I established the Eternal Immortal Clan by taming beasts.

"Father, you're here!"

A sweet voice rang out from the ancestral hall, like the first bird song of spring, clear and melodious, instantly dispelling the faint tension in the hall.

The voice carried undisguised joy and dependence, which softened the hearts of those who heard it.

A smile immediately bloomed on Lin Xuanjing's face, a smile that contained doting, pride, and a hint of barely suppressed eagerness.

He immediately strode forward, crossed the threshold of the ancestral hall in a few steps, bent down and picked up the small figure who was opening his arms to him.

"Of course!" He gently placed the little girl in the crook of his arm, his large hand supporting her back, his voice full of laughter.

"Today is the big day for Yao Yao to have her spiritual roots tested, how could I, Daddy, miss it? Even if it's raining knives from the sky, I have to fly back!"

The little girl in his arms, Lin Xinyao, perfectly inherited her father Lin Xuanjing's exquisite features.

She has a small face and beautiful features, but compared to her father's flamboyant handsomeness, she has a touch of girlish gentleness and liveliness.

Her skin was like jade, fair with a faint pink tinge, so delicate it seemed to be carved from the finest mutton-fat jade.

Her clear almond-shaped eyes, slightly amber in color, were now curved into two crescent moons, filled with twinkling smiles and childlike innocence, instantly bringing joy to anyone who saw them.

Wearing a pale yellow dress with delicate flowers embroidered on the hem, she looked like a budding forsythia.

She seems to possess an innate affinity, a quality that is hard to describe.

Without needing to say a word, a slight smile is enough to easily win the favor of spirit beasts and elders.

She is the family's recognized "sweetheart." The children of her uncles and aunts all like to play with her. Even Lin Xuanfeng, who is usually serious, can't help but soften his expression when he sees her.

"Uncle!"

Lin Xinyao peeked out from her father's shoulder and looked at Lin Xuanqi beside her.

Those amber eyes sparkled, curving into crescent moons with a smile, and her voice carried a hint of coquettishness, yet it wasn't annoying.

Did you bring anything good to eat today?

Looking at that sweet smiling face, the gloom in Lin Xuanqi's heart caused by worry about his son was somewhat dispelled.

He couldn't help but smile and shake his head, taking out a small, exquisite food box from his sleeve.

The food box was made of wood, with exquisite patterns carved on its surface, and tied with a light purple ribbon, making it look very appetizing.

"Of course."

He opened the food box, revealing a few candies neatly arranged inside.

The candy was pale purple, crystal clear, like it was carved from amethyst, and sprinkled with fine powder of spiritual flowers, emitting a faint fruity and milky aroma.

"This is some newly made purple jasmine candy from my uncle. He used freshly harvested purple jasmine, so it should taste good. Here, have some, but don't eat too much at once, or you might get a toothache."

"Hehe, thank you, Uncle! You're so kind!"

Lin Xinyao immediately slid down from her father's arms, landing steadily on the ground like a nimble kitten.

She took the food box with both hands, hugged it to her chest, and turned to skip and hop towards the pavilion in the courtyard of the ancestral hall.

She ran a couple of steps and then turned back to give her uncle a sweet smile before disappearing contentedly into the porch.

Four children, all her brothers and sisters, are gathered in the pavilion in the courtyard of the ancestral hall.

The five children of the third generation of the Lin family, whose names begin with the character "Xin," who are already six years old and whose spiritual roots have fully developed, are present at the ceremony today.

The other younger siblings are still quite young, and they have already started their classes at the school. The sound of reading aloud can be faintly heard from the clan school next to the ancestral hall.

In the pavilion, a chubby-faced boy was craning his neck to look in their direction. Seeing Lin Xinyao running over, his eyes lit up, and he immediately shouted:

"Sister Xinyao, what delicious food did Uncle give us? Let me try some!"

His voice was loud and clear, full of confidence, and could be heard throughout the entire pavilion.

A little girl with her hair in two buns next to her was also watching longingly, her little hands clutching the hem of her clothes, but she was too shy to speak. Her lips moved slightly, as if she was secretly swallowing.

The other two boys were a little older and sat upright on the stone bench.

One of them, though curious, maintained the air of an elder brother and didn't approach, but his eyes kept glancing at the food box, his gaze betraying his true intentions.

Lin Xinyao generously opened the box and distributed the candy to each of her brothers and sisters.

She showed no favoritism and left no one out; one for each person, no more, no less.

When she finished distributing the gifts, there were two left in the box. After thinking for a moment, she gave her younger sister one more.

For a moment, the pavilion was filled with the clear laughter and satisfied smacking sounds of children.

