Chapter 114 Testing the Spiritual Roots of the Descendants of the Mountains: Stubborn to the end
"You mean..." Jiang Dashan was somewhat incredulous.
Although I was not selected back then, it seemed like nothing happened on the surface, but it was still a regret in the end.
If his descendants are fortunate enough to be selected, it would fulfill his childhood dream.
"I... I have several younger relatives who are of the right age, but they are all in Beijing, and it will take them time to return to Jiangjia Village," Jiang Dashan said somewhat incoherently.
"Grandfather, please speak slowly and don't be in such a hurry," Jiang Youyi said, pulling Jiang Dashan's hand and urging him to calm down.
Jiang Chengde pointed at himself, his voice trembling, so anxious that he could barely speak, "Ancestor, I, I, I, Chengde, Chengde is old enough."
He then looked at Song Yin and Shi Heming, “Immortal, I... I meet the requirements, you can test me first!”
The thought that the person before me is the same age as my ancestor, yet looks no different from a twenty-year-old, is incredibly awe-inspiring. And now, he too has the chance to become like that—how could anyone not be excited and thrilled?
Jiang Youyi's uncle and aunt were also very excited. Fortunately, their great-grandfather hadn't driven Chengde away earlier. This way, Chengde would also have a chance to be tested. If he was selected, their Chengde could also become an immortal, and they would be the immortal's father and mother.
By then, they won't need to fear the other families anymore; they'll definitely get the lion's share of the family fortune.
Song Yin flicked her wide sleeves and said calmly, "No rush, it's not too late to test after everyone is here."
Jiang Dashan: "Yes, yes, no rush, no rush! I'll write a letter to the children in the capital right away and tell them to return to Jiangjia Village as quickly as possible."
Shi Heming added, "Now is not the time for the sect to accept disciples. I hope that Elder Jiang will not inform others, but only invite the younger generation of the Jiang family over."
Upon hearing that she was only addressed as a junior member of the Jiang family, any lingering thoughts that Jiang Youyi's aunt had were immediately extinguished.
Jiang Dashan: "Understood, understood, Immortal Master, rest assured, I will arrange this matter properly... No, I will still send someone to the capital to bring the children back directly."
They watched as Jiang Dashan summoned his trusted confidants and explained the situation.
After listening, the confidant looked curiously towards Song Yin.
Jiang Dashan: "I'll leave this matter to Uncle Liu. If they ask, just say it's my order that I have to come. If anyone asks why, you don't need to explain. Take this jade pendant and set off today with this letter."
Song Yin gave Shi Heming a wink.
Shi Heming nodded in agreement, then immediately drew a talisman in the air and cast it on Uncle Liu. "This talisman will protect you throughout your journey."
Upon hearing this, Uncle Liu immediately knelt down: "Thank you, Immortal Master! Thank you, Immortal Master!"
"How about you two stay at the manor for a few days?" Jiang Dashan asked cautiously, mainly referring to Song Yin, since he only had a relationship with her.
Song Yin: "Okay."
Jiang Dashan hurriedly instructed his servants, "Go and clean the largest courtyard."
"Yes, sir."
Jiang Dashan had many descendants, and the house was built intentionally to be large. Although the house occupied a large area, the furnishings inside were very ordinary, reflecting their frugal and simple lifestyle.
During dinner, Song Yin and the others ate a few bites with the old man as a formality.
"But the food doesn't suit your taste?"
Song Yin: "No, the food is delicious, but after we started cultivating, we rarely eat grains anymore."
Jiang Dashan put down his chopsticks: "Look at me, I didn't even ask beforehand."
Song Yin: "It's okay, you can keep eating, it won't affect you."
Jiang Dashan ate a few bites quickly and then had the food removed.
Song Yin chatted with Jiang Dashan about the past, and seeing that he was a little tired, she suggested that he rest.
She even took out two bottles of pills.
"The two bottles of medicine may not extend your life, but they can free you from the torment of illness and restore your body to a middle-aged level."
Jiang Dashan: "Thank you, Immortal Song, for bestowing this elixir."
Song Yin used her spiritual energy to hold back Jiang Dashan. "I told you at dinner that you don't need to call me Immortal Song. We're only a few years apart in age, so just call me by my name."
"There's something else I wanted to ask you."
Jiang Dashan: "Speak freely."
Song Yin: "Where is your grandfather's grave? I was so grateful to him for giving me a ride back then. I want to go and see him."
Jiang Dashan: "It's in the ancestral graves in the village, but it's getting late now. How about I take you there tomorrow?"
Song Yin: "Of course, no problem."
