Immortal Clan: I have a Tree of Creation

The high platform in front of the Xu family mansion in Huangxing County, where people were choosing their spouses, was surrounded by layers of people.

Zhou Chengnan, relying on his physique as a Bone Refining Realm martial artist, managed to squeeze into the front row.

A red felt carpet covered the high platform, with solemn servants of the Xu family standing on both sides.

In the center of the stage, on a rosewood table, lay a jade plate shimmering with light. Beside it, an old man with his eyes closed, was the steward of the Xu family who was presiding over today's marriage proposal.

"Silence!" a guard in tight-fitting clothes next to the manager shouted in a deep voice, and the noisy crowd immediately quieted down.

The steward slowly opened his eyes, and his voice, though not loud, clearly reached everyone's ears: "Anyone aged sixteen to twenty-five who believes they possess spiritual roots may come forward and give it a try."

"This is the 'Spirit-Guiding Jade Plate,' a manifestation of spiritual roots; it cannot be faked."

"Those without spiritual roots, leave immediately to avoid trouble!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a commotion arose in the crowd.

Young people who were well-prepared rushed to the front of the stage, forming a long queue. Their faces showed either nervousness or excitement, and many had shifty eyes, clearly harboring wishful thinking.

Zhou Chengnan gazed intently into the distance.

The first young man nervously placed his hand on the jade plate.

The jade plate showed no reaction, only a faint halo of light flowing around it, clearly indicating that it was of mixed elements and not of high quality.

Good grief, the first person to go on stage is trying to take advantage of the chaos!

"Do you think the rules of my Xu family are just for show?"

The steward didn't even lift his eyelids, uttering only two words: "Punish him with whipping!"

"No, sir! I didn't mean to..."

The guards on both sides stepped forward and grabbed the young man, ignoring his cries.

The audience fell silent; many were stunned.

Want to use the Xu family's Spirit-Guiding Jade Plate to have your spiritual root tested for free? No way!

The second young man stepped forward, and the jade plate lit up with a faint light, revealing a spiritual root of one inch.

Although having only one inch of spiritual root barely qualifies one as a low-grade spiritual root, it does indeed qualify one as possessing a spiritual root, meeting the Xu family's requirements.

"Very well, young master, please come up to the stage and wait."

Once there's a second one, there will be a third, and a fourth.

More than ten people were found to have spiritual roots, which suggests that they had already made preparations.

"You may proceed to the next stage." The steward nodded slightly, his tone remaining calm.

Huangxing County has a population of several hundred thousand, so it's not surprising that there are so many people with low-grade spiritual roots who have no chance of becoming immortals.

The spectators in the audience, however, were oblivious to this and only felt envious.

"Wasn't it said that spiritual roots are extremely rare, only one in a hundred miles? How come so many have suddenly appeared?"

"These kids are incredibly lucky!"

"Sigh, why am I not destined for this..."

Zhou Chengnan pondered to himself.

It is said that the Xu family's marriage proposal event will last for two months.

Although only a dozen or so young people with spiritual roots came today, their overall level is already evident.

Of the dozen or so young people who ascended the red platform, nine out of ten only had one-inch spiritual roots, and even two-inch spiritual roots were rare.

Therefore... perhaps my son, Zhou Yuanqing, has a great chance!

Those who passed the spiritual root test were led to a table on one side of the platform.

On the table were Xuan paper, brushes, and ink. An old man sat upright behind him, his face gaunt and refined. He was a learned scholar invited by the Xu family.

"Spiritual roots are the foundation, but mental and intellectual qualities are also indispensable." The examiner's voice was clear and resonant.

"Please recite the entire 'Ten Thousand Character Classic' from memory and briefly explain the essence of 'cultivating oneself and regulating one's family.' You have one incense stick's time limit."

The first test assesses spiritual talent, the second tests academic knowledge.

Most of the young people who barely passed the test came from humble backgrounds. Although they could all read, they were immediately at a loss when faced with the task of memorizing and explaining the meaning of the classics.

Some people scratched their heads in frustration, some had crooked handwriting, and some could only manage a few dry explanations.

