In the Shadow Guard, among the six great Innate powerhouses, not a single one possesses a Spirit Root!

The six looked as though they had lost their parents, even Chen Liancang's face was extremely unsightly.

The Shadow Guard is carefully selected from those with outstanding aptitude and Root Bone from childhood, meticulously cultivated, with endless supplies of cultivation techniques and medicinal baths, resulting in emergence of strong fighters within just a few years.

But now...

When Your Majesty needs them, they are powerless.

Spirit Root...

Six people, and none of them possess it!

On the Dragon Throne, Zheng Yi remains very calm.

Those bearing Spirit Roots are indeed one in thousands.

Chen Zhong and the six others without Spirit Roots were a reality he was already prepared for.

Chen Liancang immediately knelt: "Your Majesty, we servants..."

"No worries."

Zheng Yi waved his hand and said: "Spirit Roots are rare, you need not be concerned."

"I still need you, you mustn't belittle yourselves."

Everyone knelt: "We servants vow to serve Your Majesty loyally to death!"

After some words of encouragement, Zheng Yi let them leave.

Outside the door, Chen Zhong and others silently followed behind Chen Liancang.

Finally, it was the one-armed Chen Xiao who spoke: "Foster Father, we have disappointed Your Majesty..."

"No worries."

Chen Liancang also adjusted his mood and said: "His Majesty will not mind, as long as you can still be loyal to His Majesty, being a cultivator or not doesn't matter."

"Moreover..."

He seemed to recall something and said: "I heard that Xu Mujun, the Grand Marshal, has already surpassed the Innate Realm and killed several cultivators consecutively."

"If you want to go further, wait for the Grand General to return triumphant to the Imperial Court, and then seek his guidance."

"Beyond Innate Realm!"

Their eyes all changed, and Chen Xiao excitedly asked: "Foster Father, is it true?"

"The Grand General's left arm is..."

"Ha~ Beyond Innate Realm, he can naturally regrow severed limbs, the Grand General has long regrown his left arm, indistinguishable from ordinary people."

"Regrow severed limbs, indistinguishable from ordinary people..."

Chen Xiao chanted these words, his eyes grew brighter.

And Chen Zhong and the others' eyes also had a spark.

Beyond Innate? That kind of realm?

Chen Zhong hurriedly asked: "Foster Father, what is the strength beyond Innate Realm..."

"To kill Qi cultivators, like slaughtering pigs and dogs!"

Chen Liancang said calmly, although he himself is just a Qi Cultivation Third-layer cultivator.

But ordinary Qi Cultivation middle-stage cultivators, if without a strong trump card, wouldn't be a match for him!

It's not solely because of the advanced cultivation technique "Netherworld Scripture" he practiced, the main reason is his sixty plus years of dedication to the "Black Lotus Treasure Manual."

His Martial Arts Cultivation is also Innate Realm!

The combination of the two surpasses most Qi Cultivation middle-stage cultivators completely!

Just then, a little eunuch ran over in a panic.

Chen Liancang frowned slightly and asked: "What makes you so panicked?"

"Ancestor!"

The little eunuch hurried over and whispered: "Consort Yu has discovered a Shadow Guard with a Spirit Root!"

"Spirit Root!"

Their eyes suddenly lit up, especially Chen Liancang, who instinctively grabbed the little eunuch's arm and asked: "Who is it?"

"Consort Yu's place? Could it be a woman in the Shadow Guard?"

"Yes, yes, it's Aunt Mei!"

"Aunt Mei?"

"Her?"

"Ancestor..."

The few looked at each other, the Aunt Mei they mentioned was an elder in the Shadow Guard, already over forty, and personally trained by Chen Liancang.

They were both like father-daughter and master-disciple.

However, they had heard rumors that Aunt Mei seemed to have feelings for Chen Liancang.

Unfortunately, Chen Liancang was a eunuch, always refusing, even until now...

Chen Liancang coughed and said: "Cough, you report to His Majesty, I have other matters to deal with."

In the Shadow Guard, Imperial Guard, and Emperor Faction members, there are many still waiting for their Spirit Root testing.

Sending off the six, Chen Liancang returned to the grand hall.

Zheng Yi obviously already knew about someone in the Shadow Guard possessing a Spirit Root, his mood was quite good.

"Elder Chen, having someone in the Shadow Guard with a Spirit Root finally does not let me down."

Chen Liancang said: "All thanks to Your Majesty's divine grace."