Song Yin and Shi Heming have been staying at the Jiang family's residence for some time now.
When Jiang Dashan returned to his hometown, many local officials and wealthy people came to visit him, but he refused to see them and also forbade his servants to reveal any information about the Jiang family.
This situation continued for many days.
The next day, Song Yin went to the grave of the old friend from back then, paid her respects, and then returned to the courtyard to dismiss the servants who had been waiting there, and told others not to come to the courtyard to disturb her unless necessary.
Several days later, all the eligible descendants of the Jiang family gathered here.
"Why did our ancestor order us to come? Uncle Liu, could you please give us some information?"
"I'm sorry, young master, I can't say."
"Youyi, do you know why our ancestors called us here?"
The person who asked the question thought Jiang Youyi didn't know and that she was just asking casually, but Jiang Youyi answered her.
Jiang Youyi replied absentmindedly, "I know." She knew earlier than the others, which meant that in the days leading up to their return to Jiangjia Village, she was constantly nervous, expectant, and afraid.
The old ancestor called her to his study, where they talked for a long time.
Jiang Youyi considered herself a grown-up and should be more sensible, so when she learned that her ancestor had a regret, she really wanted to be chosen by her two benefactors.
"Tell your sister what happened."
Other descendants of the Chiang family also looked over.
Before Jiang Youyi could answer, Jiang Dashan arrived.
"Ancestor!" A group of children, big and small, greeted him all at once.
Jiang Dashan counted the number of people. "Why are there two people missing?" At his age, he had five generations under one roof. He had many descendants, and even one of his sons had passed away before him, while he was still alive.
"Jiang Chengming and his sister Jiang Youlan didn't want to travel such a long distance, so we didn't call them back," Uncle Liu explained from the side.
Jiang Dashan: "Sigh, if they didn't come, they didn't come. It just means they weren't meant to be. Come in with me, but once inside, no talking is allowed. You must show them respect, understand?"
"I understand, Ancestor. But who is inside? You are the highly respected Prime Minister Jiang of our dynasty. Who could possibly deserve such respect from you...?"
Royal family?
This was the unanimous thought of the younger generation of the Chiang family, who could think of no one else but the royal family, because everyone else in the officialdom treated their ancestor with the same respect.
Song Yin and Shi Heming had been waiting for them to arrive.
Seeing Jiang Dashan enter with more than a dozen people still surprised them.
Jiang Dashan: "Two immortal masters, these are all my descendants. I'll have to trouble you two immortal masters."
Song Yin: "Please sit down. This place is spacious. We can test their spiritual roots right here."
The conversation between the two men made the younger members of the Chiang family nervous.
They didn't hear wrong, did they? The ancestor called the two young people "immortal masters"?
Which child in the Jiang family hadn't heard about Jiang Dashan's encounter with the immortal? Some believed it to be true, while others thought the old man was lying to them. Immortals exist, but how could they be seen so easily? If they could be seen so easily, why didn't the royal family invite the immortals into the palace?
Every few years, rumors circulate throughout the mortal realm that immortals come to take on disciples, but these immortals are unpredictable and never appear in one place.
"Those aged six and above, and those aged twenty and below, please line up to have your spiritual roots tested." Song Yin's voice, imbued with spiritual energy, was ethereal and otherworldly, reaching everyone's ears.
A dozen or so people quickly lined up, watching Song Yin and Shi Heming with nervous curiosity.
The two immortals were elegant and extraordinary, and some people in the group blushed as they watched them.
A disc suddenly appeared in Song Yin's hand. "This is a spirit testing disc. The eight transparent beads around it represent eight spiritual root attributes: metal, wood, water, fire, earth, wind, thunder, and ice. Those with spiritual roots will have their beads light up."
The Jiang family girl, who was first in line, approached Song Yin first.
Song Yin: "Extend your wrist."
The first girl did as instructed, and Song Yin grasped the other girl's wrist.
"Bone age of seventeen, hand on the spirit-testing plate."
The first girl placed her hand on the divination plate again, her heart pounding as she awaited the final result.
Song Yin: "No spiritual root, you're out. Next."
Upon hearing this, the first girl suddenly felt sad and stood aside without saying a word.
Jiang Dashan comforted him, "Good boy, it's normal not to be chosen. Don't be too sad. There are still many beautiful sights in life waiting for you to see and experience. Today, I'll arrange for the kitchen to cook you some delicious food."
The first girl nodded, then watched as her other siblings went to get tested.
Jiang Dashan stared blankly at the children, lost in thought.
