I Can See Through All Things' Information Chapter 1453 - 870: The World Remains, but Its People Have Changed (Part 2)

Her diligent cultivation over the years was evident.

Upon seeing this, Lu Qing chose not to disturb her and departed quietly.

A sense of relief washed over Lu Qing after his journey, seeing that his old friends were faring well.

He decided to remain in the village thereafter, foregoing any further excursions.

Regrettably, this absence stretched for decades before his eventual return.

Within the village, merely a handful of familiar faces remained.

The older generation had all, without exception, passed on.

The aunts and uncles who had watched him grow from childhood were no longer present.

Only a select few villagers, who had shown a touch of cultivation talent during the initial screening, were still alive.

However, their limited talent meant none had achieved significant cultivation levels. Despite the life-extending and health-preserving elixirs Lu Qing had bestowed upon them, they ultimately succumbed to the relentless passage of time, appearing quite frail.

One morning, a visitor sought out Lu Qing.

The individual was the current village chief of Jiuli Village, a man named Zhou Mingde.

Zhou Mingde was himself one of the first group of children identified as having cultivation potential; he was a mere seven or eight years old then, a small and skinny boy who shyly observed Lu Qing from within the throng.

Now, decades later, that boy had transformed into an old man with streaks of grey at his temples.

"Zhou Mingde pays his respects to the Ancestor."

Upon entering, Zhou Mingde bowed respectfully, addressing Lu Qing with the title of "Ancestor."

The title gave Lu Qing a moment's pause, followed by a wry smile.

Being called "Ancestor" invariably made him feel ancient.

Indeed, by sheer age, he was centuries old, certainly an ancestor-like figure in the eyes of mortals.

Yet, in his heart, he felt an everlasting youthfulness.

"Rise, there's no need for such formalities," Lu Qing said, making a slight gesture with his hand. "Zhou... Mingde, you’ve come to see me; is there a particular reason?"

Zhou Mingde straightened his posture, his gaze fixed upon Lu Qing’s perpetually youthful countenance with heightened reverence.

He distinctly recalled that Lu Qing had looked precisely the same when he was a child.

All these years had elapsed, yet his appearance remained unaltered.

Little Yan, the Ancestor too, retained the visage of a girl around fifteen or sixteen, as if time held no sway over her.

Conversely, he himself, once that lean child, was now wizened and wrinkled, with but a few years likely remaining.

Such was the disparity between deities and mortals.

Zhou Mingde sighed inwardly, suppressing any outward display, and replied respectfully, "Replying to the Ancestor, tomorrow marks the decennial occasion to test the cultivation talent of newly born children in the village. Mingde humbly wishes to invite the Ancestor to preside over the ceremony."

"Talent test?" Lu Qing appeared slightly surprised.

He remembered that he had indeed instituted this very rule before his departure long ago.

Every ten years, the village would conduct an assessment of newborns for cultivation potential.

Should any demonstrate promising talent, they would be instructed in a Cultivation Technique and mentored by village elders possessing advanced cultivation.

The objective was to ensure the perpetuation of Jiuli Village’s legacy and to offer more children the opportunity to commence their cultivation journey.

He had, it seemed, forgotten that this test was scheduled to coincide with his return.

"Very well," Lu Qing nodded. "I shall attend tomorrow."

Zhou Mingde's face lit up with joy at this confirmation, and he hastily offered another bow. "Thank you, Ancestor! Thank you, Ancestor!"

Lu Qing gestured again, signalling that elaborate formalities were unnecessary.

After a few more exchanges of pleasantries, Zhou Mingde respectfully took his leave.

Early the following day, Lu Qing made preparations to proceed to the ancestral hall.

Upon hearing of this, Little Yan and Little Li also decided to accompany him out of curiosity.

"Brother, I wish to observe as well," Little Yan said with a smile. "It has been such a long time since I’ve seen young children like that."

Little Li remained silent, merely hopping onto Lu Qing’s shoulder.

Lu Qing smiled, not refusing their company, and set out with them.

Situated at the heart of the village, the ancestral hall was a structure of considerable age, adorned with blue bricks and dark tiles, featuring gracefully upturned eaves and intricately carved beams, exuding an aura of dignified solemnity.

A considerable gathering had already assembled at the entrance of the ancestral hall.

Men, women, elders, and children were packed together densely, numbering close to a thousand souls.

These were all the inhabitants of Jiuli Village, spanning various ages and genders, all filled with eager anticipation for Lu Qing's arrival.

