The morning fog has not yet cleared, and the bluestone road in Liu's courtyard is already crowded with people.
Today is the Liu family's triennial spirit testing ceremony. All children over the age of twelve must test their bloodline and spiritual roots on the spirit testing platform. For the Xiuzhen family, this is tantamount to a fateful moment.
Liu Jixian huddled at the back of the crowd. His rough linen clothes were incompatible with the rich and colorful clan members around him. He has just turned twelve this year, but he is half a head shorter than his peers - long-term malnutrition makes him look like a reed in the wind.
"Next, Liu Jixian!"
The deacon's cold voice penetrated the crowd.
The surrounding whispers suddenly sounded:
"That's him? The one from the side house..."
"I heard that his mother is a mortal woman, and the master was drunk..."
"Shh, keep your voice down, but the blood is indeed impure..."
Liu Jixian clenched his fists and dug his nails into his palms. He had heard these words for twelve years and was already used to them. But today he wants to prove that impure blood does not mean low qualifications.
He walked up to the soul-finding platform and placed his hand on the warm soul-finding stone in the center.
