Time passes quickly, without caring for day or night.
In the blink of an eye, Lin Jiang is already 160 years old, but his cultivation is still at the ninth level of Qi Refining. This makes Lin Jiang very frustrated because his aptitude in his current body is really poor. Lin Jiang really wants to travel back in time again, not asking for extremely talented geniuses, but at least having two or three Spiritual Roots would be nice.
"In two years, at most two years, I will break through."
Lin Jiang sets a small goal for himself, he is only one step away from reaching the peak of Qi Refining, and he is confident that he can achieve it within two years.
"Uncle, Uncle, come and help me, Big Shadiao is bullying me again."
A scream came from outside the door, Lin Jiang shook his head helplessly and stood up.
Walking to the door, Cao Ying had already been forced into a corner by Big Shadiao. Big Shadiao was very angry, flapping its wings, creating a strong wind, and throwing sand and stones at Cao Ying.
(Translated by Gravity Tales 😌)
"Why did you do something to upset Big Shadiao again?"
Lin Jiang walked over and held Big Shadiao's neck, pulling it outside.
Without even looking, it was clear that Cao Ying had provoked Big Shadiao on her own. Since she was five years old, Lin Jiang had been teaching her martial arts, and after learning a few moves, Cao Ying became overconfident and started practicing with Big Shadiao from time to time.
Big Shadiao had a good temper, but Cao Ying often annoyed him. Once Big Shadiao got serious and decided to discipline her, Cao Ying would start seeking help, and this cycle would repeat over and over again, with Cao Ying finding it amusing.
"I didn't provoke it, I just wanted to pluck one of its hairs to make a shuttlecock. It has so much hair, what's wrong with plucking one?"
"It seems like I've spoiled you. Well, I won't interfere anymore. Let Big Shadiao deal with you."
"No, no, no, Uncle, I was just joking."
"You are already a grown-up girl, can you not act like a little child?"
Lin Jiang rolled his eyes. Cao Ying is already twelve years old this year. In this world, she is considered a big girl. If she were an ordinary person, she would be getting married in a couple of years. In some places, people even get married at thirteen.
"I'm still little, Uncle."
"Okay, okay, you are just a kid."
"Uncle, did you finish making the cake? It's my birthday today, and I want to eat a whole cake."
"Not yet, let's talk about it tonight."
Lin Jiang waved his hand, his mind was occupied with other things at the moment.
Over the years, he had been very good to Cao Ying, treating her like his own daughter. He never lacked in providing for her materially, and she had a better life than most independent cultivator children in Yunzhong City. He also made sure to enrich her spiritually, teaching her how to read and write, buying her many books, and even teaching her martial arts to keep her fit.
With various actions, Cao Ying gradually forgot about her parents. After she turned six, she hardly ever mentioned them again and lived a simple, happy life.
Seeing Cao Ying's cheerful appearance, Lin Jiang hesitated. He was unsure whether to let her practice cultivation.
In this world of cultivators, it is unsafe without cultivation. One could face constant danger and potentially die from various accidents, such as battles among cultivators. The aftermath of a casual move from a cultivator is something ordinary people cannot withstand.
In the world of cultivators, things aren't as good as they seem. Once you embark on the path of cultivating, you have to endure countless consequences. Cultivating requires resources, and you have to strive, work hard, travel, kill, and there's even a chance of being killed by others.
If you don't have good talent, perhaps even after decades or centuries of hard work, the result will only be the same as an ordinary person. Lin Jiang heard many cultivators regretting their cultivation after they grew old. They abandoned many things for the sake of cultivation, neglected their family, and in the end, it all turned out to be in vain.
"Uncle, what are you thinking about? You look unhappy."
"Cao Ying, come, sit down. Uncle wants to discuss something with you."
"Uncle, what is it?"
"Do you want to cultivate?"
"Yes, I do."
"Why do you want to cultivate?"
"Because I want to fly! Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao are so stingy, they never take me flying for a whole year. If I can cultivate, I'll be able to fly on my own. I don't need to rely on them anymore, hmph!"
Cao Ying angrily said and gave a disdainful look to Big Shadiao and Small Shadiao. She was so petty that she wouldn't even fly with her.
"Is it just because you want to fly? Do you know that cultivating is very difficult and boring? All day long, it's either earning spirit stones or meditating and practicing."
"I'm not afraid of hard work. Besides, I don't want to burden my uncle. I'm all grown up now."
Cao Ying said that over the years, their lives had returned to the ordinary life of independent cultivators. Many people still asked Lin Jiang to go out and do things like being a bodyguard, hunting demons, and exploring. But Lin Jiang used taking care of Cao Ying as an excuse to refuse.
Cao Ying felt that she was holding Lin Jiang back, so she also wanted to cultivate. That way, she wouldn't burden her uncle anymore, and maybe she could even help.
"Uncle doesn't want you to cultivate because it's tough, tiring, and dangerous. But it's your own life, and I think you should consider it yourself. So, Uncle respects your decision. I'll give you one month. After that, I'll ask you again. If you still want to cultivate, Uncle will make arrangements for you."
After thinking about it, Lin Jiang said that Cao Ying wasn't his biological daughter, so he felt he didn't have the right to decide for her.