As Lu Qing, accompanied by Little Yan and Little Li, appeared at the hall's entrance, a stir rippled through the assembled crowd.

"He has arrived! The Ancestor is here!"

"It truly is the Ancestor! I saw him once when I was a child, and he looked exactly the same then as he does now!"

"Beside the Ancestor must be Little Yan Ancestor, surely? I heard she too is counted among the immortals, having lived for centuries!"

"And that little beast, is that the Ancestor’s Spiritual Pet? How magnificent it appears!"

The crowd hummed with hushed discussions, their eyes reflecting a mixture of awe and deep curiosity.

Lu Qing paid no heed to their gazes, leading Little Yan and Little Li directly into the ancestral hall.

Within the hall lay a spacious courtyard.

Dominating the central area was an enormous Jade Tablet. Its surface, a pristine white and as tall as one zhang and three chi wide, gleamed smoothly like a mirror, with a gentle spirit light subtly pulsing within. This was the very Jade Tablet that Lu Qing had personally forged during his nascent cultivation stages, intended for assessing one's aptitude for cultivation.

The sight of this Jade Tablet brought a wave of reminiscence over Lu Qing. He recalled the time of its creation, back when he was a mere youth just embarking on his cultivation journey. Grandpa Zhang was still present, Brother Dashishi was still around, and the village elders were all still there. They had once gathered around this very Jade Tablet, their faces alight with curiosity as they examined it and engaged in lively discussions.

Grandpa Zhang had stood beside him, a look of deep satisfaction in his eyes as he watched Lu Qing arrange the intricate Array. Brother Dashishi, his hand clasped tightly around Lu Qing’s, had been brimming with excitement, peppering him with questions and eager to have everyone in the village tested without delay. Those moments felt as though they had occurred only yesterday.

Yet, time had marched on. The Jade Tablet remained, a silent sentinel, but those cherished figures had long since departed. Grandpa Zhang had passed away, Brother Dashishi had followed, and all the village elders had also succumbed to the passage of time. Only the Jade Tablet endured, standing quietly in the courtyard, a testament to the ebb and flow of time and the countless lives that had flourished and faded.

Transformations are inevitable. A subtle wave of melancholy washed over Lu Qing. However, as a cultivator of the Unity Realm Stage, his heart had been forged into an unyielding bastion. This fleeting sentiment was quickly subdued and cast aside.

"Let us commence," Lu Qing declared, his thoughts resettled, his voice carrying a neutral tone.

Zhou Mingde promptly acknowledged with a nod. He then turned towards the cluster of children waiting nervously in a corner of the courtyard and called out, "Come forward, line up, one by one."

At the summons, the children moved forward with a palpable sense of apprehension. There were over thirty in total, with the eldest being around eight or nine years of age and the youngest merely two or three. Dressed in new attire and with their hair neatly combed, it was evident their families had prepared them meticulously. However, in the presence of Lu Qing, the revered figure known as 'Ancestor,' and surrounded by so many adults, the children appeared shy and subdued, their gazes fixed on the ground. Some of the very young ones even sought refuge behind their older companions, casting curious glances at Lu Qing from their hiding spots.

Lu Qing observed the children, a gentle smile gracing his lips. He was reminded of his own initial experience testing Zhou Mingde and the others, who had likely exhibited a similar degree of timidity.

"Who shall be the first?" Lu Qing inquired.

The children exchanged uncertain glances, none daring to step forward. Just as Zhou Mingde was about to offer encouragement, a spirited boy, perhaps seven or eight years old, broke from the ranks. The boy, possessing a robust appearance with resolute brows and large, expressive eyes, despite his nervousness, gathered his courage. He approached Lu Qing and, mimicking the adults, offered a respectful salute.

"Ancestor, I shall go first!" the boy proclaimed, his voice immature yet unwavering.

A flicker of approval appeared in Lu Qing's eyes. This child possessed courage.

"What is your name?" Lu Qing asked.

"Responding to Ancestor, my name is Zhou Hu!" the boy replied with conviction.

Lu Qing nodded and gestured towards the Jade Tablet. "Place your hand upon it, close your eyes, and clear your mind."

Zhou Hu acknowledged the instruction, approached the Jade Tablet, took a deep breath, and placed his hand upon its surface. Instantly, the Jade Tablet began to radiate. A soft luminescence emanated from within, enveloping Zhou Hu completely. The light initially pulsed with a white hue, gradually transitioning to a vibrant red, and finally settled into a gentle, pale gold.

"Golden talent?" Lu Qing murmured, a touch of surprise coloring his reaction to the sight.