"By the way, Your Majesty, the old servant has everything prepared, the next round of Spirit Root testing can begin."

"Good."

Under Chen Liancang's supervision, every group of five entered one by one to start Spirit Root testing.

"Greetings to Your Majesty!"

"Greetings to Your Majesty!"

Every time a group of five entered, they must respectfully salute Zheng Yi.

Only under Zheng Yi's watch, would Chen Liancang conduct the Spirit Root testing for them.

After testing, they would respectfully kneel and thank Zheng Yi.

Only in this way could loyalty be assured.

It's regrettable.

More than two hundred people and none have a Spirit Root!

Chen Liancang's face grew darker, even Zheng Yi was somewhat impatient.

Less than one in ten thousand chance, but at least there should be one or two.

How come until now...

Other than that Aunt Mei, not a single one!

Another group of Shadow Guard entered and respectfully knelt: "We servants greet Your Majesty."

"Hmm."

Zheng Yi waved his hand, signaling Chen Liancang to continue, while Zheng Yi closed his eyes to rest.

Just then, Chen Liancang's delighted voice suddenly rang out.

"Your Majesty! We've found one!"

He suddenly opened his eyes wide and saw Chen Liancang tightly holding onto a little eunuch's hand, trembling, saying: "Your Majesty, this person possesses a Spirit Root!"

Zheng Yi exhaled deeply in relief, finally there was one.

"Check what kind of Spirit Root he possesses."

"Yes!"

Chen Liancang immediately took action, a Spirit Testing Talisman flew out and landed on the little eunuch.

Soon, the Spirit Testing Talisman emitted a special light.

Chen Liancang quickly spoke: "Your Majesty, this person bears a four-attribute Spirit Root, respectively gold, wood, fire, earth, four-attribute low-grade Spirit Root!"

"A low-grade Spirit Root..."

Zheng Yi couldn't help but feel a bit disheartened, after testing so many people, finally finding someone with a Spirit Root.

Unexpectedly, it was a four-attribute low-grade Spirit Root!

However, it's better than nothing.

"Well done, what is your name?"

The little eunuch excitedly knelt, trembling, and said: "Replying to Your Majesty, this humble servant is called Xiaohai."

"Xiaohai..."

Zheng Yi immediately said: "I bestow the name Chen Hai to you, stay by Elder Chen's side, don't let my expectations of you be in vain."

Chen Hai immediately kowtowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The other little eunuchs couldn't help but look at Chen Hai with a touch of jealousy, being favored by Your Majesty and the ancestor, from now on, soaring to great heights!

"What about the others?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, except for Chen Hai, there is no one else."

"Alas, let them leave."

"Yes!"

"Chen Hai, stay and serve at the side."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The testing continued, and the Shadow Guard soon completed their tests.

Next were the Imperial Guard, Embroidered Uniform Guard, and others.

After hundreds were tested, no one else possessed a Spirit Root.

Finally, it was the Emperor Faction members.

They had all passed the Shadow Guard's three trials, loyal beyond doubt to Zheng Yi and Great Yu.

Under Zheng Yi's secret instructions, this group already permeated the Three Provinces and Six Ministries, becoming pillars of the Imperial Court.

The highest-ranking among them was Wang Anshi.

Cabinet Minister, Minister of the Ministry of Revenue!

Soon, Wang Anshi, Yuan Qichang, and Cai Dashi walked in briskly.

"We pay our respects to Your Majesty!"

"Rise."

Yuan Qichang was currently the Imperial Censor.

And Cai Dashi had already been promoted to Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Official Personnel Affairs.

"Rise."

Zheng Yi said, "Today, I've specially arranged for the early testing of Spirit Roots for you three. What are your thoughts?"

Yuan Qichang and Cai Dashi promptly replied, "We only follow Your Majesty's commands!"

"Wang Anshi, what about you?"

Wang Anshi bowed and said, "Your Majesty, I do not wish to test for Spirit Roots."

Zheng Yi showed interest and asked, "Oh, why?"

"Almost everyone wants to have a Spirit Root, eager for it."

"Why does Mr. Wang avoid it like the plague?"

Wang Anshi said, "Since childhood, I swore that I would only serve the common people and ensure the country's stability. I have no interest in the ethereal matters of immortal cultivation."

"Moreover, once I possess a Spirit Root and enter the path of cultivation, wouldn't that require frequent closed-door cultivation?"

