Eternal Life: I Can Control My Essence Qi-Chapter 85: Sudden Change of Events

The next day.

In the central street of Qingyun Marketplace, the crowd surged, with hundreds of cultivators gathered.

"What a stroke of luck!"

"The Qian Family is truly blessed now, even the ancestors’ graves must be smoking!"

"Indeed, who would have imagined that their Qian Le would possess a five-element spirit root..."

Many cultivators were discussing fervently, with looks of envy and jealousy on their faces.

Yesterday, when the recruitment order from the Celestial Treasure Tower was issued, it caused a huge sensation, rapidly spreading throughout the Wei Kingdom’s cultivation realm.

It was truly a coincidence:

Among the spirit farmers in the marketplace, there was a couple with the surname Qian, who had a son named Qian Le. He was notorious for being idle and reckless, mixing in the North Street Marketplace all day.

But who could have thought, this Qian Le was actually a rare five-attribute spirit root. Precisely because his aptitude was so poor, he had given up on cultivating, muddling through his days.

Now, overnight, like a sparrow turning into a golden phoenix.

"Thank you, Steward..."

In front of the Celestial Treasure Tower, the Qian family was all smiles, continuously expressing their gratitude.

In front of numerous cultivators, Steward Pang of the Celestial Treasure Tower directly handed the Qian family ten thousand spirit stones, making many cultivators’ eyes turn red.

Not only that, Qian Le also requested to bring his parents to Da Li, and the Celestial Treasure Tower readily agreed.

This made even more cultivators envious. Da Li is a thriving cultivation paradise, with spiritual qi far superior to the Wei Kingdom, and with the protection of the Celestial Treasure Tower, one could cultivate peacefully, essentially like a carp leaping over the dragon gate.

"This Qian Le really stepped in it, didn’t he..."

Many cultivators discussed among themselves, wishing they could take his place.

What about a five-attribute spirit root being inferior? With the Celestial Treasure Tower’s spiritual elixirs and treasures dedicated to cultivation, his cultivation speed would absolutely surpass those with mixed spirit roots, and he might even achieve Foundation Establishment in the future!

"When something unusual occurs, there must be a cause for suspicion..."

Zhang Yao, hidden within the crowd, watched the scene from afar, his heart becoming increasingly calm.

He also didn’t expect that among the spirit farmers in Qingyun Marketplace, there was actually a cultivator with a five spirit roots, giving the Celestial Treasure Tower the opportunity to showcase, causing a bigger sensation.

"This time, the major forces in the Wei Kingdom’s cultivation realm probably can’t sit still."

Thinking this, Zhang Yao’s heart grew more anxious.

Statistically speaking, there are only about one to two thousand cultivators in the Wei Kingdom’s cultivation realm, and having one with a five-attribute spirit root is already good fortune, and it’s unlikely to find a second.

But besides the Qi Refining cultivators in the cultivation realm, there are tens of millions of ordinary citizens in the Wei Kingdom.

The spiritual qi in the Wei Kingdom is more abundant, increasing the probability of spirit root emergence among mortals, roughly one in several thousand, which is a considerable potential base.

The one thousand spirit stones’ reward is indeed enticing, and even those who have been in seclusion at the peak of Qi Refining might be tempted.

Before the Celestial Treasure Tower, Steward Pang scanned the surroundings with a pointed smile:

"Fellow Daoists of the Wei Kingdom, this recruitment order from our Celestial Treasure Tower is issued by the main headquarters, targeting the Southwest countries."

"No matter who brings a five-attribute spirit root cultivator, they can claim the reward of one thousand spirit stones!"

Upon this announcement, the hundreds of cultivators watching were in an uproar.

The underlying message from the Celestial Treasure Tower was that as long as someone brings another, they can claim the reward, regardless of whether that person is willing, even if captured or coerced.

For someone like Qian Le who volunteered, the spirit stones naturally go to him and his parents. But if someone is unwilling, then the one thousand spirit stones go to the captor.

Many cultivators debated while scheming, as some dark thoughts began to sprout.

"This is truly a disaster out of nowhere!"

