Water Dragon Sect Selection

The Water Dragon Sect's once-every-three-years selection was undoubtedly the biggest event in all of Cloud-Rain Marsh.

It was far more important than the New Year. After all, the New Year came once a year, while this selection came only once every three years.

And for quite a few fishermen, today was the moment that would determine their futures.

Because the Water Dragon Sect selection was not only for choosing Late Qi Refining cultivators to join—it also included something crucial... Spiritual Root testing.

The Water Dragon Sect would conduct free Spiritual Root tests for every child in Cloud-Rain Marsh who had reached the age of six.

Ji Yuan had experienced that moment himself back then.

The good news was that he had a Spiritual Root. The bad news was that it was a Four-Spirit Root.

After he finished packing up at home, Lin Hu and his wife from next door were already waiting for him, while the Wen Household had set off long ago.

"Brother Ji, come on. Let's go too."

Lin Hu said excitedly.

Though today's affair had little to do with him, having such a spectacle to watch was still wonderful.

"Alright."

If Lin Hu went by himself, he would most likely have to make do with his little awning boat. But with Ji Yuan there, the Black Wind Boat could easily carry three people.

"Brother Ji, this is a Mid-Grade Spirit Vessel now, isn't it?"

Feeling the Black Wind Boat's speed, Lin Hu could not help asking.

He remembered that Ji Yuan's Spirit Vessel had previously been white, but after Ji Yuan disappeared for several days, it had turned black.

"Mm."

The aura Ji Yuan inadvertently revealed also confirmed it.

Sitting at the very back, Wu Qin looked up at that straight, upright figure. Sometimes, she could not help imagining: if the one who had married her were Ji Yuan... would her life have been different?

Perhaps she would not have needed to go out fishing every day, carrying the stench of fish wherever she went.

Zengtou City's Water Dragon Sect selection was being held on the large stretch of open ground beside the shore's Fish Pen. In all of Zengtou City, only this place could accommodate so many people.

By the time Ji Yuan arrived, the place had long been surrounded by fishermen three layers deep inside and three layers deep outside.

"Damn it, they were waiting here since last night. Bunch of bastards."

After disembarking, Lin Hu cursed irritably.

Ji Yuan put away the Spirit Vessel and walked forward on his own. Lin Hu wisely chose not to follow him any farther.

Noisy discussions drifted into his ears. Ji Yuan slowed his pace slightly, picking out useful information from them.

"I heard Han Feiyu has returned from Cloud-Rain Marsh too. He failed the last selection, but three years have passed now. He ought to make it this time, right?"

"He's already at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining. It's practically certain. Dong Qian has also returned from Quiet Peace Ward. This time, it seems she plans to join the Water Dragon Sect as a cultivator from our Zengtou City."

"She's definitely got no problem... I wonder whether Old Master Qin will try again this year."

"How could the old man? He's already so old. But I heard from my neighbor, who works as a steward for the Qin Household, that Second Master Qin might join this year."

"By the way, that kid of yours looks pretty gifted to me. Maybe he'll turn out to have an Earth Spirit Root!"

"..."

Han Feiyu was someone who seemed to exist only in Ji Yuan's memories. After all, Ji Yuan had grown up listening to this man's stories.

Stories such as how his parents had died at the hands of their enemies, and how he alone had fled into Cloud-Rain Marsh.

Everyone in Zengtou City thought he was dead. Yet ten years later, he returned at the Middle Qi Refining Stage and avenged his parents.

After that, he had acted chivalrously throughout Zengtou City. No matter who came to him with difficulties, he would help them to some extent.

He had already been at Late Qi Refining ten years ago. Three years ago, he tried to join the Water Dragon Sect, but because he could not defeat a Late First Tier Demon Beast, he ultimately conceded.

Dong Qian was likewise a Late Qi Refining cultivator, but she had married into neighboring Quiet Peace Ward. When she married over, she had only been at Early Qi Refining. Yet in less than ten short years, she had already reached Late Qi Refining.

It was said that she had even personally killed a Late Qi Refining cultivator from Jingde Ward... Rumor had it that she had received the inheritance of some secret treasure.

Old Master Qin was the head of the Qin Household and could be considered one of Zengtou City's senior old-timers.

