pursued throughout their lives was something these Golden Core families had already achieved even before becoming immortal officials.

These people are simply members of the Golden Core Clan with True Spiritual Roots.

Xu Yiqing couldn't imagine what kind of monstrous genius a Golden Core family member with an Earth Spirit Root would be.
The cultivation aptitude of an earth-spirited root, coupled with the resources provided by a Golden Core family—that was beyond Xu Yiqing's imagination.

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.

Time passed, and one contest of skill followed another.

The quotas for the three government officials in the Foundation Establishment stage have been determined.

The battles and competitions among those in the Qi Refining stage are still ongoing.

Xu Yiqing advanced in the first round of the contest and drew lots to proceed to the second round.

After one round of elimination, the number of participants was halved, and the number of combat tests required was also halved.

Before they knew it, it was the next day.

Although many people have been eliminated, they are not in a hurry to leave, but stay to watch the game.

It's time for Xu Yiqing to engage in a battle of wits again.

He stepped into the magic array and discovered that his opponent was at the same Qi Refining level nine as him. He remembered this person; he had seen this person fight during the first round of combat: he cultivated a wood-based technique, and his strength was not outstanding.

Xu Yiqing bowed and said, "I am Xu Yiqing from the Xu family of Baihe Mountain in Yuanli County."

Just like in the first match, he introduced himself.

But the other person glanced at him indifferently and said, "No one will remember your name. Let's begin."

Xiang Yuncheng, from the Xiang family, a Golden Core clan in the ancient southern city, was not interested in the people from the small family in front of him, nor did they have the right to know his name. Of course, he was not deliberately mocking Xu Yiqing; for certain reasons, he did not want to reveal his name.

"..."

Xu Yiqing's expression froze. Although his Xu family was not famous here, they shouldn't be looked down upon like this.

"Okay, let's get started!"

Being young, he harbored a growing anger. Both being at the ninth level of Qi Refining, he wanted to demonstrate his strength to his opponent.

As soon as he finished speaking, he waved his hand, and streams of water arrows flew out, transforming into ice arrows in mid-air.

His magic had already been exposed in the first duel; he made no attempt to disguise himself and immediately unleashed his most powerful ice attack.

Snowflakes danced around him, some dozens of feet away.

Xiang Yuncheng frowned slightly. Given the opponent's strength, he knew he couldn't win if he tried to hide his abilities any longer.

"In that case... Xiaoliu!"

Behind him, a dozen slender green willow branches burst forth.

The willow branches swung around him like his arms, deflecting all the attacks around him.

Various ice arrows, ice crystals, and ice blades were swung and blocked by the dense willow branches.

To Xu Yiqing's surprise, his "Water Control and Ice Technique" should have been able to counter similar wood-based techniques.

However, the willow branches, covered in ice and snow, seemed unaffected, waving as they tried to shake off the frost.

On those willow branches grow leaves that appear fragile, but are actually as sharp as blades.

Xiang Yuncheng manipulated the willow branches to send out more than a dozen willow leaves flying towards Xu Yiqing.

The sharp willow leaves, like concealed weapons, moved with unpredictable trajectories, penetrating the icy mist surrounding Xu Yiqing.

"So fast!"

Xu Yiqing was amazed. The willow branches and leaves were no ordinary plants. It seemed that they were protected by a layer of spiritual energy and were not affected by his Xuanbing spiritual energy.

A few willow leaves suddenly drifted down onto him, easily slicing his body and leaving several bloody marks.

"I...I give up..."

He had no choice but to admit defeat, as his opponent could control the willow leaves to attack his dantian or vital points.

"Ah."

Xiang Yuncheng chuckled lightly. Given his family background, it was only natural that his opponent lost to him.

The willow branches on his body came from his own natal spiritual plant: the Sky-Supporting Moon-Shielding Willow.

This is a third-tier spiritual plant!

Although his natal spiritual plant has not yet grown to the third tier, in terms of combat power, it can reach the level of spiritual artifacts used by Foundation Establishment cultivators.

He is only at the ninth level of Qi Refining, yet he can control a natal spiritual plant of the "spiritual weapon" level. How could an ordinary Qi Refining cultivator possibly defeat him?

"Hey, why aren't they announcing the winner yet?"

Xiang Yuncheng looked at the Golden Core Immortal Official beside him, who did not announce the result after Xu Yiqing conceded defeat.

