Immortality begin with Alchemy Grandmaster Chapter 2791 - 1033: Emissaries from the Daoist Palace, the Name Luo Chen (Part 2)

He was unaware of when his younger sister had come to stand by his side, her expression a mixture of tension and eager anticipation.

"Brother." Zhou Fuqiu looked at him, her eyes brimming with encouragement.

Preparations were complete, yet the Spirit Root testing had yet to commence. Amid the palpable anxiety of the gathered youths, beams of 'Liuguang' descended from the clan's central area.

Leading them were three prominent figures: the Family Head, Zhou Junxiao; Elder Zhou Xiaocheng; and the recently appointed Elder Zhou Haiye!

The presence of these three Great Golden Core Ascendant Masters instantly imposed an unseen pressure, silencing the entire venue, even without any overt display of Mana Fluctuation. The remaining individuals were cultivators from the clan at the Foundation Establishment stage, primarily the parents of the youths slated for the Spirit Root test.

Family Head Zhou Junxiao surveyed the hundred youths below, a flicker of satisfaction crossing his features. He then inquired in a low tone, "Have our guests arrived yet?"

Just as Zhou Xiaocheng prepared to respond, Zhou Junxiao abruptly looked up. "They are here!"

From beyond the clan's borders, three Flying Boats—one commanding, another elegant, and the third ostentatious—approached in unison. Before they could draw closer, several figures emerged and descended.

Zhou Junxiao offered a slight smile. "Brother Lin, Brother Yin, you have arrived!" He then turned his gaze hesitantly toward a strikingly beautiful and alluring woman. "And this lady is...?"

The Yin Family Head introduced her with deference, "This is Mo Wanting, Director of the Yuheng Institute, affiliated with the Daoist Palace's Seven Stars Academy."

Zhou Junxiao's expression shifted perceptibly. He bowed respectfully, stating, "I, Zhou Junxiao, current Family Head of the Zhou Family, pay my respects to Director Yuheng."

Mo Wanting offered a faint smile. "Fellow Daoist Zhou, such formalities are unnecessary. I merely happened to be passing through Bailu Marsh and learned of the Zhou Family's impending Spirit Testing Ceremony, so I decided to observe. As you are aware, our Seven Stars Academy has its duties; I hope you can forgive this uninvited visit."

How could Zhou Junxiao possibly refuse? In the current Tian Nan Continent, numerous clans flourish, yet a single entity reigns supreme: the Tian Nan Dao Palace! While the Observatory Master and the Four Great Hall Masters within the Daoist Palace were far beyond his personal reach, the Seven Stars Academy was considerably more accessible.

This was due to the academy's mandate: to identify individuals with exceptional talent and recruit them into the Palace's Four Halls. Countless clans eagerly awaited the arrival of representatives from the Seven Stars Academy.

Furthermore, it was rumored that all seven institutes under the Seven Stars Academy were managed by the Mo Family. This Mo Family, once one of the Twelve Great Houses, was the very clan to which the previous Sect Master, Mo Shouzhuo, belonged! By forgoing a position in the Four Halls and focusing solely on the Seven Stars Academy, they had amassed significant influence over the clans of Tian Nan today.

At this juncture, Zhou Junxiao felt a surge of both apprehension and excitement. If Director Yuheng, Mo Wanting, were to select even a few clansmen from the Zhou Family today, his Zhou Family would henceforth be considered truly integrated into the Tianyuan Daoist Sect!

"Someone, arrange seating for our esteemed guests!" he commanded. After issuing the order, Zhou Junxiao drew Zhou Xiaocheng aside.

"You have the time it takes for one incense stick to burn. Swiftly contact the parents of the youths and inquire if they have pre-tested their children's Spirit Roots. If any show outstanding potential, compile a list. During the official testing, strategically place them at intervals among the mortal-born children, with those possessing the greatest talent tested later in the sequence."

Zhou Xiaocheng glanced in Mo Wanting's direction and immediately grasped the Family Head's intention. If an exceptionally gifted genius were to appear too early and capture Mo Wanting's interest, subsequent candidates, even those with considerable talent, might be overshadowed if they fell even slightly short. By presenting them sequentially, the likelihood of more Zhou Family youths being selected for the Tian Nan Dao Palace would increase.

"Understood. I shall see to it immediately!" As he moved to depart, a thought struck him.

"Family Head, what about Zhou Fuqiu's Spirit Root talent?"

Zhou Junxiao paused, momentarily taken aback. He genuinely did not know. It wasn't that he had intentionally refrained from testing Zhou Fuqiu beforehand; rather, the Old Ancestor had once instructed them not to interfere excessively in matters concerning her.

Moreover, the boy was exceedingly independent, having never undertaken this task before.

When Zhou Xiaocheng inquired, he gritted his teeth and declared, "Place him at the very back! And his younger sister, one spot ahead of him."

...

"Why haven't they commenced yet?"

As minutes ticked by, the assembled youths found their patience wearing thin.

The sheer presence of so many High-Order Cultivators surrounding them cast a formidable pressure, their gazes alone were enough to overwhelm.

Furthermore, the determination of their entire future hinged on whether or not they possessed a Spirit Root, making it impossible to remain seated calmly.

Those with less fortitude were already glistening with sweat under the scorching sun.

Zhou Qingyu felt the same, yet her brother's presence beside her offered a measure of solace.

"Brother, what are you looking at?"

"Nothing," Zhou Fuqiu retracted his gaze from the elevated platform, his expression placid, though an unreadable glint flickered in his eyes.

The Patriarch of the Lin Family, with his formidable beard and imposing presence, was, by virtue of blood and clan lineage, his maternal grandfather!

However, his mother had not held a high status within the Qingtong Lin Family back then, so this grandfather likely had no recollection of having two grandchildren in the Zhou Family.

Suddenly, his younger sister's elated shriek pierced the air beside him.

"It's starting!"

The long-awaited Spirit Testing Ceremony finally commenced as the sun reached its zenith.

Upon the high platform.

Five True Cultivators at the Foundation Establishment stage occupied the five corners, overseeing a grand Array.

Zhou Haiye, a newly advanced Golden Core cultivator, descended from the spectator area, landing gracefully on the high platform, a Compass held in his hand.

He cast his gaze down at the platform below and projected his voice clearly, "Zhou Li!"

"Present!"

A robust youth responded and ascended the platform, stepping into the central position with palpable nervousness.

The five Foundation Establishment True Cultivators exchanged a knowing glance before each unleashing a Dao Law Method.

Instantly, five distinct colors cascaded across the high platform, accompanied by billowing clouds of Spirit Qi.

Zhou Haiye instructed in a gentle tone, "Settle your mind, offer no resistance. Concentrate only on feeling—on sensing if there exists anything that can resonate with you."