Immortality begins with upgrading buildings

Chapter 44 Heavenly Spiritual Root

In a daze, a long-lost memory surfaced in Ji Yuan's mind.

That was a similar scene when the original owner participated in the spiritual root test. He still remembered that the Water Dragon Sect cultivator who was missing his left ear gave him a cold glance and then said expressionlessly:

"Ji Yuan, with the four spiritual roots of metal, wood, water, and fire, was not selected."

Now, this same scene is happening to others.

Upon hearing that he possessed four spiritual roots, the boy named Zhang Tie was not disappointed at all. Instead, he happily jumped into a woman's arms and excitedly shouted, "Mother, I have spiritual roots too! I have spiritual roots too!"

Having spiritual roots means that one can also become a cultivator.

Regardless of what happens next.

Those without spiritual roots truly cannot become cultivators.

The four or five children who were tested next did not even have spiritual roots.

They will have a very difficult time in Zengtou City. If they encounter indifferent parents, they may be sent to the mortal world.

"Brother Ji, so you've been here all along."

A familiar voice came from behind. Ji Yuan turned around with a smile, "There are fewer people here, Brother Wen, why don't you try the alchemy area?"

Ji Yuan already knew that Wen Lin was an alchemist.

"I know my own limitations, so I won't embarrass myself," Wen Lin said with a laugh.

Wen Ling'er, nestled in his arms, stared wide-eyed at the area where spiritual roots were being tested. "Daddy, when can I get my spiritual roots tested? Ling'er wants to go too."

"You're still young, we'll talk about it next time."

Wen Ling'er is only 4 years old, so we can only wait three years to have her tested again.

As the group was chatting, Ji Yuan suddenly caught a glimpse of the cultivator on duty in the spiritual root detection area standing up abruptly. Then, he looked up sharply and exclaimed in surprise.

"Uncle-Master Xu, a Heavenly...Heavenly Spiritual Root!"

"What?!"

The female cultivator in the green robe suddenly lowered her head, and with a wave of her hand, four array flags fell to the ground, surrounding the entire spiritual root detection area and also dispersing the fishermen who were watching from all around.

In the middle of the field, the dark-skinned child, unaware of what had happened, turned his head and looked around, tears even welling up in the corners of his eyes.

"It's actually a Heavenly Spiritual Root."

Wen Lin, standing to the side, couldn't help but stare in shock at the scene, while Wen Ling'er asked curiously, "Mother, what is a Heavenly Spiritual Root?"

Zhao Yuechan took a deep breath and explained softly, "It's the most powerful spiritual root."

Wen Ling'er clapped her hands and said happily, "Then Ling'er will also have a Heavenly Spiritual Root in the future."

Soon, the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Water Dragon Sect used a magic boat to pick up the boy and his parents, allowing the spiritual root testing to continue.

If nothing unexpected happens, that family will never need to return to Zengtou City.

While it's not quite a case of one person attaining enlightenment and all their relatives and friends ascending to heaven, it's certainly possible for the whole family to do so.

The testing was still ongoing, but everyone's attention was already drawn to the previous spiritual root. Even when several three spiritual roots, which were called "true spiritual roots," appeared in the subsequent tests, no one paid any attention.

After watching the commotion, Ji Yuan exchanged a few words with Wen Lin and then went to the talisman area.

Wen Lin went to the alchemy area, which he was familiar with.

When Ji Yuan arrived at this place, he slightly revealed his presence, and the fishermen nearby readily made way for him.

He first glanced at the cultivator on duty, where an elderly cultivator with gray hair stood with a joyful expression.

Currently, he is the only one who has been accepted into the Water Dragon Sect through the method of talismans.

The rules for joining the Water Dragon Sect through talismans are extremely simple: if you can draw three mid-grade talismans from ten medium-grade cloud-patterned bamboo talisman papers, you can join the Water Dragon Sect.

Ji Yuan then turned to look at the cultivators who were undergoing the test.

There were ten people in total, each in a separate cubicle, focused on drawing talismans.

This is simpler than the alchemy and weapon-refining areas, where everyone has a private room to serve as a quiet retreat, in order to avoid being disturbed by outsiders.

In the talisman-drawing area, the participants cannot see each other, but the onlookers can still see them.

"Damn it, Master Lu actually failed."

"What a pity."

