When people reach middle age, especially after serving as an official, their words naturally carry a certain authority.
Of the three, only Lu Chang’sheng could hold him down.
Gazing at Lu Chang’an’s calm face, Lu Haozi found himself speechless.
If Lu Chang’an weren’t here, he’d still side with Mother, but right now, he just couldn’t say a word.
In the end, he could only look to Lu Chang’sheng, for him to decide.
"As for this matter—"
"Father, I know what you’re about to say, but things aren’t like they used to be. You’re the backbone of our Lu Mansion. Of the three, anyone could stay behind, but Father, you’re the only one who absolutely must go."
Lu Chang’an spoke in a somber tone.
"We still don’t know what awaits in the Spirit Realm, and now we can’t get hold of Mother. If you weren’t here, Ziyou and the rest of us wouldn’t have any chance to rise up."
Lu Chang’sheng was instantly rendered silent.
"Let think it over."
He said in a deep voice, then walked out of the room.
"Don’t bla your father. Back then, the two of us were raised entirely by Mother. She used to give all the food to him, eating just a little herself each day so he wouldn’t go hungry."
Lu Haozi sighed deeply.
"I know. Father’s just that kind of person—whoever treats him well, he gives back twice as much. And anyway, she’s Grandma—his own mother."
Lu Chang’an, now a father himself, felt this deeply.
But—
"If Father can’t make the choice, then we’ll have to let Grandma choose for him!" he said.
Lu Haozi’s expression changed, scolding him: "What do you think you’re doing!"
After years of living together, Lu Haozi’s thinking was no longer as dull as it once was.
If Mother found out about this, she’d surely choose to give herself up.
"Uncle, did you ever think—if Father hadn’t been here, maybe Grandma and Grandpa would’ve died long ago." Lu Chang’an said.
Lu Haozi fell silent.
"That’s why we all know: the farther Father goes, the better it is for us. I’m not gifted like he was—couldn’t inherit his talent—so all I can do is help lessen his burdens in these ssy affairs. Please don’t be angry, Uncle."
Lu Haozi opened his mouth, then managed a wry smile. "You kids... Who says you didn’t inherit your father’s talent? You in this mont—are exactly like he was back in Black Mountain Prefecture."
Lu Chang’an broke into a grin, then turned and left.
Soon after, Lu Chang’sheng received word that Mrs. Lu wanted him at the side yard.
Arriving there, he saw her looking pale and quickly asked, "Mother, are you feeling sick? Let check your pulse."
Mrs. Lu kept a cold face, refusing to give her hand.
"I’m not feeling well, but it’s my heart that aches!"
"You found out?" Lu Chang’sheng said, forcing a bitter smile.
"If I hadn’t, were you planning to keep hiding it from ?"
Mrs. Lu said.
Seeing Lu Chang’sheng fall silent, she sighed heavily and said, "If you really care about , take those two children and go to that so-called Spirit Realm."
"Otherwise, even in death I won’t be at peace."
"You are our Lu Family’s hope. Chang’an and Ziyou aren’t bad either. As for Haozi’s bunch—forget it, not a single one with any promise. If you weren’t here, they’d be out in the mud, farming by now."
Lu Chang’sheng gave a little laugh.
"Go, child. The farther you go, the happier your mother will be."
Lu Chang’sheng nodded, then—for the first ti—got down on his knees and kowtowed to his mother several tis.
And so, the three spots were set. Lu Chang’sheng would take Lu Chang’an and Lu Ziyou into the Spirit Realm.
He didn’t ntion this to anyone else in the mansion, except Lu Haozi.
As for Daoist Ruyi, Guan Hongxiu, and the others, they’d already heard the news through other channels, and were busy working their own angles.
"Xu Zhuqing has soone backing her, should be able to connect through the Empress. As for , all I’ve got is that old man."
That night, Lu Chang’sheng chatted with Yu Hai in the courtyard.
With the trip to the Spirit Realm looming, he wasn’t in much mood to cultivate—planning to take these two, three months to rest up and spend ti with his family.
"Don’t worry, Brother Yu—maybe you’ll catch that ride too?" Lu Chang’sheng comforted him.
On the third month, Zhu Er would be holding the Ascension Gathering at Black Mountain Prefecture; by then, everyone could attend.
The so-called Ascension Gathering was, of course, a test for Spirit Root Talent.
When Zhu Er returned to the Spirit Realm afterward, she’d imdiately notify the clan cultivators to co into Great Yuan and take the talented ones back to the Spirit Realm.
For Zhu Er, discovering a promising Spirit Root Talent was a pretty solid reward in itself.