The scene of testing spiritual roots was too familiar. Song Yin's words were the same as those of the immortal who tested her spiritual roots in her memory. It was just like that back then.
He really couldn't tell anymore. In a daze, he seemed to see his grandfather watching him from the side, as if saying, "Dashan, go ahead and get tested. Grandpa is here with you."
Now, his role has changed, and he is now accompanying his juniors to test their spiritual roots and comforting the children who were not selected.
Old Jiang Dashan's eyes gradually welled up with tears; he missed his grandfather...
"Bone age fourteen, no spiritual root, rejected, next."
"Bone age nineteen, no spiritual root, rejected, next."
...
Six people were tested in a row, and none of them had spiritual roots. Those waiting in line inevitably began to doubt the authenticity of the spirit testing disc.
Jiang Chengde: "Fairy Song, is your spirit-testing plate broken? Why isn't a single bead lit up?"
Song Yin: "Shi Heming, put your hand on it."
Shi Heming did as instructed, and immediately the bead representing the Thunder Spirit Root on the Spirit Testing Plate lit up.
Song Yin: "I said that those with spiritual roots will have their beads light up naturally. There is only one chance. Those who do not believe may leave the group."
The remaining people immediately dispelled their doubts, and the test continued.
Jiang Chengde was at the back of the line. He watched as his brothers and sisters were rejected one by one, and he kept laughing.
"Chengli, you're not good enough."
"Third sister, you can't do it either."
The person who was not elected stood next to Jiang Dashan and said to Jiang Chengde, who was chattering incessantly, "Shut up, you don't know when to stop talking."
Jiang Chengde curled his lip and said, "Tch, you're just taking your frustration out on me because you lost the election."
The person who was supposed to be tested earlier had already been assigned to Jiang Youyi.
“Bone age eleven years old, place your hand on it.”
Jiang Youyi silently placed her hand on the spirit-testing plate, closed her eyes, and prayed continuously in her heart.
Please, please, it must have spiritual roots! Youyi also wants to become as powerful as her benefactor sister, able to fight bad guys in the heavens and the earth.
The spirit-testing disc emitted a sound, and the two beads gradually brightened.
"Golden Water Spiritual Root, selected."
Jiang Youyi opened her eyes abruptly, and asked uncertainly, "I...I was selected?"
Song Yin: "Yes, a golden-water spiritual root, quite a good innate talent. In a few years, come with me to the cultivation world. In the meantime, spend more time with your family. Once you enter the immortal sect, it's not easy to get out. It can take anywhere from several decades to over a hundred years."
Jiang Dashan was overwhelmed with surprise. "Youyi, good girl, come here quickly so that the older brothers and sisters behind you can continue the test."
Under the envious gazes of her siblings, Jiang Youyi ran to the old ancestor's side, her face beaming with joy.
Jiang Youyi: "Grandmother, I've been chosen!"
Jiang Dashan: "Good, good, good, Youyi is great!"
"Congratulations, little sister Youyi."
"Congratulations, little sister Youyi."
Jiang Youyi felt like she was dreaming. Everyone—whether they liked her, didn't like her, or had only a casual relationship with her—had all changed their attitude and were congratulating her.
Jiang Youyi's discovery of her spiritual root reassured those who followed, making them even more eager for her return.
“Bone age thirteen, no spiritual root, eliminated, next.”
Just as someone's confidence was ignited, a bucket of cold water was poured over their head.
"……Next."
"……Next."
The number of people dwindled until only two remained.
Jiang Chengde, who was at the bottom of the list, felt increasingly pressured and began to sweat. What would he do if he didn't have a spiritual root?
"Next."
Finally, it was his turn. Jiang Chengde was so nervous that he could barely walk. He raised his hand to measure his bone age, and then his spiritual root.
He held his hand above his head, feeling the coolness of the spirit-testing plate, and silently chanted in his mind.
Light up! Light up quickly!
It absolutely has to be lit up!
It's bright!
Time passed quickly, yet it also seemed to drag on. The more time passed, the colder Jiang Chengde felt, as if he had fallen into an ice cave.
"No spiritual root, rejected."
As the words that judged his fate fell, he instantly snapped to attention. "Wait a minute! Maybe the spirit-testing disc hasn't reacted yet!"
How could he not have spiritual roots? He definitely has spiritual roots! Even that girl Jiang Youyi has spiritual roots, so why doesn't he?
Why?!
With a snap of his fingers, Song Yin stored the spirit-testing disc in his storage bag.
"No matter how long the testing continues, the result will be the same. Of the fourteen members of the Jiang family, only Jiang Youyi has spiritual roots."
