The Lin Family had been in the fabric business for generations, owning several large textile workshops. Their Lin-branded fabrics were highly popular throughout Silk Cloud Prefecture. It was said that even the Vassal King of Silk Cloud Prefecture would order a batch of fine silk every year.
The head of the Lin Residence was an elderly man nearing seventy, with graying hair and gentle eyes. Alaric Ye did not know his exact name and usually addressed him respectfully as Old Master Lin.
Today, Old Master Lin was dressed in luxurious clothes, his face glowing with happiness, like a spring breeze.
The instructor responsible for teaching the children cultivation respectfully introduced them to Old Master Lin.
"Old Master, we have clearly sensed the presence of Spiritual Qi within the residence. Three individuals have awakened their Spiritual Roots: Miss Lucy Lin, Master David Lin, and Master Michael Lin."
Old Master Lin stroked his beard, his gentle gaze sweeping over the children whose names were mentioned, nodding with a smile.
"Good, good, you are all fine children of the Lin Family. If even one of you can achieve Foundation Establishment and become an Upper Immortal, our business can expand to other prefectures.
Other children should not be discouraged. The Upper Immortal once said that being able to sense Spiritual Qi indicates strong Spiritual Roots and high cultivation talent. However, some children may have already awakened their Spiritual Roots but cannot properly grasp the breathing techniques, thus unable to sense Spiritual Qi. Whether or not they have awakened their Spiritual Roots will only be known when the Upper Immortal arrives to test them one by one."
Alaric Ye's gaze turned to the three Lin Family children who had already sensed their Spiritual Roots.
Lucy Lin was the legitimate daughter of the Lin Residence, with delicate features and beautiful clothes. After receiving Old Master Lin's praise, she proudly said, "I will not disappoint you, Great-Grandfather. I will surely achieve immortality, establish my foundation, and expand our family's business!"
David Lin quickly added, "Rest assured, Great-Grandfather. We Lin Family members will help each other in the Immortal Sect, seeking the path to longevity together. If the opportunity arises, I will surely obtain an elixir to extend your lifespan, making you young again!"
Only Michael Lin seemed very reserved. He mustered the courage to speak but ended up saying nothing.
Alaric Ye could tell that Michael Lin was likely from a less favored branch of the Lin Family. His clothes were far less splendid compared to Lucy and David.
Old Master Lin laughed heartily at their words.
"Good, good, you are all good children. Steward, prepare a black iron sword for each of the three children!"
The other children looked on with envy, and Alaric Ye was no exception.
A black iron sword, each worth a thousand gold taels, was said to become an Immortal weapon after being refined by Immortal techniques, capable of slaying demons with a single thought.
***
Clang!
The steward took out three swords from the storeroom, drawing one to reveal a blade that gleamed coldly, making one's hair stand on end at a glance.
Although Alaric Ye was strong and could fight wolves and tigers, he had no doubt that he would be cleaved in half by this black iron sword in an instant.
The steward said, "Each of these black iron swords weighs thirty-six pounds and requires a master swordsmith to forge for forty-nine days. They can cut through iron like mud, severing hair with a blow. Demons would retreat at the sight of them!
Young masters and miss, be cautious in using them, so as not to hurt yourselves."
With that, the three swords were distributed to Lucy Lin, David Lin, and Michael Lin.
Though they were only eleven or twelve years old, they had been training their bodies for a long time and had awakened their Spiritual Roots. Their physical strength was not necessarily inferior to Alaric Ye's, so wielding a thirty-six-pound sword with one hand was not too difficult.
The three of them said in unison, "Thank you, Great-Grandfather, for the swords!"
As soon as they finished speaking, a long, flat flying boat descended slowly from the clouds. The words "Top Xuan Sect" were written on the side of the boat.
Everyone's hearts raced. Old Master Lin shouted loudly, "The Lin Residence of Silk Cloud Prefecture, with five hundred and thirty-one members, welcomes the arrival of the Upper Immortal from Top Xuan Sect!"
Everyone knelt down in worship as if they were seeing the Emperor of the Great Xuan Dynasty.
The flying boat hovered dozens of meters above the ground without landing. A middle-aged man in a luxurious blue and purple robe, with the character "Xuan" on his back, long hair flowing, and two swords on his back, leaped down from the bow of the boat.
He seemed weightless, landing lightly in front of the kneeling crowd. This was the Immortal Fate Guide from Top Xuan Sect, responsible for testing the Spiritual Roots of the children from noble families!
"Rise."
The Upper Immortal from Top Xuan Sect smiled kindly. His voice seemed to come from within one's heart, gentle yet irresistible, making everyone stand up involuntarily.
Old Master Lin handed over a small jade box with a smile.
"This is a small gift from the Lin Residence for the Upper Immortal. Please do not refuse."
The Upper Immortal nodded slightly. As soon as the jade box reached his hand, it turned into a beam of light and merged into a delicate pouch at his waist.
Alaric Ye knew that this was the Universe Bag used by the Upper Immortal. This palm-sized bag contained a space within, said to be able to hold mountains and rivers!
"I wonder if my Ancient Ring of the Insect Emperor can store items. Compared to that Universe Bag, my ring should be more powerful. I heard the Universe Bag can't hold living things, but mine can!"
Alaric Ye felt a bit proud.
Having been a servant all his life and only reading books for two months, his knowledge was quite limited. He had no idea that the Ancient Ring of the Insect Emperor was a supreme treasure in the Cultivation World, worth far more than ten thousand Universe Bags.
However, he was very cautious, understanding the principle of not revealing one's wealth. He had long hidden the Ancient Ring of the Insect Emperor completely, and the Upper Immortal from Top Xuan Sect did not notice anything unusual.
"The jade box offered to the Upper Immortal should contain a hundred-year-old Spirit Herb, which can be refined into an elixir, more precious than the black iron swords!"
The steward of the Lin Residence respectfully said, "Reporting to the Upper Immortal, there are a total of forty-five children in the Lin Residence who need their Spiritual Roots tested. Three of them have already awakened their Spiritual Roots, but the quality is unknown!"
Upon hearing this, the Upper Immortal patted his Universe Bag, and a golden light flashed. A palm-sized, ancient bronze compass inscribed with the words "Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, Earth" appeared in his hand.
With a pinch of a spell, a beam of spiritual light entered the compass. Everyone heard a buzzing sound as the compass flew out automatically, first hovering above Lucy Lin's head.
Immediately, the compass emitted a bronze light that enveloped Lucy Lin, and then the words "Fire, Water" lit up on the compass.
The Upper Immortal said slowly, "Mid-grade Fire Spiritual Root, low-grade Water Spiritual Root, excellent aptitude, eligible to join Top Xuan Sect and pursue the path to immortality."
Lucy Lin quickly knelt down, "Thank you, Upper Immortal, for granting me Immortal Fate!"
The Upper Immortal said, "Those who are permitted to join Top Xuan Sect may come behind me and wait to board the flying boat."
Lucy Lin, holding her black iron sword and wearing a proud expression, stood behind the Upper Immortal.
Proofreader & Editor: Peter Pan
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