Chapter 55: Spiritual Root (1)

Three days passed quickly, and during these days, countless carriages arrived at the estate. Since there weren’t enough guest rooms, Lin Yang’s father reserved all the inns in the surrounding area. Lin Yang was also forced to acknowledge many relatives these days.

As soon as these relatives learned that Lin Yang was an immortal, their enthusiasm was ignited; almost every moment someone sought him out for conversation or nostalgia. People were constantly looking for Lin Yang, and his door had been knocked on countless times.

Moreover, the words of every group were almost identical. Nearly every relative claimed to have held Lin Yang when he was a child, and they tried to force topics to discuss. Some even asserted he was betrothed to their child from infancy.

Lin Yang was endlessly annoyed. In the end, there was nothing he could do except vanish and avoid everyone. When they couldn’t find Lin Yang, they turned their attention to Lin Youcai. Whether it was his imposing presence or something else, Lin Youcai managed to dismiss them all with a single sentence—truly, age brings wisdom.

On this particular morning, the entrance to the Ningyang estate was crowded with carriages and relatives arriving on foot. Almost every man brought several children, the number approaching two hundred. Somehow, information had circulated, and even more children appeared.

Lin Youcai had no choice but to have all the children tested for spiritual roots. At this moment, he instructed the servants to gather all the children in the martial training yard, which was usually reserved for the guards’ practice. It was spacious and well suited for the purpose.

Lin Yang and Lin Youcai watched as dozens of servants maintained order, while parents waited anxiously outside the yard. Lin Yang, somewhat speechless, turned to Lin Youcai.

“Is this really necessary? Some of these children aren’t even from the Lin family, and some of these relatives are completely unrelated,” Lin Yang couldn’t understand Lin Youcai’s reasoning.

“I didn’t expect this either, but as long as they bear the Lin name, they’re family. If we want our clan to prosper in the world of cultivation, we need people raised within the family from childhood. Otherwise, trustworthy people are few and far between,” Lin Youcai was pragmatic about kinship, believing that family members were easier to trust.

“Suit yourself,” Lin Yang replied. He knew the dangers of human nature and that character wasn’t determined by kinship or friendship; it was cultivated from childhood and had nothing to do with blood relations. Lin Yang simply believed in employing those with good character and would never tolerate those without.

Still, Lin Yang thought that among the hundred or so children, perhaps only one or two would have spiritual roots. It wouldn’t take long, and if any were found, he could send them to Huangfeng Valley. With his authority, slipping in a couple of servants would be no trouble.

Just as preparations for the testing began, a guard strode in.

“Master,” the guard greeted. He was muscular, with a patch of chest hair and arms as thick as thighs, his body covered in scars—a man hardened by martial training.

“Oh, Brother Niu,” Lin Yang recognized him; he remembered this guard had once saved his father’s life. He was a peak postnatal martial artist, honest and unambitious, preferring to practice quietly at home, making him the strongest guard in the Lin estate. Lin Youcai had paid a great price to keep him, and he had saved Lin Youcai’s life several times. If not for Lin Youcai’s kindness, Niu would never have stayed.

“I heard that the Eighth Young Master is an immortal cultivator. I hope you can test my child for spiritual affinity. I once saved the master’s life, and now I hope he will grant this favor,” the burly man bowed his head, which was still higher than Lin Yang even as he lowered it.

He was a martial artist, knowing the difference between martial practitioners and cultivators. He earnestly hoped his child could become an immortal. He knew that, even as a master, he could never defeat a cultivator, nor attain immortality.

“All right, Uncle Niu, bring your child here,” Lin Yang agreed readily; those with spiritual roots were exceedingly rare, and it was no trouble for him.

“Thank you, Young Master, thank you!” Niu hurried to his child, who stood outside the training yard. Though young-faced, he was nearly six feet tall, broad-shouldered, and his muscular build could easily overwhelm Lin Yang. Clearly, he trained under his father.

Niu rushed over, grabbed his child, and carried him to Lin Yang. “Young Master, I’m back.”

“Have your son go to the end of the line,” Lin Yang instructed, bemused by Niu’s boisterous manner.

Despite his imposing physique, Niu’s son looked honest and good-natured.

“Yes,” Niu replied, then told his son, “Go line up at the back.”

“All right, Dad,” the little giant replied enthusiastically, his eyes shining as if immortality were within reach. He hurried to the end of the line, startling many children with his stride.

After a while, the crowd was sorted. Lin Yang and Mo Yang divided the children into two rows, each taking responsibility for one. The testing began.

“You, come here,” Lin Yang said to a child barely four or five years old, whom he didn’t recognize.

The child nervously stepped forward, frightened by strangers. Lin Yang took his hand and placed it on the testing stone. After several breaths, nothing happened.

“You can go,” Lin Yang handed the child to a servant, who led him outside to his father. The child was still cheerful, though his father wasn’t.

“All right, next,” Lin Yang called to a girl in silk and satin, her every movement showing the poise of a noble family—clearly an official’s daughter.

“Yes, Immortal,” the girl replied, placing her hand on the testing stone. After several breaths, still nothing happened.

Unable to endure the disappointment, she began to cry softly, appearing pitiful. Lin Yang had no choice but to let the servant take her away.

“Next, hurry up,” Lin Yang called the next child, who looked just like Lin Bei—chubby, and seeing Lin Bei’s anxious figure outside, Lin Yang knew this was his seventh brother’s child.

“My dear nephew, what’s your name?” Lin Yang crouched down and patted the little chubby’s head.

The child answered warmly, his voice gentle and endearing. Lin Yang couldn’t resist pinching his soft cheeks.

“All right, come here.”...