This result is neither unexpected nor surprising. Jiang Youyi showed her special qualities back in Lucheng, so it's not surprising that she has spiritual roots.
"You rescued Jiang Youyi, so did you secretly give her special treatment so that she has spiritual roots? There are more than a dozen children in the Jiang family, how could only one of them have spiritual roots!"
Chiang Cheng-teh did not accept this result. It would have been fine if all his brothers and sisters had failed to be elected, but Chiang Yu-i was the only one who was elected.
In the Chiang family, her father served as an official in the imperial court, and the Chiang family's connections paved the way for his success. As the youngest child, she was deeply favored by her ancestor, who even wanted to give her a large inheritance.
Why do all the good things fall on Jiang Youyi's head, and why doesn't Jiang Chengde get any? His father didn't hold any official position, his mother came from a small family, and he himself wasn't favored by his ancestors.
They had been trying to please and flatter their ancestor all along. In order to win her favor, they were willing to give up their comfortable life in the capital and follow her back to this poor and remote place.
Even after going to such lengths, their ancestors still didn't like their family!
He finally got a chance to rise to the top, but the opportunity slipped through his fingers and fell into Jiang Youyi's hands.
He was unwilling to accept it, so unwilling!
God, why are you treating me like this!
“A person’s spiritual root is either present or absent at birth,” Song Yin said coldly. “Jiang Youyi’s spiritual root was detected not because I gave her special treatment, but because she was born with a spiritual root.”
Perhaps the cultivation world has a way to give spiritual roots to those who have none, but that has nothing to do with Jiang Chengde.
"It's not fair! This is not fair!" Jiang Chengde roared.
Jiang Dashan felt utterly humiliated and threw his cane at Jiang Chengde.
"Jiang Chengde! Who gave you permission to yell at the Immortal Master! Apologize right now!"
Song Yin jokingly said, "Jiang Chengde, one should be magnanimous and not hold grudges."
"Open-minded?" Jiang Chengde froze on the spot as if struck by lightning, his hair standing on end, and a sense of fear swept over his entire body.
She knew, she knew everything!
She knew all about his little schemes!
She's a demon in human skin, lurking in the shadows, toying with him. Has he gone mad? He was actually infatuated with this appearance!
Jiang Dashan demanded that Jiang Chengde apologize, but Jiang Chengde turned and ran away.
Other siblings: ?
Is there something wrong with his brain?
Jiang Dashan was extremely ashamed. "It is because the Jiang family has failed in its upbringing that you two have made such a fool of yourselves."
After the spiritual root test was over, Jiang Dashan asked the younger generation to step down.
He then led Song Yin and Shi Heming to the study.
As soon as I entered the study, a maid brought me tea.
Song Yin: "We will stay in the mortal realm for five years. When the time comes, we will come to bring Jiang Youyi into the immortal realm."
Jiang Dashan: "I will arrange for Youyi to go to Beijing in a while. I am a man with one foot in the grave, so it would be better to let the child stay with her parents before she leaves. Her parents still do not know about this. I just hope that when they find out, they will not leave Youyi behind because they are reluctant to part with her."
Song Yin: "We have five years to think it over. We can think carefully about whether to stay or leave. Today, the two of us will be leaving. We don't know when we will meet again after this parting."
"Won't you stay a little longer?" Jiang Dashan urged.
In Song Yin's memory, only Jiang Dashan remained from those days. And for Jiang Dashan, wasn't only one person left from his childhood memories? Was she trying to hold onto the person, or to hold onto the past? Who could truly tell?
"Back then, the old man gave me a ride to the gate of immortality, and today I will guide his descendants onto the path of immortality. Take care, Dashan."
After Song Yin finished speaking, she and Shi Heming disappeared from the study.
Jiang Dashan stared at the empty seat, the teacup beside him still steaming.
The ginkgo tree planted outside the study gradually turns golden in autumn, and within a few months, the leaves will fall in a flurry when the wind blows.
Time waits for no one.
Jiang Dashan slowly got up, took the cane handed to him by Uncle Liu, and slowly walked out to see the children who had not been selected.
Jiang Youyi was happily rolling around on her bed in her room.
"Miss, please stop rolling around. It's not proper. Get up and let me comb your hair. This morning's combing has all come undone because of this rolling around."
Jiang Youyi: "No, there are no outsiders here, so we don't need to follow those rigid rules."
"Jiang Youyi".
A familiar voice came from outside the door, startling Jiang Youyi so much that she jumped out of bed.
"What should I do? My hair is a mess."
"Miss, I've been asking you to comb your hair."