Zhang Yao felt heavy-hearted, increasingly sensing the unfathomable depths behind the Celestial Treasure Tower.

Throughout the cultivation realms of the dozens of Southwest countries, if all proceeded like this, how many spirit stones would be needed for the reserve?

Even if the forces behind the Celestial Treasure Tower were a coalition of major Golden Core influences from the Da Li cultivation realm, they would still have to bleed heavily!

And the fact that they are investing such a cost, specifically recruiting five-attribute spirit root cultivators, can only imply there is an even greater profit behind the scenes!

"...damn it!"

He swore silently, withdrawing from the crowd, returning to his residence.

As Zhang Yao predicted: on the day after the Celestial Treasure Tower’s showcase, the various major forces in the Wei Kingdom quickly took action.

In Qingyun Marketplace, nearly all tributor forces were mobilized to the human capital city and towns, conducting large-scale spirit root measurements in the hopes of finding another cultivator with five spirit roots.

Not only in Qingyun Marketplace:

The Jingu Sect, Qinglian Sect, Independent Practitioner Alliance, and even the various sects and noble families in the Wei Kingdom began emergency mobilizations.

Half a month went by:

Although they did not find a second person with a five-attribute spirit root, the fervor of this wave continued to rise, leading to legends about immortals spreading throughout the Wei Kingdom, creating a nationwide sensation.

"How lively it is!"

Old Qi, visiting Zhang Yao for a game of chess, commented on the matter, clicking his tongue in wonder:

"It’s my first time witnessing such a large-scale operation by the Celestial Treasure Tower."

"The cultivation realm of the Wei Kingdom has been stirred into a frenzy by a single recruitment order this time..."

Zhang Yao placed a piece calmly, then slowly spoke:

"Today, Steward Ouyang above me also issued a statement."

"He instructed us to temporarily cease tending to the spirit fields, as most personnel will be reassigned to various regions of the Wei Kingdom to test for spirit roots."

"It was bound to happen sooner or later."

Old Qi wasn’t surprised, casually remarking:

"The five major forces of the Wei Kingdom jointly manage a small spirit stone mine, with various industries. They can’t be compared to those minor sects and small noble families."

"One thousand spirit stones aren’t enough to sway the several Foundation Establishment cultivators behind the five major forces."

"What they truly value is using this opportunity to forge deeper ties with the Da Li cultivation realm behind the Celestial Treasure Tower, which would be a highly profitable trade."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yao couldn’t help but slightly nod in agreement with his assessment.

The Wei Kingdom’s cultivation realm is but a small pond. They cannot produce precious resources like Foundation Establishment Pills and life-extending Spirit Pills on their own and must rely on supplies from the Da Li cultivation realm.

If they can seize this chance to connect with the Celestial Treasure Tower, they’ll find numerous advantages, even gaining a competitive edge in future opportunities.

Two hours later, after indulging in chess, Old Qi left satisfied.

After he left, Zhang Yao silently pondered the current situation:

"Normally speaking, faced with such a recruitment from the Celestial Treasure Tower, a five-attribute spirit root cultivator would be tempted, proactively stepping forward."

"Considering there’s already a precedent like Qian Le, I am currently hidden under the radar, temporarily unnoticed, but this is not a long-term strategy..."

No one would expect that, despite the Celestial Treasure Tower’s conditions, a five-attribute spirit root cultivator would still hide himself.

Given one is ordinarily considered a worthless cultivation layabout with no prospects, why hide when such a heavenly opportunity falls into their lap?

It’s precisely this cognitive bias that allows Zhang Yao to remain hidden up till now, without drawing suspicion. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

But if, one day, the high echelon of Qingyun Marketplace suspects someone hiding and orders extensive tests on the spirit roots of spirit farmers and tributors under them, he won’t be able to conceal it.

Once his spirit root attributes are exposed, the decision to go or not to Da Li would no longer be his.

"Although this probability is low, it cannot be ignored."

Zhang Yao’s resolve grew firmer:

"During this period, I must stay alert to any developments outside. If anything arises, I must retreat early!"

"There’s still half a month... Hopefully, it will pass peacefully."