51 - A Sect Leader’s Ascension

Wang Guan provided some grains as aid, and they managed to purchase a bit more from the nearby areas. It was barely enough to last until the autumn harvest. The Chu Qin immigrants were busy transporting grains to build storage, felling trees, and repairing houses; they toiled from dusk till dawn, not having a proper celebration even for the New Year. On the eve of the fifteenth day of the New Year, they set up a large canopy in the village center. The women took out the last bits of their treasured colored cloths, tearing them to make flags and streamers, which they hung around the structure. The streets were cleansed with fresh water, and after three days of fasting, they finally completed the preparations for the Ascension Festival. Early in the morning, every household gathered in front of the colorful canopy. Boys and girls of suitable age were lined up by their parents. Qin Ji and Qin Bo stood solemnly at the front, waiting in silence for the arrival of the immortality masters from Chu Qin Clan. At the auspicious hour, a spirit vessel flew across the sky. Zhan Yuan stood atop, continually waving to Qin Ji. "They're here, they're here." Upon seeing this, Qin Bo quickly announced in a loud voice, "We respectfully welcome the esteemed immortality masters of the Chu Qin Clan!" The villagers hurriedly knelt down. From the sky, it would seem like a vast sea of heads. Zhan Yuan nodded in satisfaction and set off the prepared fireworks. In the brilliant and dazzling display, the spirit vessels carrying Qi Xiu and Zhang Shishi descended slowly. As soon as they landed, Qin Ji led the crowd in a mountain shout: "I, Qin Ji, under the seat of Chu Qin, along with 1,771 led peoples, respectfully welcome all the sect leaders and immortality masters. May our lineage flourish eternally." Following protocol, he performed a grand salute, as did the kneeling villagers behind him. "Good, good, you have worked hard." Qi Xiu, satisfied with everything he saw, was intoxicated by the homage of nearly two thousand people. Compared to the solitary, arduous cultivation in the mountain gate, the worldly wealth and prosperity felt like heaven and earth. Many talented cultivators with great potential have failed at this juncture for precisely this reason. "Let's not delay the auspicious time, let's begin." After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Qi Xiu instructed. It was his first meeting with Qin Ji, and the new head of the Qin family left an excellent impression, not only personable but also seemingly meticulous, considering the success of this Ascension Festival. Zhang Shishi and others followed orders, each starting on their tasks. The main work of the Ascension Festival was to test spiritual roots using two magical instruments, the Spirit Testing Mirror and the Spirit Testing Stone, which detected life disposition and spiritual roots, respectively. Zhang Shishi and Zhan Yuan were in charge, but because of the low rank of these instruments, they could merely produce a vague representation of one's disposition, while the spiritual roots could be accurately tested. Qi Xiu assigned He Yu to announce names outside the canopy, admitting the children waiting to be tested one by one. He Yu, with his good looks, wore a brand new red robe specifically for the occasion, becoming an ideal spokesperson for the Chu Qin Clan. Standing at the entrance, he was a captivating sight, making the young maidens among the commonfolk unable to take their eyes off him, further fueling their yearning for the world of cultivation. Most of the immigrants were from the old Qin family, well-mannered and compliant. When He Yu called a name, the parents led their children to the entrance, quietly handing them to Gu Ji, who took them inside the canopy. Initially, the spiritual root was tested. Zhang Shishi instructed the examinees to press their hands on the Spirit Testing Stone and activated the instrument. If they possessed spiritual roots, the instrument would respond accordingly; otherwise, they would be returned to their parents without further testing. There were over two hundred eligible children, most over eight years old. Due to the arduous journey, many families with young children either deliberately or inadvertently failed to follow Qin Ji, choosing to drop out midway. The elderly were in similar circumstances. This time, most of the elders were absent, leaving mainly working-age adults. Qi Xiu was responsible for the final stage, testing the moral nature of those with potential. Talent without virtue meant disqualification, though it's rare for farm children to be truly evil. By noon, not a single promising figure had shown up; Zhang Shishi shook his head repeatedly. No one passed the first spiritual root test. Although they expected such a result, everyone present couldn't hide their disappointment. The Chu Qin community had been busy for an entire day, yet not a single disciple with spiritual roots was recruited. Celebrations prepared for a dragon-leaping tabletop were quickly wrapped up. The first Ascension Festival ended anticlimactically, leaving not only the families of eligible children disappointed but also Qi Xiu and Qin Ji disheartened. Helplessly, the Chu Qin Clan had to return to Black Creek Peak with ten or so families as servants, leaving only Qin Weiyu to chat with Qin Ji and relatives. "That’s just how it is. Cultivators are one in ten thousand. If even one out of over two hundred appears, it is a matter of great fortune. Although none appeared this time, as long as they thrive and prosper here, talents will eventually emerge." Upon returning to Black Creek Peak, Yu Denuo, noticing the downcast expressions of Qi Xiu and the others, tried to console them. Nowadays, besides running businesses, he was either with secular family at Baishan or here at Black Creek Peak, making him practically a semi-member of the Chu Qin Clan. Qi Xiu sighed, "Sigh, I'm too impatient. With only about 1,700 people, waiting for their children to grow up—who knows how many suitable children will be born each year? With such a small base, finding one or two with cultivation aptitude would indeed be a blessing." While discussing, an eleven or twelve-year-old girl timidly announced from outside the door, “Master Sect Leader, Master Yu, the wine and food are ready.” They paused their conversation, and Qi Xiu replied, “Bring them here. We will dine here.” The girl bowed respectfully and turned to make preparations. The ten or so servant families arranged by Qin Ji each had a young blossoming girl. Apart from easing the service, there were hopes of forming closer ties with the members of the Chu Qin Clan in the future. While Qi Xiu was fully aware of their intentions, he didn't refute. Cultivators tend to manage their own affairs, and if they lack self-control and are swayed by matters of the heart, it's their own fault. According to the rules of the Chu Qin Clan, one could marry after turning thirty. Having recently crossed into his thirties, Qi Xiu felt there might be better, more suitable marriage prospects waiting that matched his status as sect leader and didn't want to get involved with these servant girls. During the conversation, Qin Weiyu returned, having stayed several days by Qin Ji's invitation, then flew back on his instrument right before the group of mortals traversed Black Creek. Qi Xiu called him over to inquire about his stay, but Qin Weiyu, slow and dull as ever, couldn’t get to the point, frustrating Qi Xiu enough to dismiss him. Yu Denuo, having observed quietly from the side, grinned after Qin Weiyu's retreat, "Looks like Qin Ji still holds some hope for Weiyu." Having stayed long at Chu Qin, he had a thorough understanding of everything except the deepest secrets. Though speaking vaguely, Qi Xiu understood that Qin Ji must have discussed things with that Qin elder sister. Just arriving in the south and already showing great affection for Qin Weiyu spoke volumes of intentions. "Although Weiyu is not a bad kid, he’s too bumbling. No matter what, I will never let him become the next sect leader! The Qin family's plans will ultimately fall through!" Qi Xiu thought fiercely to himself.