Chapter 44: Chapter 44: Celestial Spirit Root
In a daze, a long-lost memory floated to the forefront of Ji Yuan’s mind.
It was the scene when the original owner participated in the spirit root detection back then, a similar scenario. He still remembered the indifferent glance from that Water Dragon Sect cultivator who was missing a left ear, who then expressionlessly said:
"Ji Yuan, gold, wood, water, and fire four-spirit roots, not selected."
Now, the same scene was unfolding with someone else.
The boy named Zhang Tie, upon hearing he had four spirit roots, didn’t feel dejected. Instead, he happily threw himself into the arms of a woman, exclaiming joyfully, "Mom, I also have a spirit root, I also have a spirit root!"
Having a spirit root means being able to become a cultivator.
No matter what happens afterwards.
People without spirit roots really can’t become cultivators.
Like the four or five children that followed, who didn’t even have a spirit root.
They, in Zengtou City... will have a really tough life, and if encountered with indifferent parents, they might even be sent to the mortal realm.
"Brother Ji, so there you are."
A familiar voice came from behind. Ji Yuan smiled and turned around. "Not many people here, Brother Wen, why don’t you try your luck at the alchemy area?"
Wen Lin being an alchemist was something Ji Yuan already knew.
"I have a sense of self-awareness, no need to embarrass myself there," Wen Lin said with a laugh.
The little Wen Linger in his arms widened her eyes at the spirit root detection area, "Daddy, when can I go for the spirit root detection? Linger wants to go too."
"You’re still too young, you’ll have to wait till next time."
Wen Linger was only four years old and would have to wait another three years to be tested.
As they were chatting idly, Ji Yuan caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye of the cultivator responsible for the spirit root detection suddenly standing up, then raising his head in shock and shouting.
"Junior Martial Uncle Xu, c-celestial spirit root!"
"What?!"
The female cultivator in a green robe bowed her head sharply and with a sweep of her hand, four array flags fell to the ground, enclosing the entire spirit root detection area and clearing the surrounding crowd of fishermen.
In the middle, the dark-skinned child still didn’t know what was happening, turning around with tears even hanging from the corners of his eyes.
"It actually is a celestial spirit root."
Wen Lin couldn’t help but be shocked as he watched, while Wen Linger asked curiously, "Mom, what is a celestial spirit root?"
Zhao Yuechan took a deep breath and softly explained, "It is the most powerful kind of spirit root."
Wen Linger clapped her little hands happily, saying, "Then Linger will also become a celestial spirit root in the future."
Soon, the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Water Dragon Sect took the boy and his parents away on a Dharma Ship, and the spirit root detection continued.
If nothing unexpected happens, that family will probably never have to return to Zengtou City again.
Though it’s not like a single person attaining Dao elevating the entire family, it’s still enough to elevate the whole family to heaven.
The detection continued on, but everyone’s attention had already been captured by the earlier celestial spirit root, so much so that when several triple spirit roots termed as "true spirit roots" appeared afterwards, no one noticed.
Having watched the excitement, Ji Yuan exchanged a few words with Wen Lin before heading to the talisman area.
Wen Lin then went to the alchemy area he was familiar with.
Upon arriving, Ji Yuan released a slight hint of his aura, prompting the nearby fishermen to instinctively make way for him.
He first glanced at the senior cultivator standing beside the on-duty one, an elderly man with grayed hair and a face full of joy.
At that moment, he was the only one accepted by the Water Dragon Sect through the path of talismans.
To join the Water Dragon Sect through the path of talismans, the rule was simple: one must draw three middle grade talismans out of ten middle grade cloud pattern bamboo talisman papers.
Ji Yuan then turned to watch the cultivators currently being tested.
Ten individuals in total, each within a separate cubicle focused on painting talismans.
This was indeed simpler than the alchemy and artifact refining areas, where each person had an isolated room serving as a quiet chamber to prevent outside disturbances.
In the talisman drawing area, the participants couldn’t see each other, but the spectators could still see them.
"Oh dear, Master Lu actually failed."
"What a pity, what a pity."
A middle-aged man who completed drawing all ten talisman papers but only succeeded with two stood up in a daze, his face pale as if in disbelief.