In the end, only the young man with the low-grade fire spirit root and another scholar in a worn blue robe passed the test.

The remaining dozen or so people were eliminated without mercy.

The two who passed the first two rounds were led into a temporary curtained room behind the high platform.

What exactly was tested inside is unknown to outsiders; they can only vaguely hear inquiries.

About half an hour later, the curtain was lifted, and only the young man with the low-grade fire spirit root walked out dejectedly, his face full of frustration.

The third test in the Xu family is about testing one's character!

The crowd began to stir.

There's only one left.

"The Xu family's standards are way too high!"

"Yes, having spiritual roots and knowledge isn't enough; why test one's character as well? Isn't that making things difficult for people?"

"Being strict is better!" a burly man next to Zhou Chengnan whispered. "She's the daughter of a cultivation family! We're hiring a future son-in-law, someone who can carry on the family name. How can we not be strict?"

"I think the Xu family genuinely wants to choose a good one!"

Zhou Chengnan also deeply agreed.

He could see clearly that the Xu family had set up a series of interconnected checkpoints in order to select a truly talented son-in-law.

This is undeniable, but his doubts resurfaced.

The prestigious Xu family is holding a marriage proposal event, and even Anshan County has heard the news. Why are there no young talents from other cultivation families in Huangxing County coming to participate?

Logically speaking, a good match between people of similar social standing and a strong partnership should be the norm.

However, time passed little by little.

As the sun gradually set in the west, it cast a long shadow on the high platform.

That vermilion door remained tightly closed.

Finally, the steward reappeared on the platform and calmly announced to the anxious crowd:

"Today's marriage selection failed the young lady's test."

"Please come again tomorrow, everyone."

The crowd erupted in uproar!

"What...what? Not the last one worked out?"

"My goodness, what kind of extraordinary person is Miss Xu going to choose?"

"That's way too strict! After a whole day of searching, we didn't find a single one we liked?"

"Ugh, what a waste of all that excitement I watched all day!"

Discussions rose and fell, some shook their heads and sighed, while many others felt that the Xu family was deliberately making things difficult for them.

Zhou Chengnan frowned.

Unable to resist, he whispered to a middle-aged man beside him, "Brother, as I witness this grand event, there is something I don't understand."

"Why are only talented individuals from humble backgrounds appearing at the Xu family's marriage proposal event, while the scions of the other major cultivation families in Huangxing County are nowhere to be seen?"

Upon hearing this, the middle-aged scholar turned his head and gave Zhou Chengnan a very strange look, scrutinizing him from head to toe.

"Brother, you must be from out of town?"

"Indeed, I am from Anshan County," Zhou Chengnan said frankly.

"That explains it." The middle-aged scholar revealed a hint of understanding, then lowered his voice, adding a touch of mystery, "Those powerful families? Heh, they would never send anyone!"

"Oh?"

The middle-aged scholar moved closer.

"The Xu family is not looking for a son-in-law, but a 'son-in-law who lives with his wife' in the truest sense."

"The chosen person will not only marry into the Xu family and live in the Xu residence, but will also... change their surname to 'Xu,' and their descendants will all be surnamed Xu."

"Which of those prominent cultivation families would be willing to send their own disciples with spiritual roots away to become sons-in-law, even changing their ancestral surnames?"

A son-in-law who marries into the family? Changing his surname?

"I see..." Zhou Chengnan gasped.

The Xu family, so large, wanted to invite an outsider to use their cultivation resources; it turns out they had this ulterior motive.

"That's enough!"

He didn't have much interest in the whole "son-in-law" thing.

If one can be nurtured and become a cultivator who wields a sword across the vast ocean, what does it matter if one becomes a live-in son-in-law?

Unfortunately... the Xu family is too powerful.

Not only must they find a son-in-law to marry into their family, but they must also change their surname to Xu for generations to come.

If Qing'er were to truly enter such a family, she would likely be restricted and deprived of freedom for the rest of her life.

"Since we're already here, let's take this opportunity to inquire about the immortal sects in the North..."