Immortality begins with upgrading buildings

Chapter 109 Wen Ling'er's Spiritual Root

Mountain Rain Island is one of the few large islands in Cloud Rain Marsh, and the Water Dragon Sect has held its annual selections here in previous years.

Ji Yuan had been here before.

This mountain island is surrounded by mountains on all sides, but there is a depression in the middle, which can be regarded as a natural arena.

When Ji Yuan arrived near Shanyu Island in his flying boat, he saw two Foundation Establishment cultivators sitting cross-legged on the east and west sides of the island...

It is said that the Water Dragon Sect always has a Golden Core cultivator overseeing the selection process in this Cloud and Rain Marsh, but unfortunately, I never get to see one.

Golden Core cultivators are beings who are rarely seen, like dragons.

Just as Ji Yuan was getting closer, they also saw Du Wanyi, who had arrived earlier.

Ji Yuan glanced around again... There were indeed very few people.

Currently, there are only twelve people who have come to Shanyu Island to participate in the selection, including myself and Du Kang. If we add some who did not make it, the total number is probably no more than thirty.

"Fourth brother, Brother Du."

"Miss Du."

Du Kang leaped down from the flying boat and looked at the open space below the mountains, which was divided into six areas, feeling rather uneasy.

He had been preparing for this selection for several years.

They had prepared a lot of pills and talismans, all in preparation for joining the Water Dragon Sect in one fell swoop.

But now that he's suddenly told he can't use these external things anymore, he's really scared.

Especially on the way here, he thought of the Water Dragon Sect selection three years ago, when Qin Long of the Qin family also participated. At that time, everyone could use pills and talismans.

However, Qin Long still failed and was seriously injured, requiring a long period of recuperation before he recovered.

Du Kang felt that even if he could join today, he would probably be the kind of person who joins while seriously injured.

At this thought, he even felt a little regretful, regretting that he hadn't joined last year... Even if he had been sent to the front lines, he had still joined the Water Dragon Sect, and as long as he acted carefully, there was still a chance for him to survive.

Ji Yuan, of course, had no idea what Du Kang was thinking. He glanced at Du Wanyi's charming peach blossom eyes.

The latter nodded slightly, indicating that everything was ready.

Knowing the news ten days in advance... is better than not knowing at all.

"It should be the same as usual later, six people per group. And there aren't many people participating in the selection today, so we should be able to go back before the selection in the market."

Hearing Du Wanyi's words, Ji Yuan nodded slightly.

If I and Du Wanyi are not assigned to the same group later, I can let her wear the high-grade protective bronze armor that I got from Yue Zhu.

At least it can protect her to some extent, so that she has no worries about being sad.

As the two were talking, several more airships landed at this spot.

Ji Yuan turned his head to look.

The newcomers looked somewhat familiar; they should be from Blackwater Workshop and Huaiyin Workshop. There were six people in total, two at the ninth level of Qi Refining and four at the eighth level of Qi Refining.

Ji Yuan also knows those two on the ninth floor.

Chu Jingtong of Heishuifang and Sang Zhongyuan of Huaiyinfang are both ruthless and have a tendency to start fights at the slightest disagreement.

Since we didn't get along, I rarely interacted with them; we were just acquaintances.

But today, they were no longer as arrogant as before. They stood obediently, and when they saw Ji Yuan looking at them, they looked somewhat surprised.

Clearly, they hadn't expected that Ji Yuan was also at the ninth level of Qi Refining.

With Du Wanyi, who was also at the ninth level of Qi Refining, they had no choice but to nod solemnly as a greeting.

Before long, several cultivators in the late stage of Qi Refining from the Water Dragon Sect arrived to participate in the selection. Most of them were at the eighth level of Qi Refining, with few at the ninth level, and none at the peak of the tenth level.

Those who reached level ten this year were already at level nine a few years ago, and they joined the Water Dragon Sect much earlier.

However, none of the cultivators who came to participate in the selection today looked relaxed; all of them had solemn expressions.

Clearly, they were all frightened by the Water Dragon Sect's last-minute rule changes.

A moment later, as the last Water Dragon Sect cultivator finished reporting, the Foundation Establishment cultivator on the upper left of Mountain Rain Island slowly rose and hovered in front of the group of Qi Refining cultivators on his flying sword.

He immediately drew everyone's attention.

Ji Yuan also looked up.

The newcomer was a middle-aged man with slightly graying temples and a rather thin appearance. He was wearing a dark yellow robe embroidered with cloud patterns... This seemed to be the standard robe for Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Water Dragon Sect, as Ji Yuan had seen many Foundation Establishment cultivators wearing this style.

Just like the Qi Refining stage disciples of the Water Dragon Sect also have standardized robes.

"I am Yunshangping, who is in charge of this selection."

