61: The story concludes with Lin Luo becoming an apprentice.

The testing continued. Hundreds of people from the collateral branches and external families of Li Family Village stepped forward one after another, but the Spirit-Testing Ruler remained completely still.

As the collateral branch testing was about to end, a thin boy of about eight years old, dressed in tattered clothes, was led forward by a sorrowful-looking woman (his mother). He timidly pressed his hand onto the ruler.

"Buzz!"

The Spirit-Testing Ruler lit up again! An extremely faint yellow pillar of light rose with difficulty, finally stopping at the one point one inch mark. The light was dim, as if it might go out at any moment.

"Li Youfu, one point one inches, Yellow Grade Low Grade Spiritual Root!"

The militia captain announced loudly.

Although it was only Yellow Grade Low Grade, it still caused a wave of envious whispers from below the stage. The boy named Li Youfu looked blankly at the glowing ruler and then at the majestic Immortal Revered Master on the stage, at a loss for what to do.

"Ah! Youfu! My son!" The woman wept with joy, hugging her still-confused son and wailing loudly.

Li Qingfeng looked at him and nodded: "Li Youfu of the main family, are you willing to enter my Sect and follow me in cultivation?"

The boy froze for a moment, then, prompted by his mother, he fell to his knees with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly:

"I am willing! Youfu is willing! Thank you, Immortal Revered Master! Thank you, Immortal Revered Master!" Li Qingfeng gestured for Zhang Shitou to take him aside to wait.

Next were Wang Family Village and Willow Tree Village. Unfortunately, as hundreds of children and youths were tested one by one, the Spirit-Testing Ruler remained silent; not a single person possessed a Spiritual Root.

Although the villagers from both villages were disappointed, they had already been mentally prepared.

Finally, it was the turn of Black Mountain Town, which had the largest number of people. The atmosphere grew tense once again.

First, the relatives and children of the Sun, Liu, and Li families went forward one by one, but unfortunately, there was no reaction.

When it was the Lin family's turn, Town Guardian Lin clenched his fists nervously. His third grandson, Lin Luo—a youth of about thirteen or fourteen with spirited eyes and dressed in brocade—took a deep breath and pressed his hand down.

"Buzz!"

The Spirit-Testing Ruler's light flared! A pillar of light climbed rapidly, finally coming to a steady stop at three point two inches!

"Black Mountain Town, Lin Luo! Yellow Grade High Grade Spiritual Root!" The militia captain's voice carried a tone of affirmation.

The crowd below erupted into an uproar. Town Guardian Lin's old face flushed with excitement, and he slapped his thigh hard! Steward Sun, Steward Liu, and other wealthy families were also incredibly envious and offered their congratulations one after another.

Subsequently, another person of Unranked grade (the light pillar was faint, less than an inch) was detected among the children of other wealthy families.

Next were the children of the commoners of Black Mountain Town.

Nearly five hundred people were screened like grain through a sieve. Just as everyone thought hope was slim, the Spirit-Testing Ruler lit up with faint light twice more!

"Spiritual Root detected! Unranked!"

"Spiritual Root detected! Unranked!"

Two ragged, sallow-faced youths, a boy and a girl (about eleven or twelve years old), were struck by this sudden stroke of luck, standing in place blankly yet excitedly.

With that, the testing for the Immortal Ascension Assembly concluded.

Final Results:

Li Family Village: Li Qinghe (Yellow Grade High Grade), Li Youfu (Yellow Grade Low Grade)

Black Mountain Town: Lin Luo (Yellow Grade High Grade), three Unranked (one from a wealthy family, two commoners).

Li Qingfeng looked at the children brought onto the high stage (Li Youfu, Lin Luo, and the three Unranked ones) and said loudly:

"All those with Spiritual Roots, regardless of grade, are a blessing under the governance of qingxuan! According to what was previously decided:

"Li Youfu of Li Family Village, Yellow Grade Low Grade, is accepted as a Sect member!"

"The three Unranked from Black Mountain Town are accepted as Sect members!"

"Each household is rewarded with one hundred taels of silver! For those in their families capable of labor, the Town Guardian Residence will arrange light duties!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the area where the families of Li Youfu and the two Unranked commoner children were located erupted into massive cheers and cries of gratitude! One hundred taels of silver was enough to change their impoverished destinies!

Everyone's gaze finally focused on Lin Luo, who possessed a Yellow Grade High Grade root.

Li Qingfeng looked at Lin Luo with a scrutinizing gaze: "Lin Luo, your talent is acceptable, a Yellow Grade High Grade Spiritual Root. I now give you two choices."

He held up two fingers, his voice clearly reaching the entire field:

"First, I can recommend you to go to the Azure Profound Upper Sect's 'Blade Path Peak,' where you can become a candidate Outer Sect Disciple. The Upper Sect has abundant resources and complete Cultivation Techniques, and the future is broader, but the competition is also more intense; everything will depend on your own efforts."

