2 YEARS LATER
The girl stood in front of the mirror, her white hair flowing down her back and her blue eyes. She was 12 (16-17 from earth standard), with a slender waist and slim belly. Her breasts with small pink cherries were just the right size and so were her sexy legs, and she gently put a simple white bra over them, the fabric pressing lightly against her soft white skin.
Slowly, she picked up her white underwear from the table. She ran her fingers over the smooth fabric before sliding it up her legs. The underwear fit perfectly, covering her white and pink vagina.
Next, she reached for her light-colored dress. She pulled it over her head, feeling the soft fabric over her body. The dress fit nicely around her upper body, showing off her waist before flowing out into a loose, long skirt that moved softly around her legs as she walked.
She then picked up the thin straps and placed them over her shoulders, making sure they sat perfectly. These delicate straps added to the dress's simple beauty without making it too heavy.
Finally, she took a thin belt and tied it around her waist, making the dress fit even better. The belt highlighted her slim waist and the gentle curve of her hips.
As she dressed, a calm smile appeared on her face. Her blue eyes sparkled with quiet confidence, showing off her beauty. The way she moved was gentle and elegant.
If there were a beauty list in the kingdom, Zhang Lian would surely be at the top. She carefully combed her long, white hair, letting it flow gracefully down her back which mixed well with her dress.
After a final glance in the mirror, she stepped out of her room, where her parents were waiting.
Her father, a tall man with black hair and warm brown eyes, looked at his daughter with pride. Zhang Lian was nearly as tall as he was now, and her beauty was unmatched.
Today was the day of the spiritual root testing ceremony, a significant event for all mortals of her age in this world.
If a child had even the weakest spiritual root, the family would be rewarded with gold and silver.
But there was a heavy cost—if their child showed even a hint of talent, they would be taken away to avoid the rise of untrained cultivators.
Those selected would be sent to sects or would become casual customer if talent is to low, and only a few ever returned to visit their families.
For the poor, this was a blessing, but for families like Zhang Lian's whole love their child dearly, it was a thing to worry. If their daughter wasn't selected by a sect, she would have to live on her own, without the comfort of maids or the support of her family.
Her father, dressed in a rich, deep brown robe that matched the color of his eyes, patted her head gently. His face was a mix of pride and concern, his brow slightly furrowed as he tried to smile. "Our daughter looks beautiful in this dress," he said, his voice soft with affection.
Lian's mother, who had white hair like her daughter, was less beautiful. She wore a light blue dress that complemented her, her blue eyes filled with both love and worry.
She placed a comforting hand on Zhang Lian's shoulder, her expression gentle yet firm. "Don't worry, daughter. Even if you don't have spiritual talent, you'll still live a life of comfort.
We have enough wealth to live in a mortal world, even some cultivators don't enjoy such freedom," she reassured her with her warm smile.
Zhang Lian, who had been reincarnated from the modern world into this life, had a lifetime of experience behind her. She understood her parents' fears and wanted to ease them. With a soft smile, she hugged them both.
"Don't worry, Mother, Father. No matter what happens, I'll be fine. I've been trained by you guy's properly to live by myself , did you forget, and I know how to take care of myself. Now, let's go, or we'll be late."
Outside, a carriage was waiting. The carriage was large, built from wood with golden strips that shine in the sunlight. The inside had soft, luxurious cushions.
It was tied to two strong horses. The carriage was clearly meant for someone of high status, showing the wealth and power of the Zhang family.
As they stepped out of their house, the servants were quick to assist them into the carriage, making sure they were comfortable.
The journey to the center of the kingdom, where the test would take place, was well-guarded.
The military had been mobilized to maintain order as many people from nearby villages also brought their children for the test. Some orphans came by themselves to take tests.
The atmosphere was filled with worry and excitement as it also boosted the city's economy.
----
Zhang Lian and her parents arrived at the center of the city. The place was filled with people, easily over a thousand children and their families, all gathered for the annual spiritual root testing ceremony.
This test was an important event in the kingdom, held every year for those between the ages of 12 and 20. A large number of people were talking with people around them.
The crowd was divided into two groups. On one side, there was a long line of children from poorer families, stretching far back into the streets.
These children and their parents had been waiting for hours, their faces showing a mix of hope and exhaustion.
The free test, although accessible to everyone, needs patience. Some were wandering around, while others sat on the ground, trying to pass the time.
