400: Chapter 401 Two Rank 4 Spiritual Roots!

Below the platform, Lu Shiqing covered her mouth, her eyes slightly reddened.

Although she came from a Foundation Establishment Family, her own Spiritual Root was only a Sixth-grade Spiritual Root. It was only after marrying Ye Changge that she had their first child, Ye Chen, who also possessed a Sixth-grade Spiritual Root and, furthermore, a Spirit Body.

She had already been very satisfied in her heart.

Now that their second child was actually a Fourth Grade Spirit Root, that feeling of "exhilaration and pride" was even more joyful than her own cultivation Breakthrough.

Beside her, Lu Shiyin gently held her sister's hand and whispered, "Congratulations, sister."

Lu Shiqing sniffled and nodded with a smile, "Thank you, sister."

Further back in the crowd, Elder Lin, who had been invited to assist in repairing the Mountain-Protecting Array, looked at Ye Changge on the platform, his eyes full of amazement.

It was originally just a matter of official business; he hadn't paid much attention to the Ye Family of Longmai Mountain, seeing them as a "nouveau riche" Family, merely assuming they had good Luck to produce a Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

But having witnessed the Spirit Testing Ceremony today, that slight contempt in his heart had completely dissipated.

One Spirit Testing Ceremony, and two Fourth Grade Spirit Roots appeared.

This rate of producing Spiritual Roots was considered rare throughout the entire southeastern region of the Zhao State.

Even those long-established families with a century of Legacy might not necessarily be able to acquire two Fourth Grade Disciples in a single Spirit Testing Ceremony.

Elder Lin stroked his beard and muttered to himself, "This Ancestor Ye is truly someone with great Luck... No wonder he has such a close relationship with Martial Niece Xia of the Lingxiao Sect."

He recalled that before he departed, the cold and arrogant Martial Niece Xia from his sect had specifically instructed him that if he went to the Ye Family of Longmai Mountain, he must look after them a bit more.

At the time, he had found it strange; with Martial Niece Xia's status and position, why would she care about a small border Family?

Now it seemed she had seen something long ago.

Elder Lin looked at the young Foundation Establishment Cultivator on the platform who was teasing his daughter, and gently shook his head, "This young man's future achievements will be limitless."

On the platform, Ye Changge held Ye Qingyao, turned to face the crowd below, and laughed loudly, "Everyone! Our Ye Family of Longmai Mountain's first Spirit Testing Ceremony has produced two offspring with Fourth Grade Spirit Roots! This is a sign of Heaven's blessing upon our Ye Family and our flourishing Luck!"

He paused, his voice carrying the unique spiritual power fluctuations of a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, clearly reaching the entire venue: "Congratulations to Ancestor Ye! Congratulations to the Madam!" "May the Ye Family flourish for generations!" "May Young Master Ye Xiao and Young Miss Ye Qingyao have a long path on the Dao!"

The sounds of congratulations surged like a tsunami, and the entire Longmai Mountain was immersed in a festive atmosphere.

Ye Changge carried Ye Qingyao down from the Spirit Testing Platform, gathered the three children who had just finished their spirit testing in front of him, crouched down, and asked with a smile, "Tell me, what rewards do you all want?"

Ye Xiao spoke first, his hands behind his back. "Father, I don't want any Magical Artifacts, nor do I want any Medicinal Pills."

Ye Changge raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Then what do you want?"

Ye Xiao took a deep breath, a flash of excitement in his eyes, "I want a small Puppet bird!"

Ye Changge was stunned for a moment, "A small Puppet bird?"

Ye Xiao nodded vigorously, "It's... it's the kind in the Puppet Paradise! The kind that can fly! I heard from Uncle Steward that Father made them yourself, and as long as you inject a little bit of Qi, they can fly in the sky just like real birds!"

Ye Changge laughed in spite of himself.

He had built a "Puppet Paradise" behind Longmai Mountain, originally just to amuse his young offspring, casually making some low-grade Puppet toys, such as jumping rabbits, flapping birds, and monkeys that could do somersaults.

It was just a pastime for when he had nothing to do; he hadn't expected the children to take a liking to them.

"Alright." Ye Changge smiled and patted Ye Xiao's head, "Later, Father will make you the best one, the kind that can change direction on its own."

Ye Xiao's eyes immediately lit up, and he nodded vigorously, "Thank you, Father!"

Ye Changge looked at Ye Qingyao again, "What about Little Yao? What do you want?"

Ye Qingyao tilted her head and thought for a long time, then suddenly her eyes lit up, "Father! Little Yao wants a Spirit Beast! Just like your Little Jin!"

Ye Changge's mouth twitched upon hearing this; his daughter was truly not polite at all.

Xiao Qiu, who was beside them, also stated the reward he wanted, and Ye Changge smiled and agreed.

...

The bustle of the Spirit Testing Ceremony lasted until the afternoon.

When the sun slanted to the west, the twenty-something Mortal families under Longmai Mountain had finally all finished testing.

The results did not bring Ye Changge too many surprises—out of the twenty-plus people, only two families had children who were found to possess Spiritual Roots, and both were the lowest Ninth-Grade Spirit Roots.

Ye Changge did not neglect them because of their inferior Spiritual Roots. He personally walked down from the high platform and came before those two families.

Both sets of parents were simple-looking Mortals, currently so nervous they didn't know what to do. Seeing Ye Changge approach, they quickly knelt on the ground, not even daring to raise their heads.

"Rise," Ye Changge said in a gentle tone, extending his hand in a gesture to help them up. A soft spiritual power supported the two of them to stand up, "Your children possess Spiritual Roots; although they are Ninth-Grade, they are sufficient to embark on the path of cultivation. Since my Ye Family has opened this Spirit Testing Ceremony, we will be responsible to the end."

He beckoned to the steward nearby, and the steward quickly brought over two Storage Pouches. Ye Changge took them and handed them to the two pairs of parents respectively, "Inside are ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones each, along with some Medicinal Pills that Mortals can use to strengthen their bodies. Take them; consider it a reward from my Ye Family for raising your offspring."

The two pairs of parents held the Storage Pouches, their hands trembling. The boy's father's lips quivered for a long time before he managed to squeeze out a sentence, "Old... Old Ancestor... This... this is too precious..."

"It is not precious," Ye Changge smiled, "Since your offspring have entered my Ye Family's school, the Ye Family will also bear the expenses for their Spirit Stones on their future cultivation path. This will continue until they Breakthrough to the third level of Qi Refining and can support themselves."

Once these words were spoken, not only were those two families stunned, but the surrounding Mortals were also in an uproar.

Someone couldn't help but whisper, "Is Ancestor Ye... going to support these children until the third level of Qi Refining?"

"That is such a huge expense! Ten Spirit Stones—my Family couldn't save that much even after farming spirit fields for over ten years..."

Ye Changge heard these discussions and laughed loudly, "Everyone, do not be surprised. I, Ye Changge, have always believed in one principle—many children bring much fortune, and talent brings prosperity. As long as they are subjects under the Ye Family's rule, if their children are born with Spiritual Roots, my Ye Family will sponsor their path of cultivation. Parents can receive Spirit Stone rewards, children can enter the Ye Family school, and all resources will be borne by the Ye Family."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the many Mortals below the platform, his voice becoming even clearer, "It is not just these two families today. From now on, for all Mortal households within the jurisdiction of Longmai Mountain, if any children are tested and found to have Spiritual Roots, they will all be handled according to this precedent. The higher the Spiritual Root, the more generous the reward. If one can give birth to offspring with a Fifth Grade Spirit Root or higher, the parents can directly receive a spirit field residence, with food and clothing guaranteed for life!"