NOVEL NEXT Chapter 136: Spirit Root Selection
In recent years, despite the chaos in the outside world, Yunshui Town has been mostly unaffected.
The reasons for this, aside from its remote location, include the special presence of the Shen Family.
With close ties to Luoxia Mountain and Qiyun Valley, and having the favor of the Lingshan Sword Immortal, no one wishes to provoke them without necessity.
As a result, the common people of Yunshui Town lead relatively peaceful and quiet lives, and the population has naturally grown quite a bit.
Within the Shen Family's ancestral hall, after Shen Wenxing announced the screening for spiritual roots, the stewards of several affiliated clans were overjoyed.
Since becoming affiliated clans of the Shen Family, these people have not only worked diligently on the tasks assigned by the Shen Family but have also racked their brains on how to do things better than others.
In their view, the Shen Family has Immortals and holds opportunities for Immortal Fate and the many Elixirs and Cultivation Techniques bestowed by the Immortals.
As long as their family performs well, they just might be rewarded with Immortal Fate and gain the opportunity to embark on the Immortal Path.
"Young Master, should we charge a small fee for the spiritual root testing this time?"
Among those present, a shrewd-looking middle-aged man of short stature asked obsequiously, clasping his hands.
In Ascension Pavilion of Anyang City, a spiritual root test costs two taels of silver.
Even if the Shen Family only charges one tael this time, they could still earn a significant income.
Shen Wenxing glanced at him, vaguely remembering the man was called Lv Cong, a martial artist in the Late Stage of Postnatal Realm.
The Lv family behind Lv Cong is a large clan with three martial artists, currently managing Dayan Village and Xiaoyan Village in the northernmost part of Yunshui Town.
"The Shen Family is not lacking a few paltry coins."
Hearing this, Lv Cong's smile stiffened slightly, realizing he had misunderstood the master's intentions.
He quickly clasped his hands and smiled, saying, "Yes, yes, it was short-sighted of me."
Shen Wenxing ignored him and continued to address the others:
"Not only will the spiritual root screening not charge any fees, but if an Immortal Seedling with a Spirit Root is found, the Shen Family will give out a reward."
"Do not entertain any unscrupulous thoughts, lest you blame me for being merciless if things go awry."
These words made everyone present tense up and hurriedly assure their compliance.
Afterward, Shen Wenxing announced the mining of the Cyan Spirit Stone Vein, requesting each village to dispatch at least fifty young and strong men for mining. The Shen Family would pay wages.
Having announced the important matters, he then inquired about the issues and ideas the individuals had encountered in managing the villages recently, giving guidance one by one.
...
Black Water Pavilion.
Shen Yuan returned to the pavilion.
Shen Wen'an, holding a storage bag, descended from the second floor after hearing the noise.
"Ah Die."
"Inside this are the items given by your master. You can study them later."
Shen Yuan accepted the storage bag, feeling very conflicted.
He had always thought it fortunate for his son to have a master like Pei Zhao.
Only, unfortunately, Qiyun Valley…
"Master also gave three array plates; I've studied them and plan to deploy the Cloud Mist Maze and a Mirror Flower Water Moon Illusion Array in the mountains surrounding the Little Pine Tree."
"The remaining Golden Radiance Array Plate will be placed in our manor."
The last incident, when Zhang Yuan and several others sneaked into the Shen Family at night with malicious intent, still lingered fresh in his memory.
If he hadn't felt the murderous intent and acted ahead of time, his family might have suffered.
Now, although expelled from Qiyun Valley and mostly stationed at Black Water Pavilion, should an urgent matter arise that requires leaving, there must at least be one safeguard at home.
The Golden Light Array is solely a protective array that operates daily with minimal spiritual power, consuming significant spiritual power only when fully activated.
Shen Yuan nodded, but his brows furrowed subsequently.
"In the wild mountains, appearing out of thin air, two arrays might seem too abrupt if discovered by other cultivators."
The two arrays, for protecting that Little Pine Tree, pose no issue against ordinary people.
But if an Immortal Dao Cultivator passes by and sees two arrays, doubt will surely arise in their mind.
Creating an awkward situation akin to 'No 330 silver taels hidden here.'
"Go ahead and set up the arrays; your father will think about it further."
After waving for Shen Wen'an to leave, Shen Yuan pondered how to make the two arrays surrounding the Little Pine Tree appear more reasonable.
After some thought, he immediately left Black Water Pavilion and summoned Zhao Shuan.
In the side room, Zhao Shuan, holding a tea cup, frowned and said:
"Do you mean to build an estate where the Pan Mountain Python was found?"
The place is over a hundred miles from Black Water Pool, and he didn't understand why an estate should be built there?
"The Martial Arts Hall at the foot of the mountain is too small; I plan to move it over there."
Shen Yuan explained and Zhao Shuan suddenly realized.
"Then… should I discuss it with Brother Qingzhou?"
After all, it concerns building a Martial Arts Hall, and Zhao Shuan felt it would be better to inform Huang Qingzhou and look together.
Shen Yuan nodded, "Then go see if Brother has time, and bring him along to have a look."
"Wen'an has already gone ahead for array setup; Brother Shuan, check with him to build the estate as large as possible, without being overly frugal."
Zhao Shuan acknowledged and left.
The leaves transitioned from green to yellow, marking another autumn's arrival.
On this day, numerous villagers from Yunshui Town, led by the steward families of each village, brought their children to the foot of Black Water Pool's mountain.
"Folks, inform everyone to have their children climb the mountain with us stewards from each family, while accompanying family members wait below."
"The mountain is the cultivation site of the master family. These people do not understand our customs; do not disturb the master family's tranquility."