On the other side, the wealthier families who had paid for the VIP had their own lines.
These families were seated comfortably on chairs, arranged in a shaded area around the testing building. Zhang Lian and her parents, being among the wealthy, easily moved through the crowd after showing their identity, avoiding the need to stand in line.
They made their way to the VIP section, where Zhang Lian's father had registered her for the test. Her turn was 20th in line, thanks to this VIP registration.
The atmosphere was tense. The rich and poor both have one thing in common : worry if their children have talent or not.
Hoping that their hours of waiting would be worth it. The building at the center, where the test would be conducted, was tall and well designed.
The test itself was managed by the mortal kingdom, with cultivators arriving only to conduct the testing. They cared little for the order in which children were tested, focusing mainly on the results.
The kingdom, however, saw this as an opportunity to profit, allowing the rich to ensure their children were among the first to be tested.
As Zhang Lian, who was covered with vile and her family sat on their seats, they could feel the eyes of others on them.
The square was noisy with the voices, all waiting for the cultivators to arrive and for the testing to begin.
Zhang Wei had managed to get a place in the VIP section by paying 100 gold coins, to ensure that his family would be comfortable.
Soon, the crowd saw a few figures appear in the sky, flying on swords, coming down.
They were cultivators, easily recognisable and the distinct jade-colored robes they wore, marking them as disciples of the Jade Serpent Sect.
Three cultivators descended onto the stage, their robes flying in the air. The robes were made of fine silk, detailed with silver embroidery and a symbol of their sect. The design of the robes was similar for all, but there were subtle differences between the men and women.
One of the cultivators was a tall, lean man with sharp features. His robe was slightly more fitted. He wore a jade belt around his waist, from which a sword hung. His hair was tied neatly.
Beside him stood a female cultivator, her robe similar in style but with a softer cut dividing the lower portion in two parts that flowed more freely around her body, showing her sexy thigh and her pink underwear could be seen when air moved around her legs. but no one dared to point out or laugh about this.
Her long hair was also floating with hairpins to make sure it didn't come on to her face, with a few hairs left loose on her face, to make her look more beautiful.
The third cultivator, another male, was slightly younger, with a more relaxed posture.
His robe, while similar to the others, had sleeves that were a bit longer, giving him a more casual look. However, his eyes were no less serious as he took his position on the stage.
Once they were in place, the mortal servants, who had been waiting nearby, quickly stepped forward.
Some of them quickly started to call people from the VIP list, making their own line. The process was swift; children from VIP sections were selected and led to different parts of the stage to get tested first.
The VIP line, which consisted of only about 40 to 50 children, moved quickly. The children were divided into three groups, each one standing before a different cultivator, ready for the test to begin.
Meanwhile, the rest of the crowd watched in anticipation, the tension rising as the cultivators began their assessments.
The cultivators on stage began explaining the test. The tall man spoke first by taking out a crystal ball from his storage bag.
"Here's how it works," he said. "You will each place your hand on these crystal balls. The balls will show your spiritual root's level and type."
He pointed to the three crystal balls on his hand. Each ball had glowing runes on it.
"If the ball doesn't light up," the man continued, "it means your spiritual root is too weak for cultivation, and you will remain a mortal."
He continued, "If the ball does shine, the brightness will tell us the level of your spiritual root. The levels range from 1 to 5, with 1 being the weakest and 5 being the strongest. If the ball were to break, it would mean your level is beyond 5, but don't worry, you will be selected to."
The younger man with the longer sleeves then explained, "If your root is level 3 or higher, you can join a jade serpent sect. If it's lower, you can join other sects or cultivate on your own, by becoming a casual cultivator."
He concluded, "We'll start the test now from a line and come forward, place your hand on the ball, and we'll see if you have talent or not."
Zhang Lian, with her face covered by a veil, stood in the VIP line with the other VIP children. As she waited, she thought about how excited she had been when she first heard about cultivators. She had dreamed of becoming one, hoping to gain abilities like them.
She had heard stories about spiritual medicines that could even change a person's gender, although she wasn't sure if they were true, but she, being a man in past life, definitely wanted this kind of medicine. Even if it was not true they still have a long life, amazing skills, and the freedom to be who you wanted to be.
In the world of cultivation, it didn't matter if you were a man or a woman—everyone had the chance.