The voices of disapproval grew louder and louder, until finally, even the people inside became aware of it.

Samuel Grant and his fellow disciples, along with The Foster Father and Son, were already flushed and tipsy from drinking. Once they felt they had established a good rapport with Edward Foster, they slapped their foreheads and said with a flourish, “Oh dear, we’ve made a spectacle of ourselves in front of Elder Foster. Meeting Junior Foster so late is truly a regret, but we’ve delayed proper business. Come, Junior Foster, let’s go out together and see if there are any other promising talents in Lotus Platform Village. Since Junior Foster has such a spiritual root, it’s a good chance to check together.”

Edward Foster was extremely excited inside. Although he was confident in himself, he had also heard that cultivating immortality was a mysterious and elusive thing. It wasn’t just about being clever or quick-witted—immortals seemed to have some harsh requirements.

In fact, when he first came in, he was far less calm inside than he appeared on the surface. After learning he had been chosen, he was overjoyed, and after a long conversation with the two Daoist brothers, he had unknowingly drunk a bit too much.

The four of them went out. The two Daoists were fine; with a bit of internal energy, they forced out the alcohol and quickly returned to normal. The Foster Father and Son, however, were red-faced and thick-necked.

When the two immortals appeared, the murmurs finally died down.

Samuel Grant and his companion were approachable with Edward Foster, but when facing these village children, there was no need for pleasantries. The two of them swept their gazes around indifferently. Samuel Grant secretly used his qi-viewing technique and quickly had a sense of things, letting out a soft sound of surprise.

William Grant asked in a low voice, “Senior brother, what is it?”

Samuel Grant shook his head slightly. “Didn’t expect there’s another one here who can be cultivated. Though the aptitude is average, he can still enter the immortal sect.”

William Grant was surprised as well. “Really? What a coincidence. Such a small village, and two people are qualified.”

In the past, when the sect selected disciples, even in a city of hundreds of thousands, it was rare to find a single qualified candidate. For a tiny village like Lotus Platform with only a few hundred people to have two at once, no wonder they were astonished.

Samuel Grant waved his hand. “Those willing to take the test, line up first, one by one.”

Samuel Grant and his companion asked Mayor Foster to have someone bring a table, which they placed in the courtyard. Wanting to awe the village children, Samuel Grant raised his hand and pulled a jade ruyi out of thin air.

Sure enough, all the previous murmurs vanished, and everyone’s faces showed looks of disbelief.

Eric Carter was dumbfounded as well. Having never left the village, how could the little fellow have ever seen such immortal methods?

But in Brian Carter’s mind, a voice suddenly popped up, full of disdain: “The lowest-level storage pouch, and he dares to show off with it.”

Brian Carter was puzzled: “Storage pouch?”

The voice immediately replied, “The full name should be ‘Minor Primordial Void Array Independent Storage Space.’ Storage pouches and storage rings are just appearances. The principle is to use an array to seize an independent space drifting in the endless void…”

The voice explained in great detail, but unfortunately, Brian Carter couldn’t understand a word.

After a while, the voice seemed to realize this and complained in disappointment, “Playing music to a cow!”

The other voice, the one that always argued with him, burst out in gloating laughter.

“Ah—”

A cry of surprise came from ahead. Brian Carter looked forward and saw that at the front of the long line, Edward Foster had already started the test. He was pressing the jade ruyi to his forehead, and a brilliant light shot out from it, condensing into a four-colored rainbow in front of him!

Samuel Grant quickly said, “Red, blue, white, and green! This is... the Baoliu Spiritual Root! Among the top ten spiritual roots, the Baoliu root is especially suited for spell techniques! Congratulations, Junior Foster!”

The Baoliu Spiritual Root was among the famous top ten spiritual roots, and ranked near the top. Daoist Samuel Grant immediately changed his tone in front of everyone.

Mayor Foster was so happy he couldn’t close his mouth. Edward Foster, on the other hand, pretended to be calm, putting on the airs of a scholar, and even advised his father, “Dad, even with a spiritual root, future achievements will still depend on my own efforts.”

William Grant, while feeling both happy and envious, swept a cold glance over the remaining crowd. The reason they let Edward Foster test first was to make it clear to everyone that Edward Foster was qualified to have them wait outside!

At this moment, Mayor Foster remembered the people around and said, “Immortal masters, shall we begin testing the others?”

“Alright.” Samuel Grant waved to the first person. “You, do as Junior Foster just did.”

This boy was from the Li family in the east of the village, only eleven years old, extremely nervous yet full of anticipation. He stepped forward and pressed the jade ruyi to his forehead, but nothing happened.

After a while, Samuel Grant impatiently flicked his sleeve. “Failed, next!”

The Li family boy retreated in deep disappointment.

After that, no one else could make the jade ruyi light up, and before they knew it, it was almost Brian Carter’s turn.

His younger brother Eric Carter, standing behind him, nervously clenched his little fists. “Brother, do you think I can do it? Can I?”

Brian Carter smiled but didn’t answer.

Finally, it was Brian Carter’s turn, but no one around paid much attention.

These children were all at their cleverest age, and from Edward Foster’s performance, they had vaguely guessed that the smarter one was, the more likely they were to pass.