Chapter 2: The Bone Aptitude Test

The Lingyuan Sect occupied the verdant Qingling Mountain, stretching for dozens of miles in every direction. The scenery here was breathtaking, with clear mountains and sparkling waters. When Qingxi arrived at the Hall of Roots and Bones, he found that hundreds of people had already gathered.

As the only sect within a thousand miles, Lingyuan Sect had just over a thousand official disciples. Yet, the total population of the sect surpassed three thousand. This was because the majority were menial disciples without any cultivation. At present, Qingxi himself was a probationary disciple who had joined not long ago.

Every year, all probationary disciples underwent a unified root and bone assessment. Those with spiritual roots could become official disciples and would be trained according to the grade of their spiritual root. Those without spiritual roots could remain in the sect as menial disciples, serving the official disciples. Some menial disciples were fortunate enough to become alchemists’ apprentices to the elders, a position even more prestigious than registered disciples among the official ranks.

In front of the Hall of Roots and Bones lay a spacious open ground. Including Qingxi, there were only just over a hundred probationary disciples this year. The others surrounding the area were mostly there to watch the excitement.

"The hour has come. Begin the assessment," announced a white-haired elder in flowing robes, whose aura exuded the demeanor of a transcendent. He carried a hefty register in his hands. Beside him stood a stone stele, over ten feet tall, a treasured artifact used specifically to test spiritual roots.

As Qingxi glanced over, the elder’s information immediately appeared before him.

[Species: Human]
[Name: Xu Shan]
[Spiritual Root: Inferior Grade]
[Cultivation: Qi Refining, Level Thirty]
[Age: Eighty-eight]
[Note: Xu Shan has been at the thirtieth level of Qi Refining for years and currently serves as an external affairs steward of Lingyuan Sect.]

Reading this, Qingxi felt a pang of emotion. Had he not experienced a stroke of luck, perhaps he would have ended up like Steward Xu Shan—reaching the thirtieth level of Qi Refining only in old age, barely qualified as an external steward, living out his days in mediocrity with no hope of ever reaching the innate realm.

Steward Xu Shan was not at all polite. He stamped his foot, sending a fierce wind that silenced the bustling crowd at once. "Line up. Come forward one by one!"

Most people, startled by Xu Shan’s formidable presence, then revealed expressions of envy. Yet, some remained unimpressed. "He’s just at the Qi Refining stage," sneered a youth with phoenix-like eyes, dressed in the finery of a noble house. Head held high, he strode onto the platform and, with practiced ease, pressed his hand against the spiritual root stele—as though he had rehearsed many times.

A humming sound filled the air as dazzling red, orange, and yellow lights burst forth, causing an uproar among the crowd. Xu Shan’s eyes widened. He announced loudly, "As expected, a spiritual-grade root! Truly worthy of being the young master of the Wang family. In the future, you will soar like a dragon, shaking the world!"

In the world of cultivation, spiritual roots signified a cultivator’s innate talent. There were ten known grades: Inferior, Mortal, Spiritual, Profound, Earth, Heaven, Supreme, King, Saint, and Divine. With each step up, cultivation speed multiplied. In a small place like Yunchuan Prefecture, even an Earth-grade root was but a legend, seen once in centuries. If one appeared, they would either be hidden away or taken by powerful sects beyond the domain for cultivation.

Usually, a Profound-grade root was already top-tier. Throughout the Lingyuan Sect’s centuries-long history, only one person had ever possessed a Profound-grade root: the current Sect Leader’s granddaughter, the chief senior sister of the inner sect.

But Profound-grade roots were rare even in other star-ranked powers. A Spiritual-grade root like that of Wang Miao was already a peerless genius in the Lingyuan Sect.

Wang Miao, the scion of the Wang family, wore a look of unshakable pride at Xu Shan’s praise. He did not even spare the steward a glance. Xu Shan felt a pang of irritation, but dared not say more. The Wang family was a renowned cultivation clan with an innate-realm expert as their patriarch, and Wang Miao himself possessed a spiritual-grade root—destined to become an innate master.

Xu Shan, in contrast, was only an external steward whose potential had long since been exhausted. Their futures were as different as heaven and earth—utterly incomparable.

"All right, next!" Xu Shan steadied his emotions and resumed his duties. After the commotion sparked by Wang Miao, the others queued up, each taking their turn at the stele. Yet, no other spiritual-grade roots appeared like Wang Miao’s. Most did not possess any spiritual root at all. For these, unless a miracle occurred, they could only remain as menial disciples.