"Second, stay here and join my Sect as my Named Disciple. When you Breakthrough to the Qi Refinement Stage, you will become my formal Personal Disciple and receive my true legacy! The choice is yours."

Two paths were laid out before Lin Luo: struggle from the bottom in a great Sect, or stay here and be the head of the pack?

Lin Luo had almost no hesitation! He had personally witnessed Li Qingfeng's Divine Might when he killed the demonic python with a single arrow and turned the tide, and he also saw the vigorous vitality of the New Town and Li Qingfeng's absolute authority here!

Going to the Upper Sect to be a candidate Outer Sect Disciple meant an unknown future; how could that be as practical as following this Town Guardian Immortal Revered Master with such a bright future? It was better to enjoy the shade under a large tree!

"This Disciple is willing to join the Immortal Revered Master's Sect! To become a Named Disciple! I beg the Immortal Revered Master to take me in!"

Lin Luo fell to his knees with a thud, his voice resonant as his forehead struck the bluestone floor heavily.

"Good!" A flash of satisfaction appeared in Li Qingfeng's eyes:

"From this day forward, you, Lin Luo, are the first Named Disciple under me, Li Qingfeng! I hope you cultivate diligently and break through soon, so as not to fail your ambition today!"

"Disciple Lin Luo pays respects to Revered Master!" Lin Luo kowtowed again, his voice filled with excitement.

Li Qingfeng raised his hand slightly to gesture for him to rise: "Stand up."

"Since you have entered my Sect, I shall bestow upon you items for protection." With a wave of Li Qingfeng's hand, a jade bottle and a cold, shimmering refined iron longsword floated before Lin Luo.

"This is the 'Qi-Nourishing Pill,' which can assist you in Spirit Enlightenment and cultivation. This sword was used by your teacher in his early years. I hope you cherish it well and use it to protect your Dao!"

"Thank you for the generous gift, Revered Master!" Lin Luo excitedly took the Medicinal Pill and the longsword with both hands, clutching them tightly to his chest.

"Haha, congratulations Brother Feng (Senior Brother Li) on gaining a fine Disciple!" Wang Tiezhu and Zhang Shitou immediately smiled and cupped their hands in congratulation.

Lin Luo reacted extremely quickly, immediately turning to Wang Tiezhu and Zhang Shitou to bow respectfully:

"Disciple Lin Luo pays respects to Martial Uncle Wang and Martial Uncle Zhang!"

"Hey! Good lad! Your tongue is quite sweet! Much better than your Martial Uncle Wang was back in the day!"

Wang Tiezhu laughed heartily, in high spirits, and pulled a small porcelain bottle from his robe and tossed it over:

"Your Martial Uncle doesn't have much good stuff, but this 'Blood-Strengthening Pill' polishes the body and strengthens the blood and Qi. It's yours! Practice well!"

"Thank you, Martial Uncle Wang!" Lin Luo quickly caught it.

Zhang Shitou also pulled out two Talismans with a smile: "Nephew, take these! One 'Golden Armor Talisman' for protection, and one 'fireball talisman' for self-defense! Consider it a meeting gift from your Martial Uncle!"

"Thank you, Martial Uncle Zhang!" Lin Luo respectfully took them again, his heart blooming with joy. These apprenticeship gifts were too generous!

The three of them looked at each other and smiled; the atmosphere was harmonious.

With the Disciple-taking ceremony complete, Li Qingfeng faced the crowd once more, his voice carrying comfort and encouragement:

"Spiritual Roots are determined by heaven, and Immortal fate is hard to seek. Those who were not selected need not be discouraged! All subjects under the governance of qingxuan shall be protected!"

His gaze swept over the many disappointed yet still longing faces below, and he announced:

"From this day forward, the Immortal Ascension Assembly shall be held once every three years! As long as I, Li Qingfeng, am here, this rule shall not change!"

"Furthermore! New Town and Black Mountain Town will establish the 'Qingxuan Guards' starting today! Anyone over sixteen years old and physically fit can sign up! Food and housing are provided, and the monthly salary is generous!"

"Anyone who joins the Qingxuan Guards and dies in the line of duty will have their elderly, young, wives, and children supported and pensioned by the Town Guardian Residence until the end of their lives! Children of the appropriate age in their families who reach six years old will have priority to apply for Spiritual Root testing!"

"This order takes effect immediately!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the eyes of those eligible youths and those from struggling families instantly burst with intense light! This was not just a way to survive, but an opportunity to change their destiny and even benefit their descendants!

After a brief silence, there was a response like a mountain tsunami!

"The Immortal Revered Master's great virtue!"

"I am willing to join the Qingxuan Guards! I swear to follow the Immortal Revered Master to the death!"

"Loyalty! Sincerity!"

The sound waves soared into the clouds, condensing infinite hope for the New Town and the future!

The Immortal Ascension Assembly came to a close, but a new power centered around Li Qingfeng, uniting hearts and hope, was rising steadily in this northern border of desolate mountains where spiritual energy was recovering and dangers lurked everywhere!