12th Year of Zhengyong, February 5th.

Your Majesty hereby issues a special Holy Decree to hold the "Spirit Testing Ceremony"!

[By the Emperor's Mandate, the decree is as follows: There are immortals in the world, and I have also obtained their secrets. Hence, the common people are my subjects, and I intend to teach them as well.]

[Therefore, as the Heavenly Dao leaves one out of fifty, when Heaven gives great responsibility to a person, it must first break his spirit, tire his body, starve him, and disrupt his actions, so as to move his heart and strengthen his resolve, increasing his capabilities.]

[Immortal Cultivators must possess spirit roots; those without spirit roots will have no fate with immortality for life.]

[For this reason, I have specially organized the Spirit Testing Ceremony. All children aged five to sixteen within the Capital Region can register at the Martial Arts Department, and the ceremony will be held on a selected day!]

[Regardless of Imperial Court officials, royal relatives, common people, or merchants, all are eligible to participate in the Spirit Testing Ceremony!]

[All who pass the Spirit Testing Ceremony will be funded for cultivation by the Imperial Court, to protect Great Yu and become cultivators!]

[Thus decreed!!!]

Once this decree was sent out from the Ritual Department, it was like a high-explosive bomb thrown into a calm pool, stirring a massive storm instantly.

"Spirit, Spirit Testing Ceremony!"

"What, what does Your Majesty intend to do?"

"Your Majesty is going to announce the cultivation method?!"

"Your Majesty's wisdom is unmatched!"

"Indeed, the greatest wise monarch of all time!"

"Quickly, quickly notify the clan, bring all the children to the Capital City!"

"Spirit Testing Ceremony... spirit roots, I wonder if I have spirit roots?"

"What a pity! My son is already over sixteen years old, I wonder..."

"The decree only mentions the Capital Region, what about other state counties..."

"My, my son can also go to participate in the Spirit Testing Ceremony? Too, too wonderful!"

"Your Majesty is wise! As long as my son has those spirit roots, he can rise to prominence instantly!"

"This is easier than the imperial examinations..."

For a while, from royal relatives and government officials to common people and merchants, all were discussing this matter.

In just half a day, every location of the Martial Arts Department was packed with people coming to register.

Some even tried to sneak in older individuals, but were forcefully driven out.

In a short time, the entire Capital City, surrounding counties, villages, and even nearby state counties were buzzing, with countless people rushing towards the Capital City.

In just a few days, every corner of the Capital City was brimming with people, and messages were flying everywhere.

Moreover, the decree's contents were rapidly spreading to other state counties, with countless people discussing it.

In the Cabinet.

A few Cabinet Ministers had no mind for work, all gathered together, looking at each other, unsure of what to think.

They were busy maintaining the Imperial Court, managing southern warfare, yet unexpectedly, Your Majesty suddenly initiated such a big event.

For a while, they were all somewhat bewildered.

Ultimately, it was the experienced Lu Xiangqing who first spoke: "Colleagues, I wonder what your thoughts are on this affair of Your Majesty?"

As soon as the words fell, Zheng Xuanyue spoke first: "Children do not speak of phantoms, spirit matters... I am skeptical!"

"Your Majesty's decree states that once spirit roots are found, they will be funded by the Imperial Court, possibly even becoming officials; this matter... is truly absurd!"

"Ten years of hard study, how could it be overshadowed by some peculiar spirit roots..."

Lu Xiangqing first shook his head and said: "Elder Zheng, there are indeed cultivators in this world; I have witnessed them myself."

"This..."

Zheng Xuanyue paused, his worldview turned upside-down, finding it hard to believe.

Scholar's hard study over a dozen years, yet lesser compared to a child with spirit roots, this...

Lu Xiangqing turned to Wang Anshi and said: "What is Lord Wang's opinion?"

Wang Anshi appeared very calm and spoke: "Since Your Majesty has already issued a decree, even if we oppose, it would be in vain."

"Top priority is to prepare for the Spirit Testing Ceremony and ensure follow-ups."

"According to what I know, mortals with spirit roots are one in ten thousand, extremely rare in number."

"Ordinary people in the Capital Region may number two million at most; those with spirit roots are at most two hundred, perhaps even fewer."

"For them to grow, it would take at least ten years; for the Imperial Court and the realm, the impact is not substantial."

"Our current task is still to ensure the southern army's logistics, stable supply lines and provisions."

"Lord Xu's previous report indicates that King Chen, Tianlong Temple, and remaining rebels in Yunmeng Marsh have gathered in Xuzhou, a great battle... is about to begin!"

Wang Anshi's words made the people present slightly less tense.

However, Lu Xiangqing deeply glanced at Wang Anshi, and wondered where he received so much information?

It seems his own family should also secretly seek out some cultivators.

For some reason, an idea suddenly popped up in Lu Xiangqing's mind.

In the future, Great Yu... will be dominated by cultivators!

At this moment, a figure ran in quickly; it was the long-missing Cai Dashi.

He first chuckled respectfully to the Cabinet Ministers, then approached Wang Anshi and Yuan Qichang, whispering: "Lord Wang, Lord Yuan, Your Majesty requests your presence."

"Your Majesty?"

Wang Anshi's expression changed, and he immediately stood up and said: "Since His Majesty summons, I must take my leave."

"Understood."

Wang Anshi, Yuan Qichang, and Cai Dashi all left, soon leaving only Lu Xiangqing, Zheng Xuanyue, and Li Changfeng in the Cabinet.

Zheng Xuanyue curiously asked: "What is Lord Wang going to do?"

"Unclear."

"His Majesty's summon? Perhaps it's about the Spirit Testing Ceremony."