It was said that his cultivation had reached Peak Qi Refining, but his eyes had been injured in his early years and he could not see things clearly. That was why he had never joined the Water Dragon Sect.

Second Master Qin was named Qin Long, Old Master Qin's second son. His cultivation had also reached Late Qi Refining.

"The Qin Household..."

Ji Yuan muttered inwardly. The Qin Household had more Late Qi Refining cultivators than just Old Master Qin and Qin Long, father and son. There was also an adopted son whom Old Master Qin had taken in years ago... Few knew his real name. They only knew his surname was He, and the people of Zengtou City called him Third Master He.

"Three Late Qi Refining cultivators. Even if Qiu Qianhai and I both reach Late Qi Refining by then, killing them will still be somewhat difficult. Best to wait until I reach Peak Qi Refining, then make my move before joining the Water Dragon Sect and settle this grudge once and for all."

Ji Yuan was already laying out the road ahead for himself in his heart.

There was no question about joining the Water Dragon Sect. Without joining such a major power, he would not even be able to obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill.

After joining... naturally, he would become an idle cultivator and peacefully farm the land.

It was said that after joining the Water Dragon Sect and reaching the Foundation Establishment Realm, one could open up an island of one's own.

That was what truly moved him.

As Ji Yuan pondered, he also found himself a spot nearby.

The center of the open ground had been cordoned off and divided into several areas.

Many children were already lining up in the Spiritual Root testing area. Cultivators were also waiting in the pill, artifact, and Talisman areas, quietly awaiting the start.

Ji Yuan glanced several more times toward the Talisman area, but did not see Lu Wan.

She had most likely not arrived yet.

As for those joining the Water Dragon Sect through strength, their testing site was set within Cloud-Rain Marsh, where dedicated Foundation Establishment Cultivators were in charge.

Ji Yuan had arrived rather late to begin with, and after waiting only the time it took to drink a cup of tea—

A grand, resounding voice echoed from the depths of Cloud-Rain Marsh.

"The Water Dragon Sect selection officially begins!"

Zengtou City, which had been incomparably noisy moments before, was instantly drowned out by that voice and fell silent.

Ji Yuan suddenly recalled something he had heard. Supposedly, every Water Dragon Sect selection was overseen by a Golden Core True Person.

Golden Core... one could live for several hundred years, refine a Life-bound Dharma Treasure, and ride Golden Core escape light.

For a moment, Ji Yuan's heart was filled with boundless reverie.

A wave of astonishment rose from all around, followed by loud cries. "Greetings, Senior!"

Ji Yuan looked up as well. At some unknown point, a middle-aged female cultivator had appeared in the sky above, seated cross-legged on a lotus leaf Dharma Treasure. She wore a dark green Dharma robe, her hair simply pinned up with a wooden hairpin. Her attire was extremely plain, yet she gave off an aura of authority.

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator... Every Water Dragon Sect selection had a Foundation Establishment Cultivator stationed here to hold the field.

"Just continue."

The green-robed female cultivator spoke indifferently, then ignored them.

Meanwhile, a Water Dragon Sect cultivator rose from the ground aboard a Flying Boat and said in a deep voice, "All Late Qi Refining cultivators participating in the selection, follow me."

With that, he steered the Flying Boat straight toward Cloud-Rain Marsh.

Several Flying Boats rose from the crowd as well, following after him.

Ji Yuan, already at the Sixth Layer of Qi Refining, had sharp eyes. With a single sweep of his gaze, he took all of their identities in.

Han Feiyu, Dong Qian, and Qin Long had indeed all gone. In addition, there were two others: one was Zengtou City's artifact refiner, Zhu Longhu, and the other was a middle-aged man with graying temples... Ji Yuan did not recognize him.

He was definitely not one of Zengtou City's established cultivators. He was likely someone who had only broken through to Late Qi Refining within these past three years.

But to participate in the selection immediately after breaking through to Late Qi Refining was perhaps a little too hasty.

Still, it had nothing to do with Ji Yuan. This time, he was merely a spectator, quietly watching the show from here.

At last, he turned toward the Spiritual Root testing area and happened to hear the Water Dragon Sect cultivator call out expressionlessly:

"Zhang Tie. Metal, earth, water, and fire Four-Spirit Root. Rejected."