Immortal Clan: I have a Tree of Creation

The study in the back hall of the Anshan County Government Office.

A wisp of sandalwood incense smoke curled upwards, but it couldn't dispel the stagnant, oppressive atmosphere.

County Magistrate Lü Qingxuan sat upright in the main seat, his face calm and expressionless.

A warm, smooth jade thumb ring slowly rotates on your fingertip.

His gaze fell on Li Mao, the county magistrate who stood bowing before him, his expression unfathomable.

Below him stood County Lieutenant Zhao Tieying, who stood like an iron tower.

Even when shrouded in official robes, his immense strength was undeniable, and the aura of a primordial martial artist was as solid and imposing as a mountain.

The three "parent officials" of Anshan County gathered together today.

At this moment, Zhao Tieying's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly, his gaze sweeping between Li Mao and Lü Qingxuan.

"My lord," Li Mao said respectfully, with a hint of barely perceptible eagerness.

Holding a seemingly ordinary sandalwood box in both hands, she gently placed it on the rosewood table beside Lü Qingxuan.

"This is a little bit of rustic pleasure that I came up with by chance. Knowing that you have such refined tastes, I have come to offer it to you as a token of my respect."

Lu Qingxuan paused slightly as he twirled the ring, his gaze lingering on the spirit stone for a moment before returning to its usual calm.

The martial artist could not detect the strange fluctuations inside the box.

However, as a cultivator in the mid-stage of Qi Refining, he could instantly sense the profound spiritual energy contained within.

What was placed inside the box was not gold, silver, or jewels.

Instead, dozens of stones, each the size of a pigeon egg and with a warm, lustrous color, were neatly stacked.

—Spirit Stone

The most important treasure in the world of cultivators: spirit stones!

Lu Qingxuan did not immediately accept the offer, but simply asked, "Magistrate Li, you are very thoughtful. What is it?"

Seeing this, Li Mao felt reassured, and his smile became even more sincere.

"Your Excellency is wise. I have come here with a matter to report, which concerns the future well-being of Anshan County."

He paused deliberately, his tone becoming solemn, "Your Excellency surely knows that the Imperial Preceptor opened the Heavenly Gate to reconnect the spiritual veins of our Liang Kingdom."

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! All the major sects will surely seize this chance to recruit more disciples."

"Although Anshan County is located in a remote area, it is a land of outstanding people and abundant resources, and it is not impossible for it to produce a few outstanding talents."

He stole a glance at Lü Qingxuan's expression and saw that he remained unmoved.

"After much deliberation, I believe that Anshan County should take the initiative to strive for this."

"If we could invite a master from the immortal sect to come and examine the spirits of the children in our county and impart the Dao, it would not only demonstrate the merits of Anshan's education and benefit the local people."

"Secondly, if anyone is fortunate enough to join the Immortal Sect, it would be a great fortune for Anshan, and a significant achievement for your administration!"

The word "political achievements" is particularly important.

Lü Qingxuan nodded slightly, seemingly acknowledging this: "Oh? How do we try to win him over?"

Li Mao's spirits lifted, and he lowered his voice, speaking clearly, "The immortals are elusive, and it is difficult to invite such a master."

"In my humble opinion, if we could gather a hundred children with spiritual roots, and use this foundation of a hundred spirits as a basis, and supplement it with a letter personally written by you, my lord, then we could truly show the sincerity of Anshan."

"My lord, you come from a distinguished family and have a long-standing connection with the sect. With you taking the lead, the chances of success in this matter are extremely high!" He subtly flattered Lü Qingxuan.

Lu Qingxuan remained silent for a moment, then gently tapped the box with his finger.

He looked at Li Mao, his gaze seemingly piercing through to the heart: "One hundred children with spiritual roots... Magistrate Li, this is no small matter. Are you sure my Anshan County has the resources to handle this?"

Gathering a hundred children with spiritual roots is no easy task. People with spiritual roots are rare and scattered, and many people don't even know that their children have spiritual roots.

If we can't gather all the necessary materials, it's all just empty talk, and we might even become a laughing stock.

