“There are one hundred jin of Spirit Rice inside, along with a set of formal disciple clothing.” Luo Tie swept his gaze over everyone. He then reminded them, “If you need to pack anything else, go quickly now.”

Upon hearing this, Lin An and the others turned and left immediately.

Only Jiang Chen stood still, unmoving. There was nothing worth lingering over here anymore anyway.

Soon enough, those who left came hurrying back one after another.

Luo Tie said half-jokingly, “Make sure to keep your small storage pouches safe. After all, these things aren’t high-grade goods; they can’t be bound by blood. If lost, don’t come crying to me looking for them later on.”

He then added, “If there are no mistakes, we should set off now.”

Everyone was eager to leave sooner rather than later.

At this point, Luo Tie took out a token engraved with a flying crane pattern. He aimed at it and called out loudly, “Nineteen, sir, we’re ready to depart!”

Before long, a distant crane cry sounded. Then, a huge shadow approached rapidly at extreme speed.

Looking up, they saw a giant white crane with a wingspan exceeding ten meters.

As soon as it neared, it immediately stirred up fierce gusts of wind, blowing everyone until they staggered, unable to stand steady. Lin An, Zhao Ying, and the others couldn’t help retreating backward.

Fortunately, as a mid-stage Qi Condensation cultivator with five strands of spiritual power, Jiang Chen could hold his ground. However, he still pretended to retreat a few steps, feigning a shocked expression.

“If it were a monster, it would have eaten us already,” everyone discussed animatedly in fear.

Luo Tie said helplessly, “Nineteen, sir, stop teasing these juniors.”

They heard the giant white crane chuckle human-like, then the wind force abruptly decreased.

Finally able to stabilize their footing, the group looked at the enormous white crane with lingering fear, only to find that it was also observing them with its pinkish eyes.

“Everyone, follow me onto Sir Nineteen’s back.” After Cloud Crane 19 landed, Luo Tie immediately called out, then led the way, stepping onto its back first.

Jiang Chen and the few others looked at each other.

For a moment, no one dared to step forward.

“What are you waiting for?” Seeing no one following, Luo Tie urged impatiently, “Come up!”

At this point, the few cautiously stepped onto Cloud Crane 19’s broad, solid back.

Just as they steadied themselves, they noticed the scenery around them rapidly receding.

Looking around curiously, they realized they had already taken off into the air without noticing.

The Spirit Farms and buildings below grew smaller and smaller.

Looking down from above, those Outer Peak disciples looked like densely packed ants.

Luo Tie laughed. “Indeed, you should take a good look, since this is your last day in the outer area anyway.” He used a playful tone. “Surely you don’t think the Spirit Farms are only this big, right?”

“Uh…” Jiang Chen and the others were speechless in response.

“In fact, below is just the outer periphery of the Spirit Farms. The true core areas are only accessible after becoming a formal disciple,” Luo Tie explained briefly. “We still have time. Any questions you want to ask?”

He shrugged his shoulders invitingly.

“Senior Brother Luo, may I ask what spiritual root you awakened?” Jiang Chen, seeing no one else dared to ask, simply spoke first.

“You are all formal disciples now; call me Fellow Daoist Luo,” Luo Tie corrected, then added, “I awakened water and wood dual spiritual roots.”

“Fellow Daoist Luo, is there a difference between single and dual spiritual roots?” Jiang Chen pressed further.

Luo Tie affirmed, “Yes, and it’s significant.”

“How significant?” Not just Jiang Chen, but everyone was curious.

Why could they, who awakened wood spiritual roots, only stay in the [Spirit Farms], while this person before them with water-wood dual spiritual roots entered [Beast Mountain]?

“You should know that once you awaken a spiritual root, you gain a spiritual light shield. From then on, all attacks from mortals have no effect on us, right?” Luo Tie asked in return.

Hearing this, Jiang Chen and the two others looked blank.

The more experienced Lin An nodded. “That is indeed said to be true.”

Luo Tie said somewhat proudly, “I have two.”

“How do I explain it?” Seeing these few didn’t quite understand, Luo Tie elaborated, “It’s like spiritual roots generate and restrict each other, especially the Five Elements spiritual roots. For example, wood restricts earth, earth restricts water, water restricts fire, fire restricts metal, and metal restricts wood.”

Luo Tie continued, “Therefore, although you can restrict earth spiritual roots, if you encounter other types, especially metal and fire spiritual roots, you will instead be suppressed, and your spiritual light shield won’t be able to defend against them at all.”

“No wonder I feel apprehensive when encountering metal spiritual roots,” Lin An said, suddenly understanding.

Jiang Chen pondered this.

So, in this world, attributes truly mattered in combat?

“But I’m different,” Luo Tie said, a hint of arrogance surfacing. “I possess both water and wood attributes. Water generates Wood; not only is my cultivation speed faster than yours, but I also possess two types of spiritual light shields. Unless I encounter an Earth-Metal dual spiritual root cultivator, I fundamentally have no natural predator!”

Jiang Chen’s heart stirred.

This information was crucial.

So, dual spiritual roots meant double the defense and fewer weaknesses?

“Then what about those with three or four spiritual roots?” Zhao Ying asked timidly.

“Those are trash,” Luo Tie sneered dismissively. “Having too many mixed attributes makes cultivation extremely slow. Unless they have heaven-defying luck or massive resources piled onto them, they’ll never amount to anything in their lives.”

Speaking of this, Luo Tie glanced at them. “You guys aren’t bad either. Single wood spiritual roots are pure. Although combat power is weak, you’re popular. Every peak needs Spirit Farmers to tend their herb gardens.”

“Popular?” Jiang Chen caught the key word.

“That’s right. The sect assigns you to different peaks based on needs. Some go to Alchemy Peak to grow herbs, some to Beast Mountain to grow fodder… it all depends on your luck,” Luo Tie explained.

As they chatted, the crane flew over several mountain peaks.

Suddenly, the spiritual energy in the air became noticeably denser.

“We’re entering the inner sect area,” Luo Tie announced. “Sit tight!”

Cloud Crane 19 let out a long cry and dove downward.

Below, amidst the clouds and mist, majestic peaks stood tall like swords piercing the sky. Pavilions and towers were faintly visible, and exotic beasts roamed freely.

Compared to the desolate and crowded Outer Peak, this place was truly like a fairyland.

Jiang Chen looked down, his eyes burning with ambition.

This was where the true journey of cultivation began.

“We’ve arrived at the Allocation Hall.”

Cloud Crane 19 landed smoothly on a massive white jade square.

“Go on in. The elders inside will assign your whereabouts.” Luo Tie pointed to the magnificent hall ahead.

“Thank you, Fellow Daoist Luo!” Everyone bowed in gratitude.

Jiang Chen took a deep breath, straightened his new formal disciple robes, and stepped onto the white jade square.

The sky is vast for birds to fly.

From today on, he was no longer an ant struggling at the bottom.

He was Jiang Chen, a formal disciple of the Cloud Sea Sect!