Song Yin appeared alone at Jiang Youyi's residence, startling the servants with her sudden appearance.
Jiang Youyi still came out with her hair all messy; she couldn't very well keep her benefactor waiting for her to comb it.
Song Yin came to deliver a ritual implement.
Xia Xining's various trinkets took up a lot of space in her storage bag, from which she picked out protective magical artifacts that she could wear close to her body.
With a flick of Song Yin's wrist, a string of beads appeared on Jiang Youyi's wrist.
"In the mortal realm, this item will ensure your safety; do not remove it carelessly."
Jiang Youyi touched the extra beads and immediately bowed to express her gratitude.
After she finished bowing, she found that the immortal had already disappeared from the doorway. The servants who had been attending to her were startled once again.
After leaving the Jiang family, Song Yin appeared on the flying boat.
While Shi Heming was delivering the second-tier magic weapon to Jiang Youyi, he was already waiting on the flying boat.
Shi Heming: "Should we go back to Lucheng, or go somewhere else?"
Song Yin suggested, "Let's go to the capital. We haven't been to the capital they've been talking about yet."
The flying boat pierced through the clouds and headed towards the capital.
While the mortal realm lived in peace and tranquility, the cultivation world grew increasingly chaotic, sparking a frenzy to search for the missing spiritual essence.
Qi Zibo broke through layers of barriers and restrictions to find his master.
“Master, all the cultivators outside are now searching for spiritual marrow. Many inner and outer disciples have applied to go out for training. Even the two ordinary disciples that Yin Yin recruited from Dan Que Peak have applied to go out for training.”
The spiritual essence that sparked the "treasure hunt craze" in the cultivation world is now being purified of the resentment within it.
Lou Shuhe stopped purifying and turned to Qi Zibo, saying, "This alone is not enough to make you come to me in person at this critical moment, is it?"
Qi Zibo: "Master is indeed a genius. Sect Master Yan has been having that person on Xuanji Peak constantly perform divination. In order to help Elder Su advance her cultivation, he even took out many rare and precious materials from the Treasure Pavilion for her to cultivate."
This is why Lou Shuhe is unwilling to reveal that she is a divination cultivator. If people knew that she was a Mahayana-stage divination cultivator, wouldn't they ask her to perform divination and calculations every day?
Lou Shuhe touched the spiritual marrow and said, "Our current sect leader of the Immortal Cloud Sect has extraordinary ambition. One of the reasons the previous sect leader passed the position to her was precisely because he saw her ambition. I guess she went to great lengths to find the spiritual marrow not for her own sake."
"Do you believe it or not, if she really possessed a giant spiritual marrow, her first priority would definitely be to train multiple Tribulation Transcending or Mahayana stage cultivators for the sect?"
Qi Zibo: "I believe you. Although Yanxi is ambitious, she is also wholeheartedly devoted to the sect. Otherwise, the sect elders would not trust her and be willing to obey her orders at any time."
Lou Shuhe: "Don't worry about the spiritual marrow. I've kept the secret from the beginning, so no one can figure it out."
After finishing her business, seeing that Qi Zibo hadn't left yet, Lou Shuhe asked again, "Is there anything else?"
Qi Zibo coughed a few times. "Um, I wanted to ask about Yinyin. I wonder how she's doing in the mortal realm."
Lou Shuhe fell silent.
Yin Yin had left out a detail: Qi Zibo was not only the most useless person on Danque Peak, but also the most stupid.
"You have a communication stone, why don't you go ask yourself?"
Qi Zibo: If the traitorous disciple finds out that I am thinking about her, wouldn't he be smug and jump on my head to do evil again?
"If you don't want to ask yourself, you can go and visit the mortals yourself. Aren't many people leaving their sects recently to search for spiritual essence? If you go out for a while, it won't attract attention."
Damn it, why didn't I think of that? I can just sneak a peek and not expose myself.
Qi Zibo stubbornly replied, "There's no need for me to make the trip myself. Five years is just a blink of an eye for us cultivators. I'll take my leave now."
Lou Shuhe watched him leave, then casually made a few calculations with her hand.
"Ha, stubborn as a mule."
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Author's Note: Lou Shuhe: I really don't know what you're so stubborn about. [Eye roll]
Qi Zibo: Upholding the dignity of one's master [thumbs up]
Song Yin: What? Does Master have any dignity? [Vulgar expression]
Qi Zibo: [Scared][Burning with tears]
Please check out my upcoming book, "Garlic Bird, Garlic Bird, Let's Kill Them All," also known as "My Nemesis Always Wants to Crawle into My Bed."
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[Empty bowl]
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