Chapter 5, Celestial Roots

Wang Tiesheng forced a smile, his expression revealing considerable tension

The village children from Cold Crow Island undoubtedly belong to that category on the deck

It is evident that the assessors of Wang Tiesheng's team are more efficient and faster

Mu Yi stood on the deck, watching as Lonely Finger Peak gradually diminished, eventually transforming into a black dot, disappearing at the horizon where the sky meets the sea

Wang Tiesheng noticed that Mu Yi seemed somewhat displeased, so he quickly changed the subject and asked, "Mu Tou, why don't you elaborate on your encounter with the immortal master? Did you see the sea monster? I heard from my father that just a glance from the sea monster can turn one to stone"

Oh! One of the young men let out a soft exclamation, and Mu Yi was immediately taken aback.

Mu Yi felt a surge of joy in his heart, as the old man was clearly praising him

Children with sleeping quarters in the upper deck generally do not interact much with those running around on the deck. Even if some children are eager to engage, they are often admonished by adults, as if speaking to the children on the deck would compromise their status

Yes, yes, Brother Wood, what did the sea monster you saw back then look like

Mu Yi immediately set his sights on the team with the fewest members, while Wang Tiesheng was in the adjacent team.

Walking from the dock, one directly arrives at the market. The scale of the market here is vast, with towering pavilions, a cacophony of voices, and a bustling crowd, leaving Mu Yi and others from the small island feeling dazzled and overwhelmed.

"That can't be right. If everyone has a celestial root, then wouldn't everyone in this world be an immortal?" another villager retorted

The village children, filled with enthusiasm, gathered around the wooden instrument, engaging in quiet discussions, occasionally erupting into bursts of astonishment and laughter

Wang Tiesheng heard such a statement for the first time, "Is it something that Old Liu, the lighthouse keeper of the library, said? My father mentioned that he is somewhat eccentric and that his words should not be taken at face value"

After the young man finished speaking, he instructed Mu Yi, "Come over here and extend your wrist."

"Tie Dan, focus!" Mu Yi whispered encouragement to Wang Tiesheng

Mu Yi only felt a tingling in his arm and instinctively wanted to withdraw it, but he still held back

As for the upper deck cabins, the conditions are better, and there are even suites with spacious layouts akin to palaces, but their prices are, of course, exorbitantly high

The young man respectfully replied: "In response to my master, I do not know this person. I only had a brief encounter with him not long ago while exterminating sea monsters in the Red Tide Sea."

The old man closed his eyes again and said softly: "Not qualified"

Wang Tiesheng approached Mu Yi and handed him the copper token, excitedly saying: "Mu Tou, this is the inner sect disciple token of the Pinghai Sect. Haha, the immortal master said my spiritual roots are extraordinary and has recruited me as an inner sect disciple"

Wang Tiesheng and his blacksmith father are also among them

The old man merely extended two fingers, resting them on the inner side of Mu Yi's wrist

Suddenly, he felt a cool, gentle stream flowing into his body from his wrist, gradually coursing through most of his body

A young man in gray, around seventeen or eighteen years old, spoke loudly in front of the pavilion, and Wang Tiesheng could only brace himself and walk into the pavilion

Guests who only purchased standing tickets can only add a thick coat or wrap themselves in a layer of quilt, leaning against the railing to sleep

Mu Yi carefully examined the triangular token, feeling its substantial weight. One side of the token was engraved with an iron ship, which was the emblem and design of the Pinghai Sect, while the other side featured the name Wang Tiesheng.

After all, they have to face the recruitment assessment. These children are all dressed neatly and cleanly. When they play together, it is difficult to distinguish them. However, due to the different purchased positions, they are immediately set apart.

"Who lives in your home? Do you have any siblings?" the old man suddenly asked

Wang the blacksmith was speaking softly, seemingly comforting his son, as Wang Tiesheng kept nodding, his expression easing somewhat

Mu Fu only purchased the cheapest deck seat for himself, while spending nearly twice the price to buy a bunk for Mu Yi. Although it was located in the lowest level of the ship's hold, at least it provided a sheltered place to rest.

Indeed, if everyone possesses the ability to cultivate immortality, then one could simply transform the environment to produce exquisite delicacies every day, eliminating the need for fishing or farming

Mu Yi took a deep breath to alleviate the tension in his heart, and then stepped into the pavilion

After nightfall, the sea breeze in early winter is particularly biting and cold, and these children on the deck have all been sent back to the lower hold of the ship to rest by the adults

Mu Yi hurriedly took several steps forward, approached the old man's rattan chair, rolled up his sleeves, and extended most of his arm.

"In any case, what Uncle Liu said must have its reasoning," Mu Yi insisted

Mu Yi was taken aback, unsure whether to feel joy or sorrow. The inferior celestial root was clearly not of the highest quality, but at least it was still a celestial root.