Li Mao straightened his back even more and said in a resolute tone: "Don't worry, sir. Although my county is not a densely populated area, there are still hundreds of thousands of people living in the villages and towns under its jurisdiction."

"The county government will take the lead in this matter, and inform the villagers that a divine intervention has occurred. Any family with children of school age can report to the county government."

"With such a predestined connection to the immortals before us, people are sure to be eager to participate!"

"This humble official is willing to swear a pledge and will certainly gather the necessary 'foundation of a hundred spirits' within the time limit!"

Li Mao delivered a passionate speech, as if all these plans were truly only for the "future well-being" of Anshan County and the "political achievements" of the county magistrate.

Lu Qingxuan's gaze lingered on Li Mao's face for a few moments.

A hint of understanding seemed to flicker deep within those calm, unwavering eyes.

"In that case, this matter will be entrusted to Magistrate Li for his full supervision."

"Once the number of spirits is complete, I will personally write a letter of invitation to the Grand Master, requesting that a master be invited to my Anshan to select a promising talent."

"Thank you for your trust, sir! I will certainly live up to your expectations!" Li Mao was overjoyed, but he tried his best to remain calm on the surface, bowing deeply and showing the utmost respect.

He knew that the most crucial step had been taken!

Inviting a venerable master from a sect to a remote village is something only County Magistrate Lü Qingxuan could do.

As long as Lü Qingxuan nods in approval, the matter will be more than half successful.

Few people know that Li Mubai, the only son of County Magistrate Li Mao, had already been diagnosed with spiritual roots.

The Liang Kingdom possesses magical arts that allow one to ascend to immortality, but that world belongs to the upper echelons of the imperial court.

A mere county magistrate in Anshan County had no confidence in securing enough cultivation resources for his own child.

Rather than competing with the scions of powerful families within the imperial court, it would be better to seek a spot in a cultivation sect.

Within the Liang Kingdom, there exist numerous sects that are interdependent with the imperial court, yet subtly independent of it.

Therefore, Li Mao went to great lengths to facilitate this matter, inviting the sect's immortal elders in the name of Anshan.

Everything they did was simply paving the way for their own prodigy's cultivation.

Li Mao slowly retreated, glancing at Zhao Tieying, who stood like a wooden stake beside him, out of the corner of his eye, and a hint of contempt rose in his heart.

In his view, Zhao Tieying was nothing more than a military man.

Zhao Tieying, the county magistrate who was usually on equal footing with him, had no right to interfere in the top-level planning of this path to immortality and the rise and fall of his family.

Zhao Tieying remained silent throughout, like a clay sculpture.

Beneath his lowered eyelids, his gaze was like a deep, cold pool, with turbulent undercurrents.

His rough, broad hands slowly clenched into fists inside the wide sleeves of his official robe.

A predestined connection...

Although innate martial artists are strong, they are nothing more than slightly larger ants in front of true immortal cultivators.

"Li Mao, Li Mao, what a grand gesture," Zhao Tieying thought to himself with a sneer.

He was in charge of criminal and military affairs in the county, and had many informants. How could he have only learned of the rumors about seeking immortality today?

"Yes, I'll take my leave." Li Mao bowed again before turning around.

As he stepped out of the study, the afternoon sun shone on his face, and he could no longer suppress his smug smile.

He stood ramrod straight, as if he could already see his beloved son bathed in rosy light stepping into the gates of immortality.

The sandalwood incense still lingered in the study.

Zhao Tieying clasped his hands in a fist and said, "My lord, I shall also take my leave."

Lu Qingxuan's gaze remained fixed on the scriptures, and he only gave a faint "hmm".

Zhao Tieying turned around and walked out of the study with steady steps.

Looking up at the towering eaves of the Anshan County Government Office, it was as if one could see a distant, unreachable celestial abode.

The fist hidden in the sleeve clenched again quietly.

What ordinary people consider invincible innate martial artists is utterly insignificant in the eyes of truly great figures.

Those who do not enter the path of immortality are ultimately destined to be lowly.