Immortals of the End Times

Chapter 66: Celestial Observer Verifies Qualifications, Immortal Master Questions (Fourth Update, Seeking Subscriptions)
The entrance to the Imperial Observatory was bustling with traffic.

Many young men in fine clothes were helped down from the carriage by their servants, their jade pendants jingling at their waists.

The eldest sons of several powerful officials exchanged pleasantries, bowing to each other. They usually spent their days indulging in pleasure and having fun together, but now a competitive spirit lurked in their eyes.

Zhao Wuji strolled over, dressed simply and unassuming, blending into the crowd.

Before even stepping inside, they heard gasps of surprise coming from the front hall.

"The youngest son of the Vice Minister of Revenue actually caused the spirit-examining plate to emit a three-inch red light!"

"The guards confirmed that it is a Crimson Flame Spiritual Talent, which has reached the standard of a Celestial Seed. This is the fourteenth one, and there are only six spots left in this batch."

For a time, the crowd outside the Imperial Observatory was in an uproar. Stewards from various households stood on tiptoe to look around, and some servants even turned around and ran back to their residences to report the situation.

Zhao Wuji sensed the fluctuations of spiritual energy within the hall, revealed his waist token, and stepped inside.

Liu Jianzheng stood on the steps, holding the spirit-testing plate. Amidst the shimmering cold light, a figure could be seen appearing and disappearing behind the screen, separated from the surrounding crowd, appearing unfathomable.

Zhao Wuji immediately realized that the person sitting behind the screen should be one of the cultivators who went to the Mo residence yesterday, with the strength of the second level of Qi Refining.

"Yesterday's events didn't cause much of a stir?"

Zhao Wuji was puzzled.

At this moment, the son of the Vice Minister, who had just been tested for his Crimson Flame Spiritual Talent, was led into the inner room, arousing envy and discussion among the onlookers.

The son of the Vice Minister was successfully recruited. According to the rules this time, wouldn't the Vice Minister of Revenue be promoted and given a higher rank?

Other sons of officials stepped forward to verify their credentials, but after dripping blood from their fingertips into the gold plate in Liu Jianzheng's hand, the three of them did nothing more and retreated dejectedly.

"What's going on?"

Zhao Wuji narrowed his eyes. He didn't see any spiritual energy emanating from the golden plate. It didn't seem to be a magic artifact. How did it verify his qualifications?
Just as he was wondering, his extraordinary spiritual senses vaguely detected that someone was transmitting their voice from afar.

Zhao Wuji immediately realized that it was the cultivator from the Linglang Cave Heaven behind the screen who was transmitting his voice to Supervisor Liu.

Whether out of fear that too many people would pollute the spirit, or out of arrogance, the other party never showed their face throughout the entire process.

He observed for a moment longer and realized something was amiss.

It turns out that for Liu Jianzheng, it was just a formality for these sons of officials who came forward to have their money verified and their blood stained.

The cultivator behind the screen clearly possessed some skill taught by the Linglang Cave Heaven, similar to that of Peak Master Hua, who could observe a person's spiritual fluctuations with the naked eye or by their aura.

Those deemed to have weak spirituality were simply screened out by Liu Jianzheng via telepathy.

Only those with strong spirituality will go behind the screen so that the cultivator can personally use magic to examine their specific aptitude.

"Linglang Cave Heaven does know how to use people. It sends some gray-robed cultivators to verify people's qualifications. What is consumed is the spiritual power that these cultivators have worked hard to cultivate, so there is no need to consume the cave heaven's magic artifacts or crystal sources."

Zhao Wuji understood immediately; at that moment, he sensed a gaze observing him.

He glanced around and spotted Li Nianwei standing gracefully opposite him.

Seeing him looking over, she immediately flashed a pretty smile and waved to greet him.

Zhao Wuji immediately went over.

"Brother Zhao, you've been back from your medical travels for a few days now, haven't you? I heard that Consort Li has invited you to treat her."

As Li Nianwei spoke, she waved her hand again, "Never mind that for now. You're here to prepare for the capital verification, right? I'll go and talk to the supervisor and ask him to let you do the verification ahead of time, okay?"