A massive ironwood ship, its bottom wrapped in a layer of dense iron plates approximately one inch thick, is sailing away from the dock of Cold Crow Island. A flock of dark cold crows is circling around the dock in search of food, making a cacophony of noise

Wang the blacksmith was naturally very pleased, and Mu Yi was also filled with surprise

Mu Yi said: "The old village chief at www.hetushu.com also said the same. However, I heard Uncle Liu say that actually everyone has a celestial root, but some are strong while others are weak. Those with a strong celestial root find it easier to become celestial masters; those with a weak celestial root find it quite difficult"

A disappointed young man walked out of the pavilion, "Next!" said the middle-aged man at the entrance of the pavilion lazily

After waiting for an hour, Wang Tiesheng had surprisingly reached the front of his line, while Mu Yi still had more than ten people ahead of him

Of course I want to, why even ask!" Wang Tiesheng said excitedly, "It's just a pity that I heard from my father that to become an immortal master, one must possess an immortal root. The immortal root is innate; some people have it, while others do not, and it cannot be forced. Without an immortal root, one cannot become an immortal master. Moreover, the probability of having an immortal root is extremely low, one in ten thousand.

"Mu Tou, did you really see the immortal master?" Wang Tiesheng said with a face full of envy

Indeed, in terms of the level of meridian cultivation and comprehension, I am no less than Tie Dan. If Tie Dan can do it, then I am certainly capable of achieving it as well. Mu Yi thought to himself, and instantly felt a surge of confidence.

However, when the child in front of him walked out of the pavilion with a dejected expression, Wang Tiesheng felt an overwhelming sense of anxiety once again, even trembling slightly

Inferior fairy root!" The old man suddenly retracted his finger and said calmly.

Traveling from the nearby island to Changping Island requires crossing a vast expanse of deep sea, where the winds and waves are extremely fierce. Ordinary sea vessels are quite dangerous in such conditions; only this specially designed large iron ship can navigate between the various islands. Therefore, the cost of passage is not low

Mu Yi could only feel that the old man's gaze was incredibly sharp, capable of penetrating everything, and his expression was quite serious, which made him unable to help but become even more tense

The cheers from m.hetushu.com attracted the attention of many people, who turned their gazes towards this place, their eyes reflecting a hint of envy.

If I could also join the Pinghai Sect, that would be wonderful!" Mu Yixian was filled with envy, fondly playing with the token, and finally, with great reluctance, returned the token to Wang Tiesheng

The old man glanced at Mu Yi again and said, "Hmm, your cultivation of the twelve meridians is quite impressive. At such a young age, achieving this level of skill is indeed a testament to your ability to endure hardship"

Mu Yi practiced martial arts in the morning, played with his companions during the day, and rested at night. Thus, he spent more than half a month on the boat, finally arriving at Changping Island

However, it was not long before Wang Tiesheng almost ran out of the pavilion, waving a triangular copper medal in his hand, and joyfully exclaimed: "Father, Mu Tou, I have the celestial root, I passed!"

The evaluators within the pavilion appear to be highly efficient; a child enters and, in just a moment, the results are produced, immediately prompting the waiting adults nearby to inquire in detail.

Mu Yi furrowed his brow, unable to help but feel anxious and worried for his companion

Wood, I can do it, and you can definitely do it too. I will be waiting for your good news outside!" Wang Tiesheng encouraged Mu Yi and then left the place

Mu Yi nodded slightly and asked softly, "Tie Dan, do you want to become an immortal master?"

The passengers on this iron ship, apart from some merchants who frequently travel between the islands, mostly share the same purpose as the Mu family father and son, heading to Changping Island to try their luck at joining the Pinghai Sect. Therefore, there are many children on the ship, all around the age of ten.

The children and adults who disembarked from the large ship dispersed and lined up behind a certain group.

"Ruo Yu, do you recognize this child?" The old man opened his eyes and looked at Mu Yi.

The Pinghai Sect has commenced a three-month recruitment of disciples. Considering that a large number of children are expected to apply, which may disrupt the tranquility of the sect, the selection venue for the disciples has been deliberately chosen to be in a market that is relatively convenient for transportation and located far from the sect.

With a heart filled with both anxiety and anticipation, Mu Yi spent the time of an incense stick and finally stood at the very front of the line

There were also two boys, around sixteen or seventeen years old, standing behind the old man

Not long ago, Mu Yi encountered three celestial masters in the red tide sea, and this young man is one of them

Children who have already been assessed, regardless of whether they passed or not, are quickly asked to leave this area to avoid queuing again and wasting the time of the Pinghai Sect

Uncle Liu is not crazy at all; he understands a great deal. Mu Yi maintained.

In the market, there are dozens of neatly arranged pavilions, all occupied by the Pinghai Sect, serving as the venue for the selection of disciples. In front of each pavilion, there are long lines, creating a rather spectacular sight from a distance

Although Mu Yi found it strange that the immortal master would ask such a question, he immediately replied with utmost respect: "I lost my mother at the age of three and have relied solely on my father since childhood, having no siblings."

The vast majority of children emerged from the pavilion with expressions of dejection, while occasionally a fortunate few would come out waving a copper plate-like object in their hands, overjoyed, most likely having passed the assessment

This iron ship, filled with the islanders from several nearby islets, is sailing towards the distant Changping Island, located thousands of miles away

Changping Island is one of the famous large islands among the thousand islands, and the pier built there is quite magnificent, leaving the village children in awe and excitement

Inside the pavilion is merely a spacious inner hall, where an old man with a goatee lies on an antique rattan chair, his eyes half-open and half-closed