Amidst the encircling mountains, mist condenses into a light veil, and seventy-two jade-like steps extend out from a vortex of clouds.

A Flying Shuttle glides by, stirring the mist, and slowly comes to a stop on a spacious terrace.

The crowd disembarks from the Flying Shuttle one after another, looking around, with clouds and mist spreading above their heads, and the morning light dyeing the green peaks gold.

In the valley, ancient trees grow at will, silver threads of mist hang from the branches, and elegantly ancient-style buildings are faintly visible among the trees.

A stream trickles down from a distant peak, with smoke rising from rock crevices it passes, and flower trees around bloom without regard for the season.

As everyone was in amazement, from the white jade steps ahead, a dozen people started descending slowly.

Li Heshan and Zhongli Qing hurriedly stepped forward and bowed to the white-bearded elder leading the group.

"Disciple greets Master."

"Greetings to the Masters."

The elder nodded, then looked somewhat surprised towards Shen Wen'an and the over a hundred children.

"Could it be that Yangnao Land has so many Immortal Seedlings with Spirit Roots?"

Li Heshan slightly nodded, smiling as he clasped his hands, "I was also surprised, thinking this trip wouldn't yield much."

"Perhaps it's because the selection criteria were set too low."

"Master, I plan to have them undergo another test. Those with exceptional Spirit Roots can be accepted into the four courtyards by senior uncles, while the others can be assigned to the Outer Sect and sent to different Spirit Fields to take care of the Spirit Seeds."

The elder nodded slightly.

"Our Qiyun Valley is currently declining in talent, with few disciples. It's truly fortunate to have over a hundred Spirit Root Practitioners arrive!"

Upon saying this, his expression changed slightly as he said, "The Upper Grade Immortal Sects previously looked down on Yangnao Land, and now that our Qiyun Valley has gained a great advantage there, this must not be disclosed."

"Otherwise, the Upper Grade Immortal Sects might not care much, but sect influences like Qishan, comparable to Qiyun Valley, would surely take action to seize it."

Just as he finished speaking, a slightly chubby, mustached elder holding a whisk behind him spoke, "Qiyun Valley already has spies from other sects, something like this can't be hidden for long. The immediate task is to quickly establish a presence in Yangnao Land and bring in as many benefits as possible."

Hearing this, Li Heshan smiled faintly and clasped his hands, "No worries, Uncle Baiyun, Senior Sister Qing and I have already reached a deal with a Secular Dynasty in Yangnao Land called Yu Country, setting up Ascension Pavilions everywhere in Yu Country to test Spirit Roots for the common people."

"We also left many Spirit Seeds in the Ascension Pavilions for the common people to choose from."

"With this, we can explore whether Yangnao Land has a Spirit Vein."

"At that time, whether it's the Spirit Root Practitioners from Yangnao Land or the Spirit Vein, our Qiyun Valley will have the advantage."

The elder nodded with satisfaction, "Not bad, your thinking is thorough. This training seems to have yielded good results."

"Alright, take these children inside."

"According to Li Heshan's plan, several junior uncles will conduct initial selection tests, and the remaining ones will be sent to various Spirit Fields in the Outer Courtyard to be recorded as Outer Disciples."

The crowd behind him clasped hands, and a few disciples from Qiyun Valley immediately stepped forward to lead Shen Wen'an and others towards the valley.

As Li Heshan said, the Array in the Ascension Pavilions across Yu Country testing Spirit Roots was indeed set loosely.

Among the more than one hundred children brought here, only sixty ultimately entered the four courtyards of Qiyun Valley, with the rest mostly sent to the Outer Courtyard to serve as Outer Disciples.

They are responsible for taking care of the Spirit Seeds in the Spirit Field each day.

Compared to them, the children who could enter the four courtyards were much more fortunate.

The four courtyards of Qiyun Valley are the core, and only disciples entering within are considered true disciples of the Immortal Sect.

In Hidden Cloud Courtyard, one of the four courtyards, Shen Wen'an, holding a long sword, stood opposite an elder with a lean face and gray hair wearing gray clothes.

A crowd of slightly older young men and women stood around.

These were all disciples of Hidden Cloud Courtyard, curious after hearing that their master picked some Upper Grade Immortal Seedlings from the various Immortal Seedlings, came to watch.

However, the other Immortal Seedlings all obediently followed arrangements and chose the recommended Cultivation Technique.

Except for Shen Wen'an, who insisted on practicing Sword Skills.

Qiyun Valley is based on Alchemy and Arrays, although it also practices Sword Skills, it's only as a supplementary method and not something it's particularly good at.