That sweetness seemed to dispel some of the tension of waiting.

Sunlight streamed through the eaves of the pavilion, falling on the children's faces and making their smiling faces shine brightly.

Lin Xuanqi glanced at the child in the pavilion from afar.

Two of the little boys waved at Lin Xuanqi.

Those were his two sons, Lin Xinyuan and Lin Xinping.

Xinyuan is the eldest son, and he is six and a half years old this year. He has a more mature personality, just like his father.

Xinping is about half a year old and is usually very lively and active.

A gentle smile appeared on Lin Xuanqi's face. Regardless of whether they could see it clearly, he nodded slightly in that direction.

The three did not linger in the courtyard, but went straight through the winding corridors and into the solemn ancestral hall.

Inside the ancestral hall, incense smoke curls around, and the scent of sandalwood mingles with the aroma of ancient wood, creating a sense of tranquility.

Seasonal fresh fruits and exquisite pastries have been placed on the offering table as sacrifices.

A jade tablet stood quietly in the candlelight, silently watching over the younger generation.

"How is it? Is everything ready?" Lin Xuanqi looked at his wife, Zhou Wanqing, who was standing beside the altar, giving a final check of the various items.

Today, Zhou Wanqing wore an elegant moon-white long dress, her hair was neatly styled, and her face was lightly made up, making her look both dignified and gentle.

She carefully folded the last item—the silk handkerchief used to wipe the spirit stones—and placed it on the edge of the tray before straightening up and turning to give her husband a slight nod.

"Everything is ready." Her voice was steady, but a hint of worry lurked deep in her eyes: "We're just waiting for the ceremony to begin."

Her gaze unconsciously drifted to her son, who was eating candy in the pavilion in the courtyard, her eyes filled with the worry of a mother.

Lin Xuanqi couldn't help but step forward and gently take her hand in his.

His wife's fingers were a little cold and slightly tense, clearly indicating that she was not as calm as she appeared.

He then turned his gaze to the woman in blue who was busy on the other side of the ancestral hall.

"Wan'er, Xue'er, don't worry too much." Lin Xuanqi softened his voice, applying slight pressure to his hands as he tried to reassure them: "I believe those two boys will definitely awaken their spiritual roots."

"Sigh, I hope so." Zhou Wanqing sighed softly and squeezed her husband's hand back.

She knew her husband was trying to comfort her, but for a mother, such worries couldn't be dispelled with just a few words.

After all, for cultivators, the difference between offspring with spiritual roots and those without is like heaven and earth.

Having a spiritual root is the beginning of embarking on the path to immortality. The future holds infinite possibilities: one can cultivate, achieve immortality, and accompany one's parents for thousands of years.

Without spiritual roots, one can only be a mortal, whose life is short, lasting only a hundred years, and who will be forever separated from their parents, no longer living in the same world.

Even though she silently repeated "calm mind" countless times in her mind, when the time came, it was impossible for her to truly maintain a calm mind.

The difference between cultivators and mortals is fundamental, a distance between life and death, an insurmountable chasm.

In another corner, Li Jin was also talking quietly with Lin Xuanjing.

She was holding a handkerchief in her hand, which was crumpled up and the corners were twisted into a rope.

Her gaze kept drifting to the pale yellow figure in the pavilion who was distributing candy.

Lin Xinyao was tilting her head and talking to her cousin, her little face full of smiles, completely unaware of the adults' worries.

"Do you think Yao Yao... can she do it?" Li Jin's voice was very low, with a slight tremor that was almost imperceptible, as if she was afraid of being overheard, or as if she was talking to herself.

Lin Xuanjing reached out and put his arm around her shoulder, resting his chin on the top of her head, his voice full of certainty:

"Of course she will! That girl is just like me, she's very lucky! Just relax and wait and see your daughter later."

Li Jin leaned against him and closed her eyes.

His heartbeat was steady and strong, each beat bringing a sense of relief to her anxious heart.

The atmosphere at the scene was a mix of anticipation for the future and an indescribable sense of worry and oppression.

But more than anything, there is hope.

Time flies.

Lin Xuanfeng, who was in charge of the family's security, and Lin Xuanjing, who took over the work of the Spirit Herb Garden, also arrived one after another.

Lin Xuanfeng was wearing a brand new robe today, a rare sight. His face remained stern, but his gaze softened noticeably when he saw his son and daughter.

Lin Xuanjing remained as detached as ever, quietly walking to a corner and sitting down.

He took out an unfinished piece of spirit jade from his sleeve, then put it down, his gaze falling on the children, a rare hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes.

Apart from Xuanqing and Xuanyu, everyone else was present.

