Qi Condensation Family, Li Qingyuan!

Cloud Mist Town, Li Immortal Clan.

Though called an Immortal Clan, it was in truth merely a small Third-rate Qi Condensation Family.

Yet even a Third-rate Qi Condensation Family remained a lofty, awe-inspiring Cultivation Family beyond the reach of ordinary mortals.

"Seven and a half years!"

Before the gate of a small courtyard stood a seven-year-old child in a green robe. His long hair was tied up, his little face delicate and adorable, and his eyes shone brightly.

Li Qingyuan's little face was full of anticipation, yet beneath it lay equal parts nervousness and unease.

"I'm seven this year. At last, I've reached the age for the family's annual spirit root test."

"Will I have a spirit root?"

Li Qingyuan both hoped and feared. He worried, "What if I don't have a spirit root?"

After transmigrating for seven and a half years, Li Qingyuan had long understood that he had come to a world where one could cultivate immortality, and had even been born into a Qi Condensation Family.

Even if this Qi Condensation Family was only third-rate, as long as he possessed a spirit root, he would certainly receive the family's training and embark directly upon the path of cultivation.

Though his starting point was low, he already had one foot in the door of immortal destiny.

Among mortals, there were occasionally those with spirit roots, but without immortal destiny, they wasted away their entire lives and could not cultivate even until they died of old age.

Now, Li Qingyuan lacked only the key to unlocking his immortal destiny—his spirit root.

"In this life, Father has a Five-Element Spirit Root, while Mother is a mortal. My chances of having a spirit root are greater than those of ordinary mortals."

Li Qingyuan took a deep breath and said, "Even if it's only a Five-Element Spirit Root, the lowest-grade Mixed Spirit Root, it's still a spirit root."

"As long as I have a spirit root, I can cultivate."

"Yawn~" Father Li Dingzhou, looking utterly lazy, slowly entered the small courtyard. Stretching, he said, "Yuan'er, you're up so early today?"

Seeing the anticipation and unease on his son's delicate little face, Li Dingzhou laughed freely. "Seeing that expression on you, kid, reminds me of how I looked when I had my spirit root tested back then."

"What, nervous?"

Li Qingyuan: "..."

At this moment, Mother Chen Xiuyun also came out the door. She gave her husband a smack and said irritably, "Yuan'er is nervous enough already, and you're still teasing him?"

"What kind of father are you?"

Chen Xiuyun said, "Hurry along. Today is the family's annual spirit root testing day."

Every year, the Li Clan tested its children for spirit roots, with the age requirement being seven and above.

Why was it only held once a year? Because testing spirit roots required a special magical artifact, and keeping it running consumed quite a few Spirit Stones. Thus, it was held annually.

Half a year ago, Li Qingyuan had already turned seven.

Now, at seven and a half, it was his turn to be tested for spirit roots.

Li Dingzhou nodded. "Let's go, Yuan'er."

Li Qingyuan hurried after him, not forgetting to wave goodbye. "Mother, we're leaving."

Chen Xiuyun watched the father and son depart. Pressing her palms together, she murmured softly, "Ancestors above, bless my Yuan'er with a spirit root, so that he may smoothly become an Immortal Master."

The Li Immortal Clan had a population of three thousand and controlled the thirty-li area surrounding Cloud Mist Town. The number of cultivators within the clan who possessed spirit roots remained at around sixty year-round.

Cloud Mist Town had tens of thousands of mortals. They were dependents of the Li Immortal Clan, sheltered by the Li Immortal Clan and serving it in return.

The Li Immortal Clan resided at the heart of Cloud Mist Town—Cloud Mist Mountain.

Cloud Mist Mountain possessed a defective first-grade spirit vein. Though incomplete, it was the foundation upon which the Li Immortal Clan had taken root, the foundation of the family itself.

By the time the father and son, Li Dingzhou and Li Qingyuan, arrived outside the hall where the family tested spirit roots, the surrounding area was already packed with people.

Li Dingzhou swept his gaze around and said, "It seems there are at least fifty or sixty seven-year-olds being tested for spirit roots this year."

Every year on this day, any child of the Li Clan bloodline who had reached the proper age would be accompanied by a parent for a spirit root test.

"Brother Dingzhou!" A middle-aged man hurried over, with a seven-year-old girl following behind him.

Li Dingzhou smiled. "You're here too, little brother."

Li Qingyuan greeted him, "Uncle Dingyuan."

"Sister Qingqing."