Ji Yuan’s gaze swept over them, but he still didn’t see Lu Wan.
Not to mention, she was nowhere in sight nearby either.
Did she not come?
Ji Yuan couldn’t help but recall the last time during the Lunar New Year, when he went to her house and couldn’t find her either.
Since then, until now, Ji Yuan had stayed mostly at home cultivating and seldom visited Zengtou City, so naturally hadn’t seen her... Could something have happened to her?
Ji Yuan’s heart skipped a beat, but reconsidering, it didn’t seem possible.
If the Wu Family wanted to do something to her, they would have acted long ago. In that case, did she move to another market?
That was indeed possible.
As Ji Yuan contemplated, the current batch of cultivators had all finished testing, and unsurprisingly, none succeeded... Is it really that difficult?
Ji Yuan couldn’t help but murmur a bit internally, but upon reflection, it made sense.
He had the [Talisman Room] effect as a boost to barely manage creating three or four out of ten talismans, while others without such an aid... were purely relying on talent.
"Ji Yuan? You came to participate in this talisman test too?"
A somewhat familiar voice came from the side, and soon many cultivators around squeezed away, creating a vacant space.
Ji Yuan turned to look, this time without a smile, because... the visitor seemed somewhat unfriendly.
Wu Yan was accompanied by several of his fellow sect brothers, and the renowned talisman master Wu Wenbin was also present.
Especially with Wu Wenbin’s arrival, even the on-duty Water Dragon Sect cultivator laughed and asked, "Brother Wu, are you joining us in the Water Dragon Sect this time?"
The corpulent Wu Wenbin stroked his belly with a smile and replied, "I’m just an old bone now, I’ll stay in Zengtou City and retire peacefully."
Before Ji Yuan could respond, Wu Wenbin’s gaze had followed.
His smile faded, "Are you Lu Wan’s friend?"
Ji Yuan looked at Wu Yan... presumably, he had spoken some nonsense, otherwise why would Wu Wenbin know about him?
"I am indeed Lu Wan’s friend."
Ji Yuan had no reason to deny it.
"You do have some talent, since you’re here to join the Water Dragon Sect test, then go ahead." Wu Wenbin’s expression softened slightly.
Wu Yan and his few fellow sect brothers had already gone ahead to receive their wooden tokens and proceeded to their respective cubicles.
Ji Yuan didn’t move, he was just there to watch the excitement.
Seeing him not move, Wu Wenbin assumed he was apprehensive, and couldn’t help but laugh, "Do you think I would suppress you because of your connection with Lu Wan?"
"Not to mention you hardly had any real connection, even if there was, it’s just human nature."
"I don’t know what others might do, but I, Wu Wenbin, am not someone who acts irrationally."
After these words, the surrounding cultivators were already exclaiming, "Master Wu is righteous."
Ji Yuan hadn’t expected that Wu Wenbin would possess such an attitude... but if so, who suppressed Lu Wan from setting up her stall?
Ji Yuan was puzzled but courteously gave Wu Wenbin a cupped fist salute.
The Water Dragon Sect on-duty cultivator seeing this had already tossed a wooden token into Ji Yuan’s hand, "Tenth assessment position, go quickly."
Ji Yuan looked helplessly at the wooden token in his hand, having no choice but to participate.
As he turned towards the assessment area, he noticed Wu Yan’s eyes looking at him.
As their gazes met, Ji Yuan saw a hint of mockery and a sense of triumphant revenge in Wu Yan’s expression.
Ji Yuan didn’t know what kind of madness possessed this Eldest Young Master Wu, but that look made him uncomfortable... He didn’t want to cause trouble and had been trying to avoid it.
But it seemed the more he tried to avoid trouble, the more others wouldn’t take him seriously?
Eventually, Ji Yuan sat down in the last remaining cubicle, and when he slightly raised his head, he noticed a row of bright words above.
[Talisman Room: lv1]
Wait... does this work too?!
——
(I accidentally hit the publish button instead of the set timed release, unintentionally releasing this 44th Chapter early. Luckily I deleted it quickly, hope you all didn’t notice, sigh.
It’s a new week, and I’m hoping for monthly and recommendation votes to boost the new book on the charts, seeking support)