"Greetings, Senior Yun."

Everyone present bowed in greeting, including Ji Yuan, who was standing at the back of the crowd.

"Well, although the rules have been changed this time, you don't need to worry too much. If you are really no match for them, just admit defeat and surrender. Do not try to fight back, or you will lose your life."

"I will save you as long as you admit defeat."

Upon hearing this, many cultivators present breathed a sigh of relief.

Ji Yuan could also clearly sense that this Foundation Establishment cultivator named Yun Shangping was much better-natured than the Foundation Establishment cultivator he had met in Zengtou City.

"Thank you, Senior Yun."

Many people had already started expressing their gratitude in advance.

"Alright, let's not waste any more time."

Yun Shangping chuckled and said, "The same old rules apply: draw lots. Those who draw the same number are considered to be in the same group."

"There are fewer people this year, so we can finish in four groups. Let's all get done quickly."

After he finished speaking, he casually tossed the jade slip away. Numerous streams of light flew out from his sleeves and finally stopped above everyone's heads. One by one, they used their magic to retrieve the jade slip.

These things can't be faked, so Ji Yuan took the jade slip that was closest to him.

As soon as he placed the jade slip in his hand, the spiritual energy attached to it dissipated, and he could clearly see the words on the jade slip—甲 (Jia).

It seems to be the first group.

Hey!

Ji Yuan's heart skipped a beat, but then he thought, "It's fine, the first group is fine. It's better to die early... no, it's better to join the Water Dragon Sect early."

If you draw a later number and witness too much death and injury, it might affect your state of mind.

Which group are you in?

Du Wanyi leaned closer, and Ji Yuan unfolded his hand for her to see, and she also unfolded her jade-like hand.

丁。

This is the last group.

It's alright if we're not in the same group. Once I'm done fighting, I can lend her the bronze armor for self-defense.

Du Kang, whom they knew well, also came over; he was from Group B, so they were from different groups.

"Alright, the draw is complete. Now, Group A, come forward."

As Yun Shangping's voice rang out, Ji Yuan felt a little panicked, as if he were about to be beheaded.

However, when he thought about the late-stage first-tier demonic beasts he had killed in the water, Ji Yuan gradually calmed down.

Having taken so many mock exams, I'm not nervous at all now that I'm actually in the real exam room.

Group A consists of six people, and Ji Yuan discovers that Sang Zhongyuan from Huaiyinfang is also in his group.

Moreover, judging from his reaction, he was probably confident of victory.

"Alright, everyone choose an area, go ahead."

Yun Shangping waved his hand, and everyone immediately descended towards the open space in the middle of the mountain. Ji Yuan deliberately lagged behind, waiting for everyone else to finish choosing before he arrived at the last remaining spot.

Each area was separated by iron railings, and each railing was nearly ten feet high.

The venue is about ten zhang in length and width... not very spacious, in fact, quite small. With such a small space, it's definitely not feasible to operate a flying boat.

It's difficult to unleash your full potential, and it's extremely easy to go out of bounds.

Once the ball goes out of bounds, it means you have forfeited.

Therefore... the only option is to kill them outright!

"Brother Ji."

Sang Zhongyuan's voice came from next door. Ji Yuan turned around and saw him laughing, "Brother Ji, we are both at the ninth level of Qi Refining. How about we have a contest to see who kills this monster first?"

"I am truly not skilled in combat. I have already done my best to join the Water Dragon Sect. How could I possibly compete with speed?"

Ji Yuan bowed slightly, looking rather embarrassed.

"Fine."

Sang Zhongyuan didn't insist, he just waved his hand and turned away.

He didn't doubt the truth of what Ji Yuan said, because that was also what he thought. Ji Yuan's cultivation level at his age was probably achieved by piling up spirit stones. With that, how could he possibly fight?

Most likely, he's got a silver spearhead.

In just a short while, the remaining Foundation Establishment cultivator, who had remained silent, swept over the heads of the crowd, and then one after another, demonic beasts roared and fell down.

Without saying a word, Ji Yuan retreated to a corner. At the same time, the Hundred Fish Shield appeared in front of him, while the Azure Flying Sword hovered beside him, spinning continuously.

……

"The four spiritual roots of metal, earth, fire, and wood are not selected. Next."

Zengtou City, Yulan, Linggen Testing Area.

Although the Water Dragon Sect held a selection process last year, the spiritual root testing area was not opened, so there are still long queues here this year.

Because the Wen family had waited for Ji Yuan in the morning, they didn't make it into the first batch and were now at the end of the line.

Fortunately, the spiritual root detection doesn't take long.

The result can be obtained simply by placing the child's hand on the spiritual root detection ball and holding it for a breath or two.

Lin Hu's family also came over at this time, standing next to Wen Lin's family of three, and walked forward with the group.

