ATPnovel Chapter 84 Aristocratic Families and Rogue Cultivators
Chapter 84 Aristocratic Families and Rogue Cultivators
"Uncle Xiao, for this mission we need to go to 18 major cities under the jurisdiction of Xiangnan Prefecture to conduct spirit testing. At the same time, two aristocratic families have recommended candidates to the sect, and we need to go and verify them."
Wu Yi, an inner disciple of Tian Shu Peak, briefly explained the mission of this trip down the mountain to Xiao Ming.
Xiao Ming nodded. With 18 major cities inhabited by mortals, and each city occupied for three days, the mission would take about two months to complete.
"Now that the mission is clear, let's set off." After saying that, Xiao Ming handed over control of the Jade Spirit Boat to Wu Yi, and then turned and walked into the cabin.
Both sect spirit testing and sect selection are ways to recruit disciples, but their requirements are different.
Xiao Ming had participated in the sect selection process, and he understood that the sect selection process looked at one’s character, cultivation level, strength, background, and resources. However, the sect spirit test was the opposite, focusing only on the candidate’s qualifications.
Therefore, the recruitment standards for spirit testing are much higher. One must have dual spiritual roots or different spiritual roots or above. In addition, even if one has three spiritual roots, one must have a special physique in order to be selected through special selection.
Once selected to enter the sect, one will directly become an inner disciple.
So, over the next month, Xiao Ming and his group passed through seven or eight major mortal cities, but failed to recruit a single qualified disciple.
Instead, some smaller sects and aristocratic families followed behind, recruiting and wooing the mortals who were found to have spiritual roots.
Xiao Ming and the others simply watched coldly. If these mortals who were found to have ordinary spiritual roots had a real chance to grow, those with ambition would try every means to participate in the sect selection in the future.
After all, only by joining one of the three major sects can one go further on the path of immortality.
"Uncle-Master Xiao!"
Xiao Ming, who was meditating, was suddenly awakened by Wu Yi.
"Where are we?"
"The place ahead is Suzhuangfang."
Xiao Ming looked around and found that the surrounding area was full of high mountains and steep ridges, but in the middle was a plain valley isolated from the outside world, where farmers were cultivating the land and fishermen were casting their nets, creating a scene reminiscent of a paradise.
In the heart of the valley lies a rather bustling city.
"Suzhuangfang doesn't seem like an ordinary town?"
"Uncle-Master, you forgot? Besides the 18 major mortal cities, the Zhuang and Wu cultivation families also recommended candidates. The Zhuang family is one of the managers of Suzhuang Market. In addition, Junior Brother Zhuang and Junior Sister Su, who came with you this time, are from the Zhuang and Su families of Suzhuang Market, respectively." Wu Yi patted the white-robed youth beside him and said.
Zhuang Cheng immediately stepped forward and said, "Uncle-Master, I contacted my family yesterday, and everyone in the Zhuang family is eagerly awaiting your arrival."
Upon hearing this, Su Dongxuan clenched her hands, feeling somewhat anxious.
She tried to contact her family yesterday, but so far there has been no response.
But that's not the worst part. In the past, after joining the sect, I would receive letters from home every year, but in the last two years, we have lost contact.
This worried Su Dongxuan a lot, and she also wanted to take this opportunity to go home and check on the situation.
"The Su family, the Zhuang family, that's why the market is called Suzhuangfang," Xiao Ming said with interest.
"That's right. The Su and Zhuang families have been on good terms for generations. The Su family is good at alchemy, while my Zhuang family is good at formations. The two families have jointly established this Su-Zhuang market for over a hundred years," Zhuang Cheng explained.
"Okay, lead the way." Xiao Ming nodded.
Zhuang Cheng immediately summoned his flying sword and led the way.
Before long, the group approached the market town.
The next moment, an elder in the mid-Foundation Establishment stage soared into the sky, leading more than a dozen Qi Refining disciples to meet them.
"Zhuang Nianyun, head of the Zhuang family of Suzhuangfang in Taiping County, pays respects to the Immortal Envoy of the Supreme Sect." The head of the Zhuang family bowed respectfully to Xiao Ming.
"Xiao Ming, the steward of the Gu Ling Sect, greets the head of the Zhuang family!" Xiao Ming stood up, cupped his hands, and said.
"So it's Steward Xiao. Steward, you look so young, yet you've already broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage. You're sure to achieve great things in the immortal path in the future, and you'll have a good chance of reaching the Golden Core stage." The head of the Zhuang family laughed heartily.
Hearing the other party's compliments, Xiao Ming simply smiled and did not respond.