A middle-aged man, who had drawn ten talismans in a row but only succeeded in drawing two, stood up dejectedly, his face pale and seemingly in disbelief.

Ji Yuan's gaze swept over them one by one, but he still couldn't see Lu Wan's figure.

Not only that, but I haven't seen any in the vicinity either.

She didn't come?

Ji Yuan couldn't help but recall the last time on the first day of the Lunar New Year, when he went to her house but didn't see her.

Since then, Ji Yuan has been cultivating at home and rarely goes to Zengtou City, so naturally I haven't seen her... Could something have happened to her?

Ji Yuan's heart skipped a beat, but then he thought it was unlikely.

If the Wu family wanted to harm her, they should have done so already. If that's the case, did they move to another market town?

That's possible.

As Ji Yuan was thinking, all the cultivators in front of him had been tested, and unsurprisingly, not a single one had succeeded... Was it really that difficult?

Ji Yuan couldn't help but have some doubts, but upon closer reflection, it was indeed true.

Even with the added benefit of the [Talisman Room], he could barely manage to get three or four out of ten talismans to turn into something else. Without that benefit, others would truly rely solely on talent.

"Ji Yuan? You're here for this talisman test too?"

A slightly familiar voice came from the side, and then many cultivators nearby squeezed outwards, forcing them to make way for an open space.

Ji Yuan turned his head to look, but this time he didn't have a smile on his face, because... the newcomer seemed to have some ill intentions.

Wu Yan was followed by several of his fellow disciples, as well as the renowned talisman master Wu Wenbin, who had also come.

Especially after Wu Wenbin arrived, even the Water Dragon Sect's on-duty cultivator asked with a smile, "Brother Wu, are you here to join our Water Dragon Sect this time?"

With a prosperous appearance, Wu Wenbin patted his belly and smiled, "I'm just an old man now, I might as well retire peacefully in Zengtou City."

Before Ji Yuan could speak, Wu Wenbin's gaze followed him.

His smile vanished. "You... are you Lu Wan's friend?"

Ji Yuan glanced at Wu Yan... guessing that he must have made up some nonsense, otherwise why would Wu Wenbin know him?

"I am indeed Lu Wan's friend."

There's nothing wrong with Ji Yuan admitting it.

"They do have some qualifications. Since you're all here to join the Water Dragon Sect's test, then go ahead." Wu Wenbin's expression softened.

Wu Yan and his fellow disciples had already gone to collect their wooden tokens and headed to their respective cubicles.

Ji Yuan didn't move; he was just there to watch the show.

Seeing that he didn't move, Wu Wenbin assumed he didn't dare to, and couldn't help but laugh, "Do you think I would suppress you because of your relationship with Lu Wan?"

"Let's not even talk about the fact that there's nothing between you and her to begin with, but even if there is, it's only human nature."

"I don't know what outsiders do, but I, Wu Wenbin, am not that kind of senile person."

As soon as these words were spoken, the nearby cultivators were already shouting "Master Wu, you are so righteous!"

Ji Yuan never expected that Wu Wenbin would have such a mentality... But if that's really the case, then who was the person who suppressed Lu Wan's stall before?

Ji Yuan, not understanding why, politely bowed slightly to Wu Wenbin.

Seeing this, the Water Dragon Sect cultivator on duty tossed a wooden plaque into Ji Yuan's hand, "Tenth assessment spot, hurry up."

Ji Yuan looked at the wooden sign in his hand... he had no choice but to go up and deal with it.

Just as he turned to walk towards the assessment area, he saw Wu Yan looking at him.

They looked at each other, and Ji Yuan saw a hint of mockery and a touch of triumphant satisfaction in his eyes.

Ji Yuan didn't know what was wrong with this young master Wu, but that look in his eyes made him very uncomfortable... He didn't want to cause trouble, and he had been avoiding trouble in every way.

But it seems that the more you do this, the less others will take you seriously?

Finally, Ji Yuan sat down in the last remaining cubicle. He looked up slightly and saw a line of bright, large characters above his head.

[Talisman Room: lv1]

No way... this works?!

-

(I just set up a scheduled release, but I accidentally clicked 'release' instead, and posted all 44 chapters ahead of time. Luckily, I deleted it quickly, so you probably didn't notice, boohoo.)

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(End of this chapter)