As she spoke, she deliberately leaned closer and lowered her voice to remind them, "The esteemed immortal masters behind that screen will soon be changing shifts. Something seems to have happened yesterday, as both immortal masters are rather irritable."

"Oh?" Zhao Wuji's heart stirred, and he was about to shake his head and politely refuse.

Unexpectedly, Liu Jianzheng, who was opposite him, had already spotted him. His expression changed immediately, and he beckoned him over. Seeing this, Zhao Wuji shook his head and smiled helplessly, then stepped over.

"Ok?"

Behind the screen, an elderly man with white hair and wrinkled skin stood with a gloomy face. His gaze immediately fell on Zhao Wuji, and a flash of light appeared in his eyes, showing some surprise.

"This person's spiritual energy seems rather strong."

His withered fingers tightened suddenly on the armrest as he telepathically communicated with Supervisor Liu.

"Xiao Liu."

Just as Liu Jianzheng was about to pretend to have Zhao Wuji prick his finger and drip blood, he received a telepathic message and immediately stopped the blood test, leading Zhao Wuji behind the screen.

“Lord Liu, it is I.” Zhao Wuji’s steps faltered slightly.

"Don't play dumb!"

As soon as Liu Jianzheng finished speaking, he realized that his tone was inappropriate.

If this person truly possesses remarkable spiritual talent, he will have to curry favor with him in the future. He immediately lowered his voice and said, "You are the one who seeks immortality the most diligently every day. Now that the opportunity has come, don't be timid! If you attain enlightenment in the future, don't forget me."

Having received instructions from the immortal master, he pulled Zhao Wuji behind the screen without further ado, saying, "Go quickly, I think you definitely have a chance."

Li Nianwei, who was not far away, was pleasantly surprised to see Zhao Wuji being led directly to the screen.

She knew very well that anyone who was led behind the screen to have their qualifications verified was likely to have spiritual aptitude and had at least a 60% chance of being recruited.

Zhao Wuji was pushed behind the screen and saw an old man with white hair and wrinkled skin staring at him like a hawk. His gaze was condescending and made people very uncomfortable.

At this moment, Liu Jianzheng introduced with a smile, "Immortal Master, this is Physician Zhao from our Xuan Kingdom's royal family. His medical skills are superb, and you just noticed that he has a strong spiritual quality?"

"I didn't ask you to speak."

The old man's tone was cold and hard. Suddenly, he frowned, clicked his tongue, and stared at Zhao Wuji with bright, surprised eyes.

"Your surname is Zhao? You're the imperial physician of the Xuan Kingdom? You must be Zhao Wuji, the one who treated Master Hua a few days ago?"

Zhao Wuji and Liu Jianzheng were both surprised. He immediately bowed and said, "That's right, I am Zhao Wuji. I went to Penglai Palace a few days ago to treat Master Hua Feng, but unfortunately I was not able to cure Master Hua."

"Of course I know that," the old man scoffed. "How could the medical skills of mortals possibly cure us cultivators?"

His gaze suddenly sharpened. "I have something else to ask you. Did a man named Mo Quancai sell you a batch of liquor?"

"It seems the investigation has already begun."

Zhao Wuji pondered inwardly, but on his face, he showed just the right amount of surprise and replied frankly, "Lord Mo did indeed gift me several jars of wine. Initially, it was a gift, but later I sold some more. Lord Liu is also aware of this."

He had long since erased the part about the buried wine from Mo Quancai's memory, but he retained the memory of giving away and selling wine.

After all, the fact that Qinghualang aged wine was known to everyone at the Immortal Seeking Gathering was common knowledge.

Mo Quancai had also given many gifts to other people; his attempt to forcibly alter them only made things worse.

"Ah, yes, that's how it is."

Although Liu Jianzheng was unaware of the details, he still nodded and testified, "Minister Bu was also present that day, and I saw it with my own eyes."

The old man's expression softened slightly, and his withered fingers tapped lightly on the table: "A major incident occurred at the Mo residence yesterday. A madman broke in, and it's related to this batch of ancient Yelang wine."

His eagle eyes were like lightning as he stared intently at Zhao Wuji. "Upon investigation, it was found that Mo Quancai had given this batch of wine to several people, and you were one of them."

(End of this chapter)