The celestial official at the early stage of the Golden Core realm recognized Xiang Yuncheng's natal spiritual plant. He frowned and began to examine the list of candidates and their information: "Your name is Wang Yuncheng, a rogue cultivator from Ancient South City, with no celestial clan background?"

"Yes, what?"

Xiang Yuncheng remained expressionless and countered with a question. His registration information listed his surname as "Wang," not "Xiang."

"Without a background in the immortal race, how could one possibly possess a natal spiritual plant? Young friend, you should know the rules for selecting officials in the government office; do not treat this lightly. I just looked at the list, and your Xiang family already has an Earth Spiritual Root this year, occupying one of the positions for an official in the government office."

You are no longer qualified to compete for a position as a celestial official in the government office.

The Golden Elixir Immortal recognized that he came from the "Xiang Family".

The rule for celestial officials in the government office is that a maximum of three people from the same family can hold the position.

This is similar to the prefectural government, where the rule is that a family can have a maximum of two people become celestial officials.

The Xiang family originally had one more spot, but a member of the Xiang family with the Earth Spirit Root was selected.

"Pretend I haven't been here."

After speaking to Yuncheng, he flew away without looking back.

He secretly signed up for the selection of immortal officials without telling his family.

Does the Xiang family need him to be a celestial official? No.

With the Xiang family's influence in Zhennan Prefecture, it doesn't matter whether there are immortal officials in the clan or not; it won't affect the Xiang family's status in Zhennan Prefecture at all.

However, Xiang Yuncheng wanted the identity of a celestial official in the government office.

As the Xiang family has grown, it has become too large and powerful.

Xiang Yuncheng was merely a slightly outstanding member of the Xiang family, and didn't even receive much attention from the clan. Those clansmen with innate spiritual roots were the ones the clan truly cared about.

With a larger clan, competition for resources is inevitable.

Xiang Yuncheng wanted resources and wanted to advance further. On the path of immortality, only through struggle can one climb higher.

For members of the True Spirit Root Clan residing in the Xiang Family, breaking through to the Foundation Establishment Realm is relatively easy, but the hope of reaching the Golden Core Realm is extremely slim. Xiang Yuncheng's goal is the Golden Core Realm.

Foundation building? No difficulty.

In a large and powerful family like the Xiang family, those who have a long history and great influence are only at the Foundation Establishment stage; only those who become Golden Core cultivators can attain a high status.

Driven by the desire for resources, Xiang Yuncheng aspires to become a celestial official in the government office, believing this will grant him access to even more resources and status. A higher position within the government office would bring him greater wealth and prestige.

However, he did not lose because of his own talent and combat strength, but because of the rules and because of the clan members with earth spirit roots.

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 didn't wait for the Golden Core Immortal to announce his elimination; instead, he saw the winner on the other side turn and fly away.

He didn't understand their conversation.

"May I ask, senior, what is going on?"

Xu Yiqing inquired.

The Golden Core Immortal Official explained simply: "That person is from the Xiang family. The only Immortal Official position in his family has been taken by a member of the Earth Spirit Root clan, so he cannot compete for the position."

To the family members?

Is it the Xiang family, a Golden Core clan?
Xu Yiqing remembered that the Ling Mountain where they were now was the Xiang family's territory.

"Is this what a Golden Core family is like?"

He sighed inwardly.

If Xiang Yuncheng had been qualified, with his abilities, he could have secured another spot.

The status of a celestial official in the government office, which others fight tooth and nail for, seems as easy as taking candy from a baby for a Golden Core family like the Xiang family.

"That person's status in the family is surprisingly not high."

This is what shocked Xu Yiqing the most.

What ordinary cultivators strive for is commonplace and of no value to powerful Golden Core families.

"Senior, does that mean I've advanced?"

Xu Yiqing suddenly realized this and was secretly delighted.

But the Golden Core Immortal Official shook his head: "You admit defeat and are eliminated. Your strength is insufficient to become an official in the government office, which is for the best."

He did not give Xu Yiqing another chance to fight.

Then, the two sides were summoned to the next battle.

Xu Yiqing was only slightly disappointed; he really didn't have that ability.

His journey to select celestial officials for the government office has come to an end.

He then spent the rest of the time enjoying the battles and watching the techniques of the prodigies from those powerful families. This trip was definitely worthwhile.

(End of this chapter)