Martial Arts: I Have a Wilderness World

Chapter 565: Chapter 297: Testing the Clansmen’s Aptitude (Part 2)

The few elders in the back had already heard a brief explanation from Cheng Zongyang while the children were lining up, but hearing it again still made their hearts pound with excitement.

’Cultivators, Immortals... it’s really like a dream!’

Cheng Zongyang continued, "Therefore, I will give you recommendations based on your aptitude, but you are free to choose for yourselves. For now, when I call your name, move to the left..."

Cheng Zongyang began to select those who had Spirit Bones but no Spirit Roots. Their only path forward was to Enter the Dao through Martial Arts; there was no other way.

Next came those with both Spirit Roots and Spirit Bones, who were sorted according to the number of each.

A short while later, the seventy-odd people were divided into a dozen or so small squads based on the attributes and number of their Spirit Roots and Spirit Bones.

Only one person stood alone: Cheng Zongyan, the one with a perfect aptitude. This left Cheng Zongyang feeling rather exasperated.

Then, Cheng Zongyang addressed the first group of eight who had stepped forward.

"All of you have Spirit Bones but no Spirit Roots. Your only path to Cultivation Immortality is to Enter the Dao through Martial Arts. So, from this day forward, in addition to your medicinal baths, you will begin your Martial Arts training. You must practice not only the Cultivation Techniques, but also your fighting styles. Understand?"

"Yes!" the eight replied in unison, their voices mingled with a single, squeaky, adorable cry.

Cheng Zongyang glanced at the little girl but had no intention of giving her special treatment. There was only one path in Martial Arts Cultivation, and no way to fake one’s way through it. If she did, she would be the one to suffer later. However, some additional support would be provided.

Afterward, Cheng Zongyang explained the situation to the remaining squads. He laid out the pros and cons and their available paths, letting them choose for themselves whether to pursue the Martial Dao or begin Cultivation Immortality directly.

Cheng Zongyang then recorded their choices in order to arrange for specialized training later.

By the time he had recorded everyone’s decision, another hour had passed.

After all, these matters had to be explained thoroughly so they could make an informed choice about the path they wanted to take.

Once everything was recorded, Cheng Zongyang dismissed them from the conference courtyard.

When only the elders and Cheng Zongyang remained in the courtyard, he handed them several booklets and began to tell them about the Cultivation Immortality Realm and Jade Peak Immortal City.

After they had digested what he said about the Cultivation Immortality Realm, Cheng Zongyang announced his new decision.

"Those who are pursuing the Martial Dao can continue their training here in the village. But as for those who chose Cultivation Immortality, I plan to take them to the County Town. There is Spiritual Qi there, which will provide them with the basic conditions needed for cultivation."

Everyone had anticipated this decision and had no objections, but Cheng Guanghai frowned and asked, "You aren’t a Cultivator yourself yet, so how will they learn the basics? When they run into something they don’t understand, how will you be able to explain it? Besides, the Cultivation Techniques they choose will certainly differ. You can’t possibly know them all."

Cheng Zongyang smiled. "I’ve already thought of that. The Cultivation Techniques I brought back are all simplified versions. After all, the low-level unaffiliated cultivators over there have no one to guide them, so these simplified techniques were created to allow ordinary people to begin their Cultivation on their own."

This set everyone’s mind at ease.

Cheng Zongyang then continued, "Sirs, if you wish to try Cultivation Immortality, you can also be tested. Martial Arts is one path, but if you have the ability to cultivate, it would be best to start early. After all, you are not as young as the new generation."

"Then let’s give it a try," Cheng Guanghai said with a laugh. He was also worried the others might be too hesitant to ask.

"Alright. It can’t hurt to try. If I can become a Cultivator, it means I might be able to try my hand at Alchemy," Cheng Guangshan also chuckled.

Seeing this, Zhou Hansong and Zhou Hanchang didn’t object.

After taking out the Spirit Testing Stone and Testing Paper, Cheng Zongyang began to test them one by one.

A short while later, the results of the elders’ aptitudes were in.

The results were as Cheng Zongyang had expected. Since they hadn’t undergone the medicinal baths, they each only had one or two Spirit Bones. As for Spirit Roots, only his second uncle, Cheng Guangshan, possessed them—Five Spirit Roots, at that. The others had none. ’The probability of having No Spirit Root seems a bit high,’ he thought.

Cheng Guangshan knew what kind of aptitude Five Spirit Roots represented. He also knew his own young daughter had Five Spirit Roots as well; it was as if it were hereditary.

Cheng Zongyang asked, "Second Uncle, do you want to give it a try?"

Cheng Guangshan shook his head slightly. "No. If I had Three Spirit Roots or fewer, I might give it a shot, since starting is faster and doesn’t consume too many resources. But with this aptitude, at my age, cultivating would be a waste of resources. It’s better to leave them for the younger generation."

"You don’t need to worry about resources. I can procure what’s needed for cultivation," Cheng Zongyang replied.

"There’s no need," Cheng Guangshan said, waving his hand dismissively.

Seeing this, Cheng Zongyang didn’t press the issue. ’The elders have their own considerations. Since he’s made his decision, I should respect it.’

Next, Cheng Zongyang assigned a few more tasks, after which everyone dispersed to make their own arrangements for those who would be leaving the village.

Cheng Zongyang and Cheng Guanghai headed toward their own family courtyard, continuing their conversation along the way.

"Zongyang, are you really going to take Zongliang with you?"

Walking beside his father, Cheng Zongyang nodded slightly. "He has a Three Spirit Roots aptitude, and he chose Cultivation Immortality himself. We should respect his wishes. Besides, he’s grown up and can make his own decisions about his future."

After a moment of silence, Cheng Guanghai sighed. "That’s true. Every choice is for the sake of the Cheng Family. You handle the arrangements."

"Then as for our little sister’s training, I can only ask you to supervise her, Father. She has No Spirit Root, but she has Five Spirit Bones, giving her top-tier aptitude for Martial Arts. Continue her medicinal baths, but she can also begin her training in the Martial Dao."