For a mortal, testing for a spirit root is the single most crucial step toward becoming an immortal.

During infancy, the spirit root lies dormant. It generally only becomes fully apparent after the body has grown to a certain extent, typically after the age of four. Therefore, testing can only be conducted once a child passes this age.

A long line had formed in front of the black Spirit Testing Stone. Most were the children of nobility from the merchant caravan, along with some mortals from the middle of the procession.

Xiao Ziyun stood further back in the line.

Organized by the Wuji Sect, the testing began.

The rule was simple: press a palm onto the Spirit Testing Stone to determine whether one possessed the potential for cultivation.

The first to go was a young man dressed in luxurious brocade robes. With a calm expression, he stepped forward and pressed his hand down.

After a few breaths, the black stone showed no reaction.

“No spirit root. Next!” the blue-robed cultivator beside the stone announced indifferently.

Hearing the result, the young noble showed no disappointment, as if he had expected it. He shrugged and walked away.

Next, a middle-aged merchant stepped forward. He followed the same procedure.

“Next!” The blue-robed cultivator announced again, his voice cold.

Upon hearing this, the merchant seemed to lose all his strength. His expression dimmed, his eyes going vacant as he shuffled away.

“Next!”

“Next!”

The emotionless voice of the blue-robed cultivator rang out continuously.

The stream of failures made the waiting mortals tense, their expressions growing serious. In stark contrast, the Loose Cultivators on the hillside discussed the proceedings without restraint.

“Hey! Guess how many of these mortals can ascend to immortality?”

“There are only about a thousand of them. Probably none. How could ascending to immortality be so easy?”

“You’re right. Even though we haven’t made it big, we’re all talents picked from ten thousand!”

“Exactly. Without at least ten thousand people, it’s hard to find one with a spirit root…”

Standing on the hillside, Qin Lu frowned as he listened to their cheerful chatter.

He understood the odds. generally speaking, among mortals, perhaps one in ten thousand might have a spirit root. But this probability plummeted in areas with thin spiritual energy. In barren regions, not a single cultivator might be born among hundreds of millions.

However, spiritual lands like this market town were more likely to produce infants with potential. Furthermore, children born from unions between cultivators had significantly higher odds.

Calculated this way, the probability might be two or three out of ten—many times higher than for ordinary mortals.

And Xiao Ziyun fell into exactly that category.

The detection continued, with mortals taking turns touching the stone. As expected, not a single one triggered a reaction.

As time passed, the line dwindled.

Loose Cultivators who had come with the caravan had already entered the market to look around. The slaves at the rear were being organized by the Wuji Sect for sale. The mundane goods were being hauled into the market cart by cart.

Everything proceeded in an orderly manner.

Qin Lu watched the slowly moving line. He estimated it would take the time of one incense stick before it was Xiao Ziyun’s turn.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a face on the opposite hillside.

He looked up, stunned.

Holy crap!

Why is he here?! How does he dare come here?!

Qin Lu’s pupils contracted.

A familiar figure was squatting on a tree branch, watching the crowd below with a slight smile. His leisurely demeanor suggested he was on a spring outing rather than hiding for his life.

It was the down-and-out old Loose Cultivator who had publicly insulted Patriarch Wuji just days ago!

Wasn’t he driven into East Head Ridge? Why would he appear here?

Qin Lu was bewildered. Was the old man tired of living?

There were two Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Wuji Sect present! If he showed himself, he would be instantly killed on the spot. He was utterly defenseless.

However, when Qin Lu looked around, everyone else seemed oblivious to the old man’s presence.

After a moment’s thought, Qin Lu shifted his gaze away.

Forget it. This has nothing to do with me. Better not get involved! Just pretend I never saw him…

Despite his resolution, Qin Lu’s peripheral vision drifted back to the tree from time to time. What exactly was the old man planning?

The testing continued. Soon, it was Xiao Ziyun’s turn.

The boy held his wooden sword, walking toward the black stone with a nervous expression.

Standing nearby, Zhang Meng clasped her hands together. Her eyes were full of hope as she watched her son’s back. Seeing this, Qin Lu’s heart raced.

Finally!

Xiao Ziyun approached the stone, looking somewhat bewildered. Standing on his tiptoes, he stretched out his small white hand and pressed it against the cold surface.

Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!

Accompanied by five clear chimes, a brilliant radiance burst forth from the black stone!

“Look! There’s a reaction!”

“This kid really has a spirit root!”

“But why is it so bright?”

Exclamations rose from the onlookers.

The fastest to react were Li Qingdu and Senior Sister Zheng. The two Foundation Establishment cultivators flashed forward, arriving instantly before Xiao Ziyun.

Li Qingdu stared at the stone’s unusual reaction, his face lighting up with pleasant surprise.

“It’s actually… a Heavenly Spirit Root!”

“What?!”

“A Heavenly Spirit Root? How is that possible!”

“Wow! How many years has it been since one last appeared?”

The crowd erupted into an uproar.

A Heavenly Spirit Root was an extremely rare talent. If the probability of a mortal having a spirit root was one in ten thousand, then a Heavenly Spirit Root was one in ten thousand cultivators.

Those possessing such roots were invariably geniuses. Their cultivation speed was three or four times faster than ordinary people, and they had a chance to form a Golden Core within a hundred years.

Any possessor of a Heavenly Spirit Root would absolutely become the object of fierce contention among major sects.

“Excellent! Hahaha! Our Wuji Sect will prosper greatly!”

Senior Sister Zheng let out a long sigh of relief, throwing her head back to laugh heartily. She hadn’t expected a simple escort mission to yield a Heavenly Spirit Root!

Qin Lu’s eyes shone with delight as he fixed his gaze on Xiao Ziyun’s bewildered face. He glanced toward Zhang Meng, who was covering her mouth with tears in her eyes, her heart filled with immense joy.

Sensing his gaze, Zhang Meng turned to look at him. Their eyes met, sharing the overwhelming relief and happiness.

But just as they shared that moment…

Whoosh!

Boom——!

A figure descended from the sky, landing directly in front of Li Qingdu and Senior Sister Zheng. The figure wrapped an arm around Xiao Ziyun, his voice ringing out with wild laughter.

“Such a potential genius shall join our Combined Sword Sect!”

The crowd was shocked. No one had even seen the figure move.

And when Qin Lu saw the intruder’s face, he was utterly dumbfounded.

It was the down-and-out old Loose Cultivator!