A few showed inferior-grade roots, qualifying them for official discipleship. But inferior was still inferior; barring a stroke of fortune, they would end up like Xu Shan at best, external stewards at the thirtieth level of Qi Refining. Only three showed mortal-grade roots, the second rank.

Because Qingxi had arrived late, he was at the end of the line. By now, Wang Miao, having completed his assessment, stood arrogantly to the side of the platform, hands behind his back, casting disdainful glances at the remaining probationary disciples.

As the young master of the Wang family, Wang Miao was well informed. He knew that this year, the Sect Leader intended to choose a favored disciple from among the new initiates. With his spiritual-grade root, while others had at most mortal-grade roots, he was certain the coveted spot would be his.

The thought of becoming the Sect Leader’s disciple filled Wang Miao with growing pride, his lips curling in greater disdain.

"That look really makes you want to knock him down a peg," Qingxi muttered, thinking that if he had anything more than an inferior root, he would certainly show Wang Miao the meaning of 'there is always someone better'.

"Tch, it’s just a spiritual-grade root. Wait and see, I’ll outshine him yet!" The plump youth in white standing ahead of Qingxi couldn’t help but grumble as he eyed the self-impressed Wang Miao.

Those before the plump youth shrugged at his boast, unconvinced. Most even stepped forward, clearly putting distance between themselves and him.

Only Qingxi cast him a meaningful look and smiled. "I believe you can do it."

He had, of course, already read the youth’s data.

[Species: Human]
[Name: Lin Feng]
[Spiritual Root: Spiritual Grade]
[Cultivation: None]
[Age: Sixteen]
[Note: Native of Xiaoling Town; orphaned and grew up relying on the kindness of many households. Possesses mysterious fortune; his future achievements cannot be judged by spiritual root alone. Strongly recommended that the host befriend him.]

After reading these attributes, Qingxi could not help but be astonished. Out of more than a hundred new initiates this year, only two spiritual-grade roots had appeared so far. Wang Miao came from the renowned Wang family, whose lineage stretched back centuries. While it could not compare to the star-ranked Lingyuan Sect, it boasted innate-realm masters and deep foundations, so Wang Miao’s talent was understandable.

But the appearance of the plump Lin Feng was a surprise. Qingxi mused, "Lin Feng’s fortune is extraordinary; even the system urges befriending him. Could he be the legendary child of destiny?"

Lin Feng was caught off guard by Qingxi’s words, but then grinned broadly. "Brother, you’ve got a good eye. I, Lin Feng, will count you as a friend. What’s your name?"

"Qingxi," he replied with a gentle smile.

"What are you two waiting for?" came the stern voice of Steward Xu Shan from the front. The others had all finished their assessments; only the two of them remained.

"Don’t be angry, Master. I’m coming," Lin Feng replied with practiced affability as he mounted the platform and pressed his hand to the stone stele.

As the saying goes, a smiling face invites no blows. Seeing Lin Feng’s honest grin, Xu Shan’s tone softened. "Let’s not make this a habit. But there won’t be—hm! Three colors?"

The light above the spiritual root stele was piercingly bright. Hundreds of onlookers saw it clearly.

"A genius with a spiritual-grade root!"

"Incredible!"

"Who would have thought that this year’s entrance test would reveal two spiritual-grade roots!"

"This chubby fellow may look unremarkable, but his talent is outstanding. Once he joins, at the very least, he’ll catch the eye of an inner sect elder at the innate realm."

"I heard the Sect Leader intends to accept a disciple this year. I bet this fellow will become the chosen one."

"Really?"

"That would be like ascending to the heavens in one step!"

"I’m envious!"

The crowd erupted into excited whispers. Those who had quickly distanced themselves from Lin Feng now regretted their lack of discernment, some even wearing expressions of bitter remorse for missing out on countless opportunities. Even Wang Miao, who had maintained an air of superiority, frowned in disbelief. Still, he thought Lin Feng unfamiliar and snorted, "Just a small-town nobody. Even if he also has a spiritual root, he’s no match for me. The Sect Leader’s disciple this year will be me."

"What is your name?" asked Steward Xu Shan, visibly excited. Compared to the arrogant Wang Miao, he much preferred the honest and approachable Lin Feng.

"Master, I’m Lin Feng. And this is my good brother, Qingxi," Lin Feng replied, not forgetting to introduce Qingxi waiting below.