Inside the old town chief’s large courtyard, quite a few children and adults quickly gathered.
The children could vaguely see the old town chief’s face as they were led by women and children to the side of the men.
"Quickly pay respects to the Immortal!" The old town chief’s eldest son, now having inherited his position, became the new town chief of White Cloud Town.
Usually, he carried some authority, and upon his words, the children stepped forward one by one.
In several commanderies within the Ye Family’s territory, those with a Spirit Root usually find some official position in the town. If the Spirit Root performs well, their family might even move to the county city to become true aristocrats.
The old town chief’s family once had two Spirit Roots; one has passed away, and the other is Ye Jingcheng.
The Ye Family can have such a large courtyard and continue being town chiefs, all thanks to Ye Jingcheng’s patronage.
This requires no action from Ye Jingcheng, as the Qi Cultivation Race People of the family, responsible for managing mortal affairs, will arrange it properly.
"Come one at a time, just place your hand on the Spirit Testing Disc." Ye Jingcheng took out a palm-sized Spirit Disc and cast a Spirit Technique.
The entire Spirit Disc was instantly enveloped in Spiritual Light, emitting a dazzling radiance.
This Spiritual Aura is attractive to children, filling them with curiosity and a bit of anxiety.
Each one looked at the largest child, still appearing somewhat timid.
"Anyone under nine should not come up, wait for the next Immortal Ascension Conference," Ye Jingcheng said, seeing six children step forward.
And under the urging eyes of the womenfolk, a few six or seven-year-olds were also pushed forward, prompting him to frown and add.
Those six or seven-year-olds quickly withdrew.
Ye Jingcheng was not deceiving them; the principle of the Spirit Testing Disc is to project a stream of Five Elements Spiritual Energy into the child’s body.
If there is a resonance, there is an Immortal Root; if not, there is none.
Moreover, if a child’s age is too young and their body not fully developed, the intrusion of Spiritual Energy could pose a danger.
They dared not do this at the Immortal Ascension Conference, as the Ye Family strictly forbids it, but seeing Ye Jingcheng conducting an independent test in the courtyard, they harbored other thoughts.
With Ye Jingcheng’s words, the rest of the older children also stepped forward one by one.
Soon, after the first child touched the disc, there was still no response.
The old town chief’s family was somewhat helpless and disappointed at this moment.
Only the old town chief’s eyes remained clear, glaring at his children.
"Next!" Ye Jingcheng calmly continued.
As the second child stepped forward and touched the Spirit Testing Disc, he was a bit bolder, pressing slightly harder.
However, there was still no Spirit Root, and several people looked distressed.
In fact, the next five also had no Spirit Root, turning the old town chief’s three sons pale.
Unlike in the past, where news came from the Immortal Hall, this time, they knew in advance that there was no Spirit Root.
But this seemed completely normal to Ye Jingcheng.
The Ye Family inspects every three years, testing a dozen Immortal Seedlings at a time.
On average, not a single one might be found in a town, as the three commanderies of the Ye Family must produce two or three each.
Adding the Ye Clan Mountain, the offspring of those with character-ranking in the family might also account for a few.
In reality, some towns having not a single Immortal Seedling is quite normal.
However, when it came to the last frail little girl, white light appeared instead.
This scene surprised Ye Jingcheng quite a bit.
However, the light on the Spirit Disc only shone less than three inches, and the disc displayed four colors.
This also indicated that this little girl had only Four Spirit Roots, and relatively common ones at that.
The Spirit Testing Disc not only measures the quantity of Spirit Roots but also their quality.
Yet, the more Spirit Roots, the less pure they are; typically, Mixed Spirit Roots do not have high quality.
A normal Four Spirit Roots spiritual light is around five inches; Ye Jingcheng himself measured slightly higher, reaching seven inches, but it didn’t make much of a difference.
Even other families don’t look at the height of the Spiritual Light.
Only the Ye Family pays some attention to it.
Seeing this, the old town chief’s sons were delighted, while the women seemed disdainful.
They appeared at odds with the little girl, even relishing in the girl’s Four Spirit Roots.
As mortals of the Ye Family, knowing the quality of Spirit Roots is not difficult.
After all, the Immortal Ascension Conference is held every three years.
But Ye Jingcheng disliked their reactions.
Ye Jingcheng’s Spiritual Pressure was instantly released, falling on those women.
In an instant, the women turned deathly pale, nearly collapsing to the ground, clearly indicating Ye Jingcheng was holding back.
Otherwise, these mortals might even be crushed to death.
"No next time, Immortal Seedlings at the Ye Family’s Immortal Mountain are equally noble!" Ye Jingcheng said.
This was not incorrect; other families rewarded Spirit Root rank, but the Ye Family looked only at cultivation.
And for the Ye Family, concealing Spirit Root quality better protects the family’s talented Spirit Root cultivators.
Otherwise, comparisons among mortals, once spread, jeopardize the family’s veiled agendas.
"What is your name?" Ye Jingcheng asked the little girl.
"My name is Ye Ting, the Ting in ’slim and graceful’!"
"Hmm, very nice!" Ye Jingcheng nodded.
"In one day, retest at the Immortal Hall!"
Though already tested, the Immortal Hall process must still proceed.
Moreover, unlike other cultivators, Ye Ting can spend a few more days with her family.
"Immortal Master, please take care of her!" The old town chief, moved to tears, seeing another Spirit Root Cultivator emerge from their family.
Ye Jingcheng found it odd, for the reaction was not on par with the old town chief’s.
After further discussion, it became clear that Ye Ting’s father was the old town chief’s youngest son, who had long since passed away.
Ye Jingcheng didn’t linger in the courtyard; for him, a bit of solace eased his mind, and he even felt his state was slightly enlightened.
This feeling was rather peculiar and hard to articulate.
But he knew that his future Immortal Path would be a bit smoother.
Exiting the courtyard, dusk was nearing; the mortal streets under the sunset were filled with a heavy sense of life.
Steamed buns rising, an old lady selling various paper figures, children running amok by the roadside.
Mortal streets were eternally bustling.
Yet he cast his gaze toward the horizon; his goal remained steadfast.
Ye Jingcheng’s expression was calm, with a smile.
Crossing the street and entering the Immortal Hall again, a Golden Finger of condensed Spiritual Energy appeared in his hand.
It struck the Immortal Bell, instantly sending its sound echoing a thousand miles.
Though it was now dusk, an early start was better, and children from nearby villages had to make their way.
No village would miss this event; a day was enough for all the children in the town to be tested. Chapters fırst released on 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡•𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢•𝕟𝕖𝕥