"Boy, I told you, your main focus should be on cultivation, Sword Skill is just supplemental."

Pei Zhao, the master of Hidden Cloud Courtyard, reluctantly spoke.

Shen Wen'an was one of the few with outstanding aptitude selected from the fifteen Immortal Seedlings.

The little guy has a resilient character with a streak of persistence and earnestness in his bones, which Pei Zhao really liked.

But who would have thought, this stubbornness was causing him a headache now.

"I just want to practice Sword Skill."

Shen Wen'an's voice was calm, without a trace of compromise.

"Hey!"

"He's really a stubborn one!"

Pei Zhao, frustrated, chuckled coldly, pacing around him with his hands behind his back.

Several times he wanted to say something, but seeing the expression on Shen Wen'an's face, he didn't know what to say.

"Boy, if you don't listen, I'll have no choice but to send you back, and you'll lose your Immortal Fate forever."

Unable to persuade him, Pei Zhao turned to threats.

In his view, Shen Wen'an's obsession with practicing Sword Skill meant he wouldn't easily give up this Immortal Fate.

The disciples of Hidden Cloud Courtyard beside them also tried to persuade, "Little guy, listen to Master. Cultivation and practicing Sword Skill aren't mutually exclusive."

"Exactly, exactly. Even with great Sword Skill, without this Immortal Fate, you'd still just be mortal."

"Many spend lifetimes unable to earn an Immortal Fate, don't be ungrateful."

Their persuasion seemed to fall on deaf ears, as Shen Wen'an's expression remained unchanged.

Seeing this, Pei Zhao became truly angry.

"Enough!"

"I refuse to believe this!"

"Lao Da, go fetch your Senior Brother Heshan!"

Among the crowd, an older youth, hearing this, hurriedly came forward to persuade, "Master, please calm yourself, this junior brother just..."

"Junior brother?"

"What junior brother?!"

"I haven't taken him yet!"

"No more nonsense, hurry up and go!"

Seeing his master angry, the youth didn't dare to say more, only clasped his hands and ran out.

Soon, Li Heshan arrived in haste.

"Master Pei."

Pei Zhao pointed at Shen Wen'an in front of him, sighed, and pulled Li Heshan to the side.

"Heshan, where did you find this stubborn one?"

"He only wants to practice Sword Skill, nothing else will do!"

"Tell me, where in Qiyun Valley do we have a Sword Cultivator method for him to practice?"

Li Heshan looked strangely at Shen Wen'an, helplessly clasped his hands, "Uncle Master, please wait a moment, let me try persuading him."

Saying this, he crouched in front of Shen Wen'an, "Are you the boy from the Shen Family?"

Shen Wen'an nodded.

"I know your older brother well, and I'm aware of your family situation."

"If you join Qiyun Valley, the next time I return, I will give your older brother a reward."

"I might even have Emperor Yu provide benefits to your family."

Mentioning his older brother and family, a trace of contemplation appeared in Shen Wen'an's eyes.

"Besides, Cultivation Technique is fundamental. Whether it's practicing Sword Skill or Alchemy, it requires having a cultivation realm as a foundation."

"Promise your Uncle Master, after breaking through Fetal Breathing, we'll figure out a way for you to learn Sword Cultivator methods, how about that?"

Li Heshan's words made him ponder.

After a long while, Shen Wen'an turned to Pei Zhao, knelt, and bowed low, "Master, above please accept this disciple's bow."

Though Pei Zhao appeared grumpy, he was actually quite happy.

"Stand up."

"Lao Da, take him down and choose a suitable Cultivation Technique for him that aligns with his Metal Element Spirit Root."

With the issue resolved, Li Heshan slightly clasped his hands, "Master Pei, if there's nothing else, this disciple will take his leave now."

Pei Zhao nodded, then asked, "When are you going to Yangnao Land again?"

"In three days. Does Uncle Master need anything?"

After a moment's thought, Pei Zhao replied, "I want you to take Yuwan for some experience."

"The girl has an innocent heart, with Qi Cultivation of the Ninth Layer, yet has never stepped out of Qiyun Valley. Danzhou is dangerous, but letting her see Yangnao Land's customs might be a good choice."

Li Heshan's face turned odd, considering Pei Yuwan's personality, he couldn't help feeling a bit uneasy.

But since Uncle Master requested, he couldn't refuse.

"Then... have Junior Sister Yuwan wait for me at the Mountain Gate in three days."

Pei Zhao nodded with a smile.

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