Xuanqing is the family's biggest secret and never appears in public;

Xuan Yu went into hiding; he had his own mission to complete.

Although they couldn't be there in person, they must have been watching this moment silently from their own corners.

As the auspicious time approached, the ancestral hall suddenly fell silent.

Everyone's eyes turned to the doorway without prior arrangement.

Lin Che has arrived.

Today he was dressed in a solemn family head's robe, a long black robe embroidered with silver cloud patterns and mythical beast totems, every stitch and thread was exquisite.

With a jade belt around her waist and her hair tied up in a high bun, she exuded an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger.

Beside him, his three wives, Wang Lingsu, Liu Qingxue, and Su Wanwan, were also dressed in formal attire.

Wang Lingsu was elegant and poised, wearing a long crimson dress;

Liu Qingxue was as pure and aloof as snow, her white clothes even more pristine than snow itself;

Su Wanwan is gentle and charming, dressed in a light green dress, each with her own unique style and charm.

They stood beside Lin Che, like stars surrounding the moon.

"grandfather……"

"Father……"

"Master..."

Voices echoed through the ancestral hall, some were the innocent voices of children, others the steady voices of middle-aged men, rising and falling like the tides, reverberating in the empty hall.

Lin Che nodded slightly to the crowd, walked steadily to the center of the ancestral hall, and stood facing them.

His gaze slowly swept over everyone present, from his wives to his son and daughter-in-law.

Finally, his gaze fell upon the five main characters of the day.

The five children had already lined up in a row at the signal of their elders.

Their standing postures varied: some stood up straight, some hunched over slightly, some nervously clutched the hem of their clothes, and some secretly tugged at the sleeves next to them.

Lin Xinyao is on the far left, still holding the unfinished food box in her arms.

Her older brother gently tugged at her sleeve, and she realized what was happening. She quickly handed the food box to her mother, lowered her head shyly, and blushed slightly.

Lin Xinyuan, Lin Xinping, and two other children stood up straight, trying to imitate the serious demeanor of the adults.

But they were still young, and no matter how hard they tried, they couldn't hide the curiosity and excitement in their eyes; their bright eyes betrayed their little thoughts.

Lin Che withdrew his gaze, his voice steady and deep, echoing throughout the ancestral hall.

"Today is the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, the day the Lin family awakens the spiritual roots of the new generation, and also the day when clan members forge their natal spiritual contracts. From now on, these two events will be combined and held annually on this day!"

His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears, like the morning bell and evening drum, echoing in the silent ancestral hall.

After a pause, Lin Che looked at the main characters of the day, the five children whose eyes were gradually becoming serious.

"From this day forward, you will awaken your spiritual roots, possess your own spirit beast companions, and form a natal spiritual contract with them, thus becoming intertwined in life and death, sharing both fortune and misfortune!"

His voice rose a few decibels, like the resounding beat of a war drum, striking the hearts of everyone present.

"Your path to the Great Way will no longer be lonely! You will have companions and fellow tribesmen to overcome obstacles and forge ahead with you!"

Lin Che's gaze swept over the five young yet earnest and serious faces, his deep eyes filled with entrustment and expectation.

"I hope you will live up to the high expectations your family has placed in you!"

"I hope you will live up to the trust placed in you by the spirit beasts!"

"I further hope that you will join hands and walk side by side on this long road of cultivation, reaching greater heights and going further!"

The patriarch's powerful and hopeful words struck the hearts of the five young men and women like a stone falling to the ground, each word carrying immense weight.

A surge of emotion, a mixture of responsibility, honor, and boundless aspirations, welled up within their young hearts, causing them to hold their breath involuntarily.

They all took a deep breath in unison, straightened their small bodies, and their eyes became incredibly determined.

Then, the five of them clasped their hands and bowed in unison, their voices clear and powerful, carrying the youthful vigor of a tiger's first roar:

"Yes! Your grandson will remember your teachings! I will live up to the family's expectations and the spirit beast's trust!"

The sound echoed in the empty ancestral hall, lingering for a long time.

Lin Xuanqi, Lin Xuanjing, and Lin Xuanfeng, who were standing to the side, looked at each other, as if they were seeing themselves from back then.

Many years ago today, they stood in this ancestral hall, making a promise under their father's gaze.

As time flows and roles change, what remains unchanged is this legacy and this expectation.

Thinking of this, a strong sense of family honor welled up in their hearts, and their eyes became slightly hot. Even Lin Xuanfeng, who was usually the most aloof, unconsciously swallowed.

Seeing that the children understood the deeper meaning, Lin Che's serious expression softened slightly, and a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.

"Spiritual Root Testing, officially commencing!"