"At that point, what of the Imperial Court, what of the world? And what of the people?"

Wang Anshi's speech made Yuan Qichang and Cai Dashi both blush with shame.

But they still looked eagerly at Your Majesty.

Zheng Yi said, "Mr. Wang's wish is comforting to me."

"Elder Chen, conduct the test."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Chen Liancang immediately proceeded to test Yuan Qichang and Cai Dashi, quickly completing it.

"Your Majesty, Lord Yuan and Lord Cai do not possess Spirit Roots."

The two of them immediately seemed like withered eggplants, their spirits noticeably dampened.

Seeing this, Wang Anshi promptly said, "Your Majesty, the testing is complete, we bid farewell..."

"Elder Chen."

"Your Majesty."

"Test Mr. Wang."

"Yes."

"Your Majesty!"

Wang Anshi panicked, yet saw Chen Liancang transform into a shadow, appearing in front of him almost instantaneously.

Forcing his words back, and then pressing with one hand, sending three flows of magical power into his body.

A few moments later, Chen Liancang's tone became clearly excited.

"Your Majesty, Lord Wang possesses a Spirit Root!"

Their expressions changed completely, Yuan Qichang and Cai Dashi anxiously tested again but found no Spirit Roots.

Yet Wang Anshi, who didn't want to test, possessed a Spirit Root.

This, admittedly, seemed like a joke.

"What kind of Spirit Root?"

Chen Liancang flicked his hand, and the Spirit Testing Talisman flew out, landing on Wang Anshi.

In an instant, the Spirit Testing Talisman activated spontaneously.

One half transformed into metal, the other burned fiercely.

Chen Liancang's tone was full of disbelief: "Gold and Fire Dual Attribute, Top-grade Spirit Root!"

"This..."

Yuan Qichang and Cai Dashi's expressions became even more peculiar, while Wang Anshi remained quite calm.

Zheng Yi said, "Mr. Wang, you possess a Gold and Fire Dual Attribute, Top-grade Spirit Root, do you really not wish to cultivate immortality?"

"In the entire Great Yu, your Spirit Root aptitude is the best!"

Wang Anshi still responded respectfully, "Your Majesty, I do not wish to cultivate immortality!"

"As the sages say: 'When impoverished, one should cultivate virtues; when prosperous, one should benefit the world.'"

"Now that I am in a high position, I should live for the people of the world."

"I only wish for peace under heaven, the people living and working in happiness."

"Alas, you..."

Zheng Yi also shook his head, feeling helpless towards Wang Anshi.

"Elder Chen, fetch the Sun Shining Technique and Flaming Technique."

"Yes!" 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Chen Liancang grasped with his hand, and two books appeared in his hand.

"These are printed versions of Cultivation Techniques, the Sun Shining Technique for Gold Attribute and Flaming Technique for Fire Attribute, most suitable for you, Mr. Wang."

Zheng Yi said, "I understand your intentions to govern the nation, but I also do not want to bury your talent."

"Once peace is established under heaven, you, Mr. Wang, may do as you see fit."

Wang Anshi thought for a moment, then respectfully accepted the two cultivation technique books, saying solemnly, "Thank you, Your Majesty, we... follow the decree!"

The three depart, Zheng Yi said indifferently, "Continue."

"Yes, Your Majesty!"

Soon, the testing continued.

Before long, the absolutely loyal Shadow Guard, Imperial Guard, Embroidered Uniform Guard, Eastern Depot, and Emperor Faction members, all completed their tests.

To Zheng Yi's satisfaction, among the more than two thousand people, as many as three possessed Spirit Roots!

This ratio, can be described as astonishing!

"Elder Chen."

"The old servant is here."

"You and Daoist Master Tianxingzi will be responsible for the Spirit Testing Ceremony one month later, as I need to enter another retreat."

Chen Liancang immediately kneeled and said, "The old servant follows the decree!"

"Your Majesty can rest assured, I will handle this matter properly!"

"Good!"

After sending off Chen Liancang, Zheng Yi once again entered the silent chamber.

His Divine Thought contacted the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror, and his vision was quickly pulled to Weiyang Mountain.

"Hmm?"

Just arriving, Zheng Yi's heart was filled with a question.

Appearing within his sight were two large, warm, and inviting peach-shaped crevices of soft flesh.

Vaguely, Zheng Yi could even pick up a milky scent.

"This, this is..."