"Steward Xiao, please enter the city quickly. Everything has been arranged." The head of the Zhuang family gestured for him to enter.
Just then, a middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator in splendid attire flew over with a group of people.
"Tang Tian, head of the Tang family of Suzhuangfang, Taiping County, pays respects to the celestial envoy!"
"Uncle-Master, the Tang family is a Foundation Establishment family that has risen in Suzhuangfang in recent years," Zhuang Cheng whispered a reminder from behind Xiao Ming.
Meanwhile, Su Dongxuan looked uneasy, wondering why the Su family hadn't come out to greet Uncle Xiao yet.
"Greetings, Patriarch Tang." Xiao Ming returned the greeting to the Patriarch Tang.
Accompanied by two Foundation Establishment cultivators, Xiao Ming landed in the city center square.
With Xiao Ming's arrival, more cultivators gathered here. These cultivators were either small Qi-refining families affiliated with Suzhuangfang, or independent cultivators who made a living here.
Several elders at the peak of Qi Refining were pushed forward by the crowd and bowed to Xiao Ming.
"Greetings, Your Excellency Immortal Envoy! We humbly request that you examine our spiritual roots and guide us on the path to immortality!"
Although ordinary Qi Refining cultivators can test the spiritual roots of mortals, they can only test whether a spiritual root exists, not its attributes or category.
Only the divine sense of a Foundation Establishment cultivator, or a specially crafted magical artifact, can accurately determine the aptitude of a spiritual root.
However, if one were to practice the wrong techniques and delay one's cultivation as a result, it would obviously be a losing proposition.
However, they dared not entrust Xiao Ming to Foundation Establishment families like the Zhuang and Tang families, so they eagerly awaited his arrival.
"Let's begin the spirit test," Xiao Ming waved his hand.
Wu Yi immediately understood, reached out and patted his storage bag, and a white jade stone tablet flew out. The stone tablet was about three zhang tall, and a crystal ball the size of a human head was inlaid on the top.
The three of them landed around the stone tablet and simultaneously channeled their spiritual energy into it.
In an instant, the crystal ball atop the stone tablet lit up with a dazzling light, instantly enveloping the entire square.
Bathed in this light, a wisp of invisible, intangible pure energy appeared above the heads of some people, making them extremely conspicuous in the crowd.
This means they possess spiritual roots.
"Those chosen by the Immortal-Guiding Stele, line up and come forward to test your spiritual root attributes and categories," Wu Yi said to the people below.
The first to step onto the stage were naturally members of the Zhuang family.
A young man who bore a resemblance to Zhuang Cheng stepped forward and placed his hand on the crystal ball under the watchful eyes of the crowd.
The next moment, two orbs of light, one red and one green, appeared on the crystal ball.
Red represents the water element, and green represents the wood element.
"Water and Wood dual spiritual roots, Zhuangjia Zhuangbo, qualified!" Wu Yi shouted loudly.
No one present was surprised by this. The fact that the Zhuang family had produced a genius with dual spiritual roots had already been circulating in the market, and this was just a confirmation of it.
On the other side, Xiao Ming and the two Foundation Establishment family heads sat on the high platform.
"Brother Zhuang, congratulations!" Tang Tian turned around and congratulated Zhuang Nianyun.
"It's just luck. Who knows, you Tang family lad might be next," Zhuang Nianyun said with a smile.
"Brother Zhuang, please don't make fun of us. We are both at the Foundation Establishment stage. With close-range divine sense probing, how could we not know the aptitude of our own sons?" Tang Tian sighed and turned to look at Xiao Ming.
"I have come here to inquire whether there are any internal referral slots for joining the sect during Deacon Xiao's recent spirit-testing trip down the mountain. If Deacon Xiao could grant even one slot for a menial disciple, my Tang family would be eternally grateful!"
As a newly emerging Foundation Establishment family in recent years, the Tang family's foundation is still too shallow compared to other Foundation Establishment families, so they are eager to connect with the sect.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Ming suddenly realized what Senior Brother Ma from Tianlu Pavilion meant.
"Fellow Daoist Tang, please don't be anxious. This matter can be discussed, but we need to wait until after the spirit testing ceremony is over."
Xiao Ming did not rush to express his opinion, but postponed the matter to allow the other party to offer a better price.
Seeing this, Zhuang Nianyun, who was standing to the side, was also moved.
The internal referral quota doesn't consider qualifications or require participation in trials and competitions; all that's needed is for the sect steward in front of him to nod. Although the Zhuang family already has two members who have entered the sect, he wouldn't mind having one more if the conditions allow.