"Ling'er, are you scared?"

Wen Lin squatted down and asked in a low voice.

Despite her nose being sweaty, Wen Ling'er shook her head vigorously, "I'm not scared!"

After saying that, she thought for a moment and then said weakly, "But Ling'er doesn't want to leave you. I want to live with my parents."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Yuechan quickly hugged her.

She was afraid that Wen Ling'er's spiritual root aptitude was too poor, and that she would have to stay in Yun Yu Ze and live the same life as her.

But she was also afraid that Wen Ling'er was too talented, and if she were taken into the Water Dragon Sect, they would have to be separated.

The procession slowly moved forward, and the cultivators who were testing the spiritual roots of each child kept calling out their aptitude. The vast majority of them had pseudo-spiritual roots, and there were only a dozen or so with true spiritual roots who could join the Water Dragon Sect.

There are no heavenly spiritual roots or earthly spiritual roots.

The situation three years ago, where a Heavenly Spiritual Root appeared, was a first in Zengtou City's hundreds of years of history.

"Almost there, there are only four left before it's Ling'er's turn."

Lin Hu ran back and forth, constantly relaying information.

Even though everyone can see this information, he sometimes tries to keep himself busy, especially when he's stressed.

"Three already... and this one is a true spiritual root."

"Two now."

"Ling'er's turn is coming soon."

Wen Lin then took Wen Ling'er's left hand and slowly stepped forward. In front of them was a young couple, who smelled strongly of fish, suggesting they were people who made a living in the water.

"All five elements are present. Okay, next one."

The monk on duty spoke expressionlessly.

The couple quickly led the dull-witted child away, the woman still complaining, "I told you, your whole family is incompetent, how could you possibly give birth to a true spiritual root?"

"Alright, it's still a five-elemental-root system. What do you think we should do?"

Zhao Yuechan gently patted Wen Ling'er's back and whispered, "Don't be nervous, Ling'er, just put your hand on it."

Wen Ling'er tremblingly stretched out her right hand and placed it on the transparent sphere.

The sphere did not react at all.

Upon seeing this, Wen Lin immediately panicked... If they didn't have spiritual roots, that would be troublesome. It would be fine if they were still here, but what if they were gone?

Then Wen Ling'er will have an extremely difficult time in this Yunyu Marsh.

The best course of action would probably be to take her to the mortal realm and spend the rest of my life with her in peace.

The Water Dragon Sect cultivators on duty waited for a moment and were ready to announce that the candidate had no spiritual root aptitude.

But at that moment, a faint blue light suddenly appeared in the sphere, very faint, but definitely present.

"call--"

Regardless of what kind of spiritual root it is, having a spiritual root is good. Wen Lin visibly breathed a sigh of relief.

After a few more breaths, the sphere still emitted the same faint blue light, with no other radiance.

"this……"

The Water Dragon Sect cultivators on duty have already stood up.

A celestial spiritual root?!

Another celestial spiritual root has appeared in Zengtou City this year?!

It is still a wood spirit root among the heavenly spirit roots.

The cultivator on duty intended to make this announcement, but looking at the color on the sphere, he felt it wasn't quite right... The color of a wood spirit root should be dark blue, so why is it so light?

Unable to discern clearly, he could only look up and call out, "Uncle-Master Jiang, could you please come and take a look?"

Jiang Lin, who was sitting cross-legged on his flying sword and pretending to be asleep, glanced down.

With just one glance, he almost fell off the flying sword. Before he even landed, he had already thrown out four protective array flags, completely surrounding the spiritual root detection area.

A void array rises, and a misty fog emerges.

Immediately afterwards, Jiang Lin took out a golden communication talisman and used his divine sense to inject a message into it.

In just a few breaths.

A pale blue golden core light silently swept across Zengtou City, only pausing briefly in the mist.

When the fog cleared, Wen Lin and his family of three... disappeared. Not only that, but the Water Dragon Sect disciples in the spiritual root testing area also vanished.

Next to appear was another disciple of the Water Dragon Sect. He was also a little confused and looked up at Jiang Lin, who had no expression.

He had no choice but to bite the bullet and say:

"Spiritual root detection continues, next."

Lin Hu and Wu Qin exchanged a glance, both seeing the fear in each other's eyes. They had just been standing next to Wen Lin and had clearly seen the color of Wen Ling'er's spiritual root.

But it was precisely because I saw it clearly that I was so surprised.

The fog appeared out of nowhere, and when it dissipated, the Wen family of three had vanished.

If you still can't guess what happened... Lin Hu's life has probably been a waste.

He reached out and tugged at Wu Qin's sleeve.

Holding her daughter Lin Qiaoruo, Wu Qin immediately followed, and the two left Zengtou City Fish Market quietly.

(End of this chapter)