Therefore, Lin Jiang thought that this month, he would tell Cao Ying about the world of cultivators, the good and the bad, the bright and the dark, the fairness and justice. If she still wanted to cultivate, then Lin Jiang would fulfill her wish.
"Are you sure you want to cultivate?"
After a month, Lin Jiang asked Cao Ying again if she wanted to cultivate and received a positive answer.
"Uncle Lin, please let me cultivate. Everyone in Yunzhong City cultivates, and I want to as well."
Cao Ying couldn't understand why Lin Jiang consciously or unconsciously discouraged her from cultivating. Isn't cultivation something normal in Yunzhong City, where everyone, except for children, is a cultivator?
"Alright, you're not a child anymore. I respect your choice, but I hope you won't regret it in the future."
"I promise I won't regret it."
"Come on, let me test your Spiritual Root. If you don't have one, there's nothing we can do."
Lin Jiang nodded and took out a Spirit Measuring Stone from his storage bag. These things cost a hundred spirit stones each and can determine whether a child has a Spiritual Root. They are a common tool in the cultivation world.
It is said that some big forces even have more advanced Spirit Measuring Platforms, which can accurately measure the quality of a child's Spiritual Root. However, Spirit Measuring Platforms are treasures and cost tens of thousands of spirit stones, not something that everyone has.
Lin Jiang took out the Spirit Measuring Stone and pricked Cao Ying's finger. He dropped a drop of blood on it. Soon, the Spirit Measuring Stone reacted and emitted a light. Lin Jiang sighed.
This was within his expectations. Cao Ying's parents are both cultivators in the Building Foundation Period. There is a probability of more than seventy percent that she has a Spiritual Root. Now, the next thing to see is the quality of her Spiritual Root. Hopefully, it won't be like his, a waste with only Five Spiritual Roots.
After the Spirit Measuring Stone came into contact with Cao Ying's fresh blood, it first emitted a light and then fluctuated in five different colors. This represents the five types of Spiritual Roots. However, soon, only one color, red, remained flickering. Lin Jiang was greatly shocked.
"One color, a Single Spiritual Root genius?"
Lin Jiang exclaimed. A Single Spiritual Root, also known as a Heavenly Spiritual Root, is an extremely rare genius in the cultivation world.
Among ordinary people, if both their parents and ancestors are ordinary people, the probability of having a Spiritual Root is about one in ten thousand. Even if there is a Spiritual Root, it tends to be four or five Spiritual Roots predominantly. The fewer Spiritual Roots one has, the scarcer and more genius they are.
"Uncle, you said I'm a genius, yay, I'm a genius!"
"Don't worry, let's try again."
"No more, uncle. It hurts too much."
"Cao Ying, try again."
Lin Jiang comforted Cao Ying and squeezed out another drop of blood, then tested it again, but the result remained the same, only one kind of red color, representing the Fire Spiritual Root.
"Cao Ying, how about trying again?"
"No more, no more, uncle."
Cao Ying refused directly, hiding her hands behind her back. If they tried again, she would refuse to cultivate immortality. It was too painful, who would want to cultivate immortality?
"Alright, let it be Fire Spiritual Root."
Lin Jiang answered, but Cao Ying was a Single Spiritual Root genius, so Lin Jiang couldn't keep her by his side.
Because he didn't want to ruin a genius, Lin Jiang knew very well that he had some skills, but when it came to overall ability, he wasn't much stronger than other independent cultivators, relying mainly on accumulated experience in drawing symbols.
Cao Ying following him was truly a waste, like a hidden gem covered in dust. They needed to find her a good teacher.
"Since you want to apprentice, it's better to go directly to a big sect. Those famous independent cultivators may not have many advantages."
Lin Jiang decided in his heart that he would find a big sect for Cao Ying. With her talent, she could join any sect in Yun State. The sects would even want her eagerly. A sect must have a constant flow of talented disciples to remain strong. If there is a gap, the enemy won't give you a chance, and the competition between sects is also fierce.
For finding a big sect, Zhonghang Sect, Cloud Sword Sect, and Five Elements Sect are the best choices. These three sects are the leaders in Yun State. Other sects are not worth considering in comparison to them.
"Uncle?"
Cao Ying saw Lin Jiang's face change quickly and asked in worry. Is he going to prick her finger again?
"Cao Ying, my dear, I agree to your cultivation. I will take good care of your body during these days."
Lin Jiang said, afraid to teach Cao Ying cultivation prematurely. He worried that some sects might find fault in her. What they wanted was a disciple as pure as a blank sheet of paper.
But Lin Jiang could help her take care of her body. She could eat more Spirit food to nourish her body and use Spirit medicine for bathing to strengthen her meridians. These are all foundational things.
In the past, few in the second generation of the Lin family received this treatment from Lin Jiang. However, Lin Jiang's third and fourth generations, as well as the second generations born later, all received this treatment because the Lin family had become wealthy at that time.
And the benefits of doing so are obvious. Lin Jiang's younger generation progressed much faster during their cultivation, which was a lifelong benefit.
Lin Jiang has plenty of money now, so he is willing to spend it on Cao Ying. It can also be considered as repaying her parents' kindness.
During this time, Lin Jiang also needs to investigate carefully to find out which sect Cao Ying should join. The three major sects each have their own unique advantages, so it must be done carefully.

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