Moved to a new home, the son got an official appointment, and got married. Everything seemed to be moving in a positive direction.

Time flew by, another half month passed.

On this day, Shen Wenxing hurried back home from the Ascension Pavilion at the County Government.

"The County Government sent a message, asking me to escort three Spirit Root Practitioners from Anyang County to the County Government."

"Mother, please help Wen'an pack some clothes."

Upon hearing this, Hu Yufen felt a slight twinge in her heart.

Despite Shen Yuan's frequent reassurances, now that the time for separation had actually arrived, she couldn't help but feel worried.

After all, Shen Wen'an was only eight years old.

"Mother, I have some connections with the Immortals. I'll personally write a letter for Wen'an to give to two of the Immortals, asking them to take care of my brother. You don't need to worry too much."

Seeing his mother like this, Shen Wenxing could only offer words of comfort.

"Go, this is a big matter and cannot be delayed." Shen Yuan patted his wife's hand and spoke.

Helpless, Hu Yufen could only suppress her worries and went inside to pack up things.

At noon, the family finished their meal, and the two brothers prepared to leave.

"Wen'an, remember to write to mother when you arrive."

"Make sure to wear clothes suitable for the seasons, and buy what you need if necessary."

"Don't just focus on cultivation; interact with your fellow disciples…"

A mother worries when her son travels far.

Especially since this son has some personality flaws, making Hu Yufen even more anxious with her reminders.

"Mother, we should go now."

Shen Wenxing, though hesitant, interrupted his old mother's rambling.

Shen Wen'an looked at Shen Yuan and Hu Yufen, then took a deep look at the home behind him, turned around, and silently got into the carriage.

Seeing this, Shen Wenxing shook his head slightly.

This brother of his really gave people the impression of being too heartless.

If he could be this way towards his parents, one could only imagine how he'd be towards others.

The carriage moved slowly.

The curtain suddenly lifted.

Shen Wen'an's head poked out.

Looking at his parents and home gradually fading away, a hint of determination flashed in his eyes, then he pulled his head back inside.

When the two brothers arrived at the Ascension Pavilion at the County Government, two other children with Spirit Roots and their families were already waiting there.

As Shen Wenxing expected, a total of over forty thousand people were tested in Anyang County, and only three had Spirit Roots.

Apart from Shen Wen'an, the other two children were named Bai Yue and Xu Jing.

"Master, may I dare to ask, when will the children return after going to the Immortal Sect?"

At the entrance of the Ascension Pavilion, an elderly man's voice trembled as he asked.

This was Xu Jing's grandfather, clearly unwilling to part with his grandson.

Shen Wenxing shook his head slightly: "Matters of the Immortals are unknown to us."

"But I think there should be another chance to meet again, old man, no need to worry."

The old man listened, a look of desolation on his face.

"Jing'er is my first grandson, I myself am at an age where I have few years left..."

"I'm just afraid that by then, when I'm gone, there'll be no one to carry the spirit flag…"

"First grandson" is a local term referring to the eldest grandson.

After an elder passes away, the eldest grandson carries the spirit flag at the front of the procession, leading the way, and hence is referred to as the "first grandson."

"Don't worry, old man, it won't happen."

After reassuring him, Shen Wenxing spoke: "Time's almost up, everyone get on the carriage."

Hearing this, Bai Yue and Xu Jing reluctantly bid farewell to their families and boarded the carriage.

Inside the carriage, Shen Wen'an sat cross-legged, holding a long sword in his arms.

He glanced at his two companions, who were a few years older, but didn't say a word.

The carriage left Anyang, accompanied by ten Ascension Pavilion guards, heading towards Yunzhong County.

On the road, the atmosphere was tense; the oldest, Xu Jing, looked at the two, ready to find a topic to ease the mood.

"Are you Steward Shen's brother?"

Shen Wen'an ignored him.

"I'm Xu Jing, from Xiaohuang Village, Chunshui Town."

"I… I'm Bai Yue, from Yu Village, Huangyan Town."

