The Ten Years Have Arrived

"Senior Gu, Yang Lingshu is willing."

"Good!"

Elder Gu looked up toward the horizon: "Senior Brother Mo, he has agreed. You may take him away."

Whoosh-

As Elder Gu spoke, a mist of clouds enveloped Yang Lingshu's body.

Then, under the envious gazes of all present, he drifted slowly into the mountains.

"As expected of the Young Master."

Lü Fangxuan murmured to himself before stepping onto the Dao-Seeking Platform.

He placed his hand upon the treasure orb, and a cyan light flared to life. Its intensity was only a shade less vibrant than that of Pan Qi.

"Third-grade, upper quality. Eligible for the inner sect. Not bad."

Elder Gu stroked his beard and asked, "What is your name?"

"Reporting to Senior, my name is Lü Fangxuan. I am Young Master Lingshu's accompanying cultivator."

"An accompanying cultivator?"

Elder Gu felt a flicker of surprise. A small Qi Gathering family had actually assigned a dedicated attendant to one of their disciples.

This was a level of foresight many minor noble houses had never even considered.

It seemed the head of this Songshan Yang Family possessed broad vision, deep planning, and no small amount of ambition.

"Yes. Since I first began to cultivate, I have remained at Young Master Lingshu's side."

"I see. As you are an accompanying cultivator, I shall notify the sect to arrange your quarters beneath Elder Mo's peak, so you are closer should Yang Lingshu need to summon you."

Elder Gu added, "However, that location is not near the inner sect's Upper Green Peak. You will have to travel a considerable distance daily for your training."

Lü Fangxuan's face brightened with joy: "Many thanks, Senior Gu. As long as it is convenient for the Young Master, I do not mind the extra walking."

Because his spiritual affinity leaned toward earth, a senior sister in yellow robes led him behind the platform.

After Lü Fangxuan, the remaining hundred or so children below the Dao-Seeking Platform took their turns in order.

At the same time the Myriad Transformations Sect was holding its recruitment, another test was being conducted beneath a cliff under the jurisdiction of Wangyue.

This month marked exactly ten years and eleven months since Zhao Qi and Wu Tong had first ascended the mountain.

The commoners on both banks of the river, following their hard labor that year, were finally awaiting their own harvest today.

"Patriarch, this is the roster for this year's aptitude test. There are twenty-four direct disciples from the Songshan main family, two hundred and twelve disciples from the various branch clans, and three hundred and sixty adopted children from the South Bank. All identities have been verified, totaling five hundred and ninety-six children."

Zhao Qi reported and handed the ledger to Yang Lingqing.

The ten-year mark had arrived. The number of children reaching the age of ten in the Songshan region had seen explosive growth.

In previous years, there were at most a few dozen or a hundred, but this year the count had jumped to nearly six hundred.

"It has felt both long and short, yet we have finally reached this day."

Yang Lingqing closed the ledger and turned to Wu Tong: "Sister-in-law, I must trouble you to go down the mountain as well this time."

"Patriarch, you are too kind. It is only my duty," Wu Tong replied.

As the first generation of non-surname cultivators within the Yang Family, their presence held great significance for the commoners below.

On a day like this, the two of them descending the mountain together would further cement the Yang Family's authority in the hearts of the people.

"I want to go too!"

As the three discussed the matter in the courtyard, a small head poked out from the doorway.

Yang Yuanhong had heard of today's event from Immortal Zhao the previous day, so he had risen at dawn to meditate, determined not to miss the proceedings.

Seeing Yang Lingqing's gaze shift toward him, Yang Yuanhong instinctively shrank back and muttered, "I finished my meditation time, I swear. I didn't cut any corners."

Yang Lingqing glanced at Wu Tong; seeing the latter nod, she agreed.

"Understand this: once we descend, you will sit by my side. No loud talking, no wandering off. If you disobey, you will be confined for a year."

"Yuanhong understands! I promise to behave!"

When the time came, the three of them, accompanied by Yang Yuanhong, descended the cliff.

In the back courtyard of the Yang estate, the clan soldiers stood in three orderly formations.

Yang Feiyun, Yang Tieli, and the middle and high-level leaders of the Yang Family were all present.

On the south side of the courtyard, dozens of children stood in dense, solemn ranks, awaiting the arrival of the immortals.

Before them stood a high platform with three red chairs arranged upon it.

Shua-

Everyone felt their vision flicker, and suddenly the three chairs were occupied.

"Greetings, Patriarch! Greetings, Immortals!"

Led by Yang Feiyun, the crowd prostrated themselves. The chant rose in waves, echoing until it faded far beyond the main gate.

"Rise."

Yang Lingqing cradled Yang Yuanhong in one arm while waving the other.

As the children stood, they watched in awe as the earth itself seemed to stir. Soil surged toward the high platform, molding itself into a grand staircase within a few breaths.

Zhao Qi then cast a technique, scattering golden light that adorned the steps, causing them to shimmer with radiance.

To the young children, such immortal methods appeared as divine miracles, and their eyes shone with fervor.

"Father, call them up in order according to the roster."

Yang Feiyun bowed and began to read the names.

The twenty-four children of the Yang Family, having reached the required age, were at the front of the line, stepping onto the golden staircase to be tested.

Yang Lingqing held great hope for this generation. Among the third generation of the main family, only Yang Yuanhong was confirmed to possess aptitude.

Preparing for the worst, if the 'Ling' generation were to suffer some calamity, the main family needed at least one more practitioner to uphold the clan's future.

"Step down."

"Step down."

...

The children ascended with high hopes, only to walk down one after another in disappointment.

Twenty had passed, and not one possessed the cultivation aptitude.

Yang Yuanhong, seated on Yang Lingqing's lap, sensed the slight change in his aunt's heartbeat.

"Aunt, do not worry. There will be one."

He pretended to be restless, standing up to lean close to her ear and whisper his comfort.

The corners of Yang Lingqing's mouth lifted, and she gently patted his head.

After three more children were tested, Yang Feiyun called the name of the final child from the main family.

"Number twenty-four, Yang Liu."

"Present!"

Following a young, clear response, a delicate little girl stepped onto the platform.

She was of the same lineage as Yang Lingrui; according to the family records, Yang Lingrui was her maternal uncle.

"Disciple Yang Liu greets the Patriarch."

"Mm. Hold out your hand."

Yang Lingqing reached out, and as her awareness probed the girl, she broke into a radiant smile.

"Well done. Go stand behind Immortal Wu."

Yang Liu was overcome with joy and quickly kowtowed: "Many thanks, Patriarch!"

It was exactly as Yang Yuanhong had said. Among the twenty-four, one child with complete Qi Channels had been found.

Yang Lingqing estimated that Yang Liu's aptitude was superior to Zhao Qi's but below Yang Lingshu's-a moderate talent.

However, with the support of the family's Immortal Venerable, such aptitude was sufficient.

"Continue."

Yang Lingqing called out softly, and the turn of the branch family disciples began.

Due to the sheer number of children, they began having three ascend at once, with Wu Tong and Zhao Qi each monitoring a line.

The final result was somewhat startling: among the two hundred and twelve branch family children, not a single one possessed complete Qi Channels.

Yet, Yang Lingqing had long expected this.

After all, the probability of mortals without cultivation bloodlines giving birth to gifted children was incredibly low.

Fortunately, there were still three hundred and sixty adopted children from the South Bank. There remained hope for new non-surname cultivators today.

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