Li Dingyuan was a Qi Condensation Third Layer cultivator with a Five-Element Spirit Root. He had the same spirit root and cultivation as Father Li Dingzhou, and the two families had always been close.

Seven-year-old Li Qingqing was fair and lovely, with two pigtails braided like lamb's tails. In a crisp voice, she said, "Hello, Uncle Dingzhou. Hello, Brother Qingyuan."

Li Dingyuan looked around and said, "Brother Dingzhou, according to past practice, there should be around three to five children with spirit roots this year."

"Sigh, I wonder whether Qingqing and Qingyuan will be among those three to five?"

Li Dingzhou had no confidence either.

Though the Li Immortal Clan was a Cultivation Family with bloodlines superior to those of mortals, and the number of cultivators among its total population of three thousand remained at around sixty year-round—

The proportion of people who possessed spirit roots was still extremely low.

Li Qingyuan had no confidence either.

After all, his grandfather—his father's father—had not possessed a spirit root.

In their branch of the family, aside from his father, the previous person to possess a spirit root had been his father's grandfather.

There was almost one generation between each person with a spirit root.

And every generation had several siblings, sometimes even over a dozen people.

From this, it was clear that even within the Li Immortal Clan, those with spirit roots were still exceedingly rare.

Among ordinary mortals, they were one in ten thousand.

Soon, the hall doors opened, and a family elder announced, "The spirit root test begins!"

"Children whose names are called may enter the hall with one elder to undergo the spirit root test."

"First, Li Qinghao, enter the hall!"

"Next, Li Qingyu, prepare!"

Li Qingyuan was slightly stunned. He knew both Li Qinghao and Li Qingyu.

Each of their families had a Qi Condensation Fourth Layer cultivator.

It seemed the order of the spirit root tests was also ranked according to the strength of one's family!

Very soon, Li Qinghao walked out of the hall looking utterly lost. His father also wore a helpless expression, deeply disappointed as he sighed again and again.

Before long, Li Qingyu and his father emerged as well, both looking disappointed.

After more than ten consecutive failures, a Little Fatty ran out at top speed, laughing happily. "Hahaha, I have a spirit root! I have a spirit root!"

The Little Fatty's father was beaming as well, while people all around stepped forward continuously to offer congratulations.

Even Li Dingzhou and Li Dingyuan went up to congratulate this fellow clansman.

"Next, Li Qingyuan, enter the hall!"

"Li Qingqing, prepare!"

Li Dingzhou patted Li Qingyuan and said, "Go on, son."

Father and son entered the hall.

The doors of the great hall closed automatically, shutting out the outside world.

Li Dingzhou cupped his hands in salute and said politely, "Two Elders, I'll have to trouble you."

The two elders were both Qi Condensation Fifth Layer cultivators, around sixty years old.

One elder said, "Everything is for the family."

"You're Xiao Qingyuan, right? Step forward, cut your finger, and drip blood for the test."

A seven-year-old child had yet to cultivate spiritual power of their own attribute. It was impossible for them to simply touch the magical artifact used to test spirit roots with their palm and directly determine their spirit root attributes.

The Li Immortal Clan was merely a third-rate Immortal Clan with scarce resources. Its strongest cultivator was only the Clan Leader at the Qi Condensation Sixth Layer.

Naturally, the family's spirit root testing artifact was not particularly advanced.

Li Qingyuan was not afraid. He picked up a dagger, lightly pricked his fingertip, and dripped blood into the artifact's blood groove.

After dripping his blood, Li Qingyuan took a deep breath and stared fixedly at the spirit root testing artifact.

At the same time, Li Dingzhou held his breath and silently prayed, Ancestors, bless my son with a spirit root, so he may continue the family's inheritance.

Li Dingzhou's anticipation, anxiety, and unease were no less than his son's.

Buzz! Buzz!

Suddenly, the artifact before Li Qingyuan began to hum, lighting up with ray after ray of light.

Li Qingyuan rejoiced. "It reacted, haha."

"I have a spirit root! I have a spirit root!"

Buzz! Buzz! Buzz!

The artifact lit up with one, two, three rays of light.

Azure light, the wood attribute.

Crimson light, the fire attribute.

Yellow light, the earth attribute.

Li Dingzhou's breathing quickened as he said in disbelief, "Wood, fire, earth—Three-Element Spirit Root."

"Hahaha, my son is actually a Three-Element Spirit Root!"

"It's a Three-Element Spirit Root, a Three-Element Spirit Root..." Overwhelmed with joy, Li Dingzhou burst into tears, his eyes brimming with hot tears.