Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had only one thought in their minds: it was over. They were actually discussing how to cheat right in front of the examiner.
Senior Sister Yun Zhi seemed unaware of their cheating plan. She glanced at them and then looked away, focusing on organizing the test.
It was clear that she had a lot of authority among the disciples of the Asking Dao Sect. These disciples were powerful figures in the outside world, admired by many, and they all followed her orders without any hesitation, showing just how high her status was.
"The root bone is the first hurdle on the path to immortality. If your root bone isn't enough, no matter how many resources you get, you won't be able to cultivate. The first test is to assess your root bone. Everyone will come up one by one. If anyone lacks confidence in their root bone, you may leave."
No one left.
Those who came to participate in the Asking Dao Sect's test were well aware of their own root bones. Very few, like Lu Yang, came just to try their luck because they lived nearby.
The Asking Dao Sect had this rule to prevent those with insufficient root bones from sneaking in.
Usually, a root bone test would use a special stone, which is huge and very noticeable. But from the empty space in front of the Asking Dao Sect, it was clear they didn't plan to use that stone.
A disciple named Dai Bufan sat at the front. His cultivation method was quite special; he could sense the spiritual energy in a person's body and immediately know their root bone, cultivation method, and even their vital points. He was very skilled in combat.
Dai Bufan could tell a person's root bone just by placing two fingers on their wrist.
"Gold, Water, and Fire roots? Not bad, you can go ahead."
"Water and Fire dual roots, good."
"Water and Wood dual roots. It seems your foundation was damaged. You must have suffered a serious injury when you were twelve. Normally, that would leave a hidden danger, but you were lucky to meet a kind master who healed you."
The person was slightly shocked, not expecting Dai Bufan to be so accurate: "When I was twelve, my mother passed away, and my stepmother took control. She was worried I would threaten her son's position, so she plotted against me. I fell into a coma, and when I woke up, I was fine. My father told me that a master passed by and saved me but didn't leave a name."
After that person left, a disciple came up to congratulate Dai Bufan: "You just checked the pulse and figured out everything like you witnessed it yourself! Dai Shixiong, your skills have improved, we should celebrate!"
Dai Bufan replied casually, "Oh, it’s nothing. That master was me. I was in a hurry and forgot to leave my name."
"…"
As he spoke, Dai Bufan waved his hand to the next tester: "Eighteen years old, too old, you can go back."
A cute little monk, led by a big monk, came to Dai Bufan and bowed seriously.
Dai Bufan glanced at him and handed the little monk back to the big monk: "What is the little monk from the Hanging Temple doing here? You have the mark left by the abbot in your body. Go back to your Hanging Temple."
"I remember the Hanging Temple is one of the Five Great Sects?" Lu Yang whispered to Meng Jingzhou.
Meng Jingzhou nodded and said seriously, "The Hanging Temple has the fewest disciples among the Five Great Sects. Sometimes there’s only the abbot and one disciple, and at most, there are no more than ten people. This little monk hasn't cultivated yet, but he’s already a disciple of the Hanging Temple, so he must have a deep Buddhist nature."
He looked at the little monk being taken away by the Hanging Temple's senior monk, feeling a bit anxious: "I thought I would be the best in the future cultivation world, but it seems there are still people qualified to be my rivals."
Lu Yang didn’t understand where Meng Jingzhou’s confidence came from: "Aren't you worried that Yun Zhi will kick us out?"
"What’s there to be afraid of? Haven't you read those novels? Big sects often overlook talent, falsely accuse geniuses, and kick them out. The genius feels ashamed, works hard, and then has all kinds of lucky encounters, rising to the top and becoming someone the big sects look up to."
Lu Yang was silent for a moment before reminding him: "…But it seems Yun Zhi doesn’t need to falsely accuse us."
"Good point."
Then Meng Jingzhou started to panic too.
"Your energy is flowing continuously, and you don’t seem to come from a cultivation family. Did you accidentally consume a Qingmu Immortal Fruit when you were young? You can go ahead."
"Hey, your physique is interesting." Dai Bufan placed his fingers on a strong man with bronze skin, his eyes lighting up, "Ancient barbarian bloodline, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen one."
The strong man was tall and muscular, with a shiny bald head. His skin reflected the sunlight. He looked like he could be twenty-five or twenty-six, but Dai Bufan didn’t question his age, meaning he was still under sixteen.
Lu Yang could only comment on how well he had developed.
The crowd stirred slightly. The ancient barbarians were known for their strength and had once thrived before disappearing over time.
It had been a long time since an ancient barbarian bloodline appeared in the central continent, and everyone thought this bloodline had vanished. Now, one had shown up during the Asking Dao Sect's test.
Dai Bufan yawned, having checked half the people, wondering why he hadn’t seen a single single root yet. Had they all been taken by other sects?
Meng Jingzhou confidently stepped up. Dai Bufan didn’t expect much, but when his fingers touched Meng Jingzhou’s wrist, his eyes suddenly widened, and he jumped up: "It’s actually a single…"
Hearing Dai Bufan say this, the crowd erupted in discussion. A single spiritual root!
What does a single spiritual root mean? It means the bottlenecks at various levels are much looser than others, destined to become a great cultivator, able to hold a high position in the court or dominate a region as a king!
Everyone focused their eyes on Meng Jingzhou, their expressions eager. Making friends with such a person could only bring benefits!
Elders hurriedly reminded their juniors to build a good relationship with Meng Jingzhou once they entered the Asking Dao Sect.
Meng family, single spiritual root, disciple of the Asking Dao Sect—these three identities combined meant a future powerful figure in the Asking Dao Sect, a legendary cultivator!
"Single spiritual root." Dai Bufan stated Meng Jingzhou's full root name, and the place fell silent.
Meng Jingzhou was furious. What kind of nonsense was "single spiritual root"? Was he destined to be single for life?
"I’m not well-informed; don’t box me in!" Meng Jingzhou's veins bulged as he slammed the table in anger.
"Dai Shidi, don’t tease him." A voice like a fairy came from the mist, and Yun Zhi appeared, glaring at Dai Bufan. He shrank back nervously.
Meng Jingzhou finally calmed down a bit. Right, Dai Bufan must be lying.
Yun Zhi then said to Meng Jingzhou, "But Dai Shidi isn’t lying. You really do have a single spiritual root; that’s the scientific name. However, in the cultivation world, people are more accustomed to calling it by its common name, Pure Yang Root."
Meng Jingzhou: "…"
He finally understood why the elders in his family and his parents never told him about his root.
They said he would find out when he entered the Five Great Sects, but it was clear they were too embarrassed to tell him!
No wonder, ever since he finished testing his root, his parents asked him if he wanted a little brother or sister.
A mutated single spiritual root, Pure Yang Root, the embodiment of pure yang, a bane to ghosts.
Maintaining a Pure Yang body allows for rapid cultivation, but breaking it leads to a rapid decline in cultivation.
(End of Chapter)