Understanding the situation, Bai Yue, seeing Shen Wen'an ignoring Xu Jing and feeling awkward, hurriedly jumped into the conversation.

After introducing themselves, they again looked at Shen Wen'an.

Seeing his silence, they decided not to trouble themselves, and chatted casually.

Three days passed in a flash.

The group reached Yunzhong County City.

After handing over the three to the Ascension Pavilion at the County Government, Shen Wenxing, after much hesitation, finally decided to get pen and paper, and wrote a letter to Li Heshan.

Even knowing that this letter would likely have little effect, as the older brother, he was willing to try anything that might help his younger brother.

"Wen'an, once you reach the Royal City and see the Immortals, give them this letter, okay?"

Shen Wen'an took the letter and nodded slightly.

"Go in now, and don't forget to write to mother when you reach the Royal City."

Watching the three walk into the Ascension Pavilion at the County Government, Shen Wenxing casually asked the elder responsible for reception: "May I ask, how many people in Yunzhong County have Spirit Roots?"

The old man chuckled: "Yunzhong County fares well among the twenty-two counties of Great Yu, with a total of eighteen people possessing Spirit Roots."

"You are the Steward Shen from Anyang County, correct?"

Shen Wenxing cupped his hands: "That's right."

The old man nodded slightly: "Anyang County has three Spirit Root Practitioners. Steward Shen might receive an Immortal's reward."

"Oh?" Shen Wenxing was puzzled: "Would an Immortal reward for that?"

"Of course, among Yunzhong's eleven counties, only Anyang County has three. The others have at most two or none at all."

The old man glanced around, then lowered his voice: "I heard that Steward Shen has connections with the Immortals and has made a great contribution this time. There will definitely be rewards."

Shen Wenxing gave an awkward smile.

He hadn't thought that his supposed connections with the Immortals would spread so quickly.

By now, probably half of Yu Country knows.

But… it's not a bad thing after all.

To leverage an Immortal's "influence" is a considerable benefit, both for him and the Shen Family.

"Since there's nothing else, we shall take our leave." Shen Wenxing cupped his hands, taking his group of guards away from the Ascension Pavilion at the County Government.

A hundred years ago, Great Yu's twenty-two counties lost three to the Western Regions, but after regaining them, reclaimed the peak territory, stretching from the North Sea Snowfield to the east and south_coasts, bordered by the Barbaric Wilderness to the west.

In May, a peculiar Flying Shuttle swiftly traversed the vast snowfield sky.

On the Flying Shuttle, over a hundred youth from Great Yu marveled at the snowfield scenery outside, including Shen Wen'an.

"Immortal, what treasure is this, able to carry so many of us in the sky!?"

One youth asked in awe.

At the front of the shuttle, Li Heshan stood with hands clasped behind, smiling: "This is one of the two Flying Magical Artifacts we have in Qiyun Valley, named the Sky-Piercing Shuttle."

"Is this treasure very valuable?"

A little boy with a tigerish head asked.

Li Heshan smiled lightly: "It probably can buy all of Yu Country."

"After you become disciples of the Immortal Sect, you'll find that mundane wealth is no measure for Immortal Treasures."

Perhaps in a good mood, or thinking of them as future junior brothers and sisters, Li Heshan answered every question.

His words left the children wide-eyed in astonishment.

"Immortal, where are we going?"

Someone noticed the Flying Shuttle had been flying over the barren snowfield, seeing nothing else around, feeling a bit worried.

"You'll know soon enough."

Li Heshan glanced forward and reminded: "Hold on tight."

The children, unsure why, obediently steadied themselves.

A moment later, the Flying Shuttle trembled slightly, and instantly, the surrounding scenery changed drastically!

The vast snowfield was gone, replaced by an expansive land with towering ancient trees and peaks rising high!

In the distance, mountains met, stretching endlessly; cloud and mist reflected the sun, glittering brilliantly.

The sky overhead was visibly purer than that of Great Yu, and the surrounding mountains more majestic.

The Flying Shuttle swooped down, heading straight towards a depression among the distant mountain range.

At this point, everyone onboard finally saw their destination—Qiyun Valley.

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