The few discussed quietly, but their minds clearly elsewhere, and soon made excuses to leave, rushing back to their homes, gathering children of suitable age from their families, advising them earnestly, and sending people to register at the Martial Arts Department.

Some even wrote letters to relatives far away, urging them to bring children of suitable age to the Capital City quickly.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Palace, Wang Anshi curiously asked: "What important matter does Your Majesty require us for now?"

Yuan Qichang was also puzzled, shaking his head and saying: "I do not know either."

Cai Dashi smiled and said, "A little eunuch came running to tell me, it seems there's a great opportunity... waiting for us!"

"Oh?"

Inside Baiyu City.

Zheng Yi was meditating with closed eyes, while outside the room, squads of Shadow Guard and Imperial Guard were entering designated rooms under specific guidance.

Meanwhile, more people were in different rooms within Baiyu City, waiting for something.

These individuals were Shadow Guards, brainwashed from a young age to remain loyal to Zheng Yi.

As well as Imperial Guards, Emperor Faction members, etc., whose loyalty to Zheng Yi had been severely tested.

The Spirit Testing Ceremony was scheduled to take place a month later.

Of course, Zheng Yi was not being altruistic, offering cultivation resources for free.

Instead, he wanted to expand the playing field!

The more cultivators gathered under his command, the stronger his influence would be, and the more benefits he would gain.

A month later, the identities of the children found with spirit roots at the Spirit Testing Ceremony were bound to be mixed.

But Zheng Yi did not care about this.

After all, in Zheng Yi's view, they were merely Outer Disciples, or even Servant Disciples.

Only those with exceptional talent, loyalty to him, and after extensive time trials, could enter as 'Inner Sect Disciples.'

Before that, he was to search among all Shadow Guards, Imperial Guards, and Emperor Faction members to find those with spirit roots to become 'Inner Sect Disciples' in advance!

As for his own children, they of course were 'Core Disciples.'

The entire Great Yu would become a cultivation sect belonging solely to Zheng Yi!

At that moment, Chen Zhongyi emerged with six people.

"Greetings, Your Majesty~!"

The six Innate Martial Artists, Chen Zhong, Chen Xiao, Chen Yi, Chen Li, Chen Ti, and Chen Zhi, respectfully knelt on the ground.

"Rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The six stood up respectfully; among more than five hundred Shadow Guards, including over four hundred eunuchs and over one hundred palace maids.

But among them, only these six succeeded in advancing to the Innate stage using the Black Lotus Treasure Manual!

Even their names were bestowed by Zheng Yi, glorified immensely.

Chen Liancang spoke in a solemn tone, "The wise Majesty particularly arranged for an advance spirit testing before the Spirit Testing Ceremony to ascertain whether you possess spirit roots."

"If you have spirit roots, His Majesty will personally bestow upon you cultivation techniques."

"From then on, you may become cultivators, your strength doubled, and even your lifespan will increase."

"You must remember to remain loyal to His Majesty and to the Great Yu."

Unitedly, the six respectfully replied, "We dare to serve and die for His Majesty!!!"

Zheng Yi nodded and opened his mouth, "Chen Xiao, you're physically disabled, do you still wish to undergo spirit testing?"

Shadow Guard Chen Xiao, due to the Ancestral Zombie, severed his left arm, and his martial arts cultivation had reached its limit.

It was unexpected that he still came to this Shadow Guard spirit testing.

Chen Xiao knelt and said, "Your Majesty, this servant vows to serve and die for Your Majesty!"

"Regarding spirit testing, please be lenient, if this servant indeed possesses spirit roots, I will not forget Your Majesty's teachings!"

"Very well, I will certainly give you a chance."

Zheng Yi waved his hand and said, "Elder Chen, begin."

"Understood!"

Chen Liancang respectfully complied, and the spirit testing technique had been taught to him by Zhuang Yuheng, so today he was responsible for testing the Shadow Guards, Imperial Guards, Emperor Faction, and Embroidered Uniform Guards for spirit roots.

As for the female Shadow Guards and the palace maids in the harem, several consorts including Cui Xiabing were tasked with them.

After all, being consorts, they could not come into contact with other men's bodies.

Not even eunuchs!

This really made things difficult for Chen Liancang.

Fortunately, a month later at the Spirit Testing Ceremony, Tianxingzi would come, assisting him with the spirit testing.

Chen Liancang first approached Chen Zhong, whose expression was steady, but his gaze couldn't conceal his excitement.

After so long in seclusion cultivating, his cultivation level had already reached the third layer of Qi Cultivation.

He was just a step away from breaking into the middle-stage Qi Cultivation.

His hands moved like lightning, swiftly tapping three times on Chen Zhong's body.

Three wisps of magical power entered, and amidst Chen Zhong's excited gaze, Chen Liancang shook his head and said, "No spirit root."

Chen Zhong's expression visibly deflated, but he quickly regained composure.

"Thank you for your effort, godfather."

"Next, Chen Yi!"

Using the same technique, three wisps of magical power entered, and Chen Liancang carefully sensed.

"Chen Yi, no spirit root!"

"Chen Ti, no spirit root!"

"Chen Li, no spirit root!"

"Chen Zhi, no spirit root!"

Five in a row, all without spirit roots, the faces of everyone present were even more somber.

Only Zheng Yi remained composed, leaning on the Dragon Throne.

The existence of spirit roots is elusive; even if all six present had no spirit roots, it wouldn't be a surprise to him.

Finally, Chen Liancang approached Chen Xiao, tapped swiftly, and three wisps of magical power emerged.

Everyone around turned their attention to Chen Xiao, even Zheng Yi looked over with interest.

Did Chen Xiao have a spirit root?

Several breaths later, Chen Liancang turned respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, Chen Xiao... no spirit root!"