But clearly, Yu Hai wasn’t holding out any hope.
"If I really had Spirit Root Talent, I wouldn’t still be stuck at top True Qi Realm now."
Yu Hai and Lu Chang’sheng had had similar conversations before, always guessing that those with Spirit Root Talent surely wouldn’t be slow in cultivating Martial Dao.
"Mm~ Actually, I think those with Spirit Root Talent must have sothing a bit different about them. Who knows, maybe you’ve got it sowhere, Brother Yu—we just haven’t uncovered it yet."
"Heh~" Yu Hai laughed at himself, wry as can be.
He didn’t want to dwell on such a sore subject, sighing instead, "No clue what’s gotten into that old man in the past year or two—seems like he’s getting all hot and bothered about won again."
Yu Hai hadn’t realized that his dad, seeing him fail to add to the Guan Family, was planning to take matters into his own hands.
But Lu Chang’sheng hadn’t expected this—he’d figured Guan Hongxiu would wait for the Spirit Realm, only to find out things were already getting underway.
"Makes sense; he’s got no hope for the Spirit Realm himself. If he waits for the realms to rge, it’ll be even tougher to conceive."
Suddenly, Lu Chang’sheng understood.
But what nobody had counted on was that, on the day of the Ascension Gathering three months later, Yu Hai actually tested positive for Spirit Root Talent!
The group traveling with them was absolutely stunned.
The Ascension Gathering was held on a stretch of open ground just outside the city.
Zhu Er took out a bottle of Immortal Wine, poured a few drops into a big water jar, and had the Great Yuan officials hand out cups to the surrounding regular folks.
"This is Spirit Root Wine. It’s pretty much like normal booze—in fact, it tastes even worse—but it’s got one function: anyone without Spirit Root Talent—even just the tiniest bit—will get totally drunk after just a sip."
Zhu Er explained to Lu Chang’sheng.
"Is this how you guys test for Spirit Root Talent in the Spirit Realm too?"
Zhu Er shook her head. "Not exactly. There’s plenty with Spirit Roots in the Spirit Realm—tons of poor ones, not even hitting D grade—and if they drink this stuff, they won’t get drunk, so it’s not much of a test there."
So that’s how it is.
Lu Chang’sheng nodded, watching the crowd go through their tests.
With this thod, they could probably check the tens of thousands here in under half a month.
The older folks, those without any notable skills, were simply disqualified outright.
Just as Lu Chang’sheng suspected, Zhu Er told him that people with Spirit Roots usually have sothing a bit out of the ordinary.
So don’t get thirsty easily. Others advance fast in Martial Dao cultivation. So have sharp eyesight. So are unusually sensitive to pain—things like that.
A lot of these talents are pretty subtle, which is why all these other detection thods sprang up.
Soon enough, Lu Chang’sheng spotted Yu Hai.
He ca over with Xu Zhuqing and the rest for testing.
Lu Chang’sheng always paid special attention to folks he had decent ties with.
Zhu Er, naturally, wasn’t an exception.
Generally speaking, the faster soone progresses in Martial Dao, the greater their chances of Spirit Root Talent.
Lu Chang’sheng’s circle of friends were all strong cultivators, well worth watching.
Sure enough, half an hour later, people all around were dropping to the ground, totally plastered, while Yu Hai stood off to the side as if nothing had happened.
Yup, Xu Zhuqing stood her ground too.
Guan Hongxiu wobbled, then toppled over.
Yu Hai cursed good-naturedly, helped him aside, then glanced toward Xu Zhuqing, looking completely unconcerned.
He knew himself pretty well—no way did he expect any Spirit Root Talent of his own.
"A talent? I don’t really have much of anything. This alchemy skill—all because that old man kept stuffing it down my throat. With his stick hanging over , I made sure to learn it real well, but honestly, it doesn’t count for much."
Before eting Lu Chang’sheng, Yu Hai thought his knack for alchemy was sothing. Afterward, he never again talked up his alchemy gift.
After all, a man has to protect his pride.
"If I really have one talent—there’s sothing no one else can match."
Yu Hai suddenly grinned, rembering sothing.
Right away, Xu Zhuqing and Qin Wan both looked over, eyes full of curiosity.
"I’ve been grinding away for over ten years, and still haven’t succeeded. Isn’t that endurance enough of a talent?"
Qin Wan blushed bright red, spat, "That’s a condition!"
She said.
Xu Zhuqing wholeheartedly agreed.
Unexpectedly, an hour later, both won’s faces suddenly turned serious.
Yu Hai—he hadn’t gotten drunk!
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